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New iMacs in Early 2004?
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Who said that Apple wants to bring the price of iMac down? If this rumor is true,they probably want to deploy cheaper case components just to offset for more expensive G5 CPU/Combo. New iMacs are gonna probably remain in same price bracket. I highly doubt that you' ll see an decently configured Mac computer below $1000 US in near future.
Regards
the new imac....
imagine this:
the new imac G5... no its not just a computer with a g5 but a computer that goes where eva u want to go...
rite now, the g5 is a real big chip with the heatsinks so why don't to "hind" it somewhere. the screen is lite and goes whereeva u want to go... when ur finished, put the screen back on the imac... this would be pretty revolutionary...
this would also pose problems, likedo have to go to the system go get the cd rom out? or will the 20" imac be just abit to heavy to go whereva u want to go...
if apple creates this (they won't) then heres there lineup
emac - cheap family computer -g4
imac - mid product between consumer and pro. the digital hub with a difference
powermac... dual g5s, no single g5s because that would get ppl confuse with an imac
ibook - cheap laptop for students - g4
powerbook - powerful laptop - g5
imagine this:
the new imac G5... no its not just a computer with a g5 but a computer that goes where eva u want to go...
rite now, the g5 is a real big chip with the heatsinks so why don't to "hind" it somewhere. the screen is lite and goes whereeva u want to go... when ur finished, put the screen back on the imac... this would be pretty revolutionary...
this would also pose problems, likedo have to go to the system go get the cd rom out? or will the 20" imac be just abit to heavy to go whereva u want to go...
if apple creates this (they won't) then heres there lineup
emac - cheap family computer -g4
imac - mid product between consumer and pro. the digital hub with a difference
powermac... dual g5s, no single g5s because that would get ppl confuse with an imac
ibook - cheap laptop for students - g4
powerbook - powerful laptop - g5
What if..
What if they were able to mount the motherboard and processor somehow behind the iMac screen and then run cables down the neck into the rest of the computer where it could access extra ram and optical devices and things like that. Then when you detached the monitor, it continued to work, detached from the rest of the ram and other things in the base, and had a small foot on the back that could clip out so that you could set it up like the current stand alone LCD's from Apple. Then, Apple ships wireless.. er wait, they already are.. so then you take your wireless keyboard and mouse or use a pen and your off. The monitor of course would be much thicker than it is now, but you could have ram, even optical and even a small HD built into the monitor with the motherboard. So.. then you could take it wherever. I have a Dual 800 G4 and I so wish sometimes that I had a laptop. Imagine the future. I can almost gurantee this to be the future: Desktop / Laptop combo computers. That will be awesome when that comes and I hope Apple brings it.
What if they were able to mount the motherboard and processor somehow behind the iMac screen and then run cables down the neck into the rest of the computer where it could access extra ram and optical devices and things like that. Then when you detached the monitor, it continued to work, detached from the rest of the ram and other things in the base, and had a small foot on the back that could clip out so that you could set it up like the current stand alone LCD's from Apple. Then, Apple ships wireless.. er wait, they already are.. so then you take your wireless keyboard and mouse or use a pen and your off. The monitor of course would be much thicker than it is now, but you could have ram, even optical and even a small HD built into the monitor with the motherboard. So.. then you could take it wherever. I have a Dual 800 G4 and I so wish sometimes that I had a laptop. Imagine the future. I can almost gurantee this to be the future: Desktop / Laptop combo computers. That will be awesome when that comes and I hope Apple brings it.
I'm a waiting switcher. The iMac is basically almost there for me, except for still having the G4. Not only that, but not even the newer, 512K L2 cache version. This is likely due to low availability all going to PowerBooks, but it is just one for thing that keeps the higher-end iMac from being a really awesome machine that it can be. Since it is not expandable other than RAM and AE, it needs to come with good stuff. The G5 at even low speeds should be in there tomorrow - screw the PowerBooks.
The damn Apple product pecking order has to go. The idea that processor power has to monotonically decrease down from the top Powermac, through the PowerBooks, then the iMacs, eMacs then iBooks is not good when you need some flexibility. This really constrains when model updates can happen. I think people don't expect laptops to have the fastest CPUs for power and heat reasons. Allowing the top iMacs to at least have the same CPUs as the PowerBooks would be reasonable. However, given the G4 situation that's stagnated for so long, this has now become unacceptable. Apple has to go G5 across the board as soon as posible. This means that if the PowerBooks can't make it yet, then don't hold back the iMacs. iBooks would be the only ones that would make sense to keep as G4 until the PowerBooks had G5s. The eMac could stay G4 using the faster ones.
