I think that Apple is going to get better with the iMac updates since we can pretty well assume that they are going with the 970 in the PMs. I think that we will probably see a new iMac in late summer that will be at 1.25 Ghz G4. But who knows. They took a long time to update the old iMac, but I think we will probably see bluetooth mice and keyboards in the next revision as well and they might add a spice of FW 800 in there as well.
It is just a feeling, but I think that they will include bluetooth mice and keyboards in the next revision. The PMs will come out with them and the iMacs will be the next inline. Bluetooth is gaining ground and Apple loves to adopt new technologies
FW 800 is definate because it is common sense. Most of Apple's product line will be FW 800. The PMs are already, the 17 PB, most likely the 15 PB will too. The iBook may go FW 800, but it may be the next revision after. FW 800 is coming in and it will most likely be in the iMac in the next revision if they come out with one in the Fall.
The big question IMO is whether the iMac will get the 970 at the same time as the PowerMac. If chip yields are good and costs not higher than the G4, then why not use the 1.2 -1.4Ghz chips for the iMac and the higher ones (in dual?) for the PowerMac?
<strong>FW 800 is definate because it is common sense.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Since when has Apple followed common sense? They could have easily put bluetooth capability, Airport Extreme, and FireWire 800 in all the new products, but they didn't put any in the low end iMac, and they neglected FW800 in the 12" PowerBook and the high end iMac.
I'm not doubting Apple's ability to continue releasing good products, but I'm afraid they'll keep being kinda quirky like they always have, whether in a good way or a bad way. Releasing updates to four of their major product lines in a little over a month is pretty quirky. Good for the time being, but I wonder what Apple will do now that most of their computers have been updated. Will they do the same again in six months? Or will they update some products far ahead of time while letting others stagnate? We all know about the iMac fiasco... hopefully if they do let some of their products stagnate, it won't be the iMac, and it won't be for 13 months.
<strong>The big question IMO is whether the iMac will get the 970 at the same time as the PowerMac. If chip yields are good and costs not higher than the G4, then why not use the 1.2 -1.4Ghz chips for the iMac and the higher ones (in dual?) for the PowerMac?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Margin. Since the iMacs have to compete with your garden variety PeeCee I think they may need the cheapest option which for now would seem to point to G4's. Apple needs to do whatever they can to get up to 10Billion of revenue. If they can put a 970 in a iMac great but if yields are that good I'd love to see SMP 970 Powermacs first. I'm torn the "consumer" in my wants 970 iMacs while the "Business" part wants Apple to use the 970 to volley forward and really increase marketshare.
I know consumers and with 970's in both computers I could easily see them getting the iMac970 when, had the difference between the imac/powermac been a 970, would have purchased a Powermac.
[quote] Since when has Apple followed common sense? They could have easily put bluetooth capability, Airport Extreme, and FireWire 800 in all the new products, but they didn't put any in the low end iMac, and they neglected FW800 in the 12" PowerBook and the high end iMac.<hr></blockquote>
Apple does this because they don't have clear lines of delineating between models. They know consumers will default to the "cheaper" model unless it's been "crippled" in some way. Their lineup is congested and too close together. This should not happen. The 970 will allow the Powermacs to finally pull away from the iMacs. This means more power for the consumer machines because they're not limited by Apples fears of cannibalization.
It is common sense because the next revision of the iMac will likely have FW 800 when more products are out there for it. Plus, I have no idea why they did not include FW 800 on the 12 PB, may be cost at the time? But you can bet that the next revision to the 12 PB will have FW 800. It is coming slowly into the light and eventually all the procduts will have it. That's why it is common sense
[quote] Plus, I have no idea why they did not include FW 800 on the 12 PB, may be cost at the time? <hr></blockquote>
Yes, but also size and power. If a FW 800 controller was added,...well, I don't think that with the current size chipset, it would be impossible. I think another reason is that if the 12" was better than the 15" Tibook in too many ways, absolutely no one would buy the Tibook before another update. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
FW800 for an iMac around september/october makes sense. If you recall the original rollout of FW, the B+W powermacs got it a MWSF in Jan, with the Kihei iMacs in the Fall.
imacs are consumer though, i can see apple holding out on FW800 for imacs because that would differentiate the line-ups. what does an imac need FW800 for anyways...HD's can't go that fast, the only reason for FW800 is to have multiple devices that are daisy chained
It's possible the iMacs might speed-bump to 1.2GHz around Aug/Sep if the PMs are coming out with 970s, but I don't think we'll see the whole lineup change to 970, because it's just too many things to change.
