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mitchell_pgh · Jul 27, 2003, 11:49 PM

$659.00 [$599 Education]
800MHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-ROM drive

$859.00 [$799 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo drive

$1,099.00 [$999 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
256MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive

I know that the thought of a headless iMac/eMac appeals to many of us, but I was wondering what people would think of something like this configuration. I know the vertical drive may cause some issues regarding speed and reliability, but considering there are many people out there that would be inticed by the OS (but already have a nice monitor...) they don't like the iMac/eMac pricing...

I would love one as a mini server, but could think of many different applications for such a device.

Thoughts?

Eyenovation · Jul 27, 2003, 11:52 PM

Looks cool mate.

BasketofPuppies · 02:28 AM

Interesting concept, but it shouldn't be called an xMac because Apple already uses the letter X in another one of its computers.

Also, 128 MB of RAM isn't enough these days, and even in a low-end machine, SDRAM is a bit too slow these days.

I'd like to see the following ports on it:
2 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
1 10/100 Ethernet
1 V.92 modem (internal USB)
1 VGA
analog and digital audio in and out

And give it an AGP slot. Then I'm sold. I could use a computer like that.

EDIT: forgot the modem and VGA port

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 12:36 AM

try iCube

BasketofPuppies · Jul 28, 2003, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by Superchic[k]en:
try iCube

That would be a public relations nightmare.

Almost as bad as the one that would have occured had Apple released Rhapsody under one of its proposed code names: Mac OS 98.

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 12:47 AM

How would that be a public relations nightmare?

BasketofPuppies · Jul 28, 2003, 12:53 AM

Because the Power Mac Cube was a failure for Apple and the press (including the Mac press) mocked Apple for this.

Calling a headless consumer Mac iCube would lead to the press bringing up the failure of the Power Mac Cube rather than general positive coverage of such a system.

DeathMan · Jul 28, 2003, 12:54 AM

That might be the first fake apple product I've seen that could actually pass for a real apple product. Good job, whoever mocked that baby up.

I also think they could get the prices down a little lower. At those prices people will think: I can get an HP for less that that WITH a monitor (a $50 POS 15" CRT, but a monitor none the less).

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 12:54 AM

OK how bout the G3 cube?

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jul 28, 2003, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by Superchic[k]en:
How would that be a public relations nightmare?

Well for one it is a rectangle!

And second the Cube bombed and they don't want another product with the same name.

Developer · Jul 28, 2003, 01:04 AM

That product will topple over a lot, so I see a lots of killed hard drives ahead. Also the optical drive isn't slot in, so I don't see how it is supposed to work vertically.

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 01:05 AM

well still a better name than xMac.

Anyway uhh what would YOU say would be a good name... uMac?

BasketofPuppies · Jul 28, 2003, 01:10 AM

uMac was one of the names I was thinking of, actually.

Or they could aim it at a specific niche by calling it bMac or gMac.

DaedalusDX · Jul 28, 2003, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by BasketofPuppies:
Interesting concept, but it shouldn't be called an xMac because Apple already uses the letter X in another one of its computers.

Also, 128 MB of RAM isn't enough these days, and even in a low-end machine, SDRAM is a bit too slow these days.

I'd like to see the following ports on it:
2 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
1 10/100 Ethernet
analog and digital audio in and out

And give it an AGP slot. Then I'm sold. I could use a computer like that.

10/100 Ethernet is assumed. Apple has not shipped a single mac without one in quite some time...
Same goes with FireWire 400... on the front of his concept, you can see one fw400 port... I'm assuming there will be at least one in the back. It would be nice if they could throw in a fw800 port.

All macs, going all the way back have been using AGP as a bus for the video card... even the compact Cube has one... you can find compatible cards online and people have successfully put Radeon 8500s into their Cubes, with a couple of mods of course.

I assume you would mean that you'd rather not the video card be soldered in. fair enough.

could work. wouldn't take too much to make such a computer, if apple decides it needs to.

RAzaRazor · Jul 28, 2003, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Superchic[k]en:
OK how bout the G3 cube?

It's Not a Cube.
It's not a G3.
It's not a good idea.

BasketofPuppies · Jul 28, 2003, 02:05 AM

Originally posted by DaedalusDX:
10/100 Ethernet is assumed. Apple has not shipped a single mac without one in quite some time...

Some have 10/100/1000 Ethernet. But that seems excessive for a consumer model.

Same goes with FireWire 400... on the front of his concept, you can see one fw400 port... I'm assuming there will be at least one in the back. It would be nice if they could throw in a fw800 port.

FireWire 800 is also excessive for a consumer model. You could argue that USB 2.0 is also excessive, but I'm seeing an increasing number of consumer USB 2.0 devices in computer stores.

I assume you would mean that you'd rather not the video card be soldered in. fair enough.

Yeah, that's what I meant. It would show game developers that Apple is serious about the gaming market. And with the likely increasing hardware requirements for Quartz, it would mean that I wouldn't have to buy a Mac as often.

could work. wouldn't take too much to make such a computer, if apple decides it needs to.

That's the problem. Even if such a model existed, I'm not sure I would buy it instead of an eMac.

Do I want to get get an eMac and use my Power Mac's monitor as a second display for my VAIO or do I want to save money and buy a headless consumer Mac?

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 02:27 AM

Originally posted by RAzaRazor:
It's Not a Cube.
It's not a G3.
It's not a good idea.

The topic was about a headless consumer Mac, not neccicarly limited to the mock up. I know it might be hard for you to grasp this, but simply because offline you have issues with control. You actually do not need to be irritating online.

Nebrie · Jul 28, 2003, 02:31 AM

Originally posted by Developer:
That product will topple over a lot, so I see a lots of killed hard drives ahead. Also the optical drive isn't slot in, so I don't see how it is supposed to work vertically.

It will come with a sleek removable stand like the optional ones for the PS2 and that vertical Dell desktop.

How about tacking on stuff to the end to tell people it's an emac, only different like eMac Element, or eMac ES (Educational Slimline).

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 02:36 AM

CHEAP CUBE!

Think about it a 900Mhz and 1Ghz G3 cube, it'd save space, not easily be toppled, run cool, be CHEAP, ect. After all the target market would not exactly be buying to use iMovie and iDVD they'd only want basic computing junk.

BasketofPuppies · Jul 28, 2003, 02:40 AM

Never call a product cheap. It has negative connotations. Cheap can describe the quality of the product, not just the price.

Inexpensive is the word.

Superchicken · Jul 28, 2003, 03:06 AM

Apple would make it CHEAP, look at the eMac nobody can tell me that they couldn't have done better with that product. I think Ive took a vacation or something. I hope the next rendition of the eMac is a much more... non crappy looking product. Not EVERYTHING has to be curved esspecially when working with a monitor that big.

Anyway, but if you sold a G3 cube, with a CD RW drive, 2 USB2 ports and 2FW 400 ports, and an ethernet port and modem port,... and VGA port, you'd get a pretty good setup. Don't even give it air port, make that an add on of some sort to keep the price down. The worst part is people would BUY this machine, you give em Safari, Mail, and updated version of Apple works perfferably based on OOo iPhoto iTunes, iCal, and iChat, and you've created someone like my mom who is now a Mac user, and will tell all her friends that they should go out and buy one cause it's SO MUCH EASIER!