Top end iMac on the "list" is A$200 more than current list price on Australian webstore.
21.5" iMacs are cheaper than current models. Low end 27" is I think A$50 more expensive.
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What to expect from iMac 2012 - Discussion
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Top end iMac on the "list" is A$200 more than current list price on Australian webstore.
21.5" iMacs are cheaper than current models. Low end 27" is I think A$50 more expensive.
No point speculating about prices. It's not long to go now, we will find out soon enough. If there is a price hike I'm not touching any new model and will wait and buy a cheap refurbished one instead. 
What is USB 3.0 for?
I'm assuming faster transfer speeds of some sort? What if the device e.g old hard drive does it have to be 3.0 (not even sure I seen this 3.0 label on anything)?
Soon to be first time Mac buyer
Angry as Hell
The more I wait, the more impatient/angry I'm becoming - I want my new iMac fix, I know what I want and I have cash to spend.
I really hope they do not change the form factor of the iMac this time around and am bloody excited about the Radeon 7970m GPU, that and Ivy Bridge - not too interested in anything else.
Also, why are people getting excited about Macbook Airs and 13in Macbook Pro, surely its better to wait for Haswell to arrive.
Prediction, no RETINA in iMac this year, higher rez screen next year and new design to take advantage of Haswell - at least Intel road map allows us to time upgrades correctly - indeed, as soon as Haswell Air's come out daughter will be having one, for now, she can cope with a iPad for Christmas - a refurbished one at that with AppleCare.
The more I wait, the more impatient/angry I'm becoming - I want my new iMac fix, I know what I want and I have cash to spend.
I really hope they do not change the form factor of the iMac this time around and am bloody excited about the Radeon 7970m GPU, that and Ivy Bridge - not too interested in anything else.
Also, why are people getting excited about Macbook Airs and 13in Macbook Pro, surely its better to wait for Haswell to arrive.
Prediction, no RETINA in iMac this year, higher rez screen next year and new design to take advantage of Haswell - at least Intel road map allows us to time upgrades correctly - indeed, as soon as Haswell Air's come out daughter will be having one, for now, she can cope with a iPad for Christmas - a refurbished one at that with AppleCare.
Me too,even if i had a death in my family..and things don't appear
to be so important..but..
and Imac with Ivy and 7970 will be what i really desire to happen.
Then with Ivy Bridge with usb3 support we will have the Thunderbolt one too,
even if Haswell specs thunderbolt is mentioned.
My next laptop will be with Haswell ,maybe an Air with QuadCore with a Sonnet Thunderbolt Gpu host sat beside the Imac2012 i'm waiting,i see Retina waiting for Haswell and more powerful Gpu,
while i see them very easy to happen on new Thunderbolt Display,especially now that Mac Pro has a new chance to esist.
Using a 7970-680 with a so big display in terms of definitions will be a non sense because i'm scared to see them really busy and scattering to drive all those pixels.
to be so important..but..
and Imac with Ivy and 7970 will be what i really desire to happen.
Then with Ivy Bridge with usb3 support we will have the Thunderbolt one too,
even if Haswell specs thunderbolt is mentioned.
My next laptop will be with Haswell ,maybe an Air with QuadCore with a Sonnet Thunderbolt Gpu host sat beside the Imac2012 i'm waiting,i see Retina waiting for Haswell and more powerful Gpu,
while i see them very easy to happen on new Thunderbolt Display,especially now that Mac Pro has a new chance to esist.
Using a 7970-680 with a so big display in terms of definitions will be a non sense because i'm scared to see them really busy and scattering to drive all those pixels.
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The iMac already has a "retina" screen. Well, as close as makes no difference.
Word on the street is that it'll be an Nvidia card. Could be confusing the iMac for the Macbook Pro, but I'm pretty sure that's what I read.
And Haswell? What's the benefit? I had in my head that waiting for the tock was generally a good idea?
Whilst I would love you to be right, I just don't think its happening mate, not on the 27" anyway. And to be honest, I wouldn't want it if the screen would have as many quality issues as the new iPad did. Cannot be bothered with going through all that cr*p.
My IP3 is fine never had a problem with it but i did read about other people having issues but a retina display is a deal breaker for me
Lord Steve Jobs
As says Lord Steve Jobs.
For the record, a pixel density at 2X that of existing ISP 27in display will put a huge burden on the enhanced GPU - whats the point of the marketing term 'RETINA', when its been explained on numerous occasions that the iMac 27in has a near 'RETINA' display already - just wishful thinking me thinks.
Indeed, I suggests posters mentioning 'RETINA' continually for the 27in display desire no GPU performance increase, ala, see latest iPad and iPad 2 - speed wise both the same despite huge GPU upgrade.
I'll stick with what we have.
As says Lord Steve Jobs.
For the record, a pixel density at 2X that of existing ISP 27in display will put a huge burden on the enhanced GPU - whats the point of the marketing term 'RETINA', when its been explained on numerous occasions that the iMac 27in has a near 'RETINA' display already - just wishful thinking me thinks.
