Sorry but I'm not a tech expert and was wondering what does 6800K, 6850K and 6900K that I keep reading about mean and what is their difference exactly?
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iMac 21" and 27" Late 2016 Wishlist vs. Reality
- Thread starter agustinbg
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Currently the highest build to order option on the iMac is the quad core 4.0-4.2 GHz GHz processor Intel names the i7 6700k.
Intel also offers a 3.4->3.6 Ghz six core processor 6800K, a 3.6->3.8 GHz Six core 6850K, an 8 core 3.2->3.7 GHz 6900K, and 10-core 3.0->3.5 GHz 6950x.
The problem is these processors use more power and generate more heat (140W) than the 6700k (91W) and are more expensive, but they were released in 2016.
I'm hoping by removing the HDD option Apple can save enough space to have an improved thermal core to support these, and also fit them in the cost envelope.
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What about the non-retina 21"? Any skylake for that one? Or is it the general idea that it won't get upgraded anymore?
I would love a 6-core iMac Pro... but even with the significant reduction in power on the next gen GPU, I'd be seriously worried about doing anything CPU intensive in a razor thin enclosure with the hotter 6 core chips. If Apple just went with a little more thickness....
C'mon, Jonny Ive. Give us something better at dispersing heat!
Well the latest news is the Kaby Lake processors for the iMac are going to be available sooner than people thought. Some companies are already taking preorders on the Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K. Which is a direct upgrade to the current top of the line Skylake Core i7-6700k.
http://techfrag.com/2016/09/19/intel-kaby-lake-core-i7-7700k-available-pre-order-400/
If this is true the next top of line iMac will likely be:
- Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K
- AMD Radeon RX 480
- USB 3.1/TB3
http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles...ntel-kaby-lake-chipset-sky-lake-processor.htm
I wish they would put a dedicated GPU back into the 21.5 inch iMac! That is why I still have my late 2013 model with Nvidia 750M card and have not gotten a new one and I don't like the 27 inch one.
I don't know why they pulled the dGPU, but from reviews, and what I've read, people have noticed some lagging issues. Not everyone and for many folks it may be enough which is possibly why apple did it, i.e., "good enough"
I can say the current iris pro is better or equal to the 750m. I've noticed nothing but either equivalent performance or slightly better fps in games/apps with the retina 4K iMac.
With that said, I'd like to see at least a BTO for a GPU option. Maybe the model they'd go with doesn't offer much of a difference.
Main thing I'm waiting for is USB-C and 1TB SSD
I have a first-gem MB 12" and I don't want to have to deal with different connectors.
My late 2009 top of the line iMac and it's hanging in there, but just barely...
I have a first-gem MB 12" and I don't want to have to deal with different connectors.
My late 2009 top of the line iMac and it's hanging in there, but just barely...
Many of us are expecting for Apple to announce new iMacs in October. As most of us think, there is a huge probability that the 27' will receive just a minor update (as it's as one of the most up-to-date macs); however, the 21' really needs to catch up.
It's always entertaining to guess what is Apple planning to do, as well to picture what the perfect update for the iMac would be; so I'll write my list of what I want from the new iMac vs. what I think it's going to happen.
Note: It's my own wishlist, I know that some people will hate some of my wishes but, hey, it's just for fun (finally, Apple will make whatever they want)
Design-wise:
(1) Power button on the Apple Logo. I really hate to press the button on the back; it's not super hard to do, but given Apple's obsession on usability, it could be a good idea. Reality: I don't think that's gonna happen. Not sure everyone loves the idea and besides it's not a function used frequently (to be honest, I use it once every month, tops).
(2) Less non-screen space on the front (thinner chin and bezels). I love the iMac design as it's (I even think it's an iconic design); but I'd really love my iMac not to use so much space compared to the screen size. Heck, I don't care if it's not super thin (besides, you end up using a lot of back space because of the stand). Reality: Unless Apple makes a full redesign, they won't change anything that needs a lot of engineering (and a big redesign is unlikely having so many products to update in 2016).
(3) Glass, acrylic or something more than aluminium. I love aluminium, I really do and I don't want it to go anywhere. But hey, why not to add something else? Remember the Power Mac G4 Cube; it looked amazing with the translucent material. Reality: Jonny Ive and the Apple Design Team are more focused on the iPhone and Apple Watch (understandable as those are products that are mostly sold because of the new design that makes you look trendier than your friends; opposed to a desktop computer which is used mainly to work).
(4) Colors! The iPhone 6S color options would look amazing on the current design of the iMac! Reality: it's a real possibility as we currently have color MacBooks!
Accessories-wise:
(5) Bigger and backlit keyboard: It's a desktop keyboard and it feels like a notebook one (not that it's super hard to type in , but come on). I mean, it even looks kinda weird to have such a small keyboard besides a super huge computer (see point 2).
Why not to offer Pro Keyboard: backlit and bigger. I'd not mind to have it plugged all the time or charge it more often than the regular one. Sometimes I switch to my MacBook Pro in the night to write better. Reality: Backlit keyboard COULD be a possibility if they manage to develop a better battery (because I don't see Apple going back to wired accessories) or maybe they go crazy and release one even if it doesn't last charged for a lot. Crossing my fingers.
Performance-wise:
(6) Bigger SSD in Fussion Drive and no more pure HDD. We all know HDD are something from the past (at least as primary working storage); why is Apple holding to that technology (they don't seem to care to drop technologies, eg: 3.5mm jack on the iPhone, optical drive on the iMac, ¡even almost every port on the macbooks). But HDD is still there. Why Apple? Why?
And Fussion Drive 1TB is just a rip-off. It's a HDD with an SSD so small that almost every USB Flash Drive could beat it. It just makes the startup a little faster, but that's it. Fussion Drive should start at least with a 128GB SSD.
(Note) GPU and Processor is just meh for me. I'm a web developer and designer (I make motion graphics and video editing occasionally); and from experience I can tell that my macs never feel old nor they underperform or get stupidly slow (besides from the HDD point I mentioned earlier). Most of people use it for tasks that don't require so much power; and let's be honest, if you want to play AAA games, don't buy a mac!
So, for me; minor upgrades in this department are fine. BUT... if Apple doesn't want to lose its PRO USERS (animators, hardcore video editing, scientists who make complex simulations and, eventually, any user who wants to have the last in technology), they should keep on pair with the edge tech (even if it's as upgradable components).
Those were my wishes; and yours?
Greetings!
Many of us are expecting for Apple to announce new iMacs in October. As most of us think, there is a huge probability that the 27' will receive just a minor update (as it's as one of the most up-to-date macs); however, the 21' really needs to catch up.
It's always entertaining to guess what is Apple planning to do, as well to picture what the perfect update for the iMac would be; so I'll write my list of what I want from the new iMac vs. what I think it's going to happen.
Note: It's my own wishlist, I know that some people will hate some of my wishes but, hey, it's just for fun (finally, Apple will make whatever they want)
Design-wise:
(1) Power button on the Apple Logo. I really hate to press the button on the back; it's not super hard to do, but given Apple's obsession on usability, it could be a good idea. Reality: I don't think that's gonna happen. Not sure everyone loves the idea and besides it's not a function used frequently (to be honest, I use it once every month, tops).
(2) Less non-screen space on the front (thinner chin and bezels). I love the iMac design as it's (I even think it's an iconic design); but I'd really love my iMac not to use so much space compared to the screen size. Heck, I don't care if it's not super thin (besides, you end up using a lot of back space because of the stand). Reality: Unless Apple makes a full redesign, they won't change anything that needs a lot of engineering (and a big redesign is unlikely having so many products to update in 2016).
(3) Glass, acrylic or something more than aluminium. I love aluminium, I really do and I don't want it to go anywhere. But hey, why not to add something else? Remember the Power Mac G4 Cube; it looked amazing with the translucent material. Reality: Jonny Ive and the Apple Design Team are more focused on the iPhone and Apple Watch (understandable as those are products that are mostly sold because of the new design that makes you look trendier than your friends; opposed to a desktop computer which is used mainly to work).
(4) Colors! The iPhone 6S color options would look amazing on the current design of the iMac! Reality: it's a real possibility as we currently have color MacBooks!
Accessories-wise:
(5) Bigger and backlit keyboard: It's a desktop keyboard and it feels like a notebook one (not that it's super hard to type in , but come on). I mean, it even looks kinda weird to have such a small keyboard besides a super huge computer (see point 2).
Why not to offer Pro Keyboard: backlit and bigger. I'd not mind to have it plugged all the time or charge it more often than the regular one. Sometimes I switch to my MacBook Pro in the night to write better. Reality: Backlit keyboard COULD be a possibility if they manage to develop a better battery (because I don't see Apple going back to wired accessories) or maybe they go crazy and release one even if it doesn't last charged for a lot. Crossing my fingers.
Performance-wise:
(6) Bigger SSD in Fussion Drive and no more pure HDD. We all know HDD are something from the past (at least as primary working storage); why is Apple holding to that technology (they don't seem to care to drop technologies, eg: 3.5mm jack on the iPhone, optical drive on the iMac, ¡even almost every port on the macbooks). But HDD is still there. Why Apple? Why?
And Fussion Drive 1TB is just a rip-off. It's a HDD with an SSD so small that almost every USB Flash Drive could beat it. It just makes the startup a little faster, but that's it. Fussion Drive should start at least with a 128GB SSD.
(Note) GPU and Processor is just meh for me. I'm a web developer and designer (I make motion graphics and video editing occasionally); and from experience I can tell that my macs never feel old nor they underperform or get stupidly slow (besides from the HDD point I mentioned earlier). Most of people use it for tasks that don't require so much power; and let's be honest, if you want to play AAA games, don't buy a mac!
So, for me; minor upgrades in this department are fine. BUT... if Apple doesn't want to lose its PRO USERS (animators, hardcore video editing, scientists who make complex simulations and, eventually, any user who wants to have the last in technology), they should keep on pair with the edge tech (even if it's as upgradable components).
Those were my wishes; and yours?
Greetings!
I'm waiting for TB3, as the Razer GPU external box opens up all sorts of possibilities for me as GPU rendering engines are popping up everywhere.
Damn it, I forgot to put Intel NIC on my wishlist.
I'm curious, what does this get us that the current NIC doesn't?
Intel based NIC's tend to be more mature, better offloading, better interrupt handling, and more consistent throughput. Granted most of my experience with all the NIC's are in other operating systems and I've had many different NIC's on my desk.. But you can be rest assured that the Intel NIC will saturate a gigabit connection with few resources spent. I rely on a high-end FreeNAS device for mass storage and the speed copying multi-gigabyte files is extremely important. I have zero machines with hard disks in them besides the 6 in the NAS.
I was reading the Ars Technica review of Sierra and this paragraph really struck home regarding Apple's interest in their computer division.
It has been a long time since the Mac was Apple's favorite child, and there are places in Sierra (like the Messages app) where it clearly feels like Mac users are getting a second-tier experience compared to people on iOS. Add in the Mac’s stale, aging hardware lineup and Apple’s total lack of communication about it, and there seem to be real problems for the Mac as a platform.
It has been a long time since the Mac was Apple's favorite child, and there are places in Sierra (like the Messages app) where it clearly feels like Mac users are getting a second-tier experience compared to people on iOS. Add in the Mac’s stale, aging hardware lineup and Apple’s total lack of communication about it, and there seem to be real problems for the Mac as a platform.
I was at an Apple Core yesterday and I asked a sales person about the coming update. He was quite snippy with me and told me he doubted imacs would be updated before next year and that they were plenty fast enough now. I think if we don't hear something in the next 2 weeks he likely might be right.
Eh, that sucks...I already waited a whole year for the rumored 2016 iMac, I can't wait another one.
Such a shame the Polaris gpu is so much better than the current gpu line, now I'm forced to purchase a dated machine that is not VR ready just like my first iMac that lacked TB ports before the next update that included TB.
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Apple will update them very soon. It's embarrassing that Oculus dropped support, the bare min specs for the next generation will almost definitely be VR ready.
Of, course, they could be holding off until they release their own VR system. Forcing people who want the next Apple toy to shell out on a new VR ready iMac.
Of, course, they could be holding off until they release their own VR system. Forcing people who want the next Apple toy to shell out on a new VR ready iMac.
Dropped or never supported?
I agree, though that if wants to be part of the VR world (and they should be), then we need to see some better spec'd computers
It was supported in the early days of development, but they dropped support in 2015 after it became clear the iMac was just not powerful enough.
Ok, thanks for the clarification. I was unaware of that little tidbit. I guess that makes it that much bitter, i.e., they wanted to support Macs, but the performance isn't there
It was a shame they dropped support, but they said even the Mac pro wasn't powerful enough in the end. If I remember correctly Lucky palmer said Oculus would come to Mac once they released a 'good' computer. Now that the newer generation GPU's are here, it should be possible to meet the min requirements without massive cost increases or bizarre design changes.
For me the most important things are:
1. Operation as quiet (usually silent) as my late 2013 27"iMac.
2. Half-decent graphics card options. Probably conflicts with the first wish, especially since it looks like AMD for graphics again.
3. Reasonably prices SSD options. I expect a decent markup, but $500 for 500GB SSD is insulting to the customer in 2016.
Would be nice: Chinless design and/or smaller bezel, more USB ports.
Fantasyland: Full sized bluetooth keyboard with numerical keypad.
1. Operation as quiet (usually silent) as my late 2013 27"iMac.
2. Half-decent graphics card options. Probably conflicts with the first wish, especially since it looks like AMD for graphics again.
3. Reasonably prices SSD options. I expect a decent markup, but $500 for 500GB SSD is insulting to the customer in 2016.
Would be nice: Chinless design and/or smaller bezel, more USB ports.
Fantasyland: Full sized bluetooth keyboard with numerical keypad.
So what happened to the statement earlier in the year from Tim Cook that we can expect exciting new products from Apple this year. It's almost the end of October and still nothing. Perhaps I've slept through it but I don't see much that's exciting or new. The iPhone wasn't really an upgrade, ditto the daft watch idea.
Looking at all the construction for Apple Campus 2 ("the space ship") it makes you wonder what they want to cook up in those buildings:
- Car project is going nowhere
- Zero innovation on laptops and desktops
- Same iPhone model for the past 3 years
- iPad, all they could think is a bigger screen and a pen
Sometimes I think, Apple just buy SpaceX and go for the next frontier.