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Since the iMac is out, a possible concept of what could have been

post #1 of 30
8/14/07 at 8:45pm
Thread Starter 
I have never done a mockup before, so forgive me if this seems a little amateurish, but the new iMac got me thinking. If Apple wanted to go in the design direction of the iPhone, why not go in that direction instead of doing the iPhone/ iPod Shuffle combo look?

I like the look of the new iMac, but the black bezel puzzles me. FI they wanted to look more like iPhone, there are other ways of accomplishing this. One way is the idea that I am trying to depict in the mockup here. There was one outstanding mockup earlier with multitouch video that was amazing. Since Apple is going a more subdued route, I thought I would offer this thought.



This design is more sensible for the wall mount option of the 24" as well (IMHO).
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post #2 of 30
8/15/07 at 4:19am
Thats REALLY cool, and WAY better than what Apple came up with IMO well done!
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post #3 of 30
8/15/07 at 4:31am
That looks quite nice. Losing the aluminium chin for a black one makes a world of difference. There's two many contrasting surfaces in the new iMac and your mockup simplifies it.

If you're going to have a black bezel, make a feature of it!


The other design I'd have liked is losing the black and glass and replacing with an aluminium bezel. This could actually be done to the new iMac. Just remove the glass, add an aluminium frame around the LCD panel.
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post #4 of 30
8/15/07 at 5:44am
zomg!! glass!! reflections!!! whats the GPU?!?! apple is teh devil! the end is nigh!

seriously though, it looks very nice. a couple of iterations into the future, perhaps the imac will actually look similar to that... or maybe not! but if it did, i'd be happy about it. [though the inviso-imac still rules as far as mock ups go!]
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post #5 of 30
8/15/07 at 7:50am
Dope! Well done! Better than the Apple design. Why the heavy dependence on aluminum? I think the new iMacs look too industrial. I prefer a futuristic look, and to me that means glass and high-end plastics. Not metal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sennen View Post

zomg!! glass!! reflections!!! whats the GPU?!?! apple is teh devil! the end is nigh!

seriously though, it looks very nice. a couple of iterations into the future, perhaps the imac will actually look similar to that... or maybe not! but if it did, i'd be happy about it. [though the inviso-imac still rules as far as mock ups go!]

Can you post a link of those 'inviso-imacs'? Thanks.
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post #6 of 30
8/15/07 at 8:16am
its a nice idea but please dont get all upset about how apple did not do this. Im sure there is some sort of technical reason for the design, both hardware and manufacturing. Drawing a picture of a flying car is one thing, making it is another.
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post #7 of 30
8/15/07 at 9:20am
No offense, i don't normally go out a blazing, but that's ugly.

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post #8 of 30
8/15/07 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

No offense, i don't normally go out a blazing, but that's ugly.

Yeah, I actually prefer the current design. I like the proportions of the Chin, maybe.
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post #9 of 30
8/15/07 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

No offense, i don't normally go out a blazing, but that's ugly.

None taken. I admit I am not very good at these things and everyone has a differing sense of style.

This was just a possible design to really capture the iPhone philosophy and to make the 24" unit look more logical when mounted on a wall (which it is capable of doing).

The current Apple design does indeed look good to some, but it doesn't seem to follow any sensible pattern or philosophy. Just my 2 cents.
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post #10 of 30
8/15/07 at 4:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9secondko View Post


The current Apple design does indeed look good to some, but it doesn't seem to follow any sensible pattern or philosophy. Just my 2 cents.

Exactly who's or what philosophy were you referring to?
onlooker
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http://www.apple.com/feedback/macpro.html
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http://www.apple.com/feedback/macpro.html
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post #11 of 30
8/15/07 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

No offense, i don't normally go out a blazing, but that's ugly.

But then aesthetics isn't your strong point

still waiting on a reply
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post #12 of 30
8/15/07 at 5:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by onlooker View Post

Exactly who's or what philosophy were you referring to?

By philosophy, I mean design philosophy. A guiding principle. Apple has been in a "less is more" style for a few years and the last gen iMac reflects the minimalist style where everything has an integrated look. Sort of purpose built - if it did not have purpose, it was not included. The iPhone breaks with that in being a three toned design with a glossy black on the front, chrome surround, grey/silver on the back with an odd black plastic part on the bottom. there seems to be no real rhyme or reason for this.

With the previous iMac, the entire consumer line had a distinct theme (including iPod).

The pro line had its own theme as well.

the new iMac looks like it sort of wants to look like iPhone, but not. It just seems like it's trying to be too many things while not mastering any certain look. there seems to be no guiding principle. That is all.
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post #13 of 30
8/15/07 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter Slocombe View Post

But then aesthetics isn't your strong point.

Being a pain in the ass is yours though.

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post #14 of 30
8/15/07 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9secondko View Post

rSince Apple is going a more subdued route, I thought I would offer this thought.



(IMHO).

I really like your design. The black chin is better.
BTW, Viewsonic VX2255 Widescreen LCD has a faint resemblance to your mockup even to the built in webcam and an emblem on the 'chin'. Ugly foot though.

http://www.viewsonic.com/HDLife/webcam/
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post #15 of 30
8/15/07 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sequitur View Post

I really like your design. The black chin is better.
BTW, Viewsonic VX2255 Widescreen LCD has a faint resemblance to your mockup even to the built in webcam and an emblem on the 'chin'. Ugly foot though.

http://www.viewsonic.com/HDLife/webcam/

I love the little quip about "no ducktape required" in this ad.
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post #16 of 30
8/16/07 at 2:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

Being a pain in the ass is yours though.

Well then go answer the question in the other thread tough guy.
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post #17 of 30
8/16/07 at 5:14am
This is definitely cooler.
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post #18 of 30
8/16/07 at 6:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hockey2891 View Post

This is definitely cooler.

They are pretty similar, odd isn't it, unless Apple come out with some farfetched variant on the "see thru" iMac design or loose the screen altogether in favour of projector/holo-screen type of thing it's difficult to see where they can go other than variations on a theme.

I've always felt the white iMac was pretty cool and close to ideal, but a change was getting necessary, however what they arrived at is danged divisive to say the least, if not down right ugly to a lot of people.
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post #19 of 30
8/16/07 at 6:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter Slocombe View Post

I've always felt the white iMac was pretty cool and close to ideal, but a change was getting necessary, however what they arrived at is danged divisive to say the least, if not down right ugly to a lot of people.

Which means it's also not ugly to a lot of people. That's typically the hallmark of industrial designs: they are polarizing.

I disliked the iMac when I first began to see the photographs. But seeing them in person has wholly changed my mind. They are quite striking in person, and I am not deterred by the reflection. IN the Apple Store I was in, it was lit quite brightly and the reflection was negligible.

In summation; count me in the other camp.
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post #20 of 30
8/16/07 at 8:25am
It's amusing that the new iMac isn't much thicker (or much different in appearance ) than the LCD panel displays being sold now. I wonder if Apple was aware of that when they cobbled up the current design.
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post #21 of 30
8/16/07 at 8:52am
I'm glad there's less plastic. It was starting to look tacky...
The new iMacs look much better in person. Metal wears better and doesn't scratch as much. The gloss isn't really noticable. Its just a shame the stand doesn't adjust in height.
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post #22 of 30
8/16/07 at 9:38am
Yeah, I have to agree with tecton- the iMacs DO look much better in person than in pictures. I'm still a tad bit skeptical; I wish the front was just one color.

The gloss isn't noticeable at all either. Not unless you focus your eyes and try to look for a reflection, much like you can do with a TV (not flat panel, obviously). It's just fine. These "glossy-winers", I bet, haven't seen it in person.

I want my mom to get one (my dad has a thinkpad :/), but I'd rather wait a few years. (It's not a priority to her, and the IBM X41 w/ XP she uses runs perfectly, even at 5 1/2 years old).

Why wait that long?

1) I have heard that the displays themselves are a downgrade from what they were for Gen-3.
2) I want it to lose that chin! Apple has been revamping the iMac design every 3 years (average). Maybe by MacWorld 2010, the chin will finally be gone!
3) At a rate of -$250/year since the 20"'s inception, the 20" starter iMac may be $599 two years from now!

-=|Mgkwho
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post #23 of 30
8/16/07 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hockey2891 View Post

This is definitely cooler.

Wow.

That does look better in my opinion. Mostly due to better skills and making the chrome look like chrome. The picture doesn't represent the desktop though (unless you have no icons showing and the dock is hidden). The darker background also helps it to stick out more.

Also, I find it interesting that it looks almost the same as my design (although done better than mine).

Artistic minds think alike I guess.

Good job to whoever made that one.

I can't believe that anyone would not have loved that design. AAPL would no doubt be much higher right now if Apple went with that.

Edit: actually this design is far superior to mine. I don't know if it could work out in manufacturing, but I really like how there is no bezel on the sides, just a black "forehead" and "chin."

this design is exactly the iPhone motif.

I just hope they have something different planned for the pro series. The iPhone design just is not my cup of tea.
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post #24 of 30
8/16/07 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
This has to be the design that is the most striking (execpt for the wireframe stand).

I think it was referred to earlier. If you have not seen it yet, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-d_C...elated&search=
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post #25 of 30
8/16/07 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9secondko View Post

This has to be the design that is the most striking (execpt for the wireframe stand).

I think it was referred to earlier. If you have not seen it yet, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-d_C...elated&search=

Hey nice ad, very slick !
No fan of the multi-touch thing here - but for the rest of it ... I like.
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post #26 of 30
8/17/07 at 3:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinkerer View Post

Which means it's also not ugly to a lot of people. That's typically the hallmark of industrial designs: they are polarizing.

I disliked the iMac when I first began to see the photographs. But seeing them in person has wholly changed my mind. They are quite striking in person, and I am not deterred by the reflection. IN the Apple Store I was in, it was lit quite brightly and the reflection was negligible.

In summation; count me in the other camp.

No Problem, it just means "you are one of them"

I was expecting something "more" something "better" but I could live with it if they hadn't put such a cheap assed GPU in it (as opposed to using the word 'crippled').
I firmly believe/hope we get quad cores in the iMacs SOON along with at least an option to upgrade the GPU. add on my new 22" LCD and I'll "get by somehow"
I don't see how an anti M$ stance can be seen as a bad thing on an Apple forum I really can't!

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I don't see how an anti M$ stance can be seen as a bad thing on an Apple forum I really can't!

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post #27 of 30
8/17/07 at 3:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9secondko View Post

This has to be the design that is the most striking (execpt for the wireframe stand).

I think it was referred to earlier. If you have not seen it yet, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-d_C...elated&search=

Brilliant ad! not sure it the "wireframe" stand is the way to go, as a solid stand will hide cables, but I would be more inclined to buy one of those over Apple current offering!
I don't see how an anti M$ stance can be seen as a bad thing on an Apple forum I really can't!

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I don't see how an anti M$ stance can be seen as a bad thing on an Apple forum I really can't!

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post #28 of 30
8/25/07 at 8:03am
wow, thats a neat looking iMac, lets hope Apple will reconsider their new iMac design when Leopard is released . I prefer your mac design though, looks better.
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post #29 of 30
8/25/07 at 8:08am
that looks like an old CRT TV...
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post #30 of 30
8/25/07 at 9:16am
i would buy that today....its so much nicer then the one apple cam eup with. the new imac is horendous!
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