New iMac, FrontRow and PhotoBooth Apps

[hansen]

First let me say that I think the iMac is a great move from Apple in the right direction (except for the pro people - they are getting ditched by Apple at the moment)

But there is a few things I don't understand.

If I want to watch DVD or show pictures to friends and family I would like to be seated comfortably on my coach and with some distance to the screen. For this the remote is great

but is the iSight of any use at a distance? Is there a zoom functionality or something?

And then there is the missing tv tuner. If I go for a wall mounted iMac I really miss the tuner to replace the tv. Maybe Apple will pull it off to move consumers to IP TV but we are not quite there yet.

On the other hand if it is meant for shorter distance - for instance standing on the desk - the iSight makes sense and so does the mouse. But I wont sit at my desk watching movies and I wouldn't need a remote.

For me it's kind of an in the middle solution. Where would I put it, how would my habits be for using the thing? I don't excactly get it.

 

[bodeh6]

Where is Apple getting this 2GB stick of RAM from? I went to crucial and they sell 2GB in a kit that has 2 - 1GB sticks. Also the sweet spot for RAM is just ordering the iMac with 1.5GB seeing how it is only a $200 upgrade.

 

[Mr Maui]

Welcome to the wonderful world of technology!

I'm probably in worse shape than you - my current setup is a 17" 1.25 GHz G4 iMac and a 3G 20 GB iPod. But, they both still do the trick for me, so I have no real reason to upgrade for a while yet. Although I might pick up one of these video iPods sooner than I was initially planning...

Got you both beat. I have a Blue/White G3 350 Mhz and a Sony Walkman.

 

[spimp31]

I just can't understand why they offer this remote for use with the new universal ipod dock, with the iMac, yet don't allow you to purchase the frontrow software to work with your existing mac. Screw that. Some of us already gave Apple their $1,600 and simply want to use the newest application with iTunes and other applications. They're simply using frontrow as a bargaining tool to sell the iMacs. I'd like to buy the remote, but not just to control my iPod, especially when I already run my audio (and video as well) to my receiver through OPTICAL and HD connections.

The iPod didn't get an update on it's audio, the iMac doesn't have video out... it just bothers me that it appears as though apple is trying to soak customers now, rather than giving us what we really would pay for. Meanwhile, I figure they'll offer up a mac-mini that does what we want come 2006. This isn't good business, and it's not a good way to treat your existing customer base who would willingly buy quality products.

 

[~Shard~]

My Poor poor PM G5 just shed a tear

Sorry 840quadra, nothing personal... them's just the facts...

If it makes you feel better, I wish I had a PowerMac in the first place!

 

[devilot]

I just can't understand why they offer this remote for use with the new universal ipod dock, with the iMac, yet don't allow you to purchase the frontrow software to work with your existing mac. Screw that. Some of us already gave Apple their $1,600 and simply want to use the newest application with iTunes and other applications. They're simply using frontrow as a bargaining tool to sell the iMacs. I'd like to buy the remote, but not just to control my iPod, especially when I already run my audio (and video as well) to my receiver through OPTICAL and HD connections.

The iPod didn't get an update on it's audio, the iMac doesn't have video out... it just bothers me that it appears as though apple is trying to soak customers now, rather than giving us what we really would pay for. Meanwhile, I figure they'll offer up a mac-mini that does what we want come 2006. This isn't good business, and it's not a good way to treat your existing customer base who would willingly buy quality products.

^^ Interesting... I don't think you're the first person to fee/ post this way. I agree. Having bought the rev. B 20" iMac in late May/early June, I'm a little bummed by this update but I'd be so excited if given the chance to purchase Front Row and that remote! I could do w/out the isight... but yes, I agree, just the chance to buy that app and that remote (for use w/ my iMac). *dreamy far off look*

 

[mrzippy]

I seem to remember everyone complaining that the last iMac update only had the plain Radeon 9600 (not PRO or XT), being that the plain 9600 is not a very good card.

