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iMacs Update Rumors?

"Uhm, DSL & Cable modems connect with 10baseT ethernet cords. Thats less bandwith than Airport, correct? The "Highest level" of business class DSL is only 1Mbps here I think. Even having multiple users at the same time won't crows airport. Because they all share the same cable/dsl connection."

Not mine. The bottleneck in my home network is the router box. When I plug my iMac straight into the cable modem, Network Utility shows a change in the connection speed from 10Mbps to 100Mbps.

(tig)


That just means that your cable modem has a 100 Mbps Ethernet port, vs your router's 10 Mbps Ethernet ports. This in no way means, however, that you have a 100Mbps connection to the internet. If you want to test your bandwith, a good web-based test is at:
http://webservices.cnet.com/Bandwidth/

For example, I did that test right now and got about 1.2 Mbps, which is in line with that I've seen with other bandwidth test tools. (I'm currently connected via Airport to a D-Link Wi-Fi router connected to my cable modem).
Click to expand...

Actually, I've run the same test (or a similar one), and I get about the same as you down, about 200-300kbps up. I guess what I was trying to say (not very clearly ;) ) is that it ain't the cable that determines the speed, as stated in the original post.

There are other considerations as well, at least on my hacked-together home network. Sometimes transfer speeds between my local machines bog down for no apparent reason. I thought it was my router, but I've since obtained a second one, and it still happens.

Ah, technology has made my life SO much easier... :D

(tig)
 
It's amazing. The more I read about what people wish and want in an iMac, the more I realize how dated the current version is.

I do have to say though, that in the PC world, that competition would force them to introduce the new features/functions much more quickly.

I'm surprised that Apple doesn't respond to this market force - perhaps that's why their sales have been stagnating of late. It doesn't appear that they have a sense of urgency about this.

Do any Apple employees read this? What are your thoughts?
 
Originally posted by SwitchHitter
It's amazing. The more I read about what people wish and want in an iMac, the more I realize how dated the current version is.

I do have to say though, that in the PC world, that competition would force them to introduce the new features/functions much more quickly.

I'm surprised that Apple doesn't respond to this market force - perhaps that's why their sales have been stagnating of late. It doesn't appear that they have a sense of urgency about this.

Do any Apple employees read this? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

It' not because of lack of competition. Apple is well aware of the competition (Wintel mainly and Linux to a much lesser degree).

The two problems with the iMac are:
1) Unlike in the PC world, Apple doesn't have frequent CPU upgrades to work with (thanks Motorola :mad:), so it adds other features: bigger screen, better video card, and now Bluetooth/AirPort Extreme/FireWire 800.

2) After the initial surge of sales, iMac sales stagnated, so Apple was left with too much inventory - I believe they've been selling that down. We know from their financial reports that the 17" was their best seller, which means they must have a lot of inventory of the 15" models.
 
Personally, my ideal product lineup would be:

Fast:

17" FP
867MHz
256MB RAM
60GB HDD
CD-R/CD
AE Ready
GeForce 4MX 32MB
Bluetooth
Bluetooth kb/mouse
Firewire 800,400, USB 1.1

Faster:

17" FP
1.0GHz
256MB RAM
80GB HDD
Superdrive
AE
GeFroce 4 Ti4200
Bluetooth
Bluetooth KB/Mouse
Firewire 800,400,usb 1.1 & speakers

Fastest:

17" FP
1.25GHz
512MB RAM
120GB HDD
Superdrive
AE
GeForce 4 Ti4200
Bluetooh
Bluetooth KB/Mouse
Firewire 800,400,usb 1.1 & Speakers

You can't tell me a 17" 1.25GHz would cannabalize Powermac Dual 1.25GHz sales. Different Markets.

Light sensing/changing stuff would be cool, and even better a lit Apple logo while I'm dreaming. Coming downstairs at night after baby girl wakes me up and seeing a glowing apple on the desk would be cool.

I think I could convince my wife she needs a new iMac this year (got her first one last July) if it had cordless technology. Personally I want to replace my Powerbook G4 550MHz with the 12" Powerbook. It's smaller and would fit better in my camera backpack.

Though I miss the PC-Card for reading gig microdrives. Someone needs a bluetooth CF reader. I dislike cables.
 
Originally posted by Trekkie

Fastest:

17" FP
1.25GHz
512MB RAM
120GB HDD
Superdrive
AE
GeForce 4 Ti4200
Bluetooh
Bluetooth KB/Mouse
Firewire 800,400,usb 1.1 & Speakers

You can't tell me a 17" 1.25GHz would cannabalize Powermac Dual 1.25GHz sales. Different Markets.

[snip]

I dislike cables.
Click to expand...

Though I agree that a 1.25GHz iMac wouldn't destroy the Powermac line up I still think that this set up is unlikely without a major change in the current pMac lineup. Why? The consumer models have never rivaled the power models. Apple has always kept a nice cushion between it's consumer and professional computers. (Of course it's gotten close sometimes....) Unless there's a major shift in thinking at Apple I don't see this happening.

Oh, I dislike cables too. Especially Keyboard and mouse cables. (It's nice to see that someone agrees with me that we just might see a wireless KB and mouse.) :D
 
PowerMac delaying iMac

You are right, 133Mhz iMacs with fast game displays and super drives would impact the current PowerMac line up. I believe the reason for the delay in new iMacs is not something to do with the iMacs, but that faster buss speeds in the PowerMacs are not ready yet. I am hoping that Apple will make some new product annoucements though thier stores in the next four weeks. They need to build some product momentum. The new PowerBooks are nice, but they are not enough to float Apple's boat for the next few months.
 
