Another sign iMacs are coming?

[segovius]

Yes I believe at some point they will merge and at that point Apple will exit the PC business as we know it. Fact is the iOS market is expanding rapidly as people "gotta have" the next big thing whereas the Mac market is a pretty stagnant market with little room for growth. The Mac will continue for awhile, but focus has shifted.

I agree - sort of. We know there WILL be a Mac Pro.

Probably this will be the only pro/dev machine while all else is iToys. Maybe it will be updated on a 2-year cycle or whatever.

So to all intents and purposes you are probably right but there'll be still this one option for pro users.

 

[redirector]

I agree - sort of. We know there WILL be a Mac Pro.

Probably this will be the only pro/dev machine while all else is iToys. Maybe it will be updated on a 2-year cycle or whatever.

So to all intents and purposes you are probably right but there'll be still this one option for pro users.

A few sales numbers from the past three years' 10k annual report statements, fiscal years (different cycle start dates than Calendar years)

Desktop sales
2009 - $4.3BB
2010 - $6.2BB
2011 - $6.4BB

laptop sales
2009 - $9.5BB
2010 - $11.2BB
2011 - $15.3BB

iPhone sales
2009 - $13BB
2010 - $25BB
2011 - $47BB

iPad sales
2009 - $0
2010 - $5BB
2011 - $20BB

ITunes music, books apps
2009 - $4BB
2010 - $5BB
2011 - $6.3BB

So while desktops are not growing at all in comparison to laptops, the iOS products are driving Apples spectacular growth overall. desktop revenue was about 6% of total revenue.

That said, it's still a $6BB product line, and should receive support. It just does not have the ability to grow and be adopted on a worldwide mass scale across all populations like iOS.

One mor set of numbers that re even more mind blowing:

Cash on hand:
2009 - $34BB
2010 - $51BB
2011 - $81BB

Pretty clear expression of success.

http://investor.apple.com/financials.cfm

Now if they would just please release an iMac and a Mac Pro with updated CPU, GPU, USB3, we can all move on!

 

[Mike Valmike]

I agree - sort of. We know there WILL be a Mac Pro.

Actually, we don't know that exactly. If you look at what Tim Cook said, it was that they would have "something great for our Pro users" in 2013. That doesn't necessarily mean a Mac Pro. It means something that Apple presumes (or plans to force the matter) that a pro Mac user will buy to replace the Mac Pro moving forward.

Based on not just the lack of iMac refresh but the much more telling lack of Mac Mini refresh*, I strongly suspect (and have said so recently here) that what we will see is a Mac Core or Apple Core (call it what you want, but note that it's OS X now and not Mac OS X) that will be Apple's only desktop Mac, in 2013, and it will be a mini-tower with full upgradeability of all components with off-the-shelf stuff a la the Pro, but small like a Mini, thunderbolt, and probably not an AIO but will be designed with the ACD in mind. And now that Ivy Bridge performs on a level with SB-E Xeons, that's the architecture they will stick with, moving forward.

Cook said "later in 2013". I say look for it before the Back-to-school, possibly with the release of Sabertoothed Tiger or whatever, in July/August 2013, with NO FURTHER UPDATES to the iMac or Mac Mini (They can now be considered EOLed). Look at it, sweep your wishful thinking aside, and realize that this is probably what is going to happen. Most of all, it is not what I want, and therefore it is likely a mortal lock to occur.

*The Mac Mini is an MBP with no display and a different shell. The Mini could have been upgraded to Ivy in June with little effort on Apple's part -- the technology was already in place, no components were still unreleased, and they used the applicable hardware in upgrading the MBP both with and without Retina. It stands to reason that the only reason Apple has not updated the Mini is that Apple meant not to. Which means they expect the current market for Minis to be supplanted by another product. Whether they meant the MBPs or something new like the Apple Core, we won't know until it happens, whatever it is.

