Dual Swingarm iMac G5?

[MacRumors]

A patent (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=apple.ASNM.&OS=AN/apple&RS=AN/apple) filed by Apple Computer on August 24, 2004, for an "ornamental design for a display device with a moveable assembly" might shed some light on the design of the new iMac G5. Attached to the patent filing are artist renderings of a dual connection arm similar to the original iMac G4, but doubling the swingarms. Additionally, the base of the machine is a pyramidal shape, in contrast to the dome base of the most recent iMac G4. (Images in forum thread)

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a display device with a moveable assembly attached to a flat panel display and to a pyramidal base, the moveable assembly shown in a first position; and,

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of a display device with a moveable assembly attached to a flat panel display and to a pyramidal base, the moveable assembly shown in a second position.


The timing of the filing of the patent in relation to the upcoming Apple Expo Paris (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/08/20040829173302.shtml) might not be a coincidence, since patent approval would not have been made known until today. Also included in the filing are links to the iMac G4 swingarm patent.

[Mudbug]

linked patent images and an artist's rendering:
http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/imacdoubleswingarmsmaller2.jpg
http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/iMacG5Front2.jpg

[bluebull]

That looks a little strange...

[LeonPro]

Hmm. Looks pretty much like an updated iMac.

[achmafooma]

Fascinating ...

Is it just me, or does it look like the display itself has a swivel connection ... ie, you could rotate the screen to a landscape or portrait orientation.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting the look of where the arm connects to the display, but wouldn't that be great for print-houses and the like (and working with longer, portrait-oriented documents in general)?

[AndrewMT]

I wish Apple would make some cool vesa-compliant arms and mounts for their cinema displays.

[AoWolf]

A pyramid iMac wow

[ibookin']

Looks weird, but those are just example drawings.

Looks like the new iMac is going to be pretty nice. Might have to pick one up now that mine has been returned to its owner. :D

[jcroft]

If it doesn't have a portrait/landscpe swivel, it should!

[Sharewaredemon]

being able to tilt the screen to portrait is kinda neat but it would be nice if there was a way to lock that so that your display wouldn't be tippy to one side,
the dual arm seems like it may add increased mobility to the screen which would be great. Also, keeping a similar "form factor" is a good idea as a lot of people really liked the previous imac's design (including me)

[kevin49093]

August 24, 2004 ? Isn't it a bit late to be filing patents for a product that is about to be rolling out?
I guess I thought this was something that would have to be taken care of well ahead of a release.

[skymaXimus]

Fascinating ...

Is it just me, or does it look like the display itself has a swivel connection ... ie, you could rotate the screen to a landscape or portrait orientation.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting the look of where the arm connects to the display, but wouldn't that be great for print-houses and the like (and working with longer, portrait-oriented documents in general)?
That's the 1st thing I noticed too ...

[sososowhat]

It looks more like a lamp than a computer. Perhaps I can put it on the nightstand & work in bed :-).

The physics of the jointed display are a little weird -- wouldn't that put a lot of stress on the "elbow"?

[cubist]

Makes no sense if the arm is as flexible as the iMac's current arm, but if rotation was restricted at some joints, it might be pretty nice.

[srobert]

I wish Apple would make some cool vesa-compliant arms and mounts for their cinema displays.

They already sell a VESA-compliant mount for the cinema display. But I have to admit, it would me nice to see one of those new Aluminum Cinema Display on a iMac styled arm.
http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/m9649ga_125.jpg

[CholEoptera36]

Why would they use a double hinge design like that? The previous model worked just fine, that would be an unnecessary addition to the old design. Also it looks like the double hinges would give the LCD less support. :confused:

[sketchy]

Looks weird, but those are just example drawings.


I know that the service guys hate the current arm configuration. All the cables have to go through the arm. Two arms make it even more complicated to service...

I don't see that much benefit with two arms. If it was double headed -- that would be neat

Dave

[JOD8FY]

If it was double headed -- that would be neat

Great - Just when I thought I'd heard enough about a headless iMac. :D

JOD8FY

[DrGruv1]

+ detach - screen? chameleon color, wireless firewire? :D

[rock6079]

wow, and jsut wen i thought we were going to go into a keynote without any good spoilers, this is sick. awsome !!!

though i dont really like the look of the artists rendering i doubt it wil llook like the pro seriese computers like the pwoermacs and powerbooks, but even if it does i have full faith that apple will maike an awsome design

the double swivelness looks sick

[MacsRgr8]

hehe...

I was hoping for a pyramid-, or cube-form iMac base! :cool:
I bet it would look so impressive!

Maybe, just maybe.....

(now, just put something better in it than a 5200 :D -eh, did we mention that before? )

[rendezvouscp]

Wow! I should've posted my drawings, they look close to that! Oh well...
–Chase

[ts1973]

I'm sorry, but this looks horrible to me : not an improvement at all :mad:

I hope this piramid scheme is not true. The dual arm design could of course be used for some other clever reason (but I couldn't imagine what). Maybe the artist rendering are made to take us of in a wrong direction (again, I hope so).

[decksnap]

You would think that the pyramid shape looks like that because it has little to do with the patent- so they don't care what it looks like. At least I hope, because that is pretty groos looking! :eek:

Perhaps the double arm joints would have something to do with wall mounting?

[recursivejon]

For some reason that arm just doesnt look like something Apple would design... its just about as complex it can be; functionality > usability.

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.

[SilentPanda]

Can somebody post the patent pictures for the previous iMac just so we can see how that fleshed out into the real thing for comparison? I can't seem to get the images at the patent office website to load...

[Freg3000]

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.

I agree, but that's the same argument as to why there shouldn't have been a 17 or 20 inch iMac. Apple always manages to make that thing stand up straight.

[recursivejon]

For some reason that arm just doesnt look like something Apple would design... its just about as complex it can be; functionality > usability.

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.

[keysersoze]

For some reason that arm just doesnt look like something Apple would design... its just about as complex it can be; functionality > usability.

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.

What a bizarre little creature!
:confused:

[goof_ball]

I don't see a purpose to have the extra joint...makes little sense. If you want to rotate the display, the old one could have done that...but I don't see that being a huge feature. Could this be an alternate design to the current model that was just processed now for some reason? Look how small the lcd is in the drawing. Perhaps Apple just likes to mess with people's minds.

Over, doesn't look too impressive by these sketched.

[Detlev]

I know it is only a rendering but that is ugly, IMHO. I sure hope there is a use for the extra arm. Otherwise it's just another place for it break. I have to admit it would be cool if you could turn the monitor from landscape to portrait or even something in between. It would like being in the Riddler's Hideout.

Anyone notice that additional piece on the left of the monitor in the first drawing? Looks like a handle or something (Oh man, it could be a windshield wiper :D ).

[EJBasile]

Looks very tall an un-ergonomic- If thats what it looks like i don't really like it.

[shamino]

It looks more like a lamp than a computer. Perhaps I can put it on the nightstand & work in bed :-).
Gee, this sounds familiar. :) People said the same thing about the G4 iMac when it came out.
The physics of the jointed display are a little weird -- wouldn't that put a lot of stress on the "elbow"?
Not necessarily. Swing-arm lamps have been hinged this way for years, some with lamp fixtures just as heavy as an iMac display. All it takes is a set of suitably-strong springs attached properly to counterbalance the weight.

[angelrendon]

I don't like it AT ALL. On a side note, allow me to brag about how speedy my connection was to slip into this thread even under the heavy server load. :cool:

[DavidCar]

August 24, 2004 ? Isn't it a bit late to be filing patents for a product that is about to be rolling out?
I guess I thought this was something that would have to be taken care of well ahead of a release.

The link to the patent shows, lower on the page, that the filing date was October 2003.

I would expect a practical pyramid design to be flatter for stability.

[makkystyle]

For some reason that arm just doesnt look like something Apple would design... its just about as complex it can be; functionality > usability.

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.


I agree that this looks kind of awkward, but I think we should remember that this is a patent for a "display device with moveable assembly". I don't think that we should conclude from these pics that the new iMac will look like this, only that it most likely will use a dual-arm assembly. To me it kind of looks as if they just drew a little pyramid to fill the place of whatever shape base this might be.

I really like the idea of a have two links in the arm. It gives you a much greater range of mobility. If this is indeed a piece of the new iMac, I am very glad they stuck with a design similar to the current (well, past) offering because it was so well done. I can't think of any computer that is as functional and useable right out of the box. I would love an iMac, but crave the power of a dual G5.

[growlf]

Has anyone actually LOOKED at the patent page? It says (quite clearly) that the patent application was filed on October 3, 2003.

:confused:

[formatc]

Is it just me, or does it look like the display itself has a swivel connection ... ie, you could rotate the screen to a landscape or portrait orientation.

Here's a comparison of the patent drawing and the "old" iMac:

http://www.bradspry.com/graphics/balljoint.jpg

[CholEoptera36]

Hey I just went on the Apple-Expo site to look at some info on the Apple-Expo in Paris tomorrow, and look at the pic that's on there site... Doesn't this swivel double hinge arm look like the ones in the drawings for the patent?

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/images/graphic2.jpg
I blew it up some to get a better look at the hinges:
http://derektraver.50megs.com/iMac.jpg

Here is the link of the page for Apple-Expo that I found the image on:
http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/

It doesn't have the pyramid base, but it looks like it has the same hinges maybe?

[shamino]

I don't see a purpose to have the extra joint...makes little sense.
You obviously haven't used swing-arm lamps very much, have you?

A second joint is very useful. It allows you to raise and lower the display/lamp while having it flush with the front of the base. With only one arm segment, the display must move forward when you lower it.

WRT the pyramid shape in the drawing, I don't think that means much of anything. The patent is for the dual-joint arm (which shouldn't be patentable - lamps have been using this kind of mounting for ages). The pyramid shape in the drawing is probably because it's easier to draw a pyramid than a sphere (and it's easier for a patent examiner to understand what he's looking at.) I would be surprised if Apple actually shipped something with this shape (but I do think it would be really nifty if they did.)

[nagromme]

I'll go out on a limb and say this is NOT the new iMac. That double arm adds complexity without much benefit. So... you can make the screen go even higher? Big deal. Farther forward? Ditto--and the thing would tip over. The current mechanism does all it needs to, is less failure-prone, and is better able to handle bigger screens.

So what IS this for? It's just a patent, not a shipping product. My explanations:

1. Dual arm. An obvious extension of Apple's current great mechanism, and one worth patenting "just in case." AND to stop others from doing it just to get around Apple's earlier patent.

2. Portrait/landscape pivot. That DOES have a benefit, but not a huge one, and the pro displays don't have it. So I'm skeptical. Again, Apple could just be patenting a more complex version "just in case."

3. Pyramid base. The base isn't part of the swingarm mechanism, so Apple need not draw any real product there. In fact, for secrecy's sake they would have submitted a NON-real product for the base. Thus the pyramid: it gets the "base" point across. That's all.

The new iMac could have a double-arm. I doubt it--why bother? But even if it does, this patent doesn't tell us what the machine LOOKS like.

I do think the current arm is great, and keeping it OR using a fancier variation could be a nice design.

PS, I hope the forum servers get an upgrade ASAP :D

[blueice02]

One of the big thoughts I have about this has to do with the date of the application of the patent. I'm sure that Apple was already working on the next iMac revision at the time of the application, but the date still makes it suspect. Like someone else said, it could have easily been another design they were working on for the iMac and decided that it wouldn't really work.

One other thought about the iMac: I'm starting to wonder if the eMac is taking the place of the iMac pricepoint and feature-wise, and iMac is becoming more of a midrange desktop model as well as a showcase for Apple's design ingenuity. After all, one of the reasons the iMac has always been so popular is because of its looks.

