In an educationally sound move, Apple Computer is offering a version of its iMac computer to students and teachers for $899.
This isn’t a new development, because Apple has been offering student discounts for over 20 years, but keep in mind that the iMac starts at $1,200. So for $899, the educational discount is a great deal for educators and educatees on a budget.
The story has been picked up by CNN, the San Francisco Chronicle, ABC News and a variety of other outlets.
Apple is offering a 17” iMac with all the trimmings at the educational price, and this is a good public relations move for the company, especially because of the popularity of the iPod with college students. Offering a full-service computer at the level of the iMac for only $899 is a smart way to increase their college base, which currently sits at twelve percent of their sales.
Many institutions, including Northeastern University, already offer Macintosh computer labs. Many schools offer one brand of PC (Dell in Northeastern's case) alongside the Mac.
The educational iMac, which will feature an Intel processor, marks the end of the economy-class eMac line of computers, the last CRT display line of Macintosh computer systems. Both the eMac and iMac are modular systems with the display and motherboard integrated into one unit. The iMac features an onboard DVD+/-RW drive, Wi-Fi, and a built-in web cam.
Article comments
1 - Mr. Real Estate
Dude, they have to offer a huge discount to compete with the discounts offered by Dell.
2 - Phillip Winn
John M, this model is only available to the educational market, so it's not really an answer to Dell.
John G, the new iMac model does not offer a writable DVD, actually, and is limited in a couple of other minor ways as well. Still a great value.
3 - M. Stone
I'm a teacher--how can I take advantage of this deal? Is this the only configuation of the iMac that is available at an educational discount?
4 - Deal Therapy
Discounts in Apple computers is really a interested deal. They are offering discounts in all the configurations. The other good thing is that this discounts is only for students and teachers.