I'm coming from a 2.4ghz 2007 20inch iMac and I've been using programs like Maya, Mudbox, UDK etc and can use all the GPU power I can get lol. Because right now my iMac isn't doing well with such intensive programs. But it's manageable for now.
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What to expect from iMac 2012 - Discussion
- Thread starter Schonert
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As for when we can expect a refresh, my bet is whenever Mountain Lion Comes out. I'd also bet on that being consistent every year.
We've been at a point with consumer grade computer technology that the average person will not notice a difference in performance from one or two generations to the next. We're also at a point where design changes aren't going to be drastic. A MacBook Air will only get so thin for example. As a result, people buy computers when their old one dies.
Apple wants to sell products more often than that. By launching new Macs along with new features in OS upgrades--much like is done with iOS--they tempt consumers with new features, not just a new looking computer or faster hardware.
While many users will be able to upgrade to the latest OS without buying new hardware, those who are a couple of generations behind may not be able to. Or they may find that the new features don't work as well on their older machines. More likely though, consumers will use the new OS as an excuse to justify the purchase--telling themselves that upgrading OS software is a pain and it's easier to just buy a new machine.
This also helps Apple keep their user base up to date. Let's say Apple releases a killer new iMac next week, along with a new MBP or MBA before Mountain Lion is released. They will sell millions of them to all the people who have been waiting to buy. How many of those people are then going to go to the Mac App Store and upgrade their OS? Probably less than half.
Keeping the user base up to date makes providing service easier and more efficient for the customer. It also forces third party app developers to conform to the new reality that Mac users are typically up to date, so their apps need to be up to date as well.
As for what I think we'll see in the update when it happens:
1. Ivy Bridge
2. Elimination of ODD leading to thinner design.
3. Retina Display
4. Software features of Mountain Lion will be touted as reasons to upgrade
We've been at a point with consumer grade computer technology that the average person will not notice a difference in performance from one or two generations to the next. We're also at a point where design changes aren't going to be drastic. A MacBook Air will only get so thin for example. As a result, people buy computers when their old one dies.
Apple wants to sell products more often than that. By launching new Macs along with new features in OS upgrades--much like is done with iOS--they tempt consumers with new features, not just a new looking computer or faster hardware.
While many users will be able to upgrade to the latest OS without buying new hardware, those who are a couple of generations behind may not be able to. Or they may find that the new features don't work as well on their older machines. More likely though, consumers will use the new OS as an excuse to justify the purchase--telling themselves that upgrading OS software is a pain and it's easier to just buy a new machine.
This also helps Apple keep their user base up to date. Let's say Apple releases a killer new iMac next week, along with a new MBP or MBA before Mountain Lion is released. They will sell millions of them to all the people who have been waiting to buy. How many of those people are then going to go to the Mac App Store and upgrade their OS? Probably less than half.
Keeping the user base up to date makes providing service easier and more efficient for the customer. It also forces third party app developers to conform to the new reality that Mac users are typically up to date, so their apps need to be up to date as well.
As for what I think we'll see in the update when it happens:
1. Ivy Bridge
2. Elimination of ODD leading to thinner design.
3. Retina Display
4. Software features of Mountain Lion will be touted as reasons to upgrade
Why is everyone on about Retina display? There is absolutely zero chance it will make it into the iMac this year. Not only is it unsupported by GPUs or software developers, but it is incredibly expensive. I don't have numbers but I don't want to even imagine what a 27 inch retina display would cost.
This is not something you hold close to your face. It doesnt have the same immediately tangible benefit of something like an ipad or iphone. The increased marginal cost of higher DPI still grossly outweighs the increased marginal benefit for desktop screens. Moreover the iMac already comes with the highest resolution of display available to the masses.
Edit: By GPU support; meaning via display port/TB. Apple will not release an iMac with such a resolution if you can't use a second monitor with the same resolution.
This is not something you hold close to your face. It doesnt have the same immediately tangible benefit of something like an ipad or iphone. The increased marginal cost of higher DPI still grossly outweighs the increased marginal benefit for desktop screens. Moreover the iMac already comes with the highest resolution of display available to the masses.
Edit: By GPU support; meaning via display port/TB. Apple will not release an iMac with such a resolution if you can't use a second monitor with the same resolution.
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I think you make some good points for the most part (I still don't think we'll see a 27" retina display for at least a year) especially with your comparison to the release of iOS versions and new iPhones. It is not unreasonable to think that Apple would want to instill the same mindset in its desktop market.