However, the idea that the iMac needs some sort of detachable display is a bad one. One reason is to be able to "reuse" the display when the computer becomes obsolete because that expensive 17 or 20 incher would otherwise go to waste. But by the time that comes to pass, a 17 or 20 inch display will be much cheaper, and you won't care about reusing the old one. Besides, what are you going to attach it to? A powermac? Newer iMac with a very different design? You'd still need a base to hold it. The only practical solution there is to have a monitor in port to use the whole base+monitor as just a monitor. Having an iMac with a detachable screen is not good because, that screen would have a lot of bulk with the addition of a battery, WiFi, touch screen layer, maybe hard drive, etc. When docked on the arm, it would be bulky and ugly. The other thing is that it would cost much more than the now overpriced iMacs. People complain about the price as it is. Clearly, this tablet/remote screen role is better suited to a separate computer, and Apple would get to sell you two machines. You would have two usable machines (also think about needing to use the computer and having to track down where the screen is) for probably not much more money in the end. Now, that said, I think there most definitely is a market for an iBook with a form factor of the twist and folding screen to play the tablet role. Not just a PowerBook with this feature. As a consumer, I'd have an iMac as primary, with a separate iBook/tablet to do light work via WiFi mostly in tablet mode surfing with a stylus or my fingertip. When I get creative, I'd flip the keyboard into action. It would be nice if my login from the desktop could be used on the tablet so my mail, bookmarks, etc. are there and sync back. An interesting idea might be an Airport/tablet combo where the base station had a dock slot for the tablet that could be used to prop it up as a monitor while it connected to the wireless keyboard and mouse next to it.
I do think a consumer headless Mac is a good idea. I think it needs to have the specs of at least the low end iMac, with one AE slot, one PCI slot and a replacable video card in an AGP slot. It should have a built-in VGA port or come with the adapter for switchers with PC monitors. It should have USB 2 with two ports on the front and a lot more than three ports total. It would be very good to also have a BTO option of at least one 3rd party two button mouse with scroll wheel. The case should be nice simple box with an integrated carry handle designed to be sturdy with a footprint to function as a stand for switcher's CRT screens this will be used with. Don't restrict the BTO options - let them get a superdrive and built in Bluetooth with a smoking video card and monster hard drive. Basic unit should start at no more than $699.
The damn Apple product pecking order has to go. The idea that processor power has to monotonically decrease down from the top Powermac, through the PowerBooks, then the iMacs, eMacs then iBooks is not good when you need some flexibility. This really constrains when model updates can happen. I think people don't expect laptops to have the fastest CPUs for power and heat reasons. Allowing the top iMacs to at least have the same CPUs as the PowerBooks would be reasonable. However, given the G4 situation that's stagnated for so long, this has now become unacceptable. Apple has to go G5 across the board as soon as posible. This means that if the PowerBooks can't make it yet, then don't hold back the iMacs. iBooks would be the only ones that would make sense to keep as G4 until the PowerBooks had G5s. The eMac could stay G4 using the faster ones.
However, the idea that the iMac needs some sort of detachable display is a bad one. One reason is to be able to "reuse" the display when the computer becomes obsolete because that expensive 17 or 20 incher would otherwise go to waste. But by the time that comes to pass, a 17 or 20 inch display will be much cheaper, and you won't care about reusing the old one. Besides, what are you going to attach it to? A powermac? Newer iMac with a very different design? You'd still need a base to hold it. The only practical solution there is to have a monitor in port to use the whole base+monitor as just a monitor. Having an iMac with a detachable screen is not good because, that screen would have a lot of bulk with the addition of a battery, WiFi, touch screen layer, maybe hard drive, etc. When docked on the arm, it would be bulky and ugly. The other thing is that it would cost much more than the now overpriced iMacs. People complain about the price as it is. Clearly, this tablet/remote screen role is better suited to a separate computer, and Apple would get to sell you two machines. You would have two usable machines (also think about needing to use the computer and having to track down where the screen is) for probably not much more money in the end. Now, that said, I think there most definitely is a market for an iBook with a form factor of the twist and folding screen to play the tablet role. Not just a PowerBook with this feature. As a consumer, I'd have an iMac as primary, with a separate iBook/tablet to do light work via WiFi mostly in tablet mode surfing with a stylus or my fingertip. When I get creative, I'd flip the keyboard into action. It would be nice if my login from the desktop could be used on the tablet so my mail, bookmarks, etc. are there and sync back. An interesting idea might be an Airport/tablet combo where the base station had a dock slot for the tablet that could be used to prop it up as a monitor while it connected to the wireless keyboard and mouse next to it.
