LCD iMac enough to guarantee success?
If the a new iMac is unveiled at MWNY, would a LCD form factor be enough to guarantee success?
For instance,
the iPod was the first MP3 player with Firewire and an awesome interface.
The Titanium was the first laptop to come out with a slot loading drive and wide aspect screen.
The G4 PowerMac had Superdrive.
The iBook had a combo drive.
Sure, processor speed, video card and CDR-W etc..must be up to snuff, but does the new iMac need another hook to make it irresistable?
And if so, what unique feature might take it to that "it's so cool I gotta have it now" level?
For instance,
the iPod was the first MP3 player with Firewire and an awesome interface.
The Titanium was the first laptop to come out with a slot loading drive and wide aspect screen.
The G4 PowerMac had Superdrive.
The iBook had a combo drive.
Sure, processor speed, video card and CDR-W etc..must be up to snuff, but does the new iMac need another hook to make it irresistable?
And if so, what unique feature might take it to that "it's so cool I gotta have it now" level?
Comments
The current iMac visible screen size is only 13.8". This has become too small in the current market and make the iMac considerably less attractive from a usability, value standpoint.
An LCD iMac will supposedly have a 15" LCD. That's a big improvement in screen size, image quality and makes the unit value competitive once again.
If the iMac LCD quality is anywhere near as good as the current Apple LCD displays, then the iMac will be an amazing value and a great desktop unit.
Plus, people just like new, different things to look at.
[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: NeoMac ]</p>
i'm also sure we'll be plenty stunned when we first see it......it always does (ie cube, ipod)
[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: zaustin ]</p>
<strong>I'm sure it will have at least one awesome feature that we won't know about until it glides out across stage and Steve talks about it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Tarbash, I love your attitude!! I just had to say that!!
As for what gimmicks are needed?? I am not sure any. Because it may be an LCD screen, however what put the iMac on the market was its design. I think that is what is going to kick the iMac into the next millenium. Also, I think there is going to be a big surprise about this iMac. Do I know?? No more than you do. i just think it is going to be cool.
The answer to your question, though, is that it will be the design that will sell the iMac2.
<strong>The current iMacs sell fairly decently in their current (admittedly) boring form factor. Adding a fresh new form factor w/LCD would, in and of itself, significantly impact iMac sales.
[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: zaustin ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
no they don't. they are selling hundreds of thousands less than they did in 99 and 2000.
<strong>
no they don't. they are selling hundreds of thousands less than they did in 99 and 2000.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I sell them. Sure they sell less than in the glory days, but this is still a significant number (percentage wise) of the macs that go out the door.
<strong>
I sell them. Sure they sell less than in the glory days, but this is still a significant number (percentage wise) of the macs that go out the door.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Who actually buys them? Newbies? People just updrading from an older Mac? I don't get why anyone would actually buy one.
I don't really care for an LCD, it's nice, but there's a problem:
[quote]Originally posted by NeoMac:
<strong>Primarily, everyone wants an LCD iMac for the simple reason that it would mean an increase in the screen size of the iMac.
The current iMac visible screen size is only 13.8". This has become too small in the current market and make the iMac considerably less attractive from a usability, value standpoint.
An LCD iMac will supposedly have a 15" LCD. That's a big improvement in screen size, image quality and makes the unit value competitive once again.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
See, I think undoubtedly, the 15 inch LCD will have a 1024 x 768 resolution. Which is the same as the current CRT screen. You just gained 0% extra desktop space on the monitor. For me, the LCD would not be a step up wrt screen resolution.
Second problem is the scaling to 800 x 600 when playing games. Not that LCD's are really that bad, but a nice CRT scales a lot better.
I like LCD's a lot, but they're not always an improvement.
I most of all fear that Apple will use that fact of an LCD iMac to hike the price upwards. If Apple is sensible enough, they won't up the price. If they do thta, they can keep the LCD, as far as i'm concerned.
