Thread
Concept headless iMac/eMac (w/ photo)
$659.00 [$599 Education]
800MHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-ROM drive
$859.00 [$799 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo drive
$1,099.00 [$999 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
256MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive
I know that the thought of a headless iMac/eMac appeals to many of us, but I was wondering what people would think of something like this configuration. I know the vertical drive may cause some issues regarding speed and reliability, but considering there are many people out there that would be inticed by the OS (but already have a nice monitor...) they don't like the iMac/eMac pricing...
I would love one as a mini server, but could think of many different applications for such a device.
Thoughts?
800MHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-ROM drive
$859.00 [$799 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
128MB SDRAM
60GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo drive
$1,099.00 [$999 Education]
1GHz PowerPC G4
256MB SDRAM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive
I know that the thought of a headless iMac/eMac appeals to many of us, but I was wondering what people would think of something like this configuration. I know the vertical drive may cause some issues regarding speed and reliability, but considering there are many people out there that would be inticed by the OS (but already have a nice monitor...) they don't like the iMac/eMac pricing...
I would love one as a mini server, but could think of many different applications for such a device.
Thoughts?
Looks cool mate.
Interesting concept, but it shouldn't be called an xMac because Apple already uses the letter X in another one of its computers.
Also, 128 MB of RAM isn't enough these days, and even in a low-end machine, SDRAM is a bit too slow these days.
I'd like to see the following ports on it:
2 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
1 10/100 Ethernet
1 V.92 modem (internal USB)
1 VGA
analog and digital audio in and out
And give it an AGP slot. Then I'm sold. I could use a computer like that.
EDIT: forgot the modem and VGA port
Also, 128 MB of RAM isn't enough these days, and even in a low-end machine, SDRAM is a bit too slow these days.
I'd like to see the following ports on it:
2 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
1 10/100 Ethernet
1 V.92 modem (internal USB)
1 VGA
analog and digital audio in and out
And give it an AGP slot. Then I'm sold. I could use a computer like that.
EDIT: forgot the modem and VGA port
try iCube
Quote:
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Originally posted by Superchic[k]en: try iCube |
That would be a public relations nightmare.
Almost as bad as the one that would have occured had Apple released Rhapsody under one of its proposed code names: Mac OS 98.
How would that be a public relations nightmare?
Because the Power Mac Cube was a failure for Apple and the press (including the Mac press) mocked Apple for this.
Calling a headless consumer Mac iCube would lead to the press bringing up the failure of the Power Mac Cube rather than general positive coverage of such a system.
Calling a headless consumer Mac iCube would lead to the press bringing up the failure of the Power Mac Cube rather than general positive coverage of such a system.
That might be the first fake apple product I've seen that could actually pass for a real apple product. Good job, whoever mocked that baby up.
I also think they could get the prices down a little lower. At those prices people will think: I can get an HP for less that that WITH a monitor (a $50 POS 15" CRT, but a monitor none the less).
I also think they could get the prices down a little lower. At those prices people will think: I can get an HP for less that that WITH a monitor (a $50 POS 15" CRT, but a monitor none the less).
OK how bout the G3 cube?
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Originally posted by Superchic[k]en: How would that be a public relations nightmare? |
Well for one it is a rectangle!
And second the Cube bombed and they don't want another product with the same name.
That product will topple over a lot, so I see a lots of killed hard drives ahead. Also the optical drive isn't slot in, so I don't see how it is supposed to work vertically.
well still a better name than xMac.
Anyway uhh what would YOU say would be a good name... uMac?
Anyway uhh what would YOU say would be a good name... uMac?
uMac was one of the names I was thinking of, actually.
Or they could aim it at a specific niche by calling it bMac or gMac.
Or they could aim it at a specific niche by calling it bMac or gMac.
Quote:
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Originally posted by BasketofPuppies: Interesting concept, but it shouldn't be called an xMac because Apple already uses the letter X in another one of its computers. Also, 128 MB of RAM isn't enough these days, and even in a low-end machine, SDRAM is a bit too slow these days. I'd like to see the following ports on it: 2 USB 2.0 2 FireWire 400 1 10/100 Ethernet analog and digital audio in and out And give it an AGP slot. Then I'm sold. I could use a computer like that. |
10/100 Ethernet is assumed. Apple has not shipped a single mac without one in quite some time...
