The iMac is an unqualified success and perhaps the most popular
model in the history of computing. It accounts for over half the
Macs sold.
But the iMac has become pedestrian; it's time for a change.
The 17" iMac
Rumors of a 17" iMac have been floating around since before the
first iMac shipped. The argument against it has always been that
this made the iMac too large and heavy.
But the simple fact is, more Windows computers sell with 17"
monitors than with any other size - perhaps more than all the other
sizes combined. PC users don't seem to consider 17" screens
oversized; why should Steve Jobs?
Whatever it takes, Apple should find a way to squeeze a larger
monitor into the iMac without increasing the outer dimensions any
more than is necessary. This would have several benefits to Apple
and the end user.
- The 15" iMac is fine at 800 x 600 resolution, but the 1024 x
768 is really pushing quality on a screen that small. That setting
works very nicely on a 17" CRT.
- A wider iMac would give better stereo separation from the
internal speakers.
- People who use Windows at work on 17" screens will find it
easier to use a 17" iMac at home, either under the Mac OS or with a
Windows emulator.
- Apple could offer this in addition to the 15" iMac, perhaps as
the iMac Plus, and command a higher price for it.
I don't know why Apple has resisted so long, but the rest of the
industry has moved beyond 15" monitors. It's time the iMac did the
same.
The Connected iMac
After a printer, my guess is the most popular iMac accessory is
a USB hub. Apple could save buyers that small expense by making
four USB ports standard on the iMac.
The Burning iMac
Floppies may be passé, but burning CDs seems to be the
national pastime of computer users. Apple could go a couple routes
here.
- Make a CD-RW drive a build to order option.
- Add a device bay that could be used for CD-RW, Zip, floppy,
etc. This could also make it easier to duplicate CDs. (Not for
piracy, of course.)
The Thin iMac
Gateway is being ripped for offering an all-in-one with a LCD
screen for the princely sum of $2,000. Shoot, you can buy a laptop
for less!
Maybe not within the coming months, but certainly within the
next year Apple should release a thin version of the iMac (quite
possibly with a completely different name) using the 800 x 600
screen from the iBook or the 1024 x 768 display on the
PowerBook.
Of the four suggestions I'm making, I believe this is the
inevitable one. Sooner or later prices will reach the point where
flat panel displays will replace the old large energy sucking
monitors most of us are used to. And before that, users will be
willing to pay a premium for a desktop with that kind of
display.
I wonder which of these we'll see first once Apple clears the
current glut of computers out of the sales channel.
