Apple Event thread - New iPads etc. - Oct. 16, 2014

[Eug]

It seems this may end up being one of those classic Apple version 1.0 gotchas.

Watch all the early adopters cry next year when they realize their 2014 Retina iMacs don't support the 5K Cinema Displays when they are released next year.

 

[TheStu]

It seems this may end up being one of those classic Apple version 1.0 gotchas.

Watch all the early adopters cry next year when they realize their 2014 Retina iMacs don't support the 5K Cinema Displays when they are released next year.

I'm curious if the riMac supports video-in like the regular iMac27.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Air 2 is a decent update (though I'm keeping my Air 32GB until next year), so is the 5K iMac. The iPad Mini retina and Mac mini, not so much...

Would've liked an Apple TV update...

 

[Eug]

I'm curious if the riMac supports video-in like the regular iMac27.

It does.

Support for Target Display Mode via the Thunderbolt port using a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)

 

[TheStu]

It does.

Support for Target Display Mode via the Thunderbolt port using a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)

I didn't see that earlier, thanks.

So, $2500 for a 5K monitor with a free computer strapped to the back, that's not bad.

 

[Eug]

I didn't see that earlier, thanks.

So, $2500 for a 5K monitor with a free computer strapped to the back, that's not bad.

Except it won't work as an external 5K monitor. 4K max it seems. since it has DisplayPort 1.2.

 

[Eug]

Ordered (in Canada):

I didn't bother with engraving because it would delay it, and it would prevent a return.

 

[HN]

I didn't bother with engraving because it would delay it, and it would prevent a return.

and possibly affect resale down the line :thumbsup:

 

[mugs]

Not a disappointing as the Mac Mini. You should see the thread over at macrumors...

They all seem to be bitching about the lack of quad-core. How much does a quad core CPU help with everyday usage?

 

[Gooberlx2]

How much does a quad core CPU help with everyday usage?

Given how common photo and video editing is as a part of everyday usage nowadays, I'd say it makes a difference.

 

[Eug]

RAM is the low hanging fruit here. Quad core is less compelling because the apps aren't optimized for quad anyway, and the benefit for iOS is less too because iOS tends to halt apps and not truly multitask them in the background. I'd rather have higher clocked dual core, at least for the time being.

 

[Aikouka]

well, im preordering tomorrow.. i have a 4th gen that is 2 year old, need one with data service for the kids in the car.. plus have a $200 off verizon fios coupon i can use.. so saving a bit

I'm tempted... mostly for the increased graphics performance. One of my most common uses for my iPad is Hearthstone, and honestly... it's a bit more sluggish than I'd like on my iPad 4. Although, I'd rather wait to hear how well it performs from early adopters before plunging down the cash as I'd also be getting an LTE model, which means an extra $130.

They did the same thing for the iPhones. I suspect it's because there's a lot of newbies out there who don't really give a damn about base storage, or else just don't know any better.

I wonder if it has to deal more with available parts than anything. The 16GB models were always the largest seller for Apple, and of course, Apple needs parts on hand to build said devices. So, if Apple had plenty of the eMMC chips on hand to support 16GB devices, what else would they do with them?

EDIT:

RAM is the low hanging fruit here. Quad core is less compelling because the apps aren't optimized for quad anyway, and the benefit for iOS is less too because iOS tends to halt apps and not truly multitask them in the background. I'd rather have higher clocked dual core, at least for the time being.

They're talking about the Mac Mini.

 

[Eug]

Doh! I was wondering why they were talking about quad-core iPads.

 

[Childs]

They all seem to be bitching about the lack of quad-core. How much does a quad core CPU help with everyday usage?

Depends on what you do every day. Value wise, what you could get for $XXX is not as good as what you could get for the same $XXX on 10/15. Its no different than someone wanting an i7 in the MBP or iMac. The Mini was entry level, but it also served the market that wanted the performance of the MBP or iMac, but didn't need portability or a display. It also ended up being a replacement for the Xserve. And it was popular with developers. Not to mention a beast at transcoding video for Plex. The i7 Mac Mini was a true workhorse. We use them at work for a bunch of different things, because its the only thing that makes sense with the current product line.

I'm not sure how the new Mini will hold up...need to see some performance numbers. Its not a no brainer upgrade for most, especially now that the RAM and HD might not be user servicable. I was hoping for essentially the 2013 i7 version with Iris Pro so I could drive a 4K monitor at 60Hz.

 

[Rakehellion]

It does.

Support for Target Display Mode via the Thunderbolt port using a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)

So...does it support DisplayPort 1.3 input then?

 

[Rakehellion]

Given how common photo and video editing is as a part of everyday usage nowadays, I'd say it makes a difference.

Photo and video editing are mostly done on the GPU.

 

[mugs]

Depends on what you do every day. Value wise, what you could get for $XXX is not as good as what you could get for the same $XXX on 10/15. Its no different than someone wanting an i7 in the MBP or iMac. The Mini was entry level, but it also served the market that wanted the performance of the MBP or iMac, but didn't need portability or a display. It also ended up being a replacement for the Xserve. And it was popular with developers. Not to mention a beast at transcoding video for Plex. The i7 Mac Mini was a true workhorse. We use them at work for a bunch of different things, because its the only thing that makes sense with the current product line.

