24" iMac

[dcv]

http://www.apple.com/imac/

All iMacs now have Core 2 Duo processors and slight price drops, and there are new additions to both the high and low end - a $999 17", and a $1999 24".

Am I the only one that thinks a 24" all-in-one computer is a bit much?

EDIT:
Apparently, the Mac Mini got a slight spec bump as well - even the $599 model now has a 1.66 GHz Core Duo as opposed to a Core Solo.

[nlopez]

Yes, you're the only one.

[amccabe]

When I read the rumor of the 24" (or 23"), I was very excited! For 3D, Flash, Photo editing, etc - A 24" is an absolute joy. It is very nice to be able to have all the windows and palettes that I need open at the same time.

If I were to buy a desktop right now (and not build it), I would absolutely buy the 24" iMac - With Ed Discount ($1,900) and upgrading the RAM to 2 GB (+$158) and upgrading the video card to the 7600GT/256 (+$113), it comes to $2,170. Not bad - especially since you can install bootcamp and run windows on it also.

The Core 2 Duo's performance isn't much better than the Core Duo, but certainly 10-20% better at the same clockspeed. It gets hotter and uses more power, but this is not a concern in the iMac.

[dcv]

I dunno, at 24", this thing is basically an Apple Cinema Display that you won't be able to use once you upgrade to a newer machine down the line, and that's my biggest problem with it. These iMacs are definitely powerful enough for some professional work, but there is very little upgrade path, so you're basically tying yourself to one machine for the life of it. People buying the 17" and even the 20" are probably (and I know this is a broad generalization) just looking for a good home computer with a small footprint that they can game with and surf the internet (hence they won't feel so bad when/if they eventually replace it), but if you're buying the 24", you're most likely looking to do professional-level things, and it seems silly to me to tie yourself to one machine where a separate tower and monitor may serve you better, especially when better and faster technology comes out that you may want or need. At least with a 24" Cinema Display, it'll probably last you through your next upgrade, as monitors don't get replaced so quickly.

I dunno, I guess I just wish Apple would sell a cheaper midrange Core 2 tower and sell me the Cinema Display separately. They could call it the "Mac" and finally finish exhausting every possible naming convention containing the word "Mac."

[begay]

Dane,
I think you just justified all the reasons to not buy a 24" yourself. Most people (generalization) know exactly what they are buying, give them (another generalization) a little more credit.
Professionals (at least the ones I have seen in Tucson) don't buy the all-in-one macs, they buy the desktops with seperate monitors. Wannabees will buy the all-in-ones to get started, but immediately get the Power Mac with Cinema Display after their first big job.
Believe it or not, there are mac users that get the latest model when they are available. Why? Because they have the means too.

I wish gas wasn't so expensive, but my family still commutes to the UA in a Dodge Charger. I guess I could easily catch the bus and pay the $160 annual fee for a UA Bus Pass, but it wouldn't be as much fun racing past other cars and the bus too. They too could get rid of the 87, 89, 91 octane levels, my car doesn't know the difference......

[dcv]

Dane,
I think you just justified all the reasons to not buy a 24" yourself. Most people (generalization) know exactly what they are buying, give them (another generalization) a little more credit.
Professionals (at least the ones I have seen in Tucson) don't buy the all-in-one macs, they buy the desktops with seperate monitors. Wannabees will buy the all-in-ones to get started, but immediately get the Power Mac with Cinema Display after their first big job.
Believe it or not, there are mac users that get the latest model when they are available. Why? Because they have the means too.

I wish gas wasn't so expensive, but my family still commutes to the UA in a Dodge Charger. I guess I could easily catch the bus and pay the $160 annual fee for a UA Bus Pass, but it wouldn't be as much fun racing past other cars and the bus too. They too could get rid of the 87, 89, 91 octane levels, my car doesn't know the difference......

Touche, Bernard. I'm sure they're going to sell a boatload of the 24" for all of those reasons.

I've also been thinking - at 24", that size is about on par with what most people are looking for in a "small HDTV + Media Center PC" for a smaller room (like an apartment or dorm room) - especially since you can mount it to your wall with this (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/6634001/wo/yw4I2iGmhGWV2VpNuN21bHqFDcp/1.0.19.1.0.8.25.7.11.1.3). Plus, this display is capable of displaying full HD - 1080p. That, plus Front Row, does indeed make this seem like a great Media Center.

[picch]

Top base model is only 2.16ghz, I was hoping for a 2.4 w.o upgrades. (Am I the only one that didn't know Intel was producing a 2.33ghz C2D?)

Has anyone herd the ETA on when Core 2 Duos will be in the MacBook Pros? Dell and I believe gateway have introduced C2D models.

I read somewhere on a apple rumor site that the MacBook Pro will feature a new enclosure along side Core 2 Duo. I hope this is true, as much as I like the titanium look/design, it's time for something new and flashy imo

[dparm]

I don't see the 24" model selling well.

[dcv]

Has anyone herd the ETA on when Core 2 Duos will be in the MacBook Pros? Dell and I believe gateway have introduced C2D models.

Maybe at their event on the 12th?