I really think this headless iMac is key for Apple. The iPod alone is not enough to get most people to completely switch computing platforms. This headless iMac is what will bridge the iPod with products like the iMac and iBook. Few people are going to buy another headless iMac after they've had their first. They're most likely going to upgrade to an iMac. Following the strong iPod demand this past quarter, this headless iMac is what is finally going to enable Apple to make its way back toward double-digit market share. That's what I think, anyway.
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$499 Headless iMac?
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Well I'm not a "suit" 
, but I run a research lab and in the past I have built cheap PC boxes and paired them with an LCD for my staff.
Given that so much of what we do is internet-based (BLAST, genbank, etc) , a headless Mac solution would be great for us.
Wow, to be free of the hell involved in running internet-connected PCs (malware, viruses) !
I am sure that I am not alone in this. They would also make excellent terminal front-ends to our servers.
My $0.02.
JT
, but I run a research lab and in the past I have built cheap PC boxes and paired them with an LCD for my staff.Given that so much of what we do is internet-based (BLAST, genbank, etc) , a headless Mac solution would be great for us.
Wow, to be free of the hell involved in running internet-connected PCs (malware, viruses) !
I am sure that I am not alone in this. They would also make excellent terminal front-ends to our servers.
My $0.02.
JT
The one thing I hope is that they don't skimp on the hard drive or at least let users upgrade it. The rumor is either a 40GB or 80GB hard drive. Well I have a 60GB iPod Photo with 43GB of songs on it. Maybe I'm doing the math wrong but I think I would have a hard time fitting 43GB into a 40GB drive.
Even 80GB would kinda suck since between OS, iWorks, iLife, iTunes tracks etc it might start to get a tad tight on even an 80GB drive. Yah hopefully I can flip open a panel on the bottom or back and simply upgrade the RAM to 1GB and the hard drive to a 100GB drive. That would be sweet.
Even 80GB would kinda suck since between OS, iWorks, iLife, iTunes tracks etc it might start to get a tad tight on even an 80GB drive. Yah hopefully I can flip open a panel on the bottom or back and simply upgrade the RAM to 1GB and the hard drive to a 100GB drive. That would be sweet.
Stewdy said:
How about a "transfer kit" with a special USB cable so the PC will see the new Mac as an extra external drive (shared "PC files" folder on the Mac). And the shared folder also appearing on your PC if you simply connect the Mac to your home network.
SiliconAddict said:The one thing I hope is that they don't skimp on the hard drive or at least let users upgrade it. The rumor is either a 40GB or 80GB hard drive. Well I have a 60GB iPod Photo with 43GB of songs on it. Maybe I'm doing the math wrong but I think I would have a hard time fitting 43GB into a 40GB drive.
Even 80GB would kinda suck since between OS, iWorks, iLife, iTunes tracks etc it might start to get a tad tight on even an 80GB drive. Yah hopefully I can flip open a panel on the bottom or back and simply upgrade the RAM to 1GB and the hard drive to a 100GB drive. That would be sweet.
Not sure the 'average' user (whoever that is) will need 80Gb, but it'd be nice. The second point is good. Don't know if they'd be able to implement that iMac G5 LED lights system where the LEDs 'point' to problems, but a simple upgrading procedure would give it a natural advantage over some of it's primitive rivals. I don't know anything around the £300-£400 price in the PC world that would offer that.
JCT said:
Question. Wouldn't it be cheaper to use one of a number of CE based dumb terminals that don't have hard drives and pretty much a glorified PDA in a larger case? Since CE is ROM based and pretty much virus proof (Or at the very least more resistant due to the simplistic nature of CE compared to Windows.) it seems like a good solution. Then again I've never looked at how much those solutions costs.
Yvan256 said:
From what I've read the answer is yes. OS X can handle FAT32 the file system used when you format the drive on a Windows system. Don't know if the format used by Apple has any inherent benefits over FAT32. Anyone?
PS- OS X can handle NTFS formatted volumes in a read only mode. But I've read a few places online where when X pukes on a NTFS volume bad things happen so always keep that in mind when dealing with a NTFS volume.
SiliconAddict said:
Only anecdotal evidence: My friend's FAT32 formatted iPod sync'ed slower than my Apple formatted (can't remember proper name - four letters beginning with N ending in S, but hey
) iPod. But seems as stable.That's it NTFS - isn't that native OS X? What does OS X use then?
Chip NoVaMac said:
Maybe, but you're assuming that everone works with computers as their main tool. Not everyone on the planet works in the IT and business field. There's a lot of people out there who only use a computer for Web, email, music, etc. That's who I'm talking about.
To those people, Office is not even useful (they don't need to be "compatible" with anyone). iLife and a basic iWork package (Word, spreadsheet, presentation) will be more than they'll ever need.
Montserrat said:Only anecdotal evidence: My friend's FAT32 formatted iPod sync'ed slower than my Apple formatted (can't remember proper name - four letters beginning with N ending in S, but hey
That's it NTFS - isn't that native OS X? What does OS X use then?