I'm not sure how the new Mini will hold up...need to see some performance numbers. Its not a no brainer upgrade for most, especially now that the RAM and HD might not be user servicable. I was hoping for essentially the 2013 i7 version with Iris Pro so I could drive a 4K monitor at 60Hz.

The Mini hadn't been updated in 2 years. Surely it's a better value now than on 10/15.

The RAM not being user serviceable would be a problem. I tried chatting with someone from Apple and couldn't get a straight answer on that, so I'm canceling my order for now. The new Mini doesn't look that exciting, but mine is 3 years old so I don't really want to wait another year or more for a better upgrade. I guess I might need to look at iMacs. Which also aren't really user-serviceable. I hate Apple sometimes.

 

[SamQuint]

The Mini hadn't been updated in 2 years. Surely it's a better value now than on 10/15.

The RAM not being user serviceable would be a problem. I tried chatting with someone from Apple and couldn't get a straight answer on that, so I'm canceling my order for now. The new Mini doesn't look that exciting, but mine is 3 years old so I don't really want to wait another year or more for a better upgrade. I guess I might need to look at iMacs. Which also aren't really user-serviceable. I hate Apple sometimes.

I have been looking at the iMacs and I have a big problem with them, no additional video ports. I know there is one but the computer has to be working/running for it to work. I would love it if you could use that iMac just a straight monitor. For instance I could plug in my PC, and a game system, and satellite TV all into it and then just switch video input without the computer running. That way 3-4 years down the line if the computer built into it is worthless or won't operate at all I could still use the thing as just a monitor.

Or am I wrong? Is there a way to do what I want?

 

[Childs]

The Mini hadn't been updated in 2 years. Surely it's a better value now than on 10/15.

The RAM not being user serviceable would be a problem. I tried chatting with someone from Apple and couldn't get a straight answer on that, so I'm canceling my order for now. The new Mini doesn't look that exciting, but mine is 3 years old so I don't really want to wait another year or more for a better upgrade. I guess I might need to look at iMacs. Which also aren't really user-serviceable. I hate Apple sometimes.

You can get the 2013 2.3Ghz i7 quad Mac Mini for $740 right now on BHPhotoVideo. I don't know what price was on the Apple store on 10/15. Boost is 3.3Ghz. 4Gb RAM, 1TB 5400 RPM drive. New Mac Mini at $700 is 2.6 Ghz i5 dual-core, boost to 3.1Ghz with 8GB RAM and 1TB 5400 RPM drive. I would rather pay the $40 for the quad, as you can make up the difference by user installed RAM and SSD, which would cost much more on the new model. Not to mention you can add a second HD in the 2013 version. Graphics isn't much of an upgrade on the new version.

I guess another way to look at it is there is no reason to upgrade from the 2013 version. I was thinking f it and started looking at the 5K iMac. Its tempting, but target display mode isn't 5K, but 4K. I don't know how that would look if I wanted to reuse it as only a monitor in a couple years when I upgrade again. I don't really hold that against them, as DP 1.3 is really ready yet, and no Mac now would support that resolution. It seems like the choices they made with the new models was just enough to make me think I'll upgrade next time around instead of now. Which is what they did last year. hahaha

Or am I wrong? Is there a way to do what I want?

iMacs have target display mode, which turns it into a monitor. On the new one I read it was limited to 4K, but on the other models it should be whatever the resolution of the iMac is.

EDIT: Apparently the 5K iMac won't do target display mode

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/17/retina-5k-imac-external-display-no/

 

[Gooberlx2]

Photo and video editing are mostly done on the GPU.

If the software implements it. Not all do. Pretty sure lightroom doesn't, for example.

 

[Eug]

Hmmm:

iPad Air: Battery is 32.4 Watt-hour
iPad Air 2: Battery is 27.3 Watt-hour

So, where are the power savings coming from? Screen? CPU?

I guess the added benefit is that the iPad Air 2 will charge a bit faster.

 

[Eug]

What are the allowed resolutions on the Retina iMac?

I'm not a big fan of the 109/218 ppi on the 27" iMacs. If I could run closer to say 100/200 ppi, I'd like that better, assuming it doesn't significantly degrade image quality at normal working distances. This is not viable on a normal iMac, but on a Retina iMac, it could work.

In the meantime: TEARDOWNS!

iMac Retina: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Display+Teardown/30260

Mac mini: https://twitter.com/brianstucki/status/523174106686963712

Mac mini RAM is soldered to the motherboard

 

[jpiniero]

Looks like Apple moved the Mini from the 35/45 W socket M line to the 28 W BGA U line, which explains the lack of quad core and soldered ram.

 

[Subyman]

HDMI 1.4 supports 4K at 30Hz. HDMI 2.0 does 60Hz. Only DisplayPort 1.3 does 5K.

DisplayPort 1.3 was just released a month ago, so the Mac Pros will get it with next year's refresh. I'm 80% sure the new iMacs don't have it since Apple went out of their way to say they aren't using off-the-shelf parts.

Thanks for the clarification, couldn't remember the newest HDMI version. I knew the latest version did 4k@60hz. Anandtech made a good point, that the 5k resolution is 4x the pixels of 1440p, which the non-retina iMac uses. This makes scaling very simple on their end and, of course, allowing a UI while edited 1:1 4k video.

 

[Rakehellion]

If the software implements it. Not all do. Pretty sure lightroom doesn't, for example.

Photoshop and Aperture do. I'm sure it'll come in a future update.