USB sticks can be bought for a few dollars. DVDs can be bought for a few cents. Neither is expensive, but one costs magnitudes more than the other.
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Apple Looking to Launch Lower-Cost iMac in 2014
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USB sticks can be bought for a few dollars. DVDs can be bought for a few cents. Neither is expensive, but one costs magnitudes more than the other.
The previous entry iMac has a 640M and only 512 MB of VRAM. The Iris Pro has some coverage issues versus a 650M for higher 3D games but the entry didn't have a 650M.
The short term issue is that for this first generation Iris Pro Intel is charging i5+discrete graphics+VRAM money for the higher end iGPU and eRAM. They didn't "throw away" any performance at all compared to the previous version. What they didn't get was any better pricing on components. So it is "about the same performance" at "about the same price". Both of those should get better on the next iteration. [ It doesn't look like Nivida or AMD is going to just surrender the sub $90 desktop card or very low laptop discrete component markets so Intel is going to have to bring some better pricing to get more traction next iteration. ]
Similar issue with the drive. 5400 RPM and higher data density is going to lead to sequential stream times that around the same as older 7200 RPM drives that had lower data densities. The data transfer speed is not simply solely a function of rotational speed. Random access sure there is a difference but 5400 vs 7200 is trivial compared to either one versus an SSD (or a Fusion set up).
1). A more affordable next gen Iris Pro solution.
2). Same screen that is now priced better. (volume should also go up once TB docking station/display is ramped on same tech. )
3). Same two 4 GB DIMMs. ( same issue better component pricing)
4). 500 GB drive ( either denser, fewer platters, new one priced better or again better pricing on mature component at a higher capacity. iMac , mini, and any MBP with a HDD will all probably match on same drive to max volume pricing. )
In 2014, Intel will have new components to work with. There won't be any new 4200/4600 graphics in 2014. Selling "year old" components iMac would be worse than "it is evil because Intel integrated graphics" hoo-ha that you are on about. A $1,299 computer with all last years parts has much bigger issues.
2.5" isn't just for laptops. Capacity, not necessarily speed, is likely what entry level folks are buying.
(need somewhere to store their data. ) If Apple pushes the price down so that $1,299 covers Fusion set up then the storage drive speed at $1,299 isn't going to be an issue.
Because it's basic physics, when you remove a part of something it loses mass, therefore opening up the opportunity to redesign it. You're just deluding yourself with hype. Your needs are not everyone else's needs. And I'm 100% sure Apple weighed profits in before everyone else's needs to base their decision upon. You're just defending their decision, blindly.
floppy: mostly software or archived documents
CD/DVD : software, archived documents and media entertainment, name it music, movies or games.
You can't ignore this difference and still believe that the two "removals" are of the same kind.
Phil Schiller is well paid to say this BS and probably not believe it himself.
Not the others
There are aesthetic qualities to a DVD that are not usually accounted for in these arguments. Try printing something like a family photo or product launch listings on to a USB stick. Try putting that USB stick into a cost effective yet efficiently protective case which can also be printed on by a printer you can go out and buy at the store. Try organizing USB sticks into a collection in alphabetical order.
New technology isn't always good overall. It only has good aspects.
Agreed that for labelling and presentation, DVDs still have the advantage. That's one of the major drawbacks of miniaturization - the loss of the packaging.
I still have boxes of gatefold double-album sleeves - CD booklets could never begin to come close.
Sigh, I agree. I just packed up my white G5 iMac to put away in the depths of my closet. Wanted to hug it. I miss that breathing sleep light too.
Um...the entry level imac is just over $1,000. If you want a fully loaded high end 27" imac it'll run you $2,500
They could reintroduce the Macintosh LC range in a new case. It could be the bigger brother of the Mac mini.
Sorry to say it, but You are in the minority. Most people stream movies now. Practically all software is downloaded. Optical drives are a thing of the past. You better get used to it. Join us.
Yup. Apple is removing culture and humanity from their iMacs with the illusion of new tech. The company used to think the other way around and catered to the creative thinker, now they cater to people zoned out on their idevices. Even Mac OS is looking more and more like iOS.
