iMac obselete?
A couple of years ago, the idea of an all-in-one computer that could get on the internet in minutes was revolutionary in a Windows world where the most basic tasks were cumbersome at least.
But Windows has come a long way since then and XP, though clearly still inferior to OS X, is easy enough and stable enough for most people. It is entirely possible to buy a sub-$500 US computer, with a monitor and Windows XP. And even at this price, the computer is upgradeable - the processor can be cahnged, the video card enhanced, several opitcal drives added etc...
I wonder if the iMac is slagging in sales for more than just economic reasons. Apple does not offer a computer that is internally upgradeable for less than $1700 US, which for most consumers, is way out of the ballpark for a computer they will use mostly for light internet, digital photo kind of stuff.
Is it time for Apple to ditch the expensive all-in-one idea and offer a modular consumer machine - one that has PCI AND AGP expansion slots, room for extra optical and hard drives? And offer this computer at a clear competitive price?
If people could buy a mac that was expandable and had options to use whatever monitor they wanted, don't you think the option to buy a Mac would suddenly become available to the millions of computer buyers out there who DON'T want to spend a great deal of money?
I say this because I see Apple's marketing as increasingly elitist. This is not the computer for working class americans. It's the jet set, vacation taking, money-making middle and upper-middle class. And that's too bad. I think they're missing a gold mine in an effort to keep their prices high.
But Windows has come a long way since then and XP, though clearly still inferior to OS X, is easy enough and stable enough for most people. It is entirely possible to buy a sub-$500 US computer, with a monitor and Windows XP. And even at this price, the computer is upgradeable - the processor can be cahnged, the video card enhanced, several opitcal drives added etc...
I wonder if the iMac is slagging in sales for more than just economic reasons. Apple does not offer a computer that is internally upgradeable for less than $1700 US, which for most consumers, is way out of the ballpark for a computer they will use mostly for light internet, digital photo kind of stuff.
Is it time for Apple to ditch the expensive all-in-one idea and offer a modular consumer machine - one that has PCI AND AGP expansion slots, room for extra optical and hard drives? And offer this computer at a clear competitive price?
If people could buy a mac that was expandable and had options to use whatever monitor they wanted, don't you think the option to buy a Mac would suddenly become available to the millions of computer buyers out there who DON'T want to spend a great deal of money?
I say this because I see Apple's marketing as increasingly elitist. This is not the computer for working class americans. It's the jet set, vacation taking, money-making middle and upper-middle class. And that's too bad. I think they're missing a gold mine in an effort to keep their prices high.
Comments
Apple could reduce prices, yes. And I also think they should release a low end tower with iMac specs, minus the monitor but adding some expandability. That trade off with the price the same would seem fair to me. The product would help facilitate switchers who want to keep as many of their old peripherals as possible (big ugly monitor) to help keep the price of entry down.
I honestly, honestly believe that if people could just get out from behind their reservations and fears (brought on, no doubt, by the idiotic, "Apple is only for graphics people...plus they're going out of business or Microsoft is buying them..." ramblings of misinformed co-workers, family members, know-it-all brother-in-laws, etc.) and give it a whirl, they'd probably be astounded.
That's why I've been saying now, for over a year, that perhaps the BEST marketing/commercial/ad plan is right under Apple's nose: their own CEO.
I swear, after Tuesday's keynote, I was ready to take on the world. I honestly wanted to go out and buy a digital camera and camcorder THAT MINUTE and create, create, create, etc.
Okay, maybe actually not Jobs himself, BUT if the excitement and "wow factor" of some of those awesome keynote moments (past and present) could be distilled down to clever, watchable 30-second commercials, THAT would have to make as much - if not more - impact than any "Switch" ad has!
People are thinking of switching and the buzz is - by Steve's keynote citing - definitely there. Now, let's show - in a bit more real-world, detailed way - what they're getting into when they do indeed switch to the Mac.
Ordinary-looking folks standing in a white room and recounting their various "I've seen the light" stories is novel (and supposedly effective). But it does wear thin and it is just surface and it isn't enough to sustain or hammer out for another year.
"Switch" could - and should - be but one part of a multi-pronged marketing blitz from Apple. Keep that, but augment it with some great, eye-catching spots that show the software (and hardware) doing their thing.
Just the way Steve does in the keynotes. Makes you want to clap and pull out the credit card.
