“People familiar with plans for the next-generation consumer desktops say Apple hopes to unveil the new [iMac] systems sometime between the latter half of July and mid-August — a timeframe well suited to garner sales from higher-education individuals and back-to-school shoppers in general. Those same people add that the Cupertino-based Mac maker may also have a few smaller surprises in store for fans of its Mac line around the same time,” Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider.
Jade reports, “Apple engineers have been toiling long-hour days on a pair of radically redesigned 20- and 24-inch iMacs that will be both slimmer and sleeker than today’s offerings.”
“Apple last updated its iMac line in September, when it upgraded each model with Core 2 Duo mobile processors and introduced a 24-inch model to the family,” Jade reports.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “james” for the heads up.]
I hope so… daddy needs a new, small & compact powerhouse Mac. Space is limited where it needs to go so I have been waiting patiently for this redesign to happen. Here’s hopin’ it does.
“Space is limited where it needs to go so I have been waiting patiently for this redesign to happen.”
Sadly, Apple engineers have not been able to crack the problem of being able to fit a 24″ monitor into a 16″ space.
“Sadly, Apple engineers have not been able to crack the problem of being able to fit a 24″ monitor into a 16″ space.”
I have. Curved displays, too bad I’m not an engineer.
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@ macromancer
I wanted to laugh at your response but I have no idea what you mean? Let me attempt to explain why I have been waiting to buy, and where I think the source of confusion resides:
I know the new design won’t be any smaller, or perhaps maybe just a touch smaller, but this is not the point for waiting. The real reason for waiting is that the current design is old now (I had the very original 20″ G5 iMac a few years ago and have since sold it). So, knowing that a new design was imminent, I have patiently been waiting for this new, cooler version to come out before buying.
So, with that said, I hope this redesign is fo’ shizzle.
Using TimeLord technology….its bigger on the inside!
> may also have a few smaller surprises in store for fans of its Mac line around the same time
“Smaller.” Like a new Mac mini (or it’s replacement at the low end)?
…just plug a monitor into your new iPhone w/mini HDMI port and adapter….
Same rumor, new release date.
Sooner or later they will be right.
i kind of dont want the imac to change. its perfect now
Time lord technology?
So it will come in a blue box and “malfunction” frequently sending you to important and dangerous time/space nodes?
Cool, sign me up if it comes with the optional sonic screw driver firewire attachment.
@ChristopherOne ” hope so… daddy needs a new, small & compact powerhouse Mac.”
What are you talking about? This is an iMac redesign. As @macromancer said, the screen is the limiting factor. The iMac already has the smallest footprint its going to get, unless it floats on air and any reduction in size will be at best cosmetic thus sexier. Sure Apple may produce a smaller tower but again I can’t see the footprint changing all that much, if its going to have all of that expansion room for RAM, HARD DRIVES, and CARDS.
I still am waiting for a headless Mac (pro-summer level, not full blown pro) because I like to replace my CPU every four years but I think it’s a waste to replace a perfectly good LCD simply because it’s build-in. Are you listing, Apple?
Be nice to have an iMac that can load HD video in realtime instead of 3/4 or 1/2 speed.
Please!
the imac G4 was a much nicer machine… and it still is.
@botox
“… it’s a waste to replace a perfectly good LCD… “
Even if the new one is LED?
I had a 17″ LCD that I thought was fine, until I tried to use it as a second monitor for my iMac, it looked so BAD beside the iMac I gave it away, cost me $579 brand new! How much are they now, around $100, or less?
Time to release that “missing mac” – what botox calls the pro-sumer model. Headless, upgradeable, small form factor, no power brick. And the next-gen iMac – for those who want an all-in-one.
Any improvement to the iMac design will just make it the best machine ever *again*. As a 24″ owner since March, I can honestly say that it’s most elegant and sublime computer ever created. And damn Apple if they make me want a new one already!!! ;P
@ [doc square]
Among other Macs, I have a G4 dual 800 and an iMac 24.
I disagree.
I’ve a 20 inch G5 and now have a 20 inch G4 and 24 inch intel imac.
Apple has never equaled the design of the 20 inch G4–haven’t found a desk it doesn’t fit on, the screen can always be tilted to the right angle, and the optical drive is much easier to get to.
And it looks like something futuristic, while the G5/intel just looks like a screen.
@James
OK, seriously. Please READ my post. I am fine with the current form factor, I just want a new look. I had the original G5 iMac (the current design – not the G4 iMac). To me this look is staid (sorry ChrissyOne!). It is time for Apple to redesign the iMac.
So, here is a part of my second post (highlighted in bold the parts you should actually READ & RETAIN):
I know the new design won’t be any smaller, or perhaps maybe just a touch smaller, but this is not the point for waiting. The real reason for waiting is that the current design is old now (I had the very original 20″ G5 iMac a few years ago and have since sold it). So, knowing that a new design was imminent, I have patiently been waiting for this new, cooler version to come out before buying. [Please note: I did not say “…waiting for this new, cooler smaller version…]
Time Lord technology.
Screw the driver, I’m into Piper.
When the iPod started to take off a few years ago, Apple marketed the iMac as a companion to the iPod.
It would be a bad idea lets say in about 3 – 6 months to have a new iMac that has a lot of features as the iPhone and market it together as they did with the iPod.