[Bengt77]

Okay, so the moment Phil starts talking about Egypt or anything having to do with pyramids or things shaped like it, we know these babies will be introduced. My biggest hope is not for any new hardware, though. It's for Phill to be just as good a keynote speaker as Steve. I was just wondering, how old is Phil and how old is Steve? In case Steve might retire anytime soon, would Phill be good as Apple's next CEO? Is Steve already back in the saddle, by the way? Or is he still taking things easy and is Ifuggoddisname still at the head (although, in that case, just temporarily I hope).

Anyways, listen to Phil... :rolleyes:

[stevehaslip]

This isn't innovation! Apple is reknown for pushing the envelope, this is just a rehash of the iMac G4. I understand that if it ain't broke don't fix it but come on it looks pants! Wheres the solution to the problem we all knew was there but didn't know how to fix? The thing that will make our lives easier? (and look super swank!) no no no! this is not right. The pyramid would look better if it had those swarve G5 rounded corners but this is still all wrong. I still think that this is probably something that Apple only released now to spark a fury in the rumor mill. My money is on some all in one enclosure backed on a screen. Like a screen with a clever arm.

What we see here is probably a prototype idea from a few years back during the development of the iMac G4. Only now someone rendered it in G5 alu. I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong if I am but......... ;)

[iMeowbot]

As you can see on the first image page, this is a continuation/split of an application dating back to November 2001. If you look through the Apple design patents, you'll find a nearly identical double arm attached to a dome-style iMac (separate from the bizarro snake arm). I'll look up the number when the USPTO server cools down a bit.

Anyway, this could very well be old iMac stuff finally emerging from the review and revision process, and may not represent the new model. So if you think it's as fugly as I do, there's still hope.

[EDIT:
Okay kids, check out patent D489,370 -- same jointed arm on a domed base. Also notice that the drawings are fleshed out more, showing the arm from multiple angles.

I suspect that the pyramid is simply an alternative design considered for the G4 machine.
]

[Edot]

This is better be a design of the original iMac G4?:confused:

If it's not then, :eek: !

[stingerman]

You guys are missing the whole point of the patent application. It is not the base, it is the connection between the display, it is the arm and it is the connection to the base. They can use any base they want, that was just a filler.

Now look at the back of the new cinema 20-30" displays and notice the round circle just like the patent. So this patent does not show us the base, only one of the ways that you can connect a display to the base. Evidently the new iMac will be headless and you can attach different displays to either a reticulating arm on the base or run a wire to another mount from the base. The only thing is that Apple is protecting their market by patenting the device and the connection technology so that Apple displays fit best.

[zelmo]

Heck, if server access is this tight now, just wait another 8 hours...

Is it confirmed that there is to be no live webcast of the keynote? If true, are we left to rely on the kindness of show attendees to post info as it is released, or wait for Apple to unveil it's new web pages? Ugh, could be a long sleepless night hunched over the PB searching for morsels of information.

[iMeowbot]

You guys are missing the whole point of the patent application. It is not the base, it is the connection between the display, it is the arm and it is the connection to the base. They can use any base they want, that was just a filler.

No, see my earlier posting, they already had a design patent covering that arm design. This design patent was specifically filed to cover the jointed arm with pyramid base combination.

[PlaceofDis]

its an interesting idea, and as others have pointed out it does not really seem to offer any benefits over the iMac G4 design, more likely than not it is stop imitators and the like

[Peel]

Take a closer look at the front view drawing. It looks to me like the screen isn't really a screen at all, but just a frame meant to hold a screen (see how the lines indicate depth rather than a display bezel). This could be because the patent doesn't concern itself with the display, and it's only showing how the arm mounts to the back.

OR... could it be that the head is detachable? Previous rumors calling for a headless mac, and motherboard on back of the display, could allow for the unit to pop out of it's base and frame (similar to how a car stereo head-unit demounts), leaving you with a tablet-like device (sans dvd drive and connectivity which are in the base).

[Peyote]

Wow, one of my submissions finally made it it page 1! That's right, I'm the one that spotted this patent, and I think it's ugly as hell. I hope this is some old patent related to the G4...I really do. However I dont think you can go on the filing date of October 2003 alone as the reason this couldn't be part of the iMac G5. Don't you think Apple would have filed the patents for their new design a while back...in this case a little less than a year ago? October 2003 actually sounds about right to me for them to apply for the patent.

I don't think the pyramid base is actually a part of what is being patented, but it's hard to tell from the language used. My only worry is: Why does the patent describe the base as a pyramid, if it could be any shape? I can understand wanting to have something in there just to show the concept of the arm...but why go so far as to describe the shape of the base, if that's not going to be the shape? Just playing devil's advocate here.

I think I'd have to play with the dual arm before I found it useful...it's just hard to tell how that would interact with you.

By the way, I should get a prize for finding the patent if it turns out to be relevant! LOL :D

[paxtonandrew]

After looking at that, i must say that the pizza box style iMac looks more and more attractive. I apologize to the artist, but I hope that a computer looking like that never comes on to the market. It will just be impractical and ugly to say the least. The iMac G4 pulled the half dome look of perfectly, and now we see this, with the metal and all.


Come on 10.5 hours.

[mpw]

Not sure if this has already been posted but...

1) the second hinge could, and would be great for, change the screen orientation.
2) would the G4 single arm be large enough to hold a 30" display?
3) could this mean the iMac comes with a choise of any size screen?
4) as it's a G5 have they solved the cooling issue with a 30 kilo aluminium heatsink/counterweight?

[point665]

Come on guys, its a airport boom antenna! just messing. The artists rendering just throws the whole thing off, so forget about that. The double jointed hinge could be useful in some cases... Ill make some sketches to show you guys what I mean and post them up. Other than that the whole thing is just plain ugly. Maybe this is some kinda mount for the isight (with the base and "display" just there to throw us off?)

[jouster]

Unattractive, poorly designed, expensive to maintain and basically a worthless retread.

But enough about me.



That is a hella ugly 'puter. I seriously hope it never trudges from the page to the factories.

[BakedBeans]

After looking at that, i must say that the pizza box style iMac looks more and more attractive. I apologize to the artist, but I hope that a computer looking like that never comes on to the market. It will just be impractical and ugly to say the least. The iMac G4 pulled the half dome look of perfectly, and now we see this, with the metal and all.


Come on 10.5 hours.

ive got to agree with you about the state of that image..but im sure it wont look lik that...and im sure it will be white plastic.... also it looks nothing like an appple product.... so lets just wait those few hours and see

[FuzzyBallz]

WTF, that thing looks weird. Very un-Apple like.

[mpw]

seeing as it's a fairly old patent application could it be that a Wintel manufacturer was thought to be trying to copy the iMac G4 design and Apple patent a bunch of similar designs to put a spanner in the works.

If it's real iMac G5 hardware then in reply to the earlier post about having to put 'all' the cables through the arm, surley the new display only hav a single cable anyways.

[fluidinclusion]

Hey I just went on the Apple-Expo site to look at some info on the Apple-Expo in Paris tomorrow, and look at the pic that's on there site... Doesn't this swivel double hinge arm look like the ones in the drawings for the patent?

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/images/graphic2.jpg


Here is the link of the page for Apple-Expo that I found the image on:
http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/

It doesn't have the pyramid base, but it looks like it has the same hinges maybe?

Great Job dude, I think you've found an easter egg on Apple's site! This could be the new iMac. I'm glad they kept the same (mostly) form factor.!!!

[aswitcher]

I do think the new imac will sport a new arm

[CholEoptera36]

Great Job dude, I think you've found an easter egg on Apple's site! This could be the new iMac. I'm glad they kept the same (mostly) form factor.!!!

Yeah it looks like the same double swivel joint thingy in the patent. It might still be a G4 iMac, and tricky to the eyes from that angle. Could be it's just fooling me cause I'm so excited about tomorrow! But if it is really a new G5 iMac, then I should be allowed to have a 'tar before my 500 posts! jk

PS. looks like the servers are good again :D In case anyone missed my post, I blew up the image on Page 2. What do you think?

[Peyote]

seeing as it's a fairly old patent application could it be that a Wintel manufacturer was thought to be trying to copy the iMac G4 design and Apple patent a bunch of similar designs to put a spanner in the works.

If it's real iMac G5 hardware then in reply to the earlier post about having to put 'all' the cables through the arm, surley the new display only hav a single cable anyways.


IMHO, the patent application isn't old. If you think about the whole reason we've had to wait for the iMac, it's because of chip shortage. Which means we should have had the imac a couple of months ago (I think). If that had happened, the patent would have only been approx 8-9 mo. old...not very old for a brand new computer, especially considering how long it takes for a patent to be approved once it is applied for.


My guess would be that the hinge arm is a go, and this is not the new iMac, but that the patent is still relevant and applies to a new arm.

I think apple may be introducing a VESA compliant arm to go with their new line of displays. why not? Not a lit of engineering has to go into one...not 3rd party products, so the profit margin must be pretty good. I think it's be a great little add-on...that way you don't have to go far for a VESA arm if you are buying a new display.

[friendlyghost]

I predicted the pyramid part, but then again I also predicted wood paneling and that it would come with a gun and a steering wheel. Here's a picture:

http://obviousdiversion.com/index.php?p=41

Wood paneling is going to make a huge comeback. Or possible not.

[eric67]

The link to the patent shows, lower on the page, that the filing date was October 2003.

I do not know when exactly it was filed, but there is a big difference between filing and being granted for a patent...and in addition there is usually between 10 and 18 month between both steps!! :)
you first file the invention requesting a protection by a patent which will be granted or not to you according to your invention.
the filing date is when you send invention application to Patent offices, which will record the date and the subject + description of your invention + claims. then depending on already filed invention, or other publicly disclosed information/techniques, your invention will be protected and a patent granted to you.
so actually, this system could have been filed by Apple in October 2003, and granted by Patent Office in August 2004, it corresponds quite nicelmy to the standard time required to investigate possible interference with other already existing filing or patents.
so I think the verb used in the news should maybe rather "granted" and not "filed"..??? :confused:

[recursivejon]

For some reason that arm just doesnt look like something Apple would design... its just about as complex it can be; functionality > usability.

Also what about balance, unless that base is uberheavy, with that display arm extended to its full length, i dont see how the thing could keep from toppling over.

Just my thoughts.

[mpw]

Hey I just went on the Apple-Expo site to look at some info on the Apple-Expo in Paris tomorrow, and look at the pic that's on there site... Doesn't this swivel double hinge arm look like the ones in the drawings for the patent?

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/images/graphic2.jpg
I blew it up some to get a better look at the hinges:
http://derektraver.50megs.com/iMac.jpg

Here is the link of the page for Apple-Expo that I found the image on:
http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/

It doesn't have the pyramid base, but it looks like it has the same hinges maybe?

Is this photo not from last years, or another, expo? there are lots of other photos on the site which obviously are not from this year and when i download the photo and 'Get Info' it was last modified 20th Aug.'04, I guess when it went up on the site(?)

[Peyote]

I do not know when exactly it was filed, but there is a big difference between filing and being granted for a patent...and in addition there is usually between 10 and 18 month between both steps!! :)
you first file the invention requesting a protection by a patent which will be granted or not to you according to your invention.
the filing date is when you send invention application to Patent offices, which will record the date and the subject + description of your invention + claims. then depending on already filed invention, or other publicly disclosed information/techniques, your invention will be protected and a patent granted to you.
so actually, this system could have been filed by Apple in October 2003, and granted by Patent Office in August 2004, it corresponds quite nicelmy to the standard time required to investigate possible interference with other already existing filing or patents.
so I think the verb used in the news should maybe rather "granted" and not "filed"..??? :confused:



That's exactly what I was saying...I totally agree that the date of Oct 2003 corresponds rather nicely to our timeline here.

