Okay so the new iMac isn’t exactly just an iPhone on a stand like the popular mock-up video on the Internet from a few days ago, but the design does look quite a bit like it. Specifically I’m talking about the black frame between the screen and the aluminum siding (sounds like a house now…).

Without seeing it first hand, I’m not sure how much I like this new look on the iMac. Sure, the all-white look might be getting a bit old, but it was still very elegant and classy. I like the aluminum for the “Pro” feel on the new one, but I really could do without the black trim which to me serves only to pronounce the “chin” of the iMac even further. I think Apple should have gone with either an all-aluminum finish, or an all-black one. To me it just kind of looks like an old-school chalk board now or worse, an Etch-a-Sketch painted black.

Aside from the front design, part of me is kind of surprised that the change is relatively minor and part of me isn’t. Sure, rumors and expectations come into play when you hear about how Apple has a new design for a product; but after seeing the leap from the original “flavored” iMacs to the “lamp post” ones – and from the “lamp post” ones to the all-white variety, I was expecting a more drastic shift. At the same time, the iMac as it was (I have a 20′ white one) is a pretty near-perfect machine and there is something to be said sometimes for simply not messing up what works so well.

I certainly see no need to upgrade at this time, but I definitely do want to get my hands on one of those new keyboards. I also feel I have to plead with Apple now – please, for the love of God release a new Mighty Mouse. I HATE the current one, hate it. I stopped using it once for a few months, forgot how much I hated it, went back…had to stop using it again. That stupid trackball is simply unusable a good 33% fo the time.

I know Apple is working on a new one – probably one with some MultiTouch capabilities – if they could rush it into production for me I’d be greatly appreciative.