not impressed with imac update

[flopticalcube]

The CPUs aren't going to massively improve until low-power quad cores get released by Intel early next year, which is probably going to be the time USB3 gets introduced into the iMac line. Not sure whether they'll even bother with FW3200 though and ExpressCard is also very unlikely IMO.

I'm just curious, what don't you like about the CPU's? I know you say they are low end, but I was really pleased when I saw the update.

Core i5 would be the minimum for such a "premium" product, even in the lowest end. I know its only dual-core but even so. Core i3 is not much of an improvement over C2D, which is ancient. ExpressCard would allow some flexibility (esata, usb3, sound cards, etc..) at little cost to Apple. I don't think Apple has abandoned FW and we will see FW3200 or at least FW1600 in the near future.


OP, you don't want premium analog output on a computer-based DAC. You want digital to a premium outboard DAC.

i understand completely and i agree as well,all those inputs would nearly impossible to fit and thus impossible to cater to everyones needs.that i can agree with.since this is true why not just have a very discrete expansion port so people can add a port or two to their choosing?ik obviosuly that wouldnt work for alot of the ports you listed but it would for some

AKA, ExpressCard.

 

[Hellhammer]

Core i5 would be the minimum for such a "premium" product, even in the lowest end. I know its only dual-core but even so. Core i3 is not much of an improvement over C2D, which is ancient. ExpressCard would allow some flexibility (esata, usb3, sound cards, etc..) at little cost to Apple. I don't think Apple has abandoned FW and we will see FW3200 or at least FW1600 in the near future.


OP, you don't want premium analog output on a computer-based DAC. You want digital to a premium outboard DAC.

i5 "Clarkdale" is minor upgrade over i3. It features higher clock speed and 266MHz Turbo, nothing interesting IMO. They start at 176$, 20 bucks more gets you i5-750 which runs circles around any Clarkdale.

 

[rdowns]

i dont want optical out,i want super audio out you know the kind that are gold tipped and cost more than you can afford.

I'm waiting for the next update. SHould have super audio AND super video.

 

[flopticalcube]

i5 "Clarkdale" is minor upgrade over i3. It features higher clock speed and 266MHz Turbo, nothing interesting IMO. They start at 176$, 20 bucks more gets you i5-750 which runs circles around any Clarkdale.

Would the i5-750 TDP work for the 21.5"? Its 95w, right? I just feel Apple is being cheap again.

 

[Elysian]

I'm waiting for the next update. SHould have super audio AND super video.

How about Super Smash Bros?

Would the i5-750 TDP work for the 21.5"? Its 95w, right? I just feel Apple is being cheap again.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, I also do kind of think Apple went a bit cheap here, but it's still not that bad.

 

[Queso]

Core i5 would be the minimum for such a "premium" product, even in the lowest end. I know its only dual-core but even so. Core i3 is not much of an improvement over C2D, which is ancient.

I think it's the cost of the mobile i5 variants that have prevented them doing that. The i3 may only be a slight improvement over the C2D but it's roughly the same cost, and does have the Hyperthreading advantage for another small speed boost. The discrete graphics chip will see the biggest advantage over the previous 21.5" generation at the low end.

I was surprised not to see the i5 dual as the base in the 27" though, with the quad in the high-end.

 

[Hellhammer]

Would the i5-750 TDP work for the 21.5"? Its 95w, right? I just feel Apple is being cheap again.

Yeah, it's 22W more than Clarkdale but it was just a note. If i5 was used, it would make the CPU price difference between low-end and high-end only 30 bucks which would be ridiculous. The i3-540 costs 133$, just like E7600 did so Apple isn't being any cheaper than they were. They love the profit, we know that

 

[1 Cor. 15:26]

I'll just wait patiently for my Ultra Super Mega Audio. Step it up Apple.

 

[firestarter]

Ah OK. In that case can I just assume firestarter is correct?

Always!

 

[flopticalcube]

Yeah, it's 22W more than Clarkdale but it was just a note. If i5 was used, it would make the CPU price difference between low-end and high-end only 30 bucks which would be ridiculous. The i3-540 costs 133$, just like E7600 did so Apple isn't being any cheaper than they were. They love the profit, we know that

Absolutely. 35% margins don't grow on trees.

Even from a marketing perspective, however, having i5 in the specs helps elevate the status of the unit even if the performance is not a huge world away. Everyone and his dog knows i3 is the Walmart special these days. I'm also not sure about using the 4670 in the low-end. Again, from a marketing perspective, a lower 5-series would be better, even if it performed worse.

 

[MacNut]

I'm waiting for the next update. SHould have super audio AND super video.

Maybe it will have SuperVHS.

 

[/V\acpower]

im not saying the sound is horrible and unacceptable,im just saying for a 2000 dollar comptuer i expected just a tiny bit more

Its no use having a big connector on what is a basically regular/mainstream Amp in the computer. the headphone jack is fine for that.

And if you are really serious you will use an external Amp for the signal, which will work with the optical output.

But for the analog signal from the Mac, headphone is totally fine.

 

[bartelby]

Ah OK. In that case can I just assume firestarter is correct?

I think we can assume the OP actually doesn't use anything more than a $10 cable into a $50 hifi.

 

[jmpage2]

I was kind of hoping for a matte screen option and BD drive on this refresh but knew that the chances were slim at best.

