See, this is what I've been talking about for well over a year: CUSTOMIZATION and CHOICE.
Yes, the eMac, for $1099, doesn't have a SuperDrive. No problem.
But what if you WANTED to pay for it? Why doesn't Apple simply offer, through their online store, the OPTION of upgrading to one.
I hate how they ALWAYS lock you in to a model and you have to make compromises and stuff because they don't allow you to pick and choose a little better.
Tons of people would rather have a CRT-based G4 iMac with a 17" screen. Those same people might want a SuperDrive (or at the very least, a Combo Drive).
Why can't Apple simply offer that at their online store? Do they not realize it would sell like crazy?
The stock model eMac is, thankfully, low-end, affordable and so forth. But does it mean it can never be upgraded if the customer WANTS TO PAY FOR IT?
[quote] But what if you WANTED to pay for it? Why doesn't Apple simply offer, through their online store, the OPTION of upgrading to one.
<hr></blockquote>
Because if you want a SuperDrive, Apple wants you to buy either an iMac or a PowerMac. Simple as that. Right or wrong, Apple is using the SuperDrive to differentiate between the quadrants... That's also why you won't see a SuperDrive in the eMac for at least another year; it will take that long for some new tech to become available that Apple can use to differentiate between the eMac & iMac lines. Whether it's DDR, faster procs, or whatever, I've no idea.
<strong>Because if you want a SuperDrive, Apple wants you to buy either an iMac or a PowerMac. Simple as that. Right or wrong, Apple is using the SuperDrive to differentiate between the quadrants... That's also why you won't see a SuperDrive in the eMac for at least another year; it will take that long for some new tech to become available that Apple can use to differentiate between the eMac & iMac lines. Whether it's DDR, faster procs, or whatever, I've no idea.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I disagree. I wouldn't have when I first heard that the eMac was going on general sale, but then I thought it through.
Apple is looking to sell computers. As many as possible. iMac sales look like they'll be lower than expectations, and the decision has been made to make the eMac available to everyone - according to Apple this is by "public demand". So if an option for a SuperDrive in the eMac will sell more units, then why not go with it?
It's a sensible business decision, especially given that Apple admitted the gross margin on the iMac is very low (certainly for Apple products) and comparing the eMac with the CRT iMac in light of the current economy, it looks like there's a more acceptable margin on the education product.
The division lines need to be drawn between customer groups, not the notional "quadrants". There's a very specific line between the iBook and PowerBook because one is meant for "consumers", the other for "professionals".
Both the iMac and eMac are for "consumers", there's no divison in the target group.
Yeah, I would think that Apple would be primarily concerned with selling Macs, period. If sticking a G4 and a SuperDrive in an iBook makes them fly out the door, they should do it.
Same with the eMac vs. iMac LCD vs. CRT iMac, etc.
Just give the option, at least. I know about four people who are seriously looking at the eMac right now. Three of the four are current PC/Windows users, so...
[quote] Now we are at it I want a LCD equipped eMac. <hr></blockquote>
Those are already available - they are called iMacs!
Anyway, I doubt if Apple would put a SuperDrive in an eMac. It is still aimed at home and education users, and most of these user would not need a SuperDrive. Putting a combo drive (like the one in the iBook) would be a better idea, so you can watch movies and burn CDs. That would keep me happy.
If Apple was to put a SuperDrive in an eMac, its price would be close to that of the iMac, and they are close as it is - I would rather just see the iMac get faster, with a SuperDrive, and the eMac get a combo drive and gradually fall in price, so that it can replace the old iMac adn become the new base model. That's my thoughts anyway. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
I guess Apple won't sell custom ordered machines because its a PC thing.
So we have to buy what we are told to. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
Well iMacs were voted down and the order for 15 Sun Blade 100 systems was placed. I tried, but the best arguement was "If Apple's OS X is just like UNIX, then why not buy UNIX machines?". I didn't have a good answer for that.
[quote] Apple is looking to sell computers. As many as possible. iMac sales look like they'll be lower than expectations, and the decision has been made to make the eMac available to everyone - according to Apple this is by "public demand". So if an option for a SuperDrive in the eMac will sell more units, then why not go with it? <hr></blockquote>
If this is the case, then why isn't the SuperDrive available now on the eMac? It's just a 1/2 height IDE 5 1/4" drive, same as the CDRW that's in the eMac now. If you're right, then offering the SuperDrive as an upgrade is a no-brainer-- but Apple hasn't done it. Apple is afraid that an eMac with a SuperDrive will cannibalize high end iMac sales, which have a higher margin than the low end...
