I know you weren't asking me, but I think the G5 Mac Pro case is just way too big. It was designed that big to accommodate the liquid cooling systems for the 1.0 dualies (I had one, it burned out about 2 yrs ago), and now the extra space seems a bit unnecessary. ....
I know you weren't talking to me but ...
As an owner of a recent MacPro I think you are talking nonsense here. The only "empty" space in the case is for expansion cards, every other section is 100% utilised. One could argue that the average user doesn't need to put in many expansion cards since there basically aren't many cards that go in there anyway, but it's not like it has dozens of open slots either.
It also makes no sense to ask that they remove the cooling fans or the holes that make the case run so cool and silent. Do you actually desire the thing to run hotter or be noisier? That's crazy-talk!
You are actually arguing for that stupid X-Mac/mini-tower in this "redesign" aren't you?
... SOME KIND OF MULTI TOUCH MOUSE REPLACEMENT! ...
Well, (sans the shouting) I will second this motion.
I can't figure out when multi-touch has been around for two generations of products already, why Apple hasn't made a simple mousepad that's multi-touch so we can ditch the mouse altogether.
Something wireless and about half the size of the wireless keyboard seems like a natural easy-to-make product that would sell like crazy.
Create the affordable mini tower we desperately need.
or
Make the mini big enough to put in a real graphics card and at least 8 gigs of ram, update chip.
or
Release an iMac with a designer grade, matte screen.
or
I think about going to the dark side after using Macs since 1984.
Dear Steve J,
Get your head out of your tuchus, stop making toys and computers for super rich yuppies or super computers for the highest of high-end pros exclusively, and come back to us pro designers and photographers in the middle who have been supporting Apple since there was Apple. You are systematically removing our workable options or pricing us into no other choice but to switch, and not the way you want. It's not the pudgy PC guy who is trying to banish the Mac kid that is costing you sales. It's YOU who are banishing me from being able to make my next computer another Mac. Your killin' me dude, and not softly.
I know you weren't asking me, but I think the G5 Mac Pro case is just way too big. It was designed that big to accommodate the liquid cooling systems for the 1.0 dualies (I had one, it burned out about 2 yrs ago), and now the extra space seems a bit unnecessary.
I'll second that. The bulk is what puts us off putting them into our studios. That and the way over the top price and poor choice of monitors to go with it.
If Apple were preparing a Mini refresh, I would have thought we would have heard some solid rumours by now, weve had nothing at all really....since the last update.
I really am starting to think it's not going to be refreshed.
By switching, you mean buying a cheaply built PC with generic parts that you will end up buying again in less than a year. I'm so tired of everyone bitching that Macs cost so much. They do NOT cost more than an equally equipped PC. Often they are (part for part) cheaper. Do your homework.
Yes! A Mac Maxi, but I don't anticipate the need for wings. I doubt we need to worry about embarrassing leakage.
I'm really hoping the neglect of the mini is indicative of a better affordable headless mac as a replacement in the next quarter or 2, but I'm not betting on it.
By switching, you mean buying a cheaply built PC with generic parts that you will end up buying again in less than a year. I'm so tired of everyone bitching that Macs cost so much. They do NOT cost more than an equally equipped PC. Often they are (part for part) cheaper. Do your homework.
Not really. Since Apple has gone Intel or Nvidia parts it's actually easy to make the comparisons now and frankly it highlights the premium Apple charges.
It's likely the reason why Apple keynotes focus on how Green the product is or the manf process but rarely focuses on how their computers are advancing "computing"
Products like the Mini have been dying on the vine while Dell is picking up the mantle
I don't expect this refresh will offer much more than a new chipset and LED backlit displays.
The current CPUs already have most of the improvements of the Montevina Penryns so all we're going to see is a bit lower power consumption. Apple should get somewhat better pricing on standard CPUs than they currently get on a special part. It's highly unlikely that Apple will include a quad core processor because of CPU cost and because it would introduce too many comparisons with the much higher priced Mac Pro.
I hope for, but do not expect the following:
- an easy way to replace the hard drive - the current system is way too much work, even for technicians
- two eSATA ports - we'd probably have seen it on the MBP if it was coming soon
- two FireWire 800 ports or the current one FW800, one FW400.
- more than three USB ports
- a minimum 500GB HD
- a decent video chip - I can get a 512MB PCI express video card for a PC with a Radeon 4650 or GeForce 9500GT for just $79 retail. Apple should be able to put something similar in a $1500 computer.
iMacs don't excite me though. What has my blood pumping is a future based around displays like the new 24" one they introduced this week. To me that display is begging for new low power desktops to plug into it.
My solution is two machines:
Mac Nano - the MacBook minus its display, keyboard and battery.
