Apple Details Differences in 20" Educational iMac (Mid 2009)

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/05/11/apple-prepping-new-entry-level-20-imac-for-mid-2009-release/)

Apple has published a new service document to authorized Apple repair shops that details the differences between the Early 2009 iMac and the recently released $899 (Mid 2009) 20" Educational iMac.

According to the document, the Early 2009 iMac and Mid 2009 iMacs are very similar. The only differences detailed are that the Mid 2009 iMac does not have Infrared or Bluetooth and has a smaller 160GB Harddrive.

[sushi]

AFAIK, it's the Education iMac for $899.

[jinjo235]

If it's below $900, which it totally could be given the above details, this would be a huge thing for Apple!

[fluidedge]

wow that's brave.

iphone $100 rebate anyone?

[johnnyjibbs]

Strange that Apple would feed the rumour mill such bait. Yes, it must be coming, but it seems odd to me that they would be so explicit in mentioning a new release considering they are normally so secretive. That said, if it's an addition to the range (i.e. an education model), then perhaps the news wouldn't really cannibalise any existing sales for people holding out.

[speakerwizard]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless

[arn]

AFAIK, it's the Education iMac for $899.

Ah. Oops, then.

arn

[Rudy69]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless

+1

a bluetooth receiver can be bought for about $2USD.....how much do you think Apple pays for it?

[Kardashian]

I'm gonna cast a second vote for education-market only.

[Darkroom]

ouf! cheaper 20" iMacs and entry level MacBooks? i'm scared to see the screen quality on those...

[Eidorian]

I'm not going to get my hopes up.

[akm3]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless

No it's not, for a dorm room, Bluetooth and IR (for remote control of all their pirated content) are two features that college kids ACTUALLY USE - thus getting them to buy the more expensive model making Apple ~$100+ in profit for <$1 in parts. That's good business.

[slicecom]

No it's not, for a dorm room, Bluetooth and IR (for remote control of all their pirated content) are two features that college kids ACTUALLY USE - thus getting them to buy the more expensive model making Apple ~$100+ in profit for <$1 in parts. That's good business.

These aren't made for kids in dorm rooms, thats what the student discount on all regular macs is for. These are made for educational institutions to buy for labs, where Bluetooth and IR would be utterly useless.

[hirshnoc]

It's ridiculous that Apple keeps on withholding features that are standard on every PC. Such as the 'combo drive' on the entry-level MacBooks. Apple REALLY needs to standardize. If you want 2 optical drives, get a Mac Pro, but don't take away the basics.

[talkingfuture]

Looks like it could have been a good solid low end consumer model if it was released to the public. Maybe we will something like it soon.

[WildCowboy]

It's ridiculous that Apple keeps on withholding features that are standard on every PC. Such as the 'combo drive' on the entry-level MacBooks. Apple REALLY needs to standardize. If you want 2 optical drives, get a Mac Pro, but don't take away the basics.

The entry-level MacBook has a SuperDrive, as does every other Mac (except the MacBook Air of course).

[Rocketman]

It's ridiculous that Apple keeps on withholding features that are standard on every PC. Such as the 'combo drive' on the entry-level MacBooks. Apple REALLY needs to standardize. If you want 2 optical drives, get a Mac Pro, but don't take away the basics.

I wonder if the combo drive actually costs them more than a superdrive due to sales volumes. I suspect it's only purpose is retail price differentiation.

Rocketman

[MarkCollette]

These aren't made for kids in dorm rooms, thats what the student discount on all regular macs is for. These are made for educational institutions to buy for labs, where Bluetooth and IR would be utterly useless.

I think that IR or Bluetooth would likely cause problems, with kids goofing off and messing with other people's computers. I doubt it's for cost reasons that they removed them.

[Bonsai71]

These aren't made for kids in dorm rooms, thats what the student discount on all regular macs is for. These are made for educational institutions to buy for labs, where Bluetooth and IR would be utterly useless.

Utterly useless for education you say....

http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/Overview/Bluetooth.aspx

[akutad]

Who cares about combo vs SuperDrive. Not too many kids burn DVDs. USB thumbdrives is what kids use in school.

[hirshnoc]

@WildCowboy...you're right, they must have upped it to the SuperDrive recently when they introduced the new aluminum models and dropped the price of the entry-level.

