New iMacs?

[GavinBKK]

I may have blinked and missed something, but our (Thailand) online Apple store mentions the advertised iMac as "new".

I didn't hear about a spec refresh yet?? Anyone know any different?

[NaOH]

The US online Apple Store also says "The new iMac." It's the same iMac selections that have been available for about 13 months. I think that's the copy they've used all along since "new" is also used on pages for the Mini, Air, and MacBook Pro (note the very long in the tooth Mac Pro is the exception). Or maybe they switched it recently to maintain sales prior to a refresh. I don't know. But, no, you didn't miss anything.

[GavinBKK]

OK, thanks for that. I want the 27", but this close to a refresh, I can hold out for a while.

[NaOH]

I'm considering an iMac also, but the difficulties of getting inside the machine concern me. In practical terms, I'm waiting to see if the refreshed models can be had with an SSD at a price point that's acceptable to me. I keep machines for many years, so I can assume a platter drive will die or be replaced out of safe-computing practices, so I'm not willing to spend a bunch to have a replacement installed (though I do need to research the feasibility of doing it myself). If I don't get a new iMac, I figure I'll look at an Air or hold off on getting a new machine.

[GavinBKK]

Well, it seems the Apple-supplied SSDs are of the slower variety anyway, so I am not worried about that. How about an external SSD?

As soon as I order, I am going to order a big RAM upgrade from OWC and that'll do me for now. WWDC announcement then? They don't usually bother for the iMac line IIRC. Their site was down for hours and nothing noticeable changed - at least at our end.

[acme.mail.order]

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH ... but the difficulties of getting inside the machine concern me.

Nothing the proper tools can't deal with. iFixIt has good instructions. Sure, it's not as easy as before, but they don't look like beige boxes either.

Quote: so I can assume a platter drive will die or be replaced out of safe-computing practices

SSD drives have their own aging issues, compounded by use rather than time. I wouldn't think any SSD is going to actually last longer than spinning storage, and they are new enough that no one has empirical data about it.

[Irene]

When are we thinking new iMacs will be released? My husband’s 5 year old iMac is really not handling the new OS and software well My 2009 version is doing just fine. I’d like to replace his when a new cycle starts.

[NaOH]

The general guess is sometime soon with WWDC being a potential opportunity for announcements, 10.8 Mountain Lion coming up, with back-to-school purchasing on the horizon, and the fact that iMacs haven't been refreshed in 13 months.

[anthlover]

Well of course as we have chatted about in other threads, Apple may have something special up there sleeves.... but at a minimum the updated I series processors are a smidgen faster, have better on board gpu, draw less power, will have usb 3 because intel supports it now and they might bump the video card to newer spiffier.

All very well and good. For most people the USB3 and perhaps the Video Card will be the draw as opposed to buying existing for a bit less after the release. Thunderbolt rocks but unless your looking for an array, usb3 is plenty fast for single drives and cheap.

Oh and When. Well the rumor mill puts new Imacs and Macbooks Pros, etc sometime in June. And every one waits with baited breath for the processors that were also released for the Mac Pros who people have been waiting forever for updates on.

So the conference begins June 11th and Ends the 15th. So if they announce there it would ship within a few weeks after I would assume? Not sure about World Wide vs. Country by Country part either.

[NaOH]

Quote: Originally Posted by anthlover Well of course as we have chatted about in other threads, Apple may have something special up there sleeves....

Just kind of thinking out loud here, I wonder if the constraints of the Mac form factors contributed to the idea behind yearly OS updates. I mean, I think it's safe to assume the MacBook Pro line will soon move to a MacBook Air-style form factor. At the point, the bulk of Mac sales are the iMac, Air, MacBook Pro, and the Mini.

Those form factors are about as minimal as can be due to the constraints of accommodating a screen or a full keyboard (Mini excepted for those factors, of course). So how do you add consumer-facing features? Primarily, it would seem the OS is a good route. Sure, new screens may come along for notebooks and iMacs, but it doesn't seem like there's much room for improving all this hardware in a way that average customers visually appreciate (sure, an i7 processor sounds better than i5, but I'm confident the average potential Apple consumer doesn't know).