<strong>
no they don't. they are selling hundreds of thousands less than they did in 99 and 2000.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Agreed, applenut (WTF...did I just agree with you?) Anyway, iMac sales peaked at around 700,000 for the holiday quarter in 99.....they are around 200,000 now......yeah, there selling
great.
NeoMac writes:
[quote]An LCD iMac will supposedly have a 15" LCD. That's a big improvement in screen size, image quality and makes the unit value competitive once again. <hr></blockquote>
Screen Size---yep. But, I just got an indigo 500MHZ CD-RW iMac at work yesterday. Compared to my pismo the image is so much brighter it makes my pismo look like its faded...aqua is beautiful on a CRT, IMO. I can't believe the difference.....I am starting to wonder about buying an Apple LCD when I buy my pro machine next year.....any other thoguhts on this?? I mean, the difference was ridiculous. the sharpness wasn't quite there, but damn, the difference was, IMJ (in my judgement) like 50% in terms of brightness. Damn.
What do you guys think? I want the LCD iMac but i'm not sure anymore about an external LCD.
.
Revolution iMAC $799
17" Short neck CRT
700MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
20 GB Hard Drive, 24xCD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$999
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
30 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$1099
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, CD/RW
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
These machines would scream.
The LCD iMAC would then be positioned as the cube's replacement and priced $1,299, $1,399 and $1,599
LCD iMAC $1,299
17" LCD Display
800 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC133 SDRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, CD-ROM
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport
LCD iMAC $1,399
17" LCD Display
867 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 256 MB PC133 SRAM
60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport
LCD iMAC $1,599
15" LCD Display
933 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 256 MB PC133 SDRAM
80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX w/TwinView and 64MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport
<strong>Don't completly rule out a 17" short-neck CRT w/a new form factor as a possible surprise
.
Revolution iMAC $799
17" Short neck CRT
700MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
20 GB Hard Drive, 24xCD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$999
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
30 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$1099
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, CD/RW
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
These machines would scream.
The LCD iMAC would then be positioned as the cube's replacement and priced $1,299, $1,399 and $1,599
LCD iMAC $1,299
17" LCD Display
800 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC133 SDRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, CD-ROM
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport
LCD iMAC $1,399
17" LCD Display
867 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 256 MB PC133 SRAM
60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport
LCD iMAC $1,599
15" LCD Display
933 MHz 7450 G4
133 MHz system bus, 256 MB PC133 SDRAM
80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW
Two USB Ports, two 800 Firewire
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX w/TwinView and 64MB of SDRAM
Built in Airport</strong><hr></blockquote>
1) I don't think a 17" short neck is likely...though possible I concede.
2) What is up with your hard drive sizes? they are 20, 40 and 60 right now.
3) Built in AirPort for 799? BWWWHHAAAAAHAHAHA
4) 400MHZ Bus on a 799 iMac? 133MHZ in the G4 model? ROTFL.
There is more, but I'll stop there.
<img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
<strong>Don't completly rule out a 17" short-neck CRT w/a new form factor as a possible surprise
.
Revolution iMAC $799
17" Short neck CRT
700MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
20 GB Hard Drive, 24xCD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$999
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
30 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
$1099
17" Short neck CRT
800MHz Sahara G3
400 MHz system bus, 128 MB PC266 DDR-SRAM
40 GB Hard Drive, CD/RW
NVIDA GeForce 2MX w/32MB of SDRAM
2 USB & 1 FireWire 800 Port
Built in Airport
These machines would scream.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Wouldn't at least 1 of those iMacs come with 256MB RAM?
<strong>Who actually buys them? Newbies? People just updrading from an older Mac? I don't get why anyone would actually buy one.</strong><hr></blockquote>You buy them if you want a desktop Mac but don't want to pay $2000 or more.
I bet there really is a lot of pent-up demand for a new iMac at a good price. They need to have an iBook-like success with this new machine.
