The Next-Gen iMac With Brushed Aluminum In August?

Alfaresy writes "As previously reported by Degadget back on June 19th, the iMac update due this summer and is expected to be available in 20- and 24-inch versions, while the 17-inch version set to be discontinued. Apple's next iMac revision is currently tracking for release in August, and will have a brushed aluminum enclosure with measure just 2-inch thick, according to ThinkSecret's sources. Furthermore, ThinkSecret's sources say, "The elegant new enclosure will somewhat resemble the current white iMac but is said to feature a shorter space below the actual display, where most of the internals are housed." The upcoming iMacs are expected to be based on Intel's Santa Rosa platform with speeds to reach the highest point at 2.4GHz."

Cool

[eneville]

I can't wait to put XFCE on it :-)

A new laptop?

[eebra82]

"The elegant new enclosure will somewhat resemble the current white iMac but is said to feature a shorter space below the actual display, where most of the internals are housed." The upcoming iMacs are expected to be based on Intel's Santa Rosa platform with speeds will reach the highest point at 2.4GHz."

So in other words, this is a tablet PC without the movable touch screen.

Now I am puzzled. Apple announced better gaming support at the latest WWDC, but the move to make the most common home Mac more of a laptop, indicates that high-end graphics cards are a no-no.

Can't they make a 12"/13" Macbook Pro instead?

[ElGanzoLoco]

If they could make a 12 or 13 inch Macbook Pro (or even a black Macbook with a decent graphic card) I would be the first in line. For the moment I'm sticking to my beloved 12" Powerbook. When it breaks, if Apple doesn't have a decent 12" or 13" machine, I'll have to go with a PC.

Their 15 inches MP Pros are too big for me (I travel a lot) and the Macbooks' integrated graphics are a deal-breaker for me.

I don't understand why they killed the 12" Powerbook. They sold very well.

Re:Cool

[b1ufox]

I ll prefer fluxbox to XFCE :-)

Wait... or wmii ... crap too much choices :(

Selling point

[networkzombie]

So, this is sold as a desktop computer that takes up less space. Why? Is a mid-tower too large for iPeople? I avoid mobile technology for my office because I don't want low power consumption, a lightweight system, or better battery life. I want upgradeability and speed. So is the benefit of this system simply to save space, have fewer wires, and look sleek? Even the mini-Mac is a mobile chipset. Are the Micro LGA 775 boards just too damn big for designing a Mac around? If I want a Centrino system, it'll be my laptop or a tablet. Am I totally off on this or do I upgrade my systems too often?

While we're rumourmongering, what about the mini?

[hcdejong]

The Mac mini hasn't seen an update for a while, and the rumours have been mostly negative (discontinuation of the line). I want one, and Apple's strategy of not talking about future products (or lack thereof) is annoying.

Apple should give us another cube

[Tomasset]

Yes. A cube. Please give us a modern cube, or xMac or whatever you want to call it, but something fitting the gap between the (dying) Mac Mini and the massive Mac Pro. We have been crying for that mythical xMac for ages now, so it is time that Apple Inc (gone is the Computer). devotes some resources to that!

I mean, I would be even happy with the iMac hardware without the screen so they can reuse the same iMac and Mac Book Pro designs in three form factors, it is simply that I want to use an external monitor!!

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:No Viral Apple Marketing On Slashdot, PLEASE!!!

[marklar1]

forgive me replying too myself...but to add on, whether it's my coffee cup, my car, my clothing, the dress I want my girlfriend in and peel her out of, I want more.

That's not to say I don't buy functional tools. But if I have to stare at a computer as much as I do, I'd prefer it to be a cool tool.

Life's short, go ahead and enjoy it.

Re:Sleep Light?

[cowscows]

That'd be neat, but in truth, the current alum macbook pros have a built in camera in the frame above the screen, and when the camera is on, a green light comes out of the frame, basically out of nowhere. Literally, you cannot tell that there's something there unless the light is on. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it's very cool.

Re:Sleep Light?

[Darvin]

I believe it's done by using incredibly small holes dotted in a circular pattern embedded in the aluminium, so when the light is switched off, is practically invisible without looking incredibly close to the surface.

Although, the thought of apple inventing transpraluminium is nice.

Re:Can't they make a 12"/13" Macbook Pro instead?

[xjerky]

I completely agree with the parent poster. I love my 12 inch Pbook as well. At home I attached a monitor and USB keyboard/mouse, so that wasn't a problem. And when I was on the road (which wasnt too often), the 12 inch screen was more than enough for me. The form factor was small enough that I was able to fit it in a book bag, so I was able to be inconspicuous on the subway. When it comes to carrying around a laptop, smaller is better.

