Imac refresh questions

[Retronym]

I just bought a new desk from Ikea for my room, the Fredrik (small version). Space is limited, and I have decided I want an IMAC, as it is a computer and monitor in one. I heard the Imac is due for a refresh any time now. Anyone know the following? :

1. LCD or LED
2. 8 series Nvidia or other
3. optical out for audio
4. ethernet capability
5. wireless G compatible
6. firm price (24")
7. silver or black
8. usb is bus powered or no ( i forget tech term, but is usb port able to power usb devices)

 

[hungryduck]

apple does not release product info before they are about to ship a product (except in the case of the iphone).
but,
yes the imac is already ethernet and wireless G compatible, usb ports are powered, has optical audio out.
go to apple.com and look at the imacs....most of the features your looking for are already there....

 

[Black Morty Rackham]

1) LCD and LED. LED is the backlight. It still uses LCD (or TFT, whatever) to filter it and apply colour.

2) I'm guessing low and mid-end 8000 GPUs.

3) That's what they're using now, so yeah.

4) Probably gigabit.

5) Yes, obviously. Maybe N as well.

6) In the same ballpark as now, I'd bet.

7) Brushed alu seems likely.

8) Probably.

 

[ampedxc27]

Here's some pix of what might be the new iMac keyboard, now based off the Macbook keyboard. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/07/27/purported_photos_of_new_imac_keyboard_stir_debate.html

 

[Slartibartfast]

I personally doubt you'll see an 8800 in the new iMacs. The current iMacs use mid-low end cards, so I don't see why the new ones would be any better.

 

[alphaone]

I personally doubt you'll see an 8800 in the new iMacs. The current iMacs use mid-low end cards, so I don't see why the new ones would be any better.

I would expect something in the 8400-8600 range

 

[Ankle]

Considering the new MBPs have a 8600 I'd say its a safe bet any new iMacs would have them.

 

[theDreamer]

Do you guys see a chance of a case redesign, not material, but overall looks?
I know that putting parts & LCD all in one already limits you on what exactly you can make the product look like, but Apple is always trying to do something different so did not know if they might do that with a new line of iMacs.

 

[Retronym]

Thats the thing about the 8800 series. They are in the mb pro, which suggests that they can control the heat issue, though I read that they do get quite hot. I've never bought a mac before, but I've used multiple iterations of them during college, and the new ones seem just leaps and bounds better. I guess ever since the intel switch, perhaps before then, due to their ipod money.

Alot of my questions are fairly obvious, especially considering they are in the current line up, but I guess Im wondering if anyone knows if Apple tends to offer 'standard' options on one item, then take it away for the refresh.

 

[Slartibartfast]

It's an 8600 in the MacBook Pro, not an 8800. Current iMacs are either X1600 or 7300gt, not exactly high-end cards. They want you to buy the more expensive Mac Pro, so they're not going to put good GPUs in iMacs.

 

[Retronym]

Its funny, my dad says he thinks Apple should stop making computers, since they make so much more on their ipods/iphone market. But my gut feeling tells me they are about to start taking off, from pc defectors who have either had it with Vista, or simply enjoy their ipod interface, etc. With intel chips, I am seeing less and less reasons to stick with PCs. Price is their current caveat imho. If they can find a way (or desire) to continue to offer aesthetically pleasing designs, but at comparable PC prices, I don't see what would be stopping them.

In regards to the case design, I am hoping for silver instead of white, because of nothing other than personal preference. The picture provided above shows a white keyboard though, so...idk. It would be interesting if they offered the 24' or 30' (if they make one) in black to stand out from the lower models. Black seems to be best for monitors, in my experience, as it doesn't distract from the screen the way white does, but simply fades away.

 

[Retronym]

It's an 8600 in the MacBook Pro, not an 8800. Current iMacs are either X1600 or 7300gt, not exactly high-end cards. They want you to buy the more expensive Mac Pro, so they're not going to put good GPUs in iMacs.

LOL, I am an idiot I meant 8 series, not 8800, lol. I am just now noticing that. God Im dumb.

 

[Ankle]

Price is their current caveat imho. If they can find a way (or desire) to continue to offer aesthetically pleasing designs, but at comparable PC prices, I don't see what would be stopping them.

Their prices aren't an issue in all their machines. My new MBP was $200 cheaper than anything comparable that Dell offered and that was before either an Education or ADC discount. The current mac mini is a pretty bad value. iMacs seem pretty much on par for what you get, not that anyone else really offers a comparable all in one system.