No, since it's likely far more expensive to make. I'd rather pay less for a computer with a standard stand than have to pay premium for a more robust mount so that a 'select few' can mount it different. Good call on Apple's part, but they should have provided the extra cost option from the start instead of getting the 'select few' pissed-off.
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Apple Now Offering iMacs Equipped With VESA Mount Adapters as $40 Upgrade
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No, since it's likely far more expensive to make. I'd rather pay less for a computer with a standard stand than have to pay premium for a more robust mount so that a 'select few' can mount it different. Good call on Apple's part, but they should have provided the extra cost option from the start instead of getting the 'select few' pissed-off.
Personally, I don't know why Apple, in it's reputation for industrial design genius, don't make the iMacs and Cinema displays modular.
Whether that means an easily swappable stand or vesa mounting pad (not having to gut the machine to convert it over)
Or simply having a sturdy stand that attaches to (snaps into, or screws onto) the vesa mount pad directly.
Plus, having the stand swivel a bit, in addition to tilting, would be welcomed.
Actually, I wonder if someone will take advantage of this new model being sold VESA only, to sell a nice matching anodized aluminum articulating, swiveling, tilting, and maybe height-adjustable 'super-stand', in leu of Apple's standard iMac with a built in foot stand that only tilts.
Another product suggestion is a combo-cable, that can be lashed to such a 'super-stand', or a wall mount, or an armature mount, or any other VESA solution, that plugs into all of the typically used ports (USB, Thunderbolt, etc), including the iMac's power input, to consolidate one cable down to a remote peripheral and AC power source location as sort of a small break-out box on the end of that bundled cable, rather than having to manage and route multiple cables along a variable mounting solution.
Whether that means an easily swappable stand or vesa mounting pad (not having to gut the machine to convert it over)
Or simply having a sturdy stand that attaches to (snaps into, or screws onto) the vesa mount pad directly.
Plus, having the stand swivel a bit, in addition to tilting, would be welcomed.
Actually, I wonder if someone will take advantage of this new model being sold VESA only, to sell a nice matching anodized aluminum articulating, swiveling, tilting, and maybe height-adjustable 'super-stand', in leu of Apple's standard iMac with a built in foot stand that only tilts.
Another product suggestion is a combo-cable, that can be lashed to such a 'super-stand', or a wall mount, or an armature mount, or any other VESA solution, that plugs into all of the typically used ports (USB, Thunderbolt, etc), including the iMac's power input, to consolidate one cable down to a remote peripheral and AC power source location as sort of a small break-out box on the end of that bundled cable, rather than having to manage and route multiple cables along a variable mounting solution.
Quite the contrary. Apple was able to charge less for the new iMac by not including the extra costs of building every one of them with the capability of being wall mounted. Thank you Apple for not sticking me with the cost of having an optional mount that most users will never need or use.
Incorrect.
When released, the current iMac models did not have VESA compatibility, like the previous models. So mounting your iMac to an arm was impossible, unless you did some custom work on it.
For this reason, this is why this announcement is notable.
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Apple didn't drop 2012 iMac prices after removing the VESA compatibility, although they doubless saved a dime on production costs. Those savings were squandered on laminated display production problems. All in all, a tremendous cluster****. It would have been wiser to introduce the laminated display tech in the Thunderbolt Display, then migrate it to the iMac after production issues were resolved.
But VESA mountable iMacs are nothing new. Previously they sold an adapter separately that you had to install yourself in place of the 'foot'.
The 2012 models were not compatible with the old adapter because of the new design. This option is just bringing back functionality that was removed with the 2012 update.
The same applies to those who are claiming this is some sort of foreshadowing of an Apple television. This isn't anything new at all, just a return of a previously removed feature.
Supply and demand. Fewer people will opt for wall mount, ergo, they can charge more for it.
I hear that next year the iMac's power supply, speakers and I/O ports will all be BTO upgrade options as well.
It's good news they've added it, but bad news that the two options (stand vs. VESA mount) are mutually exclusive.
It just lowers the value of an iMac. If it could do both, an iMac would be more valuable. If it can only do one or the other, it's value goes down.
I can't believe Apple made a product with that isn't the best it could've been (I'm sure it's possible to make both options in one without too many sacrifices).
It just lowers the value of an iMac. If it could do both, an iMac would be more valuable. If it can only do one or the other, it's value goes down.
