Apple's Plans: New Products or Establishing Existing Ones?

[MrCrowbar]

Here's my ideal lineup:
-full tower workhorse for hard-core gamers, film makers, etc. (Mac Pro)
-mini-mid tower (new computer)
-all-in-one desktop (iMac)
-pro laptop (MacBook Pro)
-consumer laptop (MacBook)
-combine TV & Mac Mini
-server (xServe)

w/ the iMac, laptops & Mac Mini, have a BTO option for SSD drives. W/ the laptops, let the displays swivel around and be able to use them as tablets. Add stylus & multitouch support as well so you can use your fingers or a stylus. Whichever you prefer. Also, have all the computers have dual-link DVI (either the full thing like Mac Pros or Macbook Pros) or through a dongle while also upgrading all the laptop/cinema displays to as high a DPI as possible and still inexpensive enough for the average Joe on the street. Plus, add iSights to the cinema displays.

SSD Drive on iMacs is dumb. The SSD on the Macbook Air arguably outperforms the platter based 1.8" hard drive. A 7200 rpm 3.5" hard drive easily outperforms any "affordable" SSD. Power savings are rather irrelevant in a Desktop (no battery).

Swivel-around laptop displays... this concept has failed already. It's fragile, feels cheap... If Apple was going for laptop/tablet hybrids, I'm sure they will find a better way to do it.

Dual Link DVI: possible on Macbook Pros. It's touch on Macbooks because space for the port is limited (thus mini-DVI) and the integrated graphics can't handle huge resolutions well. Very few people need to hook up 2 display to a laptop for a triple screen setup (I'm one of them though). It's also kind of annoying when the screens have different sizes (13" laptop, 20" display), relative resolutions (130ppi on the Macbook, 100ppi on the externals), finishes (glossy vs. matte) and colors.

It's more likely that Apple would replace DVI with DisplayPort or some Apple port that can output VGA, DVI and HDMI with adapters. VGA is crucial if you need to do presentations, most projectors, even recent ones, rely on VGA.

 

[mikecap]

Convergence

If Apple doesn't take this opportunity to move into the TV market, they're going to make themselves very vulnerable to attack on all fronts. They need an end to end solution in order to take over the living room, and the final puzzle piece is a device that incorporates a computer into a TV screen. People are moving more and more to online and streaming solutions for their TV content, and set top boxes or, ultimately, converged TVs are the future for that delivery method.

Sony now has the VAIO TV, and it's at a reasonable early adopter price - they realize that their only gambit is to deal directly with cable companies and deliver their content digitally to a device that they control. Sony's in the hardware game just as much as Apple, and they are Apple's true competitor in the living room.

Apple has iTunes and iPods and iPhones - Sony has the PS3 and a track record with TVs and stereo equipment. Apple has locked up portable content, and as a result has gotten a huge share of digital media distribution through iTunes. But it's all for naught if people buy Sony TVs that easily interface into a Connect type system created by Sony - if the average person can't install iTunes on a converged TV, they'll just use what's already in their media center system. Apple would thus be locked out; however, if they give people a direct, wireless, no-computer, no-hassle digital distribution method right into their living room... Apple can win the whole ball game.

The "digital whiteboard" has to be Apple's last play, if they don't make it, they will stagnate forever in a niche market.

 

[rtdunham]

i'd love to see new and exciting innovations, within their existing product line.

i agree. I posted on the "Macbook speculation..." thread as follows. My logic was intended to advocate a quite "new" product that's nevertheless actually an innovation within the iPhone/Touch product line:

"Netbooks represent a challenging new laptop category.

And it's generally accepted Apple must reduce prices, or offer new lower-priced products, to compete in the nation's/world's changed economic state.

Wouldn't an 8 or 9-inch-screen iPhone/iPod Touch, with a virtual keyboard AND a keyboard port, meet that new competitive challenge perfectly?

Yeah, apple would need to add adequate internal storage, and cut-and-paste, but isn't the iPhone/iPod Touch already MOST of what a "netbook" or low-priced computer needs to be, except for screen size?"

 

[MacTraveller]

The article is absolutely spot on.

 

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5F136 Safari/525.20)

I agree with this. Apple has a good product line and I think that it would be in their best interest to work on making it better. Not to mention pushing the issue of being better than microsoft as far as the OS platform goes. That's my two cents though.

