[X4U] Re: How can we compete?

[Chris Malanga]

I understand your analogy... However...

This seems like a pretty good Windows system... If there is such a thing :-)
It certainly does some things that Macs cannot do without extra third-party
hardware.  It performs a function which MANY Mac users (myself included)...
Manage the digital hub (which *does* include TV no matter what Steve Jobs
says).

My point is not that I think this is *better* than a Mac.  I'm sure it's
not.  My point is, if I'm trying to convince a person to SWITCH to the Mac,
deals like this make it very difficult.

Aside from the fact that a person has to make a real investment in the
platform with new software, training, etc., this computer has features
standard that you cannot get without paying extra and/or going third party
and/or just aren't available at all on the Mac.  And for a LOT less than you
would pay for a comparable Mac bundle.  I paid over $200 more (education
price) for my eMac with SuperDrive and I still would need to add hundreds of
dollars worth of accessories to come close to the specs on this PC.

I'm just saying that I think Apple needs to do some stuff to market to the
"other" 95%... Whether it's a low-cost Mac, a digital set-top box, or
something else.  Or maybe, as Judi suggested, Macs just aren't the main
priority of Apple anymore.

I don't know what the answer is.  All I know is that any chance for me to
convert this person to the Mac platform was thrown out the window with this
deal.

Chris Malanga
cmalanga at bgsualumni.com


On 11/2/04 1:49 PM, "lists3-200402" <lists3-200402 at verizon.net> wrote:

> i went to a mcdonalds and had a quarter pounder with cheeze, large
> fries and a super size coke...i paid with a $10 bill and walked away
> with change!!! woohoo!!! i'll never eat at gabriela's again!!!
> 
> :D
> don
> 
> Chris Malanga <cmalanga at bgsualumni.com> wrote:
> 
>> A friend of mine just bought a new PC at Aldi (a chain of discount/grocery
>> stores here in the US) for $799.
>> 
>> This PC has the following specs:
>> 
>> * IntelÆ PentiumÆ 4 Processor 3.0 GHz Supports Hyper Threading Technology
>> * 800 MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 Cache
>> * Dual layer DVD/CD writer 2.4x max DVD+R9
>> * Additional DVD-ROM drive easily copies DVDs
>> * Built-in wireless LAN 801.11g
>> * Watch & record TV on your PC with the FM/TV tuner card
>> * Wireless keyboard & wireless optical mouse included
>> * RF remote control for easy control of DVD, TV, VCR, CD, radio
>> * 160 GB hard drive @ 7200 rpm
>> * 512 MB DDR SDRAM
>> * 2x FireWire
>> * 6x USB 2.0
>> * 8 in 1 Card Reader
>> * LAN 10/100 Mbit
>> * Windows XP Home Edition
>> * Microsoft Works
>> * Norton AntiVirus 2004
>> * 12 month warranty
>> 
>> Now, I realize it is a no-name PC (Medion) running Windows XP Home, but what
>> you get for the price is amazing.  And PC World magazine gave this system
>> four out of five stars.
>> 
>> How is Apple supposed to compete with this?  I've been waiting for a deal on
>> a computer to be the "center of my digital hub" now, but even with an eMac
>> at $799, I'd still have to add AirPort, a SuperDrive, wireless keyboard and
>> mouse, a card reader, and EyeTV to even come close.  I'm seriously
>> considering one of these Medions to fill the task until Apple comes out with
>> something similar.
>> 
>> I just wish Apple would realize that there is a market for two things: (1)
>> lower cost machines without monitor, (2) a digital hub machine like the
>> above.
>> 
>> It's really hard to push people to the Mac, and I have done that five times
>> in the past two years, but $799 PCs with all the above features make it
>> *really* hard.
>> 
>> What do you think?
>> 
>> Chris Malanga
>> cmalanga at bgsualumni.com
>