I can't believe Apple made a product with that isn't the best it could've been (I'm sure it's possible to make both options in one without too many sacrifices).
Excellent. This should silence all of the Macrumors nuts and Windows/Android fanboys that screamed as if Armageddon were upon us that Apple had not made the footrest releasable. And the iFixit types that believe that Apple's first duty is to make the machine as repairable as possible so that iFixit can sell tools and parts to support those efforts.
Newsflash people: Apple listens, is still by far and away the best corporate listener out there, and is generally moving in the right direction while balancing a large array of markets, variables, third party lobbying groups, customers, the street, etc.
So quit your whining!
Newsflash people: Apple listens, is still by far and away the best corporate listener out there, and is generally moving in the right direction while balancing a large array of markets, variables, third party lobbying groups, customers, the street, etc.
So quit your whining!
Erm, I can't be 100% sure, but if they had of stuck with the old way of connecting the stand, where is the extra cost? This allowed people to purchase a separate mount if they wished.
This new way of attaching the stand, if anything, probably added to the price of engineering/tooling costs.
Now they have separate SKU's, assembly line, probably new packaging for more support. Which is why they're charging extra, but still, wouldn't it have been easier to have kept the old connecter? and kept everyone happy?
oh my god, wait! did yours stop functioning as advertised, or something?! er, no? then what on earth is wrong with you?
no they werent. there was even an article on this site where they explicitly said "not at this time".
if you believe a product not rated to do something youd like it to when you bought it, then being able to do it later w/ a special modification, is being "screwed", despite the product you bought doing exactly what it was advertised to do (and not do)....then you have a personality disorder and should seek treatment immediately.
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this is not a monitor, it's an all-in-one. to use that comparison you have to compare it to all other all-in-ones. (i have no idea what their statuses are)
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why would you consider it disposable? if the hard drive or ram failed, why wouldnt you get it serviced? i know i would...just like i had my macbook serviced when an internal component failed.
hmm, apple currently has the most growth and profit in both mobile and PC computing. record growth & sales every single quarter. what exactly are they doing wrong? not catering to...you? heavens. better email Cook, pronto!
Seems like a poor deal, you can purchase the adapter for $39, and still get to keep your desk stand. So, they are charging you a $1 to install it, and you loose your stand. Bait and switch....
Boo Apple
Boo Apple
Why are we concerned about SKU's? Apple doesn't seem to be too afraid of them. They've apparently got their production and shipping down pat.
I guess you can't please everyone, yes it would be better if it was a no cost option and you could change from stand to mount but at least now those needing a VESA mount cam get one and they are set. The will be especially useful for some businesses and schools.
I guess it's a bit like when Apple earlier on gave users the option to put Fusion in the base model, too bad if you bought one early!
I guess it's a bit like when Apple earlier on gave users the option to put Fusion in the base model, too bad if you bought one early!
Aside from the additional cost of the iMac itself, and the cost of the stand...
Why not buy a VESA mount version and get a better stand, even if you don't want a wall-mount, or arm, or whatever else...
This is 4-way ajustable, height, screen orientation, tilt, and swivel.
Painted silver, and most people wouldn't know the difference, and probably not any larger of a footprint on the table/desk surface.
If Apple offered the standard stock stand similar to this, 4-way adjustable, and detachable for other VESA mount options, and a simple orientation sensor, it could make the computer auto-sensing, an convertible from landscape to portait orientation.
And if they ever do want to add multi-touch for gestures or draw-on-screen interfaces to Mac OS, they could use a 'limbo' stand, to recline the screen to near-horizontal, which is more ergonomic for touch-use than near-vertical.
Seems like versatility has in some cases become a bad word for Apple, at least hardware configuration wise.
I can't help but wonder if that keeps Apple out of some alternate computing arrangement locations, that have other physical arrangement requirements than the traditional desktop or laptop arrangement.
One would think that a focus on wireless keyboard and mouse would foster some additional physical arrangement versatility. But not having a current-tech headless mac, and barely accomodating alternative mounts for the iMac or Cinema Display is a bit of a stumbling block for that.
Not to mention that now iMac and thunderbolt Cinema display should be edge-to-edge screen, without the "chin" on the iMac. If they are both VESA compatible, then an iMac and a Cinema display can be mounted on a dual-monitor VESA rig, and be a symmetrical dual-monitor machine, without a tower needed. It isn't as if it would block an edge-fed optical drive anymore, anyway. I might actually prefer a dual 21.5" near-retina screen setup, than one 27" that is far enough away that I don't have to pan my neck up and down to see the top and bottom of the screen. Panning side to side is normal, and easier for having multiple app windows open, side by side.
