iMacs Update Rumors?

[ntmf]

I believe that the new iMacs must have 1,25 Ghz.

My actual iMac 800 17" is so slow, compared to modern PC (Although I love the software and Hardware).

But a big Speedbump is absolutely necessary.

I believe this speedbump will only come, when the Powermac line is upgradet to lets say 1,47 Ghz.

Why? 200Mhz will be no good reason to upgrade my 17" iMac, but 425 Mhz more will be a very good reason for me to upgrade!

And if they get this topmodell with a 19" TFT (turnable !?) I will order one in a second!

If I look at the new Powerbooks, I have to say they are really nice but not the speed is the reason to upgrade, but the Display size !
17" is so cool! I will get mine as soon as they are available! But regarding the new Powerbooks a 200 Mhz Speedbump is not a reason for me to upgrade.

But what I am really afraid of, is the moment, when an emulation of a Powerpc on a Multi Ghz PC is faster than the Original PowerPC-Hardware. (If you compare 4Ghz to 1,25 Ghz this seems not so far away!

I pray for that this will never happen!

But after all: The Software of our Macs is so way off cool, I doubt that PCs will ever have as amazing software as we have!

 

[concretecurb]

I am thinkign of getting a new iMac. With all these rumors do you think I should wait a few more weeks to order one. My old G3 Beige is on it's last leg, and I really do not want to buy another tower. For what I do, it is not worth buying a G4 tower and new LCD, plus money is a big consideration.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

I am thinkign of getting a new iMac. With all these rumors do you think I should wait a few more weeks to order one.

I would try and hold out a few more weeks. Outside of the 17" iMac, the line hasn't seen any refreshing since the initial introduction last January. They are long overdue for a speed bump, and supplies of the current iMacs appear to be slimming, so it really could come at any time now. Once that happens you can get a new one or get one of the current models for less money.

 

[SwitchHitter]

Yes, I would wait a few more weeks.. or days.... I think it a new iMac doesn't come out by the end of Feb, then we can all say goodbye to Apple updating the iMac line.

I'm patiently waiting for the iMacs... but my willingness to wait is being severely tested...

Unfortunately, I might have to stay with the PC and renew my research into what's best in that class - though I want to SWITCH so bad.

It would really be quite sad if Apple doesn't update the iMac line so that it's features/function/speed/etc. are equal to the PC world.

And of course there's been vast rants and raves about what an updated iMac should include. But I haven't heard/seen anything that even alludes to a new series update for the iMacs.

I even have friends that have checked with various manufacturers in the Far East on if Apple has been manufacturing new components, etc. - but nothing.. nada.. zilch...

But I'm going to remain optomistic for at least another few weeks......

 

[Centris 650]

Originally posted by concretecurb
I am thinkign of getting a new iMac. With all these rumors do you think I should wait a few more weeks to order one. My old G3 Beige is on it's last leg, and I really do not want to buy another tower. For what I do, it is not worth buying a G4 tower and new LCD, plus money is a big consideration.

I agree with Ambrose that you might want to wait. We should (hopefully!) see an update soon. (Apple has in the past updated it's product lines every 6 months give or take a month. The iMac was last upgraded in August so hopefully we'll see something in February if not then probably early March.)

I however don't think we'll see a major speed boost. I could be wrong and Steve-O has a way of doing the unexpected but I just don't see the iMac line going past the 1ghz bar.

 

[MacKid]

Actually. . .

Originally posted by ntmf
I believe that the new iMacs must have 1,25 Ghz.

My actual iMac 800 17" is so slow, compared to modern PC (Although I love the software and Hardware).

But a big Speedbump is absolutely necessary.

I believe this speedbump will only come, when the Powermac line is upgradet to lets say 1,47 Ghz.

Why? 200Mhz will be no good reason to upgrade my 17" iMac, but 425 Mhz more will be a very good reason for me to upgrade!

And if they get this topmodell with a 19" TFT (turnable !?) I will order one in a second!

If I look at the new Powerbooks, I have to say they are really nice but not the speed is the reason to upgrade, but the Display size !
17" is so cool! I will get mine as soon as they are available! But regarding the new Powerbooks a 200 Mhz Speedbump is not a reason for me to upgrade.

But what I am really afraid of, is the moment, when an emulation of a Powerpc on a Multi Ghz PC is faster than the Original PowerPC-Hardware. (If you compare 4Ghz to 1,25 Ghz this seems not so far away!

I pray for that this will never happen!

But after all: The Software of our Macs is so way off cool, I doubt that PCs will ever have as amazing software as we have!

