G5 iMac?

[rdowns]

I agree, if they take the approach of maxing the iMac out as much as possible for the new form factor, then I would be very happy to see a form factor that allowed them to basically put a maxed out single processor G5PB into the new iMac. To keep this unit smaller though I doubt it will have any readily accessibly parts, expansion slots etc

My parents are also on hold to switch to macs, pending what happens to the iMac...

Talk about timing. My parents were at my house yesterday for Mother's Day along with my brother and his kids. Took a ton of digital pics of the kids and then we all huddled around my Mac. Plugged in the camera, clicked import and then publish to a .Mac site. All were in awe. My father then asked when I was upgrading and giving him my computer (as I have promised) so he could do stuff like this. His Performa with 32MB and OS 8.6 just isn't cutting it. I replied, when Apple finally releases a G5 iMac, he'll have my computer within a week. I showed them some cool OS X stuff also. After talking about what a G5 iMac would likely be, he told me to order him one when I order mine.

Please let this rumor be true.

 

[rdowns]

I know people are saying that the imac was updated in Nov (I think) but processor speeds haven't been updated for longer - was it September? Can't remember.

Anyway, G5 imac = good thing.

Slapping a 20" LCD on an exisitng CPU is hardly an upgrade in my book. Regardless of the last CPU speed bump, the new eMac makes the current line look anemic.

 

[appleface]

headless

1) Are they going to make a headless iMac?

2) Are they going to allow it to be upgradeable?

These are 2 weaknesses of the current iMac's sellability.

is the headless imac wonderful because you don't need to buy an expense apple lcd to go with your computer or because you don't need to buy an expensive apple lcd to go with you computer and the computer is beautifully designed? if the former is true, it seems like you could get a refurb, last gen, pm. the low ends (1.6 with dvd-burner) are $1400 right now through apple. (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...sVN/0.0.7.1.0.5.13.0.3.0.0.0.0.3.1.1.0?117,21). if the latter is true, then i'm with you; a headless imac would be appreciated.

maybe steve still has nightmares about the cube.

 

[chasingapple]

Bring it on! Good for the future buyers of iMacs!

 

[Abstract]

The next iMac upgrade won't be completely to the G5. It'll be:

17" G4 1.5 GHz iMac with combo drive
17" G4 1.5 Ghz iMac with superdrive.
20" G4 1.5 GHz iMac with superdrive.
20" G5 1.6 GHz iMac with superdrive.

 

[virividox]

i hope they release the pm g5, imac g5, and pbg5 in quick succession, maybe the pb g5 1 month after

 

[aswitcher]

The next iMac upgrade won't be completely to the G5. It'll be:

17" G4 1.5 GHz iMac with combo drive
17" G4 1.5 Ghz iMac with superdrive.
20" G4 1.5 GHz iMac with superdrive.
20" G5 1.6 GHz iMac with superdrive.

They can't possibly fit a G5 in the current form factor from what people have said about cooling and motherboard issues. Which begs the question, why keep the G4?

I take it this is a guess on your part?

 

[aswitcher]

After talking about what a G5 iMac would likely be, he told me to order him one when I order mine.

Please let this rumor be true.

Yeah, a maxed out G5iMac will be pretty sweet

 

[reyesmac]

I think Apple knows the iMac is dead without a G5 in it.
1) Are they going to make a headless iMac?
2) Are they going to allow it to be upgradeable?
These are 2 weaknesses of the current iMac's sellability.

I think if you expect Apple to do those things you are in for a disappointment. The G5 iMac will probably be a 1.6 G5. So it will only be an average speed-bump. If they put a 2ghz G5 inside it will only be on the $2,000+ model so no big deal there. The iMac will always be a year or two behind in speed compared to the Powermac.
A headless iMac would be introduced as a completely different computer line. The upgradability will be the same with the exception of ram.
When the G5 iMac will come out it will be a nice deal. But it will soon become no big deal because they wont keep updating it, just like the current iMac is. The price should still be the same for it, even if it was a hundred less it wont matter after about 4 months.
All of this may sound like I hate the iMac but I think if Apple just advertises the thing more and shows what a decent computer it is it would sell more. But they don't bother so I wont either.

