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Why doesn't Apple make new iMac Touch (screen)?

Would agree that it's not a good idea - for all the reasons above and more.. Agree it's good for tablets and smartphones but not for computers. Touch-screen may be here to stay, but there will also be technologies to replace and out-date it too.

In terms of personal computers having had their day, it simply isn't true. What is happening is an ever-widening proliferation of available technology and an ever-widening amount of varied technology in homes.

For example the people I work with have technology varying from tapes to mp3; from diskettes to SSD; from downloads to physical CDs and DVDs; from 15" CRT monitored Windows XP computers through the latest smartphones and flatscreen iMacs. Some people have all of the above and many variations of the above. The more technology advances, the more varied the technology that people own!
 
MJL said:
Heck even a large number of "managers" in companies do not need a serious PC workstation and can do with a tablet.
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Managers are the LAST people to judge tech by.

DEC was once donating a couple stations to a college I was a systems manager at. While we waited myself and the other techies were debating the best use: a processing queue, a multiuser interactive system, or what,

Anyways, we were waiting with anticipation for these machines and we never saw them. I eventually asked after them.

Then found out they were on the desks of people with enough pull to get them as their personal machines.
 
sinfonye said:
Likewise. My father has one on a Windows machine. I don't think I've ever seen him use it (the screen also looks a bit fuzzy, but that might be a low-quality monitor?).

Occasionally, other people point at things on my monitor but I'd rather they kept their greasy fingers to themselves :)
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Thats a pet peave of mine...I hate for people to stick their fingers on my monitor.
 
Its bad enough getting finger prints on an iPad screen, let alone a 21.5 or 27 inch screen.

Plus, there are things like photo editing for example where fine adjustment is needed. And with touchscreen you cannot get the same fine control as you can with a mouse or similar.
 
I'd love a touchscreen on all my Macs, especially the 27" iMac. I finally could work a lot slower and take the time to actually press the LIKE button on Friendface or adjust the volume of the iTunes Store movie I just rented.
Touching can be used for many things, and if that flesh depicting industry gets wind of it, they will exploit it like the teens they do not.

Anyway, since younger generations are so keen on touch and older generations get it somewhere else, it will probably come sooner than later, though it will be the only touch left, except for that cat or dog robot taking care of the carpet.
 
The first thing I do when I start up my MacBook Pro is to wipe off the screen with a clean rag. I can't stand dust or the grease marks the screen gets from touching the keys with the lid closed. Touch screen? No way.

Also when someone is passing an iPad around I look at it's filthy screen and think "I'm not touching that thing!".
 
I have never seen that leap motion device. that is really neat if it works as well as they advertise. its not expensive really either which was a shock. I may pick one up just for fun. might be neat to play around with. best part, no fingerprints on the screen!
 
iMacUnsure said:
Thats a pet peave of mine...I hate for people to stick their fingers on my monitor.
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Huge pet peeve. I always thought, why do you have to touch it? I was also over at someones house once and it looked like they ate off their monitor, disgusting!
 
Apple already makes this.
It's called the iPad.

But i think a touchscreen iMac is a terrible idea. It's really good for tablets and phones but for a desktop no thank you. Leave this in Windows 8, not on Osx.
 
You are ALL missing the Point the original post I made was about DRAWING on the iMac

You are ALL missing the Point the original post I made was about DRAWING on the iMac - and the screen being able to dismount from a stand with maybe a click and place on flat (or at an angle if they made a tilt action on the back) -- AND DESIGN ON IT. Maybe even place in your lap for a time. Then when you are done replace the iMac "screen" to it base to stand upright again.

And yes the entire time be able to use the keyboard too. And yes you could touch it with fingers if you wanted. But that wasn't the POINT. The point was making the iMac (mac) again for designers. And a screen that is pressure sensitive would sell. They could have two models. One for artists and one for the general consumer.

And the person that mentioned POS systems. Yes that could be a market too.

And the person that whined like Apple couldn't update their software - that is absurd. Apple is a billion dollar company with vast resources. They COULD update the OS to do anything. What are they supposed to just not innovate?

And the person that thinks Windows touch is BS. They have sold MILLIONS of them. Its not something going away. Its the opposite. Besides I was talking about pressure sensitive design screen that you can create on with a specialize stylus.

You all think iMac is just fine. Their software is fine - "they can't do it" is BS.

