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Things I'd like to see in the 2011 iMac
- Thread starter Thermonuclear
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
OP here.
I didn't get AppleCare with my iMac, so I didn't get a diagnostic disk. In the old days, a bootable hardware diagnostics disk was standard on machines like the PowerMac G4.
I had forgotten about having an eSATA port. An eSATA port or maybe even two of them is the way to go for external storage at present. I doubt if FireWire will ever be well represented in the peripherals world at speeds higher than 800 Mbps and USB 3.0 could also be a tough sell being several years behind SATA.
A USB port on the side of the machine would be practically unnoticeable when not in use. And it would be much more convenient to use when compared to blindly reaching around the back of the machine as is the current situation. The same comment also applies for a headphone jack.
At least some Vizio brand HDTVs have a power/sleep LED behind the corporate logo in front. The effect is quite nice and not obtrusive. It is a helpful night light that can help you navigate a room in the dark.
Lightpeak is a real possibility. I recall back around 1990 that most dismissed the need for Ethernet in a consumer machine, but Apple saw differently (and correctly) and made it standard in early Power Macintoshes like the 7500. Yes, at the time it was only 10 Mbps, but it was a start. By 2000, no one would build an new office or dorm without wiring it for Cat 5 Ethernet and today no one would do similar construction without some provision for fiber optic networking. And a Lightpeak transceiver isn't much more complicated than Apple's existing optical audio I/O hardware.
Another cool idea would be to mount an active sonar rangefinder next to the camera. It could be used to automatically sleep and later wake the machine if it detected that the operator had left for lunch or to take a nap. In home security mode, it could activate the camera to record a burglar; the video would need to be uploaded live to a safe server in case the burglar stole the iMac.
I didn't get AppleCare with my iMac, so I didn't get a diagnostic disk. In the old days, a bootable hardware diagnostics disk was standard on machines like the PowerMac G4.
I had forgotten about having an eSATA port. An eSATA port or maybe even two of them is the way to go for external storage at present. I doubt if FireWire will ever be well represented in the peripherals world at speeds higher than 800 Mbps and USB 3.0 could also be a tough sell being several years behind SATA.
A USB port on the side of the machine would be practically unnoticeable when not in use. And it would be much more convenient to use when compared to blindly reaching around the back of the machine as is the current situation. The same comment also applies for a headphone jack.
At least some Vizio brand HDTVs have a power/sleep LED behind the corporate logo in front. The effect is quite nice and not obtrusive. It is a helpful night light that can help you navigate a room in the dark.
Lightpeak is a real possibility. I recall back around 1990 that most dismissed the need for Ethernet in a consumer machine, but Apple saw differently (and correctly) and made it standard in early Power Macintoshes like the 7500. Yes, at the time it was only 10 Mbps, but it was a start. By 2000, no one would build an new office or dorm without wiring it for Cat 5 Ethernet and today no one would do similar construction without some provision for fiber optic networking. And a Lightpeak transceiver isn't much more complicated than Apple's existing optical audio I/O hardware.
Another cool idea would be to mount an active sonar rangefinder next to the camera. It could be used to automatically sleep and later wake the machine if it detected that the operator had left for lunch or to take a nap. In home security mode, it could activate the camera to record a burglar; the video would need to be uploaded live to a safe server in case the burglar stole the iMac.
You know what I would love to see? EVERYTHING replaceable, including the Graphics card. This is one of my main issues with the Mac; you can't upgrade the graphics card; unless I was told wrong.
I'll pretend like you mean well.
You will never see a user replaceable gfx card in an apple all in one product. If not for any other reason than the sheer component density and the risk of having the end user break it.
Esata won't happy either as USB3 or the latest FireWire will be much more common ad backwards compatible with the thousands of devices that are in the market.
No monitor??? What?
Jumbo frames on the ethernet controller.
Access speed to my NAS is a bit slower than it was with my Mac Pro due to the lack of jumbo frames on the iMac (at least on the quad-core models).
Access speed to my NAS is a bit slower than it was with my Mac Pro due to the lack of jumbo frames on the iMac (at least on the quad-core models).
He wants the mythical xMac. So do I. A mid-tower Mac using desktop Intel non-Xeon processors. Maybe two HD bays, 3 PCIe slots and a half-decent video card.
Since it's clear it'll never happen, Hackintosh is the way to go. I keep telling myself I should do it, too, but I don't want the hassle of hacking in each & every OS point update.
I'll have to agree with you as well. Real desktop class chips would be great, GPU and RAM. Up until Apple upgraded the iMac to have i5/i7 chips the last time we saw desktop parts in there was prior to the Intel transition when it still had the G5 chip. Enough of the Core 2 days when the iMac was a MacBook Pro on a stick and enough of the hybrid desktop/notebook chipsets.
