Posted by
CmdrTaco
on from the can-i-expense-one-please dept.
MrMiyagi writes "Apple VP of of Hardware Product Marketing, Greg Joswiak, discusses the new iMac G5's hardware design. Apparently it's light enough to carry around the house, and has special fans that run at low speeds making the cooling very quiet."
Oft-Overlooked Point
by
the+pickle
·
· Score: 5, Informative
In everyone's clamouring for a G5 PowerBook, a lot of people have said that this iMac proves a G5 PowerBook could be coming soon.
Joswiak does a great job of explaining exactly why that won't be happening:
There's still a luxury we have in two inches that we don't have in a fraction of an inch, if you think about how much space there really is in the bottom of a PowerBook... Certainly we were trying to learn from the iMac, but not like, "Oh, there's this breakthrough now, expect it next month.
I want a G5 PowerBook as bad as the next guy, but I'm a realist about it. If we see one by MWSF in January I'll be VERY impressed.
Fascinating interview overall. Anything that gives insight into Apple's collective thought process is worthwhile for the rest of the tech industry to keep an eye on.
It's very user serviceable
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 4, Informative
From Apple's Site:
Think you need a new part? You can replace many of your iMac G5's parts yourself.
The iMac G5 is designed to make it easy for you to install replacement parts if you need to. The parts you can install yourself are:
AirPort Extreme Card
Memory - DDR 400 MHz (PC3200) SDRAM
Hard drive
Optical drive
Power supply
LCD display
Modem card
Mid-plane assembly (contains the main logic board, the G5 processor, fans, NVIDIA graphics processor, and so forth).
The back supposedly has only three screws holding it on. Plus a optional wall mounting bracket is available from Apple. The keyboard can go under the computer to save desk space, fans are quiet too!
Team Mac OS X #1971 is going to love Folding@home with this new toy.
I love it and definably getting one!
Re:Apple devotees a little miffed
by
phillymjs
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Some people are complaining about it not being wall mountable
Some people don't read specs closely enough before bitching.
Apple will start selling a VESA mount adapter for the new iMac in October which opens up all kinds of mounting possibilities. The only thing that it can't do is hang flush against the wall, due to the power connection and ports (unless you modify the wall behind it to accommodate those).
~Philly
Re:Smart Design
by
FuzzzyLogik
·
· Score: 5, Informative
i think the poster was pointing out that we don't typically see this in many mainstream computer manufacturer's designs.. when in fact we should see it. Why should PC's be so loud when apple can design a 2 inch thick computer that's virtually silent? given the amount of room in a typical pc case why should the 2 inch thick imac be so much quieter when compared to a larger pc?
I think that's the point he was trying to make, not that it hasn't really been done before, but it should still be done regardless of how old the idea is. it's a clever design, why not use it?
you sir need to chill and just oh.. i don't know, contribute but not be such an ass in the process? sounds good.. then again you are an AC so i guess your reasoning is pretty well explained.
Re:Apple devotees a little miffed
by
aluminumcube
·
· Score: 5, Informative
There will be a wall mount available on the Apple Store for the G5 iMac in October. It complies with the VESA spec and will cost $30.
As to the cable issue, I don't see how it's going to matter that much- cables in the base or cables from the side, your still going to end up with a bunch of wires sticking out the back of your computer any way it goes. For $220, you can upgrade to the Bluetooth mouse+keyboard AND get an AirPort Express which includes a USB port so you can print wirelessly.
In a way though, having the plugs where they are makes perfect sense though- My mom's G4 iMac was tucked back into her desk and it was always a PITA to move everything off the desk to pull it out and get to the ports when necessary. With people plugging and unpluging devices often (which a lot of people do in my experience as the family tech support guru), it makes sense to place accessability over aesthetics.
Or let me put it to you another way- Apple is an exceedingly anal retentive company when it comes to design. I for one would trust that they explored every option on where to put the ports and they decided that the side was the best solution. That isn't to say they are right, but I am willing to bet money there were more then a few pound-the-table arguments about that issue.
Re:The All-in-One is cool,
by
crackshoe
·
· Score: 4, Informative
educational implementations tend to use (and often prefer) the all-in-one. Its easier to move (mobile computer carts), harder to steal parts (its actually an issue - i promise). From the all-in-one g3 (with the clear plastic hood which led to the imac, if i don't misremember, which i might) to the emac (and, if you want to go farther back, the long line of apple all-in-one units).
-- Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
Design is a regression, but a progression in cost
by
adzoox
·
· Score: 4, Informative
One thing that was mentioned at Expo Paris that isn't mentioned in this article:
The design was carefully thought out to save weight. [and therefore shipping/distribution costs] The previous sunflower design was costing almost as much as an eMac (with a heavy CRT) to ship because the base needed to be counterweighted. This was a "design flaw" of the sunflower iMac.
I had proposed something like this to maintain the sunflower design - which I believe to be one of the most unique electronic designs of the decade.
What a lot of people don't understand about the new unit is that with the stand - this unit actually takes up a little more depth than the eMac and carries NO side to side rotation - like the swingarm from the previous design did. If you add in this element - it actually takes up 40% more deskspace. One must have all of that area clear on the desktop to turn the display. [new iMac is much more static]
-- Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
Re:Smart Design and Smart Engineering
by
ScottSpeaks!
·
· Score: 4, Informative
The iMac G5 is a full-blown workstation in its own right.
The low-end iMac G5 is - almost spec for spec - last year's low-end PowerMac G5. I should know: I have one (and paid nearly $1000 more for it).
This is the easiest iMac to access
by
mr_rangr
·
· Score: 5, Informative
Of the three styles of iMacs, this one is by *far* the easiest to work on. Loosening three screws lets you remove the rear panel for full access to the entire system. Here is a diagram of its insides.
Re:Smart Design
by
.com+b4+.storm
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Who would buy an iMac over a comparable laptop, and why?
Probably someone who...
Wants a G5 and/or doesn't want to spend $300+tax more for a laptop with an older, slower processor (1.3GHz G4 Powerbook), or
Doesn't want noisy laptop fans, or
Wants more hard drive space built-in, or
Wants a better GPU, or
Doesn't *need* a laptop, or
Any/all of the above
Then there's the screen size. As it stands now, a 17" PBook would cost $2800, and have a 1.5GHz G4 in it. For $1300, you get a 17" iMac with a 1.6GHz G5...
-- "Wow, you're like some kind of superhero able to ward off happiness and success at every turn."
-- Ryan Stiles
Re:Smart Design
by
ThousandStars
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Now, how is this different and/or better than a laptop?
The base G5 iMac, for $1300, gets you more processing power and HD space than the most powerful $3000 Powerbook, as well as a higher-quality screen.
The iMac has more power, less money, and apparently it is somewhat user serviceable (contrary to your post).
Granted, in form factor is the number one priority and all others fall away in the distance, then there is little difference between a laptop and iMac. So when one does buy a laptop, one gives up both money and power. One gets other advantages, of course, and Apple makes various machines for the needs of different people.
Re:Smart Design and Smart Engineering
by
xrissley
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Point noted, but let me direct you to Apple's onw site: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=868 12 which states precisely that user can herself service (so: replace and or upgrade) the following: - AirPort Extreme Card - Memory - DDR 400 MHz (PC3200) SDRAM - Hard drive - Optical drive - Power supply - LCD display - Modem card - Mid-plane assembly (contains the main logic board, the G5 processor, fans, NVIDIA graphics processor, and so forth).
So true, graphic card still seems hard to upgrade, so seems CPU itself, but this is less of a stuck design here, nice improvement, not?
Of course, mirror only display makes a point for powermac form factor. re drives, we have firewire (not 800, so pro will still look at the powermac line).
All in all, the comparison lots of people keep on making with Powermac prooves one thing: the iMac G5 seems to be a nice powerhorse.
Slashdot Mirror
Joswiak does a great job of explaining exactly why that won't be happening:
I want a G5 PowerBook as bad as the next guy, but I'm a realist about it. If we see one by MWSF in January I'll be VERY impressed.
Fascinating interview overall. Anything that gives insight into Apple's collective thought process is worthwhile for the rest of the tech industry to keep an eye on.
p
In Korea, long hair is for old people!
From Apple's Site:
The back supposedly has only three screws holding it on. Plus a optional wall mounting bracket is available from Apple. The keyboard can go under the computer to save desk space, fans are quiet too!
Team Mac OS X #1971 is going to love Folding@home with this new toy.
I love it and definably getting one!
Some people are complaining about it not being wall mountable
Some people don't read specs closely enough before bitching.
Apple will start selling a VESA mount adapter for the new iMac in October which opens up all kinds of mounting possibilities. The only thing that it can't do is hang flush against the wall, due to the power connection and ports (unless you modify the wall behind it to accommodate those).
