Time to speak up about the disappointing iMac

[headhammer]

in the 5+ years that i've worked in retail (1 year of which has been selling apple product), there's one thing that i've learned that makes absolutely no sense to me:

the better a product is, the more people complain about it.

 

[megfilmworks]

When you design product that is unique, different or leading edge you get strong reactions. The solution is to build average product and it just blends in.
Obviously Apple has built its reputation on the former.

 

[twoodcc]

For example, I won't. I see that a lot of Mac fanatics are able to accept everything Mr. Jobs dictates, maybe they would even buy an empty box with an Apple logo on it, but I'm not one of them. On certain things the new iMac is disappointing, and nothing will convince me that a glossy display is a good feature. It can look attractive to a certain audience but it's not something useful for real work and its more fatiguing and unhealthy than a non reflective screen. Someone wrote here "your brain adjusts to it", which is something ridiculous.

that's fine if you want to be stubborn. that's your loss.

but if you ever get around your pride, go try one out at the apple store. you never know, you might change your mind. you have a biased opinion (which we all do in some way)

 

[sinser]

that's fine if you want to be stubborn. that's your loss.

but if you ever get around your pride, go try one out at the apple store. you never know, you might change your mind. you have a biased opinion (which we all do in some way)

I will take a look, that' sure. But I have seen and used the glossy macbook and I already disliked it so I guess I have no chance with the iMac: bigger surface=even more reflections. It's not a question of pride or blah, blah, I've liked, used and still use Apple products, but FOR ME the comfort and versatility of the display is a must. I can step over design, performance compromises and whatever, but not on the display. For now I'll stick with my trusty and beloved Powerbook G4.

 

[BlackMax]

well, you gotta admit that they do a good job at it. i bet you that everyone that says they hate the new iMac will love it in a month or two.

i'm telling you, you'll like whatever apple wants you to like.

Not unless Apple offers an improved GPU option for the iMac or a headless minitower. Something we can place our own GFX card in other than a Mac Pro. Aesthetics are one thing; poor FPS on the 3D game of the day is another.

When I think about it I feel stuck in limbo. I love OSX and I love my Macs. I do everything on my Macs except gaming because to date they have not supported my families gaming habits well. I don't need the power and expense of a Mac Pro and I want to move all my gaming off my last remaining PC to my Mac, but there is no option or direction for me to go. So I continue to wait...

 

[61132]

Wouldn't they have to change the whole design to make it non-glossy? I mean, they could cut out the center portion of the glass, but then the front of the iMac is more "chopped up" as far as how smooth the design is. (it would be more like the dust catcher ledge of the previous gen imac)

 

[RRK]

Wouldn't they have to change the whole design to make it non-glossy? I mean, they could cut out the center portion of the glass, but then the front of the iMac is more "chopped up" as far as how smooth the design is. (it would be more like the dust catcher ledge of the previous gen imac)

The screen on my G4 iMac is recessed about a quarter inch from the frame/bezel. Some have suggested just removing the glass cover on the new iMac if you don't like glossy.

...on a side note if you don't let go of the shift fast enough when typing G4 it types G$, G-money... oh well it made me laugh just now.

 

[Joedy]

Here's the feedback that I left for Apple:

I wanted to purchase a new iMac to replace my last year's 20" iMac purchase.

I won't be doing so.

I do no like glossy screens and the new iMac redesign is VERY ugly. I'm sorely disappointed that Apple considers this replacement model the epitome of their endeavors.

This design looks like a cheap Chinese counterfeit knockoff of an Apple design.

Better luck next time. Perhaps then I will reconsider purchasing another Apple.

-joedy

 

[megfilmworks]

I think unprofessional feedback like the post above will just be ignored by Apple. Try leaving the emotional critique out and stick to the facts, you may then make a difference.

 

[aliquis-]

Given the modest tech improvements, the displays that are quantifiably inferior to their predecessors, the glossy screens (really bad even when lit, unlike the MacBook which is really only problematic when dark), and the tremendous heat these new iMacs are producing, I will wait to consider upgrading until there is another quantum leap in technology (4 cores? Smaller processor?) and until they have gotten the expected Rev. A bugs out and committed to a better display.

If these changes aren't made, I can only hope for a good headless Mac that I can couple with an ACD for my next Apple. In the interim, I am so happy with my white 24" iMac that I am in no hurry to upgrade. I expect that this machine will last me for a long, long time.

Have you SEEN the imac glossy in the environment you will be using it? Because it seems like it doesn't bother some people.
Are they really hotter?
It's not rev A.
I can't understand why you would update away from a 24" iMac.

I think Apple misread the market and its desire for glossy displays but they apparently wanted to match the MacBook more closely and they've done that. Plus, they added a more game friendly machine, even if it's not amazing for the price.

It's not a horrible lineup but it's not good for people who wanted a cheaper desktop to do actual work. I think I'd rather get one of the previous machines after refurbishment anyway.

Most people think glossy looks great in a store when seen beside another matte screen.

I know I do.

Maybe it's that simple? People DO want glossy screens, even thought graphics artists might not want them.

I wrote in and requested a choice. I'd love to update my iMac to a 24'' and my iBook to a MB, told them that as soon as there is a screen option I will be first in line to do so. Thanks for the link!

But how should they do that? Offer a grinded glass panel?

I'm gonna call "bull crap" on that...

Especially on the iMac beeing the only match. What's wrong with the macbook pro? ;D

Not so sure on the aluminium casing to be honest if I may, nor the all black trim around the screen. The keyboard is a far cry from the older spec clear perspex in relation to feedback when typing, and also the confusing array of shortcut buttons- I never liked these on my old Compaq PC let alone on a new Mac!!!

I really hope Apple provide some options in relation the the screen and also the GFX card inside. I was quite taken aback to see that NVIDIA was no longer the GFX card choice, and that ATI was now the norm. Considering that Steve touted on about how Apple was working with EA to release a lineup of games-it seems a strange decision to opt for the ATI range(and also see that only the basic 20" imac has a different GFX card model, whereas the other 3 share the SAME card with the same memory allocated to it with no options for either 24" model..........Stingy or what??? Yes ok so the Mac's not all about gaming, but what about those that use Parallels or bootcamp to play games? Surely having a choice would give those current Windows users an incentive to consider an iMac as a alternative that can also double up as a half decent Windows alternative gaming system, as well as the option to run OS X if need be.

Come on Apple, get your fingers out!!! People have spoken.

Aluminium over plastic any day. I don't like the black trim or apple but it makes the chin look smaller.

Get another keyboard if you don't like it.

ATI have always had much more laptop sales of their gfx than nvidia, I guess they offered better price/power usage. Also there is nothing wrong with them if they where as fast as whatever Nvidia could have given them.

The EA announcement is lame, it's cider ports and Apple doesn't take gaming seriously, Steve just wants to hype everything. Apple doesn't give a **** about gamers which is always obvious.

I don't know why Apple is retarded and doesn't offer gaming quality gear.

This wouldn't be such an issue if Apple would allow Mac OS X to run on any Intel hardware. But Apple is just one huge control freek and wants to dictate everything to us.

Others have made sure OS X runs on most Intel hardware.

And yes, Apple is the opposit of FOSS/any form of freedom.

Apple is vendor lockin in hardware, os, software, mp3-players, music, drm, ..

I would much rather run FreeBSD + KDE if it supported the commercial apps OS X did, but it doesn't =P

 

[WannaGoMac]

Not unless Apple offers an improved GPU option for the iMac or a headless minitower. Something we can place our own GFX card in other than a Mac Pro. Aesthetics are one thing; poor FPS on the 3D game of the day is another.

When I think about it I feel stuck in limbo. I love OSX and I love my Macs. I do everything on my Macs except gaming because to date they have not supported my families gaming habits well. I don't need the power and expense of a Mac Pro and I want to move all my gaming off my last remaining PC to my Mac, but there is no option or direction for me to go. So I continue to wait...

Ya, I can't buy an iMac as I like games and these iMacs have barely adequate GPUs for 1-2yr OLD games. Waste of money if you like to play games that are new...
It's why I don't like AIO computers other than laptops.

