What do you think the specs of the new iMacs will be?

[Tsurisuto]

Everyone is speculating about the new form factor, but I think the specs will be very close to the current MacBook Pros (apart from the resolutions). I was just wondering what other things the new form factor will bring?

20" Screen (1680 x 1050)
2.2GHz (Santa Rosa)
1GB 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (128MB)
250GB Serial ATA drive (7200rpm)
8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
WiFi 802.11n
$1,499.00

24" Screen (1920 x 1200)
2.2GHz (Santa Rosa)
1GB 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (256MB)
250GB Serial ATA drive (7200rpm)
8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
WiFi 802.11n
$1,899.00

 

[roland.g]

20" Screen (1680 x 1050)
2.2GHz (Santa Rosa) might have option for 2.4GHz
$1,399.00

24" Screen (1920 x 1200)
2.2GHz (Santa Rosa) option for 2.4GHz
1GB 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM maybe 2GB
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (256MB) probably as an option, stock 128
$1,799.00

Those are my changes.

 

[Tsurisuto]

Those are my changes.

You're probably right about the stock 128MB graphics card in both machines, but I doubt Apple will supply 2GB RAM as standard on a consumer machine.

I'm trying to think what else Apple can introduce to improve the iMac? ...Maybe a better iSight camera with a higher resolution?

 

[strider42]

Personally I think there will be a cheaper machine available than 1399 or 1499. The line currently starts at 999. I could see a base model starting at 1199.

 

[Tsurisuto]

Personally I think there will be a cheaper machine available than 1399 or 1499. The line currently starts at 999. I could see a base model starting at 1199.

I have a feeling that Apple will separate it's desktop machines into 3 areas:

Entry Level
*New Machine* (Prices starting at $899)

Mid Range
iMacs ($1499 to $1899)

Professional Range
Mac Pros ($2399+)

 

[I'mAMac]

If i could get the 20" with the 256mb for $1600 I would be very happy.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I have a feeling that Apple will separate it's desktop machines into 3 areas:

Entry Level
*New Machine* (Prices starting at $899)

I've got a sneaking suspicion that the new entry level machine will be a current 17" iMac cut down with some features.

 

[WizardHunt]

I was hoping that the new imacs would come out with at least
2.4 ghz and 2.8 ghz option
500 GB Hard Drive
256 MB ram Video card
ram can be 1 Gb as it is easily upgraded.

But I think I am in a dream world.

Actually I think it will be this:
2.4 ghz and 2.6 ghz option
250 MB Hard Drive
128 MB video with a upgrade option 256 MB video
ram stays at 1 Gb

What do you think? Or what do you hope?

 

[Mac.Jnr]

I don't think you can get anything over 2.4ghz atm from a laptop chip.

iMac:
2.2ghz (2.4ghz option)
1gb ram (4 gb option)
8600M GT (8600GTS for 24' Inch option)
250HD

I don't think they will have LED backlighting but maybe just maybe.

 

[CBAviator]

I'm big into photography, so I'd like to see the 500GB standard.

 

[queshy]

for comparison, many of HPs "media centers" have at least 500 GB HDs and 2 GB of ram. In fact today I found out that HP is rolling out a quad core desktop shortly. I think the base iMac will be beefed up to that extent. Prices will remain around the same (not going up though)

 

[amc382]

yeah, well the current 24" imac comes with a 2.33 ghz chip, so there is no way they'll go down to 2.2ghz. i'm guessing they'll follow the specs of the MBP, and it still won't eat into the mac pro at all.

500gig HD very strong possibility... probably on the 24", or BTO.

RAM... toss up b/w 1 and 2 gigs. my bet is that everything will be 2gigs by this time next year anyway.

i can see them getting rid of the 17" model if they can drop the price on the 20" to within $100 of the current 17" price. plus, i also think they'll probably keep the 17" in some form for education only.

 

[amc382]

oh... and definitely no LED backlights. they're still more expensive, and the benefits of lower power consumption wouldn't justify the increased cost on a machine that is always plugged in.

desktop LCD's will get LED last, probably 2009.

 

[Tsurisuto]

yeah, well the current 24" imac comes with a 2.33 ghz chip, so there is no way they'll go down to 2.2ghz.

The current iMacs come with 2.16Ghz, not 2.33Ghz. So a 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa chip is more plausible, (with a 2.4Ghz as a BTO option).

 

[Tsurisuto]

So will these be the final specs?

iMac 20 (1680 x 1050):

2.2Ghz Santa Rosa (2.4ghz option)
1GB RAM (Up to 4GB option)
NVIDIA 8600M GT 128MB (258MB option)
250GB Hard Drive (500GB option)
Starting price: $1399

iMac 24 (1920 x 1200):

2.2Ghz Santa Rosa (2.4ghz option)
1GB RAM (Up to 4GB option)
NVIDIA 8600 GTS 128MB (258MB option)
250GB Hard Drive (750GB option)
Starting price: $1799

Possible new features:

• New form factor
• Higher resolution iSight camera
• BTO glossy screen

Unlikely features:

• Higher resolution screens
• Touch screen interface
• LED backlightling

Everyone agree?