 

[centauratlas]

On Tuesday...

They'll be out on Tuesday. (Not necessarily THIS Tuesday of course).

 

[thatwendigo]

I knew I'd have to do this before WWDC...

To answer some of the common questions, from a commons sense standpoint, as well as a bit of reading:

The G5 chip and support systems:

1. At current design and performance, the G5 1.6 adds far more heat than the G4, but without an appreciable rise in performance. Even the 970FX doesn't do much to fix this, nor does using a G5 1.8ghz.
2. The redesign would still be space-constrained, meaning it's extremely unlikely that more than two RAM slots would be available, and that kills a huge part of the advantage of the 64-bit processor.
3. PCI, PCI-X, or an atual AGP slot would mean a much bigger enclosure, largely killing the small form factor and elegance.
4. Heat to performance, the G4 is more efficient. 1.5Gh at 12-14 watts, versus 1.6ghz at 18-20w, with the 7447A basically keeping up. Until 64-bit math becomes common in consumer machines, this is a pointless and somewhat backwards decision.
5. Increasing the RAM speed, graphics card, and other systems on top of the chip means even more heat... Good luck getting rid of it.

Headlessness/Upgradability:

1. There's little point to this, unless Apple is planning on just making a minitower case, because expandability would be so limited. If they're going to make a consumer minitower, they might as well kill the iMac outright and do it right.
2. The form factor in current use would have to be severely altered to allow it to be upgraded, resulting in a complete redesign, rather than just a motherboard change. This is assuming that they come up with a way to remove the heat without significantly raising the noise level.

Price:

1. Short of a manufacturing miracle, there isn't going to be a cheaper iMac. They're going to be using newer parts, and while the G5 supposedly costs less per unit than the G4, the other aspects will certainly make up for that.
2. A removable display will be ridiculously expensive, barring another miracle. LCDs are already somewhat expensive when compared to regular monitors, but such a custom one will almost certainly be even more. Also... Just how are you expecting there to be a cordless LCD? Cheap?

 

[MhzDoesMatter]

A G5 in an iMac would have nothing to do with marketing. Potential customers don't know the difference between a g5 and a g4. They don't know that a g4 is considered a lesser chip to the macworld. Because no one knows anything about technology besides what they are told. And since what little marketing Apple does says the iMac is still good, then thats all they know.

Stop thinking the general (dare i say normal) public follows the development of a microprocessor like their mortgage interest rates. The rest of the world doesn't think like MacRumors readers. And no one buys a mac for its processor.

-Hertz

 

[Skypat]

Anyway, the next generation iMac (G5) will have to be different : news design, cooler looks (the current line is too cold); as attractive as the first generation was and less expensive than today's iMacs.

G5 1.6 and 1.8 Ghz, with 17 ou 20" (no more 15" because 15" monitors are too expensive to produce).

 

[BakedBeans]

I knew I'd have to do this before WWDC...

To answer some of the common questions, from a commons sense standpoint, as well as a bit of reading:

The G5 chip and support systems:

1. At current design and performance, the G5 1.6 adds far more heat than the G4, but without an appreciable rise in performance. Even the 970FX doesn't do much to fix this, nor does using a G5 1.8ghz.
2. The redesign would still be space-constrained, meaning it's extremely unlikely that more than two RAM slots would be available, and that kills a huge part of the advantage of the 64-bit processor.
3. PCI, PCI-X, or an atual AGP slot would mean a much bigger enclosure, largely killing the small form factor and elegance.
4. Heat to performance, the G4 is more efficient. 1.5Gh at 12-14 watts, versus 1.6ghz at 18-20w, with the 7447A basically keeping up. Until 64-bit math becomes common in consumer machines, this is a pointless and somewhat backwards decision.
5. Increasing the RAM speed, graphics card, and other systems on top of the chip means even more heat... Good luck getting rid of it.

