kharvel
Apr 29, 03:55 AM
There are two groups of Apple consumers:
Group 1: The people who jumped on the Apple bandwagon in or after Y2K
Group 2: The people who have been loyal Apple consumers prior to Y2K. I belong to this group.
Prior to jumping on the bandwagon, many of the folks in Group 1 and the rest of the world made fun of the folks in Group 2. Group 2 people were often considered crazy cultists with a "sad fetish" for Apple (it took a certain type of individual to recognize the insane greatness of Apple products). Group 2 people were also considered stupid/misguided for sticking with Apple. Many of the people in Group 1 and the rest of the world most likely agreed with Michael Dell when he said Apple should close down.
Fast forward to today. Apple now generates more revenues AND profits than Microsoft. This is an important milestone for the Group 2 folks for the simple reason that Apple has finally won the technology war. It may have lost the PC battle but Apple is now indisputably the technology innovation champion. And it became the champion WITHOUT any benefit of a monopolistic position that Microsoft had over the PC operating system for decades.
When I hear comments from people dismissing the significance of Apple surpassing MSFT in profits, I know that these people belong to either Group 1 or are MSFT fanboys. They will never understand the blood, sweat, and tears that Apple and its cult members had to go through to reach this point.
Congratulations, Apple, for reaching the pinnacle. Thanks for doing what you do best: making insanely great consumer technology.
Group 1: The people who jumped on the Apple bandwagon in or after Y2K
Group 2: The people who have been loyal Apple consumers prior to Y2K. I belong to this group.
Prior to jumping on the bandwagon, many of the folks in Group 1 and the rest of the world made fun of the folks in Group 2. Group 2 people were often considered crazy cultists with a "sad fetish" for Apple (it took a certain type of individual to recognize the insane greatness of Apple products). Group 2 people were also considered stupid/misguided for sticking with Apple. Many of the people in Group 1 and the rest of the world most likely agreed with Michael Dell when he said Apple should close down.
Fast forward to today. Apple now generates more revenues AND profits than Microsoft. This is an important milestone for the Group 2 folks for the simple reason that Apple has finally won the technology war. It may have lost the PC battle but Apple is now indisputably the technology innovation champion. And it became the champion WITHOUT any benefit of a monopolistic position that Microsoft had over the PC operating system for decades.
When I hear comments from people dismissing the significance of Apple surpassing MSFT in profits, I know that these people belong to either Group 1 or are MSFT fanboys. They will never understand the blood, sweat, and tears that Apple and its cult members had to go through to reach this point.
Congratulations, Apple, for reaching the pinnacle. Thanks for doing what you do best: making insanely great consumer technology.
rhett7660
Nov 13, 05:12 PM
the tide is turning against Apple here, they need to clean up their act and get this whole thing working better.
i understand the walled-garden approach and respect that, but they also need to get the store cleaned up/organized and they need to work better with developers - which might just mean hiring more people to work with them on a daily basis.
You really think so? Three programs between these two development teams. Facebook and then these two. Yeah I see a huge tide turning right now. Please.
And the paid app didn't even sell that well.
i understand the walled-garden approach and respect that, but they also need to get the store cleaned up/organized and they need to work better with developers - which might just mean hiring more people to work with them on a daily basis.
You really think so? Three programs between these two development teams. Facebook and then these two. Yeah I see a huge tide turning right now. Please.
And the paid app didn't even sell that well.
darthcarto
Apr 20, 12:35 PM
I'm not so concerned that the data is there (my life is boring, so track away), but it seems careless that the data is unencrypted, even on unencrypted backups. I assume this won't stay this way long. Next update or two, I bet we'll see it encrypted.
TerryJ
Jul 14, 09:48 AM
Note that if I'm right (trust me!), then there's a gap.... no Apple box with a Conroe? I don't think so.... Apple will introduce a new system with support for a single Conroe. Hopefully it won't be the MacPro with a different mobo, but a completely new box (fingers crossed).
Perhaps some kind of high performance consumer-oriented/gaming-oriented tower?
(Just pure speculation...)
-Terry
Perhaps some kind of high performance consumer-oriented/gaming-oriented tower?
(Just pure speculation...)