They are already getting stomped on my Android phones (yes if you add up all models - big time). So should apple just ride the way or make things better than anything else out there?

Excuses are BS. If you say it can't be done - you're right if you are in charge. But Apple originally (and still proclaims) they aren't ones to be second in innovation.

THIS POST WAS FOR DESIGNERS creating on the iMac. Not people reaching out to push app buttons. But they will need to address it at some point. Just because Steve didn't foresee the need doesn't mean its not there NOW.

Plus the new Power Mac looks great and is faster. But isn't really as fast as it should be by now. It going to cost a ton and unless you do video or game development, the iMac will work prefect for almost any other designer out there.

Maybe they will make a screen to buy along with the power mac to draw on. That would be Apple - make it an "extra" instead of including in an all-in-one station/solution

All you that think Apple is just fine and doesn't need to grow with the industry, or improve their OS - doesn't know what the hell they are talking about.

If Apple made the iMac touch (especially pressure sensitive) their market share would rise. Designers would return to the mac as so many left to the PC long ago.

When the Mac first came out every design shop in the industry ONLY USED macs. Yes that was because certain programs availability but also the OS system being more in touch (ha) with artist mindsets (in general).

Apple will continue to make billions on iPad, iPhone, and iPod. But there is no reason they could not win back more desktops with design stylus screen input.

Design shops would replace all their macs in many cases. Designers would want it and demand it for their work.

They are missing an entire market.

And that is unfortunate for designers and people that like to "play" with other apps. And unfortunate for their stock holders.

"if you can't do it" you are right. Buch of idiots.
 
MacMilligan said:
Its working out great for Windows 8...
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I am a member of a very large users group of Win/PC users. We have fought the changes for many years from MS. Each time MS releases a new version of Windows or for that matter any of their programs, they take away things we like, and give us things we don't need or like. In our group alone which had 100 members many have moved away to Apple, myself included, because of that creation called Windows 8, and their touch screen where everything is different and hard to understand or find, and kills the body when reaching out to touch things. I think MS will in time be replaced by intelligence software developers that keep things easy to understand and consistent with past versions. That crap of making it all new, is what frosted me, for good.
Choctaw
 
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dallasdad said:
You are ALL missing the Point the original post I made was about DRAWING on the iMac - and the screen being able to dismount from a stand with maybe a click and place on flat (or at an angle if they made a tilt action on the back) -- AND DESIGN ON IT. Maybe even place in your lap for a time. Then when you are done replace the iMac "screen" to it base to stand upright again.
Click to expand...

So why not buy yourself a cintiq? Do you need it to be apple branded? If you do, I believe apple products all come with a sheet of 2-4 apple stickers...
 
preyan said:
Was at a tech store and played around with various touch screen desktops. It saddens me to think Apple is still willing to take their time while the competition is grabbing market share. Do what others are doing. Perfect along the way. The same way they launch their new iOS software. Make it operational to a good level and as and when issues are raised, fix, text and roll out newer versions of their software.

I still don't understand why :apple: doesn't see or think that there is a market out there :confused: for touch screen desktops :confused:
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Touch screen on a desktop is like a 3D TV. Until you buy it and take it home its the greatest thing ever. Trust me I had a touch screen Gateway 6900 a year ago and a Samsung 3D 55" TV. The touch screen I didn't use it. Same with the 3D TV. Apple has it right to not put touch screen on its iMac nor its notebooks either. :)
 
To draw on draw on draw on

Yes I do have a cintiq. And it was a grand. The nice bigger ones are 3 (with touch so not only can you draw, paint, whatever... but you can zoom in a out and do other things just like you would if drawing on paper - one usually moves it around to get a better angle - or other reasons.

But MAC could have this. Heck they could easily by WACOM. And include the same tech.

I am not talking about people clicking stupid icons like "Catch the Rope" on a iMac. I was talking about being creative. And being more ONE with the device while you were.

Cintiq is good but its an additional peripheral that I do not see the need for with today's technology...especially being designed into other manufacturers screens. Apple could push that further and make the screen not just a touch a icon to play or open an app - but the actually interact and draw, design on with a stylus that is pressure sensitive (no, not the stylus you can by for the iPod or iPad). The stylus is an art tool. Plus you can move around windows and control other things too of course. Minimizing the constant need of the keyboard.

