the new iMacs. I am thinking about upgrading to one of these larger iMacs. Also, with the introduction of a subthousand dollar iMac, the iMac has some compelling price points.

Neal

This is really cool. I did notice one odd thing. When you configure the memory for 3Gb you get 1-1Gb DIMM and 1-2Gb DIMM. I thought that memory in these had to be in matched pairs. Was I wrong or did that change when they went to the Core 2?

The large monitor we were expecting. The $999 iMac is a BIG surprise. Very, very cool.

I gotta say, though. Even though the mini was upgraded today it still seems like a bad deal compared to these iMacs!

While there is a debate over the optimal performance when unmatched pairs are used (some claim that there should be no diference between matched and unmatched memory pairs), the new Core Duo machines can take any combination. Obivously, the stock configurations themselves are already an unmached pair (single 512MB chip in one slot). You may wish to Google this for more info; there is plenty out there.

24 inches is actually going to be quite nice. Add to that another 23" cinema HD display on the side and you can finally do some serious work.

On another note; if the new iMacs can be configured for 3Gb (1 + 2), wouldn't it make sense, then, to be able to put 4GB there? What could be the difference between the two slots? Anyone has any ideas?

Glad they updated some things, but dang it I want a Merom MBP!!!

I went to the DELL website and configured a Dimension 9200 with a 24-inch monitor. DELL costs $129 more. And, no FW 800, no BlueTooth, only 30-days of phone support.

Dell Dimension 9200 $2218

Processor Intel ® Core™2 Duo Processor E6400 (2.13GHz, 1066 FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Professional
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Hard Drive 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cacheâ„¢
CD or DVD Drive Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Monitor 24 inch UltraSharpâ„¢ 2407FPW Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
Video Cards 256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Sound Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers Dell AS501 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs for UltraSharpâ„¢ Flat Panels
Wireless Networking Solution Dell Wireless; 1450 WLAN (802.11a/b/g) USB 2.0 DT Adapter
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse Dell® 2-button USB mouse
Optional Ports IEEE 1394 Adapter
Dell Service & Support Plans 1 Year On-site Economy Plan
Phone Support Service Dell On Call 30 Day Getting Started Assistance Unlimited Incidents
Security Software McAfee Security Center w/VirusScan, Firewall and Privacy, 90-day trial
Security & Utilities Webroot Spy Sweeper - Now includes 15 month license

they're spanking good computers.

the $999 iMac is the EDU iMac brought to the masses, a la the eMac years ago.

Matched pair RAM does improve performance, but is not necessary in any of the new Macs except the Mac Pro. The real performance boost comes with the Intel 950 video, which is integrated video that shares RAM with the system. Matched pairs and the more RAM gives much better performance than single sticks would.

Dell Dimension 9200 $2218 - Apple 24" iMac $1,999
= $219 Cost Difference

Wow, there is probably enough desktop space to sling all my important files for 5 or 6 weeks. Amazing!

For semi-portability though, I still like the Mac Mini and hope they'll keep performance on par with the iMacs. Minis also make great home theater system hubs, replacing bulky DVD players.

WOW!!! The 24" iMac will be my next PC/TV!

Two whole feet of iMac.

That's a lot o' real estate!

Seriously cool. Apple kicks another goal and the game-winning touchdown comes September 12. I'm tho excited I could thit mythelf.

Excellent machines. Good updates that keep the pressure up on the other side. Shame those of us in the UK are taken for a ride by Apple. 25-27% more expensive than US prices. That stinks!

Must be coming soon.

I found a Nice wiki page on laptops using them

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Biff wrote:
Glad they updated some things, but dang it I want a Merom MBP!!!

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coaten wrote:
Seriously cool. Apple kicks another goal and the game-winning touchdown comes September 12. I'm tho excited I could thit mythelf.

