2010 vs. 2011 iMac (Buyer's Planning)

[Nishi100]

Because Apple always, always, always release in cycles, no matter what state the technology is in. This means we can expect a new iMac in early 2011, another in late 2011, and a new Mac Pro roughly around Q3. If Apple don't release a spec bump in early 2011, it'll throw the whole thing off. Hence LightPeak will get its first chance in late 2011 at the absolute earliest, if not 2012.

Did Apple knocked the whole thing of with the previous update to the Mac Pro and MBA?

Of course, and this is why they will go down the LightPeak route. However, Steve will say USB 2.0 is fine for now, there's no need to rush...in addition, moving to LightPeak as a single connector is going to require a redesign of basically everything Apple sell - computers, displays, iPods, iPhones, iPads...the list goes on. It is not going to be a quick transition - we'll be seeing LightPeak being used along with "legacy" ports for a while.

They need to start somewhere, just like the switch to Intel. When a product needs to be updated, they will update the connector to LP. Baring in mind, that people with "old" Macs cannot use LP - only USB.

Apple don't even make a HDMI adapter right now. Shows how much they care. Apple will simply make a handful of adapters (DVI, MiniDisplayPort) and that's it. Everything else will be third party, same as it has always been.

That's why I said: "if not Apple - some other company will manufacture converters."

Apple won't put HDMI, blu ray, express-card slot; but, as a result of putting LP in their iMac, it is inevitable that - if not Apple - some other company will manufacture converters.
That is what you wrote.
You originally said that Apple will put ExpressCard in the next iMac, further back in the topic. Then you move on to talking about "convertors" from 3rd party, and you mentioned ExpressCard. Sorry, that's a LP to ExpressCard adapter right there...which will never happen.

I wasn't implying that, you inferred it, obviously I wasn't being explicit enough.

Now, if you don't mind; I am going to watch "The Apprentice." (Get it - )

 

[capebud1]

So... in the end, I have decided not to wait for the next iMac, but rather decided to purchase a new 2010 3.2 GHz Mac Pro with the Radeon 5870! My main rationale for doing this was many reasons: future upgradeability, more robust storage capability, video/photo conversion and editing, programming, and of course some gaming. As I priced the current top of the line iMac, I realized that I could get much more future proofing for a little more $.

Thank you all for you inputs; hope this thread will be useful for others!