On my older iMacs (2008 & 2011), I've upgraded RAM and replaced old fashioned spinning hard drives with solid state drives. It isn't hard to do, but I wouldn't recommend it to a non tinkerer. In the latest version, they changed the way the screen is held on. You now have to break a glue seal around the screen and re-glue it back together. So, that indicates the trend is toward greater control of access to the hardware… in these devices. But, my thoughts are that they could, and eventually will, introduce another computer product to follow a different path, both to jack up sales to corporations and attract the young tinkerers trying to decide on a Windows box, or a Mac.
Even if all they included as upgradable was the RAM, storage and video card, that would go a long way toward making the Mac more attractive to a wider audience. But, ideally it should also include the option to replace the motherboard between two options. And, I don't see it as a Performa. That was CRT days and some really ugly beige plastic crafting. I'd see it as almost an iMac, but designed to be gotten into and out of. The current RAM slot setup is perfect, so it shouldn't change. It should have room for and a built in connector for for 2 SSD drives or 1 SSD and one spinning HD. The video card should be slotted to receive either of the low end or high end cards.
Currently the configurations are tailored around the three price points. They make no sense to the purchaser, but a lot of sense to the vendor who wants to present a good, better, best series of choice options. That leaves the frugal buyer looking a being locked into a 21.5" screen with three price points, or a 27" screen with three price points. If he's already set on a 27" screen, his frugality is already strained. The minimum priced 27" iMac at $1,799 is a very nice system, but only the RAM is upgradable. Apple could offer technician performed upgrades, but they don't even do that. That puts a lot of people off.
It has even put me off several times when considering moving up to a newer computer. I start reviewing the options and lusting for the maxed out version, and realize that it's either "all" or "none," because I'm not going to settle again; And I choose none because I'm not ready to plop down the price for all.
If you're going to sell the computer built into the monitor, let the customer buy, with the understanding that the monitor will last a long time, a device with upgradable components that extend longevity. That makes it more attractive going down market, leading to greater unit volume. You can then sell replacement motherboards, video cards and HDs or SSDs. … Just one man's armchair idea, but you could build it around the 24" monitor for differentiation to existing products and revert to the iPhone 5 white plastic without the thin edge of the latest iMacs. Heck, I'll bet they could even make an easy upgrade option available for the monitor as well; go from standard definition as an entry level, to 4K as an upgradable option months or years after the sale. Then start a program of Apple certified components for 3rd party devices?
The idea would be to make a cheaper iMac entry level device that could work its way upscale over time with available upgrades, be they performed by Apple technicians or the lone tinkerer. Apple can do much better on computer sales, and they have a tremendous amount invested in that part of the franchise. Properly executed, the growth would be almost free. |
