ummmm, dont the 17" TFT's cost waaaaaay more than the 15"? So my guess is a higher resolution/better graphics chip instead..... maybe when those G5's appear at MWNY with 128Mb Nvida supper-dooper graphics cards...yeah right! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
I assume you don't mean CRT - I think Apple will stay with LCD-only for non-education Macs.
I think there will be a bigger screen iMac after the current screen goes to a higher res. That is, iMacs will have the same size screen (15") but at a higher res. for a bit. Then, after that, they'll get a physically bigger screen (like, maybe a 16"), same res., for a while. Then higher res. again. Then 17" (same res.). I don't think it makes sense for an iMac screen to get (physically) larger than 17".
I really think that we should consider a 17" CRT and a 15.1" LCD roughly equivalent.
The max VIS on a 17" CRT is 16.1" But on any CRT you have to back that off the extreme edge just a bit to avoid focus, geometry and convergence problems around the edges. On a very good CRT you'll get a real 15.75" on a not so good CRT you'll get 15.5" (or less). Now the CRT sports higher max resolution, but 72Hz is really the borderline of acceptable refresh. The LCD is much easier to stare at for extended periods and far less fatiguing because of it's flicker-free nature, perfect geometry, and better contrast ratio. The CRT has faster refresh and better scaling on it's side.
I wouldn't want to use that eMac CRT at 1280x960@72hz for extended periods. The 1152x864 is acceptable (at 80hz) and the standard XGA @89hz is the best bet for happy eyes as far as the eMac is concerned.
Exactly, Hobbes, and Apple is crazy if they don't release this to the general public. It will sell 200,000 units a quarter easily.
When the original iMac was in it's heyday, it was selling so well because it's specs were in the range of 75% of computer buyers. As 15 inch screens became small, the iMac's sales went down. This new 17 inch iMac could be as strong as the old one.
Let's put this in perspective. When the original iMac was strong, it was selling between 450,000 and 700,000 units per quarter. Sales went down to around 300,000 per quarter. Last quarter Apple sold 372,000 old and new iMacs combined. If they had met demand they would have sold about 450,000.
A 17 inch iMac would bring sales up to where they were before. Very few people want the old iMac, because of it's small screen. I would guess that the new LCD iMac appeals to only 20% of people walking into a CompUSA. Only about 15% of computers are bought with LCD screens. The iMac is very, very appealing IF you want to spend more for an LCD and you don't mind a smallish screen. But the 17 inch CRT would have more general appeal and COMPLEMENT the LCD iMac really well.
I think there will be a huge appeal by customers asking Apple to sell the eMac to the general public.
Since it comes with a G4, I strongly suspect that the powermac line may be upgraded real soon, maybe even next week.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why? Apple moved it's entire lineup to the G3 platform for some time before the G4 was introduced. This is natural for any chip that has matured for a while. We also know that there is still room for growth within the G4 product line, likewise, Apple could keep the lineup all G4s for a considerable amount of time. Along that line, I suspect the next iBook incarnation will be G4 based. It makes sense for Apple to clear the channel of low end Powerbooks first, then introduce newer iBooks, even as late as MYNY.
The point is, Apple is selling the digital hub concept to everyone, including schools. It only makes sense to move the Altivec savvy "iApps" to all G4 based hardware.
Believe me, I'd like to believe the G5 (whatever that may be) is coming soon. I just don't see this as any sign which makes the coming of the G5 immanent.
I think so too, but the prices need to drop 20%. 949 to 1199. Apple could entice some buyers with.
Best case would be to move the eMac into CRT iMac territory, can the CRT iMac, and, as has been mentioned here already, sell the eMac and iMac2 side by side.
And not to be so friggin cheap with that stand.
