The new iMac lost its appeal

[SR 7]

So I have waited years to finally get an iMac and this is the look of the redesign? I just saw these and the colors completely took the professional look away from the iMac and made them look like a computer for elementary schools or on Nickelodeon.

These new pastel colors definitely take the elegant appearance away from what Apple stood for with their iMac's and products overall. The older models gave the iMac a nice Apple look...a great and professional machine. These colors make it look like a toy. I get it, colors are not for everyone but why is every option that way? Its like you have to get a color or you don't get one.

If you want something simple and more elegant your only option is the silver one and the silver is so bland and boring it looks like yogurt. It makes the screen look like a plastic rectangle.

The other colors are so vibrant on one side and then so pastel on the other side. It makes the chin pop out and become even more noticeable than before. I don't know how annoying the color of the bezel will be when you are working on the iMac and staring at a blue or orange or green chin all day with a white bezel around.

Why does it not come in the Space Gray color? That color would at least make the iMac look professional again and less blinding.

Imagine you have a modern looking office with simple colors and want a black computer but now you have a freaking BLUE iMAC on your desk.

I sure hope the 27" replacement comes in Space Gray.

 

[docprego]

You don't have to get a color. Get the silver.

 

[Mackilroy]

Apple sold colored iMacs for years; this isn't unprecedented. From the reports of people who have the new machine, the bezels and chin aren't distracting at all.

 

[JuicelessMango]

The first iMac launched in these colors and then later revisions offered different colors for a total of 13 different variations. These colorful iMacs are also the same computer that have been credited with helping save Apple.

Color has been missing from apples line up for a long long time and I am thankful they have brought the color back. I'm sure many others are as well.

It's going to be amazing when apple releases sales figures and these new iMacs turn out to be one of the best selling iMacs in recent history and all the color and non pro looking haters have to eat their words.

 

[SR 7]

Pretty sure that failed that’s why Jobs changed the entire product line. Those computers ended up in middle schools dude.

 

[JuicelessMango]

Pretty sure that failed that’s why Jobs changed the entire product line. Those computers ended up in middle schools dude.

how-apple-went-from-bust-to-five-million-colorful-imacs-sold

On May 6, 1998 the iMac changed Apple — and the entire world | AppleInsider

On May 6, 1998, the newly returned Steve Jobs launched the first major consumer product of his second era at Apple. The original iMac was an instant success which changed the trajectory of Apple forever.

appleinsider.com

How The Colorful iMac Saved Apple

The multi-colored iMac is credited with saving Apple during its darkest days, with 5 million units shipped in under three years.

www.macobserver.com

I mean I could continue linking article after article but you get the picture and can google just as well as I can.

 

[James_C]

I think you have missed the point of who these entry level iMacs are targeted at. These are not targeted at Professional Users. Apple is differentiating its product line. These are being targeted at casual home users. The reason the bezels are white as most people have light coloured walls in their homes, and therefore will blend into the background more, a dark bezel would make the iMac look more out of place in most people’s homes.

I get that these are not right for you, or the many people that would post on a mac rumours forum, but that does not mean that these will not fly off the shelf to those people that these are targeted at.

If you want a professional iMac you need to wait a little longer for the next gen Apple silicon large screen iMac.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Pretty sure that failed that’s why Jobs changed the entire product line. Those computers ended up in middle schools dude.

In 1998 I purchased the blue iMac below and it was used on a desk in my spare room in my apartment in NYC. So unless the New York City Department of Education was operating a middle school in my apartment without my knowledge, I have to disagree with your comment.

 

[snakesayan]

You don't have to get a color. Get the silver.

Literally. You hate colors. Ok… get the silver… there is an option for everyone

 

[cardfan]

To be fair the product this replaces had even less appeal to me. At least this redeems it a bit as the specs are tops for an entry iMac. Don’t really care about the colors. But it’s amazing how that steals every thread concerning these. What color you getting? Who cares. It’s like this with iPhone.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

😢🍼

 

[SR 7]

The silver looks like a giant square plastic with lots of unnecessary bezels and white plastic around the screen.

 

[LiE_]

As mentioned just get silver. It’s good that they have a choice of colour as everyone has different tastes but I personally didn’t want a fun colour. Here is my silver “Nickelodeon” iMac.

 

[SR 7]

I think you have missed the point of who these entry level iMacs are targeted at. These are not targeted at Professional Users. Apple is differentiating its product line. These are being targeted at casual home users. The reason the bezels are white as most people have light coloured walls in their homes, and therefore will blend into the background more, a dark bezel would make the iMac look more out of place in most people’s homes.

I get that these are not right for you, or the many people that would post on a mac rumours forum, but that does not mean that these will not fly off the shelf to those people that these are targeted at.

If you want a professional iMac you need to wait a little longer for the next gen Apple silicon large screen iMac.

1) So in order to get a color that is more commonly used and desired I need to pay MORE for a higher end mac? So I can't be a "casual home user" with a more professional color option with the "lower end" model as you said since it is NOT targeting professional users? What type of thinking is that.

2) So the Bezel is white so it blends into the background more but the colored CHIN did not go into account? The colored CORD did not go into account? The colored KEYBOARD and MOUSE did not go into account? How does that make any sense?

