New iMacs: more USB ports and a card reader???

[Danrose1977]

I intend to get a new iMac soon, more specifically after the update. My current eMac is a bit stressed with all the stuff I give it to do and it needs a break. The main problem I have with my eMac (and the current iMacs...) is the number of USB ports. With an iPod, Digi-camera, external hard drive, keyboard and mouse, mobile phone and a printer I find I am swapping USB cables often. What do you guys and gals think to the new iMacs having more USB ports?

Also...
Am I insane or does anyone else think it would be a good idea for the new iMac to have slots on one side for reading a common set of storage cards?

 

[thesdx]

I think these are some great ideas. The card reader would be especially nice, as my digital camera uses a card. I'm not sure where it would go on the iMac. Hey, how about the keyboard? Apple might have to add some fat for that to work.

 

[mkrishnan]

I think Apple will integrate a card reader just as soon as they license Fairplay for use on the Zune and start releasing Mac Pros in black and silver plastic cases.

 

[headhammer]

card readers are a bad idea. as soon as a new card format is released, your hardware is outdated. macs have little need for card readers anyway, because you just plug in whatever peripheral you want to use, card still in device, and the card mounts in the computer, like a hard drive.
but i'm just going to assume that you already knew that.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

macs have little need for card readers anyway, because you just plug in whatever peripheral you want to use, card still in device, and the card mounts in the computer, like a hard drive.

That's all well and good for devices that can connect to a computer, but what about all of those devices that don't connect to computers, but still use memory cards, or all of the devices that exist that don't have USB 2.0?

 

[Foxglove9]

I doubt you'll ever see built-in card slots. I agree it will be dated as soon as the format changes. Then again I didn't think we'd see a dual optical drive mac and we have that now so who knows.

 

[Danrose1977]

It has just occured to me that if the USB slots on the new keyboards are 2.0 that should give me enough USB slots...

As for the card reader idea, I do agree about the becoming dated thing... for my PDA and phone I may just have to get missing sync then, or will leopard support the Samsung D900? Fingers crossed!!!

 

[mkrishnan]

for my PDA and phone I may just have to get missing sync then, or will leopard support the Samsung D900? Fingers crossed!!!

Mmm...Tiger lists it as supported now. What doesn't work for you? Are you trying it by Bluetooth or USB? It looks like it only works via BT.

Or if you have a D900i, see this:

http://howto.dubbo.org/phone/how-to-sync-your-d900i-to-macintosh-osx.html

 

[Danrose1977]

Mmm...Tiger lists it as supported now. What doesn't work for you? Are you trying it by Bluetooth or USB? It looks like it only works via BT.

Or if you have a D900i, see this:

http://howto.dubbo.org/phone/how-to-sync-your-d900i-to-macintosh-osx.html

My eMAc has no bluetooth Bad news
Of course my new iMac will Good news!!!

Great to know it will be supported through bluetooth though, thanks!

 

[headhammer]

That's all well and good for devices that can connect to a computer, but what about all of those devices that don't connect to computers, but still use memory cards, or all of the devices that exist that don't have USB 2.0?

i've been thinking about this all afternoon, and could only think of 2 devices which fall into these categories. in these cases, you might have to buy a card reader, which you can pick up for about $20. most users (say 49 in 50, i'm just guessing now) don't have a need for such devices, however, so apple is able to save about $20 per computer and put the money toward something else, such as r+d, instead of spending $20 per computer on a feature that 1 in 50 (again, just guessing) users will actually use.

the philosophy at apple is about avoiding feature creep, while providing as much convenience and usefulness as possible. in a word, elegance.

again, i'm just going to assume that you already knew this, judging by the way you practically bit my head off.

 

[Cfour]

I would personally like to see the new keyboard to feature USB2 rather than them be on the computer itself as you still have the problem of scrambling around the back of the thing.
More would be nice though for things like iPods and external HDD's though.
And I doubt we'll see card readers on the new iMac, maybe, but unlikely.

