[Martin Levins]

Once everyone realised that Kevin Rudd’s government policy of ready access to computers for all year 9-12 students was actually going to happen, the market suddenly changed. The goalposts weren’t just moved, we now have a different game and the rush of blood to the vendors’ heads has made them readier than ever to play limbo with pricepoints. We’ve seen $700 desktops from PC vendors and even $999 Macbooks with a .Mac account, onsite warranty, iWork and a carry bag thrown in from Apple in Australia
Read More

[gazza]

Once everyone realised that Kevin Rudd’s government policy of ready access to computers for all year 9-12 students was actually going to happen, the market suddenly changed. The goalposts weren’t just moved, we now have a different game and the rush of blood to the vendors’ heads has made them readier than ever to play limbo with pricepoints. We’ve seen $700 desktops from PC vendors and even $999 Macbooks with a .Mac account, onsite warranty, iWork and a carry bag thrown in from Apple in Australia
Read More

G'day Martin, I've just tried your Read More link and it has a problem, could you rework it please.

gazza

[MJCP]

Problem was the article wasn't live yet. It is now.

[gazza]

Problem was the article wasn't live yet. It is now.

Thanks Matthew I 'musta' jumped the gun.

gazza

[Some Random Bloke]

Interesting figures. I do think that of all the hardware vendors, Apple has the most to gain from loss leading. Who really cares what brand Windows based PC they're running?

The XO2 looks like a great device.

[mickdevlin]

How does Apple’s rumoured Newton reborn look here? I think it’s going to be too expensive, and will face a lot of competition from something such as a scaled-up, soft-keyboarded, multi-touch, haptic screen, like the second iteration of the One Laptop per Child machine.

Remember the eMate? it was a cheap Newton in a rugged laptop form-factor. It didn't have the latest processor but it did have the full application suite provided with the MP2000/MP2100. It also poneered the 'e' prefix and a built-in carry handle a couple of years before the first iBooks appeared. This deminstrates that Apple could build a cheap resurrected Newton. Also remember that both iPhone and iPod touch are based on Mac OS X, which will make application development considerably easier than it was on the Newton.

I, however, agree with the the rest of your argument.

[gazza]

As long as the el cheapo machine runs OS X and the basic productivity suites and therefore is compatible with all other Apple devices it should be a winner. iPods for instance are becoming more commonplace in schools and need to be able to integrate easily with the "main" platform. 'tis a pity the mainstream Macs will be overlooked in favour of such a machine - OK they may cost more initially in a school situation but their reliability and long term trouble-free existence far outweigh this initial cost difference. Ho hum, the message might get through one day, we just keep trying.

gazza

[t0MMb]

I wonder if Apple will ever re-release the eMac or something similar for those who don't need all the features included with the modern iMacs. Or maybe the Aluminum iMacs are cheap enough already.

[AppleConvert]

I wonder if Apple will ever re-release the eMac or something similar for those who don't need all the features included with the modern iMacs. Or maybe the Aluminum iMacs are cheap enough already.

I love my eMac. It runs Leopard just fine and apart from the CRT (I wish I had an LCD, okay I'll admit that) it's the best $340 I ever spent.

I'm still saving for my iMac, or waiting until there's another AMW competition that gives away a Macbook Air so I can write some song lyrics and win - actually, I have to say that's probably the ONLY way any of my lyrics could ever get published...

That aside I think that a lower-end iMac targetted at the Education sector specifically would be a great product. Given that they canned the eMac, I can't see them re-opening the box again in the immediate future. Maybe 2010 or so? Who knows...

[pmoeser]

I love my eMac. It runs Leopard just fine and apart from the CRT (I wish I had an LCD, okay I'll admit that) it's the best $340 I ever spent.

I'm still saving for my iMac, or waiting until there's another AMW competition that gives away a Macbook Air so I can write some song lyrics and win - actually, I have to say that's probably the ONLY way any of my lyrics could ever get published...

That aside I think that a lower-end iMac targetted at the Education sector specifically would be a great product. Given that they canned the eMac, I can't see them re-opening the box again in the immediate future. Maybe 2010 or so? Who knows...

I think they think that the $1599 iMac is the cheaper education replacement for the eMac
If you qualify for education pricing you will save $50!

Still, that is a fair amount of bang for your buck. I would have thought 2GB RAM would be more appropriate for students as they will tend to be using GarageBand and iMovie more than most business and general users

[mickdevlin]

I wonder if Apple will ever re-release the eMac or something similar for those who don't need all the features included with the modern iMacs.

It's unlikely Apple will replace it. Remember that there was a 17" Intel iMac (white) that used integrated graphics like the mini and MacBook. That machine was mainly for the education market as it was cheap and low-spec but was killed when the aluminium models were released.

[gazza]

It's unlikely Apple will replace it. Remember that there was a 17" Intel iMac (white) that used integrated graphics like the mini and MacBook. That machine was mainly for the education market as it was cheap and low-spec but was killed when the aluminium models were released.

As a teacher (now retired) I know what I would have preferred in the classroom - a 20 inch iMac in preference to any cheaper alternatives. It's price for what you get is fantastic value, and even better with any education discount. I became very frustrated at times with piddly 15 inch monitors in the classroom. Students learn a hell of a lot by observing/helping/sharing while sitting around one computer - sure one-to-one computer/student is great and necessary a lot of the time but at other times the getting together is a valuable and, I would state, essential part of the learning process. The smaller the screen the less likely this is to happen. Just trying to assist one student at a computer, or have them share their work/findings with me was awkward on a small monitor. Students deserve the best, why shouldn't we aspire to providing them with it?

gazza

[t0MMb]

I have noticed more and more teachers using MacBooks then there used to be. I convinced one of my teachers to purchase a MacBook instead of a ThinkPad and he thinks it is an excellent computer.

[gazza]

I have noticed more and more teachers using MacBooks then there used to be. I convinced one of my teachers to purchase a MacBook instead of a ThinkPad and he thinks it is an excellent computer.

Another "Apple for the Teacher" how appropriate!!

gazza

[t0MMb]

does anyone have a rough idea of when Apple will have a similar deal to when they gave away a free iPod Nano with every education Mac sold? As soon as the redesigned MacBooks are released I plan to purchase one. Hopefully with a free iPod Nano.

[Some Random Bloke]

does anyone have a rough idea of when Apple will have a similar deal to when they gave away a free iPod Nano with every education Mac sold? As soon as the redesigned MacBooks are released I plan to purchase one. Hopefully with a free iPod Nano.

i think it's around beginning of year/semester.

[Ken Gracey]

I can never remember apple ever doing that? MJCP may have an idea, but I can never recall it

Tl

[mickdevlin]

does anyone have a rough idea of when Apple will have a similar deal to when they gave away a free iPod Nano with every education Mac sold?

They did something like that here at the start of the year. Remember that the US school year starts in September and ends in May.

[gil]

Remember the eMate? it was a cheap Newton in a rugged laptop form-factor. It didn't have the latest processor but it did have the full application suite provided with the MP2000/MP2100. It also poneered the 'e' prefix and a built-in carry handle a couple of years before the first iBooks appeared.

I still have one - fully functional (with the hinge fix in place) and connected to my home wireless network. Not used any more other than as a curiosity.

[harmon]

An email came through today from Comp Now with the new roll out prices for the Mac Mini. The superdrive model at $800 and a 19" Samsung LCD at $195. Not a bad option if you are considering a desktop option for your roll out cash. Of course the 20" iMacs are available to but you will need to come up with the $295 difference.
Nice option for us as we were almost forced to go down the PC desktop to keep it under the $1K.