Apple Announces New iMacs, Mac Minis, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule

[acidfast7]

I did a comparison last summer because I was flying through Singapore and the United States, while I live in Sweden. I compared the cost of a Black Macbook in all countries and they were almost exactly the same price (when converted to USD). This is before the current economic upheaval.

I imagine that what Apple does is set a current price (in USD) when the updated models are released and standardizes it across all markets.

And that's likely why the Brits are complaining about an increased base model price. It's not because Apple is more expensive, it's because the value of the GBP has fallen off a cliff.

 

[rajalot]

Just for the heck of it, this is my planned computer that I've been holding off in hopes of new cool iMac's:

Antec Sonata III
AMD Phenom II 720 BE
Asus M4A78T-E AM3 790GX
Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB
Exceleram 2x2GB DDR3 1600MHz
Radeon HD 3300 (integrated to motherboard)

579€

...and it beats out both new iMacs with integrated graphics in performance and has one core more. Guess once what I'm bying?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/socket-am3-phenom,2148.html

 

[trip1ex]

Here in the US the 24" iMac is $300 cheaper with 2x storage and 2x the memory. The new integrated graphics (9400M) are roughly equivalent to the previous 2600 pro gpu and the 2.66 ghz C2D cpu is roughly equivalent to the old 2.8ghz C2D cpu.

Not Apple's fault if your currency tanked against the dollar.

 

[Wild-Bill]

The new Mini needs to be at least $150 cheaper, and the remote needs to be included.

So now people will need to fork over $19 for that, another $29 for a mini (whatever) to regular size (whatever) to connect it to a display. I guess the bean counters at Apple figured that by graciously offering a Superdrive standard (about friggin' time) that they should remove the remote completely.

Today's update is entirely offensive to my wallet, and it sure as heck isn't going to do anything to help Apple with its "slumping desktop sales".

You can bet the hackintosh community will grow because of this.

 

[davidbrummy]

Yeh!!!!!!

What the hell are we going to talk about now?

New iPhone?
iPhone on Verizon?
New MacBooks?

 

[Slurpy2k8]

2 years?
The design is 1513 days or 4 years, 1 month, 21 days old! Still counting after today
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Mac_mini

You're right. I think I was referring to the last update, which was roughly 1.5 years ago. This isn't the Apple I once knew. I don't even want to know how much profit they're making on this mini, in exchange for less market share.

 

[GuardBoy98]

Did any one notice this spec on the iMac??

Support for external display in video mirroring mode​

Does this mean if I hook up a second display I can only mirror???

From the Apple Store:

Video

Built-in iSight camera

Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, dual-link DVI, and VGA video (requires adapters, sold separately)

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display

(So the answer is no)

 

[movilla]

Check the Clearance and Refurbished sections often. You should be able to find an old one and even cheaper than it was priced before.

Thanks poxonyou. Appreciated.

 

[MysterMac]

Totally off topic but I thought I would make the point. If I were from Pakistan, would you have referred to me as a Paki? Some might find your use of the word "Brit" offensive...

dont try to pull that crap, Im a Brit and idiotic attempts like that only serve to alienate us more from our Yankee-doodle-dandy cousins

seriously, that was rubbish - be ashamed , very ashamed

 

[poxonyou]

Yes, or you can by it from somewhere else for cheaper. It is also the concept that you will be able to support 8gb while the older ones can only support 4gb...this will give you computer longevity...

I was responding to the apologist who was suggesting 8GB was the standard. The older ones could support more than 4GB. The problem was OS X, supposedly. If not, WTF? Unless they put in an artificial limitation.

 

[barkmonster]

I don't whether to laugh, cry or throw up!

the lowest priced imac in the uk is now £949 which is $1336

its way too overpriced for an "entry level" machine

I totally agree!

All Apple have done is drop the 2.4Ghz iMac, leaving the model above!

No Core i7 iMacs. Not even Core 2 Quads is pathetic, even with the additional RAM expansion.

If there was 2.8Ghz Core 2 Quad or Core i7 iMac with a user upgradable hard drive capable of 8Gb RAM expansion with a 24" screen and a decent GPU, it would be enough for most people who don't need the expansion of the tower but need a more powerful system than a 2 core iMac with 4Gb RAM limit.

I originally planned on buying a used Mac Mini at some stage, upgrading it a little, then saving for a Mac Pro, safe in the knowledge that I'd be able to spec a 4 core Mac Pro for just over £1,450 at a later date but £1,899 + £20 for a display port to VGA adapter for that now makes that idea impossible.

The £649 mac mini is a waste of money for what you get too, add a keyboard/mouse and you've got a system about £60 cheaper than the 20" 2.4Ghz iMac that's no longer available.

Apple are just not paying attention to what's out there in the PC world so far as consumer machines are concerned and those old 20" iMacs will probably be fetching near new prices as used systems because of all this. If anyone would sell one to start with.

The entry level Mac Mini is a excellent spec for the price though. For a mac mini that is.

 

[840quadra]

I think I may actually buy my first Mac Mini now.

