Updated iMac and eMac in April?

[Squire]

Thank you, I happy to know that my view is correct. I always thought that just upgrading still leaves an owner with older technology. Most times My up grades are four years apart, so I'm in the market now.

As am I, wdlove. However, I think I'm leaning more towards a PowerMac than an iMac right now. I'd like to have easier access to the innards just in case I want to, say, add another hard drive. But, we'll see what these updates bring and decide then. (I'm also considering a Mac mini for my office as opposed to a notebook.)

Squire

 

[~loserman~]

Sometime late this year or at the least early next Year I will buy a couple iMacs for the house.
I'm waiting on a single dual core processor to be put in them and HOPING it will be 2Ghz or above.

 

[thorshammer88]

Thank you, I happy to know that my view is correct. I always thought that just upgrading still leaves an owner with older technology. Most times My up grades are four years apart, so I'm in the market now.

Im satisfied yet surprised to hear that you feel that your own opinion is correct

Good thing you set us straight as I thought Apple was a charity

 

[RichardCarletta]

The latest word on the street is that the Powermac G5 line will be updated in April after the release of Tiger on April 15th. Why couldn't the Powermac G5 be updated to 2.5 , 2.8 , and 3 GHZ and have the iMac G5 updated to 2.5 GHZ for the 20 inch Superdrive model and 2.2 GHZ for the 17 inch models ? That would allow the eMac the option of later being updated with a 2 GHZ G5 this fall and the Mac Minis updated with 1.6 and 1.8 GHZ or 2 GHZ.

 

[crawdad62]

The latest word on the street is that the Powermac G5 line will be updated in April after the release of Tiger on April 15th. Why couldn't the Powermac G5 be updated to 2.5 , 2.8 , and 3 GHZ and have the iMac G5 updated to 2.5 GHZ for the 20 inch Superdrive model and 2.2 GHZ for the 17 inch models ? That would allow the eMac the option of later being updated with a 2 GHZ G5 this fall and the Mac Minis updated with 1.6 and 1.8 GHZ or 2 GHZ.

That would be nice. I'm having my doubts about a 3GHZ Powermac though. Why I don't know. I know it was promised within the year but I just haven't heard much else.

But anyway a 2.5GHZ iMac would be good. Heck just do something I'm ready to buy!

 

[SteveC]

just do something I'm ready to buy!

Hang in there. It won't be long!

By this time next month you can be enjoying a Rev B iMac with boosted specs and Tiger.

 

[~Shard~]

The latest word on the street is that the Powermac G5 line will be updated in April after the release of Tiger on April 15th. Why couldn't the Powermac G5 be updated to 2.5 , 2.8 , and 3 GHZ and have the iMac G5 updated to 2.5 GHZ for the 20 inch Superdrive model and 2.2 GHZ for the 17 inch models ? That would allow the eMac the option of later being updated with a 2 GHZ G5 this fall and the Mac Minis updated with 1.6 and 1.8 GHZ or 2 GHZ.

The way Apple has crammed everything into that Mac Mini, I don't know if a G5 would work in there just yet!

 

[mrwonkers]

Rev A iMac G5 is utterly CRAP

I'm most excited about the upgraded SMU firmware. The current iMacs are in dire need for it.

Sure update the firmware....But the firmware aint gonna help in fixing that PIG of a GPU the 5200. I own a Rev A iMac G5 which has been the least reliable Mac I have ever owned........I hate it.......it is revolting.
I purchased the machine at the end of last year and am presently up to my third mid plane/logic board......the culprit being a combination of the lack lustre firmware and ****ty GPU. The machine really heats up to the point where the only way that the machine can be used is to run in Automatic Mode under the energy saver control panel (effectively chopping processor power in half..whats the point of havin a 1.8ghz G5 when it can only ever safley run at half speed)....otherwise the GPU just cooks.........I dont understand why Apple didnt use a mobile GPU in this design as the 5200 just performs so badly and runs GOD DAMN HOT.
Maybe the updated firmware will address this to a degree but will it b enough. I'm selling my iMac G5 and I feel sorry for whoever buys it.......at least it still has plenty o warranty. Alas I'm hopefully gonna invest in a dual core powerMac come on Apple bring them on.......

 

[SteveC]

Of course, thousands of iMac owners are elated with their purchases... in the interest of full disclosure. I hear what you're saying though. I know there have been annoying problems.

I do recall the eMac monitors being a mess for quite a while, too. I personally owned one, however, and the screen was beautiful and problem free.

Here's to hoping the Rev. B iMacs are much better than the A models though...

 

[macs]

eMacs advertised in UK for schools.