I highly doubt that they will bump it to 1.25 Ghz, but that's just my opinion. One of the reasons that Apple doesn't just buy a buttload of Athlons or something is because the Mac OS doesn't require speeds of 2.0Ghz+ (Not that I don't crave that 970. . . ). Ever tried XP with all the graphics specialties on a sub 1Ghz computer? It's not pretty. Not that it's un-workable, but it would make you even more glad that you have a Mac! I think we've had enough bi*chin' about how slow the speeds are, all I'm trying to say (I know that we could really use the extra Mhz) is that unless I'm very much mistaken (which I have been on countless occasions), the iMacs will not catch up to the PowerMacs that fast, unless the PPC 970's bring them up to like 3Ghz or something .

 

[orthodoc]

17 inch iMac just went from 3-5 days to 5-7 days shipping. This could be a good sign!

 

[vniow]

Originally posted by MacKid
Ever tried XP with all the graphics specialties on a sub 1Ghz computer? It's not pretty. Not that it's un-workable, but it would make you even more glad that you have a Mac!

I have XP Po running on a 667Mhz PIII with 256MB RAM and a 32MB ATI Radeon AIW video card and it's no slouch at all, even with all the eye candy turned on.

My iBook on the other hand...........

 

[iTry]

You keep me hanging on, baby.

Originally posted by orthodoc
17 inch iMac just went from 3-5 days to 5-7 days shipping. This could be a good sign!

I'm gonna buy a 17" iMac from the UK education store..... WHEN THEY GET ROUND TO UPDATING THE DAMNED THINGS!

Apple are heartless! They lead you on, let you fall in love with them, and then don't care for you! Mind you, it's better than the domestic violence of M$, to use an extended metaphor!

To anyone who didn't follow that, what I'm saying is that apple have me over a barrel, kinky as that sounds. I'm not buying a PC. I refuse. I've used them most of my life and if I have to live with another I'll kick its puny little beige case to bits and then melt its component parts with a blowtorch. However, I'm not going to buy a new iMac until they update them or bring the top end's price down a bit.

Anyway, what I was going to say before my rant was that the lead time for 17" iMac is 10 - 12 days in the UK now. Good sign? I hope so!

 

[brian0526]

Waiting to switch

After a long and agonizing process, I made the decision to switch from a PC to Mac back in December. But, then I was told "wait", the iMac's going to be updated soon. Then, I found out just how "old" the 800 MHz iMac's are. So, I wait.

The longer I wait, the more the buyer's remorse hits before I've even bought the Mac. I'm thinking I could have had a much faster PC already and just moved all my stuff over without having to worry about how I'll get my 8 years of Quicken data over, how I'll do my taxes this year, etc.

I still want to switch to Apple. I think the switch campaign has been fairly effective. But, Apple's got to do something about the perceive speed problems with the iMac. Never having run OSX on an 800 MHz iMac, I don't know how fast it'll be. But, if there are G4 processors available that are 1 GHz or more, I want that in my first Apple machine. I also want a 512 MB DIMM in the built-in slot on the iMac so I can easily upgrade to 1 GB, if I want to.

I'm waiting (im)patiently. My 450 MHz PC running Windows 98 crashes several times a day prompting me to do something.

OK, rant over. Thanks for listening.

Peace,
Brian

 

[SwitchHitter]

Brian, i'm in the same situation as you are.. patiently waiting, etc.. and i've also experienced some of the same remorse - though i haven't bought an imac yet.

There was a lot of buzz in december that the new imacs would come out in early january... and they didn't.

Now it doesn't seem there's too much buzz about the potential of any new imacs coming out, which does have me worried (i scan all the rumor boards every day....) people respond to my inquires, and just say, hold on,, apple will be introducing them in the next week or the next week.. Meantime, time keeps slipping away.

I'm still going to hold out until mid-Feb, but i'm getting more disilluisoned as the days march past, and no update. no word on updates.. and no good rumors on updates.......

SURELY, someone that reads these boards - and KNOWS what's going on inside Apple around iMACs can shed a little bit of light for us.....

Please

 

[MacKid]

Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by brian0526
After a long and agonizing process, I made the decision to switch from a PC to Mac back in December. But, then I was told "wait", the iMac's going to be updated soon. Then, I found out just how "old" the 800 MHz iMac's are. So, I wait.

The longer I wait, the more the buyer's remorse hits before I've even bought the Mac. I'm thinking I could have had a much faster PC already and just moved all my stuff over without having to worry about how I'll get my 8 years of Quicken data over, how I'll do my taxes this year, etc.

I still want to switch to Apple. I think the switch campaign has been fairly effective. But, Apple's got to do something about the perceive speed problems with the iMac. Never having run OSX on an 800 MHz iMac, I don't know how fast it'll be. But, if there are G4 processors available that are 1 GHz or more, I want that in my first Apple machine. I also want a 512 MB DIMM in the built-in slot on the iMac so I can easily upgrade to 1 GB, if I want to.

