Wanted: Custom iMacs

14 September 1999 - Evan Kleiman

"All you get is 32 megs of RAM? Only a 6 gigabyte hard drive? But I want more!" you say when you order your iMac.

Many people I know, including me, have said this when buying a new iMac. For many, the iMac has several shortcomings and flaws. However, fewer people have complained about problems when ordering a Power Mac G3 or G4. Why are so many more people satisfied with them than an iMac? The answer is simple: more choices.

When you go to the Apple Store, at <http://store.apple.com>, and order a G3 or G4, you get your choice of a few different models. If you don't like these models, you can mix and match configurations to create your dream computer.

So I suggest that Apple make built-to-order iMacs. You go to their site, pick your color, software, hard drive, etc. Of course, they could also have a few base configurations to start out with.

First, a low end model, complete with a 300 MHz processor, a 6 gig hard drive, and 32 megs of RAM. This would be plenty for a student, or a simple workstation. (Sound familiar? It's today's iMac scaled back to 300 MHz.)

Another model could be a little faster, with a target audience of game players. It would have a 366 MHz processor, 64 megs of RAM, and a better video card. An ATI Rage 128 with 16 megs of VRAM perhaps. Also, possibly include a game pad to go along with it.

Next, a third model with power users in mind. This should have a 400 MHz processor. Maybe 64 megs of RAM, and an 8 gigabyte drive. A 16 or 17 inch monitor might also be in line.

The last model I would suggest is an upper end model for graphic designers who don't really want to spend all of the money on a new G4. It should have a 433 or even a 450 MHz processor, and possibly even a G4. Definitely a 17 inch monitor, and a better video card. Also, I would throw in a 10 gig drive and give it 64-128 megs of RAM.

I would also offer an opportunity to mix and match your components, because many people want a 17 inch monitor but don't really need a large drive. And, also introduce an iMac in that platinum color of the new G4. This will make the iMac appeal more to people who are looking for a professional computer without having to spend a lot of money.

So, in the end, I guess, with mix and match iMacs, you could say Apple will have there own salad bar with all of their fruity computers. 

• For a counterpoint, see Gilding the iMac Lily, which argues that Apple has to keep the iMac line uncluttered. dk

Recent Mac Happens Columns

• MP3 Forever!, 6/26/00. Closing down Napster will not help already rich artists, but may prevent new ones from being discovered.
• Internet radio, 6/9/00. Internet radio solves problems with poor radio reception, but also lets you listen to radio from around the world.
• Software to make life easier, 5/23/00. Helpful software you may never have heard of.
• Mac Happens index
• Evansite, Evan's own site.

Recent Content on Low End Mac

• Looking for a Content Management System That's as Easy as Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.29. Low End Mac needs to move to a content management system, but the few we've tried just don't cut it for people used to the simple elegance of the Mac.
• First 3 Million Mac Quarter, Skinny on Mac mini Pricing, Mac-like gOS, and More, Mac News Review, 08.29. More plan to buy Apple products than ever before, complete reset can fix MobileMac synch problems, Apple boosting computer and smartphone share, and more.
• New 'Books Likely in September, 17" PowerBook Display Fault Site, SSD Security, and More, The 'Book Review, 08.29. Also 6 ways to speed up your MacBook, next generation MacBook Air CPU, MacBook Air Update, LapStrap carrying solution, rise and fall of ultraportables, bargains from $220 to $2,699, and more.
• iPhone 3G Reception 'Completely Normal', AT&T International Data Plans for iPhone, and More, iNews Review, 08.29. Also longer life for iPod earbuds, an alternative to MobileMe, new cases and apps for iPhone, AppStoreGems website launched, and more.
• 10 Mac Browsers Compared, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 08.28. A look at Internet Explorer, Radon, Opera, Safari, Shiira, iCab, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Flock, and Camino running in Leopard.
• Clone and Boot: Another Advantage of the Mac OS, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.28. Unlike Windows, Apple makes it possible to clone a bootable drive (Classic Mac OS or OS X) and use it with another supported Mac.

Latest Deals on Low End Mac

• Best Power Mac G4 Deals, 08.29. Used 450 MHz AGP, $75; 500, $99; 800 QS, $199; 1.25 GHz MDD, $375; 450 MHz dual, $179; 867 dual, $300; 1 GHz dual, $395; 1.42 dual, $575.
• Best iBook G3 Deals, 08.29. Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 500 CD, $150; 800, $200; 600 CD-RW, $240; 900 Combo, $300; 14" 600, $360; 900, $400.
• Best iPod nano Deals, 08.29. Used 2 GB iPod nano, $89; refurb 3G 4 GB, $99; new, $140; refurb 8 GB, $149; new, $179.
• Best MacBook Deals, 08.28. Used 1.83 GHz, $799; 2.0 black, $875; refurb 2.1 GHz, $899; 2.4, $1,099; black, $1,299; new 2.1, $1,019 after rebate; 22, $1,094; 2.4, $1,219 a/r; black, $1,394 a/r.
• Best iMac G5 Deals, 08.28. Used 17" 1.6 GHz Combo, $499; 1.8 SuperDrive, $530; 2.0, $600; 1.9 iSight, $625; 20" 1.8 GHz, $580; 2.0, $650; 2.1 iSight, $700.
• Best classic Mac OS Deals, 08.28. System 6, $10; 7.1, $12; 7.5.1, $4; Mac OS 7.6, $13; 8.0, $13; 8.1, $48; 8.5, $25; 8.6, $20; 9.0, $20; 9.2.2, $20; more.
• More links in our archive.

Mac Happens copyright 1999-2000 by Evan Kleiman. � Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2008 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
  LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
  Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
  Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
  PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
  Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, MacBook, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.