Apple Sticks with CRTs For Now

A reader writes, "eWEEK talked with Apple about the state of its hardware line at Macworld Expo/New York, six months after Apple said it was going all-flat panel with future Macs. Greg Joswiak, senior director, hardware products, with Apple worldwide product marketing, says that while LCD Macs are still 'the future,' surprise boosts in flat-panel prices mean CRT systems like the eMac and old-school iMac will stick around a while longer."

Comments

Flat panel vs CRT screens

[Blind Linux]

The average user does not appreciate the difference between flat panel and CRT screens. I believe Apple's strategy to be a prudent one...
Though many slashbots and computer enthusiasts will praise the flas-screen monitor, many are uncomfortable to fork that extra cash out for a more aesthetically pleasing monitor.
As you can see in this article, both have different pros and cons... but the average user is more likely to stick with the CRT monitor because of the cheaper pricing.

Re:Flat panel vs CRT screens

[BitGeek]

Why is it people assume that only things apple sells directly work with apple computers?

You can buy a powermac or even an iMac G4 with a CRT-- Apple's whole line will run with CRTs if you want-- just buy the CRT from someone else (its not like it isn't a commodity) and plug it in.

That's CHOICE. you have choice. Unless you want a powerbook with a CRT built in, then you don't have "choice"

CRTs are commodity. There are hundreds of companies selling them. Apple chooses to sell what it can add value to and that is really killer LCDs.

ITs worth pointing out that Apple's line of LCDs are superior to most of what's out there from a technology point of view-- but since Apple isn't about comparing MHz, etc, they don't hype this as much as they should.

ITs unfortunate that people fall into the trap of thinking every 15 inch CRT or LCD is like every other one.

A few reasons for this decision

[amichalo]

Apple would reverse course on the death of the CRT for a few reasons:

(1) Foremost, to compete in the low end market where the CRT iMac lead Apple's sales in numbers (not dollars), CRTs are nearly and order of magnitude less expensive which can help apple attract 'value' customers

(2) In the education market (eMac) flat screens may still be viewed by value minded school boards and parents as frivolous expenses that could be used to put more computers in classrooms

(3) Until those who purchase a CRT today will have one more reason to anxiously await an upgrade tomorrow. Until Dell, Gateway, etc make LCD standard, the consumers who purchase CRTs will have hardware envy for LCDs. ... Or not

Re:A few reasons for this decision

[frankie]

Foremost, to compete in the low end market where the CRT iMac lead Apple's sales

You know what would sell even better? A pizza-box based on the eMac motherboard with no monitor included at all. Sure the aesthetics won't be perfect, but the shipping cost savings alone would easily let Apple slash the price.

(...and/or include a few useful expansion options like an AGP slot, a PCI slot, and an open bay...)

Re:maybe my eyes have a bug.....

[BitGeek]

LCDs give you superior picture quality compared to a CRT. Less eye strain, better image quality.

Most "GENERIC" PC LCDS may be crap, just like all those generic 13inch "15 inch CRTs" that gateway and Dell and everyone else sold thruout the 90s that are worthless now.

But you have the choice- buy a powermac and get a CRT if you want, or get an eMac.

But when Apple drops the CRT all together, you'll still be able to go buy a Sony monitor and plug it into your mac (any mac).

Re:LCD prices

[BitGeek]

You're wrong on a couple counts.

First off, Apple owns %30 of the company that makes the LCDs. Apple owns the factory, in effect because they used apple's investment to build a new factory.

Secondly, Apple has very large marketshare-- and probably sells more LCD screens than any other single company.

Finally, these designs are not "outdated". They are top of the line, and possibly exclusive to apple. Apple is definitely getting a competitive price here, and as usual, passing it on to its customers. For, AS USUAL, the iMac is far cheaper than a comparable PCs. (course nobody bothers to compare it to comparable PCs. the XBOX doesn't count- no display, slower processor, etc.)

(Why is it people constantly compare apples share of the market to the SUM OF ALL OTHER COMPANIES COMBINED and then say apple's a small company? Its one of the largest computer companies in the world and for a long time was the largest.)

Your assumptions are false, and you conclusion therefore is pointless.

Re:LCD prices

[g4dget]

Why is it people constantly compare apples share of the market to the SUM OF ALL OTHER COMPANIES COMBINED

Because for many purposes, that's what matters. I can use Dell hardware or software with a Compaq, but not natively with a Mac.

Its one of the largest computer companies in the world and for a long time was the largest.

Apple never was the largest computer company by any measure. That title has mostly been held by IBM.

Re:LCD Slowdown

[batobin]

Screen refresh rates are in Hz, which is a frequency. I don't remember much from my physics days, but a screen refresh of 75 Hz means it refreshes 75 times per second.

Even if Apple used slow monitors, it would only be slow by 1 or 2 seventy-fifths of a second. In short, impossible to notice.

Where you do notice this is with shadows or cursors and things. Nobody wants movement shadows (they look horrible on DVDs and games).

As far as I know, however, Apple flatscreens have EXCELLENT refresh rates. Since that's up for debate, I'll simply retain my original point. Web browsing using a Mac is not a monitor issue.

really important reason why to not drop CRT

[TheGratefulNet]

well, other than the fact that it shatters. but that's not what I mean here.

lcd's are not known for their accurate color rendition. motion, while better than years ago, still sucks on an lcd vs. a good crt. and even still photography is very hard to do right on an lcd.

I own almost nothing BUT lcd's. I have 4 sgi flat panel 1600's (on linux), 1 vga flat panel and 1 dvi flat panel. I do software devel 95% of the time and so for xterms and mozilla, flat panels are perfect. but for the few times that I need to color correct a skin tone (from some scanned slides or negs), I look all over for a good crt and do the work on that box.

macs are known for their video and still photo ability. colormatching is easiest on them than win* or unix (except for maybe sgi. maybe.) apple just can't drop crt support on high end boxes. gfx people wouldn't stand for it.