[quote]It's a sensible business decision, especially given that Apple admitted the gross margin on the iMac is very low (certainly for Apple products) and comparing the eMac with the CRT iMac in light of the current economy, it looks like there's a more acceptable margin on the education product.<hr></blockquote>
Where are you getting this? From the analysis that I've seen around the time Apple bumped up the price of the iMac, the margins on them are just about in line with the rest of what Apple has to offer (IIRC, the iMac's margin was an average of about 26% compared with the company average of 32%, or something like that).
[quote] The division lines need to be drawn between customer groups, not the notional "quadrants". There's a very specific line between the iBook and PowerBook because one is meant for "consumers", the other for "professionals".
Both the iMac and eMac are for "consumers", there's no divison in the target group.
<hr></blockquote>
I disagree. Do Toyota and Lexus compete for the same audience, even though they're both remarkably similar products built by the same company? Of course not. Toyota/Lexus has found a dividing line amoung consumers that has served them well. Apple is looking to do the same thing with the eMac/iMac.
There are "high-end" consumers, which Apple is targeting with the iMac, and "low-end" consumers, which they're targeting with the eMac. If you look at what's offered with each machine, it's obvious that Apple is being very cautious with the eMac so as not to tread into iMac territory. Why else would it only be available with a CDRW? They don't even offer the choice of a DVD-ROM...
[quote] Yeah, I would think that Apple would be primarily concerned with selling Macs, period. <hr></blockquote>
Actually, they're interested in making money above all else. Apple obviously feels that protecting their margins is the way to accomplish that. Apple would rather have someone buy a top-of-the-line iMac rather than an eMac with a SuperDrive built-to-order. They make more money that way.
Look at it like this: I've got a QS 733 that I'd LOVE to upgrade with a dual 1GHz CPU card & a SuperDrive for say, $1500. Why doesn't Apple sell an upgrade kit so I can do it? The answer is easy-- They'd rather I sell my old machine and buy a whole new one, because they'll make more money that way.
Sorry guys, but I think that the eMac is just a replacement for the iMac G3 on the low end... I don't think we'll see Apple do anything that would jeopardize sales of iMacs.
<strong>Actually (I still believe in custom ordering whatever the heck you want), simply offering the cool Combo Drive in the consumer eMac would be enough.
That's a nice trade-off and that still let's people keep a nice, all-in-one solution for watching movies and burning CDs.
I'd go for that.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I second this! And its not only watching movies. If you have small kids they want to play games. In a few months time most games will be too large as to be sold on CDs, but they will come on DVDs.
<strong>If this is the case, then why isn't the SuperDrive available now on the eMac? It's just a 1/2 height IDE 5 1/4" drive, same as the CDRW that's in the eMac now. If you're right, then offering the SuperDrive as an upgrade is a no-brainer-- but Apple hasn't done it. Apple is afraid that an eMac with a SuperDrive will cannibalize high end iMac sales, which have a higher margin than the low end...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I would suspect the reason is to avoid immediate additional costs. There are no changes required to production to bring the eMac to consumers, so I expect Apple will see how sales go before spending cash on DVD-R units and production changes.
What does it matter if a SuperDrive eMac cannibalizes high-end iMac sales? They're maybe more profitable than low-end iMacs, but as I said, there's a slimmer profit margin on the iMac.
It comes down this - why did Apple choose to offer the eMac to everyone in the first place? I suspect it's because iMac sales aren't meeting expectations and Apple is aware that there is a demand for the eMac. If there's a demand for an eMac with SuperDrive, what harm can it do to offer one?
[quote]<strong>Where are you getting this? From the analysis that I've seen around the time Apple bumped up the price of the iMac, the margins on them are just about in line with the rest of what Apple has to offer (IIRC, the iMac's margin was an average of about 26% compared with the company average of 32%, or something like that).</strong><hr></blockquote>
I got it from the conference call:
[quote][Fred Anderson] noted that gross margins on the new iMac are lower than on both the previous model and the Power Mac line.<hr></blockquote>
The bump in price was to cover increased component costs, not increase margin.