This has got to be iT!!! The video IPhone that calls to iChat ( like skype but so much more ) plays tunes and movie downloads . This is huge , revolutionary etc etc. Now wait for the line of persons crying Patent infringement. ( heh..haw!!!)

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gt34 wrote:
Excellent machines. Good updates that keep the pressure up on the other side. Shame those of us in the UK are taken for a ride by Apple. 25-27% more expensive than US prices. That stinks!

Is it Apple's fault the dollar and Euro aren't equal? There is currently a 22% gap between them. They're not going to eat that much in profit margin, that's for sure.

And the VAT? Has anybody done a study as to how much in overall percentage that European taxes are (my sister lives there, I'll ask her to get me the info this week).

Every society that has reached an overall tax level greater than 50% (cumulative) has failed.

Hmm. The US is currently approaching 53%.

Just a thought.

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Tiger wrote:

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gt34 wrote:
Shame those of us in the UK are taken for a ride by Apple. 25-27% more expensive than US prices.

Is it Apple's fault the dollar and Euro aren't equal? There is currently a 22% gap between them.

And the VAT? Has anybody done a study as to how much in overall percentage that European taxes are?

1. What does the Euro have to do with UK prices?
2. VAT ranges from 15-22%.
See http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/rates/vat_rates_2006_en.pdf for detailed info.

I really love the new iMacs, especially the 2 footer, however if there is a shortage of merom chips I would have rather seen them first in the MacBook Pro's than a consumer aimed iMac. I just feel that the pro lines should get the fastest series of chips first to accommodate the premium price and provide the power the pro users need, especially if there is a shortage. Love the imacs, but I don't thing the average family who was looking at a new family computer would care if it was a duo or a duo 2, much less notice the difference, where as I, rendering video and authoring DVD's on the fly would.

Flame me if you must, but if you are going to make a Pro and consumer line, then adhere to it.

Quote

Websnap wrote:
I really love the new iMacs, especially the 2 footer, however if there is a shortage of merom chips I would have rather seen them first in the MacBook Pro's than a consumer aimed iMac. I just feel that the pro lines should get the fastest series of chips first to accommodate the premium price and provide the power the pro users need, especially if there is a shortage. Love the imacs, but I don't thing the average family who was looking at a new family computer would care if it was a duo or a duo 2, much less notice the difference, where as I, rendering video and authoring DVD's on the fly would.

Flame me if you must, but if you are going to make a Pro and consumer line, then adhere to it.

Not looking to flame you at all. But I think that Apple did JUST what you are saying. The FASTEST chips went into the MacPros- Xeon. The MacBook Pros got the Yonah virtually contemporaneously with their release just a few months ago and thus they HAD the fastest chips at the time. But why the wait now? The Yonah and the Merom are pin compatible if using a socketed chip, like in the iMac and can therefore be dropped in without having to make any fabrication changes to the motherboard. This would lend itself to a VERY easy transition for the iMac...MacBook Pros do not use a socketed chip and therefore likely require some more effort and therefore time to make the transition. I wouldn't worry though. With Leopard around the corner sporting 64-bit from the ground up, I have little doubt that Apple will be 64-bit (Merom or better) across the board in the next 12 months. Your MacBook Pros are likely to get refreshed next week or shortly thereafter as we head into the Christmas season.

Now as for my prediction for next weeks "Showtime" event...I mentioned over a year ago that it would be ool to get an iMac for the living room but in a MUCH bigger form factor like say a 42" plasma with built in processor, HDD, and Superdrive. With the recent drop in LCD pricing and the recent introduction ofa 24" iMac, I think that something like this, although more like a 32-36" LCD, may be a definite possibility. After all, it is a foregone conclusion that movies will be introduced. It is also widely hypothesized that we will see an "AirPort AV" device and likely some revision to the iPod line. I don't think it stretches the bounds of reality that Apple may have designs on a "MediaMac" that is basically a JUMBO iMac. That with a "FrontRow 2.0" and DVR capability would be something to compliment the "Showtime" theme of theinvitation and the release of movie downloads. Also, it WOULD be BIGGER than a 24" iMac (pun intended...sorry). but then again, it is really just wishful thinking on my part. We shall see.

