What will disappear next?

[joe-h2o]

Over the years, many features have disappeared from one or more iMac models:

1. Expansion slot (The mezzanine slot on the original iMac)
2. Reset/interrupt buttons
3. I/R port
4. Modem port
5. FireWire ports
6. Power/sleep indicator
7. Easily accessible power/sleep button
8. VGA port
9. Front speakers directed at the user
10. Easily expanded memory on all models
11. Optical drive
12. User replaceable hard drive
13. Side mounted ports
14. DVI port
15. Tilt/height adjustable keyboard
16. Industry standard hard drive without a wonky thermal sensor
17. Disassemble without need of a tape and glue kit
18. Matte screen
19. Fan-less operation
20. Number pad on the included keyboard
21. Audio input
22. Keyboard with real keycaps instead of Chiclets.

I'll guess that Apple will drop the SD card port along with user accessible RAM on all models. The excuses, if any, will be lame. Hey, Apple will just sell you an SD adapter, or more high priced memory up front. The Ethernet port is also a candidate for elimination, at least for the lower end models. And perhaps the four USB ports could be reduced to only two. You can always get a hub.

But rapture and joy, the latest iMac just might be a half millimeter thinner!

Nice troll. You repeat several things to pad out your list, and include things that haven't actually gone away - you're counting the change video adapter connector as two separate "negatives" despite the fact that the current iMac still supports both DVI and VGA output (simultaneously on a 27"). The iMac has never had a user replaceable hard drive (the candy drop ones didn't, nor did the sunflower which was a pain to work on, nor did the Intel ones - white or unibody).

The RAM has got *easier* to install on the 27" unibody iMacs compared to older ones.

The power switch is not easily accessible? Do you have hands? That is possibly the most nonsensical complaint I have ever heard.

Oh, and the older style keyboard still totally works with the current iMac. You should try it, since you seem to hate the current keyboard enough to make it about 3 different points on your list.

Also, dropping the POTS modem is a major downside? What is this, 1995?

Man, with list writing skills like this, Buzzfeed will snap you up. You should send this to them with a pseudo-catchy title.

 

[JonathanKo]

If they didn't release the recent "cheap" iMac, I would have said the HDD-only option would go away next. For anyone who has used a SSD, you would know how much faster things are, especially when working with files and starting apps. The Fusion drive option seems to be a "transition" technology to a full SSD system, but mass solid-state storage is too expensive so we are stuck with hybrid systems for now.

The SD card slot will probably stay since photographers use it and there doesn't seem to be a fast way of wirelessly transmitting photos from a camera to the computer. Smartphones come standard with connectivity options so that's easy, but it might be a while until we see cameras that come with wireless comms built-in as standard.

All the IO on the current iMac seems relevant except for Thunderbolt, but I don't see Apple abandoning TB this early. I really hope TB doesn't follow the path of Firewire since TB seems like it's geared towards professionals right now.

I honestly don't mind when Apple "takes away" stuff because eventually I find that I didn't need it. The most surprising was probably the optical drive when I went from a MBP to a MBA. I don't miss the optical drive at all.

Edit: Wanted to add that displayport through TB is still awesome! I'm mainly talking about the other peripherals like mass storage and video-related stuff that are geared towards professionals.

 

[Truthfulie]

HDD will probably go away next model. SSD prices are coming down fast, but knowing Apple they're probably going to offer Fusion Drive not pure SSD which isn't necessarily bad for most people since FD combines the best of both worlds.

This makes me wonder though. Apple is said to be working on Lightning audio gears for iOS. Wouldn't Apple try to make it's Mac line-up take advantage of these gears as well? Could they make Macs with Lightning port and get rid of 3.5mm jack eventually? I understand that people,including myself, don't want to buy audio gear that will only work with iOS device, but what if it worked with Mac as well? I think people who live in Apple ecosystem will be more likely to buy them. After all computer and portable smart devices are the only devices most people will need headphone/earphone for.

 

[McGiord]

They will want to eliminate the keyboard and pointer and transition to a touchscreen, voice command type of interface. But not immediately.

 

[OLDCODGER]

I see there is a black sheep in the fold.

 

[thedeske]

I can live without O/S 9 or anything earlier, so I don't bemoan the loss of the Classic environment.