And makes you really happy you chose this particular platform.
The hardware (and software) are damn near perfect...especially for the home/hobbyist/consumer user.
No, the iMac isn't obselete. Far from it. Apple's methods and approaches to pulling in that "other 95%" might be...
Do you think people that want instant Internet/email access really even think about upgrading? would they consider more swapablity an advantage? or do you think they just want something that gets them to their original destination without hassle or fuss.
Upgradability is a bonus for most, I guess, but for the low-cost computer folks I see it as a non-issue. the insides of the computer are a mystery to them and will stay that way. iMac is a great computer and even looks friendly. its not a box that hides under the desk. I don't see this changing. there will always bee that component out there that just wants a non threatening machine that they can rely on. Not what there upgrade options are available to them.
flick.
[quote]Originally posted by The Mactivist:
<strong>A couple of years ago, the idea of an all-in-one computer that could get on the internet in minutes was revolutionary in a Windows world where the most basic tasks were cumbersome at least.
But Windows has come a long way since then and XP, though clearly still inferior to OS X, is easy enough and stable enough for most people. It is entirely possible to buy a sub-$500 US computer, with a monitor and Windows XP. And even at this price, the computer is upgradeable - the processor can be cahnged, the video card enhanced, several opitcal drives added etc...
I wonder if the iMac is slagging in sales for more than just economic reasons. Apple does not offer a computer that is internally upgradeable for less than $1700 US, which for most consumers, is way out of the ballpark for a computer they will use mostly for light internet, digital photo kind of stuff.
Is it time for Apple to ditch the expensive all-in-one idea and offer a modular consumer machine - one that has PCI AND AGP expansion slots, room for extra optical and hard drives? And offer this computer at a clear competitive price?
If people could buy a mac that was expandable and had options to use whatever monitor they wanted, don't you think the option to buy a Mac would suddenly become available to the millions of computer buyers out there who DON'T want to spend a great deal of money?
I say this because I see Apple's marketing as increasingly elitist. This is not the computer for working class americans. It's the jet set, vacation taking, money-making middle and upper-middle class. And that's too bad. I think they're missing a gold mine in an effort to keep their prices high.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think the imac is great for the average person who wants to boot up, check email, do some camera work, etc.
I am the type of person who opens the cpu, looks, inside and tinkers around. I'd love a tower, but am having a hard time justifying the cost vs. benefit.
I can't afford entry level price of $1700 for a machine that doesn't do all that I want.
If Apple had entry level tower without monitor for reasonable price (reasonable in my opinion) in the range of say $800 to $1,000 I'd buy in a minute.
But, it's hard to justify $1700 on a tower when Dell is advertising a Windows XP machine with flat panel in the $800 range. I know the Apple is better, but I can buy 2 of the Windows machines for the cost of entry level Apple tower.
Forgive the ranting, it's because I really want a Mac and am frustrated with my options.
David
<strong>This is not the computer for working class americans. It's the jet set, vacation taking, money-making middle and upper-middle class.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Not to sound the horns of the demons... but what if, just maybe, these are the only people who Apple would like to target? I personally may never be able to afford another Mac, however, the one I have definatly gives me an ego boost like folks who drive Jaguars but still take viagra. So the long and short is, maybe they want to seem like a yuppie company... (west coast and all....)
Or maybe I'm wrong.
Hire an actor, hire an unknown. Whatever.
It's the end-result and effect I'm talking about.
I'm perfectly aware most people don't know (or give a rat's ass about) who he is.
However, he wouldn't be the WORST CEO to appear on screen...
So, *absolutely* the iMac should/will remain a central part of the Apple product line- its un-upgradable status is by design. The only thing apple needs to do to the iMac line is bring one model to $999.00- if for nothing else but to get people into stores. Give it a CD-ROM drive for all I care, just bring it down to $999!
And yes, the posters who mention showing off hardware and OSX are absolutely right- when is the last time you remember actually seeing Apple hardware in their advertisements? I know, I know, the big billboard before the San Francisco Civic Center exit comes to mind, but I'm talkin TV here...
Dangerous. Joe Dangerous.
I would have bought a 17" iMac by now if I could upgrade it. So Apple has lost getting money from me on that score.
The AIO is definitely not obsolete. It should only get more so as LCD's get cheaper.