 

[guzhogi]

SSD Drive on iMacs is dumb. The SSD on the Macbook Air arguably outperforms the platter based 1.8" hard drive. A 7200 rpm 3.5" hard drive easily outperforms any "affordable" SSD. Power savings are rather irrelevant in a Desktop (no battery).

Just an idea. That's why I said as a BTO option.

Swivel-around laptop displays... this concept has failed already. It's fragile, feels cheap... If Apple was going for laptop/tablet hybrids, I'm sure they will find a better way to do it.

I'm sure Apple will find a cool way to do it. I've often had to do inventories at work. Using a MacBook (Pro) is kinda awkward; a tablet, IMO, will be easier to carry. If Apple did a touchscreen w/ an onscreen keyboard like the iPhone, that would really help.

Dual Link DVI: possible on Macbook Pros. It's touch on Macbooks because space for the port is limited (thus mini-DVI) and the integrated graphics can't handle huge resolutions well. Very few people need to hook up 2 display to a laptop for a triple screen setup (I'm one of them though). It's also kind of annoying when the screens have different sizes (13" laptop, 20" display), relative resolutions (130ppi on the Macbook, 100ppi on the externals), finishes (glossy vs. matte) and colors.

It's more likely that Apple would replace DVI with DisplayPort or some Apple port that can output VGA, DVI and HDMI with adapters. VGA is crucial if you need to do presentations, most projectors, even recent ones, rely on VGA.

True that built-n graphics kinda blow, but there may be people who don't mind using 30" monitors on them. But, I've never really used a set-up like that so I wouldn't really know. W/ the mini-DVI, I meant having the actual port being able to do dual-link, not just single. As for Apple making its own port, they already did w/ the ADC port and that didn't go very well. The graphics card makers would have to make a special board just for Macs w/ it and just too hard. I'd say go w/ DVI until most LCD projectors come w/ DVI/DisplayPort/Wi-fi. Since DVI can also carry analog/VGA signals, we just need a dongle for it. But DisplayPort is digital-only so you'd probably have to get an adaptor that's big & clunky and/or really expensive to connect to VGA.

 

[tgildred]

I'm in the "establish existing" camp. I like new products, and I hope for more, but I think the time has come to leverage new technologies and innovations in the Mac realm again.

 

[oticon6]

It's time to say goodbye to the kernel panic. This is the type of innovation we need... not a new product. Apple has a strong position in the phone, media and computer markets, but there are a lot of critics... time to make things perfect, shut them up, and give Microsoft a real hard time competing

Edit:
Forgot to elaborate on the kernel panic thing
While Cocoa seems pretty much flawless, Carbon still has vulnerabilities that allow problems in the kernel space that cause a panic (cider, Diablo II, Flash -- I'm talking to you). Then there's the drivers.. while needing some kernel communication, they should be controlled by the OS, so that turning off my AD2P headphones doesn't cause the system to go fruity.

 

[guzhogi]

Originally Posted by TheSpaz
But what about the iPhone? Any news on that? I'm sick of hearing "New MacBooks!!!" I think they should focus more on the iPhone. After-all, Apple is not "Apple Computer" anymore. Oh yeah, and Snow Leopard is going to KICK ASS!

I have a few friends at work who are pretty serious Windows fans. One of them said maybe Apple should shut down its computer division & just do iPod & iPhone. The reasoning being Windows has 90+% of the market & Apple's doing well w/ iPhones & iPods so why even try making Macs? Plus, Macs are more expensive, cost more to fix, and Windows has all the software Mac has plus a lot more. While all valid points, I disagree. I'm sick & tired of people being treated like cr** b/c they're different.

 

[dubhe]

I think apple is big enough to do both. Definitely, the priority has to be to maintain quality and cutting edge technology in their current products, this is what makes apple who they are and what makes us lot buy from them. But, they still have enough reserve to continue their innovation, I don't see the first priority getting in the way of this.

New technology will grab the headlines better than a product update, so releasing new products is better advertising for apple. Once people have taken notice the job is done, whether they then buy the new product or a mature one.

Of course if they release a c**p product then that would have the opposite effect...

 

[bbmitch]

Shrink Wrap OS-X

Even if Apple have reached product plateau there is further opportunity to take on MS at the OS Level. Shrink wrap OS-X to allow people to run it on generic Intel hardware (PC's), instead of the proprietary Mac HW. (remember NeXTStep). This would be a real shot in the arm for MS

 

[Lesser Evets]

NEARING a plateau??

We've been ON a plateau for two years now. It will probably maintain for another year, maybe two. All computers are in a kind of dull stasis at this time.

