This is typically where we start to hear about how the high quality IPS panels on the iMac are over rated and all you need is a $149 monitor that you pick up at Walmart.
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Apple Releases Updated iMac Models With 21.5- and 27-Inch LED Screens
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This is typically where we start to hear about how the high quality IPS panels on the iMac are over rated and all you need is a $149 monitor that you pick up at Walmart.
took the plunge
been waiting for this refresh. the most processor intense stuff I do is daw (logic with mostly NI plugins) which my mbp handles without too much difficulty so i think the imac should do fine. here's what I ordered:
MAC 27"
With the following configuration:
PROCESSOR 2.8GHZ QUAD-CORE INTEL CORE I7
MEMORY 8GB 1066MHZ DDR3 SDRAM - 4X2GB
HARD DRIVE 1TB SERIAL ATA DRIVE
GRAPHICS ATI RADEON HD 4850 512MB
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X DOUBLE-LAYER SUPERDRIVE
MOUSE APPLE MAGIC MOUSE
Ships: November
APP FOR IMAC $119.00
Ships: within 24 hours
Delivers: Oct 21 - Oct 26
Total Price
$2,574.21
I got all excited when I saw the ship date of Oct 21-26, then I realized that was for Applecare and the Imac still ships in November. Starts holding breath now...
been waiting for this refresh. the most processor intense stuff I do is daw (logic with mostly NI plugins) which my mbp handles without too much difficulty so i think the imac should do fine. here's what I ordered:
MAC 27"
With the following configuration:
PROCESSOR 2.8GHZ QUAD-CORE INTEL CORE I7
MEMORY 8GB 1066MHZ DDR3 SDRAM - 4X2GB
HARD DRIVE 1TB SERIAL ATA DRIVE
GRAPHICS ATI RADEON HD 4850 512MB
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X DOUBLE-LAYER SUPERDRIVE
MOUSE APPLE MAGIC MOUSE
Ships: November
APP FOR IMAC $119.00
Ships: within 24 hours
Delivers: Oct 21 - Oct 26
Total Price
$2,574.21
I got all excited when I saw the ship date of Oct 21-26, then I realized that was for Applecare and the Imac still ships in November. Starts holding breath now...
I can see why the margins are lower this time around. It's all in the displays. The display costs more than the rest of the hardware combined.
Sadly you HAVE to buy the display when you pay for the iMac whether you like it or not.
For those of you complaining about bluray I have a solution for you...
Get one of these and tape it to the back
http://www.techcurse.com/2008/10/17/amex-portable-blu-ray-burner-for-your-new-mac/
That's actually not a bad option, but Apple needs to put software support in 1st.
LED backlit screen 21.5 screen ; 4GB RAM ; faster processor ; for $ 110 less than previous 20" here in Japan . That alone was enough to get me to make the switch from PC . Add the new wireless mouse + wireless keyboard and I am an even happier camper . Sayonara Windows !
I can see why the margins are lower this time around. It's all in the displays. The display costs more than the rest of the hardware combined.
Sadly you HAVE to buy the display when you pay for the iMac whether you like it or not.
All I know is that there is no display like the new 27" available, even in bulk for anywhere south of $1000.
Basically you are paying about $500 for the "computer" part of the 27" iMac, which actually isn't a bad deal if you want a super high end display anyway.
I think it will be very interesting to get reviews on the i5 and i7 machines in another month or so.
I will give them another six months to iron out bugs and give some tasty new video card options, etc, for the Spring refresh and then plunk down for one.
My only other sticking point is the glossy display. I was really hoping to see some additional matte display love after they offered it on the 15 and 17 MBP.
I must live right because I've never lost a hard drive in a mac and I've owned them since they first came out in the Mac SE. I usual get around 10 years out of them before I upgrade, I use them daiy and usually don't turn them off. I've only bought Apple Care one time with my current MBP and still haven't had a need for it two years later.
For me, the statement, "It just works", has been an unbroken rule since 1984.
I can not deny that it's nice display. It's just the hardware attached to it that's dragged along like a second thought. Then again how many users care about the hardware under the hood?
(Oh wait this is Apple!)I'm fighting it out down here in the 24" TN/IPS area for my next display. I will have Homeworld at 1600 x 1200. 16:9 be damned.
Kind of disappointed that they didn't keep a 24" model as the range imo, is quite big. 20-24" fine, but 21"-27"...
The 27" looks fantastic but on my el cheapo student desk, it wouldn't fit. My 24" does the job just fine and for the work that I do, quad core won't make a difference at all.
The pricing is nice too with the bonus of extra ram & HD but I guess that was to be expected after some time.
The 27" looks fantastic but on my el cheapo student desk, it wouldn't fit. My 24" does the job just fine and for the work that I do, quad core won't make a difference at all.
The pricing is nice too with the bonus of extra ram & HD but I guess that was to be expected after some time.
I'm happy with this update in almost every way, but I'm going to have to add myself to the "too big" lot.
Every time I see a 24" iMac in a household environment, it always looks huge compared to everything else. Now it's 3" bigger. I might be a minority, but I don't think bigger is always better.
Every time I see a 24" iMac in a household environment, it always looks huge compared to everything else. Now it's 3" bigger. I might be a minority, but I don't think bigger is always better.
I can not deny that it's nice display. It's just the hardware attached to it that's dragged along like a second thought. Then again how many users care about the hardware under the hood?
I'm fighting it out down here in the 24" TN/IPS area for my next display. I will have Homeworld at 1600 x 1200. 16:9 be damned.
Dell still makes really good IPS-based 1600x1200 20" displays. Ah...4:3. I'm still using 2 - 20" 1600x1200 IPS displays from Dell. Perfectly happy.
Play blu-ray on the Mac using windows?
I didn't think of this, but can you buy an external Blu-ray drive and then playback discs using parallels etc. on windows?
Also someone mentioned you can playback blu-ray on OS X using VLC is this true?
I didn't think of this, but can you buy an external Blu-ray drive and then playback discs using parallels etc. on windows?
Also someone mentioned you can playback blu-ray on OS X using VLC is this true?
Well my current monitor isn't dead and it has PIP. PIP is so useful for me. I want 1920 x 1200 too. I can just stretch those old 1600 x 1200 games.
I can not deny that it's nice display. It's just the hardware attached to it that's dragged along like a second thought. Then again how many users care about the hardware under the hood?
I'm fighting it out down here in the 24" TN/IPS area for my next display. I will have Homeworld at 1600 x 1200. 16:9 be damned.
Will you please just get over it? You were going on and on for over two weeks about how Apple won't put quad core in the iMac. Now that they do you are bagging on the prices.
If you are a fan of Apple you should be excited that for the 1st time Apple is using multiple chipset/motherboard configurations in a single chassis. This means that the switch to all quad core next year is almost certainly a sure thing.
If you still don't see the $$ value of Apple design and software then simply don't buy one, or build yourself a Hackentosh. I'm seriously tired of your constant comparison between crappy home built rigs and iMacs. The comparison just doesn't wash. For extra credit why don't you line up the new iMacs to competitors all-in-ones and realize that the iMacs are only marginally more expensive and offer displays that blow the doors off of anything the competition has.
Funny People
I've been following this forum all evening, nothing better to do. Some of it has been funny and some people have been doing a great job of irritating others. As most seem to agree you cannot satisfy everyone, Either you like MAC or not like MAC. You like the options or not like the selection of options. It is what it is. No one is forcing any one to buy. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. If you are going to trash MAC then you have to trash M$ as well. We really don't have too many choices. Apple computers were designed from the beginning as great graphic machines and PCs were designed as word based machines. MACs are not great gamers but out of this world graphic machines and for graphic designers/artists. Just saw a show on the building of the new Rolls Royce and they were using MACs to design them albeit MAC Pros. Every graphic designer I know uses a MAC as do most photographers I know. Some PCs yes but mostly MACs. I had a wedding photography business and for the last 3 years used a MacBook Pro with great success. Buy the computer you need to suit your purpose. I've switched to the MAC and am not looking back.
I've been following this forum all evening, nothing better to do. Some of it has been funny and some people have been doing a great job of irritating others. As most seem to agree you cannot satisfy everyone, Either you like MAC or not like MAC. You like the options or not like the selection of options. It is what it is. No one is forcing any one to buy. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. If you are going to trash MAC then you have to trash M$ as well. We really don't have too many choices. Apple computers were designed from the beginning as great graphic machines and PCs were designed as word based machines. MACs are not great gamers but out of this world graphic machines and for graphic designers/artists. Just saw a show on the building of the new Rolls Royce and they were using MACs to design them albeit MAC Pros. Every graphic designer I know uses a MAC as do most photographers I know. Some PCs yes but mostly MACs. I had a wedding photography business and for the last 3 years used a MacBook Pro with great success. Buy the computer you need to suit your purpose. I've switched to the MAC and am not looking back.
27 pages
Would like to ask two questions:
1) Will it be possible to replace the graphics card of the base iMac 21.5" at a later stage?
2) Similar to the above, is it possible to upgrade to SSD HD after a year or so?
Cheers
Would like to ask two questions:
1) Will it be possible to replace the graphics card of the base iMac 21.5" at a later stage?
2) Similar to the above, is it possible to upgrade to SSD HD after a year or so?
Cheers
Well my current monitor isn't dead and it has PIP. PIP is so useful for me. I want 1920 x 1200 too. I can just stretch those old 1600 x 1200 games.
Fair enough. FYI, the 20" does PIP too. I can understand wanting the larger display, bloated game characters notwithstanding.
I want one but...
