The next iMac (now the NEXT next iMac)

[Mgkwho]

My neighbor has been thinking about getting a new iMac. He doesn't like the $899 price tag, but in hindsight realizes that it's a pretty good value.

I told him to wait until Leopard comes out.

This led me to thinking, what will the future revision to the iMac look like? It is almost due for an enclosure update.

I figure that someday the power will be moved to behind the display, making the few inches (foot) below the screen go away. I'm also thinking that they'll push the superdrive as close to the screen as possible, and taper the edges off right after. This would result in a .5 inch "thickness" or so before tapering, opposed to the 1.4"/1.5" right now.

Thoughts?

-=|Mgkwho

 

[Queso]

Personally I think when the change comes, it'll be dramatically different to what we have now, maybe taking a step backwards to elements of the iMac G4. I don't think Apple have quite given up on the adjustable screen positioning idea yet, and as they've shown with the 2G nanos, they are willing to take a design step backwards if it's towards an idea that obviously worked well.

 

[Mgkwho]

But now it seems like the macmini could replace the old iMac, if you just attached a display and a different mount option to it...

-=|Mgkwho

 

[Queso]

But now it seems like the macmini could replace the old iMac, if you just attached a display and a different mount option to it...

Maybe, but I think the design philosophy of the mac mini is different. It's the little add-on Mac for those who already have a computer. The iMac is meant as your main machine, it's supposed to be the most prominent thing on your desk.

 

[Mgkwho]

I don't think it is an add on for those that already have a computer.

Seriously, what would be the point of adding a cheap computer to a computer?

It's designed for consumers who might have owned a computer before, but it certainly isn't intended to become the peripheral you're suggesting.

-=|Mgkwho

 

[dr_lha]

Maybe, but I think the design philosophy of the mac mini is different. It's the little add-on Mac for those who already have a computer. The iMac is meant as your main machine, it's supposed to be the most prominent thing on your desk.

I don't get this. What about the Mac mini's size means it can't be your main computer? I have a nice 20" widescreen LCD that dominates my desk and thee mini sits under it. Assuming you're not interesting in gaming (I'm not) the Mac mini is an extremely capable machine, more than capable at doing almost anything 99% of home users would want (where the 1% want to play high end games, but for some reason, bought a Mac to do so).

 

[Mgkwho]

Exactly.

-=|Mgkwho

 

[Perfectionist]

If Apple really wants to increase its market share ..... it's gotta release a gaming iMac ......

 

[dr_lha]

If Apple really wants to increase its market share ..... it's gotta release a gaming iMac ......

Why? PC gaming is a niche market at best. The Mac gaming market is tiny. Geeks maybe crying out for gaming machines, but the mainstream general public isn't.

 

[Queso]

I didn't mean the mini was designed as a peripheral. The mini was originally conceived as a low-cost entry to the Mac range for people switching over from the PC. Its size was such so that they could easily slot it into their existing PC setup without having to ditch their old tower case Windows box.

Yes, it's a very capable computer for basic tasks, but it isn't an iMac, which is designated as Apple's all-in-one media computer for the home. The mini has drifted from its original purpose, mostly due to its increasing price, but that's where its origins lie.

 

[dr_lha]

I didn't mean the mini was designed as a peripheral. The mini was originally conceived as a low-cost entry to the Mac range for people switching over from the PC. Its size was such so that they could easily slot it into their existing PC setup without having to ditch their old tower case Windows box.

Not entirely sure I buy that argument, but its a nice theory I suppose?

Yes, it's a very capable computer for basic tasks, but it isn't an iMac, which is designated as Apple's all-in-one media computer for the home. The mini has drifted from its original purpose, mostly due to its increasing price, but that's where its origins lie.

Let me ask you this, what is the difference between a low end iMac (the $999) one and a Mac mini + LCD screen? Nothing that's what. The mini is a computer, the iMac is a computer. I'm not sure what the difference between the iMac and the mini that makes one an "all-in-one-media computer" and the other a "peripheral". If anything its the mini that is the "all-in--one-media computer" as its remote control, small size and GFX card geared towards movie decoding makes it a perfect TV set top box.

