Apple's Vision For The iMac To Go Portable = iHub

mr. macintosh

I think that a future iMac is going to be portable. I hope it is actually. Right now I am typing on an 800 Mhz G4 iMac with a Superdrive and the new LOW end PowerBook is basically the same speed as this.



If Apple can get rid of the iMac line and replace it with the iHub, (A cross between iBook and iMac) then why dont they? What is the use of having all of these models of the same products? Right now an iBook is very inexpensive at 999. Why cant Apple just make 3 product lines? iHub, PowerBook, and PowerMac.



iHub-$999, $1299, $1599 (14'' Screen, G4 at always lower speeds than the PowerBook of course) 20, 30, 40 Gig HD's



PowerBook- 12'' $1799, 15'' $2499, 15'' $2799, 17'' $3299



PowerMac- Lets say 4 models...$1599, $1999, $2699, $3299.

mr. macintosh

It is an interesting thought, I visited the Apple Store and there are 9 laptop models including the iBook's and the PowerBook's. This ammount of inventory reminds me of the mid-90's. I think that this may be such a mess because of the impending updates but maybe it will stay this way? I guess if Apple's bottom line is not hurt by all of this then it is ok, more choices are good IMHO. I am glad that I am not in charge of supply chain management, however. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

airsluf

mr. macintosh

[quote]Originally posted by AirSluf:

<strong>Hasn't the iBook been described as the "portable" niche of the iMac, albeit before the iMac G4 update. There also isn't much difference between a SD iMac and a SD 12" PowerBook either.

[ 01-08-2003: Message edited by: AirSluf]</strong><hr></blockquote>



The iMac and iBook would be phased out. Their components would be used to make the 3 models of the iHub. A portable consumer computer replacing both lines and making one simple consumer line.

kidred

[quote]Originally posted by Mr. Macintosh:

<strong>



The iMac and iBook would be phased out. Their components would be used to make the 3 models of the iHub. A portable consumer computer replacing both lines and making one simple consumer line.</strong><hr></blockquote>



I Don't see a lot of consumers purchasing a portable as the only computer consumers know is a desktop. Portables are for professionals/students not consumers. Also, by doing what you describe, they'd better have a $999 version to stay competitive.

rok

this might not be that far-fetched.



consider the massive majority of gamers out there hook up LAN parties all the time. they bring their PC's and monitors (and WHACKloads of cords), or xboxes, or ps2's, or gamecubes (which is why they were designed with handles and four built-in controller ports -- for parties and get-togethers).



give them an easy-to-manage machine for a LAN party hookup, monitor/screen and handle (that doesn't weigh 60 lbs. or cost 100% more for a laptop's small size) and an AGP slot for the fastest graphics card available -- you would nab the gamers in a heartbeat.



don't think for a second that apple doesn't see this as an easy opportunity.



perhaps the iGame?



[ 01-08-2003: Message edited by: rok ]</p>

@homenow

[quote]Originally posted by KidRed:

<strong>



I Don't see a lot of consumers purchasing a portable as the only computer consumers know is a desktop. Portables are for professionals/students not consumers. Also, by doing what you describe, they'd better have a $999 version to stay competitive.</strong><hr></blockquote>



I agree, a portable is not a hub, it is an entry point. A hub should be stationary.

costique

If iMac is ever going to be portable, I want a detachable keyboard and a tear-off display.

luca

Your iHub idea isn't nearly flexible enough. I can see Apple going all-laptop for consumers at least, while also offiering high-end workstations and servers for professional use (graphic arts, business, etc). But offering only a 14" laptop instead of the iMac is about the worst thing possible. If there's anything I don't want, it's a laptop with a 14" 1024x768 screen and a 20-40 GB hard drive. You want to REPLACE the iMac, right?



I say, if Apple is going to go all-laptop for consumers, offer basically scaled-down versions of the PowerBook, even one with a big screen (maybe 16"). In a year or two it won't break the bank. Right now consumers have the choice of a 12" 10x7 screen, a 14" 10x7 screen, a 15" 10x7 screen, a 17" 12x9 screen, and a 17" 14x9 screen. You have to give that range of choices in the new series. How about this?



Three 12" versions for $799, $999 and $1199

Three 13" or 14" (perhaps widescreen) for $1199, $1399 and $1599

Three 16" versions for $1799, $1999 and $2199



Basically, you get a choice of what screen you want on any of three different configurations. Might get a bit confusing from Apple's perspective (and for the consumer), but remember that it would be replacing all ten current consumer configurations with nine new consumer configurations.



I won't comment much on the stats because this won't happen for a while and by that time, standard RAM, hard drives, and the like will have changed. But basically, the high end versions will have Superdrives and the rest will have Combos (maybe a CD or DVD thrown in there to save cost, but hopefully not). The high end ones will all have processors nearly comparable to the ones in low-end pro machines, but maybe not as great (no/less L3 cache, slower bus). The point is you don't want the consumer split between performance and screen size, but you don't want to confuse them. With that system, you basically say "Fast, faster or fastest?" and "Small, medium or big?" Very simple.