New iMacs announced

[minimax]

Moaning? Are you serious? Pointing out that Apple made what I consider to be an odd choice that I'm somewhat disappointed in is NOT moaning. I'm sorry that you interpreted it as such; that was very much not my intention. I chose to bring up a point about how the upgrade compares to the Power Mac upgrade -- a point that had not yet been made in this discussion. In doing so I also expressed my disappointment that Apple would choose to make something that is standard on their consumer line an option in their pro line.

Pro line doesnt mean it has everything the consumer line has AND more. it means different choices and I don't see airport extreme and bluetooth necessary for a porfessional. Are you going to edit movies from the comfort of your lounge or so?

 

[mauly]

Moaning? Are you serious? Pointing out that Apple made what I consider to be an odd choice that I'm somewhat disappointed in is NOT moaning. I'm sorry that you interpreted it as such; that was very much not my intention. I chose to bring up a point about how the upgrade compares to the Power Mac upgrade -- a point that had not yet been made in this discussion. In doing so I also expressed my disappointment that Apple would choose to make something that is standard on their consumer line an option in their pro line.

I'm sorry I interpreted it as such; and understand your post!

 

[NevadaJack]

I just bought one! 2ghz 20inch only upgrade being the wireless keyboard and mouse. I did the math and reasoned I'd upgrade the RAM later.

More power than I imagined I'd be able to buy for sub $3000AUS, and definitely more screen space! Today is a good day I can't wait until it's delivered - 5-7 build time and then 5-7 days delivery! I especially can't wait to get my hands on Tiger!

I bought one at 6:18 AM this morning and received confirmation for Shipment in 3-5 business days...so looks like a week of May 9 delivery. Ordered the BT mouse and keyboard and the AppleCare. Came to the same conclusion on the memory. Looks like the wait was well worth it. Good luck with your new iMac!

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Ordered 3 iMacs!!!

Woo-hoo!

Been waiting for this day. I ordered a 20" iMac 2.0GHz for myself. Looking at prices, the BEST VALUE is the old 17" model from Amazon. It's dropped $400 AND has a $100 MIR, so after rebate is $999 shipped, no tax!!! Under a grand for 1.8GHz G5 goodness, 17" LCD, SuperDrive, and measly RAM and hard drive which are easily upgradable. My dad also wanted an iMac, and I am replacing my Powerbook at work, so I have ordered two of these 17" model 1.8's for $999. It's a great day for the Mac community.

 

[PCM]

This is a great update for imac users...good job, apple. However, it leaves me wondering...why the hell couldn't they include airport extreme and bluetooth in a $3000 powermac if they can do it in the imac???

I don't really care that much as i just bought a dual 2.5 on closeout, but that's kind of weird, no?

 

[mauly]

Are there any pro's in choosing not to have the modem in the new iMac? I find this odd that apple educational store gives you this option!!!

 

[Zaty]

That's a great update, for once Apple has surprised me. I wouldn't have expected 128 MB VRAM.

 

[iMetalG5]

no new iMacs in CT yet. They said Thursday/Friday. But the girl that answered the phone had no idea they had upped the iMac line!? She kept saying, "No PowerMacs sir" ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

anyway I asked if they were going to drop the prices on their old stock of 1.6, etc... and she told me no. they send those back to Apple to sell!? weird.

Anyway i think this update is going to get a few more people to switch. Two co-workers are already curious but they admit they have no knowledge of OS X but are willing to try it.

 

[kkrista]

I'm sorry I interpreted it as such; and understand your post!

We're cool? Good. Now we can go about our business discussing wild rumors about when the next upgrades will come and how they'll be superior to both our new Macs.

 

[blehpunk]

i knew this would happen today, i just woke up and bought my first mac
• 2GB DDR400 SDRAM - 2 DIMMs
• 400GB Serial ATA drive
• SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
• Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS - U.S. English
• 56Kbps Modem
• 20-inch widescreen LCD
• 2GHz PowerPC G5
• ATI Radeon 9600 with 128MB DDR Video Memory
• AirPort Extreme
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

 

[Trout74]

feeling inadequate

I was All psyced up to go get Tiger for my 7 week old mini, and then this update!