The eMacs are currently being advertised over here as part of a computers for schools deal.
This is indicative of three things:

Apple still are working hard to make up ground in the education field over here.

Apple see the eMac as an attractive product for educational use still.

Apple want to offload stock of eMacs to end the line.

I can't see any problem with any of these arguments and they all make sense to me and support the idea of phasing out the eMac.

Or not. In fact the LCD screens are not strong enough for class room use so staying with and even upgrading the eMac would make a lot of sense if the market is big enough.
This is about product placement in a younger edu group capturing hearts and minds early. So, I don't see the end of the eMac for some time.

 

[~Shard~]

Sure update the firmware....But the firmware aint gonna help in fixing that PIG of a GPU the 5200. I own a Rev A iMac G5 which has been the least reliable Mac I have ever owned........I hate it.......it is revolting.

<rant, swearing, yadda yadda....>

It sounds as though you are having more fundamental hardware problems, so I don't know if you can blame the graphics card for that. Can you explain in more detail why you feel the FX5200 is a subpar graphics card? I have one in my iMac and it runs just fine - I have no problems with it whatsoever. My friend has a FX5200 and is driving a 1600x1050 LCD monitor AND a 2048x1536 CRT monitor @ 75Hz and it runs extremely smooth. Please explain to me how this relates to poor performance and being a "pig of a GPU" as you so eloquently put it.

 

[homer_simpson]

i just wish they would hurry up and release the revisions. i want an imac and emac and am holding off and have been for a while now.

 

[mrwonkers]

It sounds as though you are having more fundamental hardware problems, so I don't know if you can blame the graphics card for that. Can you explain in more detail why you feel the FX5200 is a subpar graphics card? I have one in my iMac and it runs just fine - I have no problems with it whatsoever. My friend has a FX5200 and is driving a 1600x1050 LCD monitor AND a 2048x1536 CRT monitor @ 75Hz and it runs extremely smooth. Please explain to me how this relates to poor performance and being a "pig of a GPU" as you so eloquently put it.

What is good for some is below standard for others, thats just the world works. We all have different requirements, I really don't like the fact that anything that is in the least bit graphically intensive makes my imacs fans whirr up like PIG on heat. Try running the standard itunes visualizer and hear your imac wail like homer simpson finding out santas little helper ate his last doughnut. I was just stating in my experience after 3 midplane logicboard replacements I really dont think its cool that I spend 2500$ Aus dollars on a machine that is unreliable and that could quite easily double as a cooktop.....EACH TIME APPLE HAS FIXED IT THE CULPRIT HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATED 5200 PIG CARD......Apple please bring out Rev B's without the 5200... Shard I'd spring for the extended warranty on your Rev A chances are your gonna need it, but I truely hope you don't....Good luck

 

[~Shard~]

What is good for some is below standard for others, thats just the world works. We all have different requirements, I really don't like the fact that anything that is in the least bit graphically intensive makes my imacs fans whirr up like PIG on heat.

Fair enough. I am still not sure if this is really a common problem or not though. Nonetheless, if it is a problem for you, that's all that matters, and Apple or whomever should fix it! That definitely should not be happening.

Shard I'd spring for the extended warranty on your Rev A chances are your gonna need it, but I truely hope you don't....Good luck

Actually I have a G4 iMac with a FX5200. Perhaps that's part of the problem - the G5 iMacs are designed differently, and more problems could potentially arise in that small enclosure. Ironically, I've never had any troubles with my iMac/FX5200 and mine is the older model. Ah well, I prefer the G4 iMac design over the G5 iMac design anyway, so I'll this to my growing list of reasons why I'll be sticking with my machine and not upgrading. So thanks, but I guess you're the one I should be wishing good luck to.

 

[wdlove]

I didn't realize that owners of the new iMac G5 were having problems. If so then Apple needs to be coming out with a fix via a Rev. B soon.

 

[Lacero]

Yes it is amazing to realize the iMac G5s are still rev A. machines. Like I say, always wait to buy rev B. or latter machines. I bought a rev C. PM G5 Dual 1.8Ghz and a rev C. PB and they have been dream machines.

 

[~Shard~]

I didn't realize that owners of the new iMac G5 were having problems. If so then Apple needs to be coming out with a fix via a Rev. B soon.

Such are the risks one takes though by buying something brand new. If a consumer wants the leading edge, sometimes they have to pay for Apple's growing pains as they themselves learn and uncover issues. Happens all the time.

