I head an inspired vision about a 'Headless iMac' style Mac, though mine had more of a corporate slant to it.
It was concieved from the thought that so many offices have to buy PCs which are vastly over-specced for writing letters and websurfing.
First, my corporate Mac solution literally looks like a headless iMac or an AP basestation. It would be available in a variety of options for different purposes.
There would be a basic motherboard model, SDRAM, nothing flash, built in graphics, etc, just for use as a 'small office' type machine.
There would be a slightly better one for more intensive applications, maybe DDR, etc.
Actually that would be it really. For the mobos. Fast or slow. Both would be aimed at similar uses (leaving heavy- duty work to G5s), but the fast one would be there so you could use the idle nodes as an XGrid cluster.
The rest of the machines would be highly customizeable. Choice of HDs, graphics options etc, and ZIF-style CPU modules ranging from very slow to pretty fast.
The slowest CPU would be for use in a unit configured as a server/hub. It would basically become an AP basestation, with more ports, HD (network booting), etc.
The best idea I had is for case options. I think the domed cases could be made out of Corian. They use it as 'artificial granite' for kitchen worksurfaces and stuff. Its made using resin. Apple could provide two or three standard colours (I see the Apple logos inserted in a contrasting colour of Corian), but for companies or organisations placing big enough orders, because of the way Corian is made, the customer can effectively create their own colour scheme (in the company colours), Since its made from resin, you could put your company logo on a small badge, and insert it into the resin in the mould for the Apple logo! Or elsewhere in the case.
You could even colour-code the different configurations of machines (like the different coloured Daleks in those old films). You could then easily spot the correct type of machine for a job (from across the room), even if you knew nothing about computers.
That covers two configurations, the hub/server, and the 'Office/node'. The final one requires a vertical slot in the domed case (would look like a big telescope). It would also require an advance in projector technology. This unit would have a mini-projector, which could be angled wherever using the slot.
This machine would actually have two main applications:
An office may have a couple with basic specs, for use primarily as video projectors, for presentations, etc.
Then there's the higher spec, 'executive' version (which would also be cool as a home use machine). Any of the others can be mounted on desks, walls or ceilings, whichever is convenient. This one would sit on a desk, and instead of projecting onto a large screen, would project onto a small, desk-mounted screen, which pulls out from a roller blind type of arrangement. When rolled away, it would be like a small metal box on the desk (long and thin, like any roll up screen), which could double as a name plaque perhaps?
The real beauty of these, is if a company ordered them to equip an entire building say, then a few years down the line, not only can you swap the bits around to replace or resurrect any failed units, but you could take your old faster spec machines, convert them into the hub/servers and projectors, and only buy new fast nodes. Keeping the upgrade costs down. And if you have any 'obsolete' machines when you've upgraded, you can sell them, or simply stick them to a wall and add them permanently to your XGrid. With or without a CPU upgrade (which you could also wait, and do with spares from the next upgrade cycle).
The projector version could also be converted into a Digi Video Recorder for home use too. Or any other version of course, but a projector would be nicer.
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