I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever. A totally inflexable computer build with half laptop componants. Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
The iMac is simple and elegant, yet relatively powerful. That being said, it is not a machine with universal appeal. Not even close.
I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever. A totally inflexable computer build with half laptop componants. Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
The iMac, in a nutshell: you turn it on and it works.
Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
Simplicity man. Remember that a niche product is one which appeals to a small or specialized group of people. It appeals to them because it is the product most suited to them. For them, it's the best possible product.
Simplicity is the key. iMac has a relatively small footprint, is hardware current, looks good, and, most importantly, has almost nothing you can bung up. iMac is for those who want stress free computing, minimal cables, and rock solid stability. Did I mention it looks good?
Also remember that, at least right now, MacBook is really gimpy in terms of graphics ability. If someone even THINKS they might want to play games, then they have to go MBP.
iMac is not as easily stolen as a laptop. I see many on secrataries' desks. I've even seen them in an office that does production video. Makes a great machine for the stuff that doesn't require the big beef.
If they're walking out with desktops, they're walking out with iMacs. Is that better? ....
No if you're trying to increase market share, because in the end Apple's desktop sales have gone down, in overall numbers.
The point I apparently didn't convey was that the downward trend can not be explained with the argument that people were/are waiting on the Intel switch or that the latest greatest cpus from Intel are coming out. I believe desktop sales are down because those people that the iMac and Mac mini appeal to have bought or had just bought before the switch(re: Oct - Dec 05) and are in their typical 3 - 5 year upgrade cycle. (re: My family bought an iMac G5 in Dec, won't be buying for quite some time now).
Ultimately, the Mac mini and the iMac are not switcher machines and the evidence seems to back this statement up.
If Apple is satisfied with their current line-up, fine, I mean after all they are making money. But if they want market share, as they have stated, then I believe it's time to "pull the trigger"(re: I stole this line from some one on some bulletin board some where) The low hanging fruit won't be there long, nor any lower than it is right now, with disatisfaction with Microsoft, Vista delays, iPod infatuation, etc.
I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever.
The imac on the other hand is like the worst of a desktop and the worst of a laptop all thrown together into one machine.
You are looking at it from a singular perspective. Nearly everyone I know with a cheap desktop PC do not use any of their open expansion slots, they will never update the video card, add a larger HDD, nor is it very likely they will add more RAM. That PC will stay configured the same way it was when they bought until they are finished with it.
The far majority of people just want something they can plug in and use without much further thought. In one of Steve Jobs interviews last year he said Apple designs computers for people who live busy active lives, dealing with a computer is not the center or focus of their life.
No I'm not. What I said does not invalidate what he says. He's right that if you want an expandable computer the iMac is not for you.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
Simplicity man. Remember that a niche product is one which appeals to a small or specialized group of people. It appeals to them because it is the product most suited to them. For them, it's the best possible product.
Simplicity is the key. iMac has a relatively small footprint, is hardware current, looks good, and, most importantly, has almost nothing you can bung up. iMac is for those who want stress free computing, minimal cables, and rock solid stability. Did I mention it looks good?
Also remember that, at least right now, MacBook is really gimpy in terms of graphics ability. If someone even THINKS they might want to play games, then they have to go MBP.
iMac is not as easily stolen as a laptop. I see many on secrataries' desks. I've even seen them in an office that does production video. Makes a great machine for the stuff that doesn't require the big beef.
Oh, and there are no exploding batteries.
Yeah alright I guess I'll agree with you on some of those points. But for the average consumer I still don't see the advantage. For an office or school machine I could see it. I was in a government office the other day and noticed they had these big Dell towers laying on their sides on their desks and 17" Dell LCD's stacked on top of them. It was a huge waste of desk space and I remember thinking then that an iMac would be a good solution for these people. But they probably wouldn't spend $1299 on a system like that. No school or municipal building would. And they'd probably want it in black.
But as a consumer desktop replacement priced the way it is right now I think it's a bad choice. I think most consumers are a little more picky about what they buy. They want more bang for their buck and $1299 for a desktop that is neither portable or expandable sounds like a really bad choice. Unless you like having your hands tied.
The all in one machines on the PC side of things have failed. And I doubt it's just because they look like crap. People who are spending $1299 on a machine want more for their money. So an imac at say $799 might sell better for those offices and public places that want it to double as a cash register or something. But I think most consumers would rather buy into a laptop (and they are). Those are just as simple and stress free.
