iMac in Paris?

[dongmin]

The G5 chip and mobo will form the riser of the stand and be somewhat broader and still aluminum to facilitate cooling.
...
Also, to reduce the acoustic signature, it wil have no fan ---
the riser will be a huge heat fin in effect.
...
And that's why the Powerbooks were made so thin -- this will be a PowerBook, slightly morphed to taper down at the top of the riser.

Go ahead -- tell me I'm wrong ... 🙂

Tell me how you're going to put in the CPU, mobo, and a super-sized heatsink into the 'riser', which I take it to mean the neck of the stand?

Yes Powerbooks are thin, but they use a totally different chip and architecture. Can't apply the same design principals to the G5.

Nice fantasy, but a fantasy it is.

 

[mpw]

Since this will be a totally new design they will likely be living with it for some time. What I mean is, if they decide to use a G4 you can probably expect it to have a G4 for the next 18-24 months. That's why I think they'll put a G5 in it even if they can only manage a 1.2Ghz or 1.4Ghz version. For many things a 1.5Ghz G4 might actually be better but it will be better in the long run.

Having never opened a computer case i may be speaking out of turn but:
Would there be any point in apple introducing a (hopefully brilliant) new form factor now with 1.5 G4 (or even dual G4's) thus keeping a distinction between consumer and pro lines and then shipping an 'update only' in 12 months. Same case but with then plentiful 2.5 single G5 and Tiger while the pros have moved to a minimum spec. of dual 2.5+?

Like I siad I'm no expert but I am a consumer I'd be over the moon with a dual 1.5 G4 in a alloy clad case with slot loading optical drive. I hope they keep the present but screen arrangement, with say 17", 20" & 23" widescreens in the new alloy bezel style.

 

[dernhelm]

What a shock!

What! A product that is known to be released in September will be shown off at a large show on Aug 31st? Thank heavens for the hard-digging reporting at T.S., I _never_ would have guessed that!

Actually, though - I'm kind of looking forward to this one, because whatever they do to wedge a G5 into the iMac will likely tell us how long into next year before we see a PowerBook G5. I'm hoping for MacWorld in Jan, but I'm probably being a little optimistic.

 

[DGFan]

Having never opened a computer case i may be speaking out of turn but:
Would there be any point in apple introducing a (hopefully brilliant) new form factor now with 1.5 G4 (or even dual G4's) thus keeping a distinction between consumer and pro lines and then shipping an 'update only' in 12 months. Same case but with then plentiful 2.5 single G5 and Tiger while the pros have moved to a minimum spec. of dual 2.5+?

Like I siad I'm no expert but I am a consumer I'd be over the moon with a dual 1.5 G4 in a alloy clad case with slot loading optical drive. I hope they keep the present but screen arrangement, with say 17", 20" & 23" widescreens in the new alloy bezel style.

First, I doubt the new iMac will be dual-anything. It's going to be a single processor. If anything differentiates the pro and consumer lines it is at least going to be the number of processors (in addition to processor speed).

And there doesn't seem to be much point in designing a new mother board for one iteration of a new product line and then turning around 12 months later and designing another one. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[iMeowbot]

Could it be a dome cut in half, right down the middle, where the flat side faces the viewer, and then tapers off to the back? The CD/DVD drive, USB, Firewire, headphone jack, ports, etc. would exist on this flat front face?

It doesn't seem very practical. If the screen were moved to the front, you'd have something nearly as space inefficient as iMac G3 and lose out of the nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels. If the screen went on top as with the iMac G4, it would retain the same problem as with the current model (screen, optical drive and keyboard are all in one another's way). Moving the bulk backward might help to counterbalance bigger/heavier screens in that type of configuration, but if the swivel characteristic is retained it wouldn't be as stable when pointed to the side.

 

[mpw]

Or maybe he's just sick and tired of seeing the iMac G4 referred to as a "half dome" when its case is a full dome 😀

Good point... OK, what if you cut the 'Dome' in ½ across it's centre. You'd have a true ½ Dome with a flat elevation on one side. Now enlarge the ½ dome from 5.3" front to back to say 17" and make the flat surface the screen.

