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Besides ivy bridge, is anything else changing with the iMacs?

Speculation on monitor size?

Hi Hellhammer,

I was wondering if you would like to speculate if there will be any change in monitor size (e.g. 24" and 30" rather than 21.5" and 27")? As others have pointed out, Apple will probably want to stay with the 16:9 aspect ratio. Admittedly I have been lazy and not tried looking myself, but are there really no 24" 16:9 LCD panels out there?

I'm asking this question because personally I find the 21.5" a bit small but the 27" far too big, and I'm hoping that my first Desktop Mac will be something in between. :)

Regards,
AFPBoy
 
So what do you think HellHammer, no redesign for 2012 iMac?

Me personally think so. It already looks so good, making the chin thinner would be disproportional. Making it thicker would be a step back.
Making it gone would be a suicide since there would be no difference between ATD and iMac itself.

We still don't know what Apple has in its sleeve. But to me, the next iMac would be a speed bump, nothing new.
 
AFPBoy said:
Hi Hellhammer,

I was wondering if you would like to speculate if there will be any change in monitor size (e.g. 24" and 30" rather than 21.5" and 27")? As others have pointed out, Apple will probably want to stay with the 16:9 aspect ratio. Admittedly I have been lazy and not tried looking myself, but are there really no 24" 16:9 LCD panels out there?

I'm asking this question because personally I find the 21.5" a bit small but the 27" far too big, and I'm hoping that my first Desktop Mac will be something in between. :)

Regards,
AFPBoy
Click to expand...

There are plenty of 24" 1920x1080 panels out there, although I'm not sure if any of them is IPS (Apple uses IPS panels). 23" is fairly common nowadays and there are IPS versions too (e.g. Dell 2311H).

I doubt we will see an increase because the resolution would be the same. 1080p is 1080p, the size of the monitor doesn't matter. There aren't any 1440p 30" panels either.

iSayuSay said:
So what do you think HellHammer, no redesign for 2012 iMac?

Me personally think so. It already looks so good, making the chin thinner would be disproportional. Making it thicker would be a step back.
Making it gone would be a suicide since there would be no difference between ATD and iMac itself.

We still don't know what Apple has in its sleeve. But to me, the next iMac would be a speed bump, nothing new.
Click to expand...

I don't really see the need for redesign. All Macs are now made out of aluminum, so there is no clear road what would the redesign be like. Even a minor redesign like making the chin smaller will require quite a bit work as the internals have to be redone.
 
Hellhammer said:
I don't really see the need for redesign. All Macs are now made out of aluminum, so there is no clear road what would the redesign be like. Even a minor redesign like making the chin smaller will require quite a bit work as the internals have to be redone.
Click to expand...

no odd?
 
Hellhammer said:
There are plenty of 24" 1920x1080 panels out there, although I'm not sure if any of them is IPS (Apple uses IPS panels). 23" is fairly common nowadays and there are IPS versions too (e.g. Dell 2311H).

I doubt we will see an increase because the resolution would be the same. 1080p is 1080p, the size of the monitor doesn't matter. There aren't any 1440p 30" panels either.



I don't really see the need for redesign. All Macs are now made out of aluminum, so there is no clear road what would the redesign be like. Even a minor redesign like making the chin smaller will require quite a bit work as the internals have to be redone.
Click to expand...
I think apple would want a 24" 1920x1200 panel. Or at least I hope so
 
beosound3200 said:
no odd?
Click to expand...

Space isn't really an issue in iMac. There's already space for 3.5" and 2.5" drives, along with the ODD. Removing the ODD wouldn't change much, so I think it will still be there. Laptops are another case because the space is much more limited.

theSeb said:
I think apple would want a 24" 1920x1200 panel. Or at least I hope so
Click to expand...

Price becomes an issue. 24" 1920x1200 displays go for $400-$500, while 21"-23" 1920x1080 IPS displays are as low as $200.
 
