July 5, 2006 6:37 AM PDT

Apple makes cheaper iMac for education

Apple Computer today announced the release of an iMac desktop computer specifically designed for educational clients, hoping that its compact, 2-inch-thick frame will appeal to students in space-constrained classrooms and dorms. The desktop computer, featuring a 17-inch screen, will retail for $899.

With the release of the iMac for education, Apple will discontinue production of the eMac desktop, the last Mac to come with a CRT monitor. The new iMac will be available only through the Apple Store for Education, which offers discounted products specifically for academic clients. Educational customers will be saving $400 off the $1,299 price for a standard 17-inch iMac, but the new machine comes with a weaker graphics card and half the hard drive space, making it potentially less attractive to digital media enthusiasts and "World of Warcraft"-addicted college students.

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32 comments

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Will history repeat itself?
Many of us remember that the "e" in "eMac" originally stood for "education," because the machine initially was sold to the educational market only. Consumer demand for the inexpensive machines soon resulted in their being sold to the general public.

Might the same thing happen with the new "iMac Lite"?
Posted by Jon Eiche (15 comments )
Reply Link Flag
Will history repeat itself?
Many of us remember that the "e" in "eMac" originally stood for "education," because the machine initially was sold to the educational market only. Consumer demand for the inexpensive machines soon resulted in their being sold to the general public.

Might the same thing happen with the new "iMac Lite"?
Posted by Jon Eiche (15 comments )
Reply Link Flag
Cheap Mac
Leave it to Mac to say that $900 is a cheap computer. No wonder most of the world is PC.
Posted by gradeigh (10 comments )
Reply Link Flag
How did I know someone would complain it's too expensive
Because someone always does. regardless of the differences.

Once I respond: It's not a direct comparison.

If price is your ONLY criteria, than Macs may not be for you.
Quality is the reason. It's a different user experience - out of the
box.
Posted by technewsjunkie (1211 comments )
Link Flag
Cheap can be a pejorative term
It is rare when I find that buying the cheapest of anything is the
best idea. Cheapest is only best when all else is equal.

Macs are a good value. This particular iMac is inexpensive. But,
no, Macs are not cheap! Apple simply does not go for the rock
bottom segment of the market or advertise loss leaders as do Dell
or HP.
Posted by Thrudheim (306 comments )
Link Flag
Cheap Mac
Leave it to Mac to say that $900 is a cheap computer. No wonder most of the world is PC.
Posted by gradeigh (10 comments )
Reply Link Flag
How did I know someone would complain it's too expensive
Because someone always does. regardless of the differences.

Once I respond: It's not a direct comparison.

If price is your ONLY criteria, than Macs may not be for you.
Quality is the reason. It's a different user experience - out of the
box.
Posted by technewsjunkie (1211 comments )
Link Flag
Cheap can be a pejorative term
It is rare when I find that buying the cheapest of anything is the
best idea. Cheapest is only best when all else is equal.

Macs are a good value. This particular iMac is inexpensive. But,
no, Macs are not cheap! Apple simply does not go for the rock
bottom segment of the market or advertise loss leaders as do Dell
or HP.
Posted by Thrudheim (306 comments )
Link Flag
..hopefully, a Mac for enterprise two.
a Mac Mini without bluetooth, without Wi-Fi, without internal optical drive, and even without hard disk (just SATA, Firewire, USB, and Ethernet ports at the back), and an install DVD and license for Mac OS X.

Apple could sell that for $199 to enterprise customers and the geek market.
Posted by Maccess (610 comments )
Reply Link Flag
What was enterprise one?
Or did you mean "too?"

Get a dictionary!
Posted by Dennis Thekan (8 comments )
Link Flag
What was enterprise one?
Or did you mean "too?"

Get a dictionary!
Posted by Dennis Thekan (8 comments )
Link Flag
..hopefully, a Mac for enterprise two.
a Mac Mini without bluetooth, without Wi-Fi, without internal optical drive, and even without hard disk (just SATA, Firewire, USB, and Ethernet ports at the back), and an install DVD and license for Mac OS X.

Apple could sell that for $199 to enterprise customers and the geek market.
Posted by Maccess (610 comments )
Reply Link Flag
What was enterprise one?
Or did you mean "too?"

Get a dictionary!
Posted by Dennis Thekan (8 comments )
Link Flag
What was enterprise one?
Or did you mean "too?"

Get a dictionary!
Posted by Dennis Thekan (8 comments )
Link Flag
Education For The Real World
In the overwhelming majority of the business world, being "computer literate" means knowing how to use a Microsoft Windows computer.

The phrase "know how to use a Mac" is unimpressive on a resume.
Posted by john55440 (1021 comments )
Reply Link Flag
As if "knows how to use Windows"
is impressive?

Grow up.
Posted by Thrudheim (306 comments )
Link Flag
Education For The Real World
In the overwhelming majority of the business world, being "computer literate" means knowing how to use a Microsoft Windows computer.

The phrase "know how to use a Mac" is unimpressive on a resume.
Posted by john55440 (1021 comments )
Reply Link Flag
As if "knows how to use Windows"
is impressive?

Grow up.
Posted by Thrudheim (306 comments )
Link Flag
 

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