The New iMac line up - What do you think of this idea?

[Nym]

Hi everyone!

The new iMacs are arriving, what do you think of my scenario of "what will happen"?

iMac
Basically the same iMac, some minor refinements in the form factor, nothing "new" as some are expecting.

17" - 999$
20" - 1199$
Nvidia 8600 128Mb(same as MBP)
1 GB RAM
SuperDrive
2.20ghz C2D

iMac Pro (the new line up, same form factor but in aluminum, like ACD's)

The iMac Pro main difference was that it had the possibility of upgrading the GPU, HD and RAM after you buy it, the pieces weren't soldered to the Logic Board and had easy access like the RAM on the current iMacs. This would also create the Mid-Range Mac that everyone is asking, upgradeable but not a Mac Pro.

20" - 1499$
24" - 1999$
Nvidia 8700M GT 256 Mb
2 GB RAM
Superdrive (No HD drive yet)
2.40ghz C2D

NO TOUCHSCREEN!

Anyway, I think it would be nice if Apple had two distinct line ups, the consumer and pro.

Mac Mini
MacBook - MacBook Pro
iMac - iMac Pro
Mac Pro

If this (by any chance) happens I'll have a good laugh, although, it's unlikely to hit the spot with Apple stuff, way too unpredictable.

What do you think?

 

[xUKHCx]

This would also create the Mid-Range Mac that everyone is asking, upgradeable but not a Mac Pro.

Well it doesn't address the main issue a lot of people have with the iMac that it will still have a built in screen.

 

[Will_reed]

having an imac pro is a dead idea the imac pro is what the mac pro is ment to be for.

The Mac lineup is crowded enough as it is with the mini adding on to the side.

And if you don't want a built in screen again thats what the mac pro and the mac mini are for.

 

[Nym]

having an imac pro is a dead idea the imac pro is what the mac pro is ment to be for.

The Mac lineup is crowded enough as it is with the mini adding on to the side.

And if you don't want a built in screen again thats what the mac pro and the mac mini are for.

Yep, I for one don't need a separate screen, but for a true "gaming mac" (because of the EA stuff coming along) It definetely needs to be more upgradable than the current iMacs.

The mini just can't handle gaming nor anything that's GPU oriented and a Mac Pro is overkill for most people, think about it, you spend 2500$ in a Mac Pro, and if you want to do it right, you still have to buy a display seperately, that's a whole lot of cash for an "upgradable Mac" don't you think? :O

I bought my 24" iMac last October and It's perfect for me, however, Apple knows that the Mac Pro is a professional computer, not for everyone, but, they want more and more people to use Macs, it would entice the "gaming crowd" if they could get the beautiful slim iMac design with the possibility of upgrading later on, all this and a 24" screen for 1999$, I'd buy it

I don't think this is likely to happen, but I feel like theres a "missing link" in Apple's computer line up

 

[AlexisV]

iMac
Basically the same iMac, some minor refinements in the form factor, nothing "new" as some are expecting.

17" - 999$
20" - 1199$
Nvidia 8600 128Mb(same as MBP)
1 GB RAM
SuperDrive
2.20ghz C2D

I think you could be very close there. Maybe a 256Mb GeForce though, or a Radeon X1900.

Most current iMacs have feeble Radeon X1600s inside.

I think we'll see a Blu Ray 24" iMac early next year.

 

[Nym]

I think you could be very close there. Maybe a 256Mb GeForce though, or a Radeon X1900.

Most current iMacs have feeble Radeon X1600s inside.

I think we'll see a Blu Ray 24" iMac early next year.

I don't know why but, if Apple is still selling it's lower end MBP with a GPU that has 128 MB, I doubt that they will put a 256 one in the iMacs.

IMO the worst part of Apple's hardware is always the choice in GPU's, and it's usually the component where they sell you the "weaker" part of the machine.

However, my predictions where as "realistic" as possible. Hence no touchscreen fantasies nor unreal specs like some people rumor here, eheh. But... with Apple...we never know...

