I can't stand glossy. You can never see anything because it reflects subatomic particles.

Just what I want. On self contained unit so when I want to upgrade my monitor I can't. Why people buy that crap i'll never know. At least the got the mac mini right, if you ignore the fact the $600 for 2 year old technology is a little over priced.

I wish they would stop with the iEverything. iMac, iphoto, iMya$$

Glossy probably is what their customers want. It doesn't seem like their customers want customizability, or better graphics cards or the ability to decide anything for themselves.

I think it says a lot when what your customers want is "glossy"

Why are people so enthralled by glossy LCDs? The glare is intolerable.

For shame, Apple, letting customers make bad decisions for you!

Apple seems to not target the market to gain new users for Laptops and Desktops. They want people to buy up their iPods and iPhones,as that is what keeps that company still ticking... but as a side not Applewill keep it's niche users happy... with a new iMac.

Note to Mr. Jobs.

Basecamp isn't what we all want, make it so games and other apps will work with your OS. You have nice systems but charge to much for basic technology... cut your profits, target the real sectors of the market.

The customers these systems are targeted at are home users with or without limited computer knowledge. The average email viewing, web browsing, casual gaming people. These people do not care about upgrading the graphics card or upgrading the sound or upgrading (internally) the hard drive size.

These computer users want simple, easy to use computers with no virus and other "PC" related issues.

If you want something that you can customize, Apple makes with Mac Pro series tower computers.

Wow, just like the old ones but now with 'shiny'

Guess the PCjr Chicklet keyboard is back in style.

Apple is shiny and easy for the masses to use. It's not necessarily better, and it definitely isn't more powerful. The same can be said for the Wii, it's not more powerful, just more useable. The games aren't even that great, but it's selling like hotcakes cause it's easier for John Smith to use right away, just like the Apple. Right now consumers just want shiny and easy. Technology is reaching its stride and it's time for everyone to bow to the consumer.

-Andy

Appl - We are considering a making a new iMac.

Appl - Do you want a glossy screen or a dull matt screen?

User - Ooh glossy sounds more exciting.

Appl - Anything else you want?

User - Can we have Blu ray playback and integrated digital tuner? and Xbox 360 / Wii passthrough? So I need less stuff in my dorm room?

Appl - No. You should buy another TV and get an apple TV box for it, then plug your consoles into the TV.

User - Ummm ok.

If they had a HDMI 1.3 input on the back. I could have plugged my PS3 in there and saved getting another TV. For a small bedroom 24" is big enough.

They would shift a load more of them if it had that simple feature.

I am a PC guy to the core... first PC was a P5 60MHz from Gateway. Been building them for myself since 1995. I love to tinker, mod and tweak. But guess what, not everyone feels that way. Some people... more than you can imagine, want a computer to just work when you turn it on. Like an appliance. They wouldn't want to take the cover off their refrigerator to get it to stop overheating... and they don't want to do the same to their computer.

Have you ever even used one of these iMacs? They are amazing designs. The integrated monitor is a joy... no wires all over the desk. You don't need to upgrade your monitor when you start with one of these. You don't need to upgrade your hardware when the apps you want to run already work on your machine. Multimedia editing, Internet, etc... that's all some people want. And the OS... it is done right. MS is lousy at the one thing it should be good at, designing an OS, no inovation... only imitation.

I am a gamer, but I am an extreme minority. Some people NEVER play games... they have lives, families, work to do. The iMac is perfect for them. Have you ever used one of these machines? The attention to industrial design is amazing... literally took my breath away. And in the right environment... glossy screens are awesome! Vivid, clear, lifelike.

Seriously, if you don't have anything constructive to say besides PC = GOOD, APPLE = LAME, please go back and play more WOW.

I hated when laptops all started getting glossy screens, now the desktops too? Glossy screen reflect too much making viewing them impossible in most situations. I don't see how they are supposed to be better than matted screens anyway.

the only problem with your logic is that the wii is nearly half the old entry price for next gen consoles, and apple is nearly double a comparably equipped home built pc.

Andy, what are you thinking? The iMac sales are still only a small fraction of a percentage of PC sales.

I love the false sense of security Apple has instilled in it's user base. I guess it's true about what they say, ignorance is bliss. Until someone still wipes out your mac and steals all of your sensitive documents.

Macs are no more secure that any other computer. They update once a month just like M$, they have viruses and virus scanners, just like M$, spyware, spam you name it. It's there for macs too. Oh and did you know your mac OS run on PC hardware! That's right fokes you MAC is really a PC. It uses the exact same hardware as any other wintel PC. So much for not having do deal with "other pc related issues". Catch this, you can even run mac OS on AMD hardware (http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page).

