Other Gadgets (general gadgets) - Page 35

Anne Elk · 01-12-2005, 12:44 PM

FYI - JBL Creature II's are in the latest macmall catalog for $69.99. I couldn't find them at Overstock and the ebay sellers had a confirmed address shipping requirement.

Continuing research is nudging me toward the Creatures. Just need to figure out the placement of the three pieces.

Anne
Maybe THIS weekend I'll make it to the Apple store for a comparison listen.

Alex_de_Large · 01-12-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
:-) No, not yet.

I want to see the Mini used in the field a bit before I buy one, especially when it comes to heat disipation. I would be using it in my AV stack where heat *could* be an issue. I do love that it has a DVI port, though, which, if I understand correctly, can drive my HDTV LCD tV. Nice...

mmm3587 · 01-12-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Agreed. If this has digital audio out I would have already ordered one. With a bluetooth wireless mouse, this would be a cool home media server

That's what I'm thinking about it for, too. I may have to get one in a few months. What's the minimum acceptable ram for OS X? Can I get by on 512MB? 256MB seems too small. Assuming that the HD size is not a big deal to me (but is nice), will the faster processor be a noticeable performance increasue? Desirable, necesary, worth the extra money?

I think a nice config would be the aforementioned digital audio adapter, 512MB, airport, bluetooth, wireless keyboard and mouse, for about $1k. I had been kicking around the idea of getting a component-style computer for my stereo setup. Will it really make sense to use it as a DVD player, though? What sort of true remote control options are available under Bluetooth for the Apple DVD player?

This also might be getting to be a but much for machines lying around. Still run the personal Dell desktop and Dell laptop, plus the work Dell laptop, plus still have several cannibalized PCs lying around, not to mention a ten year old PowerMac 7100 I am going to give away as soon as I pull the drive and get my old porn, er, data, off there.

Alex_de_Large · 01-12-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmm3587
That's what I'm thinking about it for, too. I may have to get one in a few months. What's the minimum acceptable ram for OS X? Can I get by on 512MB? 256MB seems too small. Assuming that the HD size is not a big deal to me (but is nice), will the faster processor be a noticeable performance increasue? Desirable, necesary, worth the extra money?

I think a nice config would be the aforementioned digital audio adapter, 512MB, airport, bluetooth, wireless keyboard and mouse, for about $1k. I had been kicking around the idea of getting a component-style computer for my stereo setup. Will it really make sense to use it as a DVD player, though? What sort of true remote control options are available under Bluetooth for the Apple DVD player?

This also might be getting to be a but much for machines lying around. Still run the personal Dell desktop and Dell laptop, plus the work Dell laptop, plus still have several cannibalized PCs lying around, not to mention a ten year old PowerMac 7100 I am going to give away as soon as I pull the drive and get my old porn, er, data, off there.

I would use 512 MB at a minimum.

As for the remote control issue, I see two solutions right away: 1) no remote, just use the BT mouse as you normally would, only sitting on your couch; 2) Salling Clicker

mmm3587 · 01-12-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
...just use the BT mouse as you normally would, only sitting on your couch...

Is is optical? Too lazy to check right now...

Alex_de_Large · 01-12-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmm3587
Is is optical? Too lazy to check right now...

Yup. It's single button, though. Not a big deal if you're used to a mac, but most PC people are turned of fbit that.

pony_trekker · 01-14-2005, 11:16 AM

OK, I have heard that if one uses a wireless router (or maybe just a wireless cable modem gateway, I forgot) the cable companies ask for a second static IP address so they can charge you for a 2d computer.

Anyone know if I can beat this with one router and multiple wireless computers?

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 01-14-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
OK, I have heard that if one uses a wireless router (or maybe just a wireless cable modem gateway, I forgot) the cable companies ask for a second static IP address so they can charge you for a 2d computer.

Anyone know if I can beat this with one router and multiple wireless computers?

That's BS for most of them. If you plug the router into the cable modem, the router will take the IP address from the cable co., and assign internal IP addresses to each computer in your house.

The only way they'll know is if they check the MAC address on the router (a unique identifier). If they're stupid, you can tell them you got a new computer, which explains the new MAC address. If they're smart, you can tell them you got a router, and they likely won't care. Tell them it's a router with a firewall, and you installed it for the firewall only (they have no way to tell if you actually have a net setup behind the router). If they're annoyingly persistent, you can get a router with MAC cloning, which will display the MAC address of your old computer, so they think you have your old computer connected when you actually have your router connected.

Alex_de_Large · 01-14-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
OK, I have heard that if one uses a wireless router (or maybe just a wireless cable modem gateway, I forgot) the cable companies ask for a second static IP address so they can charge you for a 2d computer.

Anyone know if I can beat this with one router and multiple wireless computers?

I have this type of setup at home and have had no trouble from m ISP (Comcast).

Atticus Grinch · 01-14-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I have this type of setup at home and have had no trouble from m ISP (Comcast).

Same here. Comcast. AirPort Base Station that assigns dynamic IP addresses for the wireless net side. No trouble from Comcast.

NotFromHere · 01-18-2005, 01:24 PM

NEW YORK - Starting next week, football fans will have a new way to listen to games: on their iPods.

The National Football League on Tuesday announced an agreement with Audible Inc., an online distributor of audiobooks and other spoken-word programming, to make recordings of this year's remaining playoff games available for portable audio players, including Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod.

The first recordings of football games for sale under the agreement will be this Sunday's NFL conference championships, which will be available on the Internet the following morning.

Replays of the Super Bowl will also be available under the deal.

Chris Russo, senior vice president of new media and publishing for the NFL, said complete recordings of games, including versions that feature local sportscasters, are expected to cost around $10 each, while highlights of games are expected to cost between 95 cents and $4.95.

I can't imagine buying a football game where I already knew the outcome, but I guess if my team ever won the Super Bowl (hahahahahahahahahahaha) then maybe I'd feel differently. But probably not.

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 01-18-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere

I can't imagine buying a football game where I already knew the outcome, but I guess if my team ever won the Super Bowl (hahahahahahahahahahaha) then maybe I'd feel differently. But probably not.

Agreed--I really can't see much of a market for this. Did anyone download the convention speeches (which were free?) About the only thing I could see having some value of this type would be an automatic download of a morning news report that one could listen to on the way to work. (or sportscenter or something, too)

Atticus Grinch · 01-18-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Agreed--I really can't see much of a market for this. Did anyone download the convention speeches (which were free?) About the only thing I could see having some value of this type would be an automatic download of a morning news report that one could listen to on the way to work. (or sportscenter or something, too)

I will admit I downloaded the DNC speeches. I didn't sync them to my iPod, though --- that sucker would have displaced my entire Yo La Tengo collection without increasing my cred with the record store clerks one iota.

pony_trekker · 01-22-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Same here. Comcast. AirPort Base Station that assigns dynamic IP addresses for the wireless net side. No trouble from Comcast.

What's the best router to get if I am going to have a PC and an Ibook?

Atticus Grinch · 01-22-2005, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
What's the best router to get if I am going to have a PC and an Ibook?

I have a PowerBook and a PC laptop (Dell Inspiron 600m), and use the AirPort Extreme, which I can recommend. Just set up the network on the Mac, and then add the PC. Easy peasy. These days, you could probably do the same setup with an AirPort Express.

There are less expensive wireless routers, but the no muss no fuss aspect of Apple design is sometimes worth it.