Tuesday, October 20th 2009

Apple Updates iMac Lineup with 21.5-inch and 27-inch Models

Apple gave its flagship desktop computer, the iMac a healthy specifications update that warps the iMac right back into competing with the PCs of this generation. The update involves introducing two new models, a 21.5-inch one, and another massive 27-inch model, to replace the existing 20 and 24-inch offerings, respectively. The major update aims to achieve giving the iMac a true widescreen display that is at least full HD capable, powerful hardware including the advent of quad-core processors to the iMac, and a host of changes to the hardware and peripherals. Prices start at $1199.

To begin with, the 21.5-inch model features a 16:9 full HD display with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, while the 27-inch model comes with 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution. The displays on both use IPS panels that provide a viewing angle as wide as 178°, with high color fidelity. The displays use LED backlit for uniform, instant-on illumination. Such technologies we previously found on Apple's high-end Cinema displays. Both feature enclosures that are distinctively "wide-screen", and slim at that. Both feature all-aluminum backs.
The under-the-hood changes include memory that is now configurable up to 16 GB, quad-core processors, and up to 2 TB of storage. The $1199 21.3-inch base model features an Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06 GHz processor, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, 4 GB of memory, and 500 GB of storage. At $1499, the same can be had with a 1 TB hard drive, and ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics. At $1699, you get the 27-inch model, with the same hardware specs as the $1499 one. Finally, at $1999, is the 27-inch model slated for November, which features Intel Core i5 2.66 GHz quad-core processor, and ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics. With this model, you will be able to opt for a more powerful Core i7 "Lynnfield" processor.

Other hardware and peripheral changes include an SD card slot right below the optical-drive slot towards the user's right side, a new version Apple wireless keyboard, and the all new Apple Magic Mouse. Users can opt for wired input devices for no change in price. The Apple Magic Mouse brings multi-touch technology to the mouse. The entire top-area of the mouse is a multi-touch surface, which lets you not only click and scroll, but also to scroll in any direction, and perform multi-touch actions with some applications. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with the computer, and uses two AA batteries. A wired version is also available. Existing Mac owners can buy the Magic Mouse single piece for $69. The 27-inch iMac will use adapters that will take display input from external sources that turn it into a standalone display, or HDTV. Both these new iMacs also feature redesigned speakers that improve bass response, and reduce distortion.
Source: Macworld
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37 Comments on Apple Updates iMac Lineup with 21.5-inch and 27-inch Models

#26
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
kid41212003It's pointless to have a desktop that can't play games. Especially when you have 27" monitor.
There are more people in the world who don't play games on a computer, than there are, who do. A 2560x1440 px iMac with a GPU that effortlessly runs the display (HD 4850) will find plenty of takers in graphics professionals, productivity users, and anyone who wants a premium computer, in general.
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#27
gumpty
FordGT90ConceptButtons > Motion Sensing

There's no guess work with buttons and feedback is instantaneous.. Motion sensing has a large processing overhead which leads to delayed responses and even more annoying, incorrect interpretations of the motions. The only reason why it exists is because Apple refuses to put holes in their products, no matter how useful or necessary (e.g. vents on laptops, standard display connectors, etc.). My estimate is that it will be as unsuccessful as the "Mighty Mouse."
Good points.

In the end, Danger Mouse will win.

Posted on Reply
#28
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
FordGT90ConceptButtons > Motion Sensing

There's no guess work with buttons and feedback is instantaneous.. Motion sensing has a large processing overhead which leads to delayed responses and even more annoying, incorrect interpretations of the motions. The only reason why it exists is because Apple refuses to put holes in their products, no matter how useful or necessary (e.g. vents on laptops, standard display connectors, etc.). My estimate is that it will be as unsuccessful as the "Mighty Mouse."
Motion sensing? This mouse is an optical mouse (you move it around on a surface), and it does let you click. The top part of it is a multi-touch surface (like the surface on an iPhone). Besides the usual clicks, you can use the surface to do everything that makes multi-touch a great feature on the iPhone.
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#29
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
...and an epic fail on laptops. Mini/portable mice are popular for a reason. Your optics and your "touch" are going to arguing with each other for who's right. You can do the same jesters with the optics alone that you could with the "touch." Or you could just use button 4 and 5 which is standard on most average mice and not fatigue your hand. Anyway you roll it, it's like a Mickey Mouse in a Star Wars movie.