Why not buy a VESA mount version and get a better stand, even if you don't want a wall-mount, or arm, or whatever else...
This is 4-way ajustable, height, screen orientation, tilt, and swivel.
Painted silver, and most people wouldn't know the difference, and probably not any larger of a footprint on the table/desk surface.
If Apple offered the standard stock stand similar to this, 4-way adjustable, and detachable for other VESA mount options, and a simple orientation sensor, it could make the computer auto-sensing, an convertible from landscape to portait orientation.
And if they ever do want to add multi-touch for gestures or draw-on-screen interfaces to Mac OS, they could use a 'limbo' stand, to recline the screen to near-horizontal, which is more ergonomic for touch-use than near-vertical.
Seems like versatility has in some cases become a bad word for Apple, at least hardware configuration wise.
I can't help but wonder if that keeps Apple out of some alternate computing arrangement locations, that have other physical arrangement requirements than the traditional desktop or laptop arrangement.
One would think that a focus on wireless keyboard and mouse would foster some additional physical arrangement versatility. But not having a current-tech headless mac, and barely accomodating alternative mounts for the iMac or Cinema Display is a bit of a stumbling block for that.
Not to mention that now iMac and thunderbolt Cinema display should be edge-to-edge screen, without the "chin" on the iMac. If they are both VESA compatible, then an iMac and a Cinema display can be mounted on a dual-monitor VESA rig, and be a symmetrical dual-monitor machine, without a tower needed. It isn't as if it would block an edge-fed optical drive anymore, anyway. I might actually prefer a dual 21.5" near-retina screen setup, than one 27" that is far enough away that I don't have to pan my neck up and down to see the top and bottom of the screen. Panning side to side is normal, and easier for having multiple app windows open, side by side.
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Check out "Monitors in Motion". They have some high quality mounting arms designed for Macs. They even offer a MacHead adapter that allows a direct connection to Apple screens without the need for an unsightly VESA mount adapter that partially covers the fan.
I just checked their Facebook page and they posted an update on February 15 (screenshot below) confirming that they offer adapters for new iMacs. They state that the adapter needs to be installed by an authorized Apple Store or dealer. I can't believe this wasn't widely publicized sooner!
Here is some additional info about one of their available mounting arms from another thread:
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I feel sorry for people who already bought one and just assumed is came VESA ready without asking.
But going forward I very much like the lack of waste: I was on the fence considering a VESA mount for my last iMac, but trying to find a scrap dealer to take the old foot held me back. If I replace my iMac (rather than just adding a display to my Air) I may well go with VESA next time.
I'm sure others want the extra metal so they can go back and forth, but not me.
+/- $40 for a specialized config of an already mid-to-high-end machine seems tolerable. It's a niche product, and this adds inventory management issues. The cost to Apple isn't the raw metal alone. Would have been nice if they designed it to be changed with a tool like before, but that's extra hassle as well. If people who order VESA actually want VESA, then this new method is ready-to-go. Maybe Apple tended to get multiple-orders of the old VESA mount? Having them arrive ready would be nice in that case.
All in all a pretty minor change from before. I suspect a lot of the people complaining are complaining in the traditional sense of "doesn't affect me--I'll never really VESA-mount an iMac--but I will complain on behalf of people I assume wouldn't like this, and will read grand evil schemes into the fact that the new machines now have more options than yesterday while taking nothing away."
I know...
I would have assume the old adapter was sold mostly to bulk purchase accounts who where getting it kicked in as part of purchase price and not happy that each one took an hour or more to convert.
So in effect they can now get the machine fully configured on delivery and save and hour or more per machine for install. $40, which they'd likely not have to pay anyway is still a better deal than the old model.
At the time of pre-order Apple said this iMac is NOT nor will it ever be VESA compatible? A lot of people thought it was like the old iMac and that the new mount just wasn't released yet.
Please show me this.
And yet another qualified doctor diagnosing people they know nothing about with disorders, in which they know nothing about.
If you're not a doctor, then I suggest it is you who has the personality disorder (thinking you're a qualified doctor). Seek help immediately. Professional medical help that is, you know, the kind not found on this site.