I have the previous 17" iMac with the Geforce 4 MX, but with only 32MB of video ram. It handles the GUI at a decent speed. More than a decent speed I'd say.
But everybodies perceptions are different.
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Apple Releases iMacs
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I have the previous 17" iMac with the Geforce 4 MX, but with only 32MB of video ram. It handles the GUI at a decent speed. More than a decent speed I'd say.
But everybodies perceptions are different.
At least they brought down the eMacs prices to where I expected them though. $999 combo drive eMac and $1299 SuperDrive eMac are exactly the sweets spots for that model.
Looks like they've all but abandoned the CRT iMac though. Not only did they not drop the price, they couldn't even put in some of the newer hardware that my iBook has. I mean, c'mon, couldn't they at least put in a Radeon 7500 for QE acceleration? Ideally they would put it that plus one of the the new 700MHz G3s. Oh well. So long, CRT iMac.
I think they missed the "sweet spot" on the FP iMacs, too. A 15" superdrive iMac for $1499 would've been the sweet spot. I would never consider buying these iMacs as they are configured - they're still overpriced. Right now my top options for desktop would probably be $1299 eMac or the $1499 PowerMac with the SuperDrive upgrade option.
It looks like the 800MHz iMac model is just the old iMac, same old 802.11b AirPort and requires the USB adapter for Bluetooth (and only has a 100MHz bus). The 17 inch supports AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth Internally, and has an Audio-In port (finally!).
Major lameness on the pricing and specs, Steve
Major lameness on the pricing and specs, Steve
Looks that way:
"The easiest way is to have the Bluetooth module built in at the time you order your system. If you decide after purchase that you want Bluetooth capability, you can easily plug in an external USB Bluetooth adaptor."
Re: 3rd model ?
Fast: eMac, $999
Faster: 15" iMac, $1299
Fastest: 17" iMac, $1799
This makes a lot more sense to me than 1 eMac and 4 iMacs to choose from.
And considering that $500 difference between iMacs buys you:
a bigger screen
faster processor
faster bus
DDR RAM
Superdrive
Airport Extreme capability
internal Bluetooth capability
the gap does not seem too bad.
If you put all the consumer models together, there are still 3 levels to choose from:
Fast: eMac, $999
Faster: 15" iMac, $1299
Fastest: 17" iMac, $1799
This makes a lot more sense to me than 1 eMac and 4 iMacs to choose from.
And considering that $500 difference between iMacs buys you:
a bigger screen
faster processor
faster bus
DDR RAM
Superdrive
Airport Extreme capability
internal Bluetooth capability
the gap does not seem too bad.
Re: Gigabit ethernet
I have not seen anyone really have a use for gigabit ethernet, except on servers. And that is usually datacenter class machines.
The iMacs and iBooks have only ever had 10/100 Ethernet. 10/100/1000 Only appeared on the PowerMacs and the PowerBooks (except for the 12" one.)
I have not seen anyone really have a use for gigabit ethernet, except on servers. And that is usually datacenter class machines.
Seems there are a number of things that have changed... (some have already been pointed out, some obvious)
17" model-
bus speed (133)
audio-in
ports locations changed
4x Superdrive (previously 2x)
S/composite video-out support
audio-in and, 4x superdrive, s/composite video-out are exactly what I have been wanting but lacking in my iMac. In my opinion this is great. Seems Apple is listening to waht their customers want.. I mean they hit bullseye in terms of what I had longed for. I dunno...
irmongoose
17" model-
bus speed (133)
audio-in
ports locations changed
4x Superdrive (previously 2x)
S/composite video-out support
audio-in and, 4x superdrive, s/composite video-out are exactly what I have been wanting but lacking in my iMac. In my opinion this is great. Seems Apple is listening to waht their customers want.. I mean they hit bullseye in terms of what I had longed for. I dunno...
irmongoose
Re: FW 800?
Maybe once the IBM 970 is available in the professional machines we will see FW800 in the consumer machines.
When they didn't include FW800 in the 12" PowerBook, this should have been a good indication that not all new machines were going to get it.
No firewire 800, and I am not really surprised. For now, it's another differentiation between professional and consumer machines.
Maybe once the IBM 970 is available in the professional machines we will see FW800 in the consumer machines.
When they didn't include FW800 in the 12" PowerBook, this should have been a good indication that not all new machines were going to get it.
In a word - BUMMER !
I was in the market for a new iMac - but the new limited range and pricing structure seems a joke !
How the h#ll is Apple going to win over more switchers with a price performance range like this !?!
Bad move Apple - you could (and should IMHO) have made this a much more attractive upgrade.
Although I will still be holding onto my shares, I now don't expect next quarters sales figures to be too hot again....
I was in the market for a new iMac - but the new limited range and pricing structure seems a joke !
How the h#ll is Apple going to win over more switchers with a price performance range like this !?!
Bad move Apple - you could (and should IMHO) have made this a much more attractive upgrade.
Although I will still be holding onto my shares, I now don't expect next quarters sales figures to be too hot again....
Is there any reason for iPods to have FW 800? There's no way the HD of the iPod will even saturate half the bandwidth of FW 400
"the 17-inch model additionally has an audio line-in jack that lets you use it as a sound editing studio" - please be a sign that iTraxs (or whatever people say its called) exists and is coming. I'd love to be able to plug my guitar in a mac and record/produc a song without paying 1000's or even hundreds. it would be a big plus point for kids that are into music and in amature bands that wanna have fun.