~Philly
i think the poster was pointing out that we don't typically see this in many mainstream computer manufacturer's designs.. when in fact we should see it. Why should PC's be so loud when apple can design a 2 inch thick computer that's virtually silent? given the amount of room in a typical pc case why should the 2 inch thick imac be so much quieter when compared to a larger pc? I think that's the point he was trying to make, not that it hasn't really been done before, but it should still be done regardless of how old the idea is. it's a clever design, why not use it? you sir need to chill and just oh.. i don't know, contribute but not be such an ass in the process? sounds good.. then again you are an AC so i guess your reasoning is pretty well explained.
Kyle
http://www.unlogikal.net/
There will be a wall mount available on the Apple Store for the G5 iMac in October. It complies with the VESA spec and will cost $30.
As to the cable issue, I don't see how it's going to matter that much- cables in the base or cables from the side, your still going to end up with a bunch of wires sticking out the back of your computer any way it goes. For $220, you can upgrade to the Bluetooth mouse+keyboard AND get an AirPort Express which includes a USB port so you can print wirelessly.
In a way though, having the plugs where they are makes perfect sense though- My mom's G4 iMac was tucked back into her desk and it was always a PITA to move everything off the desk to pull it out and get to the ports when necessary. With people plugging and unpluging devices often (which a lot of people do in my experience as the family tech support guru), it makes sense to place accessability over aesthetics.
Or let me put it to you another way- Apple is an exceedingly anal retentive company when it comes to design. I for one would trust that they explored every option on where to put the ports and they decided that the side was the best solution. That isn't to say they are right, but I am willing to bet money there were more then a few pound-the-table arguments about that issue.
educational implementations tend to use (and often prefer) the all-in-one. Its easier to move (mobile computer carts), harder to steal parts (its actually an issue - i promise). From the all-in-one g3 (with the clear plastic hood which led to the imac, if i don't misremember, which i might) to the emac (and, if you want to go farther back, the long line of apple all-in-one units).
Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.
One thing that was mentioned at Expo Paris that isn't mentioned in this article:
The design was carefully thought out to save weight. [and therefore shipping/distribution costs] The previous sunflower design was costing almost as much as an eMac (with a heavy CRT) to ship because the base needed to be counterweighted. This was a "design flaw" of the sunflower iMac.
I had proposed something like this to maintain the sunflower design - which I believe to be one of the most unique electronic designs of the decade.
What a lot of people don't understand about the new unit is that with the stand - this unit actually takes up a little more depth than the eMac and carries NO side to side rotation - like the swingarm from the previous design did. If you add in this element - it actually takes up 40% more deskspace. One must have all of that area clear on the desktop to turn the display. [new iMac is much more static]
Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
The low-end iMac G5 is - almost spec for spec - last year's low-end PowerMac G5. I should know: I have one (and paid nearly $1000 more for it).
Of the three styles of iMacs, this one is by *far* the easiest to work on. Loosening three screws lets you remove the rear panel for full access to the entire system. Here is a diagram of its insides.
Who would buy an iMac over a comparable laptop, and why?
Probably someone who...
Then there's the screen size. As it stands now, a 17" PBook would cost $2800, and have a 1.5GHz G4 in it. For $1300, you get a 17" iMac with a 1.6GHz G5...
"Wow, you're like some kind of superhero able to ward off happiness and success at every turn."
-- Ryan Stiles
The base G5 iMac, for $1300, gets you more processing power and HD space than the most powerful $3000 Powerbook, as well as a higher-quality screen.
The iMac has more power, less money, and apparently it is somewhat user serviceable (contrary to your post).
Granted, in form factor is the number one priority and all others fall away in the distance, then there is little difference between a laptop and iMac. So when one does buy a laptop, one gives up both money and power. One gets other advantages, of course, and Apple makes various machines for the needs of different people.
Point noted, but let me direct you to Apple's onw site:8 12
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86
which states precisely that user can herself service (so: replace and or upgrade) the following:
- AirPort Extreme Card
- Memory - DDR 400 MHz (PC3200) SDRAM
- Hard drive
- Optical drive
- Power supply
- LCD display
- Modem card
- Mid-plane assembly (contains the main logic board, the G5 processor, fans, NVIDIA graphics processor, and so forth).
So true, graphic card still seems hard to upgrade, so seems CPU itself, but this is less of a stuck design here, nice improvement, not?
Of course, mirror only display makes a point for powermac form factor.
re drives, we have firewire (not 800, so pro will still look at the powermac line).
All in all, the comparison lots of people keep on making with Powermac prooves one thing: the iMac G5 seems to be a nice powerhorse.
=====
I lie all the time, including now