I'm waiting (im)patiently. My 450 MHz PC running Windows 98 crashes several times a day prompting me to do something.

OK, rant over. Thanks for listening.

Peace,
Brian

Not to be offensive, just for your information. . .

Just two things:

1) iMacs come with Quicken.

2) You can just buy some 512MB or 256MB RAM chips and put them in, the memory is very easily accessed through the bottom.

 

[orthodoc]

Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by MacKid

Not to be offensive, just for your information. . .

Just two things:

1) iMacs come with Quicken.

2) You can just buy some 512MB or 256MB RAM chips and put them in, the memory is very easily accessed through the bottom.

I think you have misunderstood the post:

1) I believe he is worried about quicken compatibility between the pc and mac versions

2) His post says he hopes there is a 512 chip in the non-user slot, so he can add 512 MB to the user slot and have 1 Gig of RAM.

 

[brian0526]

Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by MacKid

Not to be offensive, just for your information. . .

Just two things:

1) iMacs come with Quicken.

2) You can just buy some 512MB or 256MB RAM chips and put them in, the memory is very easily accessed through the bottom.

Thanks. I knew iMacs come with Quicken. However, the files are completely incompatible. I've upgraded Quicken on the PC for years and just converted the file as I've gone along. With the Mac, I'll either lose all my old information or have to enter a bunch of stuff manually. Really an aside to this thread. But, there is some pain involved with PC users switching to Mac and this is one. I'm willing to go through the process to get the superior OS Mac offers and some of the better apps. But, the speed difference between a Mac and PC concerns me.

The way the top end iMac comes today, the non-user slot is not maxed out. A silly way to ship a top end machine, IMO. The first slot should have the highest density chip available since it requires a professional to install a bigger chip (unless you want to void your warranty).

Just a couple of gripes about the Mac. But, back to the point, I wish Apple would just give them as much power as they can at this point. I don't care about keeping separation between the iMac and the PowerMac (consumer and pro). They really need to step it up on the hardware side at least make it close to the PC so us people who want to switch will feel the pain of going through the transition is worth it and the machine we buy today will perform well for the next few years.

Peace,
Brian

 

[iTry]

Re: Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by brian0526

Just a couple of gripes about the Mac. But, back to the point, I wish Apple would just give them as much power as they can at this point. I don't care about keeping separation between the iMac and the PowerMac (consumer and pro). They really need to step it up on the hardware side at least make it close to the PC so us people who want to switch will feel the pain of going through the transition is worth it and the machine we buy today will perform well for the next few years.

Peace,
Brian

Everyone talking about speed is missing an essential point. Macs last longer. In between university, I work in a small publishing firm who, until two years ago, still used a 1992 mac to produce magazine pages to go to the printing presses. That particular mac supported a multi-gig hard drive, a cd writer, a zip disk, scanner etc... Try doing that on a pc of similar vintage! I tried something similar once with an old wintel box. It just couldn't hack it and fell over, sobbing loudly!

It has since been replaced, but only by a 1997 model! Also, I could tell you of stories of video editing somehow accomplished on second-generation Powermacs...

But the point is that, although Motorola haven't quite managed to get off their backsides and make a faster chip yet, the ones thay do make are better, and will last longer than a 'faster' pc.

And which would you rather have on your desk?! I still haven't seen anything as elegant as the iMac in the pc world.

As a by the by, does anyone have any ideas on where to get a carry case for an iMac? I reckon me and my comp may do some travelling...

 

[MorganX]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by iTry

As a by the by, does anyone have any ideas on where to get a carry case for an iMac? I reckon me and my comp may do some travelling...

I think what you need is a 17" Powerbook.

 

[MorganX]

Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by brian0526
The longer I wait, the more the buyer's remorse hits before I've even bought the Mac. I'm thinking I could have had a much faster PC already

I still want to switch to Apple. I think the switch campaign has been fairly effective. But, Apple's got to do something about the perceive speed problems with the iMac

I'm with you 100%. I just hope the iMac delays are simply due to the fact that other manufacturers are ordering the 17" LCDs for PC and notebooks that are also being used in iMacs.

Apple nees to put as much CPU and graphics power in the updated iMacs as possible. Damn the PowerMac line. people who want a tower will buy it. In the PC world home PCs are often more powerful than the average workstation.

I think I could go 2 or more years with a 1GHz G4 and a 64MB Geforce 4MX in an iMac. But I would like to purchase by Feb 14th. If the iMac isn't updated, I may go with Sony's 17" Widescreen and a dual Xeon PIV.

I'd really rather switch to OSX though so I'm waiting; but this waiting is kind of new to me. I would actually prefer to have specs and price announced and an arrival date. That I could wait for. Waiting and not knowing if you're waiting for nothing, is not pleasant and I don't know if I can do it long.

