Does the Mac Lineup Need a Makeover?

Like any business, Apple finds it necessary to periodically refresh its image, sometimes with big jumps in its designs. Take for instance, the switch from their original apple logo to the newer blue and silver styles. While the old style was classy, Apple definitely benefited from the update. The new symbol is smoother, sleeker and much more impressive.

And though big changes are sometimes required, other times only small ones are needed. For instance, with every iteration of OS X the operating system’s look and feel changes slightly. Certain textures become smoother, the brushed metal becomes darker, and everything is polished up a bit. Nothing drastic is altered from the previous version, however, when 10.0 is compared to 10.4, very noticeable differences can be found.

Sometimes the changes are immediate, sometimes they are phased in over a period of years, but Apple is definitely a company that is constantly reinventing itself. For the last three to four years Apple has gone with a silver and white theme. And it has worked well for them. Meanwhile Dell has continued with its theme of dull black while most of the other major PC makers have stuck with various combinations of bland colors and boring themes.

But lest we forget, Apple is in the middle of a major transition. Soon the PPC chip set will be just a bad memory while the Intel chips make their big debut. During this time of new beginnings, might not it be fitting if Apple redesigned its product lines? It wouldn’t have to completely drop its white and silver motif, but perhaps bringing back some color would be fitting. Of course, color in moderation is what we are looking for. Because as much as I liked the dalmation and flower power iMacs, I fear that I was in the minority.

I think that Apple should bring back the multi-colored iMacs and turn the PowerMacs completely white. Lets start with the iMac first. Anyone remember the iPod Mini? It was fairly popular. And one of the reasons for that popularity was that it came in different colors. So, the next crop of iMacs should come in several different colors. I am not suggesting Apple go back to their clear plastic colors but rather a dark and metallic look.

As for the PowerMac, I want to see the silver played down and white included in the design. This would help give it a cleaner, more polished feel. The PowerBo-, I am sorry, MacBook Pro could become all white as well. Meanwhile the iBook line could incorporate the same dark, metallic colors as the iMac line. This would serve to shift the pro line over to a white/silver mix while giving the consumer line a refreshingly bright look. Could this work? I think the Mini proved that it can. And while Apple is at it, they should bring back the Mini’s colors for their iPod line. After all, who wouldn’t want their metallic blue iPod to match their metallic blue iBook?