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New iMacs Released
- Thread starter yagran
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The new iMacs look really good IMHO much better than the white plastics they replace. I also like the black outline as that'll come in handy when watching movies. I wish they made the stand height adjustable. Otherwise. I like them just fine.
Whining wont change the design either so either like it or buy something else. Simple.
Whining wont change the design either so either like it or buy something else. Simple.
At my apple store the old imacs are now having a rebate of $200. bring the price down to $1799 the same price as the new imac? Right not sure what apple was thinking when they came up with those numbers.
Looking fantastic. Do you know whether the store had the 2.8GHz Core2Extreme in stock? Or is that an order-only configuration? Also, have you thrown any sort of games/video processing tasks at it? How's it held up? Let's hear some performance opinions!
At least at my apple store the 2.8GHz possessors were not in stock as well as the wireless keyboards.
Terrible Gfx - Not all Apple's fault
As much as I am disappointed in the new card offerings, I found an article from Tom's Hardware that suggests that the current state of video card offerings is relatively weak. To quote:
"The long delay from ATI allowed Nvidia to dictate what it wanted to sell, and capitalize on where the bar would be set. ATI was playing catch up and was in no position to fight back in this offering. It needed parts on the market and followed competitive trends instead of forging new ground. In essence, there isn't a real middle ground, only enthusiast high end, value and entry level product.
That being said, are these cards terrible? No, and anyone who says they are is looking at them from a specific perspective. Are the HD 2400, 8500 and 8400 series cards good for gaming? No, but for an HTPC they would be good. Looking at the video playback CPU utilization as well as the fact they all have DX10 hardware means that they would be good for the home or office situation where an inexpensive dual monitor Vista experience is desired.
When looking at the gaming results and the video playback figures, the HD 2600 and 8600 series are indeed a value proposition. Both the ATI and Nvidia offerings deliver what they say, including H.264 hardware acceleration, and ATI offers additional VC-1 acceleration. They can play some existing games and will be able to play simple DX10 games in the future. We thought there would be more DX10 content available at this point of the year but this is not so. All games going forward next year will most likely be DX10, so these should be able to play games like the next The Sims or children's educational programs, but in no way will they be able to handle graphically intense titles.
...The traditional product launch cycle has been out of sorts for the past year and a half; we are just feeling the effects of a lack of real competition between ATI and Nvidia. The R700 is on its way, as well as Nvidia's refresh of the G80. For those looking for the next greatest thing, there will never be an end to development. As for those of you who are still in a holding pattern: you need to dive in soon."
The whole article is worth reading but the snippet is from the conclusion. From part of the article which is not quoted, it is clear that ATI's HD video playback functioned better and put less strain on the CPU than NVidia's options, so I believe this is how SJ and co. made their decision--on the iMac as an HTPC, not as a primary gaming machine. Not happy, but I can't say it's Apple's fault if their focus is on the transmission of HD and not gaming. For the latter, there certainly are better gfx cards out there, but then why wouldn't you just build your system then??? The only other current ATI alternative would have been the x2900XT HD but it has three versions of the card with the same name and is optimized for Vista (no thanks!) and cross-fire/dual-card setup. Moreover, the x2900 lacks both hardware and software HD decoders. Apple was between a rock and a hard place with ATI. On a positive note, ATI is planning to release gfx cards with DisplayPort technology in 2008. I do not know about NVidia.
As much as I am disappointed in the new card offerings, I found an article from Tom's Hardware that suggests that the current state of video card offerings is relatively weak. To quote:
"The long delay from ATI allowed Nvidia to dictate what it wanted to sell, and capitalize on where the bar would be set. ATI was playing catch up and was in no position to fight back in this offering. It needed parts on the market and followed competitive trends instead of forging new ground. In essence, there isn't a real middle ground, only enthusiast high end, value and entry level product.
That being said, are these cards terrible? No, and anyone who says they are is looking at them from a specific perspective. Are the HD 2400, 8500 and 8400 series cards good for gaming? No, but for an HTPC they would be good. Looking at the video playback CPU utilization as well as the fact they all have DX10 hardware means that they would be good for the home or office situation where an inexpensive dual monitor Vista experience is desired.
