Next Apple iMacs with "Striking New Industrial Design"?

[mrgreen4242]

I think it would be a mistake to drop the 17", unless they drop the price on the 20". But maybe the 20" and 24" are selling better than I imagine?

Or unless they are finally going to give us a decent headless iMac... get mini prices back down to the $500/700 range, drop the 17" iMac, have a mid-tower Mac at $999-1299, start the 20" at $1399, the 24" at $1899, and the Mac Pro starts at about $2099 up to $3000 (when you drop it to the lower CPU config). Seems like a pretty good line up.

 

[chiphead]

new iMac design

I've read a ton of these posts. The silver iMac posted is not what they release, I hope. It will have little chin, 20" and bigger, HD monitor, quad-core. Maybe we will be smitten because it will match the size of the current monitors, maybe thinner. The wider the box (20" and larger) the more we can squeeze in there. I think the fastest MBP is faster than the fastest iMac right now. So serious upgrading is possible and in order. Touchscreen would be functional mainly on a device that is portable. iMac is not meant to be a portable device, macbook is. I see no need for portability of a desktop device. 20-24" HUGE is too much for the "detachable" concept to cruise internet on couch while watching Lost. Touchscreen is possible, my local Best Buy had a Sony or some half-breed running Vista with touch screen. At first, I'm like, WOW - then I'm like, WHATEVER.

Touchscreen is needed in a tablet-mac with pop-up keyboard like iphone, not iMac. A cheap flash-based device for carrying basic documents, browsing net, e-mail, photos (not advanced photo editing), etc. to carry around. Not a PDA.

Just my two cents.

 

[TheManOfSilver]

I'm really looking forward to an iMac refresh. I'm definitely going to be in the market for one in the new future, and I've been holding off for the next redesign (and Leopard, iLife '07, etc).

Slimmer and sleeker is nice, a black one would be awesome, but I'd be even more impressed with bringing back more adjustability in the stand (maybe swivel functionality) and at least the option for dual hard drives.

A boost into real desktop performance with the newer generation of low power Xeons would be a real option instead of waiting on Santa Rosa too. If not, they may have to wait for Penryn to get cooler-running desktop processors into the iMac.

 

[BenRoethig]

I think it would be a mistake to drop the 17", unless they drop the price on the 20". But maybe the 20" and 24" are selling better than I imagine?

I'm hoping Apple is dropping the outdated professional 17 & 20- inch panels for the newer 19 &2 2 inch consumer models. Unless you're running really high end programs, you can't tell the difference. Unfortunately, I fear that Apple is going to just drop the lower end models, moving the whole line upscale in price like they did with the Mac Pro, and create a situation where some users question if its still financially Viable to be a Mac user.

Notice how the Appleinsider article mentions a "pair" of C2D processors. Which means quad is coming!

Seems sensible, as the Pro line is still differentiated with the use of Xeons.

Considering that A) there probably isn't going to be enough room and B) Core 2 Duos are not designed to run in tandem, I don't see that happening.

 

[mrgreen4242]

(sorry if anyone's already said this) They like bold statements. Now would be a good time to release the "most environmentally desktop ever". Might they design something with a staggeringly small carbon footprint? Reduced energy (from laptop chips) and reduced packaging for shipping costs, that sort of thing?

Only problem is they'll set themselves up for a big fall when 1000000 environmentalists start looking for flaws in the claim.

And I hope it's beautiful too, not made of recycled cardboard and powered by horse manure or anything.

That's the best idea I've heard so far. It'd be nice if they offered some user controlled power stepping tool as well, with a graphical indicator of how much juice it's drawing, as well as some simple comparisons to household appliances that use the same amount of power. Some way to let you decide how much power you need from your computer right now and help keep you informed as to how much it's using. Should be easy to do with the laptop power management systems already out there.

I'm hoping Apple is dropping the outdated professional 17 & 20- inch panels for the newer 19 &2 2 inch consumer models. Unless you're running really high end programs, you can't tell the difference. Unfortunately, I fear that Apple is going to just drop the lower end models, moving the whole line upscale in price like they did with the Mac Pro, and create a situation where some users question if its still financially Viable to be a Mac user.