 

[iMcLovin]

Cash on hand:
2009 - $34BB
2010 - $51BB
2011 - $81BB


Now if they would just please release an iMac and a Mac Pro with updated CPU, GPU, USB3, we can all move on!

its amazing numbers. now I just hope they release an imac soon so I can help build on that pile of cash they have.

 

[famarano]

Don't you guys have some crazy import taxes as brazilians do? It would make sense to keep low stock because of it. Just a thought (but it definitely feels like sth is up because stocked items have been fluctuating for past 2 months = maybe even resellers/retail staff are buying into "rumors").

I don't think 6% of taxes is enough to make a company not to have a more reasonable stock, because it would be something like 120 dollars per unit for the high end model. I know my country may not be a great reference point as many products take like 1 month to arrive from it release date in the US. The argument of the short stock obviously is not as strong as the fact that the current iMac line have a considerable age.

I really trust that the new iMacs will come along the way with iTunes 11 and maybe with the iPad Mini.

 

[phychi]

I wouldn't just laugh it off. They could easily make an app that makes apps and provide a Windows based solution for people that still want to use an actual computer. If anyone here honestly thinks today's Apple puts their Mac line first over the iDevices I have some swamp land in Florida to sell you. The Macs will stick around, but I honestly think they will become a hobby. If you want the latest and greatest computer you might have to look at a Windows PC in the future.

Reading this, I doubt you ever developed a software ! At first you need a real multitasking device, because you will use more than one software at a time (IDE, Browser, Documentation..) and, very important, a BIG SCREEN to get all this together without having to swap windows all the time. Typically a 27" or a double 24" monitor.
I stopped programming a few years ago, due to lack of time. But I use graphic software a lot (Lightroom and FinalCut) and my two 24" are barely enough sometimes.

Do you really think iPad like devices can be used to REALLY create things (music, graphics, software..) ??? NO !
And without creation, there is no point in using computers at all (at least for me).

From my point of view, the situation is fairly simple : either Apple will make new iMac, mac min, Mac pros which will supply content for iToys and provide creative users with the tools they need... OR Apple will soon stop making electronic devices of any kind and sit on their mountain of money (becoming a bank, or an Hedge found --- but they ARE already one !).

I don't believe in the second possibility...but I have been making a Hackintosh with my 'old 2010' homemade PC (I have a geekbench of 7200, far better than the 2000 of my late 2006 24" whit iMac). I would really prefer to buy a new iMac. But if there is none coming, I will connect my second screen to the hackintosh and work with it..and probably build a new, and more powerfull hackintosh next year.

Hackintosh is very easy to make and to configure these days..beware Apple..if you make us wait too long, we might not need you anymore in the futur !

 

[signatus]

What a nonsense. Whole computing world? What about the machines that serve content to all those mobile devices ? So all those computer farms in data centere will be replaced with ipads?
What about content creators? It is not possible to edit RED footage on ipads, still pretty hard on portables.

I was referring to personal computing, obviously. And when I talk about mobility, I am not referring only to mobiles, iPads or similars. I include laptops. Whether we like it or not, Apple is focusing on laptops and and iDevices, and forgetting about desktops. More than 500 days without an iMac update had never happened before. More clues?

----------

If that's the case, as unlikely as it is, Apple would likely license out OS X.

This would make a lot of people awfully happy, including me. I imagine another company would step up and start creating sleek, well designed casings/monitors/etc.

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Why should Apple do so? Don't forget, no desktops doesn't mean no OSX. There are laptops which use it, and Apple is focusing on them more than it's doing on desktops.

----------

it wont be the last one clearly you dont know what youre talking about.

Well, you may be right. Time will tell.

 

[segovius]

Actually, we don't know that exactly. If you look at what Tim Cook said, it was that they would have "something great for our Pro users" in 2013. That doesn't necessarily mean a Mac Pro. It means something that Apple presumes (or plans to force the matter) that a pro Mac user will buy to replace the Mac Pro moving forward.

