Most people's expectations are fairly realistic, imo. I'd say about 60% of the guesses are realistic (ivy bridge, usb 3) and the other 40% either crazy or possible. Either way, it can't hurt to hope, as long as you're still grounded by reality (so you're not too dissapointed when the iMac upgrades don't have BluRay).
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What to expect from iMac 2012 - Discussion
- Thread starter Schonert
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I really don't think the next iMac will have a blu ray. I hope it does, but it isn't necessary so cannot see why they will. Knowing Apple, they will wait a bit, even though BR is gaining a lot of momentum over DVD's - and that isn't going to stop any time soon.
The big idea is for one day not to have a disc drive at all, we aren't there yet though.
The big idea is for one day not to have a disc drive at all, we aren't there yet though.
EnzoAmata
macrumors regular
I have just sold my 2010 iMac and waiting for the refresh, this is what I'd like to see:
Standard Upgrade:
Wishful Upgrade:
Standard Upgrade:
- HDD/SSD Hybrid Drive - 20gb / 40gb SSD for the OS 500gb storage.
- Ivy Bridge - Ivy Bridge comes with integrated USB 3.0 support.
- USB 3.0 - even if it's only two 3.0 slots to save on cost.
Wishful Upgrade:
- OLED Display - With so many complaints about displays on the iMac if they move to OLED or what Apple might call Retina display - they can save on power consumption and give the iMac a unique selling point over older machines.
- New Magic Mouse Design
Hellhammer
Moderator emeritus
We already have 2560x1600 ~10" tablet panels coming out soon so we will see 4K in computers monitors as well. TVs are far away, which actually makes 4K less useful in them. Viewing distance is an important part when figuring out "retina" resolution. iPhone 4 is retina because human eye can see approximately 300 pixels per inch when viewed from one feet, which is the typical phone viewing distance. Bring it closer and you can see the individual pixels. Or at further away, you need less pixels to make it "retina". 150DPI is "retina" from two feet, a regular viewing distance for computers. TVs are usually viewed around 8 feet away, making 1080p 55" TV already "retina".
30" 4K display would be ideal with its 147DPI. The extra pixels would actually be useful. In TVs, you need a big TV, most likely a projector, to benefit from 4K - or you must sit very close to your TV.
maybe we arent, but apple is, and maybe thats why they are the most successful tech company in the world, they dont use technology that isnt in its 'Spring'
and optical disc is definitely in its Fall
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sorry, i wasnt mean to be rude, i read it again now and it does sound a bit rude, sorry
charlieroberts
macrumors 6502a
Last iMac refresh I was sure it was my time to buy. My MBP doesn't get taken out as much as it used to, so I figured I´d trade it for an iMac. But when the new MBP and iMacs came out I was put off by the relatively close performance edge that the iMacs had over the MBP.
So I spent some weeks thinking about it and then I forgot about it and then I figured I might as well use my MBP a while longer. Then my 8600 nvidia died, then I baked my MBP, which got me up and running again... so NOW I'm sure this refresh IGI.
TL; DR
Im buying an iMac, and hope the next refresh widens the performance gap between MBP and iMac. Does anyone have any insight? Maybe hellhammer😕
So I spent some weeks thinking about it and then I forgot about it and then I figured I might as well use my MBP a while longer. Then my 8600 nvidia died, then I baked my MBP, which got me up and running again... so NOW I'm sure this refresh IGI.
TL; DR
Im buying an iMac, and hope the next refresh widens the performance gap between MBP and iMac. Does anyone have any insight? Maybe hellhammer😕
I'm no expert, and honestly I don't follow it extraordinarily closely so I could easily be wrong, but my thought is that the MBP is technically a "pro" level laptop, so there's no reason it should be worse tech-wise than the iMac. If anything I'd figure it'd be the other way around, with the MBP being slightly more powerful. Again, I'm no expert.
ermir4444
macrumors regular
That is very true. you could make a 30" iMac with 4K display at 147 ppi and a 21.5" iMac with 1440p @ 137 ppi which is retina as well considering the viewing distance. The only problem I see is that text will be too small to read from that distance at those resolutions if some sort of scaling is not applied.
