Availability of Apple's high-end iMac starting to fade

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  • Reply 21 of 52
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    And I hope it is true. Not currently in the iMac market but this would make room for other releases.



    Even stranger is that if the hardware is released in the next week or two Apple will have kept a very tght lid on the new machine. There have been virtually zero leaks as to what is coming. It is like they imlemented a new level of security.





    Dave
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  • Reply 22 of 52
    I'm waiting, Apple... I'm waiting.
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  • Reply 23 of 52
    same sitation in Germany at apple.de and the reseller gravis.de - no 3,06 iMac...
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  • Reply 24 of 52
    sorry, not apple.de but amazon.de
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  • Reply 25 of 52
    The age of Dual Core processors is going away, it is now time for Quad processors is here and Apple needs to jump on that train. Core 2s can only last you so long no matter how much cache they can manage to squeeze into the processor.



    iMac with a Quad Core configuration with a better cooling system would be the ideal consumer machine if offered for the same price.
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  • Reply 26 of 52
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mstone View Post


    I hope they keep the 20". I have a 20" core solo which I want to update but since I use it at the eating bar in the kitchen I don't want anything larger than 20.



    I'll probably end up just tossing my current core solo once I upgrade since a couple of months ago it fell off the counter, landed on the tile floor and ended up with a crack across the screen. Other than the slight hairline crack it still works great, just a little slow.



    I'd sell it on Craig's but then I'd have to spend hours deleting everything and have strangers come over to the house to look at it. I'd rather just destroy it. Yet you are 'supposed' to take it to the recycling center instead of tossing it in the bin. I guess it is worth an hour of my time to help save the planet.



    Shhh... you are swearing in church! Besides, what are you TALKING ABOUT just destroy it? Give it to some poor soul who doesn't have a computer. It'll make you feel great. Bring a smile to someone's face.
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  • Reply 27 of 52
    Marvinmarvin Posts: 15,551moderator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by wizard69 View Post


    Even stranger is that if the hardware is released in the next week or two Apple will have kept a very tght lid on the new machine. There have been virtually zero leaks as to what is coming. It is like they imlemented a new level of security.



    Coincidentally there have been no leaks ever since Jobs hasn't been at the company.



    Looks like they've found the mole.



    No wonder he's had his communication with certain online buddies cut off. He's been blabbing to his Silicon Valley friends all this time.
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  • Reply 28 of 52
    elrothelroth Posts: 1,201member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Clive At Five View Post


    Okay, AI, can we just agree NOT to use the term "long-overdue" unless it pertains to the Mac Mini? There has never in the history of Apple been a product so long-overdue as the Mac Mini.



    ...save Pippin ][ ...



    -Clive



    No, the G5 Powerbook is LONG overdue...
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  • Reply 29 of 52
    elrothelroth Posts: 1,201member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    What I wonder is if they are going to stick to dual core chips, then what's the hold up? Also, what chips would they subsequently use? Intel haven't brought out any major improvements over what they already use on the mobile end, nor have the prices dropped.



    If they stick in new Nvidia graphics chips and the same displays then it's going to be a pretty minor refresh. They could do a redesign but still, no reason to wait this long.



    I still reckon low power Core 2 Quad desktop chips and all 24-inch models that look like the Cinema display and the Mini matches the Macbook spec in the current Mini enclosure but with new ports as shown in the video.



    There are currently no reasons for holding out on refreshes as all the chips they need to use whatever they do on the consumer end are available.



    If there's going to be a press event, they'll try and squeeze the updates together though as the Nehalem Pro is the big update and the Mac Pro chips won't be out until possibly late next month. They could just put the update online though and have a 2 week shipping time or something. They must realize how fed up people are waiting on them.



    It appears they skipped a generation with the iMac - no Santa Rosa, no DDR3 Ram, no LED monitors, etc. You would have thought Apple would have simply updated the iMac when the new MacBook Pros came out. Since they didn't, they maybe are waiting for newer chips? I hope it's not tied up with the fighting between Intel and Nvidia about the Core i7 integrated chipsets - that would be a big bummer if Apple had to release a compromise iMac, or just keep waiting.
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  • Reply 30 of 52
    For the people who REALLY follow this stuff, what price will the $1199 entry-level iMac probably go for in Apple.com's clearance section once the new generation is released? I can't remember what kind of discount Apple generally gives.
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  • Reply 31 of 52
    Imac 3.06 was NEVER sold on Amazon.com, it was an apple.com "exclusive". I called amazon 2 months back wondering why they had all the other Imacs and not the 3.06 (because I want amazon's visa points) and they said amazon NEVER had and NEVER will sell the Imac 3.06 due to it being an exclusive on apple's website. So I have no idea where this information about amazon sold 3.06 came from in the first place...
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  • Reply 32 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by one9deuce View Post


    For the people who REALLY follow this stuff, what price will the $1199 entry-level iMac probably go for in Apple.com's clearance section once the new generation is released? I can't remember what kind of discount Apple generally gives.



