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The "I'm waiting for an iMac refresh" thread
- Thread starter Robert Grant
- Start date
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i dont think i3 is really possible.. i5 desktop dual core is closer as it has intel hd graphics + closer price range to the c2d. the base model 21.5 should have maybe 3.16 6,b cache? or 3.33 no one knows. as with gpus... 57xx would fit priciing description but with massive power saving options i realy dont know what appl0e is thinking. but another... 1 gb video card. when willl the mac pro get that.. its sad how apple doesent want to offer good options for a good price): ): that why mac pro sales are poor. if apple put in 27 inch cinema displa or 20 inch one... it would sell. the quad imac would probably have i7 2.8 ghz standard if discount are given or maybe it would stay the same. for now what i want is an u pgraded cpu, gpu, hdd and ram6gb standard? O.O?
Cheapest i5 "Clarkdale" is 176$ (i5 650) and the C2D E7600 which is currently used in iMacs is 133$. Cheapest i3 on the other hand is 113$ and it still beats C2D easily. Keep in mind that the i5 750 used in high-end iMac is 196$, only 20$ more than cheapest i5 is so putting i5 650 to all iMacs as standard doesn't seem fair. BTW, i3 also has IGP, the only difference is that i5 has higher frequency and Turbo. There isn't that big difference between i3 and i5 in real world, people just want iSomething and they are fine
There is NVidia GTX 285 for Mac Pro which has 1GB of GDDR3 and NVidia Quadro FX 4800 with 1.5GB of GDDR3. Next update will likely bring 1GB ATI 58xx to Mac Pro and maybe even 2GB high-end card such as ATI 5970 or NVidia GTX 485/490 (not out yet). 1GB GPU for iMac may not be possible but e.g. 896MB is and it would be enough. What I wan is GDDR5, it doesn't matter if Apple put 10TB of GDDR3 there because it's too slow. 512MB of GDDR5 is already a good upgrade
I went to the Apple store and played with Logic Audio on the C2D iMac and I was amazed at just how much that machine could handle in contrast to my PowerBook. I would just buy the i7 iMac now but I'm hoping for an upgrade in the GPU as I plan to play games on it.
I would like to know who planted the nasty rumor that the 4850 can't game. It's still a very good performer amongst mobile GPUs despite its age. Unless they can get an underclocked desktop caliber 58xx card in the next iMac, gaming likely won't get that much better (though OpenCL improvements and DX11 are benefits of the mobility 5xxx series over the 4850).
I personally would be more interested in eSata (or USB3/Lightpeak as long as I'm wishing). I would sell my new iMac in a heartbeat for the benefits of better expansion. Actually, the most awesome thing Apple could do would be to give the iMac an expresscard 2.0 slot and let us pick how we want to expand, but I won't hold my breath for that one
Besides, when the new iMacs do finally get around to shipping (probably in September) everyone will be talking about the 5xxx series refresh or the upcoming ATI 6xxx series. It's a vicious cycle to always wait for the next best thing.
Just a week ago I got my Macbook Pro. I love OSX! So, since I love Mac and Apple so much, I'm planning on buying a iMac. But ofc, I am a "Waiting for Arrandale"-veteran, so I could really wait for the new iMac. I just hope they will add a 1GB Graphic card and possibility for a SSD. Daaamn, how fast wouldn't they be with 16GB Ram, AND a SSD? I'm dreaming!
I'm dreaming!
That's because the "Juniper" chip (mobile 58xx, desktop 57xx) only has 128-bit bus width. Only "Cypress" chip has 256-bit but currently, there are no "Cypress" based mobile cards. Mobile 4850 is based on desktop 4850 thus it has 256-bit bus width
I would like to know who planted the nasty rumor that the 4850 can't game. It's still a very good performer amongst mobile GPUs despite its age. Unless they can get an underclocked desktop caliber 58xx card in the next iMac, gaming likely won't get that much better (though OpenCL improvements and DX11 are benefits of the mobility 5xxx series over the 4850).
I personally would be more interested in eSata (or USB3/Lightpeak as long as I'm wishing). I would sell my new iMac in a heartbeat for the benefits of better expansion. Actually, the most awesome thing Apple could do would be to give the iMac an expresscard 2.0 slot and let us pick how we want to expand, but I won't hold my breath for that one
Besides, when the new iMacs do finally get around to shipping (probably in September) everyone will be talking about the 5xxx series refresh or the upcoming ATI 6xxx series. It's a vicious cycle to always wait for the next best thing.
The 4850 is obviously suitable for gaming. I just think it's getting up there in age.
