AppleInsider reports that Apple is working on a new all-in-one Mac for education, to replace the phased-out eMac, and that Apple is targeting release in the “September timeframe” 2006. If so, Apple would catch only the tail end of the purchase cycle for the school year beginning this Fall, since many educational institutions, faculty, and students are already planning their next purchases. The upcoming model is said to have a design similar to the current iMac, with a single enclosure, LCD screen, and an Intel Core Solo processor. It is not clear whether it will simply be a lower-end iMac or be a distinct model line. Apple’s challenge will be to keep the price down, despite the switch to LCD displays, because of the competitive pressures in the education market.
