Piper Expects New Apple iMacs Tomorrow; Could Ignite Buy Interest in Stock [View article]
Conventional wisdom and rumors speculate on a "thinner" iMac with an aluminum finish like present displays. I think it's wrong. The "Intel transiont" is done so Ives can be let loose on a complete redesign. Dropping 17" displays makes sense per pricing similarities with the 20" screens; but K-12 wants the smaller screens. Dropping the Mini, as rumored, leaves a hole in the low end price range. Business and education want more alternatives in desktop purchases. The lack of upgrade potential also leaves many semi-pro and gamer markets wanting. The semi-pro bargain desktop has not been addressed by present iMacs. There's one way to meet these market needs: a headless iMac line with separate but an integrated display option. Ives can solve this issue with a new screen design, leaving the 17" needs to be filled by others.
A new headless iMac line could be made to span a broader and larger desktop market. Then, with the new design, Apple could employ Intel's Merom desktop chip family for the first time. This would give the benefit of cheaper component costs and the option of 4 core chips in present or future versions. I can see Apple using Intel's faster buss chips of the dual and 4 core versions for much of the line while keeping the cheaper duo line for the education and bargain basement models. With Intel's and Apple's power management combined with a new case configuration the desktop chip heat issue can be conquered without significant fan noise.
The monitor line will likely undergo more frequent changes in the next year. One area intrigues me: "Resolution Independence" support in Leopard. I can see Apple broadening their monitor line with a consumer and Pro lineup. The Pro displays would have higher resolutions similar to the iPhone. This would enable Apple to mix and match to each customer with a broad desktop lineup married to a Pro group. The iMac's new design could hint at the expected new Pro design; but I expect we'll have to wait a little longer to see their debut. As Apple, with the new server OS X, gains more credibility in businesses, a broad desktop line would enhance their appeal significantly.
I can see some short sellers of Apple "getting well" after the stock's recent run up since Forrester's "analysis" article. It was sure to generate a lot of coverage to come up with their "conclusion". I only hope that this sort of bogus research earns the firm the kind of rebuke they so richly deserve.
Why Apple Gaming is a Necessary Evil [View article]
Apple's iPod success with the youth market can't translate into Mac sales when the youth is focused on gaming on their computers. Microsoft's sucess with the XBox online gaming shows another internet driver for future sales to the youth market. Apple's forthcoming "iTV" box could network with a Mac to provide gaming viewed on a TV set. It's internet connection could expand Apple's .Mac services to include online gaming, although it's more likely to be independent if realized. With Parallels' forthcoming desktop integration, allowing PC applications to "live" on the Apple desktop, it could also be a driver of youth gamers switching to the Mac. Along with education, networking safety, iChat along the the iLife suite, gaming is an important driver of youth appeal. Apple cannot ignore gaming as part of the "Digital Hub" in people's living rooms.
Piper Expects New Apple iMacs Tomorrow; Could Ignite Buy Interest in Stock [View article]
A new headless iMac line could be made to span a broader and larger desktop market. Then, with the new design, Apple could employ Intel's Merom desktop chip family for the first time. This would give the benefit of cheaper component costs and the option of 4 core chips in present or future versions. I can see Apple using Intel's faster buss chips of the dual and 4 core versions for much of the line while keeping the cheaper duo line for the education and bargain basement models. With Intel's and Apple's power management combined with a new case configuration the desktop chip heat issue can be conquered without significant fan noise.
The monitor line will likely undergo more frequent changes in the next year. One area intrigues me: "Resolution Independence" support in Leopard. I can see Apple broadening their monitor line with a consumer and Pro lineup. The Pro displays would have higher resolutions similar to the iPhone. This would enable Apple to mix and match to each customer with a broad desktop lineup married to a Pro group. The iMac's new design could hint at the expected new Pro design; but I expect we'll have to wait a little longer to see their debut. As Apple, with the new server OS X, gains more credibility in businesses, a broad desktop line would enhance their appeal significantly.
The Apple iTunes Debate Rages On [View article]
Why Apple Gaming is a Necessary Evil [View article]