Indeed, I suggests posters mentioning 'RETINA' continually for the 27in display desire no GPU performance increase, ala, see latest iPad and iPad 2 - speed wise both the same despite huge GPU upgrade.
I'll stick with what we have.
Heat Issues?
I've only seen heat issues applicable to top end i7 IB K being over clocked and that the heat increase is caused by heat sink paste/cement used by Intel - which hopefully has now been changed.
However, like you, I do not want a price hike in top end i7 iMac, unless its for an actual 30in monitor that will blow my mind and that of my daughters.
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I want the AMD GPU and not Nvidea, so without this upgrade I may not be too interested to upgrade from my present BTO 2011 i7 27in with 2G VRAM.
As for Haswell, been reading good things in previews of this chip, particularly on the graphics side - word is that small form factor Air.s and Macbook pro 13in will benefit greatly - a 2.5X speed increase over Ivy Bridge and 5 X increase over SB.
Indeed, RETINA small displays will then come into their own - the fact remains, on most reviews of chips I've read with regards IB and HD4000, best not too have RETINA displays - this is the experts opinion and I'll go with the experts - definitely expect big things next year.
I've only seen heat issues applicable to top end i7 IB K being over clocked and that the heat increase is caused by heat sink paste/cement used by Intel - which hopefully has now been changed.
However, like you, I do not want a price hike in top end i7 iMac, unless its for an actual 30in monitor that will blow my mind and that of my daughters.
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I want the AMD GPU and not Nvidea, so without this upgrade I may not be too interested to upgrade from my present BTO 2011 i7 27in with 2G VRAM.
As for Haswell, been reading good things in previews of this chip, particularly on the graphics side - word is that small form factor Air.s and Macbook pro 13in will benefit greatly - a 2.5X speed increase over Ivy Bridge and 5 X increase over SB.
Indeed, RETINA small displays will then come into their own - the fact remains, on most reviews of chips I've read with regards IB and HD4000, best not too have RETINA displays - this is the experts opinion and I'll go with the experts - definitely expect big things next year.
Now that we are so close, my guess is:
Ivy Bridge
USB3 (all USB ports)
no FW800
2 Thunderbolt ports!
Small tweak to the design
1TB HD on base model + 128 SSD
same 4GB RAM standard but the 1600 type
no ODD
new keyboard design
no retina display
What I would love to also get (I don't believe it will make it this time):
Matte screen!
More RAM (8GB standard + up to 64GB)
Bigger SSD
keep FW800!
I think they'll kill firewire, and push thunderbolt I know these are two different things, but they've invested so much that's why I predict 2 TB ports!
Ivy Bridge
USB3 (all USB ports)
no FW800
2 Thunderbolt ports!
Small tweak to the design
1TB HD on base model + 128 SSD
same 4GB RAM standard but the 1600 type
no ODD
new keyboard design
no retina display
What I would love to also get (I don't believe it will make it this time):
Matte screen!
More RAM (8GB standard + up to 64GB)
Bigger SSD
keep FW800!
I think they'll kill firewire, and push thunderbolt I know these are two different things, but they've invested so much that's why I predict 2 TB ports!
My IP3 is fine never had a problem with it but i did read about other people having issues but a retina display is a deal breaker for me
It took 4 iPads for me to get a good one. And I wasn't being picky. They all had genuine faults. Why is it a deal breaker? Is the current res not enough for you? The screen on the current iMac is a beaut. Any improvementt on that would be incredible. I would like a little bump but not too fussed about "retina". Guess we will see on monday
These are the only two things I care about. Not fussed about 'retina' (whatever that means; sales pitch if you ask me. The current resolution looks perfectly good enough to me).
It won't happen, BUT would have also liked to be able to upgrade to i7 processor on the base model also..
Eww matte! Not appealing to the eye
The new ones should have anti reflective glass. Also you can buy anti glare film
Oh no bloody FW800!!!!
I hope you are wrong about FW800 - I'm not forking out US$1000 for 9T of Storage just so I can utilise TB - I've only migrated to FW800 late last year, so such a move would be a disaster.
As with other posters, I'd prefer the same form factor and not a totally redesigned iMac for obvious QC issues, never mind not wishing to lose the Optical Drive - I'm not even keen of SSD come to think of it!
close but they will also include a retina display
I hope you are wrong about FW800 - I'm not forking out US$1000 for 9T of Storage just so I can utilise TB - I've only migrated to FW800 late last year, so such a move would be a disaster.
As with other posters, I'd prefer the same form factor and not a totally redesigned iMac for obvious QC issues, never mind not wishing to lose the Optical Drive - I'm not even keen of SSD come to think of it!
An all new design is probaly the equal most important thing for me. The iMac is due an overhaul, if it doesn't happen now it will happen within another year. I would rather have the new design that will last for another 3 years. Its my deal breaker.
