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2011 iMac Predictions?
- Thread starter Mitchelino
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
My Wishlist:
1.Matte Option!
2.Improved graphics/Processors (Given)
3.Maybe Dual GPUs
4.Wouldn't mind seeing ODD go if they are not going to put Blu-Ray in
5.Easier to access Hard Drive
6.Make the stand less deep so the machine doesn't stick out as far as it currently does. (small desk)
I know other than number 2 and possibly 5 im living in fantasy land but this is what id like to see.
1.Matte Option!
2.Improved graphics/Processors (Given)
3.Maybe Dual GPUs
4.Wouldn't mind seeing ODD go if they are not going to put Blu-Ray in
5.Easier to access Hard Drive
6.Make the stand less deep so the machine doesn't stick out as far as it currently does. (small desk)
I know other than number 2 and possibly 5 im living in fantasy land but this is what id like to see.
I'm hoping for:
- Quad-cores and other high-end options in the 21.5" (not going to happen; Apple always tries to upsell you by starving the "smaller" machines, see 13"-MBP)
- Higher resolution in the 21.5" (not going to happen, see above)
- Good Sandy Bridge Quads (hopefully going to happen)
- 8 GB RAM standard in the higher-end models
- Hybrid SSD+HDD configurations standard in the higher-end models
- Option to do away with the ODD or maybe Blu-Ray as a BTO (not going to happen)
- The ability to combine two SSDs (maybe in RAID-mode) instead of an HDD and an SSD
- Thunderbolt (definitely going to happen)
- Lower prices on the HDD+SSD configurations, choice of higher-quality SSDs (not going to happen)
- New screen size, maybe 23" or a rebirth of the 24", same options as the higher-end 27" (probably not going to happen)
- Better GPUs
- Quad-cores and other high-end options in the 21.5" (not going to happen; Apple always tries to upsell you by starving the "smaller" machines, see 13"-MBP)
- Higher resolution in the 21.5" (not going to happen, see above)
- Good Sandy Bridge Quads (hopefully going to happen)
- 8 GB RAM standard in the higher-end models
- Hybrid SSD+HDD configurations standard in the higher-end models
- Option to do away with the ODD or maybe Blu-Ray as a BTO (not going to happen)
- The ability to combine two SSDs (maybe in RAID-mode) instead of an HDD and an SSD
- Thunderbolt (definitely going to happen)
- Lower prices on the HDD+SSD configurations, choice of higher-quality SSDs (not going to happen)
- New screen size, maybe 23" or a rebirth of the 24", same options as the higher-end 27" (probably not going to happen)
- Better GPUs
Looking from new MacBook specs, for the upcoming 2011 iMac i predict:
1. All iMac lines using i5 or i7 quadcore physical
2. HDD capacity increased to 1.5- 2Tb, or for the same price 1Tb + 64Gb on board SSD
3. Radeon HD 6xxx GPU, i think about 6450M 512Mb for the base iMac .. and 6970M 1Gb for top iMac
4. 2 thunderbolt, 1 FW800, 4USB 2.0 ... this way, Apple prepare the new iMac for RAID feature using external thunderbolt SSD
5. 8Gb DDR 1033Mhz comes standard
6. Wireless keyboard now come with numeric pad
Other shit should be the same, more or less .. same display etc
1. All iMac lines using i5 or i7 quadcore physical
2. HDD capacity increased to 1.5- 2Tb, or for the same price 1Tb + 64Gb on board SSD
3. Radeon HD 6xxx GPU, i think about 6450M 512Mb for the base iMac .. and 6970M 1Gb for top iMac
4. 2 thunderbolt, 1 FW800, 4USB 2.0 ... this way, Apple prepare the new iMac for RAID feature using external thunderbolt SSD
5. 8Gb DDR 1033Mhz comes standard
6. Wireless keyboard now come with numeric pad
Other shit should be the same, more or less .. same display etc
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Imac 2011
The most important I want from Imac 2011 is that apple could redesign the power supply of the imac serise...and this will over the screen issue...or maybe replace the present LCD with another LCD panel which could endure the high temperature from behind if it really existes...
and something else I hope for the imac 2011
1 stay in the actuel sizes...21.5 and 27 inches are just fit, no need to lance some 30 inches or god knows 42 inches...that would be heavy and a waste of energy...
