Apple pulls educational iMac from online store
Apple Computer on Wednesday pulled the new $899 educational iMac from its educational online store without giving reason.
Announced last week as a replacement for the company's eMac line of computers, the new all-in-one desktop sports a 17-inch display and 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor.
When contacted by AppleInsider, sales representatives for the Mac maker said the computer's placement on educational store for the past week was "a mistake" and that the model "was only meant to be available to educational institutions."
But several other correspondents who contacted the company were given a variety of other explanations for computer's disappearance. One was told the new model "wasn't selling well" and therefore was removed.
However, informed speculation points to the contrary. At just $899, the educational iMac sells for $400 less than its similar, but more fully equipped retail counterpart.
It's believed that student interest in the new Mac may have been so strong that orders had begun to cut into sales of Apple's higher priced, higher margin iMac retail models.
In its announcement last week, Apple clearly stated that the "17-inch iMac for education" was available "immediately for education customers through the Apple Store for Education."
The $899 iMac remains available for purchase through Apple's online store for educational institutions.
Announced last week as a replacement for the company's eMac line of computers, the new all-in-one desktop sports a 17-inch display and 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor.
When contacted by AppleInsider, sales representatives for the Mac maker said the computer's placement on educational store for the past week was "a mistake" and that the model "was only meant to be available to educational institutions."
But several other correspondents who contacted the company were given a variety of other explanations for computer's disappearance. One was told the new model "wasn't selling well" and therefore was removed.
However, informed speculation points to the contrary. At just $899, the educational iMac sells for $400 less than its similar, but more fully equipped retail counterpart.
It's believed that student interest in the new Mac may have been so strong that orders had begun to cut into sales of Apple's higher priced, higher margin iMac retail models.
In its announcement last week, Apple clearly stated that the "17-inch iMac for education" was available "immediately for education customers through the Apple Store for Education."
The $899 iMac remains available for purchase through Apple's online store for educational institutions.
Comments
It brings into focus that not everyone wants or needs the fastest, most powerful computer available. For these customers the education version is a great form factor and a great buy. Hopefully Apple will place it back on the site when they have delivered the bulk of their direct education orders - just like they did with the eMac.
Originally posted by kenaustus
It may well be that too many people realized that the cheaper version took care of their needs very well - hurting the normal consumer ranges.
It brings into focus that not everyone wants or needs the fastest, most powerful computer available. For these customers the education version is a great form factor and a great buy. Hopefully Apple will place it back on the site when they have delivered the bulk of their direct education orders - just like they did with the eMac.
Cost is the most important factor to the masses.
After all, many of those individuals will "settle" for some other Mac. But an institution might not.
Originally posted by nagromme
My guess is that Apple started to get bulk institutional orders they could barely fill--so they had to stop offering to individuals rather than turn down or delay the big orders. Which wouldn't have to mean the model was outselling other iMacs, merely that it was selling enough to interfere with the big orders.
After all, many of those individuals will "settle" for some other Mac. But an institution might not.
Methinks this sounds likely...
Originally posted by solsun
Cost is the most important factor to the masses.
Exactly. Why else would anyone really want to buy a Dell?
Originally posted by DCQ
There's also the whispered quality control issues. I'm guessing the model will be back online shortly, say a week or two.
That was my reaction to the headline too. But if the UK Edu Store story is right, it sounds more likely that Apple got a huge response from institutions in America and is suspending sales to students until these are filled. Easy money, once you've got them shipped before the big buyers switch to something else!
I wonder though if anyone in Apple will learn the moral of this story:
"A lower spec Mac with a tasty price tag will sell like hot cakes."
Somehow, I think any such urge will be Steved. The same old story.
I'd get that
Cost is critical for many people. It isn't easy to come up with $1,000 for a new computer if you have average income and average expenses - especially if you have kids!
In looking at the education iMac, however, my thinking is that it has more than enough horsepower for an average user. Your "average" consumer will not be into the apps that require quad processors - they'll be into email, surfing the internet, iPhoto (maybe Photoshop Elements) etc. In this environment the lower spec iMac would thrive. (It already kicks my 1.5 PB to there & back and I use the PB as my business computer - 18 windows open on it right now.)
Originally posted by backtomac
Could it be there is pent up demand for sub $1000 macs? Not minis without a monitor and keyboard but a complete mac system for less than 1k.
:word: that is what i am waiting for
Their margins would be the same as those with the regular iMac, and regular people (non-students) wouldn't see the slightly inferior eiMac (and wouldn't need to, since they aren't penny crunching college students)
Originally posted by TenoBell
Yes I would imagine Apple would want to sell in large volume to institutions first. After those large orders are filled then sell to individuals.
I hope that is true.
As with the original eMac, I hope Apple expands its consumer product lines and realizes that it would do well to increase (or intitiate) a sub $1000 AIO market that is obviously there. Demand is like a little voice in the CEO's ear that says, "Make more of these." And if it means a 1% or 2% drop in margin, tough, that's what the big boys do. It's not like Apple is doing alot with its cash reserves now.
What they would lose in margin they would make up in quantity if Apple truly is going to increase market share like Jobs claimed to be his goal.
My question is do the people who ordered already still get their machines?
Base model is the same 17inch model priced at £703+VAT as compared to £748+VAT for non-educational buyers.
Originally posted by ecking
My question is do the people who ordered already still get their machines?
Yes.