Updated iMacs this Week?

[MacRumors]

Mac Rumors Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/09/20030907215133.shtml)

With multiple sites (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/09/20030905235111.shtml) pointing towards possible updates this week -- iPods and PowerBooks are listed as leading contenders. However, according to reliable sources, it appears that it is the iMac updates that are imminent.

Our Buyer's Guide (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/) shows the iMac has come due for a revision, with a recent ThinkSecret report (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/08/20030820155811.shtml) revealing specs for the new machines. Sources confirm a 1.0GHz and 1.25GHz speed bump to the iMac line, with the addition of USB2 -- inline with ThinkSecret's specs.

In addition, new information reveals pricing will remain the same for the updated iMacs, coming in at $1299 and $1799 respectively.

An iMac update, obviously, does not preclude other announcements this week or at Apple Expo Paris.

[Stella]

Makes a change from the daily PowerBook rumours! :)

[Mineral]

Originally posted by Stella
Makes a change from the daily PowerBook rumours! :)

Too bad I'm about to SELL my iMac and BUY a Powerbook.. I can't wait forever Apple!! Update the stinkin' 'books!!!!:o

[Omek]

Hmmm... perhaps a G5 Powerbook isn't too out of the question. It would be weird for them to update the iMacs before the Powerbooks.... could mean something... maybe...

[crees!]

Originally posted by Mineral
Too bad I'm about to SELL my iMac and BUY a Powerbook.. I can't wait forever Apple!! Update the stinkin' 'books!!!!:o

Werd \m/

EndSerenading

[e-coli]

The Year of the Laptop!!!

:rolleyes:

[ThomasJefferson]

Always nice to hear about an upgrade, but color me uninterested. It seems we all have a one track mind right now. My guess is that the iMacs are a kind of cover for ... no powerbooks this week. ugh!

[Stella]

People took too much importance into Steve's "Year of the Laptop" quote.

For a long time I've thought this. The way I took it was that Laptops would sell in significantly more quantities this year. Hence, the year of the laptop.

No more, nothing less. Not G5 are going to appear or just wait for what Apple are going to do in 2003...

Of course, "The Year Laptop" has turned into just that - "You will have your laptop all year, because we aren't going to up-date them!!" as some people have joked.

Originally posted by e-coli
The Year of the Laptop!!!

:rolleyes:

[mac15]

well no not really, Apple has released many products out at once. I'm not specualting anything but its apple and who the hell has any idea what they will do next

[Photorun]

You people posting with your "hmmm G5 notebooks must be tomorrow" SLAY me! Too darn funny... funny and so incredibly wrong. Sorry jinky try next year.

As far as the iMac, seems too little too, uh, little. But hey maybe sources are wrong and they'll stick a G5 in it. [coughs] (those who don't know that was humor, ain't no G5 in the iMac until next year either if ever). What's curious is from poking around it looks like there's still supply in the channel of existing iMacs, maybe they're sick of waiting.

And as the case for PBooks, believe it when we see it, there's been talk of new iMacs since the beginning of summer.

And I can't wait for the G5 iPod, I bet that's going to be announced at Paris with the G7 Powerbook. [coughs]

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by mac15
well no not really, Apple has released many products out at once. I'm not specualting anything but its apple and who the hell has any idea what they will do next isnt that the truth, look for imacs & powerbooks ( if not they are needed)

[Mineral]

Originally posted by crees!
Werd \m/

EndSerenading

\m/

[MattG]

Gimme the G5 I ordered and update the Powerbook line. The 15" has been due for an update longer than the iMac line has...

[Mineral]

I am this close (makes motion with hands) to buying a maxed-out 900Mhz iBook instead of a 12" powerbook..... :mad:

[Powerbook G5]

You mean Apple sells other computers besides PowerBooks? :confused: :)

[mj_1903]

Just to bring it up again....

The G5 PowerBook is not away as people think. As IBM nicely pointed out back months ago for the PPC 970, they can produce chips that use low Watt's and have nice performance. I am sure Apple would love to include 1.2-1.6ghz G5's in the PowerBook and could probably do it right now with nary a major case change.

If I am wrong, so be it, but I can see no reason for them to be delayed except Apple milking the AlBook's for all they are worth (hey I have one and am awaiting the next upgrade to get another).

[mvc]

So does anybody actually care about the iMac anymore? I feel distinctly underwhelmed. Excite me Apple, you know you can do it!

[DakotaGuy]

I want an eMac. I am a teacher and am waiting for a 1.25Ghz Combo for $849 (ed price) I wonder if iMac updates are coming if a new improved eMac for the same price is coming, would love to see DDR Ram and an 80GB HD for that price. Well before I think they let the 1Ghz iMac out of the door a couple of months before the 1Ghz eMac, so I suppose I will have to wait until winter.

[mvc]

Originally posted by mj_1903
Just to bring it up again....

The G5 PowerBook is not away as people think.…

I want to believe…

[Dont Hurt Me]

true but if i was steve with the g5 it would be time to make up for all that moto stagnation and put mac in the front again. how you do this? G5's everywhere and G5's going faster and faster. Best OS and Hardware. period case closed.

[Freg3000]

iMacs at the same price? What are they adding, clock speed and USB 2? Sorry, Apple, this is getting too lame. I mean, if it was using the 7457, the extra cache would be nice, but all of those would go to the PB first. And no L3 cache b/c it is too expensive. :(

FYI the iMac has increased 200 MHz in 21 months. Very sad.

[mvc]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
…put mac in the front again. how you do this? G5's everywhere and G5's going faster and faster. Best OS and Hardware. period case closed…

Yeah, i agree, all these sluggish G4 items on the Apple shopping list are getting to be a total embarassment- its bad enough being shown up by the opposition, let alone by the big brother G5! Bring on a stonking new sexy aluminium G5 iMac redesign that makes me lust to own one again!

iMacs - perhaps they can call the new model "wallflower" instead of "flowerpower". ;)

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by Stella
People took too much importance into Steve's "Year of the Laptop" quote.

