New iMac G5 Announced

[slughead]

And people are clamoring that the Internet surfing / email writing / iLife using general public should pay extra for a 128MB graphics card so that a few gamers can have slightly smoother transitions while they play? At best, that sounds a bit selfish to me.

LOL! pay extra?!
http://www.pricewatch.com/m/mn.aspx?i=37&f=1

In the PC world they're the same price!

The 9600 128mb is $20 more!

heh, pay extra? Please. They probably just had a bunch of these lying around, and (not to blame them) decided it would keep profits higher to use them up. Hey, obviously the poopsville card isn't effecting sales that much, I wasn't going to buy an iMac anyway!

Just.. look at price watch some time. They are making profit on ALL those goods (aside from some of the door busters). Imagine what people like Apple and dell are making.. Just think about the 100% wholesale markups adding together.. think of all the prostitutes you could buy.. er uhm scratch that last part..

It's their prerogative to do what makes their profits higher, but for god's sake, don't feel that $20/unit would necessarily bring up the price. They just figured "G5 IMAC?! I CAN'T LOSE!" would overtake "Wait, the 3rd most important component is 2 years old? what the hell is this crap?!".. and they're probably right.

[edit: and please don't say this will only effect "hardcore" gamers.. Anyone who plays ANY FPSs made past 2002 will be SOL with this card. Perhaps some people have been using macs too long to know that 640x480 was BS 8 years ago]

 

[alexf]

I'm so happy to see some very good and intelligent posts from a few designers about the new iMacs. I will be getting the 20" iMac as soon as it's available to replace my G4-400 Powermac. I do strictly web and print design on the computer (day and night) and have been happy with the G4. The upgrade to the G5 iMac is for 2 reasons: screen and processor speed. The graphics card from what I understand is more then enough for what I need it for. I'm glad to see some fellow designers chiming in with their views - for a while there I thought this forum was 'gamers only'. It's refreshing.

Good choice - the 20" iMac is an excellent choice for design work, one3. Unless you are a hard-core gamer, the graphics card will be fine (after all these are the exact same cards that are in the 1.8 and 2.0GHz dual PowerMacs).
The 1.8GHz G5 processor will fly through most of your needs.

Enjoy!

 

[Maxx Power]

I hate to burst your bubble Power Maxx, but most people who are potential iMac buyers do not do a whole lot more with the computer than general (meaning non-graphics-intensive) computing. Let's not forget that the "i" in iMac stands for Internet, and Internet use was was the iMac product line was originally intended for (although one could do a hell of a lot more with the fast G5 iMac if they wanted to).

You have made is clear to us all that you are quite unhappy about the new iMac. My sincere condolences. But don't you think it may be due time to give it a rest?

Forgoing arguments aside, "give it a rest ?" Uh-oh, this is a corporate world. And demand/complaints is all we consumers can do. We should not be held to cope for unsatisfaction, it is my duty to complain to demand a better design. People have thoughts, the mouth and the hand are meant to be able to express those thoughts. If i gave it a rest now, JUST AFTER the release of the iMac's, i'd be a quitter. I don't know about you, but things I can't control, I can cope, like the weather, or eventual death, but things I can change, or have a say, I try my best to fulfill that. Spreading my rational hatred for the new iMac's as well as for a lot of the Apple's business practices and doctrines is the first way to reach whoever reads this thread, which at this time, is the most of any other thread on this site. My two minutes spent typing is well spent.

 

[macidiot]

I'm sure you didn't mean that literally, because it's clearly untrue.

What part is untrue? Now it might be different in other parts of the world, but the American computer market is essentially saturated. That means that everyone who wants and can afford one has one. To say nothing of the business market which is essentially at 100% market penetration. And, umm, if they have a computer, they typically have a monitor to go with it.

 

[alexf]

LOL! pay extra?!
http://www.pricewatch.com/m/mn.aspx?i=37&f=1

In the PC world they're the same price!

The 9600 128mb is $20 more!

heh, pay extra? Please. They probably just had a bunch of these lying around, and (not to blame them) decided it would keep profits higher to use them up. Hey, obviously the poopsville card isn't effecting sales that much, I wasn't going to buy an iMac anyway!

Just.. look at price watch some time. They are making profit on ALL those goods (aside from some of the door busters). Imagine what people like Apple and dell are making.. Just think about the 100% wholesale markups adding together.. think of all the prostitutes you could buy.. er uhm scratch that last part..