It makes sense for portable devices because it sucks less than tiny little buttons with numbers on them. It doesn't make sense for a computer that has a full blown keyboard and a device built specifically for the architecture of the hand.
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#30
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
FordGT90Concept...and an epic fail on laptops. Mini/portable mice are popular for a reason. Your optics and your "touch" are going to arguing with each other for who's right. You can do the same jesters with the optics alone that you could with the "touch." Or you could just use button 4 and 5 which is standard on most average mice and not make your hand tired. Anyway you roll it, it's like a Mickey Mouse in a Star Wars movie.

It makes sense for portable devices because it sucks less than tiny little buttons with numbers on them. It doesn't make sense for a computer.
The "touch" part is not meant to be a pointing component. The optical sensor under the mouse will continue to make pointing conventional, while the multi-touch will be for scrolling, clicking, selecting, rotating, and everything Apple is going to make its apps do. You're going to want to use something on the PC.
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#31
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
Try to make a jester, not up and down, that doesn't move the whole mouse. Rotating, especially, will be a PITA because it is difficult to differentiate a rotational motion versus a side to side motion. Best just to hold a button and move the mouse which can "float" two axises.
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#32
Woody112
Tell you one thing this multi touch track pad on my MBP is awesome and comes in very handy when dealing with apps, photos, web, music, etc.. Just really sucks for gaming. But the track pad design IMO has a strong future once people realize how usable it really it. Minus gaming once again. So that being said maybe this mouse will fill in the gap and be usable for gaming.
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#33
lemonadesoda
I think this multi-touch magic mouse is pretty clever... and I'm sure in 18 months time we will all want one on our PCs.

So we have the scroll wheel to go up and down the page? But side to side scroll? And being able to use double fingers to gesture "something".

Just compare it to what we have to suffer... mice with silly extra buttons hidden at the side. I hate those buttons on my razor. Completely inaccessible, and too many to remember what they do... so you disable them.

When you have used a modern macbook and experienced the single and double finger gestures... they are simple... quick to learn... and useful.

I'm not sure how well or what has been programmed for the magic mouse... but the point holds... apple keeps innovating. They did with the ipod, the iphone, the trackpad (OMG, do some laptops STILL come with nipples?), the built in webcam on the consumer laptop, yada yada.

I've got some apple stuff. Its good. Except for OSX which I cant stand.

Dont complain about prices. What jeans are you wearing? What t-shirt? What shoes? There are "equally functional" ones from China or Korea for less than half the price.
Posted on Reply
#34
Wile E
Power User
You know, I was always a multi-touch skeptic. Always thinking, "who needs that crap?". Then I got an iPhone for my birthday. It has completely changed my view on multi-touch and gestures. This will be an awesome addition to the traditional mouse function.

Once integrated into photo and video production apps, productivity is going to take another step forward.

Again, now that they have quit using the shitty TN-film panels in the iMac, and have once again gone to IPS panels, I will be buying one. Do they carry a premium? Yes, but show me one other all-in-one that comes with an IPS panel.
Posted on Reply
#35
TheMailMan78
Big Member
Wile EFinally, back to the good panels. I have a white Core2 20" iMac (actually my fiancee's). I planned on keeping it because it has an IPS panel, and Apple got away from that. Now I think it's time to look at trading it in on a 21.5" model. (She doesn't want a tower, so it's iMac or a Mini)
Fiancee? When did that happen?
Posted on Reply
#36
lemonadesoda
IPS panels? OOhps, i missed that. That is really going to pull back the aficiandos. Makes me want to buy an imac. A decent standalone IPS TFT is pricey enough... makes the imac quite a decent price... AND in a nice format.

Is Win7 bootcampable or run native on an imac. Now THAT would be nice.
Posted on Reply
#37
Wile E
Power User
TheMailMan78Fiancee? When did that happen?
lol. Like 3 years ago. :roll:
lemonadesodaIPS panels? OOhps, i missed that. That is really going to pull back the aficiandos. Makes me want to buy an imac. A decent standalone IPS TFT is pricey enough... makes the imac quite a decent price... AND in a nice format.

Is Win7 bootcampable or run native on an imac. Now THAT would be nice.
Yep. Win 7 Bootcamps nicely.
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