Based on not just the lack of iMac refresh but the much more telling lack of Mac Mini refresh*, I strongly suspect (and have said so recently here) that what we will see is a Mac Core or Apple Core (call it what you want, but note that it's OS X now and not Mac OS X) that will be Apple's only desktop Mac, in 2013, and it will be a mini-tower with full upgradeability of all components with off-the-shelf stuff a la the Pro, but small like a Mini, thunderbolt, and probably not an AIO but will be designed with the ACD in mind. And now that Ivy Bridge performs on a level with SB-E Xeons, that's the architecture they will stick with, moving forward.

Cook said "later in 2013". I say look for it before the Back-to-school, possibly with the release of Sabertoothed Tiger or whatever, in July/August 2013, with NO FURTHER UPDATES to the iMac or Mac Mini (They can now be considered EOLed). Look at it, sweep your wishful thinking aside, and realize that this is probably what is going to happen. Most of all, it is not what I want, and therefore it is likely a mortal lock to occur.

*The Mac Mini is an MBP with no display and a different shell. The Mini could have been upgraded to Ivy in June with little effort on Apple's part -- the technology was already in place, no components were still unreleased, and they used the applicable hardware in upgrading the MBP both with and without Retina. It stands to reason that the only reason Apple has not updated the Mini is that Apple meant not to. Which means they expect the current market for Minis to be supplanted by another product. Whether they meant the MBPs or something new like the Apple Core, we won't know until it happens, whatever it is.

True....I was assuming Mac Pro because Cook said it in response to a question about that but you're right. Good points.

Actually I am so disappointed with Apple and suffering from so much loss of faith that I'd happily go for the 'Apple Core' you outline even with the wait if it was a guaranteed sure thing.

 

[mrmarts]

I wonder if we will see a redesign this year!

 

[Dirtyharry50]

i only remember One post stating any speculation as fact. Believe it was a ridiculed post with the title: there will NOT be a 2012 iMac.

Everyone else are like: when? How? Why? Wy not? I hope! I think! etc.

Saying no one knows is pretty damn smart. Trying to put yourself in the same boat as the "no one knows" guy, when infact you're so sure of yourself is pretty useless.

I did say "no one knows" in that thread, many times. It was the point of it. I guess you forget that part. I am glad to hear after all of that somebody thinks I am pretty damn smart. Thank you.

Anyway, my comment was obviously just a joke. There's no need to start the flaming again. Just let this month play itself out and see.

As for all the commentary on desktop computers being phased out, etc. I personally see that rumor as being the result largely of a lot of "industry analysts" run amok with apparently nothing better to write about and a clear lack of journalistic integrity. Desktops are not going anywhere, anytime soon. There is a place for all form factors for varying purposes. Is there an ongoing shift in who is using what? Yes, obviously there is. That however does not mean desktops are going away. It's not rocket science to figure that out. There is and will for a very long time be a place for desktops along with notebooks and tablets.

I think Apple desktop computers will continue to be around in some form for a long time to come. I also think it is possible you might not see a new release of them until 2013 as I've said before but as I also said before, nobody actually knows on either side of the rumors mill.

 

[iMcLovin]

I personally think Apple at least had plans of releasing new iMacs this year. All the rumors from digitimes, KGI, and others has to have come from somewhere. But in Digitimes latest rumor they wrote that apple had posponed the production because of some issues and new dates are not yet set. This could be true. I just feel that now we´ve speculated of new iMacs the entire year and we are now in the final probable month of 2012. I surely hope something will happen soon, but I wouldn´t be surprised if we won´t see anything It just seems unreal now to see a "new" tag on the iMac on the apple website, since we haven´t seen it for such a long time and this waiting seems to take forever. On the other hand though, my tiny schred of hope lies in the fact that so many apple stores have run dry and the date for a new iMac seem to get pushed forward (which could indicate they are not getting new supplies).

