[macntory]

I too agree that Apple must make the price or the Powerbook itself more compelling for the new school year. Perhaps a speed bump; but, even more compelling is a Powerbook with a 7200 rpm hard drive. If not, then throwing in some compelling software bundle(s) would help such as Microsoft Office 2000 Student/Teacher edition. I truly believe that Apple has up to a $500 leeway here to share with the consumer. Apple needs to think about market share if it is to maintain the huge profit down the intermediate term. At the very least, offer a prime + 1% financing. The present 9.9% is actually a deterrent.

[Captain Obvious]

You waited 4 years to post and this is what you want to start off with?


Speed bumps were just done in time for school purchase orders to be filed.

Yes, 7200RPM drives should be an option but not stock. 5400 should be stock for the Pro line.

As a Pro item it does not come with Appleworks, that is a mistake. Since there is not a huge demand for that office suite they should stick it on every Mac they make. But iLife is a nice perk and I dont think MS will cut Apple a good deal on Office X or 2004 thus making it too expensive. Plus why give them a boost when you sell and make your own similar programs.

$500 is a lot to cut off the top of the Powerbook line. The 12" would be as cheap as the iBook and I think the 17" is a niche computer. Its not really for your everyday computer user. But they could shave $100 or 150 off the 15 inchers.

The real area they need to trim prices on is the Powermac line. An entry G5 tower should not be 2K

[madmacgames]

Originally posted by Captain Obvious:
Since there is not a huge demand for that office suite they should stick it on every Mac they make. But iLife is a nice perk and I dont think MS will cut Apple a good deal on Office X or 2004 thus making it too expensive. Plus why give them a boost when you sell and make your own similar programs.

Aside from keynote, which is great IMO, the Apple office type programs, and virtually all others pale in comparison to MS Office (Open Office comes the closest, IMO, but a native OS X version is far off in the horizon in that project and it is still lacking in some key areas). Anyone that has done any real office work for extended lengths of times in other programs will more than likely tell you they have to use MS office, because no one else offers all the features they need.

And last I knew, all new Macs came with the test drive of Office X installed (maybe 2004 now. I'm not sure). So Apple is kinda already giving MS a boost there, but then again, alot of people would probably go out and get MS Office anyways, as they are really the only company making a decent and well-rounded Office suite (sad, but true).

[dennisbolt]

My new 1.5ghz 17" PB did NOT come with Office demo.