Apple updates iMacs, intros 24 inch model

I just have to agree with #47.
This Apple policy about not announcing upgrades clearly demonstrates a lack of consideration of their users/clients.

Having just bought a 20" iMac two weeks ago and now for the same price, I could now buy a model almost twice as powerful, with a bigger screen.

As a PC switcher I was attracted to the Mac by the OS (Unix base, OpenGL GUI, ease of use) and by the general design of those machines. But that does not mean I accept to be treated as a pressurable milk cow.

For a firm that insists on providing the best user experience ever, they clearly fail to practice what they preach. The more I practice the Apple way, the more I feel it (Apple) is clearly superficial : Apple takes care of the appearance of its products, but on the inside it values its customers only a source of revenue, despite all their sayings.

A good commercial service should include rebates before announcing new products instead of considering customers are there to empty the stocks of old models first.

I bought a Mac mini, a nano, a macbook, and an 20"iMac, but count on me never to buy an Apple computer again. I'm not a milk cow.

The 24" iMac is more of a pro machine than the current Macbook Pro! I'm guessing even with the new C2Duo portables, the iMac will still be at LEAST prosumer - look at the specs of the top 24" (with options) - my film professor I spoke with today agreed the 24" iMac is comperable with {nearly} all of Apple's pro machines - save a pimped Mac Pro (tower).

Just want to make a quick prediction. I can't think of a real reason for a 24" iMac except for video professionals, who are going for a mac pro or macbook pro anyways. I am guessing that this "airport express with video output" that everyone is guessing at is going to turn into a fully blown wireless tvtuner with outputs to both the mac (if you want it to replace your tv) and to your tv if you want to stream media from your mac.

Remember, you heard it here first. =)

From The Never Apologize, Never Explain Department

Al Canton, a long time Sacramento area computer consultant decided it was time for new hardware and software for his business. Knowing how excellent Apple hardware and software is he went to the Apple Store in Arden Fair on last Thursday (8/31) and went home with a brand new Mac Mini for just under $1,000.

One week to the day Apple announced new, faster chips for his Macintosh computer. Canton was not happy. "All the clerk had to say was 'Al, come back in a week and you'll get twice as much processing power for your money'," says Canton. That didn't happen. Why? When Canton called the Apple store to inquire the manager told him that neither he nor any of the sales staff knew about the upgrade. It is Apple's policy to NOT tell customers about potential upgrades, etc. They offered Canton his regular 14 day return privileges, but with the standard 10% restocking fee kicker.

Canton, who is happy with the hardware, is pretty sore at Apple. "I could see this from Microsoft or Oracle, both of whom have less-than-stellar pro-consumer reputations, but you look at the clever Apple TV commercials and you get this warm and fuzzy feeling about them. But at the end of the day it's still all about greed." Often, companies will announce an upgrade and then discount current models, much the way the auto companies do with year end inventory. "Apple's policy only serves to create angry and dissatisfied customers who feel they have been cheated," said Canton. It's "buyer beware" he added. He probably won't be saying really nice things about Apple to his clients.

-30-

Ref:

Apple Store
643-0960
1689 Arden Way
Sacramento CA 95815

Mrg: Chris (didn't get last name)


Al Canton
8041 Sierra Street
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
916-962-9296

Al Canton, President
Adams-Blake Company, Inc.
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Wonder how a maxed out 24" iMac would compare to my Dual Processor 2GHz G5 PowerMac? I've got a 24" Cinema Display too, but the system is almost too hot to sit beside in the summer. Anybody have any thoughts?

three things have come from this update for me

1. i cant wait until they put a core2duo in the mbp, but i want it NOW.
2. i'm moving the entire household over to mac.
3. i'm getting a mac mini, for the plasma, for the hell of it now.

Where exactly does it say that, Michel? The reason I ask is although the previous iMac models had ATI cards that're normally standalone, they *were* integrated into the mainboard so they couldn't be replaced. That's what I was told on a forum, anyway.

And there's no need for the snarky attitude.

>Does anyone know whether or not the new 24 inch model has an integrated >graphics card?

please, you have all informations on apple.com , it's really easy

it's a 7300GT (NOT integrated, 128mo de VRAM) OR a 7600GT (256 Vram) for the 24"

Apple makes the move to provide better movie experience
http://stylemac.blogspot.com/2006/09/apple-makes-move-to-provide-better.html

Does anyone know whether or not the new 24 inch model has an integrated graphics card?

Also, I'm pretty ":)" about these prices in general. Out of interest I just built a PC by looking at every single part included with the 24 inch 7600GT iMac, finding a PC counterpart (including a basic case) for each on Dabs (a UK hardware site with relatively great prices), and then adding the price of iLife and OS X Tiger on top.

The iMac only comes out at a mere £15 more, and then out of further interest I configured the closest possible machine on Dell: an almost identical machine, except the 7600GT graphics card became a 7900GS and the 24 inch iMac screen became a 19" Dell LCD. The Dell came out a few hundred pounds more expensive.

I've kind of gotten used to Macs being hideously overpriced over the years and didn't realise how reasonable they'd become for someone looking for a total machine replacement, through and through.