For a long time I've thought this. The way I took it was that Laptops would sell in significantly more quantities this year. Hence, the year of the laptop.

I watched that keynote. This is exactly what Steve meant. Steve explained carefully that this is exactly what Steve meant.

Originally posted by Photorun
You people posting with your "hmmm G5 notebooks must be tomorrow" SLAY me! Too darn funny... funny and so incredibly wrong. Sorry jinky try next year.

Why is it wrong? It's rather idiotic to make an argument without bothering to back it.

Originally posted by Photorun
As far as the iMac, seems too little too, uh, little. But hey maybe sources are wrong and they'll stick a G5 in it. [coughs] (those who don't know that was humor, ain't no G5 in the iMac until next year either if ever).

How do you know?

I can't stand when people make obnoxious arguments without backing them. If you don't have anything intelligent to say, don't waste our time.

[Mineral]

There's nothing wrong with updating iMacs.. they're great computers and darn sexy if you ask me. I've loved mine.. but now I need a notebook computer.

Anyway.. I just hope the pricepoint of 12" powerbooks drops soon.. and I'm crossing my fingers for upgrades as well.

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
I can't stand when people make obnoxious arguments without backing them. If you don't have anything intelligent to say, don't waste our time.

Ok, he didn't do it, so i will.

G5's will have to go first in PowerBooks and xServes. No iMacs yet.

[DHagan4755]

First and foremost, Apple released both updated PowerBooks and the eMac on the same day once upon a time. So more than one product can be updated at a time.

Secondly, and equally as important, I don't think the iMac will be "bumped" before the PowerBook. Not only have the PowerBooks waited longer for a rev, but they are also the "pro" line, and it would be sad that the PowerBook gets eclipsed in speed and performance by the consumer oriented iMac.

Therefore, we can draw two conventional conclusions from the imminent report of new iMacs: either they will get bumped along with the PowerBooks in some announcement or they will get bumped after the PowerBooks.

Now, if iMacs are bumped before new PowerBooks are intro'd, this is going to lend a lot of creed to those who feel and believe that a PowerBook with a G5 processor is due because of the aforementioned points.

Whatever the case, the days that lie ahead should prove to be very interesting....

[mvc]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why is it wrong? It's rather idiotic to make an argument without bothering to back it.…I can't stand when people make random arguments without backing them. If you don't have anything intelligent to say, don't waste our time.

While I also find random unsubstantiated prognostications annoying, perhaps you might want to back away from the keyboard for a little while? That rebuke seems a trifle severe :)

[rainman::|:|]

i think it's funny that so many people are just sure that ___ product line is going to be updated, just because they want it to be. watching you guys, i see why so many people play the lottery...

pnw

[trog]

Originally posted by Photorun
.... ain't no G5 in the iMac until next year either if ever.

If ever? Are you suggesting they will skip the G5 and start using the G6 in a few years, or that the iMac will be phased out for some other consumer model?

I am sure you don't mean that the iMac will use the G4 *forever* because that's ridiculous... don't you think?;)

[Postal]

An iMac update this week would make sense. One week before the Apple Expo, you get the "oh, that's nice" update out of the way and then launch the more significant update at the expo everyone will be watching.

I hope a price cut does come along with an update, but I don't know if Apple is willing to drop the 15" by $300 (to the magic $999) at the same time as they're updating the internal components. Doubtlessly it would be a good way to get the iMac selling at a time when no one wants to touch a desktop G4 with a ten-foot pole.

And for those griping that the iMac would just go to 1.25 GHz: remember, 2002 went without a real performance upgrade (the GeForce 4 MX doesn't really count). The fact that 2003 has seen a jump from 800 MHz to 1 GHz, and likely now to 1.25 GHz, is relatively dramatic. That's over a 50% boost just in CPU speed. I'm pretty sure that Apple is going to keep up that kind of pace in 2004 as well.

[Powerbook G5]

I remember hearing people say the iMac will never get a G4 upgrade since the G4 was pro only and the consumer oriented iMac would never need one...the G5 will probably be in an iMac in a year or so. Heck, a few years from now we may have iBook G5s and people would be wondering when Apple will finally drop the slow G5s for at least a G6 in their bottom of the line. That's the way technology goes.

[pgwalsh]

Not that I expect it in the slightest, but it would be great to see Apple introduce G5 based iMacs .... 1.2 1.4 1.6ghz... Otherwise a minor speed bump wont be a big deal.

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by trog
If ever? Are you suggesting they will skip the G5 and start using the G6 in a few years, or that the iMac will be phased out for some other consumer model?

I am sure you don't mean that the iMac will use the G4 *forever* because that's ridiculous... don't you think?;)

The original iMac never got a G4, only the new FP iMac. Maybe this incarnation of the iMac will never see a G5, but a new model will.

Just a thought. :p

[mvc]

Originally posted by Postal
…The fact that 2003 has seen a jump from 800 MHz to 1 GHz, and likely now to 1.25 GHz, is relatively dramatic. That's over a 50% boost just in CPU speed. I'm pretty sure that Apple is going to keep up that kind of pace in 2004 as well.

Yes, but we are talking about a speed increase from way too slow > still too slow.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world rolls on to 3GHz and beyond, while iMac sales languish. Its a huge shame, because its a great concept, poorly executed in practice. Once (for about six months) iMacs were way cool AND relatively fast.

So they had better more than match their current upgrade pace in 2004 as you say, or start selling it for under a grand.

[mvc]

Originally posted by Freg3000
Maybe this incarnation of the iMac will never see a G5, but a new model will.

Thats more like it - overhaul the whole package so that it becomes a must-buy item!

[theipodgod16]

While I also find random unsubstantiated prognostications annoying, perhaps you might want to back away from the keyboard for a little while? That rebuke seems a trifle sever


will you teach my vocabulary class? hehe

[mvc]

Originally posted by theipodgod16
will you teach my vocabulary class? hehe

Yeah, I gotta learn to go easy on the syllables. But how many times in one life can you use the word "prognostication" and get away with it, even assuming I spelt it right :p

[saint.duo]

No G5s in anything but the tower this year.