 

[JellyFish]

I was never a fan of glossy but I'm liking my new 20 inch imac a lot. The glossy screen isn't a problem and I get a great frame rate on World of Warcraft (the only game I play much these days). I'm loving my new machine.

If the new imac doesn't fit your needs, don't buy it.

 

[teerexx52]

I was never a fan of glossy but I'm liking my new 20 inch imac a lot. The glossy screen isn't a problem and I get a great frame rate on World of Warcraft (the only game I play much these days). I'm loving my new machine.

If the new imac doesn't fit your needs, don't buy it.

I have a new 20" base model and I agree. Love mine

 

[wvtbred]

Most of yoy are just bitter because it isn't just what you wanted well then don't buy it, simple as that. This iMac is so superior to the old one I crossed over to the dark side and bought one. I NEVER would have bought the previous white thing with that terrrible keyboard but I did just buy a new 24" iMac and LOVE the gloss screen (my first), the metal and black trim with the keyboard while not great is far superior then the other it's not even funny. I wish the keyboard had black keys and a black mouse but oh well you can't have everything.

Mac is listening to the masses, especially those who considered crossing over from the Windows side. They will sell a lot of these and increase market share which is the whole idea isn't it?

 

[theheyes]

Glossy doesnt bother me but I dont think its too much to ask for the option considering the premium you pay for a Mac.

Give it time. They'll probably start offering the option next year.

 

[inkswamp]

I'm gonna call "bull crap" on that...

It's amazing how much some of you underestimate the importance of this. And it's equally dismaying how much some of you will defend Apple to the death, even when they have made a decision that is clearly consumer-unfriendly.

You seriously believe that I would end up not buying a Mac? That's precisely why I'm so annoyed with this decision on Apple's part. I would like my next machine to be a Mac, but I need a new machine for work purposes by early next year and I cannot tolerate a glossy screen. Period. There simply are no Macs right now that can fulfill my needs and I'm not interested in the refurb/used market.

My employer is 90% Windows so it's would be easier for me to choose a PC. I really, really don't want to do that but if Apple lacks the choices for me to buy an iMac (and right now, they do) then I'm stuck. I'll still have my iMac G4 and my five-year-old iBook, but if I'm forced to buy a PC for work reasons, I will, whether you call "bull crap" on it or not.

 

[MacDawg]

It's amazing how much some of you underestimate the importance of this. And it's equally dismaying how much some of you will defend Apple to the death, even when they have made a decision that is clearly consumer-unfriendly.

You seriously believe that I would end up not buying a Mac? That's precisely why I'm so annoyed with this decision on Apple's part. I would like my next machine to be a Mac, but I need a new machine for work purposes by early next year and I cannot tolerate a glossy screen. Period. There simply are no Macs right now that can fulfill my needs and I'm not interested in the refurb/used market.

My employer is 90% Windows so it's would be easier for me to choose a PC. I really, really don't want to do that but if Apple lacks the choices for me to buy an iMac (and right now, they do) then I'm stuck. I'll still have my iMac G4 and my five-year-old iBook, but if I'm forced to buy a PC for work reasons, I will, whether you call "bull crap" on it or not.

Fine, then don't buy, it is the free market system.

But to say that Apple is clearly consumer-unfriendly is to generalize based on your own preferences. They don't meet your need. OK, we get that. But it does meet the need of others... a lot of others. Your voice is not unimportant, it is just not the voice of the masses.


Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[inkswamp]

Most of yoy are just bitter because it isn't just what you wanted well then don't buy it, simple as that.

I've used Macs since 1993. I have purchased 5 of them. I have loved every one of them (even to some extent the cranky, badly designed Performa 6200.)

What's bothersome about this move on Apple's part is that, for someone like me (and others apparently) who want to buy a new Mac, the glossy screen option is just a nonstarter. I literally cannot buy a machine with a reflective surface. I have some minor quibbles with the rest of the machine, but not enough to make me avoid buying it. It's not that I want to dislike the iMac, but they have introduced a major change that is arguably worse than the previous design and have given consumers no other option.

