2017 iMac refresh wish list [merged]

[PatriotInvasion]

Yes, this would be a great event for Apple - refresheses on the macbook and imac together with the new ipad [hopefully in matt black ]. Reduced bezel on the imac would be great, together with all the spec upgrades.
I will be getting a maxed imac and 10" ipad after this event, if the Surface Studio doesn't take my heart [which it does every time I see a video on it].

The Surface Studio promo video is tremendous, but keep reminding yourself it is $3,000 starting, has no Thunderbolt 3/USB-C (the future as far as ports are concerned), and worst of all, runs Windows.

 

[richinaus]

Th Surface Studio promo video is tremendous, but keep reminding yourself it is $3,000 starting, has no Thunderbolt 3/USB-C (the future as far as ports are concerned), and worst of all, runs Windows.

Its the same price as an imac really and can live without the ports, but I agree should have them. In reality though $$ is not the influencing factor for me, as I earn my money from these machines.
Win 10 is pretty good I think and not much in it with MacOS. I have been using the 2 operating systems in parallel for over 20 odd years now, and feel that Windows is now a good solid modern OS and a fine choice. I have to use Windows apps most days as they are not on the mac, and never have a problem with windows, so am happy to go down that route.
Although my preference is always a mac - just more elegant.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Its the same price as an imac really and can live without the ports, but I agree should have them. In reality though $$ is not the influencing factor for me, as I earn my money from these machines.
Win 10 is pretty good I think and not much in it with MacOS. I have been using the 2 operating systems in parallel for over 20 odd years now, and feel that Windows is now a good solid modern OS and a fine choice. I have to use Windows apps most days as they are not on the mac, and never have a problem with windows, so am happy to go down that route.
Although my preference is always a mac - just more elegant.

Huh? The 5K iMac starts at $1,799 vs $2,999 for the Studio. If you BTO a 5K iMac with the base specs of the Studio, the price difference is nearly $1,000.

 

[richinaus]

Huh? The 5K iMac starts at $1,799 vs $2,999 for the Studio. If you BTO a 5K iMac with the base specs of the Studio, the price difference is nearly $1,000.

I think I had been looking at the top end prices as never look at base specs, and also may not have included the 10% GST here in Aus. Looking at it, seems a reasonable comparison to me - not sure how it compares in US$ though.

As I say makes no difference to me - all about productivity. That $1000 is actually $600 after tax deductions and that can be earned very quickly. I don't buy computers for emoji's etc.

 

[macmee]

Huh? The 5K iMac starts at $1,799 vs $2,999 for the Studio. If you BTO a 5K iMac with the base specs of the Studio, the price difference is nearly $1,000.

yeah but the surface studio:

1. is a touch screen
2. does not suffer from image retention which the imac certainly does for lots of us here

you would probably have to pay me money if you wanted me to buy another iMac, after the image retention fiasco I've gone through, and witnessed many (not even just several, literally many) others go through here, as we tried to get apple to fix our in some cases $4,000 computers.

honestly it wouldnt surprise me if this ^ results in another class action because IMO this:

is false advertising when the reality is actually this:

http://www.pixedelic.com/blog/imac-screen-issues/

and this

https://medium.com/mobile-lifestyle...another-apple-product-87c4e5572993#.1wm6oxcpj

and this

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...se-no-image-persistence-issues.1969089/page-5

and this

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/retina-imac-image-retention.1853972/

and this

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rsistence-issues.1969089/page-5#post-23932444

and this

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rsistence-issues.1969089/page-5#post-23931613

and all of these

http://www.imagepersistence.com/

 

[OurDarkness]

How do I find out if the panel comes from Samsung or LG?

 

[fokmik]

yeah but the surface studio:

1. is a touch screen
2. does not suffer from image retention which the imac certainly does for lots of us here


om/

How do you know studio is not suffer from image retention, since i had it in my last year surfacebook ?!

 

[CWallace]

How do you know studio is not suffer from image retention, since i had it in my last year surfacebook ?!

Because the screens are so new, they have not had time to retain an image?

Seriously, I agree at this time it's likely too early to declare definitively that all Surface Studio screens are going to be perpetually flawless. For example, I don't recall any of the initial iMac 5K reviews noting retention issues - it is an issue that occurred over time to a small portion of the user base.