    One just barely large enough to woo you away from the brand new machines, that's for damned sure.
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  • Reply 33 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mstone View Post


    I hope they keep the 20". I have a 20" core solo which I want to update but since I use it at the eating bar in the kitchen I don't want anything larger than 20.



    I'll probably end up just tossing my current core solo once I upgrade since a couple of months ago it fell off the counter, landed on the tile floor and ended up with a crack across the screen. Other than the slight hairline crack it still works great, just a little slow.



    I'd sell it on Craig's but then I'd have to spend hours deleting everything and have strangers come over to the house to look at it. I'd rather just destroy it. Yet you are 'supposed' to take it to the recycling center instead of tossing it in the bin. I guess it is worth an hour of my time to help save the planet.



    core solo? The first intel iMac had a core duo...



    But hey, if you want to get rid of your computer I'd gladly take/buy it. I've been looking for an iMac for my grandpa.
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  • Reply 34 of 52
    i hope they wait another 2 or more months... i want to buy one in august and i want it to still be pretty fresh by then.
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  • Reply 35 of 52
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    Coincidentally there have been no leaks ever since Jobs hasn't been at the company.



    That would be funny but I don't like the fact that Apple is getting better with it's security. Part of the fun in following these forums is seeing who comes closest to describing what Apple has up it's sleeves. The new Nvidia chip due out next week is interesting in the fact that nobody until today has even mentioned that it might go into an iMac.



    Quote:

    Looks like they've found the mole.



    Looks like he will have to fire himself.

    Quote:

    No wonder he's had his communication with certain online buddies cut off. He's been blabbing to his Silicon Valley friends all this time.



    Considering is skills in showmanship I would not be surprised to find out that he indeed was working the media, either directly or via a trusted executive. It certainly has proven to be effective in the past, that is the rumor mill.
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  • Reply 36 of 52
    So, only iMac update mid-march...? Any hope to see a Mac Mini bundle with screen and keyboard at decent price? What about a new mouse for all desktop systems??
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  • Reply 37 of 52
    Marvinmarvin Posts: 15,551moderator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by elroth View Post


    It appears they skipped a generation with the iMac - no Santa Rosa, no DDR3 Ram, no LED monitors, etc.



    They have Santa Rosa and Penryn chips, they're just not common chips that show up in Intel's price lists etc. DDR3 Ram doesn't give much real world advantage over DDR2. LED displays are the only significant upgrade and even then it's aesthetics that a lot of consumers won't be too bothered about. The iMac displays usually have pretty even backlighting as it is.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by elroth View Post


    I hope it's not tied up with the fighting between Intel and Nvidia about the Core i7 integrated chipsets - that would be a big bummer if Apple had to release a compromise iMac, or just keep waiting.



    The iMacs won't use Nehalem so it's not holding them back and I don't think it matters for the Mac Pro as I'm pretty sure Nvidia don't even make chipsets compatible with the Xeons.



    Basically:

    Mini = Nvidia chipset + Pernyn dual core = no problem, could have been updated already but Apple won't update it before the iMac

    iMac = Nvidia chipset + possible Core 2 Quad = slight problem as chips they might have used were only available since Feb 23rd (5 days ago)

    Mac Pro = Intel chipset + Xeon Nehalem (Gainestown) = chips not out yet - supposedly these come out in the last week of Q1:



    http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...11717&Itemid=1



    It just seems a bit of a coincidence that Snow Leopard was rumored to be coming out then too. I know that June is a much more likely venue and timeframe for Snow Leopard but an 8-core Mac Pro Nehalem will actually show up as a 16-core machine. I think they will need to ship it with Snow leopard in order for it to perform at its best.



    If they ship it with SL, then they have to ship it with the others too. As I say, this ties in with the whole Nvidia overhaul. Laptop owners have had their updates for a few months now so having to buy SL shouldn't be a huge issue. If Apple release the hardware in March and expect people to pay for SL in June then it's not so good.



    I really hope that Apple don't hold out until the end of March for the press event though. They just need to demo the hardware with SL and say it will be shipping in a week or two. I guess they will want to make the statement of 'shipping today' but at this stage, I don't think it's important.
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  • Reply 38 of 52
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    They have Santa Rosa and Penryn chips, they're just not common chips that show up in Intel's price lists etc. DDR3 Ram doesn't give much real world advantage over DDR2. LED displays are the only significant upgrade and even then it's aesthetics that a lot of consumers won't be too bothered about. The iMac displays usually have pretty even backlighting as it is.







