599 replies to this topic

[minder125]

Really disappointed with Steve's Keynote presentation. The 4 new products didn't really have the wow factor ( I know its hard to keep it up year after year).
The MacBook Air looks great but when you delve deeper there are clearly a number of issues with it that will stop many people from buying it. I think that Time Capsule, whilst not a striking as a MBa or iPhone, will be a great addition and I can see many uses for it.
The new software for AppleTv looks interesting, does anyone have any experience with the current version?

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine about the MacBook Air. Since there are some things that are add ons. I was like I think they are more geared towards the college kids. Since most of their music buying is not CDs it all itunes and ipods. But wow are those things thin its scary.

But what do I care I love my Intel Core 2 Duo 20" Imac

[marktmurphy]

I don't know too many college kids who can afford

[Sbott]

[quote name='marktmurphy' post='823214' date='17 January 2008 - 00:27']I don't know too many college kids who can afford

[Arbogast777]

I was pretty excited about the new movie rental service to the point where I was going to start selling some DVD's. Just for the heck of it I rented "West Side Story" today and the quality on my 20in iMac looks like something you'd see on YouTube. I can't imagine it blown up to a 52in TV.

[Sbott]

I was pretty excited about the new movie rental service to the point where I was going to start selling some DVD's. Just for the heck of it I rented "West Side Story" today and the quality on my 20in iMac looks like something you'd see on YouTube. I can't imagine it blown up to a 52in TV.

That's a real shame, do you think the HD films will be much better?

[zencat]

I'm most excited about getting a Time Capsule. And I'm moving closer to getting an Apple TV.

MacBookAir looks sweet. But I'm a desktop guy.

[darkpath]

The MacBook Air seems, much like the first generation iBook (circa 1999), intended to be a secondary computer. Since my present PowerBook is my primary computer, I don't see the MacBook Air being even remotely viable for me. It's still a toss-up between the MacBook and MacBook Pro as far as I'm concerned.

[Professor Dent]

I thought the Keynote was decent. I would not be at all surprised if there are more mini-events this year since Steve mentioned that there are 50 more weeks to go in the year.

I definitely want to check out the MacBook Air because it looks sweet but I don't see myself buying one. I love the 12" Powerbook & the 15" MacBook Pro I just got is thinner than my Powerbook so I'm pretty happy with it. I originally thought the price should be around $1,500 but, if you are competing with the Vaio TZ that Steve referenced, the Air is definitely competitively priced. The TZ's start at $2,100 & go up to near four grand.

Time Capsule was the most interesting announcement. This looks like a great solution & the prices seem very good for what you get (sucks I just bought an Airport Extreme, though). If I could get it to work with my Windows computers, it would be a great replacement for my homemade Linux server.

And, it looks like I need to give the Apple TV another look.

[Sbott]

Time Capsule was the most interesting announcement. This looks like a great solution & the prices seem very good for what you get (sucks I just bought an Airport Extreme, though). If I could get it to work with my Windows computers, it would be a great replacement for my homemade Linux server.

That's a real shame about the Airport Extreme. I can't wait to get my hands on Time Capsule, i am so happy with time machine and to be able to back up wirelessly will make it even better.

In terms of the Keynote I thought Steve was not on the top of his game lots of little errors. i think even he didn't quite believe the hype sometimes. I'm sure there will be much more through the year.....

[darkpath]

I thought the Keynote was decent. I would not be at all surprised if there are more mini-events this year since Steve mentioned that there are 50 more weeks to go in the year.

I definitely want to check out the MacBook Air because it looks sweet but I don't see myself buying one. I love the 12" Powerbook & the 15" MacBook Pro I just got is thinner than my Powerbook so I'm pretty happy with it. I originally thought the price should be around $1,500 but, if you are competing with the Vaio TZ that Steve referenced, the Air is definitely competitively priced. The TZ's start at $2,100 & go up to near four grand.

Time Capsule was the most interesting announcement. This looks like a great solution & the prices seem very good for what you get (sucks I just bought an Airport Extreme, though). If I could get it to work with my Windows computers, it would be a great replacement for my homemade Linux server.

And, it looks like I need to give the Apple TV another look.

I too just bought an Airport Extreme and unfortunately, upgrading to Time Castle is an engraved invitation to a thoroughly useless dispute on household budget that I would much rather save for discussing travel (Las Vegas) this year.

As I am still using an SD TV with it's 4x3 ratio display, AppleTV isn't an option for me.

[Professor Dent]

In terms of the Keynote I thought Steve was not on the top of his game lots of little errors. i think even he didn't quite believe the hype sometimes. I'm sure there will be much more through the year.....

