iMac Updates by Next Week?

[Centris 650]

Originally posted by kmac
My guess:
They still need to sell the PRO lines so:

NO - Airport Extreme
NO - FW800
No - 19"

I still think that the iMac (at least the top of the line if not all of them) will come with FW800 and almost no doubt APEx. (It would be crazy to come out with a machine that didn't have APEx after all that hype!!)

19" iMac? Who knows? No one would have thought Apple would release a 17" PB especially so soon after an update! No bets on this one!

Bluetooth: I don't think the iMac will have BT. (If it does it I'm guessing it will be the top of the line version. BT devices are fairly cheap if you have to have one. Plus it's not a "consumer" technology just yet.)


EDIT: Just checked the Apple website to see the specs of the 12" PB and I just realized it DOES have BT built in. For some reason I didn't think it did. Weelllll...Then maybe the iMac line WILL have BT on each one.

 

[CybrCyfr]

Colors?

Maybe everyone will think I am nuts, but I would like to see colored iMacs again. I always thought that was a great idea, I am so sick of my white iMac, and don't have the gull to powder coat it.

Anyone else like the idea?

 

[000111one111000]

no, of course they've never had a superbowl ad!

Oh, wait. Yes they did. Just one of the most frickin popular SuperBowl ads ever.

In case you forget, Apple unveiled the Mac on SuperBowl Sunday in 1984 (well, at least the commercial for it.)



enoch

 

[MacsRgr8]

Re: Re: Seems too close to Macworld

Originally posted by pgwalsh
Maybe they figured some people were holding out and when they saw no new PowerMacs they bought one anyway. Then SJ giggled all the way to the bank.

I don't get it. So these people bought the "old" PowerMacs. What's really good about that? These people won't buy a "new" PowerMac for a couple of years, so the sales of a "new" PowerMac will be lessend (correct word? ) by the amount of sold "old" PowerMacs

 

[shiro-hagen]

I think that (if) the iMac is updated, it will only be to include Bluetooth and possibly Airport Extreme....

Just hope if it's going to be updated it's done soon - itching to swap my DVSE for a new 17".....

 

[QuiteSure]

Originally posted by kmac
They still need to sell the PRO lines so:

NO - Airport Extreme

I disagree. I see Airport Extreme as being very attractive to the consumer user who is lucky enough to have a cable modem and wants to optimize the wireless browsing experience.

 

[noelmac75]

I hope the powermacs come out the week after, I think holding off the imacs and powermacs was a sly move, it was a great marketing technique to get rid of all the old stock before the new stuff comes out.

I'am betting on new powermacs to have:

Up to Dual 1.4ghz
Bluetooth
ATI Graphics 9700
512mb
Firewire 800
Faster System Bus
Faster Superdrive
Slight changes to enclousre
Apple pro speakers inc. with all models
Quieter Fans

Who knows what else

Maybe I'am just dreaming, its good to dream.

 

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by Shrek
This is very good news. As I've stated in a previous thread of mine, I think the new iMacs will be released on the 17th (this Friday), exactly 6 months after the introduction of the 17" iMac.

So does that mean that the powermacs will get updated 6 months later as well??

 

[BenRoethig]

Originally posted by QuiteSure


I disagree. I see Airport Extreme as being very attractive to the consumer user who is lucky enough to have a cable modem and wants to optimize the wireless browsing experience.

I agree with you. Apple wants Airport Extreme to replace Airport. That means the next revision for every mac will include Airport extreme (and Bluetooth). There's a 50/50 chance FW800 will appear in the next iMac/eMac revisions.

 

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by robguz

I didn't think Apple has released Superbowl ads in years. Personally I think it's a crappy time to introduce a new product. So many first run ads debut during the superbowl that they all get lost in the attention. The rates are ridiculously overpriced. Do drunk people watching football games sit up and pay attention during the commercials or do they go get more snacks and booze? I don't think Apple has actually EVER had a superbowl announcement. I think you're all barking up the wrong tree.

True, Apple hasn't used the Superbowl to launch anything, but the company does have a history of amazing Superbowl ads.
From the obscure and groundbreaking "1984" to "HAL" talking about how Macs are impervious to the Y2K bug, Apple has always valued big Superbowl ads, often ones that are never run again.
If Apple doesn't use the Superbowl for a product launch, they'll still run a great commercial.