But losing Rosetta for no good reason is harder to bear, particularly while Apple won't do any security or other updates for native PowerPC machines. But Apple does make sure that iTunes for those older systems can still connect to the iTunes Store because there's money to be made

The early OS thing was a joke. I missed rosetta for a time because of Freehand , but adjusted to Illustrator since. Long story short - it was a better move in the end. They did many of us a favor by keeping it around as long as they did.

I don't like everything in the OS (either platform) but who does? Adjust and earn money or get the fk out of the way

 

[JonathanKo]

This makes me wonder though. Apple is said to be working on Lightning audio gears for iOS. Wouldn't Apple try to make it's Mac line-up take advantage of these gears as well? Could they make Macs with Lightning port and get rid of 3.5mm jack eventually? I understand that people,including myself, don't want to buy audio gear that will only work with iOS device, but what if it worked with Mac as well? I think people who live in Apple ecosystem will be more likely to buy them. After all computer and portable smart devices are the only devices most people will need headphone/earphone for.

Lightning audio would be interesting because it opens up the possibility of more powerful devices (I think Lightning can support 12W). This means you can send data digitally and use a DAC and amplifier embedded in the device so you don't get distortion when sending analog through a long cable. Audio-only applications seems a bit limited considering the Lighting cable has 2 differential pairs for digital data. What they really need to make is a reversible USB connector. Have you seen the new USB 3.0 micro-B plug? That thing is ugly! lol

 

[ColorWerx]

I'm really hoping the next iPad Air will have a parallel port.

Because of reasons.

 

[Truthfulie]

What they really need to make is a reversible USB connector. Have you seen the new USB 3.0 micro-B plug? That thing is ugly! lol

Not only do they look ugly, but they also look fragile as well.

 

[Thermonuclear]

I have replaced/upgraded the drives, the lithium batteries, and RAM on both G3 and G4 iMacs. Oh, and installed AirPort cards. All were easy to do and took only a few minutes with no special tools.

Anyone who says that these aren't simple user upgrades for the old iMacs is either misinformed or lying. In either case, it is most unfortunate that such drivel be spread to those unfamiliar with the nature of the early iMacs and how they compare to today's hobbled offerings.

There are reasons that Apple's share of the desktop market account for less than one out of seven units -- and is falling. Fashion is just not very important to most people.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Don't know what you're talking about, OP. My mac has an ethernet port, DVI, Firewire, mic in, security lock, and DVD burner. And you can have it from me when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

For reasons you stated, as well as this one, I've already decided that my next laptop will be a Latitude or Thinkpad. A cheap and sexy 12" MBA or MBP with Ethernet port not withstanding.

 

[blanka]

Apple will drop the screen next. It is the most troublesome iMac part....
The new entry-iMac is the first sign they think the iMac as an all-in-one is dead meat. Never did Apple made such a fool of its customers as with this model.
The USB plug will be fixed. EU laws force a new universal mobile connector, and the draft specs are USB 3.1: flippable, Lightning-like-rugged and USB 3 speeds.

 

[scaredpoet]

We'll let's break this down a bit here. These are, without a doubt, obsolete:

3. I/R port
4. Modem port
8. VGA port
14. DVI port

I mean, really? You still want a dialup modem? When even the phone company is trying to get rid of analog phone lines?

These are obsolete by virtue of architecture changes, both hardware and software:

1. Expansion slot (The mezzanine slot on the original iMac)
2. Reset/interrupt buttons

These are arguably on their way out:

5. FireWire ports
11. Optical drive



These aren't "removals" so much as they are design gripes and matters of personal opinion:

6. Power/sleep indicator
7. Easily accessible power/sleep button
9. Front speakers directed at the user
15. Tilt/height adjustable keyboard
13. Side mounted ports
17. Disassemble without need of a tape and glue kit
18. Matte screen
22. Keyboard with real keycaps instead of Chiclets.



This has been proven time and time again to be a bad idea:
19. Fan-less operation

This, I don't know what you're talking about, as all of the Mac purchases I've made so far have this option at no extra cost:

20. Number pad on the included keyboard

Which leaves you with just:
10. Easily expanded memory on all models
12. User replaceable hard drive
16. Industry standard hard drive without a wonky thermal sensor
21. Audio input

Four valid complaints out of 22. Let's not exaggerate things here.

