Next-Generation iMac to Offer Two 'Compelling' New Features?

[Eidorian]

Matte.. *puke*

Many more people say that of glossy displays.

 

[Hellhammer]

So there are 2 possibilities:

First - They will change the whole iMac design. It will have an better cooling Way and because of that it will be possible to put an Quad Core in it(maybe even an real DesktopCPU), also it will be an design which will be able to integreate an 5.1 surround system.
It would be a littel more in depth but wil come with larger screens, maybe up to 26.

Would be cool but I doubt it. If bigger one exists, it must be 30" because 26" is basically 24" (both are 1920x1200)

 

[killerrobot]

Apple's hype department is at it again.
WOW!! Two new features, and you won't tell us what they are. Let me drool over the billions of possibilities.

/rant

 

[heisetax]

Desktop or Tablet?

The iMac isn't a true desktop though. It is an all-in-one, essentially a laptop with the screen on the outside.

The iMac uses the laptop processor thus making it a laptop style. The screen on the front as you say makes it the Mac Tablet Computer. Unlike other tablet computers it has the new light weight 0 second battery. Just use the easy to use AC plug.

Desktop, laptop, tablet or other, you take your choice.

 

[geoffreak]

I think people are just spouting off little things they want in the next iMac. A true "compelling feature" is something that will make someone want to drop the computer they currently have regardless of how old it is.

Compelling features:
- Touch screen (though I don't think Snow Leopard has any touch screen capabilities)
- Redesign (the reason I have a Mac Mini now is partially due to the "chin")
- USB 3.0 (debatable, but having Apple be ahead of the game in this regard will be VERY compelling for Windows switchers)

Not compelling features:
- Bluray. Although it is nice for some people to have, it really isn't something that people would drop their current Macs to get. (no support in Snow Leopard either)
- More USB/Firewire ports. Nice, but not compelling. Same goes to eSATA.

Price drops are not features, so those don't count.

 

[jb1280]

External glass trackpad.

The ergonomics of a touch screen desktop are a nightmare, but the notebooks with the multi-touch trackpads have a lot more functionality that I am sure they would like to bring to the desktop environment. This is also relevant since with Snow Leopard, Asian characters can be drawn on the trackpad as an input method.

 

[aegisdesign]

How about a keyboard and mouse that match the iMac instead of the white models we have now? It still puzzles me why they don't match.

An i7 would be very nice though if they can fit that in their redesign. Just bought an i7 920 webserver and it's smoking fast.

I've still got a Rev A iMac 1.8Ghz G5 17" running here and IMHO it was the best iMac design. I swapped the drive out for a 640Gb drive and it's just a joy to work on compared with any other iMac. If they could bring back that level of upgradeability then that would be good. All the accessories match and the screen isn't a mirror too.

 

[FoxyKaye]

Apple's hype department is at it again.
WOW!! Two new features, and you won't tell us what they are. Let me drool over the billions of possibilities.

It does leave one with sort of a Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy kind of feeling, doesn't it?

 

[crisss1205]

Matte Screen Maybe?

I would find better UK price points compelling

The UK price points and the USA price points are the same!

 

[edoates]

i hate the chin

Hey, that's where I put my post-its ;-)

My preferences (I have no guesses):

Blu-Ray WRITER
e-sata port multiplier (I think Firewire has coughed up it's last hairball)
USB-3 (still has issues for synchronous transfers or for uncompressed video, but hugely better than USB-2; but there are no devices yet)
SDHC/Compact Flash/Memory Stick slot
ExpressCard-34 so you can add any of the above yourself.

Eddie O

 

[LeeTom]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this, but...

1) Blu-ray. duh.
2) PCIe slot

That's the most compelling feature for audio/video production. With this, you could add a great video card and have four displays total, or add a 4-port eSata card, or add a ProTools HD card, or a card-reader, or USB3 when it is more prevalent, or... ad nauseam.

Lee Tom

 

[Takuta-Nui]

I'd definitely appreciate Blu-Ray on an iMac, but then I remember that the family got our first iMac just one and a half years ago and probably won't find the impetus to replace it until long after I've moved out...

So I could just get one for my new place. =P

I don't mind touch capabilities on a handheld device, but on a desktop... as many have already pointed out, the ergonomics are incredibly tricky. It'd completely transform the workspace, and I don't think many would want such a sudden change. Rather...

A little device on the iMac, perhaps next to the iSight, projects a three-dimensional interface around you, and you can control everything with specific eye movements and blink sequences. It'd completely eradicate carpal tunnel syndrome. =D

 

[Eidorian]

It does leave one with sort of a Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy kind of feeling, doesn't it?

It's enough to generate hype and posts.

 

[nubero]

False on the first count and true on the second. Apple wants you to believe the first in order to force you to accept the second. When drawing a cart with a horse it's always a good idea to get the order of operation right.

Very true. I don't get how people can spend money for downloads.

 

[philipt42]

Does anyone think there will be a model available for under $1000?
It obviously would sell well, the only question is if apple could manufacture a quality product for under $1000.
I have my fingers crossed!

 

[skellener]

I don't think we'll see Blu-ray.

 

[Tallest Skil]

An i7 would be very nice though if they can fit that in their redesign. Just bought an i7 920 webserver and it's smoking fast.

A desktop processor would be too hot and draw too much power.

 

[liquidsuns]

I'm betting on a glass touch pad instead of a mouse. Then they can port over the cool swipe gestures from the MacBooks. They really need to do this in order to unify interface interaction.

 

[Eidorian]

A desktop processor would be too hot and draw too much power.

Remember Apple's supposed research into miracle cooling?

 

[*LTD*]

It does leave one with sort of a Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy kind of feeling, doesn't it?

Simpsons references from yesteryear are always appreciated.

 

[LeeTom]

Simpsons references from yesteryear are always appreciated.

I'll regroup at Red Lobster!

 

[xIGmanIx]

AppleInsider reports that the next-generation iMac will see the inclusion of two "compelling" new features

Wow!! two new features, i can hardly wait I think everyone has a laundry list of things that far surpasses 1 really new feature and the other aimed at the audio space. HOWEVER, i would be extremely compelled to purchase a mac in the near future if Blu-Ray made its way into native hardware and support.

 

[edoates]

Agree! I like my 20" model and is just big enough for my desk.

I don't know what all the fuss is about regarding Blu-Ray. I simply picked up an external Blu-Ray burner for about $300 and it works great with my iMac. I can burn, copy and authur Blu-Ray discs. Granted, I can't play them but that's what my Blu-Ray player is for.

It would be nice to have a Blu-Ray burner built into the iMac but it really shouldn't stop anybody from getting an external now and be done with it.

You author with what? Toast? That's not authoring, that's making it sort of play on a set top box. Clearly more than a burner is needed: DVD Studio Pro (that is Final Cut Studio 3) needs an upgrade to properly author DVDs AND Blu-Ray.

Eddie O

 

[onthat]

How sweet would it be if they incorporated an HDMI output?
I would definitely buy an iMac if it supported another monitor.

 

[*LTD*]

Very true. I don't get how people can spend money for downloads.

Because we don't like storing more crap in the corner of the basement.

Down with optical media.

SD cards can stay, but let's get rid of all these discs already!