2 Sandy bridge cpus being used ...of course this is definitely what will happen on the unibody...according to the newly lanced MBP, the entry level with a i5 or i7 SNB cpu, the new imac should have at least i5 quatre core for his entry imac 21.5...imac 27 with 4cores i7 snb or i7 snb faster for options.
3 8gb or 16gb SSD installed as the system driver...1TB ou 2TB for the storage a SSD of 256 or 512 GB seems no need ... that costs a lot due to its high price
4 the cost of 'lightpeak' is the optical fiber and for the imac if this is possible, an improvement with a real optical fiber instead of the copper for the data transfor...of course we have to consider about the cost and the developpement of the market...this hope will remain only as a dream for 2011...but apple has already done a great job as a leader in technology.
5 usb charge for keyboad and mouse..with a inner Li-on battery...don't you think replace the alkaine batteries is not just so ecological? an entreprise like apple should be responsable for the environment.
6 anti reflect screen is preferable...i think the boys ,like me, we don't want use a 27 inch screen as a mirror...so we really want this option for the screen..
some of these wishes seem to be unrealistic...but at least we still have a hope...
The most important I want from Imac 2011 is that apple could redesign the power supply of the imac serise...and this will over the screen issue...or maybe replace the present LCD with another LCD panel which could endure the high temperature from behind if it really existes...
and something else I hope for the imac 2011
1 stay in the actuel sizes...21.5 and 27 inches are just fit, no need to lance some 30 inches or god knows 42 inches...that would be heavy and a waste of energy...
2 Sandy bridge cpus being used ...of course this is definitely what will happen on the unibody...according to the newly lanced MBP, the entry level with a i5 or i7 SNB cpu, the new imac should have at least i5 quatre core for his entry imac 21.5...imac 27 with 4cores i7 snb or i7 snb faster for options.
3 8gb or 16gb SSD installed as the system driver...1TB ou 2TB for the storage a SSD of 256 or 512 GB seems no need ... that costs a lot due to its high price
4 the cost of 'lightpeak' is the optical fiber and for the imac if this is possible, an improvement with a real optical fiber instead of the copper for the data transfor...of course we have to consider about the cost and the developpement of the market...this hope will remain only as a dream for 2011...but apple has already done a great job as a leader in technology.
5 usb charge for keyboad and mouse..with a inner Li-on battery...don't you think replace the alkaine batteries is not just so ecological? an entreprise like apple should be responsable for the environment.
6 anti reflect screen is preferable...i think the boys ,like me, we don't want use a 27 inch screen as a mirror...so we really want this option for the screen..
some of these wishes seem to be unrealistic...but at least we still have a hope...
Fantastic idea, something like Sony do with their controllers. Though they have their own 'environmentally friendly' battery chargers, I doubt they would take your approach sadly.
But you never know...
Fantastic idea, something like Sony do with their controllers. Though they have their own 'environmentally friendly' battery chargers, I doubt they would take your approach sadly.
But you never know...
thanks
what is intresting.is that..it is just the PS3 controller which reminds me of this improvement...Didn't you ever heard about the Apple Battery Charger? It comes with 6 rechargeable NiMH-batteries (Sanyo Eneloop) so you can put 2 in your keyboard, 2 in your mouse and 2 in your trackpad or in the charger so you don't have to wait when you change!
THAT's Apple's view of using your wireless devices, which IS ecological.
Therefore, Apple probably won't use Li-ion batteries in their next devices, because this is their solution.
