[megasad]

Hell, I know I'm opening the floodgates to a bunch of silly rumours, but I sure would appreciate it if anyone who knows anything about whether or not new eMacs will be coming out any time soon, if that person would post about it here.

Reason being, I currently have no computer, my previous system having died last week, and I sure would like to buy an eMac and I know the prices have been slashed recently...

Basically, I can wait a little while, I'm not desperate for a computer right now, but if someone knows that a new model won't be released until May 2004, then I'd like to know is all.

Thank you kindly,
Typing very strangely,
Simon

[megasad]

Crap. From a bit of Googling, the rumour sites seem to think that, in light of the recent price drop, the eMac won't be actually upgraded for a very long time. http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/ as an example. Anyone know different?

[nredman]

since they just dropped the prices on the current emacs i would think they won't release new emacs anytime soon. i think they will update other products first...the imac, powerbook, and then possibly the emac. but i really have no clue just my 2 cents

[stwain2003]

I know WAY different:

http://www.lowendmac.com/rumormill/03/1121.html

[megasad]

For the last two days I've been using my girlfriend's brother's TiBook (she needs it for a presentation as her iBook has had to be sent back to Apple for repairs again (the thrid or fourth time in the year she's had it)).

Big screen is good. In fact, the screen is slightly narrower than eMac screen, and of the same maximum resolution, so I'll definitely be running it at that, rather than say 1024x768, so long as the refresh rate is okay.

AirPort reception on the TiBook is kind of crappy. Does anyone know how it compares to that of the eMac?

Um, yeah, so this post was kind of pointless. Just to say that five months is too damn long to wait for new eMacs. Anyone know if anything might happen sooner?

[WizOSX]

My reading of yesterdays AppleInsider articles is that the new G5 chips give off less heat. Am I right? If so, we should see G5 eMacs and iMacs fairly soon. Just a guess, of course.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=260

[Lateralus]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
My reading of yesterdays AppleInsider articles is that the new G5 chips give off less heat. Am I right? If so, we should see G5 eMacs and iMacs fairly soon. Just a guess, of course.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=260

...No we wont.

The 7455B variant of the G4 is capable of speeds into the 1.5GHz range. I can guarentee you that Apple will exhaust every last drop of performance from any chip with a G4 label stuck on it before they touch the G5 for the iMac or eMac.

I don't know why everybody thinks that Apples use of the G5 in machines other than the Power Mac is somehow dependant on the heat output of the procesor alone. It's dependant on sales, and I can guarentee you that apple learned their lesson in 1998 when they put the same processor in the iMac that was in the high end Power Macs at the time. It killed the Power Mac sales.

[discotronic]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
...No we wont.

The 7455B variant of the G4 is capable of speeds into the 1.5GHz range. I can guarentee you that Apple will exhaust every last drop of performance from any chip with a G4 label stuck on it before they touch the G5 for the iMac or eMac.

I don't know why everybody thinks that Apples use of the G5 in machines other than the Power Mac is somehow dependant on the heat output of the procesor alone. It's dependant on sales, and I can guarentee you that apple learned their lesson in 1998 when they put the same processor in the iMac that was in the high end Power Macs at the time. It killed the Power Mac sales.

I agree. It is to soon for the iMac and eMac to go to the G5. I would say Apple is going to use the G4 in these machines for AT LEAST another revision for the iMac and most likely more for the eMac.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by discotronic

It is to soon for the iMac and eMac to go to the G5.

Probably. But I wouldn't rule it out. One possibility is that the new G5 production techniques are used to produce bpth slower speeds like 1.6 and 1.8 which go into iMacs and eMacs as well as the 2.0+ speeds which would go into the PowerMacs.

[slider]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
...No we wont.

The 7455B variant of the G4 is capable of speeds into the 1.5GHz range. I can guarentee you that Apple will exhaust every last drop of performance from any chip with a G4 label stuck on it before they touch the G5 for the iMac or eMac.

I don't know why everybody thinks that Apples use of the G5 in machines other than the Power Mac is somehow dependant on the heat output of the procesor alone. It's dependant on sales, and I can guarentee you that apple learned their lesson in 1998 when they put the same processor in the iMac that was in the high end Power Macs at the time. It killed the Power Mac sales.