-Terry
EagerDragon
Sep 14, 06:33 PM
I doubt we'll see some headless tower (apart from the macpro) i honestly don't think its in apple's interest to openup a new price point. Mac mini provides a nice entry for windows users, people wanting something next to their tv, or have the monitor etc already. MacBook provides mobile low end. iMac allows a bit more power and features over the mini for home users wanting a bit more and companies and people who dont need the power of the Mac Pro. MacBook Pro is high end portable allowing for graphics, photography, design, etc, and to some extent gaming on the go. The Mac Pro is the beast, a workstation more than a desktop and therefore is over specced for the normal user. But why put in a new model in between a imac and a mac pro when having the gap forces people looking for more than an imac to go for the mac pro and increase revenue. By creating an 'in between' model it takes sales away from the popular imac and the expensive mac pro, would probably have to have lower margins to get people to buy it and would just float about in the middle. Maybe die a fate similar to the cube? I don't see it being a smart move.
Mac Pro is not a gaming machine. The memory kills it. It is a server/workstation class designed to worked on large pieces of data.
Gaming is very different and can not use slow memory, it needs to be snappy. Apple does need to make the Gamer machine but it does not have to be as big as the Mac Pro. Kensfield is a real possibility in that system, and yes it is coming in my opinion. Not so much for us but for selling to Wintel users and potential switchers.
Mac Pro is not a gaming machine. The memory kills it. It is a server/workstation class designed to worked on large pieces of data.
Gaming is very different and can not use slow memory, it needs to be snappy. Apple does need to make the Gamer machine but it does not have to be as big as the Mac Pro. Kensfield is a real possibility in that system, and yes it is coming in my opinion. Not so much for us but for selling to Wintel users and potential switchers.
EagerDragon
Sep 10, 06:20 PM
Put a Conroe processor in a midrange headless system, and you'll have what the cube was supposed to be. The problem is that Apple just finished rationalizing a minimized line. To add something else into their lineup makes for all kinds of headaches.
Low-end (headless) - mac mini
Mid-range (all-in-one) - iMac
High-end (headless) - mac pro
Server room (headless) - xserve
In order to rationalize another product line in the mid-range (pro-sumer?) market, I think they'll need to focus it on some other feature that people need. Dropping the cube back out there just cannibalizes sales of existing product, if you are not careful with it.
Apple does not seem to believe that there is some large contingent of people who want a mid-range system that would prefer it not to have a monitor. I, however, think they are wrong, and they are missing a large segment of people who are willing to pay top dollar for a high-end well-designed machine. That market is the one for the high-end gamer.
Apple absolutely could produce a great machine aimed at high-end gamers. Produce a super-cool design aimed at that segment. Make it BTO with multiple upgradable graphics cards, fast bus speeds, fast ram, RAID 0, etc. They could leave off FW800, Bluetooth (most wireless gamer mice don't use it), and some of the other connectivity options that high-end gamers could care less about (modems, etc). Put the Conroe processors in there and crank them up as high as you can. The high end system could be liquid cooled, we already know apple can do that when needed. Most games are still not threaded all that well - but an MT OpenGL also couldn't hurt...
They could also Pre-install boot-camp as a BTO option. We all know any serious gamer is going to want windows installed - so just prep them for it. It wouldn't surprise me to see many more people buying macs to run windows on in the near future anyway.
There isn't any reason why such a machine couldn't look like the "cube" I suppose, but I'd probably prefer to see something different. The cube had a different design goal and has too much baggage associated with it anyway.
It is coming, I bet. But you forgot the need for SLI. Apple is a hardware company and does not mind selling to Windows users that want the best hardware for their games. It is coming.
Low-end (headless) - mac mini
Mid-range (all-in-one) - iMac
High-end (headless) - mac pro
Server room (headless) - xserve
In order to rationalize another product line in the mid-range (pro-sumer?) market, I think they'll need to focus it on some other feature that people need. Dropping the cube back out there just cannibalizes sales of existing product, if you are not careful with it.
Apple does not seem to believe that there is some large contingent of people who want a mid-range system that would prefer it not to have a monitor. I, however, think they are wrong, and they are missing a large segment of people who are willing to pay top dollar for a high-end well-designed machine. That market is the one for the high-end gamer.