    The iMacs won't use Nehalem so it's not holding them back and I don't think it matters for the Mac Pro as I'm pretty sure Nvidia don't even make chipsets compatible with the Xeons.



    Basically:

    Mini = Nvidia chipset + Pernyn dual core = no problem, could have been updated already but Apple won't update it before the iMac

    iMac = Nvidia chipset + possible Core 2 Quad = slight problem as chips they might have used were only available since Feb 23rd (5 days ago)

    Mac Pro = Intel chipset + Xeon Nehalem (Gainestown) = chips not out yet - supposedly these come out in the last week of Q1:



    http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...11717&Itemid=1



    It just seems a bit of a coincidence that Snow Leopard was rumored to be coming out then too. I know that June is a much more likely venue and timeframe for Snow Leopard but an 8-core Mac Pro Nehalem will actually show up as a 16-core machine. I think they will need to ship it with Snow leopard in order for it to perform at its best.



    If they ship it with SL, then they have to ship it with the others too. As I say, this ties in with the whole Nvidia overhaul. Laptop owners have had their updates for a few months now so having to buy SL shouldn't be a huge issue. If Apple release the hardware in March and expect people to pay for SL in June then it's not so good.



    I really hope that Apple don't hold out until the end of March for the press event though. They just need to demo the hardware with SL and say it will be shipping in a week or two. I guess they will want to make the statement of 'shipping today' but at this stage, I don't think it's important.





    I wonder if there will be new price points from Apple? With world wide failing economy combined with Apple gaining about 1.5% of market share when Leopard came out, if they will release products at a new price point.



    The reason I ask is, unlike Leopards release, plus iMac price cuts (down from what they were several years ago), Microsoft has Windows 7 and based on the buzz about it, many people and especially I.T., love it, so you know Apple will make a push, somehow, in order to garner some market share. Have to wonder if Apple starts to market SERVER software instead of their known stance of "we don't push I.T. software", now that everyone is moving into "the cloud"
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  • Reply 39 of 52
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by hiimamac View Post


    I wonder if there will be new price points from Apple? With world wide failing economy combined with Apple gaining about 1.5% of market share when Leopard came out, if they will release products at a new price point.



    The reason I ask is, unlike Leopards release, plus iMac price cuts (down from what they were several years ago), Microsoft has Windows 7 and based on the buzz about it, many people and especially I.T., love it, so you know Apple will make a push, somehow, in order to garner some market share. Have to wonder if Apple starts to market SERVER software instead of their known stance of "we don't push I.T. software", now that everyone is moving into "the cloud"



    Apple is one of the companies that can weather this economic storm without seeing much loss. For starters, they have plenty of capital so making drastic decisions are required.



    They are also a higher-end company which don't seem to be hurting much overall. The companies that sell the cheaper items to consumers that are more frugal and less likely to be financially set are more likely to suffer as their volume sales will no longer sustain them and they may have lower prices even more to move product. There is probably a name for this, but I surely don't know it.



    Apple also has to worry how a price reduction will affect the perceived value of their product and bottom line over the long term. Once you lower a price it's get harder to raise it.



    How long will this economic situation last? If you go to an Apple Store you'd think that things were peachy. What percentage of Apple's potential consumer base will not buy an Apple product because of the situation? They did record sales for the last Holiday quarter while many had record lows. This next quarter will probably be lower than the year's previous, but we are now toward the end of the Mac desktop line and pushing to the end of the iPhone. I imagine that the next quarters after this one will be higher than the year previous.



    Remember, marketshare is pointless if you aren't making as much money, overall, for your efforts to get the marketshare. There just aren't many companies that can see this through as is and come out on top. The only other company in my portfolio that will probably best Apple in growth this quarter is McDonalds, for obvious reasons.



    PS: I fully expect Snow Leopard to cost $129. Many are going to complain if it cost anything.
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  • Reply 40 of 52
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    If they ship it with SL, then they have to ship it with the others too. As I say, this ties in with the whole Nvidia overhaul. Laptop owners have had their updates for a few months now so having to buy SL shouldn't be a huge issue. If Apple release the hardware in March and expect people to pay for SL in June then it's not so good.



    I really hope that Apple don't hold out until the end of March for the press event though. They just need to demo the hardware with SL and say it will be shipping in a week or two. I guess they will want to make the statement of 'shipping today' but at this stage, I don't think it's important.



    While SL is pretty stable right now and performance scores on my Mac are higher with SL than with Leopard, I think there is still a lot of work to be done on the back end. Besides GC and OpenCL, there are still some major components that Apple probably wants to make 64-bit and a few visually appealing aspects to the UI that Apple will probably want to include before gold Gold Master. I'm figuring a Demo at an upcoming Mac desktop Special Event (though I thought it would be demoed at MWSF), which will lead the way to SL workshops at WWDC and then a release in Aug/Sept.
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