Desktops
$599 Base level Mac Mini with a TV tuner for media serving. Good for your living room or special purposes or those who just can't spend anymore for a computer.
$799 Base iMac. A simple all in one secretaries machine for office apps and internet browsing. For people who don't understand computers and aren't going to sink a small fortune into one. Good for schools, offices, muncipla buildings, stores and other public places where a slim desktop is needed.
$999-$2099 Base tower system. Starts at Core Duo, Superdrive, couple of PCIe slots and goes all the way up to a fast core 2 duo with TV tuner, second hard drive and Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive options. Buy to order.
So have desktop sales of any other hardware vendor.
Not HP.
We have to also keep in perspective the Mac Pro nor iMac play in the $300 market. Which is so cheap sales should be pretty good but not so great on the profits.
No I'm not. What I said does not invalidate what he says. He's right that if you want an expandable computer the iMac is not for you.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
No the Macbook is the perfect product for that segment of the market and that's what people are buying.
Don't you iMac people get it? Most people don't want to spend $1299 for a non portable laptop on a stick when they can get a real laptop for the same price.
For one its most likely the Macbook is selling so well because Apple has not had a significant consumer notebook update in nearly 3 years.
For two the iMac line over all has been one of Apples best selling computers. Just because it wasn't the star for one quarter does not make it failure.
I agree that many people would rather spend $300 than $1299. In that case that person would not have even been looking at a Mac in the first place.
The iMac is also overkill for that segment. A 1.83ghz Core Duo, radeon x1600. and a 160GB Hard drive aren't likey to be used to full effect. It's like trying to sell a soccer mom a M3 instead of a Malibu.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
Most consumer buyers don't expand their computer. Likely TRUE.
iMac is perfect for that segment. TRUE.
Therefore these consumers want and buy iMacs. FALSE!
If you go into sales you will learn that people buy what they want, not what they need, and not what is good for them, and above all not because it makes the most sense. It seems people want the mini tower if you look at what is sold in the Windows PC market. Now don't say that Mac users are very different from Windows users. That would start a discussion in itself.
Quote:
If consumers cannot even use all of the features standard on the iMac why would they need expandability?
If you go into sales you will learn that people buy what they want, not what they need, and not what is good for them, and above all not because it makes the most sense. It seems people want the mini tower if you look at what is sold in the Windows PC market. Now don't say that Mac users are very different from Windows users. That would start a discussion in itself.
Because they want it!
I have worked in sales and I disagree.
The consumer typically does not buy what they want. They buy what they can afford.
The consumer buys what they think they might need, not what they will actually use.
Most consumers want the expandability of a tower, even if there is only a 10% chance they will use it.
Most consumers want to buy what others have. a.k.a. "sheep"
Some consumers want to buy what others don't have. a.k.a. "early adopters"
Therefore since most people have towers, most consumers will also want towers.
As more early adopters purchase laptops and all-in-one computers the sheep will also want these form factors.
The consumer typically does not buy what they want. They buy what they can afford.
The consumer buys what they think they might need, not what they will actually use.
Most consumers want the expandability of a tower, even if there is only a 10% chance they will use it.
Most consumers want to buy what others have. a.k.a. "sheep"
Some consumers want to buy what others don't have. a.k.a. "early adopters"
Therefore since most people have towers, most consumers will also want towers.
As more early adopters purchase laptops and all-in-one computers the sheep will also want these form factors.
I have worked in sales and I disagree.
The consumer typically does not buy what they would Like. If the strength of their conviction is nothing more than what they'd like, they'll get what they can afford, and which most closely fits their needs and desires.
If the consumers convition is at the level of Want, then they will buy what they Want. Period. People will do what they want to do. If they don't like the salesperson though, they'll go buy it from somewhere else. Which is why I only sold one car.
The sales person's job is to figure out what the customer wants, direct them to it, help them get themselves excited about it (note very carefully how I just said that), and then help the customer eliminate every possible reason NOT to buy it.
In general people will buy what they want, hands down. If they'd only like it though, then they get more flexible, and make compromises.
Make sense?
***EDIT*** oops, forgot to toss in the "I believe" "In My Opinion" "From what I've seen" buffers!! Shame on me!
Comments
I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever. A totally inflexable computer build with half laptop componants. Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
The iMac is simple and elegant, yet relatively powerful. That being said, it is not a machine with universal appeal. Not even close.
I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever. A totally inflexable computer build with half laptop componants. Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
The iMac, in a nutshell: you turn it on and it works.