Such a sad joke Steve is playing on all you mac heads out there.

Good work Apple for reintroducing the world to the IBM PC Jr chicklet keyboard which was such a hit 24 years ago... /NOT!

http://www.digibarn.com/collections/devices/pcjr-chicklet-keyboard/index.html

Good thing Macs are so modern and cool... /NOT!!!

Maybe if they get god graphics cards they could afford to add a HDMI port... oh wait tis apple they will add the new Express port or something.

I think Mac buyers are the type of people who want whatever is in style or considered cool and differant at the time...whatever it is. Right now, glossy is "in" and mat is "out" (even for PC's actually). Doesn't matter if it's better, worse or the same...it's "in" and that's all that matters.

It looks like the rest of will have to put up with crappy glossy screens until they finaly become "out".

OK, lets think... Build a PC, purchase windows and some full versions of applications that are actually usable, and at the end of the day for someone who just wants to use a computer to do all the basic stuff MOST people do, this iMac is awesome. Its like an added bonus that the screen is so nice, it has that built in camera, and the only wires you need are a single power and ethernet??? Seriously, how many out there are tired of the 15 dirty wires under the desk???

I think their reasoning was that users wanted a screen like they got with the 2nd generation iMac. I believe that is the best style screen they have ever designed. Kind of funny, I still have my iMac DV 500 SE from 2001. But it only collects dust now. Not worth the expense to upgrade it, and I don't feel like I should have to go out and spend $2000 to buy a "New" system every time I want to upgrade. I just can't afford that. I'll stick to my pc for now and make upgrades as I need them. Thank you very much!

I have more wires running to my TV then I do to my PC. For my PC I have 6 wires not counting usb accessories what a chore. 2 power, 1 video, ethernet, and KB/Mouse. With the iCrap you get rid of 2. Monitor power and video cable. Wow what a savings :eyes roll:. The USB hub is in my monitor so it's not hard to plug crap in either. No overpriced mac required.

I've been reading comments posted by readers in this forum regarding Apple and their products. What I have observed is that 95% to 99% of the comments are always negative (oftentimes, outrageous BS). Based on the comments, it looks like Apple is always doing the wrong things and people who give the reviews think that they are always right. Remember people...no matter how good you think you are, there's always a person better than you. If you think you can help Apple improve their products, apply to Apple Inc., and showcase your talent there. Who knows, all along you might be right or YOU MIGHT BE WRONG.

I don't think Apple, or any company who produces keyboard, realize how important it is to have a robust, reliable and comfortable keyboard. And I don't mean comfortable as in digging-your-fingers-in-glue comfortable, or tying-your-wrists-together-and-using-a-magnifier-to-use-the-god-damned-thing comfortable either.

It's a shame... keyboards are incredibly shitty nowadays. It's probably one of the most neglected pieces of hardware *cough*DELL KEYBOARDS*cough*.

Oh well, shiny plastic kiddy toys seem to be Apple's trademark anyway.

I could say the same thing for that mouse. It just looks so small and awkward to hold... Do they make mice for children or what?

I'm sure the hardware is great, the OS might be good, but... their keyboards are killing me. KILLING ME.

You assume I would want to help Apple! I don't. I want apple to leave the PC hardware market. Make a real OS and run on all x86 hardware (which it already does but mac os requires a TPM to install legally).

If Mac OS is great Steve why not take Microsoft and Linux on head on and allow your OS to run on REAL PCs, but Steve never will. He knows the minute he does that Mac will become a consumer electronics company only and he will lose his computer hobby. Why you ask? Because Steve knows he won't sell enough OS units to make a profit. So he sells you $400 PC hardware for $1200 so you can support his hobby. That's also why Steve has no interest in low end PCs, because the profit margin won't support his hobby.

Just remember this before you start thinking Steve has your best interest in mind. Apple doesn't do anything and I mean anything were he could possibly make less than premium profit. No different the M$ model.

It isn't that "Mac buyers are the type of people who want whatever is in style", although style is a nice thing to have around you. Apple is making a glossy screen iMac, because currently they offer, on their laptops, both glossy and matte screens, and the glossy screens are way out selling the matte screens. Just because you don't like them, doesn't mean that other people don't. I assume that if you ran Apple, you'd ignore what your customers want, just because you don't personally like it. It's called market research, look it up.

