2017 iMac refresh wish list [merged]

[Sirmausalot]

I don't agree. I think touch is an inevitability now on Apple desktops. Not because people want to navigate around with their finger, per se, but for pencil integration for when the screen is in horizontal position.

The Surface Studio can be navigated exclusively with mouse. You don't have to ever lower it and draw directly on it if you don't want to. However, you are correct in saying this will increase the price to, probably, unacceptable levels for those who won't use ( at least think they won't use ) the function.

That's why I think Apple will split the iMac range and introduce a pro version with the touch and screen tilting ability.

Eventually, as costs come down, they will include it on all models.
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I use both of them. But, the prospect of drawing directly onto a fully powered desktop with a 27" ( hopefully 32") screen is taking things up to different levels.

Jonny Ive, Tim Cook, and the late god Steve Jobs say absolutely no touch on a vertical computer screen and no-touch on MacOS -- that is for the iOS line. The Surface Studio is an amazing piece of tech, but they are serving a very particular market. I've used touch screen devices, but since I don't draw/model/whatever, they don't add any benefit over a mouse/trackpad. And iOS is not up to real heavy computer work. I wonder how the iPAD Pro is selling?

 

[Firebrand]

Expect Pencil G2 next year and that’s it for touch/drawing.

 

[fokmik]

Jonny Ive, Tim Cook, and the late god Steve Jobs say absolutely no touch on a vertical computer screen and no-touch on MacOS -- that is for the iOS line. The Surface Studio is an amazing piece of tech, but they are serving a very particular market. I've used touch screen devices, but since I don't draw/model/whatever, they don't add any benefit over a mouse/trackpad. And iOS is not up to real heavy computer work. I wonder how the iPAD Pro is selling?

so true...i pick up my self the first surface book because i was "amazed at Microsoft event" but after 2 weeks i stop using touch at all...and i remain with just a mid range overall laptop
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Expect Pencil G2 next year and that’s it for touch/drawing.

i expect yes...since they improves the trackpad all the way...magic trackpad for desktops, and they double the size in laptops to have some room for using the pencil on it...i think pencil support is inevitable

 

[Macmamamac]

Jonny Ive, Tim Cook, and the late god Steve Jobs say absolutely no touch on a vertical computer screen and no-touch on MacOS -- that is for the iOS line. The Surface Studio is an amazing piece of tech, but they are serving a very particular market. I've used touch screen devices, but since I don't draw/model/whatever, they don't add any benefit over a mouse/trackpad. And iOS is not up to real heavy computer work. I wonder how the iPAD Pro is selling?

I just see touch as an inevitable extension of all screen devices, including desktop. It won't be for vertical devices because they will only implement if they go horizontal, which seems like an inevitability.

The ability to gracefully lower the screen and draw directly on it is such a revolutionary step and is the future of desktops, weather you decide to use it or not.

If you don't use it and keep the screen vertical 100% of the time, you won't even notice any difference to your usual desktop experience.

 

[Annie Branton]

I have to say that stand looks horrible. It might look okay on a mechanics work bench but not on my desk.

Why is thinner better, and if you already have a good design, why change the look? To me, and I am looking to buy one, the weight as is, is not a problem at all....appreciate all the posts, helps my learning curve.

 

[mollyc]

I would love to see the iMac get a refresh to compete with the Studio. I am so in love with that concept, and I can even draw. I do use a small Wacom tablet every day though.

I know Apple has said they don't want a touch screen on a full computer, but I think they have to do something now to compete with Microsoft. And for all the billions of dollars and engineers that they have, it can't possibly be that hard to figure out a way to marry macOS and iOS to get some of the same functionality on a desktop screen.

All that said, I'm not hopeful that Apple will have a counter to the Studio. 🙁

 

[Sirmausalot]

I would love to see the iMac get a refresh to compete with the Studio. I am so in love with that concept, and I can even draw. I do use a small Wacom tablet every day though.

I know Apple has said they don't want a touch screen on a full computer, but I think they have to do something now to compete with Microsoft. And for all the billions of dollars and engineers that they have, it can't possibly be that hard to figure out a way to marry macOS and iOS to get some of the same functionality on a desktop screen.

All that said, I'm not hopeful that Apple will have a counter to the Studio. 🙁

I think the best bet is that Microsoft (and their partners) will double down on the concept. it's brilliant. With 21" or 24" versions, the price will be much more affordable. Without new leadership at Apple, we won't get it -- and it's the only reason Microsoft has the Surface Studio as someone like Ballmer would never, ever so something like they have done with the various devices Microsoft is making now. Apple cut their professional app team loose and the writing was on the wall. If I were someone who regularly used a computer for drafting, I'd switch as soon as something was in my price range. But as a filmmaker, the iMac is still a better choice than the surface studio. (using Premiere Pro, which is cross platform). So as I posted above, the next iteration of the iMac will still have the stunning screen, latest generation of CPU and GPU (mobile version) and adjustable height screen, and the new keyboard that does work will with Final Cut Pro. And for those of you arguing for desktop GPUs in an Apple all-in-one, it will never happen. Never has, never will. Especially as the mobile GPUs get so much more powerful.