Originally posted by CybrCyfr

Maybe everyone will think I am nuts, but I would like to see colored iMacs again. I always thought that was a great idea, I am so sick of my white iMac, and don't have the gull to powder coat it.

Anyone else like the idea?

It's about time we saw colorful Macs, again. The trend really stopped when the Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian iMacs failed to catch on.
I'm just speculating wildly here, but "Dynamic Ornamental Apperance, anyone?"

 

[Eric_Z]

About those new G4's do the estimates (1.4-1.5) include factory overclocking or not?

Remember the currently used G4's are really 1Ghz 7455 that have been factory overclocked by 25%, thats the reason that they are so hot.

Last time I checked the the rumormill the next speedbump (7457) was intended at 1.3 Ghz (1.55- 1.6 Ghz with the same overclocking as the 7455). And to add to that there are rumors of a 4Mb L3 cache and a 233 Mhz fsb, though if you're going to belive the last rumors that would be 266 - 333 Mhz DDR fsb instead.

 

[QuiteSure]

Originally posted by pyrotoaster
I'm just speculating wildly here, but "Dynamic Ornamental Apperance, anyone?"

Unfortunately, the acronym for Dynamic Ornamental Appearance is DOA, not an especially promising harbinger for future product lines.

 

[BenRoethig]

Originally posted by Eric_Z
About those new G4's do the estimates (1.4-1.5) include factory overclocking or not?

Remember the currently used G4's are really 1Ghz 7455 that have been factory overclocked by 25%, thats the reason that they are so hot.

Last time I checked the the rumormill the next speedbump (7457) was intended at 1.3 Ghz (1.55- 1.6 Ghz with the same overclocking as the 7455). And to add to that there are rumors of a 4Mb L3 cache and a 233 Mhz fsb, though if you're going to belive the last rumors that would be 266 - 333 Mhz DDR fsb instead.

It'd have to be either a 200mhz (2x100), 266mhz (2x133) or 333mhz (2x167). 233 (2x116) is impossible.

 

[Eric_Z]

Ooops I meant 1x233, 233 Mhz SDR fsb.
Not that it matters though, 200 Mhz SDR fsb or perhaps 266- 333 DDR fsb is what it should be.

 

[Hattig]

Originally posted by BenRoethig
It'd have to be either a 200mhz (2x100), 266mhz (2x133) or 333mhz (2x167). 233 (2x116) is impossible.

I think he was talking about a 233MHz SDR bus.

I think it will be a 200MHz SDR bus on the 7457.

As for the iMacs, I would like to see the processor speed increased, so the top of the line iMac would share the clock speed of the top of the line PowerMac, but with only one processor, and of course limited expansion. I wonder if the iMac2 case can cool the 1.25GHz G4 though ... maybe a 1.066GHz or 1.133GHz G4 though.

As for features - APEx ready is a given, and if the logic for Firewire 800 is in the chipset, then I don't see why they wouldn't use it. Bluetooth is a USB device integrated onto the motherboard of the latest Al powerbooks, if it is a cheap chip then it will be there, otherwise it won't.

 

[Eric_Z]

@Hattig

You beat me to it.

 

[bbarnhart]

Originally posted by QuiteSure


I disagree. I see Airport Extreme as being very attractive to the consumer user who is lucky enough to have a cable modem and wants to optimize the wireless browsing experience.

Previous generation of AirPort BaseStations is 11 Mbps. Cable modems probably do not offer anything faster than 1 or 2 Mbps so a new AirPort BaseStation Extreame will not offer them a faster online experiance. However, ABSE can make for faster transfers between two computer using same ABSE. Transfers will be 54 Mbps.

Note that 11 Mbps or 54 Mbps is the theoretical top speed for these base stations

 

[Le Big Mac]

Re: Re: SUPERBOWL!!!!!!

Originally posted by Centris 650


Doh! Why didn't anyone think of that earlier?!

Have they bought advertising time? Usually those lists are pretty public, but I haven't seen any mention.