And Macs and Windows are the same when it comes to viruses? Um, sure, if you you consider 68 virus on the Mac compared to 97,467 viruses on Windows the same (research from Sophos PLC showed that 68 viruses have affected the Mac while 97,467 have affected Windows. Of those 68, most are a decade old or older and don’t directly affect OS X)

I'll gladly pay $2k for a new 20" iMac, based on my experience with a $2k MacBook Pro. Simply superior user experience to any computer I've ever built or owned for USER EXPERIENCE. Not "construction fun", not "great tinkering toy", but rather as a fantastic tool that helps me ACCOMPLISH more rather than "do" more.

Bona fides? I've been using DOS since 2.1, Unix since System III. I've been an MCSE since NT 3.5 (still current), IBM OS/2 LAN Server Charter Engineer, I've got an MBA and I'm a CFO. But to get something DONE... a Mac, every trip of the train.

Now for "serious" gamers, I guess Windows is superior, but everyone grows out of that eventually... hopefully?!?!?!

It's bizarre how people go out of their way to bash on Apple, which has always baffled me. I understand they like Windows, or Dell, or whatever, but Macs only have 7% of the desktop market, so they aren't threatening to drive anyones favorite company out of business or anything.

It reminds me of back when Star Trek Voyager or Enterprise were on. Anytime someone would bring it up, some people would complain constantly how the show totally sucks, and every episode sucks; I was always curious why they constantly watch a show that they hate so much.

If you love PCs and Windows, you should be happy there is some competition, because it creates an environment where Microsoft improves their products. Internet Explorer didn't get an upgrade for years, until Firefox came out, then they decided to "innovate" by adding the same features.

As for me, a few years ago I was introduced to a Mac through my girlfriend's iBook. After a while, I decided to get an Mac Mini to go along with my PC. Eventually no more PCs for me.

Complain all you want, but I take it with a grain of salt; Macs have some real issues, as everything does, but the lame complaints you people have tell me that, other than for 5 minutes in the store, you've never actually used one.

When you take into account that windows has probably sold 500 million copies to macs OS's 10 million copies it's no mystery why windows is targeted more then Mac OS. I'm not even taking into account that servers are the usually the biggest target. A market Apple has next to zero presence in(1.2% is the last number i've seen), but as Apple puts itself out there more and more it's going to start becoming a target. Look at what people are finding in the iPhone and safari browser. So why Mac is safe for now just wait till someone decides he wants to take down your iphone, apple tv, and mac all at the same time. No OS is invulnerable against attacks. Some are weaker the others but they all have their weaknesses.

Apple computers are not more expensive than their alternatives because, well, there aren't any alternatives. If you want a Mac, you buy an Apple. If you want a PC, you buy a PC (or an Apple, I suppose). If you want both, you buy an Apple. While I'm sure there are ways of questionable legality to circumvent this, they are not something the family purchasing a new computer at the local electronics supercenter is either aware of or pondering.

Also, you can't build an Apple from PC parts, even if you equip the home-build comparably, so it is hard to really say that Apple computers sell for twice the price, since you aren't actually building an Apple computer (and can't, legally).

Finally, Apple is a hardware company. They aren't going to open up their OS. Were they to do that, they wouldn't die from a lack of OS adoption, they would die because people would stop buying hardware. People are cheap, and even if they like Apple's hardware, they wouldn't buy it if they had a cheaper, less-refined alternative.

Apple products suck because you can't afford them or you're too cheap to buy them.

I have been a long time Windows user and recently I have been playing around with OSX and Ubuntu. I'll admit that the overall enjoyment I have solely based on my experiences with the OS are superior to that of Windows. The only true reason why I'm held down would be the occasional game I play.

Luckily for me that there are Parallels and VMware Fusion available so any Windows user can enjoy their favorite software applications in OSX.

Apple designs its own computers because one way it has leverage over Microsoft is that through this way it can control how the user interacts with its products. Apple truly stresses the superior experience of using a Mac over a PC more so than the superiority of its OS. Apple truly does provide a better user experience in terms of functionality, style, and simplicity.

On the virus issue, yes every computer on the planet is vulnerable and some are much more vulnerable than others but UNIX was built from the ground up around security. Windows on the other hand was built up and then later patched up. I would not solely give the fact that Windows has the dominant position in the market the main reason why it has more critical viruses. It has more critical viruses because it is less secure.

Another gaming related note I would mention is Cider, which is built around WINE (a type of emulation that allows windows code to run natively on OSX, also available in all linux systems). EA is planning to Co-release some its next big titles on both windows and OSX. This software will hopefully allow game designers to more easily port their games to OSX.

I think the game issue is one of the biggest reasons why younger computer users diverge and proceed to bash Mac systems. Other reasons include propaganda and rhetoric.

