Photos of Apple's new iMac and ultra-thin keyboards

[AppleInsider]

Although branded as an all-new iMac, the new aluminum model is a subtler evolution of the white all-in-one it replaces rather than the overhaul seen with the leap to the iMac G5 in 2004.

Beyond the metal enclosure, the most obvious changes are the glossy, glass-based LCD display with a black, plastic frame and the matte black plastic at the rear of the computer -- both of which are conspicuously designed to mimic cosmetic touches on the iPhone. The cabinet itself is exactly a third of an inch thick at its narrowest point, but tapers towards the back to help vent heat towards the back of the casing.

Equally on show at the event is Apple's first major redesign of the company's wired and wireless keyboards. The ultra-thin design, which is available as a stand-alone item from Apple's online store, is also aluminum uses notebook-like keys with a flat surface similar to that of the MacBook.

And unlike previous wired and wireless pairings, the physical layouts are different: the Bluetooth-based wireless model abandoning the number pad and extra function keys in favor of a more compact shape for media centers. It also scraps the side USB ports for battery access slots.

Both versions overlay the traditional F-keys with dedicated media functions such as pausing music and invoking Dashboard or Expose. A Fn key is used to modify the keys back to their traditional roles. Conspicuously, the Apple logo is now removed from both of the Command keys.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[shanmugam]

i do not see photos, or just me?

[MacSuperiority]

Teh Sexay!!

[apprehensive]

Photos were fine here.

I can't believe the wireless keyboard doesn't have a number pad!! That is a deal killer for me.

Also, it's not very Leopard friendly. No icon for Spaces? Maybe a refresh in Oct.?

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[ Digg this story ]

Feel free to slam me, but that's one crappy looking keyboard. Sorry, two crappy looking keyboards.

And is it just me or does anyone else keep thinking, "Why doesn't the image fill the screen?" every time they see a picture of the new iMac and that big black border around the screen?

[dacloo]

Pessimists. Wonderful evolution of the iMac design. Keyboard looks awesome. Hope it types as well as it looks! Don't know why the wireless one lacks a numeric keypad. Not much people use the numeric keypad anyway (redundant. The numeric keypad seems to me like an invention from the past where the computer was mainly used as a fancy calculator. More space on my desktop for papers and stuff!

[M.O.S.T]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[ Digg this story ]

Notice that it does not say 'iMac' any where on it?

[UserName]

Originally Posted by apprehensive

Also, it's not very Leopard friendly. No icon for Spaces?

Lot's of "spaces" on the F3 key - check it out on http://www.apple.com/imac/design.html and look at the pics in " Nothing peripheral about it."

[pepp5]

Originally Posted by UserName

Lot's of "spaces" on the F3 key - check it out on http://www.apple.com/imac/design.html and look at the pics in " Nothing peripheral about it."

That's the Expose "icon"...

[apprehensive]

pepp5 beat me to it!

Originally Posted by dacloo

Not much people use the numeric keypad anyway (redundant. The numeric keypad seems to me like an invention from the past where the computer was mainly used as a fancy calculator. More space on my desktop for papers and stuff!

Perhaps not, but as an accountant who does a TON of spreadsheets and data-entry, a number pad is sorely missed.

[Solar]

Overall I like it, but I'm not sure if I like the black back.. in some of the pictures it looks kind of fugly.. I'm sure it looks sweet ass sweet in real life though.. gotta have some faith in Ive.

[Gee4orce]

WTF ?!

Why has the wireless one not an extended keyboard ?

I hope that is an option ?!

[Evolution_GT]

I think the black border was an excellent idea. It makes the screen look as if its floating. It also demands attention by directing your eyes right towards the screen (since white and black or black and a bright screen can be very contrasting).

And by having no numeric keypad it leaves room from third party manufacturers to make some money (possible reason?).... and I guess since probably 50% of people don't use it, making the keyboard smaller could only benefit...the user saving desk space and the company itself cutting manufacturing costs.

[emoeric87]

Also, the black border hides the iSight, which previously showed up as a little black square in a sea of white right in front of your face.

[Rot'nApple]

"Silver" & Black, the new iMac is in iPhone colors, well sorta.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by Gee4orce

WTF ?!

Why has the wireless one not an extended keyboard ?

I hope that is an option ?!

It's the first step toward Steve Job's goal of a one-button keyboard (well, it will have a couple on the side but those won't count as actual buttons, like the iPhone). It will just know what you want to do based on where the cursor is on screen. For example, if you open up Mail and create a new message to your mom, pushing the button will make the system automatically write a nice letter to her detailing your recent activities (by scanning your iCal events), make idle chat about the grandkids (if it determined you have kids by scanning your iPhoto collection) and attach a recent picture, and then invite her over for dinner (and automatically add it to your iCal events assuming her Address Book entry puts her at a location that is nearby). It will be a glorious system. It will free us all from having to think for ourselves...

[Apparatus]

Sorry, just my opinion, but I can't get over how ugly the new keyboard is. I just can't imagine it's going to be great for people who do a lot of typing, especially if it feels like the keyboard on the MacBook.

[Timon]

If the demand is there I'm sure a wireless extended keyboard will show up. For me I'll stick with a wired keyboard, I want the two up front USB 2.0 ports, and a wireless mouse. I've always thought that was the best combo.

[Avor]

Pfft.

Leopard is UNIX certified (or something similar I'm too lazy to look it up). UNIX wasn't built around a number pad and directional buttons. The transition is almost complete!

[plus]

Originally Posted by apprehensive

I can't believe the wireless keyboard doesn't have a number pad!! That is a deal killer for me.

Ha. At last!!! A company that had the good sense to give us a keyboard free of all those extraneous keys!! One that can actually be balanced on my lap (thanks, Bluetooth!) AND have the QWERTY section *centered* in front of me! And one that, when on a desk or keyboard tray, doesn't require us right-handed mousers (i.e., most people!) to repeatedly lift our hand over half a foot of wasted space every single time we move between keying and mousing.

[And yes, I loved the days of my ol' Happy Hacker keyboard back in the '90's ... but their newer models never seemed quite suitable for use w/ a Mac.]

So ... sorry all you folks who do numeric data entry ... you'll just have to stick with your aircraft-carrier-style keyboards, numeric keypad and all. But for the *rest* of us, this new keyboard looks great!

-- Paul

[Masteric]

I will get on the wagon with everyone else: no keypad on the wireless keyboard? All that means to me is this: if I get the new iMac I will be getting the wired keyboard. What were they thinking? If they are going to do that then offer both keyboards (with and without). I guarantee you that the wireless keyboard with the number pad would far outsell the wireless keyboard without it.

[Loungepop]

Originally Posted by apprehensive

Photos were fine here.

I can't believe the wireless keyboard doesn't have a number pad!! That is a deal killer for me.

Also, it's not very Leopard friendly. No icon for Spaces? Maybe a refresh in Oct.?

To say that the lack of a numeric keypad is a deal killer is like not buying an amazing car because it doesn't have an ashtray.

[chris v]

Nitpick -- will someone please remove the apostrophe from the word "Photos" in the headline? It's plural, not possesive.

Oh, and teh sexay indeed. I've been using an old G4-era keyboard with my G5 since my son spilled sprite in the one it shipped with, and it's very tempting to grab one of these new keyboards. Wired, that is -- I like the numeric keypad.

[Rot'nApple]

To borrow a phrase from his Steveness,

One more thing...

They say that black is slimming...

Notice how the 'chin' looks smaller and the 'casing' around the front appears smaller and thinner and yes, it "hides" the black lens of the iSight camera...

for those that have a white iMac, simply get some black, sticky electrical tape, .75" wide, and wrap the tape around the border of the monitor screen and BAM, you'll have a slimmer looking "white" iMac with a smaller 'chin' and get some black spray paint and hose down the back of your iMac

[Phizz]

Originally Posted by apprehensive

Perhaps not, but as an accountant who does a TON of spreadsheets and data-entry, a number pad is sorely missed.

And as an accountant, do you regularly sit back, feet up, in your lazyboy lounger bashing away at your spreadsheets with your wireless keyboard on your lap? If so, fair enough, but I would imagine a wired keyboard would be absolutely fine for you.

Here's what I reckon Apple's thinking is:

Wired keyboard - for users who generally have their keyboard on their desk in front of their computer (like me). Full button set, no batteries to change, included USB 2.0 ports for other desk accessories.

Wireless keyboard - for more media-driven users (bedroom computer?) who watch movies on their computer, sit with their feet on their desk, etc. So it is lighter and more portable, easier to put on your lap or hold one handed, wireless, no need for USB ports (you aint gonna carry your gadgets around....), and doesn't have a keypad as such users probably won't use it.

Of course there would porobably be a small minority of users who for whatever reason abolsutely need both a keypad and wireless. If so, there are several other brands of keyboard aren't there?

[CRHain88]

This thing is hideous! It look looks like it has a black eye! And no white? WTF? does this mean that they are getting ready to nix the pro series? Or are they going to step backwards and color those manilla again?

The frame makes the screen look smaller. It looks like it's just floating there. And then when leopard comes out with their transparent menu bar and dock, it's going to give people seizures! It looks like somebody put pressure on for something new and Ive panicked.

The person who mentioned a little black dot staring out them, now we have a whole frame that our eyes will just circle around and around.

GRR! I'm frustrated by the two-toned everything! mac=silver and black keyboard=silver and white. What is that!

Sorry, but like I said, I'm having a conniption!