Well if the new X600 PRO / XT is just the PCI-E version of the 9600 PRO / XT surely this is a good thing? ie. Faster. I did some benchmarks for barefeats.com on the Rev A iMac G5 and the 9600 was a big improvement on the old FX5200 in their comparison, we can only wait for some Rev C benchmarks!

Anyway I have been putting off upgrading my ageing G4 Power Mac for a while now, but I think this new 20" iMac G5 just changed my mind, as I need a new monitor to, my old Sharp 15" TFT which is 3 years old is a bit small!

 

[Bengt77]

Wow!

This update actually makes me want to buy an iMac right now! I'm kind of ready to buy a new computer, but will be holding off until the Intel Macs are here. I've decided to wait it out and not buy a PPC Mac anymore. I hope the Intel iMac that replaces this awesome machine will be worth the wait.

But as nearly everyone is saying... awesome update! I especially like the Front Row and remote addition. And, of course, the ability to actually play some games that matter, with the new (at least for Apple) X600XT card. Very nice, all. The processor update is marginal, but the iMac was said to be quite fast already, so a mere 100MHz update should do just fine.

Excellent! Now I just shouldn't get too tempted to actually go out and buy it...

 

[peterjhill]

Or you just download the tv shows instead of ripping them yourself.

 

[~Shard~]

PCI-E may be superior, but there must be a video card to take advantage of the bandwidth it provides. Touting PCI-E on the new iMac as a significant advantage over its predecessor is meaningless since the X600 Pro and XT offer only small incremental real-world performance improvements. PCI-E may have the potential for a lot more, but that potential is stifled by the captive video card, heat or no heat.

Edit: I should add that I'm still very impressed. Nothing is perfect, but this iMac comes close.

Fair enough, however there are still many "real-world" reasons why PCI-E is better than AGP. In the iMac, yes, it would be less of an advantage and the potential would not be fully realized, but in a PoiwerMac...!

 

[luke.111]

These iMac updates are pretty cool... at least at the prices they are selling at. That's a ton of performance and innovative software for the dollar; I can't imagine ANY other computer, Mac or otherwise, being as good a value as this new iMac.

On the downside, I need to move to a portable soon and those new prices on the refurb'd Rev. A iMacs are not going to help me when I sell my rev. A.

 

[sjk]

Wow. I am flabbergasted. I didn't think Apple would upgrade the iMac so 'soon,' that's why I felt safe buying the Rev. B in May... this update is so nice. Sigh. Ah well, I still have an awesome machine, just, not as awesome.

I had exactly the same reaction to this surprise update. I really didn't expect another iMac update before the first Intel-based system were announced... and selfishly hoped that would be true.

Anyway, I'm still satisfied with the rev B for now... but my wife will get it if her eMac irreparably fails and "forces" me to upgrade.

 

[~Shard~]

One more thing...

iMac refurbs are now super cheap:

rev A 17" iMac -- $749

rev B 17" iMac -- $849

That rev B is the perfect first computer for my mom. She doesn't need all the extra bells and whistles introduced today.

Damn, that is a good deal - good catch! I might recommend that to some of my friends and co-workers as well. Nice to see...

 

[Chef Medeski]

Did anyone notice that the iMac ships standard with a mighty mouse now?

 

[mrzippy]

This update actually makes me want to buy an iMac right now! I'm kind of ready to buy a new computer, but will be holding off until the Intel Macs are here. I've decided to wait it out and not buy a PPC Mac anymore. I hope the Intel iMac that replaces this awesome machine will be worth the wait.

Problem is that most software, bar Apple's own, will be running using Rosetta translation which at best according to Apple runs at 80% of the CPU speed. Microsoft and Adobe are talking late 2006 to 2007 for native intel apps.

Top spec processors actual speed
2.7 GHz G5 vs 3.8 GHz P4

Compartive speed ie. 80% translation speed for P4
2.7 GHz G5 v 3 GHz P4

That is a 300 MHz improvement at BEST.

 

[Le Big Mac]

Meanwhile, I figure they'll offer up a mac-mini that does what we want come 2006. This isn't good business, and it's not a good way to treat your existing customer base who would willingly buy quality products.

