Piper Jaffray today reiterated their “outperform” rating and $100 target price on Apple Computer and said that the possible introduction of a $500 iMac would accelerate the “halo effect” around the company.
Several Mac rumor sites have reported that Apple may introduce a “Headless iMac” priced in the $500 range on Jan. 11 at Macworld Expo.
Forbes reports, “Piper Jaffray said, ‘Apple has made no comments related to the speculation.’ Piper Jaffray said it views the potential introduction of a $500 iMac positively, as ‘we believe it would appeal to many potential ‘switchers’ that would likely not make the move at a $1,299 price point, but would consider a $500 product.’ Piper Jaffray said the move would accelerate the iPod halo effect (i.e., the notion that strong sales of iPods will spill over to sales of Macs), which is currently estimated at 13%. The research firm currently estimates 2005 and 2006 earnings per share for Apple of $1.52 and $2.17, respectively.”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Rumored ‘Headless iMac’ would be radical departure from Apple’s usual high margin strategy – December 30, 2004
Headless iMac for $499? Please, Apple, let it be true! – December 29, 2004
RUMOR: Apple to debut $499 ‘headless iMac’ at Macworld Expo on January 11 – December 29, 2004
Inexpensive ‘Headless iMac’ could hook Windows users who love their iPods on Mac OS X – December 29, 2004
If this rumor is true, it’s going to be much easier for MDN to say: “For our Windows-only friends, information about smoothly adding a safe, secure, powerful, and fun Mac OS X machine to your computing arsenal can be found here.”
Can’t wait
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Of course, if it isn’t true then Apple’s stock will take a hit, and it will be second major announcement where the following coverage will be more about what wasn’t released than what was–remember the mini annoucment fiasco?
Is it me, or is Piper Jaffray always reiterating their price target?
I don’t think it will a headless iMac, but rather a set top box for your TV.
Well.. er.. “There was a leak……….. and it’s true”
Was that the intro to the G5 ..or the updated G5s…
Anyway.. this may very well be Apple policy.. Develop a great device, then leak about a month before it’s to be announced…
Like I said.. a 20 in iMac G5- a 20 Inch monitor= $599
They could break even with these things are have the best year in 2005 in history. I mean.. there would be NO EXCUSE to put up with Windows…
The white small cookies-box iMac, as I think it will look like, could even be sold without a keybord / mouse !
Steve J can make the show even more spectaculair by showing a PC disconnecting it from screen & keybord and plug the x-iMac on and let it run … “Wowing” the ordiance and press-people.
it would make sense for Apple to get more people exposed to the Mac line of products.They could use the same strategy of the all carmakers by introducing a cheap model and hope that they like the product so much they come back and upgrade to a newer mac in a few years.happy new year to all macusers everywhere and my condolences to the windows users.