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What to expect from iMac 2012 - Discussion

What actions do you want?

  • Total voters
    576
Icaras said:
I don't agree that iTunes 1080p video is crap when compared to blu-ray. I own both formats and I love the visual improvement in the 1080p content on iTunes over 720p. For me though, the major noticeable difference in quality is in the audio department. You get 7.1 DTS-MA on blu-ray over DVD quality Dolby Digital 5.1 on iTunes. That said, still doesn't bother me though. I still prefer getting my content digitally and the content is "good enough" for me.

Anyway, I do agree that blu-ray will never show up on a Mac. Ever.
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On my 52", iTunes and Netflix HD is tolerable and about as good as OTA HD broadcasts.

On my 117", the compression used on iTunes 1080p and Netflix HD is no where close the blu-ray PQ. The banding and macroblocking is very apparent.

The closest thing they have for streaming that is acceptable HD on my 117" is VuDu HDx.
 
NextGenApple said:
Chill out guys, was airing my views/opinions. I use my iMac for heavy duty work so can't afford to wait around, if people chose to do that then fair play to them. Remember Ssndy Bridge chips being recalled early last year just as they were released? Apple recalling some iMacs due to HD issues? These are my reason as to why I don't buy things early in to its product circle. I'm not here to offend anyone just point out my reason for no redesign/not waiting, time will tell. Hope they do so you all can be really happy.

I'll join you in a year or do after the specs bumps to Haswell/broadwell and any problems have been rectified.
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Most people/businesses have the same mindset if reliability is a requirement.

I help develop and deploy mission critical public safety, utility, airline and government console systems.
We will never use newly released computer components because they ALWAYS have issues. Just look at the trend history.
We tend to stick with reliable, stable computer architecture that is a year old with bugs/issues worked out that will not fail when the CPU is pushed.
People's lives depend on these computers and you can't afford to use HW that is really in a consumer beta stage for the first 6-12 months of release.

For gamers and consumers, they can tolerate a recall, lock up or crash where in commercial mission critical applications, they can not.
 
I wish some solid evidence of the impending refresh would surface, but at the same time it's fun to read about all of the speculation and it gives us nerds something to look forward to. I'll be buying the next one regardless as I need a new computer for the wife (she'll get my current iMac, and I get the new one).

In the spirit of the thread title, I expect the same form factor (although an adjustable stand would be awesome, and get rid of the chin). What I want is a more affordable SSD, USB 3, and a better GPU option. I really wish they were able to stuff a desktop graphics card in there somehow. I'm no expert, but apparently mobile graphics are pretty damn good these days...but at the same time I feel like the iMac could use better GPU options. As far as it being thinner, I could care less. Make it thicker and beef up some components!
 
I realize the problems that come with trying to put a desktop GPU in the iMac(lack of space and heat) but if they remove the ODD like many people believe, wouldn't this free up enough space to put a desktop GPU (I know people are going to say that didn't solve the heat issue). Look at Alienware's x51, that thing is as small as an Xbox and it has a desktop GPU in it. If Apple goes down that route, then we could actually see the new Imac in May since the 7970 is already out and the new Sandy Bridge chips will be out at the end of April. Thoughts?
 
Murtagh said:
I realize the problems that come with trying to put a desktop GPU in the iMac(lack of space and heat) but if they remove the ODD like many people believe, wouldn't this free up enough space to put a desktop GPU (I know people are going to say that didn't solve the heat issue). Look at Alienware's x51, that thing is as small as an Xbox and it has a desktop GPU in it. If Apple goes down that route, then we could actually see the new Imac in May since the 7970 is already out and the new Sandy Bridge chips will be out at the end of April. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

That's the ticket, make the ODD optional - the option to put a desktop GPU in its place :)
 
Murtagh said:
I realize the problems that come with trying to put a desktop GPU in the iMac(lack of space and heat) but if they remove the ODD like many people believe, wouldn't this free up enough space to put a desktop GPU (I know people are going to say that didn't solve the heat issue). Look at Alienware's x51, that thing is as small as an Xbox and it has a desktop GPU in it. If Apple goes down that route, then we could actually see the new Imac in May since the 7970 is already out and the new Sandy Bridge chips will be out at the end of April. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

And that's exactly what I've been trying to say for too long. The ODD is not going to fall off the face of the earth just because Apple removes it. The option will always be there in the form of the external super drive for people who do still need it. That said, not everyone needs it or wants it.