 

[MrCrowbar]

Even if Apple have reached product plateau there is further opportunity to take on MS at the OS Level. Shrink wrap OS-X to allow people to run it on generic Intel hardware (PC's), instead of the proprietary Mac HW. (remember NeXTStep). This would be a real shot in the arm for MS

I could imagine an "Apple kit" that consists of a OSX install disc and a USB dongle paired with that disc. Leopard requires EFI to boot if I recall correctly and most PCs still shop with BIOS only. Don't know how hackintoshes work though, so I might be totally worng here.

Still, the dongle could be an good solution to make installation easy and, sort of, limit piracy. I see no reason to require the dongle to be connected at all times. Installation and software updates would suffice.

Drivers on the other hand would be a bigger problem.

 

[isethx]

great call, too many products just gets messy.

 

[dubhe]

Even if Apple have reached product plateau there is further opportunity to take on MS at the OS Level. Shrink wrap OS-X to allow people to run it on generic Intel hardware (PC's), instead of the proprietary Mac HW. (remember NeXTStep). This would be a real shot in the arm for MS

Apple software is cheap because it is carried by the hardware, if it sold without hardware then people thinking of switching maybe wouldn't, therefore hardware sales would fall. The software would have to be more expensive.

 

[marbles]

Definitely establish the current line up ...... & spend a LArGE amount of time improving quality control .

Too many products at the moment spreading resources too thinly

 

[Macinposh]

How long do you think they can control all of that? I mean, that is a lot of different projects to keep a hold on. Things get neglected, other's suffer (the mini). The iPhone is still pretty new, as is the Air. They have so many new things, do you think they'll be able to handle it? I know they're a big coorporation, but at what point will the products start to suffer?

Products have allready "started" to suffer,but that has been the price that they have paid for the aggressive expansion (iphone,intel). Now it is time for the consolidation. Apple can handle that,but pushing aggresively to a new territory might be too much atm..

If Apple doesn't take this opportunity to move into the TV market...

Exactly.

Apple should launch a Apple Tv brand to compliment the current media home setup. I have actullay betted 100€ with my friend that by end of the year 2009 there will be a TV from apple.

Nothing spectacular, a nice lineup of 32",40" and a 52" inch white tv´s to go with the atv or mini.
Propably just rebadged samsungs or LGs with a small design twist. And priced about the double than competitors.
They would have practically no extra expenses apart from the design and they really could make themself seen in the electronic stores.

Waiting...

 

[econoline06]

Now, I am not saying that the Mac itself "sucks" or anything like that, I love my iMac. However, I have noticed a downward trend in software quality since 10.5 was introduced. In my view, issues like core image smoothness and others have had plenty of time to be addressed by Apple. I still find bugs quite often (and report them), such as the active window that is supposed to become inactive when clicking on another app in the dock does not work right a lot of times. The new window opens up under the older one. Anyway, not to get into it with anybody that doesn't agree, but I feel that Apple should refocus efforts into the Mac. Am I the only Mac user on this forum that feels neglected since the iPhone came out? I hope not.

 

[nick9191]

This is so what Apple needs to be doing.

Concentrating on the Mac OS, the Macs, and the rest of their current product line.

In the last 2 years Apple has released more products than they did in 10 years.

Apple is severely understaffed at the moment. They don't have the man power to keep up with all this. They need to step back and work on their existing products for at least a year or so.

Oh and build quality as well. They need to invest more money in making working conditions better, = better products.

Well, maybe just the netbook, then do the above.

 

[zedsdead]

Apple needs to take a step back and regroup. And it seems they are doing it with Snow Leopard. They need to get the services and products they have out to be completely stable.

Hope this is what happens. Apple needs to make its existing products better before going anything revolutionary again. The Tablet can wait.

 

[jpine]

A faster MobileMe please!

For .Mac (sorry, I seem to choke every time I try to say "MobileMe" ) I would be happier with more emphasis on the "better" portion of the faster, better, cheaper equation.

 

[aleksandra.]

I'm sure Apple will find a cool way to do it. I've often had to do inventories at work. Using a MacBook (Pro) is kinda awkward; a tablet, IMO, will be easier to carry. If Apple did a touchscreen w/ an onscreen keyboard like the iPhone, that would really help.

I might sound boring, but...
http://www.macnn.com/blogs/2008/07/14/apple-reveals-secret-notebook-tablet.html
... so hopefully no ugly flip-around screens. Although it might end up as real as iMac-like docking station for MacBooks .

