August 7th Updates: iMacs, iLife '08, iWork '08, Mac Mini and More...

[Neodym]

Tombstone iMac

I'm not sure how the impression will be once i see the iMac in reality instead of on pictures only. At first glance the design looked sleek and sinister (in an elegant way). At second glance the black frame around the screen and the black Apple logo together looked simply too dark for me - like a tombstone. Some companies are probably already working for a replacement logo in aluminum, silver and (black) chrome...

In any case I'm really looking forward to Kodawarisan's first disassembly of this machine. Should be online within 2 weeks i guess, maybe less

 

[Manic Mouse]

Good set of updates. Seems things are going well at Apple!

 

[Marvy]

Great Event

To all of you, who think the audience was not enthusiastic enough, or that SJ was depressed or something: I recommend you to go look for the media event in Japan, where Steve introduced the new white iBooks. It makes yesterday's event look like a party in comparison. Media events have always been much more dry, with Steve looking a bit lonely up there on stage, like he's the only one excited. But that's what these press-only events are like.
I, for one, found the event to surpass all expectations. I mean, who thought there would be this many software updates? Some even thought iWork and iLife wouldn't be updated until Jan 08. So I think we got more than we asked for.

 

[Manic Mouse]

Is there a stream for the event?

 

[gonnabuyamac]

hmmm... iMac looks familiar

If any of you own a silver RAZR, did you notice that the iMac looks kind of similar: the black around the screen that makes the screen look bigger than it really is. That was my first response: "Hey, it would match my phone!"

 

[jouster]

I just got back from the Easton Apple store. I called ahead to see if they had any 2.8's in stock. "Don't know about the 2.8s" Goes away for a minute. "Yup, plenty" I get there (1 hour drive), and a kid goes back to get one. Several minutes later, he tries to ring me up for a 2.4. Luckily I noticed. He went to the back for Several minutes, comes out: "The 2.8's are Online purchase only."

So much for calling ahead. 1 lost sale Apple.

You're refusing to buy just because a store clerk made a mistake and cost you a couple hours?

 

[ruckus]

thumbs up

I'm pretty happy with the updates today. Quite a bit was announced.

I love the iMac design now.

I'm glad to see the mini take some attention, it'll be around a bit longer

I'm glad .mac got some love too!

The software updates are also welcome.

I was hoping to see some revolutionary ipod changes though. Oh well, can't have it all I guess. Still want to see macbook upgrades too.

 

[misr12]

Numbers for the rest of us

I saw the Numbers demo too. It looked slick but what about the rest of us? Will it support Excel macros for the rest of us! I hope but I don't think it will.... What about PC world Excel formatting too? These are major issues for switchers and co-platform users. I have been a Mac for over 12 years. I won't get real excited until I see cross platform file formatting compatibility.... If it supports these features then it is truly an Office Suite for the rest of us!

 

[aafuss1]

Flickr ilife photos

It seems that the Flicke iLife photos linked in the article are gone.

 

[MacPanda]

honestly unimpressed

okay i was expected some nice updates to lineup. The third gen imac is not my cup of tea, in terms on design i truely loved the first gen g3 ones with their cute retro look and the lamp edition the second generation.
They went from having the world's most flexible computer screen to a nasty hinge which is what they use in the current models of the imac. I don't understand why the screen need to be so glossy as it gives too much unnecessary glare and yes the colours will be polished and vivid but not true colours.

The update to the mac mini is simply pathetic to say the least. I understand it is bare basic machine but really they shouldn't cripple it with 950 chipset and give people a decent graphics card like they should do in the macbook too. Even the ibook had a decent graphics card, since apple got in bed with intel the whole integrated graphics issue has arisen. I personally feel this was put together at the last minute.

I am in the market for a new machine and nothing really impresses me. The imac is glossy so that is a no to me, i mind as well just get a mac mini and a matte screen.

Someone earlier said tell me about great hardware that apple produced and isn't producing any more: look at the 2nd gen imac, look at the titanium powerbook look at the 1st g4 based mac mini - all great products.

 

[zwida]

Is there a stream for the event?

It's linked directly from Apple.com's front page.

 

[JC4]

You're refusing to buy just because a store clerk made a mistake and cost you a couple hours?

Yup. I'm an idiot that way. I can sit on my current machines till the next round of updates.