Keeping that aside, what I want in the next iMac is:
1. Better GPU', for the 27" an 6950m or (better) 6970m GPU
2. Intel sandy-bridge i5's and i7's (Intel Core i7-2600)
3. Thunderbolt (and some adapters to USB3.0 and HDMI (in & out 1080p)
4. illuminous wireless numeric keyboard (Logitech made one, so why not Apple??)
(= identical to the Macbook keyboards, black keys too please
looks nicer)5. 1TB (or more?) & 32 or 64GB SSD (so you still can put Bootcamp Windows on it)
6. 24" iMac (2048 x 1152 pixels, which does exists), to fill the void
7. better response time for the display (5ms btg for example)
Demands 2 and 3 are quite obvious, but I do hope the rest will come too!
Especially the illuminous wireless numeric keyboard! Apple's numeric keyboard is so outdated and still not wireless! And make it illuminous just like the Macbooks, it's so handy!
I passed on the last refresh so I'm getting excited about this one. I'm hoping to see Thunderbolt and OS X Lion being highlighted well with the new models.
Out of all the wishes I would like to see the price remain the same or even a bit lower depending on the options selected.
Out of all the wishes I would like to see the price remain the same or even a bit lower depending on the options selected.
Yea i have seen it not just in apple online store but also in many apple stores.this is not a very good solution, first we don't need to purchase for the charger and batteries at all if we already have the battery integrated.just connect the keyboard or mouse to the iMac with a USB cable for recharge;and their do exist many other brands of charger and battery for options.with a mark of apple on it means sevral times more expensive. that's is a little Hard to accept.
Apple has to admit, that ，with millions of customers around the world, each imac users with at least 4 batteries, that is already a great burden for recycling these future toxic rubbish.even though with a rechargeable battery, as each product has it's proper life, they will one day turn up in the waste ,resulting an environement problem...
A charging pad to rest the keyboard, mouse, trackpad on would be cool for me.
no wires no external charger - just a pad with a usb or wall plug thats always ready to keep the items full.
no wires no external charger - just a pad with a usb or wall plug thats always ready to keep the items full.
You can get The Magic Charger: http://www.mobeetechnology.com/
Is exactly what you want, except only for the mouse.
Better GPU and CPU of course (GPU is first!)
Hybrid HDD (with 16 or 32 GB SSD for fast boot)
Anti reflect screen
Lower prices
In two years, maybe i used my ODD only 3 or 4 times. ODD is dying like floppies. I prefer no ODD!
Hybrid HDD (with 16 or 32 GB SSD for fast boot)
Anti reflect screen
Lower prices
In two years, maybe i used my ODD only 3 or 4 times. ODD is dying like floppies. I prefer no ODD!
I just can't imagine they're going to put a dedicated "boot" blade SSD in the new iMacs that's only 8-16GB. That seems so "stop-gap" to me, especially since the 128GB SSD upgrade in the new MBPs is only $100. Granted, the current dual SSD+HDD iMac options are outrageously priced, but the smallest SSD option is also 256GB. Maybe we'll see a 64GB or 128GB option w/ secondary platter HD for only a $200 or so premium.
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It's 100$ only if you buy MBP which has 750GB HD as standard. In the base 13" for example, the 128GB SSD is 250$.
Right, that's why I said "upgrade." $250 isn't really bad for an Apple-offered SSD, but I doubt we'll see a whole lot of improvement between now and the time the new iMacs are released. Oh well.
My Theory
Why wouldn't the low end 27" have at least a quad i5 considering the MBP's have them in the low end 15" and also why wouldn't the high end 27" not have the quad i7, the current high end Macbook Pro has a quad i7!
My prediction would be more like, I am not familiar with the Sandy Bridge processors and which GPU's would work with them, so I just updated the machines posted at the start of the thread.
1199$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i3-2120 (3.3GHz)
AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5
500GB HD
2x2GB RAM; option for 4x2GB
1499$ 21.5" iMac
Core i5-2500S (2.7/3.7GHz)
AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5
1TB HD; option for 2TB
2x2GB RAM: option for 4x2GB
1699$ 27" iMac
Core i7-2600 (3.4GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1TB HD; option for 2TB
2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB
1999$ 27" iMac
Core i7-2600 (3.8GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
2TB HD
2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB
Speculation time!