Apple software is cheap because it is carried by the hardware, if it sold without hardware then people thinking of switching maybe wouldn't, therefore hardware sales would fall. The software would have to be more expensive.

And overloaded with anti-piracy protection to the point of becoming unusable. Not that I'm referring to certain OS that followed this path or something, not at all.

 

[137489]

I wonder if the industry as a whole is coming to a plateau (of course this economy is not helping either). I mean:

1. Microsoft products for 2007/2008 timeframe were the worst stability wise, bad for stripping out key features, and re-designed gui that no one can get used too.... And don't forget charging more (although they packaged a lot of products into Office Ultimate).

2. Apple really has not done too much with the mac line, iwork or ilife.

3. Other than Dell's new case designs (and I hate Dell), no other PC manufacturer has wow'ed me with innovation or a great product. they all seem to be run-of-the-mill... well, except for when the MB Air came out.

4. this whole sub-notebook thing... ok they are small and cool looking and all, but other than the Acer that has a 160gb hd, 1gb ram, windows XP home - I heard they are pretty slow and down-graded so they cannot really run any apps. Xp Home, yep that is a step backwards....

5. Seeing a shift from the PC to internet (i mean we went from dumb/smart terminals hooked to a mainframe, to the personal computer, and now back to a dumb/smart devices connected to a server). It is cyclical - could we be seeing the end of personaly computers and having everything on a mainframe/server? really do not need much power, just a lot of memory for that (I have seen MS-SQL and ASP return some 500mb pages that brings IE to its knees). given my ministry and my personal life, I would be very sad to see the end of the personal computer.


Here is what I think needs to happen:

1. Stability in the OS/software. (although I have yet to run into any real issues on my mac)

2. More developement with touch, hand-writing recognition, speech.

3. come up with a good computer to serve as a tablet and a workhorse - but also have portability in mind (ie a mac pro about the size of a macbook or a little smaller [12-inch ibook sized?] - with a real keyboard).

4. oh, and for those whiners that have seemed to settle down (blu-ray).

Other than that, I mean what else is there to do?

 

[Bregalad]

Half agree - as much as I want to see Apple maturing their products and designs (iMac for example), new innovations is what keep me tied to the Keynote Presentations.

However there room for further establishment with certain products - the Apple TV is probably the best example.

AppleTV can never be a serious product.

1. The iPod allowed everyone to put their existing media onto a new player, but you can't legally rip a DVD. Are you going to buy your entire collection again just so it's all in one media server? I didn't think so.

2. Buying TV content from iTunes, even at $1.99, is still way more expensive than cable. The average American watches 14 hours of TV per week and multiple family members don't all watch the same things. Buying all your TV via iTunes could easily cost $300/month for a family of four.

3. Getting a movie from iTunes takes longer than walking or driving to a video store, completely eliminating the convenience factor.

4. The ISPs ultimately control how quickly you can get content and how much it will cost you. Their infrastructure simply cannot support everyone downloading movies at the same time of day. They are already kicking off their highest bandwidth hogs and placing strict limits on everyone else in an attempt to cope. Without affordable access to huge download speeds and limits, the AppleTV is a dead product.


The only new product I want is the one Apple will never make: a $1400 tower.

I want to drive either a 30" display or two matched 20-24" displays, need a minimum of two internal hard drives (although eSATA might be OK), won't settle for anything less than quad core (something that costs around $700 in the PC world versus $2500 in the Mac), won't pay for FB RAM that costs 4x as much as normal desktop stuff, won't pay extra for nor suffer the performance loss of slot loading optical, and will never buy an all-in-one where you have to perform surgery to upgrade the HD and have to toss away the display when the CPU no longer meets your needs. There's no good economic or environmental reason to replace perfectly good components just because one piece is no longer good enough.

 

[CrossedBearings]

Stop Baiting Us

But what about the iPhone? Any news on that? I'm sick of hearing "New MacBooks!!!" I think they should focus more on the iPhone. After-all, Apple is not "Apple Computer" anymore. Oh yeah, and Snow Leopard is going to KICK ASS!

Well we all got entirely sick and tired of hearing about the iPhone while waiting, waiting and waiting some more for the MB / MBP refresh. Its all we heard for bloody months.

I give you about a 0.0001 on my sympathy-o-meter.

Its MB/MBP time!

Edit : ok - so I over reacted without reading further on. Sorry - I just saw red there when I read that.