That's a good idea as well. A lot of people don't like the 19" and 22" TN panels because of the lower color range and larger dot pitch, but the iMac isn't supposed to be a semi-pro machine, it's supposed to be a home machine. You're dead on with that. The only reason they've fallen into the quasi-pro usage role is because Apple has priced everything else out of the means of the "prosumer" or low end professional use. And those panels are fine for 90% of the people out there, which is what the iMac should be aiming at.

If they used the 19" and 22" it would save some money, and let them either drop prices (not very Apple) or increase the power of the rest of the system without upping price (more Apple). Like bigger HDDs, better GPUs, integrated ATSC tuners...

They need to then add the mythical midrange tower Mac to meet the needs of the prosumer/semi-pro/whatever you want to call the people buying 24" iMacs to do professional work on.

 

[BenRoethig]

yup. My mother will need a new computer soon. She wants to keep the price low (around $1k) and doesn't want a mini. If apple drops the 17" imac I don't know what she would do.

So I really hope they don't drop the 17"er, but a new design would be nice (even though I think the current one is brilliant, unlike some around here).

To be perfectly honest, I'm starting to fear that Apple is starting to make most of its computer decisions based on design factors. They're more than willing to make a computer that is more expensive and less practical as long as the design is more stunning. Even with Mac users, that kind of thinking is going to eventually drive everyone to their breaking point.

 

[lunarworks]

On Friday I saw that iMacs were on sale at Future Shop.

The first thing that came to mind was "Wow, updates must be coming soon."

Guess I was right.

 

[Avatar74]

To be perfectly honest, I'm starting to fear that Apple is starting to make most of its computer decisions based on design factors. They're more than willing to make a computer that is more expensive and less practical as long as the design is more stunning. Even with Mac users, that kind of thinking is going to eventually drive everyone to their breaking point.

Apple has always been about industrial design. Why is it that some people think design isn't important?

Good industrial design makes the technology transparent to the task... Smart industrial design isn't just about the exterior, either. It's also about the user interface, the simplicity of connecting peripherals, the ergonomic organization of components both internally and externally.

Using technology shouldn't be more difficult, convoluted and uncomfortable than the result one is trying to achieve. But good industrial design comes at a price and Apple (at least under Jobs' direction) has been very successful knowing exactly where those breaking points are, with very rare exception.

Not everyone can afford an Apple, but Apple's industrial design factors push other companies to refine their designs as well... Someone has to be the innovator and instigator of change, and thank the flying spaghetti monster it's Apple and not some inept bunch.

Form IS integral to function, despite what some self-appointed technoboob pundits like to post on their self-important blog rants.

 

[motulist]

Form IS integral to function, despite what some self-appointed technoboob pundits like to post on their self-important blog rants.

You couldn't be more right. I dropped my powerbook a couple of years ago and somewhat damaged the connector at the end of the power cord (but that was it, powerbooks are tanks!). So after intermittent problems with th power cord I decided to replace it. The repair shop said I could have a non-apple power cord for $50 right now, or an $80 Apple branded one in a few weeks. The only difference in function was it doesn't have the light up ring that tells you if the power cord is connected or not. Well I can tell you that colored light up ring is not just eye candy, if I yank the computer and the cheapo cord falls out or disconnects I have no obvious visual warning until the OS warns me that I'm running low on battery.

Good form means good function.

 

[guzhogi]

I work at an elementary school as their computer tech and the district is buying the teachers new Macs next year. Hopefully, these new iMacs would be as easy to use as the G3 iMacs & eMacs they were using. Only problem is quite a few of our programs (most notably special ed and kindergarten) are still Mac OS 9 so they won't work on them. On the other hand, the G3 iMacs were getting REALLY slow. G3 anything running 10.4 is crazy.

 

[andiwm2003]

You couldn't be more right. I dropped my powerbook a couple of years ago and somewhat damaged the connector at the end of the power cord (but that was it, powerbooks are tanks!). So after intermittent problems with th power cord I decided to replace it. The repair shop said I could have a non-apple power cord for $50 right now, or an $80 Apple branded one in a few weeks. The only difference in function was it doesn't have the light up ring that tells you if the power cord is connected or not. Well I can tell you that colored light up ring is not just eye candy, if I yank the computer and the cheapo cord falls out or disconnects I have no obvious visual warning until the OS warns me that I'm running low on battery.