Have any of you complaining about this being too little actually used an iMac? The target audience for an iMac really doesn't need a G5. Do you need a G5 for home video/photo editing, web surfing, email, and typing? No. (The iBook is still "only a G3", and I know quite a few people that are very happy with their new iBook.)

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac How do you know?

[Steven1621]

what about the ibooks? they are just as due for an update as anything else in the mac line.

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by Freg3000
Ok, he didn't do it, so i will.

G5's will have to go first in PowerBooks and xServes. No iMacs yet.

Fair enough, that seems reasonable. PowerBooks and Xserves seem to have similar heat needs too. That said, if the next iMac revision is a G5, and so is the next PowerBook revision, it doesn't really matter which is released first if they're going to be released within a week of each other.

I guess we'll see tomorrow morning :)

[Scottgfx]

Originally posted by mvc
Yeah, I gotta learn to go easy on the syllables. But how many times in one life can you use the word "prognostication" and get away with it, even assuming I spelt it right :p

Would you please stop pandering to the pretentious pinheads that peruse these panels? :)

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by saint.duo
Have any of you complaining about this being too little actually used an iMac? The target audience for an iMac really doesn't need a G5. Do you need a G5 for home video/photo editing, web surfing, email, and typing? No. (The iBook is still "only a G3", and I know quite a few people that are very happy with their new iBook.)

My current Mac is an iMac.

If a G5 helps with Final Cut and Photoshop, it helps just as much with iPhoto and iMovie. The Power Mac will always be faster--granted.

The original iMac was a G3. Not a 603e. One might have said, "You don't need a G3 to access the internet." The thing is, Apple sees even its home customers doing lots of things that do need high-end processors. If it wasn't for the constant G4 shortages, Apple would have standardized on the G4 for everything. The idea of only having one processor type across the line worked in the G3 era and Apple is undoubtedly looking for it in the IBM era.

[Phazer80s]

Such an underwhelming update (if true) makes me wanna snooze.

Wake me when the iMac has a price/performance ratio that'll convince Joe Schmo to buy one instead of a Wintel junkbox.

:o Zzzzzzz....

[legion]

It'd be interesting if there are new iPods.

Around my house (in and around Santa Monica/West LA) 3 new iPod billboards have went up. They are colour-blocked with a solid colour background, an individual's sillohuette (in black) and the iPod in white (colour-blocked). Wonder if they are popping up anywhere else??

[arn]

Originally posted by legion
It'd be interesting if there are new iPods.

Around my house (in and around Santa Monica/West LA) 3 new iPod billboards have went up. They are colour-blocked with a solid colour background, an individual's sillohuette (in black) and the iPod in white (colour-blocked). Wonder if they are popping up anywhere else??

iPod ads being discussed in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37475)

Let's keep this thread on upcoming iMac updates.

arn

[Jesus on OSX]

The iPod rumor is not true. I can guarantee that 10000%.

The "Buy a bundle, Get a bundle back" promotion doesn't run out till September 27th. iPod is in that category. There is no way Apple would introduce updated iPods or anything relating to iPods till that date passes.

[dricci]

Apple should just kill the iMac line and replace them with low cost (sub-$1,000) MDD PowerMacs, and team up with some 3rd party flat panel makers to bundle 15"/17"/18" LCDs. Would solve the problem of no expandable consumer products, and would probably raise marketshare because of all those users waiting for a sub-$1,000 Tower Mac.

[Phil Of Mac]

The iMac is Apple's most successful product line ever. They won't cancel it.

[mvc]

Originally posted by dricci
Apple should just kill the iMac line and replace them with low cost (sub-$1,000) MDD PowerMacs…

No, because done correctly, the iMac fills a market niche no-one else can, as has been demonstrated by past successes of the brand and past failures of the impersonators .

Its just not being done right at the moment. It needs to rock performance wise, look smart, as well as be soo user friendly that everybody wants to hug one - the original iMac achieved this, the current model is not a patch on it.

It is missing some of the original iMac's anthropomorphic magic somehow, without being inherently cool enough to engender rabid technolust instead.

[Phil Of Mac]

I think the LCD iMac is lust-inducing enough, but it could use more power. I remember when the LCD iMac was still pretty hot. And it still is. i mean, isn't it the most logical possible design for an all-in-one LCD?

[merges]

Originally posted by Jesus on OSX
The iPod rumor is not true. I can guarantee that 10000%.

Don't be so sure...

[pgwalsh]

Would be great to see the iMac come with a larger sceen. 19" would be fantastic. However my sisters 17" is very nice. It would be interesting to also see the iMac in black or some cool Apple esque color.

[mvc]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
I think the LCD iMac is lust-inducing enough, but it could use more power. I remember when the LCD iMac was still pretty hot. And it still is. i mean, isn't it the most logical possible design for an all-in-one LCD?

Hmm, perhaps, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best - witness any derelict 1950's apartment block nearby - form following function is not always the entire answer.

I hope that somehow a new model can retain all that is well designed about the current model but either - make it more sexy or make it more friendly. No suggestions on how they should do that, I'm not an I.D. expert.

Currently, IMHO, it just falls short by comparison to the old model - that was my gut reaction from the first instant I saw it online, and it wasn't much improved by seeing it in the flesh. It reminds me of E.T. somehow ;)

[dho]

Hmmm I wonder what apple will do with those "slow" g5s that couldnt clock above 1.4ghz.
:D

If only they had the manpower to redesign 3 mobos in 3 months
one can always hope:mad:

[ZildjianKX]

I know this is primarily an imac thread, but I really don't expect a new iPod for awhile... there is no need. Faster computers we need, bigger MP3 players we don't.

