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Apple Announces Lighter, Thinner iMac Models with Fusion Drive
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I mostly agree with everyones comments about opticals and how infrequently they are used these days. However given that I don't need my desktop to be thin, and optical drives are cheap these days, why eliminate them right now? My biggest heart ache is the fact that both my adobe creative suite and my copy of microsoft office 2008 (about $2K in software) are all on disc. Just about the only time i use the drives are when i first buy the computer and load my software, but I am not about to buy via download the newest CS suite or MS office suite when they are expensive and add virtually no new features I will ever use.
Further, while I admit I buy my music from iTunes, the "best" way to buy music quality wise is actually purchasing a CD and ripping lossless, something I know a lot of audiophiles do, and something I would like to do soon (at least with my favorite albums).
All in all a nice upgrade. I just wish they wouldn't shove tech out the door when there is no need yet. The laptops early dismissal of the optical drive made sense (portability, battery life, etc). This really doesn't?
Further, while I admit I buy my music from iTunes, the "best" way to buy music quality wise is actually purchasing a CD and ripping lossless, something I know a lot of audiophiles do, and something I would like to do soon (at least with my favorite albums).
All in all a nice upgrade. I just wish they wouldn't shove tech out the door when there is no need yet. The laptops early dismissal of the optical drive made sense (portability, battery life, etc). This really doesn't?
I was trying to steer away from suggesting the SJ reference but tend to agree. The iMac probably wouldn't have looked any different but the sales pitch would have been better. It seems like the cracks are starting to show for Apple. That sux.
CPU's are just the newer version of what they were using in 2011. GPU's are nvidia instead of AMD but are still mobile (obviously since a desktop GPU would be three times as thick as the entire computer)
Here's why it's thinner and lighter - it's APPLE'S Benefit, not yours
I wish I could post that picture from the Forum of the guy with the 27" iMac at the Starbucks -- he will be the first to upgrade to the lighter model!
With the new design, Apple just lowered their corporate shipping costs... these are 12 and 21 lbs... the old ones are 20 and 30 lbs. Huge freight weight savings, probably box size for containers, to.
In other words, this design will pay for itself with reduced freight charges at the port and gas charges from trucking/shipping.
How many units will they sell? How much weight is saved? Tons and tons.
And the new design is inarguably more beautiful (the audience was gasping as the old and new were on screen side by side)... and those aesthetics are important particularly to maintain Apple's appeal in the design market. It's yet another step forward.
Finally, they make a point about the images leaping off the glass -- haha we will see but with the anti-glare and the flush laminate, maybe the image really is better than the same resolution of prior gen.
The 5400rpms on the 21" HDD's are just to hit a price/profit margin... the entry level iMacs are not targeted for the serious user, but will be perfectly fine for the thousands who want a simple, reliable computer for all the routine stuff they are used for these days.
For my part, I'm upgrading from an Early 2009 iMac 24", so all of this will be a huge leap ahead... will likely go all the way with a Fusion drive and the 680M GPU, and replace the RAM myself.
December -- it's only 6 weeks away. Or 10 if they really mean Dec 31.
I wish I could post that picture from the Forum of the guy with the 27" iMac at the Starbucks -- he will be the first to upgrade to the lighter model!
With the new design, Apple just lowered their corporate shipping costs... these are 12 and 21 lbs... the old ones are 20 and 30 lbs. Huge freight weight savings, probably box size for containers, to.
In other words, this design will pay for itself with reduced freight charges at the port and gas charges from trucking/shipping.
How many units will they sell? How much weight is saved? Tons and tons.
And the new design is inarguably more beautiful (the audience was gasping as the old and new were on screen side by side)... and those aesthetics are important particularly to maintain Apple's appeal in the design market. It's yet another step forward.
Finally, they make a point about the images leaping off the glass -- haha we will see but with the anti-glare and the flush laminate, maybe the image really is better than the same resolution of prior gen.
The 5400rpms on the 21" HDD's are just to hit a price/profit margin... the entry level iMacs are not targeted for the serious user, but will be perfectly fine for the thousands who want a simple, reliable computer for all the routine stuff they are used for these days.
For my part, I'm upgrading from an Early 2009 iMac 24", so all of this will be a huge leap ahead... will likely go all the way with a Fusion drive and the 680M GPU, and replace the RAM myself.
December -- it's only 6 weeks away. Or 10 if they really mean Dec 31.
At least according to the Mac mini configurartor 1TB Fusion drive is $250 over the standar 1TB HDD.
