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Pictures of New iMac

webslacker writes "Those snoops over at Apple Insider have gotten their hands on some blueprints of the new iMac. Not a drastic change, but it now uses a short-neck CRT and the new trayless DVD drive is very very cool. Check it out."

159 comments

  1. New Case Design by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't see any different thinking going on here... Same ole' shee-it. Anyway, my screen is melting..... Too much 'cid..d..d.....d..d........d. . . ... .

    1. Re:New Case Design by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The G4 isn't significantly hotter than the G3. The G4 apparently consumes only 8 watts. Not very much.

    2. Re:New Case Design by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

      Sorry, Industrial design != advance in technology.

      To the non-believer, avant-garde industrial design seems to be Apple's answer to the question of "How do we innovate?" You can have it.



      --
      by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
    3. Re:New Case Design by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 2
      Can't you see what's revolutionary about this new design?!?! It's a work of art! It'll warp the fabric of the universe!

      IT'S AVAILABLE IN GRAPHITE(TM)!


      It'll be years before the Wintel manufacturers can copy this Earth Shattering new technology.



      --
      by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
    4. Re:New Case Design by fusion94 · · Score: 1

      I agree with you...the design appears to remain pretty much the same
      as the old iMac but with the hardware upgrade they should perform a bit
      better. My question to Apple is why not release a G4 version of the iMac ? Now that I would buy.

    5. Re:New Case Design by Crack-Fu · · Score: 1

      I doubt if you really see the humor in your comment. YES it will be years before the Wintel world will be able to catch up with the simple premise of good industrial design. Not so much of an affirmation of Apple's brilliance as a confirmaton of the MEDIOCRITY(TM) of the Wintel product.

    6. Re:New Case Design by HerrNewton · · Score: 1

      The other posts didn't quite nail it. The reason there isn't a G4 iMac is rather simple--the iMac is a machine targeted at the consumer market and, hence, gets the smaller, slower, less expensive (and cooler) chip.

      --

      ----
      Am I the only one who thinks Microsoft is a misnomer? Perhaps Macrosoft would be a better fit?
  2. Cheap, not sexy.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Get a clue..how're they going to keep the price down with a flatscreen..and as far as the 'PC hardware' bit..uh..they've been using IDE drives in their cheaper systems for a looooong time now, and now that IDE's gotten a bit faster, we don't have to laugh (as much) at the non-SCSI machines. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of cheap PC hardware to run an OS that's worth a squirt.. I just wish they'd quit the whole white-70's scifi look. Black, I want black cases, Apple.

    1. Re:Cheap, not sexy.. by TummyX · · Score: 0

      I thought apple was into selling high quality new stuff not matter the price (apple is hardly cheap comapred to PCs - even now). Not hashed, mostly PC hardware with a unique case *like that matters*.

  3. Whattabout OS/X? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah..cool colors, DVD, sound, graphics, dices, slices, does your taxes, blahdy-blah.

    When is OS/X gonna run on it?

  4. Re:Not for Nerds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, if Apple jumped ship from ATI-crap that the boxes use it would be great. If ever NV10-based GFX-cards becomes avail for the G4 Mac's then I will surtanly get rid of my PC and buy one.

  5. Please stop bashing the iMac. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please stop bashing the iMac.

    If it looks silly to you, it probably wasn't meant to be purchased by you. It is a comsumer-oriented machine and therefore is not designed for people who get their jollies staring at the output of ps -a.

    1. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Somehow I knew that this comment I made would be moderated as flamebait. *sighs* I state a fact, it gets called instigation. I guess that's nothing new to the world.

    2. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe it's because you called pc's a "ps".

      I'm sure that didn't help.

    3. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by Audin · · Score: 1

      He meant "ps a", the unix command to show all user processes:

      [amalmin@skaro amalmin]$ ps a
      PID TTY STAT TIME COMMAND
      373 3 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      374 4 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      375 5 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      376 6 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      22398 2 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      30593 1 SW 0:00 (mingetty)
      2796 S3 S N 0:00 heyu_relay 16 off
      22011 p2 S 0:00 bash
      22027 p4 S 0:00 bash
      22491 p4 S 0:00 emacs wow
      22539 p4 R 0:00 ps a

      Although he probably meant "pa aux", which shows all processes (user or daemons) on a machine...

    4. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by bgeiger · · Score: 1

      If you don't love it, leave it. That's all I have to say.

      No one is forcing you to read Slashdot. (If someone is, you've got a captor with a sense of taste. ;-)

      My $0.02, minus taxes.

      --
      o/~ All God's children shall be free in Pirates of the Caribbean, when we reach that Magic Kingdom in the sky... o/~
    5. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by quadong · · Score: 1

      Shame on the moderator, this is NOT flamebait, perhaps you don't agree with it, but that is not the same thing. Find something better to do with your points.

    6. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by tak+amalak · · Score: 1

      I think he meant post-script...
      --

      --
      Don't lead me into temptation... I can find it myself.
    7. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by EverCode · · Score: 1

      Hell yeah! That is the way to tell them!

      Even though the iMac is no great computer underneath its cool looking skin, it has sold like hot-cakes. That should be enough to shut you nerds up, but no, you are still too stupid to figure it out.

      Believe me, if I can respect the newbie, than so can you.

      EC

      --

      EverCode
    8. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by Zagato-sama · · Score: 1

      Yeah well what do you expect from "Linuxdot, news for Linux users, nobody else matters" Heaven forbid we get some hardware news where Linux isn't mentioned, where NT and Win 9x is not bashed, and where someone doesn't scream "GPL or Die!" Not every computer user has to be a part fiddling geek, or a Linux using know-it-all, an iMac is designed for people who are new to computers and want something that looks neat. If you're of the mentality where everything has to run Linux and have the latest in TNT video card 1 gig ram overclocked celeron covered with that ultra cool WWII plane heatsink well.. surprise, there are computer users out there who don't care about that stuff. Don't like it? Move on.

    9. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by Zagato-sama · · Score: 1

      Thank you for pointing that out, this must be that "Choice" that Linux advocates keep talking about.

    10. Re:Please stop bashing the iMac. by KaosDG · · Score: 1

      s/he meant ps, as in the unix term to list processes...
      ps -a

      --
      "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair... Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?"
  6. This will be very cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now we know almost for certain that the iMac will continue to be sucessful. I love my powerbook g3, if I had the cash I would buy one of these new iMacs! When I go off to college I plan to buy a high end Mac with the biggest lcd display I can get. Long live Macs, screw Wintel boxes. Wintel boxes are only useful if you can install Linux or BeOS over Windows.

  7. Re:Not for Nerds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No kidding, it is meant for end users! I use Linux on my wintel box, but I love to play around with my powerbook

  8. Re:It is just me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, although I have to admit I would love to convert an iMac to a fish tank... :)

  9. Just one more thing needed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a price under $800 and a $200-$400 model if you sign up for 3 years of some crappy Internet service for $20/month. I know the ONLY reason my brother bought the PC he did was because he got a $400 discount + $100 in rebates off the price for signing up for internet service for three years through prodigy. Yes, I know, prodigy sucks and I warned him but he wanted a cheap computer.

    1. Re:Just one more thing needed... by dbrutus · · Score: 1

      There is a company that is offering free iMacs now based on a 3 year subscription. The market model will continue to be offered on both mac and wintel consumer machines.

      TML

  10. Re:Not for Nerds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think that Apple will continue to use the ATI video cards for a while to come. However, if you don't like the Rage Pro that comes with the box you can always run out and buy a 3Dfx Voodoo card. 3Dfx currently beta drivers for 3Dfx Voodoo 2 and 3 cards. It's the same exact card as the PC, it just requires a bios update. nVida is working on drivers, although they haven't made them public yet...

  11. "very very cool?" oh come on now by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Big deal. What does it really offer? Maybe it's just me, but I can't get all excited about the plastic case that goes around a computer. Seems to me that the most they have to brag about is that they removed one of the initial design flaws: the no-tilt monitor.