[jamesatzones]

Wouldn't that be cool if they came out with a G5 19" widescreen iMac this week, new PowerBooks and iPods the week after. We need new stuff!!! Wishfull thinking on the iMac, but PB's need something now.

[chazmox]

Originally posted by mvc
Hmm, perhaps, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best - witness any derelict 1950's apartment block nearby - form following function is not always the entire answer.

I hope that somehow a new model can retain all that is well designed about the current model but either - make it more sexy or make it more friendly. No suggestions on how they should do that, I'm not an I.D. expert.

Currently, IMHO, it just falls short by comparison to the old model - that was my gut reaction from the first instant I saw it online, and it wasn't much improved by seeing it in the flesh. It reminds me of E.T. somehow ;)

You're kidding right!?! The FP iMac is a far more innovative and creative design than the original iMac. I use one daily and LOVE the LCD on the end of the arm. Everytime I move in my chair I can adjust the position and angle of the LCD with one touch of one finger - what other computer can do that! It doesn't seem significant until you use it!

And the FP iMac is not "just" form follows function. It's that and a creative solution to a problem - one I think Apple may have a hard time topping in the next revision.

Can't see how it's not sexy and not friendly - what! does the design intimidate you?!?

Granted at this date and time it could use some more power to stay competitive, but there's nothing wrong with the ID.

[SeaFox]

Originally posted by Macrumors
Sources confirm a 1.0GHz and 1.25GHz speed bump to the iMac line, with the addition of USB2 -- inline with ThinkSecret's specs.

Man, this like totally guarantees new Powerbooks this week. The iMac is a consumer machine. Apple can't have it's consumer desktop shipping with higher processers than the professional laptops. So they'll have to update the Powerbooks to at least the same specs at about the same time to avoid this.

[Phil Of Mac]

I did think the original iMac was sexier. There's just something about curves, man.

[mvc]

Originally posted by chazmox

Can't see how it's not sexy and not friendly - what! does the design intimidate you?!?

I think my point about E.T. and the iMac (apart from the big head on a skinny neck) was that it seems ALIEN! The two parts - computer/display have little synergy. One is a dome, the other is a rectangle, joined by a very clever but nevertheless disjointed stalk.

By nature this solution lacks a true sense of integration. What it says very well is - here are two separate concepts/forms which we have minimalised and connected together to work smoothly. What it doesn't say is that they are one thing - all in one, a unit! It is in effect a very clear statement that they are NOT one.

The original iMac was a restatement of a previous proposition - the classic all in one mac, it had the benefit of that design heritage and had been refined by time.

You seem to be implying that this first solution to a new set of design variables is by default the best - well, it might be, but that is not the history of design. I would expect them to top it, and deliver something even better!

[rog]

Whoopee! 50% faster iMacs in 20 months, what a joke. They were slow in Jan 02 when they came out. Why would anyone pay over $999 for an iMac? With such slow chips, that's what the top of the line iMac should be with a 17" screen. Anything more is a total rip off. Apple is still far from being back in the game. No wonder sales continue to be quite miserable.

[Phil Of Mac]

It's not the first LCD all-in-one, in fact, it's not the first LCD all-in-one Mac! The 20th Anniversary Mac (and all other all-in-one LCDs) simply integrated the computer on the back of the screen, which was ugly and mandated slower CD drives.

[mvc]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
It's not the first LCD all-in-one, in fact, it's not the first LCD all-in-one Mac! The 20th Anniversary Mac (and all other all-in-one LCDs) simply integrated the computer on the back of the screen, which was ugly and mandated slower CD drives.

True, good point, it's not the first even by Apple, but you might say it was their first serious attempt at solving the problem.

The 20th Anniversary was a gimmick at best, and other all-in-one LCDs that have been attempted by Apples competitors show the usual lack of design finesse.

The current iMac is a better machine than them by far, but I doubt it is the final solution - we are still trying to resolve what an LCD monitor should look like in general.

The iMac was derived from years of design evolution of TVs > Monitors. Essentially, they made the computer processor disappear into the monitor. Thats why it looks like one thing - it IS one thing.

Now the current LCD iMac is unable to pull this feat off as the screen itself is dissappearing in one of its 3 dimensions, leaving sod all room for a processor /CD/Hardrive. Thus we have a dome, and as we see other competing LCD monitors use various other usually clunky solutions to hold up the screen. Its an unresolved design issue.

Its this immaturity in LCD Monitor design that makes me think there will be improvements in the iMac layout - once the general field has settled down to some best-of-breed solutions and the computer components shrunk even more, the new iMac will be even more integrated.

But that won't make it FASTER ;)

[wizard]

Funny you should post about system performance and then mention video editing on a iMac. This is one app that really does not have a suitable processor to run on. Even the G5 are not immune to the demands that video editing can place on a machine.

Frankly peopel that can publicly say that the Imac is suitable for use in any home are the equal of the people that run around talking up yugos as the perfect car for all people. The reality is that you relly can't force eveyone to adopt a iMac anyomore than you can force evryone into a yugo. Differrent people have different needs, some of us like responsive machines. It makes little differrence whether that machine responds well to a mouse click or a punch to the accellerator, the trick is to move ahead of the pack.

Thanks
Dave


Originally posted by saint.duo
No G5s in anything but the tower this year.

Have any of you complaining about this being too little actually used an iMac? The target audience for an iMac really doesn't need a G5. Do you need a G5 for home video/photo editing, web surfing, email, and typing? No. (The iBook is still "only a G3", and I know quite a few people that are very happy with their new iBook.)

[gooddog]

Originally posted by mvc
So does anybody actually care about the iMac anymore? I feel distinctly underwhelmed. Excite me Apple, you know you can do it!

----------

I care.

While I don't really have a need for a G5 and can't afford it anyway, my desktop work will be centered on the iMac.

Everyone concentrates on the clock, etc.

Without a 19" stiff-neck LCD, there can be no real iMac "update".... true 16X9 ... why waste acreage.

Cordless all around, except power.

Fully wireless -- all of it.