[Freg3000]

PS. looks like the servers are good again :D In case anyone missed my post, I blew up the image on Page 2. What do you think?

I'd say definitely no. That bit of depth that you think you see in the photo doesn't represent that second arm as shown in the patent, but just the little part that juts out from the last iMac.

http://images.apple.com/imac/images/graphicsneck01072002.gif

Basically, that is the old iMac, bar none.

[Peyote]

Yeah it looks like the same double swivel joint thingy in the patent. It might still be a G4 iMac, and tricky to the eyes from that angle. Could be it's just fooling me cause I'm so excited about tomorrow! But if it is really a new G5 iMac, then I should be allowed to have a 'tar before my 500 posts! jk

PS. looks like the servers are good again :D In case anyone missed my post, I blew up the image on Page 2. What do you think?


I think if you get a 'tar then I get one for finding the patent! LOL

[Peel]

I think apple may be introducing a VESA compliant arm to go with their new line of displays. why not? Not a lit of engineering has to go into one...not 3rd party products, so the profit margin must be pretty good. I think it's be a great little add-on...that way you don't have to go far for a VESA arm if you are buying a new display.

That's true. Maybe our scale is off on this whole thing, and the pyramid part goes against the wall. Then the "display" section is really only about 3"x5" and is the VESA attachment meant for the new cinema displays.

[mvc]

Great Job dude, I think you've found an easter egg on Apple's site! This could be the new iMac. I'm glad they kept the same (mostly) form factor.!!!

I really doubt it - that image looks to me like the standard arm, it's just the camera angle and the position of the screen that's making it look double jointed. I think you are seeing the top hinge and thinking it's a whole other arm because of the angle.

If that's the only change to the much hyped pre announced new release of the iMac G5, then this is no longer Apple as we know them.

They are not going to launch a new processor in their consumer machines (which have been lagging in the sales department for a couple of years) without making the whole machine seem new, fresh and sexy!

[just a thought]

Has anyone thought what on god's earth the point of a dual swingarm would be? It just doesn't seem necessary. Who needs to have their monitor point straight up to the sky? Or flip around backwards? It looks clunky and unnecessary to me.

If you ask me, this is an old patent from when they were playing around with arm concepts back when. Remember the slinky one? Same dif.

[CholEoptera36]

Is this photo not from last years, or another, expo? there are lots of other photos on the site which obviously are not from this year and when i download the photo and 'Get Info' it was last modified 20th Aug.'04, I guess when it went up on the site(?)

I'm not sure about when the photo was put on the site, I just now less than an hour ago ran across it by accident. The 20th Aug. 04' date can be a re-uploaded image of the past, or this may very well be a brand new image. I dunno?

Also look at the edges of the computer in that photo. iMac G4's have a clear edging around them about an inch or so wide, like a boarder. I don't see a clear border around the LCD. But it might just be the quality of the picture?

[MattG]

Good god I hope it doesn't look like that picture...that's just fugly.

[Peyote]

That's true. Maybe our scale is off on this whole thing, and the pyramid part goes against the wall. Then the "display" section is really only about 3"x5" and is the VESA attachment meant for the new cinema displays.


exactly. That's what my guess is. There doesn't even necessarily have to be a "pyramid" part, but this could be some VESA arm for attaching to a well, desk, or even a ceiling, which could explain the possibility of a rotating display. this is all pure speculation of course.

Wouldn't it be trick if when you rotated the display 180 degrees, the image flipped...my camcorder does this, and it's usefor for flipping the screen around 180 degrees to show someone something on the screen...you would move the display on a 180 degree arc towards the back of the mac...and the image would flip. Ok, enough wild guessing for now.

[Peyote]

I'm not sure about when the photo was put on the site, I just now less than an hour ago ran across it by accident. The 20th Aug. 04' date can be a re-uploaded image of the past, or this may very well be a brand new image. I dunno?

Also look at the edges of the computer in that photo. iMac G4's have a clear edging around them about an inch or so wide, like a boarder. I don't see a clear border around the LCD. But it might just be the quality of the picture?


I can actually see the clear border in the photo

[JoePike]

Well, after the faked spy pics from Paris, and seeing this, I'm just not sure what to expect out of this new G5 iMac. If this patent is the real deal, it sure puts Think Secret's specs to bed in a hurry. If their inside source didn't even have the case design right, we can't be expected to believe any of the tech specs that went along with it. Personally, I kinda like this, because the conflicting reports have me off-balance enough where I'll be surprised whatever it looks like!

-Joe

[lipids]

I'm sorry, but this looks horrible to me : not an improvement at all :mad:

I hope this piramid scheme is not true.

OK, to all you folks unhappy with this hypothetical pyramid shape, GET REAL! Your prefer a spagetti strainer? The iBoob has always looked completly dumb. Almost any other shape would be an improvement.

[wymer100]

Hey I just went on the Apple-Expo site to look at some info on the Apple-Expo in Paris tomorrow, and look at the pic that's on there site... Doesn't this swivel double hinge arm look like the ones in the drawings for the patent?

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/images/graphic2.jpg
I blew it up some to get a better look at the hinges:
http://derektraver.50megs.com/iMac.jpg

Here is the link of the page for Apple-Expo that I found the image on:
http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/

It doesn't have the pyramid base, but it looks like it has the same hinges maybe?

Cool. Look at all the Ferrari F1 stuff in the background. Go Michael Schumacher!

[wPod]

yuck! everything looks cool except the pyrimid base. . . i think they just threw that in as a generic base. .. but what do 2 swing arms do that one cant? that doesnt make much sense. unless its designed to attach to a wall and not a computer base. . . so the screen/computer/tablet device could just snap off the wall mount. . . . hmmmmmmmmm

[CholEoptera36]

I can actually see the clear border in the photo

Maybe it's just my eyes, or my sucky CRT. But the edges look rather rounded off in the larger photo. Take a closer look, you can see light around the edges of the white LCD. Makes it look rounded off in a way to me.

[iMeowbot]

I do not know when exactly it was filed, but there is a big difference between filing and being granted for a patent...and in addition there is usually between 10 and 18 month between both steps!! :)
We do know when it was initially filed, that information gets included in the patent.

Division of application No. 29/153,044, filed on Nov. 8, 2001

This design dates from before the iMac G4.

[Peyote]

Maybe it's just my eyes, or my sucky CRT. But the edges look rather rounded off in the larger photo. Take a closer look, you can see light around the edges of the white LCD. Makes it look rounded off in a way to me.

The clear part is very hard to see, but it you look right above the end of the huge ass camera, you can make out the faint edge of the clear part.

[Peyote]

We do know when it was initially filed, that information gets included in the patent.



This design dates from before the iMac G4.

Are you talking about the date for the patent in question? The earliest date on this patent is Oct 03, there is a link to another patent for the original design showing the iMac g4, dated 2001

[CholEoptera36]

The clear part is very hard to see, but it you look right above the end of the huge ass camera, you can make out the faint edge of the clear part.

Ah I see it now. And it might be light comming through the clear part that makes the white outline shine brighter on the top too. That could explain why it looks like a rounded dimension to me. But I can definitely see the clear too now.

The hinge is still the bigger issue to me though. Is that double hinge or single?

[agentkow]

I'm not sure about when the photo was put on the site, I just now less than an hour ago ran across it by accident. The 20th Aug. 04' date can be a re-uploaded image of the past, or this may very well be a brand new image. I dunno?

Also look at the edges of the computer in that photo. iMac G4's have a clear edging around them about an inch or so wide, like a boarder. I don't see a clear border around the LCD. But it might just be the quality of the picture?

In the blown up one, you can definitely see the clear edging.

If that's the new iMac, that huge screen in the background must be part of the new G5 Powerbook.

[Peyote]

By the way....this patent also references among other such as the G4 iMac patent, a patent for a "Detachable Display."

Although Apple doesn't hold this patent themselves...surely there is a possibility that this is significant.

The patent is number 6304431 in the list...and here's the link:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F6304431


Only thing is, the detachable display patent references a notebook computer, but Apple could be using the patented technology, which is why there might be a reference.

[Peel]

... but what do 2 swing arms do that one cant? that doesnt make much sense. unless its designed to attach to a wall and not a computer base. . . so the screen/computer/tablet device could just snap off the wall mount. . . . hmmmmmmmmm

Exactly. Here's a version of a VESA mount done by Herman Miller. Compared to this the Apple one would be downright beautiful.

http://www.ergoindemand.com/images/60226desk.jpg

[mrwilly123]

They are not going to launch a new processor in their consumer machines (which have been lagging in the sales department for a couple of years) without making the whole machine seem new, fresh and sexy!

wrong-they made the transition from the last rev ibook g3 to ibook g4 without a single cosmetic change...

i think with the current ibook and imac, if apple wants to retain the simplicity and smoothness...there are not many changes to be made. but apple has some incredible industrial design...so i won't underestimate

[Zoboomafoo]

yeah, this is a divisonal of a different application. and an OLD one at that.

there's a second patent related to this that shows the double arm on the half dome, so dont get TOO excited about a new triangle form factor.

i just started at the PTO so don't wanna say much more just in case someone somehow finds out who i am. but there might be more to this than what the public knows.

your friendly patent examiner :)

[dbasskin]

I agree with those who have said that the pyramid iMac looks unilkely. No, what I'd really say is that it looks ridiculous. It looks like what computers would look like if US product designers of the early 1970's would be creating if they were at work today. Except it would be covered by fake wood Mac-Tac.

BUT!

That landscape/portrait screen rotation thang is a very good idea. All kinds of flat panel LCD's today offer this feature and Pivot software on the PC supports screen rotation under Windows XP. The only hardware on the Mac (well, maybe until tomorrow, that is) supporting rotation is the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (with its supporting Versavision software). (See: http://www.atitech.com/products/radeon9800/radeon9800prome/features.html) That card is a royal pain in the ass to install in a G5 and, of course, is irrelevant from an iMac perspective.

Ironically, the Mac was (duh) the first computer to support rotating monitors. Old hands will remember huge monitors from Radius - first in monochrome, then in colour - that rotated. They had mercury switches in them that could sense their orientation, then feed that back to the proprietary video boards that drove them. A proprietary control panel managed the software interface. Very impressive stuff, circa 1984-85, I think.

So ... who knows what tomorrow will bring, but more generalized OS-level support for monitor rotation would be a very good thing. Will it happen? Well ... doubtful, I think. After all, those snazzy new aluminum-encased LCD's don't rotate.

[CholEoptera36]

Found a pic of the back of the G4 iMac. Comparing the two, I think I've changed my mind now. This looks like nothing more than a G4 iMac. The red circle around the connection of the arm to the LCD makes it look like there's shadow, looks like another hinge in a way. But when you take a good look at comparing the two, it looks like an old G4 iMac now.

http://pc.zol.com.cn/2003/0617/images/72909.jpg

http://derektraver.50megs.com/iMac.jpg

[azdude]

Everyone keep in mind...

...this is a patent for the Swing Arm only, which means that the pyramid-design base is most likely a nonsense placeholder (or that, in the most "optimistic" interpretation, it should be taken lightly, as the base design doesn't need to be remotely accurate for the patent.)

