if 27" is updated, will you even be able to TELL?

[davidnssbm]

In Sept 09 the screen blew us away. It's not like they are going to make a new screen (aside from fixing the issues) right?

So what will be updated? A graphics card? How much better can they be? My question is, is it even worth waiting for the update if you really want and need one NOW? Would you be able to blind test an 09 and 10?

Even if it IS announced at WWDC '10, it probably won't come out until the fall, right?

If anything, it's just going to be more expensive... right? Is the only thing keeping those of us from purchasing the need to have the latest and greatest?

Part of me thinks its this, but the other party REALLY doesn't want to buy an 09 with all the faults and have to return it 5 times... but will they even fix these errors in the '10?

[old-wiz]

Historically the prices don't go up or down with a refresh - they usually upgrade the processor or ram or HD size and stay at same price.

[foshizzle]

Everything has been fixed. Go ahead and pick one up. They won't be upgraded any time soon, especially not at WWDC.

I don't agree with your statement that, if anything, they'd be more expensive. This is usually not a trend apple takes. Most Apple hardware updates either give you way more for the same amount or way more and drop the price as compared to the previous generation.

No reason to wait for '10 generation. Get one now, be productive with it, and when they come out with a new one realize how much work you've accomplished in the time that it took them to update it.

[JoEw]

Speaking as someone who owns a 27" imac go out and get one its not worth it to wait.

The next imac probably won't be to different. Just the usual upgrades under the hood and possibly a blu-ray drive.

[opera57]

Yeah I agree, if you are happy with the spec and everything now (and lets face it, it would be hard not to be), its definitely worth getting one as soon as possible and enjoying using it sooner. http://scottty.com/imgs/signature_silverapple.jpg

[DaSal]

WWDC is less than two weeks away, I'd wait just to be safe. They will probably update it, WWDC usually has a bunch of updates and the iMac is about due for one. Just check the buyers guide.

[Btom]

Everything has been fixed. Go ahead and pick one up. They won't be upgraded any time soon, especially not at WWDC.

.......

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=924695

Tom B.

[thereur]

Everything has been fixed.

:confused: Are you by any chance the Apple Store rep I talked to 2 weeks ago when I order my FIRST iMac?

[akm3]

Pretty sure I'd be able to tell (and would be both happy and pissed) if they added an eSata port or an accessible 2.5" drive bay to easily add an SSD or something.

[cube]

They still have to add 3D and multitouch, too.

[Omnigray]

I'd probably break my own index finger for clicking "place order" on the current model if the new imacs came with solid state.

[DesmoPilot]

They need a Matte screen option; be gone with you glossy displays.

[nj-mac-user]

In Sept 09 the screen blew us away. It's not like they are going to make a new screen (aside from fixing the issues) right?

So what will be updated? A graphics card? How much better can they be? My question is, is it even worth waiting for the update if you really want and need one NOW? Would you be able to blind test an 09 and 10?

Even if it IS announced at WWDC '10, it probably won't come out until the fall, right?

If anything, it's just going to be more expensive... right? Is the only thing keeping those of us from purchasing the need to have the latest and greatest?

Part of me thinks its this, but the other party REALLY doesn't want to buy an 09 with all the faults and have to return it 5 times... but will they even fix these errors in the '10?

Don't forget, you only hear of the horror stories in forums like this and never the many many who have had zero issues. Chances are you will purchase a perfectly working machine.

Also, Apple would never announce an update and release it a couple months later like they did with the ipad and first iphone for the simple fact that it would discourage consumers from purchasing current models. If it was announced it would be avilable to purchase (at least through Apple) immediately.

[Ravich]

What are the chances of USB3 being on the new iMacs?

[DesmoPilot]

What are the chances of USB3 being on the new iMacs?

Somewhere between slim and none.

[johnhw]

What are the chances of USB3 being on the new iMacs?

2011 or later - no intel chipsets for apple computers yet

[Ravich]

of course -.-

[Swift Sketcher]

COME ON APPLE. I would give you so much money if you just released an imac with USB 3.0 and (and true video inputs) (and Bluray) Why is it so hard to just give us the features we want!! Uhhg!!

[spinnerlys]

They still have to add 3D and multitouch, too.

And the obligatory olfactory output would be nice.

[DesmoPilot]

COME ON APPLE. I would give you so much money if you just released an imac with USB 3.0 and (and true video inputs) (and Bluray) Why is it so hard to just give us the features we want!! Uhhg!!

