Teardown of New 21.5-inch iMac Reveals Glued Down LCD and Dual Microphones

[theSeb]

You want to say, that it's possible to install the whole System ( OS X and probably bootcamp) on a external SSD ( USB3 or Thunderbolt ) and use the iMac Drive only as an archive Drive?

You can definitely install OS X on an external drive. If I was buying a 2012 iMac, then I would get one with a normal HDD, and then add a fast external TB SSD, such as this one:

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H...256gb-ssd-thunderbolt-hard-drive?fnode=5f&p=1

Installing bootcamp on an external drive is another matter. I recall one user claiming that they had managed to do it on the iMac sub-forums here, but it involved a bit of tinkering about using an app like Winclone.

 

[sambaphoto]

I've only glanced at a few articles, but apparently it is doable.

Once I got a bit more time, I'm gonna read up a lot more on it.

This would be a reasonable workaround ( at least with 27", possible memory change and no voiding of the warranty with a HD change ).

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You can definitely install OS X on an external drive. If I was buying a 2012 iMac, then I would get one with a normal HDD, and then add a fast external TB SSD, such as this one:

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H...256gb-ssd-thunderbolt-hard-drive?fnode=5f&p=1

Installing bootcamp on an external drive is another matter. I recall one user claiming that they had managed to do it on the iMac sub-forums here, but it involved a bit of tinkering about using an app like Winclone.

Yeah, slowly we are getting closer. I can go with the "Highend 27" (with 1 TB HD)", no additional costs. And the external SSD solution is extendable... Sure I have to invest 300-500$ for an SSD but not 1300.

 

[theSeb]

This would be a reasonable workaround ( at least with 27", possible memory change and no voiding of the warranty with a HD change ).

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Yeah, slowly we are getting closer

If you were to follow this approach, then to OS X this would be no different than if the drive was an internal one. For example in my 2011 Mini server I have a 750 GB 7200 2.5 HDD and a 256 GB SSD. The SSD holds the operating system and my user folder. On the HDD I have stuff like my iTunes media and other large files. I then use symbolic links to link from my user folder to the mechanical hard drive locations of the iTunes folder.

 

[ValSalva]

Yeah, the OUTRAGE of people who don't approve of a desktop computer designed to be thrown away after 2.5 years.

How dare they think any consumer product should last longer than that!!!

I'm sure you look at us pathetic folks who still drive cars that are 4, 5, or even 8 years old as self-righteous and self serving as well.

Not sure how glue and a thin form factor makes the iMac somehow designed for only 2.5 years of use. I'm sure these new iMacs will last 4, 5, or even 8 years.

IFixit fixes computers. These iMacs are designed to be more reliable and are less easily fixed. This is the future in consumer electronics. iFixit just has to get over themselves because most iMac purchasers are better served with these new iMacs and don't care about upgradeability.

 

[hfg]

You want to say, that it's possible to install the whole System ( OS X and probably bootcamp) on a external SSD ( USB3 or Thunderbolt ) and use the iMac Drive only as an archive Drive? Why not. This would open more options. E.g. to buy the 3 TB internal drive and Boot from a fast and cheaper SSD.

OS X ... yes, booting from an external thunderbolt SSD is easy
Bootcanp ... no, at least not easily

 

[MattSepeta]

Not sure how glue and a thin form factor makes the iMac somehow designed for only 2.5 years of use. I'm sure these new iMacs will last 4, 5, or even 8 years.

IFixit fixes computers. These iMacs are designed to be more reliable and are less easily fixed. This is the future in consumer electronics. iFixit just has to get over themselves because most iMac purchasers are better served with these new iMacs and don't care about upgradeability.

This may be the case now, but it certainly wasn't when myself and countless other professionals became heavily invested in the apple system for our work.

 

[ValSalva]

Ahhh... more self-righteous and self-serving indignation from the Technically challenged folks.

Yeah because betting on Apple to do the right thing hasn't worked out over the past decade

 

[Lancer]

How much faster could it be with a 7200 RPM 3.5" drive? A 5400 RPM 2.5" laptop drive seems like a (significant) step backwards.

I bet most users getting base model iMac will be coming from laptops so will probably not notice the slower HDD and really in day-to-day tasks you're not going to see much difference.