Now that you mention it, I do remember him referring to Leopard as Tiger early on in the Keynote.

On Time Capsule, I read that Windows computer can connect to & use it (obviously, without the help of Time Machine). Good call on picking & choosing your battles, darkpath. The Vegas trip seems like the better choice to have that discussion about.

[Sbott]

Hi does anyone have an ipod touch and what are your thoughts on it. Also what do people feel is better value, ipod touch or the iphone?

Edited by Sbott, 22 January 2008 - 09:33 PM.

[darkpath]

Hi does anyone have an ipod touch and what are your thoughts on it. Also what do people feel is better value, ipod touch or the iphone?

My honest opinion is that if what you are looking for is a wide-screen portable, flash-based, video player, then the iPod Touch is the better option; but if you are looking for a portable web-surfing device, then the iPhone has more options and therefore is the better choice.

[Professor Dent]

Hi does anyone have an ipod touch and what are your thoughts on it. Also what do people feel is better value, ipod touch or the iphone?

I have both of them. The answer to your question depends on what you are in the market for. If you need a phone, the iPhone delivers as advertised. The new firmware update to version 1.1.3 really adds some nice features with Google maps to where it's almost like a GPS device which is real handy. For the same $399, the Touch gives you double the storage to 16 gigabytes. The new firmware update for the Touch gives you a lot of the same apps that are on the iPhone. In a lot of ways, the Touch is the iPhone without the phone & AT&T Edge access. On form factor, the Touch is thinner. The screens are similar & the functionality is the same.

So, it comes down to your needs. If you are in the market for a phone, I highly recommend the iPhone. I use a BlackBerry for work &, while it is good with text e-mail, the web access is not even in the same league as the iPhone. I would not take a "free" BlackBerry over an iPhone - I think it's that good. If you don't need the phone, the Touch is fun to use & it will save you at least $60 a month on a service contract. My quick advice, if you are not adding good quality album art to your music in iTunes, start now. Coverflow looks awesome on both devices & you need good album art to really get the most out of it.

[[dark]]

So I'm planning on buying a laptop and I'm giving the MacBook some serious consideration. I've hardly used a Mac in my life, but feel ready for a change, particularly after seeing what appears to be an increasing number of Macs being used out in public.

Still, I'm not entirely convinced.

Wow me, people! I want to hear why a Mac is the way to go!

[Sbott]

Hi does anyone have an ipod touch and what are your thoughts on it. Also what do people feel is better value, ipod touch or the iphone?

I have both of them. The answer to your question depends on what you are in the market for. If you need a phone, the iPhone delivers as advertised. The new firmware update to version 1.1.3 really adds some nice features with Google maps to where it's almost like a GPS device which is real handy. For the same $399, the Touch gives you double the storage to 16 gigabytes. The new firmware update for the Touch gives you a lot of the same apps that are on the iPhone. In a lot of ways, the Touch is the iPhone without the phone & AT&T Edge access. On form factor, the Touch is thinner. The screens are similar & the functionality is the same.

So, it comes down to your needs. If you are in the market for a phone, I highly recommend the iPhone. I use a BlackBerry for work &, while it is good with text e-mail, the web access is not even in the same league as the iPhone. I would not take a "free" BlackBerry over an iPhone - I think it's that good. If you don't need the phone, the Touch is fun to use & it will save you at least $60 a month on a service contract. My quick advice, if you are not adding good quality album art to your music in iTunes, start now. Coverflow looks awesome on both devices & you need good album art to really get the most out of it.

Thanks Prof. Dent and Darkpath for the advice, it certainly helped a lot. I have just ordered the Touch and am looking forward to.

I also agree Coverflow is fantastic.

Edited by Sbott, 30 January 2008 - 11:22 PM.

[Sbott]

So I'm planning on buying a laptop and I'm giving the MacBook some serious consideration. I've hardly used a Mac in my life, but feel ready for a change, particularly after seeing what appears to be an increasing number of Macs being used out in public.

Still, I'm not entirely convinced.

Wow me, people! I want to hear why a Mac is the way to go!