Maybe that would sell as well as the original iMac, widescreen eMac anyone?

 

[mpw]

First, I doubt the new iMac will be dual-anything. It's going to be a single processor. If anything differentiates the pro and consumer lines it is at least going to be the number of processors (in addition to processor speed).

And there doesn't seem to be much point in designing a new mother board for one iteration of a new product line and then turning around 12 months later and designing another one. It just doesn't make sense.

You're probably right but i was thinking they could use the m/board from the dual G4 PM still on sale in a case that's ready to accept the G5 m/board that may well be designed already waiting for the processor supply to catch up. Once the G5 chips are ready Tiger is likely to be on the prowl, I know they say it CAN run on a G3 but surley it'll be optimized for a 64 bit G5 world.

 

[steveyson]

I think the major point that isn't being spoken of is the fact that in order for this iMac to do really well, it needs to be totally different, just like the first iMac was colorful in a world of beige computers. I think that apple will do something totally different

 

[dizastor]

New iMac Paris... redesigned to look like a wine glass instead of a luxo lamp?

 

[lifeseeker]

Speculation is Fun!

Given that Apple has had a recent fascination with fundamental geometric shapes (cube, half-sphere) , I wouldn't be surpised by a cylindrical tower, or a conical base tapering to an attachment point for the display.

There's something aesthetically pleasing about these shapes we all studied in high school geometry.

 

[bar italia]

I Assume the new iMac will be released in paris (I too think it will be a flat screen with the guts in the back (hangable screen/touch screen anyone?)

****************

It will not be a thick monstrosity.

It will basically not be there at all 🙂

minimally speaking ...

Here's what I mean:

The 23" HD Cinema display will have a stand similar to the new displays, but the foot of it will be less than 1 inch thick and house the
drives in a horizontal attitude.

The G5 chip and mobo will form the riser of the stand and be somewhat broader and still aluminum to facilitate cooling.

It will be nicknamed the

"Stealth Mac" by me (gooddog) first,

because it will seem as if the computer part actually disappeared from the form factor entirely, leaving only a stylish display on a classy stand with a keyboard and mouse on the desktop -- especially the black version.

Also, to reduce the acoustic signature, it wil have no fan ---
the riser will be a huge heat fin
in effect.


Keyboard will be bluetooth and backlit in violet with a
BT mouse ( 1 button ).

The display will be simply the new 23" HD Al display and -so- removable to hang on wall ---VESA

and one more thing ....

it will be wi-fi to the iMac body and
to other wi-fi sources ( like pic iPod with wi-fi built in and AP Express video sources ).

Colors : silver Al ano

and

BLACK OX ano -- the Stealth.

And that's why the Powerbooks were made so thin -- this will be a PowerBook, slightly morphed to taper down at the top of the riser.

Go ahead -- tell me I'm wrong ... 🙂

--------

BUT WHEN WILL KEYNOTE BE UPDATED ???? 🙁

--gooddogdisappeared

I agree. A big part of the original iMac was all the color it introduced into a world full of dull-beige PCs. I think that's one of the things the G4 iMac lost in its all-white incarnation. Don't get me wrong, the G4 iMac is stunning, but it's not "cute/fun", it's sleek and modern.

I had the same thought a while back. The G5 iMac will probably bring back the colors, but in a brushed aluminum "mini" style. I think the whole consumer line (iMac, eMac, iBook) will eventually move to this. The iPod Mini is flying off the shelves, thanks in part to the color variety.
__________________

 

[danieluk]

 

[thatwendigo]

Go ahead -- tell me I'm wrong ... 🙂

Oh, how are you wrong? Let me count the ways!

