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$499 Headless iMac?

Kagetenshi said:
Completely different situation. If this is marketed as a computer, it will be a Macintosh.

If, on the other hand, it isn't marketed as a computer and doesn't run OS X (or, more completely, Macintosh OS X), then it won't be called a Mac.

Though the Macintosh iHome isn't out of the realm of possibility.

~J
Click to expand...

But, iMac media-center is both a computer and a digital life style device. OS X Tiger is an absolute requirement of a home device. Many reasons, but one feature that any non-techie home user can use is Spotlight.

Spotlight automatically catalogs anything that it sees: a CD, a DVD, contents of a digital camera or videoCam, etc.

Then it provides an elegant search UI (as demo'd by Steve) that anyone (read non-computer person, like Grandma) can use to find their stuff: "Oh, where is that picture of little Marlowe wearing the Easter Bunny costume?"

Once she finds the pic, Grandma can print it and mail it to Aunt Ethel & Uncle VaVa...

But. wait... the iMac media-center comes with a .Mac account & she can email...

Suddenly, we have a thing (the iMac media-center) that bridges the needs/desires of the non-technical into a gentle intro to the world of computing in the 21st century.

Before you know it, Grandma will have her own web site, with the latest pics of the grandkids, her fav "oldies" tunes (does anyone still do the schottish?), the Family Tree, The Family Newsletter and her "Grandma knows Best" Blog.

This little headless Mac, with the right software (and supporting infrastructure) will change Grandma, Computers and the Internet forever.

The time is now!

The company is Apple.

Nobody else has all the pieces in place or the ability (style, elegance and brashness) to make it happen.

The "era of the user" is upon us.

Dick Applebaum
 
dicklacara said:
But, iMac media-center is both a computer and a digital life style device. OS X Tiger is an absolute requirement of a home device. Many reasons, but one feature that any non-techie home user can use is Spotlight.

Spotlight automatically catalogs anything that it sees: a CD, a DVD, contents of a digital camera or videoCam, etc.

Then it provides an elegant search UI (as demo'd by Steve) that anyone (read non-computer person, like Grandma) can use to find their stuff: "Oh, where is that picture of little Marlowe wearing the Easter Bunny costume?"

Once she finds the pic, Grandma can print it and mail it to Aunt Ethel & Uncle VaVa...

But. wait... the iMac media-center comes with a .Mac account & she can email...

Suddenly, we have a thing (the iMac media-center) that bridges the needs/desires of the non-technical into a gentle intro to the world of computing in the 21st century.

Before you know it, Grandma will have her own web site, with the latest pics of the grandkids, her fav "oldies" tunes (does anyone still do the schottish?), the Family Tree, The Family Newsletter and her "Grandma knows Best" Blog.

This little headless Mac, with the right software (and supporting infrastructure) will change Grandma, Computers and the Internet forever.

The time is now!

The company is Apple.

Nobody else has all the pieces in place or the ability (style, elegance and brashness) to make it happen.

The "era of the user" is upon us.

Dick Applebaum
Click to expand...


This would be a great product, but I actually think less computer, more advanced DVD/HDD player. It would also fit in with Steves comments about not using a computer to multitask whilst doing video. We can but wish...
 
Rootman said:
iPod (how quickly we forget the surprise of it all) brought order to the chaos of digital music (in which nothing - hardware, software, files, player, music, distribution, royalties, payments - was integrated) and was a huge business success as a noncomputer product. Now iPod does that with photos, too.

And next..
Click to expand...

If next = Apple home entertainment device to have "iMovies" (which can rip my DVDs so I don't have to handle dozens of discs anymore) and also includes iTunes and iPhoto (and Safari?) then they sure won't be able to keep up with the demand.
 
aswitcher said:
This would be a great product, but I actually think less computer, more advanced DVD/HDD player. It would also fit in with Steves comments about not using a computer to multitask whilst doing video. We can but wish...
Click to expand...

I think it can be both!

It is enough of a computer that you could attach a screen and whatever..

Some will have just 11 headless, attached to the TV.

Others will have several throughout the house (maybe one with each TV) all connected via Airport Extreme. Also on this network will be regular iMacs, Macs, iBooks and Power Books.

I would like to get the digital media off my main computer(s) and onto these little headless Macs. But i would like to be able to search & control these (headless) from the iMacs or PBs.

In addition, I would use (at least) one of these (headless) as a web/LAN server.

So, it can be diferent things to different people (for different needs)

In our household we currently have:

2 iMac G5s (each with .Mac & ITMS ACCOUNT)
1 iMac G3 (being phased out -- no airport extreme)
TiBook G4 (Home, office, trave hotel with iTunes Express)
PB 17 G4 (bedroom, Dining Room, Kitchen, Patio, whereever)

all with Airport

AirPort Express on the B&O in the Living Room
Airport Express on the Bose in the Family Room
Airport Express on the Bose in Den
Airport Extreme Base Station connected to the Internet & Printer

Lacie Firewire drives: 160GB, 200GB 1TB

iPod 30 Gig (iTunes)
iPod photo 60 Gig (iPhoto & iTunes & iBod)
 
Yvan256 said:
Neither does Canada (nor Japan nor Australia, I think).