Still, there are Macs still shipping without an Airport Extreme card for Wi-Fi...there are at least half a dozen other features that should be standard (I don't know of any PC that doesn't have a wireless card) which just don't ship standard on Macs. Another example, the lack of Firewire on the MacBook is really an odd move especially when it's the standard for mostly all video recording and is a more stable connection than USB 2 for most external drives. Apple trying to beat you up to an MBP if you want to do video--a friend of mine does video editing on his MB (full HD) and does fine.

[esquire360]

Coollege students I feel would the most. Why remove it from them? oh well my 3¢..

[The Flashing Fi]

Utterly useless for education you say....

http://mindstorms.lego.com/eng/Overview/Bluetooth.aspx

I don't see the education value in legos... And do you think schools are going to be throwing money at blutooth devices like this anyway?

[Spock]

@WildCowboy...you're right, they must have upped it to the SuperDrive recently when they introduced the new aluminum models and dropped the price of the entry-level.

Still, there are Macs still shipping without an Airport Extreme card for Wi-Fi...there are at least half a dozen other features that should be standard (I don't know of any PC that doesn't have a wireless card) which just don't ship standard on Macs. Another example, the lack of Firewire on the MacBook is really an odd move especially when it's the standard for mostly all video recording and is a more stable connection than USB 2 for most external drives. Apple trying to beat you up to an MBP if you want to do video--a friend of mine does video editing on his MB (full HD) and does fine.

I'm finding that like jobs said, most newer cameras are USB and as far as a wireless card goes, the only machine that does not include wi fi is the mac pro, and really how many need to have a 50 pound computer wireless?

[Kar98]

I don't see the education value in legos... And do you think schools are going to be throwing money at blutooth devices like this anyway?

Hell, if they're throwing away money on iMacs... :D

the only machine that does not include wi fi is the mac pro, and really how many need to have a 50 pound computer wireless?

Uh... no need run network cables all over the place?

[minik]

I think that IR or Bluetooth would likely cause problems, with kids goofing off and messing with other people's computers. I doubt it's for cost reasons that they removed them.

As a college IT guy here, I totally agree with that.

[Sandy V.]

Hell, if they're throwing away money on iMacs... :D



Uh... no need run network cables all over the place?

nine times out ten, people have their wireless base station in the same office as the Mac Pro, that being said... i cant think of many wireless base stations that don't include LAN connections.

[kockgunner]

I don't see the education value in legos... And do you think schools are going to be throwing money at blutooth devices like this anyway?

Actually, many schools, including mine, use LEGO Mindstorms to teach programming and mechatronics.

[crisss1205]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless
What do you need Bluetooth and an IR sensor in a school computer for?

[crisss1205]

No it's not, for a dorm room, Bluetooth and IR (for remote control of all their pirated content) are two features that college kids ACTUALLY USE - thus getting them to buy the more expensive model making Apple ~$100+ in profit for <$1 in parts. That's good business.
Students CANNOT buy this. Only the school can buy it to be used for educational purposes. You have to be purchasing for an institution to get this model.

[hirshnoc]

I'm finding that like jobs said, most newer cameras are USB and as far as a wireless card goes, the only machine that does not include wi fi is the mac pro, and really how many need to have a 50 pound computer wireless?

That's a good point....but some of those CAT-6 ethernet cables cost around $70. Rather just have wireless n.

As far as the cameras go, 90% of the professional cameras either have firewire output, or feed a compactflash card into a deck that takes firewire. While the consumer cameras (new ones only) take USB 2, I would find it kind of annoying to spend a grand on a new mac and then another grand on a new camera just to get 'up to date' with the technology.

Just my two cents.....

[k2spitfire88]

I wonder if the combo drive actually costs them more than a superdrive due to sales volumes. I suspect it's only purpose is retail price differentiation.

Rocketman
They don't sell a combo drive anymore.

[brop52]

That's a good point....but some of those CAT-6 ethernet cables cost around $70. Rather just have wireless n..

$70? What for 1000ft?

You can get 100ft Cat 6 ethernet cables for $11.99 at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2052810132%201230513961%20123040285%201230413965&name=100%20ft.). Volume discount for even cheaper.

[Maven1975]

Honestly, this shows me that the iMacs are over priced. (Inferred, Bluetooth, and a smaller HD) Thats only a few bucks Apple! It probably will cost you more on the line to take these items out.

