The Verge:
Set out in a series of detailed renders, the conceptual iMac combines the internal components of an 11.6-inch MacBook Air with the addition of a touchscreen and the new reversible USB connector. Its shape echoes that of the original Mac…There’s nothing particularly practical or realistic about this iMac, which is probably why it feels so sublimely desirable.
Utterly ridiculous. Utterly impractical. Utterly unbuildable. But I still want one.
Gorgeous. Went right to the heart of my 1990 self and it won’t budge.
Love it. It’s actually quite a practical ‘low-end’ desktop in some aspects (assuming they could be built) that would be ideal for reception desks or any situation where the original iMac stood out nicely and doesn’t need power user stuff. I’m using an 11.6″ MacBook Air to write Mac and iOS games with at the moment, so it certainly wouldn’t be underpowered for every day use.
Only practical aspect I can see would be an issue is that they’d need a lot of weight in that base as a counterbalance to stop it being easy to knock over. I’d also put the mag safe connector right down on the base too to keep cables out of the back. (Possibly a slightly thicker base with usb + magsafe only, solving all the issues).
Also, somehow I don’t think Apple would see the need for the card slot in the front (aesthetically yes, practically no as this would be a wifi accessed Mac).
I suspect they’d sell bucket loads if Apple did something like that.
I’m just waiting for someone out there who works with aluminum to hammer out a one-off.
Could make a fetching ipad stand.
Perhaps you can take this idea a step further: Imagine a touch-keyboard in front and a docking station for your iPhone or iPad behind the screen. When docking the iPhone you are working with it like a normal computer – then unplug it and you are ready to go.
That base issue was my first thought as well.
OH MY GOD YOU DIDN’T MENTION THE “CHAMPAGNE” ONE. THAT… MWAH.
The now-normal aluminum one is lovely, but when we get the silver for “Snow White” and champagne for “Beige”… Just GORGEOUS.
(And I don’t know HOW unbuildable it is, honestly – slim screen, with room below for motherboard and flash storage. I don’t think it could be done terribly cheaply right now, but I think it’d still be fairly possible.)
(Definitely with you on the “impractical” part, though.)
I would legit buy 10 of these.