How Much Longer Before The iPC?
by Michael Munger
May 4th, 1999
As you know how the business of computing can be, to imitate or steal another company's original idea is common. If you dig in the past, you will find out that for cosmetics, Apple was the first to introduce plastic cases in 1977 with the Apple II. This concept was quite an innovation at the time. Right now, it is a standard. Apple innovated, PC makers followed.
The only problem is that the PC platform prefers those boring beige cases. Again, Apple hit the target. Twenty-one years after introducing plastics, it introduced much more. Apple's industrial design team was not happy enough after giving curves to the G3 All-in-one and making the PowerBook G3 the sexiest notebook computer in the world. After all, the more you create, the more inspiration you get...
The iMac was another revolution in style. A curvy case with translucent plastics and different colors was now the way Apple would ship its new units. Then the January revision introduced flavors, and the new G3 was now a part of the Bondi-blue wave.
At the same time, PC makers remain conservative. Their cases are still beige and their towers are rectangle with those ugly corners. Yucky instead of yummy. However, for how long?
The PC platform must be realizing that it underestimated the importance of looks when buying a computer. An iMac looks much cooler than a Compaq Presario on your desktop, especially at work when you have visitors. It can spice up a boring workspace, or simply impress people who see you at home. Moreover, the kids eat it up...
It is simply a matter of time before PC clone makers start shipping curvy cases with translucent plastics in different colors. The PC platform will always follow Apple's innovations, and the looks will change soon in the whole computing industry because of Cupertino.
PC makers hate to see Apple stealing their customers with innovation. They cannot stand it, and it will not take too long before they produce a replica of the iMac. Will they name it the iPC?
If you refuse to believe me, visit this page. Times change, but PC makers do not.
Back to The Mac Observer For More Mac News!
Michael Munger started using Macs in 1994 in college, and since then, never looked back at PCs.
Michael started contributing publicly to the Mac community when he co-founded MacSoldiers in May 1998, where he was Assistant Editor and Columnist. In addition, he has contributed to sites like MacPlaza and ResExcellence, providing his own customizations to the Macintosh user interface. Many of his interface goodies and a few tutorials can be found at www.cyberboss.net, his personal Web site. Currently he writes On The Flip Side for The Mac Observer.
One of the funniest things he did online was to threaten to spank the MacAddict staff! (Sept. 98 issue of MacAddict magazine, page 13). So if you don't behave... beware. |