Another thing they could do is take the original CRT iMac (isn't this getting convoluted, let's call it 'Classic') give a better 15" CRT and sell it to emerging markets (China and India) cheap! $500 US. They could continue to evolve it with faster G3/4 and better video and drives. Together China and India represent over 2Billion people. Maybe only 10% of those can afford computers, but that's still 200 million people. A substantial market, and one that is not heavily invested in any technology yet. It is a market where a new platform could concievably topple the wintel megalith. That's optimistic sure, but a cheap computer with good internet connectivity and support for open standards would certainly do well there. There is A LOT of money to be made in Asia outside of Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
i don't think you will be able to buy it. Apple won't want to sell that low margin product instead of the LCD iMac. Before you all shout I don't believe that the LCD costs more than $200 more than the CRT when you buy them in the quantities that Apple does. consequently I think Apple will make more money from the LCD iMac.
I think that Apple may be keeping this education only to meet the initial demand. It is supposed to be out late May, so that gives them June, July, and part of August to get all the orders done. As with other products they may have initial manufacturing problems. They will probably have around 300,000 orders for the eMac so only a couple of months is not that much time. By keeping it education only, they will make it much more likely that they don't upset loyal customers.
I think Spindler may have hit the nail on the head. They don't want a repeat of the iMac G4 shortages for the schools, which need their computers soon. A 6 week delay for academic customers could be dealbreaker.
Definitely can't hurt the possibility of a 17" iMac. It's eventual. Could be another year before we see it, though Apple would be smart to get it out before this year's holidays.
I'd say that this beast will see the light of the consumer market before (ironically) school starts next year. This will probably either be released to the consumer market in some itteration (hopefully not blue dalmation) or the Classic 15" CRT model will be replaced with something else by MWNY.
If you thought that thing had a market before, you're really kidding yourself. They keep that thing around so that they can use them as cash registers in the Apple retail stores! ~50% of it's measly market was education and that's now gone... there's got to be a change here at some point.
<strong>I'd say that this beast will see the light of the consumer market before (ironically) school starts next year. This will probably either be released to the consumer market in some itteration (hopefully not blue dalmation) or the Classic 15" CRT model will be replaced with something else by MWNY.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why no blue dalmation? That was definately the best iMac ever
luckily, I'm a University student, so I'm strongly considering the eMac.
But the problem for me, is that the iMac is only US$100 more, and comes with a CD-RW on the bottom end instead of a CD-ROM. But then again, if 1024x768 was enough, I wouldn't buy a desktop mac, I'd stick with my ibook.
This is a serious tradeoff for someone in graphics, one that has sucessfully postponed my purchase decision. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
Comments
[quote]The eMac in some ways is a better value than the iMac.
Sure you don't get an LCD display but you do get that higher resolution.
Do you think this points to a future 17" iMac in the not too distant future?<hr></blockquote>
No, because the eMac is only available to edu customers. 17"-TFTs seem a bit too expensive right now for the iMac
I think there will be a bigger screen iMac after the current screen goes to a higher res. That is, iMacs will have the same size screen (15") but at a higher res. for a bit. Then, after that, they'll get a physically bigger screen (like, maybe a 16"), same res., for a while. Then higher res. again. Then 17" (same res.). I don't think it makes sense for an iMac screen to get (physically) larger than 17".
edit: ubby gubby
[ 04-29-2002: Message edited by: spotbug ]</p>
Since it comes with a G4, I strongly suspect that the powermac line may be upgraded real soon, maybe even next week.
The max VIS on a 17" CRT is 16.1" But on any CRT you have to back that off the extreme edge just a bit to avoid focus, geometry and convergence problems around the edges. On a very good CRT you'll get a real 15.75" on a not so good CRT you'll get 15.5" (or less). Now the CRT sports higher max resolution, but 72Hz is really the borderline of acceptable refresh. The LCD is much easier to stare at for extended periods and far less fatiguing because of it's flicker-free nature, perfect geometry, and better contrast ratio. The CRT has faster refresh and better scaling on it's side.
