Apple, 50 Cent to develop budget PC?

Many people know that Steve Jobs is a Beatles fan, and his affinity for Irish rock group U2 is also no secret, but how many of you were aware that his Steveness is seemingly down with G-Unit? Well, maybe the Foolish Genius (thanks, Wu-Tang Name Generator) isn't exactly bumping "In Da Club" or "Candy Shop" on his many iPods, but Forbes is reporting that Apple is indeed in talks with G-Unit founder and multiple gunshot survivor 50 Cent about manufacturing a co-branded line of affordable computers targeted at inner-city families. Although there's been no word from Cupertino on such a project (big surprise), 50's manager Chris Lighty confirmed to Forbes (free online subscription required) that the two camps are in the midst of negotiations, complimenting the Apple founder on his business savvy and adding that the two men "get each other." When we contacted him about this story, Mr. Jobs had little to say about the company's future plans, but his suggestion that we "step off" or risk having a "cap busted" somewhere unpleasant makes us think that Forbes might just be on to something here.

[Via The Raw Feed and AllHipHop]

[shirizaki @ Jun 19th 2006 2:08PM]

If Apple is going to capitalize on the emerging "bulletproof computers" market, might as well use someone that survived gunshots.

Will there be a bulletproof iPod next?

[Ray Dove @ Jun 19th 2006 2:10PM]

What's next, the Pablo Petey optical mouse?

[Graham @ Jun 19th 2006 2:10PM]

You've got to be kidding - someone actually picked this up as a rumour? Patently offensive and positively inane - I'd read it again but my head hurts too much.

[Jeff @ Jun 19th 2006 2:15PM]

that's G-G-G-G- Great NEWS!!!!

[Jedediah Johnson @ Jun 19th 2006 2:17PM]

All Apple would have to do is mac some new eMacs again. Or better yet, drop the price on the Mini's and include a screen.

[kaybee @ Jun 19th 2006 2:18PM]

I wonder which side initiated this. This will be an L for apple if it actually happens. Although the plan to start offering budget/entry level macs is a refreshing idea, there are far better spokesmen choices for "inner city" familys than 50cent.

[Bryan Ribas @ Jun 19th 2006 2:24PM]

word! It is a good cause.

[Brian Baigorri @ Jun 19th 2006 2:24PM]

Wow, Fitty really has come a long way. Just think, a few years ago he was slinging crack in Hollis Hills and Jamaica, Queens. Now he is possibly co-designing a 'friendly,' lovable mac. The irony is overwhelming...

I wonder if HP's bulletproof storageworks will be lending some of its technology....

http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/21/hps-storageworks-xp12000-is-bulletproof-they-checked/

Today I am proud to be from Queens.

[lloyd @ Jun 19th 2006 2:26PM]

iUnit for life!

[primetime @ Jun 19th 2006 2:27PM]

50 Cent is also working with Mercedes to develop a budget automobile... you heard it here first.

[Matt @ Jun 19th 2006 2:31PM]

A computer for 50 cents? I'll take it. ;)

[gio @ Jun 19th 2006 2:35PM]

It might sound out of WACK, but its a genius Marketing idea from Apple. If 50 cents starts promoting Macs, every kid on the block would want one. Tripling Apple's Market Sales and blowing DELL out of the water. Hip Hoppers are know to boost up a name Brands. Remember RUN DMC wore Adidas and the Lee colored Jeans.

[RD @ Jun 19th 2006 2:36PM]

Why is this even considered a rumor? It's blatant baseless speculation. I wouldn't even call it speculation. Hogwash. Nonsense. Balderdash. Claptrap? Garbage. Refuse. Baloney.

[snapa @ Jun 19th 2006 2:36PM]

Just think...when rappers refer to macs in the future...they'll actually be talking about computers :noes:

[Trey @ Jun 19th 2006 2:41PM]

Pop quiz.

1. Fiddy cent is hangin' with Steve Jobs in order to drop a co-lab, lo-rent Mac.

2. Crystal champagne doesn't want to be the drink of choice for the oh so 'tasteful' rap fraternity.

a. 1 is true and 2 is false
b. 1 is false and 2 is true
c. 1 and 2 are both true
d. 1 and 2 are both false

Answer on a post card please....

[daschupa @ Jun 19th 2006 2:42PM]

Somehow I never pictured 50 actually using a computer unless maybe it has a light-gun attachment instead of a mouse.

I'd like to think there are better role models to represent urban life, but hey where's the cash in that?

[Jay @ Jun 19th 2006 2:43PM]

From slangin crack to designing mac...

[TheBuddha @ Jun 19th 2006 2:44PM]

George Bush doesn't care about Black Macs, tho he did push thru an order for Commie Lenovos (since redacted).

Will the Fiddy Ipod now come with a Kevlar outer shell? And will that finally be enough to ensure a "scratch-free" finish?

Is this rumored-upon collaboration due to Apple's well-documented litigous legal department hearing that the working title of Fiddy's Hollywood debut was "Get Rich or Die Trying to Buy a Macbook?"

Considering Jobs' role in Disney and Pixar, will Fiddy make a straight-to-video animated adventure much in the vein of Ray Lewis' immortal Post-Super Bowl celebratory classic "Ray of Light?"
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/00/00kfunhouse.phtml

Is Creative going to sue, saying that they had in mind a $0.10 PC that they were co-developing with members of Murder Inc?

