I n a somewhat unusual move, a company called Northgate Innovations has introduced a new all-in-one Windows XP machine that it is specifically targeting towards Mac users. In other words, Northgate wants a niche share of Appleis niche share. The PC is called the Integra, not to be mistaken for the wannabee sports car of the same name, and it offers Windows XP, digital video editing capabilities, an FM tuner, and a built in DVD player (or "DVD home theatre"). In addition to the Integra, Northgate Innovationsi product line includes other innovatively named products such as the Xbook, a slim portable that also runs Windows XP.
 Northgate Innovationis Integra |
"Apple users can expect a minimum of 35 percent increase in performance, and a 35 to 40 percent initial cost savings," Northgate claimed.
The Integra is powered by an Intel Pentium 4 processor and runs the Windows XP operating system. The company said it will target consumer, school and home entertainment markets.
"Apple users will be very impressed with Integra," Northgate vice president of sales and marketing T. Ayoub claimed, adding that in his view their processor "does not even belong on the same performance chart" [as Appleis G4].
Analysts, however, are doubtful about the companyis taking market share away from Apple.
"Theyive bundled in the kitchen sink," Aberdeen Group PC analyst Russ Craig told NewsFactor. "Theyire claiming theyire going to compete with Apple because they have the video editing stuff. But to say that youive got a Windows machine and youire challenging Apple is a little weird."
Craig went on to say, "What theyive got to do is tell a story that their Windows user interface and their video editing tools are better than whatis on the iMac."
The article also says that the units start at US$1009, which appears to be a typo. The units actually start at US$1099, though that one comes with a Celeron processor, as opposed to the fan-friendly Pentium 4 of which Northgate is so fond. You can find Northgateis Integra line at its Web site (note the familiar layout for its products).
You can find more information on the company and its aims in the full article at Yahoo!, which we recommend as a good read. You can find more information on Northgate Innovations itself at the companyis site.