 

[vendettabass]

I reckon they should drop the Mac Mini and 17"er and have this as a desktop lineup:

Mac Nano 1.83Ghz Core 2 Duo (2.0Ghz option) $599
512MB RAM
Intel GMA950
80GB HD (120GB and 160GB options)
Silver, Blue, Pink and Green Options

Mac Nano 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo (2.16Ghz option) $799
1GB RAM
ATi X1600 Mobility
100GB HD (120GB and 160GB options)
Black

iMac 20" 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo (SR) (2.4Ghz option) $1499
1GB RAM (support for 4GB)
NVIDIA 8600GT graphics
250GB HD (500GB and 750GB options)

iMac 24" 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo (SR) $1999
2GB RAM (support for 4GB)
NIVIDA 8600GT graphics
500GB HD (750GB option)

 

[Nym]

I reckon they should drop the Mac Mini and 17"er and have this as a desktop lineup:

Mac Nano 1.83Ghz Core 2 Duo (2.0Ghz option) $599
512MB RAM
Intel GMA950
80GB HD (120GB and 160GB options)
Silver, Blue, Pink and Green Options

Mac Nano 2.0Ghz Core 2 Duo (2.16Ghz option) $799
1GB RAM
ATi X1600 Mobility
100GB HD (120GB and 160GB options)
Black

iMac 20" 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo (SR) (2.4Ghz option) $1499
1GB RAM (support for 4GB)
NVIDIA 8600GT graphics
250GB HD (500GB and 750GB options)

iMac 24" 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo (SR) $1999
2GB RAM (support for 4GB)
NIVIDA 8600GT graphics
500GB HD (750GB option)

Hmm, interesting, what would the Mac Nano be?

Mac Mini re-designed?

 

[Cuyahoga]

I'd love to see your 20/24" "iMac Pro." I doubt that Apple would actually differentiate it with a unique name, but I could see Apple releasing the 24" model with a few extra, expandable features. I'm hoping to see a desktop graphics card in there too, I'm just not sure which one. Assuming they put the 8600mGT in the lower models, I don't know what they could put in the 24". I can't really see an 8800-series card going in there, so who knows.

What I'd like:

24" iMac
No Chin!
500 GB HD
2 GB RAM
256MB Nvidia 8700GT (which I know nothing about)
$200-500 BTO option for an 8800-series card
$1999

For that, I'd sell my Dell 24" (which is amazing) & settle for an AIO. I'm afraid this is the closest Apple will get to a "mid-range gaming tower," and I don't want to wait around forever.

 

[vendettabass]

Hmm, interesting, what would the Mac Nano be?

Mac Mini re-designed?

As a guy who enjoyed the Cube design a lot, I mocked something up a while back.

Pretty similar to the mini but on its side. Imagine the black to be coloured aluminum like the iPod Nanos.

I think theyre done with the 'Mini' brand!

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3953/newmacminiprojectzh6.jpg

 

[Jasonbot]

What I've always wondered is, why does the Mac mini have more USB ports than the iMac? Very awkward... I'm really running short of USB ports on my iMac.

 

[MacBass]

As a guy who enjoyed the Cube design a lot, I mocked something up a while back.

Pretty similar to the mini but on its side. Imagine the black to be coloured aluminum like the iPod Nanos.

I think theyre done with the 'Mini' brand!

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3953/newmacminiprojectzh6.jpg

Is that an eSATA port? That is a connector that Macs desperately need to adopt, especially with Time Machine coming up. This would be a godsend to Mac users wishing to set up an external Time Machine/RAID disk. Granted, I know you can get expansion cards for the MBP and the MP, but I would really like to see at least an eSATA port on the iMac.

 

[iToaster]

What I've always wondered is, why does the Mac mini have more USB ports than the iMac? Very awkward... I'm really running short of USB ports on my iMac.

I like the idea of an eSata, but the original, it's really just a Mac Mini turned on its side. Anyway, the iMac Pro doesn't really work out, anyone remember Apple's naming guide? "i" for consumer, "pro" for professional, "book" for portable, "Mac" for desktop... and the exception: Mac Mini. Basically, let me run it through the formula: iMac Pro is a professional machine, -i; iMac Pro-i=Mac Pro. So no iMac pro. The specs look good, and I would love to see an iMac looking like an ACD, with more ports on the back... and a DVI in would be cool... Xcode the iMac and input computer together. Oh well, iDoubt it.

 

[Sped]

Is that an eSATA port?

I think he was trying to show an HDMI port which I think is also a good idea for an iMac. More specifically, I think an HDMI IN would be fantastic. The 24" iMac has such a big, beautiful screen that it would make a great second TV. I realize Elegato has some solutions for this, but they generally rely on USB.

Back to the point, I am in 100% agreement about eSATA. I say dump FW800 and give me eSATA!

 

[WizardHunt]

Hi everyone!

The new iMacs are arriving, what do you think of my scenario of "what will happen"?

iMac
Basically the same iMac, some minor refinements in the form factor, nothing "new" as some are expecting.

17" - 999$
20" - 1199$
Nvidia 8600 128Mb(same as MBP)
1 GB RAM
SuperDrive
2.20ghz C2D



What do you think?

I don't think Apple will drop the prices that much. That is a huge drop. But I could be wrong.

 

[Cuyahoga]

I really hope the new iMacs will allow you to use the display as an external for other devices. I have a Dell laptop that I love hooking up to my 24" display. Unfortunately, if I were to get a 24" iMac, I'd have to sell my display.

 

[MacSA]

I heard Apple are getting out of the desktop market.

 

[Cormier6083]

I heard Apple are getting out of the desktop market.

Perposterous! You know what Lord Jobs said:

"People who are serious about their own software should make their own hardware."
-God

 

[Zwhaler]

As a guy who enjoyed the Cube design a lot, I mocked something up a while back.

Pretty similar to the mini but on its side. Imagine the black to be coloured aluminum like the iPod Nanos.

I think theyre done with the 'Mini' brand!

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3953/newmacminiprojectzh6.jpg

Yeah, I like it because mostly when the iPod Mini became the iPod Nano, why not have the Mac Mini become the Mac Nano right? In black too!

 

[ktbubster]

The new mac mini (aka mac nano.... which i believe really would be a good place for the name to go like the ipods) will depend on the redesign of the imac. Chances are it may be similar to the look of the ipod shuffles now, but on a bigger scale... quite possibly with a little more expandability (like the cube) and in an aluminum enclosure. I like the idea of the colors, but if the imac design goes towards aluminum and more sleek with less curve in the edges the mini will most likely take on a similar form factor. They will either be updated at the same time or the mini will follow the imac. Either way, I am looking forward to a mini update. I'd really love to see the mini in 3 levels like all the other computers.

Super low end mini of about 1.83, middle with 2.0 and a 2.16 or higher for the high end, possibly a better graphics card option and a bit more upgradable options for someone in the market for a headless gaming tower. If not this... perhaps apple would have to slide in a whole nother option/lineup tower just for non-pro gaming crowd... although I think a high end "mini" or "nano" tower would be a really good and more probable way to go.

I could easily see the 599 1.83 699 2.0 and then a 799-999 (depending on graphics card upgrade or processor upgrade/harddrive options) for gaming... in Black. I think that would be nifty.

 

[WizardHunt]

I heard Apple are getting out of the desktop market.

What? Where did you hear that? I don't believe it!

 

[DoFoT9]

YOU FORGOT QUAD CORE!!!!!

i seriously reckon quads will be in it.... even if its not a strong one to allow for the heat dissapation

 

[Digital Skunk]

I heard Apple are getting out of the desktop market.

Yeah right... and everyone wants a laptop with a 13" screen.

I like the lineup but everyone seems to forget that that MacMini needs improvements on both the hardware and design end. Not just an update with a new look. It have to offer something that isn't on any other mac besides its size. I want to see the AppleTV Pro, that takes on the functions of the Mini.

HDMI
RCA
USB
FW 400
etc. with Front Row and full Mac OS X. It can do everything the Apple TV can do as well as be DVR, DVD player, and full computer running Leopard. Price it at $499 and BAM! Instant hit.

Kill the 17" iMac... but give me an underpowered 20" at $1199, and some bare-bones Macintosh kit that lets me put everything except the RAM, mother board, processor and basic HDD inside myself. Start it with a standard 2.2GHz SR processor, 160GB HDD and a gig of RAM at $999. The Mac Gamer or something. I can replace all the cheap stuff with the hardware I want, or go online and pick an choose what I want in it from the start. Give me two PCIe slots and two HDD slots, up to 4GB of RAM and some USB and FW400 ports.

The 24" stays the same way except cheaper. The 2.0 GHz quad core MacPro comes down to $1999 as a standard option and is sold along with the 2.66 Quad which is now $2299.

As for the iMacPro... just give me a 30" iMac with a slimmer body, two HDDs, and a single quad core Xeon chip and I will buy one.

 

[cowman007]

Some refresh my memory. When are these new iMacs expected to be released. I really need one badly, im holding in but my DELL and windows..... OHHH it's so horrible, the error ,message, need an iMac......

 

[Cuyahoga]

There seems to be a lot of speculation that Apple is waiting for Intel to drop their prices at the end of July. How long after that is anyone's guess...I just hope not too long.

BTW, can someone refresh my memory on when the actual date for the price drops is? Thanks.