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2017 iMac refresh wish list [merged]

Dave245 said:
Or there's no new design and so nothing to leak.
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Well there has to be a new backplate to accommodate the physical difference between a USB-A port and USB-C port. I also expect the TB2 ports to go away (so 6 x USB-C instead of 2x TB2 and 4x USB-A). We might also lose the RJ-45 Ethernet port (do not expect) and/or the SD Slot (maybe).
 
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CWallace said:
Well there has to be a new backplate to accommodate the physical difference between a USB-A port and USB-C port. I also expect the TB2 ports to go away (so 6 x USB-C instead of 2x TB2 and 4x USB-A). We might also lose the RJ-45 Ethernet port (do not expect) and/or the SD Slot (maybe).
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That's if they add USB-C with this update, it may just be a spec update.
 
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CWallace said:
Well there has to be a new backplate to accommodate the physical difference between a USB-A port and USB-C port. I also expect the TB2 ports to go away (so 6 x USB-C instead of 2x TB2 and 4x USB-A). We might also lose the RJ-45 Ethernet port (do not expect) and/or the SD Slot (maybe).
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Eh, just because there aren't leaks doesn't mean there isn't an update planned in the near future. We haven't seen any leaked iPad parts, and we know those are coming soon. Leaks are probably even less likely for the iMac given the smaller production volume making it easier to contain.

Dave245 said:
That's if they add USB-C with this update, it may just be a spec update.
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Now that the MacBook Pro is out with those LG displays I am sure every mac will jump on the USB-C train on their next update. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 happened the same way.
 
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Stacc said:
Eh, just because there aren't leaks doesn't mean there isn't an update planned in the near future. We haven't seen any leaked iPad parts, and we know those are coming soon. Leaks are probably even less likely for the iMac given the smaller production volume making it easier to contain.



Now that the MacBook Pro is out with those LG displays I am sure every mac will jump on the USB-C train on their next update. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 happened the same way.
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Good point. If they are going to announce them at an event I would guess it won't be March it will be later in the year, maybe another Mac event in October.
 
Dave245 said:
That's if they add USB-C with this update, it may just be a spec update.
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After going to USB-C on the MacBook and MacBook Pro, to not do so on the iMac would be shocking.


Stacc said:
Eh, just because there aren't leaks doesn't mean there isn't an update planned in the near future. We haven't seen any leaked iPad parts, and we know those are coming soon. Leaks are probably even less likely for the iMac given the smaller production volume making it easier to contain.
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Well the only iPad that would have new cases would be the rumored 10.5" model and if it is supposed to have the same physical footprint as the 9.7, it might actually use the same back case. And if it does not, rumors are it will be released this summer so perhaps Apple has not started case production for it so nothing to leak.

Anyway, I agree the lack of an iMac case leak is not compelling evidence of lack of an iminent new iMac release, but we did see the new MBP case months before the model was formally released. Then again, we knew nothing about the nMP case until they showed it at WWDC....
 
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CWallace said:
Anyway, I agree the lack of an iMac case leak is not compelling evidence of lack of an iminent new iMac release, but we did see the new MBP case months before the model was formally released. Then again, we knew nothing about the nMP case until they showed it at WWDC....
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Also, the MacBook Pro is more popular and sells more than the iMac so continuing with the logic in the discussion, it would be more likely leaks of case designs would occur with their notebook lineup rather than their desktop lineup. The Mac mini and Mac Pro also saw no case redesign leaks prior to 2010 and 2013, respectively.
 
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Will they continue to differentiate the small and larger models with previous and current generation of processors respectively, or is Kaby lake available for them both?
 
potatis said:
Will they continue to differentiate the small and larger models with previous and current generation of processors respectively, or is Kaby lake available for them both?
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There never will be a Kaby Lake with integrated graphics suitable for the 21.5". If Apple simply drops in newer chips (i.e. keeps the design similar), then the 21.5" would need to be a generation behind with Skylake. Note that this would be a dead end design that cannot be updated.

Apple may want to use a discrete GPU for all versions to support multiple high resolution monitors on USB-C / TB3. In that case, the choice of CPU is totally open.
 
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richinaus said:
They do have amazing things in their road map apparently, so thats ok. Nothing to worry about............
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Like a tv, and a car , .. assistive reality, .. stuff .. no iMac probably.
it's ok, people that run a business and need solutions will just buy other stuff, sometimes we need results, not wishful thinking.
its utterly frustrating. i am sure i will get flack for this opinion.
 
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I agree with the posters above me. I think it is a safe bet all the ports are gone except for USB C ports. It's only a matter of time until the lighting cables being supplied as also lighting to USB-C. That will probably happen when all the machines are refreshed.

In terms of specs it will be a spec bump. If the chin goes away Apple would have to redesign the speakers and the cooling. That isn't to say it won't happen. It could explain the delay in the update currently. It's possible that the Apple logo might not even be on the front anymore. Considering that Apple removed it from the bottom bezel of MacBook Pro laptops years ago.

The big question is how do they plan to bring the touch bar to the iMac. Will it be a separate device that sits in front of the keyboard or an all new keyboard. Maybe they will also take the opportunity to change the key faces to black and introduce backlighting.
 
