CONSUMER: Why I wanted to, but may not buy a new iMac
k - I've had a long time to think. I was in the market for a new iMac at MWNY and resisted, as I wanted the new design. I didn't like it early this morning, but I held my fire (all UK time) until now, having examined it at Apple UK etc.
While I agree that the new specification is everything I could want (bar the lack of widescreen display) I'm afraid I'm not prepared to change from my current iMac. Why? Because as far as I'm concerned the original iMac design was great - a flatscreen version yes, but a flatscreen version like pscates lime iMac - not today's machine. Sorry, to all you devotees out there, but its true! Secondly, I've already said that I don't want to abandon my current system for one with a noisy fan. Finally, and most importantly of all, I did have a Cube when it first came out (it was returned for a full refund due to all the faults on my model). While I liked it, I was amazed when I got it that it took up more desk space than my iMac - YES - MORE. There was the footprint of the LCD with stand, the Cube itself and then the speakers. While the new iMac may not have the LCD stand seperately, that sphere is big, not tall maybe, but it has a large base. Secondly, it should include speakers - and not the tinny G4 tower speaker it comes with, but proper speakers like those built into the current iMac. It may not sound big to you, but it makes a big difference to me...along with the 'sphere' look...and the fan. As for 'Steve's' explanation for dumping the 15" Display like iMac - as for the thickness, rubbish. They can fit it all into a Powerbook for just an inch, and that INCLUDES the keyboard. WHile I take his point about the CD drive, these days, apart from burning speed, I don't care about CD speed - I can't tell whether a 36x drive or 48x drive is REALLY faster. I'm sorry, but as a TRUE consumer user, WAITING for the new iMac ready for a purchase, at this stage, I don't want one.
While I agree that the new specification is everything I could want (bar the lack of widescreen display) I'm afraid I'm not prepared to change from my current iMac. Why? Because as far as I'm concerned the original iMac design was great - a flatscreen version yes, but a flatscreen version like pscates lime iMac - not today's machine. Sorry, to all you devotees out there, but its true! Secondly, I've already said that I don't want to abandon my current system for one with a noisy fan. Finally, and most importantly of all, I did have a Cube when it first came out (it was returned for a full refund due to all the faults on my model). While I liked it, I was amazed when I got it that it took up more desk space than my iMac - YES - MORE. There was the footprint of the LCD with stand, the Cube itself and then the speakers. While the new iMac may not have the LCD stand seperately, that sphere is big, not tall maybe, but it has a large base. Secondly, it should include speakers - and not the tinny G4 tower speaker it comes with, but proper speakers like those built into the current iMac. It may not sound big to you, but it makes a big difference to me...along with the 'sphere' look...and the fan. As for 'Steve's' explanation for dumping the 15" Display like iMac - as for the thickness, rubbish. They can fit it all into a Powerbook for just an inch, and that INCLUDES the keyboard. WHile I take his point about the CD drive, these days, apart from burning speed, I don't care about CD speed - I can't tell whether a 36x drive or 48x drive is REALLY faster. I'm sorry, but as a TRUE consumer user, WAITING for the new iMac ready for a purchase, at this stage, I don't want one.
Comments
<strong> I'm afraid I'm not prepared to change from my current iMac. Why?
Because as far as I'm concerned the original iMac design was great - a flatscreen version yes, but a flatscreen version like pscates lime iMac - not today's machine. Sorry, to all you devotees out there, but its true! </strong><hr></blockquote>
Then get the old one. They still sell them for under a grand.
[quote]<strong>Secondly, I've already said that I don't want to abandon my current system for one with a noisy fan. Finally, and most importantly of all, I did have a Cube when it first came out (it was returned for a full refund due to all the faults on my model). While I liked it, I was amazed when I got it that it took up more desk space than my iMac - YES - MORE. There was the footprint of the LCD with stand, the Cube itself and then the speakers. While the new iMac may not have the LCD stand seperately, that sphere is big, not tall maybe, but it has a large base. </strong><hr></blockquote>
The fan, as far as Apple will tell you is very noiseless. I have an iMac G3 700 SE and after a while the hardrive starts to bug me. Minor issue I think. Until I see/hear one myself.
The new iMac base is too big? Not! This machine is small! 10 and a half inches with the monitor off the table seems a lot more space efficient to me!
[quote]<strong>Secondly, it should include speakers - and not the tinny G4 tower speaker it comes with, but proper speakers like those built into the current iMac. It may not sound big to you, but it makes a big difference to me...along with the 'sphere' look...and the fan. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Speakers...good point. But the entry level new iMac is geared to the consumer who just want s a computer that'll handle most of what they want in a consumer PC and also offers the all in one they desire. The next and top level iMacs come with the HK speaker balls.
you either need a bigger desk or a bigger room...
[quote]<strong>As for 'Steve's' explanation for dumping the 15" Display like iMac - as for the thickness, rubbish. They can fit it all into a Powerbook for just an inch, and that INCLUDES the keyboard. WHile I take his point about the CD drive, these days, apart from burning speed, I don't care about CD speed - I can't tell whether a 36x drive or 48x drive is REALLY faster. I'm sorry, but as a TRUE consumer user, WAITING for the new iMac ready for a purchase, at this stage, I don't want one.</strong><hr></blockquote>
This LCD maybe 15" but damn...it's an inch thick! It's above ground on a swival arm! Plus I think there is more screen real estate with these LCD monitors than with the CRTs.
CDs ShmD's...whatever...
Oh well, I guess you want real convincing testimony or maybe you just want a Windows PC...good luck! <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
I'm sorry, but I do wonder if this new design is Steve's real control freak coming out - he HAD to have something different. As for the whole 'vertical' optical drive thing, seemed ok on the Cube....
It's SO different, SO out-of-left-field, SO "not what I expected", that I can't help but totally be enthralled by it.
Honest to God, if you would've sat me in a room with a sketch pad and a supply of pencils for 6 months straight, NOTHING I would've doodled would've looked that way. I would've continued to beat the "15" Display" look like a dead horse.
Yeah, I'm sure it COULD be done, but I like Steve's explanation in Time about letting the parts be true to themselves. That, to me, makes a lot of sense and really hits home.
Why have a flat panel iMac is its flatness isn't even played up or appreciated?
And one of my long-time complaints with the iMac was the lack of any sort of true tilt and swivel capability.
This new one addresses that shortcoming in the snazziest way I can imagine!
I love it everything about it.
I sincerely appreciate your nice comments about my lime-colored mockup from a year or so ago, but it doesn't hold a candle to this new iMac.
They were truly "thinking different", and I respect that.
I would've been a bit disappointed had they simply refitted existing enclosures and designs and merely "glommed on" the guts to the back of an already-familiar shape, regardless of how thin they managed to get it.
This iLamp is gorgeous and I can't wait to get mine.
ps..asked this before...maybe i should start a new thread....but who do you think will be the first computer company to copy apple and have a monitor coming off the computer that swivels on an "arm"??? and will apple sue if they do?? g