Good form means good function.

that's why all other laptop manufacturers have an LED indicator in the notebook. by that they don't need to charge extra money for a power supply.

and yes, i think once in a while apple is going to far with their design.

 

[mccldwll]

My predictions:

-17" will stay as is, becoming the emac.
-Chin will largely disappear.
-Probably not metal due to cost, dings, reception, save metal for pro line.
-No touch screen--family machine has to be jelly fingered kid proof.
-SJ loves cubes (G4 and NY store)--might see a hybrid between G4 cube, G4 imac, and mini. Modular expansion in display base. Display and computer mod separable for upgrade/environment.
-Will be intentionally "crippled" as have been all imacs so won't cannibalize mac pro sales (G5 imac was also aesthetically crippled--big chin and bright, glaring white which was hard for long term viewing-- for same reason, IMO).
-Might see color options (what happened to inexpensive Mactallic covers? Did Apple quietly buy the company in anticipation of future product introduction?)
-Available very, very soon along with release of Leopard. My guess is within next 3-4 weeks , so won't compete with iPhone $$. iPhone will be out by mid-May so available for college graduation presents.
-Laptops will see upgrades in August for back to school market.
-new iPod and apple TV stuff for Thanksgiving/Christmas.

 

[motulist]

that's why all other laptop manufacturers have an LED indicator in the notebook. by that they don't need to charge extra money for a power supply.

and yes, i think once in a while apple is going to far with their design.

The total cost is the same though, other manufacturers just make you pay for it as part of the computer instead of the cord. After a fall the indicator could've been damaged just as easily no matter what part of the computer it's on.

 

[guzhogi]

You couldn't be more right. I dropped my powerbook a couple of years ago and somewhat damaged the connector at the end of the power cord (but that was it, powerbooks are tanks!). So after intermittent problems with th power cord I decided to replace it. The repair shop said I could have a non-apple power cord for $50 right now, or an $80 Apple branded one in a few weeks. The only difference in function was it doesn't have the light up ring that tells you if the power cord is connected or not. Well I can tell you that colored light up ring is not just eye candy, if I yank the computer and the cheapo cord falls out or disconnects I have no obvious visual warning until the OS warns me that I'm running low on battery.

Good form means good function.

I agree, but I also feel there shouldn't be too much eye candy. Something that looks nice just for the sake of looking nice would make Apple lose many power users. However, it should still look good. Things that work well but aren't good looking aren't fun to work with (think of the TV show "house").

I also hope Apple doesn't become a totally upscale company. Many people will be turned off by a $2000 iMac. I believe Apple made really cool computers, but charged an arm and a leg for them. Partially b/c of that, Macs have such a low market share. If Apple brings out some inexpensive, but useful computers, they're good.

 

[zen]

That's not what it says:



That's two models, not two processors. 20" and 24", presumably.

Ah, bum. Still, we live in hope! I was all about to buy a 20" iMac, but as my need isn't pressing, I'll wait for Leopard and the next revision. If Appleinsider is correct, it could be very nice indeed.

 

[JDN]

I'm not sure i understand the 'No need for an external iSight ... the entire screen is one'.

 

[guzhogi]

I'm not sure i understand the 'No need for an external iSight ... the entire screen is one'.

I agree. What if someone buys a Mac Pro or mini and not an Apple display?

 

[Darkroom]

i believe the latest design of iMac is very strong, and much stronger than the G4 (which resembled something of a retro kitchen appliance).

as many have posted, i too am excited to see the new design. however, i honestly hope they do not introduce a black iMac. black was ok for the iPod, a little pushy for the MacBook. a black iMac would require a black Pro Keyboard and Black Mighty Mouse (no?)...

black computers are just so 90s! perhaps Apple should also offer beige colored models for every one of their computers too...

 

[zen]

Just out of interest, what is all this talk of touchscreens? Who the heck wants a touchscreen? Firstly, I sit far enough away from my monitor that I can't actually touch it without sitting on the edge of my seat and leaning forward. Secondly, the last thing I want to do is to put horrid greasy (and worse) marks on the screen, and I certainly wouldn't trust family members or visitors to have as clean hands as me! And thirdly, I have a keyboard, and a mouse. Why exactly do I need to touch the screen?