[John.B]

Students CANNOT buy this. Only the school can buy it to be used for educational purposes. You have to be purchasing for an institution to get this model.
QFT.

I think people are reading "educational model" and seeing "student model", when that isn't the case.

My guess is that this is a config that educational sysadmins have been asking for, to make the Macs easier to lock down. (Just a hunch...)

Honestly, this shows me that the iMacs are over priced. (Inferred, Bluetooth, and a smaller HD) Thats only a few bucks Apple! It probably will cost you more on the line to take these items out.
Not when they are going to be building thousands of units at a time. Activity Based Costing, you retool the line once every x units when changing configuration; so the retooling costs can be spread out over a large number of units.

[Eidorian]

I can't imagine my department buying this over a Mac Mini + Dell LCD.

[mklos]

ouf! cheaper 20" iMacs and entry level MacBooks? i'm scared to see the screen quality on those...

What difference does it make? The quality of the screen has no bearing on how good Microsoft Word, Safari, some kind of educational game acts. This is NOT a computer students can buy. This is ONLY for educational institutions such as K-12 schools and colleges. The quality of the screen isn't going to hamper the quality of education a student receives. If a school bought this particular iMac for something that requires better screen precision then that person needs to be fired anyways. This is definitely not a computer suited for those needs.

Dropping out bluetooth and IR doesn't mean anything IMO. I seriously doubt it would get used on a daily basis. What they should do however is up the RAM to 2GB.

Its still a great deal however. It puts it damn close to right on par with the HP desktops w/17" LCDs we get for the school I provide tech support for. The desktops are approx $700 plus the cost of the 17" LCD. Thats within $100 of the HP setup. The HP is the same basic specs, 2GHz C2D, 160 GB HD, 2GB RAM, and Intel integrated graphics. So besides the RAM, this is actually a pretty good deal. You're getting a larger display in widescreen format, its an all-in-one so it takes up far less space, it has way better graphics to run the everyday things smoother, etc. Its well worth the little bit of extra money.

Now if Apple could release an $899 MacBook for educational institutions!!!!

Not to push my luck, but it would also be great if Apple could further lower the price of AppleCare, especially buying in bulk. Even at $119/iMac when purchasing 30-40 iMacs thats an extra $4700 just for the warranty. Would be nice to see it at like $79 per iMac when buying 30 or more iMacs. That would save $1500 or more if you buy more than 40 iMacs.

[Sun Baked]

My guess is that this is a config that educational sysadmins have been asking for, to make the Macs easier to lock down. (Just a hunch...)

Compared to the outgoing White 17" iMac with GMA950, it is a significant upgrade... on the order of the Mini upgrade.

Everything in a single package, and not as easy to stick in a backback like the Mini.

[twoodcc]

well now. this would be nice. hope this happens

[dvince2]

I don't see the education value in legos... And do you think schools are going to be throwing money at blutooth devices like this anyway?

I'm the head counsellor of a computer camp at a University, and we make extensive use of Lego NXT robots. ITs a great way to teach kids the fundamentals of programming (conditional, loops, etc) without actually having to teach them:
if(this.distance<10){....

with that being said though.... the only thing we've really used blue tooth with is between the actual robots, not between computers. I've synced a couple to my MB, but thats been mainly for showing off. a USB cable is a lot easier hahaha

[dvince2]

They don't sell a combo drive anymore.

Yeah... but they did like what... 2 months ago? The $599 (CDN) Acer laptops at my work have blueray in them. Bag of hurt my @$$ if Acer can get them in a 599 machine and I can't get one in my 2500+ MP....

[Dr.Pants]

*sigh* as much as I would like iMacs to be part of my institution, I'm not seeing it anytime soon. Maybe in a computer lab (or the famed, hidden-in-the-back-of-the-art-building Mac lab) there might be some; my community college just is finishing two new halls to replace some very old ones. For good reason - on occasion, somebody leaning on a wall would go through it :eek:.

However, I would like to see in my institution a computer more powerful then a low-end 486 that take up a massive amount of space in lab. Yeah, chemicals around computers are bad, but at the same time working with those machines is a headache...

[voyagerd]

They have those already at my school for sale for $899.

