Apple fans abuzz over new iMac

With Apple Computer's next iMac expected to be unveiled as soon as next week, Mac fan sites are buzzing with speculation over the design.

Photos supposedly taken in a Paris airport elevator hit the Web on Thursday, fueling rumors that the new machine will be similar to Apple's declared the photos a hoax. Thanks goes to CNET News.com readers who pointed this out.)

The pictures showed up about two weeks after Think Secret posted information claiming to describe two new iMac models, one with a 17-inch display and a 1.6GHz G5 processor and another with a 20-inch display and a 1.8GHz G5 processor. The site claims the models will be priced between $1,300 and $2,200 and encased in an all-in-one housing with the motherboard located behind the display.

AppleInsider has similar details and describes the design as a "pizza box" case.

Leading up to the trade show in Paris, set for the end of the month, enthusiast sites have been busy posting specifications and speculating over what they think will be included with the new iMac, which many expect will be unveiled at the show. Many sites mention new designs with liquid-crystal displays and faster processors.

CNET News.com readers have also offered their two cents about what they feel should be included in the next computer from Apple and are expecting a more powerful G5 processor, a large flat-panel screen and a casing of brushed aluminum.

The attention is typical for new Apple products, as the company seems to have a hypnotic hold on its loyal fans. It also helps that Apple has a track record of producing hip products and has established itself as the arbiter of technology chic.

When Apple unveiled its last iMac update more than two-and-a-half years ago, Time magazine raved in a cover headline that the design was "Flat-Out Cool!"

This track record has led enthusiast sites to expect a lot of the Cupertino, Calif.-based company. Many of the sites expect a similar roster of features. While notoriously tight-lipped about unannounced products, the company has said its new generation of iMacs will come with G5 processors. Given the shortage of chips from Apple's main supplier, IBM, some have questioned how widely available the new computers will be.

Still, not everyone has been impressed by the rumored tablet direction of the new iMac. Gadget enthusiast site Gizmodo expressed hopes that the company will surprise everyone with a cheap, monitorless G5 in a simple box rather than a fancy new all-in-one.

"In my heart of hearts I wish that the new iMac were just a plain white box, sans monitor, that could bring the power of G5 into homes and schools for $1,000 a pop," the site opined in a posting last week. "I know this isn't going to happen, but I can dream."

Apple acknowledged in July that it was working on a new iMac to replace the current version. The company had hoped to have the computer on the market by then, but was hindered by supply shortages. As a result, the company found itself without sufficient stock of the old iMac and a replacement still months away. Apple pledged that the new version would arrive by September.

Were Apple to go with a machine whose components sit on the back of a flat-panel monitor, the company would be embracing a concept it rejected the last time around. When it was first designing the flat-panel iMac, designers at Apple considered a machine that would have the system elements on the back of the display.

However, Jobs and Apple passed on the idea, wanting to have the display and system elements separate for the sake of design. But the company has been known to downplay ideas before, only to revisit them when it felt the timing was right.

Both Gateway and IBM have released all-in-one flat-panel computers with the computing guts in the back of the screen.

Apple will not follow others

"Both Gateway and IBM have released all-in-one flat panel computers with the computing guts behind the screen."

- That is good enough reason for me to doubt that Apple will release such a model!

Editorial help!

Did this ?article? pass through the hands of an editor for
it was published? Apparently not. Why this repetition
in the 12th and 15th paragraph respectively?

?...passed on the idea, wanting to have the display and
system elements separate for the sake of design. But
the company has downplayed technologies before,
only to launch products based on them when it felt the
timing was right.?

?..passed on the idea, wanting to have the display and
system elements separate for the sake of design. But
the company has been known to downplay ideas
before, only to revisit them when it felt the timing was
right.?

Remember, the most important thing any writer or
publication has is credibility. Once it is gone, you might
as well up shop and go home. Needless to say, I won?t
be reading any more articles authored by Richard Shim
. . . and if this keeps up on News.com I won?t come back
to CNET either.

[GGGlen]

Copy Cats!

"Both Gateway and IBM have released all-in-one flat-panel
computers with the computing guts in the back of the screen."

Yes, both IBM and Gateway copied Apple (as the PC industry is
utterly devoid of original thought) once again, only, and as
usual, without the elegance of Apples design. Twentieth
Anniversery Mac? Anyone? It predated IBM and Gateway efforts
by years, and was an "all-in-one flat-panel computers with the
computing guts in the back of the screen."

[pixiesrock]

Disgraceful

$2200 for an unupgradeable computer with a 1.8 ghz
processor? Seriously, Apple? You expect people who aren't
obsessed with all things Steve to actually buy one of these
things when they could get a Dell that's twice as powerful for
half the money?
Stick to iPods, cause your computers plain suck.

Really?

"$2200 for an unupgradeable computer with a 1.8 ghz
processor? Seriously, Apple? You expect people who aren'tobsessed with all things Steve to actually buy one of thesethings when they could get a Dell that's twice as powerful for half the money?"

I can get a Dell with a 20" LCD and a 3.6GHz 64-bit processor for $1100? Excellent! Sign me up!

[vanox]

All-in-one Users

What you're forgetting a majority of the consumer computer owners never upgrade their PC (except for RAM). Therefore, why not make a machine that meets the needs of the many?

If you're looking to upgrade a system, an all-in-one isn't for you anyway. This is why manufacturers also make desktop units that can be upgradable. They cater towards their target audience. If everyone upgraded their machines every 6-12 months, I'm sure we'd see a different version.

[JuggerNaut]

iMac G5 will be another "GREAT" design from Apple!

The iMac G5 will follow suit to its predecessors with the great
design and innovation that Apple is well known for. I'll have to
admit when the iMac G4 (aka iLamp) came out, I was skeptical at
first and even thought Steve Jobs really lost (beyond the Blue
Dalmatian and Flower Power iMac episode), but after seeing
what Apple was trying to deliver, it just made sense.

Though Apple seems to be living in their own little world, they
make the most sensible, yet reliable computers this planet has
even seen, no doubt!

[JuggerNaut]

Note to self; should use spell and grammar checker whenever possible!

The iMac G5 will follow suit to its predecessors with the great
design and innovation that Apple is well known for. I'll have to
admit when the iMac G4 (aka iLamp) came out, I was skeptical at
first and even thought Steve Jobs really lost it(beyond the Blue
Dalmatian and Flower Power iMac episode), but after seeing
what Apple was trying to deliver, it just made sense.

Though Apple seems to be living in their own little world, they
make the most sensible, yet reliable computers this planet has
ever seen, no doubt!

[rpms]

It all depends on price

Except when selling to the relatively small group of faithful Macintosh users, or to institutions that favor the Macintosh (certain schools, universities, and government agencies), Apple has got to be able to compete on the basis of price.

Computer prices have dropped sharply over the life of the iMac. Basic Windows-compatible systems are available for as little as $500. These are adequate for the average consumer, who wants to surf the Web, send e-mail, manage digital photos, and download MP3s. (Note the word "adequate". I do not wish to get into a discussion about the pros and cons of specific operating systems, CPUs, industrial design philosophies, brands, etc.)

A successfull iMac would be one that was priced between $500 and $750 in today's dollars.

Note: I use Windows, Mac OS, and Linux in my own home. Also, I realize that the eMac, an older low-cost design featuring a traditional CRT monitor (cf. the original iMac), is available for as little as $800.

[Not Bugged]

It's a HOAX

Thanks, CNET, for this completely phony news story.