Being a gamer macs are no good. It has nothing to do with money. I blow enough money on my game rigs to buy a mac ever 6 months. The big problems are:

1.) Never the latest hardware. Macs never use the latest hardware, hence macs are never the fastest machine for gaming. And code emulation only slows games down more.

2.) Compatibility. Lets face it most game are written for Directx, and unless your EA or another huge software vendor you probably only have enough cash to write for the largest audience.

3.) Most of them can't be upgraded or have limit things you can upgrade. While I could buy the latest mac over and over again that means I would need to transfer all my files over and over again. Which is too big of a pain for me. I would rather just upgrade my processor, mem, and video card and be down with it.

4.) Finally I can't build it myself. Like one other poster said, you can't legally buy parts for a mac and build your own (however Asus's P5W DH with any C2D works flawlessly with mac os but you can't use the latest Nvidia 8800 video cards). This is something I like doing and for the money I can build a better system then what apple wants to provide me.

Other then that Macs are fine.

Nice work Steve.
Even more powerful,better O/S than, yak, Vista...why do ppl even consider buying stinking pc's?....O, that's right...they are ignorent..it's bliss.
LOL

Win PC users (like me) benefit from some things mac does. One thing I like about mac is that it forces in better connections. This leads to more companies making devices that use the more advanced connection. Normally these devices then also work with PC, which brings up the demand for the better connection on PC. So the economies of scale rule (thanks to both PC and mac using the technology) leads to better things for me later down the track when i upgrade my PC :) .

With these new imacs mac is making working its magic for firewire 800. One of the series updates for G5s did this for PCI-express slots for cards that arent graphics cards. See this G5 series only has PCI express slots (no PCI slots). So companies that wanted to sell to these users where forced to make PCI express cards, but most made them work on PCs too.

What i can't really get is a very simple question: be it that you're a Mac lover, or a PC lover .. whats the point of bashing over the counterpart?

I mean, speaking for myself, I'm a PC user and personally I wouldn't change to a Mac or linux os. But that's it.

You don't like the glossy screen? don't buy it. Simple. And if you're not buying it you've got no reason to complain. Why should you complain because people buy something you don't like? Its their decision, their opinion vs yours, they're spending their own damn money and not yours so whats the point in complaining?

You don't like the keyboard? The fact that you can't upgrade? The high price to buy such a system? The operating system? Fair enough! Ok that just means that it isn't made for you, so just look the other way and look for something that applies to you.

Apple makes such a system for a specific customer base; that customer base will in fact be attracted to the system and buy it. Usually people who are not attracted to a particular product just ignore it and look for something that will meet their needs, why is it that since its a mac you need to be so aggressive towards it?

Again speaking on my own experience, I'm a computer administrator taking care of all PC's, macs, laptops and servers in our company. Why I prefer PC's? It's true tat mac may provide a better user experience, but almost all the applications which are needed for our company to work everyday are only natively compatible with windows and not linux and mac. Strictly speaking for a company to work efficiently, it has to look for the best approach that will increase productivity.

This is just in MY case, in other companies it could be possibly different and so they will take a different approach on their computer systems - simple, to each his own, no need to bash

Thank You

That keyboard is the ugliest piece of trash I have ever seen, since when have laptop keyboards been a joy to write on anyway. Glossy screen's suck, probably get headaches from the reflections. And apple rarely likes mentioning Everything they're using is laptop tech, instead making it sound like they can actually compete performance wise.

obviously, all who bash mac dont work with it. a pc is a toy, a mac a tool...I have both and both are great for doing diff things

Macs do what 90% of people want a PC to do, right out of the box. My grandmother could plug it all together and get going. I think that's a great thing. They aren't the fastest thing out there, but they run, and they run...

PC's are what you make of them. They can be barebones cheap machines, or they can be fire breathing monsters. It's possible to make them tough, reliable machines, but more often than not they have quirks born of the chaotic mixture of parts and software from which they are assembled. Unless their owners are willing to get their hands dirty with their innards there will always be a sense that they are one or two keystrokes away from that 'opps' moment that will bring the whole assembly to a crashing halt, from which only a reboot can (hopefully) restore order.

Note: I am a PC user. I build my own, I work on one, I help friends and family with them. But, I also have an iBook, and it is often my source of web-found help when my PC goes belly up. Mac's aren't the be-all-end-all of computers, but they are reliable, and almost effortless to use. There's value in that.

Glossy screens? Hate em. Fingerprint magnets. Give me a matt finish any day.

