Apple Releases Updated iMac Models With 21.5- and 27-Inch LED Screens

[ericinboston]

Good God, 27 inches...

I've been using a 24" LCD widescreen monitor for 4+ years. Cost me $650 back then...around $299 these days.

I'd love to get a 27" or larger...I mainly use my computer for personal use and NEVER watch movies...it's just awesome to have a nice large screen for plenty of apps running at once and the occasional 10minute video from the net.

 

[swingerofbirch]

With wireless keyboards standard how can people restart into safe mode, choose a startup disk, zap pram, reset smc, basically do anything that requires a key command? I understand most of us probably have a USB keyboard, but I mean newbs that are buying their first Mac. I can't imagine the answer that to troubleshoot your computer you need to buy a new keyboard going over well, so there must be a workaround.

 

[jmpage2]

...and Core i7

I'm just comparing base models. It's also worth noting that an IPS LED screen like the one in the 27" iMac would cost over $1000 by itself. This makes the 27" iMac a great buy if you want that quality of display.

 

[BrettNPU32]

So the main use for my new iMac purchase is that I have always loved the design and never had a Mac always a PC. I would probably use some of the gadgets on the iMac, but I would mostly use it for internet, email, video,and online poker. Is it still recommended that I should get the quad core for the money?

 

[MartinAyla]

I'm sure the i7 and i5 are the real deal, not oc'ed mobile versions.

From Apple.com:

27-inch models only, one of the following:
2.66GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.2GHz
2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz; Hyper-Threading for up to eight virtual cores

This fits exactly the Core i7-860 spec for example, iirc, so I don't think there's any doubt that they have given us the real deal here

 

[dwd3885]

With an adapter, apparently. But I can't seem to find them on their site.

i think you would just need a displayport to hdmi adapter

 

[PrismaticRealms]

I've had so many issues with USB hubs. So many...

Try the "Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 7-Port Hub". It has served me very well.

 

[uv23]

Very disappointed that the cinema displays weren't updated/price dropped along with the imac updates.

 

[Icaras]

Possibly even "F@#% NO!"

I no longer see the point in building a huge library of movies on media that you're just going to throw away again in 7 years when a new standard comes out yet again. Wanna watch that thing again, download in whatever format makes sense at that time and watch away.

& backups on media rated for 100 years that only last two, suck as well.

Ok, try downloading 1440p with lossless audio content or whatever other higher resolution HD format that comes out to supercede blu-ray and see how fast you can "watch away".

Broadband infrastructure, at least here in America, will not keep up with HD technology.

 

[RazHyena]

Apple actually came through!!!!!! 27 inch monster AND Quad Core!?!?! The only thing that sucks about this update is the wait until November.

As promised, I'll forget the lack of Blu-Ray as the Quads have come.

 

[jmpage2]

A
The rumors said Blu-ray was going to be in these iMacs, and then rumors said it was pulled at the last minute. I would say it is pretty darn obvious it was pulled. Who would put a 27" 2560x1440 screen in a system, hype it for movies and HD content, and then not include full HD content? (iTunes HD doesn't count.) Only Apple.

FAIL.


Exactly. The intro video was already in the can by the time they yanked Blu-ray.

I don't think it's fair to say they've failed. They've introduced a HUGE update that is extremely impressive in almost every other way.

Besides, holding off on Blu-ray gives them something to get an additional round of buying to happen early next year.

I just wish there was a matte display option offered on these new machines.

 

[richlin71]

Read much? It's all over the place. 27" has mini display port IN, 1TB hard drive vs 500gb in the 21.5", faster video card, etc.

the only downside to the video input is that it uses the same external display port. so you'd have to unplug your external display before connecting a video source.

aside from little nits like that - fantastic update!!

 

[TennisandMusic]

The difference clock per clock between Lynnfield and Bloomfield?

The Turbos are more agressive on Lynnfield at a lower platform cost as well. Yes you have to sacrifice the X58 for those PCI-Express lanes but it's 95W for nearly the entire motherboard of support hardware with the onboard memory and PCI-Express controller.

Go look at the benchmarks if you want to see the differences.

The turbo modes are more aggressive, sure. But the 860 i7 is the same price as the i7 920. I wouldn't even consider an i5 unless I was going really budget (which the i5 IS the budget chip).

I think this update is both nice, but disappointing. Every system should have lynnfield. The 21.5 inch model should have the i5's, and the 27's (and 24's! what the heck happened??) should have i7's. They should ALL have better graphics. Easily accessible hard drives. Seriously, why is there no 24 inch model? You either get a small or giant screen?

I've been using Windows 7 and Snow Leopard for awhile side by side...at this point I think Windows 7, while not as nice looking, is far more functional AND fast. At least it feels faster. Plus you can just do so much more with the Windows platform, and I have yet to experience a single problem with it. My snow leopard installs are all pretty crappy feeling. A lot of beach balling, program crashes (mostly apple's own software!) and there is so much I just CAN'T do nearly as well as on windows.

The only thing these iMac's offer is a nice design. They are still impossible to really do any upgrades too outside of memory, and they are hugely expensive for what you get. The i5, i7 stuff they are using is not expensive. I can build a PC that absolutely kills their top of the line model for a thousand bucks. And I am not forced to get a monitor that becomes disposable. I already run dual IPS monitors, why would I want to have another foisted on me? And one that acts as a mirror?

Again....lack of choice (and at this point a pretty crappy OS). It's just fairly insulting how Apple treats their customers and I'm about to leave them as one. Apple needs a real desktop.