No intel chipset yet; that makes it just a *little* hard. What would you even use USB3 for right now? There's only a handful of external HDDs that use it. You'll also never see bluray either.

[freddiecable]

they should be able to add an 2.5" SSD in addition to the existing 3.5" disk...but that is probably only us geeks that wants it at this point in time.

today it is memory and especially hard drive that is the bottle neck in the system. not that much the cpu.

[IndustrialSpace]

Everything has been fixed. Go ahead and pick one up. They won't be upgraded any time soon, especially not at WWDC.

Are you NUTS?

Fixed? Where do you get this information?

There are still many reports of people getting yellow tinted screens. Ive seen them myself.

Do yourself a favor and WAIT until the next refresh, at a minimum. This current batch of iMacs is plagued with problems.

[rayward]

Speaking as someone who owns a 27" imac go out and get one its not worth it to wait.

The next imac probably won't be to different. Just the usual upgrades under the hood and possibly a blu-ray drive.

Is there a serious chance that iMacs will finally get Blu Ray support?

I have an external BD for ripping Blu Ray discs, and I've been eyeing a new iMac for some time as my current model takes 5 -8 hours to encode one movie. If they add a BD to the iMac, I'd be able to rip two at a time, and vastly speed up the encoding process. That would be an instant purchase for me!

[DesmoPilot]

Is there a serious chance that iMacs will finally get Blu Ray support?

I have an external BD for ripping Blu Ray discs, and I've been eyeing a new iMac for some time as my current model takes 5 -8 hours to encode one movie. If they add a BD to the iMac, I'd be able to rip two at a time, and vastly speed up the encoding process. That would be an instant purchase for me!

No chance at all.

[iSee]

Maybe Apple could add a '10:
* USB 3 (or some other external drive interface faster than FW800)
* Options for SSD drive - this is probably the biggest limitation on current iMac performance.
* Upgraded Graphics card -- only makes a significant difference for gaming (and if you're serious about gaming, you don't want any kind of mac, much less an iMac)
* processor speed bumps (probably not noticable in a blind test)
* blu-ray (ha - but you never know)
* Improved upgradibility (in a small way, e.g., maybe just the hard drive)
* tv tuner option (OK, I know that's not going to happen)

And they do occasionally do something off-the-wall -- some kind of never-knew-you-needed-it-until-they-released-it feature...

Like...
* touch interface
* built-in ipad dock
* web cam behind the screen so you can look directly at the person you are iChatting with
* ? I'm sure Apple has a lot better ideas than this :)

[d Fusion b]

I'm hold off for spec updates, it's only worth waiting for me because I don't need it until the fall semester, and will also be using it for mild gaming. Games like StarCraft 2, and Diablo 3 which aren't to hardware heavy to begin with but will still benefit from a updated GPU.

I'm also praying for an HDMI input :( which I know is slim to non.. Apple obviously knows people want to use the iMac as a stand along display, idk why they just won't give it the functionality :confused:

[Swift Sketcher]

No chance at all.
Wait, why not.

[JoEw]

No chance at all.

it really depends on how much blu-ray takes off in the next few months. When blu-ray is added, HDMI will likely be added aswell.

[Draeconis]

The only two plausible upgrades really are a new, updated graphics choice, and an SSD option (both of which I would love by the way, Mr Jobs).

They might bump the CPU specs a bit, but there's not much of a point; the i7 iMac nearly outperforms the base Mac Pro! They might transition the lower end iMacs to i3s / i5s, that's more likely, but overwhelmingly, they paired the i5/i7 machine with a graphics card 18 months old, and still don't offer an SSD option on their desktop line. That just screams to me 'out of date!'.

[nj-mac-user]

Are you NUTS?

Fixed? Where do you get this information?

There are still many reports of people getting yellow tinted screens. Ive seen them myself.

Do yourself a favor and WAIT until the next refresh, at a minimum. This current batch of iMacs is plagued with problems.

What is Apple going to roll out some magical perfect working screens just for the next update? If they had them wouldn't they be installing them in current models to prevent returns? Are you still referring to earlier screens... what about the screens being shipped out on new models today?

You will always hear of some kind issue with a product whether minor or major that will discourage some from purchasing because of fear the issue could happen to them. What you don't hear about are all the stories of people who have fine working products.

[Btom]

What is Apple going to roll out some magical perfect working screens just for the next update? If they had them wouldn't they be installing them in current models to prevent returns? Are you still referring to earlier screens... what about the screens being shipped out on new models today?

