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Apple Releases iMacs

As for not getting Bluetooth installed at purchase, it says you can easily connect with the USB dongle. You still can get the internal Blue tooth device put in but you have to send it to apple or a shop so they can open it up.

I am happy with the upgrades. I just wish the lower end model was had DDR. As for 10/100/1000, it's still to expensive for a switch or even a basic hub, and a mass majority of the networks out there, even Cat 5e and some Cat 6 networks still can't handle the badnwidth. The only time we used it was between machines and even then turning the targeted computer to Target Disk mode and copying things over firewire was better.
 
Originally posted by LethalWolfe


He's looking for stripped down tower to buy (case, mobo, proc, and PS only) so he can take the video card, RAM, and HDDs outta his current rig and put it in the stripped down tower.


Lethal
Click to expand...

Exactly! Sorry about the previous typos...Im in class and was trying to do it very quickly.

Also, there has been alot of bitching about the iMacs...so lets go ahead and give it some praise...

1. Best design ever
2. Small (good for space)
3. 1ghz G4 (pretty darn good)
4. increased bus and DDR ram
5. Best OS
6. Best applications made

although they can do alot more to these machines...they are still very good for the consumer...so try not to bitch to much.
 
not crap

a jump from 800 to 1 Ghz is a 25% increase. that's not miniscule...
and a Xeon 2 Ghz is no speed demon.

ALSO Firewire 800 is a prosumer level connection. It's only offered in the top
two towers. Why on earth would they put it in a consumer machine?

The iMacs are for consumers... for the home... if you want PowerMac level
computing and connections buy one. Or buy the lame PC tower and shut it.
 
Originally posted by MacBoyX
And if i hear one more person complain about how apple is floundering especially APPLE PEOPLE i am going to go postal. Apple is doing the best it can while waiting for the 970 or G5 or what ever else will come out.

Again we caused this ourselves. We all wanted more power G4's in every model line MORE POWER! and now we got what we asked for. 4 model lines basically identical in every way.
Click to expand...

well....i don't know how else to say this...but...you're completely wrong, and a total apple cultists if this is the way you truly feel.

Apple _is_ floundering in its efforts to differentiate its product lines. That much is dead obvious, and needs little explanation. Why else would they put a chip in a _NEW_ computer (Apple's flagship computer) that is only 300 MHz faster than the ORIGINAL CHIP DESIGN when they have much faster chips? It's simply because if they did use a chip with an acceptable speed, it would be identical to their "pro" line. The pro line doesn't truly support DDR or higher BUS speeds, so the only thing they can do to differentiate the lines is to put a 1.5 year old chip into the "consumer" model.

Also, I hardly feel responsible for Apple's decision to put all their faith in the efforts of a single chip maker who barely makes any chips presently. They are miserbly far behind PC's, at a higher price point. People should demand performance that isn't being dusted by other makers...especially at this price point.

:rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by nickmcghie


oh my gosh i couldnt agree more

i mean come on 256 ram for the the 1799 model?? thats absolutely ridiculous they should have included at least a MINIMUM of 512 for even the low end model!!! most PC desktops that cost more than about $800 nowadays already have 512

and an extra $550 for an an additional 768 of ram and bluetooth and airport extreme?? thats also ridiculous airport extreme card is $99 and bluetooth cant be more than $49 so theyre basically charging FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 768 OF RAM

theyre still using geforce 2mx?? that card is like 3 yrs old the low end model should use at least the geforece 4mx and the high end models should use geforce 4ti or radeon 9000 pro

and hard drive size?? 60GB for low end is acceptable but 80GB in a 2349 machine is ridiculous. for the extra FOUR HUNDRED dollars they charged for the 768 of ram they shouldve upgraded the hard drive to AT LEAST 120 gigs
Click to expand...

Like I already said, going from the mid level iMac to the high-end iMac is like buying the most expensive RAM EVER!!!!!

And the thing I'm disappointed with most is the fact that I was thinking of either getting a new iMac, or a new iBook after the iBooks get their scheduled update in 2 months. However, now that the $1299 iMac model sucks, and the $1800 model is waaaay too expensive for what you get, the only thing that's left is the 12" iBook, which can't and won't be updated in 2 months because of the 867Mhz "wall" that is set by the 12" PB. :(

Now I'll just sit and wait. Hopefully, after another year, they'll give us more than a 200Mhz speed bump and a semi-modern day 60 GB 7200rpm harddrive circa 2001.
 
CopperPipe
For those looking to switch...
remember that this board is for Mac-Nerds, who get so wrapped up in the world of Mac, that we lose perspective on the big picture. So if you're thinking about a new Mac, remember that 90% of the people complaining here LOOOOOVE their machines and would never go back to a PC. We just want Apple to do so much, not to mention these rumor sites get us all strung out.
Click to expand...
Point taken CopperPipe, but equally please do not tar all of us non Mac-nerds as Apple-bashers or M#crosoft lovers - many of us are surfing over here because of our frustration/hatred at the latter, and interest in possibly switching. BUT maybe we are just harder to please on the hardware price front, because we have become used to a much larger and price competitive market (economy of scale) and (apparently) more rapid rate of hardware evolution. Perhaps Abstract put it best above when he said:
The problem with this is that it has been a very very very long time since the last updates, and in the computer world, a year is a long time. Heck, a month is a long time, and while the PC world is making leaps and bounds in every aspect, the iMac is now only starting to get things like a 7200 rpm hard drive, a 64Mb video card (of course, this is only offered on the 17" starting at $1700), and not much else. All obsolete, and at a price drop that doesn't mean squat. If I wait a year to purchase a PC, I know it will be much much better than the machines being sold 1 year ago. This is the way computers work, not like this.


Anyway, I want to say that when Apple came out with the new imac, they lost the ability to make low priced consumer machines. The new imac, look at it - it a marvel of engineering with a flat screen that swivels! READ - NOT A BUDGET MACHINE. And that's what I think Apple is missing out on. Now we do have the emac, which is cool, and is more appropriate the next imac. But, IMHO, it's not as affordable and friendly as the original imac. I say, and this will never happen, bring the old imac back with a kick @ss G3 and sell it for $699!
Click to expand...
I agree with you entirely about the iMac not being a budget machine on the design/esthetics front - but NOT on some of its internals !
It seems amazing to us switchers/ adders/ potential switchers that 7200rpm HDs should have only NOW made it into the iMac units - which have often been sold on the strength of their multimedia editing capability. Furthermore with 200GB 7200rpm HDs now available at ~1GB/$, why would Apple want to limit its "Ultimate" iMac to just 80GBs - that doesn't give you much room for manouvre if you have large iTunes and iPhoto libraries AND want to do some reasonable iMovie work ! And don't even get me started on the graphics card choice, L3 cache exclusion and DDR RAM pricing... ;)
 
Re: not crap

Originally posted by chubakka
a jump from 800 to 1 Ghz is a 25% increase. that's not miniscule...
and a Xeon 2 Ghz is no speed demon.

ALSO Firewire 800 is a prosumer level connection. It's only offered in the top
two towers. Why on earth would they put it in a consumer machine?

The iMacs are for consumers... for the home... if you want PowerMac level
computing and connections buy one. Or buy the lame PC tower and shut it.
Click to expand...

For the money that you spend on an iMac, I don't care what Apple decides to call their machines: their consumer line, pro line, crap, whatever, as long as its good value for the money. Firewire 800? Sure, I'll take it even if I can't fully utilize it. Why not? If I'm going to be overcharged, I may as well get all the bells and whistles that Apple will throw in. And if Apple isn't supporting FW800 by putting it into both the PM and iMacs, then who else will even bother incorporating the technology?

And its funny how people put down PC's when I can build a $1000 PC machine that is (at least) 2 times faster than any Mac. Yes, it will use Windows XP Professional, but I will also promise that they won't crash. They don't crash on my machine, so I'm sure they wouldn't crash on yours. ;)

I still want an iMac (or iBook), but not if a year to Apple = a 200Mhz cpu increase and a 7200rpm semi-modern harddrive.

PS: And thanks to iAndy for actually quoting little old me. ;)
 
Originally posted by geocave
Ordered the 17" with 512MB (One Chip) Bluetooth and Airport Extreme. Can't wait.

I'm a switcher. I'm a data network engineer. Work heavily with Microsoft stuff and hate it. Love Unix and Linux.

Looking forward to finally editing 10+ hours of videotape.

Looking forward to organizing 2-3 GBs worth of photos.

Looking forward to organizing 8 GBs worth of music.

Looking forward to my wife not having to call me 2-3 times a day asking for help with the computer.
Click to expand...

Ditto!:p
 
Originally posted by possible switch
I have considered the eMac, but given my living arrangements both at home and school, it's simply not practical a practical size. It wouldn't fit on my desk. I have friends with the old G3 iMacs, and let's just say they don't have a desk. :) My laptop is the perfect size, and the iMac footprint wouldn't be any more intrusive. I'm still considering that low end iMac. I wouldn't know what to do with a 17" screen anyway.