About desktops staying for a long time or not. I think they have a place in the market for quite some time yet, as you say DirtyHarry. I think the day the desktop is dead is the moment people really don´t have any use for them any more - and then it won´t relaly matter to anyone either. If you see how extreme the performance of the iphone has increased over the year you can clearly see whats going on. Some day not so far away, phones can perform enough most peoples needs. I mean, even I wouldn´t mind a non-desktop society if my phone could do all the heavy lifting and everything went wireless from my phone to my screen. If I could have a screen and keyboard wirelessly hooked to my phone and could play games, work with heavy photoshop files and render complex 3d scenes straight off my phone, why would I need a desktop....? but we are not quite there yet

 

[AlphaMF]

I did say "no one knows" in that thread, many times. It was the point of it. I guess you forget that part. I am glad to hear after all of that somebody thinks I am pretty damn smart. Thank you.

Anyway, my comment was obviously just a joke. There's no need to start the flaming again. Just let this month play itself out and see.

As for all the commentary on desktop computers being phased out, etc. I personally see that rumor as being the result largely of a lot of "industry analysts" run amok with apparently nothing better to write about and a clear lack of journalistic integrity. Desktops are not going anywhere, anytime soon. There is a place for all form factors for varying purposes. Is there an ongoing shift in who is using what? Yes, obviously there is. That however does not mean desktops are going away. It's not rocket science to figure that out. There is and will for a very long time be a place for desktops along with notebooks and tablets.

I think Apple desktop computers will continue to be around in some form for a long time to come. I also think it is possible you might not see a new release of them until 2013 as I've said before but as I also said before, nobody actually knows on either side of the rumors mill.

This... actually made sense. I think my cancer just got cured :O

 

[Dirtyharry50]

This... actually made sense. I think my cancer just got cured :O

Thanks! You just made my day.

 

[noahc]

Assuming Apple can deal with the rumored production issues in the iMac line, I do think it is extremely likely we'll see updated iMac in the next few weeks -- which will be big Christmas items. Nothing approaching what the iPhone 5 and new iPods will be but still, the timing is right for Apple to get a new Mac into the market and sell a lot through the holiday season.

I would venture to guess that this may be the last iMac, and that serious changes are in store to the Mac product line over the next few years. There is still demand for and need for desktop computers, and Apple will meet that, but it won't be with the scope of their historical offerings, and as we've seen with the long delayed iMac refresh, it won't be nearly as frequent. It won't be long before a single machine at home -- be it a Mac Mini, an Apple TV, something in your living room -- is all most people need. They'll do most of their consuming and creating on their iPads and will have laptops (many provided by their work) for creating. The home machine will handle music, photos, games -- and interface well with the rapidly multiplying iOS devices most of us carry.

 

[knapp40]

I personally think Apple at least had plans of releasing new iMacs this year. All the rumors from digitimes, KGI, and others has to have come from somewhere. But in Digitimes latest rumor they wrote that apple had posponed the production because of some issues and new dates are not yet set. This could be true. I just feel that now we´ve speculated of new iMacs the entire year and we are now in the final probable month of 2012. I surely hope something will happen soon, but I wouldn´t be surprised if we won´t see anything It just seems unreal now to see a "new" tag on the iMac on the apple website, since we haven´t seen it for such a long time and this waiting seems to take forever. On the other hand though, my tiny schred of hope lies in the fact that so many apple stores have run dry and the date for a new iMac seem to get pushed forward (which could indicate they are not getting new supplies).

