iMac Power Button

LimeLite · Sep 29, 2003, 05:00 PM

I've been wondering about this..and I always expect them to add it in a new revision, but they still haven't...

Why isn't there a power button for the iMac on the display, the same way that Apple's display's have a power button that can start up the computer? Having the only power button all the way in the back is somewhat out of the way. Does this make sense to anyone else?

jimthorn · Sep 29, 2003, 05:51 PM

I think they were just going for an ultra simple, clean look with no visible buttons or ports. Even the optical drive tray is "hidden" in the contour of the base, and only really shows when it pops open.

While I also reach behind my iMac to turn it on every morning, a lot of people just leave it on all the time, and probably don't care where the power button is unless they need to do a hard reset.

One last thought... people often consider building (or wanting Apple to sell) a "headless" version of the iMac (just the dome base with no monitor) as sort of a neo-Cube, and of course, they'd need a power button on the base, since there would be no monitor attached.

LimeLite · Sep 29, 2003, 06:11 PM

oh, I'm not saying to get rid of the one on the base, I'm just saying add one to the monitor as well. And a button on the display would not make it look any less clean, as the power buttons blend in with the display very nicely.

bennetsaysargh · Sep 29, 2003, 06:35 PM

like jimhorn said, i think they're going for the simple look too. also, one thing is people adjust the screen, so it might get in the way.

rainman::|:| · Sep 29, 2003, 07:43 PM

i think it's to encourage people to sleep their computers, instead of shutting down, which is in many ways better for the machine... plus it makes users happy that they don't have to deal with startup times, and it underscores unix's legendary stability.

and, it's clutter.

i think they were also trying to minimize the cabling necessary in the arm... this would mean two more wires, and it may not seem like much to us, it could have been crucial to avoid in designing... there are so many little reasons like this...

pnw

DangerDiabolik · Sep 30, 2003, 02:43 AM

they should just make that front silver Apple logo touch sensitive.

put yoru finger on it for a few seconds and

"Mbwahhhhhhh"

Start up Noise.

Why is it better to have a mac sleep ? Isnt it it just using electricity ?

LimeLite · Sep 30, 2003, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DangerDiabolik
they should just make that front silver Apple logo touch sensitive.

put yoru finger on it for a few seconds and

"Mbwahhhhhhh"

Start up Noise.

Why is it better to have a mac sleep ? Isnt it it just using electricity ?

When asleep it uses barely any electricity at all. The ideas people have presented make sense, but I had an iMac for a couple of weeks before deciding to switch to a PowerMac, and I just remember it being kind of a hassle to reach behind and fumble for the power button, and just leaving it on was not an option. I'm not saying I don't understand Apple's possible reasons, but I still think it would make complete sense to have a power button on the display itself. Wouldn't even have to be in the same location as on the studio/cinema displays, but something a little more accessible. Can anyone argue that having a power button easier to reach would be a bad idea?

realityisterror · Sep 30, 2003, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DangerDiabolik
they should just make that front silver Apple logo touch sensitive.

but then you'd get fingerprints on it!!!!

Reality

bennetsaysargh · Sep 30, 2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DangerDiabolik
they should just make that front silver Apple logo touch sensitive.

touch sensitive power button on a computer is a bad idea. kids like to touch shiney stuff

not to mention the fingerprints

Sep 29, 2003, 05:00 PM	#1
LimeLite macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca	iMac Power Button I've been wondering about this..and I always expect them to add it in a new revision, but they still haven't... Why isn't there a power button for the iMac on the display, the same way that Apple's display's have a power button that can start up the computer? Having the only power button all the way in the back is somewhat out of the way. Does this make sense to anyone else?
	0

Sep 29, 2003, 05:51 PM	#2
jimthorn macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA, USA	I think they were just going for an ultra simple, clean look with no visible buttons or ports. Even the optical drive tray is "hidden" in the contour of the base, and only really shows when it pops open. While I also reach behind my iMac to turn it on every morning, a lot of people just leave it on all the time, and probably don't care where the power button is unless they need to do a hard reset. One last thought... people often consider building (or wanting Apple to sell) a "headless" version of the iMac (just the dome base with no monitor) as sort of a neo-Cube, and of course, they'd need a power button on the base, since there would be no monitor attached. __________________ Home: MacBook Pro 15" Work: Mac mini i5 Away: iPhone 5
	0

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Sep 29, 2003, 06:11 PM	#3
LimeLite Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca	oh, I'm not saying to get rid of the one on the base, I'm just saying add one to the monitor as well. And a button on the display would not make it look any less clean, as the power buttons blend in with the display very nicely.
	0

Sep 29, 2003, 06:35 PM	#4
bennetsaysargh macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New York	like jimhorn said, i think they're going for the simple look too. also, one thing is people adjust the screen, so it might get in the way.
	0

Sep 29, 2003, 07:43 PM	#5
rainman::\|:\| macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: iowa	i think it's to encourage people to sleep their computers, instead of shutting down, which is in many ways better for the machine... plus it makes users happy that they don't have to deal with startup times, and it underscores unix's legendary stability. and, it's clutter. i think they were also trying to minimize the cabling necessary in the arm... this would mean two more wires, and it may not seem like much to us, it could have been crucial to avoid in designing... there are so many little reasons like this... pnw
	0

Sep 30, 2003, 02:43 AM	#6
DangerDiabolik macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2003	they should just make that front silver Apple logo touch sensitive. put yoru finger on it for a few seconds and "Mbwahhhhhhh" Start up Noise. Why is it better to have a mac sleep ? Isnt it it just using electricity ?
	0


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