  12. What about price? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The low end model is only CD-ROM, not DVD, but if its priced at $999, this will be one *hot* machine. As for the others, I'm guessing $1199 for the "better" model and $1399 for the "best" model. This works out nicely as the next model up is your low end graphite G4 which starts at $1599.

    CokeBear
    http://publish.uwo.ca/~djfox/cokebear/

  13. why not get a laptop then? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    just wondering.

    1. Re:why not get a laptop then? by cetan · · Score: 1

      Hey, I don't run the company, I just work there :)

      Given that these machines are in the training room there are a couple of reasons why to not get a laptop:

      1) Theft. It's much more difficult to walk off with one of these things.

      2) Durability. With no opening or closing of machines/screens, all the interaction the user has is with the keyboard.

      3) Clarity. These are far and away much much better displays than your average laptop.

      --
      In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
  14. FireWire!!! go go GO!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think intemMB's will have firewire by next year - you cant ignore it if every iMac and Playstation2, along with a myraid of other consumer electronics have it. Not to mention its supposed inclusion on all digital TV's of the future(mmmmmmm). Imagine hooking up your TV and imac DIRECTLY thru firewire(no d/a conversions) and recording the simpsons and futurama right on to your DVD-ram..... the bliss of nerdvana is before us :)

  15. Re:It deserved to be moderated down. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wouldn't every post saying things such as this need to be moderated down as well, then? "Who really gives a fudge about these thingies as long as MkLinux/YellowDog isn't an option ??" Wouldn't that be insulting to an iMac user? That's essentially saying that the machines are worthless because they don't run those distributions of Linux (which, in fact, I believe that they actually do). And how can you immediately assume that the original poster's intentions were malicious? Did it occur to you people that maybe he/she was just trying to make a point by contrasting people who, hyperbolically, "enjoy" looking at the output of UNIX utility programs to people who just want a consumer-level computer?

  16. Thanks Apple :)) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't know if the specs are final or not because AppleInsider is a rumor sites. BUT, the kihei is a GREAT consumer computer : DVD, ATI 128, good HD, 64 MB of RAM, cool sound system and FIREWIRE ! I'll buy it as soon as I can. For me it's the perfect computer. The first iMac lacked so much things. But this one is COOL !!! Firewire is great because with this iMac can be a professional computer... I hope they will release a nice tangerine one :))) thanks Steve ! Apple listens to its customers and it's great. Apple forever and BeOS one day for the Mac ?

  17. Re:A little skit from Apple HQ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    Someone could set up an industry fanfic site
    based on the current running figureheads. Not
    sure about the legal issues though. you'd hvae to argue that it'
    s the same as editorial cartooning.

  18. Re: Wheres the CD-RW/DVD-RAM Drive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Huh?????


    Dammit, thats what the imac need most of all.

  19. ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is that to be taking as a bad thing, or a good thing? Consider USB: the general feeling is that it was going nowhere until the introduction of the iMac. Now Intel is pushing it as a serious competitor to Firewire.

    But is anyone crying over the disappearance of say, AAUI (Apple's proprietary (surprise) AUI interface)? I am certainly not.

    Go figure. Sometimes it can be good to breed outside of your immediate company, you know?

    Oh well, I still dig Apple.

  20. BeOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    BeOS's interests were taken care of by Intel. Good riddance

  21. Firewire!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    The really big news here is firewire. It will make the iMac a much more versatile, userfriendly and upgradeable machine. Good value in that price range.

    Firewire on the iMac will also be good news for firewire. There will be lots more firewire-devices, just as the iMac made the USB-device market spring to life.

    Why is it the PC market can't think for themselves, but need Apple to show them the way? Apple practically invented the personal computer market. They saw the value in graphical user interfaces and were the first to popularize them. All the time with a lot of flak from narrowminded command-line types. They popularized the 3.5" floppy. The mouse. Built in sound. The list goes on and on.

    Apple has revolutionized the industry, while the industry has sat on the sideline and ridiculed them, then innovated(tm) them years later.

  22. Re:New iMac Photo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hoy! It was just removed! Oh well.

  23. Re:An even better design! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They should forget the CRT and do an iMac with a - flat screen - G4 600Mhz - GeForce video - 5 button mouse - 20Gb hard drive - FireWire - Vertically mounted DVD drive With all the parts embedded in the case of the Flat screen monitor.

    #ifdef SARCASM

    Ooh! Ooh! Even better! Look at this!

    30" colour plasma display multicore G5 1GHz 10 Glaze3D chips running in tandem 10 button mouse (you have 10 fingers!) 200GB hard drive (yeah!)

    #endif

  24. There is no nVidia for the Mac by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They offered, Apple declined so no TNT/TNT2 or GeForce port. The Voodoo3 2000 is the only card that will work, and only because its a PCI 2.1 card that Apple mobo's support. Theres still hope with the Guillimot Dual Voodoo2 which will outperform a Voodoo3 3000 AGP.

  25. This thing is beeutiful. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm going to buy one right away. The neXt OS is going to have a BSD shell! MRRROw!

  26. Anyone know where else to see the shots? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The page now states that the photos were removed at "Apple's legal demand"...but information wants to be free so can anyone provide a link to another page?

  27. Re:Linux zealotry, and iMacs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why was this one's parent moderated down? "Overrated", no less! I would have moderated it up as "informative for pointing out the viablility of LinuxPPC on the iMacs. Unfortunately, I'm not a moderator...:(

  28. Still no floppies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You might say floppy is obsolete, but hey, what about emergency boot disks? You can't possibly make an EMB without writable, removable storage. Sure, there are USB variants, but those cost over $100, which sucks.

  29. Re:Kinda confused... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Apple made the low-end model in one colour so that the low-end bulk resellers like BestBuy can sell thousands of them at $999 and not bitch about having to carry 5 SKUs.

    The midrange model is for the mainstream user... it's the same price as the old iMac, but has so much more in it. But i bet 90% of the users will never use the FireWire.

    The Best model is for the more serious user will likely want the high-tech Graphite look to match their DV camcorder and their AV gear.

    Whats inside counts more than anything, but it is nice to have a choice of what the outside looks like.

  30. Why there's no G4 imac by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    G4 has been running into production problems... this is why Motorola recently entered into a deal with AMD to manufacture its chips. Those G4's have to be saved for the ultra powerful new desktops, which are in short enough supply as it is.

  31. It deserved to be moderated down. by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 2
    There are ways of posting without insulting people, although, I admit, examples of such posts are difficult to find here sometimes.

    - A.P.
    --


    "One World, one Web, one Program" - Microsoft promotional ad

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  32. Transparent? Tacky. by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 2
    The trend of making everything see-thru is, in my opinion, kinda disturbing, especially in computers, where there's *really* nothing to look at. Nothing moves! The G3s and the G4 -- heck, even the original iMac -- aren't bad because they're at least opaque-ish. What's so sexy-looking about the electron guns on a monitor, though?

    - A.P.
    --


    "One World, one Web, one Program" - Microsoft promotional ad

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  33. Re:What about flatpanels? by Phroggy · · Score: 1

    Duh...

    Apple is in the process of taking everything that isn't industry-standard and either changing it to match the standard (e.g. SVGA monitor ports going from DB-15 to HD-15) or throwing it out entirely (e.g. 8-pin mini-DIN serial ports). At the same time, they're taking industry standards (USB, IEEE 1394, IEEE 802.11a) and pushing them forward. What incentive would hardware vendors have to create USB peripherals if Apple hadn't sold 800,000 iMacs in three months with no other way to connect to anything?

    --
    $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
    $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  34. Re:Kinda confused... by Phroggy · · Score: 1

    I remember hearing a rumor that Apple was talking to nVidia or somebody, but I don't recall the details and don't expect to hear anything definite within the next 6 months.

    --
    $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
    $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  35. Re:Not for Nerds by Eccles · · Score: 2

    However, if you don't like the Rage Pro that comes with the box you can always run out and buy a 3Dfx Voodoo card

    Not for an iMac, you can't. So it'll lag well behind the fastest PCs at 3-D graphics, with no possibility of fixing that problem. You'll have to move up to a Blue&White or G4 for Voodoo3 speed.