MacGizmo
macrumors 68040
I simply want a the latest processor, larger/faster SSD drive standard storage, with the regular HD as an option, and a bit better video card. It would be nice to have a FULL SIZE wireless keyboard with the num-pad - I can't understand why Apple only makes a wired version (other than the USB ports on it, which is a nice convenience).
I could care less about BluRay - because for the most part it's a fad that never quite caught-on with mainstream users. The future is streaming/downloadable content. I can't remember the last time I put an optical disc in my computer.
I've been running an original MacPro since 2006 - pushing it up to 12GB RAM and adding an internal 1TB HD along the way. Still, it's showing its age. I don't require all the expansion I have with the tower - so I'm ready for a new iMac.
I could care less about BluRay - because for the most part it's a fad that never quite caught-on with mainstream users. The future is streaming/downloadable content. I can't remember the last time I put an optical disc in my computer.
I've been running an original MacPro since 2006 - pushing it up to 12GB RAM and adding an internal 1TB HD along the way. Still, it's showing its age. I don't require all the expansion I have with the tower - so I'm ready for a new iMac.
charlieroberts
macrumors 6502a
While this is true, Mbp use laptop processors and as such are very restrained on cooling. iMacs on the other hand use desktop CPU with much higher power usage. So the fact that even with much increased power consumption the iMacs still barely over perform the Mbp bothers me hahaha
Hellhammer
Moderator emeritus
Desktop CPUs are noticeably faster than their mobile counterparts. While things like Turbo have increased the performance of mobile CPUs, they have no chance overtaking the desktop chips. And that's just the CPU, iMacs use substantially faster GPUs too.
charlieroberts
macrumors 6502a
But are they much faster? I have never done very strenuous tests, and I know Geekbench is pretty dumb. But How can iMacs be on par with MBP on the cpu side?
Sorry I'm I'm being stupid,
ctdonath
macrumors 68000
Chomping at the bit for an iMac, and seeing the MacRumors recommendation "don't buy!", just ran trends on release dates. Pity I can't find release days, only months. Next iteration should be out already, leaving the last couple releases trending to early or late February depending on how you squint at the numbers.
Anyone recall how the last few iMacs iterations were introduced? Media event, or just showed up? What product is the next expected media event likely to focus on? timing between media events of any kind (considering we just had the "Education" one)? any other data to satiate my appetite until iMac 2012 shows up?
Anyone recall how the last few iMacs iterations were introduced? Media event, or just showed up? What product is the next expected media event likely to focus on? timing between media events of any kind (considering we just had the "Education" one)? any other data to satiate my appetite until iMac 2012 shows up?
forty2j
macrumors 68030
The next media event of any kind will be an iPad one in February.
Intel's ivy bridge schedule, more than iMac release history, will be the determining factor in the next iMac release date.
onthecouchagain
macrumors 604
I know this is trivial, but one of the Apple's iMac page says "We gave it everything we've got."
I don't know why, but that makes me feel like this version is at its end, and Apple is prepping for a refresh.
... it's a slow day.
I don't know why, but that makes me feel like this version is at its end, and Apple is prepping for a refresh.
... it's a slow day.
I will be purchasing my first iMac this year (upgrade from 2007 MBP which I will be keeping) and while I was going to order one as soon as I get my tax refund, I think I will wait until the 2012 models come out.
What I'd like to see:
Blu-ray - Not expecting it though. But an internal BD burner would be great for people who edit HD movies and want to share them with others NOT via overly compressed file sharing sites
Easier HD upgrades - Maybe some easy to pop out modules? I know Apple is big on their seamless designs but from what I've seen online it seems like a bit of a pain right now if you want/need to replace your existing drive. I plan on 2 TB but still keeping a TB external drive for photo backups, which should last awhile, but having to remove the glass screen to start to gain access to the internals seems a bit much.
Large base RAM offerings - 8GB for the top model, or cheaper upgrade prices from Apple that are more in line with 3rd party options. RAM is cheap and I don't understand why Apple charges an arm and a leg for it.
