Manage updates with the Download AppJanuary 11, 2005 12:22 PM PST
Apple unveils $499 PC
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pretty much the same. They're trying to be as easy to use as an iPod, but they have these very tiny displays and a really tortured interface."
Jobs took credit for dramatically reducing the market for flash-based music players by pushing hard-drive models downstream. "The iPod Mini worked," he said. But there's still an opportunity to grab digital music newcomers with inexpensive models, he said. "We'd like to go after the remaining mainstream flash market," Jobs said.
In other iPod news, Jobs said Apple sold 4.5 million of the players during the final quarter of 2004, and he announced that Mercedes, Volvo, Nissan and others will follow BMW's lead in offering iPod adapters in new cars.
In addition, Jobs confirmed iWork, a new software package that will take on Microsoft's Office in the Mac software market.
The package will include Pages, a new word processing program developed by Apple, and an updated version of Keynote, a slideshow application Apple introduced two years ago.
Like other Apple products, Jobs said one of the major advantages of iWork will be its integration with the Mac OS X operating system. "iWork is a product we've created from the ground up to take advantage of OS X," he said.
The release of iWork marks another chapter in Apple's on-and-off partnership with Microsoft, whose Mac version of Office has long been the standard productivity package for the operating system, partly out of necessity. Apple's own AppleWorks package has achieved only modest market share, mostly in educational settings, and the company's FileMaker database software has never posed a significant threat to Microsoft's similar Access.
Demonstrating Pages, Jobs and Apple Vice President Phil Schiller made it clear the application isn't counting on business letters and school reports as its sweet spot. Pages includes numerous tools for adding photos to documents and creating complex documents that look like professionally made brochures.
"It's word processing with a sense of style," Jobs said. The iWork package will sell for $79 starting Jan. 22.
Jobs also had more details on "Tiger," the next version of the OS X operating system, but he stopped short of setting a release date more specific than the first half of 2005. However, that will still be well before the next version of Microsoft's Windows, Jobs said as he revealed the slogan, "Long before Longhorn."
Major additions to the new OS, officially known as Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, include Spotlight, Apple's entry into the growing
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Moreover, it is unbelievable that Apple is now targeting the home consumer. I guess there has been some deep synergy going on between them and Hewlitt Packard (HP) in that regards. The bountiful "Mac Mini" is now debuting at $499 and pack great features such as 1.25 GHZ G4 processor, up to 80GB hard drive, 256mb of ram and a slot loading CD-R/DVD-ROM drive.
Last but not least, Apple is renowned for innovation, and there is more to come with the new market share that they have just regained with the "Ipod Phenomenon".
Orane Franklin
Orane Productions Multimedia
(Web Design - Motion Graphics - Flash)
[http://www.oraneproductions.com|http://www.oraneproductions.com]
mark d.
Bizarre decision, which makes me wonder if a "new" mini Mac will come out in a few months from now -- much like what Apple did with the re-designed iMacs, and their Powerbooks.
home users. Wireless is going to take that 100 down to 54
anyway.
I know I will have one connected wireless to serve iTunes
and iPhotos. to play DVD's on and use my TV for the
monitor should I ever need to access it with a keyboard.
will find its way into many closets I'm sure) - as such, it has a
10/100 ethernet just like the iBook and iMac. It's one of the
features that isn't available until you move to the pro lineup.
I agree that it would be close to zero cost to implement, but they
use it (and montior spanning, and expandability) as
distinguishing features to move people up-line.
FWIW
Brian
store, you are presented with a peripherals page, and you can
choose a KVM switch there.
FireWire ports.
PowerMac G5s have a bunch of other I/O ports plus much more
upgradeability (PCI slots, second HD bay, etc.)
things (display, keyboard, mouse).
American Report
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://americanreport.blogspot.com" target="_newWindow">http://americanreport.blogspot.com</a>
who want to use their existing monitors. Quite frankly, if you
want a mac with a monitor, keyboard and mouse, then buy one.
With the DVI connector, and include bluetooth and airport, you
can use this mac to work from your HDTV (if it is equpped). I
have a funny feeling this was and is in the minds of many.