I have to admit, though, it would be cool to introduce some new product with another 1984 ad. Even better would be to do it next year, on the 20th anniversary: what revolutionary stuff could Apple come up with in a year? "20 years ago, Apple started a revolution . . . today, Apple starts another one . . . "

 

[snahabed]

Originally posted by bbarnhart


Previous generation of AirPort BaseStations is 11 Mbps. Cable modems probably do not offer anything faster than 1 or 2 Mbps so a new AirPort BaseStation Extreame will not offer them a faster online experiance. However, ABSE can make for faster transfers between two computer using same ABSE. Transfers will be 54 Mbps.

Awww you beat me to it

I am not so sad that I bought an 11Mbps Airport base station recently, because (1) the day I actually achieve 11Mbps - or hell 1Mbps on my DSL connection is the day Al Sharpton wins the presidency, and (2) none of my computers have an Airport Extreme slot. So who cares!

Obviously Apple will substitute 802.11g for b in all future product revisions.

As far as iMac revisions go, I can only see speed bumps, Airport Extreme slots, hopefully Bluetooth standard, and I've always thought Apple should increase the base RAM included with any and all models (128? 256? How do these computers even run on such little RAM??). Honestly, the rest of the iMac is a great deal, not much room for improvement that would not increase prices a lot.

And I think a Superbowl ad would be amazing! However, it would make sense for it to be for a digital lifestyle device, something all viewers could think is cool, rather than a computer, which many will just write off because they are already Windows users and inertia prevents them from changing.

 

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by Le Big Mac

I have to admit, though, it would be cool to introduce some new product with another 1984 ad. Even better would be to do it next year, on the 20th anniversary: what revolutionary stuff could Apple come up with in a year? "20 years ago, Apple started a revolution . . . today, Apple starts another one . . . "

I didn't think about that, but it is a very good point.
This year is supposed to be big, next year will be bigger.

 

[pgwalsh]

Re: Re: Re: Seems too close to Macworld

Originally posted by MacsRgr8


I don't get it. So these people bought the "old" PowerMacs. What's really good about that? These people won't buy a "new" PowerMac for a couple of years, so the sales of a "new" PowerMac will be lessend (correct word? ) by the amount of sold "old" PowerMacs

I was referring to the current line of PowerMacs. They bought one of the current PowerMacs as they didn't see a new one released at MWSF. Some people were holding out to see if they released new ones. Since they didn't see new PM's at MWSF, they bought a current model. Then SJ may giggle all the way to the bank if they release new ones. Why? Cause they make rather large margins of the PM line. People will probably want to buy new ones, if they every appear.

 

[Centris 650]

Originally posted by pyrotoaster


I didn't think about that, but it is a very good point.
This year is supposed to be big, next year will be bigger.

Imagine next January MWSF
1.New IBM chipset
2.Redesigned macs (I agree that DOA could be big!)
3.More (base) units using new hardware (FW, BT, APEx) Maybe even some new hardware like USB2.


Things could be really sweet next year! (Excuse me while my optimism blinds me! )

 

[primalman]

Ummmmm.....

Originally posted by robguz
I don't think Apple has actually EVER had a superbowl announcement.

What about the 1984 'Big Brother' ad that announced the coming of the Macintosh, which was polled as the most recognizable and popular Superbowl ad of all time? Just a thought.

 

[BOOMBA]

Re: SUPERBOWL!!!!!!

Originally posted by dickrichie
Just a guess but i think the Superbowl would b e the perfect time to refresh the computers and get plenty of exposure.

Not that this is a definite either way, but according to http://www.superbowl-ads.com/ Apple has NOT purchased a spot yet for the 2003 SuperBowl. They DO say there are 10 spots open though, $2 mil a piece.

 

[ear2ear]

ProTools & Powermacs

Originally posted by sweetaction
they will have airport extreme and bluetooth.

the new powermacs will come out at the same time as the new protools is released. people will freak.

Official compatibility status from digidesign is usually granted long after a new generation of powermacs are released. I'm not sure about now, but as of November the MDD powermacs weren't even granted as compatible with ProTools. This is understandable due to the number of different PT systems and configurations and the professional user base. (Imagine if one of those $1200 per hour studios went down for a few days due to a new Mac that didn't agree with PT - extreme example but the reason behind Digi's seemingly lateness.)