SCART is found only on euro equipment... Why they're not ditching it for the standard connectors (RCA, S-Video, components), I got not clue.
Click to expand...

Why people are not ditching the other connectors for the standard connector called SCART, I got no clue. ;)
 
Poff said:
Why people are not ditching the other connectors for the standard connector called SCART, I got no clue. ;)
Click to expand...

SCART is a standard for only 5-10% of the planet, hence my comment. :)
 
i hate scart, the cables are huge and all it dose is unify all the connections it has s-video composite and a whole bunch of other stuff, it's much better to have the inividual plugs so you dont have ot waste space and money on scart- s-video or scart-composite.


and what happens if you have to bend the cable in the oposite way to the way the plug is, you can do it it assumes everyone's tv is on the left.
 
Yvan256 said:
If next = Apple home entertainment device to have "iMovies" (which can rip my DVDs so I don't have to handle dozens of discs anymore) and also includes iTunes and iPhoto (and Safari?) then they sure won't be able to keep up with the demand.
Click to expand...

Let's stop looking at specs (so we can stop arguing like 1000 posts back about whether this will be as snappy as an entry-level Dell at opening Excel files) and start looking at non-computer functions achievable on an iBook motherboard in the form of this easy-to-use non-computer hub of the home media center:

- Network storage hub for all the iPods in the family (music and photos and the other iPod app they are about to introduce).
- CD/iTunes/cable/DVD/TiVo/pay-per-view player/recorder.
- Client for non-browser interactive services (email, chat, fax, new commerce and info services designed for this system).
- Games.
- Oh and one more thing - it works as a computer for homework, surfing, video editing, office apps, etc.

No average person wants Microsoft's Media Center solution because the software and hardware is too high-maintenance. (It's OK for hobbyist enthusiasts like most of the readers of this forum, though.)

Apple doesn't need a low-cost computer. Its high-cost computers are still in the upgrade path of this baby.
 
weldon said:
Well, II've hacked my own Xbox and TiVo to run web servers and media players and stuff, so I know what you're talking about, by the way. However, I think that you are changing your quote and removing some context to set up a different argument than what I was originally responding to.

Beyond that, I think when you misuse the term "PC" to say something like "iPod is, after all, just a small PC" you make yourself inherently difficult to understand and shouldn't complain when a bunch of other people jump on you to explain yourself and clarify what you mean.
Click to expand...

Wasn't intentionally trying to change my quote and defraud you, it's just that this forum doesn't handle nested quotes (just shows the response, not the original post) so I had to rewrite mine from memory and said "computer" instead of "PC." I stand by my statement that the iPod is a small PC, and remember that when the handheld Apple device that was to become the iPod was in rumour stage, most pundits presumed it would be a new Newton.
 
Oh, and if it ever crashes or gets even slighty infected, it boots from the Internet and repairs itself and restores your drive from a .Mac archive and you don't even have to know it. Try that on your Dell, granny.
 
Rootman said:
I stand by my statement that the iPod is a small PC
Click to expand...
Why? What does this position contribute to the dialog? Do you want us to refer to all electronics devices that have processors as PC's? Do you think everyone should refer to ATM machines as PC's in casual conversation? Will it somehow help everyone understand your unintelligible analogy about Napster and the iPod?
 
Rootman said:
Let's stop looking at specs (so we can stop arguing like 1000 posts back about whether this will be as snappy as an entry-level Dell at opening Excel files) and start looking at non-computer functions achievable on an iBook motherboard in the form of this easy-to-use non-computer hub of the home media center:

- Network storage hub for all the iPods in the family (music and photos and the other iPod app they are about to introduce).
- CD/iTunes/cable/DVD/TiVo/pay-per-view player/recorder.
- Client for non-browser interactive services (email, chat, fax, new commerce and info services designed for this system).
- Games.
- Oh and one more thing - it works as a computer for homework, surfing, video editing, office apps, etc.

No average person wants Microsoft's Media Center solution because the software and hardware is too high-maintenance. (It's OK for hobbyist enthusiasts like most of the readers of this forum, though.)

Apple doesn't need a low-cost computer. Its high-cost computers are still in the upgrade path of this baby.
Click to expand...

Right on! This is the best, most concise description of what it is (or should be).
 
Anyone else notice we're now up to page 75 for this thread?

If Apple doesn't have something at least remotely similar to this rumor, my guess is that their stock will go down quite a bit... (if analysts and investors are as hyped-up as we are about the rumors) :confused:

Same thing goes for the "iPod micro".

Is there any page with a countdown clock? Anyone know how much time we'll have to wait after the actual presentation before Apple puts it on-line?
 
Rootman said:
Let's stop looking at specs (so we can stop arguing like 1000 posts back about whether this will be as snappy as an entry-level Dell at opening Excel files) and start looking at non-computer functions achievable on an iBook motherboard in the form of this easy-to-use non-computer hub of the home media center:

- Network storage hub for all the iPods in the family (music and photos and the other iPod app they are about to introduce).
- CD/iTunes/cable/DVD/TiVo/pay-per-view player/recorder.
- Client for non-browser interactive services (email, chat, fax, new commerce and info services designed for this system).
- Games.
- Oh and one more thing - it works as a computer for homework, surfing, video editing, office apps, etc.