However, if you have an expensive monitor already, you don't
have to get a new one anyway.
It's a *replacement* machine for people sick of the down-side(s) of Windows. (They already have the peripherals.)
It's a house box, not a PC. Its a Mini Mac.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=13956630" target="_newWindow">http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=13956630</a> Pretty cool huh? B-)
This is the first time in years that Apple has offered a computer at a price that the average consumer is willing to pay. The old iMac (with the conventional, not flat panel, monitor) was the last example. Its price hovered around $1000, which was appropriate for a basic personal computer in the late 1990's. Later iMac designs -- and even the eMac -- were too expensive to be a factor in the mass market. As companies like Dell were driving entry-level PC prices down, Apple was adding new features and raising the price of its entry-level offering. But at $500, the all-new Mac mini meets discount PC's head-on.
Obviously, current and future Macintosh users will benefit from this new, low-cost option. I predict that PC users will also benefit.
Now that Apple's iLife suite is available with a $500 Mac mini, PC manufacturers will put pressure on their operating system supplier (Microsoft) and their utility software suppliers (various). There's no feature deficit in the software that comes with a typical multimedia PC (media player utility, DVD/CD burner utility, audio editor utility, video editor utility, TV recording utility), but the software components don't have consistent user interfaces and don't always work well together. This will change.
And now that Apple's well-regarded technical support is available with a $500 Mac mini, PC manufacturers will have to improve their own support services. However, Apple's consumer satisfaction ratings will decline a bit, as the company begins serving users who lack the computer experience, the self-help financial resources, and the brand allegiance common in people who today spend $1500+ on a typical Macintosh. Apple has no recent experience with mass market computer support.
I do see one longterm drawback for consumers: the entry of the Mac mini will encourage them to worry even more about form and even less about function. Apple's promotional literature (<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html</a>)criticizes the "Frankenstein machines" that PC manufacturers "slap together". Small, pretty components cost more, don't perform as well, and are harder to upgrade. For example, the Mac mini is built around a laptop DVD/CD drive ("'slim' form factor"). The desktop DVD/CD drives ("5.25-inch half-height form factor") found in discount PCs are faster and cheaper. When it's time to upgrade, replacements are also much easier to come by.
Overall I'm impressed with the Mac mini and glad to see a new choice in the personal computer marketplace.
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Note: When I use the abbreviation "PC", I'm referring specifically to IBM PC-compatible personal computers. When I use "personal computer", spelled out, I'm referring to all types, including the Apple Macintosh.
Apple has realized that people don't want to be at work or working 24/7. (Actually, they were never really interested in being the office PC exscept for a few years when Scully was there and they were losing their way.)
This is big and potentially bigger.
released to the market already. Can't apple come up with
something new?"
The innovation is making poor products in market better. They
are kind of like the BASF of the computer world, except the do
make the product. By the way, Apple has come up with many
many new things. Heck just look at the iPod's scroll wheel.
They were the first on a music player.
Apple has led the way for innovations in this market place since
its inception. I find it totally incredible that someone could think
they have been doing less. Perhaps you do not have the ability
to see the road ahead, and the steps that it takes to make the
journey. That's OK.
But if you think that them producing a more affordable
computer, that still has the quality of their typical product line
isn't innovative, then it may never be possible for you
understand.
Hmmm, so why am i responding? I must be bored.
1. The price, &
2. Eating crow. I have in the past blasted those
who slammed M$ users as
"Appleheads" {To those whom I may have
insulted, I appologize}.
Now that I've had my share of eatin' crow & humble pie, I have been planning to purchase a Mac. The problem for me was the price. I was considering a pre-owned model {ok, USED}.
Now I can get a full-featured NEW Mac for under $500!
I wanted Apple to do something like this when the first PC's were offered @ under $800.
I guess now is as good a time as any, & I have no where to go, except my nearest Apple reseller.