 

[Macmamamac]

I would love to see the iMac get a refresh to compete with the Studio. I am so in love with that concept, and I can even draw. I do use a small Wacom tablet every day though.

I know Apple has said they don't want a touch screen on a full computer, but I think they have to do something now to compete with Microsoft. And for all the billions of dollars and engineers that they have, it can't possibly be that hard to figure out a way to marry macOS and iOS to get some of the same functionality on a desktop screen.

All that said, I'm not hopeful that Apple will have a counter to the Studio. 🙁

Apple's roots are designing for creatives first. The original mac was designed with creativity in mind. Have faith.

I suspect they will surpass the Microsoft Surface Studio experience with a much better looking machine that has a the option for a 32" screen.

Screens are getting so cheap and light now. The old static desktop experience with mouse or tablet input is old tech.

 

[fokmik]

if the imac would go that route the starting price point will be around 3000$ and thats Mac pro starting point...if Apple will update the internals of Mac pro then not a chance imac can replace the mac pro for those who need REAL power and not some transformers toys...if the Mac pro will be discontinued than the imac can be and must become what studio is now

 

[mollyc]

I meant to say that I *cannot* draw! whoops! But I'm a photographer and use the pen everyday in LR and PS for masking, so love the idea of doing it right on the screen.

I think the best bet is that Microsoft (and their partners) will double down on the concept. it's brilliant. With 21" or 24" versions, the price will be much more affordable. Without new leadership at Apple, we won't get it -- and it's the only reason Microsoft has the Surface Studio as someone like Ballmer would never, ever so something like they have done with the various devices Microsoft is making now. Apple cut their professional app team loose and the writing was on the wall. If I were someone who regularly used a computer for drafting, I'd switch as soon as something was in my price range. But as a filmmaker, the iMac is still a better choice than the surface studio. (using Premiere Pro, which is cross platform). So as I posted above, the next iteration of the iMac will still have the stunning screen, latest generation of CPU and GPU (mobile version) and adjustable height screen, and the new keyboard that does work will with Final Cut Pro. And for those of you arguing for desktop GPUs in an Apple all-in-one, it will never happen. Never has, never will. Especially as the mobile GPUs get so much more powerful.

Apple's roots are designing for creatives first. The original mac was designed with creativity in mind. Have faith.

I suspect they will surpass the Microsoft Surface Studio experience with a much better looking machine that has a the option for a 32" screen.

Screens are getting so cheap and light now. The old static desktop experience with mouse or tablet input is old tech.

Let's hope so!

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Here's a very rough mockup of what I think most people want in the next iMac:

• 5K P3 Display with much thinner/sleeker bezels and a drastically reduced chin
• Magic Keyboard 2 with Touch Bar (as an option at least with perhaps a $99 up charge)
• Magic Trackpad 2 at no additional cost (currently a $49 up charge)
• 4 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports (no they won't give you USB-A too...to get people on USB-C they just have to rip the band-aid)
• Perhaps leave the Ethernet port since these are desktop machines
• 1TB Fusion Drive or 256GB SSD as the standard config with reasonable SSD upgrades to 512GB and 1TB
• AMD Polaris graphics in all 27-inch configs
• Starting at no higher than $1,999

If Apple sold this machine tomorrow, iMac owners would rejoice. Thoughts on the breakdown and rough mockup?

 

[Digital Skunk]

Here's a very rough mockup of what I think most people want in the next iMac:

• 5K P3 Display with much thinner/sleeker bezels and a drastically reduced chin [I'd like it, but won't happen. Apple will just make it thinner, but not reduce the bezels and chin.]
• Magic Keyboard 2 with Touch Bar (as an option at least with perhaps a $99 up charge) [Naw]
• Magic Trackpad 2 at no additional cost (currently a $49 up charge) [Naw]
• 4 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports (no they won't give you USB-A too...to get people on USB-C they just have to rip the band-aid) [Likely, but I have a feeling they'll keep the USB 3 Ports]
• Perhaps leave the Ethernet port since these are desktop machines. [Likely, but may be removed since there are still USB 3 ports. USB 3.0 is FAR more useful in a desktop than Ethernet]
• 1TB Fusion Drive or 256GB SSD as the standard config with reasonable SSD upgrades to 512GB and 1TB [Likely, I hope so, but there will also be a 2TB SSD option. Prices will be outrageous for all upgrades]
• AMD Polaris graphics in all 27-inch configs [Naw. Apple is terrible at keeping up with graphics.]
• Starting at no higher than $1,999 [Fingers crossed]

If Apple sold this machine tomorrow, iMac owners would rejoice. Thoughts on the breakdown and rough mockup?

View attachment 669763

I never liked mockups, any of them, so I'll reserve judgment on it.

