Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Predictions on the next Imac update?
- Thread starter carpet
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well to keep things fair.
First it's iMac and not Imac.
Secondly there are already a couple of current threads asking the same question. Remember to search the forum before asking questions.
And third, no there have been no real rumors so nobody really knows. The best guess is that the next PowerMac update will happen before the iMac update. And once we see what that update entails, it will be easier to get a better idea of what might go into the next revision of the iMac.
First it's iMac and not Imac.
Secondly there are already a couple of current threads asking the same question. Remember to search the forum before asking questions.
And third, no there have been no real rumors so nobody really knows. The best guess is that the next PowerMac update will happen before the iMac update. And once we see what that update entails, it will be easier to get a better idea of what might go into the next revision of the iMac.
I would say faster processor, and I would hope that like the powerbooks, they would upgrade to 512 or ram, for all apple machines hopefully.
A 2.3GHz 970FX processor seems to be where it's headed right now, unless there is a breakthough and we get the 970GX quickly.
But IBM has had severe problems with new processor lines lately...
Edit: the 2.3GHz processor is already being used by Apple in a configuration which should fit the iMac specs (the XServe) -- but with the iMac 1/3 bus speed, the final clock should change.
But IBM has had severe problems with new processor lines lately...
Edit: the 2.3GHz processor is already being used by Apple in a configuration which should fit the iMac specs (the XServe) -- but with the iMac 1/3 bus speed, the final clock should change.
Low-End
--------
2.0GHZ G5, 160GB HDD, 512 RAM, Combo Drive, FX5200 128MB, 17inch
$1199
Mid-range
--------
2.0GHZ G5, 250GB HDD, 512 RAM, SUper Drive, 9600XT 128MB, 17inch
High end
--------
Same as Mid range except for 20 inch screen and 2.2GHZ Proc
There will be 8X SuperDrives.
These will follow PM Updates to 2.3, 2.6 and 3.0
--------
2.0GHZ G5, 160GB HDD, 512 RAM, Combo Drive, FX5200 128MB, 17inch
$1199
Mid-range
--------
2.0GHZ G5, 250GB HDD, 512 RAM, SUper Drive, 9600XT 128MB, 17inch
High end
--------
Same as Mid range except for 20 inch screen and 2.2GHZ Proc
There will be 8X SuperDrives.
These will follow PM Updates to 2.3, 2.6 and 3.0
The next imac will be released during this Summer May-July at the same price points as the current ones. They will be running at 1.8 and 2.0GHz. Expect larger stock HD, 8X superdrive, and a better GPU probably the Geforce 6200.
Do you really think they'll see such major increases? I'm thinking a 128 MB GPU is not gonna' happen... The $3000 PowerMac is the only place we currently see a 128. I can't see the iMac getting one this soon? But don't get me wrong: I'd be pleasantly surprised if it did. 
(Still don't see it happening yet, lol)
Hey, what is the difference between a 970FX and 970GX? What does the iMac have in it right now? I'm really curious about that now.
(Still don't see it happening yet, lol)Hey, what is the difference between a 970FX and 970GX? What does the iMac have in it right now? I'm really curious about that now.
Hey, here's something I CAN see happening:
An update of the iMac Combo Drive to 32x burn speed. It's currently at 24x. ( http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html ) The eMac has a faster combo drive than the iMac does. *sniffle*
I want my combo drive to have every "x" it can get. Even if it's only about a 30 second difference per disk?
An update of the iMac Combo Drive to 32x burn speed. It's currently at 24x. ( http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html ) The eMac has a faster combo drive than the iMac does. *sniffle*
I want my combo drive to have every "x" it can get.
Even if it's only about a 30 second difference per disk? 
amholl said:
don't know how you get this predictions. but it is what i would buy in a heartbeat. especially the 20" that you suggest. i for my part buy the imac only if its like your 20" model because i want my next computer to be about twice as fast as my current PB 1.5 GHz.
but i can't see the low range at 2.0 ghz and i'm afraid the high end of the imac will be the low end of the pm line. i can't see the low end pm move to 2.3 ghz. it will be only 2.0 because i can't imagine that ibm all of a sudden improves their chip production quality so much that there are only 2.0 cpu's and up.
my two cents.
andi
SteveC said:Hey, here's something I CAN see happening:
An update of the iMac Combo Drive to 32x burn speed. It's currently at 24x. ( http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html ) The eMac has a faster combo drive than the iMac does. *sniffle*
I want my combo drive to have every "x" it can get.
just remember the drive is mounted vertically, it can only spin so fast before it becomes unstable..they were never made to be mounted vertically
SteveC said:Do you really think they'll see such major increases? I'm thinking a 128 MB GPU is not gonna' happen... The $3000 PowerMac is the only place we currently see a 128. I can't see the iMac getting one this soon? But don't get me wrong: I'd be pleasantly surprised if it did.
