You know I'm the quite the rumor-maven. And my rumors don't always pan out - the nature of a rumor perhaps. But this would so rock that I must pass it on. Yesterday Think Secret posted that "highly reliable sources" have confirmed that a "bare-bones" G4-based iMac is set to be announced on the 11th - the morning Steve Jobs does his keynote at MacWorld.
Today, AppleInsider has posted that they have "multiple independent sources" telling them of a sub-$600 headless iMac. Price matters, of course and $499 rings my bell but perhaps $599 would be more easy to believe. Hoping for that lower figure.
According to Think Secret, the speed will be around 1.25 ghz and the box itself is "incredibly small". It will be in a flat enclosure with the height similar to the 1.73 inches of Apple's Xserve. The configuration is to be 40 to 80 gb hard drive with a combo drive (DVD + CD burner), USB 2, and Firewire 400. Not expected to be available immediately, but later in the first quarter.
I hope this dream comes true. It totally synchs up with my Dec 6 post about this being the perfect time for Apple to make a play for Mac marketshare. This seems to be that play. A nice bold Steve kind of play! I'm guessing there will be a visual tie-in with the iPod again.
Red Herring chimes in with their analysis of this Volkswagen entry for Apple.
[via Engadget]