No average person wants Microsoft's Media Center solution because the software and hardware is too high-maintenance. (It's OK for hobbyist enthusiasts like most of the readers of this forum, though.)

Apple doesn't need a low-cost computer. Its high-cost computers are still in the upgrade path of this baby.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt it. Not only is that too much to put in one low-cost computing device, but I really don't think Apple is going to introduce some type of media hub. What's the point? TiVo does what TiVo does, and does it best, and same for that other stuff.

It would also confuse consumers putting all that in one device. Is it a computer, or a media centre? *shrug*
 
LaMerVipere said:
I seriously doubt it. Not only is that too much to put in one low-cost computing device, but I really don't think Apple is going to introduce some type of media hub. What's the point? TiVo does what TiVo does, and does it best, and same for that other stuff.
Click to expand...
Just because there is a great product out there doesn't mean it can't be improved upon or there is potential for a market shift
 
sunilraman said:
What is UP with the blue guys in the MacBidouille website header??
It's all very french - and reminds me of that dance group.... you know the one, that vocoded... *gkshh*** AroundTheWorld Around The World, AroundTheWorld.... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Daft Punk!
who are coincidentally.... French! :eek:
 
499 with student discount

wow, if this is true and its available to college students, then discounted would be around $349 or $399, either way, its a great deal for a computer. I've been using my 12" powerbook with a 17" lcd and if this came out, I would get it in a heartbeat, sell my powerbook and get a 12" iBook or something. Man, that would be awesome.
 
BruinJohn said:
wow, if this is true and its available to college students, then discounted would be around $349 or $399, either way, its a great deal for a computer. I've been using my 12" powerbook with a 17" lcd and if this came out, I would get it in a heartbeat, sell my powerbook and get a 12" iBook or something. Man, that would be awesome.
Click to expand...

Would probably end up being $469 like the iPod photo w/student discount :D
 
Mac PC

Pardon me for suggesting something crazy (maybe someone already has), but hasn't Apple been perfecting OS X on PC hardware for years now? It's been a "black ops" project, but I believe it's true.

Could the headless Mac be a PC? Would Apple ever dare to challenge Microsoft in America's homes?
 
Rootman said:
They used to sell Macs without mice and keyboards (like the Quadras) - they were a separate purchase. Besides, this product won't require a keyboard.
Click to expand...

This mac will need a keyboard and mouse !
It is supose to be a headless mac not a DVD player with and HDD, as far as the rumor is correct. I was hoping for a machine that I could use a a compensation for My P4 2.8Ghz 512MB 80GB HDD (does anyone know how they would compare) :confused:
 
dicklacara said:
I think it can be both!

It is enough of a computer that you could attach a screen and whatever..

Some will have just 11 headless, attached to the TV.

Others will have several throughout the house (maybe one with each TV) all connected via Airport Extreme. Also on this network will be regular iMacs, Macs, iBooks and Power Books.

I would like to get the digital media off my main computer(s) and onto these little headless Macs. But i would like to be able to search & control these (headless) from the iMacs or PBs.

In addition, I would use (at least) one of these (headless) as a web/LAN server.

So, it can be diferent things to different people (for different needs)

In our household we currently have:

2 iMac G5s (each with .Mac & ITMS ACCOUNT)
1 iMac G3 (being phased out -- no airport extreme)
TiBook G4 (Home, office, trave hotel with iTunes Express)
PB 17 G4 (bedroom, Dining Room, Kitchen, Patio, whereever)

all with Airport

AirPort Express on the B&O in the Living Room
Airport Express on the Bose in the Family Room
Airport Express on the Bose in Den
Airport Extreme Base Station connected to the Internet & Printer

Lacie Firewire drives: 160GB, 200GB 1TB

iPod 30 Gig (iTunes)
iPod photo 60 Gig (iPhoto & iTunes & iBod)
Click to expand...

WOW

Nice collection :D
 
Yvan256 said:
SCART is a standard for only 5-10% of the planet, hence my comment. :)
Click to expand...
It's hardly an alternative to SCART when you need 3-4 different cables and plugs to replace it. The only problem with SCART is that it's so big. I hope for a SCART 2.0 that is something like the multi-plug on the iBooks and PowerBooks.

(Why don't people ditch Mac OSX, it is after all only used on less than 5% of the computers on this planet.)
 
Yvan256 said:
Anyone else notice we're now up to page 75 for this thread?

If Apple doesn't have something at least remotely similar to this rumor, my guess is that their stock will go down quite a bit... (if analysts and investors are as hyped-up as we are about the rumors) :confused:

Same thing goes for the "iPod micro".

Is there any page with a countdown clock? Anyone know how much time we'll have to wait after the actual presentation before Apple puts it on-line?
Click to expand...

The analysts and investors are not as "hyped-up" as Mac fanatics. I think any inexpensive solution will do.
 
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