When looking at the gaming results and the video playback figures, the HD 2600 and 8600 series are indeed a value proposition. Both the ATI and Nvidia offerings deliver what they say, including H.264 hardware acceleration, and ATI offers additional VC-1 acceleration. They can play some existing games and will be able to play simple DX10 games in the future. We thought there would be more DX10 content available at this point of the year but this is not so. All games going forward next year will most likely be DX10, so these should be able to play games like the next The Sims or children's educational programs, but in no way will they be able to handle graphically intense titles.
...The traditional product launch cycle has been out of sorts for the past year and a half; we are just feeling the effects of a lack of real competition between ATI and Nvidia. The R700 is on its way, as well as Nvidia's refresh of the G80. For those looking for the next greatest thing, there will never be an end to development. As for those of you who are still in a holding pattern: you need to dive in soon."
The whole article is worth reading but the snippet is from the conclusion. From part of the article which is not quoted, it is clear that ATI's HD video playback functioned better and put less strain on the CPU than NVidia's options, so I believe this is how SJ and co. made their decision--on the iMac as an HTPC, not as a primary gaming machine. Not happy, but I can't say it's Apple's fault if their focus is on the transmission of HD and not gaming. For the latter, there certainly are better gfx cards out there, but then why wouldn't you just build your system then??? The only other current ATI alternative would have been the x2900XT HD but it has three versions of the card with the same name and is optimized for Vista (no thanks!) and cross-fire/dual-card setup. Moreover, the x2900 lacks both hardware and software HD decoders. Apple was between a rock and a hard place with ATI. On a positive note, ATI is planning to release gfx cards with DisplayPort technology in 2008. I do not know about NVidia.
24. I was *asked* whether I wanted the 2.8 Ghz model, but that's not to say they had it. the Apple Store employee was actually pretty clueless and they were not on display. This was the first one sold by that store (Oakridge Mall Mini Store, San Jose CA).
Those pictures of the iMac look extremely nice. If I were in a market for a computer and didn't already have my G5 + 23", I'd definitely get the new iMac.
The iMac would already be faster than what I have (well, except for that FSB), and I'm pretty sure the graphics card in the iMac is better than my Radeon 9650. In reality, a docking station for my MBP would probably be the best option.
The iMac would already be faster than what I have (well, except for that FSB), and I'm pretty sure the graphics card in the iMac is better than my Radeon 9650. In reality, a docking station for my MBP would probably be the best option.
I have done nothing whatsoever except open a few of the new iLife applications and sign up for a trial .Mac account so that I could get the pictures out there on Apple's dime.
I can say, although this isn't terribly scientific, that I have yet to have a application take more than one bounce to open. I can run specific tests as requested.
How did I miss that???? That is an awesome concept!!!!!!!!!
Love how the screen is centered vertically and I like the idea of moving the desktop around, almost like an extended desktop without the extra monitors!
BTW... still HATE the BT keyboard layout after hours of mulling it over.... also don't like that they did take theoff of Command key....
Maybe it is part of Apple losing the "Computer" from its name. It is now into selling electronics.. so maybe they will sell BT Apple Razor Keyboards to all PC users... and therefore, they got rid of the Apple key.
The new imac is a disgrace....
The new iMac is a catastrophic lack of taste and design composition.
Aluminium & black logo versus aluminium and white keyboard, black screen border versus white mouse, black plastic on back side and white remote control, black back side with white cables.
This burlesque pastel of white and black is careffuly wrapped in an imaculate white box. Looks more like a pathetic pastel with a black and white variations aluminium bein the only thing that coagulate them together.......
Is that a stuning design Mr Jonathan Ive ?
The new iMac is a catastrophic lack of taste and design composition.
Aluminium & black logo versus aluminium and white keyboard, black screen border versus white mouse, black plastic on back side and white remote control, black back side with white cables.
This burlesque pastel of white and black is careffuly wrapped in an imaculate white box. Looks more like a pathetic pastel with a black and white variations aluminium bein the only thing that coagulate them together.......
Is that a stuning design Mr Jonathan Ive ?
roflI will have fun because the bottom of the imac has a screw and when you unscrew it a little door pops off to add ram.
well said!
The new iMac is a catastrophic lack of taste and design composition.
Aluminium & black logo versus aluminium and white keyboard, black screen border versus white mouse, black plastic on back side and white remote control, black back side with white cables.
