Forward Into the Past

Why are so many people converting to PCs?

When you can have an iMac for $999, why even bother looking at a PC?

The sad truth is that although the iMac's price is low, comparable PC prices are lower, and that often includes a 17" monitor, stereo speakers with subwoofers, and often a printer is only $100 extra.

What about the software?

Families will use a basic "works" suite. Remember Microsoft Works, WordPerfect Works, Symantec GreatWorks, and ClarisWorks? Apple has transformed ClarisWorks 5, into AppleWorks 5.0.3, then updated it to 5.0.4 for Mac OS 9. Next they remodeled the interface and are called it AppleWorks 6. AppleWorks 6 takes care of the often-used "works" suite.

Families also want a financial program. Apple bundles Quicken with iMacs.

The kids in the family will want some "cute" games. This is why Apple bundles games like Nanosaur and Bugdom with iMacs. The kids will also use some educational programs (Okay, maybe they don't, but it will make the parents happy to have them). Let's see, when did Apple last include those? 1997 - with the Power Macintosh 6500 series, the first home-oriented non-Performa system.

The iMac also comes in a configuration for gamers. Gamers want games (of course). They also want a computer able to run the latest version of anything high-tech without a pause. That means 3 things. Fast processor (350 MHz or faster), fast video card with lots of VRAM (32 MB of VRAM or more), and lots of RAM (128 MB minimum).

In my opinion, if Apple wants to beat the PCs, they must look to their three-year-old 6500 series. That has all of the things that today's PCs are using to win families, kids, and teens.

Hardware

• Subwoofer. Nothing like that Mac "bong" heard through a set of speakers this good. So what if the iMac has the extra Harmon/Kardon "iSub." No, what Apple needs to beat PCs must come with the computer. There is no way I will pay extra for a subwoofer.
• Accelerated video 2D/3D graphics. Remember that ATI card in the 6500? Apple needs to put the latest, greatest video card in this new system to attract the teens, most of whom will be into gaming. My suggestion: drop ATI and make a deal with the 3dfx people.
• External monitor, standard 17". Apple needs to include a 17" monitor with its new system. I'm sorry, there is just no way that a anyone is going to pick 15" for a new computer. And remember that we don't want to pay extra for this; it must be included in the price.

Software

• A "works" suite, such as AppleWorks.
• A financial program, such as Quicken.
• Educational programs: something for math, spelling, vocabulary, history, and science.
• Of course, games!! Oh, it would be so cool if Apple would bundle Quake III and/or Unreal Tournament with this new system, but I don't think that will happen. Instead, how about a coupon for one of them so you can get a rebate if you decide to buy one? (Of course, Apple must make a deal with one of the manufacturers.)

The usual Nanosaur and Bugdom are great, but they are getting boring. Find something new, Apple.

How about redesigning the Power Macintosh 6500, stick in a modern motherboard with a fast G3 or G4, and offer several choices of fast graphics cards?

Don't forget to stick in lots of memory (128 MB, at least), keep the subwoofer, put in a DVD-ROM, install a 6-12 GB hard disk, and add a huge software bundle. The standard iMac bundle is a little thin. (Look at what came with the 6500: ClarisWorks, KidPix, Thinkin' Things, Amazing Writing Machine, Descent, 3D Soccer, Web WorkShop, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and a number of others.)

Another idea might be to have FireWire ports as an option (installed with a special card), and include iMovie with the card, or with those computers that have the card installed.

Also, don't forget to include a 17" monitor. All this can come in a nice setup similar to the 6500, a minitower, not the G3/G4 design, since that is the business/professional version. No, something more like what the 6500 came in, maybe an "aquafied" 6400/6500 case.

I think the ticket to competing in the PC marketplace is "build on, not just build in." That being, have a graphics card, modem, ethernet, USB, CD-ROM, subwoofer, etc. built in, but allow expansion with PCI slots, an external monitor, and another drive bay.

Now the price. A basic iMac costs $999. Pull away the 15" monitor, maybe that's $750 or so, put it in a different case, add a 17" monitor, faster graphics card, a DVD-ROM drive, and I think Apple could sell this at about $1,450. That is a steal, since you are getting a powerful computer, and especially considering the G4 costs $1,600 without a monitor.

Maybe this proves that looking at old technology can still pay off.