And quit complaining about the OS and acting like it couldn't be updated everyone. That is so stupid. And makes it sounds like Apple can't improve.

Would it be cool to grab your mac monitor screen down when you want. Paint on it directly either flat on desktop or using a pull out arm to put it at an angle below you face? And then return it to mount after. Even maybe draw with it in your lap.

And yes it could do all those other stupid touch apps for those that want them.
 
But as you might know by now, Apple is not aiming towards graphic designers and such anymore, they aim for the general public, who would not have any use of it anyway, thus developing such a thing might cost them several millions while not getting enough back by the some thousands of graphic designers, who would buy it, and if say 1,000 people buy the 2,000 USD iMac, Apple "only" gets 2,000,000 USD for that, less after taxes and all that ****.
They simply make more money selling iPhones and iPads than they do with iMacs.

It does not mean, they would never do this, and they are probably having or are or will tested/testing such devices anyway, but see no good solution yet, as the OS has to make a major jump for this to accomplish for some small group of graphic designers.

And iMac weighs 5 to 9 kilos, not a very good weight to put on your lap or similar. The arm used for this has to look good by Apple's standards.

Apple was closer to your wishes with the G4 iMac than they are now, maybe they might return to that, probably will not.

Anyway, I am in DCC, but am not a graphic designer, and the group I am in has probably many more users than graphic designers due to being more diverse and having more fields.
I do not want to use a video editing / compositing application via touch, but if a video editing / compositing application is made for touch, it has to differ quite a bit from a video editing / compositing application made for keyboard and mouse/trackpad.
Of course, they (whoever they are) can include both modi into one application, but that adds code and people and money for a small ROI.

One day well will abandon mouse and keyboard for a much better input control, but it will probably not be touch with desktop or laptop computers, but something we probably have not thought of yet.

And frankly, as a graphic designer, you will probably be using a pen to draw or use the "touch" controls, unless you have good fingers do draw and such.

But then again, horse.

dallasdad said:
Would it be cool to grab your mac monitor screen down when you want. Paint on it directly either flat on desktop or using a pull out arm to put it at an angle below you face? And then return it to mount after. Even maybe draw with it in your lap.
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It would be cool, but cool does not equate good ergonomics.
Imagine the stress on your neck to have to look down for something you could have easily done (and probably much faster) while looking straight and using the mouse and keyboard.

A mouse and keyboard are currently the fastest input methods available, and as there are tools, and tools can be perfected by lots of use, you can use them blindly, thus no need to have to look down on them and, I have to shower...
 
dallasdad said:
Yes I do have a cintiq. And it was a grand. The nice bigger ones are 3 (with touch so not only can you draw, paint, whatever... but you can zoom in a out and do other things just like you would if drawing on paper - one usually moves it around to get a better angle - or other reasons.

But MAC could have this. Heck they could easily by WACOM. And include the same tech.

I am not talking about people clicking stupid icons like "Catch the Rope" on a iMac. I was talking about being creative. And being more ONE with the device while you were.

Cintiq is good but its an additional peripheral that I do not see the need for with today's technology...especially being designed into other manufacturers screens. Apple could push that further and make the screen not just a touch a icon to play or open an app - but the actually interact and draw, design on with a stylus that is pressure sensitive (no, not the stylus you can by for the iPod or iPad). The stylus is an art tool. Plus you can move around windows and control other things too of course. Minimizing the constant need of the keyboard.

And quit complaining about the OS and acting like it couldn't be updated everyone. That is so stupid. And makes it sounds like Apple can't improve.

Would it be cool to grab your mac monitor screen down when you want. Paint on it directly either flat on desktop or using a pull out arm to put it at an angle below you face? And then return it to mount after. Even maybe draw with it in your lap.

And yes it could do all those other stupid touch apps for those that want them.
Click to expand...

As has been pointed out several times, Apple has already adapted OS X for touch. It is called iOS. So nobody is saying it can't be done.

Most people in this thread don't have a problem with a large touch screen for drawing. I think it would be great.