I made the switch to Mac about 4 years ago and will never go back. I now own an iMac at home, a G5 at work and a 15"powerbook for travel (did have the 12" until it got damaged).
Apart from teething problems in the first couple of weeks due to switching from PC to a new operating system i have never looked back. The adverts say that Macs just work and they do. The operating system is loaded with preinstalled goodies which depending upon your use will keep most people happy. Of course the new OS can also run windows so if you have PC specific programs that is no longer an issue.
Everything about the Mac is brilliantly designed and thats why they work so well, the OS and the laptops are designed to work together in flawless manner and they do. Updates to the OS have helped also, programs such as Timemachine which is preloaded automatically backs up your work (if you have an external hard drive attached) sounds simple but how many of us backup in a timely manner, using Time machine you don't even have to think about it.
I could go on for hrs about iWork which contains the fabulous Keynote, a far superior version of powerpoint, i use it for all my presentations and it has made life much easier.
In essence a Mac may not have all the millions of functions that a PC has access to, what it has is all the function you actually use and it places them all where you need them. they are simple to operate beautifully designed and very very rarely crash. Once tried there is no turning back.

[Professor Dent]

So I'm planning on buying a laptop and I'm giving the MacBook some serious consideration. I've hardly used a Mac in my life, but feel ready for a change, particularly after seeing what appears to be an increasing number of Macs being used out in public.

Still, I'm not entirely convinced.

Wow me, people! I want to hear why a Mac is the way to go!

I agree with the points Sbott made. I use Windows & Macs & both live in harmony in my house. I tell people that I just use my Mac whereas I maintain my Windows machines (always running anti-virus scans, anti-spyware scans, etc). I don't worry about those things on the Mac. Now, to be clear, that is not the green light to go downloading random programs from any website & then start installing them. You can get into trouble on any platform by doing things like that.

When you fire-up your Mac for the first time, you notice that it is not loaded with 30 day free trials of programs you are never going to use. It comes loaded with iLife which will let you organize your photos, edit movies, burn DVD's, build a website, make music with GarageBand, etc. Comparable programs on the Windows side would cost you, at least, a few hundred dollars extra.

If you use things like Firefox, Thunderbird, Skype, or Microsoft Office, all of them are on the Mac & they work the same as their Windows counterparts. With Office, you can use a thumb drive to move files between a Mac & Windows computer seamlessly.

Plus, Mac hardware design is outstanding. You can get support from a real person in an Apple store which is very nice (assuming there is one local to you). I guess I could go on & on. Do you have any specific concerns with switching or something you feel that you do now on Windows that you may not be able to do on a Mac? Maybe we can make you feel better about it.

[[dark]]

Thanks for the advice, folks.

I suppose functionality is a key concern of mine. Having rarely used a Mac - and having used Windows all my natural life - is it that easy to make a switch? Or will I have no idea what I'm doing?

I guess I only browse the Internet or use the Microsoft Office suite (and it's excellent to know Firefox and Thunderbird are both available for Mac) on my computer.

Be frank, though - are there any downsides to using a Mac?

[Sbott]

My wife and a few colleagues have made the switch over the past year or so. Most said that it was relatively painless, a few navigation problems in the first few days but then plain sailing.
Given the programs you are using I don't think you will have a problem. The Mac shop will also be able to help you out in an instant.
The only downside i've had has been trying to find educational games for my son who wants to play on it, but then there are thousands of those on the net.

I held off changing for a while for the same reason, now i've swithched i'm not changing back!

[Professor Dent]

On OS X vs Windows, there are differences but nothing that the everyday user needs to be worried about. There is a slight learning curve but you get over it in a few weeks of use at most. Some of the main OS X differences are that you don't have a start menu, the menu bar for a program is fixed at the top of the screen vs being attached to the window, there is no My Documents (you use the Finder), you close a window by clicking the X in the upper left corner of the screen vs the upper right, & closing all of the windows doesn't necessarily quit the program. The Mac is much more of a drag & drop interface. Nothing major, you just need to get used to it.

For drawbacks, one of the big ones is that if you have a program that you use on Windows that isn't available on the Mac or you have program that you don't want to buy again to get the Mac version (maybe like Photoshop). Now that you can install Windows on the Intel Macs, that's not an issue. You can either use Apple's Boot Camp, where you get a menu to pick Windows or Mac when you turn the machine on, or by using Parallels or by VMware Fusion to do it from the Mac desktop. In all of these options, you do need to buy a full retail version of Windows.

Other drawbacks are that some programs just lag behind in development for the Mac. They make it but it might be 3-6 months later. Photoshop Elements is a great example. Version 6.0 just came out for the Mac. They completely skipped version 5.0 & never shipped it. Not to worry, we are seeing resurgence of very good image editing programs like Pixelmator which is cheaper & very impressive for a version 1.0 program. Some other examples are Netflix allows streaming of movies to your computer (in the U.S.) but their Mac client is still in development & some financial institutions use Windows only based software to authenticate your login. Last one, if you are a hardcore gamer, I would not recommend a Mac. Not because the games don't work, it's because hardcore gamers like to always buy the latest video cards & tweak their systems to death. You are better off on Windows.