[rdas7]

Why would they use a double hinge design like that? The previous model worked just fine, that would be an unnecessary addition to the old design. Also it looks like the double hinges would give the LCD less support. :confused:

Absolutely... this looks more like Apple filed a patent for both designs before settling on the single-arm/dome design that they finally shipped. They were probably just covering their bases in case the final decision swung (no pun intended) towards the dual-hinge/pyramid design during development.

What purpose does the hinge serve that the current single-arm does not? As far as I can tell, it's only there to raise the elevation of the screen. Why not just make the single-arm longer in that case?

My bet's still on the detachable-monitor/thin-client with chamelionic shell which would leverage both 10.3/4's multi-user capabilities and xgrid (need more power, buy more base stations) - both core advantages that Apple have worked hard on developing.

Sometimes Apple turns in incremental evolutions (click-wheel iPod, G4 iMac...) and the world stands still. But sometimes Apple just puts stuff out there that makes the world turn. I don't think that this is the new G5 iMac.

[Peyote]

Just noticed something else, the patent references a lot of articles talking about other computers, namely PC's...but they all seem to be somewhat in the field of all-in-one PC's. Maybe there's something to that as well...maybe that discount the possibility that this patent is just for a VESA arm.

[iMeowbot]

Are you talking about the date for the patent in question? The earliest date on this patent is Oct 03, there is a link to another patent for the original design showing the iMac g4, dated 2001
No. You need to read the TIFFs, not the HTML summary which is incomplete.

Patents go through an iterative process. An application is made, but usually the examiners don't approve it in its initial form. Requests for clarifications (could be from the examiner or the applicant) and so on are typical of the process, and revised applications with new numbers end up being filed. That 2003 date is for the last revision of the application that was approved, but the 2001 date is when the first application for this design was filed.

What happened in this case is that USPTO apparently wanted each of the design alternatives (dome and pyramid base) split into separate applications, to split the research effort into more manageable chunks. You'll find that the referenced application number 29/153,044 and date Nov. 8, 2001 belong to the patent D489,370 I referenced earlier, representing the identical jointed arm.

[im_noahselby]

its an interesting idea, and as others have pointed out it does not really seem to offer any benefits over the iMac G4 design, more likely than not it is stop imitators and the like

http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/imacdoubleswingarmsmaller2.jpg

A lot of people seem surprised by this design, and are putting it down. I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but if this is indeed the new iMac G5 in the picture, I for one see at least one important benefit:

****Ever accidentaly ejected your CD drive while your iMac's screen was down. As you can see in the pictures, the two arms would extend the screen far enough from the cd tray for this to never be a problem. ****

[Peyote]

No. You need to read the TIFFs, not the HTML summary which is incomplete.

Patents go through an iterative process. An application is made, but usually the examiners don't approve it in its initial form. Requests for clarifications (could be from the examiner or the applicant) and so on are typical of the process, and revised applications with new numbers end up being filed. That 2003 date is for the last revision of the application that was approved, but the 2001 date is when the first application for this design was filed.

What happened in this case is that USPTO apparently wanted each of the design alternatives (dome and pyramid base) split into separate applications, to split the research effort into more manageable chunks. You'll find that the referenced application number 29/153,044 and date Nov. 8, 2001 belong to the patent D489,370 I referenced earlier, representing the identical jointed arm.


Ah ok, well Safari is giving me trouble with getting to the TIFF's, so I haven't been able to view them yet. That makes sense...which would make this patent meaningless now. I just find it suspect, however, that this patent would pop up the day before the Macworld

[adamfilip]

i bet this pyramid look is how its going to be.. there is no reason for apple to put some generic base on that drawing.. if they wanted to hide the base design why wouldnt they just put the curent base design on it.

[Peyote]

i bet this pyramid look is how its going to be.. there is no reason for apple to put some generic base on that drawing.. if they wanted to hide the base design why wouldnt they just put the curent base design on it.

It's possible that iMeowbot is right in that this could be a patent that applies to the iMac G4, not G5...Apple may have been exploring the possibility of using either the payramid or dome, and wanted to make sure that they already had the patent on hand when they decided between the two.

this may have been a concept for the original iMac G4, and may have nothing to do with the iMac G5.

[Flying Llama]

Hmm... it's cool, so is the chameleon, but i don't think it is IT. I dunno, it's not "Apple" like. But it's cool...

[skunk]

This is no more than a variant on the original design. The new iMac will be just that: NEW.

[rendezvouscp]

****Ever accidentaly ejected your CD drive while your iMac's screen was down. As you can see in the pictures, the two arms would extend the screen far enough from the cd tray for this to never be a problem. ****

I'm guessing that the bottom joint next to the base would actually move. Obviously, if it didn't, the iMac would be suspended very high in the air.
–Chase

[Peyote]

This is no more than a variant on the original design. The new iMac will be just that: NEW.

I certainly hope so! Although I would love an Apple VESA arm when I buy my 23" display in a few months!

[kangaroo]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implemenation of a two-arm design:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515

[Flying Llama]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implemenation of a two-arm design:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515

That's nice... but i doubt that is it. :(

[narco]

I agree -- this looks absolutely hideous. I hope it's true that the base is a pyramid because it's not part of the patent.

Maybe this has something to do with a different product? I thought the new iMac was supposed to have all the guts behind the display? If it does, yet still has these weird arms, I'd be curious to see what the outcome is. I guess we'll find out tomorrow...

.narco

[SeaFox]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implemenation of a two-arm design:
(image removed)

Yeah, that's what I was going to bring up. "Two arm design" doesn't necessarily mean "end-to-end arms" except then there are those drawing with the patent app.

Really, I don't think the new iMac is going to look like that (at all) and I sincerely hope it doesn't.

<shiver> ugly base...

[wdlove]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implementation of a two-arm design:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515

I think that design is awesome, the best that I have seen yet. A very G5 looking design. Futuristic looking. Whatever we get it will be new, as many have posted.

[Sol]

Hey I just went on the Apple-Expo site to look at some info on the Apple-Expo in Paris tomorrow, and look at the pic that's on there site... Doesn't this swivel double hinge arm look like the ones in the drawings for the patent?

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/solutions_trails/images/graphic2.jpg


You're The Man!

That is a new iMac design and you spotted it first. Based on this we can see that the iMac will remain essentially the same, except for the new neck.

[icsedge1]

apple has already gone on record after the iMac G4 inventory fiasco that we will be knocked out by the G5 iMac. that patent is not it. heck it may be time for something entirely different...iMac 3G. good thing office is real empty this week...no one will care that i have this page up on my screen all day tomorrow. :)

sedge

[Flying Llama]

http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/iMacG5Front2.jpg

That's pretty high up. If that is a 20'' screen then the computer will be about 8'' high from bottom to bottom of the screen, but it's just an artist's rendition.

[JGowan]

That looks a little strange...This was just a quick Photoshop job of a couple of cobbled together images; one of the new Apple monitors and a triangle base with of a modified G5 grill.

Move along people... nothing to see here.

[Abstract]

Well the patent does include the base, so its dual swingarm + pyramid base. Like others have said, they were just cover their bases....literally. Maybe they thought having the dual swingarm was a bit of a quality assurance nightmare. It would have been......the current arm is already difficult enough. How do you get the wires through both arms without them being visible? And even if you could, there's always the chance of the cable breaking at the point where it passes through the joint that keeps the two arms together.

This isn't it, folks.

Also, do you install the DVD drive slanted into the pyramid? Do you install a DVD drive with a slanted front face? Either way, it doesn't sound like Apple.

[CholEoptera36]

You're The Man!

That is a new iMac design and you spotted it first. Based on this we can see that the iMac will remain essentially the same, except for the new neck.

Yeah I'm still going back and forth on that pic. It's such a strange angle it really depends on the person and how they look at the picture. If it is the new iMac G5, then I'm happy I spotted it ;) If it's just an old iMac G4 with a wierd camera view, then I'm sure I'll still be pleased with a totally new design too. Either way there's a very good chance I'll be selling my eMac to help fund for a new iMac in the end.

Cheers Sol
:cool:

[nagromme]

A thought: The new iMac could be BOTH a thick "screen-only" unit AND have a swing arm. With a strong enough arm, the whole thing could still be in the screen, CPU and all. At the base of the arm could be a very large but flat and unobtrusive plate (round or rectangle) with the arm attached near the back edge. Super stable, but using zero desk space.

The whole swing arm could then be optional. Use the display alone sitting on the desk like a picture frame if you prefer, or hang the iMac right on the wall, or build it into the wall or desk. Maybe have a cheaper, less adjustable Apple arm option too, that's exactly like the pro displays. Or if you wish, replace Apple arm options with your choice of VESA support. Last but not least, you could use the Apple swing arm but change the base plate at the bottom end: use an edge clamp, a bolt-on tabletop mount, or a bolt-on wall mount. Both ends of the arm would be VESA standard so the sky's the limit.

[JOD8FY]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implemenation of a two-arm design:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515

That's better than the pyramid, but I saw another rendition somewhere that I like even better. It had more of that "pizza-box" design...

Anyway, I do think that the new iMac will be metallic so that they can show off the moutning capabilities of the new iSight.

We'll all know soon enough...

JOD8FY

[im_noahselby]

The more I think about it and look at the pictures, the more I can see the new iMac looking like that. I see so many advantages by building on an already solid design! Please let this be the next iMac. I really think having all the components stuck behind a display, totally sucks and defeats what Steve Jobs wanted to do with the iMac. Wasn't it him that said "...what is the point of having a beatiful slim display and not being able to do anything with it..." I think I remember him saying something of that variety.

I'm not sure if Apple would go with a pyramid base, but I think we should all wait and see actual images of the real thing before we start breaking a sweat.

Noah

[tscottturner]

What if the physical appearance is essentially the same, except that the screen is detachable? If you look at the original patent drawings, it looks as though the screen has been removed. Maybe the screen is actually a wireless tablet.

1. I think it's been mentioned more than once in the recent past that Apple was working on some type of wireless device.
2. Apple recently had a patent application in Europe for a wireless tablet like device, didn't they?
3. Jobs hinted at a way to control Airtunes from another room back at the D all things digital thing a few months back.

[swissmann]

I used to have a G4 iMac and loved the movability of the screen. If this did to the iMac screen that much more of what the iMac G4 arm did to the iMac originally I think it is a great idea.

[Porchland]

This is no more than a variant on the original design. The new iMac will be just that: NEW.

Agreed. If the photo on apple-expo.com were really the new iMac, Apple wouldn't have allowed it to continue to sit there all day long. (Surely it's somebody'd job at Apple to cruise the rumor sites for leaked images -- particularly this close to an announcement.)

The new iMac will be truly new.

[everwonder?]

ornamental designfor a display device with a moveable assembly
I agree. If it's only an ornamental design, by definition, the base is non-functional. It does appear that the screen/CPU may be mountable. The drawings seem to show a mounting mechanism (or at least something other than a standard screen) on the left side of fig 1. Very interesting.

A thought: The new iMac could be BOTH a thick "screen-only" unit AND have a swing arm. With a strong enough arm, the whole thing could still be in the screen, CPU and all. At the base of the arm could be a very large but flat and obtrusive plate (round or rectangle) with the arm attached near the back edge. Super stable, but using zero desk space.

The whole swing arm could then be optional. Use the display alone sitting on the desk like a picture frame if you prefer, or hang the iMac right on the wall, or build it into the wall or desk. Maybe have a cheaper, less adjustable Apple arm option too, that's exactly like the pro displays. Or if you wish, replace Apple arm options with your choice of VESA support. Last but not least, you could use the Apple swing arm but change the base plate at the bottom end: use an edge clamp, a bolt-on tabletop mount, or a bolt-on wall mount. Both ends of the arm would be VESA standard so the sky's the limit.