Apple absolutely could produce a great machine aimed at high-end gamers. Produce a super-cool design aimed at that segment. Make it BTO with multiple upgradable graphics cards, fast bus speeds, fast ram, RAID 0, etc. They could leave off FW800, Bluetooth (most wireless gamer mice don't use it), and some of the other connectivity options that high-end gamers could care less about (modems, etc). Put the Conroe processors in there and crank them up as high as you can. The high end system could be liquid cooled, we already know apple can do that when needed. Most games are still not threaded all that well - but an MT OpenGL also couldn't hurt...
They could also Pre-install boot-camp as a BTO option. We all know any serious gamer is going to want windows installed - so just prep them for it. It wouldn't surprise me to see many more people buying macs to run windows on in the near future anyway.
There isn't any reason why such a machine couldn't look like the "cube" I suppose, but I'd probably prefer to see something different. The cube had a different design goal and has too much baggage associated with it anyway.
It is coming, I bet. But you forgot the need for SLI. Apple is a hardware company and does not mind selling to Windows users that want the best hardware for their games. It is coming.
TrollToddington
Apr 22, 01:42 PM
I do hope that processor speed bump will not be the only change in the new MBAs. However, looking at Samsung 9 's pricepoint and what it offers makes me feel discouraged that Apple will put larger SSDs in the new MBAs.
Perhaps the new selling points will be:
- much faster processors - closing the gap to the 13" MBP
- increased battery life - 5:30-6 hours on 11", > 7 hours on 13"
I think it's unlikely that we see larger SSDs as standard on MBA until IB
Perhaps the new selling points will be:
- much faster processors - closing the gap to the 13" MBP
- increased battery life - 5:30-6 hours on 11", > 7 hours on 13"
I think it's unlikely that we see larger SSDs as standard on MBA until IB
jpg
Apr 25, 01:36 PM
I don't care anymore about speed of the processors. All of the newer generations are faster than what I need - the only upgrade that is worth it for me is going full SSD. I upgraded one older MacBook with an SSD and it's the best upgrade I ever did - worth more than any other upgrade, it is amazing who that old MacBook got from 'good too use' to 'feels insane fast'. Application startup time can't be measured anymore (some apps took >15sec before, now it's less than one second). From that experience, I would rather take a slower processore but the best SSD I can get.
I know, there are some use cases where the processor speed counts - but just for compiling code and running other apps, I don't care anymore. The big bottleneck these days is the harddrive.
Thanks for the advice but I think I will wait until I can get a 512GB hard drive for under �200.
I know, there are some use cases where the processor speed counts - but just for compiling code and running other apps, I don't care anymore. The big bottleneck these days is the harddrive.
Thanks for the advice but I think I will wait until I can get a 512GB hard drive for under �200.
dizastor
Sep 5, 10:11 AM
Who else thinks Lion's Gate will not be on the list... at least for now?
asdf542
Apr 14, 01:02 PM
You mean like FW was faster than USB and USB2? And yes, it will work with any USB device. You think that is an incentive for drive vendors to invest in it? Really? They might decide to stick with USB3, since consumers know the brand and it will work with the Macs that have TB.
I guess that's why we've seen so many PC manufacturers announce support for TB already. Right?
I think a reading comprehension class would be good for you. That's 2 or 3 posts you have misread. He did explain how the two situations differ. Obviously they do. There are also some commonalities. I guess it might be a bit much to expect you to see those, given your demonstrated limitations with reading.
Speaking of reading comprehension class, maybe you missed this part:
"Not only"
You want me to throw some more incentives for you? It's four times faster than USB 3.0, will be even faster later down the road. I'd love to see you do this on your USB 3.0 device: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCz_c_rDAXw
Maybe for your rinky dink Toys R Us peripherals that don't require any real bandwidth USB 3.0 is perfect for you. Go take a look at some of the stuff shown off at NAB.
Uh... who cares? You missed my point.
The "world" isn't going to support ThunderPants as Intel now embraces USB3. You're left with basically only Apple to beat the TB drum.
Hence, TB dies or at best fades away slowly. It will never sweep the land aka "firewire" style.
Who cares? Well Intel does since it's going to be supported natively on their chipset. FireWire wasn't. There's no real USB 3.0 adoption, just a bunch of FUD.
I guess that's why we've seen so many PC manufacturers announce support for TB already. Right?