[quote]Originally posted by SDW2001:
<strong>But, I just got an indigo 500MHZ CD-RW iMac at work yesterday. Compared to my pismo the image is so much brighter it makes my pismo look like its faded...aqua is beautiful on a CRT, IMO. </strong><hr></blockquote>I agree with you and The Belgian Waffle. I have an iMac at home and a 17" flat panel at work, and there is no comparison in quality - the CRT is much, much nicer.
I think Apple will use the LCD because of the style. I think that's unfortunate, because they could have a much nicer quality monitor, at a much better price, if they use a CRT in the iMac.
Perhaps they'll keep a version of the CRT iMac around for a while.
Comparing the Pismo LCD to a CRT is a poor comparison.
I used to love my Pismo, but there are a whole bunch of issues with the screen now. It has turned pink in one corner and its brightness has faded. It has speckled and scratched. I've very unhappy. A $3000 laptop is now worth $1300 in less than 2 yrs. I'm not too happy about this - at all!
But, I'm willing to concede that since the Pismo was made, LCD technology has improved considerably. The Apple displays I've seen are just stunning and I'm sure the iMac will use the same type displays.
<strong>Although the screen resolution on the iMac will remain the same, a 15" LCD sounds better from a marketing perspective.
Comparing the Pismo LCD to a CRT is a poor comparison.
I used to love my Pismo, but there are a whole bunch of issues with the screen now. It has turned pink in one corner and its brightness has faded. It has speckled and scratched. I've very unhappy. A $3000 laptop is now worth $1300 in less than 2 yrs. I'm not too happy about this - at all!
But, I'm willing to concede that since the Pismo was made, LCD technology has improved considerably. The Apple displays I've seen are just stunning and I'm sure the iMac will use the same type displays.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, I don't know what you did there, but my screen is OK. No dead pixels, just some dark edges near the bottom corners which wear there from the beginning.
And as for you not being happy with how it has help up in terms of value....well, DUH. No computer is going to hold its value....what did you think? I think $1300 is pretty good actually.....
Better get ready to be pissed because with the problems you are describing it's not worth shit!
I use iMacs at work, and the CRTs in them are horrible. There are blurry spots on the screen, mostly on the edges but some towards the center. Contrast isn't very good, and of course resolution goes plently high only because the display is so tiny.
As for resolution mattering more than screen size, I disagree. While it's true that if the LCD iMac uses the same resolution as the current CRT, that the actual amount of space would be the same, this isn't the whole story. At 1024x768 I find the current iMac's image quality too low to be able to easily read text. Plus, for gaming a larger screen is more immersive, regardless of the resolution. I think this is true for any graphics work. Even if the resolution is the same, a larger display enhances one's experience because objects are larger and thus it's easier to see small details and work without squinting.
But perhaps part of this is that my eyesight isn't so great...but this also represents many potential iMac buyers.
What I'd really like to see in addition to the LCD display--what would really floor me--is if the new iMac used the Apollo G4 and was clocked at 1 GHz. Make all of the models 1 GHz and call it the Apollo imac or whatever. It would be a bitchin machine and like I keep saying, Altivec in such a large user base as that of iMacs would be a solid kick in the ass for developer's to work harder at optimizing their apps for altivec, when it's practical. And with OS X optimized for atlivec, it's even more crucial that Apple bestow a G4 upon the iMac.
Ugh, I've got one of those hangovers where I still feel drunk...hope this made sense..;lgafg;ogsd'
<strong>The current iMacs sell fairly decently in their current (admittedly) boring form factor. Adding a fresh new form factor w/LCD would, in and of itself, significantly impact iMac sales.
[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: zaustin ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
It does not.. Read the latest AAPL K10 filling
<a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000091205701528148/a2056203z10-q.htm"; target="_blank">http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000091205701528148/a2056203z10-q.htm</a>;
The imac sales are down by ~30 % compared to lat year. And I dont think Apple is able to turn the trend in AAPL Fiscal Q1-2002. The iMac is old news, the G3 is old news. Something new is needed.