No Powermacs at MWNY?
<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/mwny02apple.html"; target="_blank">ThinkSecret</a> is suggesting that there will be no towers at NY.
I mentioned a while back that I thought pro hardware wasn't right for NY based on earlier comments by Steve that expos would not bring the raft of product announcements like before.
August makes a lot of sense - promo ends and Jaguar ships. Developers can show off their QZX support at Seybold. Apple can make a big splash by putting all the pieces out there at one time.
Their suggestion is a 17" iMac. I like that, but it presents a big problem for the inventory in the channel. No word on a device, though I think that has to be in the works soon if not next week.
Discuss.
I mentioned a while back that I thought pro hardware wasn't right for NY based on earlier comments by Steve that expos would not bring the raft of product announcements like before.
August makes a lot of sense - promo ends and Jaguar ships. Developers can show off their QZX support at Seybold. Apple can make a big splash by putting all the pieces out there at one time.
Their suggestion is a 17" iMac. I like that, but it presents a big problem for the inventory in the channel. No word on a device, though I think that has to be in the works soon if not next week.
Discuss.
Comments
I just wish iBooks were as well-treated as Steve's precious iMac baby.
TING5
I just wanted to beat JYD to it.
I'm really looking forward to the long, boring Jaguar demo. I've been having problems falling asleep recently.
While (speedbumped?) 17" iMacs would be nice, price cuts on current models are far more necessary.
<strong>I'm flabbergasted. Even if Apple cannot ship its next Power Macs until mid-August, they must announce something at MWNY.
While (speedbumped?) 17" iMacs would be nice, price cuts on current models are far more necessary.</strong><hr></blockquote>
If they annouonce anything, then sales effectively drop to zero (Steve probably calls it the Osbourne Principle). Not to mention that (if this report is true) it detracts from the iMac announcement.
Jet
its way bigger to the long view of apple then a 40% speed bump that will leave them with cargo ships filled with almost unsellable quicksilver g4s.
Boy, ya had me goin' for a minute there, Nick.
<img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
then 17 is 1800$ model only?
that would allow for both scenarios.
Free Publicity + Switch Campaign + iMac slow sales = No new Powermacs at MWNY.
I'm of two minds:
1) The biggest mistake since the Cube (a 17" iMac will be expensive, with the same problems as the curent 15" iMac w/r/t expansion, design, etc.). "The Day Apple Stood Still." A tough economy and Apple makes more EXPENSIVE products????
2) A big push behind the biggest marketshare steal since the Pepsi Challenge. Suddenly, it's not just a Coke (Windows) world.
Only 8 days to go!
ting5
<strong>Ok... So, despite inventory pile up, Apple will announce a NEW flatpanel iMac model, and possibly bump the speeds. RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.
Boy, ya had me goin' for a minute there, Nick.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You don't get rid of inventory by waiting for it to sell.
TING5
<strong>It certainly makes sense. After all, MacWorld Expo is the biggest almost-free publicity Apple gets, and the "Switch" push by Apple is at aimed at the broader iAudience than the narrower PowerAudience. I betcha out side of the Expo hype and Apple ads, most people don't even think of Apple. Might as well broadcast the widest appeal as possible when everyone is looking.
I just wish iBooks were as well-treated as Steve's precious iMac baby.
TING5</strong><hr></blockquote>
[BIGTIME RANT]
But how good is it for publicity when the reports from MW that the press give out note that "most show-goers were visibly disappointed/angry to see no new Powermac hardware"?
Many people have asked me what I know beyond what I post. Not much. I have sources that hint things at me, and thats about it. SO I know some things in the channel but not what is coming at MWNY itself.
But I will say this: If there is no new Powermac hardware I will be *VERY* upset, to say the least. I was upset LAST summer to see a minor update. NO update this MWNY would make me psychotic.
It would be the dumbest thing ever. As observed above, the MW expos are the biggest near-free exposure Apple gets...why WASTE it focusing on Jaguar, which everyone, ThinkSecret included, is a *free* upgrade. Its not going to generate much revenue by itself. Some people may buy new Macs because of it, but most people who would buy a Mac either a) don't care about Jaguar vs 10.1 or b) will just get the upgrade when it comes out.
Apple's FREE exposure at MW would be well-spent on the iMac and the Powermac...since many/majority of the attendees are going to want to get OUR hands on the NEW machines and see/use them. Why would they release a NEW case design, NEW mobo, NEW Powermac next month at a special event with no big show attached to it? Xserve was fine for that...but the PowerMac audience is big enough that we're going to want to make it a big deal.
Beyond that, the Switch campaign is aimed at the entire world, not just the iWorld. Aaron Adams is a LAN admin...they obviously are trying to win over pros too....why not show pro hardware off? Having another Macworld with no new Pro hardware would only enhance the image some people have of Apple as a "toy company" with lots of cute machines (iMacs, etc) but nothing with a lot of muscle.
Steve better at least say WHEN he'll introduce a new Powermac and give a teaser (a la Xserve), or there will be hell to pay.
If he didn't, this would make THREE (3) consecutive Macworlds that no mention of Pro Towers was made. Why would Pros attend if not to see the machines they covet? Does Apple honestly expect Mr I-Don't-care-if-its-an-Apple-or-a-Dell-as-long-as-it-works to come to the expo? Fat chance. They need pros to go, and if they stop introing pro hardware at Macworlds, then I'll have to stop going. Why spend money registering and flying to it just to see and play with the "toys?" I can go to the Apple Store down the road and do that.