[Lanbrown]

Still, there are Macs still shipping without an Airport Extreme card for Wi-Fi...there are at least half a dozen other features that should be standard (I don't know of any PC that doesn't have a wireless card) which just don't ship standard on Macs.

The Mac Pro is the only machine that Apple currently sells that does not have WiFi standard. All other machines have WiFi and support "N". The Mac Pro doesn't need wireless in many cases, that is why it is optional.

I can find plenty of HP and Dell workstatons that do not have wireless either. They don't have BT while the Mac Pro does.

[ChrisA]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless

The point mmay be the the schools don't not want bluetooth and IR. They don't want kids moving data. I've even seen computers where the USB ports were filled with epoxy for the same reason.

[metroid87706]

I don't see the education value in legos... And do you think schools are going to be throwing money at blutooth devices like this anyway?

In my graphics design class, we beam files over from iMac to iMac if we don't have our flash drives. And our teacher sends us files all the time.

[ChrisA]

...I would like to see in my institution a computer more powerful then a low-end 486 that take up a massive amount of space in lab....

You know how many computers I've tried to give away to schools? Three pickup truck loads so far. The schools will not take them unless they are two years old or less. They have a long list of specs and if you don't meet those specs they will not accept them. I sent them to the recycle place

Same here where I work now except it's way bigger. The guy here does not even try anymore. He just uses a big mettal trash bin.

If you school would aceept a and "older" machine, like say a Pentium PC or a G5 mac you could have hundreds of them.

[Eidorian]

In my graphics design class, we beam files over from iMac to iMac if we don't have our flash drives. And our teacher sends us files all the time.I don't think you'll be using Bluetooth for that...

[gkarris]

They have those already at my school for sale for $899.

Doesn't the school have to buy them in quantity from Apple for that price?

Does the school allow students to purchase them as well (you buy them through the school, not Apple)?

[The Flashing Fi]

In my graphics design class, we beam files over from iMac to iMac if we don't have our flash drives. And our teacher sends us files all the time.

And you guys need bluetooth to do this? I have a feeling the bluetooth in the iMacs are Class 2 bluetooth, which only gives them a 10 meter range.

And if you need bluetooth, they can spend the 12 bucks for a class 2 transmitter or spend 15 bucks for a class 1 transmitter.

In a school setting, I can definitely understand why they won't have bluetooth. Students can tether their cell phone and get internet access, bypassing any Internet filters they have in place.

[k2spitfire88]

Yeah... but they did like what... 2 months ago? The $599 (CDN) Acer laptops at my work have blueray in them. Bag of hurt my @$$ if Acer can get them in a 599 machine and I can't get one in my 2500+ MP....

The mini had a combo, I believe, until it was updated in Jan. The Blu-Ray isn't an issue to me, but I can see why it is to some people

[robotartfashion]

taking out bluetooth and IR would save pennies, pointless

no offense meant but so what?

neither is necessary for educational purposes and it would make "Apple Sense" to strip features from the eMac to keep it from competing with the lowest end iMac.

this is only intended for educational institutions, so don't expect to see it around your friendly neighborhood school

[goodcow]

Apple offers my school the baseline 20" iMac (2.66) for $1118 including three year-APP (AppleCare). I don't understand why they can't just do that for everyone.

[foobarbaz]

Apple offers my school the baseline 20" iMac (2.66) for $1118 including three year-APP (AppleCare). I don't understand why they can't just do that for everyone.

Because giving out educational stuff cheaper is called promotion. It increases chances of exposing your product to future customers. Especially college graduates are likely to be able to afford them, too.

It's the same as the free iPod during Back to School. It only pays for Apple in the long term.

[TraceyS/FL]

You know how many computers I've tried to give away to schools? Three pickup truck loads so far. The schools will not take them unless they are two years old or less. They have a long list of specs and if you don't meet those specs they will not accept them. I sent them to the recycle place

Same here where I work now except it's way bigger. The guy here does not even try anymore. He just uses a big mettal trash bin.

If you school would aceept a and "older" machine, like say a Pentium PC or a G5 mac you could have hundreds of them.

Been there, done that. They wouldn't take them - despite them being loads newer than what they were running..... very frustrating.