1. The 23" display is more expensive on its own than the entire iMac flat panel line, dictating a price that would place the guts - even if they're just what's in eMacs right now - over the cost of an entry level PowerMac. On top of that, you're claiming that things that aren't even standard on the professional machines - Airport Extreme, BlueTooth, anodized aluminum - will be just part of this magical machine. Considered economically, this is a pipedream and nothing else.
2. In order to be passively cooled, Apple would have to use a lower-clocked single G5, and that's not at all going to fix the supposed performance gap between macs and PCs. On top of that, most modern graphics chipsets require active cooling to remove their heat, and that means that there couldn't be an update in the minimum level, even to a GeForce FX 5200 (which needs a fan).
3. Hangable displays would require cables to stretch to them, because there isn't a wireless technology that can handle them. On top of that, the only existing wireless displays barely drive 15" panels and can't display video, and those cost over $1000.
4. Apple has said there will be no G5 PowerBook for some time, so your statement that "his will be a PowerBook, slightly morphed to taper down at the top of the riser" is basically on target. In other words, it isn't happening.

 

[LimeiBook86]

Congratulations to you... my graphics class will also be getting new Macs this year... fortunately they are Powermacs and not iMacs!

Well I don't think it matters that much. iMacs or eMac or whatever, anything is better than those POS Gateways we have, Photoshop was not ment to run on those horrible things they call "computers". Now maybe our class can get some work done. 😀

 

[erik1975]

Ditto - I must be missing something really obvious on the site but can't find any mention of the keynote or how to register...

Not sure if this is only because I am registering from the UK. But here is the link I used, after I registered in gerneal for the conference. All free I might add!

http://www.apple-expo.com/uk/keynote/

 

[iMeowbot]

I think the major point that isn't being spoken of is the fact that in order for this iMac to do really well, it needs to be totally different, just like the first iMac was colorful in a world of beige computers. I think that apple will do something totally different

But the interesting thing about the G3 iMac is that it really wasn't very different at all. It was in many ways a recycled Mac 128, shrunk as allowed by newer circuitry.

If it's going to have a colorful appearance of some sort, I'd much rather see a repeat of the PowerBook 1400 (kind of the iBook's predecessor) idea. That's the one that had a transparent panel in the lid that you could fill in with artwork of your own.

 

[macnews]

It doesn't seem very practical. If the screen were moved to the front, you'd have something nearly as space inefficient as iMac G3 and lose out of the nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels.

I agree with you here, but what you say next confuses me....

If the screen went on top as with the iMac G4, it would retain the same problem as with the current model (screen, optical drive and keyboard are all in one another's way). Moving the bulk backward might help to counterbalance bigger/heavier screens in that type of configuration, but if the swivel characteristic is retained it wouldn't be as stable when pointed to the side.

If one advantage of the G4 imacs is the "nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels," how does this mean they "retain the same problem as with the current model?". My screen doesn't get in the way of the optical drive or keyboard (nice long cord, or can go BT wireless). I will agree it is possible for the screen to be in the way of the optical drive but then that brings up the advantage of the "nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels." I just move the display out of the way for one second.

iMeowbot, don't get me wrong - I am not trying to pick on you. Some people have called for a headless iMac, where I much prefer the all in one aspect - or at least the screen being attached. I have used computers since 1982 and EVERYTIME except once I got a new monitor when I got a new computer. Only in 1998 when 17" monitors became more reasonable in price and I got more into graphic design did I upgrade my monitor. Now, with 17" being the standard I don't see much reason for larger ones. Some people will need them - I like the 23" LCDs for graphic design, but a 17" imac works well for home needs (word processing, email, internet and occassional work checking).

I also LOVE the mobility of the swivel arm imac. From an ergonomic point of view it is very nice and something I think many people over look. It took me a good month to get used to it. I would hate to see this mobility lost.

And before I get flammed from the headless crowd, I do agree a headless mac would be nice but why not make both?

 

[Macciee]

Le Mac

Yep be there or be...

Check out the La suite after Le NouveauxXXX iMac G!=
I´d say:

iMac: G5, 256mb, 128Mb gForce, 16*DVD-R duoble.