Headlessness/Upgradability:

1. There's little point to this, unless Apple is planning on just making a minitower case, because expandability would be so limited. If they're going to make a consumer minitower, they might as well kill the iMac outright and do it right.
2. The form factor in current use would have to be severely altered to allow it to be upgraded, resulting in a complete redesign, rather than just a motherboard change. This is assuming that they come up with a way to remove the heat without significantly raising the noise level.

Price:

1. Short of a manufacturing miracle, there isn't going to be a cheaper iMac. They're going to be using newer parts, and while the G5 supposedly costs less per unit than the G4, the other aspects will certainly make up for that.
2. A removable display will be ridiculously expensive, barring another miracle. LCDs are already somewhat expensive when compared to regular monitors, but such a custom one will almost certainly be even more. Also... Just how are you expecting there to be a cordless LCD? Cheap?

As you have answer to EVERYTHING what do you think will happen

i think there will be a imac g5 at 1.6 1.8 and 2.0

if apple want to sell any then they better had put a g5 in there.. cos alot of people wont bother upgrading for a 1.5 g4

 

[DIO]

I just don't see why they'd put a G5 in an iMac before getting one in a PowerBook. I know it would be easier, but that doesn't make sense to put a G5 in a consumer line computer before getting it in all of the pro line. Obviously we could get at least a 1.5 in there, maybe even a little more. A 1.5 or 1.6 G4 wouldn't be much slower than a 1.6 G5 (which the iMac would almost have to be) yet it would keep the consumer line more consumer.

Couldn't agree more

 

[cube]

What's the point?

What's the point if you cannot install more than 4 GiB of memory?
Should use faster G4.

 

[rdowns]

I knew I'd have to do this before WWDC...

To answer some of the common questions, from a commons sense standpoint, as well as a bit of reading:

The G5 chip and support systems:

1. At current design and performance, the G5 1.6 adds far more heat than the G4, but without an appreciable rise in performance. Even the 970FX doesn't do much to fix this, nor does using a G5 1.8ghz.
2. The redesign would still be space-constrained, meaning it's extremely unlikely that more than two RAM slots would be available, and that kills a huge part of the advantage of the 64-bit processor.
3. PCI, PCI-X, or an atual AGP slot would mean a much bigger enclosure, largely killing the small form factor and elegance.
4. Heat to performance, the G4 is more efficient. 1.5Gh at 12-14 watts, versus 1.6ghz at 18-20w, with the 7447A basically keeping up. Until 64-bit math becomes common in consumer machines, this is a pointless and somewhat backwards decision.
5. Increasing the RAM speed, graphics card, and other systems on top of the chip means even more heat... Good luck getting rid of it.

Headlessness/Upgradability:

1. There's little point to this, unless Apple is planning on just making a minitower case, because expandability would be so limited. If they're going to make a consumer minitower, they might as well kill the iMac outright and do it right.
2. The form factor in current use would have to be severely altered to allow it to be upgraded, resulting in a complete redesign, rather than just a motherboard change. This is assuming that they come up with a way to remove the heat without significantly raising the noise level.

Price:

1. Short of a manufacturing miracle, there isn't going to be a cheaper iMac. They're going to be using newer parts, and while the G5 supposedly costs less per unit than the G4, the other aspects will certainly make up for that.
2. A removable display will be ridiculously expensive, barring another miracle. LCDs are already somewhat expensive when compared to regular monitors, but such a custom one will almost certainly be even more. Also... Just how are you expecting there to be a cordless LCD? Cheap?

Is there any subject you don't fancy yourself an "expert".

You have no idea what is/has been going on in Apple labs and for how long they have been working on putting a G5 in an iMac. We have all read the supposed problems with heat dissipation, FSB, memory controller ad nauseum. It wouldn't shock us if Apple has worked through these problems.

Would love to stick around and watch you parse every post but I have a plane to catch.

 

[aswitcher]

I knew I'd have to do this before WWDC...