Nope. NTFS is Windows NT (Which includes NT4, 2K, and XP) file system. I believe whatever file system Mac iPods use is unix based which makes sense. google here I come.
[Edit: HFS+ http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1150.html ]
skipintro said:
Have you heard of the Apple G4 Cube? I believe it has precedence over these "nice PC boxes".
Appleinsider says this will plug into any display or TV. I could see taking it on business trips, lighter than a notebook because no batteries, and using it in a hotel room. And carry it from home to work and plug into displays at each location. Nice with projectors, too. Need an itty-bitty foldup keyboard like Palms use.
Two Markets for Q88
It's interesting to compare the subtle differences between the AppleInsider and Think Secret reports. Both are internally consistent, but taken together indicate that the product will be aimed at two different markets, with different packages:
- $499 is the package for the Windows replacement or supplement market-- re-use your existing keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
- $599 is the package aimed at the media center-- sits next to your TV, but includes a wireless input device or devices.
I would think a product aimed at a media center would benefit from some controls directly on the box. Wouldn't a single "import CD now" button, tied to your iTunes library, be useful?
It's interesting to compare the subtle differences between the AppleInsider and Think Secret reports. Both are internally consistent, but taken together indicate that the product will be aimed at two different markets, with different packages:
- $499 is the package for the Windows replacement or supplement market-- re-use your existing keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
- $599 is the package aimed at the media center-- sits next to your TV, but includes a wireless input device or devices.
I would think a product aimed at a media center would benefit from some controls directly on the box. Wouldn't a single "import CD now" button, tied to your iTunes library, be useful?
SiliconAddict said:The one thing I hope is that they don't skimp on the hard drive or at least let users upgrade it. The rumor is either a 40GB or 80GB hard drive. Well I have a 60GB iPod Photo with 43GB of songs on it. Maybe I'm doing the math wrong but I think I would have a hard time fitting 43GB into a 40GB drive.
Even 80GB would kinda suck since between OS, iWorks, iLife, iTunes tracks etc it might start to get a tad tight on even an 80GB drive. Yah hopefully I can flip open a panel on the bottom or back and simply upgrade the RAM to 1GB and the hard drive to a 100GB drive. That would be sweet.
With external FW drives less than a buck a gig, why not direct iTunes to import and playback from an external drive and keep your internal drive for apps and files. In this scenario, 40GB to 60GB is plenty large.
SiliconAddict said:Nope. NTFS is Windows NT (Which includes NT4, 2K, and XP) file system. I believe whatever file system Mac iPods use is unix based which makes sense. google here I come.
[Edit: HFS+ http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1150.html ]
Yep you're riight. Sorry I was at work, tired, being dumb. (also having to use a Windows PC, so understandably upset) Just checked on my PB and indeed it's all Journaled HFS+. Still, everything I said before is all true (except for the incorrect bits)
chevyorange said:
Also, I've heard of something called "iMac G5" that apparently is quite nice
Maybe some Intel/AMD users have been drooling over that... Also that XPC seems to cost a bit more than $500, kinda like 4 times more.Bring on Macs for the Masses!!
Maybe it's just me...
...but I would like a screenless mac to have some form of VGA/Mouse/Keyboard input.
Then, I could hook my old computer into the mac, and the mac into my monitor. I could (hopefully) then use the mac as my primary computer, and use the Windows PC in a window of OS X until I don't need it any more.
I think this would be a great way to transition people from Windows to OS x. It would also give me something to do while my Windows PC is rebooting!
/jw
...but I would like a screenless mac to have some form of VGA/Mouse/Keyboard input.
Then, I could hook my old computer into the mac, and the mac into my monitor. I could (hopefully) then use the mac as my primary computer, and use the Windows PC in a window of OS X until I don't need it any more.
I think this would be a great way to transition people from Windows to OS x. It would also give me something to do while my Windows PC is rebooting!
/jw
joe wichowski said:
You can do this now with just an ethernet cable and Remote Desktop.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopclient
...
You can, but remote control is ugly...
There are always issues with colors. Most software has a lag. Neither is good for games and what-not...
Besides, remote control is not a "seemless" experience.
/jw
You can, but remote control is ugly...
There are always issues with colors. Most software has a lag. Neither is good for games and what-not...
Besides, remote control is not a "seemless" experience.
/jw
Rootman said:
One problem I foresee. Airport security. I randomly get stopped and asked to power on my laptop. I don't know how carrying a portable desktop system fits into the almost random equation of airport security but it might be a problem for the scenario you suggest.
SiliconAddict said:One problem I foresee. Airport security. I randomly get stopped and asked to power on my laptop. I don't know how carrying a portable desktop system fits into the almost random equation of airport security but it might be a problem for the scenario you suggest.
I guess I could plug it into one of the VGA x-ray monitors.