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.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Opinions expressed are
those of their authors and may not reflect the opinion of Cobweb
Publishing. Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one
may not work for all.
unless otherwise noted. All
rights reserved. Low End Mac, LowEndMac, and lowendmac.com are
trademarks of Cobweb Publishing Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh,
iPad, iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, Mac Pro, and AirPort are
Additional company and product names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
: We allow and encourage links to
any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a
frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for
publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission,
and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be
edited for length, context, and to match house style.
: We don't collect personal
information unless you explicitly provide it, and we don't share the
information we have with others. For more details, see our
