August 7 predictions

[Thank The Cheese]

Now that Apple seems to have confirmed the August 7 event, let the predictions begin!

The new brushed metal iMac seems a safe bet at this point.

I'm crossing all my fingers that they will upgrade the Mac Mini. I am trying to put together a home theatre setup with a mini but am waiting for the next update. If they don't update the mini on tuesday, I think it is a strong indication it is soon to be killed off

Anyone else have some predictions? iLife maybe?

[chevy]

I expect a complete rework of the Mac product line, an updated strategy.

[Qion]

Originally Posted by chevy

I expect a complete rework of the Mac product line, an updated strategy.

That'd be lovely.

[icemanjc]

So are you going to be able to watch it or do you have to wait for it to be over for to see whats comin.

[mindbend]

The mini is dead. I believe they will make that official tomorrow.

The new iMacs (super thin being the theme) will arrive with a look that is similar to the current line (but a lot thinner and with new subtle changes like rounded corners, speakers on the front where they're supposed to be and multiple color options).

There will be no mention of the Pro line.

[symphonix]

Originally Posted by mindbend

The new iMacs (super thin being the theme) will arrive ...

I'd see that as the most probable event. The iMacs are well and truly due for a new generational design. Apple tends to introduce mainstream, high-volume, flagship products at events like this and save the Pro product lines for trade events.

I would expect the new generation of iMac to be a lot thinner, neater, sexier and with larger and brighter screens. I wouldn't anticipate different case colours (an expensive luxury, in terms of production costs, with little benefit to users). I also wouldn't anticipate performance or features that are much above what we have now - the iMac is still, at the end of the day, meant to be affordable. Features that don't cost much to implement, and don't add to the complexity of it, are quite likely to appear, such as the ambient light sensors from the Macbook & iPhone lines.

The first pull-apart and detailed study will show that Apple's design philosophy on this one is pitched at simplifying the hardware and making it quicker and easier to service; something they were really getting good at with the G5 iMac that they had to compromise on with the Intel transition (just compare the insides of a G5 iMac to an Intel iMac and you'll know what I mean).

So yeah, thats my prediction. Fairly conservative, I know, but I'd say its solid.

[Thank The Cheese]

no one thinking touch screen iMac? I know it is a popular rumor.

and mindbend, don't say the mini is dead! nooo!

[mdnky]

Either the iMac or the iPod. Maybe we'll be lucky and get both.