It's mostly about my buying cycle. I do not plan on buying again for at least 5 years. That is my current cycle. I just don't feel comfortable paying $2500 for a machine with a 2yo GPU when I plan on using it for 5.
I agree with you about expresscard and eSata. I would really love to see both added along with say, a blu-ray drive. Ultimately, I try to not focus on what has never been available in an iMac. For me it makes more sense. Rather than create a wish list of things that would be nice, I tend to think realistically about what is more likely to happen, like upgrades to the GPU. If it doesn't happen, well, that's cool. I'll bite anyway.
I'm a bit more determined and apprehensive this time. I purchased my PBG4 at the end of a product cycle. That end was not just the end of the cycle but the end of the PowerPC Macs. That is one $2000 mistake I can not make again.
Yeah, that is likely to make anyone gun-shy when it comes to end-of-cycle purchases from Apple. I would hope for a significant GPU upgrade this time around, but I can't help but think of how excited folks got about the prospect of a high-end GPU option for the latest MBP refresh, only to be surprised in the wrong way by the 330M. It's not a bad card, but that update didn't exactly set the world on fire.
On the other hand, maybe Apple is looking at the success of Steam and beginning to realize they have neglected that market for too long.
As for the expansion options, I agree that those belong in the pipe dream category. If we could outfit iMacs with expresscard options, they would cannibalize Mac Pro sales more than they already are. However, I am using an external blu-ray drive on my iMac to rip/stream my collection around the house... no BR playback on the machine of course, but hey, the i7 makes those handbrake encodes so much faster
Just a normal maintenance I guess. Pre-orders of iPhone 4 will start tomorrow so they likely just added something to their database and ran the regular maintenance so servers won't freeze tomorrow when it's time to make money
Yeah, that is likely to make anyone gun-shy when it comes to end-of-cycle purchases from Apple. I would hope for a significant GPU upgrade this time around, but I can't help but think of how excited folks got about the prospect of a high-end GPU option for the latest MBP refresh, only to be surprised in the wrong way by the 330M. It's not a bad card, but that update didn't exactly set the world on fire.
On the other hand, maybe Apple is looking at the success of Steam and beginning to realize they have neglected that market for too long.
As for the expansion options, I agree that those belong in the pipe dream category. If we could outfit iMacs with expresscard options, they would cannibalize Mac Pro sales more than they already are. However, I am using an external blu-ray drive on my iMac to rip/stream my collection around the house... no BR playback on the machine of course, but hey, the i7 makes those handbrake encodes so much faster
That is one point I can't argue. GPU upgrades are commonly underwhelming, for lack of a better word. I am hopeful however that with the jump to quad core processors last October that Apple is ready to start offering desktop performance in their desktop machines. I do not expect the expandability that the MacPro has but I do think it is counter intuitive to offer mobile GPU's in their desktop line. I realize that there is lot crammed in to a tiny space in Mac's all-in-one, but I don't think it is unreasonable to assume that there are ways for Apple to offer options in the graphics department.
Since we're talking about possibilities it might be best to see the death of the optical drive. I have one in my PBook and I never use it aside from disc installs. I would rather use an external as an option. That would free up some internal space. Heck, I say just do away with the drive in all Macs or make them BTO. Leave it to individual consumers to decide whether they want one or not. Just my opinion though.
my vote is for:
Currently there is no space for dual 3.5". If Apple made it thicker, it would be possible. Many people would still prefer SSD over second HD so 2.5" SSD + 3.5" HD is something most of us if hoping for.
better cpu and graphics is natural. as for USB3...would not mind.
Currently there is no space for dual 3.5". If Apple made it thicker, it would be possible. Many people would still prefer SSD over second HD so 2.5" SSD + 3.5" HD is something most of us if hoping for.
better cpu and graphics is natural. as for USB3...would not mind.
Day for this or that way, doesn't matter
Sunday morning is anyway pretty common time for regular maintenance as most people are sleeping.I'm waiting for the update but I can't decide if I really need to be. I'm looking at getting the 27" with the i7.
I'm moving down to Leeds for University on the 1st of July (the course wont start till september but that's when i've got the flat from) and I'd like to of been able to take down a shinny new imac with me in the big move so I can play with it all summer =D
I'm studying music tech, the whole department is mac based and as I'm sick of PC's and all the hassle they bring I thought it was about the right time to make the move to mac. I did wont the summer with it really to become a little more acquainted with the OS and some of the music programs I'll be using come september but I really don't wont to buy and then the update is out the next week or something.
