Forward Into the Past
- 2000.07.14
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Why are so many people converting to PCs?
When you can have an iMac for $999, why even bother looking at a PC?
The sad truth is that although the iMac's price is low, comparable PC prices are lower, and that often includes a 17" monitor, stereo speakers with subwoofers, and often a printer is only $100 extra.
What about the software?
Families will use a basic "works" suite. Remember Microsoft Works, WordPerfect Works, Symantec GreatWorks, and ClarisWorks? Apple has transformed ClarisWorks 5, into AppleWorks 5.0.3, then updated it to 5.0.4 for Mac OS 9. Next they remodeled the interface and are called it AppleWorks 6. AppleWorks 6 takes care of the often-used "works" suite.
Families also want a financial program. Apple bundles Quicken with iMacs.
The kids in the family will want some "cute" games. This is why Apple bundles games like Nanosaur and Bugdom with iMacs. The kids will also use some educational programs (Okay, maybe they don't, but it will make the parents happy to have them). Let's see, when did Apple last include those? 1997 - with the Power Macintosh 6500 series, the first home-oriented non-Performa system.
The iMac also comes in a configuration for gamers. Gamers want games (of course). They also want a computer able to run the latest version of anything high-tech without a pause. That means 3 things. Fast processor (350 MHz or faster), fast video card with lots of VRAM (32 MB of VRAM or more), and lots of RAM (128 MB minimum).
In my opinion, if Apple wants to beat the PCs, they must look to their three-year-old 6500 series. That has all of the things that today's PCs are using to win families, kids, and teens.
Hardware
- Subwoofer. Nothing like that Mac "bong" heard through a set of speakers this good. So what if the iMac has the extra Harmon/Kardon "iSub." No, what Apple needs to beat PCs must come with the computer. There is no way I will pay extra for a subwoofer.
- Accelerated video 2D/3D graphics. Remember that ATI card in the 6500? Apple needs to put the latest, greatest video card in this new system to attract the teens, most of whom will be into gaming. My suggestion: drop ATI and make a deal with the 3dfx people.
- External monitor, standard 17". Apple needs to include a 17" monitor with its new system. I'm sorry, there is just no way that a anyone is going to pick 15" for a new computer. And remember that we don't want to pay extra for this; it must be included in the price.
Software
- A "works" suite, such as AppleWorks.
- A financial program, such as Quicken.
- Educational programs: something for math, spelling, vocabulary, history, and science.
- Of course, games!! Oh, it would be so cool if Apple would bundle Quake III and/or Unreal Tournament with this new system, but I don't think that will happen. Instead, how about a coupon for one of them so you can get a rebate if you decide to buy one? (Of course, Apple must make a deal with one of the manufacturers.)
The usual Nanosaur and Bugdom are great, but they are getting boring. Find something new, Apple.
How about redesigning the Power Macintosh 6500, stick in a modern motherboard with a fast G3 or G4, and offer several choices of fast graphics cards?
Don't forget to stick in lots of memory (128 MB, at least), keep the subwoofer, put in a DVD-ROM, install a 6-12 GB hard disk, and add a huge software bundle. The standard iMac bundle is a little thin. (Look at what came with the 6500: ClarisWorks, KidPix, Thinkin' Things, Amazing Writing Machine, Descent, 3D Soccer, Web WorkShop, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and a number of others.)
Another idea might be to have FireWire ports as an option (installed with a special card), and include iMovie with the card, or with those computers that have the card installed.
Also, don't forget to include a 17" monitor. All this can come in a nice setup similar to the 6500, a minitower, not the G3/G4 design, since that is the business/professional version. No, something more like what the 6500 came in, maybe an "aquafied" 6400/6500 case.
I think the ticket to competing in the PC marketplace is "build on, not just build in." That being, have a graphics card, modem, ethernet, USB, CD-ROM, subwoofer, etc. built in, but allow expansion with PCI slots, an external monitor, and another drive bay.
Now the price. A basic iMac costs $999. Pull away the 15" monitor, maybe that's $750 or so, put it in a different case, add a 17" monitor, faster graphics card, a DVD-ROM drive, and I think Apple could sell this at about $1,450. That is a steal, since you are getting a powerful computer, and especially considering the G4 costs $1,600 without a monitor.
Maybe this proves that looking at old technology can still pay
off. 
Recent Apple Archive articles
- iPods, notebooks, and other modern electronics more readily replaced than repaired, 12.07. Whether it's an intermittent failure or a broken display cable, more often than not it's cheaper to replace a broken electronics device than repair it.
- Options for replacing your older iPod, 11.19. Whether you've run out of space on your old iPod or want features it doesn't have, here are your options in new and used iPods.
- Could the $200 'green' PC with gOS Linux become a threat to Apple?, 11.14. The low cost, low power Everex desktop comes with a customized version of Ubuntu Linux, has a Mac-like Dock, and sells for $400 less than the Mac mini.