It's gotta be better than my Insprion, right? Hopefully it would last longer than 2 years too.
Click to expand...

Possible. Trust me on this one. Do it. You won't regret it. YOu will not be hurting with the 15" iMac. It will do what you want just fine. I mean to be honest in my opinion u could even look about for a sale on the older ones (sometimes the MicroCenter near me does that after new models come out). As long as you are at 700MHz with a G4 you'll do fine. Trust me it's gonna be balls out faster than your Dell and the usablity and stability will really make it worth it. I can't tell you how happy you're gonna be. I got my first Mac this time last year a G3 iMac DV, I sold it and got my TiBook cause i wanted portability. I waited til they announced the TiBook 800MHz. I got my 667 TiBook which listed at 2699 for 1799 2 weeks later. I do not regret it. Rememeber...what was awesome yesterday isnt crap beacuse something faster came out today.

Please keep in mind alot of the folks on here are indeed MacGeeks (present company included) and are prattling on about wanting more and more from our beloved company.

I recommed you get out there and get the most iMac you can afford. And also buy yourself the following book...Macintosh...The Naked Truth...you'll love it.

Good Luck...Godspeed...Rock on witcha bad self!
 
I will agree with people that the low end should've been maintained at $1199 if not dropped to magic price point of $999. Apple essentially dropped the price of the 15" combo model by $200 with virtually no improvements except a 7200 rpm drive mechanism. Considering the lack of improvements made to this model, a $300 price drop would be more appropriate, if not more.

The high-end 17" model also receieved a $200 price drop but comes with an improved feature set. Cpu speed increase from 800mhz to 1ghz. System bus increase from 100mhz to 133mhz. Video ram increase from 32meg to 64 meg. Upgrade from 5400 rpm to 7200 rpm(also for the 15"). Upgrade from ata 66 to ata 100. Upgrade to AE ready. Optional bluetooth built-in. Upgrade on superdrive from 2x to 4x. A worthy set of improvements IMHO. It certainly improves the price value ratio on the machine.

When you compare the two models, the $500 disparity can be made up by the inclusion of the superdrive and the 17" widescreen display. When you add in all the other features, you really have to wonder how apple justifies the entry level price of $1299. The 15" model is the red-haired stepchild of the two and is not overly desireable, unless of course $1299 is all you have to spend. I think apple has goofed on the low-end model. Last year's feature set with a price cut isn't going to have people rushing down to the apple store.

Clearly, this is yet another case of Apple not getting it. Apparently the only switchers apple seems interested in getting are the well-heeled kind, with lots of disposeable income.
 
Re: Re: not crap

Originally posted by Abstract


For the money that you spend on an iMac, I don't care what Apple decides to call their machines: their consumer line, pro line, crap, whatever, as long as its good value for the money. Firewire 800? Sure, I'll take it even if I can't fully utilize it. Why not? If I'm going to be overcharged, I may as well get all the bells and whistles that Apple will throw in. And if Apple isn't supporting FW800 by putting it into both the PM and iMacs, then who else will even bother incorporating the technology?

And its funny how people put down PC's when I can build a $1000 PC machine that is (at least) 2 times faster than any Mac. Yes, it will use Windows XP Professional, but I will also promise that they won't crash. They don't crash on my machine, so I'm sure they wouldn't crash on yours. ;)

I still want an iMac (or iBook), but not if a year to Apple = a 200Mhz cpu increase and a 7200rpm semi-modern harddrive.

PS: And thanks to iAndy for actually quoting little old me. ;)
Click to expand...

Windows XP not crash? I have and athlon 2100+ with 640megs of ddr PC 3000 ram and a voodoo 5 5500...and Windows XP pro (which is a legal bought version ;) ) crashes all the time...since buying that machine...which I built myslelf I am a much happier Mac user.

and as a side note...Windows XP is a terible looking OS...It looks like M$ hired a 2 year old kid to draw / color their GUI!
 
Abstract
PS: And thanks to iAndy for actually quoting little old me.
Click to expand...
The least I can do when you are making points that I want to make, but much more eloquently than me. There again it doesn't help much that it is 3.15am over here ;-) ZZzzz...