[CholEoptera36]

Also, do you install the DVD drive slanted into the pyramid? Do you install a DVD drive with a slanted front face? Either way, it doesn't sound like Apple.

Yeah that would be kinda hard to install a combo/super drive slanted to fit the incline of the pyramid design. I never thought of that before. But also remember, I'm sure people would have thought it to be hard for Apple to install a DVD drive on a sphyrical and rounded shape base too but Apple pulled that off quite nicely. I don't think this design will hit the shelves though, I must agree. (the pyramid shape that is atlest)

[t300]

http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/imacdoubleswingarmsmaller2.jpg

A lot of people seem surprised by this design, and are putting it down. I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but if this is indeed the new iMac G5 in the picture, I for one see at least one important benefit:

****Ever accidentaly ejected your CD drive while your iMac's screen was down. As you can see in the pictures, the two arms would extend the screen far enough from the cd tray for this to never be a problem. ****

Oh, perfect. So I will now spend $2000 dollars for the same looking Mac, but this time it's faster and hey, when a cd is ejected, it won't hit the screen. Thanks Apple.

Also, although I think those patent pictures are ugly, it's quite stupid of some people to say that those patents are "Un-Apple like." Well, they are not fake, they are by Apple, so I suppose it is very Apple like, no matter used or not. But no, none of those have anything to do with with the G5 iMac.

[Porchland]

There were guesses on macrumors.com com yesterday that Apple might pre-announce the iMac so the American media could feature it in tomorrow's news cycle. Since its now 7 p.m. on the East Coast, it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

If you want to see Charles and Di's wedding -- updates on macrumors, whatever -- looks like you'll just have to set your alarm for 4 a.m.

Oh, and apparently no Software Update today either. I sort of expected that we'd get the rumored security upgrades today; does this mean that none of tomorrow's announcements will be available immediately?

[skunk]

Oh, perfect. So I will now spend $2000 dollars for the same looking Mac, but this time it's faster and hey, when a cd is ejected, it won't hit the screen. Thanks Apple.
Don't worry about the CD: it doesn't seem to have one. Or any ports either.

[JOD8FY]

3. Jobs hinted at a way to control Airtunes from another room back at the D all things digital thing a few months back.

I hope he was talking about the iPod... (I know - highly doubtful :rolleyes: )

JOD8FY

[penguin]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

[rog]

I hate the new iMac. It's overpriced and underpowered and just plain ugly.

oh, um, I guess I should wait until tomorrow to post that.

[Abstract]

Yeah that would be kinda hard to install a combo/super drive slanted to fit the incline of the pyramid design. I never thought of that before. But also remember, I'm sure people would have thought it to be hard for Apple to install a DVD drive on a sphyrical and rounded shape base too but Apple pulled that off quite nicely. I don't think this design will hit the shelves though, I must agree. (the pyramid shape that is atlest)

Well the pyramid is slanted all the way down to the bottom, so it would be awkward to put a disk drive anywhere along the face of the pyramid. The dome at least straightens out as you get closer to the bottom of the base.

Um......that's what I meant if I wasn't clear.

i thought the new iMac would be a dome, but elongated to look like a Subway sandwich. No, I'm not joking. :p I thought it would be a long and rounded base using 2 arms for better support. No, I don't mean 2 arms attached together, but 2 separate arms to hold the monitor in place, one on each half of the base.

[t300]

Oh and by the way...

Expect iPod Mini matching remotes tomorrow.

[rock6079]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

hmm whether or not that is the new imac, i never thought of that benefit to the 2 arms. that is most likelay what it would be. the ability to have it on the wall "horizontally" or on a desk "vertically" and be just the same..

cool

[Abstract]

PS: If we hang an iMac on the wall, where does the cord attach to a wall socket? So now we have to run an ugly cable along the wall? A wall mounted iMac doesn't make sense if its going to make everything look ugly.

[CholEoptera36]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

More than one hinge allowing it to fold away is something that has yet to have been brought up, so that's an interesting look at what two hinges could do. But I don't see why you would want to fold it up like that? It's not like you could just fold it up and take it away with you somewhere, it's a desktop not a notebook. The LCD is too fragile to try to stuff it all in a suitcase or something like that, so that's an interesting thing you could do with more than one hinge but I'm not sure why you would want to fold it up like that.

[macridah]

me no likey :(

We'll see in a couple of hours. The truth will be told. (Crossing fingers it's not the like the diagram)

[SilentPanda]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

Wow... that's actually... a good theory at least... I'm impressed.

[iMeowbot]

The drawings seem to show a mounting mechanism (or at least something other than a standard screen) on the left side of fig 1. Very interesting.
Ohh, that thing. The G4 iMac does have protrusions like that on one side, inside the housing. It's a nest for the display panel's inverter.

[fixyourthinking]

I agree, but that's the same argument as to why there shouldn't have been a 17 or 20 inch iMac. Apple always manages to make that thing stand up straight.

I've always thought that Apple could have a benefit of saving a BOATLOAD on shipping (because of less weight) and have some sort of cooling effect by including a gel that expanded with addition of water into the base. It would add weight AFTER shipment and provide a cooling effect.

I think we have to get to the point where computers that are higher end; require a little bit of setup for proper useage.

I realize this sounds complicated and confusing [even silly] to do, but actually there could be an easy way to implement this.

[CholEoptera36]

Well the pyramid is slanted all the way down to the bottom, so it would be awkward to put a disk drive anywhere along the face of the pyramid. The dome at least straightens out as you get closer to the bottom of the base.

Um......that's what I meant if I wasn't clear.

i thought the new iMac would be a dome, but elongated to look like a Subway sandwich. No, I'm not joking. :p I thought it would be a long and rounded base using 2 arms for better support. No, I don't mean 2 arms attached together, but 2 separate arms to hold the monitor in place, one on each half of the base.

That's true the dome does get flatter as you get to the bottom I didn't think of that. I get where you are comming from about the pyramid desing. I would be astonished if someone could find a way to support a disk drive at an angle like that, also fitting in a HD and working with how that will fit in with the motherboard and all. It just doesn't seem very possible to have that pyramid shape, so I definitely agree :)

And two seporate arms would be kinda kool too. You mean the dome base kinda like the shape of this one?
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515
Kinda like a football/subway sandwhich?

[continuum]

that depends on the surface area of the base whether it would tip over. i think it looks great.

[mpw]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

Now that IS an interesting take on the two armed design idea. I can see alot of advantages to that. I'm 'seeing' a slot load optical drive in the side and an interesting cable routing to keep everything tidy maybe a single cable that splits off for power/phone/network etc. like the single cable from a cinema display.

If I was in anyway creatively talented I'd sketch it for you. I'm not so I won't but trust me in my head it looks great...and works a treat. Everyone in the office is jealous of my wall mounted computer and now I'm getting mores dates....of course this is still in my head!

[Peel]

...a gel that expanded with addition of water into the base. It would add weight AFTER shipment and provide a cooling effect.

Yes, I can just see the packaging now:

iMac Concentrate, Just add water! :D

[mvc]

I understand why you might want a tv on the wall, or a monitor thats basically being used as a tv, especially a nice big 30" one.

BUT

Why do you want an iMac on the wall?

How are you going to use it - are you going to sit on a chair beneath it or across the room from it, using a wireless keyboard and mouse perhaps. Is that going to be comfortable, is it going to be usable for any activity except the most basic pointing and clicking. Fancy typing that way? How big a screen would it need for you to be able to read type on it from say 4 feet away, let alone 8 feet? How's the ergonomics of working from a lounge chair while viewing a screen on the wall that may or may not be at the right angle depending on how the furniture is arranged.

I can't see how this would benefit anyone, I can imagine a use for a detachable screen that becomes a form of tablet / media viewer / remote controller, assuming that was technically do-able, but I cannot see any practical use for a wall mounted iMac. Am I missing something here? Anyone actually use wall mounted computers (i.e something you have to interface with) as opposed to wall mounted displays?

[skunk]

I cannot see any practical use for a wall mounted iMac. Am I missing something here? Anyone actually use wall mounted computers (i.e something you have to interface with) as opposed to wall mounted displays?
You're right. The ergonomics would be nonsensical.

[applekid]

This is important enough for page one? It better mean something for tomorrow.

I like the two-arm so that it can do something a single arm couldn't do theory. A nice way to innovate and dazzle. Apple needs to surprise us like they did with the G4 iMac. That blew everyone away.

I think Apple hit a plateau with the iMac outer-design, anyway. The G4 iMac will always be the coolest looking. It's impossible to top from what I see. If they manage to, it will be the ultimate iMac (on the outside). I'm more worried about the internal hardware though.

It can be either another iPod/iPod Mini (initial feel: overpriced, in the end: sells like hot cakes) or go the way of the Cube (initial feel: everybody wanted one, in the end: nobody bought one).

Good luck to Apple. I hope we don't have any unhappy customers tomorrow...

[fixyourthinking]

****Ever accidentaly ejected your CD drive while your iMac's screen was down. As you can see in the pictures, the two arms would extend the screen far enough from the cd tray for this to never be a problem. ****

The display does NOT hit the CD tray - the LCD arm was specifically designed to go out and down far enough for this NOT to happen.

[mvc]

Good luck to Apple. I hope we don't have any unhappy customers tomorrow...

This is MacRumors - there will always be unhappy customers :D

[jrv3034]

...I think Apple hit a plateau with the iMac outer-design, anyway. The G4 iMac will always be the coolest looking. It's impossible to top from what I see. If they manage to, it will be the ultimate iMac (on the outside). I'm more worried about the internal hardware though....

I still think it can be improved, as awesome as the G4 iMac is. I know this one has been posted before, but I love it!

[Peel]

Am I missing something here? Anyone actually use wall mounted computers (i.e something you have to interface with) as opposed to wall mounted displays?

As an architect in the health care field, There are actually a few vertical computers on the market that are being used in hospitals for patient chart data entry. They are at a stand-up height, with the moniter at about 5' above the floor. One model that I know of has a vertically mounted keyboard just below the monitor, and another stores the keyboard this way, but it folds out of the wall for use. Seems kind of crazy to me, and certainly nothing you'd want to use for any length of time, but I'm seeing requests for these more and more in new hospital additions.

[mpw]

[QUOTE=mvc]I understand why you might want a tv on the wall, or a monitor thats basically being used as a tv, especially a nice big 30" one.

BUT

Why do you want an iMac on the wall?

How are you going to use it - are you going to sit on a chair beneath it or across the room from it, using a wireless keyboard and mouse perhaps.

Maybe this is Apple trying to replace the flat screen TV's being hung from every bedroom wall. That makes sense for a consumer product. Imagine your a parent of a teenager, they 'need' a TV & PC in their bedroom and they want a cool flat screen TV. Buy them an iMac and you've killed two birds with one stone. If they spend their money on a expensive flat screen TV they might opt to save of the PC and buy a cheap Dell.

Hopefully in this scenario well get an update to DVD Player and some Digital Media Centre PVR type software bundled.

[skunk]

This is MacRumors - there will always be unhappy customers :D
More like there will be unhappy tire-kickers who constantly dream of buying a new computer but probably can't afford it anyway.

[diego]

The display does NOT hit the CD tray - the LCD arm was specifically designed to go out and down far enough for this NOT to happen.

That's only with the 17" and 20" iMacs, with the 15" the CD trayr does hit the display, I'm using one right now.

[MacSA]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this rumour be true, I was secretly hoping that the new iMac would be a variation on the design of the G4 iMac.

