"Musings: iMac 3G will be an all-wireless system
By Dennis Sellers
Yesterday I said that I would make some predictions about what the third generation iMac would be like, and thats what Im going to do. Understand, however, that this is all mere speculation, based on some logical moves that I think Apple might make. I may be spot on or I may miss it by a mile, but, in the words of a gladiator, are you not entertained? Anyway, Im predicting an all-wireless iMac.
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It will come with a wireless keyboard and mouse (though wired versions can be attached and will work fine, of course). It will headless (yep, the first iMac thats not an all-in-one system) and will support optional wireless flat panel displays that will come in 15-inch and 17-inch sizes. Boasting a completely new form factor, the iMac 3G (as in third generation) will also support a host of display connectivity options. You can use an existing VGA monitor. You can use one of the brand new Apple Cinema Displays with DVI connectors (though not the 30-inch monster; the iMac 3G wont have the graphics processor to handle it). Or, of course, you can use the new wireless displays. The headless iMac 3G will cost less than any previous flat panel iMac because it wont come with a monitor.
The wireless displays will work thanks to a wireless infrastructure with IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN technology (also know as WiFi) and/or wireless RF communications links, perhaps akin to ViewSonics airsync V210 Wireless Display and the Three-Five Systems Wireless Monitor System. Theyll sport a power plug, but will also run off a lithium-polymer battery. Running it off battery power wont be very practical (it will last less than four hours on a charge), but will be a cool, wow factor. Expect the weight to be around 8 pounds and 10 pounds for the 15-inch and 17-inch wireless displays, respectively. A longer shot is that the displays will double as touchscreen tablets on which you can use a stylus to write and scribble via Mac OS Xs Ink technology.
The iMac 3G will have a handle attached to its completely new form factor, making it easy to lug from room to room. This will increase its appeal in educational environments.
Im less certain that it will have a G5 chip, though I suspect it will. It depends on what sort of solution Apple has come up with for keeping the power-hungry chip cool in a small, attractive body. Speaking of which, I think that the system will abandon the snow-white design of the second-generation iMac and will go with the aluminum look of the PowerBooks, Power Mac G5s and new displays.
So there you have it: my fevered thoughts on what the third-generation iMac will be. Am I a genius? Am I nuts? What are your predictions? Drop me a line at daseller@earthlink.net"
I think he's nuts.
By Dennis Sellers
Yesterday I said that I would make some predictions about what the third generation iMac would be like, and thats what Im going to do. Understand, however, that this is all mere speculation, based on some logical moves that I think Apple might make. I may be spot on or I may miss it by a mile, but, in the words of a gladiator, are you not entertained? Anyway, Im predicting an all-wireless iMac.
More...
It will come with a wireless keyboard and mouse (though wired versions can be attached and will work fine, of course). It will headless (yep, the first iMac thats not an all-in-one system) and will support optional wireless flat panel displays that will come in 15-inch and 17-inch sizes. Boasting a completely new form factor, the iMac 3G (as in third generation) will also support a host of display connectivity options. You can use an existing VGA monitor. You can use one of the brand new Apple Cinema Displays with DVI connectors (though not the 30-inch monster; the iMac 3G wont have the graphics processor to handle it). Or, of course, you can use the new wireless displays. The headless iMac 3G will cost less than any previous flat panel iMac because it wont come with a monitor.
The wireless displays will work thanks to a wireless infrastructure with IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN technology (also know as WiFi) and/or wireless RF communications links, perhaps akin to ViewSonics airsync V210 Wireless Display and the Three-Five Systems Wireless Monitor System. Theyll sport a power plug, but will also run off a lithium-polymer battery. Running it off battery power wont be very practical (it will last less than four hours on a charge), but will be a cool, wow factor. Expect the weight to be around 8 pounds and 10 pounds for the 15-inch and 17-inch wireless displays, respectively. A longer shot is that the displays will double as touchscreen tablets on which you can use a stylus to write and scribble via Mac OS Xs Ink technology.
The iMac 3G will have a handle attached to its completely new form factor, making it easy to lug from room to room. This will increase its appeal in educational environments.
Im less certain that it will have a G5 chip, though I suspect it will. It depends on what sort of solution Apple has come up with for keeping the power-hungry chip cool in a small, attractive body. Speaking of which, I think that the system will abandon the snow-white design of the second-generation iMac and will go with the aluminum look of the PowerBooks, Power Mac G5s and new displays.
So there you have it: my fevered thoughts on what the third-generation iMac will be. Am I a genius? Am I nuts? What are your predictions? Drop me a line at daseller@earthlink.net"
I think he's nuts.
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