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The Next iMac: How thin can it get?
- Thread starter kevinhirsh
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While everyone here has valid opinions on the future of the iMac, do you think a drastic overhaul in the design in the works for the near future? In other words, how much more can the all-in-one design change? Do you think we will ever see a design which separates the "guts" from the display again in a new form?
I'm sure Apple will try to make the iMac as thin as possible, but I'd rather they didn't.
Considering you can get 17" Windows laptops with a Quadro FX or Fire Pro GPU, I'm sure there's room to put one in a 27" iMac. Obviously those laptops have a battery life comparable to an Atari Lynx, but that doesn't matter in the case of a desktop. The 27" iMac is an incredible machine, and Apple could create the ultimate pro workstation/gaming rig with the right GPU and CPU choices.
But they won't. And that's a damn shame
Considering you can get 17" Windows laptops with a Quadro FX or Fire Pro GPU, I'm sure there's room to put one in a 27" iMac. Obviously those laptops have a battery life comparable to an Atari Lynx, but that doesn't matter in the case of a desktop. The 27" iMac is an incredible machine, and Apple could create the ultimate pro workstation/gaming rig with the right GPU and CPU choices.
But they won't. And that's a damn shame
That really would be an intereting approach. That would definitely allow Apple to keep the iMac speedy without having to increase size.
I'm sure Apple will try to make the iMac as thin as possible, but I'd rather they didn't.
Considering you can get 17" Windows laptops with a Quadro FX or Fire Pro GPU, I'm sure there's room to put one in a 27" iMac. Obviously those laptops have a battery life comparable to an Atari Lynx, but that doesn't matter in the case of a desktop. The 27" iMac is an incredible machine, and Apple could create the ultimate pro workstation/gaming rig with the right GPU and CPU choices.
But they won't. And that's a damn shame
I agree there is a lot of potential to be had on the 27" model. We're only on it's second generation so far, so I'm optimistic Apple will continue to shape it up to be more and more of a power machine, especially once lightpeak starts to come around.
Eh, I would prefer bigger screen. 21.1" is big enough, but I wonder how big the iMac would be by 2015 around the time I think this iMac will give out.
Does thickness of the iMac really matter? Obviously, internal component dimensions, cooling, ease of maintenance etc are the governing factors but when working at our machines we can't see the back of it at the same time!
However, laptops, being portable, are an entirely different matter. In that case, size does matter
However, laptops, being portable, are an entirely different matter. In that case, size does matter
So I'm curious as to why you don't think at least those two approaches mentioned above (optical drive gone, all flash drive) would be practically feasible one day for the iMac? I know you say you don't see it, but judging from history and advancements in their other product lines, it is clear as daylight to me they will push headstrong into even smaller form factors in the future.
Definitely and very hopefully. I can see it getting thinner but without sacrificing the performance. I guess I was thinking about something superultra-thin like in the the pic I attached when I replied to you. Maybe there will be 30" model in few years that allows more space for innards and thus it can be made thinner without sacrificing the performance.
I apologize my horrible Photoshop skills
Attachments
Once iMac goes SSD
it will get thinner - if apple decides remove the 3.5" HDD completely all together.
i think low profile dedicated desktop GPU or high end Mobile GPU is still possible
once desktop CPUs go 32nm it will produce less heat also...
1) SSD drive
2) GPU thermal improvements
3) CPU thermal improvements
these will drive iMac to be more thinner... i do not mind if it stays the same thickness as it is though
then again once all the Macbooks and Macbook Pros goes SSD, there will be even less demand for iMacs (hard drive was the bottle neck in the laptops)
it will get thinner - if apple decides remove the 3.5" HDD completely all together.
i think low profile dedicated desktop GPU or high end Mobile GPU is still possible
once desktop CPUs go 32nm it will produce less heat also...
1) SSD drive
2) GPU thermal improvements
3) CPU thermal improvements
these will drive iMac to be more thinner... i do not mind if it stays the same thickness as it is though
then again once all the Macbooks and Macbook Pros goes SSD, there will be even less demand for iMacs (hard drive was the bottle neck in the laptops)
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They are already.
The components would still run as hot or otherwise there is no performance upgrade. E.g. the current CPUs in quad core iMac are 95W. It's expected that Apple will use 95W Sandy Bridges in next gen high-end iMac. If Apple put 65W CPUs in it instead, there would be a loss in performance (compared to 95W parts) plus lower voltage parts usually cost more.
Unless Intel and other manufacturers change their TDP spots, I doubt the heat will change. Usually they want to deliver more performance and cutting the TDP would mean worse performance
Sandy Bridge looks good with 65W and 35W processors. The base clocks might be low but if you have Turbo Boost they can compete with their hotter siblings.