I guess it's also Apple's way to push people to the next model and get the Fusion Drive.

I went all out since I'll probably not be getting another new Mac for at least 5 years, 27" with 1Tb Fusion and the fastest CPU/GPU.

ETA - I'm planning a 2 stage backup for my Fusion Drive, Time Machine and CCC (Weekly).

 

[sambaphoto]

OS X ... yes, booting from an external thunderbolt SSD is easy
Bootcanp ... no, at least not easily

Yes sure with OS X I understand. But Bootcamp, you mean at least it's not impossible. What does this mean?

Start from the external SSD with OS X. Unmount the internal HDD and install the Bootcamp partition on the external SSD? Is that perhaps a solution?

 

[thekev]

$169 gets you Apple Care, three years from date of purchase. All defects covered. After that, they have 'flat rate' repairs that are often way cheaper. It is possible that an out of warranty replacement could top out at $400-500 which could be quite a bargain if you have a Fusion Drive

Depot repairs typically take a while if offered. How is $400-500 cheap for a fusion drive? You can buy a huge SSD for that. Several years from now, you should be able to buy something significantly bigger. As for Applecare, it has become increasingly compulsory, while it remains and addon.

 

[msh]

Oh, it finally has USB 3.0, then again, so does my Mac Pro

The Mac Pro does not yet have USB 3.0.

 

[hfg]

Yes sure with OS X I understand. But Bootcamp, you mean at least it's not impossible. What does this mean?

There are posts here where Windows was initially installed on an internal drive, then cloned to an external drive, and they were able to get it to work.

I have been unsuccessful in getting it to boot properly from an external drive, but I haven't really spent a lot of effort doing so, as I had higher priority interests with speedy external OS X solutions to spend time on.

I have had NO luck installing Windows to an external drive!


-howard

 

[iGrip]

I examined my disk space usage and concluded I can get away with 256GB - even with using 32GB for virtual Windows. I just ordered 4-bay QNAP NAS which will serve as media library (mirrored disks) and maybe even for TM backup.

I'm thinking more an more that a built-in wireless data repository is something that every home needs. With it configured to be available from the 'net, I see little reason to use third-party cloud servers for everyday storage needs.

 

[G51989]

The Mac Pro does not yet have USB 3.0.

PCI USB 3.0 card, if I had a Mac Pro, I would get one.

The Mac Pro is interesting in the sense that it can be....repaired easily...upgraded easily..modified easily, and its all user accessible.

Silly huh?

I don't understand this retarded Form Factor, sure the old one was a pain in the ass ( I would know, I have one ), but you could still perform repairs and upgrades yourself, this one, you just can't at all.

 

[sambaphoto]

There are posts here where Windows was initially installed on an internal drive, then cloned to an external drive, and they were able to get it to work.

I have been unsuccessful in getting it to boot properly from an external drive, but I haven't really spent a lot of effort doing so, as I had higher priority interests with speedy external OS X solutions to spend time on.


-howard

Yes I understand. Ok, bootcamp is not so important. I think with Parallels I could also go. I don't need FireWire support or things like that. But the Bootcamp solution is way faster. I don't know if Parallels or fusion support even thunderbolt. They never got run a FireWire support ( Video-Cams or Sound Interface).

 

[3282868]

The Mac Pro does not yet have USB 3.0.

CalDigit USb 3.0 PCIe:

http://www.caldigit.com/avdrive/card_pciex.html

Another reason why towers/mid-towers are better, I've had USB 3.0 for well over a year, also upgraded my ATI Radeon HD card, holds 4 x 2TB SATA II (holding out for III next gen), an LG Blu-Ray drive (OS X has been able to play Blu-Rays through third party apps for a long while now), and a Mercury EXTREME 6G 250GB SSD. 12-Cores and 32GB RAM, and it's a three year old system - though Apple's current Mac Pro offering. How many iMac's can do so?

What was that about not having USB 3?

PCI USB 3.0 card, if I had a Mac Pro, I would get one.

Yeup

 

[ValSalva]

This may be the case now, but it certainly wasn't when myself and countless other professionals became heavily invested in the apple system for our work.

