Comments on: Readers weigh in on iMac design

reader feedback Apple's mum on what its next-generation desktop will look like, but News.com readers offer their suggestions.

[Dachi]

What Apple can do.

People can argue against any decision, but Apple needs to do something. OSX is a competitive OS and is all but praised for its features, ease of use, and power. Yet Apple's share continues to dwindle, even as OSX passes by MS Windows in features.

Apple seems to be making all the right moves on the software front, but what they are doing now is not working, and they need to do _something_ while they still have cards left to play with.

I don't want a PC with a monitor attached to it, and PowerMac's start at $2000 where PC's start at $500

Why not sell what is a repackaged eMac without the built in monitor?

Even if they cannot move below the existing $800 price point, so what?

People that move to the Mac are much more likely to gamble on a "starter computer", and I refuse to do that on a $2000 system with less RAM and HDD space than 2 year old PC I am using.

A low end powermac with 512 RAM, 160 gig HDD, cheapest monitor, speakers, 128 meg graphics card, and apple protection plan, is $3,865.95

4 grand is what it would cost me to replace my 2 year old PC with a Mac.

I wonder why they are losing market share.

My take: the next Apple I buy...

will have elliminated wires and come Air-port functioual

[kxmmxk]

That's today's iMac

Today's iMac is just as you describe.

They come AirPort ready, you have to pay for the AirPort card. Unless you mean it comes with the card already in the system like ethernet and modem.

And they've had bluetooth for a year or so now. You can buy a bluetooth version of the keyboard and mouse instead of the regular USB version. If you buy from the online store you had the option. If you get it from a brick front, you have to get the bluetooth peripherals extra because the USB is what is considered standard.

No wires!!

[kxmmxk]

????

If you already have a monitor why would you buy a new one?

Apple's systems are very comparable to a Dell or Gateway with equivalent features. In fact, when the flat screen iMac first came out, someone here on CNet spec'd one out with the same features at Dell, and the Dell system was more expensive. The thing is, with a MAC you get everything. People buy a PC frame, add a bunch of things without adding those items to the price in their mind, and then say it's cheaper. Or they get the cheap no-names that only someone who likes to spend a lot of time tweeking should be getting.

And don't forget we've been in a recession. Apple, and Dell I believe, where the only computer makers that were consistently making profit and meeting their numbers during that time. Apple is doing just fine. Mercedes don't have a huge market share either, but no one thinks they are going to die any day. Apple does very well for it's self and is quite profitable. I've never gone into our local Apple Store and seen it empty.

The Apple stores are one of the best moves Apple has made. It used to drive me nuts being in CompUSA or the old Computer City and listening to the total untruths the salespeople would tell people about Macs. Of course they didn't generally know what they were talking about when it came to wintel systems either. Now there's a place that people who don't already know their way around can go to for real answers and all the products they could ever want.