I'm still puzzled by the elimination of the only non glossy monitor available... hasn't Apple learned their lesson with the backlash against gloss displays on the MBP that forced them to finally offer it in matte?

My 2.93ghz 24" iMac with 4850 is still doing pretty well, but I have to decide if I want to sell it (can still get about $1200 for it) and get into an i7 box.

 

[Elysian]

I'm still puzzled by the elimination of the only non glossy monitor available... hasn't Apple learned their lesson with the backlash against gloss displays on the MBP that forced them to finally offer it in matte?

Most people don't bring their iMacs outside or to coffee shops, so sunlight glare isn't much of an issue. Unless I'm misinformed why people were complaining?

 

[henrikrox]

I was kind of hoping for a matte screen option and BD drive on this refresh but knew that the chances were slim at best.

I'm still puzzled by the elimination of the only non glossy monitor available... hasn't Apple learned their lesson with the backlash against gloss displays on the MBP that forced them to finally offer it in matte?

My 2.93ghz 24" iMac with 4850 is still doing pretty well, but I have to decide if I want to sell it (can still get about $1200 for it) and get into an i7 box.

Good for you mate! glad you got so much for your imac.

Im also puzzled why they don't offer a matt display. Some parts of the day in my office the glossy monitor is so hard to work with, oh well.

The glossy is good for other things though

 

[Hellhammer]

Good for you mate! glad you got so much for your imac.

Im also puzzled why they don't offer a matt display. Some parts of the day in my office the glossy monitor is so hard to work with, oh well.

The glossy is good for other things though

The panel itself is very glossy so it wouldn't help much if Apple removed the glass and called that matte

 

[henrikrox]

oh i just saw a DIY matt screen on the forums some time ago, and i mean if some dude can do it, then i bet apple can.

 

[iamthedudeman]

Core i5 would be the minimum for such a "premium" product, even in the lowest end. I know its only dual-core but even so. Core i3 is not much of an improvement over C2D, which is ancient. ExpressCard would allow some flexibility (esata, usb3, sound cards, etc..) at little cost to Apple. I don't think Apple has abandoned FW and we will see FW3200 or at least FW1600 in the near future.


OP, you don't want premium analog output on a computer-based DAC. You want digital to a premium outboard DAC.



AKA, ExpressCard.

Look at the benchmarks I have posted here. The core i3 literally destroys the C2D line. A significant improvement. The difference between the Core i3 and i5 is not much at all.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901

The Core i3 is clearly the winner here.For price vs performance.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901/16

http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2010/2010052401_Core_i3-550_mini-review.html

Tests for the entry level i3 540 of the base mac.
Not a performance improvement?

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...540-clarkdale-lga1156-processor-review-7.html

 

[mr.steevo]

Its no use having a big connector on what is a basically regular/mainstream Amp in the computer. the headphone jack is fine for that.

And if you are really serious you will use an external Amp for the signal, which will work with the optical output.

But for the analog signal from the Mac, headphone is totally fine.

Hi,

I'm not sure what the OP is referring to when he says "Super Audio". Do you?

I do think that a Digtal Audio Converter using an optical cable is a better way to listen to music from a computer, but this is assuming that the audio tracks are not MP3 files. Otherwise, garbage in garbage out.

This is a pretty good Tube DAC for $225 http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09
But if you're just playing MP3's through to a home theater in a box system it isn't worth the bother.

I have to agree with you that the headphone out is certainly 'good enough' in today's music listening world.

s.

 

[Gregintosh]

Most people don't bring their iMacs outside or to coffee shops, so sunlight glare isn't much of an issue. Unless I'm misinformed why people were complaining?

Oh really?

Full story: http://gizmodo.com/5429732/you-have-nothing-to-apologize-for-panera-bread-imac-man



But yeah, the glare isn't a big deal. I've had glossy screens since 2007 and ive used them in various rooms and conditions and never found it hard to deal with. If you absloutley must place your computer right by a window get some black out curtains and you'll be fine.

 

[flopticalcube]

Look at the benchmarks I have posted here. The core i3 literally destroys the C2D line. A significant improvement. The difference between the Core i3 and i5 is not much at all.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901

The Core i3 is clearly the winner here.For price vs performance.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901/16

http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2010/2010052401_Core_i3-550_mini-review.html

Tests for the entry level i3 540 of the base mac.
Not a performance improvement?

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...540-clarkdale-lga1156-processor-review-7.html

Looks like the i3 is a decent improvement then. Just my prejudice holding me back.

I still stand by the assertion that it looks low-end where Apple is trying to project the machine as premium. I understand Steve's lust for cash, however. Its made Apple a great success.

 

[Man-Droid]

Oh really?

Full story: http://gizmodo.com/5429732/you-have-nothing-to-apologize-for-panera-bread-imac-man



But yeah, the glare isn't a big deal. I've had glossy screens since 2007 and ive used them in various rooms and conditions and never found it hard to deal with. If you absloutley must place your computer right by a window get some black out curtains and you'll be fine.

HA! I never saw those. Can he not afford internet after dropping money on that iMac?

Wasn't there a similar story of a guy that set up an Xbox360 at a Starbucks?

 

[skcrane]

new i5 quad or i7 quad refurb

which to get does it make sense to get the better video card and 1033 or the i7 quad refurb for $300 cheaper. what do you think. The review of the i5 quad from macworld will be out tomorrow.