My father in law needed a computer THIS WEEK, advice for when new iMacs come out?

[St. Germain]

My father in law's Dell died an ugly death last week. I've since convinced him to "switch" to an iMac. For the most part all they do is surf, do email, and he updates the Nano he's fallen in love with since we got it for him last Christmas. He is retired and is on the internet a lot and really wanted a replacement this week. So I ordered him an iMac.

Now I fear that Apple will come out with new iMacs in the next week or two or something. If they do, what are their general policies about returning computers to get just released new models within a month's time? I assume he'd have to pay a restocking fee?

The current iMac will likely be all he'd ever need, but it will bug me to know he paid full price for a model that is discontinued so shortly afterwards.

 

[dpaanlka]

Nobody knows except for Apple, probably soon, but it's not like the current iMac isn't amazing in it's own right.

 

[neven]

You have two weeks to return it, and there's no way they're coming out with new iMacs in two weeks.

I don't think the new iMacs will bring significant new functionality; a serious redesign, sure. New keyboard, sure. But they probably won't have any new features that would make surfing the Net and using iTunes much different.

Just stop him from visiting Apple.com for the first few months

 

[dpaanlka]

a serious redesign, sure

I really doubt that it will be radically different. You have to keep in context how radical the current iMac still is compared to the rest of the competition.

I mean, this $1,699 piece of garbage is what the iMac actually competes with:



This is an actual current HP product, which, as an all in one computer, isn't very practical, because it's roughly as deep as a tower computer and twice as wide. If you've ever seen one in person, it's ghastly. And being a stationary touch screen computer is about as useful as a car permanently welded to the ground. They have them at Circuit City - go see for yourself.

From the side (yuck!):



The redesign that I would expect to come from the iMac is probably losing the chin, and being even more thin. Something like an Apple Cinema Display, with a slot-loading optical drive in the back. And if you think about it, that's pretty much all they can do to make it even more simple and elegant than it already is (which is usually the direction they take with redesigns).

EDIT: Sorry for all the edits, but I just couldn't find a suitable picture of that beast from the side, which isn't a surprise. It isn't very photogenic from that angle.

 

[gnasher729]

Now I fear that Apple will come out with new iMacs in the next week or two or something. If they do, what are their general policies about returning computers to get just released new models within a month's time? I assume he'd have to pay a restocking fee?

Just don't worry about it. If you think the iMac is worth the money, just buy it. If you think it is not worth the money, then don't. You'll keep that iMac for three years, maybe longer. There will be half a dozen upgrades while you own it, it is just unavoidable. But your Mac doesn't get any slower. My MacBook is completely outdated now, but it runs just as fast as on the first day.

 

[neven]

This is an actual current HP product, which, as an all in one computer, isn't very practical, because it's roughly as deep as a tower computer and twice as wide. If you've ever seen one in person, it's ghastly. They have them at Circuit City.

When this was first shown on Engadget, Gizmodo et al. there were a bunch of comments to the effect of "WOW! That makes the iMac look so oudated!" I didn't know what those people were smoking then, and after seeing one of these VCR-like boxes in person, I have to say the comparison is laughable. This ain't ending up in any museum or winning any awards.

(Sorry to go off topic)

 

[BlakTornado]

There will be an iMac redesign before Leopard... if not, why did Apple include new iMac screen references in OSX 10.4.10?

If they were going to update them after leopard, then why did they include new screen references? No-one who buys a new iMac after leopard will WANT to go back to Tiger, considering that Leopard is going to be so much better (as far as we can imagine).

 

[St. Germain]

There will be an iMac redesign before Leopard... if not, why did Apple include new iMac screen references in OSX 10.4.10?

If they were going to update them after leopard, then why did they include new screen references? No-one who buys a new iMac after leopard will WANT to go back to Tiger, considering that Leopard is going to be so much better (as far as we can imagine).

Good point. I'd still be a little surprised if they released the new iMacs before they ended the free iPod promotion for students in mid-Sept.

 

[ktbubster]

God... I saw that in the store a few times and for some reason it NEVER crossed my mind that it was actually considered an all in one or would be competition for the iMac. I always looked at it, was confused and horrified and ignored it, but... wow... I guess you are right, THAT is the competition. God... I feel the urge to throw up. Thank god for Apple.

 

[emptyCup]

Will your father-in-law really care if a new iMac comes out in a month? The current model is a fine machine. He should get it and enjoy it.

 

[ReanimationLP]

Should be by August.

Why? Because of schools. Schools snap up the iMacs like crazy.

 

[GWN]

Should be by August.

Why? Because of schools. Schools snap up the iMacs like crazy.

Well I hope it's sooner. I have $3k (Canadian ) burning in my pocket for a 24" iMac and right now I feel the current machines are totally overpriced given the technology they have. Come on Apple, don't make me go to the Dark Side...

 

[The Stig]

My father in law's Dell died an ugly death last week. I've since convinced him to "switch" to an iMac. For the most part all they do is surf, do email, and he updates the Nano he's fallen in love with since we got it for him last Christmas. He is retired and is on the internet a lot and really wanted a replacement this week. So I ordered him an iMac.

Now I fear that Apple will come out with new iMacs in the next week or two or something. If they do, what are their general policies about returning computers to get just released new models within a month's time? I assume he'd have to pay a restocking fee?

The current iMac will likely be all he'd ever need, but it will bug me to know he paid full price for a model that is discontinued so shortly afterwards.

Nobody knows. But I'd bet money on that it isn't going to be this week or next.

The Stig

 

[outlandos]

You would be trowing away lots of money by buying the iMac right now, as the technology is really over-priced by now, for the same amount of money you can get a great computer by now!

So you should wait one more month in my opinion!

 

[gnasher729]

You would be trowing away lots of money by buying the iMac right now, as the technology is really over-priced by now, for the same amount of money you can get a great computer by now!

So you should wait one more month in my opinion!

This is really, really bad advice in my opinion, and you didn't give the slightest justification for it. And Safari on MacOS X comes with this great spelling checker, so his dad could post on MacRumors without these annoying spelling mistakes.

 

[rainydays]

You would be trowing away lots of money by buying the iMac right now, as the technology is really over-priced by now, for the same amount of money you can get a great computer by now!

In general I'd agree with you. That's partly why I'm waiting.
However, his father doesn't seem to be a power user. So better specs wouldn't really do much for him. The only thing that might bother him is the resell value.

So if he likes the design and is ok with a lower resell value, then I'd say buy it today.