Apple can leave the iMac 27" /21.5 like they are
apple should finally bring something in between the mini and the MacPro
a MacPro mini if you like ,a proper small desktop , but still with pci slots and space for 3 harddrives and consumer friendly in terms of upgrades or downgrades
because there is a huge gap between the Mac mini and the MacPro
apple should finally bring something in between the mini and the MacPro
a MacPro mini if you like ,a proper small desktop , but still with pci slots and space for 3 harddrives and consumer friendly in terms of upgrades or downgrades
because there is a huge gap between the Mac mini and the MacPro
I want them to remake the imac g4. Maybe they could fuse the mini and iMac, 17" screen, 21.5 inch screen, 27 inch screen with the same swivel type of thing the g4 had, all connected to a "cube" type of machine.
I hope, at least.
I hope, at least.
Definitely and very hopefully. I can see it getting thinner but without sacrificing the performance. I guess I was thinking about something superultra-thin like in the the pic I attached when I replied to you. Maybe there will be 30" model in few years that allows more space for innards and thus it can be made thinner without sacrificing the performance.
I apologize my horrible Photoshop skills
What's the point in making it thinner if you still have the huge base?
thinner ,will mean even more mobile parts inside ,so i do want it thicker
and easier to upgrade with openings for fitting harddrive, to install pci cards for more ports(usb,esata, firewire,....),upgrading pci graphics cards so i want a more userfriendly iMac , no need for a flush sleek back , i never see the back of the imac as i usually sit in front of the display not behind it
ok you could quarter the thickness already very easy if apple would fit a intel atom processor at least its a dual core ,or the A4 processor of the iPad inside , and leaves out the harddrive and the optical drive ,then it could run even completely fanless and ultra quiet
not much processing power , but it seems some are more concerned about the the thickness , noise, chin.....rather then about having a useful upgradeable computer... but we all know its not in Apples interest to make the iMac user upgradeable , as it would be bad for profits
thats why i suggested a MacPro MINI as it seems at least in the MacPro series apple doesn't mind if people fit the parts they need into pci slots or bigger harddrives or more of them, because at the moment the only Mac where i could as example fit 4 more firewire ports or usb ports or esata port is the MacPro,if i dont want to void warranty , but i do not need its processing power
and easier to upgrade with openings for fitting harddrive, to install pci cards for more ports(usb,esata, firewire,....),upgrading pci graphics cards so i want a more userfriendly iMac , no need for a flush sleek back , i never see the back of the imac as i usually sit in front of the display not behind it
ok you could quarter the thickness already very easy if apple would fit a intel atom processor at least its a dual core ,or the A4 processor of the iPad inside , and leaves out the harddrive and the optical drive ,then it could run even completely fanless and ultra quiet
not much processing power , but it seems some are more concerned about the the thickness , noise, chin.....rather then about having a useful upgradeable computer... but we all know its not in Apples interest to make the iMac user upgradeable , as it would be bad for profits
thats why i suggested a MacPro MINI as it seems at least in the MacPro series apple doesn't mind if people fit the parts they need into pci slots or bigger harddrives or more of them, because at the moment the only Mac where i could as example fit 4 more firewire ports or usb ports or esata port is the MacPro,if i dont want to void warranty , but i do not need its processing power
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Maybe in another 15 years or so the monitorwill be paper thin and easily wall mounted. The computer will be intergrated into the keyboard. New technology will be in place that we cant even imagine yet.
Just think.... 20 years ago 1GB of RAM was unheard of. DVD's were not in the shops. Quad core CPU's were not even in the future scenes in Back to the future.
Just think.... 20 years ago 1GB of RAM was unheard of. DVD's were not in the shops. Quad core CPU's were not even in the future scenes in Back to the future.
computer in the keyboard is a old idea
here is one with intel atom and integrated touchscreen and does not need a wired connection to the monitor
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/peripherals/2010/08/02/asus-eee-keyboard-pc-review/1
and here one with a core 2 quad
http://www.cybernetman.com/en/products/zerofootprintpc/zpc-gx31.cfm
not bad for a keyboard ok its not a mac but i always liked the idea
but why cant apple come up with that idea , they could easy have put the Mac mini in a keyboard like these ,
another thing i'd like to see from apple
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/solarpowered-keyboards-save-energy-while-you-type-2125150.html
here is one with intel atom and integrated touchscreen and does not need a wired connection to the monitor
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/peripherals/2010/08/02/asus-eee-keyboard-pc-review/1
and here one with a core 2 quad
http://www.cybernetman.com/en/products/zerofootprintpc/zpc-gx31.cfm
not bad for a keyboard ok its not a mac but i always liked the idea
but why cant apple come up with that idea , they could easy have put the Mac mini in a keyboard like these ,
another thing i'd like to see from apple
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/solarpowered-keyboards-save-energy-while-you-type-2125150.html
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funny enough i just tumbled over this article so i guess next year with Lion we might see a new iMac too with http://www.hardwaresphere.com/2010/11/04/light-peak-10gbs-transfer-technology-coming-in-2011-to-crush-usb-3-0/
thats better then another inch thinner
thats better then another inch thinner