You will always hear of some kind issue with a product whether minor or major that will discourage some from purchasing because of fear the issue could happen to them. What you don't hear about are all the stories of people who have fine working products.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=924695

One story like this tells volumes, at least to me. Some kind of issue with a product indeed...

Tom B.

[nj-mac-user]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=924695

One story like this tells volumes, at least to me. Some kind of issue with a product indeed...

Tom B.

Yes, one story, out of how many sold? His was sold in Feb. I'd like to know if this issue is still happening with machines being purchased today. I believe I read through a thread somewhere that they've recently corrected the screen issues with the most recent shipments.

[mrwonkers]

Wot a load of poo

...Boom...

And I believe I am on topic....

[Aegelward]

Personally i think they'll drop the C2D 27" and move the current i5 (or upgraded) into it's position, and remove the i7 as a BTO only option.

It seems the logical thing to do with phasing out the C2D

[DesmoPilot]

Wait, why not.

Steve himself has spoken against blu-ray; calling it "a world of hurt" etc. So unless he suddenly changes his mind don't count on bluray ever.


it really depends on how much blu-ray takes off in the next few months. When blu-ray is added, HDMI will likely be added aswell.

Even if it does take off (you could argue it already has) Steve won't care; he hasn't about similar things in the past and I have no doubt bluray would be no different. HDMI won't be added either. Steve has spoken against HDMI as well calling it "limited in resolution" etc. Not to mention I imagine he won't be to keen on paying royalties/licensing fee's for HDMI/bluray. Don't expect either of them to come to Mac.

Apples Mini Displayports these days are supporting audio through them; this is basically as close to HDMI as you're ever gonna get (MDP>HDMI adapters).

[JoEw]

Steve himself has spoken against blu-ray; calling it "a world of hurt" etc. So unless he suddenly changes his mind don't count on bluray ever.




Even if it does take off (you could argue it already has) Steve won't care; he hasn't about similar things in the past and I have no doubt bluray would be no different. HDMI won't be added either. Steve has spoken against HDMI as well calling it "limited in resolution" etc. Not to mention I imagine he won't be to keen on paying royalties/licensing fee's for HDMI/bluray. Don't expect either of them to come to Mac.

Apples Mini Displayports these days are supporting audio through them; this is basically as close to HDMI as you're ever gonna get (MDP>HDMI adapters).
"Blu-Ray software is a mess, and Apple will wait until sales really start to take off before implementing it." - Steve

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/31/steve-jobs-at-apple-town-hall-meeting-google-adobe-next-iphone-2010-macs-and-more/

[Swift Sketcher]

"Blu-Ray software is a mess, and Apple will wait until sales really start to take off before implementing it." - Steve

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/31/steve-jobs-at-apple-town-hall-meeting-google-adobe-next-iphone-2010-macs-and-more/
That's practically the opposite of "Not a chance." Ironically, Apple's support would certainly help it take off.

[johnnymg]

Steve himself has spoken against blu-ray; calling it "a world of hurt" etc. So unless he suddenly changes his mind don't count on bluray ever.

snip............

Actually SJ called BD a......................
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/steve-jobs-calls-blu-ray-a-bag-of-hurt/

[DesmoPilot]

"Blu-Ray software is a mess, and Apple will wait until sales really start to take off before implementing it." - Steve

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/31/steve-jobs-at-apple-town-hall-meeting-google-adobe-next-iphone-2010-macs-and-more/

Obviously it's been a while since he made the statement I read; good to hear it'll eventually be implemented though.

[Swift Sketcher]

Actually SJ called BD a......................
http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/14/steve-jobs-calls-blu-ray-a-bag-of-hurt/ And he ends that sentence with "...we're waiting till things settle down and Blu-ray takes off in the marketplace."

So many of their competitors offer Blu-ray at even the basest option. If they expect to keep up in this increasingly HD world, it seems almost childish to refuse it's implementation, especially at the prices they charge. It's like saying no adding the dvd drive, or bluetooth and charging more. I eagerly await the day I can watch my Blu-rays on that beautiful imac screen. Hopefully it's soon.

[Oversoul]

I say this as an early Blu-ray adopter and fan with over Blu-ray 100 titles: I just don't see Blu-ray being a priority for Apple.

Apple's business model increasingly revolves around media bought and sold through the iTunes Store. Blu-ray is essentially a competitor to movies downloaded, rented and sold through iTunes. Granted, Blu-ray offers 1080p at much higher bitrates compared to iTunes' 720p, but is there any doubt Apple will not offer 1080p video when bandwidth from the ISPs make it more feasible? Or when other Apple products integrate better with 1080p video? Just a few days ago, MacRumors and other Mac news sites/blogs picked up on a story about the next AppleTV, which will output 1080p. Certainly, the iTunes Store will also offer 1080p downloads in turn.