15" iMac
Apparently Apple doesn't want you to know anything about the 15" iMac. On the Apple homepage, click on the 15" iMac and it takes you to the detail page for the 17" iMac...>WTF?~ Maybe there's just nothing new about them?
Ah well, what monitor issues did the eMac have? I was going to recommend it at work for a very basic machine until i read that there were some issues by a previous poster. Any info would be appreciated.
Now, if APple would just make a portable version of OS X for the iPod and release a tablet PC, we'd all be happy...... oh wait...
Apparently Apple doesn't want you to know anything about the 15" iMac. On the Apple homepage, click on the 15" iMac and it takes you to the detail page for the 17" iMac...>WTF?~ Maybe there's just nothing new about them?
Ah well, what monitor issues did the eMac have? I was going to recommend it at work for a very basic machine until i read that there were some issues by a previous poster. Any info would be appreciated.
Now, if APple would just make a portable version of OS X for the iPod and release a tablet PC, we'd all be happy...... oh wait...
I hear a lot of complaints but look at the 17" it now has 64mb video ram versus 32 and that makes a difference.Its now has a 133 bus instead of the 100 that is going to make a difference.superdrive 4x and cd read at 32.1ghz a 200mhz increase.These are all solid improvements and that makes this one fine little machine!This imac blows my almost 2yr powermac out of the water!Great!I Love it! just isnt enough though for me to get one so ill keep waiting for the 7457 or 970 to show but for anyone out there who was really thinking of getting one of these I say what are you waiting for?
My mother has been looking to me for guidance regarding her upcoming iMac purchase. She's waited patiently as I've watched the rumors. I can't wait till I get to tell her they're here!
Watching your parents learn to use computers must be like when they watched us learn to walk and talk. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. 8)
Dan
Watching your parents learn to use computers must be like when they watched us learn to walk and talk. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. 8)
Dan
You can adjust the prices remember...
You can always adjust the ram and the like on the 17" if the price is too steep. Sure you can't edit the Hard Drive size. But the price seems fine to me. Worse case get an Apple loan.
You can always adjust the ram and the like on the 17" if the price is too steep. Sure you can't edit the Hard Drive size. But the price seems fine to me. Worse case get an Apple loan.
I think somehow normal people or possible switchers won't be turned on by these improvements.
Since LCD's have come down in price we could of seen better pricing at least, i was expecting a higher drop in price.
Always complainers
The previous $1,499 model received an extra 20 GB of hard-drive space and an extra 100 MHz and dropped $200. What's wrong with that?
The previous $1,999 model received an extra 32 MB of video memory and an extra 200 MHz and dropped $200 as well. Again, what is there to complain about.
LCD based systems are still not considered entry level. Just check and see what HP and Dell are selling.
Apple now has a desktop system under the all important $1,000 price point -- the eMac having been reduced to $999.
So now you have a layout of $999, $1,299, and $1,799. Again, wherein lies the problem?
I think this is a nice selection. People are complaining of no 15" SuperDrive model, yet say the prices are too high. What person who is cost conscious is going to pay for a SuperDrive? Apple rightly limited it to the 17" model.
The previous $1,499 model received an extra 20 GB of hard-drive space and an extra 100 MHz and dropped $200. What's wrong with that?
The previous $1,999 model received an extra 32 MB of video memory and an extra 200 MHz and dropped $200 as well. Again, what is there to complain about.
LCD based systems are still not considered entry level. Just check and see what HP and Dell are selling.
Apple now has a desktop system under the all important $1,000 price point -- the eMac having been reduced to $999.
So now you have a layout of $999, $1,299, and $1,799. Again, wherein lies the problem?
I think this is a nice selection. People are complaining of no 15" SuperDrive model, yet say the prices are too high. What person who is cost conscious is going to pay for a SuperDrive? Apple rightly limited it to the 17" model.
Disappointed
I'm not disappointed by the iMac upgrades, but when you compare them to last week's Power Mac upgrades, the Power Macs look more than a little disappointing them. Has Apple reached the point where they don't know what else to do but hack away the prices, make everything a build-to-order option and hope that they will sell. Anyone notice that the mid-level iMac is a better deal than the low-end Power Mac (by the time you factor in the cost of the display)?
I'd like to see some tweaks to the Power Mac line: bigger hard drives across all models, bluetooth and Airport Extreme included in every model, double the l3 cache and switch to the 7457 chip (double the l2 cache). Performance would be great, the price would be very competitive and very little R&D costs.
I'm not disappointed by the iMac upgrades, but when you compare them to last week's Power Mac upgrades, the Power Macs look more than a little disappointing them. Has Apple reached the point where they don't know what else to do but hack away the prices, make everything a build-to-order option and hope that they will sell. Anyone notice that the mid-level iMac is a better deal than the low-end Power Mac (by the time you factor in the cost of the display)?
I'd like to see some tweaks to the Power Mac line: bigger hard drives across all models, bluetooth and Airport Extreme included in every model, double the l3 cache and switch to the 7457 chip (double the l2 cache). Performance would be great, the price would be very competitive and very little R&D costs.
I totally agree with you that the 17" is absolutely gr8! But, but, but the 15" is just the old one with a (very) minor speed bump, or not at all, if you compare it to the old 17".
Like I said b4, the difference between the 15" en 17" is too big