- Leopard different, a bit buggy, but worth the upgrade, 11.02. Leopard on a Power Mac G4 and a MacBook Pro: It runs well on both computers, but each has some odd bugs, and some of the changes are a step backwards.
- More in the Apple Archive index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 'Sawtooth' Power Mac G4, Aug. 1999 - Available in speeds from 350-500 MHz, 'Sawtooth' introduced AGP video to the Mac.
- Group of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
- November 22 in LEM history: 99: Gradebooks - 00: Leveraging Apple design - Quadra 630 to Power Mac 5200 - 02: Laptop or desktop? - 04: SuperDuper: Quick, easy, efficient backup - Cross-platform programming for the rest of us - 05: Mac video surveillance on the cheap - Which OS is best for my vintage Mac? - No 'best browser' for the Mac - Sorry state of browsers for classic Macs - 06: Core 2 means cooler running 'Books - 2.0 GHz G4 upgrade
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- The Long Term Value of a High End Mac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 11.21. Low-end Macs are more affordable up front, but the flexibility and upgrade options of a top-end Mac can make it the better value in the long run.
- iPhone #1 Worldwide, Google Voice Search for iPhone, iPhone 3G Battery Pack, and More, iNews Review, 11.21. Also British accents throw off Google voice search, lots of new iPhone apps, universal USB car charger, new protective cases, and more.
- 15 Reasons Macs Are Better, Quad-core iMac in January?, USB 3.0 Spec Finalized, and More, Mac News Review, 11.21. Also 25 years of Macs, 'Snow Leopard' in Q1?, SimpleTech's faster and greener hard drive, Hyperspaces, StarOffice for OS X, and more.
- DisplayPort Copy Protection, Trackpad Update, Netbooks Not to Be Taken Lightly, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apple's best consumer notebook to date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain 'Books from $490 to $2,299, and more.
- Virtualization Shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down everything but Windows.
- Just Right: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear MacBooks, Charles W. Moore, 'Book Value, 11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the middle.
- Apple Caves to Hollywood with DRM on iTunes Videos, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. HDCP on the new MacBooks means that you may never really own those videos you buy from the iTunes Store.
- Leopard Runs Very Nicely on PowerPC Macs, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 11.19. Some claim that Mac OS X 10.5 is so optimized for Intel Macs that it runs poorly on PowerPC hardware. That's simply not the case.
- No High Definition iTunes Video for You, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.19. The October 2008 MacBooks are preventing users from viewing some high-def iTunes content from being viewed on their external displays. Poor form!
- Every Working Computer Is Useful to Someone, Allison Payne, The Budget Mac, 11.19. Whether it's a PowerBook 1400, G3 iMac, or Power Mac G4, it could be all the computer someone needs.
- 3 WeatherBug Options for Apple Users, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.19. Have instant access to current local weather conditions with a Dashboard widget, iPhone app, or Firefox plugin.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.20. Used 400 MHz, $50; 733, $100; 800, $199; 1.25 GHz, $300; 800 MHz dual, $200, 867, $300; 1 GHz, $350; 1.42, $400.
- Best iBook G3 Deals, 11.20. Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 366, $199; 800 CD, $180; 600 CD-RW, $240; 700 Combo, $290; 900, $369; 14" 600, $360; 900, $449.
- Best Power Mac G3 and PCI Video Card Deals, 11.20. Used beige 300 MHz, $25; blue & white 350, $80; 400, $90; 450, $105; PCI video cards from $15; shipping additional.
- Best iMac G4 Deals, 11.18. Used 15" 700 MHz Combo, $243; 800 MHz, $280; 1 GHz, $380; 17" 1.25 GHz SuperDrive, $400; 20", $549.
- Best MacBook Air Deals, 11.18. New 1.6 80, $1,150 after rebate; 120, $1,744 a/r; 1.8 80, $1,794 a/r; 1.6 128 SSD, $2,150; used 1.8 64 SSD, $1,500; new, $2,200 a/r; 1.86, $2,398 a/r.
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals, 11.18. Mac OS X 10.0.3, $30; 10.1, $20; 10.2, $60; 10.3 CD, DVD, $100; CD, $119; 10.1 Server, unlimited users, $58; 10.3 Server, unlimited, $150.
- Best iPod nano Deals, 11.17. Refurb 3G/4 GB, $79; new, $114; refurb 8 GB, $99; new, $125; 3G/8 GB, from $134; 16 GB, from $189. Prices include ground shipping.
- Best Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.17. Used 1 GHz with SuperDrive, $478 plus shipping.
- Best Xserve deals, 11.17. Used G4/1 GHz, $999; G5/2 GHz, $1,288; new 2.0 4-core Xeon, $1,900; refurb 3.0 4-core, $2,599; 2.8 GHz, $2,499; 3.0 8-core, $3,499.
- More deals in our archive.
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