The 7457's won't be ready yet, so a 1.2GHz iMac is going to be a hot-running box. But you guys have to remember that the consumer market is where people play games, and games need fast processors and good video cards. Therefore, since we can't do much about the CPU, I would expect some improvements in the video area.
Apple has to update the iMac sometime between Sept/Nov or the sales of them will go into the tank.
Updates sooner? I wouldn't expect any updates before July. But remember, we're all speculating here. With Apple, anything can happen.
So as to the original question: If you need the computer now, go ahead and buy one. If you don't need the computer until Oct/Nov., hold off.
OS10geek, that is probably the reason why they left out FW 800 on the 12 PB. It would make the 15 PB look really unattractive and only a few would buy it. If they knew that they were going to update the PB line again in Jan, I wonder why they did not include the 15 PB in there instead of the Nov. realease, I think, that they did. Maybe it was to throw people off that the PBs would be updated again at MW?
Comments
<strong>FW 800 is a definite.</strong><hr></blockquote>
For the iMac? Why?
<strong>FW 800 is definate because it is common sense.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Since when has Apple followed common sense? They could have easily put bluetooth capability, Airport Extreme, and FireWire 800 in all the new products, but they didn't put any in the low end iMac, and they neglected FW800 in the 12" PowerBook and the high end iMac.
I'm not doubting Apple's ability to continue releasing good products, but I'm afraid they'll keep being kinda quirky like they always have, whether in a good way or a bad way. Releasing updates to four of their major product lines in a little over a month is pretty quirky. Good for the time being, but I wonder what Apple will do now that most of their computers have been updated. Will they do the same again in six months? Or will they update some products far ahead of time while letting others stagnate? We all know about the iMac fiasco... hopefully if they do let some of their products stagnate, it won't be the iMac, and it won't be for 13 months.
<strong>The big question IMO is whether the iMac will get the 970 at the same time as the PowerMac. If chip yields are good and costs not higher than the G4, then why not use the 1.2 -1.4Ghz chips for the iMac and the higher ones (in dual?) for the PowerMac?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Margin. Since the iMacs have to compete with your garden variety PeeCee I think they may need the cheapest option which for now would seem to point to G4's. Apple needs to do whatever they can to get up to 10Billion of revenue. If they can put a 970 in a iMac great but if yields are that good I'd love to see SMP 970 Powermacs first. I'm torn the "consumer" in my wants 970 iMacs while the "Business" part wants Apple to use the 970 to volley forward and really increase marketshare.
I know consumers and with 970's in both computers I could easily see them getting the iMac970 when, had the difference between the imac/powermac been a 970, would have purchased a Powermac.
[quote] Since when has Apple followed common sense? They could have easily put bluetooth capability, Airport Extreme, and FireWire 800 in all the new products, but they didn't put any in the low end iMac, and they neglected FW800 in the 12" PowerBook and the high end iMac.<hr></blockquote>
Apple does this because they don't have clear lines of delineating between models. They know consumers will default to the "cheaper" model unless it's been "crippled" in some way. Their lineup is congested and too close together. This should not happen. The 970 will allow the Powermacs to finally pull away from the iMacs. This means more power for the consumer machines because they're not limited by Apples fears of cannibalization.
[ 03-15-2003: Message edited by: hmurchison ]</p>
[quote] Plus, I have no idea why they did not include FW 800 on the 12 PB, may be cost at the time? <hr></blockquote>
Yes, but also size and power. If a FW 800 controller was added,...well, I don't think that with the current size chipset, it would be impossible. I think another reason is that if the 12" was better than the 15" Tibook in too many ways, absolutely no one would buy the Tibook before another update. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
David
The 7457's won't be ready yet, so a 1.2GHz iMac is going to be a hot-running box. But you guys have to remember that the consumer market is where people play games, and games need fast processors and good video cards. Therefore, since we can't do much about the CPU, I would expect some improvements in the video area.
Apple has to update the iMac sometime between Sept/Nov or the sales of them will go into the tank.
Updates sooner? I wouldn't expect any updates before July. But remember, we're all speculating here. With Apple, anything can happen.
So as to the original question: If you need the computer now, go ahead and buy one. If you don't need the computer until Oct/Nov., hold off.
<strong>why would apple use firewire 800? usb hi-speed is way faster than firewire 800, and it has more power.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Heh, now that it trolling if I've ever seen it.
<strong>The iPod should be USB 1.1, because evryone knows that its faster than firewire.</strong><hr></blockquote>
*In on reply before the account gets banned* <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />