Six new Apple product placeholders in inventory systems?
Some rumors spread this weekend from non-traditional sources (1, 2) that Apple may be planning a media event on March 24th to introduce new desktop products. While AppleInsider has not received any information to this end, it's heard from one tipster that six new Apple product SKUs (stock keeping units) have turned up in the inventory systems of a major overseas electronics retailer, and that those products could arrive as early as this Wednesday.
Taken at face value, this could suggest 4 new iMac configurations and 2 new Mac mini configurations. At this point, however, that is speculative and the report remains largely unconfirmed.
Both the iMac and Mac mini are long-overdue for a refresh, and recent signs have suggested that inventory of current-generation iMacs and Mac minis may be fading fast. In particular, supply of the 3.06GHz iMac has dried up at all of Apple's largest U.S.-based resellers, including Amazon.com. Meanwhile, Best Buy online has run out of both (1, 2) existing Mac mini configurations.
Taken at face value, this could suggest 4 new iMac configurations and 2 new Mac mini configurations. At this point, however, that is speculative and the report remains largely unconfirmed.
Both the iMac and Mac mini are long-overdue for a refresh, and recent signs have suggested that inventory of current-generation iMacs and Mac minis may be fading fast. In particular, supply of the 3.06GHz iMac has dried up at all of Apple's largest U.S.-based resellers, including Amazon.com. Meanwhile, Best Buy online has run out of both (1, 2) existing Mac mini configurations.
Comments
The supposed desktop event on the 24th could be the Mac Pro and the Xserve. Meanwhile iMacs and Mac minis get bumps in the weeks leading up to the 24th.
I actually wouldn't mind at all if Apple release a 28 or 30 inch model of the iMac. It would be perfect for people who want to have a TV sized TV and with Front Row can watch their content. It would be a neat idea but i don't see one of those happening for at least another 2-3 years when screen size standard becomes higher.
I don't think anyone would mind that! I think what people would mind is the discontinuation of the 20" model. Otherwise, bigger is better.
I think what people would mind is the discontinuation of the 20" model.
Yeah, bring back the 20-inch model!
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M
1TB Time Capsule
2TB Time Capsule
After quickly getting used to the screen real estate of a 24" LCD I'd hate to go back to even a 22" let alone 20"
In fact I'd love to see Apple do something like
22" lowend
24" midrange
26/27" High End
For the iMac lineup. Once you get a big screen you simply do not want to go back unless your environs dictate the need for a smaller monitor and then perhaps a laptop and 20" LCD would be a nice solution.
20" is too small for most people IMO.
After quickly getting used to the screen real estate of a 24" LCD I'd hate to go back to even a 22" let alone 20"
In fact I'd love to see Apple do something like
22" lowend
24" midrange
26/27" High End
For the iMac lineup. Once you get a big screen you simply do not want to go back unless your environs dictate the need for a smaller monitor and then perhaps a laptop and 20" LCD would be a nice solution.
I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".
I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".
didn't they just drop the 20" cinema display line?
It makes sense to have the iMac and Display at the same size for economies of scale.
I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".
The low price point will come from new LG display panels. Dell is selling a 23" e-IPS monitor for $299. That's a smidgen over TN pricing for a 22" LCD.
If i'm spending $1100 for an iMac I want $300 worth of monitor in my computer for that price. Apple's huge investment in LG leads me to believe that they may have a 20" or larger but the quality will jump.
I think the placeholders are for 4 new iMac models and 2 Time Capsule models.
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M
1TB Time Capsule
2TB Time Capsule
The only problem with this is"
Do we really need two 20" models? 20" is the new 17". Low end in size and price.
If this is a Desktop Event then we're not likely to see Time Capsule refreshes but more likely Mac mini models.
I think the placeholders are for 4 new iMac models and 2 Time Capsule models.
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M
1TB Time Capsule
2TB Time Capsule
Are you just guessing or do you have other info that you are relaying here?
didn't they just drop the 20" cinema display line?
It makes sense to have the iMac and Display at the same size for economies of scale.
They did, but they also dropped the 23" Cinema before it was replaced by the 24" LED Cinema. I wouldn't be surprised if they brought back a 20 or 22" LED Cinema to replace the aluminum 20" Cinema. Apple really needs a lower end display. Not everyone has the room, nor do they want to fork out $800+ for a large display.
Are you just guessing or do you have other info that you are relaying here?
These are pure guesses.
The low price point will come from new LG display panels. Dell is selling a 23" e-IPS monitor for $299. That's a smidgen over TN pricing for a 22" LCD.
If i'm spending $1100 for an iMac I want $300 worth of monitor in my computer for that price. Apple's huge investment in LG leads me to believe that they may have a 20" or larger but the quality will jump.
The only problem with this is"
Do we really need two 20" models? 20" is the new 17". Low end in size and price.
If this is a Desktop Event then we're not likely to see Time Capsule refreshes but more likely Mac mini models.
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799
Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999
20" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 2.5ghz, 320gb hdd, ati hd3850 mobile, $1,199
24" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 2.8ghz, 500gb hdd, ati hd3870 mobile, $1,599
24" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 3.0ghz, 750gb hdd, nvidia gtx280m, $2,199
mac mini 2gb (4gb), c2 duo 2.4ghz, 160gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $599
mac mini 2gb (4gb), c2 duo 2.66ghz, 250gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $799
mac mini 4gb (4gb), c2 duo 3.0ghz, 320gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $999
sold!
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799
Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999
at $800 and $1000 add 9500 / 9600 M video. Maybe even have 9700 / 9800 in the $1000 one.
http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/cont...41588-135.html
http://www.onemorething.nl/?p=showarticle&art_id=4016
20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599
24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599
Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799
Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999
I think the Mini will start at 2GHz and just have a 2.4GHz option.
If the iMac has quads in it, they will be 2.33Ghz, 2.66GHz and 2.83GHz. E-IPS on at least the lower end as I think they could manage 24" all round.
The 6th item could possibly be the single Mac Pro that you just configure.
I agree with the comment that the Mini and iMac may come out sooner. The Mini packaging is ready so they can just start shipping.
An event on the 24th would be to launch the big change, which is the Mac Pro and they will use that to demo the power of the new Xeons as well as Snow Leopard. Quad core iMacs would be noteworthy of course but there is still the possibility of them sticking to dual core.