I do think a consumer headless Mac is a good idea. I think it needs to have the specs of at least the low end iMac, with one AE slot, one PCI slot and a replacable video card in an AGP slot. It should have a built-in VGA port or come with the adapter for switchers with PC monitors. It should have USB 2 with two ports on the front and a lot more than three ports total. It would be very good to also have a BTO option of at least one 3rd party two button mouse with scroll wheel. The case should be nice simple box with an integrated carry handle designed to be sturdy with a footprint to function as a stand for switcher's CRT screens this will be used with. Don't restrict the BTO options - let them get a superdrive and built in Bluetooth with a smoking video card and monster hard drive. Basic unit should start at no more than $699.
First off, about the remote display / tablet device: it wouldn't have to receive full 1024x768 bitmapped frames. Instead it would receive a compressed display postscript ( Quartz ) stream.
Secondly, Apple must definitely give an option between all-in-one, and headless for the low end. I say this because I have personally experienced the dissatisfaction of getting used to a 17" monitor, then getting a 15" iMac (secondhand), and found that I prefer working on my older, slower PC that can hookup to a 17" monitor. 17" CRTs cost $100, so being able to slap one onto a Mac would give it a new lease on life.
Secondly, Apple must definitely give an option between all-in-one, and headless for the low end. I say this because I have personally experienced the dissatisfaction of getting used to a 17" monitor, then getting a 15" iMac (secondhand), and found that I prefer working on my older, slower PC that can hookup to a 17" monitor. 17" CRTs cost $100, so being able to slap one onto a Mac would give it a new lease on life.
Why? G4 roadmap is just dry desert ahead. G4 has its peak performance in current iMacs/PowerBooks, and that's it.
A speed bump of 0.08 GHz (from 1.25 to 1.33) really makes no sense.
Next iMachines are G5s, everything else makes no sense and WILL LOOK STUPID AND DISGRACEFUL!
1) I guess it's primarily the R&D of such a system that makes it expensive... Bluetooth can't be used since it's too slow and the bandwith of 802.11g is maybe enough at its peak, but is easily interfered with other devices or other users on the network. Not to mention the limited area from the accespoint to the tablet in which there is sufficient bandwith. To find out how to get around these problems is expensive... And the battery for the screen is expensive as well. I guess 802.11a is not really an option, since the frequency is not available for networking in all countries.
2) This touchscreen will be pretty big, probably 15"? Not that handy... However, it would be nice with a touchscreen to surf the net, but think it would be a mess for writing mails... I think that laptops are a better substitute then; the screen can be in a vertical position without holding it with your hands, it is faster to write on a regular keyboard and has still works outside of the limited area in which there is a sufficient bandwith.
3) I'm not really sure. Given that you are in your wlan, what is the difference of the functions of a tablet computer and a touchscreen wirelessly connected to an iMac?
Just seems more reasonable for me to start focusing on turning the 12" PB into a tablet. I know that the succes of tablets so far has been very low (if at all excisting), but it would be nice to could take advantage of new programs such as MS OneNote in a future release of Office for Mac.
I dont really think that adding things to the monitor for a detachable monitor will be that bulky or ugly. Sure, it wont be just the screen, but look at a Powerbook. Its 1" thick. Imagine the detachable area being a all in one computer such as a laptop with the screen bent backwards like tablet PC's. This unit would contain all the necessary parts to run the computer just like a powerbook does. BUT, you can then dock it into your iMac or other headless Mac and either the processor on the headless Mac can take over and also allow you access to the HD's CD/DVD Rom, video card, more Ram whatever. When you undock it, and take it with you, it would be reduced to the components within the detachable monitor, which could also include video, CD/DVD, HD, RAM and be self contained. Give it a few years. Remember when all this **** was so expensive years ago?.. Its not now and its only going to get cheaper to have todays standards being used tommorow. I wouldnt mind a 1.5ghz detachable iMac. See what I mean? Even the iMac could have a faster processor in the base which could take over when the monitor is attached. I think it would be sick. But then, im just "Thinking Different"
Good for Apple to try to get the costs of the project under control. Last thing we want is those costs to be passed on to the user.