Can someone explain to me what there is to like about it?
Simplicity man. Remember that a niche product is one which appeals to a small or specialized group of people. It appeals to them because it is the product most suited to them. For them, it's the best possible product.
Simplicity is the key. iMac has a relatively small footprint, is hardware current, looks good, and, most importantly, has almost nothing you can bung up. iMac is for those who want stress free computing, minimal cables, and rock solid stability. Did I mention it looks good?
Also remember that, at least right now, MacBook is really gimpy in terms of graphics ability. If someone even THINKS they might want to play games, then they have to go MBP.
iMac is not as easily stolen as a laptop. I see many on secrataries' desks. I've even seen them in an office that does production video. Makes a great machine for the stuff that doesn't require the big beef.
Oh, and there are no exploding batteries.
If they're walking out with desktops, they're walking out with iMacs. Is that better?
No if you're trying to increase market share, because in the end Apple's desktop sales have gone down, in overall numbers.
The point I apparently didn't convey was that the downward trend can not be explained with the argument that people were/are waiting on the Intel switch or that the latest greatest cpus from Intel are coming out. I believe desktop sales are down because those people that the iMac and Mac mini appeal to have bought or had just bought before the switch(re: Oct - Dec 05) and are in their typical 3 - 5 year upgrade cycle. (re: My family bought an iMac G5 in Dec, won't be buying for quite some time now).
Ultimately, the Mac mini and the iMac are not switcher machines and the evidence seems to back this statement up.
If Apple is satisfied with their current line-up, fine, I mean after all they are making money. But if they want market share, as they have stated, then I believe it's time to "pull the trigger"(re: I stole this line from some one on some bulletin board some where) The low hanging fruit won't be there long, nor any lower than it is right now, with disatisfaction with Microsoft, Vista delays, iPod infatuation, etc.
No if you're trying to increase market share, because in the end Apple's desktop sales have gone down, in overall numbers.
So have desktop sales of any other hardware vendor.
I really don't understand the iMac, I'll be honest. I know alot of you like it but I just don't see the appeal whatsoever.
The imac on the other hand is like the worst of a desktop and the worst of a laptop all thrown together into one machine.
You are looking at it from a singular perspective. Nearly everyone I know with a cheap desktop PC do not use any of their open expansion slots, they will never update the video card, add a larger HDD, nor is it very likely they will add more RAM. That PC will stay configured the same way it was when they bought until they are finished with it.
The far majority of people just want something they can plug in and use without much further thought. In one of Steve Jobs interviews last year he said Apple designs computers for people who live busy active lives, dealing with a computer is not the center or focus of their life.
You are looking at it from a singular perspective.
And you're not?
So have desktop sales of any other hardware vendor.
Not HP.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
Simplicity man. Remember that a niche product is one which appeals to a small or specialized group of people. It appeals to them because it is the product most suited to them. For them, it's the best possible product.
Simplicity is the key. iMac has a relatively small footprint, is hardware current, looks good, and, most importantly, has almost nothing you can bung up. iMac is for those who want stress free computing, minimal cables, and rock solid stability. Did I mention it looks good?
Also remember that, at least right now, MacBook is really gimpy in terms of graphics ability. If someone even THINKS they might want to play games, then they have to go MBP.
iMac is not as easily stolen as a laptop. I see many on secrataries' desks. I've even seen them in an office that does production video. Makes a great machine for the stuff that doesn't require the big beef.
Oh, and there are no exploding batteries.
Yeah alright I guess I'll agree with you on some of those points. But for the average consumer I still don't see the advantage. For an office or school machine I could see it. I was in a government office the other day and noticed they had these big Dell towers laying on their sides on their desks and 17" Dell LCD's stacked on top of them. It was a huge waste of desk space and I remember thinking then that an iMac would be a good solution for these people. But they probably wouldn't spend $1299 on a system like that. No school or municipal building would. And they'd probably want it in black.
But as a consumer desktop replacement priced the way it is right now I think it's a bad choice. I think most consumers are a little more picky about what they buy. They want more bang for their buck and $1299 for a desktop that is neither portable or expandable sounds like a really bad choice. Unless you like having your hands tied.
The all in one machines on the PC side of things have failed. And I doubt it's just because they look like crap. People who are spending $1299 on a machine want more for their money. So an imac at say $799 might sell better for those offices and public places that want it to double as a cash register or something. But I think most consumers would rather buy into a laptop (and they are). Those are just as simple and stress free.