That being said, I am still not convinced a $30 OS upgrade dictates the release schedule of a $1,200 - $3,000+ machine. Especially when we consider Mountain Lion is somewhat in the same vein as the Snow Leopard upgrade, and we won't see much groundbreaking innovation until OSXI. That is, we shouldn't expect drastic changes in compatibility or usability until OSXI at which point your argument would be quite strong.
Not to mention, Apple could be more aggressive with its upgrade by (as with last year) offering it free at release to new machines and even including it some way into the Software Update system (though it would have to be made clear to the user that they are accepting a large download [bandwith caps] and will lose the use of their computer for a small amount of time when it is installed).
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Excellently put.
People should also consider the equivalent non-retina display of the 27" model in current iMacs runs from $1000-$1500 as a stand alone monitor and is easily the biggest factor in driving the costs of 27" iMacs to their current price. I think it is incredibly unlikely Apple will 1) decrease profit margins or 2) increase the price to compensate for this very very young technology. Maybe next year when the price might be more inline with current high-res IPS monitors, but not until that happens.
need to restart
macrumors newbie
Last years iMacs were released in May, while Lion was released in July. At a certain point in-between new macs came with a free upgrade code for Lion.
There are certainly a number of people who have been waiting for new iMacs and Mac Pros to be released who would pay the extra 30 bucks for mountain lion if it meant new Macs being released earlier.
cocky jeremy
Suspended
Don't get me wrong, i don't think we'll see retina either, but the 7970 supports a max resolution of 4096x2160. That has to be at least close to retina.
Great. Apple store is not down. And no real hints,if nothing of interest pops today or tmrw, looks like yet another dud week+ weekend
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What if we have to wait until WWDC or beyond!
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What if we have to wait until WWDC or beyond!
Why does Apple 9/10 times release items later than sooner! With large time gaps. Im without a computer till it coms, another 6weeks is not cool! Every tue and wed am has been a failure, these weeks are dreading slowly. what makes it worse is that no real imac stories have came since April 4 or so with the antiglare rumor. Everything is mbp and iphone, no stock shortages. WTH
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Damn
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Damn
BlueFinch
macrumors newbie
I really hope to see a new Mac until the end of July. But it would be nice to know if there will really be an AMD 7970m Inside.
i sold my PC hardware some Days ago to conzentrate on my upcoming 13 Tests at the University (I hate the Law module this Semester🙁)
The last test will be at the mid of August and I hope it will be released until then to a similar Price than the actual high end iMac 27.
Now my 08 Macbook has to do the work 😀.
puh, its a long time since i wrote something in english. I hope you can understand me.🙂
i sold my PC hardware some Days ago to conzentrate on my upcoming 13 Tests at the University (I hate the Law module this Semester🙁)
The last test will be at the mid of August and I hope it will be released until then to a similar Price than the actual high end iMac 27.
Now my 08 Macbook has to do the work 😀.
puh, its a long time since i wrote something in english. I hope you can understand me.🙂
Confuzzzed
macrumors 68000
I would say the moral of the story is to buy your computer when you need it rather than try and double guess Apple. But I do acknowledge the timelines are getting tighter. Even if we have no real signs of action yet
Depends on how i look at it, i need it now because i am without my own computer, but college is complete so i do not need it in that regard. Bang for my buck would mean not now, so im 2 for 3 on waiting. Gotta be soon, at least hints.
classicaliberal
macrumors regular
Since the iPhone and iPad are now retina display, you'll start noticing a lot of differences. Websites will have retina-class imagery/icons, etc. Eventually (how soon, I don't know) Apple will want to update their computers to match this quality of display.
Consider the people developing new iPad apps for instance. They can't even buy an Apple Display high enough resolution in order to display the entire app on one screen! It's an inevitable shift as far as I can see.
BlueFinch
macrumors newbie
but the cots are in the 27" region too high. Maybe 2013 or 2014 but not this year.
Just registered here. Long time Mac User, first was a Centris 610 back in 1993. I used PC's since 1985 but when Windows 3.1 still sucked I moved to a Mac and never looked back.
I've had many Macs, including first iMac. Currently, I am running a late 2009 Mac Mini Core 2 Duo. I wanted to start playing Diablo 3 with my husband in May, but I need an upgrade. I was looking at the current iMacs just this week, then started following the rumors. I'm not in a hurry and can wait.