From my perspective the current iMac form factor is just great.
On my wishlist for the next generation would be a re-usable screen, because I don't want to throw the screen away every 4 years just because the computer is outdated and a G5 at 2GHz + Radeon 9600 graphics.
The tablet for me seems to be a useless idea.
Cheers
On my wishlist for the next generation would be a re-usable screen, because I don't want to throw the screen away every 4 years just because the computer is outdated and a G5 at 2GHz + Radeon 9600 graphics.
The tablet for me seems to be a useless idea.
Cheers
This would be a good spot for a third party to jump in, when the iLamps start to get old: some kind of adapter kit/board thingy that lets the monitor be used with an external CPU, and maybe change the CD/DVD bay so it can be used an external FW unit. Gotta do _something_ with those things when the CPU gets outpaced, I can't see a fish tank conversion happening with a flat panel ...
Crazy G5 iMac Speculation!
I didn't want to blatantly double-post, so I thought I would include a link to an original thread I started, presenting my (crazy) thoughts on the G5 iMac, to stir up some more lively discussion. Check it out below and have a read:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50782
I didn't want to blatantly double-post, so I thought I would include a link to an original thread I started, presenting my (crazy) thoughts on the G5 iMac, to stir up some more lively discussion. Check it out below and have a read:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50782
detachable screen options?
apparently my other post was too long for people to read...(sorry)
i mentioned the following options:
1. reduce the resolution or, as other people have mentioned compress the video.
2. put a graphics chip and a processor in there w/256 MB RAM and one usb port (to attach a keyboard). no optical drive, no other ports. the G3 has shown that it can push OS X. G3 chips are cheap, available and run fairly cool. like i said in my lengthy post, if they cram all the stuff into the 1" thick, 12" Powerbook that i'm typing on, why couldn't they greatly reduce that size with a G3, motherboard, graphics chip, one RAM DIMM, 802.11g card, antenna and one usb port and a battery?
control iTunes library playing through your stereo, control X10 devices (heat, lights, etc.), browse web and e-mail from ANYWHERE in your house...attach the screen for "heavy lifting" (design work, scanning, etc.
hell, i'd buy one just so i wouldn't have to plug in my Powerbook to the stereo everytime i wanted to listen to my music!
the "tablet pc" in it's current form sucks, i'm talking about a paradigm shift (in lengthy posts elsewhere in this thread).
my $.02
j
apparently my other post was too long for people to read...(sorry)
i mentioned the following options:
1. reduce the resolution or, as other people have mentioned compress the video.
2. put a graphics chip and a processor in there w/256 MB RAM and one usb port (to attach a keyboard). no optical drive, no other ports. the G3 has shown that it can push OS X. G3 chips are cheap, available and run fairly cool. like i said in my lengthy post, if they cram all the stuff into the 1" thick, 12" Powerbook that i'm typing on, why couldn't they greatly reduce that size with a G3, motherboard, graphics chip, one RAM DIMM, 802.11g card, antenna and one usb port and a battery?
control iTunes library playing through your stereo, control X10 devices (heat, lights, etc.), browse web and e-mail from ANYWHERE in your house...attach the screen for "heavy lifting" (design work, scanning, etc.
hell, i'd buy one just so i wouldn't have to plug in my Powerbook to the stereo everytime i wanted to listen to my music!
the "tablet pc" in it's current form sucks, i'm talking about a paradigm shift (in lengthy posts elsewhere in this thread).
my $.02
j
New iMac
More of a 20th aniversary Macintosh item, I want a 20" or 23" cinema display with stripped down G5 on the back to make an all in one. Upgradeable hardrive and RAM and maybe one PCI slot for aditional monitor.
More of a 20th aniversary Macintosh item, I want a 20" or 23" cinema display with stripped down G5 on the back to make an all in one. Upgradeable hardrive and RAM and maybe one PCI slot for aditional monitor.
