New iMacs -or "why by a Mac Pro?"

[notabadname]

A quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 “Nehalem” processor for $1,999 or $2,199 respectively with a 27 inch, LED 2560 x 1440 resolution screen. Wow! There is truly nothing else (certainly in an all-in-one) that touches this bargain. Apple keeps topping themselves. Only one more option needed Apple, pleeeaaaasssee give us a Blu-ray RW to take advantage of that power and stunning display.

OK, one more thing. A FULL SIZE wireless keyboard! Why build such a beautiful, top-end "work station", and not offer a wireless keyboard with a freaking number pad. This is a work machine, not something I am trying to squeeze into my carry-on luggage. Most people used to have a 27 inch screen as their principal TV a decade ago. This isn't designed to be portable, I just don't get the micro-keyboard. Thank goodness for Logitech's beautiful "made for Mac" wireless seen here. So with the keyboard issue solved . . . . .

. . . back to Blu-ray. Even Acer (we are talking about low-end manufacturer here folks) offers blu-ray now as an option-total price $679.99 (to be fair, that is read only, but I would accept that Apple).

Anyway, awesome product Apple. So this must mean we are getting a new Apple Cinema Display, since the 24 inch iMac is gone, and they now have this 27 inch LED screen in production. That's good news too. I am sure we will see that pretty soon.

[philbowell]

Originally Posted by notabadname

Anyway, awesome product Apple. So this must mean we are getting a new Apple Cinema Display, since the 24 inch iMac is gone, and they now have this 27 inch LED screen in production. That's good news too. I am sure we will see that pretty soon.

I wouldn't be so sure. The new 27" iMac can be used as a display plugged into other computers/dvd players etc. In the UK at least, there is about £200 price difference between the 30" ACD and the base 27" iMac. I get the feeling we will be saying good bye to the 30" ACD soon and Apple will encourage people to the iMac or the existing 24".

[notabadname]

I agree on the 30 inch. It is terribly dated, and not compliant with Apple's "Green" product line. I just tend to think we will see the 27 inch LED come out to replace the 30 inch. With the investment in the Mini Display Port on the Laptop line, I would be very surprised to see them offer only one fully compatible display option. And anyone buying a Mac Pro would probably like more options than the 24 inch LED ACD. 24 inch is still a little tight on screen real estate if you want to do any Video work, and smaller than I would prefer for Photo work.

Plus, the iMac still is not optimal to use as a display for other computers. A pricy option when you can by a 24 inch screen at $300-$400. And for video, is lacks HDMI inputs unfortunately. That is becoming a standard on more and more multi-media monitors now.

I also think the only reason they haven't discontinued the 30 inch is because they don't want to break the continuity of a "big screen" option. If they knew there would not be a larger screen than the 24 inch coming to replace the 30 inch, I think they would have already discontinued the 30 inch. There is no point in keeping the "non-green" screen around if there is no intent to replace it. It looks bad on their 'environmental brag sheet" to have the 30 inch around. It is their only product that is not green. Check out their own brag page here and notice the 30 ACD is the only missing product they don't talk about.

I am very confident, the lingering 30 inch ACD is Apple's "place holder" in the large monitor market. However, it wouldn't be the first time ( or second, or third . . . .) I was wrong

[JeremyK]

Um... Apple do offer a full size keyboard... But your right, its not wireless, but if you were using it with an iMac, do you really need it wireless? and go through all those batteries?

Oh and the new iMac is great... I want one, we will probably end up using it as our TV, do we need Apple TV or anything else like that to do that?

And I like the idea behind the new MacBook, only it reminds me so much of the Aluminium MacBook that came out this time last year. Good work Apple!

[philbowell]

Originally Posted by JeremyK

Oh and the new iMac is great... I want one, we will probably end up using it as our TV, do we need Apple TV or anything else like that to do that?

See my post on your thread, but also read the Apple TV section of the website. You don't seem to understand what an Apple TV is.

[JeremyK]

Originally Posted by philbowell

See my post on your thread, but also read the Apple TV section of the website. You don't seem to understand what an Apple TV is.

thanks... they should rename it Apple MC or something (Apple Media Center)

[notabadname]

In regards to wireless controllers, I simply hate cord clutter. I like being able to lean back in my chair and put my keyboard in my lap. Batteries are not an issue at all. I have used a Logitech wireless for about 4 years now. It uses two AAA batteries every 9 months to 1 year. It has Zero lag. Between that and my wireless Wacom tablet, my desk looks nice and clean. It is great that Apple makes the wireless keyboard the standard, but idiotic that it is essentially a laptop-sized keyboard. I can't imagine many people who wouldn't prefer a number pad on their keyboard. Using a program like Excel or Numbers is very frustrating without one. Basically any use of the computer for data entry is hampered.

[lucamacis]

I feel for you notabadname. You've wanted that blu-ray drive for as long as i can remember and Apple are still not offering it! It's like they can't hear you!

Other than that though i feel they have done an excellent job with the new iMacs. Excellent specifications and beautiful screens and going for a low end iMac no longer makes you feel like your being stingy and missing out on features for the general user. (remember the whole cheapest model = combo drive and cheapest model = integrated graphics. not fun).

[notabadname]

The one feature that may redeem the lack of blu-ray is the "bi-directional' mini-display port. It is not clear by Apple or HDMI to mini display port adaptor-manufacturers, if the beautiful new iMac's screen will be able to be used by external Blu-ray drives, game consoles and cable boxes outputting 1080p signals. If you can hook up your home HDMI outputs to the iMac to use it as a monitor, then all will be generally good (although not optimum). We wont really know for sure how this will all be implemented until January. I don't care as much about Blu-ray writing being built in as I do reading movies and other blu-ray media. However, it is safe to assume that if Apple offered built in BR burners, then they would also update Final Cut Studio to support authoring BR. That I do care about. Read technology wont really change much, but write technology/speed will continue to improve significantly over the next 5 years. So buying an external burner is really wiser and cheaper than buying an internal BR burner. And I believe almost every other manufacturer now offers built-in blu-ray read-only options on at least their desktops (many also on some laptops)

I just know I would like to have a quad-core 27inch iMac in my office, which is in my Master Bedroom, and be able to use it to play Blu-rays for entertainment as well as sticking a tuner option on it for viewing cable HD channels. Basically an all-in-one. I have already played with the new iMac and Magic Mouse for hours. It is sweet, and the display is truly stunning. Vivid, crisp and clear. Love the pixel density. And the mouse is Awesome. The first mouse I may allow to replace my trackball. It is truly a beautiful little piece of technology. Great feel and wight. Responsive and simple cool in the way that only Apple makes "cool". It was fun to watch people come into the Boston Apple Store (2nd largest in world) and go "ga-ga" over the iMac's, screens and mouse. Lots of "no way" . . . "that is too cool". This store gets massive traffic, and everyone was visibly impressed.