Hellhammer said:
Space isn't really an issue in iMac. There's already space for 3.5" and 2.5" drives, along with the ODD. Removing the ODD wouldn't change much, so I think it will still be there. Laptops are another case because the space is much more limited.
Click to expand...

yes, of course, but im talking about a clear road in future imac redesigns, and it doesnt get much clearer than that. in the end, i dont think apple views it as space-issue, rather as an obsolete component that shouldnt be in there, and if you consider their recent 'digitalization' in software distribution and even in maintaining their lion os - recovery, im inclined to think that in a two-year timeframe there simply wont be a mac with disc drive of any kind, dont you agree? also, to stay on topic, if they remove odd from imac, the result will be a redesign, so a redesign in imac department is happening in previously mentioned two-year timeframe, maybe this year, maybe next year, and yes, redesign doesnt necessarily means a change in looks, do you agree?
 
Hellhammer said:
It's hard to say. Currently, Apple is using Toshiba SSDs in all Macs except MBA (it uses both, Toshiba and Samsung). Toshiba doesn't have a SATA 6Gb/s controller, although it is possible that Apple would be the first to gain access to it. If Apple sticks with Toshiba, then we might see another round of SATA 3Gb/s SSDs. Note that Mac Pro is still SATA 3Gb/s, so it's logical that Apple hasn't switched to SATA 6Gb/s SSDs yet. When/if Mac Pro gets updated, it will also get SATA 6Gb/s. Samsung has a SATA 6Gb/s SSD (830 Series) so that's definitely an option for Apple if Toshiba is out of the game.
Click to expand...

Interesting, well this will definitely be something I look into before I choose BTO or DIY when I purchase my Ivy Bridge iMac!

Hellhammer said:
Most likely not until Broadwell, 2014. Ivy Bridge is quad core so it's doubtful that Haswell would bring hex-core to mainstream market as it will be 22nm as well. I wrote a long piece on this awhile back.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5174/why-ivy-bridge-is-still-quad-core
Click to expand...

Wonderful article, read through the whole thing!
But I want the bragging rights to tell everyone I have a hexcore setup.. :rolleyes:
 
I really hope you are right, all i care about is the 7970M graphic card upgrade and better ssd than the 3 year old toshiba.

beosound3200 said:
no, next gen iMac graphic card will be 7970m (if they dont go with nvidia) which will be based on desktop 7870 (28nm, GCN) so you can expect it will be MUCH faster (30-50%) with 10 watts lower consumption, and if they put ivy bridge in it (95watts -> 77 watts) we'll have much cooler and much faster (in graphics department) machines which could solve black smudges problem, in my opinion worth the wait

so, iMac 2012 (due in april at latest, mark my words, if ivy bridge comes on april 8th, and 7970m also comes out in early Q2, it will be 340 days + from the last refresh, so long overdue, theyll probably come out 10-20 days after ivy bridge release) will have the following (100% sure):

high end model
intel ivy bridge i7-3770 (lower power consumption)
amd hd 7970m (lower power consumption, higher preformance)
4gb ram
lower priced ssd, with 512 GB optional
USB 3.0 (100%, integrated in ivy bridge, even intel says thunderbolt and usb 3 supplement each other, so no-brainer)
Bluetooth 4.0

and possibly a small redesign, but dont count on it

and also, maybe they go with nvidia (kepler, also much better performance, lower power consumption, due in april)

this is not speculation, this is a given, you can count on it, the only thing you cant count on is the redesign, mark my words ;)

bottom line, cooler and faster (graphics) machines in april (at least), but we may be seeing big overhaul that comes out in march and starts shipping in april when ivy bridge comes out, it wouldnt be the first time
Click to expand...
 
beosound3200 said:
yes, of course, but im talking about a clear road in future imac redesigns, and it doesnt get much clearer than that. in the end, i dont think apple views it as space-issue, rather as an obsolete component that shouldnt be in there, and if you consider their recent 'digitalization' in software distribution and even in maintaining their lion os - recovery, im inclined to think that in a two-year timeframe there simply wont be a mac with disc drive of any kind, dont you agree? also, to stay on topic, if they remove odd from imac, the result will be a redesign, so a redesign in imac department is happening in previously mentioned two-year timeframe, maybe this year, maybe next year, and yes, redesign doesnt necessarily means a change in looks, do you agree?
Click to expand...

