Apple's Vision For The iMac To Go Portable = iHub
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.
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.
Comments
<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.
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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.
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>
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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.
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.