The new iMac and iPhone, separated at birth?
During the deluge of news coming out of Apple today I paused for a second and thought, 'Hmm, the new iMac kind of looks like a big old iPhone.' Luckily I was not the only one to notice this. The good folks at Signal v.s Noise (the blog from 37signals, the makers of Basecamp amongst other things) also noticed. They point out that the previous incarnation of the iMac took its design cues from the iPod. Consumer electronics shaping the design of a consumer computer, makes sense to me.Does this mean that those fabled touch screen iPods will look like iPhones? Wouldn't surprise me a bit.
I would like to know what you think of the iMac's new look. Sound off in the comments.
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During the deluge of news coming out of Apple today I paused for a second and thought, 'Hmm, the new iMac kind of looks like a big old...
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That aluminium finish reminds me of stuff designed by MUJI... oh... ages ago.
Time to move on, it's nothing new
I think they are hideous. They are ugly. Steve hasn't stayed true to his mac-roots. White was their color.
It wouldn't look half bad though if the black rim was gone.
I do like the black back part of it though.
and Ouu touch screen iPods? I'm getting the iPhone for Christmas anyway so my iPod can be put onto there.
We may all be missing the point dwelling on aesthetics. The new design is gorgeous, and unless they come up w/Flash HD storage of +250Gb, the chin stays. I think (hopefully Jobs' goons won't be kicking down my door anytime soon) but I think with further development of the SiO2 (Glass) display, we will probably see the end of the mouse (at least from Apple)giving one freedom to drag, highlight, copy, etc your beloved Gmail, websites, publishing projects with your finger(s) (load up on Windex now!) in tandem with a then foolproof wireless keyboard. 2-3 years from now would just about do it for me. In a perfect world.
August 08 2007 at 11:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyShoot. This may be the first time I am disappointed about how an Apple product looks. The iMac has lost its elegance. It looks like a Hewlett Packard or some other PC. All aluminum would have looked stunning, just like the cinema displays. I have been waiting for a long time for the iMac to be upgraded and the new look is not so appealing. Get rid of the black and offer a non glossy screen as well. 24 inch should be grand to use though!
August 08 2007 at 2:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYeah it looks weird with the black strip. If it was all black it would be nicer. I have to go look at one though but that black strip above the silver mass is just bothering me something awful. I do wish the interface was a bit more like the iPhone. Meybe that's why they trimmed down the keyboad imagine the next revision might not have a keyboard at all and we'll be pinching and moving with our fingers just like on the iPhone now if they made this flat like a Modbook (or allow you to lay it flat) I would have 0 complaints.
August 08 2007 at 1:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply1. I love that the apple products are beginning to look and act like each other in various ways. The perfect example is the new tiger preferences icon that looks like the iphones. Though i will miss the old icon, the continuity across the product lines makes it easy and logical to use apples products together, and you don't have to relearn as much. This shows great design thinking and attention to detail.
2.The iMac 'Jay Lenno' chin should be gone at this point. Come on Ives, vertically center the screen so the mac doesn't look so lopsided.
3. i am dissapointed that new apple desktops dont' have the ability to telescope / change height. The lack of this ability reminds me of the virtual boy. not good design. People are of all shapes and sizes you know.
I love the new keyboard design, but wish there was a full sized bluetooth version, so I'm not going to buy one. Also, the chin doesn't bother me, the black back doesn't bother me, but the black border just makes it seem cheap, almost like a lower end HP LCD screen. Get rid of that somehow, and I may get one.
August 08 2007 at 12:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJim of Davao; Except for the top end one ($2299?), the new ones probably aren't *that* much faster. 2 GHz to 2.2 GHz and 2.16 GHz to 2.4 GHz aren't that significant of a speed bump, actual speed improvement might be a barely noticeable 5%. With relatively negligible speed improvement, the focus can shift to how it looks.
August 08 2007 at 12:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can see the design ties in aesthetically with iPhone and understand the rationale. The gloss + black + metal feels alittle too assertive, but I could get used to it. But that big obnoxious black logo on the front is a dealbreaker. I've always loved that Apple designs are always strong, boldly simple, but never overstated. In the photos at least -- I haven't seen the new iMac in person -- that black logo looks like too much. Like the guy with a shiny black shirt, silver necklace, and over-styled hair who reeks of cologne. There's nothing less sexy than trying too hard or flaunting it. That detail seems very un-Apple, and I hope it represents a misstep and not a fundamental change in design philosophy.
August 08 2007 at 10:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEverything else aside, I have to agree with the complaints about the glossy screen. I've been very happy with my matte screen and would love for there to be an option for one.
August 08 2007 at 8:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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