I am in the same position as you. I would really like to see Quad-Cores in the iMac. I doubt we'll see it this next time around though. I don't think it is a matter of will they but when will they. In order to keep the iMac competitive I'm assuming Apple will make this a reality at some point. Hopefully sooner than later.
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Apple iMac 2010 - What would you like to see changed?
- Thread starter MacAndy74
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I am in the same position as you. I would really like to see Quad-Cores in the iMac. I doubt we'll see it this next time around though. I don't think it is a matter of will they but when will they. In order to keep the iMac competitive I'm assuming Apple will make this a reality at some point. Hopefully sooner than later.
Here are things what I think will be in next iMacs.
CPU
-"Arrandale" code named mobile Core iX series. Uses the Nehalem technology.
- 2.66GHz (3.33GHz with Turbo) used in high-end (Core i7) or BTO option
- 2.53GHz and 2.4GHz used in low and mid level (Core i5)
GPU
- Arrandale includes IGP so that may be the only GPU in low-end if additional GPU added, then G110M/G120M
- GT230M/GT240M in mid level
- GTS250M in high-end, GTS260M or even GTX260M as a BTO option
RAM
- Same 1066MHz DDR3 RAM. No changes
- Same amount too
Hard drives
- Option for 1.5TB/2TB drive, otherwise quite same
- SSD, hmm, maybe. Problem is that most of the SSDs are 2.5" while iMacs uses 3.5" drives. Possibility of dual SSDs or 2.5" HDs would be nice, but I doubt it.
When?
- Early 2010, Q1 or early Q2 (Jan-Apr)
Price
- About 100$ cheaper than current gens, same as MacBook Pros.
*********************
iMac models:
- 20" screen
- 2.4GHz Arrandale processor
- IGP (+ G110M/120M)
- 2GB DDR3 RAM (option for up to 8GB)
- 500GB HD (option for 1TB/2TB)
* 999$
- 24" screen
- Same as above but 4GB RAM and 1TB HD
* 1299$
- 24" screen
- 2.53GHz Arrandale processor (option for 2.66GHz)
- IGP + GT230M or 240 (option for GTS 250M/260M/GTX 260M)
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HD
* 1599$
- 24" screen
- 2.66GHz Arrandale processor
- IGP + GTS 250M/260M/GTX 260M
- 4GB RAM
- 2TB HD
* 1899$
Just my thinking and opinions....
CPU
-"Arrandale" code named mobile Core iX series. Uses the Nehalem technology.
- 2.66GHz (3.33GHz with Turbo) used in high-end (Core i7) or BTO option
- 2.53GHz and 2.4GHz used in low and mid level (Core i5)
GPU
- Arrandale includes IGP so that may be the only GPU in low-end if additional GPU added, then G110M/G120M
- GT230M/GT240M in mid level
- GTS250M in high-end, GTS260M or even GTX260M as a BTO option
RAM
- Same 1066MHz DDR3 RAM. No changes
- Same amount too
Hard drives
- Option for 1.5TB/2TB drive, otherwise quite same
- SSD, hmm, maybe. Problem is that most of the SSDs are 2.5" while iMacs uses 3.5" drives. Possibility of dual SSDs or 2.5" HDs would be nice, but I doubt it.
When?
- Early 2010, Q1 or early Q2 (Jan-Apr)
Price
- About 100$ cheaper than current gens, same as MacBook Pros.
*********************
iMac models:
- 20" screen
- 2.4GHz Arrandale processor
- IGP (+ G110M/120M)
- 2GB DDR3 RAM (option for up to 8GB)
- 500GB HD (option for 1TB/2TB)
* 999$
- 24" screen
- Same as above but 4GB RAM and 1TB HD
* 1299$
- 24" screen
- 2.53GHz Arrandale processor (option for 2.66GHz)
- IGP + GT230M or 240 (option for GTS 250M/260M/GTX 260M)
- 4GB RAM
- 1TB HD
* 1599$
- 24" screen
- 2.66GHz Arrandale processor
- IGP + GTS 250M/260M/GTX 260M
- 4GB RAM
- 2TB HD
* 1899$
Just my thinking and opinions....
i would like to see a complete redesign of the case, to center the screen vertically and create the illusion of it being just a screen.
a blue ray drive would be an obvious next step, despite apple's steps towards all digital media. possibly two disc slots for faster cd rips and burns??
led lighting around the edges of the case with changable colors to match a room or desktop background as well.
black backlit wireless keyboard WITH a number pad.
a blue ray drive would be an obvious next step, despite apple's steps towards all digital media. possibly two disc slots for faster cd rips and burns??
led lighting around the edges of the case with changable colors to match a room or desktop background as well.
black backlit wireless keyboard WITH a number pad.
Are those Arrendale that Hellhammer speak of quad core CPUs?
I hope Blue-Ray would only be a BTO as I sure as hell would not want to pay extra for it. I am making an assumption here that they are more expensive than normal DVD players
I hope Blue-Ray would only be a BTO as I sure as hell would not want to pay extra for it. I am making an assumption here that they are more expensive than normal DVD players
Nope. Dual-cores but four threads. Plus, they are done with 32nm technology which will give ~10-15% better performance for same clock speed
I agree with Hellhammer.
Yum. This is what i'm waiting for. Do you think the screens would be LED backlit also, like their cinema displays?
Yum. This is what i'm waiting for. Do you think the screens would be LED backlit also, like their cinema displays?
I think no. LED is still "future" and used only in few displays atm, so I think, next update won't bring redesign or LED and in late 2010, I guess iMac will get redesigned and LED will be added
The LED is now used across the board in Apple's new products, except the iMac. They even have 24" LED panels in the Cinema Display. I'm actually shocked they didn't switch yet, but as you said they may be waiting for a redesign.
I know but the reason why they added LED to notebooks was that they consume less energy which means longer battery. Also, 13" LED is a lot cheaper than 24". I'm not saying no for LED but it would be too expensive IMO. Looks at 24" LED, it's 4 times more expensive than average display. Okay, it's awesome and very high quality but expensive.
Hellhammer - What about Blu-ray?
I knew someone will ask this sooner than later
Hard to say.. I see Mac Pro being the first one to get it but it won't be updated before mid 2010 (Gulftown), unless Apple adds BR as a BTO. That would mean mid - late 2010 for other Macs. Also, OS X doesn't have Blu-Ray support yet? Or does it? I mean Apple apps don't play BR yet, some 3rd party do, I guess.
Technology is ready but Apple is waiting for something...
Remember guys that all these are my opinions. I'm not Steve so I can not be right in everything
Remember guys that all these are my opinions. I'm not Steve so I can not be right in everything
YOU LIE!
SJ lives in Finland, everyone knows that!
what we should expect
Faster graphics card yes and how about 6 usb slots and 3 firewire. could it be worth trying usb ss slots in preparation and a much bigger hard drive. These cameras are 12mp and come with Hd video and on a full music collection fro your 120gb ipod and it eats up the space
Faster graphics card yes and how about 6 usb slots and 3 firewire. could it be worth trying usb ss slots in preparation and a much bigger hard drive. These cameras are 12mp and come with Hd video and on a full music collection fro your 120gb ipod and it eats up the space
About as much chance as me becoming President of the US ... i.e. absolutely none. It's a "music" event, so will only have iPod and possibly iTunes updates.
It's a "music" event, so will only have iPod and possibly iTunes updates.I like the original points so I will just add to them
- LED Backlit LCD Panels
- 30" Model, 22" model model all with the same graphics/hdd abilities.
- Quad Core Processors,
- much better graphics cards 220m standard 4870 mobilty/ 280m or possibly desktop high end cards if possible or design change to allow this this
- >1TB HD Options, yes but more importantly dual or tri hdd's
- Updated Mighty Mouse
- Black keyed / backlit Keyboard,
- Aluminium Build - File the sharp edges. no bezel at all would be nice.
Apple has to realize that if people are acutally going to give the portabilty of the macbook, they need cutting edge power on there desktop. Thats why the imac is not doing as well as it could. Gamers/ enthusiasts/ pro's would flock to the imac, and the desktop was we know it would make a comeback.
- LED Backlit LCD Panels
- 30" Model, 22" model model all with the same graphics/hdd abilities.
- Quad Core Processors,
- much better graphics cards 220m standard 4870 mobilty/ 280m or possibly desktop high end cards if possible or design change to allow this this
- >1TB HD Options, yes but more importantly dual or tri hdd's
- Updated Mighty Mouse
- Black keyed / backlit Keyboard,
- Aluminium Build - File the sharp edges. no bezel at all would be nice.
Apple has to realize that if people are acutally going to give the portabilty of the macbook, they need cutting edge power on there desktop. Thats why the imac is not doing as well as it could. Gamers/ enthusiasts/ pro's would flock to the imac, and the desktop was we know it would make a comeback.
Honestly doubt this will happen unless they completely redesign the case to make it much smaller. I doubt the 2.66 could even outperform a 3.06ghz core 2 duo for most apps. Also the IGP makes no sense to me to have in an imac.
Hopefully apple can get some custom Arrandale based procs without igp and a higher clock. Or maybe the heat saving of a led display warrants a hotter processor in the same case. If we see a 2.66ghz Arrandale at this price point that would be disappointing. Having a nvidia 260 gpu would be good though but i hope we get an option for a 280 ^^
Keep dreaming
Remember that Arrandale has two cores which can run four threads (virtual cores) and Turbo which goes up to 3.33GHz.
Yea, IGP isn't really needed in iMac but I'm not sure does Intel make one without. Custom Arrandale would be awesome because it tops out at 35W and iMac can handle 45W or even 55W.
Keep dreaming about GTX 280M though
Keep dreaming
Remember that Arrandale has two cores which can run four threads (virtual cores) and Turbo which goes up to 3.33GHz.
Yea, IGP isn't really needed in iMac but I'm not sure does Intel make one without. Custom Arrandale would be awesome because it tops out at 35W and iMac can handle 45W or even 55W.
Keep dreaming about GTX 280M though
Well both last iterations had the top of the line graphics available at the time in em. 8800 and 4850 were both top off the line mobile offerings.
Hell they are offering 4 graphics options now with the 24 inch imac. Which is something i never expected they would do. It's great that they do don't get me wrong.
Hyperthreading is a small performance gain at best the lower clock will still hurt the Arrandale too much. Current 2.66 mac pro does certainly not outperform the old core 2 duo top of the line on everything. Core i7 are only faster with a portion of the applications clock for clock that is. Also Arrandale is 35w and this includes he north bridge and graphics. So that's a lot less then current cpu and north bridge. Would seem silly to mount that in such a large chassis.
Think it will be a led display and a hotter cpu. Or a redesign for a thinner imac which no one really cares about but it will be beautiful to see.
I would love to see a similar design to the G4 iMac. Essentially maybe we could get a cube w/ desktop parts sitting underneath the 24" LED screen. Too bad it won't happen.
I'd like to see a Blu-Ray drive
possibly a new design
a new proper OS (doubtful)
two SATA bays for larger data capacity
the latest graphics cards
larger screen selection (20, 24, 28)
and one thing for the apple store:
To be able to come in and piece together your fully customised imac
But unfortunately macs are already so expensive if we actually got these features the new range could be starting from $3300 - $5000
possibly a new design
a new proper OS (doubtful)
two SATA bays for larger data capacity
the latest graphics cards
larger screen selection (20, 24, 28)
and one thing for the apple store:
To be able to come in and piece together your fully customised imac
But unfortunately macs are already so expensive if we actually got these features the new range could be starting from $3300 - $5000
I just want to see a new design. I like the silver and black look but the bottom bezel is distracting. They don't need to put a big 
logo on the front, the MacBooks don't have it. They can just put "iMac" there and save a lot of space (although, I'm sure the space is there currently for hardware purposes).
logo on the front, the MacBooks don't have it. They can just put "iMac" there and save a lot of space (although, I'm sure the space is there currently for hardware purposes).