The new iMacs will be like big iphones (multitouch screen, ultra-thin, optional virtual keyboard) but placable on a stand and with wireless keyboard and mightymouse. (I hope!!!).
ChristopherOne: MDN readers pick apart everything you say. Don’t worry about answering them. Sometimes they just like to feel smarter than everyone else. Really, they’re usually wrong. (See the Mozilla/Safari article where everyone is like “Yea, Safari’s going to have 100% market share! Down with Mozilla!” Even though a few months ago they were all like “Yea Mozilla, taking down Microsoft!”)
“Using TimeLord technology….its bigger on the inside!”
Actually, I believe it comes from the 25th Century. Of course, you’ll end up with Sulibans and Tholians trying to break into your house to steal it…
You are keeping a 9.08am story at the top of you postings? Why are you ignoring iPhone global competition issues?
@ ChristopherOne
RE: Staid Look
To each her own, of course. The thing I like about the newest design is the fact that the hardware dissapears after a while. You get a blind spot for it. I don’t really see anything but my monitors when I’m working.
The “lamp” iMac was cool in that the screen seemed to float, and you could put it in front of the base to hide it, but there was never enough real-estate for me, and it took up too much hoziontal (depth) space with the screen swung forward. I also like the ports on the back of the monitor where they’re easier to get to… The iLamp just didn’t work for my particular setup, but like I said, to each her own.
Now, if the rumors are true, and the new design becomes basically a “Cinema Display with a CPU”, with a smaller bezzel, then I’m REALLY gonna want one. I love the form factor of my C HD 23″ (overall height being shroter) and they’d look pretty killer together. But my baby’s not even 4 months old yet so she’ll be around a while.
EXTERMINATE!!!
I’ve been wondering what exactly is left that they could do with the iMac, since the current design basically eliminates the computer entirely.
The only thing I can think of is maybe putting the DVD back on the base, where it is easier to access. Maybe with iPod and Flash Ram ports there too.
If theres anything in Apple’s product line that needs an overhaul, it should be the Mac Mini, iMac, The Exterior casing of the Mac Pro, and the iPod.
The iMac still has attractive styling. Apple should wait until January for that one. ( Oh yeah, Apple shouldn’t discontinue that 17 inch.) It could fit in tighter places the 20 inch can’t.
Mac Pro’s casing is old. ( What since late 2003 or early 2004.)
Mac Mini, Needs a new look. People unaware about the Intel Transition won’t even tell the differene between the G4 and the Core Duo. Except for the rear setup and the receiver in front.
The iMac though has the same looks as the late model G.
Apple has so much work.
Sadly, Apple engineers have not been able to crack the problem of being able to fit a 24″ monitor into a 16″ space.
Not as of yet, anyway. Apple’s ultra-secret “Project TARDIS” is working to tackle this.
Forget Reality Distortion. Apple is developing QUANTUM distortion!
Never mind “secrets” like that boring, public-access Roswell UFO crap. Cupertino is where the real goods are at.
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Botox said: “Are you listing, Apple?”
Why? Have they taken on water?
@Russell…
Touché.
@ChrissyOne…
Touché too.
Also, I heard that the redesign would be like the Cinema displays, either as they are now or as they will soon be, with the bottom area minimized so that they truly do look more like a Cinema display.
Bigger on the inside!!
I have been telling children for years that dragons are kept in small boxes that are bigger on the inside than on the outside.
I can see the ad now, Apple Dude exits box followed by people representing each aspect of the iLife, ending with a dragon.
Exit advert with voive over “LET THE DRAGON OUT”
I just wish Apple would hurry up with whatever it is they are going to do to the iMac line. Because at the moment there is no way I am ponying up my cash for a 9+ month old computer at 9+ month old prices!
MDN Word: Please “include” some kickass features Apple
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For those of you that think the iMac couldn’t possibly be reduced in size…
A 20″ Apple Cinema display is about 82% of the size of the 20″ iMac.with the base. If we were comparing the screen and housing only there would be an even bigger difference.
Away with the chin!!!
i think the mac pros need an update visually, i mean theyre old now. extremely functional, which is why theyve lasted this long. but still i think they need an overhaul thats at least immediately noticable. having said that im glad they went away from the whole quicksilver designs where they seemed to be adding vents and scoops just for the sake of it. the current mac pro works, its not just a housing, its a functional housing, both in terms of access to internal components and also air flow, which was really forced by the G5’s.
for the short to medium term, apple is not going to offer a tower in between the mac pro and the imac. just forget it, they want to offer the user a simple choice, consumer = imac, pro = mac pro.
if you want a dedicated tower, mac pros bottom level is very good value.
for what its worth in the whole imac thing, i loved the older g4 imac design, and ive seen a couple at the apple stores that look great even with dust and muck all over them used for registers,just think they look like something out of starwars.
Headless iMac, please.
i think the mac pros need an update visually, i mean theyre old now. extremely functional, which is why theyve lasted this long. but still i think they need an overhaul thats at least immediately noticable.
I say bring back the platinum grey boxes with art-deco lines.
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People whom express wont of Multi-touch screen (I’m one off them) I was just looking back for info & here are some interesting finds on Apple prototypes!
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macproto/002.html
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macproto/006.html
http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macproto/macathena.html
Prototype N°92 flatscreen active matrix, Stylets prototype nokeyboard, Apple also mentioned with Frog of POD (Personal-removable-Organisation-Drive) to-be known now has iPod!