 

[FFTT]

What is good for some is below standard for others, thats just the world works. We all have different requirements, I really don't like the fact that anything that is in the least bit graphically intensive makes my imacs fans whirr up like PIG on heat. Try running the standard itunes visualizer and hear your imac wail like homer simpson finding out santas little helper ate his last doughnut. I was just stating in my experience after 3 midplane logicboard replacements I really dont think its cool that I spend 2500$ Aus dollars on a machine that is unreliable and that could quite easily double as a cooktop.....EACH TIME APPLE HAS FIXED IT THE CULPRIT HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATED 5200 PIG CARD......Apple please bring out Rev B's without the 5200... Shard I'd spring for the extended warranty on your Rev A chances are your gonna need it, but I truely hope you don't....Good luck

This is the first time I've heard of any major issues with the new iMac.

I wonder what your activity monitor might reveal as to what might be bogging down your system?

Your problems seem somewhat isolated and may be worth a return to
the factory.
Your local technician may not be catching some other problem causing
your troubles.

I know several graphics professionals who have nothing but good reviews
using their iMac G5 extensively in daily use.

 

[~Shard~]

This is the first time I've heard of any major issues with the new iMac.

I wonder what your activity monitor might reveal as to what might be bogging down your system?

Your problems seem somewhat isolated and may be worth a return to
the factory.
Your local technician may not be catching some other problem causing
your troubles.

I know several graphics professionals who have nothing but good reviews
using their iMac G5 extensively in daily use.

I agree - that's why I was so surprised in reading the initial post as as well... This is really the first I've heard of such issues.

 

[combatcolin]

Yes it is amazing to realize the iMac G5s are still rev A. machines. Like I say, always wait to buy rev B. or latter machines. I bought a rev C. PM G5 Dual 1.8Ghz and a rev C. PB and they have been dream machines.

I bought the first gen iMac a week after they came out to replace the 6500/250 i got my money back on.

Solid solider for years.

Of course now i wouldn't buy a Rev A of an Apple product, but there not as unreliable as some Macrumors members make out.

 

[oskar]

Maybe not in April...

If Apple was just about to announce an updated iMac, why would they put the "The all-new iMac G5" ad back on the startpage with the same iMac released last year in August? (Or is there something different about it?)
I don't know when they put that ad back up again, but I hadn't seen it in a while. In fact when I saw it I thought it was a new one and quickly came to check the rumors for a recent update.

 

[SteveC]

If Apple was just about to announce an updated iMac, why would they put the "The all-new iMac G5" ad back on the startpage with the same iMac released last year in August? (Or is there something different about it?)
I don't know when they put that ad back up again, but I hadn't seen it in a while. In fact when I saw it I thought it was a new one and quickly came to check the rumors for a recent update.

Edit: I now found what you were talking about. On the startpage... yes, it's there. But not on the Apple HOME page.

So I hope this does not misinform people waiting to buy new iMacs. They ARE coming. The startpage is not a page for breaking news.

The only products I see displayed/featured on the Apple home page are the new iPods.

New iMacs are coming.

 

[jmurray]

If Apple was just about to announce an updated iMac, why would they put the "The all-new iMac G5" ad back on the startpage with the same iMac released last year in August? (Or is there something different about it?)
I don't know when they put that ad back up again, but I hadn't seen it in a while. In fact when I saw it I thought it was a new one and quickly came to check the rumors for a recent update.

I saw that too, and I believe in a few periodicals [MacWorld??]. I immediately thought, and this is pure speculation of course, that they wanted to re-submit the image of the G5 iMac back into people's foreground. Whether it's Rev A or B is not the point. So with Rev B coming, "the All-New G5 iMac" mental image ad campaign will be in full swing.

Another less "heady" take on the situation might be more practical. They have a bunch of Rev A's still left on the shelf. Move 'em out...

Either way, I'm looking for Rev B, and will take the plunge. Hopefully, lifting the hood will reveal a bump in speed, a new GPU [although, I agree that the 5200 is not the "pig" as previously stated, just bad luck], and 512 RAM single stick stock.

JM

 

[Yvan256]

are you lot mad??

all this talk of x700s and 256mb 9800s

they still have 5200s in all but there top of the range powermac (and even thats got a 9600)

come on guys, get real please

Your comment only makes sense if you limit your GPU/VRAM view on Apple computers.

However, look at the market right now, and putting a 9600XT/128MB in the high-end PowerMac makes no sense at all. The 9600XT/128MB is simply a mid-range card now.

I agree with the others:
- the iBook/eMac/Mac mini need the FX5200 Ultra with 64MB
- the iMacs/PowerBooks need something like a Radeon 9800/128MB (256MB option)
- the PowerMacs need the X800/256MB (512MB option).

 

[Yvan256]

Mac mini and a generic PC monitor makes more financial sense than Apple trying to keep updating a dying eMac line.

That setup would still be more fragile than an eMac for schools.