Now for my additional two cents:
-Better/more BTO options
-This one is wishful thinking but an iMac without the display. Many of us have been wanting a mid-range tower but the Mac mini is too low powered for a lot of us and the Mac Pro is too much. How about a tower (or a cube) with the guts of an iMac and the ability to upgrade the hardware for the end user?
-Retina display. The iMac has a beautiful display already but imagine it having a much higher or even a bump (1.5x) in pixel density.
1. HDMI IN HDMIN IN HDMI IN HDMIIN HMDIN HDMIN HDMIN HMDNHDMINASDKASJDHDMIADAISDHASD
2. USB 3.0
3. Nvidia cards
4. Matte Screen (Not that I'd get one)
5. Substitute trackpad for mouse
2. USB 3.0
3. Nvidia cards
4. Matte Screen (Not that I'd get one)
5. Substitute trackpad for mouse
HDMI is a standard for watching videos and not for general purpose computer monitor usage; Display Port is newer and more flexible. Also, HDMI was designed by the entertainment industry for THEIR purposes and not yours. With a Display Port input capability (now limited to the 27 inch iMacs), there's no need for HDMI input as inexpensive converters are available.
To allow a general HDMI input capability would mean also allowing the HDCP copy protection machinery into the system and this would disable a lot of current functionality. Personally, I refuse to purchase any copy protected media or stream and I don't want copy protection deliberately crippling any part of my computer. Jobs called Blu-ray a big bag of hurt because of copy protection mandates and on this point he is absolutely correct.
The main argument for USB 3.0 is for attaching an external drive, but high speed FireWire, eSATA, or Light Peak would do a better job.
To allow a general HDMI input capability would mean also allowing the HDCP copy protection machinery into the system and this would disable a lot of current functionality. Personally, I refuse to purchase any copy protected media or stream and I don't want copy protection deliberately crippling any part of my computer. Jobs called Blu-ray a big bag of hurt because of copy protection mandates and on this point he is absolutely correct.
The main argument for USB 3.0 is for attaching an external drive, but high speed FireWire, eSATA, or Light Peak would do a better job.
Ideally for me would be:
1) Most important: HDMI input and output, possibly two of them which could work both ways.
2) Also cool but not as important: Replaceable video card. Why the hell can't I
have an ass kicking GPU on my i7?3
Don't care about usb 3.0 (at least not until mid 2011) or bluray which I could use on my ps3 anyway if I had a decent HDMI input.
1) Most important: HDMI input and output, possibly two of them which could work both ways.
2) Also cool but not as important: Replaceable video card. Why the hell can't I
have an ass kicking GPU on my i7?3
Don't care about usb 3.0 (at least not until mid 2011) or bluray which I could use on my ps3 anyway if I had a decent HDMI input.
Has there been any rumblings about a/the 2011 iMac? (specifically an estimated date if it were to happen)
Reason I ask.. I'm planning on buying an iMac after the holiday season (once I have the money saved up) but if a new iMac were to be coming out relatively soon after, I may wait for it instead.
Reason I ask.. I'm planning on buying an iMac after the holiday season (once I have the money saved up) but if a new iMac were to be coming out relatively soon after, I may wait for it instead.
Hard to say, iMacs were just updated. Come back when you're buying it, we know more at that time
Mid March 2011 is my bet. And all that will be seen are minor improvements in processor speed and disk capacities. Certainly there will be no USB 3, but by that time we might see the first use of Light Peak -- in the Mac Pro models.
Perhaps the most revolutionary change Apple could make to the iMac is to do what already it did years ago; offer a decent model for US$1,000.
Alas, Apple seems to be going in the wrong direction. Today we see a new iPod Shuffle that's lost its ear bud cord control switch. We see a new iPod Nano that's lost both its camera and its ability to play videos. And we see a new AppleTV that's lost so much capability that I don't know where to start. It still can be used to pay for rental of the typical copy protected Hollywood crap, but not much else. At least the new iPod Touch has some decent and improved value.
What is needed and keeping me and possibly others from buying one.
> 4-5 USB 3.0 and an eSATA (the upcoming version hopefully)
> Price on the quads. I expect the i5 quad to drop to the $1699 price and the i7 to $1999, esp 6-8 months from now.
> Continue to Put GOOD GPUs in there. Offer an even better GPU over stock as an option.
> Blu-Ray read and write drive option. I wouldn't use it but it would make so many people happy to have as an option.
Features that would be nice but aren't necessary...
> Even faster RAM
> HD iSight camera
> Status light like on my Mini and MacBook. It's hidden and tells me what state it's in.