Agreed. But the iMac was never a pro computer. I just hope they keep making the Mac Pro.

 

[hfg]

Yes I understand. Ok, bootcamp is not so important. I think with Parallels I could also go. I don't need FireWire support or things like that. But the Bootcamp solution is way faster. I don't know if Parallels or fusion support even thunderbolt. They never got run a FireWire support ( Video-Cams or Sound Interface).

The issues are only with bootable BootCamp installations of Windows.

Windows running as a virtual machine under either Parallels or Fusion (VMware) will run fine internal or external. EDIT: Oh ... I see you are concerned about VM support of external high performance devices. I have no experience running FireWire or Thunderbolt devices like VideoCams or Audio Processing ... sorry.

That is why BootCamp isn't my high priority ... what little I do in Windows works fine with Fusion VM.

(too many things named "Fusion" )


-howard

 

[3282868]

Okay I was talking about the 2011 iMacs where HD replacement by end users has been screwed up because of Apple using custom firmware on the hard disks for temp control.

So 2012 iMacs don't have that issue? From your post, thats what I can infer.

I remember this, I replaced a 2011 HDD with a SSD as Apple sent the wrong iMac twice. Having worked as a "genius" a long while ago, I knew the ins and outs. It took about an hour to fully dismantle the system in a clean room very carefully. In the end, I could not get around the sensor temp issue, even with third party software. The fans would spin like mad with the SSD. I eventually put it together and sent it back, Apple finally sent the correct unit. Of course I was very careful, AppleCare and all, but those systems are not easy, even for the trained.

 

[iGrip]

And I also wonder why the Apple retail stores stocked with geniuses won't do the repairs. Shipping a Mac all the way somewhere for repairs is time consuming and inefficient.

Because you need Super Duper Geniuses who are all only available all the way somewhere, that's why.

The in-store genii are not all that.

 

[sambaphoto]

The issues are only with bootable BootCamp installations of Windows.

Windows running as a virtual machine under either Parallels or Fusion (VMware) will run fine internal or external.

That is why BootCamp isn't my high priority ... what little I do in Windows works fine with Fusion VM.

(too many things named "Fusion" )


-howard

I'm neither a main windows user. I need it for some tasks. I think I could live with Parallels ( only Thunderbolt support is the big question mark ). But thanks also for your proposal.

 

[iGrip]

wish apple would make it a rule to stop using glue in their products. :-/

Glue not only speeds up production, it also lowers materials costs. Both are essential to full profitability.

Eventually we will see monoblock designs that cost almost nothing to make and have no repairability whatsoever.

 

[sambaphoto]

EDIT: Oh ... I see you are concerned about VM support of external high performance devices. I have no experience running FireWire or Thunderbolt devices like VideoCams or Audio Processing ... sorry.

-howard

No problem. I used bootcamp on my 2007 system. FireWire works fine, Parallels never could bring a FireWire solution. They said that FireWire is DMA based a need deeper System integration ( or so! ). I understood that they waited for a Apple Solution ( new Drivers ). Apple never did, because they have their Bootcamp...

 

[G51989]

Glue not only speeds up production, it also lowers materials costs. Both are essential to full profitability.

Pretty much.

Exulcing the 300 dollar towers. Which are not made well. The vast majority of PCs are easy to repair, and don't use glue.

Heck, I saw a ASUS All in one at best buy ( I was trying out something to buy online, not buying it there. ), it was the one that was mostly made of glass and metal, 1400 dollars.

Sure its not quite as thin as the iMac, but the entire back looks like it could be removed fairly easy, and it had tons of options to upgrade everything from the video card to the ram, hard drive, ect.

AND has the option to be reapired by the user.

Why can't Apple built a machine like that?

 

[theSeb]

Why can't Apple built a machine like that?

Because they don't believe it will be successful for them. You have to consider all of the costs, not just the upfront assembly, parts and shipping, but also the support costs. Allowing people to upgrade brings the extra risk of people damaging things and trying to claim on warranty. Steve Jobs was always against it, even back in the early days of Apple. If it was up to him, we wouldn't even have third-party apps on iOS. He considered add ons and changes, whether they are hardware or software, to take away from the purity of *his* design.