About desktops staying for a long time or not. I think they have a place in the market for quite some time yet, as you say DirtyHarry. I think the day the desktop is dead is the moment people really don´t have any use for them any more - and then it won´t relaly matter to anyone either. If you see how extreme the performance of the iphone has increased over the year you can clearly see whats going on. Some day not so far away, phones can perform enough most peoples needs. I mean, even I wouldn´t mind a non-desktop society if my phone could do all the heavy lifting and everything went wireless from my phone to my screen. If I could have a screen and keyboard wirelessly hooked to my phone and could play games, work with heavy photoshop files and render complex 3d scenes straight off my phone, why would I need a desktop....? but we are not quite there yet

I agree with everything you are saying here, but I'm still left with the the question: Where are the part's leak? We have seen part leaks for everything this year. New iPad, rMBP, tons for iPhone 5 (we knew everything about this before it was release), and we are now seeing leaks for an iPad mini... So unless their are part leaks that I'm not aware of... I don't think we will see a new iMac anytime soon.
Believe me I want a iMac just as bad as everyone else on this forum... I do sincerely hope that we will be seeing part leaks ... soon!!

 

[Mr-Stabby]

Desktop sales
2009 - $4.3BB
2010 - $6.2BB
2011 - $6.4BB

laptop sales
2009 - $9.5BB
2010 - $11.2BB
2011 - $15.3BB

To be fair, i think (based on no facts) that at least part of what has driven Mac laptop sales is the innovation in the line in the last few years and how far ahead they are of most other laptops in their class. Retina MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and the fact that they seem to actively advertise the MacBook line. The desktops haven't had anywhere near as much attention. No where near as much effort, and definitely no where near as much advertising. The iMac hasn't had a major redesign since 2007, the Mac Pro with the exception of the PowerPC to Intel changeover has not been majorly redesigned since 2003(!). The Mac Mini has seen a little bit more attention with a recent redesign, but nothing groundbreaking. You can't say that the current iMac or Mac Pro is way ahead of any PC in the same price range at the moment can you? The Mac Pro especially!

If Apple really put the same effort and advertising money they put into the iPhone, iPad and Macbook line into the desktop Macs, i think the sales would increase substantially. Introducing them at Keynotes instead of silently updating them wouldn't hurt either! Remember this is the same company that made the iMac G3, G4 and G5 all within 6 years, which were all complete groundbreaking redesigns. So far the current Aluminium design has been around for 5 years. Yes they've brought out bigger screen sizes, but that's about it!

Considering how big Apple is, i really don't understand how they can put so little effort into a part of their market which on its own is a Fortune 500 company.

 

[ctyhntr]

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
new iMac is coming to town
Tim Cook is making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
new iMac is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you bought a Samsung Galaxy
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
new iMac is coming to town
new iMac is coming to town


Oh Tim Cook, won't you refresh the Mac Pro?
My friends all use HP, Dell's Alienware, I must make amends.
Worked hard to buy my iPhone 5 with no help from my friends,
So Mr. Cook, won't you refresh the Mac Pro?

 

[harcosparky]

Inventory levels low is sign of new iMacs coming?

Over the last 4 months or so I have seen at least two different times where people posted about low inventory levels being a sign ..... turns out it was just a sign of low inventory.

 

[throAU]

I debated for several months before buying my MAC Pro in 2008 - glad I did! If I had bought it in January instead of August, I would now have a MAC Pro not compatible with ML but instead I have a MAC Pro 3,1 which can be updated to ML.

I plan to buy my wife a new iMac but I'm waiting for the new model to improve my chances that it will be updatable to the latest OS in 4 - 5 years.

True, but if you'd waited another year, you'd have a faster machine, etc.

Machines are really intended to be replaced after 3 years, which would have taken you through to lion just fine.

 

[HurryKayne]

I personally think Apple at least had plans of releasing new iMacs this year. All the rumors from digitimes, KGI, and others has to have come from somewhere. But in Digitimes latest rumor they wrote that apple had posponed the production because of some issues and new dates are not yet set. This could be true. I just feel that now we´ve speculated of new iMacs the entire year and we are now in the final probable month of 2012. I surely hope something will happen soon, but I wouldn´t be surprised if we won´t see anything It just seems unreal now to see a "new" tag on the iMac on the apple website, since we haven´t seen it for such a long time and this waiting seems to take forever. On the other hand though, my tiny schred of hope lies in the fact that so many apple stores have run dry and the date for a new iMac seem to get pushed forward (which could indicate they are not getting new supplies).