 

[thugpoet22]

I truthfully dont think it would be a good idea for apple to create a gaming machine. I think they should simply extend the width of the imac a little to allow for anoteher dimm slot for memory and also allow people upgrade their graphics card if they so choose. If apple simply adds those options to imac it wont be necessary to create a whole line of computer just for gaming.

Apple has always been great with design aspect of computers. Im sure there's a way to change things around in the current imac that will better support the more graphics intensive games.

I do agree that apple should embraces the possible users that will need their machine for gaming. They are a small percent of users but they are also users that will spend more money on a machine, this a good thing for apple and its stock. If apple is smart it will make the imac a more universal computer, media, business, education, gaming etc...

 

[dr_lha]

If these mythical Mac gamers are so deep pocketed they'd just buy Mac Pro's wouldn't they?

 

[Queso]

Not entirely sure I buy that argument, but its a nice theory I suppose?

I believe it's how Steve Jobs described it when it was first released. I accept that things have changed in the meantime, but that's what it was originally for.

Let me ask you this, what is the difference between a low end iMac (the $999) one and a Mac mini + LCD screen? Nothing that's what. The mini is a computer, the iMac is a computer. I'm not sure what the difference between the iMac and the mini that makes one an "all-in-one-media computer" and the other a "peripheral". If anything its the mini that is the "all-in--one-media computer" as its remote control, small size and GFX card geared towards movie decoding makes it a perfect TV set top box.

I'm talking about design philosophy, not specifications. The design philosophy of both machines goes back to when those form factors were first released. Also, back then, you had a slow G4 and low-end graphics in the mini, and a G5 with mid-range graphics in the iMac. They were clearly aimed at different market segments. As we are talking about form factors here, I think the original conception of the models is quite significant to the discussion. That was what Apple saw the machines as being. If you're trying to project forward to guess what the next form factors will be, you have to take the past thinking into account as well as the present state.

 

[wchong]

how about instead of releasing a gaming machine, apple should just allow more customizations so that one could make it into one.

 

[Perfectionist]

Why? PC gaming is a niche market at best. The Mac gaming market is tiny. Geeks maybe crying out for gaming machines, but the mainstream general public isn't.

When I say "gaming" iMac - basically I mean an iMac that can have the latest and greatest graphics card installed and possibly sound card too ..... it would become a true "All In One" does everything, machine as opposed to being a compromise ......

And if you think the gaming market is tiny ..... then dude you have been drinking your own piss again !!

Apple make beautiful machines, yet they only have 2-3% of the market ..... until they make a kick ass iMac which can compete with PC's on every level ..... they are doomed to stay in a tiny niche ..... picking up the scraps from PC's table .....

An easily upgradeable Gaming/Multimedia iMac would make Apple a mainstream player !!

 

[Mgkwho]

I'm confused...I thought as of 3Q 2006 they had 5% of US market?

-=|Mgkwho

 

[Perfectionist]

You're probably right ..... being 5% is soooooooo much better than 3%, and definitely not a tiny niche ..... NOT !!

Actually, you could say Apple has double it's market !!

 

[Queso]

I'm confused...I thought as of 3Q 2006 they had 5% of US market?

-=|Mgkwho

2-3% of world market. Most of the big game producers are European or Japanese, so although the US market is very important, it's not the be all and end all.

 

[Mgkwho]

Ok well back to the topic,

what does everyone else think about the next design?

We have two opinions here so far: from a technical standpoint, there is a need to beef up what the iMac can do, in order to make it a good product for many markets.

I agree with this, and think it is important that in the iMac's philosophy of containing all that a consumer (including gamer? or is there a need for a seperate gaming machine? I don't think so.) needs in one small box, there is still room (from a technical standpoint) to grow.

The other opinion is that the future iMac will go retro, and fit more into the 2nd model revision (the Lamp).

Well, the third one is mine: the standard power space below the dispaly moved to behind, and that the case is trimmed on the edges a little more.