Whether you like the glossy screen or not, you have to agree that a lack of options is not a good thing. Right? Or are we all supposed to take whatever Apple serves up to us and just shut up about it?

 

[ascender]

I'd be interested to see a couple of things...

1. Steve Jobs intimated that the move to glossy screens was because they had proved to be so popular on the laptops. Are there any sales figures available for this because most of the posts I've seen on the subject, people have been recommending the matte screens.

2. How many people who are rubbishing the new iMac glossy screens have actually seen the new machines with their own eyes?

 

[inkswamp]

Fine, then don't buy, it is the free market system.

That's probably what will happen.

For the first time in 15+ years of using Macs, Apple actually doesn't have something I can buy. Sad.

 

[inkswamp]

Steve Jobs intimated that the move to glossy screens was because they had proved to be so popular on the laptops. Are there any sales figures available for this because most of the posts I've seen on the subject, people have been recommending the matte screens.

We don't have those sales figures, but let's think about what we do know.

iMacs are not laptops, nor are they mobile machines. Therefore the reasons users might prefer a glossy screen on laptops may be completely irrelevant. I'm sure Steve Jobs understands that and defending such a change using laptop numbers would be shaky at best.

Secondly, IIRC, the sales of the previous model of iMac were constantly going up, year-over-year, faster than anyone expected them to grow. In fact, I think many of you posting here were reveling in the iMac sales figures recently released. Those iMacs had matte displays.

So, it seems that Apple had a line of machines with matte displays that were demonstrably popular with consumers. Apple has now removed that option.

 

[MacDawg]

Whether you like the glossy screen or not, you have to agree that a lack of options is not a good thing. Right? Or are we all supposed to take whatever Apple serves up to us and just shut up about it?

I have used Macs since '87 starting with the SE

Options are great for the consumer (generally speaking), but they can drive up costs. Are you willing to pay an additional premium to have all options available even though you will only choose one? Would you have been happy if they were all matte and your needs were met (and yet others would have been unhappy?). Apple made a calculated decision based on a lot of information (I'm sure). They did not make the matte an option and that is unfortunate for some, but I am sure there are a lot of legitimate reasons. I doubt they sat in a room and all laughed and said "let's screw everybody this time and give them what they don't want".

Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that production wise it would be just a simple matter to offer both and that there was no business reasons involved. There are trade offs in business all of the time based on costs, market demand and what the market will bear.

I don't want to minimize your dilemma or that of others in your situation. You apparently are affected adversely by the glossy screen. The iMac will not be an option for you then. It will be for a LOT of others. Simple supply and demand economics.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[ascender]

I guess part of the problem of not having the option of a matte screen is that if you don't like the glossy one for whatever reason, your alternatives are severely limited. I've been looking at the price of ACDs for example and when you look at the price of the iMac, it does give you value for money when you look at the cost of a similar ACD with even a bottom-end Mac Pro.

I also understand the point that having the option of two screens may increase the price, but having seen some of the pictures of iMac screens posted over the last few days, it really does look like they might have shot themselves in the foot with the glossy option only.

 

[RRK]

We don't have those sales figures, but let's think about what we do know.

iMacs are not laptops, nor are they mobile machines. Therefore the reasons users might prefer a glossy screen on laptops may be completely irrelevant. I'm sure Steve Jobs understands that and defending such a change using laptop numbers would be shaky at best.

Secondly, IIRC, the sales of the previous model of iMac were constantly going up, year-over-year, faster than anyone expected them to grow. In fact, I think many of you posting here were reveling in the iMac sales figures recently released. Those iMacs had matte displays.

So, it seems that Apple had a line of machines with matte displays that were demonstrably popular with consumers. Apple has now removed that option.

The glossy is for iLife and related things. Steve said in the presentation something like, "...for photos and movies they look way better on glossy displays." It's like a plasma screen or the iPhone its a consumer product.

 

[bigandy]

they might have shot themselves in the foot with the glossy option only.

aye, like they did with the MacBook.

and we all know how that tanked.

</sarcasm>