Same goes with FireWire 400... on the front of his concept, you can see one fw400 port... I'm assuming there will be at least one in the back. It would be nice if they could throw in a fw800 port.
All macs, going all the way back have been using AGP as a bus for the video card... even the compact Cube has one... you can find compatible cards online and people have successfully put Radeon 8500s into their Cubes, with a couple of mods of course.
I assume you would mean that you'd rather not the video card be soldered in. fair enough.
could work. wouldn't take too much to make such a computer, if apple decides it needs to.
Quote:
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Originally posted by Superchic[k]en: OK how bout the G3 cube? |
It's Not a Cube.
It's not a G3.
It's not a good idea.
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Originally posted by DaedalusDX: 10/100 Ethernet is assumed. Apple has not shipped a single mac without one in quite some time... |
Some have 10/100/1000 Ethernet. But that seems excessive for a consumer model.
Quote:
| Same goes with FireWire 400... on the front of his concept, you can see one fw400 port... I'm assuming there will be at least one in the back. It would be nice if they could throw in a fw800 port. |
FireWire 800 is also excessive for a consumer model. You could argue that USB 2.0 is also excessive, but I'm seeing an increasing number of consumer USB 2.0 devices in computer stores.
Quote:
| I assume you would mean that you'd rather not the video card be soldered in. fair enough. |
Yeah, that's what I meant. It would show game developers that Apple is serious about the gaming market. And with the likely increasing hardware requirements for Quartz, it would mean that I wouldn't have to buy a Mac as often.
Quote:
| could work. wouldn't take too much to make such a computer, if apple decides it needs to. |
That's the problem. Even if such a model existed, I'm not sure I would buy it instead of an eMac.
Do I want to get get an eMac and use my Power Mac's monitor as a second display for my VAIO or do I want to save money and buy a headless consumer Mac?
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Originally posted by RAzaRazor: It's Not a Cube. It's not a G3. It's not a good idea.
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The topic was about a headless consumer Mac, not neccicarly limited to the mock up. I know it might be hard for you to grasp this, but simply because offline you have issues with control. You actually do not need to be irritating online.
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Originally posted by Developer: That product will topple over a lot, so I see a lots of killed hard drives ahead. Also the optical drive isn't slot in, so I don't see how it is supposed to work vertically. |
It will come with a sleek removable stand like the optional ones for the PS2 and that vertical Dell desktop.
How about tacking on stuff to the end to tell people it's an emac, only different like eMac Element, or eMac ES (Educational Slimline).
CHEAP CUBE!
Think about it a 900Mhz and 1Ghz G3 cube, it'd save space, not easily be toppled, run cool, be CHEAP, ect. After all the target market would not exactly be buying to use iMovie and iDVD they'd only want basic computing junk.
Think about it a 900Mhz and 1Ghz G3 cube, it'd save space, not easily be toppled, run cool, be CHEAP, ect. After all the target market would not exactly be buying to use iMovie and iDVD they'd only want basic computing junk.
Never call a product cheap. It has negative connotations. Cheap can describe the quality of the product, not just the price.
Inexpensive is the word.
Inexpensive is the word.
Apple would make it CHEAP, look at the eMac nobody can tell me that they couldn't have done better with that product. I think Ive took a vacation or something. I hope the next rendition of the eMac is a much more... non crappy looking product. Not EVERYTHING has to be curved esspecially when working with a monitor that big.
Anyway, but if you sold a G3 cube, with a CD RW drive, 2 USB2 ports and 2FW 400 ports, and an ethernet port and modem port,... and VGA port, you'd get a pretty good setup. Don't even give it air port, make that an add on of some sort to keep the price down. The worst part is people would BUY this machine, you give em Safari, Mail, and updated version of Apple works perfferably based on OOo iPhoto iTunes, iCal, and iChat, and you've created someone like my mom who is now a Mac user, and will tell all her friends that they should go out and buy one cause it's SO MUCH EASIER!
Anyway, but if you sold a G3 cube, with a CD RW drive, 2 USB2 ports and 2FW 400 ports, and an ethernet port and modem port,... and VGA port, you'd get a pretty good setup. Don't even give it air port, make that an add on of some sort to keep the price down. The worst part is people would BUY this machine, you give em Safari, Mail, and updated version of Apple works perfferably based on OOo iPhoto iTunes, iCal, and iChat, and you've created someone like my mom who is now a Mac user, and will tell all her friends that they should go out and buy one cause it's SO MUCH EASIER!