[anthlover]

The Stuff I mention is basically a given, costs them nothing its just a refresh based on 2012 components Imac wise

Retina display is one possibility. Whether it appears across the line or just portables will be seen to excuse the pun And beyond that up to Apple.

The Portable line is pro ported be Larger Pro Airs, at least the 15 and perhaps a 17.
These really are portable workstations. So basically drop DVDs, a little thinner/lighter, perhaps Retina Display and better battery life.

As to the design apple can do what ever they like. Apple keeps the design the same for as long as it suits them/the customer/Apple's Design goals. Apple could have made bigger non monitor computers like the mini but their goal is to sell you both. Nice Display, Nice Computer, less cables. Done. If Apple made a bigger mini with features of the Imac a lot of people would buy a $200 display. Apple Prices the mini I feel so most go for an Imac or Macbook Pro.

Tick Tick Tick

[benwiggy]

My old iMac has got three lines running down the screen, each a different colour. I'm desperate to buy a new one, but would feel a fool for buying shortly before a refresh. (Though no doubt, the 2011 model would be twice as fast as my current 2006 Mac.)

I've seen many people on forums crying out for MacPro refreshes, and saying that they can't do their work on "family toy" iMacs. But the current iMac is probably faster than the MacPro from a few years ago.
I remember when Macs would spend time crunching through PostScript and Photoshop filters. That just doesn't happen today. Computers are rarely taxed by print work.
I'm sure you can shave a few seconds off some heavy video work with a 2012 MacPro (when they come out) versus a 2010 one. But if you need processing power, is the 2010 MacPro really "no good" anymore, when once it was the fastest thing out there?

[GavinBKK]

Well, quite. That is just my point. OK, halfway though a product cycle, then dive in, but when it "should" only be a couple of weeks away...

[anthlover]

Actually the main reason Apple did not update the Pros if they ever will is the High end Processor they use was just re-freshed after a longgg time. I linked to the geek bench scores below. Current top of the line Imacs peak at 12K Geekbench. The 2010-2012 MacPro 12 Core Top of the line most recent peak at 21K Geek bench. Your Imac around 3-5K you would have to find your model.

http://browse.geekbench.ca/mac-benchmarks

Of course the non 12 Core monster Mac Pros are in the same area of performance as current Imacs.

Wish the Pros Luck.

[benwiggy]

Wow, OK: I stand corrected. MacPros are quite quick. But a new iMac is still faster than a 2009 Xserve.

But I guess the point I'm making is: The tasks that we use computers for are probably not increasing in complexity at the same rate as processor power. So even last year's model is still good enough for most tasks, isn't it?
Is a 12-core Xeon MacPro really not up to scratch for video rendering?

[anthlover]

Overall i agree. Generally people find "a need" for the power some how. Running VMs for example.

[GavinBKK]

So, still no new iMacs then???

[benwiggy]

Nope.
It's like waiting for a bus when you can walk to the destination. The longer you wait, the more you consider walking in order to complete your journey. But at the same time, the longer you wait, the greater the likelihood that the bus is imminent.
Of course, as soon as you do set off walking, the bus will come and you'll miss it.

If Apple said "we realise this isn't the latest tech: here's 20% off", I'd buy the 2011 model today. It's much more powerful than my current iMac, and I would have bought it in February had I known how long the update would take.
It's the prospect of a better machine for the same money that keeps me hanging on, full of empty hope. Late September/early October, they say.

And the war will be over by Christmas......

[GavinBKK]

Ha! Well put! Why do Apple do this? Because they can. Seems that way to me anyway.

For me, this is not business critical, but I can imagine it being so for some. And my post, above, of the 1st of June was so optimistic. Ho sodding hum.

[benwiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by GavinBKK Why do Apple do this? Because they can. Seems that way to me anyway.

In the UK, we say that the explanation for things is usually "cock-up rather than conspiracy".

There's no business reason why Apple would deliberately withhold the latest technology in their products as part of some evil scheme, unless something is prohibiting them. New designs not working as expected, components not available, production problems (white iPhone, anyone?) -- or perhaps they massively over-ordered and they've still got a warehouse full of the things.