With the seemingly eminent release of 2GB and 4GB iPods below the $200 barrier, I am starting to wonder about the current focus of Apple Computers.
The G5's are incredible computers and worth every penny in my opinion, but I (and many people I know) do not have $3000+ to spend on a professional system.
I worry that Apple has forgotten the non-"power users" that have an allegiance to the company. The Motorola G4 chips continues to dominate Apple inventory, and let's be honest. It is a four-year old chip that has worn out its welcome. How many minor speed bumps can people get excited about? What is left but bringing the 1.25 GHz to 1.42 GHz? 17MHz upgrade in an age of Dual 2 GHz machines.
The iMac - over priced (at $2200 for the 20" how is the a "consumer" machine).
The eMac - who still wants a CRT (it would be one thing if it were a free 17" CRT that came with a desktop then I could upgrade my monitor).
The iBook - only just rid itself of the G3 (we barely got rid of the G3 before 2004)!
I am trying to say that I am worried Apple has forgotten those of us who want to buy Macs but want to get real value for $2000, and instead is concentrating on getting PC users to buy iPod and use iTMS in the hope they eventually by Macs.
While this may be a good (or even great) move for Apple, in the short term I am left with my 400 MHz G3 iMac.
My hope is that early 2004 the IBM 750VX (whatever Apple may call it) appears in Apple's "consumer" lines running at 2+ GHz to fill the void until G5's take over the whole line (by then G6's will be in the PowerMacs no doubt).
The G5's are incredible computers and worth every penny in my opinion, but I (and many people I know) do not have $3000+ to spend on a professional system.
I worry that Apple has forgotten the non-"power users" that have an allegiance to the company. The Motorola G4 chips continues to dominate Apple inventory, and let's be honest. It is a four-year old chip that has worn out its welcome. How many minor speed bumps can people get excited about? What is left but bringing the 1.25 GHz to 1.42 GHz? 17MHz upgrade in an age of Dual 2 GHz machines.
The iMac - over priced (at $2200 for the 20" how is the a "consumer" machine).
The eMac - who still wants a CRT (it would be one thing if it were a free 17" CRT that came with a desktop then I could upgrade my monitor).
The iBook - only just rid itself of the G3 (we barely got rid of the G3 before 2004)!
I am trying to say that I am worried Apple has forgotten those of us who want to buy Macs but want to get real value for $2000, and instead is concentrating on getting PC users to buy iPod and use iTMS in the hope they eventually by Macs.
While this may be a good (or even great) move for Apple, in the short term I am left with my 400 MHz G3 iMac.
My hope is that early 2004 the IBM 750VX (whatever Apple may call it) appears in Apple's "consumer" lines running at 2+ GHz to fill the void until G5's take over the whole line (by then G6's will be in the PowerMacs no doubt).