Mac Users

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Ah, yes, but USB only. What's with that?

Not sure. I would figure that if they implimented syncML support to sync mot phones, it could be done over BT as well as a cable. I'll try both and see what happens...

[Alex_de_Large]

28,000 of them. They apparently have an overheating problem. Apple has set up a web site to deal with the recall.

I wonder if my new AlBook is included?

[Atticus Grinch]

Link.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
28,000 of them. They apparently have an overheating problem. Apple has set up a web site to deal with the recall.

I wonder if my new AlBook is included?

Turns out my AlBook is not part of the recall.

[Alex_de_Large]

Looks like we'll be seeing the G5 iMac at next week's Paris Expo.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Looks like we'll be seeing the G5 iMac at next week's Paris Expo.

One concept:




THe one I like:

[Alex_de_Large]

I think the iMac will almost certainly be of the all-in-one variety. Though I really like the present design, it hasn't sold all that well...

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Though I really like the present design, it hasn't sold all that well...

Yep, although I think sales have little to do with the design and everything to do with the price points, the lack of expandability, and the fear that you're paying for a $700 (or so) monitor that can't be used with another computer. Apple's basic problem is that while it trots out the sharp looking iMac, starting at $1500, Dell, Gateway, HP et al., advertise a $500 computer (monitor not included) with specs galore (that sound better than they are), but that draw people into looking at them. Of course, once you include the equipment you need (better memory, DVD burner, good monitor) the price quickly gets up to $1500 or more, you've already entered teh PC channel.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Yep, although I think sales have little to do with the design and everything to do with the price points, the lack of expandability, and the fear that you're paying for a $700 (or so) monitor that can't be used with another computer. Apple's basic problem is that while it trots out the sharp looking iMac, starting at $1500, Dell, Gateway, HP et al., advertise a $500 computer (monitor not included) with specs galore (that sound better than they are), but that draw people into looking at them. Of course, once you include the equipment you need (better memory, DVD burner, good monitor) the price quickly gets up to $1500 or more, you've already entered teh PC channel.

I agree that for "switchers," the features, or lack thereof, are paramount. For existing mac users, design plays a huge role. For example, my father, who ia a long-time Mac head, bought a Cube to replace his B&W G3 tower, even though it had no expansion capability. He bought it on design alone, basically, and he still loves it, 450 mhz processor be damned. It's still the best looking computer Apple ever made, in my view.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
One concept:

I like this one:

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I like this one:

I like it, but how am I going to add 5 gigs of RAM (total cost: $29.95) in four years to eek out another 18 months of usefulness? And if I can't, doesn't that essentially raise the TCO significantly?



I'd also note that Sony has had a similar looking model for a couple fo years and hasn't been selling them like hotcakes. They had one at the local Costco recently deeply discounted. My gut impression was of a unit that can't quite decide whether to be a laptop or a desktop, and in a bad way. It had the expense and expandability of a laptop and the portability of a desktop.

Still, it's pretty.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I like it, but how am I going to add 5 gigs of RAM (total cost: $29.95) in four years to eek out another 18 months of usefulness? And if I can't, doesn't that essentially raise the TCO significantly?

RAM is the one thing you're likely to be able to add in the future.

BTW, what's the max for pentium-based computers, 1GB?

The new G5s can go up to 8GB (and I think in theory something much crazier than that, but the 1GB chips currently available are already a few hundred $$)

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I like it, but how am I going to add 5 gigs of RAM (total cost: $29.95) in four years to eek out another 18 months of usefulness? And if I can't, doesn't that essentially raise the TCO significantly?



I'd also note that Sony has had a similar looking model for a couple fo years and hasn't been selling them like hotcakes. They had one at the local Costco recently deeply discounted. My gut impression was of a unit that can't quite decide whether to be a laptop or a desktop, and in a bad way. It had the expense and expandability of a laptop and the portability of a desktop.

Still, it's pretty.

The concept Burger posted looks like the Sony, and is ugly IMHO. Ive will come up with something breathtaking, I'm sure.

At the iMac procepoint, I see the desktop machine becoming obsolete. How many consumer machine buyers plan to exand their machine with much more than RAM?

The ideal would be a headless pizza-box-type G5 machine with PCI slots and drive bays, for $999. THAT would sell like mad.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
RAM is the one thing you're likely to be able to add in the future.

BTW, what's the max for pentium-based computers, 1GB?

The new G5s can go up to 8GB (and I think in theory something much crazier than that, but the 1GB chips currently available are already a few hundred $$)

Don't assume I'm anti-Mac. I'm not. I just question the small form factor.

I don't think the Pentiums are currently limited to 1GB or anything close by anything except economics. But in four years, 1GB memory chip sets are going to be nothing.

It's what happened to my last Mac: space and desgin constraints meant that I couldn't easily upgrade the memory in a way that I could have with a bigger case. This made me sad. It's not in itself why I switched to PC, but it didn't help.

Anyway, it does look nice. Doesn't solve the criticims of the last iMac (paying $$$ for a screen you can't use elsewhere, expandability, etc.). But it does look nice.

I might consider one.

Does anybody know if QuickBooks runs on Mac?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by baltassoc
Don't assume I'm anti-Mac. I'm not. I just question the small form factor.

I don't think the Pentiums are currently limited to 1GB or anything close by anything except economics. But in four years, 1GB memory chip sets are going to be nothing.

It's what happened to my last Mac: space and desgin constraints meant that I couldn't easily upgrade the memory in a way that I could have with a bigger case. This made me sad. It's not in itself why I switched to PC, but it didn't help.

Anyway, it does look nice. Doesn't solve the criticims of the last iMac (paying $$$ for a screen you can't use elsewhere, expandability, etc.). But it does look nice.

I might consider one.

Does anybody know if QuickBooks runs on Mac?

1) I didn't
2) You're right. The latest intel chipsets support up to 4GB. Intel inside That said, it's not just a question of the affordability of the chips. The processor is capable of addressing only a certain amount of memory. Intel currently goes only to 4GB. The G5 is (theoretically) capable of 4TB or RAM (apple .pdf, page 10 link)
3) I agree. I had a PowerMac that I put a G3 in, and got a couple of extra years out of. That said, had I simply replaced it at the time, and spent the money, I wouldn't have need to buy a new iMac last year, and probably could go another couple of years with it. While I'm frustrated I won't have USB 2.0 until my next machine, the upgrade/buy new debate is always a tough one, and apple apparently figures that in most cases it's better to buy new. I tend to agree. Use the old one in the kitchen or living room for email.
4) yep, which is why Alex's solution is a good one. I'd like to see something similar, but essentially have it be a direct-plug into one of the apple flat screens. "Choose your iMac; choose your monitor; enjoy."
5) http://quickbooks.intuit.com/commerc...d30003&lid=nav