Mac Blade - the 24" iMac minus its display plus eSATA ports
My only concern with the Mac Blade is that maybe the 24" display's MagSafe connector wouldn't be able to provide enough power for a machine based around a 3GHz CPU, GeForce 9800 class GPU and 3.5" HD.
Apple has never taken longer than 10 months to refresh pro systems. Surely there's gotta be new Mac Pros in the next month.
The first generation Mac Pro was introduced in August 2006 and didn't change specs or price until it was replaced in January 2008. That's 17 months.
If the iMac is updated this month it would leave Apple with virtually nothing to talk about at Macworld in January. Therefore I suspect they'll use that occasion to introduce the new Mac Pro based on the Nehalem architecture. Intel considers Nehalem one of the most significant advances since the introduction of the Pentium so it's worthy of a place at Macworld.
What about a full size bluetooth keyboard (with the number pad) that has an aluminum frame, black keys with backlighting and the glass touchpad underneath? Maybe it could also work with USB to charge the batteries or just use as a wired unit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2
Well, (sans the shouting) I will second this motion.
I can't figure out when multi-touch has been around for two generations of products already, why Apple hasn't made a simple mousepad that's multi-touch so we can ditch the mouse altogether.
Something wireless and about half the size of the wireless keyboard seems like a natural easy-to-make product that would sell like crazy.
LED backlighting, improved nvidia graphics, and hopefully one or two other nice surprises and a price drop will make the iMac UNSTOPPABLE!
I agree that a price drop would make it nearly "unstoppable", or at least a very big threat to the rest of the computer world. BUT, I wouldn't get your hopes up. There were tons of rumors that the new entry level Macbook was going to have a price drop, when in fact it actually went up! And don't give me this crap that the plastic Macbook dropped $100...that was not what the consumor had in mind when talking about an "entry level price drop".
I agree that a price drop would make it nearly "unstoppable", or at least a very big threat to the rest of the computer world. BUT, I wouldn't get your hopes up. There were tons of rumors that the new entry level Macbook was going to have a price drop, when in fact it actually went up! And don't give me this crap that the plastic Macbook dropped $100...that was not what the consumor had in mind when talking about an "entry level price drop".
Wasn't much of the news reporting wrong also- that this was the first time Apple had a laptop under $1,000? Didn't that occur years ago with the iBook G3 or G4 if I remember correctly?
Comments
Actually, it seems I was wrong...PowerPC Macs can too
boot PowerPC Macs from USB
johnqh: thanks for the (corrective) information! I'm going to give it a try.
I'm glad I started migrating away from FireWire to USB when I "saw the writing on the wall" when Apple introduced the MacBook Air.
I know you weren't asking me, but I think the G5 Mac Pro case is just way too big. It was designed that big to accommodate the liquid cooling systems for the 1.0 dualies (I had one, it burned out about 2 yrs ago), and now the extra space seems a bit unnecessary. ....
I know you weren't talking to me but ...
As an owner of a recent MacPro I think you are talking nonsense here. The only "empty" space in the case is for expansion cards, every other section is 100% utilised. One could argue that the average user doesn't need to put in many expansion cards since there basically aren't many cards that go in there anyway, but it's not like it has dozens of open slots either.
It also makes no sense to ask that they remove the cooling fans or the holes that make the case run so cool and silent. Do you actually desire the thing to run hotter or be noisier? That's crazy-talk!
You are actually arguing for that stupid X-Mac/mini-tower in this "redesign" aren't you?
... SOME KIND OF MULTI TOUCH MOUSE REPLACEMENT! ...
Well, (sans the shouting) I will second this motion.
I can't figure out when multi-touch has been around for two generations of products already, why Apple hasn't made a simple mousepad that's multi-touch so we can ditch the mouse altogether.
Something wireless and about half the size of the wireless keyboard seems like a natural easy-to-make product that would sell like crazy.
Create the affordable mini tower we desperately need.
or
Make the mini big enough to put in a real graphics card and at least 8 gigs of ram, update chip.
or
Release an iMac with a designer grade, matte screen.
or
I think about going to the dark side after using Macs since 1984.
Dear Steve J,
Get your head out of your tuchus, stop making toys and computers for super rich yuppies or super computers for the highest of high-end pros exclusively, and come back to us pro designers and photographers in the middle who have been supporting Apple since there was Apple. You are systematically removing our workable options or pricing us into no other choice but to switch, and not the way you want. It's not the pudgy PC guy who is trying to banish the Mac kid that is costing you sales. It's YOU who are banishing me from being able to make my next computer another Mac. Your killin' me dude, and not softly.
Mac Maxi?
I know you weren't asking me, but I think the G5 Mac Pro case is just way too big. It was designed that big to accommodate the liquid cooling systems for the 1.0 dualies (I had one, it burned out about 2 yrs ago), and now the extra space seems a bit unnecessary.