However, I wonder if a gloss finish is necessary for the iPhones tough screen? I've wondered if Apple might expand that ability to other products.

iMay, ahem. iWill not ever buy a MAC.

its all about tricking consumers with marketing.

i call it the WOW! factor. Wow! look how cool. gotta have it!!

when the WOW! wears off all you are left with is an outdated overpriced boat anchor.

My biggest problem with Macs is that every time I have to do something with them it takes considerably longer then on a PC. Because Macs try to fix things that aren't broken and it works great when you want to use it EXACTLY how they want you to use it. As soon as you want to do something a little different then it stops being friendly and starts just being in the way. It happens every time I try to help my roommate do anything with his Apple products.

As far as ease of use Windows has few problems for your average user anyway. Basic video editing, MP3 management, connecting cameras and other things that are supposed to be the cornerstone of Mac's userfriendliness is just as easy on the PC. My mom just bought a new PC (Gateway or HP, I forget which since I haven't been home since they got it) and she was telling me about how she was doing all that stuff and how easy it was. This was coming from someone that was "dragging kicking and screaming into the 21st century" (in her own words). So its not like its someone with much experience or familiarity with computers.

It's ugly..the iMac has always been ugly. It is a big eye sore that just sticks out there.

I just dont always want a McBates or McBallmer hamburger.

Apple and MACOS still suck compared to Windows, not to mention the perfomance which is a joke.

a mac is to computers as toyotas are to cars.

except a mac is more trendy than a toyota.

lets all face it, I want power, I want upgradability, I want to have fun, I don't buy a toyota, well unless I want to upgrade by adding an air freshener and have fun by seeing if I can get better gas mileage this fillup than I did on the last one.

so yeah, a toyota isn't my cup of tea, but they make one hell of a car that people who look at cars simply as a mode of transportation want to buy.

apple does the same thing, the imac isn't especially fun to use, but it accomplishes all of the goals that people want (jukebox, internet, email), and is easy to use. and on top of that, they market it in a way that make people desire one.

no ammount of whining and crying is going to change that.

You know, in all my years of dealing with pc's, i like apple for its simplicity and the ability for it to recognize anything i plug into it. My neighbor wanted help installing software for her new digital camera only to find that apparently the usb driver was corrupt and Windows XP could not recognize what it was. Worse, the software said that the OS was insufficient. Total BS. Same story with her kids PSP. But when you pug the camera in a Mac, viola, no drivers needed. Same goes for a recent HP printer purchase.
All you Mac haters out there are looking for price to performance ratio regardless of reliability or ease of use, because you're experienced enough to deal with these issues. You need to keep in mind that A. the average computer user doesn't read this website or do to much in-depth research into computer buying options, and B. doesn't need every last bit of performance squeezed out of their system. Although, booting Mac OS takes literally 30 seconds when Windows takes a snail's pace of 3 minutes or more. C., macs, don't have the security issues that PCs do yet, so its an enticing feature in addition to the very shallow learning curve over Windows. Not to mention, to the technologically impaired, plugging in 15 different wires is a daunting task. Why should you have to call a professional to install something that should be easy to use to begin with? That is one of the reasons laptops are now more popular than desktops; people don't care about performance as much as ease-of-setup and efficiency.

To Timmy...I agree with you about the gaming aspect of macs. It helps that now they can run XP but as far as upgrading you are correct. I have been a hardcore windows user since 3.11 and have been a certified beta tester of Microsoft since win 95. I bought a iMac a couple of years ago just to learn Unix, tried several Linux distros and received little satisfaction. In 2 weeks fell in love with it to the point that I do not like windows at all except for gaming! I like the fact that I don't have to manage my system to do everyday computing. Just remember though that the new gaming engine for Id software was built on the Mac and games for it will be released on the PC and Mac at the same time. The founder of Id even made the comment that he does not want to develop for DX10 and would rather use openGL instead. Check out the power of core animation and see what is on the horizon for the Mac os X in the future. Lots of visual power without a lot of video card.

IMacs are not made for people who are forever delving into the guts of their computers. Been there done that over the last 25 years. Now I, and presumably millions of others, want to plug it in and go. To borrow an adv from UK TV, 'It does exactly what it says on the tin' and looks good to.
Glossy screens , well... not brilliant if the room is very bright so probably be better with a choice of semi matt or glossy. Having said that there's nothing wrong with a smart iMac for day to day work.

Pete

With a pc, one does not have to run Windows. One can install Linux http://www.linux.com, ReactOS http://www.reactos.org , eComStation http://www.reactos.org , FreeDOS and GUI http://www.freedos.org or other os's (one just has to look to find them). How many os's can one install on an Apple? an iMAC?