I disagree, I think Apple is only limited by the fact that this chip puts out too much heat. With Intel claiming that they will be at four Ghz next year, Apple will more likely more the entire line to G5's. I think all Pro machines such go dual processor and possible release a cube like single box for those that do not want an iMac, but also don't need dual processors. OK, that last part is what I would like to see, probably no cube. Dual and faster processors in the pro machines and single lower speed G5's in the consumer machines with the eMac and iBooks being the last to shed the G4. Apple has been stuck with the G4 and it didn't seem like there was anywhere to go. The G5 is Apple's immediate future and don't be fooled, Apple will move away from using Motorola's G4 chip as so as possible, they are stagnant, I doubt we will ever see a G4 1.5Ghz chip. By the end of this coming year, we will probably see G5 iMacs and powerbooks running single processors. Apple is not as predicatable as people here often make them out to be. Watch from some surprises in the coming year.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by slider

With Intel claiming that they will be at four Ghz next year, Apple will more likely more the entire line to G5's..

I think you're right. The PC magazines and the everyday press have been doing a lot of selling for Apple lately and they look really good right now. I'm sure they want to keep the ball rolling. If the G5's are available in sufficient quantity and they can get them into more machines ASAP, that makes lots of sense, marketing-wise. I see no sense whatsoever in choosing to keep the iMacs and eMacs using G4s just to differentiate them from the towers. Features, megahertz etc will differentiate them enough.

In fact, I think putting the extra processor in the 1.8 backs this up. Likely they have in stock or are committed to more 1.8 processors than they were selling. What better way to move them than to sell two per machine just before they stop using them altogether.

[WizOSX]

Since it is now almost certain that Apple will do a major upgrade to the PowerMac line (faster processors and motherboard) in Jan. it seems to me that they almost certainly will put out a G5 iMac in Jan. as well. The PowerMacs will all be dual processor so it seems a natural that you will choose duals for "pro" line and single processor iMac for "more consumer" line.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=320

[Graymalkin]

Having a G5 available in a $800 eMac or $1300 iMac would kill the sales of even the low end PowerMacs. Why would anyone buy a PowerMac when for $500 less they could have a G5 iMac that has a 15" LCD screen? Not only would their PowerMac sales drop off but they'd also have lower margins of the iMacs and eMacs. The iMac and eMac sell for what they do because Apple can manufacture them cheaply and thus sell them for a nice profit. Sticking more expensive processors and motherboards in the systems would kill their margins at their current prices. Raising the price would put the systems in "Pro" territory and give even more incentive for people to forego PowerMac purchases.

The iMac and eMac will get G5s when the PowerMacs are running 3GHz+ and supplies of the chip are in abundance. Any sooner would rip the market for PowerMacs to pieces.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by Graymalkin

Why would anyone buy a PowerMac when for $500 less they could have a G5 iMac that has a 15" LCD screen?.

Because Apple may make the minimum new machine a dual 2.0. If the iMac is a single 1.6 then $500 would actually buy you quite a lot extra if you needed it.

[Krusty]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Because Apple may make the minimum new machine a dual 2.0. If the iMac is a single 1.6 then $500 would actually buy you quite a lot extra if you needed it.

Wow ... given the state of Mac hardware for the last several years, its hard to imagine the the entry level tower in a month or two could be a freakin' dual 2-ghz G5. I'm sooo glad I've held on to my iMac DV for so many years ... next upgrade is gonna be sweet

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by Krusty

Wow ... given the state of Mac hardware for the last several years, its hard to imagine the the entry level tower in a month or two could be a freakin' dual 2-ghz G5. I'm sooo glad I've held on to my iMac DV for so many years ... next upgrade is gonna be sweet.

Of course, there is some guesswork here, so I wouldn't want to bet a fortune on this. But there is little doubt that, in the next month or so, for around $1800, you'll be getting at least a single processor G5 at 2ghz but, equally likely, something more than that. As you said, the next upgrades will be sweet.