USB port on front

[pauljlucas]

I hope they add (or move) at least one USB port to the front of the computer. It's annoying to have to fumble your way trying to insert a USB flash drive into one of the USB ports on the back that you can't see.

Re:Hear, hear. Build a regular damned computer

[gobbo]

I'm also not rich enough to just throw a monitor in the trash every time I get a new computer, buying Imacs. I just want a regular, maybe small tower with desktop parts, easily swapped RAM and maybe other parts. It should be at the same price as the Mini, but better, or equivalent to a Mini but cheaper.

I agree with your desire for a regular microtower format, but your "throw the monitor in the trash" quip is just garbage itself. Do you really throw out a 3 year old functional Mac, or do you sell it on craigslist for 3/5 of its original sticker price?

Complainers about limited upgradeability and sticker price never seem to take the inflated used Mac market into account.

Re:Can't they make a 12"/13" Macbook Pro instead?

[beyonddeath]

I concur whole heartedly. I have a 13" macbook, due to the form factor, however if a 12/13" macbook pro was released I would upgrade on my next payday. Price would be a non-issue, since there is no other decent system for this market, and I know its a big market, I know of personally at least 10 people that would jump at a powerful laptop in this form factor.

If they went so far as to allow my to drive two external monitors with it I would be even happier, but i guess thats dreaming :)

Re:No Viral Apple Marketing On Slashdot, PLEASE!!!

[sootman]

> Although rumour and conjecture about up-coming designs is really not worth debating.

But that's just the start! By posting this dopey Mac article--or ANY Mac article--we get to debate so many other things for the Nth time! There are already integegrated-graphics-suck posts, and if-Apple-doesn't-make-X-I'm-buying-a-PC posts, and Apple's-silence-about-future-products-is-annoying posts, and so many other things that MUST be rehashed every 3 days, lest anyone forget what they think! Articles like this are a public service for the Slashdot community as a whole--let this place go a week without Apple, RIAA, or MS Security stories and it'll turn into a ghost town.

It's the TV form factor, I think

[Judge_Fire]

LCD screen with built-in speakers, minimal rims around the screen and with a table stand or wall mount? Sounds pretty much like any flat screen TV out there now. The iMac screen sizes have some catching up to do and it needs a tuner, but still.

Incidentally, I have an iMac as a TV, with daisychained tuners for DVB-T and DVB-S controlled through EyeTV. This setup rocks. Add in the fun of iPhoto, iTunes and video chat using iChat - it's pretty sweet.

Apple seems to be aiming at the living room, first with Apple TV and now, this new iMac.

Re:Can't they make a 12"/13" Macbook Pro instead?

[Jazzer_Techie]

I'm also in love with my 12" PowerBook. I'm a student, and it's the perfect machine. In my dorm, I have a 2nd display, and I have one in the lab too. So both the places I spend most of my time, I'm not restricted by the laptop form. But as soon as I'm done, I can just unplug it, and slip it in my backpack, and then I have access to my work anywhere. (Yes, I suppose it could be a bit lighter, but it feels reassuringly solid.) It's plenty fast enough for what I need to do, and if I really need to do something computationally intensive, there are always plenty of desktops to ssh into and run something. Every night, I just clone the HDD, and so if I drop it or it's stolen, it's not that big of a deal. It's the perfect form factor. When I'm ready to upgrade in a few years, I really hope Apple has put together something that can be a suitable replacement.

Re:Can't they make a 12"/13" Macbook Pro instead?

[toddestan]

Lenovo still makes the X series of the Thinkpad, which is a 12" laptop with a XGA screen. Otherwise, the ultraportable laptop market seems to be rather dead. Heck, my 14" laptop is noticably smaller than most of my coworker's laptops, and just a few years ago it would have been average.

Re:Time for something new.

[Ohreally_factor]

I want a rusty metal Mac. I'm serious. Last December I was thinking about getting a custom powder coat on my motorcycle when I met this chick that had a rust finish custom cycle. It's the coolest finish I've ever seen. I think her painter uses some sort of acid wash and works it around with a pad of steel wool until he gets the desired patina/rust effect. Then he does something to halt the oxidation. (I'm not up on my chemistry to know what he uses exactly. Then he clear coats it. I'm not sure how many coats. The result is unique and beautiful.

Or a brass case. That would be cool.

Brick, straw, and twigs are right out, however.