Too much material to work with. Must stop.

[Jasafar @ Jun 19th 2006 2:45PM]

Apple is so completely f'n lame. They will be looking for handouts from Microsoft again in a couple years if they keep putting out this kind of "50-cen" garbage.

[Kyle Dreaden @ Jun 19th 2006 2:53PM]

Apple values their brand integrity too much to do something like this.

I could see a 50 Cent commercial (a la Eminem iPod commercial) but does anyone honestly think there would be a budget-level, hip-hop themed, Mac?

They would have made a Red and Black iMac for U2 before doing something silly like a 50 Cent budget Mac.

Bottom line, Apple doesn't want to share it's computer brand with anyone else. Think about Jobs' recent comments on keeping "Mac" in the name of all the new machines. They've been trying to send a message with the new machines that would be contradicted by a co-branded machine.

It simply won't happen. Mark my words.

[Wonderboy @ Jun 19th 2006 2:57PM]

I love posters who hear about a possible collaboration between a multi-millionaire and a billionaire... and then criticize it.

Take notes from people who make so much money... cause if you're posting comments on Engadget, you're probably not in the same financial boat as they are.

This may not be the most lucrative investment either one has (or will) make, but every little bit of black always helps the bottom line, and the inner-city is a huge un-tapped pc market with extreme vulnerability to influence from someone like 50 Cent.

[william Collins @ Jun 19th 2006 2:57PM]

Think about it people, What's Apple's market share in the inner city, if using a thug makes it ok to learn, as a stock holder I'm down wit dat.

[thegrey @ Jun 19th 2006 2:59PM]

Mac: Hello I'm a Mac.
PC: And I'm a PC.
Mac. I'm a PC too.
*50 cent walks in and unloads on the PC*
Mac. I'm all the PC u'll ever need.

[Wonderboy @ Jun 19th 2006 3:01PM]

Kyle, the collaboration doesn't mean that they'll name it after 50 Cent... just that he'll probably have a hand in production financing and advertisements.

50 Cent isn't a computer designer... he's just a source of money and a source of influence on the inner-city crowd. He's also not nearly a big enough player to warrant getting his name included.

Jobs will still be in control, but he'll be able to use 50 Cent to target a demographic that would kick his trash if they saw him in their neighborhood.

[Guruboy @ Jun 19th 2006 3:04PM]

G-G-G-G-G-G get yourself a PC

[unhookt @ Jun 19th 2006 3:07PM]

This post is riddled with ignorance and speaks volumes about the authors of this blog and its audiences.

[Dave @ Jun 19th 2006 3:09PM]

So, they'd call the computer something like...

The Macbook Po' ?

[Reality Check @ Jun 19th 2006 3:12PM]

50 cent, a guy who prides himself on how many times he's been shot, and proudly espouses the criminal lifestyle, is putting is name on computers??
This guy is considered a role model for black kids who already don't have anything going for them the moment they enter the world by their unwed single mother?

MLK would die again in his grave if he saw this crap. Though we have advanced in many ways, in other ways this country has come a long way (DOWN) over the years!

[Craig @ Jun 19th 2006 3:20PM]

This can only be good. Affordable computers which look amazing!!!

[LongshotX @ Jun 19th 2006 3:23PM]

For all you racist on here. This is a great move for many of the families in inner city where its hard to afford a decent computer. After this gets done maybe 50 can call up some ISPs or try to get free wireless in those areas. God knows, ISPs especially Comcast want to charge an arm and a leg just to get online. This is a good move. Thanks 50 for not being selfish and trying to give back to less fortunate communities.

Racist muthafu****s!

[Netboolie @ Jun 19th 2006 3:34PM]

Ok, this sounds like we can have a cool contest going here Engadget??... Engadget readers can come up with what a 50 Cent MAC would look like... Bullet holes, diamond MAC logo? etc... What do you guys think?

[Sam @ Jun 19th 2006 3:36PM]

They can call the rumored computer the "iRiot" in recognition of the stampede at WalMarts the day after Thanksgiving, and the iBook stampede that took place in Virginia last year.

[ishbu @ Jun 19th 2006 3:47PM]

Please people.. 50 cent doesnt give a shit about the inner city, other than the ways in which he can make money from it.

Honestly, I'd be embarrased in any industry to see my product associated with the trash that are rappers in general.

[Enzo @ Jun 19th 2006 3:53PM]

"Hello, this is Optimum Online, how can I help you?"
"Yeah, dis is fitty. Hook up some internet for my homeboys in da city"
"Who's going to be paying for this?"
"I'm fitty."
"Uhuh."

[benjamin hunt @ Jun 19th 2006 3:54PM]

the general idea behind this is really positive.. i like it.

[mike @ Jun 19th 2006 4:06PM]

I think engadget is looking for an excuse to disable comments again.

[jl @ Jun 19th 2006 4:10PM]

Hah! I hate to make this joke: How much this “affordable PC” cost? Fifty cents?

[yubastard @ Jun 19th 2006 4:27PM]

yeah, that's good news and a good cause... I wonder how much will it cost? and how powerful might it be?

instead of one-laptop-per-child, one-laptop-per-family...