[booboo]

Originally Posted by itguy05 

People I work with are now looking at Macs for just this reason - they can try something new and return to the familiar if need be. These are the same people that, just 3 years ago looked at me like I had 3 heads when I said I use a Mac.

Yes, I can corroborate this.

There's even some acknowledgement that Apple hardware is decent, which is also a pretty new phenomenon coming from PC users.

Still, shame about the missed opportunity . . . .

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by itguy05 

And if Apple were smart about licensing, the net to the bottom line would be 0. Make up for it in licensing and OS costs. You loose your 20% margin on hardware? Make it up on the software - 10% and 10% on licensing your technology. Rumores have it 1 Major Windows PC OEM has already indicated they would ditch Windows at the drop of a hat. I wonder how many more would?

Apple can't. They make their money off of hardware and 20% off of $1500 (hardware) is alot more than 20% off of $150 (software). Until Apple gains marketshare it can't go into licensing without losing money. They're stuck with the business model they have.

[booboo]

Originally Posted by Leonard 

Apple can't. They make their money off of hardware and 20% off of $1500 (hardware) is alot more than 20% off of $150 (software). Until Apple gains marketshare it can't go into licensing without losing money. They're stuck with the business model they have.

Yes but it wouldn't be 20% of $150 - it would be 100% of $150. And hopefully increased Apple software sales too.

Apple seems to be making very competitive hardware these days (missing 'pro-sumer' Mac aside) and as long as clones weren't able to significantly improve on Apple's Macs in price or performance (like they did last time, but this time less likely as all Mac's are now just PC's, and Apple have big bulk-purchase discounts) so maybe Apple will consider it.

I think a part of Steve has never stopped believing that Microsoft stole Apple's crown - and he still wants it back.

[thebunny]

Originally Posted by Leonard 

Until Apple gains marketshare it can't go into licensing without losing money. They're stuck with the business model they have.

I agree here. They can't start licensing just yet. Some market share gain is needed first. But they'll never gain it if they don't offer what people want to buy. Current lineup is awesome (barring the lack of video cards on lower end models and wimpy video cards elsewhere) but they need more - (Mac Pro)/2 would be a good first step.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by itguy05 

And I imagine when Vista comes out, MS will lobby for that restriction to be loosened. Probably what will happen is similar to what Tivo is facing - they have to submit their encryption to CableLabs for aceptance.

I doubt it. I think they're going to use the restrictiveness as leverage to sell more Vista MCE boxes.

[P]

Originally Posted by thebunny 

I agree here. They can't start licensing just yet. Some market share gain is needed first. But they'll never gain it if they don't offer what people want to buy. Current lineup is awesome (barring the lack of video cards on lower end models and wimpy video cards elsewhere) but they need more - (Mac Pro)/2 would be a good first step.

Originally Posted by booboo 

Yes but it wouldn't be 20% of $150 - it would be 100% of $150.

Which is still less than 20% of $1500.

[booboo]

Originally Posted by P 

Which is still less than 20% of $1500.

Yes - but it's worth it if it grows the market, rather than canibalizes Apple's sales (like it did last time) it's still worth having - especially with other resulting Apple software sales.

I'm not saying the time is right now, but with Apple making extremely competitively-priced hardware these days, I wouldn't be surprised if they're wondering 'when' rather than 'why'.

[cavachai]

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[MacGallant]

Apple really should consider a lower end Mac Pro using 1 Core 2 Duo Processor or a smaller frame model Mac Pro, and brand it as the "Mac" (since it is one step below a Mac Pro).

Serously, I and many others (including some PC users) want a lowend/mid range Mac consumer tower with expansion slots and and upgradable graphics card for better value and prolonged life of the machine itself.

My uncle who is an avid PC user would never consider a Mac (mainly the iMac and the Mac mini) due to lack of expandibility when he can buy a HP tower that has expandibilty for a similar price. He also criticized the iMac's built in screen, saying, "what if the screen dies, it'll be a hassle to replace the screen, having a separate monitor is better because if the screen dies, it can easily be replaced."

I once bought an iMac and it quickly became obsolete within a year and it couldn't run many games so I was forced to buy a PowerMac G4 which due to it's upgradablity gave better value. So I would never buy an iMac again. I'm just praying for a Mac model that is the missing link between the iMac and the Mac Pro workstation.

[booboo]

This 'what if the screen dies' argument is one I've heard many times, even though it's a compromise people are happy to make (or don't consider applicable) when they buy a laptop.

Thing is, Apple have recognised this themselves with the mini . . .

Given that you want 'expansion slots' (plural) what do you want the 2nd one for?

[MacGallant]

Originally Posted by booboo 

This 'what if the screen dies' argument is one I've heard many times, even though it's a compromise people are happy to make (or don't consider applicable) when they buy a laptop.

Thing is, Apple have recognised this themselves with the mini . . .

Given that you want 'expansion slots' (plural) what do you want the 2nd one for?

Having multiple expansion slots extends the life of the machine.

Having expansion slots (multiple ones) can allow people to add more usb 2 ports, firewire 400/800 ports, SATA, graphics cards, and in my uncle's case, his HP's mobo ethernet port failed so he bought an ethernet card as a replacement. IF it had been an iMac or Mac mini, he would have been so out of luck.

[MacGallant]

What the heck! Why are spammers spamming this MacNN Thread!

Could the moderator please get rid the freakin' spammers?

[Lateralus]

Originally Posted by MacGallant 

What the heck! Why are spammers spamming this MacNN Thread!

Could the moderator please get rid the freakin' spammers?

Simmer down.

We do have lives...

[Dr Reducto]

Wow, Apple is ignoring an unprofitable market segment? How could they be so dumb?

[Simon]

Originally Posted by MacGallant 

Having multiple expansion slots extends the life of the machine.

Which Apple doesn't want. They'd rather have you buy a new box every three years.

[brokenjago]

And it looks like you've followed that philosophy quite loyally.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by brokenjago 

And it looks like you've followed that philosophy quite loyally.

Actually, I'd never wait three years to get another Mac.

[booboo]

Originally Posted by Dr Reducto 

Wow, Apple is ignoring an unprofitable market segment? How could they be so dumb?

Clearly, self-evidently, that market segment is profitable.

And sometimes even low-margin solutions are worth pursuing, rather than losing sales to the competition.

I'm still convinced Apple could make more profit than they make on a mini or a Mac Pro without cannibalizing the sales of either, The mini will always have a cachet due to its form factor, and the Mac Pro for its processing power and status.

Do you really think it would cost any more to manufacture the proposed midi-Mac than the mini. and do you really think it couldn't sell for more than the mini, or have a market. I know I'm asking a lot - for you to use your imagination.