 

[richinaus]

It is unfortunate that we cannot all be happy with mass manufactured products from a consumer company………..

 

[Steve121178]

So I have waited years to finally get an iMac and this is the look of the redesign? I just saw these and the colors completely took the professional look away from the iMac and made them look like an elementary classroom on Nickelodeon.

These new pastel colors definitely take the elegant appearance away from what Apple stood for with their iMac's and products overall. The older models gave the iMac a nice Apple look...a great and professional machine. These colors are like which toy do you want from a product that belongs on Nickelodeon. I get it, colors are not for everyone but why is every option that way? Its like you have to get a color or you don't get one. A bit childish looking color options.

If you want something simple and more elegant your only option is the silver one and the silver is so bland and boring it looks like yogurt. It makes the screen look like a plastic rectangle.

The other colors are so vibrant on one side and then so pastel on the other side. It makes the chin pop out and become even more noticeable than before. I don't know how annoying the color of the bezel will be when you are working on the iMac and staring at a blue or orange or green chin all day with a white bezel around.

Why does it not come in the Space Gray color? That color would at least make the iMac look professional again and less blinding.

Imagine you have a modern looking office with simple colors and want a black computer but now you have a freaking BLUE iMAC on your desk.

I sure hope the 27" replacement comes in Space Gray.

This new 24" iMac is clearly the entry level version with the iMac Pro coming later in the year (hopefully), with far more power & GPU grunt.

 

[krell100]

Colours for consumer machines make a lot of sense. I think they will differentiate the pro models by making them silver/space grey/black. I'm not keen on the pastel, I wish they'd run the dark colour on the front and stand. But they aren't for me.

 

[doolar]

how-apple-went-from-bust-to-five-million-colorful-imacs-sold

On May 6, 1998 the iMac changed Apple — and the entire world | AppleInsider

On May 6, 1998, the newly returned Steve Jobs launched the first major consumer product of his second era at Apple. The original iMac was an instant success which changed the trajectory of Apple forever.

appleinsider.com

How The Colorful iMac Saved Apple

The multi-colored iMac is credited with saving Apple during its darkest days, with 5 million units shipped in under three years.

www.macobserver.com

I mean I could continue linking article after article but you get the picture and can google just as well as I can.

I agree!!

I bought an iMac back in the days to replace my Performa. At the same time I bought a Sony DV cam and produced my first videos for companies. It was basically a revolution. I could buy a “studio” for less than $4000, which was unheard of before. That iMac made it possible. I produced many company video presentations on that thing, it paid itself in a matter of weeks.

And they sold like crazy, they were everywhere! In Sweden they really moved Apple from a only pure professional brand to a desired and trendy prosumer/consumer brand, while still retaining its pro following. I’ve never witnessed such a fast and obvious market shift.

Do not underestimate what the iMac did for Apple. It was a pure genius move.

 

[Lihp8270]

So I have waited years to finally get an iMac and this is the look of the redesign? I just saw these and the colors completely took the professional look away from the iMac and made them look like an elementary classroom on Nickelodeon.

These new pastel colors definitely take the elegant appearance away from what Apple stood for with their iMac's and products overall. The older models gave the iMac a nice Apple look...a great and professional machine. These colors are like which toy do you want from a product that belongs on Nickelodeon. I get it, colors are not for everyone but why is every option that way? Its like you have to get a color or you don't get one. A bit childish looking color options.

If you want something simple and more elegant your only option is the silver one and the silver is so bland and boring it looks like yogurt. It makes the screen look like a plastic rectangle.

The other colors are so vibrant on one side and then so pastel on the other side. It makes the chin pop out and become even more noticeable than before. I don't know how annoying the color of the bezel will be when you are working on the iMac and staring at a blue or orange or green chin all day with a white bezel around.

Why does it not come in the Space Gray color? That color would at least make the iMac look professional again and less blinding.

Imagine you have a modern looking office with simple colors and want a black computer but now you have a freaking BLUE iMAC on your desk.

I sure hope the 27" replacement comes in Space Gray.

Other than the iMac Pro space grey wasn’t an iMac option. It was silver only.

Now you still have the same silver that they have always been plus the other colours.

 

[petvas]

So I have waited years to finally get an iMac and this is the look of the redesign? I just saw these and the colors completely took the professional look away from the iMac and made them look like an elementary classroom on Nickelodeon.

These new pastel colors definitely take the elegant appearance away from what Apple stood for with their iMac's and products overall. The older models gave the iMac a nice Apple look...a great and professional machine. These colors are like which toy do you want from a product that belongs on Nickelodeon. I get it, colors are not for everyone but why is every option that way? Its like you have to get a color or you don't get one. A bit childish looking color options.

If you want something simple and more elegant your only option is the silver one and the silver is so bland and boring it looks like yogurt. It makes the screen look like a plastic rectangle.

The other colors are so vibrant on one side and then so pastel on the other side. It makes the chin pop out and become even more noticeable than before. I don't know how annoying the color of the bezel will be when you are working on the iMac and staring at a blue or orange or green chin all day with a white bezel around.

