Unboxing of the Early 2009 NVIDIA iMac, Early Benchmarks

[iVoid]

You know... maybe it's time for Apple to go back to NOT including a keyboard with their computers at all.

They used to not include the keyboard so you could choose a standard or extended keyboard.

Only the iMac and MacPro comes with external keyboards anyway, so why not drop them (and dare I hope the price ) and let people choose which one to buy. Yeah, they let you do some customizing now, but that's only if you buy direct from Apple.

I'm not a big fan of the new chicklet keyboards anyway. Sure for laptops, you have to save space, but for a desktop I prefer a full stroke keyboard.

Yeah, I can just buy/use a different keyboard, but I already have a dozen extra keyboards around the house (including an ADB and a Mac Plus keyboard ), don't need another aroudn for more clutter.


It would be 'greener' not to include a keyboard that might not be used, as well.

 

[IMPMAC]

You have an option to go for an extended keyboard. People here are thinking they are no numpad for good.

Some people need to focus more, damn
And the iMacs are better then the old models.

 

[Scottsdale]

Very disappointed by lack of numeric keypad. I'm not going to spend another 100 bucks for the alu full size kb (that's the price in here).

This is so bad, the entire new product line.. so sad

IT'S A FREE UPGRADE TO ADD THE KEYPAD. GET A CLUE! NOT A $100. NOT A PENNY MORE. I LIKE THE NO KEYPAD. I have a wireless keypad for the one day per month I actually use it. For those of you who want the keypad, SELECT IT. IT'S FREE!

Do some fact checking before you all just rip Apple. Know what you're talking about.

 

[sa gringo]

i have the blue tooth keyboard and blue tooth 10-key pad / calculator and like that combo a lot more than the wired keyboard...

 

[srl7741]

Black keys on key board

I would like to see the Black Keys like the NoteBooks use? It seems that combination would complement the entire line better than the current key board.

 

[commander.data]

Really? So Snow Leopard doesn't use CUDA? Or how does that work? I assumed that by ordering the iMac with Radeon 4850 I was giving up some kind of nVidia snazzery.

The entire point of Snow Leopard and Apple spending their own resources to develop OpenCL, before pushing it through the Khronos Group in their quickest ever ratification, is to prevent CUDA or other proprietary GPGPU languages from gaining anymore traction. Snow Leopard will support OpenCL and OpenCL only. To add CUDA, you'll need to download nVidia's custom framework yourself as is the case now. OpenCL is supported by ATI, nVidia, and Intel who were all on the ratification group.

In any case, programs will still need to be written to take advantage of OpenCL, and no doubt the early drivers will not be optimal. It's not an instant performance fix and will be slow going.

 

[macshill]

Hmm, looks like a performance drop for the Imac and a bump up for the mini.

I am looking at this "update" as a clever way of dropping the price of the 2008 lineup, while apple can maintain its image of premium priced computers (maximum profit!!!) to stockholders with the "updated" models.

Oh, not quite. Don't forget about the price increases!

 

[KnightWRX]

Oh, not quite. Don't forget about the price increases!

You mean the fluctuating currencies ?

 

[myca]

You mean the fluctuating currencies ?

Hmm 11 months ago you got

24-inch: 3.06GHz
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GS with 512MB memory

for £1359

Now you get

24-inch: 3.06GHz
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory

for £1799

So with the way that technology moves on you're getting less for more, I think that's why a few folk are up in arms.

Me I don't like all in ones personally, but I could never recommend the new iMac to a friend as it stands.

-----------------------
No matter what happens with the mac, as long as the iPhone farts people will be happy

 

[macshill]

Maybe you should check out how the new iMac compares to some of the competitors before continuing to bash it and Apple.




Apple will give BluRay when they feel it is a viable and cost-effective option (especially the licensing fees).

*yawn* Fanboy statement.

They're making YOU, the consumers bend around THEIR mould, rather than the other way around. I thought Apple got into the whole computer business to build what was wanted and hadn't been yet.

 

[KnightWRX]

*yawn* Fanboy statement.

They're making YOU, the consumers bend around THEIR mould, rather than the other way around. I thought Apple got into the whole computer business to build what was wanted and hadn't been yet.

You asume everyone wants Blu-ray. My PS3 is already a fine blu-ray player and it's connected to a much larger display than anything in my office, where my Macbook is.

In a sens, you're making the consumers want what you want. We can speak for ourselves and when we say "we don't care about blu-ray", we don't. Really.

 

[KnightWRX]

Hmm 11 months ago you got

What was the £ valued at in $ 11 months ago ?

Like I said, fluctuating currencies. The iMac is worth the same thing it was 11 months ago, you just lost purchasing power.

 

[minik]

Hmm 11 months ago you got

24-inch: 3.06GHz
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GS with 512MB memory

for £1359

Now you get

24-inch: 3.06GHz
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory

for £1799

So with the way that technology moves on you're getting less for more, I think that's why a few folk are up in arms.

Me I don't like all in ones personally, but I could never recommend the new iMac to a friend as it stands.

-----------------------
No matter what happens with the mac, as long as the iPhone farts people will be happy

11 months ago I paid US$2,239 (with edu. discount)

24-inch: 3.06GHz BTO
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800Mhz DDR2 memory (vs. stock 2GB)
500GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GS with 512MB memory

Today will cost me US$2,099 (with edu. discount)

24-inch: 3.06GHz stock
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory

 

[poxonyou]

I see all the people complaining about the lack of quad core, but this is an AIO, not a desktop. Dell and HP don't have quad in their models either, and when you check pricing, the iMac is less.

Wrong. Dell uses the Core 2 Quads in the 24" XPS One's. http://www.dell.com/content/product...ktop-xps-a2420?c=us&cs=19&l=en&ref=dthp&s=dhs

Also, other manufacturers have consumer desktop options. Apple doesn't. You get a laptop in a box with no screen (mini), a laptop/crippled desktop (iMac), or an insanely expensive workstation tower.

They will have more updates later, relax and wait until then if you aren't happy with this.

If people don't complain and just keep buying, they have no reason to change. I imagine they're making higher than ever profit margins on this current update. Why would they voluntarily cut back on those profit margins if no one is complaining, if their sales aren't affected?

 

[poxonyou]

11 months ago I paid US$2,239 (with edu. discount)

24-inch: 3.06GHz BTO
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800Mhz DDR2 memory (vs. stock 2GB)
500GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GS with 512MB memory

Today will cost me US$2,099 (with edu. discount)

24-inch: 3.06GHz stock
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory

You live in the US, s/he lives in the UK where there's a major price increase. Also, after 1 year, we should be getting an upgrade, not nearly the exact same model with a slight discount (in the US).

 

[ppnkg]

instead of the number pad they should have added a multi-touch track pad and got rid of the mouse.

that would have seriously pushed multi-touch as the "new thing" and get software developers to really start utilizing this stuff.

thank god there must be a good number of left handers working at apple to prevent this from happening ever...

 

[KnightWRX]

If people don't complain and just keep buying, they have no reason to change. I imagine they're making higher than ever profit margins on this current update. Why would they voluntarily cut back on those profit margins if no one is complaining, if their sales aren't affected?

If people keep buying, maybe it's because these updates fit their needs at a price point they find acceptable ?

You can complain, but most complaints up to now have been based in a fantasy where Apple revamped their entire line-up, reinvented many of their computers and switched products from one market segment to another.

Basically, sales will tell us the true story, if the gripes are just a vocal minority or if really the updates were that bad.

For now, the products of today at today's price point are better value than they were on Monday, so I don't see what the problem really is.

You live in the US, s/he lives in the UK where there's a major price increase.

No, there's been a major drop in the value of their currency, not a price increase. I'm in Canada, and I know I can't expect to pay the same price as in the US while our dollar is worth 80 cents US.

Of course, us Canadians are used to this, we had our dollar at 70 cents US for almost 10 years during the 90s.

 

[myca]

What was the £ valued at in $ 11 months ago ?

Like I said, fluctuating currencies. The iMac is worth the same thing it was 11 months ago, you just lost purchasing power.

Well to be pedantic, the last refresh cost the UK buyer $2786, compared to the US price of $2199, whereas today the UK Buyer will pay $2520 compared to US price of $2199. But all the talk of fluctuating currencies doesn't add up to the fact that this refresh hasn't really added much, apart from more ram and HD space as standard.

Even the top ends GPU is the same as what was on the previous model, it's just had it's name changed twice. I don't think people would be bothered as much about a hike in price if there had been a hike in specs to go with it.

-----------------------
No matter what happens with the mac, as long as the iPhone farts people will be happy

 

[NorrisKillsKids]

I'm so happy I bought a 2.8ghz 24 inch refurb! I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO ARRIVE. GRRRRRRR.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

The GT130 is a rebranded 9600GSO which is a rebranded 8800GS. So the GT130 will perform about the same as the old 8800GS.

As an observation, it only costs $50 to upgrade to the HD4850 which should completely dominate the GT130/8800GS. It's a very worthwhile upgrade. I don't know why Apple even bothers offering the GT130, since the small price difference means the GT130 has little value. If they are selling it to consumers for $50, the actual cost difference to them would be even smaller, so they could have just absorbed the cost, deleted the GT130, and offset it with a simplified supply and production chain.

Personally, I'm interested in seeing how the 9400M performs against the HD2600Pro. I'm willing to bet there are cases where the dedicated nature of the HD2600Pro keeps it ahead, so the 9400M may well be a downgrade for the low-end 24" iMac.

Apple, absorb cost? It will be a cold day in hell.

Apple nickel and dimes more than any other technology company that I know of. Absorbing any sort of cost isnt in their DNA, even if its at great value to the cutomer and if it can have long-term benefits.

 

[KnightWRX]

Well to be pedantic, the last refresh cost the UK buyer $2786, compared to the US price of $2199, whereas today the UK Buyer will pay $2520 compared to US price of $2199. But all the talk of fluctuating currencies doesn't add up to the fact that this refresh hasn't really added much, apart from more ram and HD space as standard.

Even the top ends GPU is the same as what was on the previous model, it's just had it's name changed twice. I don't think people would be bothered as much about a hike in price if there had been a hike in specs to go with it.

Again, what price hikes ? Apple doesn't devaluate currency.

Also, the updates were more than just RAM and HD space. The Nehalem Mac Pro's, usable GPUs in Mac Mini's, miniDisplayPort across the entire line, lower entry price for the 24" iMac, etc..

That nothing strikes you as a must buy just means these are not the updates YOU were looking for. It doesn't mean these updates aren't being welcomed by others.

 

[corywoolf]

You asume everyone wants Blu-ray. My PS3 is already a fine blu-ray player and it's connected to a much larger display than anything in my office, where my Macbook is.

In a sens, you're making the consumers want what you want. We can speak for ourselves and when we say "we don't care about blu-ray", we don't. Really.

Can your PS3 burn Blu-ray discs and edit HD video?

Until Apple adopts Blu-ray... There is currently no good physical HD distribution option on the Mac. There isn't enough bandwidth to stream Blu-ray quality video over the internet currently. For being such a leader in media arts... Apple really should catch up with Adobe on things like Blu-ray support. Apple will probably kill off development on DVD Studio Pro in the next Final Cut Studio. They clearly haven't done much with the app in years.

 

[goblues27]

Not FREE

IT'S A FREE UPGRADE TO ADD THE KEYPAD. GET A CLUE! NOT A $100. NOT A PENNY MORE. I LIKE THE NO KEYPAD. I have a wireless keypad for the one day per month I actually use it. For those of you who want the keypad, SELECT IT. IT'S FREE!

Do some fact checking before you all just rip Apple. Know what you're talking about.

It's ONLY free if you purchase directly from Apple... so no. That's not free because it eliminates choices of other retailers/discounts.

 

[jbernie]

You know... maybe it's time for Apple to go back to NOT including a keyboard with their computers at all.

They used to not include the keyboard so you could choose a standard or extended keyboard.

Not a bad idea... they could at least offer a keyboard less option with maybe a $30 or so saving for those who really don't need yet another keyboard. Yes you can recycle an old keyboard but not getting a new one in the first place is just fine.

You asume everyone wants Blu-ray. My PS3 is
already a fine blu-ray player and it's connected to a much larger display than anything in my office, where my Macbook is.

In a sens, you're making the consumers want what you want. We can speak for ourselves and when we say "we don't care about blu-ray", we don't. Really.

Actually, we would like BR at least as an option. As has probably been said more than enough, the MacMini format with a BR drive is quite a compelling device. Even if it means you can only get this config with a build to order through the Apple online store it still a viable configuration.

 

[Bubba Satori]

You asume everyone wants Blu-ray. My PS3 is already a fine blu-ray player and it's connected to a much larger display than anything in my office, where my Macbook is.

In a sens, you're making the consumers want what you want. We can speak for ourselves and when we say "we don't care about blu-ray", we don't. Really.

Not everybody, but some. Does everybody need to want something for Apple to deign to at least provide the option for it ? Some of the computers I sell have it for the price of a Macbook for heaven's sake.

Who is the "we" you claim to be speaking for ?