The current iMac is simply a stunning and iconic piece of design and engineering, i really cant see them dropping it for something you screw on to the wall. And by the way I dont think the concept of a pyramid shape is at all ugly. :D :D

[fixyourthinking]

That's only with the 17" and 20" iMacs, with the 15" the CD trayr does hit the display, I'm using one right now.

I have an 800Mhz 15" [using right now] - it doesn't hit the screen- it comes less than a centimeter from it - your display must be broken.

This was a VERY important part to an education sale. They couldn't have kids doing this and breaking the optical drive.

[Wonder Boy]

finally, the negative ratings outpace the possitve . that is the ugliest thing i have ever seen. a pyramid shape? c'mon. if thats for real, ives is slipping.

[iMeowbot]

The display does NOT hit the CD tray - the LCD arm was specifically designed to go out and down far enough for this NOT to happen.
No, it's not. See? [BTW that's a 17" iMac, and no it's not broken. Every one I've seen does the same.]

[diego]

I have an 800Mhz 15" [using right now] - it doesn't hit the screen- it comes less than a centimeter from it - your display must be broken.

This was a VERY important part to an education sale. They couldn't have kids doing this and breaking the optical drive.

I'm using the screen at 90 degrees, you are probably using it more inclined

[diego]

No, it's not. See?

Thanks, you may also clean your iMac once in a while

[bryantm3]

I don't like the patent drawings. The two-arm design looks ungainly and the pyramid base looks ridiculous.

This is a nicer implemenation of a two-arm design:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15515
the base is really way too big and the arm is too wide. non-apple, even more than the pyramid idea (ya'll it's not a pyramid scheme, that's an illegal marketing tactic :rolleyes: )

[crees!]

I'm not about to read through 5 pages of comments but I don't think this is indicative of the new iMac. I would assume that these are just concepts of the first LCD iMac and Apple just patented for the sake of patenting. What we'll see tomorrow will be completely different.

[mpw]

finally, the negative ratings outpace the possitve . that is the ugliest thing i have ever seen. a pyramid shape? c'mon. if thats for real, ives is slipping.

Why are so many people taking the pyramid base at face value/ It's just part of a sketch to show the subject, the arm, in use.

It's like photos of new car prototypes being tested and you never get peple saying "OOH Ferrari are slipping if they're gonna release a new car with black masking tape all over it and no badges"

[alexf]

I find it interesting that many of the concept drawings of the new iMac I have seen presuppose that the design will somehow match that of the current G5, meaning silver aluminum, indutrial-looking, etc.

The iMac has always had a distinctly different design and personality than the PowerMacs, and especially with the industrial, masculine look of the PowerMac G5, I would be willing to put money on the fact that the new iMac will implement a completely different design altogether. If it does turn out to be aluminum (which may be unlikely because of all the talk of aluminum shortages) I am sure that it will at least be coloured...

[keysersoze]

I've always thought that Apple could have a benefit of saving a BOATLOAD on shipping (because of less weight) and have some sort of cooling effect by including a gel that expanded with addition of water into the base. It would add weight AFTER shipment and provide a cooling effect.

Wait.

You want me to ADD WATER to the base of my computer>??? Like watering a plant? :confused:

Why does that scare me?

[im_noahselby]

The display does NOT hit the CD tray - the LCD arm was specifically designed to go out and down far enough for this NOT to happen.

I used to have a 15" iMac and the cd tray DID hit the display several times during ownership of the machine. Luckily for me, it didn't wreck the cd tray, but I'm sure there were others who weren't quite as lucky.

It was the only real negative comment many journalists had after reviewing the January 2002 iMac G4's.

Noah

[DTG]

No, it's not. See?

Well what sort of numpty would open their optical drive when they can't even see it due to the screen being in the way anyway?! :p

Personally I heard there were more complaints about the cd tray not clearing the Apple keyboard that shipped with the iMac G4s.

[CholEoptera36]

finally, the negative ratings outpace the possitve . that is the ugliest thing i have ever seen. a pyramid shape? c'mon. if thats for real, ives is slipping.

yeah no kidding. A pyramid design isn't beautiful, it's not even sleek or stylish. It's geometrically ugly. I dont' believe that'll hit the market, I hope not anyway.

And as for some of the people who have been posting on here about how it could be wall mounted... Yeah if you want to pay for Apple installation. Also what kind of warranty would you have to buy to cover faulty installation? Who's gonna pay for that nice iMac when it falls off your wall? I don't see that happening. A wall mounted computer would also be pretty much permanent, unless you wanted to repay for installation on another wall. So you can forget re-arranging your room after that.

[rendezvouscp]

More like there will be unhappy tire-kickers who constantly dream of buying a new computer but probably can't afford it anyway.

Exactly.
–Chase

[keysersoze]

yeah no kidding. A pyramid design isn't beautiful, it's not even sleek or stylish. It's geometrically ugly...

I believe the term used earlier in the thread is "fugly"

:)

[ifjake]

i get it. you add water to the base, like those basket ball hoops. only it isn't a basketball hoop. it's a computer. :rolleyes:

[keysersoze]

i get it. you add water to the base, like those basket ball hoops. only it isn't a basketball hoop. it's a computer. :rolleyes:

but doesn't that scare you? Or am I the only one that doesn't want to dump tap water into my $2000 computer?

[iMeowbot]

Well what sort of numpty would open their optical drive when they can't even see it due to the screen being in the way anyway?! :p

It's really easy to lean on the eject key by accident.

Personally I heard there were more complaints about the cd tray not clearing the Apple keyboard that shipped with the iMac G4s.

And this is how the eject key gets leaned on (more screen interference than CD tray, but...) =)

[relimw]

http://home.sport.rr.com/mrmudbug/mr/iMacG5Front2.jpg

That's pretty high up. If that is a 20'' screen then the computer will be about 8'' high from bottom to bottom of the screen, but it's just an artist's rendition.

Hmm, now all you need is a big firey, glowing eye in the middle of that screen image... :D

[im_noahselby]

Well what sort of numpty would open their optical drive when they can't even see it due to the screen being in the way anyway?! :p

Obviously, this would happen by accident, by tapping the "eject" key by mistake. Before you have time to move the display away from the area where the optical drive sits, the damage is already done...

[iMeowbot]

Thanks, you may also clean your iMac once in a while
Ugh, after the construction is over. The poor thing keeps having to move.

[mpw]

but doesn't that scare you? Or am I the only one that doesn't want to dump tap water into my $2000 computer?

Why don't ask a few people over to pour water over your $2000 computer. If they're all happy to then statistically you probably are the only one who dosen't want to. Personaly I would be happy to...of course if we're talking about MY computer that'd be a whole different kettle of fish. I i certainly would not want a kettle of fish near it either!

[CholEoptera36]

I believe the term used earlier in the thread is "fugly"

:)

lol yeah, that one sums it all up in one word :D

[keysersoze]

Why don't ask a few people over to pour water over your $2000 computer. If they're all happy to then statistically you probably are the only one who dosen't want to. Personaly I would be happy to...of course if we're talking about MY computer that'd be a whole different kettle of fish. I i certainly would not want a kettle of fish near it either!

:) That's pretty damn funny.

Well, after lots of thought and deliberations, I find "watering the PowerMac" to be quite possibly the worst idea I have ever heard. Ever. :)

[nottsp1]

but doesn't that scare you? Or am I the only one that doesn't want to dump tap water into my $2000 computer?

Well obviously not tap water. Apple support will recomend evian or something.

[Peel]

but doesn't that scare you? Or am I the only one that doesn't want to dump tap water into my $2000 computer?

Well, obvoiusly you'd be adding $10/liter fancy bottled water to your $2000 computer. :D

Hey, maybe that's a new market for Apple - Mac labeled water. Just think of the margins on that!

[macphoria]

That prototype drawing looks terrible. Double arm is far from simplistic design approach Apple normally opts for.

I hope G5 iMac is much simpler in design. I would be happy to see new iMac looking similar to Studio Displays with all components sitting behind the screen.

Hopefully we'll find out what it looks like in 24 hours.

[keysersoze]

Well, obvoiusly you'd be adding $10/liter fancy bottled water to your $2000 computer. :D

Hey, maybe that's a new market for Apple - Mac labeled water. Just think of the margins on that!

Please God don't ever make me spend $2000 on a computer that I have to dump water into so it will stand up without falling over.

[relimw]

PS: If we hang an iMac on the wall, where does the cord attach to a wall socket? So now we have to run an ugly cable along the wall? A wall mounted iMac doesn't make sense if its going to make everything look ugly.

iMac on a double arm stand, hides the power and other cords that way. (Think of a floor lamp). You can stand it up like a piece of sculpture/artwork against a wall.

[dieselg4]

the base is really way too big and the arm is too wide. non-apple, even more than the pyramid idea (ya'll it's not a pyramid scheme, that's an illegal marketing tactic :rolleyes: )
Its a little bulky, but more useful than a pyramid. You could load up gobs of ram in there, or maybe a second harddrive. Got to give him props for the rendering job though :-)

If people thought the G5 looked like a cheese grater, maybe the iMac is supposed to be shaped like one. I hope not . . . very Bauhaus though, to go from Cube, to (half) Sphere, to Pyramid. Walter Gropius would be proud.

[izzle22]

OK Ok Enough of the add water crap it's a little old now! Thanx

[mpw]

That prototype drawing looks terrible. Double arm is far from simplistic design approach Apple normally opts for.

I hope G5 iMac is much simpler in design. I would be happy to see new iMac looking similar to Studio Displays with all components sitting behind the screen.

Hopefully we'll find out what it looks like in 24 hours.

8hrs & 32mins

[CholEoptera36]

Hmm, now all you need is a big firey, glowing eye in the middle of that screen image... :D
You mean like this? :p
http://derektraver.50megs.com/Untitled-1.jpg

[fixyourthinking]

No, it's not. See? [BTW that's a 17" iMac, and no it's not broken. Every one I've seen does the same.]

Thanks for that - I stand corrected. I can't get any of my displays to hit the tray though - I have a 15" and a 17"

I was under the impression that this specifically did NOT happen.

[dieselg4]

PS: If we hang an iMac on the wall, where does the cord attach to a wall socket? So now we have to run an ugly cable along the wall? A wall mounted iMac doesn't make sense if its going to make everything look ugly.
Sounds like the IKEA ceiling lamp solution, whose curiously enough also has a love affair with white round rubber cords.

[mproud]

Apple has fooled you all!

SUCKERS!!! :) :p :)

[mac512pbg4]

in stevenote at wwdc, sj mentioned yosemite's halfdome as part of search demo

just a thought

think of a quarter melon or watermelon

(no time to read all pages; if anyone else mentioned it, sorry)

[SilentPanda]

Maybe it will look like this:

http://www.applegeeks.com/comic_archive/viewcomic.php?issue=123

[dr.Zoidberg]

seriously, i think this patent might just be misdirection on Apple's part.....but i didnt like the jell-o/gum drop/dome imac either and i guess it has done well, so who knows....apple knows what they are doing (save for the cube and those graphics cards in the PM's)i'm sure that whatever appears in Paris will push the industry into new grounds...since when has apple EVER been conservative in design?

[DavidCar]

That landscape/portrait screen rotation thang is a very good idea. All kinds of flat panel LCD's today offer this feature and Pivot software on the PC supports screen rotation under Windows XP. The only hardware on the Mac (well, maybe until tomorrow, that is) supporting rotation is the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (with its supporting Versavision software). (See: http://www.atitech.com/products/radeon9800/radeon9800prome/features.html) That card is a royal pain in the ass to install in a G5 and, of course, is irrelevant from an iMac perspective.