The old G4 Dual 533 is starting to stumble on some of the latest iTunes videos. Despite having a great graphics card!

 

[Sambo110]

NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512MB

ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB

Now, what is the difference between these two for gaming? I am thinking the 4850 would be quite a bit better? And it is only $110 more, not too much.

 

[jeffh]

Mac Mini now has two ports, Mini display port and Mini DVI video out...
Can I run dual monitor with this?

Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a DVI or VGA display; up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on a dual-link DVI display using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)

I think that means yes....

 

[ju5tin81]

Attention to all those defending Apples UK pricing!

OK, not directly iMac related but I challenge anyone to find another company that ships a new £2499 desktop computer with less than 750GB HD.

Has Apple gone mad?

A 1TB HD in an external enclosure can easily be sourced for less than £100... Currency fluctuations or not, Apple is really pushing that distortion field straight into Dr Evil Territory. (A Miiillllion dollars!)

What next? Pay more for a spacebar?

 

[Gold89]

Not Apple's fault if your currency tanked against the dollar.

Yep, it's not Apple we have to blame it's Gordon the one eyed scottish moron:

Welcome to the New Labour economy - bringing an end to boom and bust.

 

[AlexisV]

OK people, it's time to grow up. Apple did not increase prices - your currency got worse compared to the US dollar. Too bad. There's nothing Apple can do about it. Blame your government for poor management of your economy.

Do you honestly expect Apple to take a hit because your currency value decreased? That's not really good business sense.

You're right about the monetary reasons, but a 30% increase in one day on some models IS too high.

An £8000 car has increased by £250 due to economy in the last couple of months. Not £2400.

 

[Jon the Heretic]

Same crap LCD in the iMac 20"?

I assume they are going to put the same low quality in the 20" iMac model? I can't afford a 24" (not in this economy) but won't settle for that display. I've used it---it is definitely a step down for me.

Pass (until I hear different)

Mini still too pricey. Because of the poor quality LCD in the 20", I would consider a new Mini with my own display if it were $499.

Pass.

The 24" iMac refurbs still look like the best deal...but nothing I can't wait another year for in this economy.

Pass.

(Love my new 16 gig 2nd gen iPod Touch, though, Apple! That is a winner.)

 

[poxonyou]

What the hell are we going to talk about now?

New iPhone?
iPhone on Verizon?
New MacBooks?

Best Hackintosh compatible PC.

 

[Theophany]

Totally off topic but I thought I would make the point. If I were from Pakistan, would you have referred to me as a Paki? Some might find your use of the word "Brit" offensive...

Actually, 'Brit' is the correct diminuitive of somebody who is British. 'Pakistani' would be the correct diminutive of somebody who is from Pakistan. Don't be such a hyper-sensitive politically correct wuss. (I am a Brit).

On topic: What's with the price hikes? The displays have gotten worse (resolution bumped down, WTF?) and the improvements aren't so much technological advancements as just keeping pace with the rest of the world. I'm just buying the top end iMac right now, but I am a little disgruntled by the price...

 

[emotion]

- Steve Jobs is not your kindly uncle, and Apple are not your friend or a charity, they are a multi-national corporation (multinational ?) just like Starbucks, McDonald's, Wal-Mart and Microsoft.

A point I make to my colleagues when they see me with Apple hardware and accuse me of being a 'fan'. They are the best of a bad bunch.

Personally I'm thinking of trying non-Apple solutions from now on. At the very least I'll have my faith renewed. At best I'll be a few hundred quid better off

 

[jeffh]

I bought a low-end C2D mini 6 months ago - refurb from apple.com for $499USD. I upgraded the RAM and the HDD and it's a great little machine.

I will do the same with this mini - maybe in 1.5 years or so.

 

[rajalot]

I for one, welcome our new Windows 7 based Dell over lords ! LOL!

So in all... Ive waited for NOTHING. Apple are trying to shaft us royally in the UK (remember when the pound was worth a hell of a lot more, they never really discounted the products so we over paid then as well... now we are being double shafted)

Well me too, altho you can count word "Dell" out of me. I roll my own.

You haven't waited in vain! Paradigm shift has begun, where DDR3 prices have dropped like rock lately as the production has ramped up. You should also consider Phenom II over Core i7 -based PC. Cheaper, better in most cases and more energy efficient.

 

[acidfast7]

dont try to pull that crap, Im a Brit and idiotic attempts like that only serve to alienate us more for from our Yankee-doodle-dandy cousins

seriously, that was rubbish - be ashamed , very ashamed

I work with someone who just finished his D.Phil. at Oxford and he prefers the term Brit. He's the only Brit here and I'm the only American, so maybe it's mutual respect.

I actually the term Brit is quite cool.

 

[MasterNile]

I was responding to the apologist who was suggesting 8GB was the standard. The older ones could support more than 4GB. The problem was OS X, supposedly. If not, WTF? Unless they put in an artificial limitation.

Um...if the problem is/was OS X how could the Mac Pro support 32GB of RAM? obviously they put in an artificial limitation.