I have been lurking for quite a while on these boards, and I have to say that the majority of posters are intelligent and interesting. However, my impression from reading many of the threads regarding the upcoming iMac redesign is that anything with color in it is either passe' or something not worth implementing. I have to strongly disagree. I think color is important in Apple's product design, and if it is thrown out altogether in favor of white and chrome as the consistent (but only) look, I think this will hurt the company in terms of consumer perception... and sales.
I am a lime iMac DV owner, and a Windows expatriate. After years of struggling with the rigidity of Windows, 98SE was the final straw. I couldn't take it anymore. I'm not a "pro" user, but use my computer primarily for writing and surfing the Web. Although I can pull the guts out of a IBM-compatible machine and replace parts all by myself, my preferred idea of upgrading is buying a new computer. The iMac caught my attention when it first came out, but it wasn't until it was available in a variety of colors (along with color-coordinated peripherals) that I decided to purchase one. Yes, I'm serious. The reinvigorated Apple line was enticing, the specs were solid, the all-in-one form factor was a real plus, and the DVD player was icing on the cake, BUT it was the color that finally hooked me. The same held true for my iBook purchase. I own a Tangerine model, and am eventually looking to replace it with a Key Lime. IMHO, I think that version of the iBook was the perfect combination of solid ergonomic design and computing power, the specs of the IceBook notwithstanding.
Something about working on a colorful computer added to the sense of fun involved in the purchase and use of my iMac. After two years, I can say that my computer is still Really Fun. As we know, the Windows experience, and the often boring boxes they run on, are definitely Not Fun. So, why go back to the boring days of beige boxes, where all Macs looked the same? I can't possibly be the only "consumer line" Mac user that feels this way. (I would guess that most "pro users" wouldn't care one way or the other--they're more interested in performance than style.)
Now, I will agree that the color aspect of Apple's industrial design has been a double-edged sword. While attracting computer users like me who appreciate stylistic flourish, the fruit flavors did create the impression that the iMac (and later the iBook) was a toy and not a real computer, although those of us that used them knew otherwise. So, I can understand why a wild color palette may not be the way to go at the present time. Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian were certainly the result of a few too many bong hits.
Still, if the iMac doesn't have a range of color choices, as well as superb "touch me, feel me" industrial design, then how will it stand out from the pack of competitors? I'm not convinced it will, despite (hopefully) strong specs. A variety of colors, perhaps more subdued, *should* be part and parcel of the design of the new iMac. The ice/metal combo might appeal to pro users, but how many of them would even consider using an iMac as their primary computer? Not many. However, consumer users like myself *are* vitally interested in an all-in-one machine, but if it turns out to be an iPod on steriods, I'll be very disappointed. More importantly, I'll be much less interested in feeling the need to upgrade. I can hear the pro users now: "don't you care about specs? Specs, Specs, SPECS!!!" Um, yeah, I do, but because the need for speed isn't as important to me, the computer's look figures into the equation in a much greater way. And... I happen to like color.
Are there others out there that feel this way, or am I a voice in the wilderness here?
[ 12-14-2001: Message edited by: Gandalf the Semi-Coherent ]</p>
I am a lime iMac DV owner, and a Windows expatriate. After years of struggling with the rigidity of Windows, 98SE was the final straw. I couldn't take it anymore. I'm not a "pro" user, but use my computer primarily for writing and surfing the Web. Although I can pull the guts out of a IBM-compatible machine and replace parts all by myself, my preferred idea of upgrading is buying a new computer. The iMac caught my attention when it first came out, but it wasn't until it was available in a variety of colors (along with color-coordinated peripherals) that I decided to purchase one. Yes, I'm serious. The reinvigorated Apple line was enticing, the specs were solid, the all-in-one form factor was a real plus, and the DVD player was icing on the cake, BUT it was the color that finally hooked me. The same held true for my iBook purchase. I own a Tangerine model, and am eventually looking to replace it with a Key Lime. IMHO, I think that version of the iBook was the perfect combination of solid ergonomic design and computing power, the specs of the IceBook notwithstanding.
Something about working on a colorful computer added to the sense of fun involved in the purchase and use of my iMac. After two years, I can say that my computer is still Really Fun. As we know, the Windows experience, and the often boring boxes they run on, are definitely Not Fun. So, why go back to the boring days of beige boxes, where all Macs looked the same? I can't possibly be the only "consumer line" Mac user that feels this way. (I would guess that most "pro users" wouldn't care one way or the other--they're more interested in performance than style.)
Now, I will agree that the color aspect of Apple's industrial design has been a double-edged sword. While attracting computer users like me who appreciate stylistic flourish, the fruit flavors did create the impression that the iMac (and later the iBook) was a toy and not a real computer, although those of us that used them knew otherwise. So, I can understand why a wild color palette may not be the way to go at the present time. Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian were certainly the result of a few too many bong hits.
Still, if the iMac doesn't have a range of color choices, as well as superb "touch me, feel me" industrial design, then how will it stand out from the pack of competitors? I'm not convinced it will, despite (hopefully) strong specs. A variety of colors, perhaps more subdued, *should* be part and parcel of the design of the new iMac. The ice/metal combo might appeal to pro users, but how many of them would even consider using an iMac as their primary computer? Not many. However, consumer users like myself *are* vitally interested in an all-in-one machine, but if it turns out to be an iPod on steriods, I'll be very disappointed. More importantly, I'll be much less interested in feeling the need to upgrade. I can hear the pro users now: "don't you care about specs? Specs, Specs, SPECS!!!" Um, yeah, I do, but because the need for speed isn't as important to me, the computer's look figures into the equation in a much greater way. And... I happen to like color.
Are there others out there that feel this way, or am I a voice in the wilderness here?
[ 12-14-2001: Message edited by: Gandalf the Semi-Coherent ]</p>
:eek: )
