I think the reason a lot of people are annoyed (well, maybe just me...) is that the only SSD Apple are offering is 256GB. Cracking the case open on an iMac is a pain, so I think many people would be prepared to pay the 'Apple premium' on a 128GB/64GB drive because if it's alongside a 1/2TB disk size isn't so crucial. I for one would be happy to stump some cash for a smaller drive, but £600 is painful. It's only £49 less than the cost of a Mac Mini in the UK!
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New 27-Inch iMac Disassembled, Aftermarket SSD Install Deemed Difficult
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They are not pulling off anything.
I wish all those conspiracy theorists out there would just go and jump off a freakin cliff. Industrial design is all about compromises. Even a 1 mm extra might pose a significant hurdle to a certain design. Being able to "add your own" was simply not worth it for the small number of users that want to use their own SSD (yes, small compared to those who don't).
The iMac was never meant to be a user-upgradable machine anyway. Want to be able to plugin your own gear, buy a Mac Pro. That's what it is for.
I'm not annoyed by this news. It's an iMac. Not meant to be opened up.
What I am annoyed about is that Apple designed the iMac to allow memory access but not HD access. They should work the interior so the drives can be removed from the exterior. Then a person can remove the optical and put in another hard drive. If you need to install some disk software or watch a DVD: slip back in the optical.
That computer needs two full sized drives and an optical(all customer removable), in my opinion. If they did that it would be an instant buy.
What I am annoyed about is that Apple designed the iMac to allow memory access but not HD access. They should work the interior so the drives can be removed from the exterior. Then a person can remove the optical and put in another hard drive. If you need to install some disk software or watch a DVD: slip back in the optical.
That computer needs two full sized drives and an optical(all customer removable), in my opinion. If they did that it would be an instant buy.
I was thinking the same thing. I hope that someone figures it out and gets it posted. I have been holding off for a while for this update. My wife wants her MB back, since I use it so much...
Forget the cliff, this is just a poor argument. Industrial design has nothing to do with ignoring possibilities and serving the customers' needs. In fact, industrial design is about having the design part serving the function. Otherwise it would be called 'art', where visuals play the main part, not the primary function.
You're spelling it wrong.
If you're going to be obnoxious, at least try and get it right.
Hardly. There will still be few that will want SSD, but it would be easy to do it yourself and buy any SSD you want.
bloody hell just build your own PC.
BUILD BUILD BUILD. and you can also build in such a way that you can install snow lepard.
BUILD BUILD BUILD. and you can also build in such a way that you can install snow lepard.
I usually try and ignore the trolls on this site, but the level of idiocy in this thread is just too much. Here's how it is:
You can order an SSD second drive with your iMac from Apple. It's fitted and fully warrantied.
If you don't order an SSD, the space is there, but the cradle isn't. You *will* soon be able to buy these cradles from one of the many companies that sell third party Mac upgrades. Apple don't have any problem with this, but you're on your own. You need to know what you're doing.
The reason Apple didn't include the cradle is blindingly obvious -- these machines are NOT user serviceable. An empty cradle would simply tempt regular users to 'crack it open' and 'have a go'. In fact, having an empty cradle would almost endorse it. These machines are the same breed of tech that laptops use, but with the added bonus of a built in transformer, a magnetically attached glass panel and a 27" LED-lit panel in front of everything. Anyone who has ever had to service laptops will tell you that the chances of causing damage are significantly higher than for desktops, and a significant number of people would, without doubt, destroy their iMacs attempting to fit SSDs. That is not the Apple way, and bashing them for doing the obvious thing is just stupid.
Now, they could have removed the optical drive and added a bay on the side for a 2.5" HDD. That would have been awesome, but Apple clearly aren't ready to let go of optical media yet.
You can order an SSD second drive with your iMac from Apple. It's fitted and fully warrantied.
If you don't order an SSD, the space is there, but the cradle isn't. You *will* soon be able to buy these cradles from one of the many companies that sell third party Mac upgrades. Apple don't have any problem with this, but you're on your own. You need to know what you're doing.
The reason Apple didn't include the cradle is blindingly obvious -- these machines are NOT user serviceable. An empty cradle would simply tempt regular users to 'crack it open' and 'have a go'. In fact, having an empty cradle would almost endorse it. These machines are the same breed of tech that laptops use, but with the added bonus of a built in transformer, a magnetically attached glass panel and a 27" LED-lit panel in front of everything. Anyone who has ever had to service laptops will tell you that the chances of causing damage are significantly higher than for desktops, and a significant number of people would, without doubt, destroy their iMacs attempting to fit SSDs. That is not the Apple way, and bashing them for doing the obvious thing is just stupid.
Now, they could have removed the optical drive and added a bay on the side for a 2.5" HDD. That would have been awesome, but Apple clearly aren't ready to let go of optical media yet.
Should that not be '... try to get it right'?
I don't have my copy of White and Strunk on me right now, but I'm pretty sure it's just fine to use and/to interchangeably, especially when using it with a (condescending) imperative.*
Either way, I'm correcting grammar and getting annoyed about Stuff That Doesn't Matter, and that is a sure sign I need a break
* I actually know nothing about grammar. I just made that up. But I do have a copy of White and Strunk's useful little book.
Nothing really surprising here. There's no point in spending the extra to put a bracket into every machine when only 0.1% of people at most are savvy enough to haul it apart themselves and install their own drive.
Apple (unfortunately) realise that 99.9% of people who buy their products are just your everyday Joe and aren't bothered about losing a small percentage of power users to the PC. I get the impression that they don't particularly like power users anyway as they tend to poke around with things they don't want people to know about and are usually the loudest complainers - basically the most expensive customers. As long as the mass market is happy with what they're churning out, the profits roll in. Sensible business.
Yes it's disappointing that they don't offer a sensibly priced SSD and don't offer it as the primary drive in the smaller models (something like an 80GB Intel G2 would be nice) but there you go. You take it or leave it.
I installed the G2 into my old 20" iMac and it'll keep me happy enough for a while. At 3 years old it's given it a new lease of life.
If I was in the market for a new machine though (I'm not), I'm not sure what I'd do. I'm one of these power users they don't care about. With the continued lack of USB3, Blu-Ray and Reasonably Priced SSDs, I think I'd be hopping off the Apple platform or at least building a Hackintosh as there's nothing below the hideously expensive Mac Pro that is capable of those things at this time. Hopefully by the time my iMac dies Apple will have finally strolled into the 21st century
Apple (unfortunately) realise that 99.9% of people who buy their products are just your everyday Joe and aren't bothered about losing a small percentage of power users to the PC. I get the impression that they don't particularly like power users anyway as they tend to poke around with things they don't want people to know about and are usually the loudest complainers - basically the most expensive customers. As long as the mass market is happy with what they're churning out, the profits roll in. Sensible business.
Yes it's disappointing that they don't offer a sensibly priced SSD and don't offer it as the primary drive in the smaller models (something like an 80GB Intel G2 would be nice) but there you go. You take it or leave it.
I installed the G2 into my old 20" iMac and it'll keep me happy enough for a while. At 3 years old it's given it a new lease of life.
If I was in the market for a new machine though (I'm not), I'm not sure what I'd do. I'm one of these power users they don't care about. With the continued lack of USB3, Blu-Ray and Reasonably Priced SSDs, I think I'd be hopping off the Apple platform or at least building a Hackintosh as there's nothing below the hideously expensive Mac Pro that is capable of those things at this time. Hopefully by the time my iMac dies Apple will have finally strolled into the 21st century
It's not a joke, it's the mind of an engineer. New gadget - step 1 unbox, step 2 take it apart and see how it works. Actually using it is the second to last step (before reading - or more likely throwing out - the manual). It's also quite helpful to the repair and aftermarket industry.
Want to open and up and play? Get a Mac Pro.
The only decision I can't make is whether I want to pay an extra 600 for SSD hmmm
The only decision I can't make is whether I want to pay an extra 600 for SSD hmmm
This in theory could be true, in reality this does not apply. The first thing that will get removed in cost cutting is unnecessary components. Not to mention the wasting production time assembling components that aren't being used.
That's how I was with Electrical tape when I first started playing with car audio!
I quickly learnt that the temporary fix usually turns into a really poor permanent problem!
I quickly learnt that the temporary fix usually turns into a really poor permanent problem!
since it's BTO and takes time, the $600 includes the Foxconn people installing the drive for you. which with their new higher salaries costs money
PPPPPPPPPPUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEZEEEEEEEEEE!
They DON'T have a freakin Matte screen, never-ever will, go by an HP on a stick!
BTW people have been mounting drives with duct tape and tie-wraps for years, it's reasonable enough. It was also necessary with the old Amiga 600s and 1200s in 1993, which also didn't come with a bracket if you didn't buy the HD version
I agree that this is not for the casual user, but there is a small percentage of us who don't mind risking a warranty and getting frustrated, in order to mod an iMac.
I added a new hard drive to my iMac and did not find it that difficult at all. One advantage that I have over the genius bar, is that my child uses cloth diapers, which are lint-free. They helped to make handling the glass a clean and easy process.
I still think this is a win for us as Apple users. I'm happy this option is there and I know that an aftermarket company will offer us a cradle and cable. It's not a big deal at all.
I also disagree that the $600 price tag is that "overpriced" for the 256gb ssd. NewEgg prices are at or above that price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3160356&SID=
I also disagree that the $600 price tag is that "overpriced" for the 256gb ssd. NewEgg prices are at or above that price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3160356&SID=