I agree. Once Apple has their mind set on what technologies are deemed obsolete, then the road map becomes quite clear in all their future product lines.

The Mac Mini is also a desktop machine, yet Apple has done away with the ODD. I'd imagine both iMac and the Macbook Pro are both next in line to get the ODD axed.

What I still don't get is some of the reactions from users who don't want Apple to ditch the optical drive. I mean why? I understand that some folks still need it. But have any of these people never heard of the Apple Superdrive?

MC684


http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC684ZM/A

Note under the requirements: Macbook Air and Mac Mini. If Apple removes the ODD from the iMac, then they'll simply add iMac to that list and people who want their ODD will always have the option. I'm willing to bet that a great percentage of iMac users actually do not use the ODD, regardless if it's inclusion in the iMac design bears minimal impact on it's size. And removing the ODD can certainly give us options for more internal SSD drives even. I'll take that over an ODD.
 
I would love for Apple to redesign the iMac and make it similar to the G4 lamp style. I would love to have a floating 27" IPS display on my desk and it will look damn awesome. :)
 
I'm expecting something like this:

  • 21.5 inch $1199
  • Intel Core i5 3450S 2.8GHz w/ 3.5GHz Turbo
  • AMD Radeon HD 7730M 1GB

  • 21.5 inch $1499
  • Intel Core i5 3470 2.9GHz w/ 3.6GHz Turbo | optional upgrade to i7 3770S 3.1GHz w/ 3.9GHz Turbo
  • AMD Radeon HD 7750M 1GB

  • 27 inch $1699
  • Intel Core i5 3470 2.9GHz w/ 3.6GHz Turbo
  • AMD Radeon HD 7750M 1GB | optional upgrade to 7950M 2GB

  • 27 inch $1999
  • Intel Core i5 3570S 3.1GHz w/ 3.8GHz Turbo | optional upgrade to i7 3770 3.4GHz w/ 3.9GHz Turbo
  • AMD Radeon HD 7970M 2GB

Each model with 4GB 1600MHz RAM and each model will have a 1TB HDD except for the base 21.5 inch iMac which will have a 500GB HDD.

The 7730M and 7750M look to be twice as powerful or more as the 6750M and 6770M, and the 7950M and 7970M will be a significant improvement over the 6970M up to as much as 50% and maybe even more. (These are my estimates from looking at the spec sheet on Wiki and are in no means definitive.)

And with all this improved performance both from the CPU and GPU we'll end up having a system that uses less power than before which is great because it not only means quieter fans and less power consumption, but also that it can be pushed a little more when overclocking.

2012 iMac FTW
 
I would love to see the iMac grow in size to 24" and 30".

iMac 24" @ 2560x1440 ~ 122 ppi
iMac 30" @ 3840x2160 ~ 147 ppi

I know this is a bit unrealistic for the time being considering the cost of manufacturing such displays but i think the next major refresh sould include suc screens.
 
History, OLED displays and Hexacores?

Here's something I don't think anybody's considered.
With the exception of the G3 and G4, the iMacs have had some kind of a design change at most every three updates. Even if it's a small change it's still had one.

G5 to White intel (Slight case redesign)
White intel to Aluminium (Different material)
Aluminium to unibody (Different displays and slightly different case)

Maybe something that incorporates OLED displays or even an interchangeable 2.5 inch hard drive bay. Whatever it has I can only hope they get rid of the disk drive; If we want one we can go external. :)

What would be really awesome, be it unlikely, is if they kept the base model from now and sold it for £799 (Roughly $999). A reincarnation of the eMac.
Maybe they'll do something like that with a MacBook air.

In terms of performance it could be a small bump but it could be more. With these rumours of the Mac Pro being discontinued apple would need to incorporate something much more significant than a 3GHz Quad. Maybe an under-clocked Hexacore i7.

MAX OUT!!!
 