Code:1199$ 21.5" iMac Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1GHz) AMD 65xxM with 256MB GDDR5 500GB HD 2x2GB RAM; option for 4x2GB 1499$ 21.5" iMac Intel Core i3-2120 (3.3GHz); option for Core i5-2500S (2.7/3.7GHz) AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5 1TB HD; option for 2TB 2x2GB RAM: option for 4x2GB 1699$ 27" iMac Intel Core i3-2120 (3.3GHz) AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5; option for AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5 1TB HD; option for 2TB 2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB 1999$ 27" iMac Intel Core i5-2500 (3.3/3.7GHz); option for Core i7-2600 (3.4/3.8GHz) AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5 1TB HD; option for 2TB 2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB
Okay, some explanations. Apple could do like they did with 2010 iMac and offer 5670 (aka 5730M) in base iMac. It's a bit faster than 6550M (no benches for 6570M yet) but nothing super special. 65xxM only come with GDDR5 or DDR3 so GDDR5 is the only viable choice for Apple or it will be a downgrade.
Why quad core in 21.5"? Because there is only one dual core i5 and it's 35W T-series chip. All other i5s are quads. In terms of price and TDP, quad core would suit there perfectly. S-series has TDP of 65W which is less than current Clardales with TDP of 73W. The price for i5-2500S is 216$, 78$ less than the current BTO option i5-680.
I didn't want to add any SSD things there because IMO they are too speculative. I'm sure Apple will offer some kind of an SSD like they do now but what will it be is a mystery. Maybe all iMacs come with 64GB or 128GB SSD for OS X, who knows? Everyone can make their own guesses about this.
Why no 3TB option? Remember how long it took to get 2TB as BTO? Currently there is only one 3TB 7200rpm drive AFAIK. It's Hitachi and what I've seen, its availability is bad, just like all 3TB drives. 2TB drives still cost too much to be in stock models.
Next, RAM. I know Sandy Bridge can take up to 32GB of RAM. However, 8GB SODIMMs are more or less non-existent. Even if they existed, they would cost more than the iMac itself. Adding 32GB as DIY will likely be possible unless Apple limits it with firmware but it will take awhile before you can get affordable 8GB SODIMMs.
4GB modules are starting to be very affordable right now. I would expect 8GB in high-end iMac as the price is about the same what 2x2GB cost a year ago for example. Why not in other models? Usually Apple wants models to have differences. 21.5" is pretty much out of question as Apple wants 27" to be better. Low-end 27" might already be a tight profit for Apple due to the expensive screen so adding more RAM doesn't sound very Apple-ish. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see 8GB as standard in any iMac.
What about CPUs? There are only two i3s so those are easy to predict. i5s are too expensive (especially S models which are suitable for 21.5") for other than the high-end. It is possible that the 27" goes quad core only but even the cheapest i5 (2300, 2.8/3.1GHz) is 39$ more than the current i3-550 used in low-end 27". Like I said before, low-end 27" may already be low-profit machine for Apple so every $ counts. It would also make the difference between low-end and high-end 27" very small.
As for high-end iMac's CPUs, Apple could use i5-2400 (3.1/3.4GHz) or i5-2300 instead of i5-2500 but the price of 2500 (205$) is the closest to the current i5-760 (205$
Some of my and others' thoughts about the GPUs can be found here! We still don't know the TDPs which makes predicting a lot harder.
The last but not least. What about Blu-Ray, Light Peak, USB 3.0, iMac Touch and new form factor?
According to this, Steve does not like Blu-Ray due to several restrictions. I'm going to say we won't see Blu-Ray, at least not in the next update.