I think a reading comprehension class would be good for you. That's 2 or 3 posts you have misread. He did explain how the two situations differ. Obviously they do. There are also some commonalities. I guess it might be a bit much to expect you to see those, given your demonstrated limitations with reading.
Speaking of reading comprehension class, maybe you missed this part:
"Not only"
You want me to throw some more incentives for you? It's four times faster than USB 3.0, will be even faster later down the road. I'd love to see you do this on your USB 3.0 device: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCz_c_rDAXw
Maybe for your rinky dink Toys R Us peripherals that don't require any real bandwidth USB 3.0 is perfect for you. Go take a look at some of the stuff shown off at NAB.
Uh... who cares? You missed my point.
The "world" isn't going to support ThunderPants as Intel now embraces USB3. You're left with basically only Apple to beat the TB drum.
Hence, TB dies or at best fades away slowly. It will never sweep the land aka "firewire" style.
Who cares? Well Intel does since it's going to be supported natively on their chipset. FireWire wasn't. There's no real USB 3.0 adoption, just a bunch of FUD.
kansast
Sep 13, 09:38 PM
I am not really crazy about this design. Having to slide the click-wheel down every time I need to use my phone doesn't sound like fun (plus, what would this thing look like open? ...what I'm picturing is ugly).
I was hoping for an iPod Nano form factor with a numerical keypad... nice an simple.
I would have thought the same thing.. but I used a Sony Erricson phone for awhile.. iWalk I think they called it ?? but it had a simplified buttons under the screen, if you needed to "Dial" a number you could flip out the buttons. But most often you are either "answering" your phone, or pulling up a number from the directory, either case you don't need a full number pad key for. As it was, I almost never revealed the keypad on that phone.
I was hoping for an iPod Nano form factor with a numerical keypad... nice an simple.
I would have thought the same thing.. but I used a Sony Erricson phone for awhile.. iWalk I think they called it ?? but it had a simplified buttons under the screen, if you needed to "Dial" a number you could flip out the buttons. But most often you are either "answering" your phone, or pulling up a number from the directory, either case you don't need a full number pad key for. As it was, I almost never revealed the keypad on that phone.
hyperpasta
Sep 13, 08:57 PM
Woah. That's pretty interesting.
HecubusPro
Sep 14, 06:54 PM
Seriously though. What are the chances of new display? I plan on buying one soon. If I did buy it next week, and they released new ones on the 25th could I return my old one?
Is there a restocking fee? Thanks.
It's all guessing here of course, but I would wait until the Photokina event before you buy that display. After they dropped the prices on their current cinema displays at WWDC over a month ago, it became sort of apparent to me that that is probably an inventory clearing strategy to make room for new, larger Cinema Displays to be unveiled at Photokina.
If you need the display now though, they are cheaper than they've ever been, so it would be a good time to buy. If you can wait, wait.
Is there a restocking fee? Thanks.
It's all guessing here of course, but I would wait until the Photokina event before you buy that display. After they dropped the prices on their current cinema displays at WWDC over a month ago, it became sort of apparent to me that that is probably an inventory clearing strategy to make room for new, larger Cinema Displays to be unveiled at Photokina.
If you need the display now though, they are cheaper than they've ever been, so it would be a good time to buy. If you can wait, wait.
zim
Sep 16, 08:57 AM
* Firmware of iPod nano just means nano's iTunes and iTunes for ROKR are likely built from the same codebase. Remember neither are based on the Portalplayer software, and Apple isn't going to reinvent the wheel. "iTunes Phone Driver" refers to the ROKR driver, and Apple's website specifically says that's what it's for. Uploading of pictures and other features in the latest iTunes Phone Driver may simply point to updates in iTunes for Phones, or even making the code more generic. All of these pieces of evidence have logical explanations that, on occasion, contradict the notion they're part of some roll-out of an iPhone. The only evidence we have for an iPhone is actually that people like Arn are convinced that their sources are reliable. Ok, I believe you Arn. But you'll forgive me for not believing the story makes any sense.
I agree with you and what you said about the Firmware in my opinioin is just that, refering to the ROKR... in fact when I updated an old machine it actaully said that as the description in the software update.
And if Apple does make a phone then great! Our market here in the US sucks for phones and phone services. I had a friend visit from China and she had this amazing motorola... all touch screen, did her email, web, everything on it.. when she charged something she got an auto email saying you just charged something, it was amazing.