It's their prerogative to do what makes their profits higher, but for god's sake, don't feel that $20/unit would necessarily bring up the price. They just figured "G5 IMAC?! I CAN'T LOSE!" would overtake "Wait, the 3rd most important component is 2 years old? what the hell is this crap?!".. and they're probably right.

[edit: and please don't say this will only effect "hardcore" gamers.. Anyone who plays ANY FPSs made past 2002 will be SOL with this card. Perhaps some people have been using macs too long to know that 640x480 was BS 8 years ago]

That's still more money that people would have to pay for something that they DO NOT NEED.

I agree that Apple should give people an option to upgrade high-end model. But to include a 128MB graphics card stock doesn't make much sense.

 

[alexf]

Forgoing arguments aside, "give it a rest ?" Uh-oh, this is a corporate world. And demand/complaints is all we consumers can do. We should not be held to cope for unsatisfaction, it is my duty to complain to demand a better design. People have thoughts, the mouth and the hand are meant to be able to express those thoughts. If i gave it a rest now, JUST AFTER the release of the iMac's, i'd be a quitter. I don't know about you, but things I can't control, I can cope, like the weather, or eventual death, but things I can change, or have a say, I try my best to fulfill that. Spreading my rational hatred for the new iMac's as well as for a lot of the Apple's business practices and doctrines is the first way to reach whoever reads this thread, which at this time, is the most of any other thread on this site. My two minutes spent typing is well spent.

I have a slight inkling that those two minutes - plus all the time and effort you have put into complaining on this thread - may be better spent composing a well-written letter to Apple.

You can write and vent all you want on macrumors.com, but I hate to break it to you: I don't think that the people who have control over which graphics card finds itself into the new iMac are reading your posts.

 

[slughead]

What part is untrue? Now it might be different in other parts of the world, but the American computer market is essentially saturated. That means that everyone who wants and can afford one has one. To say nothing of the business market which is essentially at 100% market penetration. And, umm, if they have a computer, they typically have a monitor to go with it.

This is common knowledge in the stock trading community, PC sales wont be up for quite a while, especially since Longhorn (El Obsoleto Computero Destructo) is now Winblows2006.

The last big upgrade was for windows 2000 in.. you guessed it, 2000. The market is now saturated with obsolete PCs that still do twice what their owners need it to do--run windows, play solitaire.

The key will be to invest in PC tech again when Longhorn is about to come out, because then people will need 1TB hard drives and 10GB RAM just to boot the freakin thing. I expect only a third will upgrade, and MS will finally break its userbase in two and there'd better be someone there (like x86 OS X??) to take up the slack.

 

[kjgnola]

Order issues

Okay so I finally decided to go and buy the new iMac and get this error message:

The following option selection(s)...

- Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English

...require the following additional options:

- None

To proceed with your order, please return to the Customize your Mac page and select or deselect the appropriate options.

Any ideas?

 

[Maxx Power]

I hate to burst your bubble Power Maxx, but most people who are potential iMac buyers do not do a whole lot more with the computer than general (meaning non-graphics-intensive) computing. Let's not forget that the "i" in iMac stands for Internet, and Internet use was was the iMac product line was originally intended for (although one could do a hell of a lot more with the fast G5 iMac if they wanted to).

You have made is clear to us all that you are quite unhappy about the new iMac. My sincere condolences. But don't you think it may be due time to give it a rest?

Okay, and back to the real issue here. My bubble ? Or your cave of ignorance ? I have made it clear to point out that average buyer you stated needs no G5, much less 64bit, much less LCD screens, much less luxury computing provided for an increasingly non-existant niche known as Mac computer users. You are trying to defend your stance on the product market, yet your product is showing the opposite qualities. You'll have a real hard time convincing me or anyone here that we need a G5 with 64bit arithmetics and addressing for internet. Last time i checked, my 32 bit box does fine. People who buy Mac's possess the attitude to look for more than just a word processor or a internet appliance, a lot of the top microwaves and refrigerators do that now days, if that's the regard, then the iMac is hardly worthy of a space waster much less a space heater. Buying a multi-thousand dollar with a 20" screen would be the ultimate waste. Besides, did you notice that the superdrives are avaliable ? Proving the target audience isn't your average teenager who prefers form over function or your average sit-n-browse internet user. If the name of the iMac was changed to InternetMac, I hardly think the product would have been as successful, not that it was ever the stock mover of all times.