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richinaus said:
They do have amazing things in their road map apparently, so thats ok. Nothing to worry about............
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I understand the frustration and the tongue-in-cheekiness, but Cook has said they intend to release new desktop Macs and such a statement is one that can materially affect the stock price and value of the company. So he said it because it is true. If he was lying, he would be liable for sanction by the SEC (as well as risking opening the company up to a potential shareholder lawsuit).


EnderBeta said:
The big question is how do they plan to bring the touch bar to the iMac. Will it be a separate device that sits in front of the keyboard or an all new keyboard. Maybe they will also take the opportunity to change the key faces to black and introduce backlighting.
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I'm guessing we'll see a revision to the full-size keyboard, since its has the space to hold a larger battery to power the OLED strip (as well as allow a wider strip). I just purchased the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard to replace my full-size wired Apple one and I am very, very pleased with it. So if Apple does something like that, I'd buy it.
 
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CWallace said:
I'm guessing we'll see a revision to the full-size keyboard, since its has the space to hold a larger battery to power the OLED strip (as well as allow a wider strip). I just purchased the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard to replace my full-size wired Apple one and I am very, very pleased with it. So if Apple does something like that, I'd buy it.
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I just did a search for that keyboard on Amazon. That is a very nice keyboard! I really like the space grey with black keys. Thanks for sharing. I'm very tempted to run out ad grab one. How does it feel?

It would be awesome if Apple would update the full size keyboard.
 
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I don't think they will remove usb's on the new imac. I won't be surprised if they would though, ever since Steve Jobs died some of the things Apple has done is a bit questionable...
 
BigBoyBmw760li said:
I don't think they will remove usb's on the new imac. I won't be surprised if they would though, ever since Steve Jobs died some of the things Apple has done is a bit questionable...
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The biggest problem with people saying "Steve would've never allowed X" or "Apple's changed since Steve" isn't that it's not true, but that's its often said in reference to things he most certainly would've allowed, or things that haven't changed. Removing all legacy ports from new Macs when a new standard arises is most certainly something Steve not only would've done, but HAS done in the past (see 1999).

I will say that (at least as I remember it) under Steve it WAS rare to see this much of the mac lineup (or really any of Apple's product lineup) go so long without even minor updates... (back then the MacRumors buyers guide having everything in red usually meant they hadn't been upgraded in 6-12 months, and thus we were do for a big refresh :( )
 
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On April 11th AMD is going to release the Ryzen 5.
I believe there will be a good alternative for i5 (Ryzen 5 1400, 1500X and 1600) and i7 (with Ryzen 7 1700). They are all within 65W of TDP and would - I guess - work even better with the Polaris range on the new iMacs.
Their ST performance is comparable with the Intel processors, but at a much lower price, while the MT specs are definitely in favour of the higher number of cores (4 to 6 in the 5 model, 8 in the 7), which would match Apple tendency to push multi-threaded software, such as Logic, GarageBand, Final Cut...

They could still implement TB3, USB3.1 Gen2 for the I/O, plus - maybe - one 1/10 Gb Ethernet.

New 4K and 5K screens (HDR?), faster SSDs, 2166/2400 MHz DDR4 RAM would be almost obvious, I guess.

I would expect a new design... maybe focussed on a better thermal management, so that all the hardware can work without an excessive underclocking.

BT 5.0, ac (ad?) Wifi, of course.

Lower prices than the actual ones (they could afford it, for a change).

and...hopefully:

* touchbar USB (or wireless?) keyboard WITH NUM KEYPAD (PLEASE!)

* wireless charger (for the keyboard and future products? iPhone, watch...)

Ok... come on, Apple! :)

@
 
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Malus120 said:
The biggest problem with people saying "Steve would've never allowed X" or "Apple's changed since Steve" isn't that it's not true, but that's its often said in reference to things he most certainly would've allowed, or things that haven't changed. Removing all legacy ports from new Macs when a new standard arises is most certainly something Steve not only would've done, but HAS done in the past (see 1999).

I will say that (at least as I remember it) under Steve it WAS rare to see this much of the mac lineup (or really any of Apple's product lineup) go so long without even minor updates... (back then the MacRumors buyers guide having everything in red usually meant they hadn't been upgraded in 6-12 months, and thus we were do for a big refresh :( )
Click to expand...
So true.

The first iMac removed legacy ports. Apple was the first to drop the floppy disc and they where pretty much right on the one about when to drop the optical disc drive too.

My only issue with USB-C is having to purchase new cables or adapters. However it is nice knowing I can buy the cables and not have to replace the devices and not live with dongles all over the place.

Steve very well might have done the same thing with the ports. I don't know if he would have pulled the Mag Safe. It's really hard to say.

The one thing I don't think he would have done is been so fast to solder everything. The iMac up until his death had fairly easy to access parts with magnets on the screen instead of glue. MXM for graphics instead of soldered. I think the loss of expandable machines is entirely Tim Cook's doing. The IO on the other hand I think is Tim following in the legacy of not looking back.

The question is will the Thunderbolt3/usb-c do as well as the other USB variants have in the past. I think a large reason why the newer variants of USB did so well is because upgrading the ports was 100% painless so why not upgrade them. Like it or not more o the industry will have to get on board if the ports are going to succeed. One company that comes to mind is Razer which is dipping their toe instead of the cannon ball approach Apple took. Their new Razer Blade line has a single Thunderbolt3/USB-C port on them. It's possible that this port could take off.
 
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