 

[chrmjenkins]

I don't think it's fair to say they've failed. They've introduced a HUGE update that is extremely impressive in almost every other way.

Besides, holding off on Blu-ray gives them something to get an additional round of buying to happen early next year.

I just wish there was a matte display option offered on these new machines.

I think you're less likely to see that on a desktop. It begs the question "Why the hell did you put it near a light source?"

 

[SirHaakon]

We want a way to back up large amounts of data for archival/security of important content.

Additionally, many of us would use it for professionally distributing video and large data files.

You can already do this; just buy an external blu-ray burner (or buy an internal and put it in an external case), and plug it in. Works with OS X natively.

What you can't do is watch Blu-ray content on your computer. So, yes, that means you can burn a disc with OS X and then not have a way to play it back. And yes, this is obnoxious.

It's not a matter of "DRM" or "licensing issues" or any number of excuses Apple has given us. It's blatantly obvious that they think it would detract from iTunes sales and thus choose not to cannibalize their own store. Makes sense from a pure business perspective but it's frustrating beyond belief for the consumer.

 

[blackpond]

DisplayPort OUT on the fabled tablet

I wonder what Apple's reasoning is for the DisplayPort In...

... the tablet will have DisplayPort out ?...


I'm really digging the iMac 27" with quad-core i7! Woot!

 

[Eidorian]

Go look at the benchmarks if you want to see the differences.

I did last month. No need to look at them again. There is no difference because they're the same architecture.

The turbo modes are more aggressive, sure. But the 860 i7 is the same price as the i7 920. I wouldn't even consider an i5 unless I was going really budget (which the i5 IS the budget chip).

~$200 is a budget chip now?

 

[Minimoose 360]

WTF! 16x9? Never thought I'd see the day Apple.

 

[Icaras]

Apple actually came through!!!!!! 27 inch monster AND Quad Core!?!?! The only thing that sucks about this update is the wait until November.

That, and the lack of blu-ray, lackluster graphic options, and no price drop. Other than that, I'd say good job Apple

 

[bart4u]

New Screen

I would never buy due to the shinny screen. When is Mac going to learn that most graphic and photographer folks do not want a shinny screen.

 

[dwd3885]

And I am not forced to get a monitor that becomes disposable.

the 27inch monitor does NOT become disposable anymore. You have displayport IN!

 

[balamw]

It MAY be a value (incredible is a stretch) for folks who live and breathe Mac...but for PC/Mac folks like myself or PC-only people thinking about trying or switching, the cheapest Mac (a system, not the Mini) is $1200.

Actually the cheapest new Mac system is $999, The new MacBook.

Have you considered the refurb store? No iMacs there today, but the $1199 iMac will probably go for $999-$1049 there. You can even get a $1200 13" MacBook Pro for $999 there today as an example.

B

 

[Icaras]

Actually the cheapest new Mac system is $999, The new MacBook.

Have you considered the refurb store? No iMacs there today, but the $1199 iMac will probably go for $999-$1049 there. You can even get a $1200 13" MacBook Pro for $999 there today as an example.

B

Have we already forgotten our good friend, the mini?

 

[jmpage2]

Go look at the benchmarks if you want to see the differences.

The turbo modes are more aggressive, sure. But the 860 i7 is the same price as the i7 920. I wouldn't even consider an i5 unless I was going really budget (which the i5 IS the budget chip).

I think this update is both nice, but disappointing. Every system should have lynnfield. The 21.5 inch model should have the i5's, and the 27's (and 24's! what the heck happened??) should have i7's. They should ALL have better graphics. Easily accessible hard drives. Seriously, why is there no 24 inch model? You either get a small or giant screen?

I've been using Windows 7 and Snow Leopard for awhile side by side...at this point I think Windows 7, while not as nice looking, is far more functional AND fast. At least it feels faster. Plus you can just do so much more with the Windows platform, and I have yet to experience a single problem with it. My snow leopard installs are all pretty crappy feeling. A lot of beach balling, program crashes (mostly apple's own software!) and there is so much I just CAN'T do nearly as well as on windows.

The only thing these iMac's offer is a nice design. They are still impossible to really do any upgrades too outside of memory, and they are hugely expensive for what you get. The i5, i7 stuff they are using is not expensive. I can build a PC that absolutely kills their top of the line model for a thousand bucks. And I am not forced to get a monitor that becomes disposable. I already run dual IPS monitors, why would I want to have another foisted on me? And one that acts as a mirror?

Again....lack of choice (and at this point a pretty crappy OS). It's just fairly insulting how Apple treats their customers and I'm about to leave them as one. Apple needs a real desktop.

Only someone with a serious bone to pick with Apple could find fault with this update. The update is fantastic. If it doesn't do it for you then there are obviously plenty of non Apple options available to blow your skirt up.

I've also been running SL and Win-7 side by side for weeks now. No contest, SL beats the tar out of Windows 7, which I still run under Boot Camp for the occasional game or old Windows app that doesn't have an OS X equiv.

 

[Imagineer707]

Apple actually came through!!!!!! 27 inch monster AND Quad Core!?!?! The only thing that sucks about this update is the wait until November.

As promised, I'll forget the lack of Blu-Ray as the Quads have come.

Yeah Tell me about it! I just called and the guy said that is the most up to date info because even he did not know of the new products so he is not sure when in NOV they would actually ship. BUMMER! Maybe they will update that soon when they have more info on est shipping dates. Let's hope!