120 Gigs HDD, DDR RAM - 2 Gigs , 1.6 GHz ,
FireWire800, USB 2, ADC port for when I want a 23" cinema.

One more thing ... gold logo and trim ... with ivory white plastics.

---gooddog

[gooddog]

Originally posted by legion
It'd be interesting if there are new iPods.

Around my house (in and around Santa Monica/West LA) 3 new iPod billboards have went up. They are colour-blocked with a solid colour background, an individual's sillohuette (in black) and the iPod in white (colour-blocked). Wonder if they are popping up anywhere else??

***************************

It will be a VIDEO iPod --- awesome display and absolutely gorgeous.

---gooddog

[KAKOsc]

Whats all this talk of putting the G5 in Apple's computers? IT JUST CAME OUT. Update the iBook i say, i want one but G3?? pffft.
As far as iMac updates, i agree that they're going to be tiny, not even worth a thought. I just got a 17" G4 1Ghz iMac and i have to admit the low 256 meg of RAM dissapointed me. Apple, put 512 meg of ram in and chuck in an internal TV tuner.

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by mvc
The current iMac is a better machine than them by far, but I doubt it is the final solution - we are still trying to resolve what an LCD monitor should look like in general.

Perhaps. We'll see...

Originally posted by KAKOsc
Whats all this talk of putting the G5 in Apple's computers? IT JUST CAME OUT.

So? The G3 spread across the entire product line in one day.

(Okay, they cancelled the entire product line and released the G3. So what? :) )

[esheep2001]

Can someone tell me when and what was updated a week before an expo in the past? I somehow don't think we'll see anything this week.

Oh, and Steve will announce that he's leaving Apple, Gore is taking over, all product lines bar iPod, pbook and pmacs are to be scrapped. Al enclosures changed to snazzy new beige plastic with a major switch to the new AMD 64 chip. Finally, Apple headquaters will be moving. They are currently buying every single double (and greater) garage in California and allocating them to staff in a desperate attempt to become innovative again.

:-)

Am I the only one sick of the "faster G4 but maybe G5" rumors?

;-)

e.

[Phil Of Mac]

The only updates one week before Expo are going to be disappointing updates.

Make what you will of it.

[joeyjojoe]

I think the current iMac design is great. If I didn't know anything about computers I would have been first in line to get something that is functional and a work of art.

I do understand that more people would buy them if they were faster and cheaper. But that really isn't Apple. If you wanted the fastest thing, you wouldn't get an Apple. If you wanted the cheapest thing, you definitely wouldn't get an Apple. Face it, the PC world has Apple beat (in my opinion because of stiff competition) on both those points. Still, people buy Macs because they have their own good qualities (i.e. ease of use, attractive design) and some buy them just to be different.

iMacs deserve to be updated, and hopefully Apple will use them more to get people to switch over.

[CrackedButter]

The iMacs look boring, i think they should drop the price a well on these machines.

Its only USB2 afterall with a GeforceFX with a small bump in memory.
LCD's have dropped in price as well.

Drop them in price by at least $200 or add more to the machines, for what you get they are not worth it IMO.
Plus they stay competitive.

[KAKOsc]

Am I the only one who is really excited to see the design for the G5 iMac? mmm, just imagine it... brushed stainless steel, holographic display coming out of a 5cmx5cm box hovering above the ground, following you around where you walk and automatically adjusting its height for the best ergonomic position. Totally voice controlled and wireless networkable... Hey, in 2165 when its released it might be a possiblity.
No seriously, I'm really excited. Its going to have to be made of stainless steel, the whole translucent plastic and white is waaaay to hard to keep clean - just ask any FP iMac owner, like myself ^^
However, a totally new design might be on the drawing board. Something a bit more expandable than the current iMac i hope...
Design brings me to another point, i'm sure Apple could just release the G5 everything, but they have to come up with all new cool designs to suit it. Imagine if they just released the G5 iMac looking exactly how the current one does... how dissapointing.
Yeah, i give G5 based computers (including a real, bug free G5) another few years before hitting the shelves

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by KAKOsc
Yeah, i give G5 based computers (including a real, bug free G5) another few years before hitting the shelves

A couple of years?

Man, 2 years will bring the G6. If not 18 months. The line will be all G5 by next summer. I guarantee it.

[KAKOsc]

Look at the time difference between the G4 and G5 -- anyway, do you really think its going to be called the G6? How non-artiste.

[rwclark]

A little bird told me the new iMac will sport a significantly speedier g4 processor, but come in only one color: "flower power."

[Phil Of Mac]

The G4 era was the exception.

G3 lasted from 1997 to 1999.

G2 lasted from 1995 to 1997.

G1 lasted from 1994 to 1995.

[neilt]

Originally posted by rog
Why would anyone pay over $999 for an iMac? With such slow chips, that's what the top of the line iMac should be with a 17" screen. Anything more is a total rip off. Apple is still far from being back in the game. No wonder sales continue to be quite miserable. i just configured a dell:
Dell specs:
2.2Ghz p4, 256 MB, 80GB HD, USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, xp pro, modem, dvd+rw, speakers, wordperfect office (appleworks), and 17" flat panel: $1907.00


Apple gives you that for $108 dollars less

how, exactly is that a rip off?

[eric67]

Originally posted by Mineral
Too bad I'm about to SELL my iMac and BUY a Powerbook.. I can't wait forever Apple!! Update the stinkin' 'books!!!!:o

you should really wait for the Apple Expo Paris, i unfortunately can not tell more, but new PB should be there


Concerning the update for today, look at Apple Store from 14h00 (Paris Time, GMT+1), Apple Store should go off line for a short time then the part of the new products will be displayed. the other part you will have to wait till Apple Expo Paris, but hey, it is in 1 week, so be patient

[kristianm]

Originally posted by neilt
i just configured a dell:
Dell specs:
2.2Ghz p4, 256 MB, 80GB HD, USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, xp pro, modem, dvd+rw, speakers, wordperfect office (appleworks), and 17" flat panel: $1907.00


Apple gives you that for $108 dollars less

how, exactly is that a rip off?