-=|Mgkwho

 

[OwlsAndApples]

I think the mac mini is perfect for people who've had the normal pc set up - tower, lcd screen, keyboard and mouse, but the tower's gone kaput. This happened to me, the motherboard just gave up after steady use. I went to an apple store thinking about buying a mac mini and use all my current accessories, but got seduced into an iMac...mmm...

 

[Mgkwho]

I really like Apple's strategy with Desktop computers, because I totally agree with it!

To me, there are three possibilities for desktops: a low end consumer, consumer (which does everything a consumer would require) and a pro.

Apple gets it perfect in its offerings. Other manufacturers are confusing: there are a gazillion models to choose from! Apple has learned from its mistakes in the past with its confusing product lines.

With these three posibillities, there are then options for customizing the machines to cater to specifics of individuals. The difference comes in here. Not in the Dell XL3000 compared to the GT200 (im making up names) that appear to do the same thing. Apple limits their products specfically to the categories of low-end, consumer, and pro. There really isn't an in-between that I can see, because if the three categories live up to their name, there isn't a need for an in-between.

-=|Mgkwho

 

[TyPod]

I sure hope they don't change the design, I like the design soo much they have now....but meh...i know they will change it.

 

[AutumnSkyline]

I think they should change the sizes. Have a 15", a 17" a 20" and a 25" to even it off. They would also shave off more of the sides, the part at the bottom w/power supply, Improve iSight capabilities, add a magnet to the left side for the apple remote. Change the apple remote to match the 2g shuffle, put a basic alarm on the remote (I dont know what I would do without my little buddy). Reduce the size of the foot by a fraction (dont want the iMac falling over and breaking ) A firewire 800 on every model except the 15"
, have a superdrive on all models, increase the speed on the 17, 20, and 25" put a 4x superdrive on the 15"... so basically the 15" would be the new 17". Oh, and the reason for the 15" is because I am on a 17" and I really dont need the screen size, I would've liked a 15" option. Throw the option for semi-decent graphics in for those people who want to play NWN or WoW or...well thats like.. it. just playing.

Heres what I would like to see:

15" $799/ 4x Superdrive

Processor:
2.0 Ghz C2D

Memory:
512 MB BASE
1 GB
2 GB

Hard Drive:
80 GB BASE
120 GB
160 GB
250 GB


17" $1,199/ 8x Superdrive
Processor:
2.0 Ghz C3D

Memory:
1 GB BASE
2 GB
3 GB

Hard Drive:
160 GB BASE
250 GB
500 GB
750 GB


20" $1,499/ 8x Superdrive
Processor:
2.16 Ghz C3D

Memory:
1 GB BASE
2 GB
3 GB

Hard Drive:
250 GB BASE
500 GB
750 GB


25" $2,099/ 8x Superdrive
Processor:
2.33 Ghz C3D

Memory:
2 GB BASE
3 GB

Hard Drive:
250 GB BASE
500 GB
750 GB

: ) what do you think..

 

[Maxiseller]

Let me ask you this, what is the difference between a low end iMac (the $999) one and a Mac mini + LCD screen? Nothing that's what. The mini is a computer, the iMac is a computer. I'm not sure what the difference between the iMac and the mini that makes one an "all-in-one-media computer" and the other a "peripheral". If anything its the mini that is the "all-in--one-media computer" as its remote control, small size and GFX card geared towards movie decoding makes it a perfect TV set top box.

The mini might make a very capable set top box for your tv - it may even make a decent computer but whether you like it or not, it's the lowest in the mac lineup, and WAS introduced as an introductory machine. That isn't to say it's not capable - it is, but nevertheless is introductory. These are the differences between the imac:

Hard Drive; Laptop, slow hard drive in the mini
Screen: the iMac has a widescreen display - that isn't to say you can't connect it to one, but most people who use a mac mini in the real world will have a CRT or at best a 15" TFT at 1024 * 768 pixels.
Expansion : Aside from heaps more ram capacity, it is easier to get to and geared toward basic expansion.
Graphics: GMA doesn't really cut the mustard for heavy duty tasks - although I admit it isn't as bad as some people make out. A dedicated card and memory is better.
All in one ethos: The mac is all about simplicity in the home. The do all iMac with it's iLife is seen as the epitome of the apple ideal.