Apple Launches New 4K & 5K iMacs, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2

[keysofanxiety]

Lot of passion in this thread, and don't blame you. But boy I've been so jaded recently with Apple hardware upgrades and penny-pinching that I shrugged my shoulders apathetically at this news. I like some of the products but any love or appreciation for Apple's "we only make products we would use/we don't care about profits" mentality is long gone.

 

[QCassidy352]

Some really amazing updates here. I'm kinda blown away by what Apple has launched today with only a press release.
...
I agree with others it's disappointing that the 21.5" iMac still ships with a loathsome 5400rpm drive.

Really? What about the updates comes even close to "amazing"?

And the base 27" ships with a 5400rpm drive too.

 

[happycadaver]

Not impressed at all. But i don't need a new iMac anyway. My late 2012 i7 is powerful enough for everything i need. Maybe the next model will have USB-C, then i will rethink my options. For now i'm fine.

 

[strukt]

So how much faster is the highest configurable GPU in this model compared to the previous 5k retina generation?

 

[cmward_nyc]

Insulting upgrades, yet some people think it's great that they're getting ripped off.

The accessories are overpriced, but how are the new iMacs insulting? I don't see any other desktops you can buy with comparable specs for the same price. I'm sure you could build it for less, but I'd guess 90% of the folks who would buy an iMac have zero interest in that idea

 

[snebes]

New keyboard with improved scissor mechanism (33% more stable) instead of buttefly mechanism developed for new macbook?? Is apple telling us "the macbook keyboard was a mistake"?? I was expecting these new releases to know more about future macbook pro redesign but...imac 5k with skylake but without ddr4 ram and usb c(thunderbolt 3)...very strange release today!

Strange, but welcome. My wallet is ready for the upgrade. It wouldn't be ready to buy 32GB of DDR4, when I just upgraded my DDR3.

 

[PlainviewX]

Still no upgradable ram in 21.5? Pass.

 

[inhalexhale1]

Question is: Can that "Iris Pro Graphics 6200" gfx card run recent games @4k without any issues or not?

Not a chance. If you buy a 4K display and plan to game with integrated graphics you'll be disappointed.

 

[redheeler]

I had high hopes for this refresh, but Apple's continued insistence on using HDDs and overpriced SSD/Fusion drive upgrades is sill present. No USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 on the Skylake 27".

I'll be sticking with my current hardware (although that Retina P3 display does sound nice)...

 

[guzhogi]

New keyboard with improved scissor mechanism (33% more stable) instead of buttefly mechanism developed for new macbook?? Is apple telling us "the macbook keyboard was a mistake"?? I was expecting these new releases to know more about future macbook pro redesign but...imac 5k with skylake but without ddr4 ram and usb c(thunderbolt 3)...very strange release today!

Good point on the keyboard. Also, what about USB-C/Thunderbolt 3? When will Macs besides the MacBook get that?

 

[Old Muley]

I'm just surprised that Apple still makes computers...

 

[cmward_nyc]

New keyboard with improved scissor mechanism (33% more stable) instead of buttefly mechanism developed for new macbook?? Is apple telling us "the macbook keyboard was a mistake"?? I was expecting these new releases to know more about future macbook pro redesign but...imac 5k with skylake but without ddr4 ram and usb c(thunderbolt 3)...very strange release today!

No. Apple had to design a custom mechanism for the keyboard on the MacBook for space. Why use the same (probably more expensive) custom design on a consumer keyboard? Why do you need DDR4? There is a case for USB-C, but there are very few peripherals that can even use it, so you can understand why it was skipped.

 

[cyberlocke]

Very nice offerings. Maybe now the 6 people who swear Apple would never release these without holding an October event can finally knock it off.

Ordered all 3 accessories. Happy to be done going through so many AA's. Been noticing it a lot lately.

Has no one bought rechargeable AA batteries? Been doing it for a while now with mouse and keyboard. Works great. If the batteries tank on me they're still recyclable and I don't have to go to Apple to replace. And I can use them in other appliances as needed.

 

[rdlink]

No new Thunderbolt display? Where the slimmer profile and USB-C connectivity?

Force Touch is great, but I don't want to have to get rid of accessories just because the battery wears down over time and won't hold a charge. Also, like @EvilEvil said in another thread, where they've put the connector on the Magic Mouse means you can't use it while it's charging. So if you forget to charge it and it dies on you while your using that new iMac, you're screwed.

This. I hate, hate, hate rechargeable HIDs. I would much rather use rechargeable batteries, and swap them out, so I don't have to remember to charge my trackpad/keyboard before I walk away from my machine. Spent too much time temporarily hooking up a corded mouse on my old Windows machine to ever want to go back there again.

 

[Fl0r!an]

So how much faster is the highest configurable GPU in this model compared to the previous 5k retina generation?

My prediction: It's the same GPU so not faster at all. Maybe slightly higher clock (5%?).

 

[bsbeamer]

Since this isn't nearly as hyped or popular as iPhone cases, I wonder how long it will take until there is a "tray" to hold the new keyboard and trackpad together like the MeshWe Bluefin (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006M7IDTA)? Doubt the Magic Wand style (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L9M0AO) is going to work with the new design.

 

[Cougarcat]

Still thats a pointless upgrade then... why on earth would Apple want to downgrade the typing experience?

Here's Snell's full review: http://sixcolors.com/post/2015/10/apple-magic-keyboard-review/

Although there is less travel, there's more stability and he likes it better than the old style.

 

[Fancuku]

Lol @ trackpad price

I was thinking the same. Simply insane.

 

[HailstormX]

I was hoping for a solid refresh on the whole mac line.... I just hope when they update the macbook pro 15" that they go back to nvidia for the GPU. Also Its a bummer they don't have a 2TB SSD option on the iMacs. I guess that means it will be a while for a 2TB option for the macbook pros.

 

[garirry]

Did anyone mention the fact that the iMac has "onboard memory"? That means the memory is soldered. F*** you Tim Cook.

 

[manu chao]

No USB-C on the new iMac's, strange. I thought they were really going to start pushing that across all there lines (in addition to the standard USB connections of course).

It's a keep-the-case-only-internal-components-upgraded update. Note that the MBPs (both 13" and 15" models) didn't get USB-C either, even though they got updates the same time (or after) the MacBook One was released.

 

[CJM]

I don't know what the hell Apple is thinking with the iMac when their laptops are pretty darn good.

The only people I can see buying iMacs are... What.. Estate Agents? School-run mums? Execs who don't think they need laptops? Who is their demographic? Who is buying these?

 

[rdlink]

Has no one bought rechargeable AA batteries? Been doing it for a while now with mouse and keyboard. Works great. If the batteries tank on me they're still recyclable and I don't have to go to Apple to replace. And I can use them in other appliances as needed.

I've had the Apple Rechargeable batts for years. Keep one set charging, one set in my keyboard and one set in my trackpad. Never run out of batteries. Never have to buy any.

 

[mmomega]

Does OX have force touch implemented in it? I thought that was only for iOS9.

The 12" retina MacBook introduced force touch to OS X and the MacBook Pro's quickly followed by implementing the new touchpad.

 

[manu chao]

Never used the keyboard but it's the same as the new Macbook. According to reviews, a complete failure. Keys have low depth so it seems like you're typing on a screen. Don't see why it was necessary since you don't need to shave a couple millimeters space in a desktop area.

Simple, since we all will move to iPads sooner or later, Apple is already conditioning/preparing us to how it feels type on a screen.