But rapture and joy, the latest iMac just might be a half millimeter thinner!

As always, the most powerful vote is using your wallet. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

[dfs]

Yes, but...

Listen up, all you people who are saying "it's no longer needed." That may be true, but for some of these items a reasonable response would be "that may be true, but I've made a fairly large capital investment in such-and-such a gizmo and I don't want to be put in a position where I have to replace it needlessly, and even the cost of adapters and so forth can quickly add up to a significant chunk of money. "

 

[Vanilla Face]

The vast majority of mac owners aren't like the people on this site. They will never open their computer, they will never upgrade ram, they will never swap their hard drive. If those are major issues for you then you aren't in the target market of the iMac.

----------

Listen up, all you people who are saying "it's no longer needed." That may be true, but for some of these items a reasonable response would be "that may be true, but I've made a fairly large capital investment in such-and-such a gizmo and I don't want to be put in a position where I have to replace it needlessly, and even the cost of adapters and so forth can quickly add up to a significant chunk of money. "

Those things have to come off eventually. You can't listen to your 8-track collection forever. If you are buying a $2000 computer, a $30 adapter shouldn't be an issue.

 

[joe-h2o]

I have replaced/upgraded the drives, the lithium batteries, and RAM on both G3 and G4 iMacs. Oh, and installed AirPort cards. All were easy to do and took only a few minutes with no special tools.

Anyone who says that these aren't simple user upgrades for the old iMacs is either misinformed or lying. In either case, it is most unfortunate that such drivel be spread to those unfamiliar with the nature of the early iMacs and how they compare to today's hobbled offerings.

There are reasons that Apple's share of the desktop market account for less than one out of seven units -- and is falling. Fashion is just not very important to most people.

You're talking to someone who has taken apart Macs from the current era going way back to the PPC 603.

You can try and tell me I'm "misinformed" about my own experiences because they don't align with your hatred of the new iMac design, such that you level actual factual inaccuracies to try and argue your point, but it just makes you look silly.

 

[scaredpoet]

Listen up, all you people who are saying "it's no longer needed." That may be true, but for some of these items a reasonable response would be "that may be true, but I've made a fairly large capital investment in such-and-such a gizmo and I don't want to be put in a position where I have to replace it needlessly, and even the cost of adapters and so forth can quickly add up to a significant chunk of money. "

One could make that argument, and if manufacturers listened, then I suppose we'd still be using floppy disks.

At some point, capital investments have to be written down. Technology changes and we must migrate our data and our workflows to new technologies.

 

[JonathanKo]

Also, keep in mind that some people don't like tinkering with things and working with their hands, especially when it comes to complicated things like a computer. I've built custom gaming rigs with custom water cooling loops so I'm comfortable with my hands, but not everyone is like that.

IKEA has an interesting approach which lets the user assemble the furniture themselves and perhaps when it's built, the user has more "attachment" to it since they built it. But furniture is easier to assemble than computers. Lots of people just want computers to work and they don't care about tinkering inside. Most people can handle swapping out a battery or replacing RAM, but go any deeper and you might confuse them to the point where they don't want to use it.

You sort of see this "all-in-one, just work" design in cars as well. My dad talks about how cars in the 60s and 70s was all about tinkering inside, custom paint jobs, etc. You kinda saw this sort of spirit again in the 90s to early 2000s with import cars (I blame the Fast and the Furious lol). Nowadays, we just want cars to work and give us good fuel economy.

 

[Thermonuclear]

As an aside, a modem can be used for things other than connectivity. I've used a modem to watch for incoming calls and to send the Caller-ID to a program. If the number is not on a whitelist, the program simply hangs up, all without me having to be disturbed by a ringing telephone.

But in the past several OS/X releases, I can't even connect an official Apple USB modem to a Mac without rejection.

So, don't be disrespectful of a modem or other feature if you don't know how useful it just might be.

 

[Vanilla Face]

As an aside, a modem can be used for things other than connectivity. I've used a modem to watch for incoming calls and to send the Caller-ID to a program. If the number is not on a whitelist, the program simply hangs up, all without me having to be disturbed by a ringing telephone.

