Liklihood of 23" iMac vs Front Row on Mac Minis?

[Damek]

Hey - I've been a happy iBook user for over a year now and I'm planning on buying a Mac to replace my current years-old hodgepodge server/DVD player/DVR/screen setup (where I watch TV, movies, listen to music, etc.) Basically, looking to finally get a big Mac, and with it, replace about 5 different boxes and tons of wires with one box.

Thing is, I'm waiting for them to go to Intel (not going to change my mind on that) and I'm just sitting here today idly wondering two things, and thought I'd spout off randomly to the MacRumors community and see what people think:

1) What's the likelihood of Apple having a 23" or 24" iMac with Front Row within the next year?

2) What's the likelihood of Apple having remotes & Front Row on the Mac Minis within the next year?

Because my current screen is a Samsung 210T that my server, DVR, and DVD player are all plugged into, which is 4:3, 21" (about 16.8 x 12.6 inches) and I'm used to seeing video at that size. I'd ideally like to just get a big iMac next year and use it as my DVD player/server/DVR (via EyeTV). But, by my calculations, the current 20" iMac would make 4:3 video much smaller (about 13 x 9.8 inches, or akin to a 16-inch 4:3 screen). I don't want to effectively downgrade to a smaller TV.

So anyway, that leaves me wondering about the likelihood of an iMac with a larger screen (25" would give 4:3 video at the same size, 23" or 24" would be acceptable), or the Mac Mini with remote and Front Row, so I could get my own screen separately, though I'd prefer a larger iMac as it would be two less cables and one less box cluttering up my apartment. Both seem a logical next step at some point, but I'd have no idea when, and Apple tends to not always do what seems logical to me anyway, so...

I know, I know, wait and see - I'm just wondering what others think the possibilities here are? You know, the desire to daydream and all...

 

[Demon Hunter]

I know, I know, wait and see - I'm just wondering what others think the possibilities here are? You know, the desire to daydream and all...

Ah yes... PowerBook G5 next tuesday...

I don't think a 23"+ iMac would happen, simply because it might canniablize Cinema Display sales. It seems very likely, however, that new Macs will either include a remote or it will be offered separately, in a package with FrontRow perhaps.

By the time the Intels come around, a Mac Mini+30" Cinema may be viable!

 

[mr_matalino]

iMacs have progressively increased in screen size (15" to 17" to 20") and it's a possibality that it COULD go 23" but it won't be anytime soon. If they can find a way to fit an iMac into a bloated 23" ACD that would be cool (and throw in a dual core processor too).

In regards to FrontRow, Apple may try to package it with its next revision of iLife next year. Then, all they need to do is make the IR remote into bluetooth and it will work with most macs with bluetooth (although FrontRow has already been hacked). That's my 2 cents.

 

[Damek]

I don't think a 23"+ iMac would happen, simply because it might canniablize Cinema Display sales.

By the time the Intels come around, a Mac Mini+30" Cinema may be viable!

I suppose that's the most likely scenario, but unfortunately, I wouldn't be buying an Apple display anyway, unless the prices/features change significantly. If there ends up being no larger iMac, but a Mac Mini with remote & Front Row, I'd probably buy a Mini and a non-Apple display... Unless the iMacs continue to be significantly faster than the Minis, that's another thing I'll have to remember to consider... *sigh* I hate waiting. I want it to be next year now, dangit!

 

[Damek]

iMacs have progressively increased in screen size (15" to 17" to 20") and it's a possibality that it COULD go 23" but it won't be anytime soon. If they can find a way to fit an iMac into a bloated 23" ACD that would be cool (and throw in a dual core processor too).

Heh, I'm not going to complain about a single core processor. I'm not that picky! But I'd prefer they fit an iMac into a 24" Dell screen. Or, rather, you know, fit the same (or better) screen into an iMac.

It's times like this I wish Apple had a <a href="http://blog.dreamhost.com/2005/10/19/the-secret-of-our-succes/">product suggestion & voting page</a> that customers could use. Not that that's in any way a feasable concept for a hardware company, but as Farnsworth said, a man can dream, a man can dream...