We can't compare the relative margins of SuperDrive iMacs and eMacs, but using your figures with the base models:
iMac $1399 @ 26% profit margin = $363.74
eMac $1099 @ 32% profit margin = $351.68
There's not much of a difference, is there? If eMac sales cannibalize iMac sales, so what? The more units Apple sells, the more money it makes. If customers would rather have an eMac than an iMac, Apple wins. If customers would rather have a cheap Dell than an expensive iMac, Apple loses.
[quote]<strong>I disagree. Do Toyota and Lexus compete for the same audience, even though they're both remarkably similar products built by the same company? Of course not. Toyota/Lexus has found a dividing line amoung consumers that has served them well. Apple is looking to do the same thing with the eMac/iMac.
There are "high-end" consumers, which Apple is targeting with the iMac, and "low-end" consumers, which they're targeting with the eMac. If you look at what's offered with each machine, it's obvious that Apple is being very cautious with the eMac so as not to tread into iMac territory. Why else would it only be available with a CDRW? They don't even offer the choice of a DVD-ROM...</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're comparing an iBook with a PowerBook, or an iMac with a PowerMac, not an eMac with an iMac. A Toyota and a Lexus are aimed at different market sectors - standard and luxury. If you have to resort to crude motor industry comparisons, eMac vs. iMac is like comparing a basic Toyota with a tricked out one.
Car manufacturers add extras to top-end models (leather seats, sat nav, climate control) to boost profits above the margin set on the basic model. Apple's "extras" (LCD, SuperDrive) are sitting on a basic model with a lower margin than the eMac.
[quote] I still believe in custom ordering whatever the heck you want <hr></blockquote>
Sounds like a nice idea I admit, but Apple already dos this to an extent with memory and hard disks etc at the Apple Store.
The problem with this is that it is expensive to do - and cuts into profit margins, so they have to charge higher prices. This is why memory is so expensive at the Apple Store i reckon.
If Apple was to offer custom build machines across the board, prices would have to go up, or profits down - and either way Apple would lose out, as the machines wouldn't be competitively priced, so buyers would turn away, or they wouldn't make enough profit.
Like I say, nice idea for the customer, but impractical really.
[quote]The bump in price was to cover increased component costs, not increase margin.<hr></blockquote>
The increase was to protect their margin against increasing component costs... Now that the component costs are dropping, how is that going to effect the margin?
Whoa. Wait a second. I said the 32% was the average margin for the entire company-- I don't know where you get off using it as the margin for the eMac. That's rather disengenuous... I don't know what the margin for the eMac is, and never made the claim that it approached the company average.
[quote]It comes down this - why did Apple choose to offer the eMac to everyone in the first place?<hr></blockquote>
[see my last paragraph in this message]
[quote] There's not much of a difference, is there? If eMac sales cannibalize iMac sales, so what? The more units Apple sells, the more money it makes. If customers would rather have an eMac than an iMac, Apple wins. If customers would rather have a cheap Dell than an expensive iMac, Apple loses. <hr></blockquote>
Yes, provided the eMac's margin is higher than the iMac's. I have yet to see evidence that is the case.
[quote] A Toyota and a Lexus are aimed at different market sectors - standard and luxury. <hr></blockquote>
So is the eMac/iMac... Standard & luxury. That was my point.
[quote] Car manufacturers add extras to top-end models (leather seats, sat nav, climate control) to boost profits above the margin set on the basic model. Apple's "extras" (LCD, SuperDrive) are sitting on a basic model with a lower margin than the eMac. <hr></blockquote>
Show me that the eMac has a higher margin than the iMac.
Given that it was introduced purely to prevent educators from jumping to Wintel, it stands to reason that the margin is less important to Apple on the eMac than on the rest of their line. The only reason it's available to the general public now is Apple was flooded with requests to make it available to the general public. Seeing iMac G3 sales on the wane, Apple decided it wouldn't hurt to replace them with the eMac on the low end. All that's IMHO, of course.
External FireWire drives do NOT (fully) work with DVD-StudioPro. It will NOT allow you to preview your work or test the code before burning... which is *almost* useless. With the external, you cannot use iDVD, DVD Player or DVD-StudioPro (to it's fullest extent).