The problem with your argument is that you think that such a device should be an iMac, but you are ignoring all the problems with this would involve. Size, weight, connected peripherals, addition of a battery, etc. The much simpler solution is a larger iPad.
 
re: smudged up screen

If you wash your hands with any regularity, the screen on the iPad stays clean for weeks. They would use the same screen composition for the desktop.

re: usefulness of desktop touch screen

I used a Windows 8 touchscreen all in one for 12 weeks (and yes, there are other companies besides Apple that make all in ones even though I often see on here about the evil towers all PC's have). There were many instances where I reached over to touch the screen to accomplish a task, but I don't think anyone ever thought the user would spend the entire day with their arm outstretched.

It's not a stupid idea.

It was nice to be able to reach up and flick the screen rather than grab my mouse. I think it's a great innovation - even for a desktop.

Then again, maybe my screen is closer to me than most people keep theirs - only thing I know is - it worked and it was helpful. Wish my Mac had it.
 
dallasdad said:
...quit complaining about the OS and acting like it couldn't be updated everyone. That is so stupid...
Click to expand...

It is incredibly difficult to update an operating system for a *full* touch interface. Why? Because more than the OS is involved. A new UI model is needed with different design guidelines for spacing, event handling, dialogs, etc. This in turn impacts app design.

You can bolt on a touch interface to a keyboard/mouse OS and app model, and it sort of works. You remap certain touch events like "press and hold" to right mouse click, etc. That's how touch works in the Windows 8 desktop (not Metro/Modern) UI. However it's not optimal and is essentially a crude stopgap. Mac OS does it better with the track pad, but the app UI model is not really designed for touch.

A full redesign of the OS and UI model is needed to make it work right -- e.g, the Windows 8 Metro/Modern UI. This is extremely costly and entails great risk in mobilizing the developer community to write apps for that new model. The cost/return of that must be evaluated. What % of desktop users would use that and for what?

You can't take a complex app like Photoshop or Premiere Pro and just port it to a touch interface. It's far too information dense, and the existing UI, event handling and dialogs are deeply designed for keyboard and mouse. Moving a complex app to a more sparse touch interface would require a profound and total rethink of the app design. This is so difficult even Microsoft has not produced or demonstrated a prototype of full-featured Word or Excel for Windows 8 Metro/Modern UI.

That said touch and keyboard/mouse are not mutually exclusive. Windows 8 on a Dell XPS 27 is roughly equivalent to a "touch iMac" form factor. You can use the keyboard/mouse and only touch the screen where it's beneficial. We do that on non-touch screens frequently -- you tell someone "put this item here", touching the screen, then they do it with keyboard and mouse.

But to work well the OS and app model requires a full redesign. Then if not done right, it's so different from the keyboard/mouse model that apps cannot be designed to work in both. That is another huge cost for app developers.

E.g, you can now port Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Word, Excel, etc. between Mac OS and Windows desktop. The API and UI models are similar. It is totally impossible to port those between Mac OS/Windows and Windows 8 Metro/Modern UI. If you could ever get Adobe to write a full featured version of Photoshop for Windows 8 Metro/Modern UI, it would be a totally different program than the one for Mac OS and Windows desktop. They would be developing and maintaining a totally different app for what? The few % of users willing to hold their arms out while sitting at a desk.

There are excellent reasons Apple has not moved aggressively to touch on the desktop. It remains to be seen if Microsoft's "touch everywhere" strategy will be successful; it may totally fail.

That said, it seems desktop touch screen hardware is becoming ubiquitous, with modest cost increase. In a world where touch is everywhere, it makes sense to exploit that more fully. How Apple will do that remains to be seen.

There is something worse than being late to embrace a technology, it's making a wrong decision and rushing down an evolutionary blind alley. Microsoft may have done that.
 
Carl Sagan said:
Because its a stupid idea.
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Carl Sagan comes back to life just to tell us this.

OP, even Steve Jobs said himself a while ago with the second gen MacBook Air (I think) that they're not going to do a touchscreen iMac, it causes way too much hand and arm strain.
 
Siderz said:
Carl Sagan comes back to life just to tell us this.

OP, even Steve Jobs said himself a while ago with the second gen MacBook Air (I think) that they're not going to do a touchscreen iMac, it causes way too much hand and arm strain.
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Agreed, darn this subject is worn out, will it ever stop, I sure hope so. Gosh, if you want a touch screen get a PC with Windows 8. or a Wacom Cintiq.

Otherwise lets talk about Apples and let the sour grapes of touch screens on a Mac go away.
 
I think your solution is to get a mac pro and buy a stand alone touch screen monitor (if they make one).
 
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