In IDF 2010, Intel said computers with Light Peak will come in 2012. We are living 2011 now so yeah, no Light Peak, yet. The rumor about Light Peak coming in early 2011 had no proofs supporting it. Only a month or so before, Intel clearly stated that it will be late 2011 for the first parts and 2012 for computers with LP.
Sandy Bridge does not support USB 3.0 natively so don't get your hopes up. Steve said USB 3.0 isn't taking off, which doesn't sound too good when it comes to Macs with USB 3.0. It is possible that he lied which isn't a surprise. Remember when he said there won't be App Store for Mac? Well, there is now. I still wouldn't bet on USB 3.0 though, I doubt we will see it.
I'm going to put this straight, touch does not work well with a big screen. Keeping your arms up all the time will be painful and that is not what using a computer should be. I've see the patents of incline iMac but think about the glossy screen. Now you can work okay with ceiling light on but with incline iMac, the light would cause some serious reflections. Let alone what your neck and back would say when leaning forward all the time! Then there are things like finger prints, OS and app support which makes touch even more useless.
A new form factor doesn't sound plausible to me. iMacs got new form factors in Oct 2009, why would Apple change it now when it has been so little time? Making 21.5" an inch bigger isn't going to help anything, especially with the same 1920x1080 resolution. I know some of you drool after the 16:10 ratio but I doubt we are going to see that. 24" iMac was even more expensive than the current 27!
I'd like to add that this is just my speculation. I have no insider information about future Apple products. Everyone is free to do their own speculation and of course debate about some point I made.
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EDIT: Since MBPs got Thunderbolt (aka Light Peak), it is very likely that iMacs will get it as well. It should replace the Mini DisplayPort.
Why wouldn't the low end 27" have at least a quad i5 considering the MBP's have them in the low end 15" and also why wouldn't the high end 27" not have the quad i7, the current high end Macbook Pro has a quad i7!
My prediction would be more like, I am not familiar with the Sandy Bridge processors and which GPU's would work with them, so I just updated the machines posted at the start of the thread.
1199$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i3-2120 (3.3GHz)
AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5
500GB HD
2x2GB RAM; option for 4x2GB
1499$ 21.5" iMac
Core i5-2500S (2.7/3.7GHz)
AMD 67xxM with 512MB GDDR5
1TB HD; option for 2TB
2x2GB RAM: option for 4x2GB
1699$ 27" iMac
Core i7-2600 (3.4GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1TB HD; option for 2TB
2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB
1999$ 27" iMac
Core i7-2600 (3.8GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
2TB HD
2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB
You made some mistakes here.
The only difference I notice is the RAM (which can always be upgraded from the base model) and the HDD (which can also be upgraded from the base model). Also a mistake with the CPU's: the i7-2600 is 3.4Ghz, not 3.8Ghz (3.8Ghz is in turbo mode, same CPU).
We could rather see something like this:
1699$ 27" iMac
Core i5-2500 (3.3GHz)
AMD 6850M with 512MB GDDR5
1TB HDD; option for 2TB
2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB
1999$ 27" iMac
Core i7-2600 (3.8GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1TB HDD; option for 2TB
2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB
I doubt we will here anything about the IMac until the IPad starts shipping. They don't want to take away from that hype yet.
MBPs had not been updated by the time I wrote that post. I will go and update it now
EDIT: Updated
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My guess is this summer. I mean if you plan on waiting till OSX Lion comes out so it comes preinstalled with your iMac you'll have to wait until then.
I really could care less about Lion. I just need a new computer and I'd like that computer to be the iMac. However, it's been 9 months or so since it was updated, so I'd rather not get the old one if a new one is on the horizon.
The Wait is killing me
I'm looking forward to purchasing my first imac this year. Will go for the top end 27inch model .. all i wish for is 1080p target display mode to be supported .... xbox 360 on imac in 1080p ..... drools
I'm looking forward to purchasing my first imac this year. Will go for the top end 27inch model .. all i wish for is 1080p target display mode to be supported .... xbox 360 on imac in 1080p ..... drools