Why does it not come in the Space Gray color? That color would at least make the iMac look professional again and less blinding.

Imagine you have a modern looking office with simple colors and want a black computer but now you have a freaking BLUE iMAC on your desk.

I sure hope the 27" replacement comes in Space Gray.

I completely disagree with your opinion. You say that these colors make the iMac look like a toy. Why don't you get the silver color then? Isn't it professional enough for you? Why must everything be blunt and black? Who defines what professional is and what not? Depending on the business environment, different kind of color combinations will be good.
Having said that, I think that when Apple introduces the higher end Macs, they will also offer a dark color, which you will probably like more.

 

[dizmonk]

So I have waited years to finally get an iMac and this is the look of the redesign? I just saw these and the colors completely took the professional look away from the iMac and made them look like an elementary classroom on Nickelodeon.

These new pastel colors definitely take the elegant appearance away from what Apple stood for with their iMac's and products overall. The older models gave the iMac a nice Apple look...a great and professional machine. These colors are like which toy do you want from a product that belongs on Nickelodeon. I get it, colors are not for everyone but why is every option that way? Its like you have to get a color or you don't get one. A bit childish looking color options.

If you want something simple and more elegant your only option is the silver one and the silver is so bland and boring it looks like yogurt. It makes the screen look like a plastic rectangle.

The other colors are so vibrant on one side and then so pastel on the other side. It makes the chin pop out and become even more noticeable than before. I don't know how annoying the color of the bezel will be when you are working on the iMac and staring at a blue or orange or green chin all day with a white bezel around.

Why does it not come in the Space Gray color? That color would at least make the iMac look professional again and less blinding.

Imagine you have a modern looking office with simple colors and want a black computer but now you have a freaking BLUE iMAC on your desk.

I sure hope the 27" replacement comes in Space Gray.

I completely agree... I honestly think Apple has realized how polarizing this is. I think the color scheme is going to the way of the Touch Bar..... It'll exist for three years or so... Apple will get rid of it and won't admit it was a mistake. Terrible. It would be less worse (but still bad) without the white bezels.... Whoever came up with this really did make a mistake.

 

[Mannaerts]

I completely agree... I honestly think Apple has realized how polarizing this is. I think the color scheme is going to the way of the Touch Bar..... It'll exist for three years or so... Apple will get rid of it and won't admit it was a mistake. Terrible. It would be less worse (but still bad) without the white bezels.... Whoever came up with this really did make a mistake.

I don't think you consider how many students, young folks or fashionista will buy this iMac. It looks trendy, 2021 and you can have a color of your choice instead of having a desk which looks like everyone else's.

Then the fact that this iMac also bring a chip that circles around a the AMD/Intel competition is a genius move from Apple. The people who complain here need to realize that this iMac isn't for them. Those people will have to wait on the 27/32" (pro?) which will probably look different.

But Apple targetting consumers here is a brilliant idea, sell as many entry iMacs and get them away from PC's (Windows)

 

[Lihp8270]

I completely agree... I honestly think Apple has realized how polarizing this is. I think the color scheme is going to the way of the Touch Bar..... It'll exist for three years or so... Apple will get rid of it and won't admit it was a mistake. Terrible. It would be less worse (but still bad) without the white bezels.... Whoever came up with this really did make a mistake.

Why?

You have the exact same colour option available as the previous iMacs for the last 10+ years

 

[Lihp8270]

I work for quite a modern engineering consultancy, where everything is "on brand" where possible. One of these colours fit very nicely without our company branding and I could quite easily see these machines being used in client areas to fit in with the company brand.

 

[James_C]

1) So in order to get a color that is more commonly used and desired I need to pay MORE for a higher end mac? So I can't be a "casual home user" with a more professional color option with the "lower end" model as you said since it is NOT targeting professional users? What type of thinking is that.

2) So the Bezel is white so it blends into the background more but the colored CHIN did not go into account? The colored CORD did not go into account? The colored KEYBOARD and MOUSE did not go into account? How does that make any sense?

As far as 1) is concerned I completely understand your point that you want a space grey option. However the space grey or other so called professional finishes are historically targeted at the more expensive "Pro" Models. If you go back to the earlier PowerPC iMacs (G4 Angle-poise and then the more familiar G4 and 1st Gen Intel iMacs with a chin) these were only ever available in white plastic. The G4 iBooks were white as well. This is the consumer range of Macs. Apple is now offering iMacs in more colours than it has ever had, more choice for everyone. At the end of the day for every person like yourself that wants space grey, there are probably 2 or 3 more people that like one of the other colour options. In other words I am expecting these iMacs to really drive significant growth in iMac sales. They offer great options for colour, outstanding value for the performance of the M1 chips and quality of display that people right now can't get anywhere else.

2) This is your view and you are entitled to it. I might agree with your point more if the chin colour was a stronger colour like the rear, but the front colours are much more muted, and I respectfully disagree with your opinion.

Take a look at the thread of people posting pictures of their new iMacs in room settings. I have seen people like @theshirlgirl with the green iMacs in rooms with soft pastel green green colours, it looks amazing.

Or @wayne905 silver iMac