I'll second that. The bulk is what puts us off putting them into our studios. That and the way over the top price and poor choice of monitors to go with it.
I really am starting to think it's not going to be refreshed.
Mac Maxi?
Yes! A Mac Maxi, but I don't anticipate the need for wings. I doubt we need to worry about embarrassing leakage.
I'm really hoping the neglect of the mini is indicative of a better affordable headless mac as a replacement in the next quarter or 2, but I'm not betting on it.
By switching, you mean buying a cheaply built PC with generic parts that you will end up buying again in less than a year. I'm so tired of everyone bitching that Macs cost so much. They do NOT cost more than an equally equipped PC. Often they are (part for part) cheaper. Do your homework.
Not really. Since Apple has gone Intel or Nvidia parts it's actually easy to make the comparisons now and frankly it highlights the premium Apple charges.
It's likely the reason why Apple keynotes focus on how Green the product is or the manf process but rarely focuses on how their computers are advancing "computing"
Products like the Mini have been dying on the vine while Dell is picking up the mantle
http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs
And even the iMac is under siege
http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn
Software is keeping this platform alive..the hardware has sucked for years.
On an aesthetic level, could they perhaps make that black Apple logo on the chin, smaller?
Or give it light and make the whole face black? Get rid of the raccoon look please.
Answer me someone please- why a 24" iMac needs a display port?
The current CPUs already have most of the improvements of the Montevina Penryns so all we're going to see is a bit lower power consumption. Apple should get somewhat better pricing on standard CPUs than they currently get on a special part. It's highly unlikely that Apple will include a quad core processor because of CPU cost and because it would introduce too many comparisons with the much higher priced Mac Pro.
I hope for, but do not expect the following:
- an easy way to replace the hard drive - the current system is way too much work, even for technicians
- two eSATA ports - we'd probably have seen it on the MBP if it was coming soon
- two FireWire 800 ports or the current one FW800, one FW400.
- more than three USB ports
- a minimum 500GB HD
- a decent video chip - I can get a 512MB PCI express video card for a PC with a Radeon 4650 or GeForce 9500GT for just $79 retail. Apple should be able to put something similar in a $1500 computer.
iMacs don't excite me though. What has my blood pumping is a future based around displays like the new 24" one they introduced this week. To me that display is begging for new low power desktops to plug into it.
My solution is two machines:
Mac Nano - the MacBook minus its display, keyboard and battery.
Mac Blade - the 24" iMac minus its display plus eSATA ports
My only concern with the Mac Blade is that maybe the 24" display's MagSafe connector wouldn't be able to provide enough power for a machine based around a 3GHz CPU, GeForce 9800 class GPU and 3.5" HD.
Apple has never taken longer than 10 months to refresh pro systems. Surely there's gotta be new Mac Pros in the next month.
The first generation Mac Pro was introduced in August 2006 and didn't change specs or price until it was replaced in January 2008. That's 17 months.
If the iMac is updated this month it would leave Apple with virtually nothing to talk about at Macworld in January. Therefore I suspect they'll use that occasion to introduce the new Mac Pro based on the Nehalem architecture. Intel considers Nehalem one of the most significant advances since the introduction of the Pentium so it's worthy of a place at Macworld.
Well, (sans the shouting) I will second this motion.
I can't figure out when multi-touch has been around for two generations of products already, why Apple hasn't made a simple mousepad that's multi-touch so we can ditch the mouse altogether.
Something wireless and about half the size of the wireless keyboard seems like a natural easy-to-make product that would sell like crazy.
Or give it light and make the whole face black? Get rid of the raccoon look please.
Answer me someone please- why a 24" iMac needs a display port?
LED backlighting, improved nvidia graphics, and hopefully one or two other nice surprises and a price drop will make the iMac UNSTOPPABLE!
I agree that a price drop would make it nearly "unstoppable", or at least a very big threat to the rest of the computer world. BUT, I wouldn't get your hopes up. There were tons of rumors that the new entry level Macbook was going to have a price drop, when in fact it actually went up! And don't give me this crap that the plastic Macbook dropped $100...that was not what the consumor had in mind when talking about an "entry level price drop".
If the iMac had a DisplayPort connector, you could attach the new Cinema Display for a dual monitor setup.
But really- like what would the number of actual iMac users that would use that as opposed to a fire wire port? Do you think it's widely used?
I agree that a price drop would make it nearly "unstoppable", or at least a very big threat to the rest of the computer world. BUT, I wouldn't get your hopes up. There were tons of rumors that the new entry level Macbook was going to have a price drop, when in fact it actually went up! And don't give me this crap that the plastic Macbook dropped $100...that was not what the consumor had in mind when talking about an "entry level price drop".
Wasn't much of the news reporting wrong also- that this was the first time Apple had a laptop under $1,000? Didn't that occur years ago with the iBook G3 or G4 if I remember correctly?