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So what is it with all of the ISP Rebates with PC purchases? How come Apple has not done the same? Wouldn't you like to purchase a $1,199 iMac less a $200 mail-in rebate in exchange for, say, a two year contract with EarthLink.net? That's the magic US$999 computer that everyone feels Apple should have!
But, what about the bandwidth that you will be stuck with. If Apple were to offer such a deal, I believe that they would choose a quality ISP like EarthLink.net which will likely be offering its customers higher-bandwidth access in the future. Most of the PC clone makers offering ISP related rebates are not using EarthLink.net and their customers may have to ultimately pay the price!
What happens when you purchase an eOne and are stuck with an ISP (like CompuServe) that may not upgrade to DSL? Mind you, it's now the year 2001, and all of your friends are using PalmPilot XV's with wireless connections faster than your desktop! Please keep in mind that we are in for a speedbump in terms of bandwidth, we've been sitting at 56k for quite some time now, and DSL is on the rise. Sure, maybe not this year, but by next year most folks will be demanding it, or its equivalent.
Procurement costs (total-cost-of-ownership) -- Just how much will it really cost you to buy that eOne over the time of its 3-4 year life span compared to, say an iMac?
Wow! That sounds like back to Wintel-basics: FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt)! In this case it's the truth, and PC customers who find themselves being sucked into the CheapPC or FreePC trap should bear that in mind.
Eric C. Pollitt
Apple
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