You can say what you want about a MHz myth, but I rather want a 2.2GHz than a 1GHz G4 without proper cache. That being said I am happy with my iMac. Performance and price could be better before I can persuade someone who is not into macs to buy one.

They need an upgrade bad.

[CmdrLaForge]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
The only updates one week before Expo are going to be disappointing updates.

Make what you will of it.

Hey Phil,

what happend to your Avatar ? What waver are you looking at ? G6 ? 0.6nm process ?

Cheers

[j_maddison]

Originally posted by joeyjojoe

I do understand that more people would buy them if they were faster and cheaper. But that really isn't Apple. If you wanted the fastest thing, you wouldn't get an Apple. If you wanted the cheapest thing, you definitely wouldn't get an Apple. Face it, the PC world has Apple beat (in my opinion because of stiff competition) on both those points. Still, people buy Macs because they have their own good qualities (i.e. ease of use, attractive design) and some buy them just to be different.

iMacs deserve to be updated, and hopefully Apple will use them more to get people to switch over.

Interesting comment about people never buying an Apple product because PC's are always quicker... what planet are you from??? Ey??? If you went back six or seven years you couldnt find a PC that could live with the speed of an applemac. Its only in recent years that Apple has fallen behind. Look at all the exitement surrounding the G5, that proves people want their macs to be faster than PC's. Hell we dont just want a superior OS, we want to have a superior system in all areas.

And before you say that the Powermac market is a different market, yes it is but as an imac user I still want performance increases and greater responsiveness too. I'm dying to update my 500mhz G3, but when i see PC's at 3Ghz then i feel inclined to waite until Apple releases something of a decent speed. I think i would have been happy at a G4 imac with a 1.42Ghz procesor but anything else is just too slow.

I think apple, with the exeption of their powermac range, look internally too much and ignore market changes. We often judge speed bumps and system improvements in relation to previous system configs, but ignore the fact that in many instances the new systems Apple are offering are not as cutting edge as they should be. Apple is, or should be, an innovative company. There are many areas where apple have been first to market, and often light years ahead.

jay

[CmdrLaForge]

Originally posted by neilt
i just configured a dell:
Dell specs:
2.2Ghz p4, 256 MB, 80GB HD, USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, xp pro, modem, dvd+rw, speakers, wordperfect office (appleworks), and 17" flat panel: $1907.00


Apple gives you that for $108 dollars less

how, exactly is that a rip off?

Apple gives us a 2.2GHz processor ? Really ? Where can I order that baby ? And how about the graphics ? What card is in that dell ? Same GeForce4MX than in the apple ? Or maybe a Radeo 9600 ?

Don't compare apples with bananas !

Honestly - the iMac is the consumer Mac. And what are consumers doing - maybe like to play games ?

If you buy a new Computer today it should last 3-4 years. Don't see that with the current and future iMacs.

The next 3D games will need more performance than that current iMac update will offer. This means that the next iMac will not be that "Seller" product.

And now we know why this is the year of the notebook.

Cheers

[NicoMan]

UK Apple store is down...

[MattG]

Originally posted by NicoMan
UK Apple store is down... The U.S. store isn't down (yet?), however Order Status has been broken for the past 10-12 hours...wonder what's going on?

[Eric_Z]

Actually it seems like all the European Apple Stores are down.

I've tested the:

Italian
Spanish
Finnish
Swedish
German
Austrian
Belgian
Duthch

Apple Stores

[Tom800]

Not to mention the French!

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by Eric_Z
Actually it seems like all the European Apple Stores are down.

I've tested the:

Italian
Spanish
Finnish
Swedish
German
Austrian
Belgian
Duthch

Apple Stores

Yes!

Must be something strictly European???
What can that be?

[Tom800]

iTunes Music Store?

Bluetooth keyboard mouse - international layout??

[mmmbop]

Fingers crossed for good news at the Apple Store.

The iMac is still a good computer for casual computer users (I think), even though many of us know better ;)

MARK

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by Tom800
iTunes Music Store?

Bluetooth keyboard mouse - international layout??

Could be, but why just one week before MWP???

[msxgames]

I have a 1Ghz iMac and i'm more than happy with it - loads of people here saying it's not a great machine ...
I just say, it's great and I think this is a fabulous design - much better & innovative than the G3 iMacs...

And about Apple Store closed, please give us the Music Store!

[eric67]

Originally posted by NicoMan
UK Apple store is down...

it is also the case for the french Apple Store.
it seems to be the case for all europe, i have checked Germany, UK, Austria, Italy and Switzerland
there is something coming that we might know before the US.....
let's wake them up

[Tom800]

Obviously it's the 12inch G5 PB. What else could it be?

[themadchemist]

Originally posted by Photorun
What's curious is from poking around it looks like there's still supply in the channel of existing iMacs, maybe they're sick of waiting.
[coughs]

If Apple wants to wait for the supply channels to be cleared, it'll be waiting forever. The bottom has fallen out of the iMac sales--Apple needs to do something--ANYTHING--to get a little attention back to the iMac.

Apple knows that whatever iMac updates there are (unless it happens to be that the iMac houses two Power5's, not toned down for desktops), the spotlight won't be stolen from the G5. However, Apple also knows that the iMac could grab a little attention to itself and maybe that would push sales a bit.

Perhaps there's going to be a case makeover to this more industrial look. It would be a shame since the current iMac is so beautiful. I don't think we'll have to worry about this, though, since Ive must be exhausted from the G5 work. "No, I refuse to do anything but sit here and draw Mac SE's."