Anyway, yes, you nailed it. Take it off, and lets get some more BTO options in there.
 
Razorhog said:
That's the ticket, make the ODD optional - the option to put a desktop GPU in its place :)
Click to expand...

That'd be a good temporary solution until they kill off the ODD for good, but it doesn't seem like something Apple would do. When they want to kill something off, they drop it all together, usually.
 
Murtagh said:
I realize the problems that come with trying to put a desktop GPU in the iMac(lack of space and heat) but if they remove the ODD like many people believe, wouldn't this free up enough space to put a desktop GPU
Click to expand...

Nice thought but, of course, if Apple's removing the ODD it's to shrink the machine's footprint. Not to free up space. But who knows? With all this talk (in this thread) about moving away from the Mac Pro, maybe there will be two iMac form factors - one stripped like an Air, one loaded like a Pro.
 
I did not look through all 40 pages of replies, but I don't think my question has been asked. If so, sorry.

Regarding the gbu, we all know it will be upgraded, thus we can debate about the card model. However, my question is what do you all think of these scenarios

1) Apple does make the iMac slimmer, more like the cinema display, and for some reason takes the dvd drive out of a desktop this early. would they see fit to but a 1GB desktop class gnu inside with another fan?

OR

2) Imac is still slimmer, but dvd driver stays and they keep a 2GB gpu but of higher specs,


I don't see them going back to 1GB card only unless they have a desktop class one perhaps. Also, i don't see them going to strict matte again, hence reports of antireflective "glass" I think this method is best of both worlds, or at least a good mesh.
 
lifeguard90 said:
I did not look through all 40 pages of replies, but I don't think my question has been asked. If so, sorry.

Regarding the gbu, we all know it will be upgraded, thus we can debate about the card model. However, my question is what do you all think of these scenarios

1) Apple does make the iMac slimmer, more like the cinema display, and for some reason takes the dvd drive out of a desktop this early. would they see fit to but a 1GB desktop class gnu inside with another fan?

OR

2) Imac is still slimmer, but dvd driver stays and they keep a 2GB gpu but of higher specs,


I don't see them going back to 1GB card only unless they have a desktop class one perhaps. Also, i don't see them going to strict matte again, hence reports of antireflective "glass" I think this method is best of both worlds, or at least a good mesh.
Click to expand...

I'm fine with no DVD on my MBA, but I still use it a fair amount on my iMac so I hope they don't get rid of it.
 
Apple employs 'Riplock' firmware on its optical drives even on its iMac machines. Riplock reduces drive noise.

If Apple reduce noise on the optical drive and use its own custom firmware on the hard drives (again to reduce noise) then can we accurately assume that the reason we don't have desktop GPU options is because of noise!

Yes a desktop GPU will fit in the machine even with the optical drive remaining (Apple use large boards in the iMac to keep costs down, easily a 10% reduction on the power supply and logic board at least if they wanted.

You won't see it with Apples present wish list and thats a beautiful seamless all-in-one that is as QUIET as possible.
 
Razorhog said:
I wish some solid evidence of the impending refresh would surface, but at the same time it's fun to read about all of the speculation and it gives us nerds something to look forward to. I'll be buying the next one regardless as I need a new computer for the wife (she'll get my current iMac, and I get the new one).

In the spirit of the thread title, I expect the same form factor (although an adjustable stand would be awesome, and get rid of the chin). What I want is a more affordable SSD, USB 3, and a better GPU option. I really wish they were able to stuff a desktop graphics card in there somehow. I'm no expert, but apparently mobile graphics are pretty damn good these days...but at the same time I feel like the iMac could use better GPU options. As far as it being thinner, I could care less. Make it thicker and beef up some components!
Click to expand...