Abstract
And its funny how people put down PC's when I can build a $1000 PC machine that is (at least) 2 times faster than any Mac. Yes, it will use Windows XP Professional, but I will also promise that they won't crash. They don't crash on my machine, so I'm sure they wouldn't crash on yours.
Click to expand...
This is something that Mac-Nerds here really don't seem to realise. I HATE M#crosoft (for various historical reasons) but XP Pro is not Win ME or Win98. Add this to the latest (let alone the soon to be released) generation of Intel cpus and Apple has got a real battle on its hands winning over any switchers.

Abstract
I still want an iMac (or iBook), but not if a year to Apple = a 200Mhz cpu increase and a 7200rpm semi-modern harddrive.
Click to expand...
EXACTLY !!! I also want an iMac AND don't mind paying a bit of a premium over PCs to own the gorgeously designed iMac. It's just that Apple appears to be ripping the arse out of how big a premium we are expected to pay (including some old technology) at present.
 
Originally posted by e-coli


well....i don't know how else to say this...but...you're completely wrong, and a total apple cultists if this is the way you truly feel.

Apple _is_ floundering in its efforts to differentiate its product lines. That much is dead obvious, and needs little explanation. Why else would they put a chip in a _NEW_ computer (Apple's flagship computer) that is only 300 MHz faster than the ORIGINAL CHIP DESIGN when they have much faster chips? It's simply because if they did use a chip with an acceptable speed, it would be identical to their "pro" line. The pro line doesn't truly support DDR or higher BUS speeds, so the only thing they can do to differentiate the lines is to put a 1.5 year old chip into the "consumer" model.

Also, I hardly feel responsible for Apple's decision to put all their faith in the efforts of a single chip maker who barely makes any chips presently. They are miserbly far behind PC's, at a higher price point. People should demand performance that isn't being dusted by other makers...especially at this price point.

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I couldn't disagree more and I take offense to being called a Cultist. I think that anyone who reads these boards should understand the whole "Motorola sucks" and the need for a next generation chip. But Apple is doing what you ask. It is giving you everything it has to give at this point. What more can you expect? Goodness last year everyone was praying for a 1GHz chip now that you have it in almost every model line (hang on folks rumours say the G4 iBook is on it's way) we are complaining about prices. And I did not say we were responsible for Apple putting it's future in Motorola but that we have definitely helped to cause the stagnation in the product lines.

For most people a 500 Mhz G4 is fine for what we do but everyone wants a 1GHz G4 in the model they like most. That causes stagnation and fewer offerings. Apple likes to keep us happy so they gave us what we want. Ghz in every line. I'd also love a 1.43 Ghz iMac with every thing in the world in it and a 17" FP for 999 but that's not gonna happen.

I am glad there were upgrades and if I had a need the 1799 iMac would be the desktop I'd buy.
 
Re: 10+ hrs + imovie 3 = Disaster

Originally posted by Sonofhaig


Just don't use imovie 3 and you'll be fine....
Click to expand...


I am probably going to wind up using Final Cut Express, but I am curious about the iMovie 3 bashing. Is it really that bad? I can't imagine that Apple would put out a 'top-end' consumer machine that had trouble with what is basically a 'consumer' level software program.

It also scares me that Final Cut Express may run slow on the iMac. Can anyone comment on this?
 
Originally posted by Xerov


Windows XP not crash?
Click to expand...


Twice, when I had a bad ethernet card and tried to install RealONE. Both not flaws of the OS.


I have and athlon 2100+ with 640megs of ddr PC 3000 ram and a voodoo 5 5500...and Windows XP pro (which is a legal bought version ;) )
Click to expand...

Home built 667Mhz PIII, 256MB RDRAM, Intel VC820 MB, ATI AIW 32MB Radeon, XP Pro.

crashes all the time...since buying that machine...which I built myslelf I am a much happier Mac user.
Click to expand...


Built mine myself too, can't say that I'm really happier than not owning one, it's just a computer, jeez.


and as a side note...Windows XP is a terible looking OS...It looks like M$ hired a 2 year old kid to draw / color their GUI!
Click to expand...


Matter of personal opinion.

Mine: XP's not so bad looking..........after you change the theme from blue to silver.


Sorry Apple, this update was good, but you could've done better.
 
Re: Re: 10+ hrs + imovie 3 = Disaster

Originally posted by geocave



I am probably going to wind up using Final Cut Express, but I am curious about the iMovie 3 bashing. Is it really that bad? I can't imagine that Apple would put out a 'top-end' consumer machine that had trouble with what is basically a 'consumer' level software program.

It also scares me that Final Cut Express may run slow on the iMac. Can anyone comment on this?
Click to expand...