[Tom800]

I don't think we'll have to worry about this, though, since Ive must be exhausted from the G5 work. "No, I refuse to do anything but sit here and draw Mac SE's."

lol!
:D

[centauratlas]

Originally posted by mvc
No, because done correctly, the iMac fills a market niche no-one else can

I agree. The iMac fills a *great* niche. I have plenty of Mac desktops in my office (5), but I don't want that ugly (at least in comparison to the iMac) thing out in the rest of the house. So I have a flat panel iMac out there. Nice, compact, not a ton of wires everywhere. It is just used for web browsing and games...it has plenty of power for that. (Not that they shouldn't keep updating them, but it serves a different market. If I want to do video encoding I use a DP machine.).

Definitely don't kill it. :-)

[agdickinson]

Hi,

Just noticed that the Apple UK store is closed for updates i.e.

"
We are busy updating the store for you and will be back within the hour.
"

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore

considering the Rumors earlier this could be significant perhaps?

Andrew

[agdickinson]

Might help if I updated my browser before posting...

:rolleyes:

[Eric_Z]

from the Swedish Apple store

IMac


1,25 GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333
160 GB Ultra ATA-enhet
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra

[eric67]

Another good info/rumor from macbidouille since they announced few days ago (as quoted by macrumors page2) that it will be some update on the Apple Store.....they were only wrong regarding the time, they had announced store offline at14h00 (Paris Time) but it came 20 minutes earlier......

[CrackedButter]

New imacs dudes, the rumours were right... shame.

[eric67]

iPod 40GB, that's it
:-(

[Eric_Z]

New iMac

17-inch flat panel TFT display
1.25GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 memory
160GB Ultra ATA drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
56K internal modem
Apple Pro Speakers
AirPort Extreme Included
Bluetooth Included

[eric67]

Originally posted by Eric_Z
New iMac

17-inch flat panel TFT display
1.25GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 memory
160GB Ultra ATA drive
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
10/100BASE-T Ethernet
56K internal modem
Apple Pro Speakers
AirPort Extreme Included
Bluetooth Included

argh... faster than me

[Eric_Z]

The US store is down now...

[kristianm]

Originally posted by CrackedButter
New imacs dudes, the rumours were right... shame.

Which makes me wonder why/what are holding the powerbooks back. The iMac is a great machine, but I don't think the updates are that important. If you can do with 1.25 GHz G4, you could do with a 1 GHz. The new graphics card might make it hotter, and mine 1 GHz is already a bit hot at times with the fan doing overtime duty.

[live4ever]

its 8am EST went to apple.com got yellow sticky 'We'll Be Back Soon'

[eric67]

Originally posted by kristianm
Which makes me wonder why/what are holding the powerbooks back. The iMac is a great machine, but I don't think the updates are that important. If you can do with 1.25 GHz G4, you could do with a 1 GHz. The new graphics card might make it hotter, and mine 1 GHz is already a bit hot at times with the fan doing overtime duty.

steve needs to have something to announce at Apple Expo Paris...the new PB

[msxgames]

Very happy the iMacs are still there. But still hope there will be news regarding Music Store next week...

[kristianm]

Originally posted by eric67
steve needs to have something to announce at Apple Expo Paris...the new PB

I don't belive that, if they can sell powerbooks for 1 week that got to be more important than some european expo. He can just announce the date for panther and everyone will leave happy.

[Stella]

Well, well, the AppleStore is down.

The Rumour sites have got something right... Wouldn't we be surprised if we saw new PBs...!

[nazariteguitar]

I'm personaly starting to think that the G5 Powerbook is more likely all the time. I mean there is no way Apple would bump the Imac to the same level as there top of the line probooks.

[NicoMan]

Originally posted by kristianm
I don't belive that, if they can sell powerbooks for 1 week that got to be more important than some european expo. He can just announce the date for panther and everyone will leave happy.
Maybe the PBs are not ready for shipping yet, which would make all purchases advance orders and defeat some of the purpose of an early announcement.
Who knows...

[jamesatzones]

Could it be, something being anounced or updated. Cool

[mvc]

Originally posted by kristianm
Which makes me wonder why/what are holding the powerbooks back. The iMac is a great machine, but I don't think the updates are that important.

Dead right, that Powerbook MUST be coming very soon or its just too sick!

[msxgames]

Improved iMacs & iPod confirmed but it seems I can't access the store now ... was it up with the new specs for 1 minute and they closed it again?

[pcp_ip]

I think the store is down for maintenance.

While doing my daily G5 order check I noticed at 6:30 pm (EST) last night, and again this morning that the order status section was returning webobject errors and wouldn't load.

[Eric_Z]

A screengrab from the German Apple Store can be found here (http://forum.macnews.de/forum/show?ansicht=zweigeteilt&mid=96207.19247.8289&s=lCP0JeBPW9)

You have to scroll down a bit to see it.

[betoranaldi]

Originally posted by msxgames
Improved iMacs & iPod confirmed but it seems I can't access the store now ... was it up with the new specs for 1 minute and they closed it again?

the UK apple store was down for matnience and now is up with the updated products

[Eric_Z]

Odd, when I try it all I get is the yellow "will be back soon" post it note.

<ed> Ok now it works :) </ed>

[jamespmack]

store back up

[betoranaldi]

Originally posted by betoranaldi
the UK apple store was down for matnience and now is up with the updated products

I could be wrong... that is what i understood from other peoples conversations... anyways US apple store is back....

[pmcaleer]

Here it is: http://www.apple.com/ipod/ new iPod pages at Apple.

[betoranaldi]

iMac

http://www.apple.com/imac/

[Eric_Z]

http://www.macminute.com/2003/09/08/imacs

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030908/sfm072_1.html

[MacsRgr8]

Anybody know if Level 3 Cache is added to th iMac?
If I click on "specs" I get the old ones....

[eric67]

Originally posted by NicoMan
Maybe the PBs are not ready for shipping yet, which would make all purchases advance orders and defeat some of the purpose of an early announcement.
Who knows...
I do think so too, Steve can always announced them even if they will officially ship 1 month later, they have done that recently too....

[betoranaldi]

no powerbooks :( ... Next week hopefully, must be somthing big seeing how the imac gets bumped up to faster then the current PB ... how can they have a pro line laptop the same speed as a consumer line desktop?????


