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Apple ‘s latest iMac G5, iPod models may prompt owners to upgrade

Saturday, November 19, 2005 · 10:27 am · 16 Comments

“The latest iPod, introduced last month, adds video playback, but not in the manner that Apple watchers expected,” Jeff Carlson writes for The Seattle Times. “Updating an existing product is no easy task. Computers aren’t like toasters or blenders, which can remain essentially unchanged for years and still give the same level of service as when they were introduced. New software versions take advantage of faster processors and require more memory, while new technologies move from intriguing gimmicks to nearly essential tools. But Apple Computer knows that including a faster processor and larger hard drive in a computer isn’t guaranteed to persuade people to buy the most recent revisions.”

“At the same time, it isn’t possible to redesign everything from scratch for a splashy new announcement,” Carlson writes. “So, in addition to beefing up its latest products, the company has been adding extra incentives — but offering the machines at the same price. With the newest iMac G5 and iPod, this approach is sure to make owners of those devices consider upgrading.”

Full article here.

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Comment Feed

16 Comments

gregory Marks

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 11:52 am · Reply

first comment!
b

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 12:53 pm · Reply

last comment

(i’m assumming, since there is nothing to say about this article)
clyde

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 12:53 pm · Reply

I don’t agree. As a new switcher myself, many of the diehard mac fans I know use systems that are a few years old for general purposes; meaning those who don’t need the latest computers to do photoshop or videoediting or the like. This is what attracted me to this platform. Macs are sleek, stylish and reliable, but they are expensive. Macs are for people who don’t want to have to switch computers every year or two.
mrmikey

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 1:32 pm · Reply

Clyde, Macs are not more expensive. Yes, you can go to “Bill and Bob’s Computers” and pick up a PC for a couple of hundred bucks, but what will it do? And will it do it reliably?

Go to Apple’s online store, choose an iMac, say and check the features, add some RAM and maybe some software, choose the extended warranty. Then go to Dell online, choose a similar machine (in terms of processor, etc) and then buy all the stuff you need to make the spex as close to the iMac as possible. You’ll be surprised.

I did it in Canada’s stores, and the iMac came in almost $1000 CDN less than the Dell, and the Dell still didn’t have iLife.

You get more with a Mac, to make a Windoze even close, costs more $.
Eric24601

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 1:36 pm · Reply

Last Post!!!
Jack A

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 1:57 pm · Reply

What I like about Apple is that they upgrade their products but don’t fall into the trap of adding features until things become bloated. Doing things simply can be much much more difficult.

“If I would have had more time, I would have written you
a shorter letter.”

Mark Twain
the REAL gregory Marks

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 2:04 pm · Reply

I didn’t write that up there. I’m smarter and more creative than that.
MacMunkee

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 2:06 pm · Reply

Clyde:

You’re joking, right? Macs are SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper than comparable PCs right now.

This is just my opinion as a mac user for 5 years now, but I would pay TWICE what I have for my Apple gear if it meant that I got the safety and security of OS X.

I won’t even check my email on a windows box. You never know what’s lurking.

MW: “gave” as in “I gave up Windows 5 years ago, bay-bee!”
stupidme

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 3:04 pm · Reply

put in my order for new 17inch iMac and 60GiPod last night. Hopefully will get it before Turkey day.

i can’t wait…..
Mozfan

Saturday, November 19, 2005 - 10:47 pm · Reply

Jack A

Absolutely right. Apple doesn’t just change their hardware or software for the sake of change. Apple has made the Mac for 21 years now. In my den sits a Macintosh Classic, in the kitchen there is a Performa 6200CD, in my son’s room is a 1GHz eMac, my wife has an indigo G3 iBook, and I am typing this on a 17″ iMac G5 iSight.

Every single one of these computers has a menu bar at the top, every one uses the same drop down menu system, every one was designed to be used with a one-button mouse (although the iMac shipped with a Mighty Mouse), and every one is a joy to use.

These things stayed the same over time for the simple reason that they worked. Why fix what’s not broken?

Every one of them was (is) an impressively capable machine when delivered. They have many things in common, yet it is obvious that they have evolved and improved over time.

I like to compare an Apple Macintosh to my favorite car the Porsche 911. The 911 has not changed much since it was introduced to the world in the mid 60′s. In fact, the same door on the first model was used until the mid 90′s. This is unheard of in an auto industry where models are changed every year to keep people interested. When asked why the door was not changed in almost 30 years, the design chief answered simply, “it’s a good door.”

Both the Mac and Porsche have always done things there own way. Both are considered attractive, powerful, and near bullet proof. Both blaze new paths for others to follow (and copy). Both have achieved the highest respect for their design and function. Both have had hard times only to bounce back by innovating their way to profitability and adulation.

But also, both have been ridiculed by many lesser brands (and the owners of those brands). Both have been dismissed as not important because they don’t command a high market share. Both have been accused of being over-priced and not worth it.

In reality, both Apple and Porsche have found a better way to accomplish their goals. They have shown themselves to be superior and while not possessing the biggest market share, their mind share cannot be dismissed. How many of you would be ashamed to drive a Porsche because they only have .5% of the market while Ford’s is in double digits?

Both focus on delivering the best experience for the owner who “gets it” and both are desired by many more people than will ever own one.

Both have maintained their status as independent companies even when times were bad and both have what has been described (many times) as a “cult following”.

The bottom line is that you get more with a Mac and the dollar value is just a small part of it.

I am a Macintosh user and I am proud of it. I try every chance I get to spread Mac usage because I want my friends and the people I meet to enjoy using a computer as much as I do. I will not apologize for feeling that Macs are superior to anything else on the road (so to speak).

clyde,

Welcome as a new switcher, you already know what I’m talking about. But I have to say that while Macs appear more expensive, the value is far greater than a PC in the same price range. And I have tried to outfit a Dell like a Mac, it can’t be done without considerable extra expense.

stupidme,

Congrats on the new iMac, it is the finest computer I have ever touched.

I’m from Texas and y”all have probably heard the old saying that I’ll paraphrase here:

‘Never ask a man if he’s a Mac user. If he is, he’ll tell you. If he isn’t, you’ll just embarrass him.’

~M

“To change is easy, to improve is hard.” -Ferri Porsche
clyde

Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 10:11 am · Reply

Okay, let me try this again. Yes, I do realize that Macs are a better VALUE than PC’s, else I would not have switched! I am acutely aware that Macs come with a lot of quality software and features that you have to purchase seperately on the Wintel side.

But from a consumer standpoint, they are traditionally at least a little more expensive. Go to a CompUSA and check out laptops. Apples begin at $999.99 for the 12″ ibook. The same store has 15″ Aspire Laptops by Acer for $699.99. (That’s also less than half as much as I paid for my 12″ powerbook last August, but no regrets!) Likewise, mac mini’s start at $499.99, eMachines start at $339.99. I stand by my earlier statement that Apples are expensive, even though at the same time I do agree with the many people who responded to my post that they are a better value.

However, WHAT I INTENDED TO BE THE MAIN POINT OF MY POST was that Mac users don’t have to run out and buy new machines, or upgrade, every time Apple comes out with improved models like this article implies. I have a friend who is a long time Mac user who is still using a G3 to write articles for his job, surf the internet, run spreadsheets and et cetera. Likewise, my girlfriend had a Performa 550 in her closet that booted up and ran flawlessly despite the fact that it had an inch of dust on it; it only went in the closet after she got broadband internet at home. It’s now out of retirement running educational games for my children in grade school.

For me, not having to run out and upgrade like the article implies is simply another benefit of joining the ‘cult of mac’, as is having a computer that is reliable, robust, elegant and preloaded with software that meets my simple needs which is free of adware, viruses and spyware. It is my perception, based upon talking with the Mac owners that I know, that they only run out and spend their money on new systems when either their old systems finally die after years of use, or the new systems come with features that they simply cannot live without.
Mozfan

Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 12:31 pm · Reply

Clyde,

Oh. Why didn’t you say so.

Seriously, your points are all good and valid. I happen to frequent a book shop here in town that runs all of their business apps on a 12 year old Mac and it works flawlessly.

The lady that runs the shop says she would like to have a new one, but since this one does everything she needs (and always has) she can’t justify the expense.

One opposite phenomenon I have personally encountered is that since switching, I am so enamored of Apple’s products, I go out and buy the newest thing (even though I don’t really need it). I have to find reason to acquire new Apple toys (giving my eMac to my son, or an iPod mini to my brother) because I do want the latest and greatest thing (even though when I was on Windows, I couldn’t care less what was released).

I do agree with you wholeheartedly that Mac users do not have to upgrade because their systems “don’t cut it” anymore.

I just have a personal problem with impulse buying that I’m trying to change (sorry Steve).

~M
Avoman

Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 1:17 pm · Reply

To Mozfan,

I liked your Mac/Porsche comparison! The difference between them is that the Mac is very affordable and available to the average user whereas most people will, unfortunately, never own a Porsche (including myself). That Apple can consistantly produce a quality product that competes with inexpensive PC’s is quite remarkable.
Uncle Rat

Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 5:47 pm · Reply

What a joy to read well written and thoughtout posts. Clyde and Mozfan have the honors today. Nice going!!!!

Uncle Rat
clyde

Sunday, November 20, 2005 - 8:55 pm · Reply

I certainly agree with you, Mozfan. My first Mac was a 867 12″ pb I bought used from a reseller in Tulsa a year ago. I was contemplating trading it in for a newer system, and had to be talked out of it by one of their employees. He took the time and explained to me that for my needs, the then 2yr old powerbook was more than sufficient, and talked me out of the purchase at the time! (He said simply afterwards, “We provide counseling and support for former Windows users for the first few months…”) Eventually, I did give in and buy a new 12″ pb last August.

Besides occasional software, I have only bought a mighty mouse and a 20″ lcd display since then. (With much difficulty and apprehension, I might add.) Do I need to buy another system, such as a new iMac? No. Do I want to? Well, heck yeah!

I figure the faster, quicker, better, gotta-have-it-now are remnants of my years of wintel use, where machines are considered wholly obsolete in two to four years and you almost have to buy a new machine to meet the requirements of whatever new windows os is about to come out.

This is not an easy cycle to shake off, even after switching to Macs. Maybe an online support group would help. “My name is Clyde, and I am a compulsive Mac buyer. By the grace of God, I have not had to buy a new Macintosh for three months and 10 days now….”

Of course, I may have to relapse when the new Mactels have been out for a bit!
gregory

Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 4:17 pm · Reply

last post……. hahahahaha