I don't think Apple would ship a machine with USB2 and without Firewire800. Conflict of interest.
USB 1.1 and FW400 more likley... nice concept tho. What did you use to make it?
USB 1.1 and FW400 more likley... nice concept tho. What did you use to make it?
I like your mock up - very realistic - but now you have to think of form and function...
I would bring the ports down to lower right, and add a headphone port or something. Also, and it's only being picky, if you were to have the Apple logo turnable (ala PS2) that would work - this way, you're not limited to upright operation, you can place it horizontally and get the best from the drive. (I also think - judging by your dimensions, that if they kept similar dimensions on the displays, it would fit neatly in the curved space between the legs. (Also, power button needs to be on the front as well. I would take design cues of the front panel from the G5)
I reckon this could sell if Apple were to produce it - it's sorta like a semi portable machine, would be nice for Network parties - and with these new flexible LCD displays - could be the start of some new micro tower PC's with the portability of a large laptop, with the power of a minitower system...
Interesting.
I would bring the ports down to lower right, and add a headphone port or something. Also, and it's only being picky, if you were to have the Apple logo turnable (ala PS2) that would work - this way, you're not limited to upright operation, you can place it horizontally and get the best from the drive. (I also think - judging by your dimensions, that if they kept similar dimensions on the displays, it would fit neatly in the curved space between the legs. (Also, power button needs to be on the front as well. I would take design cues of the front panel from the G5)
I reckon this could sell if Apple were to produce it - it's sorta like a semi portable machine, would be nice for Network parties - and with these new flexible LCD displays - could be the start of some new micro tower PC's with the portability of a large laptop, with the power of a minitower system...
Interesting.
What about calling it small mac = sMac?
Anyway, give it handles to so I can take it with me.
Anyway, give it handles to so I can take it with me.
You know, it looks really amazing. I do question the value of a vertical optical drive (performance issues, etc.) but I can see why you'd want have it that way to keep the case small. The biggest issue is the beautiful lickable white.
Imagine that thing sitting next to my beige 5 year old 17" Samsung monitor. Its going to look like poo! And yes, end users will have an issue with that.
.z
Imagine that thing sitting next to my beige 5 year old 17" Samsung monitor. Its going to look like poo! And yes, end users will have an issue with that.
.z
FYI:
The design was a mock up that I have been playing around with for some time due to the current configurations offered by Apple not suiting my needs. I designed the system with four things in mind.
1) Inexpensive (as to attract people from the Wintel world)
2) Clean, stylish and very iPod like. (Again, trying to get Windows users)
3) Not handicapped by a "hard coded" monitor (Get a $50 CRT if you want, or get a 23" LCD... or even use your current CRT/LCD) I LOVE the current apple configurations, but MANY consumers "think" they can ALWAYS get a better deal from a 3rd party... so why shouldn't we let them?
4) Designed for general usage (just like the eMac and iMac) with easily accessible ports in the front.
My situation:
My girlfriend uses my computer to do her schoolwork. I'd just buy her one of these to use with the many CRTs that we have around the house.
My brothers and sisters aren't very computer literate, and I would love to buy them a computer, but $999 isn't an option when you don't have the budget for such a machine. They all have older CRT monitors... so if we could get it under the $650 range, I could even buy one for them or pay 1/2 or something
I run a small server from home (via cable modem) I probably only get 10 hits a day, but I would rather have my home computer and my server on two different systems. The server doesn't need to be a monster, but paying $799 for an eMac isn't an option considering I wouldn't want the extra monitor sitting around and to be honest, I don't want to pay for a monitor that I wouldn't use.
To answer a few questions:
BasketofPuppies It would have an ADC and DVI port
Superchic[k]en I would stick with something Mac... I would avoid the term "cube" as not to kill this thing before it was finalized.
DeathMan Thanks about the complements on the mock up... It's a Photoshop job on an eMac.
Developer Regarding the vertical drive, I was thinking more of a laptop kind of drive. (it isn't standard, but you know what I'm talking about)
DaedalusDX The system would be identical to the eMac lineup. (including the 2 Firewire and 5 USB.
Nebrie I like the eMac ES... (or even SE [streamlined edition]) idea...