 

[Mac.Jnr]

iMac 20 (1680 x 1050):

2.2Ghz Santa Rosa (2.4ghz option)
1GB RAM (Up to 4GB option)
NVIDIA 8600M GT 128MB (258MB option)
250GB Hard Drive (500GB option)
Starting price: $1399

iMac 24 (1920 x 1200):

2.2Ghz Santa Rosa (2.4ghz option)
1GB RAM (Up to 4GB option)
NVIDIA 8600 GTS 128MB (258MB option)
250GB Hard Drive (750GB option)
Starting price: $1799

Possible new features:

• New form factor
• Higher resolution iSight camera
• BTO glossy screen

Unlikely features:

• Higher resolution screens
• Touch screen interface
• LED backlightling

Everyone agree?

There is no 8600GTS 128, but there is a 8600GT 256.

All the models below 24" will have 8600M GT

The 24" might have a 8500GT as standard and a 8600GT as a BTO maybe even a 8600GTS.

 

[superlatic]

If their planning on getting rid of the 17 inch option, then I think the following

Entry Level Model

2.2 GHZ Core 2 Duo
20" Screen 1680 x 1050
1 GB Ram (upgradable to 4GB)
Intel X3000 or X3100 Integrated Graphics
250GB Stock HDD

Mid Range Model

2.2GHZ Santa Rosa (upgradable to 2.4)
20"Screen 1680 x 1050
2GB Ram Upgradable to 4GB
250GB HDD
128mb NVidia 8600M upgradable to 256mb

High End Model

2.2 GHZ Santa Rosa (Upgradable to 2.4, outside chance 2.6)
24 inch screen 1920 x 1200
2GB Ram upgradable to 4gb
500GB HDD, upgradable to 750,(maybe just maybe 1TB, although highly unlikely)
256mb NVidia 8600M (and if current imac trends are to be followed, a BTO option better than this which is not available on the MBP)

All models AE and BT as standard, maybe HDCP compatable screens

Ram will DEFO be 2GB stock option on at least the 24 inch option, my guess the 20 inch model too, as iMac specs last time very closely resembled the MBP specs

Dont think these specs are too unrealistic, what does everyone else think?

 

[Tsurisuto]

Entry Level Model

2.2 GHZ Core 2 Duo
20" Screen 1680 x 1050
1 GB Ram (upgradable to 4GB)
Intel X3000 or X3100 Integrated Graphics
250GB Stock HDD

Ram will DEFO be 2GB stock option on at least the 24 inch option, my guess the 20 inch model too, as iMac specs last time very closely resembled the MBP specs

I don't think that a 20" model will replace the iMac 17" model as a 'entry level' machine. Apple will either choose to keep the current 17" model and just reduce the price and ONLY update the 20" / 24" models with the *new* design. Or Apple will replace the 17" iMac / Mac Mini entirely with a new 'entry level' machine.

 

[rainydays]

I don't think that a 20" model will replace the iMac 17" model as a 'entry level' machine. Apple will either choose to keep the current 17" model and just reduce the price and ONLY update the 20" / 24" models with the *new* design. Or Apple will replace the 17" iMac / Mac Mini entirely with a new 'entry level' machine.

Two different designs with the same name? I highly doubt that. They will either rename it eMac or replace it with something else.

 

[Tsurisuto]

Two different designs with the same name? I highly doubt that. They will either rename it eMac or replace it with something else.

Very good point. So either they:

a. Drop the 17" altogether and only have 20" / 24" iMacs, with a new machine to fill the 17" gap. (Most likely)

b. Call the new 20" and 24" models something new. (50 / 50 chance)

c. Call the current 17" models something different (Not at all likely)

 

[Scarlet Fever]

i reckon;
-Mac Mini will die.
-17" iMac will be dropped.
-no larger iMac will be introduced, because 24" is already fricken big.
-won't have LED because it's not ready for big screens yet.
-won't have touchscreen because that's a P.I.T.A.
-will have a complete re-design.

and this bombshell,
-they might use desktop parts, meaning they can have a faster CPU in there

 

[Tsurisuto]

i reckon;
-Mac Mini will die. (100%)
-17" iMac will be dropped. (70% Only because they need something for the education / 'entry level' market)
-no larger iMac will be introduced, because 24" is already fricken big. (100%)
-won't have LED because it's not ready for big screens yet. (100%)
-won't have touchscreen because that's a P.I.T.A. (100% But what's P.I.T.A?)
-will have a complete re-design. (100% And I think we might get a choice of color as well.)

and this bombshell,
-they might use desktop parts, meaning they can have a faster CPU in there (50% Not if they want to slim down the machine / reduce cost / not eat into the Mac Pro market)

I agree with most of what you said.

 

[2ndPath]

for comparison, many of HPs "media centers" have at least 500 GB HDs and 2 GB of ram. In fact today I found out that HP is rolling out a quad core desktop shortly. I think the base iMac will be beefed up to that extent. Prices will remain around the same (not going up though)

But does quad core require the usage of desktop chips? This might be a problem in the relatively slim iMac design which relied on notebook components so far.

 

[MacSA]

So if Apple do drop the Mini and the 17" the cheapest price you'll have to pay to get into Mac computing will go up from $599 to $1399. They definitely need something to replace the Mini.

 

[Tsurisuto]

So if Apple do drop the Mini and the 17" the cheapest price you'll have to pay to get into Mac computing will go up from $599 to $1399. They definitely need something to replace the Mini.

Exactly!