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Why is thinner better?

S

Scannall

macrumors member
Original poster
May 31, 2007
57
0
I really don't understand Apples drive to make the current generation of iMac even thinner than the last. It makes the heat budget your engineers have to work with even more limited. Meaning things like a sub par video card for instance.

Heck, when I am using my iMac I couldn't tell you how thick it is. Nor do I care. If it were an inch thicker I wouldn't notice.

And that extra space would allow a better graphics card, and maybe another hard drive in the heat budget.

Whereas making it thinner, just really doesn't add anything useful at all to the product.
 
I think you've just defined yourself as not Apple's target audience for the iMac.

It's all about pushing the limits. Why make a thin, gorgeous machine? Because they can! The iMac has never been brimming with power, certainly never more than now, and neither should it be.

The Mac Pro on the other hand, well, I don't expect there to be a thin and light one of those any time soon ;)
 
You're making it sound like they say 'ok guys, this year it CANNOT go over this thick"

No, they decide what they wanna put in the machine, then figure out how thin they can make it.
 
smurfy said:
You're making it sound like they say 'ok guys, this year it CANNOT go over this thick"

No, they decide what they wanna put in the machine, then figure out how thin they can make it.
Click to expand...

You don't know that for sure... Not many know Apple's development process.
 
wakerider017 said:
You don't know that for sure... Not many know Apple's development process.
Click to expand...
Apple is fairly well-known for their cooperation between designers, engineers, and other departments. Steve Jobs once made a point about how concept cars often look amazing, but the finished product looks much worse because it was not designed with manufacturing in mind.
 
Scannall said:
I really don't understand Apples drive to make the current generation of iMac even thinner than the last. It makes the heat budget your engineers have to work with even more limited. Meaning things like a sub par video card for instance.

Heck, when I am using my iMac I couldn't tell you how thick it is. Nor do I care. If it were an inch thicker I wouldn't notice.

And that extra space would allow a better graphics card, and maybe another hard drive in the heat budget.

Whereas making it thinner, just really doesn't add anything useful at all to the product.
Click to expand...


Well, if we never made any computer thinner than the previous, you'd be typing on a HUGE computer about 2 feet thick (or maybe you are?).

As computers become thinner, it also becomes easier to direct the air over precise areas within the computer. It is easier to direct air through a thin space than it is throughout a giant box. Just something else to think about...
 
Because fat girls clothes generally cost more.

Wait...wrong thread. Bitter party of one is in the next forum. My bad.
:cool:
 
Because Steve Jobs says it is. Now shut up and buy an iMac before SJ sicks FSJ on you :D
 
Because that was the only thing that come on with to improve the older design.

They didn´t have something great to put or put there, so they just make it thinner and say: look, it´s even thinner!!!!

Thinner is cool as long as it don´t mess with performance, but I think they cut on gpu because of that.
 
rest44 said:
Because that was the only thing that come on with to improve the older design.

They didn´t have something great to put or put there, so they just make it thinner and say: look, it´s even thinner!!!!

Thinner is cool as long as it don´t mess with performance, but I think they cut on gpu because of that.
Click to expand...
The next higher level GPU would be a good $300 more (+ Apple Tax). That would certainly cut into sales.
 
The reason, in my opinion, that the new iMac is thinner is because the iMac's G5's frame was made for PowerPC processors that requires soo much space. Once they switched to intel with uses less space and requires less fan to keep it cool, they had quite a gap in the frame. so it's only naturel to shrink the current iMac's frame to fit what they have inside.
 
Phobophobia said:
Apple is fairly well-known for their cooperation between designers, engineers, and other departments. Steve Jobs once made a point about how concept cars often look amazing, but the finished product looks much worse because it was not designed with manufacturing in mind.
Click to expand...

Right, which is why it's both. Sure Jobs (or whoever) can set a "thickness" goal, but there are manufacturing "goals" that would logically and smartly go alongside it. Each aspect plays off each other; it is not one or the other in the design process.

Then again I don't work for Apple, and maybe that makes too much sense of what Jobs & Co. has said in the past.

-=|Mgkwho
 
l'homme said:
Because it's fashionware. Focused to the mass, not for the Pro.
;)
Click to expand...

The pro argument is ridiculous and rather pretentious if you ask me. iMacs are used in design agencies around the world in a professional capacity. Sure they are used as a flagship to show consumers Apple's sleek aesthetics and to show off how great they look, but to say they are aimed purely at a home user is highly innaccurate.
 
Scannall said:
I really don't understand Apples drive to make the current generation of iMac even thinner than the last. It makes the heat budget your engineers have to work with even more limited.
Click to expand...

As silicon technology improves with efficiency, the heat it produces reduces (unless they crank up the speed up to previous PPW). Therefore it is of my opinion that the technology allows designers to reduce the form factor, not the other way around.

Either that, of you just don't argue with a Jobs mandate ;)

mrmjd said:
The pro argument is ridiculous and rather pretentious if you ask me. iMacs are used in design agencies around the world in a professional capacity. Sure they are used as a flagship to show consumers Apple's sleek aesthetics and to show off how great they look, but to say they are aimed purely at a home user is highly innaccurate.
Click to expand...

Sure pros use them, by they are not the target audience, they're not close to half way either.
 
l33r0y said:
Sure pros use them, by they are not the target audience, they're not close to half way either.
Click to expand...

I disagree, why not make the iMac less meaty and take 300 quid off the price in that case, like the Mini; then you're looking at serious penetration into the home user market with an all in one PC that's ready to go! I accept the Mini is supposed to do that, but the fact you still need a monitor, keyboard and mouse is a barrier to entry into the Apple market. People are simple, they want something that includes everything that doesn't require too much mucking around.
 
flopticalcube said:
The next higher level GPU would be a good $300 more (+ Apple Tax). That would certainly cut into sales.
Click to expand...

mac book pro have a better gpu... it should at least be an option on the iMac. I´m not a gamer, but if they wan´t to be in the gamers market they need to give gamers what they want.
 
Whoever said thinner is better? Have you ever watched Brainiac's Fat v. Thin series?

Why thin? Jobs obsesses about it. Its totally mind boggling. Every millimetre makes a difference to their design process. Maybe it reduces manufacturing costs as less material is required. But they do spend an unhealthy amount of time on aesthetic issues. It seems to be working however, as the company is doing exceptionally well. Apple tends to put form first and foremost.
 
shakastange said:
Whoever said thinner is better? Have you ever watched Brainiac's Fat v. Thin series?

Why thin? Jobs obsesses about it. Its totally mind boggling. Every millimetre makes a difference to their design process. Maybe it reduces manufacturing costs as less material is required. But they do spend an unhealthy amount of time on aesthetic issues. It seems to be working however, as the company is doing exceptionally well. Apple tends to put form first and foremost.
Click to expand...

Why bother making a thin laptop then? Why not have a chunky one? Surely it's all about economising the space whether it is on a desk or on your lap, the same priniciple applies.
 
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