Luxo iMacs: Deals abound


When Steve Jobs announced price increases due to rising component prices, many nodded in understanding and not a few groaned incredulously.

In hindsight, as many PC vendors prepare to follow Apple's lead with prices hikes and others remove features, Cupertino's US$100 lead appears to be right on the money.

However, it is becoming increasing clear that the LCD iMac price hike isn't being universally honored. In fact, many dealers have not only kept the old prices -- US$1,299, US$1,599, US$1,799 -- but also have kept right on bundling free RAM and other extras.

Here's a sample of what's available:*

MacConnection ---- $1,794 (800MHz)
OH, MA, TN tax, US$31 shipping
Corel Graphics Suite 10 for $170 (a $470 value), Office X promotion
MacWarehouse ---- $1,794 (800MHz)
Ill, OH, NJ, KY, TN tax, $29 shipping
FREE 256 MB (after rebate, $30 installation), FREE Epson C40ux printer (free after rebate), Office X promotion
ClubMac ---- $1,594 (700MHz)
CA tax, $27 shipping
FREE 128 MB RAM ($30 installation), FREE Lexmark z23 (a $70 value), Office X promotion

* information compiled from MacReviewZone

Personally, I attribute this disparity in prices to three things: (1) Apple's need to fully capitalize on "iMac fever," which reached a crescendo just as Macworld Tokyo opened and was dampened with Jobs' announcement; (2) a desire by Cupertino to ameliorate dealer grumbling over perceived favoritism by the company in supplying the hot new desktops to its in-house retail operations; and (3) Apple's absolutely burning need to meet its Q2 guidance -- Wall Street is watching warily.

Given that margins on iMacs are less than 5 percent, it's highly unlikely the dealers are taking it on the chin just to drive sales.

Whatever the case, now is a really, really good time to order.