I wonder if their research consisted of visiting think secret.

sometimes it seems like "Analysts" are just well paid mac-bloggers…

For over three weeks we have heard about these upgrades coming soon. The report is any day now over and over again. Now we have this guys telling us that Apple might offer them in two weeks for the back to school season. Basically American Technology Research is just repeating what Think Secret and Mac Rumours have been saying for just under a month. We can speculate on what Apple is going to give us as the upgrades are pretty obvious and necessary. However has anybody been able to find out prices?

Seriously -- I'm glad I'm not the only one bemused by the financial community's pile-on into the Apple rumour business! Who needs ThinkSecret, AppleInsider or MacOSRumors when we have the analysts -- who rely on the same combination of observation (Amazon bestseller lists), sources (channel or company insider contacts), and outright guesswork as the rumour sites?

...byt the criteria shown here, I'M an analyst! So are you guys! Here, let me show you:

"Apple will release new iBooks and Mac Minis soon. They will add new stuff that used to cost extra money."

See? Now where's my check?

Your check is in the mail, Billy. Don't spend it all on iTunes.

"the question is whether an enhanced version will cannibalize sales of iMac G5, which many customers have opted to buy instead of the current Mac mini"

This could be looked at one of two ways...(1)The Mini is in a totally different category from the iMac. It's like a Tivo on steroids. People buy it to improve their current digital lifestyle. (2) Apple is considering dropping the iMac line to give way to a cheaper alternative that could potentially sell more units if the competition (iMac) isn't there.

...Though I doubt #2 is even a thought in Steve's mind. Me personally, I wouldn't ever seriously think about a mini to replace any desktop unit, but it would be pretty cool to wire up to my TV and wireless network to share videos/pictures/music from my desktop.

Analyst Jimothy of Jim, Jimothy & Jimbo, LLP states that he expects an update to the iBook and iMac in the next two days.

In case there was any doubt, the above comment was posted by me.

Any guesses at the name of the new OS X, I'm guessing Leopard, you heard it here first

I wouldn't rule out option (2) as the iMac needs a better designed casing to cope with the heat problems, as well as to bring the aesthetics back on par with the G4 and G3 versions.

If they up the specs on the Mini, then that plus a separate monitor would represent better long term investment over the current iMac.

Why does everybody want to kill the iMac?

First off, let me utter a silent prayer, as my brand-new iMac should arrive tomorrow. I gave them a year to work out the heat issues, and I'm crossing my fingers a bit here.

So, why did I buy an iMac, then, you ask? Well, cause it's the only G5 computer in the Apple line-up that suits my needs and is also in my price range. I have an eMac now, but need a little more muscle for audio production. I can't afford a tower (OK, I can afford a tower, but I can't afford a monitor). And besides, I don't really have the desk space for a tower + monitor. So, iMac it is.

But here's my point...the iMac is the flagship. It's the font from which all things Apple sprout. It's the (desktop) most folks are likely to buy. eMacs and Minis are bargains. Towers are for (semi) professionals who can write off the purchase. The iMac is for the general populace who wants an easy computing experience with a minimum of hassle, and a little performance to back it up. Why would they want to kill the base of their entire computer line?

And now, I end with...another prayer to the Heat Sink and Fan Gods....

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Guest wrote:
I wouldn't rule out option (2) as the iMac needs a better designed casing to cope with the heat problems, as well as to bring the aesthetics back on par with the G4 and G3 versions.

If they up the specs on the Mini, then that plus a separate monitor would represent better long term investment over the current iMac.

I don't see how a Mac Mini is anything like a Tivo at all. Well I guess its kinda similar. Except it doesn't have a programming guide. Or a remote. Or record video. Hmm... Which is not to say it couldn't be made into a sub-par DVR. Of course that could be said of any computer not just a Mac Mini. I'm fairly certain a Mac Mini is meant to be a cheap Mac computer for entry level users. And that's that. The iPod division will probably be the source for the device you seem to be confusing the Mac Mini with.

And I thought the iMac's were selling really well? And iMac's have G5's! I don't think that people who want a G5 are gonna settle for a G4 Mac Mini.

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Billy K wrote:
Why does everybody want to kill the iMac?

Because you have little flexibility when it comes to displays; only choices are those available when you buy your computer. You can't upgrade your display once the computer is purchased, and you are forced to buy a new display when you buy a new computer.

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Rainy Day wrote:

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Billy K wrote:
Why does everybody want to kill the iMac?

Because you have little flexibility when it comes to displays; only choices are those available when you buy your computer. You can't upgrade your display once the computer is purchased, and you are forced to buy a new display when you buy a new computer.

I just wish they'd put a DVI input onto the iMac. Then you could use it with a switch and a PC the way they suggest you do with a Mac Mini.

And if the computer up and dies you could use the iMac as a monitor. A little bulky, yes, but it would be better than nothing.

Your points are all correct, and this idea wouldn't really "fix" them, but it would add a little more usefulness to the iMac.

Apples and oranges …
iMac 20": G5 processor, 250 GB serial ATA 3.5" HD, 128 MB Video memory, Bluetooth and AirPort included right now. A beast !
Just got mine a couple weeks ago. It runs a lot cooler than the 20" 1.8 GHz I had before … I dont't know why, maybe it's the 970FX processor …

mini is a cute little computer. Does lots of things. CAN'T COMPARE to the iMac. Sorry, folks …

"because you have little flexibility when it comes to displays; only choices are those available when you buy your computer."

I have to agree with the above point. Over the past two years, there has been a vast improvement in the quality and variety of displays. Even budget LCDs have started to improve.

If one can even barely afford a tower, then a cheap monitor to go with it, until such time as finances allow to upgrade would be the way to go.
The main thing about the iMac is that it can be moved around easily and has most of the specs of a G5, albeit without most of the options to upgrade.

All you analysts are correct. Props. Dunno how you guys are so utterly brilliant =P

It's been posted on the TMO front page now: Apple has done exactly as Mr. Woo read off the internet.....uh, I mean, formulated on his own?

Boy he totally nailed it on that widescreen thing. Hehehe.

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Biff wrote:
I don't see how a Mac Mini is anything like a Tivo at all. Well I guess its kinda similar. Except it doesn't have a programming guide. Or a remote. Or record video. Hmm... Which is not to say it couldn't be made into a sub-par DVR.

With El Gato's Eye TV, it can do just that, though it's not really "sub-par." TiVo is an expensive DVR whose only advantage is the program guide. One can get a DVD recorder with a bigger HD and more features than TiVo.