If I had just showed up and found out the 2.8's were online purchase only, it wouldn't have been an issue. But, I specifically asked for the 2.8 model when I called. He even left the phone for a couple minutes to check on that model. It's not a big deal, just a couple hours, but I won't reward them with a purchase. It's my only means of protest, since the kid in the store went diving to answer a phone call when I complained(not yell, just state what I heard on the phone). Their loss not mine, I really don't NEED another iMac, it was a WANT. I'll just take the same cash and go buy a Camera lens or some other toy.

 

[Lesser Evets]

I was very happy with today's updates. Once Leopard is out I will buy the new 24" iMac. Looks great.

Regarding iLife...

I read this: "Using iWeb '08, you can embed dynamic web widgets like Google Maps, Google AdSense, Web Gallery albums, or HTML snippets in your .Mac site."

Does anyone know if an html snippet could be a shopping cart of PayPal purchase button? Could you sell something you created on your webpage?

I found this update was a kind of cleaning up where Jobs released stuff we expected in April and June. Good, but just expected stuff.

As for PAYPAL, I am not sure they offer that, but it isn't hard at all to insert a PAYPAL button into a website:

Go to PAYPAL, they walk you through. It gives you the code. Copy it into the code where you want on your website (you need to edit the html in a script program if you don;t have a proper web editing program). There it is.

Simple. I figured out how to program websites this past month because I couldn;t wait for Steve's loafy ass and another sloppy iWeb application. Is this program going to be WYSIWYG yet??

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Prediction accuracy

I just want to know if anyone else who made a prediction got as close as I did:

Let's just see how close this comes ...

$1199
20"
2.2GHz
1GB RAM (up to 4gb)
250GB HD
SuperDrive
8600 - 128MB

$1499
20"
2.4GHz
2GB RAM
400GB HD (or 500GB)
SuperDrive
8600GT - 256

$1799
24"
2.4GHz
2GB RAM
400GB HD (or 500GB)
SuperDrive
8600GT - 256

Price and screen sizes were right on, but that was given to us in rumors, as were brushed metal, redesign, etc, so as for what wasn't mentioned:

Guessed Right:
• SuperDrive across the line
• Video card memory sizes
• Low end lesser video card, mid and high end better video card
• Processor speeds in the two high end models (low end is 2.0GHz instead of 2.2)
• Low end hard drive 250GB while mid and high share same increased hard drive size (I guesed 400GB but Apple went with a more mediocre 320GB)
• 1GB RAM in the low end

Ram sizes were off -- would have never thought Apple would leave 1GB across the line, but they DID upgrade to one single 1GB stick instead of 2x512MB, making upgrading to 2 or 3GB total easy by only buying one memory stick and not having to pull anything

All in all, pretty close predictions. You all just remember ImAlwaysRight.

 

[nbhms]

Things that make you go "bleah".

Before anyone flames me for this post as trolling or being anti-Apple . . . I've owned Apple since Apple II+. Currently own an Intel iMac and a PowerMacG4. I've been wanting to upgrade the G4 to an Intel Mac for over a year now, but Apple doesn't provide the machine I need/want. I was hoping they'd provide it with this update, but they didn't.

I think maybe the "letdown" in this update is not so much about the shiny new exterior, or the internal update or lack of update. It's how this update compares to the refresh that happened when Apple switched to Intel.

In the last few years, with the Mac Mini, the low end 17" iMac, the switch to Intel, bootcamp, etc, it looked like Apple was making moves to recapture market share and make the Mac for "everyone". And it was working - Apple has gained ground in the last few years.

Fast forward to Summer of 2007. I will agree that the new iMac and the iPhones are industry leader products. But I don't like what's insinuated by what's not there. To me it looks like Apple is making a return to the expensive "status symbol" computers and consumer devices. I don't see any other explanation for the drop of the 17" model and the neglect given the Mac Mini.

I'm worried Apple has found their niche where they can sell a premium device to a select market and make a profit, and are happy there.

More points backing this up:

1. Courting id, Epic, etc to port their graphics intesive game engines to Mac OS X, and providing outdated, middle of the road, NON UPGRADEABLE graphics cards in all but the highest end machine - does not make sense.
2. Providing a RAID option at $999. Come on Apple, I can buy PC motherboards with SATA RAID5 built in for less than $100. Yes, I know that card is better, but once again, give us CHOICE. It shouldn't be "all out premium or nothing".
3. 4GB in the new iMac is $850. 4GB from a reputable online retailer is $250. Yes I know Apple needs to make their markup, but come on, really.
4. Leave in the 17" iMac. Not everyone wants a 20" or wants to pay for it. And don't answer "mac mini" unless you give a comparable graphics card in the mini. CHOICE.
5. Why can I choose a 250GB drive for drive 1 on a Mac pro, but 2,3,4 can only be 500 or 750? At 3X the cost of the same drive retail I might add?Especially if you are providing a RAID card now and I will probably want all 4 drives matching. Come on Apple, CHOICE?
6. Part of the promise of going to Intel was faster/better updates. It didn't even take a year for this hope to disappear.