To answer some of the common questions, from a commons sense standpoint, as well as a bit of reading:

The G5 chip and support systems:

1. At current design and performance, the G5 1.6 adds far more heat than the G4, but without an appreciable rise in performance. Even the 970FX doesn't do much to fix this, nor does using a G5 1.8ghz.
2. The redesign would still be space-constrained, meaning it's extremely unlikely that more than two RAM slots would be available, and that kills a huge part of the advantage of the 64-bit processor.
3. PCI, PCI-X, or an atual AGP slot would mean a much bigger enclosure, largely killing the small form factor and elegance.
4. Heat to performance, the G4 is more efficient. 1.5Gh at 12-14 watts, versus 1.6ghz at 18-20w, with the 7447A basically keeping up. Until 64-bit math becomes common in consumer machines, this is a pointless and somewhat backwards decision.
5. Increasing the RAM speed, graphics card, and other systems on top of the chip means even more heat... Good luck getting rid of it.

- I think they can cool it. New elegant form factor with clever use of convection and quite fans should do the trick
- I think only 2 RAM slots would be a waste for a prosumer machine. Dual channel is what helps the G5 go fast.

They will go G5...its inevitable. The fact they haven't done anything really with the iMac for so long bodes well to see G5 the next time round.

 

[Zaty]

iMac updates, soon for sure

I do belive that we'll see new iMacs pretty soon, I'm actually surprised that Apple hasn't released new iMacs yet. After the recent updates, the iMac is in desperate need of a speed bump. While I'm still not convinced the next revision will already have G5s, I'd say the more time passes without updates, the greater chances get that the next revision will have G5s. As for the argument, Apple wouldn't put a G5 into an iMac before the announcement of a PB G5, normally they wouldn't, but there are many pieces of information suggesting PBs G5 are a long way off. So if technically feasible, I really don't think Apple can't afford to keep G5s from the iMac just because it's a consumer line. If they did, it would be incredibly stupid.

 

[LaMerVipere]

If it came out at WWDC, I might buy one of those and not a PowerBook. I would definitely be at the computer a lot less if I was back using a desktop again as opposed to my current iBook G4, it's truly a curse when it comes to productivity, all I do is surf the web (and can do so all the time and anywhere) and avoid doing work!

That being said, a G5 iMac, I would love. Bring it on Apple!

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Regardless of what speed G5 the iMac gets, it will be a significant improvement and something that will sell quite well. I'd imagine there would be a huge delay in shipping

I'll be getting one for my wife and another for my mother-in-law....both are needing new machines and I've been making them wait until the G5 iMac comes out.

D

 

[freddiecable]

I have the same doubts...look at the PM G5 and all the fans and space...what happens when putting that cpu in the iMac - it's going to be "glowing" with heat

They can't possibly fit a G5 in the current form factor from what people have said about cooling and motherboard issues. Which begs the question, why keep the G4?

I take it this is a guess on your part?

 

[AppleJustWorks]

I have the same doubts...look at the PM G5 and all the fans and space...what happens when putting that cpu in the iMac - it's going to be "glowing" with heat

I agree with your statement...to some degree. When you look at the PM G5, you are looking at a processor, design and housing that is 9 months old...Needless to say, alot can happen in 9 months.....It may be technically feasible to put a G5 in an iMacs housing at this point in time.

 

[365]

Headless...I would be happy to see it but I doubt it. They might do some magical re-engineering and bring out a detachable normal mac screen on the imac arm...which would serve both the standard market and those looking for a headless unit...

Do you know I have thought this many times, the iMac monitor could have quite easily been attached via a VESA ( is that the right term? ) mounting. You then produce a desktop stand and hey presto you have monitor interchangeability and upgradeabilty for and between the tower and iMac ranges. I know this sounds simplistic but it is very viable.

 

[aswitcher]

Do you know I have thought this many times, the iMac monitor could have quite easily been attached via a VESA ( is that the right term? ) mounting. You then produce a desktop stand and hey presto you have monitor interchangeability and upgradeabilty for and between the tower and iMac ranges. I know this sounds simplistic but it is very viable.

If they were putting the new form factor/performance lcd screens on the imac then that would be another reason to delay until WWDC...