 

[iTry]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by MorganX


I think what you need is a 17" Powerbook.

I'd love one, were it not for three things...

I'm just a poor student who has been loaned some money to get my iMac, and my budget don't stretch to a powerbook!

I want to watch dvd's + broadcast tv on it, so I like the movability and position of the screen.

Because of the amount I use comps, and due to me being fairly tall, portables end up giving me neckache! I found this out while using my better half's pathetically-slow-and-crash-prone-yet-brand-new P4 laptop. (Can anyone say "Sorry caller, you're going to need to use your recovery disk"?!)

In any case, because I'm in uni accomodation, I'd like a nice big bag to put it in while it's being transported back to my parents'. One of my old media tutors had some padded bags for TVs. They may have been intended for sports equipment.

Any bright ideas???!!!

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by SwitchHitter
Brian, i'm in the same situation as you are.. patiently waiting, etc.. and i've also experienced some of the same remorse - though i haven't bought an imac yet.

There was a lot of buzz in december that the new imacs would come out in early january... and they didn't.

Now it doesn't seem there's too much buzz about the potential of any new imacs coming out, which does have me worried (i scan all the rumor boards every day....) people respond to my inquires, and just say, hold on,, apple will be introducing them in the next week or the next week.. Meantime, time keeps slipping away.

I'm still going to hold out until mid-Feb, but i'm getting more disilluisoned as the days march past, and no update. no word on updates.. and no good rumors on updates.......

SURELY, someone that reads these boards - and KNOWS what's going on inside Apple around iMACs can shed a little bit of light for us.....

Please

Hey Switch i think you will see a new imac in less then 2 weeks and my guess will be a 1 ghz chip though that doesnt sound like much but with the 133 bus that should give pretty good performance, I strongly doubt a 19 inch with turntable base thats the first i heard of it because after seeing the 17 inch i think the 19 would be too much! How about some fancy new colors like the old classic?blueberry anyone Maybe bluetooth?Look at the new powerbook and you probably will see those kind of specs in the imac!also there latest greatest software apps This is just pure speculation of course.

 

[iTry]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
I strongly doubt a 19 inch with turntable base thats the first i heard of it

In a computer where the screen goes halfway round on the end of a stick, why would you need a turntable base???

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Originally posted by iTry



In a computer where the screen goes halfway round on the end of a stick, why would you need a turntable base???

You wouldnt thats why i vote you wont see it THE 17 IS JUST TO COOL just a faster cpu ( please Steve) and no mx video cards!

 

[iTry]

Originally posted by Dont Hurt Me
You wouldnt thats why i vote you wont see it THE 17 IS JUST TO COOL just a faster cpu ( please Steve) and no mx video cards!

My thoughts exactly!

As a by the by, the widescreen is great for me, since I do a media production course and shoot all my video in w/s. (It also just looks cooler)

However, a review i read thought apple's new policy was so people could watch dvds in w/s! Must have missed the launch of final cut pro then...

 

[macdiehard]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Waiting to switch

Originally posted by iTry





Because of the amount I use comps, and due to me being fairly tall, portables end up giving me neckache! I found this out while using my better half's pathetically-slow-and-crash-prone-yet-brand-new P4 laptop. (Can anyone say "Sorry caller, you're going to need to use your recovery disk"?!)

I think people overlook ergonomics. The question of whether lap tops will replace desk tops isn't just a question of does it have equal or better speed, storage and screen real estate. It's also a question of comfort.

I have been working on a lap top for 3 years and have tried all kinds of tricks like putting it on two phone books and having an external keyboard. Looks like hell on my desk. The lap top plus external monitor is a good solution but I think most power books have to remain open and this really clutters your desk. Also it's not cheap to lay out $2.5 Gs and another bunch for the monitor.

For me the perfect solution would be something like the new Toshiba where the keyboard breaks away and the monitor can be put on a stand. Imagine a 15 or 17 inch power book where the screen breaks away, slots into a stand that raises the screen 6 inches above the desk and the key board breaks away wirelessly. And while we are at it, why not make the screen a tablet, but not a 10 inch one!

By the way, one thing I don't like about lap tops is typing over the CPU, I think you definately get zapped by the energy under your hands

Working on a lap top gives me neck ache too, the imac ergonomics are great, especially good for working with a partner - I often review web sites with a client or another consultant, the two of us looking at the same screen.

 

[macdiehard]

Audio in

What about Audio in on a new iMac?

By the way, can you get audio in through a USB port, i.e with a line or microphone?

 

[arn]

I hope those who felt that waiting is not going to yield anything read the newest news item

New iMacs are coming in the next few weeks

no question.

arn