    --
    Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.
  36. When it's out by crayz · · Score: 2

    Hopefully around January, realistically probably a bit later.

    The sad thing about OS X is that Apple has finally also got the MacOS to a useable state w/ 8.5/8.6/9.0

    Back at 7.5.3 it crashed many, many times a day. Now, it can stay up for days at a time(mine does). OS X is actually less necessary now that Apple finally fixed MacOS.

    But I'm still looking forward to it. And there are a lot of people who wouldn't consider getting a Mac until it's out, so Apple should get it out ASAP.

  37. speak for yourself by hawk · · Score: 2

    err, disassemble for yourself :)

    The only mac that I've ever had that I haven't disassembles was my original 128k--and if it hadn't gone off to my little brother years ago, I would have upgraded it by hand.

    And I lost track of how many times I've replaced fuses in my 180, or resoldered the power receptacle in my backlit portable. Hmm, and how many macs I've owned :)

    But then I found LyX, and traded my macs for linux. I'll certainly take another look at a mac for the kids if and when macos/X client is out--at least if it can run my collection of darkside 3.1 cd's with kid stuff.

  38. the imac/30 ? by hawk · · Score: 2

    >the high-end "best" model described seems to
    >conflict with the low end G4s

    Recall the SE/30? It was a IIx in an SE box--which happened to make it the fastest machine apple built at the time, since it didn't pay the overhead for nuBus by the simple expedient ofnot having one :)

    It's a strategy that apple *should* have used several times since: heavy horsepower in a basic box.

  39. Re:Pretty cool.. by Ian+Betteridge · · Score: 1

    Macintouch claims announced on October 5th. I'd think, after the G4 mess, Appls is likely to ship very soon after that.

  40. Re:"Kihei" looks good! by jafac · · Score: 1

    Yeah, if they're shipping with 64 mb RAM, that means that OS 9 requires 128.

    I extrapolated this from the previous formula:
    OS 8 required 64 mb, therefore, the iMac shipped with 32.

    (I'm being facetious, lack of sufficient RAM was my main grip about iMac too!).

    "The number of suckers born each minute doubles every 18 months."

    --

    These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
  41. Re:Mac OS and RAM by jafac · · Score: 1

    I didn't mean to say that the TECHNICAL MINIMUM for OS 8 was 64 megs. I was just saying that the practical minimum is 64 megs. It's slow ass virtual memory drags everything down at less than 64. It was a dig at whatever idiot decided that the iMac would ship with an impractical amount of RAM. (most people I talked to who bought an iMac thought it was too slow - they were non-technical and didn't understand how much speed they'd pick up if they'd just upgrade it to 64 meg).

    "The number of suckers born each minute doubles every 18 months."

    --

    These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
  42. You all are missing the point... by singularity · · Score: 2

    I have seen almost a dozen comments asking "Why not a flat screen?" or "What about more powerful graphics systems?" or commenting "I would buy one if it had a G4 at 500mHz". That is completely missing the point. The iMac is Apple's cheaper computer. Adding these things would add on to the cost. At prices between $1099 and $1599 (predicted), Apple cannot add these things.

    I want these types of things and I know that I will have to buy a G4/Sawtooth to get them.

    As for the Apple-bashing/Linux-loving, it is a given that any non-Linux, non-*BSD OS is bound to get bashed by the Slashdot community (except maybe PalmOS). I have commented in the past that Slashdot is "News about Linux, Stuff that is GPLed." The Linux exclusiveness around here bothers me often.

    The most ironic part of it all is that you can run Linux on a Mac (I have my LinuxPPC partition, do you?)

    In response to keeping the hardware closed, remember which company brought you CD-ROM drives, SCSI, USB and FireWire. While these technologies may have been developed by other companies, it was Apple that made them (semi-) popular by putting them on all of their machines.

    --
    - (c) 2018 Hank Zimmerman
  43. Mirror by Anarkhia · · Score: 1

    Can someone please grab these images from their cache? It seems that they had to take them down. Which probably means they're not fake.

  44. Re:What's with this Apple bashing? by Ken · · Score: 1

    It's more like:

    1.) Apple bad, Linux good (the majority)
    2.) Apple good, Linux good (a minority)
    3.) Apple good, Linux bad (a small minority)

    The types of anti-Apple post I think are the most annoying are the ones that dis the colors and design of a computer and then end it by saying, "well I hate MacOS anyway. That's why I haven't used it since 1990".

  45. Re:nice try, but... by Ken · · Score: 1

    I just got a new 400mhz G4 here at work. I had a blue and white G3, so I had the option of using my old ADB keyboard and mouse. I don't have that option with this G4.

    The new Apple USB mouse has a little notch on the button so it's easier to find the top. It took a couple of days of getting used to, but the mouse actually isn't that bad.

    I still don't like the keyboard though....

  46. a minor little detail by Stradivarius · · Score: 1

    Well, maybe they would if such a thing existed :-) Problem is, there isn't any such thing as a TNT3 Ultra. Or any TNT3 for that matter...there are TNT2 Ultras (the best consumer cards out there right now), and the next thing from nVidia is called the GeForce 256 (cards based on it are coming this fall).

  47. Re:Kinda confused... by Stradivarius · · Score: 1

    He did his research. The fact is that the Rage 128 Pro (that which is in the G3/G4) is a very mediocre video card these days. Nothing near what you'd get with a TNT2 based card, or even a Voodoo3.

    You'd think Apple would get a deal going with nVidia or 3dfx to get something better. This is one area where Apple could definitely improve their offerings.



  48. Re:More of the same... by Stradivarius · · Score: 1

    Hmm...an iMac with a built-in urinal. Nifty idea. :-)

  49. Re:Ha! by Stradivarius · · Score: 1

    my PC has rounded corners :-p

    And I really don't much resemblance between the lean looking Enterprise and the squat iMac. :)

  50. Re:What's with this Apple bashing? by Stradivarius · · Score: 1

    Actually, the non-opened-minded folks here on /. seem to fall into 2 categories:

    1.) Apple bad, Linux good (the majority)
    2.) Apple good, Linux bad (a minority)

    I should also note that the skit wasn't really bashing Apple so much as Steve Jobs (at least, that's how it seemed to me). And Jobs isn't exactly Mr. Innocent, from all accounts he's an ass. Great marketer/"interim" CEO, certainly, but on a personal level he seems to act like a real ass at times. And so there are those who dislike Jobs for that reason (I admit to being among that group). There are also those who feel Apple is extremely misleading in its advertising, and who dislike Apple for that (yep, that's me too). And then there are those who feel that the OS, on a technical level, "sucks" (me again, though that very well may change if/when I get a chance to play with OS X). And then there are those who just like to bash Apple 'cause they think it's the cool thing to do (not me).

    My point here is mainly that having a dislike for Apple and/or Mr. Jobs does not make one closed-minded. I personally can see some good things about Apple systems, as well as areas where they could improve. I wouldn't take the Apple jokes too seriously, most companies in the spotlight get them (witness the plethora of M$ jokes, those about Slowlaris, etc)

  51. Re: nitpick: Visor by tcs · · Score: 1

    Just picking a minor nit:

    The Visor has a slot for SpringBoards, so it
    does have the tinker factor. :)

    --
    /. peeve #274: The word is neither "walla" nor "whala", it's voila. Phonics is a tool of the devil.
  52. Press Shot of Graphite Kihei iMac by Evan+Vetere · · Score: 1

    AppleInsider just posted a press shot of the new iMac.

  53. Re:Kinda confused... by dadams · · Score: 1

    A while ago, apple produced a powerbook with swapable inserts to change the look of the book. It was kinda neat.

    --
    --"In dreams begin responsibilities" - Delmore Schwartz
  54. "Kihei" looks good! by RayChuang · · Score: 1

    If the rumor stated by Apple Insider is true, then Apple has finally addressed my biggest gripe about the iMac, namely the shortage of RAM and too small a hard drive.