(my girlfriend can get the educational discount as she's already at uni so that's of no concern)
I'm moving down to Leeds for University on the 1st of July (the course wont start till september but that's when i've got the flat from) and I'd like to of been able to take down a shinny new imac with me in the big move so I can play with it all summer =D
I'm studying music tech, the whole department is mac based and as I'm sick of PC's and all the hassle they bring I thought it was about the right time to make the move to mac. I did wont the summer with it really to become a little more acquainted with the OS and some of the music programs I'll be using come september but I really don't wont to buy and then the update is out the next week or something.
(my girlfriend can get the educational discount as she's already at uni so that's of no concern)
I'm going to get one as a graduation gift, and I too don't really feel like waiting for god knows how long. Also, because for a product that's supposedly going to be refreshed very soon according to the buyer's guide, there's absolutely nothing going on on the grapevine >_>
The only thing that's holding me back is the prospect of a newer and better gpu, but then again, my gaming needs are diminishing and I recognize that the iMac in itself is not really a gaming computer.
I just can't make up my mind whether having to go to my old desktop for gaming (which still works fine), would be a bad thing or not... I would prefer being able to do everything with my Mac, but a part of me thinks the recent "push" towards gaming, with steam and Apple apparently working on graphics drivers more than usual, won't be a very serious push at all...
I know this is nonsensical rambling, but I feel like outing my minor frustrations ^^
The only thing that's holding me back is the prospect of a newer and better gpu, but then again, my gaming needs are diminishing and I recognize that the iMac in itself is not really a gaming computer.
I just can't make up my mind whether having to go to my old desktop for gaming (which still works fine), would be a bad thing or not... I would prefer being able to do everything with my Mac, but a part of me thinks the recent "push" towards gaming, with steam and Apple apparently working on graphics drivers more than usual, won't be a very serious push at all...
I know this is nonsensical rambling, but I feel like outing my minor frustrations ^^
I wouldn't mind this at all. The discs get scratched and cause all sorts of problems. I would be happier either with a digital download for things not related to the OS itself (obviously need your OS running before you can connect and download it, unless there are fundamental changes in delivery options) and I would like to see more applications shipped on a flash drive. Probably more expensive considering how cheap DVDs and CDs are these days, but I think I would be much happier getting a new game on a 4GB Flash Drive rather than having to pop in a DVD and listen to that thing spin away or having to change CD discs every couple of minutes.
With the OS, I suppose there could be some way to have a small flash drive with essentially enough coding to load default drivers and have it connect electronically to a server for your OS download. But, obviously this will neglect users that may not be connected to an internet source.
Im kinda debating with myself these days what CPU i should go in the upcoming iMac.
My first thought was that i was going to go for the base 27" model (clarkdale dual core) with the upgraded GPU (hopefully 58xx).
But then i thought about going i5 quad, cause it isnt that much more money.
But then again, i dont do video editing, just some photo editing and games. And is the quad core that much faster for games, and every day use? I hope someone can comment on that.
Also, hellhammer, do you think iMac i5 quad core, will get the updated i5 760 which is going to be released by intel soon.
2.8ghz clock, 8mb cache, tdp 95watts. its going to be released q3 2010, dunno if thats to late.
My first thought was that i was going to go for the base 27" model (clarkdale dual core) with the upgraded GPU (hopefully 58xx).
But then i thought about going i5 quad, cause it isnt that much more money.
But then again, i dont do video editing, just some photo editing and games. And is the quad core that much faster for games, and every day use? I hope someone can comment on that.
Also, hellhammer, do you think iMac i5 quad core, will get the updated i5 760 which is going to be released by intel soon.
2.8ghz clock, 8mb cache, tdp 95watts. its going to be released q3 2010, dunno if thats to late.
Hmm.. I just heard about i5 760 when reading your post
Anyway, after quick googling, it could be that it replaces the 750 so it would settle for ~200$. It doesn't make sense to use 2.8GHz i5 and 2.8GHz i7 though and it also depends on when it is coming. Don't decide yet which model to get, I'm just firing from the hip in my guesses. In games, quad core isn't faster unless the game supports it (most new games do but older games don't). For everyday stuff, there is no difference.
Apple's always been a fan of meaningless small bumps in cpu clock speeds and subtle price drops, so you could very well see i5 760. You could also see i7 870 replacing i7 860 bto option. Intel will be releasing i7 880, so you could see 880 taking over 870's old price tag, while 870 drops down to a little above 860's current price or even matching it.
Day for this or that way, doesn't matter
Oh right, well in any case, they better have added a new MAC PRO or MACBOOK AIR in their databases, as those are the machines in dire need of an update first!