It is amazing, now I have lost all my love for the mini

I feel like it is not adequate any more, I really want a new iMac G5, but my wife says " you dont NEED a new computer"
Killing me!!!!
trout

 

[NewtypeCJ]

Bought one from the Apple online store (called the local Apple Store and they didn't know when they'd get them in, but not today). Whee! It's my first Apple desktop since my old Performa in the mid-'90s. Only upgrade was a bump to the larger 400 GB HD.

Apple says my new baby will ship in 3-5 days. Woo!

 

[broken_keyboard]

2GHz CPU, Radeon 9600, 512M.

These are nice little computers, I hope they sell a lot.
It is very well rounded - no obvious weakpoint.

 

[iMetalG5]

I was All psyced up to go get Tiger for my 7 week old mini, and then this update!

It is amazing, now I have lost all my love for the mini

I feel like it is not adequate any more, I really want a new iMac G5, but my wife says " you dont NEED a new computer"
Killing me!!!!
trout

haha, hey just be happy with your Mac Mini, at least you have a Mac!

I had an iBook G4 for a while and in Feb I had to get a new desktop. I thought i should wait another month to see if Apple would upgrade but I didn't because I needed a more powerful desktop to use as my DELL blew up. So I just went for it knowing I'll be outdated in a month. If i could go back i think I still would have bought it as there would be no way for me to hold out for 2.5months

but it still kills me

 

[plinden]

I hearby wish to give this thread an award for the least amount of whining about a computer update.

What? Only a 10% CPU increase!

 

[Zigster]

finally! The switching has begun.

Ordering an imac 20" with the Final Cut Studio...

muah ha haaaaaaaaaaa! The world cannot stop me now...

 

[OnaMacSince1989]

I was just about to order one with the wireless keyboard & mouse, then I remembered that Apple's mice are still one-button. Don't know if I could go back to using such a mouse as I use the right-click a lot. Anyone recommend a good wireless mouse that works with Bluetooth (rather than its own adapter)??

 

[adam1185]

I was just about to order one with the wireless keyboard & mouse, then I remembered that Apple's mice are still one-button. Don't know if I could go back to using such a mouse as I use the right-click a lot. Anyone recommend a good wireless mouse that works with Bluetooth (rather than its own adapter)??

logitech mx900

 

[Zigster]

Damn! Imac 20" shipping in 3 to 5 days but Studio Pro won't ship for 4 to 6 weeks!

I hate that!

 

[DakotaGuy]

I'm kinda mad about this

Nice update and all, I am kinda mad cause it makes my iMac a POS now. If I wanted to sell it to upgrade to the 2.0 model with better graphics and better HD and Superdrive I could probably only get $800 for this one now so I am stuck. I guess technology has to go forward, but it always makes you feel a little sick to your stomach knowing what you have isn't worth much and so soon after it was purchased, 4 months. Oh well, my mistake for buying this one, I guess I will have to live with it. I never considered it slow, but now knowing there are faster ones, it makes it seem slower.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I have decided if i can get a grand for my iMac on Ebay i will be getting a new 20"er with my 10% discount for £1080. It is a superb update and i really want a 128mb graphics card and a bigger hd, so i will be going up to Regent street store this saturday hoping that they have some in stock

Yeah I would like to upgrade mine too, but now since the new ones are so much better, I would be lucky to sell this one for $700-800 and I have to decide if I want to do that, I just can't afford to take that kind of loss however, so I guess I am stuck for now.

 

[ifjake]

for the first time i can pretend i'm buying an Apple machine without feeling the need to add on any upgrades. no extra ram, no wireless, nothing. i'm always like, "yeah 1800 before i actually make it a decent machine by adding stuff to it" but now i check it out and it's like "what now bi..."

too bad i'm still pretending. at least Tiger arrives today.

 

[trose]

Wow, great update. *FINNALY* Apple has a decent video card in the iMac. I was thinking "oh they are going to butcher the lower end models..." but wow, 128MB across the board.