I wouldn't want to use that eMac CRT at 1280x960@72hz for extended periods. The 1152x864 is acceptable (at 80hz) and the standard XGA @89hz is the best bet for happy eyes as far as the eMac is concerned.
When the original iMac was in it's heyday, it was selling so well because it's specs were in the range of 75% of computer buyers. As 15 inch screens became small, the iMac's sales went down. This new 17 inch iMac could be as strong as the old one.
Let's put this in perspective. When the original iMac was strong, it was selling between 450,000 and 700,000 units per quarter. Sales went down to around 300,000 per quarter. Last quarter Apple sold 372,000 old and new iMacs combined. If they had met demand they would have sold about 450,000.
A 17 inch iMac would bring sales up to where they were before. Very few people want the old iMac, because of it's small screen. I would guess that the new LCD iMac appeals to only 20% of people walking into a CompUSA. Only about 15% of computers are bought with LCD screens. The iMac is very, very appealing IF you want to spend more for an LCD and you don't mind a smallish screen. But the 17 inch CRT would have more general appeal and COMPLEMENT the LCD iMac really well.
I think there will be a huge appeal by customers asking Apple to sell the eMac to the general public.
<strong>The eMac is a total suprise to me.
Since it comes with a G4, I strongly suspect that the powermac line may be upgraded real soon, maybe even next week.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why? Apple moved it's entire lineup to the G3 platform for some time before the G4 was introduced. This is natural for any chip that has matured for a while. We also know that there is still room for growth within the G4 product line, likewise, Apple could keep the lineup all G4s for a considerable amount of time. Along that line, I suspect the next iBook incarnation will be G4 based. It makes sense for Apple to clear the channel of low end Powerbooks first, then introduce newer iBooks, even as late as MYNY.
The point is, Apple is selling the digital hub concept to everyone, including schools. It only makes sense to move the Altivec savvy "iApps" to all G4 based hardware.
Believe me, I'd like to believe the G5 (whatever that may be) is coming soon. I just don't see this as any sign which makes the coming of the G5 immanent.
Steve
Best case would be to move the eMac into CRT iMac territory, can the CRT iMac, and, as has been mentioned here already, sell the eMac and iMac2 side by side.
And not to be so friggin cheap with that stand.
Another thing they could do is take the original CRT iMac (isn't this getting convoluted, let's call it 'Classic') give a better 15" CRT and sell it to emerging markets (China and India) cheap! $500 US. They could continue to evolve it with faster G3/4 and better video and drives. Together China and India represent over 2Billion people. Maybe only 10% of those can afford computers, but that's still 200 million people. A substantial market, and one that is not heavily invested in any technology yet. It is a market where a new platform could concievably topple the wintel megalith. That's optimistic sure, but a cheap computer with good internet connectivity and support for open standards would certainly do well there. There is A LOT of money to be made in Asia outside of Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
i don't think you will be able to buy it. Apple won't want to sell that low margin product instead of the LCD iMac. Before you all shout I don't believe that the LCD costs more than $200 more than the CRT when you buy them in the quantities that Apple does. consequently I think Apple will make more money from the LCD iMac.
$2000 imac SE 17" 1ghz (something around it)
If you thought that thing had a market before, you're really kidding yourself. They keep that thing around so that they can use them as cash registers in the Apple retail stores! ~50% of it's measly market was education and that's now gone... there's got to be a change here at some point.
<strong>I'd say that this beast will see the light of the consumer market before (ironically) school starts next year. This will probably either be released to the consumer market in some itteration (hopefully not blue dalmation) or the Classic 15" CRT model will be replaced with something else by MWNY.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why no blue dalmation? That was definately the best iMac ever
But the problem for me, is that the iMac is only US$100 more, and comes with a CD-RW on the bottom end instead of a CD-ROM. But then again, if 1024x768 was enough, I wouldn't buy a desktop mac, I'd stick with my ibook.
This is a serious tradeoff for someone in graphics, one that has sucessfully postponed my purchase decision. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />