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Nail on the Head (3/7/98)
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If you tune in regularly, you're fully aware of how anxious we are to see Artemis hit the stores. Artemis, as you most likely know, is the code name for Apple's Power Macintosh G3 Home, an all-in-one machine that supposedly integrates a 200 MHz G3 processor, 32 MB of RAM, 3 PCI slots, a 2 GB hard drive, a 24x CD-ROM, and a 15-inch display capable of displaying 16-bit color at 1024x768-- all for $999. At least, them's the rumors.
Despite its reportedly tooth-shaped case, such a machine could easily give Apple's sagging home sales a serious kick in the pants. But what really distinguishes it from all the Wintel-based sub-$1000 PC's out there? Yes, it's a Mac-- but to the general uninformed sub-$1000-PC-buying public, that's a drawback, not a benefit. Apple's got to make it clear that Artemis offers something more to its customers.
That's why it's nice to see that, according to Mac the Knife, Artemis may introduce a couple of "sweeteners" to Artemis' already-formidable feature set. Reportedly, Apple's considering adding a wireless infrared keyboard and mouse, and maybe even a DVD drive and a TV tuner. Smart! Those are flashy, fun features that could play a considerable part in attracting sales. Of course, with the unbelievably low cost of the system, we can't see how Apple could possibly make much of a profit, but Artemis stands a good chance of recapturing some of Apple's shrinking market share, especially in the consumer and educational spaces. We take it as a terrifically good sign that Apple might be past the point of only focusing on immediate profits, and may be pursuing longer-term strategies to rebuild its market presence.
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SceneLink (513)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 3/7/98 episode: March 7, 1998: Artemis may gain some really cool hooks to rope in the crowds. Meanwhile, next door in the Powerbook labs, Apple prepares to unleash a low-cost G3 laptop, while WebSTAR's author finds himself cut off from his own progeny following a business deal gone horribly wrong...
Other scenes from that episode: 514: Cheap. Fast. Rockin'. (3/7/98) But Apple's not just shooting for lower desktop prices; if CNET can be believed, we can expect a low-cost Powerbook, as well. No, not low cost like Compaq's $999 notebook; more like $2000. "So?" you say... 515: Intrigue At StarNine (3/7/98) Many of you may not have much direct interest in (or may never have even heard of) StarNine, the company that makes WebSTAR, the most popular web server software for the Mac platform. We at AtAT, however, have a vested interest in following the status of our favorite server software...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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