😎

 

[jrv3034]

I Assume the new iMac will be released in paris (I too think it will be a flat screen with the guts in the back (hangable screen/touch screen anyone?)

****************

It will not be a thick monstrosity.

It will basically not be there at all 🙂

minimally speaking ...

Here's what I mean:

The 23" HD Cinema display will have a stand similar to the new displays, but the foot of it will be less than 1 inch thick and house the
drives in a horizontal attitude.

The G5 chip and mobo will form the riser of the stand and be somewhat broader and still aluminum to facilitate cooling.

It will be nicknamed the

"Stealth Mac" by me (gooddog) first,

because it will seem as if the computer part actually disappeared from the form factor entirely, leaving only a stylish display on a classy stand with a keyboard and mouse on the desktop -- especially the black version.

Also, to reduce the acoustic signature, it wil have no fan ---
the riser will be a huge heat fin
in effect.


Keyboard will be bluetooth and backlit in violet with a
BT mouse ( 1 button ).

The display will be simply the new 23" HD Al display and -so- removable to hang on wall ---VESA

and one more thing ....

it will be wi-fi to the iMac body and
to other wi-fi sources ( like pic iPod with wi-fi built in and AP Express video sources ).

Colors : silver Al ano

and

BLACK OX ano -- the Stealth.

And that's why the Powerbooks were made so thin -- this will be a PowerBook, slightly morphed to taper down at the top of the riser.

Go ahead -- tell me I'm wrong ... 🙂

--------

BUT WHEN WILL KEYNOTE BE UPDATED ???? 🙁

--gooddogdisappeared

You mean something like this? (found it on spymac):

 

[jrv3034]

I Googled for "iMac G5" and liked this concept much better:

 

[lifeseeker]

Shape of Things to Come

And what about a transparent display as you see so often now in SCI-FI movies? Touch screen with see-through coolness!

 

[iMeowbot]

If one advantage of the G4 imacs is the "nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels," how does this mean they "retain the same problem as with the current model?". My screen doesn't get in the way of the optical drive or keyboard (nice long cord, or can go BT wireless). I will agree it is possible for the screen to be in the way of the optical drive but then that brings up the advantage of the "nifty adjustability of usual LCD panels." I just move the display out of the way for one second.

I like to leave the keybord near the computer. and if the riser legs are up the SuperDrive does collide with it on eject. The screen collision problem (my display has scratches on the bottom of the clear bezel from accidental eject-key presses) could have been avoided by using a slot loader or even a slightly longer display arm. The G4 iMac has quote a few if these little annoyances where form got in the way of function, just a little bit. Finding the power button, or plugging in USB and FireWire peripherals, is also much less convenient than it could have been if just a little more attention was paid to ergonomics rather than just design.

The UFO/iRise hub nicely solves all those problems (except for the display/tray collisions), but Apple could have added an inch there themselves without harming the looks. Why didn't they?

This stuff is in the same category as the annoying-but-not-fatal placement of buttons on the 3rd generation iPod. The folks at Apple obviously knew where those buttons belonged, since they got it right on earlier and later models; but "it looks cool" won out.

 

[Zaty]

Where did you see the boxes? At the Apple store? If this is true you might be right with the color scheme, if you add all the other hints. 😉 I hope that there is an assortment of colors to choose from, like the ipod mini.



Damn I hope not, those were the worst 🙄

I discovered it on the Swiss Apple Store:

 

[AliensAreFuzzy]

G5 iMac

Pesonally I liked this design someone posted on a different thread a while back. (The far left look is pretty cool)

 

[Machead III]

Pesonally I liked this design someone posted on a different thread a while back. (The far left look is pretty cool)

If you were to put a G5 in that tiny thing, I think we would have another Chenoble on our hands.

Anyway, just signed up for the Keynote, now all I gotta do is book the flight 😀

If it turns out Steve ain't going to the Leynote this year, and the iMac is really scheaduled for some other event, and I'm left with some random Apple France employee talking about the wonders of Airport Express... your all fired!