$499 Headless iMac?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Actually why don't you just hold on to your Cube, it's absolutely iconic, and you can upgrade to a fanless 1.6GHz G4 from Giga Designs, there are I think graphics card options available that might address the noise issue, and Western Digital have just announced a new quiet range of hard drives, perfect for the Cube. Check out CubeOwner.com for more upgrade goodness.maveness said:
I guess at some point it makes sense to replace the Cube but speaking from experience they are difficult to part with.
Yvan256
macrumors 603
iJon said:
Indeed. I can also see BTO options / consumer-accessible HD and RAM, but as much as I'd like an upgradable GPU/VRAM, my guess is also built-in GPU/VRAM.
I'm only hoping for the GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64MB. Please Apple, don't put a Radeon 9200 with 32MB in that thing.
What about a Radeon 9600 with 128MB? Nah, I'm just dreaming.
GFLPraxis
macrumors 604
budugu said:
It's actually true, but it doesn't have too much to do with processors. While Celerons suck, a 2.5 GHz is more powerful than a 1.25 GHz G4. BUT, Windows is a sucky operating system
For an accurate comparison, you'd want to install Linux on both machines. As long as the PC runs Windows and the Mac runs OS X, the Mac will feel faster and run smoother.
Yvan256
macrumors 603
veedubdrew said:
I think they expect the switchers to already have at least one display. Why do you guys always assume everyone buys ALL the hardware required for a system? Don't you ever re-use components from your previous setup?!
I don't expect them to release new displays. Maybe re-introduce 15" and 17" CRTs.... ?
dicklacara
macrumors 6502a
Sir_Giggles said:
A very common misconception -- making a computer [case] with plastic is cheaper than making a computer case with metal.
With plastic, you first must purchase/construct molds costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Then you cast/injection mold, clean cut & polish.
With metal, you just cut and stamp/bend from a standard roll.
DavidLeblond
macrumors 68020
I haven't read through the 22 pages of posts yet, so I don't know if this is has been mentioned...
A sub-$600 Mac can only do good things for Apple if they advertise it as hard as they do iPod. If they don't, it will go nowhere.
Come on, Apple. I never saw anything about the G5 iMac on TV, and that disappointed me more than any video card you choose to stick in the machine itself. Don't do that again. Put some iPod ad money towards the new headless iMac!
A sub-$600 Mac can only do good things for Apple if they advertise it as hard as they do iPod. If they don't, it will go nowhere.
Come on, Apple. I never saw anything about the G5 iMac on TV, and that disappointed me more than any video card you choose to stick in the machine itself. Don't do that again. Put some iPod ad money towards the new headless iMac!
Yvan256 said:I think they expect the switchers to already have at least one display. Why do you guys always assume everyone buys ALL the hardware required for a system? Don't you ever re-use components from your previous setup?!
I don't expect them to release new displays. Maybe re-introduce 15" and 17" CRTs.... ?
That was what everyone always seem to say when they wanted a headless Mac... they already had a display. So apparently Apple was listening. I think Apple may introduce a widescreen 17" display eventhough it will likely cost as much as this new headless iMac, but most people will buy their display cheaper elsewhere if they don't already own one.
If Apple is smart they will allow the option of superdrive, up to 2GB RAM in 2 slots, and options of hard drive size. This will allow them to make more money and give users more reasons to buy.
This thing might be good to create a nice little render farm. Maybe make use of Xgrid too.
Phobophobia
macrumors 6502
Tsk Tsk Tsk. Silly proles...
I found the responses to the "elitist mac user" absolutely hilarious; almost funnier than the original post itself. It makes me wonder if we really should take away the privilege of using such a superior system from the peasants. Yes.
I found the responses to the "elitist mac user" absolutely hilarious; almost funnier than the original post itself. It makes me wonder if we really should take away the privilege of using such a superior system from the peasants. Yes.
Actually, I'm hoping this one is for real if only so I can say I told you so. This would mark the first time my idle speculation has proved correct, this could be the turning point, yay 2005.
BillHarrison
macrumors 6502
Rootman said:
Send more help here... help help... i cant even sleep... is this normal?!
This is what I've dreamed of...
As far as I'm concerned, this is the first time I've really been excited about an Apple product since that night the G5 was mistakenly posted on Apple.com.
I've been in need for an upgrade because my desktop 366Mhz Celeron gets taxed these days when I'm running OpenOffice, Firefox, Maple and Itunes causing the sound to skip sometimes when I open/close a window.
I'd always wanted to get a Mac desktop but there's no way I could justify the price of a PowerMac and I'm fairly set against all-in-one designs despite the ultra-sexiness of the G5 iMac. I'd been on the verge of buying components to build a new computer when it appears that what I've wanted is on the horizon.
I have the usual qualms about the shipped ram and video card, but nontheless this appears to be a solid move. The 1.25GHz G4 will sure be an improvement over the 500MHz G3 iBook I have laying around and I'll be able to have my current dead silent desktop replace my noisey 166Mhz Pentium 1 fom file/iTunes/ftp/firewall duties.
I'm very excited.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the first time I've really been excited about an Apple product since that night the G5 was mistakenly posted on Apple.com.
I've been in need for an upgrade because my desktop 366Mhz Celeron gets taxed these days when I'm running OpenOffice, Firefox, Maple and Itunes causing the sound to skip sometimes when I open/close a window.