Matte screen option - I like to do photo editing, and my monitor right now is right next to a window. It has a matte screen and I have no problems with reflection, unlike my Panasonic Plasma TV where I have to keep the lights off. I still love that TV though!
Wireless keyboard WITH a number pad
I don't know if this is something that can be done with Thunderbolt, but I currently use a 22" Samsung monitor with a DVI, and an easy way of adapting it to the new iMac as a secondary display would be nice.
I'm sure 2560x1440 is plenty of resolution but isn't more always better? 😀
What I'd like to see:
Blu-ray - Not expecting it though. But an internal BD burner would be great for people who edit HD movies and want to share them with others NOT via overly compressed file sharing sites
Easier HD upgrades - Maybe some easy to pop out modules? I know Apple is big on their seamless designs but from what I've seen online it seems like a bit of a pain right now if you want/need to replace your existing drive. I plan on 2 TB but still keeping a TB external drive for photo backups, which should last awhile, but having to remove the glass screen to start to gain access to the internals seems a bit much.
Large base RAM offerings - 8GB for the top model, or cheaper upgrade prices from Apple that are more in line with 3rd party options. RAM is cheap and I don't understand why Apple charges an arm and a leg for it.
Matte screen option - I like to do photo editing, and my monitor right now is right next to a window. It has a matte screen and I have no problems with reflection, unlike my Panasonic Plasma TV where I have to keep the lights off. I still love that TV though!
Wireless keyboard WITH a number pad
I don't know if this is something that can be done with Thunderbolt, but I currently use a 22" Samsung monitor with a DVI, and an easy way of adapting it to the new iMac as a secondary display would be nice.
I'm sure 2560x1440 is plenty of resolution but isn't more always better? 😀
onthecouchagain
macrumors 604
I can't think of any reason why they don't have one. I can't imagine using a keyboard without one. I do have their wireless keyboard too, but if I use it, it's rarely, and it's with my iPad.
The other thing I'm hoping for is for Apple to be able to offer SSDs at a bit lower prices. $600 extra for the 1TB + SSD is just too much for me to justify right now.
The other thing I'm hoping for is for Apple to be able to offer SSDs at a bit lower prices. $600 extra for the 1TB + SSD is just too much for me to justify right now.
I think we can all agree on the numerical pad, really hope they do, not like it's a huge engineering challenge.
I was under the impression that iMacs used mobile CPUs, is this no longer correct?
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Ergonomics. That's my guess.
derbothaus
macrumors 601
Mobile GPU's. Not mobile CPU's anymore. At least on the top end. It's the real stuff.
Ddyracer
macrumors 68000
Yeah, this is correct. BTW, how long has apple had desktop CPU's? When did they switch?
Acorn
macrumors 68030
well I was hoping that they would put a standard vesa mount on the 21.5 inch model so you could wall mount it. I know they hacked a way to do it but it looks stupid with the stand floating in the air. I want real vesa support like the 27 inch models. I dont think thats alot to ask.
if they wanted to do something clever id like to see them make the imac look like a thunderbolt display from the front. so you could have an imac and thunderbolt display next to each other and they would look the same with the same height and look. the only difference being the thickness in the back.
I may invest in a refurbished 27 inch 2011 model. even if i waited for the 2012 model i wouldnt be able to afford the model i wanted until 8 months later when it hit the refurbished section. so Im thinking screw it. its specs are more then i would ever utilize as is so. It will be really close from release though when I get it. My birthday is around the same time and im asking for more apple gift cards to go towards my purchase.
if they wanted to do something clever id like to see them make the imac look like a thunderbolt display from the front. so you could have an imac and thunderbolt display next to each other and they would look the same with the same height and look. the only difference being the thickness in the back.
I may invest in a refurbished 27 inch 2011 model. even if i waited for the 2012 model i wouldnt be able to afford the model i wanted until 8 months later when it hit the refurbished section. so Im thinking screw it. its specs are more then i would ever utilize as is so. It will be really close from release though when I get it. My birthday is around the same time and im asking for more apple gift cards to go towards my purchase.