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You hit the nail on the head. I'm still running an iMac from 2007. What really turns me off from the newer iMacs is the inability to open the case and possibly upgrade some of the internals.
Once they sealed the case, I was immediately turned off. I've been dragging my feet to purchase a new unit. I won't do it until my current model simply doesn't work any more or a newer version of OS X won't operate on it.
I know Apple doesn't care, but they won't get a red cent from me unless the product absolutely meets all my needs.
Agree. A Retina iMac would be a big selling point. But maybe Apple is holding off on retina iMacs cause they wanna save it for the Apple TV?
Sorry to say it, but You are in the minority. Most people stream movies now. Practically all software is downloaded. Optical drives are a thing of the past. You better get used to it. Join us.
Agreed, I've never needed a to use a DVD/CD in the past 2 or 3 years. Dead formats as far as I'm concerned. Stream Sky, stream ILOVEFILM and download for everything else
I'll buy that. The Lc was one of the designs I liked most. On another note it wouldn't hurt to introduce a lower cost imac to see if that would sell in larger numbers. Or maybe they could at least make the mini a bit more conspicuous on the shelves.
You hit the nail on the head. I'm still running an iMac from 2007. What really turns me off from the newer iMacs is the inability to open the case and possibly upgrade some of the internals.
I've been dragging my feet to upgrade my current unit. I won't do it until it simply doesn't work any more or a newer version of OS X won't operate on it.
I know Apple doesn't care, but they won't get a red cent from me unless the product absolutely meets all my needs.
Yeah, at least you can still upgrade the ram in the 27" iMac....but yeah, I miss the ease of the old iMacs in popping off the glass panel and being able to upgrade other components. Now with the glue, you're stuck....pun intended.
I hear it will use colorful plastic instead of aluminum but only be priced $100 less while encompassing this year's technology. Then, apparently people will say "for only $100 more" and buy the aluminum one instead because it has the latest tech.
you must be new. apple has always dropped last-years iphone into the #2 spot for a hundred bucks off. it has nothing to do with plastic or metal.
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repairability is a joke -- as many people repair their iMacs as they do their home receiver. so an infinitesimally small number that it's not a design concern on a mass market consumer device.
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analysts and rumors said it was supposed to be cheap. read Cook's interview -- apple doesn't do cheap. they do quality.
A half year ago, I wanted to buy me an iMac 27". I got infos and specs and all that stuff and ended up in NOT buying the 2012 model cause of its glued front and bought a refurbished late 2011.
The iMac is a great machine and man i love it, but it is still a pc and for me it HAS TO have upgrade-ability. The 2011 iMac: just take the glas off (magnets ) and unscrew the LCD and boom there u are in guts of your pc. There is even enough room for an extra SSD and it sill has the CD-Drive.
That said, in my opinion the reason for not that good sell-figures is the fact of its hard to upgrade (and therefore thin for no reason...) and NOT the pricepoint.
The iMac is a great machine and man i love it, but it is still a pc and for me it HAS TO have upgrade-ability. The 2011 iMac: just take the glas off (magnets
) and unscrew the LCD and boom there u are in guts of your pc. There is even enough room for an extra SSD and it sill has the CD-Drive.That said, in my opinion the reason for not that good sell-figures is the fact of its hard to upgrade (and therefore thin for no reason...) and NOT the pricepoint.
Actually, the entry level iMac is $1,349.00. With Apple Care and nothing else (i.e.: with no USB Super Drive, no printer, and no additional software) it's $1600 before tax.
Bring back the chunky iMac with the DVD Drive and better cooling...
This thinning of iMac's turned out to be its worst enemy. This was a desktop for many and with the thinning it has become a glorified laptop with a giant screen.
No clear direction at Apple... Jony Ive is running wild and the execs just shake their head in agreement, is my guess.
This thinning of iMac's turned out to be its worst enemy. This was a desktop for many and with the thinning it has become a glorified laptop with a giant screen.
No clear direction at Apple... Jony Ive is running wild and the execs just shake their head in agreement, is my guess.
Well, that's still A far cry from the $2,500 for the entry level iMac that the poster claimed.