Crazy G5 iMac Speculation
Here are my crazy predictions, which are somewhat questionable (and I realize that!) :
The next iMac announcement will not be a speed boost to 1.33 GHz or 1.42 GHz or whatever, it will be a move to the G5. Jobs will wait on this until the G5 iMac is ready. As for when it will be announced, probably not until spring (so not @ MWSF). This is because Jobs will not want to release the G5 iMac too much ahead of the G5 PowerBooks, which will be ready next summer/early fall. (Another guess on my part.)
It will have a completely redesigned form factor, and although the base will resemble the current iMac, it will be smaller, sleaker and more elonngated. The LCD will come off an arm, but the arm will not be positioned right in the middle of the base, but come from the back of the base (almost blending into it as a single peice) and curve inwards. The guts will be significantly upgraded, with up-to-date video card, DDR400 RAM, SATA HD, etc., and a nice 1.6 or 1.8 G5.
Now here's an interesting one I thought I would throw in - due to the G5 being a relatively new processor, and due to the new form factor, upgraded guts, etc., the new G5 iMac will actually cost ~$2500. It will be very expensive compared to the G4 iMac, and this will of course present some issues with regards to Apple's pro/consumer model philosophy, as the iMac would no longer be a consumer-level machine, but be an in-between model, between the eMac (sole consumer machine) and the PowerMac (pro machine). Big shift!
Anyways, just some thoughts and theories I thought I would submit and see what everyone thinks. I realize not all of these ideas make sense, etc., but hey, what the hell - just thought I'd throw them out there for some fun discussion material!
Here are my crazy predictions, which are somewhat questionable (and I realize that!) :
The next iMac announcement will not be a speed boost to 1.33 GHz or 1.42 GHz or whatever, it will be a move to the G5. Jobs will wait on this until the G5 iMac is ready. As for when it will be announced, probably not until spring (so not @ MWSF). This is because Jobs will not want to release the G5 iMac too much ahead of the G5 PowerBooks, which will be ready next summer/early fall. (Another guess on my part.)
It will have a completely redesigned form factor, and although the base will resemble the current iMac, it will be smaller, sleaker and more elonngated. The LCD will come off an arm, but the arm will not be positioned right in the middle of the base, but come from the back of the base (almost blending into it as a single peice) and curve inwards. The guts will be significantly upgraded, with up-to-date video card, DDR400 RAM, SATA HD, etc., and a nice 1.6 or 1.8 G5.
Now here's an interesting one I thought I would throw in - due to the G5 being a relatively new processor, and due to the new form factor, upgraded guts, etc., the new G5 iMac will actually cost ~$2500. It will be very expensive compared to the G4 iMac, and this will of course present some issues with regards to Apple's pro/consumer model philosophy, as the iMac would no longer be a consumer-level machine, but be an in-between model, between the eMac (sole consumer machine) and the PowerMac (pro machine). Big shift!
Anyways, just some thoughts and theories I thought I would submit and see what everyone thinks. I realize not all of these ideas make sense, etc., but hey, what the hell - just thought I'd throw them out there for some fun discussion material!
I hear you. Now we just have to yell it loud enough for Steve Jobs to hear...
Anyone going MWSF and want to volunteer to get a "No More G4" chant going?
Re: Crazy G5 iMac Speculation
The iMac is about look and style more than it is about computing power or value. When I bought my iMac DV SE for $1300, I was getting a decent computer with a built monitor for the price. Now you pay an extra $500 for style, and IMHO it is no longer worth it.
At $2200 the iMac is not a "consumer" machine right now! It is consumer quality at pro prices. Heck at the AppleStore.com I can get a refurb 1.6 GHz G5 and a 17" LCD for $100 less (or get the single 1.8 GHz for $200 more).
The iMac is about look and style more than it is about computing power or value. When I bought my iMac DV SE for $1300, I was getting a decent computer with a built monitor for the price. Now you pay an extra $500 for style, and IMHO it is no longer worth it.
Yeah, that would sure be a no-brainer for me right now. There are reasons the iMac's all-in-one design is appealing even if I know a G5 Powermac + separate display is a better value. A sufficiently powerful 20" iMac could serve me well until I upgraded and gave it to my wife, who's better off using an all-in-one system. Tho' if I owned a good hi-res LCD display I'd probably see things differently and might have already bought a G5. And maybe I still will if there aren't any significant HW announcements within the next couple months.