 

[macmee]

Because the screens are so new, they have not had time to retain an image?

Seriously, I agree at this time it's likely too early to declare definitively that all Surface Studio screens are going to be perpetually flawless. For example, I don't recall any of the initial iMac 5K reviews noting retention issues - it is an issue that occurred over time to a small portion of the user base.

the studio has the computer in a box separated from the display, so heat from the CPU and GPU wont damage the internal display.

 

[Dave245]

What i'd like to see in the 2017 iMac is the Touch Bar being implemented in some way, maybe in the keyboard by removing the function keys just like they did with the new MacBook Pro, what i don't think they should do is a touch screen iMac or Mac in general, i don't think they will, Phil Schiller, Tim Cook and other Apple executives have been vocal on the idea. I also think we may see a redesign, it's last design was 2012. Other than that i'm happy with the 5K iMac they produce

 

[fokmik]

i hope the next iMac to have the same speakers like they put into LG ultrafine 4k and 5k

 

[askunk]

The Surface looks really nice for its niche, but I wouldn't see myself spending hours standing or even sitting while stretching my arms to reach the far corners of the screen. Switching from trackpad/mouse to screen would slow down my workflow.

Although not the same thing as with an attached screen like the MBP, the toolbar would help to add keyboard shortcuts that required a few clicks and moving the hands from the keyboard. Since it would be mainly oriented to pro users, I would expect it to be a wireless one with numeric keypad, which would give more surface to place batteries under, plus touchID!

Moreover, bear in mind that the Surface pen doesn't work as smooth as the Apple Pencil, it lags and has proximity problems. GPU is slow and resolution far from the on on the iMac.

TB3 is a great choice. You're buying a computer and expect it to last 4-5 years on average. Think of 2 years from now, even just one: all new peripherals are going to support the USB-C standard for so many reasons. Already a lot are coming out with it.

@

 

[richinaus]

The Surface looks really nice for its niche, but I wouldn't see myself spending hours standing or even sitting while stretching my arms to reach the far corners of the screen. Switching from trackpad/mouse to screen would slow down my workflow.

Although not the same thing as with an attached screen like the MBP, the toolbar would help to add keyboard shortcuts that required a few clicks and moving the hands from the keyboard. Since it would be mainly oriented to pro users, I would expect it to be a wireless one with numeric keypad, which would give more surface to place batteries under, plus touchID!

Moreover, bear in mind that the Surface pen doesn't work as smooth as the Apple Pencil, it lags and has proximity problems. GPU is slow and resolution far from the on on the iMac.

TB3 is a great choice. You're buying a computer and expect it to last 4-5 years on average. Think of 2 years from now, even just one: all new peripherals are going to support the USB-C standard for so many reasons. Already a lot are coming out with it.

@

You will find many people in the past did the actions you are describing on a drawing board - I did it myself when first at University, and had no issues. If the dial was implemented well [ruler, perspective guide, adjustable angle] it would be amazing for sketch designs and drawing quick details. It would be the constant cleaning of the screen which would frustrate me.
It all depends on the work you are doing and using the right tool on the right task.

For example, marking up drawings is a big job for architects and they spend a long time doing it. Most of the time I would do this with A3 drawings on paper, however could easily see this process being improved on a Surface Studio.
Very useful indeed.

The surface pen is fine for most things I have found in testing however, yes the Apple Pencil is better.

I do agree though with things I have read, like it is underpowered, lacks up to date ports etc. Although it does remain a compelling option for those, like me, who can see direct benefits from it, in their day to day process.

I am also looking at the new 16" Cintiq that is coming out soon - this may be a reasonable alternative and mean the macs stay for a while longer Not the same as a large 28" screen though and the dial could be the killer 'app' for the studio.

 

[fokmik]

to use the pen on that big surface, you need to stand up to have a least good experience...yes for artists/designers will be a good buy, but for mainstream not

 

[Juicy Box]

Why not go back to a G4 style. Can have a super thin screen and you don't have to deal with taking the display apart to fix the computer itself. It's gotta be a pain for Apple staff to repair the iMacs, especiallly the current ones with having to reapply the tape.

I suggested this a while back on the forum. Either a new iMac that is built like the G4, or a retro model iMac G4 that has modern hardware.

The iMac G4 was the most beautiful and best design Desktop ever imo.