;)

[NoPrideELF]

the interesting problem now is that their big consumer seller (obviously not quite in the same market as portables) does overshadow their huge pro products, powerbooks. A mere speed bump of the powerbooks to the SAME EXACT specs as an imac but at a much higher price wouldn't look real pretty.

[crees!]

Does everyone notice how Apple is stressing Mac and Windows compatibility for the new iPod? Could this mean iTunes for Windows is just around the corner? Sooner than we expected?

[tduality]

New IMac with up to 600MHz G3 !

That's what it says on the Swiss Store! OMG.




:p

store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/swissdestore.woa/944/wo/958x1008pGPTjvYl12/0.0.7.1.0.5.21.1.2.1.1.0.0.1.0 (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/swissdestore.woa/944/wo/958x1008pGPTjvYl12/0.0.7.1.0.5.21.1.2.1.1.0.0.1.0)

[mvc]

Originally posted by NoPrideELF
A mere speed bump of the powerbooks to the SAME EXACT specs as an imac but at a much higher price wouldn't look real pretty.

Gotta be a G5 Powerbook now - explains the delay and overcomes the credibility gap this new upgrade creates.

Or, alternatively, Steve could eat my shorts.

[centauratlas]

Originally posted by Jesus on OSX
The iPod rumor is not true. I can guarantee that 10000%.


How much you want to bet on that? A new 40GB iPod? (Not at the US Store yet, but already in the European ones).

[MacsRgr8]

Ah.... here (http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html) are the new specs.
No Level 3 cache (too expensive, I assume). Got the 167 MHz bus, though.

[NoPrideELF]

Originally posted by centauratlas
How much you want to bet on that? A new 40GB iPod? (Not at the US Store yet, but already in the Europe ones).

Don't you look stupid when you refresh the US store on your screen and it's staring you in the face?

Now that the ipod came up after the imac only being there about 10 minutes, I keep half-expecting to reload again and see a powerbook.
Peter griffin -"How can you half expect something?"

[centauratlas]

Originally posted by NoPrideELF
Don't you look stupid when you refresh the US store on your screen and it's staring you in the face?


No, because I had already posted it before they updated it. 2 minutes can make a world of difference.

[kristianm]

I tried to order one, and they seem to be shipping today.

[crees!]

4x Superdrive in the iMac.. would be nice if that translated its way to the PBs

[scem0]

Wow arn hit this nail on the head.

Good job!

scem0

[chazmox]

Originally posted by nazariteguitar
I'm personaly starting to think that the G5 Powerbook is more likely all the time. I mean there is no way Apple would bump the Imac to the same level as there top of the line probooks.

Really? They've been at the same processor speed ( 1GHz ) all year so what would be so different now?

[Jesus on OSX]

Originally posted by centauratlas
How much you want to bet on that? A new 40GB iPod? (Not at the US Store yet, but already in the European ones).

Ok, I lose.

What about the promotion though?

[bikertwin]

Originally posted by MacsRgr8
Ah.... here (http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html) are the new specs.
No Level 3 cache (too expensive, I assume). Got the 167 MHz bus, though.

So if the iMacs got the 167 MHz bus, isn't that the 7457 (or whatever the new chips are that all the rumor sites say have been delayed)?

If that's true, and as someone else said the iMacs are shipping today--doesn't that mean that those chips are not the limiting factor that's preventing new PowerBooks from being debuted?

In other words, if those chips are shipping, then they can't be what's holding up the new PowerBooks.

So they must be G5s!

Or, here's hoping, anyway. :D

[NoPrideELF]

hmm, good question. Well, we are still within the time limit. Are the ipods shipping immediately? If so, the promo's good.

[Kermit]

Originally posted by bikertwin
So if the iMacs got the 167 MHz bus, isn't that the 7457 (or whatever the new chips are that all the rumor sites say have been delayed)?

No it isn't.

[MacsRgr8]

Originally posted by bikertwin
So if the iMacs got the 167 MHz bus, isn't that the 7457 (or whatever the new chips are that all the rumor sites say have been delayed)?

If that's true, and as someone else said the iMacs are shipping today--doesn't that mean that those chips are not the limiting factor that's preventing new PowerBooks from being debuted?

In other words, if those chips are shipping, then they can't be what's holding up the new PowerBooks.

So they must be G5s!

Or, here's hoping, anyway. :D

The MDD G4's have a 167 MHz bus (not all, but most of 'em), but use the 7455 G4.
BTW, I like synergy! Its very handy.

[bikertwin]

Originally posted by MacsRgr8
The MDD G4's have a 167 MHz bus (not all, but most of 'em), but use the 7455 G4.
BTW, I like synergy! Its very handy.

Oh, dang. Got my hopes up. :(

But yeah Synergy is the best five bucks I've spent in a long time. So Apple-y, too. Should win a design award.

[crees!]

Originally posted by bikertwin
If that's true, and as someone else said the iMacs are shipping today--doesn't that mean that those chips are not the limiting factor that's preventing new PowerBooks from being debuted?

In other words, if those chips are shipping, then they can't be what's holding up the new PowerBooks.

So they must be G5s!

My thoughts would say an assumption like this would prove to be disappointing.


PS - The alternating iPod ads are pretty cool ;)

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by CmdrLaForge
Hey Phil,

what happend to your Avatar ? What waver are you looking at ? G6 ? 0.6nm process ?

Cheers

It's the G5 wafer being held up by Steve Jobs at WWDC. My previous avatar apparently freaked people out.

Originally posted by nazariteguitar
I'm personaly starting to think that the G5 Powerbook is more likely all the time. I mean there is no way Apple would bump the Imac to the same level as there top of the line probooks.

Definitely. Why bother announcing another G4 at Paris? Although I'm sure Steve's gonna mention the new iMac and iPod.

[MacFan25]

Glad to see the iMacs getting updated and Apple's products getting better and better.


and congrats to arn...glad you have some good sources! :D