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gt34 wrote:
Excellent machines. Good updates that keep the pressure up on the other side. Shame those of us in the UK are taken for a ride by Apple. 25-27% more expensive than US prices. That stinks!

Exactly, the old VAT and import Tax excuses doesn't wash when the price gouge quotient well exceeds it, considering that all our hardware is getting shipped from the same Chinese factory, the excuses wore thin years ago.

I remember when UK Macs were made in the ROI, they were ridiculously priced back then, even if you practically lived on the factories doorstep in Dublin, you were getting seriously stiffed compared to the US.

Quote

acdc1174 wrote:

Not looking to flame you at all. But I think that Apple did JUST what you are saying. The FASTEST chips went into the MacPros- Xeon. The MacBook Pros got the Yonah virtually contemporaneously with their release just a few months ago and thus they HAD the fastest chips at the time. But why the wait now? The Yonah and the Merom are pin compatible if using a socketed chip, like in the iMac and can therefore be dropped in without having to make any fabrication changes to the motherboard. This would lend itself to a VERY easy transition for the iMac...MacBook Pros do not use a socketed chip and therefore likely require some more effort and therefore time to make the transition. I wouldn't worry though. With Leopard around the corner sporting 64-bit from the ground up, I have little doubt that Apple will be 64-bit (Merom or better) across the board in the next 12 months. Your MacBook Pros are likely to get refreshed next week or shortly thereafter as we head into the Christmas season.

Now as for my prediction for next weeks "Showtime" event...I mentioned over a year ago that it would be ool to get an iMac for the living room but in a MUCH bigger form factor like say a 42" plasma with built in processor, HDD, and Superdrive. With the recent drop in LCD pricing and the recent introduction ofa 24" iMac, I think that something like this, although more like a 32-36" LCD, may be a definite possibility. After all, it is a foregone conclusion that movies will be introduced. It is also widely hypothesized that we will see an "AirPort AV" device and likely some revision to the iPod line. I don't think it stretches the bounds of reality that Apple may have designs on a "MediaMac" that is basically a JUMBO iMac. That with a "FrontRow 2.0" and DVR capability would be something to compliment the "Showtime" theme of theinvitation and the release of movie downloads. Also, it WOULD be BIGGER than a 24" iMac (pun intended...sorry). but then again, it is really just wishful thinking on my part. We shall see.

I see your point, but I knew about the merom chips like 9 months ago, apple, who has an inside track naturally, couldn't have the specs by now? It shouldn't be that different if the two chips are pin compatible then soldering on the new chip during the MBP creation process shouldn't be THAT difficult. The only thing I can imagine (and it would be great if it were true) is if the case is being redesigned, even if it's adding features rather that an aesthetic re-haul. I doubt this is the case, but rather that the iMac is Steve's baby and also gets the headlines. [/i]

I was just thinking of ordering one of those new 20-inch Core 2 Duos, but then I came across this article:

http://www.macobserver.com/columns/userfriendly/2006/20060124.shtml

My question is, does the above still apply? Is Apple going to be releasing updated/cheaper/improved/etc. iMacs in January 2007? If so, I can probably hold off until then... and, if not, I've got my credit card ready.

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Anonymous wrote:
Is Apple going to be releasing updated/cheaper/improved/etc. iMacs in January 2007?

Probably.
Most likely scenario (in my opinion) is:
1. Standard processor will be 2.33 GHz instead of 2.16. A [sarcasm]HUGE[/sarcasm] 8% improvement.
2. Maybe the nVidia 7600 is standard.
3. No price decrease. The new iMacs are very competively priced today.

,dave

NOT WORTH WAITING FOR.
Buy now. Enjoy this great new machine for September-January.