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USB 2.0 is slower than both FireWire 400 and FireWire 800.

So Apple's really just going insane, here, basically. They invented FireWire in 1987 and USB 3.0 can't match up to FireWire 3200, so it's not as though they're losing.

I think its just no companies have really picked it up. They even stopped supporting ti on the iPods
 
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Why would you think they are dropping FW 800? It's still on the mbp and will stay on the iMac. FW400 was dropped as it's 1995 tech.
 
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Why would you think they are dropping FW 800? It's still on the mbp and will stay on the iMac. FW400 was dropped as it's 1995 tech.

Well Apple doesn't think normal consumers need Firewire anymore, as seen in the new MacBook line. If I had to guess they are thinking only professionals with Mac Pros need firewire now...
 
Graphic designers use iMacs, so I don't think they'll drop firewire from at least the high-end iMac.
 
Something like this???
iMac.png
 
Why thinner ? Everyone is drooling over talks of quad cores so we can hardly expect a thinner casing. I just love the front Alu casing and would hate to see that go the 24" LED route but everyone has their own opinion. I'd actually prefer to see an Alu back casing aswell (unibody iMac ??) and get rid of that black plastic before they make it glossy. Just put an antenna like the iPod Touch.

:apple:Dal
 
Besides expecting next IMAC models to be quad core and come with SSD disks, it would be nice if the IMAC foot was height adjustable.

Also I hope it will be possible with 2 SSD disks.
 
Think about it.

Dual SSDs.

Quad core Montevina.

Nope. Not happening.

Agreed...

And I personally I don't understand SSDs in destop computers. Most people don't move their desktop computers around when their on so whats the point? Yes, SSDs can last for several years longer than normal HDDs, but most people replace their computer every few years anyways.
 
There are several reasons :

- Much faster speed
- Smaller size
- No heat or noise
- Durability

Maby size, noise and heat doesnt matter to people with hightower cabinets, but I'm talking about the IMAC.
 
Since when has smaller size been WANTED for desktop computers? I'd much rather have a decent amount of space so that I'm not strapped for power.

I don't know, ask Jonny Ive at Apple. If they had free reign to design their own SSD, they'd have much more say to design a even thinner iMac chassis. Instead of a bulky 3.5" industry standard drive taking up a chunk of room dictating the innards of the chassis, they could create all sorts of shapes to fit in any available space. The chassis could then be better optimised for heat exhaust airflow and therefore they could bump up the TDP of processors and or GPUs furthering performance. So while it may not be something wanted directly by consumers, it would allow for things consumers are more interested in, i.e. a more attractive outward design and better CPU/GPU performance.
 
I don't know, ask Jonny Ive at Apple. If they had free reign to design their own SSD, they'd have much more say to design a even thinner iMac chassis. Instead of a bulky 3.5" industry standard drive taking up a chunk of room dictating the innards of the chassis, they could create all sorts of shapes to fit in any available space. The chassis could then be better optimised for heat exhaust airflow and therefore they could bump up the TDP of processors and or GPUs furthering performance. So while it may not be something wanted directly by consumers, it would allow for things consumers are more interested in, i.e. a more attractive outward design and better CPU/GPU performance.

As well as bumping the base price from $1200 to $1600.....SSDs are just too expensive right now in my opinion, they also dont have enough storage.

On Newegg I found the cheapest 128GB SSD there was, and it is $278...128GB is not alot at all, and I would probably need at least 4, which would be over $1000 just for hdd space...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231221
 
As well as bumping the base price from $1200 to $1600.....SSDs are just too expensive right now in my opinion, they also dont have enough storage.

On Newegg I found the cheapest 128GB SSD there was, and it is $278...128GB is not alot at all, and I would probably need at least 4, which would be over $1000 just for hdd space...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231221

Exactly, until they outpace HD's in terms of BOTH price and performance, they aren't going to become mainstream...
 
I think some people here misunderstand me. I am talking about IMAC and not conventonal midi/high tower computers. For me an IMAC is something in between a desktop and a laptop since everything is integrated. Since everything is integrated, there is not much space to go on, at least the way they are designed. Here is where SSD could make a difference.

I recognize that SSD currently has a high price and low capacity. But this looks likely to change in 2009/2010. Don't forget that the IMAC has both firewire and USB2.0 ports, so it's possible to buy a external disk to get more capacity.
 
I think some people here misunderstand me. I am talking about IMAC and not conventonal midi/high tower computers. For me an IMAC is something in between a desktop and a laptop since everything is integrated. Since everything is integrated, there is not much space to go on, at least the way they are designed. Here is where SSD could make a difference.

I recognize that SSD currently has a high price and low capacity. But this looks likely to change in 2009/2010. Don't forget that the IMAC has both firewire and USB2.0 ports, so it's possible to buy a external disk to get more capacity.

Maybe eventually Apple will use SSDs, I just don't see them switching for to them in iMacs for at least 2 years.
 
Having 2 iMacs and 3 HDs between them - neither one is even remotely loud. Actually, the backlight driver on my 24" is louder than the HD working it's @$$ off. I don't understand this noise bit, unless you're using your iMac to crack safes or something. (or if it has a bad drive)

About the durability and lifetime of SSD - having worked with it's predecessors, I'll wait and see on the lifetime bit. Every manufacturer is gong to claim it's the dogs bollocks to make the sale. Personally, I've seen several SSD drives (in a variety of devices) fail over the years. They can withstand shock better (yes), but as for ESD and heat - that remains to be seen.

I've had fewer failures with platters than with solid state. (amazingly)
 
They could make the iMac a unibody as well.. And thus making the back aluminum too, that's what I'm thinking.
 
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