    With 64 to 128 MB of RAM and a 10 GB or larger hard drive, not to mention the incorporation of the ATI Rage 128 chipset, this means the new "Kihei" iMac's will finally have the computing power that will satisfy even demanding users. It'll be interesting to see how much Apple will price this machine.

    --
    Raymond in Mountain View, CA
  55. Re:New Design by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    trayless DVD = gimmick

    2xAGP = this is a feature?! I thought it was standard equipment for some time now?

    Airport = neat, albeit gimmicky in a desktop

    better monitor = old news (now if they had cinema aspect screens at reasonable prices, that'd be something)

    Firewire = dying a slow death. Not to mention it's old hat.

    Intel isn't doing it's best to kill Firewire, it chose not to support it. That's not "doing their best to kill it" that's opting for another standard.

    So by not having a trayless DVD (I can get all those other options (that didn't come standard on my low-end machine, that is) at a fraction of what Apple will sell them for) and airport (err.. can somebody say wavelan?) I'm being left behind? hmmm. Smoke less pot, dude.


    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  56. Re:My Vision for a New Mac by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    They make a machine that's gray colored, sort of iron gray

    They call that color graphite(tm)

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  57. Re:What's with this hypersensivity about Apple? by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    The reason we bash is because you all react in some very amusing ways. It's ALMOST no fun to bait for flame here, because all you got to do is say "Steve Jobs is abandons his children" and you all rush to his defense like he's Elvis or something.

    Mac's are just machines, no better or worse than other computers, but the mac enthusiasts believe that they are really special, and that we all should agree with them, because of the obvious truths which they preach (incessently, I might add)

    They're just computers. They crash a lot, about the same as Win98 machines, and you can forget about multi-homing them (my personal beef). The technology isn't spectacular, it's average. And, Steve Jobs will arbitrarily kill off product lines that he didn't creat to satisfy his big, fat, child-abandoning ego. ttthhhhppppt!

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  58. Re:Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    PC_Builder:Well sir, here is your shiny new computer...
    Buyer:It's grey.
    PC_Builder:Yes it is, but its got...
    Buyer:Can I get it in blue? My carpet is blue.
    PC_Builder:Umm, no. But it does come with your choice or more ram/less ram, more hard drive/less hard drive and any flavor of Windows you would like.


    Buyer: oh, then I guess I'll go to over a hundred other PC manufacturers and get a blue machine from one of them, assuming Apple hasn't sued them for selling blue machines, yet.


    I have never run into an independent re-seller that forced anyone to buy an OS with their machine, and I have dealt with dozens. I think your story is more hype than reality. Do you research.

    Laptops are a different story though. Buying desktops with no OS are cake. Hell, CompUSA will put one together for you, if you want to pay their prices.



    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  59. Re:Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    So, you haven't ever seen a VAIO box in CompUSA, get out of the cave once in a while, Trog.

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  60. Re:Please till me where you shop by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    It's fairly obvious the AVERAGE consumer isn't particularly interested in Linux, so you can go to the specialty shops, where you get good deals on quality equipment.

    http://www.a-top.com/color/color.html
    http://www.colorcase.com/
    http://www.techstyle-com.com/
    http://www.futurecase.com/


    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  61. Re:Please till me where you shop by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 1

    I tend to exagerate, I admit, with both my descriptions and my jibes. There are two companies that are coming out with Imac form factor PCs. E-machines and a Korean company who's name eludes me. Both are being sued by Apple.

    PS Technically, a Troglodyte, by definition, lives in a cave.

    PPS The Carrot Top sig is bait... You been fished in!

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  62. Re:DVD Drive by Geek+In+Training · · Score: 2

    The reason your CD gets hot in your car stereo is because they are cramming in a hundred or so watts of power amplification in with the CD mechanism, just to power the speakers. Try it out on a PC with a slot-load CD/DVD drive, it's cool, man.

    --
    SlashSigTheorem: Humorous, Political, Critical, Constructive- If you have a .sig, someone WILL complai
  63. It uses the UMA chipset. by The+Baz · · Score: 1

    Who says the new iMac isn't a major change?

    It uses the exact same, vastly improved core chipset (UniNorth, Key Largo, PMU99) that you find in the new Power Macintosh G4 (with AGP) models. This is also the same motherboard chipset found in the iBook. Essentially, the new iMac (and the iBook) is a G4-class machine without the G4 chip and its MaxBus bus technology. This is all a part of Apple's "Unified Motherboard Architecture" strategy.

    In my book, that's a significant change. The new iMac (with 2 FireWire ports, 2 seperate USB buses, 2X AGP graphics, and the new chipset) isn't just a dressed up first-gen iMac with a short-neck CRT and slot-loading DVD drive.

    bAz

  64. nice try, but... by jetson123 · · Score: 2
    It's nice that Apple is actually trying to go beyond square PC boxes running Windows.

    But while an alternative is good, I personally don't like this particular alternative: I don't like the look, I don't like the pointing device or keyboard, and I don't like the software. Imagine Apple would take over the market and all computers would come in semi-transparent rounded lumps with trim in various colors. I'd find it pretty awful.

    1. Re:nice try, but... by HerrNewton · · Score: 1

      I admit, the keyboard really bites, but the mouse isn't so terrible bad. It's quite small, being only about 1.5" in diamter. The mouse is very smooth and light to the touch, making it easy to use with your fingertips instead of your whole hand. I actually like it more than my tradational Apple mouse.

      --

      ----
      Am I the only one who thinks Microsoft is a misnomer? Perhaps Macrosoft would be a better fit?
    2. Re:nice try, but... by snubber1 · · Score: 1

      One thing you do have to rember about the Macintosh train-of-thought is that mac users are *alot* less intrested in taking apart their computers and tinkering around with them. It would drive many typical PC users crazy if they couldn't tear their system apart whenever they feel the need. Those 'translucent rounded lumps' are perfect for someone who only needs functionallity with the least bit of hassle.

      Bear in mind that you will find Macs that are still in use after a decade or more of service. The are often purchased for one purpose, and can serve the same function for year to come.

      The only market for these 'lumps' in the PC world is users who want the simplicity in hardware and don't use the computer for any productive application, thereby runing a Windows PC.

      -------------------------------------------------

      ----------------------------------------------

      --
      I don't really mind double posts on //..
  65. Oh, configs 2 and 3 by Sloppy · · Score: 1

    Oops, I just saw Configutions 2 and 3. Config 2 comes in wrong color, and Config 3 will cost too much. Argh, it's frustrating to see Apple come sooo close and then blow it.

    They need to make it cheap as possible (no DVD or firewire, smallest HD they can get, but include networking) and boring-looking yet attractive (i.e. grey), and it'll be ready to attack Wintel in the office. C'mon, Apple, go for it!


    ---
    Have a Sloppy day!
    --
    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  66. With a few changes, it could rock. by Sloppy · · Score: 2

    If they would

    1. Forget about the "5 flavors" and sell 'em in the same smokey grey as the new G4 minitowers
    2. Lose the DVD and use a cheap CD-ROM instead
    Then this would be an excellent office machine and could go head-to-head with Wintel. Why doesn't Apple try to do this?!!? Don't they want the money?

    OTOH, at least now that they are selling 'em with Rage-128 and DVD, they should be good machines for home use.


    ---
    Have a Sloppy day!
    --
    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  67. It is just me by Zerbey · · Score: 0

    ...or does it still look like a waste paper basket?

  68. Re:One of your wishes is granted by webslacker · · Score: 1

    The new iMacs also come with a slot for an Airport card.

  69. I think there's a reason for the ATI cards by webslacker · · Score: 1

    I recall reading somewhere about how all ATI cards having some kind of color-calibration abilities that other cards don't. I suppose you can see that that would be very important to the publishing/multimedia professionals that the Powermacs are aimed towards.

    Of course, even though that's the target audience of Powermac users, I'm pretty sure that most Powermac owners haven't used any sort of color calibration at all. If you really need gaming on a Mac, 3Dfx has announced that they've begun work on AGP cards for the G4's.