> Trade the Magic Mouse for the Track Pad
Wishful thinking and I mean wishful... hardware RAID.
I'm guessing we have new Mac users in here asking about user replaceable GPUs. The current line is pretty good but could be better. However expecting upgradeable GPUs in an all in one is like asking for them in your laptop. Not gonna happen. Neither will an HDMI in. I just can't see that being an option considering how small a market that would use that. HDMI out is another thing entirely though.
> 4-5 USB 3.0 and an eSATA (the upcoming version hopefully)
> Price on the quads. I expect the i5 quad to drop to the $1699 price and the i7 to $1999, esp 6-8 months from now.
> Continue to Put GOOD GPUs in there. Offer an even better GPU over stock as an option.
> Blu-Ray read and write drive option. I wouldn't use it but it would make so many people happy to have as an option.
Features that would be nice but aren't necessary...
> Even faster RAM
> HD iSight camera
> Status light like on my Mini and MacBook. It's hidden and tells me what state it's in.
> Trade the Magic Mouse for the Track Pad
Wishful thinking and I mean wishful... hardware RAID.
I'm guessing we have new Mac users in here asking about user replaceable GPUs. The current line is pretty good but could be better. However expecting upgradeable GPUs in an all in one is like asking for them in your laptop. Not gonna happen. Neither will an HDMI in. I just can't see that being an option considering how small a market that would use that. HDMI out is another thing entirely though.
Imac Of 2011
I think apple need to stay ahead of the competition, so the specs on 2011 version should look like this:
1. 6 Core i7 CPU that operates at 3,8ghz (more with turbo boost)
2. Possibility for 512GB SSD Disk as a second disk
3. 32GB DDR3 option
4. Next generation ATI graphics (6850 maybe) with the option for 2GB memory
5. Better internal speakers (meaner and louder)
6. An option to select a 30" imac would be great
7. USB 3.0 and eSATA would be great as well
8. Isight camera with HD
I will upgrade ASAP if this happens soon.....
I think apple need to stay ahead of the competition, so the specs on 2011 version should look like this:
1. 6 Core i7 CPU that operates at 3,8ghz (more with turbo boost)
2. Possibility for 512GB SSD Disk as a second disk
3. 32GB DDR3 option
4. Next generation ATI graphics (6850 maybe) with the option for 2GB memory
5. Better internal speakers (meaner and louder)
6. An option to select a 30" imac would be great
7. USB 3.0 and eSATA would be great as well
8. Isight camera with HD
I will upgrade ASAP if this happens soon.....
Blu-Ray drive player/writer, 512GB internal SSD, and 30" matte display, but this is never going to happen!
Oh, and 6-core 3.46GHz unlocked Core i7 990x Extreme processor!!
Oh, and 6-core 3.46GHz unlocked Core i7 990x Extreme processor!!
Lol - are you mad or just completely ignorant of power requirements? Wireless charging isn't even mainstream for low power devices like cell phones, and you think it'll be in the 2011 iMac?!?? HAH! More like 2021...
I find it hard to understand why someone would hate an inanimate object. I think this must be some sort of psychological issue....
=|
A touch screen, A5 processor, and iOS4.2...
But seriously, I think a good enough performance upgrade to make it competitive at it's lower end. You could argue that Apple strives for quality over pure numbers, but in recent iMacs it's unclear where the extra cost is coming from.
And while wireless charging would be awesome, I don't see it happening.
But seriously, I think a good enough performance upgrade to make it competitive at it's lower end. You could argue that Apple strives for quality over pure numbers, but in recent iMacs it's unclear where the extra cost is coming from.
And while wireless charging would be awesome, I don't see it happening.
TV card (hee hee)
beer cooler (ok maybe not but would be nice!)
more usb and other ports
Cheaper!!!!
beer cooler (ok maybe not but would be nice!)
more usb and other ports
Cheaper!!!!
What a fun thread.
1) No
2) No
3) Yes
4) Neutral
5) What's the point of adding a drive on a computer if it only does one half of it's capability?
6) No problem with me, but I'm pretty sure this will never happen. Ever.
7) Aka: a magnet. Sure.
8) No. Get an adapter.
9) Kindly leave @#*$ off my computer!
10) Buy AppleCare
11) Agreed
1) No
2) No
3) Yes
4) Neutral
5) What's the point of adding a drive on a computer if it only does one half of it's capability?
6) No problem with me, but I'm pretty sure this will never happen. Ever.
7) Aka: a magnet. Sure.
8) No. Get an adapter.
9) Kindly leave @#*$ off my computer!
10) Buy AppleCare
11) Agreed