If Steve announces the machines that I've been predicting thusfar, you'll hear me in the audience yelling "HELL F***ING YEAH!" the loudest, but if there's no Powermac mention, you may DAMN well hear me BOOING Steve off the stage at the end (there, I said it.)
..........
[/RANT] (for now)
[QB]<a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/mwny02apple.html"; target="_blank">ThinkSecret</a> is suggesting that there will be no towers at NY.<hr></blockquote>
Nick de Plume is awfully upset about not being allowed to get a press pass for MWNY. So, what does he do? He posts a rumor article - this time with quite a negative position, and asks Apple to be allowed because the rumor sites can cause negative press for Apple too.
Just a theory.
Anyways, MWNY is supposed to be a consumer show, so why shouldn't they promote a new iMac? That 15-inch monitor sucks anyways.
A 17" iMac would make for an awesome show, IMO. I've been clamoring for such an iMac since forever, and finally Apple would have a great consumer desktop offering. As long as the price is right, a 17" iMac would fly off the shelves IMO.
So if no Powermacs at MWNY, then chances are better for 1.5 GHz G4s.
<strong>
If they annouonce anything, then sales effectively drop to zero (Steve probably calls it the Osbourne Principle). Not to mention that (if this report is true) it detracts from the iMac announcement.
Jet</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, sales have effectively dropped to zero. I do think putting a 17" iMac at the $1799 point (I'd like to see a cinema oriented display rather than the usual 4:3, though) and slashing prices of the existing models works best. No speed bump on the line - they can't creep up into Powermac range until Jan. Put the low-end iMac at $1099 or so, and I think things will move again.
In terms of announcements, they're better off with a device tossed in there if one is ready, and talk of services and iApps to bring the consumer crowd over.
<strong><a href="http://www.thinksecret.com/news/mwny02apple.html"; target="_blank">ThinkSecret</a> is suggesting that there will be no towers at NY.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Better break out the riot gear and teargas, the key-note is going to get ugly!!!
But how good is it for publicity when the reports from MW that the press give out note that "most show-goers were visibly disappointed/angry to see no new Powermac hardware"?
They won't say that, because it won't happen. The press will report what Apple PR tells them to.
Many people have asked me what I know beyond what I post. Not much. I have sources that hint things at me, and thats about it. SO I know some things in the channel but not what is coming at MWNY itself.
But I will say this: If there is no new Powermac hardware I will be *VERY* upset, to say the least. I was upset LAST summer to see a minor update. NO update this MWNY would make me psychotic.
Why? If you know it's in the pipeline, and you know it will be out soon enough, then why does it bother you so much? PC Spec Envy? What is the problem, dude?
It would be the dumbest thing ever. As observed above, the MW expos are the biggest near-free exposure Apple gets...why WASTE it focusing on Jaguar, which everyone, ThinkSecret included, is a *free* upgrade. Its not going to generate much revenue by itself. Some people may buy new Macs because of it, but most people who would buy a Mac either a) don't care about Jaguar vs 10.1 or b) will just get the upgrade when it comes out.
Jaguar is BIG because it will convince even more fencesitters to Switch, because it's the baddest, coolest OS out there that "Just Works" (TM). Just because Jaguar generates no revenue by itself, doesn't mean it doesn't generate revenue.
Apple's FREE exposure at MW would be well-spent on the iMac and the Powermac...since many/majority of the attendees are going to want to get OUR hands on the NEW machines and see/use them. Why would they release a NEW case design, NEW mobo, NEW Powermac next month at a special event with no big show attached to it? Xserve was fine for that...but the PowerMac audience is big enough that we're going to want to make it a big deal.
Just because you are going to the Expo to play with Powemacs doesn't mean that everyone is.
Beyond that, the Switch campaign is aimed at the entire world, not just the iWorld. Aaron Adams is a LAN admin...they obviously are trying to win over pros too....why not show pro hardware off? Having another Macworld with no new Pro hardware would only enhance the image some people have of Apple as a "toy company" with lots of cute machines (iMacs, etc) but nothing with a lot of muscle.
It most definitely IS NOT directed at pros. Adams maybe a LAN admin, but he uses his Mac at HOME. He is still a Winodws Admin at work.
Steve better at least say WHEN he'll introduce a new Powermac and give a teaser (a la Xserve), or there will be hell to pay.
Probably will, because he's such a tease.....remember the 'empty quadrant' tease? He never really filled it, but the boards lit up for weeks speculating about it.
If he didn't, this would make THREE (3) consecutive Macworlds that no mention of Pro Towers was made. Why would Pros attend if not to see the machines they covet? Does Apple honestly expect Mr I-Don't-care-if-its-an-Apple-or-a-Dell-as-long-as-it-works to come to the expo? Fat chance. They need pros to go, and if they stop introing pro hardware at Macworlds, then I'll have to stop going. Why spend money registering and flying to it just to see and play with the "toys?" I can go to the Apple Store down the road and do that.
So be it. Like I said earlier, people go to Expose for a variety of reasons.
If Steve announces the machines that I've been predicting thusfar, you'll hear me in the audience yelling "HELL F***ING YEAH!" the loudest, but if there's no Powermac mention, you may DAMN well hear me BOOING Steve off the stage at the end (there, I said it.)
You won't boo. The RDF is strong up close, my friend.
TING5
[ 07-09-2002: Message edited by: Yet Another Registration ]</p>