So, don't be disrespectful of a modem or other feature if you don't know how useful it just might be.

How many people do you think want to use their Macs in that way, especially since the landline is dying out? If you want a custom tailored computer fit to your wants and desires, the iMac is most definitely not for you, nor would any all-in-one. You're living in the past. I don't think you could find any mass produced computer that still has all the things you're unhappy Apple removed.

But in the past several OS/X releases, I can't even connect an official Apple USB modem to a Mac without rejection.

Products, especially in the tech world, have a limited life. Apple, nor any other company, isn't going to support every product they've ever made for forever. It's an obsolete product, why would you think they would still support it? That's like wondering why you can't play super nintendo games in the wii.

 

[rei101]

1. Expansion slot (The mezzanine slot on the original iMac): nah
2. Reset/interrupt buttons: there are other ways.
3. I/R port: never used
4. Modem port: discontinued. Who wants to transfer data a 14.400 baudios?
5. FireWire ports: We need faster data transfer, it had its time.
6. Power/sleep indicator: for what? you have an entire screen now.
7. Easily accessible power/sleep button: is in the rear.
8. VGA port: no standard anymore and no everyone uses it.
9. Front speakers directed at the user: it works as it is.
10. Easily expanded memory on all models: It was never easy nor complicated.
11. Optical drive: the media is expensive and not very reliable.
12. User replaceable hard drive: You have youtube tutorials for that.
13. Side mounted ports: Uglie.
14. DVI port: It is just another video port like VGA, get an adapter.
15. Tilt/height adjustable keyboard: for what?
16. Industry standard hard drive without a wonky thermal sensor. It could be.
17. Disassemble without need of a tape and glue kit: Never needed.
18. Matte screen: yeap.
19. Fan-less operation: ¿?
20. Number pad on the included keyboard: ¿?
21. Audio input: it doesn't?
22. Keyboard with real keycaps instead of Chiclets: fn button.

 

[melendezest]

I don't think it's about thinness. It seems pretty clear to me that Apple has no motivation to make machines user-upgradable, as that can delay future computer purchases. It's economically in their interest to make "disposable" devices that a user will replace in a shorter period of time, driving more sales. Apple doesn't benefit at all if you upgrade your RAM or drive instead of buying a new Mac. They are, after all, in business to make money.

Again, Apple isn't trying to meet every user's needs. If you don't find a Mac model in their product line that meets your needs, you can buy another brand that does. Apple isn't trying to capture every buyer, only what they perceive as the market they target.

I'm not inferring that at all, but rather, Apple is enjoying immense success without catering to users who want options they don't offer.

There's that profit motive raising its ugly head again!

Buyer beware. Apple sells what they sell. While I may prefer a different configuration than they offer (I do, in some cases), I have two choices: buy a Mac that comes closest to meeting my needs and live with the features it has, or buy a different brand computer. I choose to buy Macs, even though I might be able to find other hardware more perfectly suited to my requirements, predominately because of OS X. I don't expect any company, including Apple, to design and sell exactly what I want, the way I want it, at the price I want to pay. I guess I've just been around long enough to know that rarely happens.

Yes, you can tell from customer satisfaction surveys and from sales how disappointed the majority of Apple customers are.

Apple apologists, I love them.

The entirety of this post simply reinforces the thread starter's position. Apple will sell inferior machines because they can. Because they are popular. Because they are "pretty". But not because they are better.

They strip functionality and capability away to their benefit, not ours and then tell us it's the best machine they've ever built.

It's amusing how so many rush to defend the elimination of features, particularly ones that are still in heavy use, as a benefit (the 8-track thing was a bad analogy), because it's their beloved Apple we're talking about. Who argues against expansion options on a computer???

LOL. OP, I agree with you. Our frustration will go unaddressed forever. The Apple we loved is dead.

Long live the new, appliance driven Apple!!!

We really should let it go, but it's fun to come here and futilely argue with those with kool-aid stains on their shirts.

 

[GGJstudios]

Apple apologists, I love them.

If you find one, let me know. I'm certainly not. I have zero loyalty to any company, including Apple. In the same way, I have zero animosity toward any company, including Apple. Those who like to bash companies because they don't do things the way an individual thinks they should are clearly not experienced enough in business to understand all the factors that go into product decisions.

Apple will sell inferior machines because they can.

Because a product doesn't meet your every whim doesn't make it inferior. If I want to haul a dozen refrigerators across the country, that makes a Mercedes or Porsche or Lincoln or Range Rover inferior because they're not designed to do what I want? And that means those companies have contempt for buyers because they don't design their cars to accommodate my specific and unique needs? What an incredibly naive and uninformed point of view!

They strip functionality and capability away to their benefit, not ours and then tell us it's the best machine they've ever built.

They haven't stripped anything that the masses of consumers need. This is painfully obvious by the millions of people buying the very machines that you and a few others consider "inferior" because you can't have everything you want.

It's amusing how so many rush to defend the elimination of features, particularly ones that are still in heavy use, as a benefit (the 8-track thing was a bad analogy),

No, it wasn't a bad analogy, as the modem, VGA port, optical drive, IR port and others are quickly going the way of the 8-track tape... they are obsolete or very near obsolete.

because it's their beloved Apple we're talking about.

Again, Apple is a company. Like millions of others, I don't "love" the company. If their products meet my needs better than other products available, I buy them. If they don't, I buy from a company who makes what I need. It's as simple as that. I don't go into childish rants because I can't force some big, bad corporation to custom-design a product just because a handful of people want it. That's not how business is done successfully.

Who argues against expansion options on a computer???

I, for one, don't want either the expense or the clutter of ports or features I never use. I would much rather have a well-designed computer that has only the ports that are most commonly used, with the ability to add specialized functionality with adapters and other external devices. That way, I'm only paying for what I actually use, and not paying for things like a modem or VGA port just because someone with specialized needs wants those things in their computer. Those who want those things can buy them, without requiring all users to pay for them.

LOL. OP, I agree with you. Our frustration will go unaddressed forever. The Apple we loved is dead.

That's what you get for "loving" a company, instead of making logical, informed decisions about what products are best suited to your needs, rather than trying to be loyal to a particular company because of some emotional attachment.

We really should let it go, but it's fun to come here and futilely argue with those with kool-aid stains on their shirts.

It's so amusing to comments like this coming from those who have allowed their emotional attachment to a company interfere with mature buying decisions, which would suggest that if one company doesn't make what you want, buy from another that does. If a company stops making what you want, buy from another company. Whining that the company you "love" doesn't cater to your whims is not really displaying an awareness about how intelligent businesses operate.

 

[Kayan]

The topic of this thread is absolutely ridiculous. The OP doesn't understand that technology constantly evolves and either you evolve with it or be left in the dust, it's not going to wait for you. If this is only an Apple phenomenon, then why is virtually ever other PC company trying to mimic them with thinning down their computers and keeping only the necessary and most advanced features? I just recently bought an Acer Aspire laptop for work and school, and it does not have VGA and many other capabilities you cited. Your issue with change is not with Apple, it is with the industry (and for that matter, what in this world doesn't evolve to some degree).

Seriously...who wants to use a Modem port when there is WiFi, or DVI when there is HDMI/TB, or Firewire when almost any external device uses USB/TB compatibility. I kind of thought OP was kidding when he first listed these dilapidated technologies that he was mad weren't included in the newest latest Macs.

 

[Thermonuclear]

We really should let it go, but it's fun to come here and futilely argue with those with kool-aid stains on their shirts.

More laughs are to be had in the iPhone forum where so many speculate on whatever new packaging the next model will have, but none question why new packaging must be had. The truth is that Apple must allow its fashion sensitive customers a means of showing the public that they've got the latest, most expensive hardware and not some older model.

I recall the cry and dismay among iPhone fashionistas when it was discovered that an iPhone could be had on a gasp prepaid plan. Why, now almost anyone could have an iPhone and not just the credit worthy! But Apple's useful idiots don't have to worry, for Apple will soon offer its iWatch which will cost fifty times as much as a cheap Casio (like mine -- gains 2 seconds per month). The Apple iWatch will sell like hotcakes because it can fulfill an intense need -- but that need has nothing to do with knowing the time of day.