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2017 iMac refresh wish list [merged]
- Thread starter Sirmausalot
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I don't know what desktop components you are talking about. It has desktop CPUs, a best in class screen, the fastest solid state drive around. The only thing you can be talking about is a desktop class GPU. That has NEVER been part of the design of the iMac unless it were several times as think to accommodate GPU cooling. The thinness hasn't affected anything in the most current models. I suppose if you want it thicker, we could go back to an internal DVD drive....
Eventually it will have thinner bezels and/or a larger screen and still the same type of components. Not sure when that will be.
I don't recall ever seeing an iMac design leak. I don't believe the design of the new Pro (circa 2013) leaked either.
If you read what I said, I was talking about the 'pro' iMac that has been suggested by Apple, which would need to include a desktop GPU, in my estimation. Also I was referring to the post I quoted on 'desktop components', and was repeating their phrase.
Who said I want thicker also? I said I wouldn't mind it being thicker to get the best components in there [plus decent cooling]. It is stupidly thin for a desktop and does not need to be.
How many cores do people want in their iMac Pro?
I want 6 min. but with i9 i wonder how many more we will be able to get for a "reasonable" price?
8?
Will we see an option for 12 core with the i9 or is that model cpu still too far into server spec / power territory ?
8 cores and a desktop class GPU would make be happy happy.
I want 6 min. but with i9 i wonder how many more we will be able to get for a "reasonable" price?
8?
Will we see an option for 12 core with the i9 or is that model cpu still too far into server spec / power territory ?
8 cores and a desktop class GPU would make be happy happy.
In what way is it 'out innovating' Apple apart from adding pen support to the screen which most people don't need?
I have seriously considered the Studio, as I sketch a lot, do markups, edit photos etc, but at the same time find it impossible to justify the additional $2000 over an iMac [full SSD], for a computer that has a spinning HD......... innovation right there.
I can just get a new 16" Wacom and iMac and have a better expereince at the same price.
It's easy to out-do the Surface Studio. Just re-release the current 27" iMac, and voila 
The Surface Studio is a cool looking piece of crap.
The Surface Studio is a cool looking piece of crap.
The Studio's design does nothing for me and I don't want to see the iMac limited even more in hardware CPU and GPU to fit the design constraints of the Studio to offer me functionality I have no need for and no desire to pay extra for.
I'm somewhat glad that it seems to have tanked in the market (based on the Studio group's steep decline in sales subsequent to it's release) since it should hopefully dissuade Apple from trying to "innovate" like it.
Dont get me wrong on it - I would have bought it instantly if it was pure SSD and had a Nvidia 1080 / 1070 slapped in it.
The functionality of the screen is good [for a minority like me], but the pricing is poor for the specs of the actual computer, and doesn't really make sense financially.
I told MS directly that in no way was I spending that much money on old tech. I think the Gen 2 will be more competitive.
But yes, if you have no need for the pen input on screen, there is absolutely no way the Studio a good buy.
One thing I do hope Apple takes from the Surface Studio is putting the all of the computer components in the base, rather than trying to fit everything behind the screen like it is now. Also, RAM should be easily upgradable, same with the HDD.
IMO, ALL of the base model iMacs should come with a decent dedicated GPU and the maxed out models should have a VR ready setup. Most importantly, eGPU plug and play support should be standard on ALL Apple products with TB3 ports, right down to the little MacBook. Hopefully eGPU support comes with the next version of Max OS.
Now is Apples chance to prove that they care about the Pro market.
IMO, ALL of the base model iMacs should come with a decent dedicated GPU and the maxed out models should have a VR ready setup. Most importantly, eGPU plug and play support should be standard on ALL Apple products with TB3 ports, right down to the little MacBook. Hopefully eGPU support comes with the next version of Max OS.
Now is Apples chance to prove that they care about the Pro market.
This doesn't make sense to me. There is a lot more room to place everything behind the screen than trying to squish it into a tiny base. The studio uses a laptop processor, not a desktop one like the iMac. The studio only did this because the whole screen had to swivel about the base so it could go into drawing mode.
The hail Mary pass for Apple. I can't see how Apple doesn't see this as one of the better short term covers for a delayed Mac Pro and how to give more graphical power to the iMac. Painting themselves into a thermal corner covers the iMac as much as the Mac Pro GPU wise. Apple pushed to have PCIe, storage etc all be e yet sl and hooked up via TB, so why not allow GPU the same?
It is the obvious solution for Apple for both MacBook Pro and the iMac, and would unlock a lot of power whilst keeping fans in check and slimmer builds.
Saw that MSI? are doing a 1080ti with USB C out too. Perfect solution for an Apple eGPU.......
WWDC would also be the perfect place to launch something like this as it would be the right place to get developers on board with it.
However, I still would be surprised to see them do this as they do like to hamper power in one way or another for inexplicable reasons. One thing to note though that it wasn't dismissed previously, so there is a chance. Fingers crossed as it would make me a very happy customer [not so happy right now.......].
My guess is they're wanting the iMac Pro to come with an 8K screen, which supposedly they're working on right now. It would be a smarter move than to stuff an more powerful GPU into an AIO without upgrading the screen as well.
The only thing that would change when using desktop components is the GPU, the desktop and mobile versions are so similar performance (at least with Nvidia), that it's not as important as it used to be. But if they did, then they would be able to fit it in without adding thickness.
Use this for comparison. A Razer Core is JUST a carrier for a desktop GPU card with cooling. It is roughly 12" X 5" X 1.7" Can you imagine fitting something like that into the internals of an iMac for the past 5 or 10 years? We're not talking like they could add two inches to the back and it would be fine. That's a lot of space, a noisy fan, and a LOT of heat. Maybe adding 3 inches of thickness to the entire case would do it? And what percentage of users need or could afford a desktop class GPU in their iMac (I do, but I get along with the mobile version). So they have to create an entirely new case for a minority of users adding to shipping and production costs. It makes no sense and I'm not sure why this is still part of the discussion....
However, as was pointed out, the mobile and integrated chips keep improving, and I think at a slightly faster rate than the demands placed on them (feel free to discuss). And external GPU options should be viable with the next iMac.
Best scenario for me...announced in June with availability in September. But the "old" one gets an immediate discount. And I snap up an "old" one.
Depending on how Apple positions storage going forward, removing the HDD would open up some internal volume that might be used to improve packaging and/or cooling. Perhaps they do this on the 27" model (so the baseline becomes $1899-1999 with a 256GB SSD with 512GB/1TB/2TB options) while leaving the 21.5" model with HDD options (preferably only as part of a Fusion Drive configuration).
That wouldn't be the case as they do not just stick in a regular desktop GPU into the casing. It would be in a custom package. Think of it like their flash storage - they don't use the cased 2.5" SSDs but instead use the custom PCIe sticks that are much more compact.
And if they did choose to stick in a standard desktop card, this GTX 1070 is a good example of how they aren't all bulky:
Now I am not saying they wouldn't increase thickness if using a desktop card, but rather than they wouldn't need to with an internal redesign. The prospect of "to create an entirely new case for a minority of users" does make sense because they have announced new tiers for professional users and the iMac is due for a redesign, with this year being likely for that to happen.
I think if Apple went with the mobile GeForce GTX 1000-series, there wouldn't be many complaints with regards to power.
In a sense it would be nonsensical to put an HDD in the model that have the less room for it. But since Apple always associate lower specs to smaller screens, they won't care about this pesky detail.
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The 3 last generations of high-end iMacs had GPUs that were rated at up to 125W.