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mathew_m · Oct 13, 2005, 01:40 PM

I predict with the next major revision and once Apple transitions over to Intel processors that we'll see a 1" thick iMac. Jobs loves things smaller, thinner, lighter. Also it's clear now that Apple intends on growing their market share in the home entertainment front. A 1" thin iMac could also double as tablet style Mac. A convergence style device.

echosphere · Oct 13, 2005, 02:08 PM

I hate convergence....

MaxPower2k3 · Oct 13, 2005, 05:44 PM

The new 20" iMac weighs 22 pounds. Even if they make it thinner, I can't see it ever being practical as a tablet computer. They'd have to put in lighter components, a different cooling system (since the current one relies on the computer being vertical) and a (very expensive) touch screen. I just don't see any reason to do it. It'd be much easier and make more sense to make a tablet powerbook or iBook that is already designed to be small and light.

mathew_m · Oct 13, 2005, 06:20 PM

Lighter components will come. I'm just thinking that Jobs wants the iMac to fit the needs of a home appliance. The thinner and lighter the easier it is to place.

MaxPower2k3 · Oct 13, 2005, 07:13 PM

except that a desktop computer is just that; a computer that sits on a desk. they're not meant to be moved all over the place. If they can figure out how to make it weigh 10 pounds, then that's great, but there's no reason for it to be a priority (and i rather hope it isn't). For people who need to move their computer a lot (even if only from the kitchen to the family room), a laptop is what they should be looking at. A better improvement, as far as physical design, would be shrinking (or eliminating) the large bottom bezel. I'd rather have an iMac that's 3" thick with a very thin bezel than one that's 1.5" thick with a big 5" bezel on the bottom. that'd make a bigger difference as far as where it could be placed, I'd think.

mduell · Oct 13, 2005, 07:22 PM

The iMac is not a tablet. Too heavy and no battery.

Jacob · Oct 13, 2005, 08:14 PM

HAHA. iMac as a tablet...ahahahaaaah!!!!HAHAHAH!!! AHAHAhAH!!! HAAAAAA!!!!!!!! *ahem* yeah..

trevorM · Oct 13, 2005, 09:56 PM

There are PC tablets that have been attempted. Market wasn't interested. It never seems to cut it. Do we really want to see Apple release one? NO! I doubt it.

I don't care what the arguments for a tablet mac is because I don't think there is a great functionality with them or any REALISTIC arguments to cause apple to produce one.

Paco Loco · Oct 14, 2005, 05:29 AM

What is the point of tablet PCs, really? I do not think there is enough demand or enough good reasons for them to make one. I very much doubt we will see an Apple tablet in at least the next 3 years, if ever.

trevorM · Oct 14, 2005, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by Paco Loco

What is the point of tablet PCs, really? I do not think there is enough demand or enough good reasons for them to make one. I very much doubt we will see an Apple tablet in at least the next 3 years, if ever.

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

typoon · Oct 14, 2005, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Paco Loco

What is the point of tablet PCs, really? I do not think there is enough demand or enough good reasons for them to make one. I very much doubt we will see an Apple tablet in at least the next 3 years, if ever.

Yeah but we said that about the 2 button Mac mouse, Video iPod, Apple moving to Intel chips. At this point. I'm not going to say never when it comes to Apple.

Paco Loco · Oct 14, 2005, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by typoon

Yeah but we said that about the 2 button Mac mouse, Video iPod, Apple moving to Intel chips. At this point. I'm not going to say never when it comes to Apple.

I know what you mean - we are seeing a lot of u-turns recently aren't we?!

I think the two button mouse was inevitable, to be honest I'm surprised it took so long.

The video iPod is a strange one - personally I still think jobs was right in the first place; people just don't consume video in that way so it doesn't really make a lot of sense. To be honest I think it's partly the result of public/media expectation/pressure to make one and also it's the only place for the iPod line to go next in terms of innovation - once you've got music covered, where can you go next?

The Intel switch is the strangest of all however... I get the feeling that we don't know the full story on that one yet. Intel must have shown Apple some pretty amazing upcoming stuff to get them to bet on them like that - hopefully next years products will surprise us all (in a good way!).

... I still don't think they'll do a tablet though

Kyros · Oct 14, 2005, 05:35 PM

Actually I think if anyone can do tablets well, it would be Apple. Think about it, the main problem with tablet pc's are that they are expensive for their speed as far as I know, and lack of software support, I believe. If I'm right about that, well Apple laptops are in general pretty expensive for their speed already (not iBook, but pb and especially the bigger pb's are), so mac users wouldn't be repelled by that. I'm sure if Apple ever releases one, they'll have excellent programs ready to release with it, so that problem is covered as well. I think if Apple ever makes a tablet (personally, I do hope that they do so), I think it will be far better received than pc laptops have been so far.

ApeInTheShell · Oct 19, 2005, 09:41 PM

The best use of a tablet mac would be toward the field of education. Everything is eventually going to transition to electronic text. We already have the portable document standard in place. In college, text for class could be stored on the tablet mac. Each book includes a note section for the lecture based on that chapter. There are unlimited possibilities for its use.