Cfour

 

[RichardI]

Can you not just add a USB hub to get more ports? That's what I plan to do.

Rich

 

[mathwhiz90601]

Can you not just add a USB hub to get more ports? That's what I plan to do.

Rich

Agreed. If there aren't enough ports for your needs, get a hub.

 

[Macmadant]

God no, i hate card readers on computers, they look horrible, maybe apple could do it someway that would make it nice, but i doubt it, built in card readers seem to much like dell

 

[Danrose1977]

God no, i hate card readers on computers, they look horrible, maybe apple could do it someway that would make it nice, but i doubt it, built in card readers seem to much like dell

The more I think about that the more I agree, I would not want to see the look of new macs spoiled with feature creep.

USB hubs don't tend to look that good in my opinion... but as i said there should be enough ports on the new mac for my needs. Some people appear to have got a bit agravated over this issue, hope I didn't wind anybody up!

Headhammer, you say that the osx mounts card based devices like a HDD. With my card in my Canon camera and it connected via USB to my mac, iPhoto just steps in and handles things. I am unable to access it like a disk (ie: mounted on the desktop). I'm pretty sure I've seen it done like you say, with a disk icon showing up in finder. Any idea as to how I do this?

 

[headhammer]

i'm at work right now, and my camera is at home, but i'll check as soon as i get home, unless someone beats me to it.

 

[Danrose1977]

Thanks, I borrowed a bluetooth adapter today... D900 connects and syncs nicely! Just waiting for the new iMacs now!!!!

 

[steamboat26]

Both good ideas, the imac needs more USB ports.
BTW, with the iMac, you could just get a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and save yourself at least one USB port.

 

[blueicedj]

I would like to see an esata port in the new imacs

 

[neven]

Card readers are not going to happen, ever. It's another one of those things that might please you specifically but it has no overwhelming mass-appeal, and worse, it probably disgusts Apple's designers. Might as well hope for an adjustable WiFi antenna sticking out of a MacBook.

You can't have enough USB ports, of course, though one thing I've learned over the years is that desktop cord management is best solved in the desk. Either get one with built-in cord management or put together your own port-box on the underside of the desk surface. Otherwise it doesn't matter if you use a hub or not, you'll have a mess of cables.

 

[roland.g]

even if you don't have a Mini, you could always get a newertech v2 miniStack which you can put a HDD in for $70 or get one with an HDD in it. They have I think 3 FW and 4 USB2.0 ports on them, including one set on the side. Makes a nice external drive and port hub. As far as keyboard and mouse, I prefer Bluetooth for less cables which means I'm not using a port. I also don't get the two off they keyboard, one extra, one for mouse, but that's just fine. And for the wired keyboard to support USB 2.0 it would need to be plugged in otherwise it can't supply power AFAIK. Also, when you get plug in a camera, yes it appears in iPhoto, but if you hide or minimize, you should see the card on the desktop or in the finder unless you turned discs off in the finder preferences. You can open the card, view, and copy what you want to any folder or drag just the photos you want to the iPhoto icon in the dock and they will import.

View attachment 80210 View attachment 80211

 

[mongoos150]

Don't need either. USB ports I could see useful, but card readers? Seems like just one of the many things most PCs have that make the machine more cluttered (as opposed to more useful). Sure, some people would have a legitimate use for this - but I don't know anyone that (for example) uses their card reader on their PC laptops or PS3 boxes. Most people use the USB adapter to transfer files from their camera to their computer and don't need the reader. [Again I know some people would have legitimate use for this, but seems unnecessary to me]. KISS. I also highly doubt SJ would ever put card readers on his machines, seeing as how he hates buttons and other unnecessary items (read: card readers) cluttering devices.

God no, i hate card readers on computers, they look horrible, maybe apple could do it someway that would make it nice, but i doubt it, built in card readers seem to much like dell

+1