Chordonblue's Journal: Apple's new mini iMac... Convergence.

Convergence...

That's what it's all about folks - convergence. The popularity of a product of any kind requires it.

Convergence isn't all about the hardware or software - it's about timing. It's about meeting a consumer need and if you want to sell a lot, you have to be closer to the needs of the consumer. Having been a former Amiga fanboy I can tell you that having a superior machine does not guarantee that you win the market.

Consider then what is happening currently and why Steve Jobs might be laughing last:

1) 1.2 GHz G4's beat the pants off of a 4 GHz spyware-laden PCs - ANYDAY. Speed is turning out not to be everything. The processor manufacturers are in a quandry as they have finally worn out Moore's Law (the 4 GHZ fumble). Putting two processors on a chip is fine, but if little software (or operating systems) take adavantage of it... Hmmmm.. Seems like Apple's already WAY ahead on that count anyway - but I digress.

I've been reading some posts here about how SLOW this will be compared to a kick-ass PC, and I agree. It's not a machine I'd want to play Doom III on. But I have a long personal list of people I'll be recommending this to, if and when it happens simply because of the security issues in Windows, and the needs of those particular users are basic indeed (word processing, bills, Internet, etc.) Truthfully, if a machine (and software) is designed correctly, why do you even need over 1 GHz for this sort of thing? Flash? Java?

Further obfusicating the issue is the fact that when you go into a computer store neither AMD or Intel are advertising their chips based on true speed ratings anymore. AMD uses the '+' system and Intel uses... God, I don't know WHAT THE HELL they use, do you? Their numbers are mind numbingly stupid and suggest NOTHING. I mean, doesn't a 4100+ sound a lot more impressive than a Pentium 4 550?

And what about those Pentium M's that run at 1.3 GHz? Their not considered slow either - especially because the main thrust there is power savings for SMALL LAPTOPS. Turns out that raw GHz isn't everything and Intel was the last to know.

My point here is that if I don't know, and you don't know what these numbers really mean (without looking for chips specs), then Apple can truthfully slap a 3000+ sticker on there and no one's the wiser for it. Let a Circuit City customer stroll by and watch the new OS-X 10.4 (Tiger) eye candy and be sold on the spot. Surely it must be a fast machine to look that good, right?

Convergence point: Processor speeds don't matter as much as they used to for basic tasks.

2) Security is becoming a real concern. Don't think so? Why do you think so many people have switched to Firefox for browsing? And it's not just IE - that's just a symptom of a much larger problem - Windows. Make no mistake, this will pit Apple against Microsoft directly. There will be repercussions without question. No matter what language Apple marketing goes with here, they simply have to tell the truth - OS-X is a SAFER experience.

MS will attempt to correct it's problems but not until Longhorn (2006... Maybe.) They've already said that there won't be a new IE until then and I guess I can see their point. IE is in many ways an extension to the Windows operating system. To change it as fundamentally as they need to... Well, you might as well start over.

Convergence point: Security is a big selling point, and not one MS can counter effectively.

3) The success of the iPod has put Apple back in the fickle consumer's consciousness. If Apple markets this right, they can make this thing seem hip and accessible to anyone. I think a lot of people translate this to mean 'the iPod is going to sell the mini iMac'. That's not what I mean at all.

I simply mean that the ubiquitousness of the iPod's superiority suggests that Apple can do something right in people's minds. It could've been anything else but it just happened to be the iPod. The iPod is considered by most people today to be the premier, top quality music player - bar none. Apple's logo and presence are reflected in the chrome of millions of these players. The level of success of this device will surely help consumer confidence in Apple's new devices - whatever they be.

Convergence point: Apple has reestabished itself in the public arena as a major player.

4) The price of low end hardware has come down to the level needed to effectively run OS-X.

Obviously this could've been done before now - just not as well. This is where I think Steve Jobs' influence on Apple is so important. If you can't do it well - DON'T DO IT. Be patient and wait for alignment of costs to need. Look at Pixar's success as an example. EVERY movie of their's is a hit so far. They haven't lost focus on the important stuff. And I think Jobs has changed over the years. His newer practical experience is now coupled with his older demanding perfectionist nature. Pixar was making small films for YEARS before Toy Story but they never bit off more than they could chew.

I'm not a Jobs fanboy either. Personally, from what I've read about him I think he can be a real asshole and Apple had a resposibility to fire him when they did. But sometimes that's the sort of person it takes to make or break a company. Since you've been back, so far, so good Steve.

Again, convergence. This could be Job's best plan yet - get people used to using a Mac at ANY COST.

Convergence point: The hardware to do this project is within economic reach.

I could go on about a few other details. Everyone agrees that having a standard VGA Out on this beasty is a terrific way for people to upgrade home systems without throwing everything out, but... Did you notice that thinksecret says there will be a TV Out on this thing as well? With affordable HDTV's right around the corner, do you suppose that was an accident?

How about the fact that this form factor screams external connectivity in the way of printers, DVD-R's, iSight, etc. That will make the 3rd party people and the retail establishments happy. Hell, they might even sell a flat panel LCD monitor or two!

In fact, the only people that will be unhappy with this will be the raving Mac fanatics who insist this particular machine sucks because it's not a quad G5 with an Nvidia TerraPixel 10000(tm) video card. Those folks will never 'get it'. They will likewise not understand the sudden surge in Mac popularity. Up until now, it's been a pretty tight-knit community. I believe that will change with this computer - much like with the original iMac. You're going to see a LOT more nubes, a lot more basic questions. And knowing the Mac fanatics, they will do their best to belittle their inquiries. Why? It's threatening lose an 'exclusive' group. My recommendation to them is to seek therapy. For the rest of us, prepare for a WILD ride!

Re:Perfectly said.....

[Chordonblue]

You know I think Apple has simple dismissed people's investments in things like LCD monitors - at least those that aren't theirs. But the simple fact is, if they want more marketshare they're going to have to make some concessions.

Steve Jobs isn't the sort to want to do that (he needs to define quality), but the market's not perfect - it's fractured and chaotic and people need to be thrown a bone once in a while.

Thanks for your encouragement...