The 17-Inch iMac Goes Back To School

The blog setteB.IT received a copy of the latest eNews of Education from Apple. Along with information regarding the 20- and 24-inch versions of the iMac, one sentence about the 17-inch model has dropped in as well.

"The new iMac line also includes 17-inch model starting at $899," according to setteB.IT.

While the text of the eNewsletter may seem to imply that Apple is offering new products at the 17-inch size, the simple fact is that the company is looking to unload its old hardware at a somewhat discounted price.

The lowered price point of the iMac is being offered to educational institutions in an attempt to get more Apple hardware into the classroom. Unfortunately, regular consumers and channel partners are not able to get their hands on the iMac at that price.

"Apple resellers are not allowed to sell to schools or students or teachers and all sales are done by Apple Education sales or Apple Stores," said Vinny DiSpigno, CEO of Webistix, a Holbrook, N.Y.-based solution provider.

That's an unfortunate turn for solution providers as President Barack Obama allocated more than $100 billion for educational spending in the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

With the influx of cash to schools and the educational purchasing season preparing to take off, Apple partners will have to find other, creative ways to get a share of that additional cash.