Next time you are in your favorite big bookstore, check out Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual. This is an excellent series & the Leopard version will be out in a few weeks (until then, check out the Tiger version). Skim through the first few chapters as they hit the main differences. Then, use it as a reference book & read up on things as you need to. A couple quick websites to check out are the Apple switcher site, Switching to a Mac, & here is an article from USAToday on switching. Apple just launched this site with has some nice videos on it. Check out the Move to Mac video.

Lastly, if you do make the jump, drop me a PM & I can send you more detailed instructions on how to move your Firefox & Thunderbird profiles over & also get you a list of my favorite Mac utilities & programs that will make your transition a little smoother. Also, if you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask.

[Sbott]

I just got hold of m iPod touch, may not be 32GB, but it is fantastic. Probably the best Mac device i have ever used!!

[mccartney007]

Since my computer got stolen out of my car back in July, I finally picked up a Mac Mini. I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for years since that is what we had at my middle and elementary schools when I was younger. I haven't had a chance to use it at all, so does anyone have any experience with the Mac Mini? I got mine free and I don't even know how much space or anything else that it has or can do so I'm anxious to get it up and running.

[darkpath]

Since my computer got stolen out of my car back in July, I finally picked up a Mac Mini. I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for years since that is what we had at my middle and elementary schools when I was younger. I haven't had a chance to use it at all, so does anyone have any experience with the Mac Mini? I got mine free and I don't even know how much space or anything else that it has or can do so I'm anxious to get it up and running.

I do believe a Mac Mini is what Zencat uses. John, am I misremembering?

[Robinson]

I got Final Cut Studio 2 last week and am currently pouring over manuals and tutorials for Motion and Color. I've used Final Cut Pro & DVD Studio Pro in the past but the learning curve on Color is steep and Motion is similar yet different from Adobe's After Effects.

The great thing is how everything looks on my 24" iMac! I actually started playing Ghost Recon again & the detail and gameplay are even better than before.

[zencat]

Since my computer got stolen out of my car back in July, I finally picked up a Mac Mini. I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for years since that is what we had at my middle and elementary schools when I was younger. I haven't had a chance to use it at all, so does anyone have any experience with the Mac Mini? I got mine free and I don't even know how much space or anything else that it has or can do so I'm anxious to get it up and running.

I do believe a Mac Mini is what Zencat uses. John, am I misremembering?

Yep, I have a Mac Mini. Works great. I especially like that it's... mini! And that it's quiet.

[Johnboy007]

I've just installed XP via BootCamp. This is so awesome. It's like having a new computer!

(It's funny that XP runs better on my MacBook Pro than any of the huge clunky desktops it ran on previously!)

[Andrew]

Big problems here folks.

Alright well tonight I sat down at my MacBook to watch a DVD and the computer wouldn't read it. I tried about four other discs and the computer wouldn't read any of them. I watched a movie about two nights ago with no problem and audio CDs seem to be working perfectly.

When I put a DVD in it will sound like it's reading it and then just stop. It will do this a few times and then the computer will just eject the DVD. It's really annoying, especially on a MacBook.

What's wrong? What do I do to fix this?

[darkpath]

Big problems here folks.

Alright well tonight I sat down at my MacBook to watch a DVD and the computer wouldn't read it. I tried about four other discs and the computer wouldn't read any of them. I watched a movie about two nights ago with no problem and audio CDs seem to be working perfectly.

When I put a DVD in it will sound like it's reading it and then just stop. It will do this a few times and then the computer will just eject the DVD. It's really annoying, especially on a MacBook.

What's wrong? What do I do to fix this?

1st, break out your install DVD and see if you can read that. If not, then I think you can safely say that the drive has gone bad.

[Andrew]

Big problems here folks.

Alright well tonight I sat down at my MacBook to watch a DVD and the computer wouldn't read it. I tried about four other discs and the computer wouldn't read any of them. I watched a movie about two nights ago with no problem and audio CDs seem to be working perfectly.

When I put a DVD in it will sound like it's reading it and then just stop. It will do this a few times and then the computer will just eject the DVD. It's really annoying, especially on a MacBook.

What's wrong? What do I do to fix this?

1st, break out your install DVD and see if you can read that. If not, then I think you can safely say that the drive has gone bad.

I don't see how the drive could have gone bad already. I've only had this computer for three months. If it was bad, wouldn't it not be able to read CDs?