After a closer look if it would fit my use (which is pretty general) there were a few shortcomings that came to my attention that I'd like to mention:
- Only 2 USB connections. Although you have the option of Bluetooth, for people who still like to plug the old-fashioned way 2 connections seems a bit little, three as with the iMac would have been more appropriate
- No Audio in!! if you want to record audio with your miniMac (why didnt they call it that way?) you have to add (and pay for) a special USB plug (there goes one extra USB...)
- the power supply is external. No wonder it's that small with the power supply almost as large as the miniMac itself. If they had made it a bit larger they could have integrated the supply, making it a much more mobile piece of equipment
- video RAM is a bit on the small side with 32MB, but alas, they can upgrade that in the future.
Ok, I'll shut up now and look at those spunky pictures again, no need for adult material...
Re: 2 USB connections) Yeah, that seems a little on the skimpy
side. Would've liked to see another one or two USB ports on the
front (or side, I suppose). Maybe another FW port too.
Re: No Audio in) Most PCs in that price range don't have audio in
standard either. Usually have to add a sound card.
Re: Video RAM) Better 32MB than integrated graphics which
steals memory from the main RAM. 64MB would've been nicer
but maybe more cost and the average user wouldn't necessarily
need it anyways. More VRAM is more for 3D games than web
surfing, email, and such.
But it does come with iLife '05 free, which has no real
comparable product in the Windows world.
For more ports. If you have an apple keyboard, it has a USB por on the left and right of it (for whichever hand you use of ryour mouse) to plug the mouse into. That leaves one USB port open, and even then you can put a four port USB hub on that.
One firewire port because there aren't many devices that use firwire, and again, you can always put a $20 firewire hub on there.
This thing is smaller than Nintendo's Gamecube for God's sake. Which means more desktop or floor psace for you to have to work with. Audio in? Most audio in devices are now firewire or USB compatible (or both)
The iPod Shuffle can play in shuffle or in regular modes, and the price point is cheaper, with double the memory and it also has a rechargeable battery inside of it. Not bad my friends. Not bad at all.
You pay $500 for 1.25ghz, 256meg RAM and 40 gig harddrive and no sound in.
Too slow to do anything. Not enough room to store anything. And you can't even do voice commands. On top of that, you still have to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
But it "looks" cool. oooh....
No wander Apple isn't even bothering to expand their market. They know enough to concentrate on the 3% of the population that are borned stupid. It's their niche market.
"No wander Apple isn't even bothering to expand their market.
They know enough to concentrate on the 3% of the population
that are borned stupid. "
You shoot yourself in the foot. I wasn't "borned stupid". Maybe
born stupid. If you, on the other hand, were "borned" smart, I
feel really sad for us stupid types...
It is Apple's way of differentiating in design and by design in a way thet Microsoft can only dream of. Think of selling X-Box on steroids. Microsoft may have won the battle for the office (and made Bill Gates the richest man on the planet, [proof that he overcharged,] :-) but the Mac will win the battle for the living room.
After all most home probably have an apple or two in their 'fridge already. Apple's is pro-active and pro-design.
With wireless networking, CD/DVD playing, CD burning for iTunes playlists, conectivity out the wazoo with other Macs and with all the devices out there, this things looks to become AWESOME.
Doesn't have a built-in dock for an iPod so you could play your iPod music on the stereo (the one feature I'm interested in!)
So, unless you spend an additional arm and leg, you pretty much have a zero-capability (it isn't even a good door stop!) piece of equipment in your living room. But at least it looks cool.
Unless Microsoft can shift the production facilities which churn out X-Boxes to churn out some competitive product, they may have to sit this one out.
In fact, "The Innovator's Dilemma" applies here and they may need a response outside of Microsoft.
serious. Using at as an excuse to find a reason to blame a
corporation is not only negligent on your part, but just plain
being ... well, you know the rest of that.
Seriously, if you don't know why you were turned down, you
NEED to investigate it. It could be erroneous information being
filed about you, or even identity theft. This is a serious matter,
not a computer coporation being "mean" to you.
<br> <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=13956630" target="_newWindow">http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=13956630</a> <br> Pretty cool huh? B-)