About desktops staying for a long time or not. I think they have a place in the market for quite some time yet, as you say DirtyHarry. I think the day the desktop is dead is the moment people really don´t have any use for them any more - and then it won´t relaly matter to anyone either. If you see how extreme the performance of the iphone has increased over the year you can clearly see whats going on. Some day not so far away, phones can perform enough most peoples needs. I mean, even I wouldn´t mind a non-desktop society if my phone could do all the heavy lifting and everything went wireless from my phone to my screen. If I could have a screen and keyboard wirelessly hooked to my phone and could play games, work with heavy photoshop files and render complex 3d scenes straight off my phone, why would I need a desktop....? but we are not quite there yet

OK..just two things because i'm on my job,,
1,desktops are dead?could be but can i ask you who and which machines people will be able to create rich contents?ipad?...don't think so,maybe in 2020 but not now.
2.Apple could be stopped,delayed by manifacturin issues..could be,but how can a giant like Apple be stopped like that?
I think that new 670/675MX from Nvidia are something and i think probably this was a cause of the delay..that Apple has planned even because speaking in terms of AIO the 6970 one is still the most powerful out there ,so they had time(well except the Maingear Apha..).

 

[iMcLovin]

OK..just two things because i'm on my job,,
1,desktops are dead?could be but can i ask you who and which machines people will be able to create rich contents?ipad?...don't think so,maybe in 2020 but not now.
2.Apple could be stopped,delayed by manifacturin issues..could be,but how can a giant like Apple be stopped like that?
I think that new 670/675MX from Nvidia are something and i think probably this was a cause of the delay..that Apple has planned even because speaking in terms of AIO the 6970 one is still the most powerful out there ,so they had time(well except the Maingear Apha..).

Read what I said.
Desktops are far from dead yet. Once they will be, it will be a natural transition and noone would want a desktop because there are better alternatives. 2020, sure that's pretty much what Im saying, that in the long run they will be able to fit enough power into a device as small as a phone, so no need of large desktops any more. Right now, we are not nearly there yet, but benchmark test pretty much shows how rapid the technology of mobile hardware is going.

 

[HurryKayne]

Read what I said.
Desktops are far from dead yet. Once they will be, it will be a natural transition and noone would want a desktop because there are better alternatives. 2020, sure that's pretty much what Im saying, that in the long run they will be able to fit enough power into a device as small as a phone, so no need of large desktops any more. Right now, we are not nearly there yet, but benchmark test pretty much shows how rapid the technology of mobile hardware is going.

As i told i was actually running but i see we share some points about convergence.
One day,with just a device in your pocket you'll access and do all you make today,i'm just curious to see how/where will the desktop gpus evolve,maybe will live in some kind of external set top box?

 

[Mike in Kansas]

Machines are really intended to be replaced after 3 years...

What??!! "Intended" is a bold term. Hand-held devices I agree with, but desktops/laptops? Not too sure about that. If so, Apple wouldn't have made ML compatible with 2007 iMacs...

 

[iSayuSay]

As i told i was actually running but i see we share some points about convergence.
One day,with just a device in your pocket you'll access and do all you make today,i'm just curious to see how/where will the desktop gpus evolve,maybe will live in some kind of external set top box?

For comparison:
Headphones has been around for how many decades now, yet they can't compete with a good ol' set of 200watt stereo amp + floorstanding speakers. Totally different experience when listening to music.

Yes .. Maybe they don't sell as much as Beats or Bose craps, but as small as it is .. there's always place for something big and clunky, including those good old school desktops. Steve might've called it a truck, because not all people dig into a Ferrari.

 

[throAU]

What??!! "Intended" is a bold term. Hand-held devices I agree with, but desktops/laptops? Not too sure about that. If so, Apple wouldn't have made ML compatible with 2007 iMacs...

If they get longer than 3 years, good. However extended warranty runs out after 3 generally.