It bugs me that this card is different from the ATI Radeon 9800 XT which can be ordered with a G5 PowerMac, but which does not have Versavision.

[nottsp1]

Apple has fooled you all!

SUCKERS!!! :) :p :)

please share? :confused:

[SilentPanda]

You mean like this? :p
http://derektraver.50megs.com/Untitled-1.jpg

I was actually thinking more like this:

http://www.radgeek.com/gt/2004/02/11/eye-of-sauron.jpg

[nagromme]

If you're bored... here are some early expo pics I found via the now-hidden (but still working) forums.maccentral.com:

http://www.ipodfrance.com/ipodfrance/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1&page=5

Mainly all you can see is crates (http://www.ipodfrance.com/ipodfrance/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1&page=3) of mystery hardware :) The black-shrouded aluminum units (http://www.ipodfrance.com/ipodfrance/photos/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=3) could just be fancy signs. Aluminum doesn't have to mean a computer.

(Don't worry, on their home page they note that the "elevator" pics are fakes.)

[relimw]

I was actually thinking more like this:

http://www.radgeek.com/gt/2004/02/11/eye-of-sauron.jpg

LOL! Either would work, but I was thinking along the lines of the LoTR version :)

[The Bartender]

Is this photo not from last years, or another, expo? there are lots of other photos on the site which obviously are not from this year and when i download the photo and 'Get Info' it was last modified 20th Aug.'04, I guess when it went up on the site(?)
I'd say it can be from this year... only because of what looks to be a 30" display in the top left corner...

[good citizen]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Either it's an unused design idea, a way to throw the rumors sites off their trail, or the dumbest idea Apple has had since Jon Ive was hired.

[uberman42]

Apple has fooled you all!

SUCKERS!!! :) :p :)


Ya! Kinda like the other patent drawings for the iMac with the Dr. Octopus arm.

Here's the new iMac...take that picture, think of the complete opposite if it, and there is your new iMac.

1AM to 3AM PST is going to be interesting.... :D

[jettredmont]

The only reason to add 2 arms instead of 1 is to make it do something that 1 arm can't do.
And I suggest that thing is wall mount. So that it can fold away.

About folding "flat" ... I reall can't see myself folding an LCD screen down "flat" yet face-up on a desk. The space above it would remain unusable for fear of something falling on it! And what a dust collector!

Good line of thought, though. That would certainly be a benefit if we're talking about a wall-mounting design.

[jettredmont]

Well the pyramid is slanted all the way down to the bottom, so it would be awkward to put a disk drive anywhere along the face of the pyramid. The dome at least straightens out as you get closer to the bottom of the base.

Um......that's what I meant if I wasn't clear.


Okay, but there's still a shape-dissimilarity there. The bottom of the semi-sphere is generally mostly upright, but it still curves dramatically from left to right. So, Apple provides (IIRC, it's been a while since I've gazed longingly at an iMac) a curved drive cover which flips down and out, revealing the actual drive tray.

I don't see the difference between a curved drive cover and one which rests at a 60/45 degree angle. Either way, it flips out, and the real mechanism takes over. Or, they go slot-loading and the slot loader "grips" pretty darned close to the opening of the slot anyways ('cause the slot-load grips don't need to be full-CD-height). FWIW, the PowerMac has a drawer-behind-cosmetic-door design, and the "real" door of the drive is quite far in there (which makes trading disks without looking a bit more difficult; the last quarter of the disk always hits the top of the opening unless I'm thinking about it).

[iMeowbot]

Hmm, now all you need is a big firey, glowing eye in the middle of that screen image... :D

[mvc]

Please God don't ever make me spend $2000 on a computer that I have to dump water into so it will stand up without falling over.

Sounds like an expensive pot plant to me. You have to water those too or they fall over. Perhaps a Palm™. No hang on, wrong manufacturer, an Apple Tree :p

[dr.Zoidberg]

yeah, i hear you on the PM tray loading disc drive, i dont like having to visually guide it in...thats why i LOVE the slot loading on my TiBook...it is the best drive design ever....Why did they drop that design anyway? dont trays break and such? Anyone making any Kool-aid?

[jettredmont]

I understand why you might want a tv on the wall, or a monitor thats basically being used as a tv, especially a nice big 30" one.

BUT

Why do you want an iMac on the wall?

How are you going to use it - are you going to sit on a chair beneath it or across the room from it, using a wireless keyboard and mouse perhaps. Is that going to be comfortable, is it going to be usable for any activity except the most basic pointing and clicking. Fancy typing that way? How big a screen would it need for you to be able to read type on it from say 4 feet away, let alone 8 feet? How's the ergonomics of working from a lounge chair while viewing a screen on the wall that may or may not be at the right angle depending on how the furniture is arranged.


Try about two feet away. Which is about the same distance as my current monitor. Except the wall-mount monitor would fold back flat against the wall when I'm done with it.


I can't see how this would benefit anyone, I can imagine a use for a detachable screen that becomes a form of tablet / media viewer / remote controller, assuming that was technically do-able, but I cannot see any practical use for a wall mounted iMac. Am I missing something here? Anyone actually use wall mounted computers (i.e something you have to interface with) as opposed to wall mounted displays?


Ummmm .... yes. You are missing something.

You free up quite a bit of desk space that way. Yes, you still have the keyboard and mouse to stand on edge somewhere to get the desk completely cleared of computing debris, but for the folks out there who don't spend every minute of their time at their desk typing on the computer, getting it out of the way so that they can get "work" done is a really nice feature.

Personally, someday, I want to VESA-mount my screens to my wall so that I don't have to yield my desk space to them.

I mean, what good is a 2" flat panel display when it's still sitting on a 6" diameter base taking up a good square foot of desk space just because of its footprint and assorted clutter?

[Wonder Boy]

Why are so many people taking the pyramid base at face value/ It's just part of a sketch to show the subject, the arm, in use.

that's why i said "if that's for real..."

[AoWolf]

Try about two feet away. Which is about the same distance as my current monitor. Except the wall-mount monitor would fold back flat against the wall when I'm done with it.




Ummmm .... yes. You are missing something.

You free up quite a bit of desk space that way. Yes, you still have the keyboard and mouse to stand on edge somewhere to get the desk completely cleared of computing debris, but for the folks out there who don't spend every minute of their time at their desk typing on the computer, getting it out of the way so that they can get "work" done is a really nice feature.

Personally, someday, I want to VESA-mount my screens to my wall so that I don't have to yield my desk space to them.

I mean, what good is a 2" flat panel display when it's still sitting on a 6" diameter base taking up a good square foot of desk space just because of its footprint and assorted clutter?

Yeah but do you really want your $2000 dollar computer hanging on a nail?

[Kid Red]

What I find funny is the patent picture clearly shows a screen that looks nearly identical to todays current plastic clear screen and yet the artist's rendering has a hard square edged metal screen. I would then assume the base will not look like a charcoal grill version of the G5 and would instead be white as always.

[fixyourthinking]

I was the one who initially wrote about the iMac having a gel cooling base. [by adding a water]

I realize it sounds silly at first, but it would provide a tremendous cooling effect.

For all those that said you wouldn't have water in your Mac - ummm don't order a Dual 2.5Ghz then ... what do you think is in the liquid cooling? Possibly, there's a liquid.

I also did not suggest the extreme of adding water yourself via conventional means. There are ways to add water without pouring it from a pitcher. Besides, you would be adding it to a gel that would form in the base, solidify into a gel, and therefore add weight and be a coolant.

See this (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/04/14/1621235&tid=126&tid=134&tid=14) slashdot article that talks about how there is a substance called sapphire that [if applied] can allow running water over the top of bare electrical wire and circuit boards.

[jettredmont]

Please God don't ever make me spend $2000 on a computer that I have to dump water into so it will stand up without falling over.

Can we just fill it with beach sand instead?

[BlueRevolution]

Everybody's going on about the pyramid base! The fact is, what is the most basic shape - the cube, right? So by not using the cube they may be telling us something, namely that the iMac G5 WILL have a cube base. It would certainly fit the shiny silver G5 heat sinks better :). They wouldn't want to show us what the thing looks like before it's released, so no cube. And no sphere, of course, since that would be just the G4 all over again and that would get the rumors community REALLY complaining. Better to have them arguing about if a pyramid looks cool or not while they're quietly preparing to launch a cube. Or maybe I'm just grasping at straws here...

[Steve G.]

OK, some of this may have been hit before, and I apologize for not sifting through all 200+ messages first, but:

1. The patent was filed for in October 2003, and issued last week. (This was already pointed out.)

2. The patent is for a "display device with a movable assembly". But in order to show how is connects to something, a base of some sort had to be shown. Besides, the pyramid gives nothing away about any potential base design. The one thing that it does show is that the arm gets connected at the top, through a single point. (If they had drawn a watermelon in there, I'm sure there'd be a series of posts about harnessing the electrical power of fruit.)

3. The timing of the issuance of the patent is completely out of Apple's control. No one can predict how long examination will take, even for a design patent. And then, after the patent is allowed by the USPTO, an issue fee must be paid. While there's a set deadline for that, when it's paid has an effect on when the patent will issue, and can be paid at any time prior to the deadline. And then there's a delay prior to actual issuance. All of that assumes that nothing goes wrong at the USPTO.

4. Having a patent on something doesn't mean it has to be used. With all of the iMac look-alikes that were out there (and wanna-bes that never got out), this could have been purely a defensive move on Apple's part.

-----
CYA disclaimer: This is not legal advice, and I'm hoping that you didn't think it was. I have never done any legal work for Apple. And this is a monitor arm, not Soylent Green!

[iMeowbot]

Can we just fill it with beach sand instead?
How about stuffing it with bacon, so that the G5 can can produce that yummy bacony smell?

[mvc]

Try about two feet away. Which is about the same distance as my current monitor. Except the wall-mount monitor would fold back flat against the wall when I'm done with it...

You free up quite a bit of desk space that way. Yes, you still have the keyboard and mouse to stand on edge somewhere to get the desk completely cleared of computing debris, but for the folks out there who don't spend every minute of their time at their desk typing on the computer, getting it out of the way so that they can get "work" done is a really nice feature...

Yeah, but you are talking about still using a desk to work at, so it's pretty marginal improvement since you have to position a desk at the spot on the wall where you have mounted your iMac. I can't see it being widely considered a huge benefit to the average consumer. Certain specialist situations might exist, like a busy techy or student in a crowded space or someone earlier mentioned an example in the medical arena, but its hardly a mainstream consumer requirement or selling point.

[ibjoshua]

Why do I keep reading about dual and double armed displays? This patent quite clearly has one arm with three joints. The current iMac also has one arm but only has two joints.

If you want to see what advantages three joints have over two then take your coffee mug (pencil, cd or any small object) and place it on your desk a foot in front of you. Now put your elbow on the desk in front of you and don't lift it off. Okay, your arm effectively only has two joints now (elbow and wrist) and if you're doing it correctly you won't be able to pick up, let alone touch the mug with your hand.

Three joints would add a lot of extra flexibility. You could have your monitor a foot above the desk and right in front of your face or at the same height but way back above the pc casing.

That said, I'm inclined to agree that the current iMac was a possibly a tradeoff of flexibilty against ease and cost of construction. Consequently I'm also inclined to agree that this is just a second generation design.

However, Steve Jobs once said that vertically mounted optical drives were a no-no at Apple, I've not been convinced of the 'pizza-box' rumour because of that. (No one seems to mention this anymore.) Does anyone have any ideas how they would get around that problem?

