G5 iMac?

[jbro]

i don't think you will feel bad about a g5 power mac...you will see...that thing is fast

but if apple offers this g5 imac cube thing at $1199 or so, then you have a right to feel bad

Thanks Jef! You're right, the G5 screams. And now I can skip the iMac and get a G5 powerbook!

 

[egor]

Hahaha!

Something just clicked in my head.

Apple has put forward a patent for screens that can change colour via software and some LEDs (as in, the surrounding part of the screen).

Surely this would fit in perfectly with the different coloured cube's rumour? Instead of having clashing colours (blue and aluminium, for instance), they'd make different coloured cubes (or rather, the bit that colours the cubes) and to REALLY save on manufacturing costs they'd just have to make the same monitor to go with all of them.

On the other hand, the colour changing monitors could just be a part of the other rumoured all-in-one iMac with all the crap behind the monitor, or something very far into the future for say, the monitors to replace the new aluminium ones.

 

[mara]

This isn't that bad

MacKompass

 

[salmon]

I wonder...

I've been trying to imagine what it might look like, and I don't think any of the pictures that have been posted to date would be it. Losing the cool swivel arm of the monitor and replacing it with a stationary base would be a step back, and not one that would be made just to make it different from the version before.

The problem with the rev2 iMac is that LCD prices never dropped like they were expected to, which messes up the whole value of the iMac. Tacking a $150cdn monitor on a $1500cdn computer, and forcing it to follow the same valuation curve of a computer isn't so bad, but sticking a $1000cdn monitor on the same computer is a much more difficult pill for a consumer to follow.

The advantages of an all-in-one form factor are compelling as well, though, and I expect apple will hate to depart from it, despite the problem described above. However, they still will want to encourage consumers to buy an Apple monitor, so they can enjoy the profits on them as well.

I'm thinking what they might do is offer some type of base similar to the rev2 iMac, with a way of slickly and elegantly plugging in the new NOT YET ANNOUNCED 17" monitors into the base. That allows people to happily buy a nice monitor without having to worry about it being forced into obselesence(sp?). And people could buy external monitors if they were ok with losing the elegance.

I mean, else why did they leave new 17" widescreen LCDs out of the new monitor lineup? - that really didn't make sense to me. And they've made a few comments about not ruling out a cube device in the future, IIRC.

Sorry I can't offer a mockup - I have no artistic skills at all, nor time to make one.

Of course, I'm likely totally wrong - I'm also the guy who is convinced Apple is going to release a well-designed tablet device (not the same as current tablet PCs), and come out with major enhancements to OpenOffice to remove their last remaining dependency on Microsoft.

 

[sjk]

Losing the cool swivel arm of the monitor and replacing it with a stationary base would be a step back, and not one that would be made just to make it different from the version before.

Seems that way to me, too.

I'm thinking what they might do is offer some type of base similar to the rev2 iMac, with a way of slickly and elegantly plugging in the new NOT YET ANNOUNCED 17" monitors into the base.

Yep, an iMac replacement with a detachable articulating arm mechanism for the display would do just fine

 

[zelmo]

This isn't that bad

MacKompass

Not my favorite design idea for the new iMac, but it is still the best mock-up I've seen yet. It certainly does make you forget there is a computer attached to the back of the monitor, which Ives has as a goal. It needs some sort of base that allows you to rotate it, as well as adjust the angle, though. After the luxury of being able to adjust the FP iMac screen as you see fit, Apple shouldn't go back to a non-adjustable display position.
Come on, Paris!

 

[sigamy]

Very nice mock-up, one problem though--that is not the new iMac, that is the new eMac. The computer-behind-the-LCD design is old and been done before (Sony, Gateway, even Dell). Apple will use that for the lower end eMac. And don't tell me the eMac is going away because you read ThinkSecret's report.

This still leaves room for the new iMac to be insanely great.

 

[jefhatfield]

Very nice mock-up, one problem though--that is not the new iMac, that is the new eMac. The computer-behind-the-LCD design is old and been done before (Sony, Gateway, even Dell). Apple will use that for the lower end eMac. And don't tell me the eMac is going away because you read ThinkSecret's report.

This still leaves room for the new iMac to be insanely great.

i think the design would be a great emac but maybe not an up to par next generation imac

but let's say they use that design for imac...here's what would make it insanely great...and i mean insane

first, bump up the professional level powermac to dual 2.5s on up in speed to dual 3.0, if possible

then for the imac, make three models

single G5 2.0/512 ram/superdrive
single G5 2.5/1 gig ram/superdrive
dual G5 2.5/2 gigs ram/superdrive

those are insanely great stats and it would make the pc world take notice and would place the imac into the "pro-sumer" category where the cube used to reside and make the emac the sole consumer machine

 

[JerseyMike73]

first, bump up the professional level powermac to dual 2.5s on up in speed to dual 3.0, if possible

then for the imac, make three models

single G5 2.0/512 ram/superdrive
single G5 2.5/1 gig ram/superdrive
dual G5 2.5/2 gigs ram/superdrive

Not to burst your bubble, but IBM is having trouble grinding out enough 2.0 and 2.5 Ghz chips for the Powermac and Xserve lines, plus they haven't even reached that 3.0 Ghz mark yet... and probably won't until the 90nm process has been perfected.

The new iMacs will most likely sport G5s in the 1.4-1.8 ghz range. The highest clocked G4 iMacs were 1.25.

 

[BenRoethig]

i think the design would be a great emac but maybe not an up to par next generation imac

but let's say they use that design for imac...here's what would make it insanely great...and i mean insane

first, bump up the professional level powermac to dual 2.5s on up in speed to dual 3.0, if possible

then for the imac, make three models

single G5 2.0/512 ram/superdrive
single G5 2.5/1 gig ram/superdrive
dual G5 2.5/2 gigs ram/superdrive

those are insanely great stats and it would make the pc world take notice and would place the imac into the "pro-sumer" category where the cube used to reside and make the emac the sole consumer machine

It'd also boost up the price of a machine which is already on the edge of affordability. Also that design would not make a good eMac unless the price of LCD displays were to suddenly drop by half.

 

[bonk]

wow - personally I think that mock up is gorgeous. but I cant imagine they'll ditch an adjustable screen. even my past gen 23" could be adjusted a LITTLE by changing the angle of the kickstand. also, something occured to me: if it's an all-in-one design with the works built into the back of the monitor, then they'd actually have to manufacture a completely different case for each monitor size. with all of their current desktop machines, the box is identical regardless of the monitor size. I wonder if manufacturing three different cases would be too expensive for a 'consumer' line...?

 

[zelmo]

My personal dead horse

also, something occured to me: if it's an all-in-one design with the works built into the back of the monitor, then they'd actually have to manufacture a completely different case for each monitor size. with all of their current desktop machines, the box is identical regardless of the monitor size. I wonder if manufacturing three different cases would be too expensive for a 'consumer' line...?

I had the same thought. If you put a slot drive on the side of the pizza box, then allow me to upgrade to a larger display via VESA or whatever, it will get tough to find that drive slot without reaching around or standing up (not exactly the elegance Ives is known for). So, either there will only be one size monitor on this behind-the-display design (no chance), Apple will have to make a different size CPU case to fit each different display size (microscopic chance), OR the CPU et al will be in the base and chimney, with the display hanging from the stand a la the new gorgeous Cinema Displays. The third choice gets my vote, big time. It allows the iMac to ship with a display, and also leaves room to ship a cheap, headless iMac for those who keep clamoring for one (or who already have a nice LCD).

 

[bonk]

I have my PM set up sideways directly behind my 23" monitor (saves a lot of desk space, plus I dont like keeping the CPU on the floor as it's very dusty here). when the drive door opens, it's kind of like it's sliding out of the side of the monitor, which is kind of cool. I doubt they'd back down from the slot loading drive, either, but this is one option - and it's not in the slightest inconvenient. maybe a drawer like the PS2 that can function vertically....?

 

[LimeiBook86]

I highly doubt if Apple would give the eMac an LCD screen.

Unless they gave the eMac a very cheap screen I dunno how they would be able to do it while still keeping a low price. The eMac is supposed to be the affordable Mac, so I doubt they could put a nice LCD in the eMac and still keep it at a good price. But, if they can, good for them

 

[FFTT]

Seems we've got 2 speculation threads on the iMac G5 going at once here.

IF in fact the Mackompass mockup is not the real deal or similar,
then all of this speculation must have the folks at Apple
rolling on the floor with laughter.

Those of us that would prefer a headless design may just have to settle
for a PowerMac and pay the price for that versatility.

I just don't see Apple reverting to the cube. Been there done that.

Too many wires and desk clutter for a streamlined modern system.

The reason Gateway, Sony and Dell are selling so many AIO's
is because they take up less desk space.

The Mackcompass mockup answers that calling rather well.
I'm sure that there must be a viewing angle adjustment hidden in the base
somewhere.

It really all depends on how much computer Apple thinks the average consumer needs or wants.
Either way, it's going to be a compromise
I guess we'll find out August 31st.

 

[egor]

Wouldn't the mock-up with the bulge at the back defeat half the point of having a thin all-in-one thingymygig? I mean, surely the best thing about the pizza-box idea is being able to hang up your computer on the wall as if was just a flat monitor? And why would the pizza box idea mean no adjustable screen? You could still have the metal arm , though I think that would look crap.

 

[jefhatfield]

Not to burst your bubble, but IBM is having trouble grinding out enough 2.0 and 2.5 Ghz chips for the Powermac and Xserve lines, plus they haven't even reached that 3.0 Ghz mark yet... and probably won't until the 90nm process has been perfected.

The new iMacs will most likely sport G5s in the 1.4-1.8 ghz range. The highest clocked G4 iMacs were 1.25.

i would like to see apple get into the higher speeds all around, but most likely the imacs will be in the range of 1.4 to 1.8 and they will be solid machines

at least pcs are not being marketed to show their speed as much anymore and intel is into the 3,5, and 7 series chips for celeron, pentium, and the top of the line centrino with pentium m chip