If they removed the ODD from the next design, it would free up quite a bit of space inside the iMac. It wouldn't just allow for a thinner design, it'd allow for the components inside to be really rearranged. There'd be a lot of space in general. Would that space be used to compressed everything into a tighter package? Used to put in another fan? SSD options? Better speakers?

imac2011_inside_08.jpg


I'm kind of hoping they leave the ODD in, but if they take it out, I wouldn't be terribly upset either.
 
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jeremyshaw said:
Apple can then sell more air external SuperDrives to those who will use it :)


Extra profit :D
Click to expand...

Means extra $60 just to have bootcamp windows on a top of $2000 computer.
You dont think that's a bit of extortion? You, as a consumer enjoy that? Hmmm ...

Unless they can put in desktop GPU with enough cooling system after they remove ODD, I dont see any benefit of removing it from adequately spaced desktop computer.
 
beosound3200 said:
yes, of course, but im talking about a clear road in future imac redesigns, and it doesnt get much clearer than that. in the end, i dont think apple views it as space-issue, rather as an obsolete component that shouldnt be in there, and if you consider their recent 'digitalization' in software distribution and even in maintaining their lion os - recovery, im inclined to think that in a two-year timeframe there simply wont be a mac with disc drive of any kind, dont you agree?
Click to expand...

Apple has digitialized their software but there is still plenty of software that comes in DVDs. In two years, I can see this happening as Ultrabooks will be a crucial step to wean people from ODDs. However, I don't see the change happening in the next update, though.

also, to stay on topic, if they remove odd from imac, the result will be a redesign, so a redesign in imac department is happening in previously mentioned two-year timeframe, maybe this year, maybe next year, and yes, redesign doesnt necessarily means a change in looks, do you agree?
Click to expand...

There is no guarantee that there will be a redesign in two years. Previously, Apple did redesigns more often but that was before the iDevice era.

MacOG728893 said:
Wonderful article, read through the whole thing!
But I want the bragging rights to tell everyone I have a hexcore setup.. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

That's pretty much the only use for hex-core setup right now :p

SuperDudeMax said:
In terms of performance it could be a small bump but it could be more. With these rumours of the Mac Pro being discontinued apple would need to incorporate something much more significant than a 3GHz Quad. Maybe an under-clocked Hexacore i7.
Click to expand...

Not a chance. Hex-core would mean a totally new board design because it uses LGA 2011 socket and X79 chipset. The cost of doing that is fairly high, especially if it would be just for high-end. Much easier for Apple to design just two boards (21.5" and 27") and then offer different CPUs that are drop-in parts.

Gadger Snr said:
What about the ability to watch TV through the iMac

Any one think this could be a possibility with the new iMac's in 2012?

I personally feel this would be a good addition to last years model
Click to expand...

I think Apple would have included this already if they had plans to do so. Apple probably believes in iTunes sales anyway.
 
Hellhammer said:
Not a chance. Hex-core would mean a totally new board design because it uses LGA 2011 socket and X79 chipset. The cost of doing that is fairly high, especially if it would be just for high-end. Much easier for Apple to design just two boards (21.5" and 27") and then offer different CPUs that are drop-in parts.
Click to expand...

That's what it took to get a quad core into an iMac back in 2009. Plus it was a redesigned motherboard with the new design.

It's still pretty unlikely though. An user serviceable 2.5 inch hard drive/SSD bay (In my mind anyway) is more likely!
 
SuperDudeMax said:
That's what it took to get a quad core into an iMac back in 2009. Plus it was a redesigned motherboard with the new design.
Click to expand...

Apple was able to re-use the board (or very similar design) in 2010 models, and in fact all iMacs moved to LGA 1156 platform. SNB-E starts at $294 and there won't be any budget LGA 2011 models. LGA 1156 was meant for consumer market but LGA 2011 is strictly enthusiast/professional/server.

It's still pretty unlikely though. An user serviceable 2.5 inch hard drive/SSD bay (In my mind anyway) is more likely!
Click to expand...

Doubtful. Apple makes good profits on the BTO SSDs and a user-serviceable slot would definitely decrease the sales of BTO SSDs. Having as few user-serviceable parts as possible is profitable for Apple, people need to get the upgrades from them.
 
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