What about the displays?
There hasn't been much talk about Apple producing new displays for MWSF.
Think Apple could unveil 3 new displays that are slimmer (like sony) and cheaper or at least cheaper.
I think that could be as follows:
15" LCD reduced to $399 new design, slimmer.
18.1" LCD same price as current 17", slimmer.
22" LCD reduced to $1999, new design.
I could totally see Apple doing this especially since LCD prices are so low.
As cheap as Ram is to manufacture, 256MB should be the standard on all models since OS X isn't much fun with 128MB.
Also I have heard something (forgot where) about Apple putting Digital Optical input/outputs on the product line and Harman Kardon putting Optical Digital input on the new revision of soundsticks. Maybe even a deal with Creative for the SB Live! cards could be in the works. I know I would really love 5.1 or 6.1 surround on my G4. Imagine the audio editing capabilities with say Pro Tools, or maybe even an Apple-branded iSound (iMusic, iTunes Pro, Sound Cut Pro) editing software with a Final Cut Pro style interface and 5.1/6.1 channel editing capabilities. Why doesn't Apple make Final Cut (no Pro) for like $499 that is a scaled down version of FCP for the Pro-sumer.
Has anyone heard of Super Audio CD from Sony? Is it just 6.1 channel audio burned on a standard 650MB or 700MB CD or is it actually more like DVD where it holds 2.5+ Gigs? If so, does SACD have DVD-like copy protection? Why couldn't Apple make a tool to make SACD's for the Pro's that don't stand behind big record labels?
Well, looks like I got just as much spectulation here as the next person here. Wish I had some inside info, oh well; guess I'll have to wait a few days. :cool:
Think Apple could unveil 3 new displays that are slimmer (like sony) and cheaper or at least cheaper.
I think that could be as follows:
15" LCD reduced to $399 new design, slimmer.
18.1" LCD same price as current 17", slimmer.
22" LCD reduced to $1999, new design.
I could totally see Apple doing this especially since LCD prices are so low.
As cheap as Ram is to manufacture, 256MB should be the standard on all models since OS X isn't much fun with 128MB.
Also I have heard something (forgot where) about Apple putting Digital Optical input/outputs on the product line and Harman Kardon putting Optical Digital input on the new revision of soundsticks. Maybe even a deal with Creative for the SB Live! cards could be in the works. I know I would really love 5.1 or 6.1 surround on my G4. Imagine the audio editing capabilities with say Pro Tools, or maybe even an Apple-branded iSound (iMusic, iTunes Pro, Sound Cut Pro) editing software with a Final Cut Pro style interface and 5.1/6.1 channel editing capabilities. Why doesn't Apple make Final Cut (no Pro) for like $499 that is a scaled down version of FCP for the Pro-sumer.
Has anyone heard of Super Audio CD from Sony? Is it just 6.1 channel audio burned on a standard 650MB or 700MB CD or is it actually more like DVD where it holds 2.5+ Gigs? If so, does SACD have DVD-like copy protection? Why couldn't Apple make a tool to make SACD's for the Pro's that don't stand behind big record labels?
Well, looks like I got just as much spectulation here as the next person here. Wish I had some inside info, oh well; guess I'll have to wait a few days. :cool:
Comments
Fun.
NeilyB
<strong>Maybe $499 for the 15", I think $399 is too low.</strong><hr></blockquote>
There are 15" LCD's you CAN get for $399. Why doesn't Apple produce a Display that is as cheap as the PC 15" displays but will only work with the post-2000 Apple Computers? I know they can still sell it for $399 and not take a loss, and how much R&D would go into a 15" LCD?
<strong>
There are 15" LCD's you CAN get for $399. Why doesn't Apple produce a Display that is as cheap as the PC 15" displays but will only work with the post-2000 Apple Computers? I know they can still sell it for $399 and not take a loss, and how much R&D would go into a 15" LCD?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'd go with $499 and a $50-$100 rebate when purchased with new PM...
Similar deals with all displays...
-Paul
<strong>
There are 15" LCD's you CAN get for $399. Why doesn't Apple produce a Display that is as cheap as the PC 15" displays but will only work with the post-2000 Apple Computers? I know they can still sell it for $399 and not take a loss, and how much R&D would go into a 15" LCD?</strong><hr></blockquote>
sorry but Apple makes very high quality LCDs. the last thing I want is them making a piece of crap one just to meet a price point. I'd rather pay 499 and get a great display than 399 and get a decent one
<strong>
sorry but Apple makes very high quality LCDs. the last thing I want is them making a piece of crap one just to meet a price point. I'd rather pay 499 and get a great display than 399 and get a decent one</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree. Nobody makes an LCD that compares to the Apple ones. I thought SGI's was great until I saw Apple's.
17" (1280), 22" (1600), 24" (1920 or whatever)
SdC
<strong>
sorry but Apple makes very high quality LCDs. the last thing I want is them making a piece of crap one just to meet a price point. I'd rather pay 499 and get a great display than 399 and get a decent one</strong><hr></blockquote>
absolutely.
I worked at a college for the past couple years doing everything from web design to hardware and network support, and last spring i was tasked with evaluating a bunch of 15" LCD's. We had some from Dell, NEC, View Sonic, Samsung, and Apple. After setting all of them up on nearly identical Dell's (sans the Apple, which was connected to a Cube) i did a thorough written eval of each, then invited many of my co-workers to do the same. the results were almost unanimous. Of the 'PC' LCD's, the ViewSonic we had was the best, but even it couldn't live up to the Apple.
A major issue that few people seem to understand is that a lot of video cards out there (even some brand new ones) don't have DVI connectors. That means the video signal needs to go from digital, to analog, back to digital, and suffers greatly. There are even more problems with analog LCD-Graphics card combos, like a lack of sync, which causes pixel jitter (AWFUL).
Bottom line is that apple has _so far_ used great technology, and let the market in terms of quality in designing and implementing digital video displays.
ugh, do i sound like a cheerleader? <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
Just a thought
<strong>I expect that Apple will discontinue the 15". Too much price pressure from other LCD's out there.
17" (1280), 22" (1600), 24" (1920 or whatever)
SdC</strong><hr></blockquote>
That and the iMac having a 15" LCD. If you want a 15" LCD buy the iMac and you get a computer for free!
Andrew