As mentioned above, what the iMac needs is to somehow get to $999 and the eMac or CRT iMac to get to $499. Then they can be considered commodities.
It's about price not about whether the monitor is connected to the cpu box or not...at least for now.
One thing though, while LCD's are still the minority, Apple should sell as many iMacs as possible NOW. Because once all of the unwashed masses get LCD displays with their PC towers first, then when they want to upgrade, they won't want to buy an all-in-one that has its own screen and makes the one they have sit in the corner.
Oh, that's the other thing. All-in-ones should have upgradeability to dual monitors for just this very reason!!!
Two of my friends just buyed one, they where very happy with the ergonomy of the hand of the screen, and not so concerned by the raw benchmarks. They buy a computer to use it, not for killing benchmarks.
However i think , that the I mac is great but requires better hardware, a better chip and a better GPU. I think it will come soon in the next months.
<strong>
Hire an actor, hire an unknown. Whatever.
How about Noah Wyle? <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
<strong>
Not to sound the horns of the demons... but what if, just maybe, these are the only people who Apple would like to target? I personally may never be able to afford another Mac, however, the one I have definatly gives me an ego boost like folks who drive Jaguars but still take viagra. So the long and short is, maybe they want to seem like a yuppie company... (west coast and all....)
Or maybe I'm wrong.</strong><hr></blockquote>
i think apple want clients who really choose a mac
i think that's the userbase they want.
a lot of friends of me are very happy with their wallstreets running jaguar. okay, if they could afford it, they buy the newest and the fastest.
they can't. should apple be cheaper in their opinion? it would be nice, it isn't so they work with the machines they have and look for the next best thing.
everybody on these boards want the premium of the premium and want it to be affordable.
if you want a bmw, you would already be happy with a secondhand or a 318. chose don't whine
<strong>I'll jump in here with my first post. .. Been a long time frustrated windows user going all the way back to CPM
I think the imac is great for the average person who wants to boot up, check email, do some camera work, etc.
I am the type of person who opens the cpu, looks, inside and tinkers around. I'd love a tower, but am having a hard time justifying the cost vs. benefit.
I can't afford entry level price of $1700 for a machine that doesn't do all that I want.
If Apple had entry level tower without monitor for reasonable price (reasonable in my opinion) in the range of say $800 to $1,000 I'd buy in a minute.
Forgive the ranting, it's because I really want a Mac and am frustrated with my options.
David</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hey that's me exactly, KayPro CP/M was my first computer.
Think about VALUE not price.
But, retail is not the only option. My advice is buy a Cube on eBay. You will absolutely love it, and it will appreciate in value over time. CPU upgrades are available, or you can do as I did and buy a DP500 tower and swap processor cards.
Welcome to the best computing experience of your life and to appleinsider.
Per your recommendations:
1. Cube-ballpark, reasonalbe cost to get one on ebay? Specs I should look for at a minimum (sorry, new to macs)
2. DP500 tower-again, being new, could you explain the specs? Is this a dual processor-500? What did you swap in and out? What is reasonable price to pay on ebay?
Thanks,
David
<strong>Yes. i have been saying this for years-the lack of an inexpensive upgradeable tower is destroying any chance Apple has of being anything other than a niche player. They will NEVER win over enough converts without a consumer tower. </strong><hr></blockquote>
You have this backwards -- the upgradeable tower is the niche product. If you look at the number of potential customers for both an upgradeable and a non-upgradeable machine you'll find that the vast majority just want to buy a machine and use it. How many people customize their car, for example? Aside from decorative fluff, almost none.
People are buying WIntel machines for three primary reasons:
1) They are being sold WIntel machines. You want a computer, you go to the store. You have about a 95% chance to talking to a WIntel salesman in a WIntel store. You're told MHz is most important. You're told that 95% of the computers are WIntel so you should be too.
2) WIntel machines appear cheaper (and usually are, but not by as much as the naive buyer might think). This isn't because the WIntel machines are upgradeable, this is because of volume production, razor thin margins, low quality parts, and cut throat competition.
3) They have an existing investment in WIntel. This can be existing product, or it can knowledge & experience.
For a relatively small percentage of users (like you and I) upgradeability is an issue, but we are the tech-savvy elite (at least in this respect). With the iMac, Apple goes after all those others.