This burlesque pastel of white and black is careffuly wrapped in an imaculate white box. Looks more like a pathetic pastel with a black and white variations aluminium bein the only thing that coagulate them together.......
Is that a stuning design Mr Jonathan Ive ?
How do you really feel about it.
The new iMac is a catastrophic lack of taste and design composition.
Aluminium & black logo versus aluminium and white keyboard, black screen border versus white mouse, black plastic on back side and white remote control, black back side with white cables.
This burlesque pastel of white and black is careffuly wrapped in an imaculate white box. Looks more like a pathetic pastel with a black and white variations aluminium bein the only thing that coagulate them together.......
Is that a stuning design Mrs Jonathan Ive ?
A white mouse with an aluminum keyboard and a black/aluminum screen is comparable to Apple's design of a white power brick and white remote with a black Macbook. Couldn't they make black remotes, power, and mouse?
I get the feeling Apple wasn't lying when they said they needed to devote resources to iPhone from Leopard (and prob iMac also).
Apple needs to get the "Computer" back in its name.
The last 2 Steve-notes have been big letdowns (Leopard revealed and iMac).
Also, Apple has been slipping a lot internally with security-- The rumors of the new iMac design were correct. The leaked photos of the new keyboard is correct. The leak of the new nano interface is correct.
Something tells me there is a bit of internal chaos going on at Apple. Or they bit off more than they could chew.
I hope the new iPods aren't as equally lackluster.
although he was very harsh he does make a good point. it is all over the place.
would it be irrational to offer a black remote, keyboard (buttons) and mouse?
24"... Wow!
I bought my 24" tonight at the Apple Store at Norfolk's MacArthur Mall. I just got home, hooked it up, and I am really liking it. I have to say that it looks better in person then the pics. The black around the screen makes a huge difference. I can see that the aluminum would have been distracting right up to the screen. This is incredibly awesome.
The keyboard... Well, I actually like it better than the last version. One thing it does is allow your wrists to rest immediately on the surface of the desk. This will make typing more comfortable for many people, self included.
The 24" screen is as bright as ever, I have it turned down 1/2 way and it still is super bright. I am getting a small headache already from the brightness.
The box is still white... I had thought they would go with black to accent the picture of the iMac on it. Oh well. I bought the first iMac tonight, and the sales people were standing around checking it out. They aren't getting any out of the boxes until tomorrow. Another guy was right behind me getting a 20".
This is a sweet evolution of the iMac and I really think that it will go over well when people get their hands on it.
I bought my 24" tonight at the Apple Store at Norfolk's MacArthur Mall. I just got home, hooked it up, and I am really liking it. I have to say that it looks better in person then the pics. The black around the screen makes a huge difference. I can see that the aluminum would have been distracting right up to the screen. This is incredibly awesome.
The keyboard... Well, I actually like it better than the last version. One thing it does is allow your wrists to rest immediately on the surface of the desk. This will make typing more comfortable for many people, self included.
The 24" screen is as bright as ever, I have it turned down 1/2 way and it still is super bright. I am getting a small headache already from the brightness.
The box is still white... I had thought they would go with black to accent the picture of the iMac on it. Oh well. I bought the first iMac tonight, and the sales people were standing around checking it out. They aren't getting any out of the boxes until tomorrow. Another guy was right behind me getting a 20".
This is a sweet evolution of the iMac and I really think that it will go over well when people get their hands on it.
I second this. I also have the new SR MBP, and I don't know why, with enough acreage available in the keyboard area to implement a skating rink, they didn't give us an extra row of hardware-function keys at the top and 'unfolded' Page/Home/End keys at the bottom. There are two unused positions in that area that could have been used for the Page keys. That's my only complaint about the new MBPs.
Anyway, I totally don't understand all the whining in this thread about the glossy screen. Although I had matte on my G4 iMac, I opted for glossy on this new MBP. It's incredibly clear and crisp, and I have had no problem with reflections in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor situations, even though I'm a heavy PhotoShop user.
Did they have the 2.8GHz config available in store? I'm not quite convinced on the new specs... I may go with a MBP until the iMacs are refreshed once more (with a better vid card). I'll have to spend some time in the store with these machines before deciding.