I think if anything needs to change here in the US to make phones any better it is our service plans, not adding in cameras and iTunes abilities... those are just gimmicks to make you think you have a better service. I think apple could make a better phone but it would be limited to what our US service plans can offer.
I agree with you and what you said about the Firmware in my opinioin is just that, refering to the ROKR... in fact when I updated an old machine it actaully said that as the description in the software update.
And if Apple does make a phone then great! Our market here in the US sucks for phones and phone services. I had a friend visit from China and she had this amazing motorola... all touch screen, did her email, web, everything on it.. when she charged something she got an auto email saying you just charged something, it was amazing.
I think if anything needs to change here in the US to make phones any better it is our service plans, not adding in cameras and iTunes abilities... those are just gimmicks to make you think you have a better service. I think apple could make a better phone but it would be limited to what our US service plans can offer.
Durendal
Oct 27, 11:46 AM
ridiculous
coporate types acting like the aritocracy
let information flow
let freedom reign
Let a bunch of Greenpeace guys go too far at a tradeshow (see above) and get away with it. Read up on the above comments. They violated their contracts and screwed with other vendors' booths. Perhaps you should learn how to think rationally, then learn how to spell.
coporate types acting like the aritocracy
let information flow
let freedom reign
Let a bunch of Greenpeace guys go too far at a tradeshow (see above) and get away with it. Read up on the above comments. They violated their contracts and screwed with other vendors' booths. Perhaps you should learn how to think rationally, then learn how to spell.
Machead III
Sep 3, 09:25 AM
Well, I just sold my iMac, so I'm coming to you all from the tiny screen of my Nokia N70.
I'm looking to aquire a MacBook. Here in the UK we have our iPod rebate deal until mid-October, which will effectively knock the price of a Nano on eBay off the price of my machine.
What would you say, will there be MacBooks before mid-October? I don't want to wait any longer than that. Should I bother waiting or buy now?
I'm looking to aquire a MacBook. Here in the UK we have our iPod rebate deal until mid-October, which will effectively knock the price of a Nano on eBay off the price of my machine.
What would you say, will there be MacBooks before mid-October? I don't want to wait any longer than that. Should I bother waiting or buy now?
kingtj
Oct 27, 10:41 AM
Shopping malls are private property, rented out in parcels at extremely high prices, so their tenants can run their shops with a perceived better shot at attracting passers-by than if they had a stand-alone store.
If you owned your own shop and some people kept standing out in front of your store without your permission, handing out political flyers, you'd probably run them off, right? In this case, the owners of the shopping mall are providing a similar service to the merchants paying to be there. It's FAR from a "public space".
As I said, fewer and fewer spaces where public debate can take place. Shopping malls are the same - 'public spaces' that aren't. Soon streets that have been public for years will start to be be privatised to provide 'better value for taxpayers' and the takeover will continue.
Then where can free debate take place? Some postage-stamp size bit of turf you call home?
If you owned your own shop and some people kept standing out in front of your store without your permission, handing out political flyers, you'd probably run them off, right? In this case, the owners of the shopping mall are providing a similar service to the merchants paying to be there. It's FAR from a "public space".
As I said, fewer and fewer spaces where public debate can take place. Shopping malls are the same - 'public spaces' that aren't. Soon streets that have been public for years will start to be be privatised to provide 'better value for taxpayers' and the takeover will continue.
Then where can free debate take place? Some postage-stamp size bit of turf you call home?
balamw
Sep 19, 02:25 PM
Imagine how long the download would be if the movie was high def instead of 640 x 480.
Probably not quite as long as you might think. Less than 3x longer for 720p or 1080i, <6x longer for 1080p.
B
Probably not quite as long as you might think. Less than 3x longer for 720p or 1080i, <6x longer for 1080p.
B
jrober
Apr 20, 01:42 PM
From what I'm reading only GSM devices do this - so if you have the WiFi it is probably not doing it.
My iPad2 is a 3G one so should track wherever.
My iPad2 is a 3G one so should track wherever.
apfhex
Sep 4, 07:37 PM
The device would not make a lot of sense by itself. There is more to this. Most people are waiting for a Media Center system. Sounds like the device would replace some cables that you can get for 40 bucks. I am refering to the cables that allow you to connect your Mac to the TV.
