[jrmg]

This would require additional hardware in every iMac sold.

Many people (I suspect the vast majority) would not reuse the iMacs as displays.

Would the total amount of extra hardware inside discarded iMacs (those not used as displays) be less than the amount of hardware saved by reuse of the others?

[alpaca128]

> Many people [...] would not reuse the iMacs as displays.

They could resell them as displays, given the resale value of Apple devices that might not be unpopular. If Apple actually cared they could easily add the hardware necessary. Would it cost them a few bucks more? Sure, but that's what choosing environment over maximum profit means.

Or they could at least make it easy to modify so tinkerers can quickly turn it into a display without having to destroy the case or something.

[troupo]

> This would require additional hardware in every iMac sold.

Hardware that costs a few cents at Apple's volumes and adds about 1mm of thickness and 2g of weight.

Also, it's standard hardware

[tjoff]

Definitely.

Would it affect apples bottom line if they couldn't prevent people from reusing their displays? You bet.