We can only hope Apple keeps the only affordable desktop they have affordable. I think they may make the 21" a crippled, two Thunderbolt 3/USB C ports only, two USB 3 ports, kind of machine, but I hope they remember that the 27" is the preferred for many that don't see the magic in the Mac Pro. Give it four Thunderbolt 3 ports and three USB 3 ports. We can dongle Ethernet. There won't be any SD readers or Kensington lock slot, or digital audio.

They have space in that giant thing to give us that at least and keep the desktop class i7 chips.

Graphics aren't my specialty, but Apple has always used mid-grade chips for the iMac.

 

[chabig]

Why not just add free everything to your wish list? $99 up charge for the touch bar? Not gonna happen, as it's adding a computer to the keyboard with an ARM processor, TouchID sensor, secure enclave...

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Why not just add free everything to your wish list? $99 up charge for the touch bar? Not gonna happen, as it's adding a computer to the keyboard with an ARM processor, TouchID sensor, secure enclave...

I'm not talking about $99 as a standalone price for a Touch Bar enabled Magic Keyboard. Just as an up charge with the rest built into the cost of the iMac much like the Magic Trackpad 2 currently. But sure...make it $149, or $200. Whatever, just make it!

 

[Phil A.]

I really, really hope Apple don't release an iMac that looks like that in the near future...

The reason is I only got mine in August and if they released that I know I'd be dipping my hand into my pocket again and buying it, whatever it cost - it looks absolutely gorgeous 🙂

 

[chabig]

I'm not talking about $99 as a standalone price for a Touch Bar enabled Magic Keyboard. Just as an up charge with the rest built into the cost of the iMac much like the Magic Trackpad 2 currently. But sure...make it $149, or $200. Whatever, just make it!

My reply was harsh. I'm sorry. I think your picture looks good, but it's kind of a silly game to put prices on imaginary things, I think.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

My reply was harsh. I'm sorry. I think your picture looks good, but it's kind of a silly game to put prices on imaginary things, I think.

I guess this post is more about showing what I (and I think others based on these forums) would like a redesigned iMac to look like. Actual pricing is subject to debate, but my numbers are relatively consistent with what they are now plus a $200 base price increase to account for higher component costs of Thunderbolt 3 and a portion of a Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar.

 

[TwoBytes]

Touchbar on the keyboard

Curved, larger screen with independent split zones like this

2TB SSD



That's it!

EDIT: touchbar on the keyboard

 

[MacLuke91]

How exactly would you use Touchbar on device like iMac? It's unreal. I'm expecting a release of new Magic keyboard with touchbar instead.

 

[fokmik]

touchbar need to come with the new touchbar apple keyboard..because as users we need it for desktop macs...like imac/mac mini and mac pro. Plus when you use your macbook pro as a dock, your macbook lid is closed...so you cant use the toucbar unless they bring it when all the mac desktop will be updated. No curved screen, but 2T SSD is a given already since they make them as BTO for macbook pro. But we need 2 usb-c/tb3 and they can keep the sd card and 2x usb 3 since its an desktop and the new Amd 470/480 gpu

 

[Malus120]

1. The (rumored) RX580 Vega based chip (7TF, 130W)

Give me this as a BTO and you will have my money, I don't even care if you have to underclock it a bit to get the TDP down, and I can even tolerate some throttling (I did own a maxed out 2014 model after all). But this is the upgrade I want more than anything else.

A close second would be an 6-8 core Zen CPU.

A redesign featuring ultra wide screens would also be nice 🙂

 

[maflynn]

touchbar need to come with the new touchbar apple keyboard..because as users we need it for desktop macs

Agreed, and also, how many developers are willing to re-work their code to leverage the touch bar, if its limited o just one product line. It needs to be more of universal embrace across all (or most) Macs.

Just like the new scissor key mechanism which is making its way into all of the keyboards, I see this also

 

[fokmik]

1. The (rumored) RX580 Vega based chip (7TF, 130W)

Give me this as a BTO and you will have my money, I don't even care if you have to underclock it a bit to get the TDP down, and I can even tolerate some throttling (I did own a maxed out 2014 model after all). But this is the upgrade I want more than anything else.

A close second would be an 6-8 core Zen CPU.

A redesign featuring ultra wide screens would also be nice 🙂

how is the RX580 compared to the rest amd chips?

 

[Malus120]

how is the RX580 compared to the rest amd chips?

Well it's not out yet, but just based on the rumored specs and TFlops, it's probably somewhere between a GTX 1070 ~ GTX 1080. In AMD terms that would immidietly make it faster than anything currently in the Fury lineup. Even a heavily downclocked version (to help fit iMac TDP and heat constraints), would absolutely destroy not only the M395X but the desktop RX 480. Honestly I think I'm at the point where, unless something of this class is on the menu I'm just not sure I'm interested in the BTO (or even iMac) option anymore

 

[1 iron]

Remove the headphone jack.