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Tuesday, October 12, 2004, 05:00 pm
Rumor: New Apple eMac in the works
New versions of Apple's educational eMac are reportedly in the pipeline, though their arrival remains a mystery.Apple Computer is reportedly working to revamp its eMac all-in-one desktop offerings, according to reports from multiple sources.
Rumors that the company may soon refresh the education-based product line are backed by several factors, including a rare leveling of supply and demand, dwindling channel inventory, and a sharp decline in orders for the computers to Apple's overseas manufacturing facilities.
Reliable reports have also indicated that the company plans to introduce a reworked version of an existing desktop computer later this year, coinciding with due revisions to eMacs life cycle. This product, according to sources, has been under development at Apple for nearly 10 months and features slight external and major internal modifications to one of the company's current offerings.
Over the last few weeks, Apple distributors such as Ingram Micro have seen unsolicited inventory dumps of current eMac configurations--a typical occurrence just prior to imminent product announcements from Apple. Additionally, sources claim that arrival estimates for further eMac shipments have jumped into late-October even though no orders appear to be pending.
Exactly when Apple plans to introduce the new models remains an uncertainty, as the company's inventory management practices have sometimes proved to be deceiving.
According to sources, Apple has been developing a redesigned eMac based around a G5 processor and more robust graphics processor, but may still choose to introduce one more incarnation of the eMac G4 due to current cost efficiency and supply concerns associated with the G5.
Apple introduced its present generation of eMacs in May of 2003, but updated the performance of the computers only once in the 18 months that have followed. Last November the company slashed prices across the product line, allowing it to offer a low-end eMac configuration to educational buyers at just shy of (US)$600.
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Reliable reports have also indicated that the company plans to introduce a reworked version of an existing desktop computer later this year, coinciding with due revisions to eMacs life cycle. This product, according to sources, has been under development at Apple for nearly 10 months and features slight external and major internal modifications to one of the company's current offerings.
What the hell could this be? Could it be a G5 light - err a G5 in a Quicksilver case? or A single G5 in a current Power Mac case? Could it be a iMac G5 in all aluminum trimmings ... read Special edition...read no white plastic??? Intrigue. Mystery. Oh, what could this be?
The eMac is a great product, and CRTs are cheaper than LCDs. I expect the eMac has a long life ahead of it.
What about other products? Lots of people (me included) think Apple needs a headless machine. Some say it should be a cheaper pro machine for people who want to add cards. Some say it should be for gamers. But the BIGGEST market for a new headless is simply to offer the lowest possible entry-price for a Mac. (Don't expect that machine to be a high-end gamer's choice.)
To achieve that lowest price, I think Apple needs to keep a G4 desktop--maybe an eMac, maybe a headless.
After all, if the bottom-end iBook is acceptable to some (my sister loves hers) then the same exact performance in a desktop should cost even less. Especially if you don't add a CRT.
Apple could always sell their own eMac-style CRT for it.
What about the current iMac form factor but with a G4?
Apple has a lot of options right now. If the G5 is available in large quantities then it might work for the eMac. If not then there is the Freescale option, IF it is cheaper than a G5.
Personally I do not believe that Apple will deliver a single G5 mini tower this year as the focus will be on existing platforms. There is an opportunity in January for releasing a headless entry level computer, but I believe it would be a lower priority than the eMac and iBook.
What the hell could this be? Could it be a G5 light - err a G5 in a Quicksilver case? or A single G5 in a current Power Mac case? Could it be a iMac G5 in all aluminum trimmings ... read Special edition...read no white plastic??? Intrigue. Mystery. Oh, what could this be?
CUBE
I want to believe...
8)
What about the current iMac form factor but with a G4?
I don't think Apple would want to dilute their branding of the iMac with a slower processor.
Also, I'd bet that less than 15 or 20% of the cost of a new iMac is related to the G5 processor. Most of it is wrapped up in the LCD.
What the hell could this be? Could it be a G5 light - err a G5 in a Quicksilver case? or A single G5 in a current Power Mac case?
This was my thought also...
Source: ThinkSecret
I know many who would buy a headless eMac G5 in a heartbeat, even if they cost the same as existing eMac. Particularly if it has AGP and PCI slots.
I doubt that the G5 will cost more than the G4, that would be a retrograde step. No business plan would include the provision of more expensive processors whilst the price of hardware is still falling. Consequently, I see no barrier to a G5 eMac on cost grounds. There are problems with the portables, but introducing a G5 eMac is not going to affect that.
The issue is supply, and product placement. The iMac is a premium product, even with spec parity, I can't see anyone who wants a 17" iMac going for an eMac if they could afford it. The iMac is cool the eMac is functional and schools will love it.
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Would be great if they could manage to produce an updated eMac at edu institutional pricing of $599 and $649 for individual edu purchases. $699 for all others, but would be hard to do this with a G5 chip. A G4 model at a lower price point would be attractive to some switchers, but only if it was done with a reasonable profit margin.