Excellent update!

 

[Jigglelicious]

Now I know the 9600 is a much better card then the 5200 and I'm not complaining but I was wondering how good it really is. Could this card last for 3 or 4 years and be able to play games at that point in time? I know it's hard to predict where exactly games will be at in the future but my current iMac that I got 4 years ago isn't even able to play CODUO. Just curious.

I guess i'll be one of the first to compalin about the video card then. Yes, the 9600 is better than the 5200 Ultra. But not all that much better. I mean come on, the 9600 is the low end of ATI's midrange releases from 2 years ago! It might be able to play today's games decently (not with all options on, or at high resolutions), but tomorrow's will certainly chug.

Its a nice card for standard computer usage. But for gamers, its still a letdown and a poor performer by today's standards. At least they finally upgraded the VRAM to 128mb!

 

[rsamo]

UOTE=mrzippy]Does no-one notice the screen spec has never been updated from the G4 iMac on the 17" model, 120° / 90° degrees viewing angle is budget quality these days, and the brightness and contrast ratio are not much to write home about either.

The 20" specs have not changed either, but that size screen was introduced when LCD monitors had progressed in quality hence the better specs. I would imagine both the 17" and 20" have slow pixel response, although I do not play games so I have no reference and specs are not given.

Current model specs:
17-inch
Typical viewing angle - 120° h / 90° v
Typical brightness: 200 cd/m
Typical contrast ratio: 400:1

20-inch model
Typical viewing angle - 170° h / 170° v
Typical brightness: 230 cd/m
Typical contrast ratio: 400:1

If anyone has compared the two in the stores you can notice the poor viewing angle and brightness straight away on the 17" model.

I can forgive the contrast ratio on the 20" as the viewing angle and brightness is good, and the outputted image is excellent.[/QUOTE]


I've never looked into this before, but below are specs of Dell's 24 inch monitor.

"Diagonal Size: 24"
Display Type: Flat Panel Display / Active Matrix TFT - Desktop
Depth: 9"
Features: 100 mm VESA Mounting, Height Adjustable Stand Included, Detachable Panel mechanism
Height: Compressed: 22", Extended: 25"
Weight: 22.1 lbs
Width: 22"
Image Max H-View Angle: ±89°
Image Max V-View Angle: ±89°
Color Support: 16.7 Million
Connectivity Technology: Cable
Device Type: Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand
Dimensions (WxDxH): 22" x 9" x 22" to 25"
Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight: 22" x 9" x 22" to 25" / 22.1 lbs
Enclosure Color: Midnight Gray
Image Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Image Brightness: 500 cd/m²(typical)
Image Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (typical)
Max Resolution: 1920x1200 (WUXGA)
Max Sync Rate (V x H): 76 Hz x 81 kHz"

And here are the specs on all 3 of Apple's Cinema Displays.

"Configurations 20-inch Apple Cinema Display 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display
Model M9177LL/A M9178LL/A M9179LL/A
Screen size (diagonal viewable image size) 20 inches (viewable) 23 inches (viewable) 30 inches (29.7 inches viewable)
Screen type Thin film transistor (TFT) active-matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD)
Resolutions 1680 x 1050 pixels (optimum resolution)
1280 x 800 pixels
1024 x 640 pixels
1920 x 1200 pixels (optimum resolution)
1280 x 800 pixels
1024 x 640 pixels
2560 x 1600 pixels (optimum resolution)
2048 x 1280
1920 x 1200
1280 x 800
1024 x 640

Display colors (maximum) 16.7 million
Viewing angle (typical) 170° horizontal; 170° vertical
Brightness (typical) 250 cd/m2 270 cd/m2
Contrast ratio (typical) 400:1
Response time (typical) 16 ms
Pixel pitch 0.258 mm 0.250 mm"


What all does this mean?

Teh veiwing angle confuses me. Please tell me that Dell's brightness and contrast ratio are not that much better on a 24 inch compared to Apple's 30 inch.