Re: PowerMac delaying iMac

Originally posted by jgp
You are right, 133Mhz iMacs with fast game displays and super drives would impact the current PowerMac line up. I believe the reason for the delay in new iMacs is not something to do with the iMacs, but that faster buss speeds in the PowerMacs are not ready yet.
Click to expand...
Yup. Apple really can't really do any kind of major upgrade speed wise to the iMac without impacting the pMac line to some degree.

The new PowerBooks are nice, but they are not enough to float Apple's boat for the next few months.
Click to expand...
Well, not everyone wants, needs or can afford a powerbook.

The iMac line really needs to be updated but I agree the powermacs need to be updated first.
 
Re: So....is it next week for announcing the new iMac line-up

Originally posted by SwitchHitter
So, it seems someone would know if next week Apple is going to announce the line-up of new imacs. Certainly there's got to be a little bit of leakage around that?!

Anyone from Apple care to comment? I DESPERATELY WANT to buy an iMac, and make the 'switch' from the PC.

Although technically, I'll be Bi, since I'll still use the PC for work, but everything else will be iMac..

I"m getting a tad tired of waiting.... tap tap tap.
Click to expand...

that is exactly my situation I hope they release them tomorrow and I hope that they're cheap, fast and slot-loading.
 
Bluetooth keyboard/mouse

While I would agree that cables are a pain, I'd rather deal with them than have to worry about batteries or some such in these devices. It'll be interesting to see how this issue is addressed by manufacturers.

(tig)
 
recharge

I imagine that the best way to recharge a wireless keyboard is to have a combination dock & FireWire hub. The keyboard could be secured to the device and recharged from FW connections.

Maybe wireless will be put to better use with a trackpad that would let you control your OS X.2 system from another room.
 
Can't recall where I saw it, CNet or TechTV or some such place, anyways, this company invented a pad that transfered enegy by direct contact. It was covered with little contacts that would brush up against contacts on the bottom side of the equipment, and voila! power! Safe for humans, and I think you could even spill a drink on it. I'll try to find a link...

Wow, that didn't take nearly as long as I thought. Here ya go.
Power Transfer Pad
 
Re: Bluetooth keyboard/mouse

Originally posted by The Grimace
While I would agree that cables are a pain, I'd rather deal with them than have to worry about batteries or some such in these devices. It'll be interesting to see how this issue is addressed by manufacturers.

(tig)
Click to expand...

I think what makes the most sense is to have a mouse and keyboard that can either be wireless or connected by USB. There could be indicator lights somewhere on the devices that would tell you when you should plug it into USB to recharge. Speaking from experience, I've owned a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse for about a year and a half and have only had to replace the batteries once (granted, using long-lasting rechargeable batteries that are supposed to last 5 times longer than standard batteries).
 
Speaking from experience, I've owned a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse for about a year and a half
Click to expand...

Is it an optical mouse, or the old roller-ball style? After having used an optical mouse, I don't think I could go back.

(tig)
 
Originally posted by The Grimace


Is it an optical mouse, or the old roller-ball style? After having used an optical mouse, I don't think I could go back.

(tig)
Click to expand...

Optical. Do they even make cordless roller-ball mice? I think the options are basically: roller-ball corded mouse, optical corded mouse, and optical cordless mouse. Yeah, optical's definitely the way to go. You can get a corded optical mouse for less than $20 now, so there's no reason to ever go back to roller-ball.
 
I would like to see a touchpad for the iMac, I'm going to switch as soon as Apple introduces the new iMac line, which rumor has it is supposed to be released this month.. though I'm growing doubtful on that.
 
Hey, I'm in Chicago as well (live in Old Irving Park area). How sure are you that the new iMacs will come in Jan/early Feb?

I'm so anxious, I'm about to wet my pants!!!
 
Audio in

I haven't seen any mention of the fact that the current I-macs don't have an audio in.

I am interested in taping phone calls (that clients have agreed to have taped :) ) into my mac. The imac only has a built in mic.

I have been waiting for the 1GH upgrade on the imac and if it has the audio in, I'll probably buy, otherwise I'll get a Powerbook.

I'd never buy a power mac desktop, too expensive. I don't need the expansion and you can get a power book for the same price.

Cheers,
Guy
 
Re: wireless keyboard a must

Originally posted by macdiehard
I agree with the guys that hate cables. I definately want a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Click to expand...

If they upgrade to a wireless keyboard and mouse on the iMac, then they are upgrading all the systems because the iMac, PowerMac and eMac all use the same keyboard and mouse. ;)

If they do upgrade to wireless keyboards and mice, I sure hope they allow you to recharge through the USB port.
 
Originally posted by SwitchHitter

Hey, I'm in Chicago as well (live in Old Irving Park area). How sure are you that the new iMacs will come in Jan/early Feb?

I'm so anxious, I'm about to wet my pants!!!
Click to expand...

It's like when an 8-Ball says "all signs point to yes." And speaking of signs, the CD-RW iMac is at a 2 to 3 week shipping time. New iMacs in, oh let's say 2 to 3 weeks, would fit right into that whole 8-ball thing.

In all fairness, if you had asked me a month ago, I would have sworn that iMac updates would be in the first hour of SJ's Keynote speech.
Nobody really knows what to expect. I mean, we are talking about Apple, here. ;)
 
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