I think you'll be just fine judging from my experience with FCP3. It even runs smooth on older powerbooks.
 
How About A Poll !

Hey Arn, how about a new Daily Poll ?

Something along the lines of:
(Q) What do you think of the new iMac ?
(A) sux, yawn, OK, tempted, where do I sign

but split the poll for:
(i) Mac-Nerds
(ii) Switchers / Adders / Possible switchers
 
Originally posted by James.Paul
I think what Apple has done today is the right move. They've now created a price dividing line between pro and consumer.
Click to expand...

This is an Appleism. There does not need to be division between pro and consumer. All form factors should be customizable enought to give the buyer the best performance possible. I wouldn't doubt that the iMac can't support anything hotter than a 1GHz G4, so that's the highest you can get.

How low could you go before you can't drive the display with reasonable performance?

The only product line differentiations need to be laptop, desktop, and server. It becomes a consumer machine when it is purchased for home/personal use. The average home PC comes with much more power than the average business desktop or workstation.

If I buy a PowerMac with Dual G4s to run iLife and Safari is it a Pro line machine or is it a consumer machine. I think Apple needs to think different here and I believe they are beginning to. The iMac cost more to manufacture and/or has a lower profit margin and must be priced slightly higher but still priced reasonably. For me, they have achieved reason, with the new configs and pricing on the 17" models. And that's all I'm interested in.

Now, the memory situation is BS, but I ordered with 256MB and I'll upgrade both slots with my own, cheap DDR.
 
Re: not crap

Originally posted by chubakka
a jump from 800 to 1 Ghz is a 25% increase. that's not miniscule...
and a Xeon 2 Ghz is no speed demon.

ALSO Firewire 800 is a prosumer level connection. It's only offered in the top
two towers. Why on earth would they put it in a consumer machine?

The iMacs are for consumers... for the home... if you want PowerMac level
computing and connections buy one. Or buy the lame PC tower and shut it.
Click to expand...

Are you really as stupid as you sound. FW800 "Prosumer?" Where'd you pull that shiza from. You sound like an Assimilate Apple Apologist(AAA).

The machines are crap. No upgradeability means for value we gotta get the goodies now. Screw the towers..hell even they're getting their azzes kicked by the garden variety home pc. This is an embarrasment plain and simple. Come on Apple....I know you can do better.
 
With all these complaints up here, let's all remember that 1 GHZ PowerMac introduced last week. A 1GHZ iMac for $1499 or $1599 would undercut the market for that. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a push for the 1GHZ to be more of a high-end consumer machine. The eMac will likely be made out as the entry-level machine. If the iBook does get a G4, as rumored, then Apple may have it set up that, by summer, you can get an G4 - 800 in an eMac for $899. In an iBook for $999-$1099. It would've been nice to stick a G4 867 in the 15" iMac while increasing the FSB speed and atchitecture, providing a definite upgrade for that model. I think that we'll see a restructuring of models in the coming months to reflect a new strategy - and we may see the iMac become more upgradeable, giving it a greater advantage over the eMac and such.
 
Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
I had a buddy just buy a new HP with a 2.4 ghz intel in it. He paid just over 1 grand and i was thinking that it must be cool. Anyways i went over there and looked at this thing and it was garbage-it had the cheapest looking and feeling keyboard i had ever seen with no ports on it! I guess macs just spoil us.The mouse that came with this thing was a rollerball mouse! I didnt even know they still made those considering my wifes 500 imac was optical!the whole system looked like it was made of cheapass plastic(sorry arn) and this thing came with wow 64 mb of video memory but it turned out it was just using 64 of the system memory and had no video card!-So off he goes and buys a newer video card agp for his brand new machine! well it turns out this thing didnt even have a agp slot! only pci! so he took it back for a pci one. Now WOW! a 2.4 p4 INTEL that was wrapped around with pure garbage!I wont even go into the problems he had with all his software which by the way he is chucking most of it!And the games looked like sh_ _! Ill take the new Imacs any day of the week even if i have to pay more! You get what you pay for! The new Imacs are just to cool!--- Just a little story for all the pc weenies out there to who i would say there is more to a computer then just all those specs like OOUUUWHEE 2.4 intel! I think this friend of mine is still trying to figure it out since he has been so quite. If it wasnt for my powermac 800 I would be placing my order today for that 1 giger imac!
Click to expand...

Your friend did not purchase a machine based on what he wanted to do with it. He bought it for the price.

You can make a custom machine, with top notch hardware, for a comparable price.

AMD alone saves hundreds of bucks...
 
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