Future Hardware (needing future software?)

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
I was thinking today about all the obvious reasons why Apple hasn't yet released updated PowerMacs, either G4/G5/AMD, whatever...



What are the chances that Steve has plans on including a suite of 'Pro' apps with the new hardware? You know, much like iMac software bundles, but instead of some Pangea game and AppleWorks, include DVD StudioPro, FCP3, Photoshop 6, and a good multitrack audio app.



It would allow a little more justification for relatively high price points (ie, more value to the customer), without cutting into margins too much. For example, M$ Office costs roughly $425 retail, but institutions can buy it in bulk for about $15 per license.



This type of PROmotion could really help the introduction of either a new G5 line, or _just_ a speed bumped G4 line.



[Bracing for 1300 people to say "But REAL pros don't use <insert software title>, they use <insert favorite software title>!"]



What do you guys think about this?

(not just as an explanation for the hold up, I personally just think HW isn't ready yet)



[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: concentricity ]</p>

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    emaneman Posts: 7,204member
    Adding the apps that you mentioned would cost too much.
  • Reply 2 of 10
    [quote]Originally posted by EmAn:

    <strong>Adding the apps that you mentioned would cost too much.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Can you elaborate a little more?



    I happen to know that PS6, which retails for almost $600 can be purchased in bulk (for institutions at least) for under $100.

    And as for Apple software, I'm sure that with the $999 price tag for FCP3, there's a _bit_ of margin that could be tucked away.
  • Reply 3 of 10
    renanrenan Posts: 49member
    Plus, the O/S-X still has too many patches.Then I read at macosrumors and macnews that the G-5 is to come out at MacWorld New York???What???It just

    cannot be...All this Apollo Garbage...no bus speed increase...no new memory DDR until G-5???The Pro

    Market using Apple products will surely suffer.Plus... the long wait.They blame it on Motorola and the new casing design for the G-5.Which is not ready.They have been working on it over 1 year.

    So the system...O/S and hardware G-5 are just not ready....Apple Behind the Times...Again...Beyond

    The Rumors...A Look into the Future....Too many questions and not enough answers.Just ship the

    PM Apollo w. O/S-X and papers like the cabbage

    patch dolls.Talk about Toaster banality with the

    QuickSilver Design.The same case for years so far...Plus the slow bus system compared to the

    Windows platform.What a pitty.All that Research and Development money..at Apple.What gives at Apple???
  • Reply 4 of 10
    gustavgustav Posts: 827member
    [quote]Originally posted by Renan:

    <strong>.All this Apollo Garbage...no bus speed increase...no new memory DDR until G-5???

    ...

    Plus the slow bus system compared to the

    Windows platform.What a pitty.All that Research and Development money..at Apple.What gives at Apple???</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Where would you rather have Apple spend their R&D money? On making a new board for the G4 with DDR, faster, bus etc. on a system that will only be sold for six months, or would you rather they spend money on developing the G5?



    I pick the G5? Besides a lot of Pro users you speak of aren't computer geeks. They have no idea what DDR Ram is nor do they know about bus speeds, and they don't require the newest case design.



    Most pros buy the best Mac they can afford, use it for a few years, then upgrade when they get money for a new one. All these specs aren't as important to users unless the users are computer geeks like us.
  • Reply 5 of 10
    amorphamorph Posts: 7,112member
    [quote]Originally posted by concentricity:

    <strong>What are the chances that Steve has plans on including a suite of 'Pro' apps with the new hardware? You know, much like iMac software bundles, but instead of some Pangea game and AppleWorks, include DVD StudioPro, FCP3, Photoshop 6, and a good multitrack audio app.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Apple could, but remember that they're standardizing on OS X now. Photoshop 6 would have to run in Classic, which would be sort of gauche.



    They've been offering bundles and software deals for a while now. I suppose they'll continue doing that. Although, they are apparently increasing the number of apps that they ship with their pro lines.



    [ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Amorph ]</p>
  • Reply 6 of 10
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    [quote]Originally posted by concentricity:

    <strong>Can you elaborate a little more?</strong><hr></blockquote> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

    elaborate? EmAm? <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
  • Reply 7 of 10
    The problem with bundling is what do you do if you already have the apps bundled or don't use them. You are paying for stuff you don't need. I'd rather they didn't bundle because when I upgrade my Mac, I don't want to have duplicate apps. Offer a special deal on a bundle, Yes. But don't bundle.
  • Reply 8 of 10
    [quote]Originally posted by Amorph:

    <strong>



    Apple could, but remember that they're standardizing on OS X now. Photoshop 6 would have to run in Classic, which would be sort of gauche.



    [ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Amorph ]</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Well, that was sorda the original point, 'could apple be waiting for Photoshop X before they release the new PowerMacs?'
  • Reply 9 of 10
    amorphamorph Posts: 7,112member
    [quote]Originally posted by concentricity:

    <strong>



    Well, that was sorda the original point, 'could apple be waiting for Photoshop X before they release the new PowerMacs?'</strong><hr></blockquote>



    So much for my reading comprehension.



    I doubt they are. They could always release the machines now and bundle Photoshop 7 when it comes out.



    If they're waiting for anything IMO, it's nVIDIA's announcement on the 4th.
  • Reply 10 of 10
    jcgjcg Posts: 777member
    [quote]Originally posted by Kevin Hayes:

    <strong>



    Where would you rather have Apple spend their R&D money? On making a new board for the G4 with DDR, faster, bus etc. on a system that will only be sold for six months, or would you rather they spend money on developing the G5?



    I pick the G5? Besides a lot of Pro users you speak of aren't computer geeks. They have no idea what DDR Ram is nor do they know about bus speeds, and they don't require the newest case design.



    Most pros buy the best Mac they can afford, use it for a few years, then upgrade when they get money for a new one. All these specs aren't as important to users unless the users are computer geeks like us.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    I would be willing to bet that most of the basic design work for the mother board modifications to the G4 board have been done a long time ago. UMA 1.5 has been out for over a year now, so I would imagine that UMA 2.0 is pretty much set. And if Apple is still using the concept of the UMA archetecture then UMA 2.0 would support both the G4 and G5 chip so that they can use it in both consumer and pro Macs.
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