Apple Debuts New IMac Computers

By about three times, I think, in respect to growth.

Yes, they outpace the PC in growth by about 300%. Here's the graph Steve showed, courtesy of Engadget's live coverage.

In fact, with very few exceptions, the rest of the PC industry is in decline. Of those that are growing (Apple, HP, etc.), Apple is growing at a much faster rate than the rest.

Elliot -

I think you meant to say:

"Here's the butt ugly graph..."

Seriously -- wood grain and cheesy 3-D effects in charts are bad juju for anyone who takes information design seriously. They bring to mind the overuse of photoshop filters and as "aesthetic" as Steve Jobs always wants to be -- I'm surprised he can stomach some of these options.

Shame you'll never get the full mac experience then.

It has really grown on me, too. While watching Engadget's live blogging of the event, and seeing their first pictures of it, I was rather put off by the black bezel around the screen. After a few days, though, I really, really, really like it. So much so that I wish 1. I needed a new computer (although my Powerbook G4 is getting old...) and 2. I wish I needed a desktop.

The aluminum contrasting with the black is absolutely stunning. I am really digging the minimalist chin, and just how thin it is. There is not much difference between this iMac and a regular LCD in thickness -- and that is astounding. Many of my friends, when I first show them iMacs, assume that it is just the monitor and the tower is hidden. They are always amazed that it is the entire computer.

Argh, I am re-thinking this whole laptop thing now... Damn you Apple...

Funny you mention the LCD-vs-whole-computer confusion.

I told my little sister about the new iMac last night, and she responded with "It's a little thicker than mine."

She has an LCD monitor hooked up to a Mac mini.
After I told her that the iMac wasn't just a monitor, and that it was a full-fledged computer, she went bonkers.

Hehe, and she already owns a Mac!

A friend of mine did the same thing last night. I showed him the new iMac, and he said, "Hmm, so the new iMac has the computer built into the screen." And I said, yeah, but it has been that way for a long time. Even after hearing my rant about Macs for over two years, he still didn't realize iMacs were all-in-ones.

Needless to say, his next computer will be a Mac.

They did update the Mac Mini, and left the design the same.

I didn't like the look at first either, but it's growing on me. I still prefer my white one, but I could be biased...

I think overall the new iMac is gorgeous. It's elegant, strong, and sturdy looking. Artur, I agree with you as far as the back goes. The only thing that I do hate about it is the black plastic back. Why not just make it all aluminum? Probably due to heat concerns, I would imagine... Even so, why make it black? Make it kinda-sorta match the color of the aluminum.

The back doesn't bother me much, really -- the black next to the brushed metal on the iPhone is actually really nice looking.

Having seen one first hand - I think I know why they didn't go with an attempt at color-match on the brushed aluminum - it's hard to maintain good color integrity across batch processes - the slightest problem and it looks like crap - even in the sputter-coated metallics on plastic. Much easier to do a contrast than a match between dissimilar materials.

Up close and personal it looks awesome - and I totally love that darn keyboard. I almost want one on my current iMac (dated white plastic) G5. *grin*

Heck, I want one of the those keyboards for my PC at work. :-p

I think Apple is trying to update their general aesthetic across the board from a last-generation iPod look to the iPhone look.

I like the Mac mini updated, but if only they'd somehow cram a decent GPU in there, I'd buy one in an instant.

Artur, this redesign is much more of an evolution than a revolution. I think Apple wanted to preserve the core components of the iMac aesthetic, while making the style more luxe: iMac chin, front and center logo, minimalist mount.

Also, I really doubt that Apple would base a complete redesign on a last-generation concept, such as the aluminum Cinema Displays.

I'm thinking of buying a new iMac to serve as a home theater computer, and the new aesthetic would go with my Samsung HDTV a lot better. The new wireless keyboard would be perfect for it.

P.S. - When looking at the bezel, anyone else notice that Apple is using a subtle trick that cellphone makers have used for years? The black bezel makes you think the bezel is much thinner and the screen more expansive, when in actuality, bezel thickness has stayed about the same. Them's tricky, they are.

What? That made no sense at all. New product debuts are a good thing.

Not if they're insidious debuts, Mike.

Mr Mac: im in ur keynotes, debuting ur macs.

Mr Mac: im in ur keynotes, debuting ur macs.

Jack, that was hilarious! =)