I'd always wanted to get a Mac desktop but there's no way I could justify the price of a PowerMac and I'm fairly set against all-in-one designs despite the ultra-sexiness of the G5 iMac. I'd been on the verge of buying components to build a new computer when it appears that what I've wanted is on the horizon.
I have the usual qualms about the shipped ram and video card, but nontheless this appears to be a solid move. The 1.25GHz G4 will sure be an improvement over the 500MHz G3 iBook I have laying around and I'll be able to have my current dead silent desktop replace my noisey 166Mhz Pentium 1 fom file/iTunes/ftp/firewall duties.
I'm very excited.
This new Mac is more of a headless iBook than a headless iMac.
Anyway, this all reminds me of 1990, when I was using PageMaker to make newspaper ads on an 8 MHz Mac Plus. I clearly needed to upgrade to an external video Mac II (the first expandable Mac) or even better, the amazing Mac IIci, which was an awesome 25 MHz machine that the successful ad people had, that cost about $7000. Way out of reach.
Then Apple amazed everyone in the fall by introducing the Mac IIsi, a 20 MHz pizza box with soldered, shared-memory color video and one expansion slot (I put a cache card in it) and 2 MB of RAM for just $3500.
And a legend was born.
Anyway, this all reminds me of 1990, when I was using PageMaker to make newspaper ads on an 8 MHz Mac Plus. I clearly needed to upgrade to an external video Mac II (the first expandable Mac) or even better, the amazing Mac IIci, which was an awesome 25 MHz machine that the successful ad people had, that cost about $7000. Way out of reach.
Then Apple amazed everyone in the fall by introducing the Mac IIsi, a 20 MHz pizza box with soldered, shared-memory color video and one expansion slot (I put a cache card in it) and 2 MB of RAM for just $3500.
And a legend was born.
Flash back to the LC days
Does anyone remember the Mac LC?
It was a small, compact, mini pizza box sized computer that sat underneath a 12" color monitor. At the time, it was THE most popular Mac out there. Many thought LC was for "low cost"....about $2500, if memory serves.
(ah yes, I just found this on Google...http://www.lowendmac.com/lc/lc.shtml)
Of course, this was back in the day when Apple had north of 5% market share, which dates me a bit.
So if this rumor is true, maybe Apple is just getting back to its roots with the LC.
In any case, it provides a fantastic oppotunity to do a few things:
1) Allow new Windows users to enter the fold at an easy entry level price,
2) Allow current Mac users to purchase a cheap 2nd Mac for the home/office,
3) Allow students to get a decent PC laptop ($800-1200) plus a Mac (+$500) for their media consumption needs,
4) Launch an iFlicks service where this new Mac serves the hardware role (ipod and iTunes are to music as new-cheap mac and iFlicks are to movies!),
-Mac128k
Former owner of a....
Mac 128k
Mac SE
Centris 610
and in 2005....the new Mac LC
Does anyone remember the Mac LC?
It was a small, compact, mini pizza box sized computer that sat underneath a 12" color monitor. At the time, it was THE most popular Mac out there. Many thought LC was for "low cost"....about $2500, if memory serves.
(ah yes, I just found this on Google...http://www.lowendmac.com/lc/lc.shtml)
Of course, this was back in the day when Apple had north of 5% market share, which dates me a bit.
So if this rumor is true, maybe Apple is just getting back to its roots with the LC.
In any case, it provides a fantastic oppotunity to do a few things:
1) Allow new Windows users to enter the fold at an easy entry level price,
2) Allow current Mac users to purchase a cheap 2nd Mac for the home/office,
3) Allow students to get a decent PC laptop ($800-1200) plus a Mac (+$500) for their media consumption needs,
4) Launch an iFlicks service where this new Mac serves the hardware role (ipod and iTunes are to music as new-cheap mac and iFlicks are to movies!),
-Mac128k
Former owner of a....
Mac 128k
Mac SE
Centris 610
and in 2005....the new Mac LC
AirUncleP said:
Seriously, man, are you on drugs?
Marketing is the thing (other than maybe product design) that Apple excels at. They couldn't be any better at marketing to the masses for Pete's sake! Have you checked any lists of the world's most popular brands? Apple is always on it among companies many times larger who spend far more cash on marketing.
There are many legitimate gripes to make about Apple but this isn't close to being one of them. Its like saying, "You know, Apple would be okay if their computers weren't so ugly and clunky compared to Dell's"
You're way out in left field on this one.
SiliconAddict
macrumors 603
mhouse said:
The iPod is the most popular brands but Apple's PC hardware is NOT. Now a days you say Apple to the average person and they will say "Aren't they the guys that make iPods?" Yes they still have name recognition as a PC maker but to the younger crowd they are the iPod company.
Apple needs to start seriously marketing their computer hardware. Simply put there just isn't the buzz around any Apple PC hardware that there is around their iPod and that is simply because of the lack of marketing.
My LC is still under my monitor. Of course, that's only because I use it as a stand to keep the monitor at eye level. I got it when a school was cleaning out old equipment they no longer used. They were going to throw it out, so I kept it to use as a stand.mac128k said:
Quite amazing to think that you could buy five G4 "iMac Minis" in 2005 for the former price of one Mac LC. And the rest of the system specs are slightly improved too!
sunilraman
macrumors regular
BillHarrison said:
my son, we are all in this together. let us pray for the swift arrival of mwsf that we may find peace and joy with the exact DETAILS on what is coming out. then let us pray for the financial waters to flow like gentle rain that we may acquire all such manna for our souls