It's really annoying that they apparently won't allow this stuff to work with older/other products.

But, look on the bright side: less reason to replace that new iMac now; more reason to hold out for a revised mini that has all (or most) of these features.

BTW, I guess apple doesn't like the criticism:

We urge you to read our Terms of Use so that you may discover what constitutes an appropriate post to our service. Section two, "Submissions," is most germane.

Your post titled "apple remote with older imac g5" has been removed from Apple Discussions. A copy of this message can be found below. This area is intended to address technical issues about Apple products. Posts that do not conform to the Apple Discussions Terms of Use are inappropriate.

. . .

----------

A copy of your message for reference:

And given their history of not adding features to old hardware, I doubt there will be any possibility of adding these features. Boo on Apple.

 

[snahabed]

Here is my bet:

If asked, Apple will say that there are no plans to sell Front Row separately.

At January's Macworld, Apple will introduce iLife '06 with Front Row and PhotoBooth added to the suite. Free with new Macs, but $79 separately.

At Macworld, Apple will announce an IR receiver/remote accessory bundle for non-IR Macs, for $29 or $39.

 

[sboultbee]

When Apple decided to upgrade the iMac to a faster CPU than is found in a PowerMac (2.1 GHz vs the low-end PowerMac at 2.0), the company pretty much announced to the world that its "professional" machines are an afterthought at best.

But don't forget - the low-end PowerMac has two 2.0 GHz G5s...

 

[Mac_Freak]

New iPod add

 

[appletastic]

Does anybody know..(or can guess) if Front Row can be used with Airport Express..? It is kind of pointless if you cannot use the remote and play the music through a separate set of speakers or hifi..?

 

[nagromme]

GPU

To people saying that the iMac needs a high-end gaming GPU: are hard-core gamers really clamoring for an all-in-one?

To be clear on the gaming issue, it's my guess that what (most) hard-core gamers REALLY want is not an iMac, but a mid-range headless (or high-end Mac Mini or low-end Power Mac). Cheaper/smaller than a PowerMac but with more power (and hopefully upgradable GPU) than the Mac Mini.

No such Mac exists now (I hope that changes), and Apple may be missing out on a huge untapped market of hard-core gamers. But I'm not sure the iMac was ever meant to be the Mac for them.

Meanwhile, for the rest of us gamers, the iMac just got a nice boost!

 

[mrzippy]

I hope the microphone is improved from the Rev A iMac G5 that we have.

All it does it pick up fan noise!

I prefer my stand alone iSight on my PowerMac.

BTW Nice screen updates, I have commented for a long time the 17" had very poor viewing angles compared to current LCDs, it's still not 170 degrees both axis but at least is is not as low as the previous 90 degrees on the one axis!

 

[plinden]

Where is Apple getting this 2GB stick of RAM from? I went to crucial and they sell 2GB in a kit that has 2 - 1GB sticks. Also the sweet spot for RAM is just ordering the iMac with 1.5GB seeing how it is only a $200 upgrade.

Look up Crucial's DDR2 RAM, do not go through the RAM selector. They don't have rev C iMac RAM available yet, of course.

2GB DDR2 533 RAM is $1073 on Crucial. Crucial usually charge extra for guaranteed Mac RAM so I don't know how they're going to beat Apple's price.

 

[Mr Maui]

Remember us graphic professionals Apple? Where are the Power Mac updates?

What's a PowerMac? 3 GHz in a year!! Mark my words!

 

[devilot]

Here is my bet:

If asked, Apple will say that there are no plans to sell Front Row separately.

At January's Macworld, Apple will introduce iLife '06 with Front Row and PhotoBooth added to the suite. Free with new Macs, but $79 separately.

At Macworld, Apple will announce an IR receiver/remote accessory bundle for non-IR Macs, for $29 or $39.

*applause* Seems like a likely possibility. Wow was that poor writing. I'm okay w/ waiting until then to buy that stuff and I think your price range is probably as well.