[iMacmatician]

*sigh* as much as I would like iMacs to be part of my institution, I'm not seeing it anytime soon. Maybe in a computer lab (or the famed, hidden-in-the-back-of-the-art-building Mac lab) there might be some; my community college just is finishing two new halls to replace some very old ones. For good reason - on occasion, somebody leaning on a wall would go through it :eek:.Our school uses PCs, however, there are a few Macs in some of the storage (?) rooms if one looks closely. :D

I've seen a few eMacs and one iMac G3.

[bartzilla]

My guess is that this is a config that educational sysadmins have been asking for, to make the Macs easier to lock down. (Just a hunch...)


I'd love to know what educational sysadmins they talk to because that config looks like a bowl of nice fresh failsauce for our requirements.

[John.B]

I'd love to know what educational sysadmins they talk to because that config looks like a bowl of nice fresh failsauce for our requirements.
I was referring specifically to removing bluetooth and IR, not letting schools build an iMac from a smorgasbord of parts and components. The educational system low-end Macs have always been low-end Macs with a fixed configuration, IIRC.

[bartzilla]

I was referring specifically to removing bluetooth and IR, not letting schools build an iMac from a smorgasbord of parts and components. The educational system low-end Macs have always been low-end Macs with a fixed configuration, IIRC.

Yes. I'm not disagreeing with you, just saying that Apple's chosen "educational" configs aren't suitable for the use my college buys macs for.

[ShiftyPig]

Yes. I'm not disagreeing with you, just saying that Apple's chosen "educational" configs aren't suitable for the use my college buys macs for.

Right, and the Mac Pros haven't been discontinued.

You're missing the fact that this is a move by Apple to catch a piece of the market for cheap, word processing/simple page layout lab-type computers. This isn't for filling a lab with video editing beasts.

[Spock]

Uh... no need run network cables all over the place?

Then you can pay the extra to have Wi-Fi installed.

[Leareth]

they are at my school too

they are 1049CDN , and students CAN buy them

[Digital Skunk]

I'm finding that like jobs said, most newer cameras are USB and as far as a wireless card goes, the only machine that does not include wi fi is the mac pro, and really how many need to have a 50 pound computer wireless?

A Mac Pro with WiFi is like an expensive touring bike with training wheels.

As for "no need run network cables all over the place?" it's just ONE cable.

As for the education iMac, I still wish Apple put it back on the market for everyone. I miss the days of suggesting the eMac to users with a tight budget looking for an all in one. A stripped down iMac for $899 would be a start toward that "lower priced Macs with no Apple tax" thing.

[SpitzerCR]

i bet its made of wood...:rolleyes:

[DELLsFan]

A Mac Pro with WiFi is like an expensive touring bike with training wheels.

As for "no need run network cables all over the place?" it's just ONE cable.

As for the education iMac, I still wish Apple put it back on the market for everyone. I miss the days of suggesting the eMac to users with a tight budget looking for an all in one. A stripped down iMac for $899 would be a start toward that "lower priced Macs with no Apple tax" thing.

No need to strip it down, thanks. Just lower the price and those tight budgets will find room for the Precious.

+1 on the WiFi Mac Pro & network cable comment.

:apple:

[zap2]

No need to strip it down, thanks. Just lower the price and those tight budgets will find room for the Precious.


Seems unlikely....but make its 17'' screen...people would still buy!

[Joe The Dragon]

A Mac Pro with WiFi is like an expensive touring bike with training wheels.

As for "no need run network cables all over the place?" it's just ONE cable.

As for the education iMac, I still wish Apple put it back on the market for everyone. I miss the days of suggesting the eMac to users with a tight budget looking for an all in one. A stripped down iMac for $899 would be a start toward that "lower priced Macs with no Apple tax" thing.
the mac pro is so over priced that they should give wifi for free as well x2 the ram and better video card and still it will need a $1000 price drop.

The imac and mac mini should drop wifi by default and add more ram / better video and make a wifi a payed add on.

[LolpanzofArabia]

Coollege students I feel would the most. Why remove it from them?

Already answered: to get them to shell out the extra $100 for the proper iMac.

Plus, I fear the main use BT would actually be put to in a school setting is transferring pictures from phones, to email/upload them to the net. And we all know how that goes down, right kids? ;)

[IFBrock]

Wow, I hope this is available to students instead of just institutions. I'd be all over a 900 iMac. I also hope it's available soon.