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phillyag · Oct 16, 2003, 07:42 AM

saw this on Apple Insider..... anyone heard about this? any ideas what the next generation will look like?

Apple Computer Inc. engineers are hands-deep into the next major revision of the personal computer that put them back on the map in the late 1990's. According to sources, the computer maker is entering the latter development stages of the third major overhaul to its iMac product line.

The transition to the next-generation models will be reminiscent of the move from the bubble-like CRT machines to the current adjustable flat-screen units, as the new iMacs will sport an 'entirely new form-factor.' Beyond these vague details, little else is known at this time.

AppleInsider sources claim that the company is targeting the 3rd Generation iMacs for a release early next Spring, though one unconfirmed report states that the units may make their debut as early as this coming January. "Ideally, [Apple] would like to make a splash of excitement with these machines during the opening to next year's Macworld San Francisco Expo, though it is too early to tell if that will actually be plausible."

The iMac is widely rumored to adopt IBM's PowerPC G5 microprocessor once ample supplies and effective pricing of the chips allow for competitive marketing of the such computers. Meanwhile, the company is focusing on other aspects of its revenue stream, prepping new iBooks, XServes, XServe RAIDs and Cinema Displays for a release by December.

The last major revision to the iMac product-line took place in January 2002.

Chinasaur · Oct 16, 2003, 03:09 PM

Sounds right. Probably have an Aluminum bezel to match the brushed metal look of Panther..gack.

Apple being a HW company has to fiddle w/ the look to keep interest. Maybe the "Cube Doods" will get a square design with an attached LCD. Stranger things have happened... namely the look of the current iMac.

DaBeav · Oct 16, 2003, 05:23 PM

If the desktop G5s can be bumped up to a high-end of 2.25-2.5 GHz, I could see 1.6/1.8 GHz, or even slower G5s in the iMac. With the G4 architecture being so outdated and Motorola spinning off it's semiconductor unit to a separate company, the outlook for the G4 isn't so rosy. If IBM can meet the demand, then why not?

The current iMac form factor is cool, but couldn't take the heat so to speak.

Or maybe Apple is working on another "prosumer" machine to slot in between the current eMac/iMac and the G5 tower?

SOLIDAge · Oct 17, 2003, 01:16 AM

i highly doubt the iMac will be completly revampled this early in its life....look how long the original iMac form stayed.

Centris650 · Oct 17, 2003, 06:27 AM

I really don't see the new iMacs being a G5. I think they'll get a bump to 1.42 mhz and that's about it. As far as a redesign I think they have to. Speed and looks seel the imacs and the speed isn't there like it used to be. (or perceived to be) So they're doing a rehaul on the design. Plus from what I hear iMac sells have been pretty weak.

What I find interesting is that they are saying this will be a major change as the last form change from CRT to LCD. WOW. Now that's something I'm looking forward to seeing!

DaBeav · Oct 17, 2003, 12:40 PM

If Apple does want to dump Motorola (which would be a good move) and become more competitive architecture-wise on the consumer front, then they have no choice but to move up to the G5. Remember, the iMac was introduced when the pro-line was using the G3 still. The G4 iMac was introduced alongside G4 pro desktops, so using the same CPU in both product lines isn't unheard of. If a 1.3-1.6GHz G5 could be adequately cooled (remember the current case/fan setup was designed for much faster and hotter CPUs than what exists currently), and IBM can make them in sufficient quantity, I see no reason why the iMac couldn't receive a boost. I'm sure Apple engineers are working on it at least - in addition to a G5 PowerBook.

The iMac is a nice machine, but has an antiquated (in computing time) architecture. Even most Celeron-based PCs have a faster architecture and move data more quickly. If things are going as well over at IBM as have been stated, then a complete changeover to the new architecture could happen more quickly than originally hoped. It will depend on how low they can go. IBM even stated on the G5's intro video that they already had prototypes for the next-gen PPC CPUs - maybe that development is going well...

If a redesign is coming, perhaps it's only for the base. I see no reason to get rid of the LCD mounted on an ajustable arm. That's one of the iMac's best features.

beb · Oct 19, 2003, 08:26 PM

I think the upgrade will have more to do with getting a G5 to run on a newer motherboard with more vents to cool the thing.

Paul Stephen C. · Oct 21, 2003, 05:48 PM

Good point beb.

Look at the G5 tower cooling zones. Getting a G5 iMac cool (temperature-wise) would take some doing!

I still say that with max RAM, and broadband connectivity, the current iMac line has plenty of life in it yet. This is still a top home consumer Mac, and with a few speed bumps, will continue to be for a year or two yet. The design R&D invested in the flatscreen iMac has some way to go yet. The original iMac is still the ultimate design for CRT home computers. Where is the competition in terms of home all-in-one flatscreen home computing?

By the way, has anyone actually touched the PC (Dell, I think) white Mac imitations? Bendy thin white plastic, covering a grey box. Laughably bad quality.

Luca Rescigno · Oct 22, 2003, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by Chinasaur:
Sounds right. Probably have an Aluminum bezel to match the brushed metal look of Panther..gack.

Apple being a HW company has to fiddle w/ the look to keep interest. Maybe the "Cube Doods" will get a square design with an attached LCD. Stranger things have happened... namely the look of the current iMac.

OMG my friend in Apple just took a spy picture of teh new I-mac l@@k!!!!!!