I'm still using my G5 17" at home because I mainly use my PC provided at work. I want a new 27" i7 to use Logic and lay down some tracks but, NO Blu-ray. Why? All you folks saying "optical media is dead" are just being ridiculous and drinking the Kool-Aid. Whether or not Blu-ray is going to be "dead" in 1 year or 5, the fact of the matter is that is the BEST way to enjoy a movie, period. For those who have a proper home theater set-up, you will know that no other source provides the same video quality, that cannot be debated. Watching upscaled DVDs at 2560x1440 (or even Apple's HD-Lite 720p) will not be fun. I have a expansive Blu-ray library- just give me a damn option. It's my money to pay so let ME, the consumer/end user decide if I want a "bag of hurt" in my computer. Why is Apple always trying to dictate what users want? At least the PC world gives you options. Your money should = your choice.
Until a streamed or downloaded file can approach the bitrate and video quality of a well mastered Blu-ray, I would never waste a dime downloading any of that trash. Besides, I can't get uncompressed sound (LPCM, DTHD or DTS-HD MA) nor the nice bonus features. If you're a movie buff, Blu-ray is the only way.
Core i7 is sweet though and so is the max amount of ram. I like the design but give us a numeric keypad standard- not as a BTO albeit free option. Also, Apple needs a line-level out stereo audio jack- currently it's either amplified headphone or optical. The remote should be standard too. Nice looking computer though and thank goodness that stupid chin is gone. I'm staring at the huge white chin on my hot running loud fan blowing G5 now (long live PowerPC)
I'm still using my G5 17" at home because I mainly use my PC provided at work. I want a new 27" i7 to use Logic and lay down some tracks but, NO Blu-ray. Why? All you folks saying "optical media is dead" are just being ridiculous and drinking the Kool-Aid. Whether or not Blu-ray is going to be "dead" in 1 year or 5, the fact of the matter is that is the BEST way to enjoy a movie, period. For those who have a proper home theater set-up, you will know that no other source provides the same video quality, that cannot be debated. Watching upscaled DVDs at 2560x1440 (or even Apple's HD-Lite 720p) will not be fun. I have a expansive Blu-ray library- just give me a damn option. It's my money to pay so let ME, the consumer/end user decide if I want a "bag of hurt" in my computer. Why is Apple always trying to dictate what users want? At least the PC world gives you options. Your money should = your choice.
Until a streamed or downloaded file can approach the bitrate and video quality of a well mastered Blu-ray, I would never waste a dime downloading any of that trash. Besides, I can't get uncompressed sound (LPCM, DTHD or DTS-HD MA) nor the nice bonus features. If you're a movie buff, Blu-ray is the only way.
Core i7 is sweet though and so is the max amount of ram. I like the design but give us a numeric keypad standard- not as a BTO albeit free option. Also, Apple needs a line-level out stereo audio jack- currently it's either amplified headphone or optical. The remote should be standard too. Nice looking computer though and thank goodness that stupid chin is gone. I'm staring at the huge white chin on my hot running loud fan blowing G5 now (long live PowerPC
)
They're starshpsin Homeworld. ;_;Fair enough. FYI, the 20" does PIP too. I can understand wanting the larger display, bloated game characters notwithstanding.
If I were going to purchase a second graphic station for my design biz, these new iMacs would probably be at the top of my list. Looks like a great package for basic print and web site development.
Once the economy turns around, who knows, I may hire a new designer. At that point there should be some decent iMac reviews out (not to mention some upgrades by Apple). The idea of a very capable work station at under $1500 is very good news to me.
All in all, a very appealing iMac update from my perspective.
Once the economy turns around, who knows, I may hire a new designer. At that point there should be some decent iMac reviews out (not to mention some upgrades by Apple). The idea of a very capable work station at under $1500 is very good news to me.
All in all, a very appealing iMac update from my perspective.
Ram
I checked on the options on the Apple site and I see that now, if you opt for 8gb, they give you the choice of 4 2gb (i.e. filling all four slots) or 2 4gbs, so two remain open for later upgrades. Good news. I recently upgraded the ram on my current imac (the one from last year, which was 2 and 2, in 2 slots) so when you upgrade the extra 2gb goes to waste.
So..if I want to upgrade to this new imac.... My computer says what I have now are 4gb ddr3 1067 mhz, and the specs for the new one say 1066 mhz. Does this mean that I can't move my brand new extra 4gb into the new imac???
I checked on the options on the Apple site and I see that now, if you opt for 8gb, they give you the choice of 4 2gb (i.e. filling all four slots) or 2 4gbs, so two remain open for later upgrades. Good news. I recently upgraded the ram on my current imac (the one from last year, which was 2 and 2, in 2 slots) so when you upgrade the extra 2gb goes to waste.
So..if I want to upgrade to this new imac.... My computer says what I have now are 4gb ddr3 1067 mhz, and the specs for the new one say 1066 mhz. Does this mean that I can't move my brand new extra 4gb into the new imac???