Give me a Mac mini with max 4GB RAM, upgradeable GPU, and Firewire 800 - and I'd buy tomorrow.

nbhms

 

[d-macuser]

Still Hesitant On The iMac

First post here in Mac Forums, and while I've always been positive and supportive about Mac products, I'm a little hesitant in embracing the iMac updates.

I have been interested in this update since it's speculation and am disappointed in two specific areas:

1. Video Card: If you're going to be selling a 24" monitor with the iMac I think you should be releasing a very capable video card. This can't be said for the ATI 2600HD. I think there should have at least been an upgrade option for a better card. This has always been a knock on Apple, and the iMac particularly, why they continue to ignore it is beyond me.

2. Memory: This is slightly dampered by the fact that the memory should be easily upgradable, but Apple is really sticking it to the customer on this front. By saying "We would prefer you to upgrade it because we really can't make much profit in a competitive memory market" just puts the business first, and is a little disappointing from a customer perspective. I also believe that if you think that 1gb of memory is suitable for a 24" computer that costs over 2 grand, you're seeing this upgrade through rose-coloured glasses.


I think the iMac debate is one based on perspective. If you're expecting desktop performance, you won't get it. If you're looking for attractive thin design at the price of a well equipped portable, you'll get it.

The main issue I'm currently juggling is my love for Mac software and the ability to build a 24" PC that would outperform a iMac by close to three times at the same price.

 

[MrCrowbar]

Give me a Mac mini with max 4GB RAM, upgradeable GPU, and Firewire 800 - and I'd buy tomorrow.

nbhms

4 GB RAM would be feasible I guess, but upgradable GPU is a no go since it's an integrated chip for size and heat reasons. It's perfectly fine for 2D graphics and hight def Video playback. Firewire 800 doesn't make much sense for consumers. It makes sense for people having a High Def camcorder that has FW800 output. The mini just doens't have the horsepower to handle (edit, reencode) high def material in a not frustrating way anyway. That's what iMacs are for. Especially now, the iMacs are a far better deal than the minis. I'd buy a $400 2GHz Mini right now.

Choice is actually bad if there's too much of it. You know what you want, but a lot of people actually go to best buy or whatever and let non tech savvy people give them advice what computer to buy because there's just too much choice. The dell online store is horrible, even if you know exactly what you want. You have to customize different systems to your liking because the price is different (for the same thing, from the same store). I'd personally go for the low end 24" iMac once leopard is out. It comes with one 1GB SO-DIMM so I can take any off the shelf 2GB SO-DIMM and put it in the second slot. I didn't waste money like if there were 2 512 SO-DIMMs in there.

If you want choice, build your own PC and put your chose operating system on it. OSX is too integrated with the Mac hardware to make sense on a homebrew system. If you love OSX too much, get the high end stuff and add peripherals.

 

[gmanrique]

just an explanation...

the intention was not to sound hot headed, so I hope no hard feelings.

What I don't understand is your statement of Apple getting cheaper prices by using laptop parts instead of real desktop parts. That is quite the opposite.

Added Note: Also, what is that 'cutting cost' thing by not including a real keyboard with the iMac? I did not know the newly designed keyboard was virtual and no real.

And then, in your answer to my post, you said that you care first about software, second about hardware, yet, yesterday's keynote showed a huge advance in software, not so much in hardware, and you are not that happy with the announcement and the poor show on innovation. Maybe it is a matter of opinion since I found the new iMac really nice and price worthy, and the software even more attractive (I already order both, iLife and iWork).

To me, it sounds a little contradictory, but maybe it is just me. So, as I said before, no hard feelings.

I think I know what I am talking about very well. I think what I am saying is more of an opinion based on what I see than a fact. You have to watch what you say before you come off sounding like hot head ready to explode if someone talks bad about Apple.