[WizOSX]

The latest info (rumor) says that they are quite certain that the base PowerMac will be a single 2.0 at the same price as the current 1.6 with a dual 2.2ghz at the price of the current 1.8. Quite amazing if true.

http://macinchat.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s...mp;m=529008865

[ApeInTheShell]

1998-2001 : iMac G3, iBook G3, Powerbook G4, Power Mac G3 and G4

2002: iMac G4 FP, eMac G4, iBook G3, Powerbook G4, Power Mac G5

2003: iMac G4 FP, eMac G4, iBook G4, Powerbook G4, PowerMac G5

2004: iMac G5 FP, eMac G4, iBook G4, Powerbook G5, Power Mac G5

This is a natural progression of the product line as I see it. The iBook and eMac are now the low end machines.

The iMac has essentially taken over the place where the Power Mac G4 Cube was. The only difference is it has a stronger influence and broader audience.

The Power Mac and Powerbook are obviously the high end machines for heavy lifting and it is self explanatory where they are headed.

The best thing is to wait. If there is a new revision in May but it wasn't what you expected buy the Mac that did make the grade.
You may have to save up more money but you won't feel bad about your purchase.

[WizOSX]

Probably pretty close!

[megasad]

I have no idea what this means, but...

Playing around with configuring my new machine in the Apple Education store (UK) I noticed that the estimated build time for a Combo Drive eMac, with 160GB hard drive, was 2-3 weeks. This struck me as a little long, but I figured it was because of the larger drive and education thingy. But nay; ordering just the regular 40GB combo eMac from the regular online store has the same build time.

What does this mean?

Um, that there's little of the current model left in stock and that they'll be announcing (and shipping immediately) new models in January?

That it's Christmas and no-one can be arsed to work and so it'll take longer?

I'm hoping the former rather than the latter...

1.25GHz G4, maximum of 2GB DDR RAM possible, 64MB graphics card, faster system bus and USB 2.0, the option for no modem (hey, like in the first education models)... they do all that, keep it at £610, and I shall be mighty happy. Hell, the option to buy the wireless keyboard and mouse instead of the wired ones (not in addition to) (and so I guess built-in BlueTooth rather than a stinky external dongle thing), will make me splooge in my pants. Or not. But, you know, it'd be cool.

[megasad]

Well, the build time is now down to 3 - 5 days, so I guess it was more to do with lack of stock rather than new models coming soon.

Dagnammit.

Anyone know anything? Maybe the 20th Anniversary Mac will be a shiny new eMac? And maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt? What is Mike Myers doing these days anyway?

June 2004, you better hurry up.

[P]

Well, on the subjet that this thread was started to...

No, no new eMacs in the immediate future. I think.

On the more fascinating subject of G5s in iMacs... People seem to forget that the G5 is a very different beast from the G4. Apple could but a G4 on a G3 motherboard (and did so, with Yikes) but they can't put a G5 on a G4 mobo. They're just too different. To put a G5 in an iMac, they can do two things:

1) Shrink the G5 mobo to iMac size, while adding a graphics chip and removing all the expansion slots.
2) Design a new iMac from scratch, case, mobo and everything.

2) is of course possible, but takes time. 1) is faster, but I think it's impossible. Remember, the main reason that the G5 is such a kick-ass chip is the bus. Apple had to add a dual memory bus, a total of 8 slots, to the G5 and not even that will saturate the bus. Can you see an iMac with 8 slots? No. Squeezing in 4 seems impossible to me. 2 means that there is zero room for expansion as both must be filled. Failing that, we're back down to a single memory bus, and the G5 doesn't look nearly so good. Don't get me wrong, it'd still be a fine machine, but nowhere near even a current Powermac.

Say that Apple can make a really compressed mobo with a 1.6 GHz 90nm G5, single memory bus of DDR333 and a Geforce 5200. I think they can, and we may even see one this year if they take that route. But that is a completely new mobo, the biggest redesign the iMac has had since the flat-panel iMac first arrived. That's not cheap. Now, Apple did this once before, with the slot-loading "Kihei" iMacs being redesigns of the original iMac, but that was breathing life into a line that was going great. The current iMacs aren't doing great. Apple needs to do something more. Apple needs to make a new iMac, and they need to do it soon. The CPU is a secondary matter in that. With the Powermac G5 reasonably fresh, I can't see another redesign out of Apple in at least a year. Probably more.

Everyone who wants a G5 iMac: Go get a low-end G5 and a flat panel display. Refurb if you can, or after the launch of the 2nd rev, to get the price down. It's going to be a better deal than any iMac released in at least a year.