Next gen iMac wish list

[MrZebra]

You plan on buying one soon, but refused to do so until they come with Blu Ray?

He might be up for a very long wait

 

[cyberska]

Still thinking about that sound bar that Old John mentioned...

The tendency is toward bigger screens, but at the same time, the internal components keep getting smaller. So, what about using the space in the iMac's "jaw" to fit that sound bar? If they made ALL the front of the iMac black, then they could hide the holes for the speakers!

Shivetya made these suggestions which I love:

• Matte Screens- A friend of mine has the aluminum iMac. I hate it when he stands behind me in a white shirt. IT'S LIKE A MIRROR!!!

• SSD Drive option- For people who want a completely silent and (arguably) faster Mac.

 

[Cynical psymon]

Well, if you're going that far, how about CML's (Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd, previously 1 Ltd) digital sound projector? Last year it made the jump from separate sound-bar type products (Pioneer, Yamaha and Lowe) to being integrated into TVs (Mitsubishi, Grundig and Beko). According to a press release this month announcing Cirrus Logic's licensing of CML's DSP, "Both CML and Cirrus Logic are committed to further reducing the cost of the Digital Sound Projector implementation, largely through silicon integration." Surely sooner or later it will get into consumer-targeted PCs. Could Apple be the first to do it?

Highly unlikely unless Mr Jobs decides that the speakers can fire forwards but he doesn't like speakers to be 'seen' from the front of the monitor. The speakers could fire downwards but space below the LCD is very tight and any sound ports would need to be shared for ventilation. It's more likely you will see a more forward thinking PC or monitor manufacture in market first.

The Cirrus solution is unlikely to be much cheaper than the current Micronas solution as the main costs are in the speakers themselves and the class D amp's. Combining the amplifiers in banks of 8 would reduce some packaging costs - bear in mind these low cost audio DSP's are able to drive upto 64 individual speakers, each requiring their own amp. A change in speaker design could also reduce costs from the current $25-30 BOM for example a shared frame device, but this has manufacturing/failure issues that would need to be overcome - best to drive the price down through volume.

 

[Macole]

user removable HD
quad core cpu
reliable dvd recorder / blu ray
and of course BETTER GPU even at the cost of some thicknes
and of course PRICE ...especially here at EU .

 

[trip1ex]

Add an HDMI-input so folks can use their screen as just a monitor. You have an audio-in why not video-in?

Another USB port couldn't hurt. Kudos for adding another with this latest gen.

Yes - user removable hard drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Touchscreen-trackpad option that goes along with the new tiny wired keyboard. (I do not mean a touchscreen monitor.)

BR is worthless on the iMac.

 

[ZunePod]

All I want is a Nehalem processor (Clarksfield please!!) and an LED display and I will be there with my credit card. I have a feeling I will be waiting until next year (and that I'll be settling for Arrandale).

That and MiniDisplay IN/OUT not just out.

 

[OldMike]

user removable HD
quad core cpu
reliable dvd recorder / blu ray
and of course BETTER GPU even at the cost of some thicknes
and of course PRICE ...especially here at EU .

I just purchased an iMac on Friday (due to be delivered this Thursday). It has been a long time since I owned my last PowerMac.

Similar to the list stated above, what would get me to upgrade to my next one would be:

1. Quad Core Processor
2. User Accessible Hard drive
3. eSATA or USB 3.0

I could live without an internal Blu Ray, provided that an external Blu Ray drive is supported.

As far as the GPU is concerned, obviously I would like to have the best graphics performance, but this is one area that I am willing to concede a little and take what I can get...

 

[spcdust]

- Quad Core (Nehalem Chip family)
- Top end GFX card option
- BR Drive option

 

[old john]

Highly unlikely unless Mr Jobs decides that the speakers can fire forwards but he doesn't like speakers to be 'seen' from the front of the monitor. The speakers could fire downwards but space below the LCD is very tight and any sound ports would need to be shared for ventilation. It's more likely you will see a more forward thinking PC or monitor manufacture in market first.

Yes, the current restriction to down-pointing speakers is an impediment for Apple to implement CML's surround sound using directed sound beams. One might also expect a more games-orientated PC to get there first, in order to add to the sense of presence or immersion in VR game environments. My suggestion for the wish list was in the spirit of cyberska's light-hearted wish for better sound (internal Bose speakers), just taking it a level further, rather than making a serious suggestion for iMacs! Perhaps the soundbar format (like Yamaha's) will lead the way for PCs, though non-CML-licensed imitations with inferior technology provoke the uninitiated into unwarranted scepticism about what can be achieved.

The Cirrus solution is unlikely to be much cheaper than the current Micronas solution as the main costs are in the speakers themselves and the class D amp's. Combining the amplifiers in banks of 8 would reduce some packaging costs - bear in mind these low cost audio DSP's are able to drive upto 64 individual speakers, each requiring their own amp. A change in speaker design could also reduce costs from the current $25-30 BOM for example a shared frame device, but this has manufacturing/failure issues that would need to be overcome - best to drive the price down through volume.

Thanks, that's interesting extra info. Presumably the volumes will grow as consumers get to know about the technology and other TV manufacturers adopt it. Also the press release I linked to in my original post above states that "CML and Cirrus Logic are committed to further reducing the the cost of the Digital Sound Projector implementation, largely through silicon integration. This will further accelerate the penetration of Digital Sound Projector technology into the 100 Million-unit Flat Panel TV (FPTV) market."

 

[jnc]

Component and HDMI INPUT.

2 x Mini-displayport output. LED. matte? Cheaper. New Might Mouse that works. Rest is fine, specs wise.


Appearance wise? Bring white back. The aluminium and black clash with horrible bezel is FUGLY. All white looked ten times better.