[dien0011]

i would say take the keypad off and save yourself a couple inches. if this is supposed to be portable, the shorter it is, the easier it would be for it to fit into a backpack or computer bag.

i think it makes a much better accessory for laptops than desktops.

[bandalay]

Originally Posted by Phizz

Here's what I reckon Apple's thinking is:

Wireless keyboard - for more media-driven users (bedroom computer?) who watch movies on their computer, sit with their feet on their desk, etc.

And here's what I reckon: this is another sign there's a move afoot towards a big-screen Apple experience...

[waytogobuddy]

WTF ?!

Why has the wireless one not an extended keyboard ?

this sucks balls.

I guess good for travelling / using teh upcoming apple TV / mac mini on the couch, but WTfingF - it's not a full functioning keyboard: everytime I enter numbers (phone numbers, account numbers, PAGE NUMBERS, dollars and cents) I use teh number keypad. no floppy drive is one thing, no keypad?? common....

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by Loungepop

To say that the lack of a numeric keypad is a deal killer is like not buying an amazing car because it doesn't have an ashtray.

Love it.

[Eduardo]

Originally Posted by caliminius

Feel free to slam me, but that's one crappy looking keyboard. Sorry, two crappy looking keyboards.

And is it just me or does anyone else keep thinking, "Why doesn't the image fill the screen?" every time they see a picture of the new iMac and that big black border around the screen?

Dude, I agree. That is one ugly looking keyboard.
I personally loved the over design of the out-going iMac. The new iMac's are kinda ugly (granted I haven't seen one in the store yet-so my opinion may slightly change-but most likely not).

[Eduardo]

Originally Posted by CRHain88

This thing is hideous!...GRR! I'm frustrated by the two-toned everything! mac=silver and black keyboard=silver and white. What is that!

Sorry, but like I said, I'm having a conniption!

Yeah, I don't get what happened. I normally LOVE Apple's overall design but this new iMac left me with a weird taste. The silver and white keyboard is a very odd combination; when it leaked about a week ago; I was hoping it was a bad photoshop. Now a week later; we find out that it wasn't a bad dream!

[iShawn]

What/where is the sleep light. Personally, I think the ugliest thing going for the older white iMac is its rather odd looking sleep light.

[lundy]

Originally Posted by Phizz

Here's what I reckon Apple's thinking is:

Wired keyboard - for users who generally have their keyboard on their desk in front of their computer (like me). Full button set, no batteries to change, included USB 2.0 ports for other desk accessories.

Wireless keyboard - for more media-driven users (bedroom computer?) who watch movies on their computer, sit with their feet on their desk, etc.

I think you got it exactly right. I use mine in my lap and I'd love to saw off the (#@)*@& keypad so I could center the QWERTY better.

[Duddits]

Originally Posted by Eduardo

Yeah, I don't get what happened. I normally LOVE Apple's overall design but this new iMac left me with a weird taste. The silver and white keyboard is a very odd combination; when it leaked about a week ago; I was hoping it was a bad photoshop. Now a week later; we find out that it wasn't a bad dream!

I think what would have made it absolutely stunning is if they got rid of the chin, and it was only the black frame around the screen.

[bobrk]

Originally Posted by caliminius

And is it just me or does anyone else keep thinking, "Why doesn't the image fill the screen?" every time they see a picture of the new iMac and that big black border around the screen?

I can't speak for everyone, but it doesn't bother me at all. This has been somebody or another's beef with Apple since 1985. Seems like folks would get used to it by now.

[lantzn]

Originally Posted by Apparatus

Sorry, just my opinion, but I can't get over how ugly the new keyboard is. I just can't imagine it's going to be great for people who do a lot of typing, especially if it feels like the keyboard on the MacBook.

I've used Macs since 1986 and I love my MacBook's keyboard, I find myself typing faster on it then on my tower at work. The keys just feel fluid under my fingers. What don't you like about it?

[waytogobuddy]

I think that Ives felt so bad about the cluttered black, glass, metal iMac, he went ultra minimalist on the wireless keyboard - chopping off the number keys. Why they are white instead of the dark mockups seen in AI..only steve knows

half a white keyboard + half black iMac

=
Racoon Mac.

or in the words of a friend, something "unexpected to the eye and so may cause a moment of puzzle and apprehension"

[SMQT]

The wireless keyboard, pretty. The wired, rather ugly with that rectangular bar.
And I would really miss the numbers + OTHER keys that are on the extended keyboard.
There's more uses for wireless than sitting back in your chair, and there's more uses for an extended keyboard then calculating.
Anyway, it's probably because after the iPhone they're now reinforcing the non-pro market.
I expect the pro line to be somewhat neglected for the time being...

[lantzn]

Silver and satin black, reminds me of the muscle car days like when you could get a 70 Cuda in silver with a blacked out hood. Bitchin' Man!