If you're like me, you don't have your Mac right next to your TV. Not only would I have to string a DVI/HDMI cable aaaall the way across the room, I would also have to get an equally long digital audio cable. Probably end up costing about the same as a video AirPort Express (if they keep the prices the same) but with the added hassle of getting those cables across the room.
This would be a lot less expensive than buying a Mac mini, especially if you already have a powerful desktop just waiting to play some HD videos...
If you're like me, you don't have your Mac right next to your TV. Not only would I have to string a DVI/HDMI cable aaaall the way across the room, I would also have to get an equally long digital audio cable. Probably end up costing about the same as a video AirPort Express (if they keep the prices the same) but with the added hassle of getting those cables across the room.
This would be a lot less expensive than buying a Mac mini, especially if you already have a powerful desktop just waiting to play some HD videos...
zango
Apr 25, 02:01 PM
Didn't Apple recently hire someone that deals with carbon-fibre? Guessing might have something to do with that...
miles01110
Apr 20, 10:21 AM
News flash... your cell phone provider already has all this data anyways. It's somewhat disturbing that Apple decided to store it in cleartext, but who cares? Mobile security is nonexistant anyways.
tsugaru
Mar 22, 03:18 PM
As for proc choices, I don't see Apple putting in a 2x00(S) processor.
- marketing would suck for it (why only 2.8GHz stock on the 2600S vs 3.4GHz stock on the 2600?)
- Intel charges more for the S models (dunno if that carries over to Apple, but maybe)
- the 27" has carried the i7-860 and i7-870 easily. Those are both 95W TDP processors. 2600S -> 65W TDP and the 2600/2600K -> 95W TDP. So the TDP doesn't increase, but the speed does.
- marketing would suck for it (why only 2.8GHz stock on the 2600S vs 3.4GHz stock on the 2600?)
- Intel charges more for the S models (dunno if that carries over to Apple, but maybe)
- the 27" has carried the i7-860 and i7-870 easily. Those are both 95W TDP processors. 2600S -> 65W TDP and the 2600/2600K -> 95W TDP. So the TDP doesn't increase, but the speed does.
kingtj
Oct 27, 10:33 AM
More and more devices come with "non replaceable" batteries, and it's often because this allows for more design flexibility. If your device uses a standard, "off the shelf" rechargeable battery pack, you're limited to certain dimensions for the battery compartment. Newer battery packs can be custom molded into all sorts of odd shapes - and that allows for making thinner or more "shapely" products. However, it also means they'd have to sell MANY more varieties of battery packs if they still made these oddballs "replaceable". Nobody would be able to locate the proper battery when it came time to do a replacement anyway.....
Realistically though, almost any consumer electronics device I've seen has *some* way to open it up. And assuming the internal battery works for at least 2 or 3 years, it's not unreasonable to say "Hey... you still want to keep this device going for another 2-3 years? Ok... go to some extra effort prying it open once and do a battery swap with a custom replacement battery." That's what you're looking at on an iPod. After 5 or 6 years, are you REALLY going to keep using the same product anyway? If so, ok ... you have to hassle with prying it open 2 times in the lifespan of the product then. Doesn't sound horrible to me.
They do build in obsolescence into the ipod as you can't replace the battery (easily). It does become a disposable item, although a pricey one at that. I do love the ipod (even though I don't own one) but this puts me off to the point where I just can't go through with actually buying one. My experience with rechargeable batteries in mobile phones and lap top isn't good.
Realistically though, almost any consumer electronics device I've seen has *some* way to open it up. And assuming the internal battery works for at least 2 or 3 years, it's not unreasonable to say "Hey... you still want to keep this device going for another 2-3 years? Ok... go to some extra effort prying it open once and do a battery swap with a custom replacement battery." That's what you're looking at on an iPod. After 5 or 6 years, are you REALLY going to keep using the same product anyway? If so, ok ... you have to hassle with prying it open 2 times in the lifespan of the product then. Doesn't sound horrible to me.
They do build in obsolescence into the ipod as you can't replace the battery (easily). It does become a disposable item, although a pricey one at that. I do love the ipod (even though I don't own one) but this puts me off to the point where I just can't go through with actually buying one. My experience with rechargeable batteries in mobile phones and lap top isn't good.