Zmai some people would just toss it under their desk... others will have it next to their 6 year old Dell monitor... others will use their ugly CRT that came with their Apple LCII until they can save up for a nice Apple LCD... and others will hack their systems and put them into their cars :-)
Superchic[k]en Actually, I would want it to be able to do iMovie and iDVD... naturally it's not going to replace the G4 towers and soon to be released G5. There is a growing population that wants to do video editing... EVERYONE knows about iMovie... even people that don't know about Apple (strange, but I know because I part time at Best Buy... [don't get me started :-P ]
RAzaRazor I never said this would be the exact way Apple would do it or that the discussion was limited to my OK-ish looking mockup... I just wondered if others out there were lusting over a nonexistent (Non G5) system. I would be nervous about the whole cube thing... but there has to be something to motivate the tech nerds out there to pick one of these things up along with some of the consumers that are on the fence regarding the Macintosh platform.
The interior should essentially be an eMac, with a vertical drive unit.
No Firewire 800 (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
No USB2 (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
No 1000TASE-T (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
The top of this unit would have a single sunken handle for portability.
It should weigh just under 20 pounds (considering the eMac weighs 50 pounds)
The design was a mock up that I have been playing around with for some time due to the current configurations offered by Apple not suiting my needs. I designed the system with four things in mind.
1) Inexpensive (as to attract people from the Wintel world)
2) Clean, stylish and very iPod like. (Again, trying to get Windows users)
3) Not handicapped by a "hard coded" monitor (Get a $50 CRT if you want, or get a 23" LCD... or even use your current CRT/LCD) I LOVE the current apple configurations, but MANY consumers "think" they can ALWAYS get a better deal from a 3rd party... so why shouldn't we let them?
4) Designed for general usage (just like the eMac and iMac) with easily accessible ports in the front.
My situation:
My girlfriend uses my computer to do her schoolwork. I'd just buy her one of these to use with the many CRTs that we have around the house.
My brothers and sisters aren't very computer literate, and I would love to buy them a computer, but $999 isn't an option when you don't have the budget for such a machine. They all have older CRT monitors... so if we could get it under the $650 range, I could even buy one for them or pay 1/2 or something
I run a small server from home (via cable modem) I probably only get 10 hits a day, but I would rather have my home computer and my server on two different systems. The server doesn't need to be a monster, but paying $799 for an eMac isn't an option considering I wouldn't want the extra monitor sitting around and to be honest, I don't want to pay for a monitor that I wouldn't use.
To answer a few questions:
BasketofPuppies It would have an ADC and DVI port
Superchic[k]en I would stick with something Mac... I would avoid the term "cube" as not to kill this thing before it was finalized.
DeathMan Thanks about the complements on the mock up... It's a Photoshop job on an eMac.
Developer Regarding the vertical drive, I was thinking more of a laptop kind of drive. (it isn't standard, but you know what I'm talking about)
DaedalusDX The system would be identical to the eMac lineup. (including the 2 Firewire and 5 USB.
Nebrie I like the eMac ES... (or even SE [streamlined edition]) idea...
Zmai some people would just toss it under their desk... others will have it next to their 6 year old Dell monitor... others will use their ugly CRT that came with their Apple LCII until they can save up for a nice Apple LCD... and others will hack their systems and put them into their cars :-)
Superchic[k]en Actually, I would want it to be able to do iMovie and iDVD... naturally it's not going to replace the G4 towers and soon to be released G5. There is a growing population that wants to do video editing... EVERYONE knows about iMovie... even people that don't know about Apple (strange, but I know because I part time at Best Buy... [don't get me started :-P ]
RAzaRazor I never said this would be the exact way Apple would do it or that the discussion was limited to my OK-ish looking mockup... I just wondered if others out there were lusting over a nonexistent (Non G5) system. I would be nervous about the whole cube thing... but there has to be something to motivate the tech nerds out there to pick one of these things up along with some of the consumers that are on the fence regarding the Macintosh platform.
The interior should essentially be an eMac, with a vertical drive unit.
No Firewire 800 (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
No USB2 (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
No 1000TASE-T (until the eMac and iMac receive it)
The top of this unit would have a single sunken handle for portability.
It should weigh just under 20 pounds (considering the eMac weighs 50 pounds)
Quote:
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Originally posted by mitchell_pgh: BasketofPuppies It would have an ADC and DVI port |
Don't you think that's excessive for a low-end consumer model? You're not going to find to many people looking for low-end machines willing to pay big money for a DVI or ADC monitor. A low-end machine needs a VGA port.