I ended-up buying an internal and replaced my CD-RW drive... it all works fine now.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I must be working on some type of super mutant machine then. Because I've got an external drive and i can preview and test with DVDSP just fine...
Specs and custom jobs are so PC. Models are what Apple thinks people are less alienated by. But plenty of options are good, Apple is on the right track, and they're getting there slowly but surely..
Comments
Yes, the eMac, for $1099, doesn't have a SuperDrive. No problem.
But what if you WANTED to pay for it? Why doesn't Apple simply offer, through their online store, the OPTION of upgrading to one.
I hate how they ALWAYS lock you in to a model and you have to make compromises and stuff because they don't allow you to pick and choose a little better.
Tons of people would rather have a CRT-based G4 iMac with a 17" screen. Those same people might want a SuperDrive (or at the very least, a Combo Drive).
Why can't Apple simply offer that at their online store? Do they not realize it would sell like crazy?
The stock model eMac is, thankfully, low-end, affordable and so forth. But does it mean it can never be upgraded if the customer WANTS TO PAY FOR IT?
Always bugs me.
<hr></blockquote>
Because if you want a SuperDrive, Apple wants you to buy either an iMac or a PowerMac. Simple as that. Right or wrong, Apple is using the SuperDrive to differentiate between the quadrants... That's also why you won't see a SuperDrive in the eMac for at least another year; it will take that long for some new tech to become available that Apple can use to differentiate between the eMac & iMac lines. Whether it's DDR, faster procs, or whatever, I've no idea.
<strong>Because if you want a SuperDrive, Apple wants you to buy either an iMac or a PowerMac. Simple as that. Right or wrong, Apple is using the SuperDrive to differentiate between the quadrants... That's also why you won't see a SuperDrive in the eMac for at least another year; it will take that long for some new tech to become available that Apple can use to differentiate between the eMac & iMac lines. Whether it's DDR, faster procs, or whatever, I've no idea.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I disagree. I wouldn't have when I first heard that the eMac was going on general sale, but then I thought it through.
Apple is looking to sell computers. As many as possible. iMac sales look like they'll be lower than expectations, and the decision has been made to make the eMac available to everyone - according to Apple this is by "public demand". So if an option for a SuperDrive in the eMac will sell more units, then why not go with it?
It's a sensible business decision, especially given that Apple admitted the gross margin on the iMac is very low (certainly for Apple products) and comparing the eMac with the CRT iMac in light of the current economy, it looks like there's a more acceptable margin on the education product.
The division lines need to be drawn between customer groups, not the notional "quadrants". There's a very specific line between the iBook and PowerBook because one is meant for "consumers", the other for "professionals".
Both the iMac and eMac are for "consumers", there's no divison in the target group.
[ 06-06-2002: Message edited by: Belle ]</p>
Same with the eMac vs. iMac LCD vs. CRT iMac, etc.
Just give the option, at least. I know about four people who are seriously looking at the eMac right now. Three of the four are current PC/Windows users, so...
Whatever it takes.
Those are already available - they are called iMacs!
Anyway, I doubt if Apple would put a SuperDrive in an eMac. It is still aimed at home and education users, and most of these user would not need a SuperDrive. Putting a combo drive (like the one in the iBook) would be a better idea, so you can watch movies and burn CDs. That would keep me happy.
If Apple was to put a SuperDrive in an eMac, its price would be close to that of the iMac, and they are close as it is - I would rather just see the iMac get faster, with a SuperDrive, and the eMac get a combo drive and gradually fall in price, so that it can replace the old iMac adn become the new base model. That's my thoughts anyway. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
I guess Apple won't sell custom ordered machines because its a PC thing.
So we have to buy what we are told to. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
Well iMacs were voted down and the order for 15 Sun Blade 100 systems was placed. I tried, but the best arguement was "If Apple's OS X is just like UNIX, then why not buy UNIX machines?". I didn't have a good answer for that.
Kenny must live... to die
That's a nice trade-off and that still let's people keep a nice, all-in-one solution for watching movies and burning CDs.
I'd go for that.
If this is the case, then why isn't the SuperDrive available now on the eMac? It's just a 1/2 height IDE 5 1/4" drive, same as the CDRW that's in the eMac now. If you're right, then offering the SuperDrive as an upgrade is a no-brainer-- but Apple hasn't done it. Apple is afraid that an eMac with a SuperDrive will cannibalize high end iMac sales, which have a higher margin than the low end...