As a more general matter, I think physical media, for Apple, is on the way out. Think of the MacBook Air, and generally the push for digital storage of songs, movies, apps, photos, etc. Hard drive capacity is such that you can store entire libraries of different media on one or two disks. USB 2.0 and soon 3.0 makes transfer of large and numerous files fast and easy. For smaller files, there are always thumb drives.

[AndyDel]

I say this as an early Blu-ray adopter and fan with over Blu-ray 100 titles: I just don't see Blu-ray being a priority for Apple.

Apple's business model increasingly revolves around media bought and sold through the iTunes Store. Blu-ray is essentially a competitor to movies downloaded, rented and sold through iTunes. Granted, Blu-ray offers 1080p at much higher bitrates compared to iTunes' 720p, but is there any doubt Apple will not offer 1080p video when bandwidth from the ISPs make it more feasible? Or when other Apple products integrate better with 1080p video? Just a few days ago, MacRumors and other Mac news sites/blogs picked up on a story about the next AppleTV, which will output 1080p. Certainly, the iTunes Store will also offer 1080p downloads in turn.

As a more general matter, I think physical media, for Apple, is on the way out. Think of the MacBook Air, and generally the push for digital storage of songs, movies, apps, photos, etc. Hard drive capacity is such that you can store entire libraries of different media on one or two disks. USB 2.0 and soon 3.0 makes transfer of large and numerous files fast and easy. For smaller files, there are always thumb drives.

Agree completely..

Their entire business model in regards media is in opposition to bluray.. Not to mention that digital media is really starting to get legs, bluray will never be the all consuming format that DVD was after VHS.

I don't even have a bluray player in my high end gaming PC, i really don't see the point.. If i want to watch a bluray.. I sit on the couch.. Turn on my TV.. And watch one.. With my bluray player..

I don't think they'll change the look of the 27" iMac for another 2/3 years, like the last revision. Only changes you'll see are internal.. And even then i'm doubtful they'll dedicate much time to the iMac at the WWDC.. It'll just be a phase out of core2duo and additional options for graphics cards and hdd space..

[Mackilroy]

Personally i think they'll drop the C2D 27" and move the current i5 (or upgraded) into it's position, and remove the i7 as a BTO only option.

It seems the logical thing to do with phasing out the C2D

There are no other quad-core i5s right now. Apple might use the dual-core i5s, though.

[gnasher729]

I'd probably break my own index finger for clicking "place order" on the current model if the new imacs came with solid state.

But the iMacs come with 1 TB drives, and that is simply unaffordable in SSD. Would you be happy to pay more for a fast 128GB SSD drive than for a huge 1 TB disk drive?

[Btom]

But the iMacs come with 1 TB drives, and that is simply unaffordable in SSD. Would you be happy to pay more for a fast 128GB SSD drive than for a huge 1 TB disk drive?

Actually it would be nice to have both?...

Tom B.

[Swift Sketcher]

How can Bluray even be a threat to digital distribution when DVD is still so much more dominant? Anything you can get digitally can also be purchased on DVDs... So why be so against Bluray when DVD is still the strong arm in the battle against D.D.? I too believe physical media is on the way out, but not for a while longer. For the amount of time it will take everyone to get the bandwidth and hard drives to store all of this digital content, Apple still would have benefited greatly for their Bluray support.

And the arguments about "well, I'll just watch Blu-ray's on my HDTV and Blu-ray player" may work for you, but people have different situations. As a student, I don't have an HDTV or player, so buying an imac that could do both would be ideal for me, and save me room and money. I honestly don't understand why people would actually defend their computers having less functionality. If we're paying this much for these computers, why shouldn't it have the latest outlets for emerging tech, like HD? Both digital and physical? I want to love apple. I wish they'd make it easier.

[Aegelward]

There are no other quad-core i5s right now. Apple might use the dual-core i5s, though.

Sorry, i should have been clearer.

The i5 will go into the current C2D 27" position in the lineup, while the i7 will replace the current i5 position in the lineup is what i ment to say.

[theabominable]

To those saying the machines are fixed, having purchased an i7 just yesterday with it already refusing to boot after < 24 hours of use I say hold off either until you are SURE you aren't going to need to replace it or until Apple announce new models (which won't be soon).