I love the company... I love the software first... hardware second... so pretty computers aren't going to get my money. I need the software first and foremost then I need the software to work on what ever I put it on. My G5 has just as many cords sticking out the back of it as the PC photo does on the website. That's besides the point however. I want Apple to make breakthrough tech like they did in the past... updates that did make your jaw drop. The keynote was boring because everyone expected everything. it wasn't anything new at all, and the design was more of a "Huh" than a "Wow" so people just turned their heads slightly to the side trying to figure out what Steve was trying to do with this new Mac. People will get used to the new design, just like the first chin G5 iMac, and people will get used to the keyboard.... since it is out... I will get used to it eventually, especially when I get my Mac Pro.... but these updates were far too late and far to uninspired to be anything worth applauding...

It's like waiting for a late bus. The bus driver may be happy to pick you up and get on his way, but you were the one waiting in the cold rain.

 

[Jimmdean]

The main issue I'm currently juggling is my love for Mac software and the ability to build a 24" PC that would outperform a iMac by close to three times at the same price.

I used to think like that, but you really have to change your way of thinking. The iMac is really so unique that you just can't compare it to regular PCs. Even if you were running Windows on it, the form factor and coolness of it more than make up for the perceived performance hit (not to mention the complete lack of a tower).
That said, you also have to migrate away from the idea that mathmatical superiority in some way leads to a better computing experience - that is an utter fallacy that Microsoft has been trying to get people to buy into for 2 decades now.
There is really only one reason not to buy one of these iMacs, and that is heavy gaming. If you only game lightly or don't game at all, you will enjoy an iMac immensely...

 

[johnee]

Let's Sing a Song!!!

Its good to see apple doing something with the computer line.
I mean, it's not all iphones and ipods....

hey, that's a pretty good song :

Its not all iphones and ipods...
the sun will come out again one day
its not all iphones and ipods...
I'm sticking with apple... hooray!

For I seriously doubted the masters
cause all of their focus was taken awayyyyyyyy:
they came out with a new phone and some ipods...
and i pointed to my 'puter with a "hey!!!"

and then SJ looked at me and said "son, we're not through... I have one more thing...."

(SJ singing and dancing: )
Its not all iphones and ipods...
the sun will come out again one day
its not all iphones and ipods...
We're doing stuff to the mac... hooray!

 

[MrCrowbar]

The main issue I'm currently juggling is my love for Mac software and the ability to build a 24" PC that would outperform a iMac by close to three times at the same price.

Average 24" displays are not that cheap. There are cheap ones, but seriously, you don't want that. The ones in the (1st gen Intel) iMacs aren't bad at all.

I agree the iMac is not that much of a desktop computer in terms of performance. At least it has a desktop CPU (but with laptop RAM...). Think of it as a nice, quiet (can't stress that enough) laptop with a big ass screen. To me, having a quiet computer is important. What would you use super performance for anyway? Get a cheap Dell and pimp it out if you're a gamer. 3D editing? Get a bunch of Mac Pros. Need something to encode your movies for your iPhone/iPod? Elgate has that neat USB thingie for 100 bucks that does it 3-4 times faster than your CPU.

Leopard is one great step ahead of Tiger in terms of performance and sheer speed. Just wait until October.

 

[spine]

dot mac?

Does anyone know - can I publish my dotmac galleries to my own URL?
Or will I need to link it from my iWeb site?

 

[MrCrowbar]

I used to think like that, but you really have to change your way of thinking. The iMac is really so unique that you just can't compare it to regular PCs. Even if you were running Windows on it, the form factor and coolness of it more than make up for the perceived performance hit (not to mention the complete lack of a tower).
That said, you also have to migrate away from the idea that mathmatical superiority in some way leads to a better computing experience - that is an utter fallacy that Microsoft has been trying to get people to buy into for 2 decades now.
There is really only one reason not to buy one of these iMacs, and that is heavy gaming. If you only game lightly or don't game at all, you will enjoy an iMac immensely...

Couldn't have said it better. I loved my intel iMac; quite, elegant, powerful enough. There are mathematically better PC out there, but it's not as far as enjoyable. Kinda like a rally car and a Lexus hybrid. The rally car has awesome acceleration and can do laps in record time. But the hybrid is nice and quiet, no gears to shift, entertainment system, leather seats, air conditioning etc. it's just more comfortable. The rally car is cool for your occasional racing, but the other one is nicer for day-to-day transit. Back to computers: the $2000 gaming PC is great for occasional gaming, the 24" iMac is a joy to use every day.

 

[grouse]

remote

so where did it go?






is it now in the back row?

 

[Nepenthe]

no satisfaction

I think it's hilarious that "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the 'Stones was playing during the opening of the video for this event. It's very fitting when you think about how much whining goes on after these Apple product announcements.