10 years ago this week... The iMac is launched
From Apple's original iMac press release:
Apple Unveils iMac
The Internet-Age Computer for the Rest of Us
CUPERTINO, California -- May 6, 1998 -- In a major move in to the consumer market, Apple Computer, Inc. today unveiled iMac -- the "Internet-age computer for the rest of us." iMac features a striking design, easy Internet access and Pentium-toasting PowerPC G3 performance for US$1299.
"We designed iMac to deliver the things consumers care about most - the excitement of the Internet and the simplicity of the Mac," said Steve Jobs, Apple's Interim CEO. "iMac is next year's computer for $1299; not last year's computer for $999."
"Today we brought romance and innovation back into the industry," added Jobs. "iMac reminds everyone of what Apple stands for."
iMac is a complete Internet-age computer right out of the box, featuring:
• A speedy PowerPC G3 microprocessor running at 233MHz with a high speed 512k backside L2 memory cache;
• Built-in 15-inch high quality display with 1024x768 resolution, 13.8-inch diagonal viewable image size;
• Easy connectivity - one button Internet access, internal 33.6Kbps modem, 10/100Base-Tx Ethernet, 12Mbps Universal Serial Bus (USB), and 4Mbps infrared port (IrDA);
• The world's easiest to use operating system, Mac OS 8.1, which runs thousands of Macintosh software titles;
• All housed in a stunning translucent enclosure that breaks new ground in industrial design.
iMac, available worldwide in August in one configuration for US$1299, will also include:
• 32MB SDRAM (expandable to 128MB);
• 2MB SGRAM (expandable to 4MB);
• 4GB IDE Hard disk drive;
• 24x CD-ROM drive;
• 10/100Base-Tx Ethernet;
• 33.6Kbps software modem;
• Two 12Mbps Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports;
• 4Mbps infrared technology (IrDA) port;
• Built-in stereo speakers with SRS sound;
• 66MHz system bus;
• Mac OS 8.1;
• Apple USB Keyboard and Apple USB Mouse.
Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission - to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.
Now what I find interesting here is that while the iMac has undergone signficant revisions since 1998, it's price point has stayed in roughly the same range, with a low end machine at $1,199 (all figures USD) and the high-end at over $2,000.
In an industry that the is infamous for the downward pressure on prices, Apple has consistently been able to charge a premium for its well-engineered and superior-OS equipped iMacs.
You can check out the latest iMac models here.