[quote]It's a sensible business decision, especially given that Apple admitted the gross margin on the iMac is very low (certainly for Apple products) and comparing the eMac with the CRT iMac in light of the current economy, it looks like there's a more acceptable margin on the education product.<hr></blockquote>
Where are you getting this? From the analysis that I've seen around the time Apple bumped up the price of the iMac, the margins on them are just about in line with the rest of what Apple has to offer (IIRC, the iMac's margin was an average of about 26% compared with the company average of 32%, or something like that).
[quote] The division lines need to be drawn between customer groups, not the notional "quadrants". There's a very specific line between the iBook and PowerBook because one is meant for "consumers", the other for "professionals".
Both the iMac and eMac are for "consumers", there's no divison in the target group.
<hr></blockquote>
I disagree. Do Toyota and Lexus compete for the same audience, even though they're both remarkably similar products built by the same company? Of course not. Toyota/Lexus has found a dividing line amoung consumers that has served them well. Apple is looking to do the same thing with the eMac/iMac.
There are "high-end" consumers, which Apple is targeting with the iMac, and "low-end" consumers, which they're targeting with the eMac. If you look at what's offered with each machine, it's obvious that Apple is being very cautious with the eMac so as not to tread into iMac territory. Why else would it only be available with a CDRW? They don't even offer the choice of a DVD-ROM...
[quote] Yeah, I would think that Apple would be primarily concerned with selling Macs, period. <hr></blockquote>
Actually, they're interested in making money above all else. Apple obviously feels that protecting their margins is the way to accomplish that. Apple would rather have someone buy a top-of-the-line iMac rather than an eMac with a SuperDrive built-to-order. They make more money that way.
Look at it like this: I've got a QS 733 that I'd LOVE to upgrade with a dual 1GHz CPU card & a SuperDrive for say, $1500. Why doesn't Apple sell an upgrade kit so I can do it? The answer is easy-- They'd rather I sell my old machine and buy a whole new one, because they'll make more money that way.
Sorry guys, but I think that the eMac is just a replacement for the iMac G3 on the low end... I don't think we'll see Apple do anything that would jeopardize sales of iMacs.
<strong>Actually (I still believe in custom ordering whatever the heck you want), simply offering the cool Combo Drive in the consumer eMac would be enough.
That's a nice trade-off and that still let's people keep a nice, all-in-one solution for watching movies and burning CDs.
I'd go for that.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I second this! And its not only watching movies. If you have small kids they want to play games. In a few months time most games will be too large as to be sold on CDs, but they will come on DVDs.
<strong>If this is the case, then why isn't the SuperDrive available now on the eMac? It's just a 1/2 height IDE 5 1/4" drive, same as the CDRW that's in the eMac now. If you're right, then offering the SuperDrive as an upgrade is a no-brainer-- but Apple hasn't done it. Apple is afraid that an eMac with a SuperDrive will cannibalize high end iMac sales, which have a higher margin than the low end...</strong><hr></blockquote>
I would suspect the reason is to avoid immediate additional costs. There are no changes required to production to bring the eMac to consumers, so I expect Apple will see how sales go before spending cash on DVD-R units and production changes.
What does it matter if a SuperDrive eMac cannibalizes high-end iMac sales? They're maybe more profitable than low-end iMacs, but as I said, there's a slimmer profit margin on the iMac.
It comes down this - why did Apple choose to offer the eMac to everyone in the first place? I suspect it's because iMac sales aren't meeting expectations and Apple is aware that there is a demand for the eMac. If there's a demand for an eMac with SuperDrive, what harm can it do to offer one?
[quote]<strong>Where are you getting this? From the analysis that I've seen around the time Apple bumped up the price of the iMac, the margins on them are just about in line with the rest of what Apple has to offer (IIRC, the iMac's margin was an average of about 26% compared with the company average of 32%, or something like that).</strong><hr></blockquote>
I got it from the conference call:
[quote][Fred Anderson] noted that gross margins on the new iMac are lower than on both the previous model and the Power Mac line.<hr></blockquote>
The bump in price was to cover increased component costs, not increase margin.
