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iMac G4 concept for the modern age

I have always felt like the iMac G4 was the most futuristic and timeless design Apple ever used for a computer.

The ProDisplay XDR features mechanisms in its $1,000 stand that are absolutely a callback to the arm on the iMac G4.

I would love to see Apple come out with a completely redesigned iMac that features a similar design to the iMac G4 but modernized for today’s current design language.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that would be too cost efficient or time efficient in the manufacturing process, given it’s probably a lot easier to stick a single board with a few wires inside the current iMac body and glue a screen on the front than it is to fit all the components in the base, then wire the base to the screen through the complex arm mechanism that the iMac G4 became famous for.
 
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rafark said:
The screen is nice, the stand still looks outdated.
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The stand is twice as functional than what current iMacs ship with.
[doublepost=1566277448][/doublepost]My iMac G4 is in multiple pieces, still waiting to be renovated with a new (industry-standard) screen + controller board, SBC, whole shebang.

I would have reused the display, but I think the LVDS wiring ended up getting damaged, so I didn't want to risk it.

I'll let you all know when it's reborn. ;)
 
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swamprock said:
Now for something kind of fun to discuss- https://www.xhakomododa.com/imacg4newedition
I think this is pretty cool. Of course, there would be a couple of things I'd change for the final design (like the keyboard... ugh), but it's always fun to imagine what the design of a modern version of PowerPC Macs would be...
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That iMac-G4-remake definitely would me think about buying a new iMac!
I love the goose-neck-mechanism letting you move down the screen down to a laptop-position like reading a book in the library...
I would be gorgeous to have the screen as a screen and the stand as a (better serviceable) computing part (without having to remove the screen with a loo-plunger for maintainance ...)
Heat might be a problem. An bigger base and an external power-adapter should do fine ... (why stuffing the heat of the power-adapter into the case? - And it's a better solution for maintainance too! ...)
So there's just CPU / GPU / RAM / i/o-board left on the logic-board/in the base ... (like the MBPro without the battery.) Should fit nicely.
 
I almost feel like if Apple took some inspiration from the Microsoft Surface Studio, in that it’s a massive touch screen that can easily become an Easel for drawing on, it could be a huge hit.
 
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Honestly I've felt that the iMac G4 was the last intuitive iMac design. The iMac G5 was cool, I loved that design too. But it's been almost 10 years and the only thing that has changed is the color of the case and the depth of the enclosure. I definitely understand "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but that never used to be apple's motto. I know they could've innovated further. Something I've been saying for years is the Microsoft Surface line should have been apple's idea first. The Surface Studio would have made for a killer iMac. I own a Surface Pro 2. It has an i5 in it and runs a full desktop OS. It is from 2013 and more useful than the current iPad Pro (Should I also mention I only paid $275 bucks for it?).

Jobs is gone. Ive is gone. We are in a new era of Beige Performa's.
 
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Project Alice said:
Jobs is gone. Ive is gone. We are in a new era of Beige Performa's.
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Here's where I have to disagree. Ive was great in the PowerPC, early Intel era. But he was responsible for the iOS / macOS UI change in 2013 / 2014, he was responsible for the form over function garbage, he was responsible for the exact same iMac design for over ten years straight, and he had such a reputation, nobody ever dared to say "No, your idea is bad.".

Frankly, it was time.

Now, somebody demote Tim Cook, rehire Scott Forstall, make all Macs user serviceable again, and they just might be back on the right track...
 
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z970mp said:
Here's where I have to disagree. Ive was great in the PowerPC, early Intel era. But he was responsible for the iOS / macOS UI change in 2013 / 2014, he was responsible for the form over function garbage, he was responsible for the exact same iMac design for over ten years straight, and he had such a reputation, nobody ever dared to say "No, your idea is bad.".

Frankly, it was time.

Now, somebody demote Tim Cook, rehire Scott Forstall, make all Macs user serviceable again, and they just might be back on the right track...
Click to expand...
I agree with this. I’m thinking Steve probably kept Ive on track; probably telling him he’s had plenty of bad ideas if I had to guess.

I was referencing the Beige Performa era because we had machines that didn’t particularly have a good place in the lineup (I’m looking at you MacBook Air and 13” MacBook Pro. And don’t even get me started on the 12” MacBook..), or weren’t marketed properly. And poor aesthetic design. New macs aren’t ugly like beige boxes but they’re not “fun” or different either. Most HPs laptops look like cheap knock-offs (which they are) but apple doesn’t try hard to stand out from them either in my opinion.
 
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Project Alice said:
Highly disagree. But we are all entitled to different opinions.
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I actually agree the stand looks ‘outdated’ or old-fashioned because it looks exactly like the original rather than being a modern interpretation like the screen. I guess it was easier to just update the screen, some space grey aluminum and a funky keyboard...

Nevertheless, iMac G4 remains my favorite iMac design and Apple should definitely make their computers ‘fun’ again.
 
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