Desktops
$599 Base level Mac Mini with a TV tuner for media serving. Good for your living room or special purposes or those who just can't spend anymore for a computer.
$799 Base iMac. A simple all in one secretaries machine for office apps and internet browsing. For people who don't understand computers and aren't going to sink a small fortune into one. Good for schools, offices, muncipla buildings, stores and other public places where a slim desktop is needed.
$999-$2099 Base tower system. Starts at Core Duo, Superdrive, couple of PCIe slots and goes all the way up to a fast core 2 duo with TV tuner, second hard drive and Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive options. Buy to order.
Laptops
13" Macbook
15" Macbook
13" Macbook Pro w/Tablet ability
15" Macbook Pro - Dual harddrives
17" Macbook Pro - Dual harddrives
So have desktop sales of any other hardware vendor.
Not HP.
We have to also keep in perspective the Mac Pro nor iMac play in the $300 market. Which is so cheap sales should be pretty good but not so great on the profits.
No I'm not. What I said does not invalidate what he says. He's right that if you want an expandable computer the iMac is not for you.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
It's also too expensive for that segment.
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
No the Macbook is the perfect product for that segment of the market and that's what people are buying.
Don't you iMac people get it? Most people don't want to spend $1299 for a non portable laptop on a stick when they can get a real laptop for the same price.
For two the iMac line over all has been one of Apples best selling computers. Just because it wasn't the star for one quarter does not make it failure.
I agree that many people would rather spend $300 than $1299. In that case that person would not have even been looking at a Mac in the first place.
If consumers cannot even use all of the features standard on the iMac why would they need expandability?
But you have to recognize a sizable portion (I believe the majority) of the consumer market does not really bother with expanding their computers. The iMac is perfect for that segment of the market.
Most consumer buyers don't expand their computer. Likely TRUE.
iMac is perfect for that segment. TRUE.
Therefore these consumers want and buy iMacs. FALSE!
If you go into sales you will learn that people buy what they want, not what they need, and not what is good for them, and above all not because it makes the most sense. It seems people want the mini tower if you look at what is sold in the Windows PC market. Now don't say that Mac users are very different from Windows users. That would start a discussion in itself.
If consumers cannot even use all of the features standard on the iMac why would they need expandability?
Because they want it!
If you go into sales you will learn that people buy what they want, not what they need, and not what is good for them, and above all not because it makes the most sense. It seems people want the mini tower if you look at what is sold in the Windows PC market. Now don't say that Mac users are very different from Windows users. That would start a discussion in itself.
Because they want it!
I have worked in sales and I disagree.
The consumer typically does not buy what they want. They buy what they can afford.
The consumer buys what they think they might need, not what they will actually use.
Most consumers want the expandability of a tower, even if there is only a 10% chance they will use it.
Most consumers want to buy what others have. a.k.a. "sheep"
Some consumers want to buy what others don't have. a.k.a. "early adopters"
Therefore since most people have towers, most consumers will also want towers.
As more early adopters purchase laptops and all-in-one computers the sheep will also want these form factors.
So have desktop sales of any other hardware vendor.
All the more reason for Apple to offer a computer model that most consumers expect. If Apple really wants more market share.
I have worked in sales and I disagree.
The consumer typically does not buy what they want. They buy what they can afford.
The consumer buys what they think they might need, not what they will actually use.
Most consumers want the expandability of a tower, even if there is only a 10% chance they will use it.
Most consumers want to buy what others have. a.k.a. "sheep"
Some consumers want to buy what others don't have. a.k.a. "early adopters"
Therefore since most people have towers, most consumers will also want towers.
As more early adopters purchase laptops and all-in-one computers the sheep will also want these form factors.
I have worked in sales and I disagree.
The consumer typically does not buy what they would Like. If the strength of their conviction is nothing more than what they'd like, they'll get what they can afford, and which most closely fits their needs and desires.
If the consumers convition is at the level of Want, then they will buy what they Want. Period. People will do what they want to do. If they don't like the salesperson though, they'll go buy it from somewhere else. Which is why I only sold one car.
The sales person's job is to figure out what the customer wants, direct them to it, help them get themselves excited about it (note very carefully how I just said that), and then help the customer eliminate every possible reason NOT to buy it.
In general people will buy what they want, hands down. If they'd only like it though, then they get more flexible, and make compromises.
Make sense?
***EDIT*** oops, forgot to toss in the "I believe" "In My Opinion" "From what I've seen" buffers!! Shame on me!
Consider them inserted apropriately.