And no, that adaptor that Apple will include with the Power Mac G5 isn't the same. It's the whole loss in quality while converting from digital to analog thing.
Of course, the easy solution to this is to give your proposed system a removable AGP card.
Quote:
| No USB2 (until the eMac and iMac receive it). |
Good point. I guess I'm just a bit angry that Apple is dragging its feet on USB 2.0. (Albeit for obvious reasons.}
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The top of this unit would have a single sunken handle for portability. It should weigh just under 20 pounds (considering the eMac weighs 50 pounds) |
If it weighs under twenty pounds, there's no need for a handle. I know. I own a VAIO desktop that weighs just over twenty pounds. (And somehow, Sony managed to get more inside it than Apple did in its larger and twice as heavy Power Macs.)
Heck, giving your proposed system a handle could be considered a bad thing. Even sunken, a handle would interrupt the clean design.
I guess a VGA would be fine....
The G5 people would be pissed if you could fit three HDs in them... ha ha...
I was thinking that the top could have a handle, vent, power button combo...
Interesting idea...
The G5 people would be pissed if you could fit three HDs in them... ha ha...
I was thinking that the top could have a handle, vent, power button combo...
Interesting idea...
i think that may be the a cube look, i like it
eOrb?
Cirtclar iMac like dome but in a full Sphere, with a rounded flip out door like the iMac's and a flat clear. It'd make it a very wow product without even feeling like a computer, put a G3 in it, since OK maybe you want iMovie but you shouldn't be doing heavy work with it, if anyone needs more than a 1Ghz G3 for video then they SHOULD be getting a better Mac.
Have the base with USB2, it'd obviously not come out today hence the iMacs would be upgraded as would the eMacs.
And one firewire port, if anyone needs more they can get a hub. But as we say this is a consumer machine, hence they are probably only gona have one Firewire device.
give it a VGA port again on the bottom, and you're good to go. the inside of course wouldn't be to sphereical it'd just be designed to look cool. And something that DIFFERENT wouldn't neccicarly make your monitor look like crap in the same regard.
Could even add a throbing blue light
kidding. But seriously if Apple did make this it'd be a great consumer device, but I suspect a lot of Mac users would buy it for other reasons. Home server, computer for the kid ect, a lot of Mac users would just WANT one, look at the cube owners, everyone WANTS it it was just badly priced. A lot of people might buy it just becuase they can. I know one guy that wants a Mac as soon as he can. And if he could drop 500 or 600 on one he probably would be able to justify it.
The orignal iMac was quite cheap in it's day, and it wasn't designed to be TERRIBLY powerful, hence will this be out dated soon? Yes but who care syou only paid 500 for it it'll still be good.
Heck you might even see some linux users buy em.
Cirtclar iMac like dome but in a full Sphere, with a rounded flip out door like the iMac's and a flat clear. It'd make it a very wow product without even feeling like a computer, put a G3 in it, since OK maybe you want iMovie but you shouldn't be doing heavy work with it, if anyone needs more than a 1Ghz G3 for video then they SHOULD be getting a better Mac.
Have the base with USB2, it'd obviously not come out today hence the iMacs would be upgraded as would the eMacs.
And one firewire port, if anyone needs more they can get a hub. But as we say this is a consumer machine, hence they are probably only gona have one Firewire device.
give it a VGA port again on the bottom, and you're good to go. the inside of course wouldn't be to sphereical it'd just be designed to look cool. And something that DIFFERENT wouldn't neccicarly make your monitor look like crap in the same regard.
Could even add a throbing blue light
kidding. But seriously if Apple did make this it'd be a great consumer device, but I suspect a lot of Mac users would buy it for other reasons. Home server, computer for the kid ect, a lot of Mac users would just WANT one, look at the cube owners, everyone WANTS it it was just badly priced. A lot of people might buy it just becuase they can. I know one guy that wants a Mac as soon as he can. And if he could drop 500 or 600 on one he probably would be able to justify it.
The orignal iMac was quite cheap in it's day, and it wasn't designed to be TERRIBLY powerful, hence will this be out dated soon? Yes but who care syou only paid 500 for it it'll still be good.
Heck you might even see some linux users buy em.