  70. UPDATES by webslacker · · Score: 1

    As some people have noted, Apple Insider now has actual photos of the new graphite iMac.

    Also, MacOS Rumors has several pictures of the new iMacs in all their fruity glory.

  71. Being reasonable... by Anonymous+Shepherd · · Score: 2

    Has it's bonuses. If everyone is so contrary, then being reasonable gets you some karma points because, well, you're reasonable.

    Not to abuse the system, but if the system encourages us to be reasonable, hey, that's good right?


    -AS

    --

    -AS
    *Pikachu*
  72. Re: nitpick: Visor by Anonymous+Shepherd · · Score: 2

    Well yeah, in that case, the iMac has a USB port.

    Not much tinkering, I think, as much as utility.

    I concede your point, but just a little. If someone knows how to make and debug USB devices, they'd be able to play with the iMac as well.


    -AS

    --

    -AS
    *Pikachu*
  73. More of the same... by Anonymous+Shepherd · · Score: 3

    And rumors at that!

    Oh well.
    I'd imagine, if I were Steve Jobs, which I am not, that the iiMac would include:

    Video camera + mic for video conferencing, if we're going to try to push the internet concept.

    Airport of course. Imagine video conferencing without the hassle of networking, wires, or setup?

    Touch screen, of course! It's as natural as voice recognition, which will come with OS9. Point, tap, speak!

    Voice recognition with OS9. Voice passwords and such.

    People recognition. Not just powering up when you touch the keyboard or mouse, but when you move or sit down in front of the computer. Like those new men's urinals that require no hands to operate? It'd be nifty.

    Anything else? There must be other people here who have ideas!


    -AS

    --

    -AS
    *Pikachu*
  74. What's with this Apple bashing? by Anonymous+Shepherd · · Score: 3

    Just because you don't like iMacs?

    What Apple seems to be doing is offering a *reasonable* configuration in an (my opinion) an attractive case with a useable OS.

    The point is not configurability, which is what the B&W G4/G3s offer, but single-minded ease of use. Like a playstation or dreamcast. Unlike a home stereo system made of any number of components, wires, and boxes. Which can also be used to describe the modern PC.

    Apple is targeting a market which doesn't value the tinker factor as much as it values the use and 'feel' factor.

    Would you complain similarly of the Palm or Visor in how limited they are?


    -AS

    --

    -AS
    *Pikachu*
    1. Re:What's with this Apple bashing? by mattreilly · · Score: 1

      You are wasting your breath. The majority of people here on Slashdot don't discuss Apple with an open mind. Apple is bad, Linux is good. They remind me of gear heads defending their Fords at the expense of all Chevys, you can't change their minds.

      cheers,

      Matthew Reilly

  75. Mac OS and RAM by Scudsucker · · Score: 1

    I extrapolated this from the previous formula: OS 8 required 64 mb, therefore, the iMac shipped with 32.

    No, OS 8 does not require 64 megs of memory; I belive the bare minimum is 12. I have an old Quadra running 8.1 with 16 megs. Incidentaly, 8.1 was the last version of the Mac OS to run on 68k machines.

    iMacs will run Mac OS X. They'll just run it better if you up it to at least 64 megs of ram, which IMO is the bare bones minumum for a new computer. :)

  76. Re:DVD Drive by Audin · · Score: 1

    That doesn't have anything to do with the loading mechanism, which just gets out of the way when the disk is actually being played.

    Car CD players run hotter because they cram a bunch of electronics (and power amplifiers) into a dinky little box which is installed in a big plastic dashboard with poor ventilation. All that excess heat has to go somewhere...

  77. Re:Kinda confused... by Pope · · Score: 1

    That's most likely Netscape's fault. :P

    Communicator 4.61 is the most stable version I've used here on System 8.6, and 4.7 is due soon.

    Still not as fast rendering pages as Netscape 3, but there ya go.

    PPoe

    --
    It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
  78. Re:Kinda confused... by Pope · · Score: 1

    Um, do some research before you bitch, please :)
    The RAGE 128 is the exact SAME card that's shipping in the G3/G4 series of Macs (less video memory, tho), so this is quite the upgrade for the iMac.
    It'll make gaming MUCH more viable than the RAGE Pro line in the old ones.

    PPoE

    --
    It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
  79. Pretty cool.. by billybob · · Score: 1

    Lookin solid. Having the "best" one would be really cool.. 400 g3, 128 ram, dvd, 13 gig hd, and the "graphite" case of the g4's.. Plus it's supposedly lighter and smaller now. I dont know about you folks, but I would love to have one of them :)
    Let's just hope they can deliver the things on schedule.. when are they supposed to arrive anyways?

    --
    Joseph?
  80. Re:What about...Yellow Dog Linux by Shadow+Knight · · Score: 2

    As the first comment sort of pointed out, yes, Yellow Dog Linux should run on these. It runs on current iMacs just fine. I don't know why one would believe it wouldn't... after all, USB keyboard and mouse support has been working for quite some time now. So, you're question is null, Yellow Dog Linux is an option.

    --

  81. Re:Actually... by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 1

    Nonsense. Interface transfer speed is the least important specification on a drive. You STILL can't get 10,000 RPM IDE drives, which is what you need for real performance.

  82. Re:Not for Nerds by Gid1 · · Score: 2

    I'm writing a database and a functional language, and I just bought a Powerbook G3. So there. I'd never owned (or even used extensively) a Mac before, but I'm pleasantly surprised how far they've come on recently.

    It's a pretty damn good machine at a reasonable price. It's now got an X server and GNU Emacs, so I'm happy. Once OS X comes out, we'll see a few more non-Mac users moving over.

  83. Boo hiss Apple legal eagles by blahedo · · Score: 1

    Why would Apple not want the pictures on the site? (In case you haven't checked, all the pictures on AppleInsider have been replaced by gifs which read "This image has been removed at Apple Legal's Demand". :P) Seems silly to me---I mean, it's good publicity, no?

    --
    ``This, too, shall pass.'' ---Eastern proverb
  84. Re:Kinda confused... by osmac · · Score: 1

    Changing the looks cuts it for them people who like it if somebody comes into their apartment and say: "Cute, an iMac", or "Cool, a [blue/grey] G3/G4". Nobody says "cool" or "cute" about a beige miditower with TNT3 Ultra, Dual Pentium III 600, 512MB ram, SCSI-3 and whatever inside. The only way for those would be an 18'' TFT. Or a Sun Ultra 10, they look good too.

  85. Trayless DVD-ROM Drive by IntelliTubbie · · Score: 3

    Now iMacs are even more attractive to newbies: they won't make the embarrassing mistake of confusing the CD-ROM tray with a cupholder.

    Tech-support professionals, rejoice!

    --

    Power corrupts. PowerPoint corrupts absolutely.

  86. Where's The Beef? by Real+Timer · · Score: 1

    Look's like I got here too late! All the pix have been clobbered at Apple's request. Rob, update your headline!

    --
    Changes aren't permanent, but change is.
  87. Kinda confused... by Hadean · · Score: 2

    First of all, why is five flavours (am I the only one that thinks of ice cream?) when it comes to the Better configuration, and only one for the others? I mean, you'd think the Best configuration would sport the most colours and such (is there actually any real difference in shape, etc. to make it so the Good and Best ones can't just use the other colours? I mean, a switch between DVD to CD or more RAM and what not isn't gonna change the chassis...)

    Which brings me to another point, why for Good change the DVD to CD? I dunno about the States, but here in Canada (as a retailer) a good 6x/40x DVD is only $100 and a 48x CD is $80... What's 20 bucks when it comes to showcasing a great (?) computer? I mean, having a DVD and video-mirroring, albeit both not very useful at this moment for most normal folks, will more then luckily catch people... Ah well, maybe that's just me...

