The Mac Gap

With 3 desktop and laptop models to choose from, Apple has a computer to satisfy many users.  The Mac Mini makes an excellent second machine or the first Mac for a switcher.  The iMac brings power, some portability and a huge screen, while the Mac Pro satisfies the needs of heavy computing users.

Laptops

On the laptop side you have the MacBook for nearly everyone, the MacBook Pro for professionals and the MacBook Air for those seeking extreme portability.

But there is a considerable gap in both lines, and one that could satisfy a large number of users with a new model. You’ll likely remember the 12″ PowerBook G4 (shown at right). Probably my favourite Apple product of all time, it packed an entire full featured laptop into a 12″ aluminum shell. It had a full DVD combo drive, discrete graphics, and a full compliment of ports. This differs from Apple’s current ultraportable laptop, the MacBook Air, because it doesn’t sacrifice power nearly as much.

I think it’s time that Apple brings back the 12″ PowerBook in the form of a 13.3″ or smaller aluminum shelled MacBook with an actual graphics card, backlit keyboard and DVD burner. I would sell my MacBook in a flash to have real graphics, an aluminum look and a full powered Core 2 Duo processor. If Apple wants to make gaming more prevalent on OS X, they need to give full graphics power to a laptop without forcing users to shell out the extra cash for a MacBook Pro.

Desktops

On the desktop side of things, there is a need for a model between the iMac and Mac Pro that blends power with upgradeability and price. Macworld calls it the mythical, midrange Mac minitower. It stems from the idea that there is no model that directly competes with the standard Windows box. Sure, you can get the Mac Pro, with 4 hard drive bays, 8 RAM slots and up to 8 cores, but if you don’t absolutely need all these things, you’re wasting money.

What would be an excellent compromise would be a computer that is somewhere between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro in size, but between the iMac and Mac Pro in power and upgradeability. With 2 or more hard drive bays, 4 RAM slots and no included monitor, it could be upgraded as needed without limitations. Companies looking for towers to use their current monitors or to build a server farm would have all the power they need, without spending extra on Mac Pros or Xserves.

Conclusion

With a new model inside the desktop and notebook lineup, Apple could cover even more of the computer market and draw in more users.

Would you trade your current machine for one of these?

Comments

  1. #1

    Tony → compsci.ca/blog

    What they need is a MacBook Pro in a 13″ size. Introducing a new model that’s in between MacBook and MacBook Pro will certainly add more to the gradient of choice, but Apple doesn’t typically keep a large lineup of products.

    I do want more power than a MacBook currently offers, but not badly enough to get a bulkier Pro.

  2. #2

    kreger → angrybeesound.wordpress.com

    i thought apple tried the mid level headless mac when there was a single g5 powermac? all the others had duals 1.8-2.3 but there was a single g5 1.6 then maybe 1.8 in the store for a while. it had a decent graphics card which was upgradeable, as was the hd.

    i do miss the 12 powerbook though. i can see myself moving from a macbook pro to an imac with an old 12 powerbook in the near future

  3. #3

    Sam.

    What a crap opinion piece. Glenn, you’ve let the quality slide man….

  4. #4

    reemixx → www.reemixx.com

    Sam - Glenn didn’t write this article. Perhaps you should read the author’s name before throwing insults next time.

    As for the current lineup of Macs, I’m quite happy with them. Yes, I’ve always said Apple should have a more portable ‘Pro’ laptop. But, that said, with the upcoming updates, I think Apple are going to focus down even further, possibly even streamline the MacBook line so there is no more vanilla MacBook and MacBook Pro, but just one MacBook in many different configurations (excluding MacBook Air which will have its own line). Hopefully that means a small 12″ or 13″ screen on some of the more higher end MacBooks.

    If they did this, I’d consider ditching the MacBook and iMac for one when I next upgrade, and just hook it up to a 24″ screen for home use. If it’s high end enough to run games (dedicated graphics especially) I’m all in.

    For the desktops, I don’t know what Apple are doing. It’s been ages since the Mini got an update. A mini tower would be interesting but I think Apple would ever go that route and offer one of those as well as the Mac Mini.

    But we’ll see. I’m just excited to see if any of the rumours are true regarding the new notebooks.

  5. #5

    Jorge Quinteros → www.jorgeq.com

    Apple does a great job in satisfying every consumer’s particular need by classifying the 3 type of systems you mentioned. I currently operate with a 15″ MBP and have been quite satisfied based on the portability aspect of it. At the moment, I’m just waiting for the MBP line to be updated in order to justify an Apple purchase.

  6. #6

    Matt

    Wes, I appreciate your opinion. I also would like to see a 13.3″ MacBook Pro or something equivalent. I have a MacBook and am disappointed by a sub-par graphics card. I have been forced to kind of live the “wait and see” mode for a new, re-vamped line of laptops. It’s kind of disappointed that Apple has really left the laptop line for the iPhone line right now, but that leaves me with some hope that the laptop line may be re-vamped soon! Either way, I am hopeful.

  7. #7

    Craig → www.twentythreeframes.com

    This post sponsored by Apple Inc.

  8. #8

    Matt → www.themediacenterblog.com

    I agree there are some issues and gaps in the product line.

    The Mac Mini needs a refresh with faster processors and bus speed (memory at 800mhz vs 667). Would be great if they would ditch the integrated video as well but this may not be possible due to the size restrictions.

    I think a mid level Mac tower would sell. It would basically have a Core 2 Duo or single quad core cpu with some expandability such as room for two hard drives.

    I use a 17″ MBP which is very powerful and relatively portable. A bit heavy for travel but still lighter than many other laptops on the market. I should have went with the 15″ MBP. I didn’t go Macbook because of the graphics. A 13.3″ MBP would be great for travel.

    I’d also like to say the cinema displays need a major refresh too.

  9. #9

    Jeff → servaas.com.au

    I think there is a gap in the lineup, as you describe. It wasn’t plugged today with the new releases, and with the rules on Salary sacrifice changed here in Australia, I can see more people going for a desktop now.

    Apples feeling on this matter from a product manager I spoke to about it 6 months ago is that the mid tower didn’t work a few years ago, and they feel the gap between the iMac and the Mac Pro is not big enough to support another model.

  10. #10

    Jacky → www.iamjacky.com/?p=28

    Re-visiting this post, I can’t stop agreeing with the fact that there is a large user base out there with similar thoughts and desires. If you happen to visit the link that I have attached to this message, 6 months ago I proposed a Mac concept that is derived from this very gap in the Mac desktop product line. Where you have stated, the ‘Apple five’ as I have named it, is the perfect solution that slots between the inadequate mini and the all-too-powerful Pro. Though I have received quite a bit of critique from the Mac community for this concept, I can’t stop to think that if Apple is still a company orientated for the consumers and user experience, and not for profit, expansion and planned obsolescence, then surely it needs not worry about compromising the Mac mini and Pro market share?

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