I know everyone is excited but there does seem to be a lot of knee-jerk posting around these forums these days. Calm down, read the posts, think and then by all means post something -- if you've got something to say.

As an earlier poster pointed out, this is an Apple patent so what good is anyone doing telling us that this is 'un-apple' (or words to that effect)? It's an Apple patent. End of story.

i_b_joshua

[savar]

The iMac has always had a distinctly different design and personality than the PowerMacs, and especially with the industrial, masculine look of the PowerMac G5, I would be willing to put money on the fact that the new iMac will implement a completely different design altogether. If it does turn out to be aluminum (which may be unlikely because of all the talk of aluminum shortages) I am sure that it will at least be coloured...

Hmm, yes and no.

Original iMac: Transparent & Bondi Blue
PowerMac G3: Translucent & blue..(Bondi? I'm not sure..)

iMac G4: white, molded plastic, rounded edges, silvery apple logos
PowerMac G4: white & silver, molded plastic, rounded edges, silvery apple logos

And now???

The iMac has always been differentiated by *form factor* (namely: all in one) but not strictly by color, aesthetics, or materials.

http://w1.866.telia.com/~u86615526/why/mac/images/pics/prod-imac-large.jpghttp://www.macitynet.it/usato/images/60_XlFOKDuycR.jpg
http://www.yescns.com/graphics/imac.jpghttp://www.microbits.com.au/products/images/apple/powermac/powermacg4.jpg

[Apple of my eye]

--The patent is for a display bracket. The lack of detail on the pyramid base leads me to believe that the base is not the focus but the bracket and swivel are. Perhaps this is a future option for mounting a cinema display.

[fluidinclusion]

Well the patent does include the base, so its dual swingarm + pyramid base. Like others have said, they were just cover their bases....literally. Maybe they thought having the dual swingarm was a bit of a quality assurance nightmare. It would have been......the current arm is already difficult enough. How do you get the wires through both arms without them being visible? And even if you could, there's always the chance of the cable breaking at the point where it passes through the joint that keeps the two arms together.

This isn't it, folks.

Also, do you install the DVD drive slanted into the pyramid? Do you install a DVD drive with a slanted front face? Either way, it doesn't sound like Apple.


Covering their bases with multiple design patents is Apple's way of making it harder for other companies to make all in one arm-based iMac knockoffs.

[mvc]

--The patent is for a display bracket. The lack of detail on the pyramid base leads me to believe that the base is not the focus but the bracket and swivel are. Perhaps this is a future option for mounting a cinema display. I agree, that's much a more plausible and useful option.

[jettredmont]

Everybody's going on about the pyramid base! The fact is, what is the most basic shape - the cube, right? So by not using the cube they may be telling us something, namely that the iMac G5 WILL have a cube base.

Nah, Cube's been done before. Think different. Introducing ...

the iMac Torus.



If only Ford hadn't appropriated the shape's name already ... what might have been ...

[nek]

Okay kids, check out patent D489,370 -- same jointed arm on a domed base. Also notice that the drawings are fleshed out more, showing the arm from multiple angles.

I suspect that the pyramid is simply an alternative design considered for the G4 machine.

Patent D486,486 which is the current iMac, was filed on the same day (Nov. 8 2001) as D489,370 so it quite likely just an alternative design as you state.

But it still seems odd that they would file this newer patent in Oct. 2003 which shows the same jointed arm as the older patent but with a pyramid base instead of the iMac dome base. This patent also mentions the pyramid base while the other 2 patents just say it is attached to a base.

[CholEoptera36]

I was the one who initially wrote about the iMac having a gel cooling base. [by adding a water]

I realize it sounds silly at first, but it would provide a tremendous cooling effect.

For all those that said you wouldn't have water in your Mac - ummm don't order a Dual 2.5Ghz then ... what do you think is in the liquid cooling? Possibly, there's a liquid.


Okay, I'm an HVAC tech (Heating, Ventalation, Air Conditioning technitian). Here's something about liquid cooling. I use refrigerants to cool houses. When I was in college and learning about refrigerants, everybody including myself had a hard time grasping the fact that water can be used as a refrigerant, and can cool a house from 80 degrees F down to about 60 degrees F. When the right pressure is maintained you can change the temperature of a surrounding, especially air. Temp and pressure are both directly proportional. A liquid that can take air through an evaporator may also be able to disperse heat contained in the air through a condensor via pressure changes of high to low. The heat does not directly effect degrees of temperature, but BTU in the form of ladent heat. Ladent heat is the kind of heat given off or obtained to change the state of a substance. Vapors will be formed by high pressure, and then will change back to liquid again through low pressure changes in a system. This is what happens in your A/C units. They don't make cold air, they take the existing air in your house and take the heat out, then dump the heat outside. I can use water if I want to in order to accomplish this, but usually we use manufactured refrigerants(R-22, R-12, R-134a, etc.) that have extremely low boiling points to start with so we don't have to mess with as much pressure change to get our desired results. But the water idea is not so far fetched, you can use water to cool or refridgerate anything you want. If you can use it to cool a house, you can do it in a computer. Although I can't think of how they would use evaporators, compressors, and condensor parts like what's in an A/C unit to get the job done in a computer :p Still that would be interesting to see water used as a refrigerant for hot processors. Only you'd be dumping heat given off by the processor into your room which wouldn't be too pleasent. With an A/C unit you dump the heat off outside where your outside unit is.

[ibjoshua]

Another thing, there seems to be a lot of confusion and speculation about the artists rendering. If I'm not mistaken, Mudbug or someone else mocked this up to give a better idea of how the patent application may look if manufactured. There is no relationship between the patent drawings and the artist's rendering. Mudbug never claimed they were authentic apple renderings.

Rant over.

i_b_joshua

[aswitcher]

How about stuffing it with bacon, so that the G5 can can produce that yummy bacony smell?


No need, the new G5PB will do the same with your legs :p

[Apple of my eye]

I think this patent covers Apple's version of this Marathon Computing product.

[corbin_a2]

After talking to a Apple rep friend of mine tonight I get the feeling that we are not going to see a new imac tomarrow. He told me the scuttlebutt around the water cooler is that it’s going to be pushed back untill the end of September. I hope he is wrong though... :(

[fluidinclusion]

finally, the negative ratings outpace the possitve . that is the ugliest thing i have ever seen. a pyramid shape? c'mon. if thats for real, ives is slipping.


But what about pyramid power? What an untapped market. All those freaks would convert to Macs!

Heheheh.

[savar]

I understand why you might want a tv on the wall, or a monitor thats basically being used as a tv, especially a nice big 30" one.

BUT

Why do you want an iMac on the wall?

Well...allow me to speculate rampantly. If I could get a wall-mounted iMac with a 23" or 30" screen, I would hang it just above my desk. The keyboard, with built in slot loading optical drive, would go on a drawer underneath my desktop. The mouse is, of course, bluetooth. The wall unit has one cord which combines power, USB, firewire, and ethernet into one ribbon which is insulated with translucent plastic, so that it blends in with the wall as much as possible. The power supply sits on the floor behind the desk.

This way I could work on my mac rather comfortably while at my desk, ignore it completely when working on something else (it looks like a framed picture when the screensaver is on, and has zero footprint), and then watch movies on the large, crystal clear LCD display from across the room. Using my iPod as remote, of course. Also, the iMac has a media player which outputs to Airport Express.

This would be a really sweet setup. Suitable more for executive offices and college dorm rooms than anything else--where space or clean lines is highly desirable.

As I've said numerous times before, I'd be completely shocked if thats what came out tomorrow. I expect something more along the lines of an aluminized, dome shaped machine, with a pivoting display (Jobs wanted that in the first but the engineering was complicated enough to make him pass back then), and of course the G5. Probably a few fans and cheese grater to allow the best air flow. Also significantly larger than the current iMac, but stretched only side-to-side, not front-to-back.

But a wall-mounted iMac would make a good Information Appliance offering from Apple in the future. (When OLEDs mature, and chips get smaller/more energy efficient eg.)

[fluidinclusion]

Thanks, you may also clean your iMac once in a while


Now that's funny. Just look at all those fingerprints!

[CholEoptera36]

adzoox, here is a picture of the refrigeration cycle:
http://www.nachi.org/tips/1200.gif
You see how a refrigerant moves from inside coil (that's called an evaporator) to an ouside coil (which is called a condensor)... In the industry we just add freon (a refrigerant of some type) to the system, it boils across the evaporator, absorbing heat from your house. Moves through a compressor and then the heat obtained by the air is blown off the coils in the condensor, and released outside your house. This would be a maximizing cooling effect to a computer, if only it were possible to do this. Water being used as a refrigerant isn't so bad for computers, because I have to have a licence to buy the freon I buy for A/C units. Although water will work too. That would be interesting to see somebody try to make a cooling cycle like this work in a computer using a cheap, aboundant coolant/refrigerant like water.

[iMeowbot]

Now that's funny. Just look at all those fingerprints!
Sorry, sorry. My fingers got all greasy when I was shoving bacon down those little vent holes. I just hosed it down with a mixture of Lysol and muriatic acid, so now everyone is going to shut up and leave me alone before I go get my mom, 'cause then you'll all be sorry. :eek:

[wdlove]

After talking to a Apple rep friend of mine tonight I get the feeling that we are not going to see a new imac tomarrow. He told me the scuttlebutt around the water cooler is that it’s going to be pushed back untill the end of September. I hope he is wrong though... :(

Say it isn't so, that will hurt Apple more than just with us Mac Fans. It will also not go well with the stock market. Now we are down to about six hours till this will be public.

[fluidinclusion]

Hmm, now all you need is a big firey, glowing eye in the middle of that screen image... :D


You mean like this one?

[izzle22]

You mean like this one?

Isn't that optical drive a little crooked???

[aswitcher]

You mean like this one?


Now thats what I call an EYE MAC !

[Les Kern]

A pyramid iMac wow

Horrid.

[CholEoptera36]

Horrid.

or as Weeble and Bob would say... tragic. :p :D

[kontact]

For any doubters out there about the cpu being behind the screen and the rest of the guts with it, it will certainly all be behind the monitor. Certified and true.

[AppleJustWorks]

For any doubters out there about the cpu being behind the screen and the rest of the guts with it, it will certainly all be behind the monitor. Certified and true.


And why are you so sure of this? :confused:

[appleguy]

Photos of the new iMacs set up. seems Apple are going back to their roots
Who said CRT is dead.. ha ha

[kontact]

Because Apple spent alot of money on a new commercial featuring a g5 imac like that.

[AppleJustWorks]

Because Apple spent alot of money on a new commercial featuring a g5 imac like that.

Can we please have a bit more detail? I'm sure we would all appreciate it :p

[fluidinclusion]

Because Apple spent alot of money on a new commercial featuring a g5 imac like that.


Really? When will it air? Any other details?

[CholEoptera36]

Can we please have a bit more detail? I'm sure we would all appreciate it :p

Yeah, what commercial I didn't hear of one yet? Do you have a stream for us to link to?

[kontact]

bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse. featuring the Black Eyed Peas promoting Garage Band software.

[CholEoptera36]

Sorry AppleJustWorks, I meant to quote Kontact not you :p

[Bistroengine]

The new G5 iMac will have a removeable display with wireless capability so you can use it anywhere in the house. This is what Apple does, come up with stuff that nobody expects. They've also been know to drop hints to throw everyone off. Wouldn't that be cool if you could trade in your 17" screen for a 20" when you are ready to upgrade? Mark my words! It will happen!

[AppleJustWorks]

Sorry AppleJustWorks, I meant to quote Kontact not you :p


Ooh...Now I feel sad.... :(


LOL!