 

[brianus]

Makes sense. The current iMacs look like giant, stretched-out iPods, so the next generation iMacs will look like giant, sideways iPhones. Hopefully with touch screens and a new base/stand that allows greater movement (Tasteful, of course; nothing like that that ridiculous, ugly G4 design -- the silliest looking product they've ever released. The G5/Core design was tasteful, but not so functional).

 

[whatever]

ooh sounds nice,but will there be new mac pros *sniff* at this rate im never gonna get one

Like I've been saying the earliest new Mac Pros will be seen will be 3rd or 4th quarter.

New MacBook Pros will be sooner (and different) than everyone expects.

There is a plan in place with a goal not to alienate the existing last generation PowerMac users with new looking enclosures for the first run of Intel machines. Now that the dust as settled expect to see the rollout of new designs (expect for the MacBook which was the one exception).

 

[brianus]

Just out of interest, what is all this talk of touchscreens? Who the heck wants a touchscreen? Firstly, I sit far enough away from my monitor that I can't actually touch it without sitting on the edge of my seat and leaning forward. Secondly, the last thing I want to do is to put horrid greasy (and worse) marks on the screen, and I certainly wouldn't trust family members or visitors to have as clean hands as me! And thirdly, I have a keyboard, and a mouse. Why exactly do I need to touch the screen?

Neither I nor anyone I know sits that far away from their screen, nor do any of them have computers they have to share with family members. I can't imagine I would use the touch screen feature for everything, but it would be nice and intuitive for programs that had been designed to take advantage of feaures such as multitouch (which surely must be incorporated into Leopard), or for certain graphics/drawing applications, if you could just pull the screen forward on an incline and use it temporarily as a kind of big slate or drafting board. The rest of the time, I don't know, but after using a touch screen phone for a year I find I sometimes impulsively touch the "OK" button on pop-up dialogs on my Mac, forgetting I need to use the mouse

 

[whatever]

You couldn't be more right. I dropped my powerbook a couple of years ago and somewhat damaged the connector at the end of the power cord (but that was it, powerbooks are tanks!). So after intermittent problems with th power cord I decided to replace it. The repair shop said I could have a non-apple power cord for $50 right now, or an $80 Apple branded one in a few weeks. The only difference in function was it doesn't have the light up ring that tells you if the power cord is connected or not. Well I can tell you that colored light up ring is not just eye candy, if I yank the computer and the cheapo cord falls out or disconnects I have no obvious visual warning until the OS warns me that I'm running low on battery.

Good form means good function.

PowerBook is a tank? What model. A couple of years ago, my computer bag slipped off of my shoulder while I was getting out of the car in the garage. The corner of the bag hit the floor, but not hard, because I managed to slow it's descent. When I got into the house, I discovered that the corner of PowerBook's case folded like tinfoil and the screen had a 1" scratch. Yeah, it still worked, but the aluminum case is totality cheap. I have since decided not to purchase another aluminum Mac and have been eyeing the MacBook instead (if only it had better video!).

 

[guzhogi]

Neither I nor anyone I know sits that far away from their screen, nor do any of them have computers they have to share with family members. I can't imagine I would use the touch screen feature for everything, but it would be nice and intuitive for programs that had been designed to take advantage of feaures such as multitouch (which surely must be incorporated into Leopard), or for certain graphics/drawing applications, if you could just pull the screen forward on an incline and use it temporarily as a kind of big slate or drafting board. The rest of the time, I don't know, but after using a touch screen phone for a year I find I sometimes impulsively touch the "OK" button on pop-up dialogs on my Mac, forgetting I need to use the mouse

I agree, touchscreens can be useful. I find a lot of people who post here have the mentality of "If I don't need xyz feature, why does anyone else?" It really pisses me off. Why do so many people think everyone is just like them?

 

[Le Big Mac]

When I read the news report, this is almost exactly what I imagined, except it would be called an iMac. Maybe a different chin, and of course VESA mounting.

And I would guess they keep the 17" and put it in the new case.