Brushed Aluminum iMac at WWDC?

[Spizzo]

According to slashgear.com:

With WWDC approaching it’s not just the iPhone that has captured all the headlines - the rest of Apple’s range is being scrutinised to see what’s next for a Santa Rosa upgrade. The venerable iMac looks to be the likeliest candidate, with rumour suggesting the casing will see a reshaping (losing much of the under-screen bulk) and swapping the white casing for a smart brushed-metal one.

Obviously the innards are getting some attention too, with the obvious Santa Rosa upgrade and Apple discontinuing the 17-inch TFT panel in favour of a 20-inch version (which will apparently come in cheaper), while the current 24-inch flagship might get some even larger siblings.

I’m more excited by the reshaped casing than the change to brushed-metal, to be honest, since to my myopic eyes the iMac always looked a tad ungainly (especially when compared to the beautiful Cinema Displays, which this new iMac is meant to more closely resemble). Word has it that prices will be similar to the current lineup, with availability coming just after WWDC.

http://www.slashgear.com/more-wwdc-a...mac-045563.php

I can't see the new iMacs going to a brushed metal case, as in the past this has been reserved for the pro line. A smaller case and a price drop would be nice!

[FF_productions]

Thanks for the report.

Why didn't you report this to Macrumors, it could go on the front page?


The iMac update will be quite interesting. It has taken too long for them to update it.

[Draythor]

Sounds good!
I thought they dropped the brushed metal look a while ago now? Still loosing that big ol' chin is always an advantage, plus a refresh of the inards should help boost the sales. How much are these likely to cost?

[FleurDuMal]

I don't see a brushed metal casing for the iMac either. I think such talk is probably more hopeful thinking than anything else. Unless Apple is considering a radical rethink of its whole product line, the plastic/metal division between consumer/pro machines seems pretty established (unless the Mini is metal...?! But that might be on its way out anyway).

[Spizzo]

Originally Posted by Draythor

How much are these likely to cost?

According to the article the pricing should stay about the same as the current lineup. It also says the 20" should come in cheaper. I'm hoping the 20" will drop to the 17" price, the 24" to the 20", and so on...

[BlackMax]

If they look anything like this I'm going to have to purchase another Mac.

[psycoswimmer]

Originally Posted by BlackMax

If they look anything like this I'm going to have to purchase another Mac.

Wow, that it very sleek. I'm sure I could sell my old iMac C2D too, because some people would like the old design more...

[A Pittarelli]

ive been waiting so long for this update i hope its something awesome like that. and im callng it right now that they scrap the imac name and use a new one!

[bartelby]

That's a very nice design BlackMax.

I can't see Apple going metal with the consumer range though.

[Chris Bangle]

Originally Posted by BlackMax

If they look anything like this I'm going to have to purchase another Mac.

boring

[psycoswimmer]

Actually, what about BlackMax's design used for a multi-touch Apple Display? It would incorporate the aluminum from the current designs and the physical design of the old Studio Displays (two "legs"). Also, it seems easy to tilt the "hinge" for multi-touch use. It also looks lower than the current line.

[Thanatoast]

I like the mockup, my only question is what will a brushed-metal wireless keyboard and mighty mouse look like?

[holamiamigos]

thats so sexy right there

[BlackMax]

Originally Posted by psycoswimmer

Actually, what about BlackMax's design used for a multi-touch Apple Display? It would incorporate the aluminum from the current designs and the physical design of the old Studio Displays (two "legs"). Also, it seems easy to tilt the "hinge" for multi-touch use. It also looks lower than the current line.

Although I would like to take credit for this mockup, it is not mine. I pulled the photo off an article at Gadget Lab - Wired Blogs.

[badcrumble]

Only problem I have with the mockup is that the screen isn't quite high enough off the base - I like that the iMacs tend to put the screen right at eye level.

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by Thanatoast

I like the mockup, my only question is what will a brushed-metal wireless keyboard and mighty mouse look like?

they would just incorporate white in somewhere like on the apple displays

[MAC1988]

Thats is so hott, im deffintley waiting to buy my mac now!

[esaleris]

Two words: "user servicable."

[dmaxdmax]

i'd like rosewood or maybe bird's eye maple.

[zioxide]

That's ugly, and they're not going to make a consumer machine with a metal case. That's reserved for the pro models.



I'd rather see that.

[mrkramer]

I would like them to add the option of two internal disk drives, at least in the 24" and maybe in the 20", is their something that I am missing, or why can they fit everything in the 17", but not have room for a second drive in the larger models?

[dex22]

I'm sorry to insert some reality into this thread, but the basic layout of the iMac puts some constraints on the design.

Apple has always sold the exact same hardware in several markets, particularly the US and Europe. Europe has strict laws on usability and adjustability of monitors. The display must be a certain height and must be tiltable. Any design that isn't tiltable is unlawful.

So, while the image posted by BlackMax is certainly eyecatching, it won't meet regulatory requirements.

[Vidd]

Originally Posted by dex22

So, while the image posted by BlackMax is certainly eyecatching, it won't meet regulatory requirements.

The mock-up wouldn't be that great as a monitor, anyway. You wouldn't want the screen so close to your desk.

[ascender]

Apple plan to move to LED screens this year, but have said it will start with the smaller screens first. So where does that leave the iMac? Will this revision be just that, a bump in specs only. Or will they do a re-design in to something which can then be modified to include the LCD panels when they're available?

Depending on what happens, I might be holding off until the large LCDs are available and just sticking with what I've got. Not sure its the best time to be upgrading with a major screen change in the near future.

[emotion]

Originally Posted by Vidd

The mock-up wouldn't be that great as a monitor, anyway. You wouldn't want the screen so close to your desk.

Agreed, but it doesn't stop most laptop users who only have a laptop (like me).

I like the white mockup above. I'd love, against all odds, a way to plug my laptop into the imac display.

One thing's for certain. That chin has to go.