Next-Generation iMac With SD Slot, Quad-Core, Possible Xeon? New Mouse and Remote in Pipeline?

[celtikmind]

Someone have most likely wished for this feature before but here goes...

How about a simple and clean port for connecting other hardware and utilizing the larger display?

It may be your game console if you're a student or utilizing compact living since graphics performance is so poor for games.

-or-

your portable Mac-whatever without having to move data and/or dual licenses for applications.

At least then the iMac would have some reason for existing...

 

[Bubba Satori]

This is the best news in a while. Hopefully it's true, but the Slimmer, Dual-Core iMac sounds more like Apple.

Slimmer ? Dual core ? Why a step backward ? That would be a disaster.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Is it just me who doesn't really use the SD card slots?

Everybody without a digital camera ? Like 7 people.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Xeon is not going to happen. Too expensive for the imac. If you want that sort of CPU power you will buy a PRO

Yep, as others have said, Xeon makes absolutly no sense in the iMac.

 

[johnrs]

SD slot is a step in the right direction. GFX bump & CPU bump are needed to keep the imac current else they will lose sales

 

[Bubba Satori]

Quad cores? Xeon? Thinner? Tablets? New mouse? You're all wrong. Apple is secretly working on the fabled xMac.

If you are right, I will proclaim you a hero of the people. And Steve Jobs, too.

 

[johnrs]

Quad cores? Xeon? Thinner? Tablets? New mouse? You're all wrong. Apple is secretly working on the fabled xMac.

the xMac is just a myth. the human race is not ready for such an advance computer...

 

[Reiger]

Just some facts guys. I like rumors as much as the next guy, but still...

AppleInsider expected iMac refreshes last fall. Although they made many rumor postings regarding them, they never actually came. This year they seem to be doing the same thing. However, this time there is also an analyst. Everybody here who frequents MacRumors knows a thing or two about analysts. The main thing, what they say is never true

But does Mac4ever have a track record of reliable rumors?

 

[celtikmind]

Yep, as others have said, Xeon makes absolutly no sense in the iMac.

Except for marketing a powerful desktop computer...

 

[celtikmind]

SD slot is a step in the right direction. GFX bump & CPU bump are needed to keep the imac current else they will lose sales

That needs to be one hell of a bump graphics-wise...

 

[johnrs]

Just some facts guys. I like rumors as much as the next guy, but still...

AppleInsider expected iMac refreshes last fall. Although they made many rumor postings regarding them, they never actually came. This year they seem to be doing the same thing. However, this time there is also an analyst. Everybody here who frequents MacRumors knows a thing or two about analysts. The main thing, what they say is never true

But does Mac4ever have a track record of reliable rumors?

At the end of the day its just a waiting game. I would be surprised if apple does not try to pull something out of the box just before Windows 7 release

 

[Drag'nGT]

I don't see any reason that the iMac should be slimmer nor why we need an SD card slot.
I do like hearing about the quad core though. It's just a tad late to the party but the good news is that it'll be a good chip. Apple has usually put good chips in their systems. New iMac owners will be very happy. Especially with SL installed. I don't think it's too far fetched to see a good quad in the MBP by the end of 2010.

 

[Shivetya]

I do know this for sure, it will come in a box.

 

[Shanpdx]

the other way increase the performance of iMac and still make it slim by using Solid State Drives, it is kinda of expensive apple can buy or order millions that is still possible.

SSD 256GB are costing $600, not sure how much is the bargain apple has.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150636 1421446019&name=256GB

80/160/256 SSDs are not bad in capacity considering how much performance improvement they bring to the overall system ...

 

[kiljoy616]

Maybe they are talking about i5

I could see where the new imac would have i5 based system, maybe as their quadcore, but Xeon with the heat they generate I find that to be wishful thinking.

 

[celtikmind]

Funny how so many suggesting Xeons isn't mentioning noise levels. AFAIR Steve really likes those whooshing fans...

 

[toke lahti]

Yeah, how are they going to put a Xeon in the iMac AND make it thinner?.

The whole unibody will be the cooler for cpu.
Seriously, Apple will never raise iMac's BOM.

 

[freddiecable]

i want to be able to connect my console to the iMac...so it can double as computer, teve and console gaming.

 

[schwartzki]

Am I the only one that wants to see not a xeon but the Core i7 processor in the new iMacs, and MacBook Pros?

 

[22Hertz]

Apple needs a mid-priced mid-powered (real) desktop!

 

[mcnaugha]

Prepare to be disappointed

The iMac is a consumer product. That's first and foremost in the design process. It's not about performance or bridging the perceived gap between iMac and Mac Pro.

The upcoming models have been designed with low-cost in mind. Apple has a significant challenge ahead of them to ensure sales remain high. The only way to do that is to cut prices. The Clarksfield processors are very expensive. The best you could hope for is the low-end Clarksfield in the high-end iMac. I'd simply expect next generation GPU(s) to be added with mediocre mobile CPUs.

Blu-ray drives don't seem to make sense either with the iTunes Store selling HD movies and TV shows. Blu-Ray writers are still a Pro feature. I just don't think Steve Jobs will see families sharing Blu-ray movies with one another.

The LGA1156 socket and processors are unlikely not just because of the thermal issues but the thickness of the socket + cpu + thermal solution. Might fit in the current design but if the chassis has been slimmed down then I don't think Apple is suddenly going to switch from Mobile to Desktop chipset designs.

Although I do feel like I'm sitting waiting on a revolutionary cooling solution which isn't clunky and expensive. If Apple could introduce a new product which was fast, slim and cool because of a new cheap cooling solution then that would be a significant advancement.

 

[Bubba Satori]

CF cards are a bag of hurt. Same for Express cards. And Flash, too. And 64-bit iTunes, and . . . Bluteooth.

...And BD and HDMI and matte screens and latest generation video cards and ...

Hopefully this update will bring Macs up to date feature wise

 

[Bubba Satori]

Am I the only one that wants to see not a xeon but the Core i7 processor in the new iMacs, and MacBook Pros?

No you're not. It's desperately needed. It's been out a year.

 

[*LTD*]

Apple needs a mid-priced mid-powered (real) desktop!

It doesn't look like Apple needs any additions to their current desktop line. It's difficult enough to sell desktops these days as it is. It's all about mobile power now.

We've all heard the headless Mac/mini tower request (mostly on Apple fansites), but there is no evidence to support this in the larger market. All-in-ones for desktops, Mac Pros for the "Pros", and notebooks/mobile devices.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Thinness is a huge selling point in Apple's market.

An additional 1 inch thickness to allow proper hardware would kill iMac sales ?