Yeah, I'm with you on this one. Apple isn't known for its massive increases in specs etc. The OPTION of a 128Mb card would be great though. Remember, the iMac can't step on the PowerMac's toes too much.
Butler Trumpet said:
Hmm, and I was really hoping they would stick in a slower processor.... Just call me crazy
I really doubt much will change other than a speed bump and maybe a ram bump. But I think you shouldn't be expecting any changes before the PowerMac update comes out (soon hopefully). The iMac is just ~150 days since last update, PowerMac is pushing ~250 days.
Good point. I now reasoned with myself that there isn't a huge difference between 24 and 32 anyway, especially when you're talking about the kind of personal use/backup purposes most consumers use the drives for.trailblazer said:just remember the drive is mounted vertically, it can only spin so fast before it becomes unstable..they were never made to be mounted vertically
If you need to burn 1,000 CDs as fast as possible, sure a 32x drive would be much faster than a 24x, but most people aren't going to be running a 1,000 CD burning operation from their iMac (or even a 100 CD operation for that matter).
trailblazer said:just remember the drive is mounted vertically, it can only spin so fast before it becomes unstable..they were never made to be mounted vertically
Exactly! I've never thought the vertical Superdrive/Combo was a good idea. I would like to personally compare a 4x vertical drive to a 4x horizontal drive to see if there is any difference. We have a few iMac G5's at school I might could try. Hurm... By the way, Steve didn't think vertical drives were good either a few years back, but apparently has had a change of heart.
joshuawaire said:
Steve often says things aren't good and then the next day changes his mind. Remember the flash mp3 player? The things that people get as presents and then stick into a drawer never to be used
Maybe
Low end:
17"
1.8Ghz
512Mb
160Gb
Medium:
20"
2.0Ghz
512Mb
200Gb
High:
23" Hi-Def
2.3Ghz
1Gb
250Gb
All models will have Super drive options.
Could happen but it won't.
Low end:
17"
1.8Ghz
512Mb
160Gb
Medium:
20"
2.0Ghz
512Mb
200Gb
High:
23" Hi-Def
2.3Ghz
1Gb
250Gb
All models will have Super drive options.
Could happen but it won't.
DOUBT IT!!!
The iMac's will not come standard with 512mb, maybe just the high end will. The mid-range will definitely not come with 250GB and I doubt the High End will either. I think that overall these are far too optimistic. Stats like this would have to mean major changes to the PowerMac's.
Something like this:
Single 2.3 - 512mb DDR2 - 160GB - 128mb 6200
Dual 2.3 -1GB DDR2 - 160 GB - 128mb 6200
Dual 2.5 - 1GB DDR2 - 250GB - 256mb X600XT
Dual 3.0 - 2GB DDR2 - 250GB - 256mb X800XT
(AND THESE AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN)(WOULD BE NICE THOUGH)
I suspect the following updates for the iMac's a month or two after the PM's
17" 1.8G5 256mb 80GB 64mb 6200
17" 2.0G5 256mb 160GB 64mb 6200
20" 2.0G5 512mb 160GB 128mb 6200
amholl said:
The iMac's will not come standard with 512mb, maybe just the high end will. The mid-range will definitely not come with 250GB and I doubt the High End will either. I think that overall these are far too optimistic. Stats like this would have to mean major changes to the PowerMac's.
Something like this:
Single 2.3 - 512mb DDR2 - 160GB - 128mb 6200
Dual 2.3 -1GB DDR2 - 160 GB - 128mb 6200
Dual 2.5 - 1GB DDR2 - 250GB - 256mb X600XT
Dual 3.0 - 2GB DDR2 - 250GB - 256mb X800XT
(AND THESE AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN)(WOULD BE NICE THOUGH)
I suspect the following updates for the iMac's a month or two after the PM's
17" 1.8G5 256mb 80GB 64mb 6200
17" 2.0G5 256mb 160GB 64mb 6200
20" 2.0G5 512mb 160GB 128mb 6200
I really want them to offer 512MB ram as standard, a 128meg VRAM option, the latest DVD burner and put out a deluxe 20" with everything (single 512MB stick ram, BT, 160gig HDD, 128 ram, WiFi, wireless keyboard/mouse, applecare) for a nice price less than the normal sum of its parts.