We can't compare the relative margins of SuperDrive iMacs and eMacs, but using your figures with the base models:
iMac $1399 @ 26% profit margin = $363.74
eMac $1099 @ 32% profit margin = $351.68
There's not much of a difference, is there? If eMac sales cannibalize iMac sales, so what? The more units Apple sells, the more money it makes. If customers would rather have an eMac than an iMac, Apple wins. If customers would rather have a cheap Dell than an expensive iMac, Apple loses.
[quote]<strong>I disagree. Do Toyota and Lexus compete for the same audience, even though they're both remarkably similar products built by the same company? Of course not. Toyota/Lexus has found a dividing line amoung consumers that has served them well. Apple is looking to do the same thing with the eMac/iMac.
There are "high-end" consumers, which Apple is targeting with the iMac, and "low-end" consumers, which they're targeting with the eMac. If you look at what's offered with each machine, it's obvious that Apple is being very cautious with the eMac so as not to tread into iMac territory. Why else would it only be available with a CDRW? They don't even offer the choice of a DVD-ROM...</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're comparing an iBook with a PowerBook, or an iMac with a PowerMac, not an eMac with an iMac. A Toyota and a Lexus are aimed at different market sectors - standard and luxury. If you have to resort to crude motor industry comparisons, eMac vs. iMac is like comparing a basic Toyota with a tricked out one.
Car manufacturers add extras to top-end models (leather seats, sat nav, climate control) to boost profits above the margin set on the basic model. Apple's "extras" (LCD, SuperDrive) are sitting on a basic model with a lower margin than the eMac.
[ 06-06-2002: Message edited by: Belle ]</p>
Sounds like a nice idea I admit, but Apple already dos this to an extent with memory and hard disks etc at the Apple Store.
The problem with this is that it is expensive to do - and cuts into profit margins, so they have to charge higher prices. This is why memory is so expensive at the Apple Store i reckon.
If Apple was to offer custom build machines across the board, prices would have to go up, or profits down - and either way Apple would lose out, as the machines wouldn't be competitively priced, so buyers would turn away, or they wouldn't make enough profit.
Like I say, nice idea for the customer, but impractical really.
The increase was to protect their margin against increasing component costs... Now that the component costs are dropping, how is that going to effect the margin?
[quote] iMac $1399 @ 26% profit margin = $363.74
eMac $1099 @ 32% profit margin = $351.68 <hr></blockquote>
Whoa. Wait a second. I said the 32% was the average margin for the entire company-- I don't know where you get off using it as the margin for the eMac. That's rather disengenuous... I don't know what the margin for the eMac is, and never made the claim that it approached the company average.
[quote]It comes down this - why did Apple choose to offer the eMac to everyone in the first place?<hr></blockquote>
[see my last paragraph in this message]
[quote] There's not much of a difference, is there? If eMac sales cannibalize iMac sales, so what? The more units Apple sells, the more money it makes. If customers would rather have an eMac than an iMac, Apple wins. If customers would rather have a cheap Dell than an expensive iMac, Apple loses. <hr></blockquote>
Yes, provided the eMac's margin is higher than the iMac's. I have yet to see evidence that is the case.
[quote] A Toyota and a Lexus are aimed at different market sectors - standard and luxury. <hr></blockquote>
So is the eMac/iMac... Standard & luxury. That was my point.
[quote] Car manufacturers add extras to top-end models (leather seats, sat nav, climate control) to boost profits above the margin set on the basic model. Apple's "extras" (LCD, SuperDrive) are sitting on a basic model with a lower margin than the eMac. <hr></blockquote>
Show me that the eMac has a higher margin than the iMac.
Given that it was introduced purely to prevent educators from jumping to Wintel, it stands to reason that the margin is less important to Apple on the eMac than on the rest of their line. The only reason it's available to the general public now is Apple was flooded with requests to make it available to the general public. Seeing iMac G3 sales on the wane, Apple decided it wouldn't hurt to replace them with the eMac on the low end. All that's IMHO, of course.
<strong>
External FireWire drives do NOT (fully) work with DVD-StudioPro. It will NOT allow you to preview your work or test the code before burning... which is *almost* useless. With the external, you cannot use iDVD, DVD Player or DVD-StudioPro (to it's fullest extent).
I ended-up buying an internal and replaced my CD-RW drive... it all works fine now.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I must be working on some type of super mutant machine then. Because I've got an external drive and i can preview and test with DVDSP just fine...