    Being Canadian, I'm proud that ATI is the video card company for Apple (although I don't use any Apple computers), but the thing is, yes, ATI is a good company, but ATI Rage 128 is, I'm sorry to say, pretty behind the times now... Looking at the Mac Products on ATI's website, are we talking about the Nexus, Rage Orion or XCLAIM VR? I just hope its similar to ATI's Rage 128 Pro for the PC... *shrug*

    Ah well, as it were, my opinion is that although they are cute, the iMacs and G*'s just don't seem like great computers (although they are, I know, but the looks make them seem otherwise)... And although they are great computers, I can still buy a comparable IBM PC and still get to use Photoshop and games for Windows and load up Linux whenever I feel like it... Until Apple comes out with something different (like they did oh so many years ago), changing the looks just doesn't cut it for me... FireWire, yes, was good.. but its obvious (good or bad) that USB is here to stay.. Anything else?

    1. Re:Kinda confused... by porkchop_d_clown · · Score: 1

      He Does have his facts straight. The Rage 128 Pro is the replacement for the Rage 128. And yes the rage 128 is a major disappointment for gamers. It would have been a faboo card if it had been released in 98, in 99 it's mediocre and the PC drivers suck. I wish I'd bought a Voodoo 3500.


      --
    2. Re:Kinda confused... by Hard_Code · · Score: 0

      Whereas I may say "cute" about an imac, I definately would say "cool" about a TNT3 Ultra Dual PIII 600, 512 ram, scsi, etc.

      Speaking of "cute"/"cool" Macs...OS 8.blah has been getting a lot of hype...supposed to be more stable, more this, more that (yes, it does look nice and that theming is sorta sophisticated)...but I was just using one of these nice blue G3 boxen the other day, had Netscape and a telnet client and a text editor opened...and I Quit Netscape and the whole thing just locked up completely. Not so much as an error message. This was like 5 minutes after I booted it. Of course this is all entirely subjective and I can't guarantee the state of the hardware, etc., but that the computer just absolutely locked (not like it doesn't happen in windows, but at least only after some fair amount of screwing around)...?

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    3. Re:Kinda confused... by JoeShmoe · · Score: 2

      I honestly saw this move coming. Having these different colors is really impractical. Black and purple are clearly the "in" colors right now yet you hardly seen any products that them. The result is that no one is happy since customers can't get enough purple iMacs and retailers are not selling computers simply based on their style.

      What would be a smarter idea is for Apple et. al. to make cases where the colored parts are removable and made out of a white, permeable plastic. Then, include some dye packs and let the user find the exact shade that pleased them. I know some people suggest spray paint, but that only really works for metal cases that you can sand down and put on a primer. Paint on plastic just peels off so dyeable plastic is really the best solution.

      I think eventually Apple will have a color for each major model line and try to stick the most "elite" colors (purple and black) on the most expensive hardware. IE, if you pay toy prices it will look like a toy.

      And regarding the CD/DVD, don't forget that you are shopping for one, generic, PC drive and Apple is trying to find thousands of drives that are all compatible and will work with their cases's form factor. Pricing changes drastically as the number get larger but it's more probably that Apple simply doesn't have enough DVD drives to put in ALL the iMac models whereas they have a surplus of CD drives.

      - JoeShmoe

      -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

      --
      -- I wonder which will go down in history as the bigger failure: the War on Drugs or the War on Filesharing
    4. Re:Kinda confused... by frankie · · Score: 1
      I mean, you'd think the Best configuration would sport the most colours and such

      Nah. Two colors would be plenty for "Best" -- blueberry (for fun folk) & graphite (for the serious). The low end machine should only be blueberry, to encourage up-buying if you really want tangerine...

      a good 6x/40x DVD is only $100 and a 48x CD is $80... What's 20 bucks

      Not quite. The low end machine can use the current iMac CD mechanism, which costs Apple much less than $80 and definitely more than $20 savings over DVD.

      I just hope its similar to ATI's Rage 128 Pro for the PC... *shrug*

      90% likely that Apple will use either Rage LT Pro or Rage 128 Pro. The current iMac uses basically the same motherboard as the current PowerBook G3. The new iMac will probably borrow a current unified board design with AGP -- Sawtooth (128) or iBook (LT).

    5. Re:Kinda confused... by artemis67 · · Score: 2
      First of all, why is five flavours (am I the only one that thinks of ice cream?) when it comes to the Better configuration, and only one for the others?

      It's called "upselling"; if you're looking at a "Good" configuration, but you'd really like to have it in Tangerine, then you start thinking about buying a "Better" iMac configuration.

      The "Best" comes in Graphite because it's probably intended for office environments where a Strawberry iMac would seem out of place. If businesses pay a little more, they get the conservative color.

  88. Re:DVD Drive by rabidMacBigot() · · Score: 3

    IIRC, the reason the lens is in the tray is because the CDROM drive itself (along with the SODIMM RAM form factor, and much of the motherboard) in the original and current iMacs is basically the same as that of the PowerBook G3 series as a cost-saving measure. Of course, that still doesn't make an exposed-lens CDROM a good idea...

  89. Counting Chickens by 1millionmhz · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't count on the AppleInsider specs as being the final word, or even expect the new iMac to come multiple variations. Steve Jobs has a deep burning hatred for the rumors sites and has been known to spread disinformation to them from time to time. the high-end "best" model described seems to conflict with the low end G4s at this point so I'm wary about that prediction actually coming to fuition.

    1. Re:Counting Chickens by FaRuvius · · Score: 1

      Add a monitor to that 1000.00 and you've got a similar price......

      --
      Need to get away?
      Adirondack Vacations
    2. Re:Counting Chickens by gig · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but which one is better in a reception area, or in a POS install? You see a lot of iMacs in those places because they're small, attractive, are easily networked, and most of all they're easy for newbies to use. Firewire, DVD and video mirroring, makes it a great machine for running multimedia presentations, and its looks will count in that respect as well. Hot plug a Firewire hard drive and you're ready to do a presentation.

      Nobody's suggesting that businesses worldwide are going to replace all their beige boxes with graphite iMacs, but businesses are using this "home" computer more and more already, so a fully-loaded graphite one seems like Apple just responding to their needs.

    3. Re:Counting Chickens by artemis67 · · Score: 1

      The problem is, most businesses don't want a fruity-colored computer, so the Graphite is probably an attempt to get the iMac in some corporate environments.

      However, you can get a fully-loaded 400 mhz Dell Dimension for around $1000, so Apple does need to sell a complete system for around that price. Unfortunately, I think the Graphite "Best" system is going to be around $1300.

    4. Re:Counting Chickens by artemis67 · · Score: 1

      Actually, that is with a monitor. I just bought 5 of them almost 2 months ago.

  90. Re:DVD Drive by Red+Knight · · Score: 1

    Have they corrected the problem of cds heating up in the trayless systems ? I know when ever I take a cd out of my car stereo its pretty hot.

  91. Re:Not for Nerds by xeelee · · Score: 1

    Hey. I'm a research molecular biologist. can't get much more nerdy than that. And i just *love* that apple stuff. Crazy company, crazy guys. Ain't that right gang? Now if only they'd hurry up and deliver my damn iBook. The swine!

  92. Interesting... by Curt · · Score: 1

    Hey that new iMac looks great imho.. but mind youu these are still rumors! They do mean good news, but stop for a second. This is AppleInsider. If they are legit, Apple is not going to be happy about this one...

    DVD... cool. They trayless bit makes me feel better, because its no longer a bunch of g3 laptop parts puut together... at least one original part! Now they should put that feature in the g4 laptops too... And I think even newbies have seen a car stero and can understand that floppies don't fit there. Maybe musci CD'swill more often be seen playing on newbie iMacs?

    128MB ram in the high end version? I doubt it but would be very nice. Same deal with the rage 128, which I also doubt... but again would be nice. I wish apple would ditch the rage altogether and go for some other card... a voodoo4 maybe which sounds nice... (read about that t-buffer at 3dfx.com!)

    13GB hard drive is the big one I'm doubting. That's gonna cost apple a little more than the 6GB one. Just a tad.

    Oh and graphite doesn't smell. Sniff your pencil whoever said that. Maybbe its a subliminal message that says this thing can be used for work, or word processing, like a pencil. Whatever.

    I'm still kinda pissed it doesn't have a 17" screen, being a graphic designer. Aww heck, I shouldn't even consider the gumdrop, gotta get me a g4 laptop...

    Um.... thats about it. =)

    -Curt

  93. My son thought it was for his drinks actually by WillAffleck · · Score: 1

    But then, he's 8 yo. So, it's not such a silly idea.

    Luckily I saw him do that and "cured" him of that habit.

    --
    Will in Seattle
  94. Apple's Legal Demand? by detritus. · · Score: 1

    Well - looks like the imac pictures are removed.
    any chance someone can mirror them? i'm dying to see the pics

  95. Re:Ha! by tak+amalak · · Score: 1

    Borg cubes are squares with sharp corners. Like PC cases...
    The iMac is lake the starship Enterprise, and the new G4 is like a Klingon bird of prey. ;)
    --

    --
    Don't lead me into temptation... I can find it myself.
  96. Re:What about flatpanels? by snubber1 · · Score: 1

    Well, Apple has recently switched from SCSI to IDE on most of their models, as IDE has gotten faster. Macs also have pci slots, as some High-end hardware is compatable with both systems.


    ----------------------------------------------

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    I don't really mind double posts on //..
  97. DVD Drive by snubber1 · · Score: 2

    Didn't the previous I-Mac have the lens in the tray, similar to many laptop cd drives? If so, a trayless drive would be great improvement. I'm sure there is nothing worse than scratching the hell out of the lens on your shiny new computer's dvd drive.


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    --
    I don't really mind double posts on //..
  98. Gone (n/t) by HumanSmoke · · Score: 1

    -HumanSmoke

  99. No schedule yet by Gorimek · · Score: 1

    Officially, these things do not exist. So, naturally, there are no official plans to release them.

    If Apple really can't get enough G4 CPUs, I guess they have more capacity to build iMacs, so it may go fast.

  100. Gateway's short neck by cetan · · Score: 1

    We have these gateway machines here at work. They are TFT display PC's basicly. Floppy drive, CDROM, AMD K6, speakers etc. all built into the flatscreen monitor. Kinda cool, just not very fast (at least ours are not). It's called the Gateway Profile PC. Right now they are only in our training rooms. Good space saver, but that's about it IMHO :)

    --
    In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
    1. Re:Gateway's short neck by rdarden · · Score: 1

      The Gateway and NEC TFT all-in-ones look fantastic.. Once TFT prices drop I fully expect Apple to offer a flat-panel version of the iMac, perhaps something like a transparent 20th Anniversay Mac. I'm still drooling at the thought of one of those with a G3 upgrade card.

  101. iMac with a built-in urinal. by sheppard · · Score: 1


    what u need my friend is an ibook :)

  102. Yep. by EXpunk · · Score: 1

    You are the only one that looks like a waste paper basket.

    ;)


    --
    Killing spammers is too good for them.
  103. A little skit from Apple HQ by geekfuzz · · Score: 1

    The Scene... A long line of Mac users in front of Steve Jobs' desk, who is personally handing out all of the new iMacs.

    Jobs: "Here is your pre-configured box. We've decided everything that you might possibly need. You may change the configuration at your mortal peril. Give me $1500, and leave."

    Buyer: "Why, thank you sir! I have been blessed. All praise the intellectual force that is Herr Jobs! I will worship this sickly colored box forever! I will praise its merits to the ends of the Earth!"

    Jobs: "Next!"

    Buyer#2: Smiling ear-to-ear "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Jobs. I have a ques..ques...question." Loses his smile "Could I get my iMac in bl...bl...black?"

    Jobs stares coldly at the young man, their icy gaze grabbing the buyer about the throat. Then, Jobs laughes loud and hard. The young man seems to relax, smiling again, looking sure of himself in the praise of his idol. With a flick of his wrist, Jobs releases the trapdoor under the poor fool's feet, his screams as he falls silenced only by the dull thud of the trapdoor locking shut.

    Jobs: "Next!"

  104. Re:New Design by dbrutus · · Score: 1

    I see, trayless DVD, 2x AGP, Airport, better monitor, Firewire, all this reduced to the addition of a new color.

    Since Intel is doing its best to kill Firewire, it will indeed be years before the drones in the clone world get the guts to buck Andy Grove and make Firewire standard on the motherboard.

    How does it feel to be left behind (once again) at the multimedia revolution.

    TML

  105. Compatibility without compromising users by dbrutus · · Score: 2

    After being beaten about for years, Apple transitions much of its hardware over to PC specs in order to be more compatible and drive down user costs. Now the complaints come that Apple is doing what users have demanded of them. Frankly, I'm glad that Apple was sensible enough to adopt decent technical standards that don't compromise the user experience that Apple promises (think ISA and MFM that Apple stayed away from). If only Intel would show the same sense and adopt Firewire support on their motherboards. After all, they are in the patent pool but noooo! Intel is pushing USB 2.0 which might, after several years, achieve the throughput that Firewire has today. TML

  106. Re:Linux zealotry, and iMacs by dbrutus · · Score: 2

    You can also run Darwin on the little beasties. http://www.apple.com/darwin

    Yup, open source mac software, who woulda thunk it.

    TML

  107. Actually... by Panamon777 · · Score: 1

    Macs have had PCI since the introduction of the Power Macintosh back in the early-mid 90's. IDE was introced in low-end power macs, and developments in IDE technology made it fast enough to be the main drive on G3 systems. Current ATA/66 drives can put a whoopin' on most SCSI drives; only ultra-wide drives can beat its transfer rates.

  108. Pictures no longer up by My+Third+Account · · Score: 1

    See title. Seems apple's legal dept didnt like them for some reason. Anyone have an alternate URL? Or is it not even worth looking at? =)

  109. Re:Trayless DVD-ROM Drive - But worse... by G-Man · · Score: 2

    Well, imagine the belly laugh I got watching a local newscast one day: The police dept. of a town was giving away free copies of content filtering software for concerned parents (I don't remember if it was NetNanny, CyberSitter, whatever.)

    After giving the obligatory "Protecting the Children" spiel, the not-so-tech-savvy officer proceeded to insert the CD-ROM into the 5" *floppy* slot on the ancient IBM clone in their office. He starts to flip the lever to lock down the "disk", but the scene cut just as you could see the first signs of resistance.

    Made my whole day. Just wish I could see the out takes, though...

  110. What about flatpanels? by TummyX · · Score: 1

    I'd rather have one of the new flatpanel tiny PCs coming from NEC and the likes.

    Is it just me or is apple using PC hardware now?

  111. New iMac Photo by Che+Guevarra · · Score: 2

    AppleInsider is running a photo of what appears to be the graphite "Best" model.

    http://www.appleinsider .com/articles/9909/kihei-photo.shtml

  112. Ha! by Kitsune+Sushi · · Score: 2

    "As rumored in previous reports, the entire custom system software pack is indeed code-named "Borg." "

    Do I really have to explain why I think this is funny..?

    To take on a more "conventional" definition.. I always thought those pesky iMacs looked like they were built by space aliens..

    --

    ~ Kish

  113. But will it smell? by JoeShmoe · · Score: 2

    Graphite...hmm...I never knew the name for that color until now.

    I find it amusing that the only color with the odor problem is the only color not named after fruit...I guess they didn't want any "Rotting Apple" nicknames...

    I suppose it's okay for minerals to stink, but if that is how grey Graphite smells, I'm gonna run like hell if I ever see a bright-yellow iMac sitting on someone's desk...=\

    My $1.00 - $0.98, not necessarily yours.

    - JoeShmoe

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    --
    -- I wonder which will go down in history as the bigger failure: the War on Drugs or the War on Filesharing
  114. Re:Trayless DVD-ROM Drive - But worse... by JoeShmoe · · Score: 2

    Um, if you think user's confusing CD-ROM trays for cupholders is a bad...wait until you start getting calls from people who think Apple is finally putting floppy drives in iMacs.

    I work in an all-Compaq shop and a couple years ago, Compaq used tray-less CD-ROMs in all their Deskpro 2000 models. I loved them because finally I could orient my computer in any position and not have to fiddle with tabs or grooves.

    But then I started getting calls from users who would stick pretty much any removable media made after 1982 into the blank, label-less slot and the cost to continually swap out damaged drives just wasn't worth it.

    I mean, trays are annoying to some, but to the target audience of the iMac, only a CD/DVD will fit in the 5" depression on a CD/DVD-ROM tray so you only have to worry about it being right side up and the user education is over.

    Again, my $1.00 - $0.98 and not necessarily yours...

    - JoeShmoe

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    --
    -- I wonder which will go down in history as the bigger failure: the War on Drugs or the War on Filesharing
  115. Re:Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by DirkDaring · · Score: 1

    >I've never walked into a store and saw a blue computer that wasn't an Apple. Sucks to be you. >I've never walked into a store and been presented with anything except Windows Sucks to be you. >Apple only has one OS as well, but they do have more colors. They win. Combine all the colors from all the PC computer companies all over the world. I'm sure it's more than 5 colors. Apple loses. >Deal with it. Ditto.

  116. Re:Trayless DVD-ROM Drive - But worse... by artemis67 · · Score: 1

    It shouldn't cost Compaq or Apple anything to swap out the drive in such a scenario, as inflicting damage on the unit should void the warranty. Unless, of course, the Compaq warranty allows for Acts of Clod...

  117. A better design by chungo · · Score: 1

    They should forget the CRT and do an iMac with a
    - flat screen
    - G4 600Mhz
    - GeForce video
    - 5 button mouse
    - 20Gb hard drive
    - FireWire
    - Vertically mounted DVD drive

    With all the parts embedded in the case of the Flat screen monitor.

  118. Hmmm ps -a by JohnG · · Score: 1
    ummm, look at all the yummie processes. I'll be right back, I have to go take a cold shower now! HeHe. Just Kidding!

  119. Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by JohnG · · Score: 1
    PC_Builder:Well sir, here is your shiny new computer...
    Buyer:It's grey.
    PC_Builder:Yes it is, but its got...
    Buyer:Can I get it in blue? My carpet is blue.
    PC_Builder:Umm, no. But it does come with your choice or more ram/less ram, more hard drive/less hard drive and any flavor of Windows you would like.
    Buyer:But I want Linux.
    PC_Builder:Sorry can't have it
    Buyer:BeOS?
    PC_Builder:Nope
    Buyer:FreeBSD!?
    PC_Builder:How 'bout a big 'ole can of.. NOPE
    Buyer:Why not? PC_Builder:You'll have to talk to Adolf Gates, the choice nazi, about that one, we are under contract, if we sell you a computer without windows we will be thrown in the concentration camps.

    Later, at MS Headquarters
    Buyer:Mr. Gates could you please possibly make an exeption and allow [insert major computer manufacturer here] to sell me a computer without Windows. I think the consumer deserves to make the choice.
    Bill:NO CHOICE FOR YOU!!
    Buyer:But Linux, FreeBSD, and BeOS are all better than Win...
    Bill:GAURDS!! Have this man executed!

    Hmm, although the typical Linux user knows of places that sell Linux Boxes. The average consumer doesn't, and us Linux users still can't go to the store and get one. And to me whether or not you can "customize" your hardware is irrelevant if the company offers different packages. I mean are you really going to get a 15gb hard drive and 32megs of ram? No you are going to get big hard drive/big ram or small hard drive/small ram. That's what Apple provides. Apple however offers thier computers in some different colors which does offer more choice than in the PC industry. Apples computer aren't plug ugly like this compaq I have setting here and I think like me most PC users are a little jealous, but for some reason we attack things when we are jealous of them.
    No I do not own a Mac. I never have owned a Mac. I have never used a Mac. But Macintosh is a good computer. I have heard far more complaints from Windows users than Mac users. I have heard far worse things about the reliability of Packard Bell and others, my Compaq doesn't even work with Voodoo3's I had to get a Voodoo2 because Compaq screwed up when they made the BIOS. Regardless of which computer manufacturer you prefer, none of them are all filled with rose petals like so many PC users seem to think.

    1. Re:Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by JohnG · · Score: 1

      I've never walked into a store and saw a blue computer that wasn't an Apple.
      I've never walked into a store and been presented with anything except Windows
      Apple only has one OS as well, but they do have more colors. They win. Deal with it.

    2. Re:Meanwhile at a major PC manufacturer by JohnG · · Score: 1

      You call that blue and I need to get out of a cave? That color is bland it still looks like it is based on grey. Can I get one in red? purple? orange? Why can't you people just admit that Macintosh offers more choices when it comes to looks?
      I am not asking that you admit it is a better computer, I am not asking you to admit that it is worth buying, I am not even asking that you admit that it deserves to exist, but for christs sake any 5 year old can see that it comes in more colors than a PC does! 256 shades of grey do not count as color options. Gees, I am surprised you even realize that Carrot Top is a red head, did your mommy have to tell you that?

  120. Please till me where you shop by JohnG · · Score: 1
    Would you people please tell me wear you shop that the AVERAGE comsumer also shops. That's what we are talking about here choice to the AVERAGE consumer. I know my local SEARS, or Office Max, or CompUSA, nor any of the Catalogs I get offer anything but varying shades of grey and black.
    So please just tell me what commonly shopped store I can walk into and getting a bright F***ing red Linux box? huh? where?

    1. Re:Please till me where you shop by JohnG · · Score: 1
      Woah! Thanks! I can admit when I am wrong. I knew that some companies were looking into color cases. E-machines blatantly ripped off the iMac, and while I don't think they should have been sued over it, I think the PC industry already has enough of the "Microsoft" style innovation. (Copy exactly, claim as your own)
      You're VAIO example really wasn't very good though as that still has heavy grey overtones, and to be honest, although these links provide awesome cases and such I would still give credit to Apple for not making the consumer search out such stuff. I think these companies could make alot more money if they could get some capital for some TV or Magazine ads or something, they are really on to something.
      I know at one time Intel was debuting new shapes for computers, but they looked more like modern art then computers.
      You know, I think they main reason for this argument is just mixed signals, I wasn't speaking of Linux users, just average users, and the average user when asked which company gives more color choices would say apple. But I am man enough to admit I was wrong if you are :)
      BTW, although I didn't appreciate being called a Trog that lives in a cave, I hope you didn't take too much offense in me calling you a color blind person that had to have his mommy tell him Carrot Top's is a redhead. As you can tell I get defensive really quick. Sorry.

  121. Oops sorry by JohnG · · Score: 1
    Hey I just read your other response, the one with colorcases.com and that was a much better example of your point. Sorry for any offense I might have caused, but you can ignore the response to this message and read the one to your colorcases.com message.

  122. What about... by _neo · · Score: 0

    Who really gives a fudge about these thingies as long as MkLinux/YellowDog isn't an option ??

    --
    .sig ? what freakin .sig ?
  123. Re:What about...Yellow Dog Linux by _neo · · Score: 1

    Yeah, yeah, but I kinda meant an option when you actually ORDER the thingies.... THEN, I'd think even more highly of them Macintoshes

    --
    .sig ? what freakin .sig ?
  124. Linux zealotry, and iMacs by Mister+Attack · · Score: 0
    I hate to have to keep pointing this out to you people, but the target market for iMacs (mainly home users who want to get on the Internet) could care less about the availability of Linux for their machines. Some of you just don't seem to realize that a LOT of computer folk want an OS that is easy to use, even if that means sacrificing speed and stability. My point is that the vast majority of iMac buyers don't want to touch Linux, and the ones that do can either go for a blue and white G3 (or G4, soon) or run LinuxPPC. That's right, children: MkLinux doesn't work on iMacs, but LinuxPPC (i'm reasonably certain) does. So, in short:

    1)most iMac buyers don't want Linux

    2)those that do can use LinuxPPC

    Just my $0.02