It would be nice, but I doubt it will happen.

It is funny too, because MS's new desktop is very similar to the G4 design. It is rare for me to like anything from MS, but it seems like they are coming out with some nice stuff.

Too bad it runs Windows.

 

[richinaus]

I suggested this a while back on the forum. Either a new iMac that is built like the G4, or a retro model iMac G4 that has modern hardware.

The iMac G4 was the most beautiful and best design Desktop ever imo.

It would be nice, but I doubt it will happen.

It is funny too, because MS's new desktop is very similar to the G4 design. It is rare for me to like anything from MS, but it seems like they are coming out with some nice stuff.

Too bad it runs Windows.

I always find it amusing when people say the iMac G4 was their favourite - for me it was awful and couldn't stand the dome shape, and hence never bought one. The arm was amazing though. Of course, I appreciate everyone has different taste, so its all good.

The principle of the design for MS is similar to the iMac G4 but I would say their influence was more a drawing board - and went back to basics. If I was given the same brief to design it, this is what I would have done and not really dwelled upon the G4 too much. You take some influence but a fresh approach gets the best results, which they have done.

I really am looking forward to next year, as am committed to buying a desktop and am open to the Studio or iMac, depending which is better [I hope the iMac is in a lot of ways, but really don't expect much].

 

[WojWojski]

The above link is for a review video of the new MS Surface Studio. It looks stunning. Microsoft have beat Apple at their own game.

However, I've decided I'm gonna wait for Apple to release the new iMac sometimes next year...If it doesn't wow me and is more expensive than current models then I shall be waving goodbye to Apple's desktop computers. They seem to have a big problem with innovation recently and it's as though I'm not the only one feeling this way. Not to mention to diabolical and unnecessary price increases in the UK.

 

[fokmik]

He has many flaws, if you are an artist, this is the device for you

 

[CWallace]

Not to mention to diabolical and unnecessary price increases in the UK.

Since BREXIT the GBP has lost a fair amount of it's prior value against the USD so it's not a surprise UK prices are rising.

 

[askunk]

Actually, Apple has risen even the euro pricing. It seems they're getting back the 13 billion euros they owe in evaded taxes from Europeans (and Britons)...

 

[CWallace]

Actually, Apple has risen even the euro pricing. It seems they're getting back the 13 billion euros they owe in evaded taxes from Europeans (and Britons)...

Well the Euro/USD exchange rate has also been bouncing around the past year and has been on a steep(er) decline the past month, overall down about 8% from the intra-year high (half of the GBP's fall).

 

[Dave245]

Does anyone think that Apple will give the 2017 iMac a big update? redesign maybe? since it will have been 5 years since the 2012 iMac that was redesigned.

 

[Juicy Box]

Does anyone think that Apple will give the 2017 iMac a big update? redesign maybe? since it will have been 5 years since the 2012 iMac that was redesigned.

I have wondered this also, but a redesign could ruin the iMac.

Who knows what today's Apple might do. I doubt they will make it thicker, more likely thinner. Probably with last year's hardware, maybe increased cost more. Oh yeah, a emoji bar on the keyboard that would cause the price of the keyboard to increase.

 

[Dave245]

I have wondered this also, but a redesign could ruin the iMac.

Who knows what today's Apple might do. I doubt they will make it thicker, more likely thinner. Probably with last year's hardware, maybe increased cost more. Oh yeah, a emoji bar on the keyboard that would cause the price of the keyboard to increase.

I do think it's possible they will do a redesign, if they were just going to improve the specs I think they would of done that this year. I don't expect it to be a completely different form factor, the iMac is great the way it is. I currently have the 27" 2012 iMac and I love it, however if they do a redesign and or something new next year I will probably upgrade. That 5K screen alone might be worth it!

 

[Juicy Box]

I do think it's possible they will do a redesign, if they were just going to improve the specs I think they would of done that this year. I don't expect it to be a completely different form factor, the iMac is great the way it is. I currently have the 27" 2012 iMac and I love it, however if they do a redesign and or something new next year I will probably upgrade. That 5K screen alone might be worth it!

I also have a Late 2012 27" iMac. I would also like a 5K iMac, if Apple would put decent graphics in it. The app I use most, would not benefit from the 5K, I would have to reduce it, atleast with the current iMac.