Why would you even care about the brand name? The Nvidia 680M is around 20% faster than the AMD's best 7970M, and even the later is over 50% faster than your 6970M. Seems like a no-brainer to me which card to pick.
I forgot to mention that I hope not to have a Nvidia graphics card and that the dust, tint screen problems are sorted in this new version!
On my guess I forgot the graphics card, but I don't expect a major bump, unfortunately I am ready for some disappointments, either by having low/same RAM on the standard models or the same of something else that needed a bump
If the screen isn't anti-reflective (which I can bet it will still be the same "mirror" type screen, I don't understand the fixation on these type of screens?) I'll be very disappointed.
I am also sad that maybe the FW will be lost, but I see it as a move for the TB push.
No more ODD is a good bet, not very popular but I see it happen.
On my guess I forgot the graphics card, but I don't expect a major bump, unfortunately I am ready for some disappointments, either by having low/same RAM on the standard models or the same of something else that needed a bump
If the screen isn't anti-reflective (which I can bet it will still be the same "mirror" type screen, I don't understand the fixation on these type of screens?) I'll be very disappointed.
I am also sad that maybe the FW will be lost, but I see it as a move for the TB push.
No more ODD is a good bet, not very popular but I see it happen.
close but they will also include a retina display
No I think he is pretty much bang on, there will not be a Retina display, the tehcnology isn't here yet. Well, it is, but it costs ALOT.
Costs
Ever heard the term 'cost analysis' and bang for your buck - given all the desires the Fanbois have for the latest iMac, it would seem US$10,000 would not cover what is desired.
For your info, and gleaned from several websites focusing on GPU's, as far as bang for buck is concerned, the AMD 7000 series is better than Nvidea.
I actually want a iMac at the present price point, not US$1000 more - just check the figures, DDR3 1600 RAM currently expensive, 1333 RAM currently cheap, existing displays have lowered considerably since last year - the RETINA display alone would be US$1000 ball park - I'm actually surprised people have not put Sandy Bridge Xeon's on their wish list, together with IT off SSD.
It appears to me from where I'm sitting - this being Hong Kong - that many of the Fanbois want to pay huge sums for Apple branded kit, a bit like a sports car being a penis extension - its sad really.
I truly wish you lot would do a cost analysis, add 30% Apple mark-up for rebranding Foxconn goods, and then tell me realistically what we can expect for US$2,500 - indeed, using my Educational Discount I can purchase the present iMac BTO with upgraded i7 CPU for US$2,150, 16G RAM is US$75.00, AppleCare for US$100 and a nice WD FW800 3T external for US$180 - so, for US$2,500 at present price point I get a bloody good machine with APP, maxed out RAM and decent GPU - this is known as COST ANALYSIS - and I'd elect the machine to last me a minimum of two years without having to traps off to Apple Store every six months to have LCD panels replaced - last one this week in a 10 month old machine - I advise Apple to address QC and keep price point acceptable, not try and sell to Fanbois and the US 1%'er's, which many posters seem to belong too!!!!! WE ARE AFTER ALL DISCUSSING A iMAC AND NOT TOP END WORKSTATION WITH US$10,000 MONITOR.
Ever heard the term 'cost analysis' and bang for your buck - given all the desires the Fanbois have for the latest iMac, it would seem US$10,000 would not cover what is desired.
For your info, and gleaned from several websites focusing on GPU's, as far as bang for buck is concerned, the AMD 7000 series is better than Nvidea.
I actually want a iMac at the present price point, not US$1000 more - just check the figures, DDR3 1600 RAM currently expensive, 1333 RAM currently cheap, existing displays have lowered considerably since last year - the RETINA display alone would be US$1000 ball park - I'm actually surprised people have not put Sandy Bridge Xeon's on their wish list, together with IT off SSD.
It appears to me from where I'm sitting - this being Hong Kong - that many of the Fanbois want to pay huge sums for Apple branded kit, a bit like a sports car being a penis extension - its sad really.
I truly wish you lot would do a cost analysis, add 30% Apple mark-up for rebranding Foxconn goods, and then tell me realistically what we can expect for US$2,500 - indeed, using my Educational Discount I can purchase the present iMac BTO with upgraded i7 CPU for US$2,150, 16G RAM is US$75.00, AppleCare for US$100 and a nice WD FW800 3T external for US$180 - so, for US$2,500 at present price point I get a bloody good machine with APP, maxed out RAM and decent GPU - this is known as COST ANALYSIS - and I'd elect the machine to last me a minimum of two years without having to traps off to Apple Store every six months to have LCD panels replaced - last one this week in a 10 month old machine - I advise Apple to address QC and keep price point acceptable, not try and sell to Fanbois and the US 1%'er's, which many posters seem to belong too!!!!! WE ARE AFTER ALL DISCUSSING A iMAC AND NOT TOP END WORKSTATION WITH US$10,000 MONITOR.