Didn't notice that before (but it is like 5:30am here)
I'll have to think about this the Mini is very tempting now...
Hybrid drive
Yea the hybrid drive has been around for years, aka Seagate Momentus XT. The OS has nothing to do with the technology, so any OS you run will use the "Hybrid" capabilities.
Yea the hybrid drive has been around for years, aka Seagate Momentus XT. The OS has nothing to do with the technology, so any OS you run will use the "Hybrid" capabilities.
I'll definitely be buying one of these. A fully loaded 27" one :3 I thought the previous generation iMacs were good these ones are even better. Im especially pleased with the graphics for the high end 27" the GeForce 675MX has a lot of good reviews. I'm not to crazy about the "fusion drive" as it gives less SSD space than the last model and I prefer to manage what goes on the SSD myself, but there will probably be a way to unlock it so it shows up as 2 drives. Lack of ODD isn't an issue for me since I haven't used a DVD in 6 months and I have an external superdrive anyway.
Apple ditching glossy glossy? Now that is a step forward. Finally! I hope Samsung wont sue!
Bisarre, really. But hey, if it pads the margin Apple will do it. Then they will re-sell it to you as them doing you a favor.
Bisarre, really. But hey, if it pads the margin Apple will do it. Then they will re-sell it to you as them doing you a favor.
Not necessary to have larger. 21" is not a pro machine. It's mainly for dorms and kids.
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I have to agree. I really like the 21.5 size. But no user upgradable ram and no 7200rpm drive makes me think why Apple why? But Apple has not stated how many rpm the HDD portion of their fusion drives are. So we have to wait and see I guess.
They didn't specify, but they showed a chart and the Fusion is supposed to deliver 90% of the speed of an SSD, which was several times faster than the HDD on the chart... If it is handled as seamlessly as they advertise it to be, it should be a major leap. Much bigger than going from 5400 to 7200 on an HDD.
If they are OEMing it with Seagate, it is likely 7200 per the Momentus Hybrid...
Looking through some comments. Look like some people are never happy. There are other things to spend money on.
Good analysis.
Had a Mac Pro and didn't use all of what it can do, expansion wise.
Every time I check the mini the prices are too close to just get an iMac.
They could make a side by side mini size enclosure (or double stack the mini footprint), put the Apple TV innards into that as well and make it a mini pro.
Would look like a base for a monitor, could have tons of connectors in the back
etc. etc.
First time I'd be standing in line for an Apple product if that ever came out.
Probably savings in materials as well. It all adds up. Plus, with the hype around Apple, they, amazingly, will be able to sell "thin" as a feature.
Oh wow, those things are pretty. I didn't think you could get much thinner but those look nice. But I'll be fine with my 2011 iMac and it's CD drive thanks. It's not like weight is such a big issue with desktops anyway.
Putting a powerful processor into such a thin frame and then doing anything like rendering in C4d/maya/AE, or even working in FCPX is just asking for overheating problems.
Who in the world needs a thinner iMac? People who have desks that are really shallow? Jesus. Thin laptops, sure. Thin monitors? I stare at the front, not the side.
Who in the world needs a thinner iMac? People who have desks that are really shallow? Jesus. Thin laptops, sure. Thin monitors? I stare at the front, not the side.
Removing the optical drive and Firewire, I can understand. It's the logical progression that started with the first iMac removing the floppy. Downloadable apps are here to stay.
But not having user-serviceable ram on the 21" model is unforgivable. It's bad enough that the hard drives are locked away, now we have to pay the Apple tax for RAM as well? And with the Mac Mini having a useless graphics card, Apple is striking out on their desktops. Here's to hoping that 2013 brings a totally redone Mac Pro with a more realistic price point and current specs. I'm not holding my breath though.
But not having user-serviceable ram on the 21" model is unforgivable. It's bad enough that the hard drives are locked away, now we have to pay the Apple tax for RAM as well? And with the Mac Mini having a useless graphics card, Apple is striking out on their desktops. Here's to hoping that 2013 brings a totally redone Mac Pro with a more realistic price point and current specs. I'm not holding my breath though.
It is configurable
Memory
The 21.5-inch iMac comes with 8GB of memory and can be configured online with 16GB. On the 27-inch iMac, 8GB of memory comes standard, and you can upgrade to 16GB or 32GB. Configure and buy your iMac at the Apple Online Store and it will arrive with the memory already installed. Or add more memory to the 27-inch model yourself by popping open the easy-to-access memory panel on the back.
http://www.apple.com/imac/performance/
Will definitely be upgrading