What I really need:
27" screen - I can't even have Quicken and my bank web page open without overlapping on my current HP 22" monitor. I also develop software and need multiple source windows open.
Graphics Card - AMD 7000's series
I'd be fine with the current iMac, but why buy if there is a new model coming out soon? My husband works for Amazon and they still have plenty in stock.
I've had many Macs, including first iMac. Currently, I am running a late 2009 Mac Mini Core 2 Duo. I wanted to start playing Diablo 3 with my husband in May, but I need an upgrade. I was looking at the current iMacs just this week, then started following the rumors. I'm not in a hurry and can wait.
What I really need:
27" screen - I can't even have Quicken and my bank web page open without overlapping on my current HP 22" monitor. I also develop software and need multiple source windows open.
Graphics Card - AMD 7000's series
I'd be fine with the current iMac, but why buy if there is a new model coming out soon? My husband works for Amazon and they still have plenty in stock.
I would guess that most of the users savvy enough to know to wait are also more than capable and willing to upgrade the OS themselves.
Yay, $300 for a system roughly equal to a... 5-year old iMac. You can buy a 2007 model on eBay for that much, and get much better specs.
Only via HDMI output, not the displayport and thunderbolt technologies that Apple uses. Unless they switch (unlikely, since they have fully committed), it does not support multiple displays at that resolution. Such a move would be extremely un-Apple like.
I'm sure it will happen eventually, but not this year. It's also important to note that the iPhone and iPad have huge shares of the smartphone and tablet user base.
The majority of desktop software is made with the widest audience in mind. Mac users are still a small part of that audience. Adding a display resolution only Mac users will use will not help the adoption of the Mac in that sense.
Plus, a retina-display 27 inch monitor would require significantly more pixels than the iPad 3 (technically it already has more pixels). So developers would have to support an even higher resolution.
All this for an absolutely minimal benefit. 2560x1440 is already an amazingly crisp display.
So I just canceled my order for a 27" iMac i7, 2TB/256GB SSD, 2GB graphics card because I'm gambling on the release of the new iMac. Reading all the release rumors/speculation online can really drive a person to insanity! I've been waiting almost a year to get an iMac, so I figure another month (or two, or three 😱) isn't going to hurt me. The girl on the phone who canceled my order (couldn't cancel online cause Applecare was already paid for) said "is there anything else I can help you with today?" and I said "only if you can tell me when the new iMac will be released!" Hahaha. I waited for the iPhone 4S last year and ended up waiting 3-4 months longer than I hoped, just so I could have an i5 processor and Siri. I guess it was worth it, we'll see if this iMac gamble pays off. The old '09 13" MBP will have to suffice a little longer, at least I've got my new iPad to hold me over!
forty2j
macrumors 68030
I happened to be in a mall yesterday, and my wife decided that for fun we should go into the Apple Store and see if we could trick some information out of them. The guy got stone-faced and just repeated the "We only find things out when they are announced" over and over, no matter how we asked the question. Wasn't even fun. 🙄
Didn't truly expect them to know anything, but it was pretty clear they weren't sitting in the stock room ready to go on sale in a few hours.
Didn't truly expect them to know anything, but it was pretty clear they weren't sitting in the stock room ready to go on sale in a few hours.
kirkster501
macrumors regular
I would really, really, REALLY, like them to do something to let PC's connect. I wish they would reintroduce displayport. The lack of this rules an iMac out for me since i want to use the display for my PC as well as my Macbook and my Mac Mini.
Its not possible to connect an external PC to the iMac any more at the current release.
Its not possible to connect an external PC to the iMac any more at the current release.
Thunderbolt equipped ivy motherboards should be releasing soon, after this any PC with one equipped should be able to use the iMac in TD mode.
Well maybe next week..
Personally I am thinking that may 8th is the most reasonable, honestly I can't see it being delayed till June. It doesn't make sense at all for apple to do that. Although maybe tomorrow seeing as how that would be the full 365 days since last update, but I think we need to see stock go down first.
give it a week
Personally I am thinking that may 8th is the most reasonable, honestly I can't see it being delayed till June. It doesn't make sense at all for apple to do that. Although maybe tomorrow seeing as how that would be the full 365 days since last update, but I think we need to see stock go down first.
give it a week
MacOG728893
macrumors 68000
I believe on or before the 9th, by the way I'm an analyst. All kidding aside, I agree with you that next week should be appropriate, but wouldn't surprise if Apple waited till the end of the month.