I would love an adjustable stand, but assume they don't do it because it is carrying the weight of the entire computer. If this is the case, I would like to see a return to the iMac G4 layout with the components in the base and only the screen carried by an arm.

If they did it in the current aluminium style, the screen would be super thin and easily turnable, and have the glowing Apple logo on the back.
 
Although the ability to adjust the screen would be nice, I'd rather not go back to a form factor like the g4. The current form factor is truly beautiful - I love the minimalist approach. When I got my first iMac (a 24" whitey in 2006) some of my friends were amazed that there was no tower sitting under the desk.
Unfortunately what I think would be most helpful, allowing the height to be adjusted up and down, would be the most difficult to achieve in the current form factor. Although, as I type this I realize that the Dell monitor I'm using is adjustable (swivel, up/down, tilt) and an iMac stand could be built the same way. It would increase the footprint for added stability, but it would be worth it.
 
Razorhog said:
Although the ability to adjust the screen would be nice, I'd rather not go back to a form factor like the g4. The current form factor is truly beautiful - I love the minimalist approach. When I got my first iMac (a 24" whitey in 2006) some of my friends were amazed that there was no tower sitting under the desk.
Unfortunately what I think would be most helpful, allowing the height to be adjusted up and down, would be the most difficult to achieve in the current form factor. Although, as I type this I realize that the Dell monitor I'm using is adjustable (swivel, up/down, tilt) and an iMac stand could be built the same way. It would increase the footprint for added stability, but it would be worth it.
Click to expand...

I think that if the current iMac had the joints the G4 had it could work.
 
bawbac said:
On my 52", iTunes and Netflix HD is tolerable and about as good as OTA HD broadcasts.

On my 117", the compression used on iTunes 1080p and Netflix HD is no where close the blu-ray PQ. The banding and macroblocking is very apparent.

The closest thing they have for streaming that is acceptable HD on my 117" is VuDu HDx.
Click to expand...

On my train I like green but sometimes I prefer orange. It's tough, and somedays I like....

Sorry forgot we were talking about the iMac! :D
 
why does it need to be slimmer? Its already slimmer than the stand that holds it up, so you won't save any desk space. And assuming you sit in front of it rather than side-on, you won't notice a few millimetres in thickness anyway. Get rid of the bezel if you like, that'd be noticable, but thickness could actually go up for all I care. up to an inch would be not noticable at all but would give them plenty more room to play with hotter components.
 
Nilscollection said:
The iMac is all about the all-in-one concept.

Why don't you go buy a Mac Mini / Mac Pro? :eek:
Click to expand...

because mini cannot add up to 16-32g ram
mac pro is too huge and too powerful, also too expensive for the basic price

i just need a mid range price with i7 can add up to 16g-32g ram which iMac is the perfect spec for me but i hate all in one
if mac pro release an i7 version and selling the price of iMac, ill be happy as well
 
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psuser said:
because mini cannot add up to 16-32g ram
mac pro is too huge and too powerful, also too expensive for the basic price

i just need a mid range price with i7 can add up to 16g-32g ram which iMac is the perfect spec for me but i hate all in one
if mac pro release an i7 version and selling the price of iMac, ill be happy as well
Click to expand...

Then go build yourself a Hackintosh. An iMac has been all-in-one for 12 years and it will be for another 12 years. :)
 
I have modest predictions for this round:

Same form factor and price.
Antiglare coating.
Ivy Bridge and USB 3.0
Up to 1GB 7750M in the 21" model, 2GB 7970M in the top 27" model.
Possible change from the SATA-II Toshibas to the SATA-III Samsung 830 as the BTO SSD.

(Frankly, as long as the 21" gets USB 3.0 and a 1GB 6950M or better, I'm sold.)
 
Ivy bridge, 7 series graphics, USB 3.0 and the screen changes that are rumoured. I think it will be a relatively standard update, nothing amazing there won't be any form factor change I also think we're a good few years off dropping the ODD yet.

Still enough for me to invest in my first mac though :) just wish they'd hurry up *grumble grumble*
 
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