As well, "originally intended for" was a few years ago. The pilot product span is over. iMac has found homes with occassional gamers, video editors, all-in-one media centers, switchers, schools, musical educators, etc. It was designed to be a convergence box marketed as an innocent internet appliance. Have a good time convincing anyone that to necessitate the internet, you need 20" wide screens, a 64 bit processor, a superdrive, and a price tag to match. That trick might work if you are a salesman for HistoryShop or WorstBuy, but then, and only then, it is possible if you want to sink to the ignorance and ego>brain of the buyers...

 

[miketcool]

Apple: Dead to games

Thats right, no games for apple... Even though Xbox2 is running on IBMs architectured, rumored to being developed on our beloved Powermacs....

 

[alexf]

Okay, and back to the real issue here. My bubble ? Or your cave of ignorance ? I have made it clear to point out that average buyer you stated needs no G5, much less 64bit, much less LCD screens, much less luxury computing provided for an increasingly non-existant niche known as Mac computer users. You are trying to defend your stance on the product market, yet your product is showing the opposite qualities. You'll have a real hard time convincing me or anyone here that we need a G5 with 64bit arithmetics and addressing for internet. Last time i checked, my 32 bit box does fine. People who buy Mac's possess the attitude to look for more than just a word processor or a internet appliance, a lot of the top microwaves and refrigerators do that now days, if that's the regard, then the iMac is hardly worthy of a space waster much less a space heater. Buying a multi-thousand dollar with a 20" screen would be the ultimate waste. Besides, did you notice that the superdrives are avaliable ? Proving the target audience isn't your average teenager who prefers form over function or your average sit-n-browse internet user. If the name of the iMac was changed to InternetMac, I hardly think the product would have been as successful, not that it was ever the stock mover of all times.

As well, "originally intended for" was a few years ago. The pilot product span is over. iMac has found homes with occassional gamers, video editors, all-in-one media centers, switchers, schools, musical educators, etc. It was designed to be a convergence box marketed as an innocent internet appliance. Have a good time convincing anyone that to necessitate the internet, you need 20" wide screens, a 64 bit processor, a superdrive, and a price tag to match. That trick might work if you are a salesman for HistoryShop or WorstBuy, but then, and only then, it is possible if you want to sink to the ignorance and ego>brain of the buyers...

In the new iMac add (see posting above for link) Apple Senior VP of Marketing says: "Where the new iMac really shines is with the iLife Suite."

While the original iMac was marketed towards Internet users (who also didn't need such a fast computer for the time), it is clear that this new iMac incarnation is aimed at the iTunes listening / iLife using digital generation. And, to repeat myself once again: for such applications this graphics card is FINE!

I hope this clears up some of your confusion.

 

[macidiot]

Dell made the same mistake with their early LCD screens - i.e. no height adjustment. So now they have stands that pivot and go up and down.

Obviously this was no issue at all with the G4 iMac.

I know that you can attach these G5 iMacs to third party stands - but how much is that going to add to the price?? We bought one for a Dell monitor 18 mths ago and it cost us 15% of the cost of the original PC package.

If you're buying these iMacs for the office but need better ergonomics (height adjustable) will you be prepared to pay the additional 15% to get a height adjustable stand?

Oh well - at least I'll know where my phone books are...

I agree, I have a new ACD and its too low for me. I find I hunch down unconsciously when sitting at the computer for long periods of time. when I sit facing the screen my natural line of sight falls about 3-4 inches above the top of the screen. I've been trying to avoid it, but it looks like its going to be phonebooks under the stand...the designers must all be midgets or something.

There should definitely be vertical adjustability.

 

[Maxx Power]

I have a slight inkling that those two minutes - plus all the time and effort you have put into complaining on this thread - may be better spent composing a well-written letter to Apple.

You can write and vent all you want on macrumors.com, but I hate to break it to you: I don't think that the people who have control over which graphics card finds itself into the new iMac are reading your posts.

See, you obviously know that Apple values my input as much as their stock holders right ? The major stumbling block for directly communicating to ANY corporation is that I'm just a statistic to them. They see money as their priority. If i can convince all of my friends (and I know they will agree with me, I've known them for a while), that buying an iMac would be a bad idea, and they can convince their friends about that, and perhaps turning a few heads in this forum as well, then guess what ? 100 less iMac's sold from Apple. Its a start, I have already discussed my many complaints with editors of www.theinquirer.net as well as the nice folks who started www.tellonapple.org. Before I know of any other apple-reformation schemes, this is what I have to settle for. Although, that letter idea is not bad, I'm going to find out how to reach the top few at apple and stab them till some blood comes my way.

It is not usually recommended or wise to excercise immediate control, power is not absolute, you need to secure respect before possessing power, which then give you control. I'm at the stage to secure more knowledge and respect, which education provides, as well as lots of hands-on experiences. People who have reached the stages of being able to make drastic changes understands that, but often overlooks the people who are still climbing the ladder. Anyways, long story short, I need not expect anyone else here or there to produce change, if I want something, I will do it myself. And the bottom line is, I don't like the G5 iMac, I'm preventing everyone I can to buy one.

 

[beatle888]

The 1.8GHz G5 processor will fly through most of your needs.

Enjoy!

oh man, building unrealistic expectations like that is a set up for disappointment. i use a dual 1.5 (i think its 1.5 maybe 1.4) G4 at work and working on a brochure in InDesign and full 11x17 photoshop work does not fly....i doubt a single 1.8 G5 will "fly" doing this type of work.

still, im sure it will be fine.

 

[alexf]

See, you obviously know that Apple values my input as much as their stock holders right ? The major stumbling block for directly communicating to ANY corporation is that I'm just a statistic to them. They see money as their priority. If i can convince all of my friends (and I know they will agree with me, I've known them for a while), that buying an iMac would be a bad idea, and they can convince their friends about that, and perhaps turning a few heads in this forum as well, then guess what ? 100 less iMac's sold from Apple. Its a start, I have already discussed my many complaints with editors of www.theinquirer.net as well as the nice folks who started www.tellonapple.org. Before I know of any other apple-reformation schemes, this is what I have to settle for. Although, that letter idea is not bad, I'm going to find out how to reach the top few at apple and stab them till some blood comes my way.

It is not usually recommended or wise to excercise immediate control, power is not absolute, you need to secure respect before possessing power, which then give you control. I'm at the stage to secure more knowledge and respect, which education provides, as well as lots of hands-on experiences. People who have reached the stages of being able to make drastic changes understands that, but often overlooks the people who are still climbing the ladder. Anyways, long story short, I need not expect anyone else here or there to produce change, if I want something, I will do it myself. And the bottom line is, I don't like the G5 iMac, I'm preventing everyone I can to buy one.

My friend, lighten up! The iMac has always been - and will always be - a consumer level machine! If you want more buy a PowerMac!

Apple is a corporation. Those of us that are reasonably savvy know that all that corporations really care about is their shareholders' interests. Someone at Apple came to the conclusion that the current configuration would suite these interests well, and that is just how it is. Trying to change this is idealistic.

 

[Maxx Power]

In the new iMac add (see posting above for link) Apple Senior VP of Marketing says: "Where the new iMac really shines is with the iLife Suite."

While the original iMac was marketed towards Internet users (who also didn't need such a fast computer for the time), it is clear that this new iMac incarnation is aimed at the iTunes listening / iLife using digital generation. And, to repeat myself once again: for such applications this graphics card is FINE!

I hope this clears up some of your confusion.

I'm not sure what you are getting at here. My original posts were about the iMac not being able to become a generalist instead of a specialist. I don't think I ever mentioned specifically the video hardware. But since we're at the topic, let me remind you that the next gen OS X is gonig to take advantage of the hardware features of the GPU's. Besides, I have a hard time understanding Apple's strategy to suit the lowest of the lowest common denominators with their not-lowest segment of products. This 5200 belongs in an eMac, 5700 belongs in an iMac, or better yet, a 9700 Mobility radeon. Now what are they going to put into the eMac's for their upcoming revision ? 5200 Lite ?

And at any rate, buying iMac so you can best benefit from a single application called iLife, which I never use, is rediculous. I hope those top executives at Apple haven't lost the touch with the common people who prefers computers to be more like a swiss-army life than a ice-pick.

 

[foolerytom]

Two Bluetooth Modules

You have selected the Bluetooth Module twice - once as a Bluetooth option and once with the keyboard/mouse combo. Just set the Bluetooth option to "None" and you'll be fine - the bluetooth receiver/transmitter is included in the keyboard/mouse combo.

Okay so I finally decided to go and buy the new iMac and get this error message:

The following option selection(s)...

- Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English

...require the following additional options:

- None

To proceed with your order, please return to the Customize your Mac page and select or deselect the appropriate options.

Any ideas?

 

[alexf]

oh man, building unrealistic expectations like that is a set up for disappointment. i use a dual 1.5 (i think its 1.5 maybe 1.4) G4 at work and working on a brochure in InDesign and full 11x17 photoshop work does not fly....i doubt a single 1.8 G5 will "fly" doing this type of work.

still, im sure it will be fine.

Yes, well I work professionally as a graphic designer with a G5 1.6GHz tower and can sometimes hardly keep up with the machine (and I work fast). The difference between this and my 800Mhz TiBook is like night and day - the speed difference is incredible.

Perhaps you just haven't tried using a G5 yet?

 

[Maxx Power]

My friend, lighten up! The iMac has always been - and will always be - a consumer level machine! If you want more buy a PowerMac!

Apple is a corporation. Those of us that are reasonably savvy know that all that corporations really care about is their shareholders' interests. Someone at Apple came to the conclusion that the current configuration would suite these interests well, and that is just how it is. Trying to change this is idealistic.

But of course, Idealistic. I wouldn't settle for crimes just because they happen, we pay taxes to support the police. Same thing here. If you are not the CEO of apple, I sincerely hope you don't bend under pressure, or else the oeople who will suffer is us.

 

[macidiot]

A lot of people on here are complaining about the video card, it's hard to please everybody. Shard has done a good job of gunning those folks down as soon as they pop up, but just to add a few things...

This video card thing always gets debated. It's not necessary to up the price on the new iMac by putting a badass video card in it that an average consumer won't need anyway. If you want to play games, there's a thing called a console. If you are part of the very small percentage of true, hardcore gamers, then go PC who cares. If you aren't for gaming but need a better video card, go 6800 with a dual G5 PowerPC. You'll spend just as much money with the right processor, high performance memory, and video card as a G5 PowerPC on a gaming PC. Look at Alienware prices for that matter... insane.
kudos~

I think the point is they should have a bto option. If you want a decent card you should be able to get one, for more money. If your happy with that piece of crap card...knock yourself out and get it and save the $25.

We aren't talking about a high end rig here. Most people are just looking for something that will adequately play mainstream games. Which seems perfectly reasonable for a home machine. They are looking for a mid-range card or just the ability to UPGRADE to one. I for one, am no hard-core gamer, but I still like to play Warcraft3, Age of Mythology, WoW, KOTOR(when they come out) and other games. I do not play FPS at all. The games I mentioned are all mainstream games...and require a decent GPU to run properly. If your happy with the performance out of the box, then great...but there should be an OPTION to upgrade...

The arrogance of the apologists is what is getting tiresome. The attitude of "if you don't like it, don't buy it, we don't want or need you anyway" is a poor one. I hope that Apple doesn't have that attitude. I, for one, still hopes that Apple can expand it market share. I just don't think this iMac is going to do the trick...it just isn't all that compelling.

 

[jacobj]

I think my original post was that it was ugly... I've changed my mind.. I'm starting to love it....

BUT.. the graphics card is cr*p and it annoys me that there aren't more options..

And how can it be argued that this is for iLife when the entry model doesn't even have a dvd burner.... If Apple were truly leading the way, they shouldn't make a computer without a DVD burner..

I may get one eventually... but not for 9+ months when it has decent specs

Edit: Apple is making claims on their website re Gaming. The keynote speech makes reference to gaming development (an awful plug for Pixar merchandise).. how does the iMac cater for this?

 

[thevessels]

Maxx Power is waaaaay too intense for me...
if you dont like a computer, fine
but your crazy
its just a consumer line easy-to-use clutter free comp

and a sexy one at that

 

[Maxx Power]

Maxx Power is waaaaay too intense for me...
if you dont like a computer, fine
but your crazy
its just a consumer line easy-to-use clutter free comp

and a sexy one at that

Don't worry. If you don't understand what I said and think I'm crazy, then you have not acquired the basic knowledge and logic necessary to grasp the underlying concepts and events that have occured up to date. You are with the majority. Not everyone graduates from universities and becomes an activist. That being said, I respect what you have said, and it is a sexy box compared the usual beige.

 

[Rower_CPU]

Review the rules, folks.

There's been way too much spam/off-topic/personal insults in this thread. Play nice or don't play at all. Thanks

 

[freeIQtest]

so.. anyone know when these will be hitting the applestores?? i really want to see one in person..