You speak wisdom sir
If an 'xMac' ate into other sales (like the iMac/mini) but increased sales and revenue overall, you bet Apple would adjust output of the other computers and increase output of computers that are selling better.
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Apple needs to do away with the iMac
- Thread starter dukebound85
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You speak wisdom sir
If an 'xMac' ate into other sales (like the iMac/mini) but increased sales and revenue overall, you bet Apple would adjust output of the other computers and increase output of computers that are selling better.
Agreed. Apple's success if testiment to the fact that there are a lot of people that value simplicity, design, quality etc. PC's are perfect for people who want to play games and replace their hard drives (I used to be one of those people, but I've moved on).
I love the iMac. I'm one of those people who likes the AIO design.
Honestly if Apple should cancel one of the products it should be the MacBook. It's underpowered and has no advantage over any of their other products.
Honestly if Apple should cancel one of the products it should be the MacBook. It's underpowered and has no advantage over any of their other products.
Except that Apple would lose a HUGE market; college kids.
Well if they lowered the price of the 15" MBP......
I'd never consider a MB for college. I'd definitely either go with either a MBP or a MBA.
The price makes little difference to me, but I understand why it would for some people.
Well if they lowered the price of the 15" MBP......
I'd never consider a MB for college. I'd definitely either go with a MBP or a MBA.
Yeah, but seriously, the Macbook is the perfect machine.... and that's saying a lot in the Apple lineup.
The 2.4GHz model is just about on par with the MBP save for FW800, GFX card, and 15" screen.
I'd own one over the Air any day.
Did I miss the memo? Does Apple even dominate any PC market? They may be getting close in some specific notebook configurations, but the notion that they dominate the education market (at least in the United States) is tired and false.
Apple hasn't dominated the U.S. education market since the mid-1990's. The latest figures I could find for 2006 put Apple at 20-25% marketshare with the other 75-80% dominated by Windows PC manufacturers (with the lion share going to Dell).
Core i7 has hyperthreading and delivers faster performance. I actually may not need Core i7 for today's software market, but, if I was to buy an expensive desktop such as an iMac, I would prefer buying a computer also ready for tomorrow's software market, for not having to replace my desktop too soon.
Why would Apple do away with the iMac when it is doing so well for them. That would be a stupid business decision IMHO.
Most people don't know how to upgrade/don't want to upgrade down the road. They want a stable machine that has one plug--simple as that.
If you want a high-powered desktop from Apple, you will have to spring for a Mac Pro, unfortunately.
They need to rethink the mini; a solution that does not cannibalize on their iMac sales but at the same time also sells.
Most people don't know how to upgrade/don't want to upgrade down the road. They want a stable machine that has one plug--simple as that.
If you want a high-powered desktop from Apple, you will have to spring for a Mac Pro, unfortunately.
They need to rethink the mini; a solution that does not cannibalize on their iMac sales but at the same time also sells.
Is the iMac "doing well" for Apple because it's a great product or because it's the only consumer desktop choice? That's a reasonable question to ask.
What's with all the iMac protectionism? There is something to be said about form factor. Take a look at the MacBook Air, can't the Mac mini contain a beefy processor and still be targeted at the home theater/switcher audience? Why can't the Mac mini, iMac, xMac and Mac Pro co-exist? The iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod touch co-exist. The MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro all co-exist.
These are strategic decisions that I hope are being considered everyday by Apple executives.
See, I would actually get rid of the MBA for being underpowered and not useful - but that's just me. Apparently the MBA has developed quite a following, for whatever reason, so just because I think it's underpowered and falls into the "it can't do anything a MacBook can't do cheaper" doesn't mean I'm right.
Personally, when I was shopping for a desktop I was weighing a top-end iMac against a low-end Mac Pro. I actually liked the idea of having an all-in-one, it's quieter, I got rid of having a bulky tower, and it has plenty of horsepower for my needs.
I do think that Apple could do well by marketing a mid-range "headless" desktop somewhere between a Mini and Mac Pro, but something tells me that would be too PC-like for S. Jobs' liking. Simplicity and "differentness" are hallmarks of Apple's product design - a cell phone with only one button on the front, CD drives with no hardware eject button, portable mp3 players with no real buttons at all, laptop touchpads with *gasp* no buttons at all - you get my meaning.
I actually like the iMac as the run of the mill computer. I'd get one if I could ever get ALL of my personal junk off of my tower. The day I replace it with a Mac Pro, and get sick of the G5 tower is the day I'd either get an iMac or a MacBook as my personal...... strictly personal computer.
Does it matter? It is a beautiful looking computer that offers more than what most consumers need--hence a lot of people buy them.
What is the difference between the high end iMac and the Mac Pro?
price, user-upgradable, power, and not all-in-one. Apple really likes to differentiate their products and keep them into tight categories.
I understand what you are saying. But that doesn't mean the iMac has to go away. I love that they finally made the hard drive and ram so easily replaceable in the new Aluminums
Addendum: Killing the computer line that saved your company from bankruptcy is kind of a bad idea, too.
x3
The run-of-the-mill person wants a stable machine that has one plug--simple as that. Actually Apple could easily ruin their Mac Pro line very easy with the iMac by using Desktop Parts. The days of the Box are all but gone unless your part of a specific group needing special features. Just look back 10 yrs ago and then look at today. You will understand what I mean.
The iMac concept is here to stay and was a very good idea.
It's called a Drobo.
Who actually adds hard drives to their computers these days? Apple realizes that the future of computing is one in which computers are transparent (everyone else [Dell, Acer, etc] is just now getting it). The AIO computer is the first step. As chips get smaller and faster the computer itself will disappear.
Shoot, I use my iPhone for 75% of my "computing" already.
Well, there was a time when the iMac was made from completely desktop class parts. It was pretty svelte too. Those were the days when owning an all in one ONLY meant that you couldn't upgrade the parts, not that you got laptop parts in a desktop that costs near laptop prices.
That's my point, just think about what they could do with what they already have? The iMac is here to stay for awhile, with just a few more millimeters and a couple of optional openings on the back i can see several nice options available to keep the line alive for a long time.
Remember when all Macs were AIO? Yeah, it was the mid eighties. That didn't last long. AIOs are not a novel concept. They appeal to some people. Consider this; you get an iMac because you like the simplicity and at first there are less wires. But in order to expand it, you must add components, like hard drives and optical drives externally. Each device requires a connector cable and a separate power cable. There goes your simplicity. How much simpler is that from popping in up to 3 extra drives in your Mac Pro? Or an optical drive.
the iMac loses it's simplicity and clean looks as soon as you add peripherals that normally could be added internally.
Now that I think about it, maybe Apple does have something up it's sleeve since the 24" LCD has built in iSight and stereo speakers. Plug it into a beefy mini or xMac and voila.
the iMac loses it's simplicity and clean looks as soon as you add peripherals that normally could be added internally.
Now that I think about it, maybe Apple does have something up it's sleeve since the 24" LCD has built in iSight and stereo speakers. Plug it into a beefy mini or xMac and voila.
They could add another INCH and still be thinner than most LCDs displays out there. They'll never do that though.
No, of course they don't. What are you crazy? The iMac is the flagship of the Apple desktop line and some people prefer the compact all-in-one design the iMac offers. That's the biggest reason why I want to get it. There's still a big market for the iMac as it is, and I seriously doubt Apple would be that stupid to discontinue it.