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So, which iPod (or PC) users are considering the $500 Mac?

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So, which iPod (or PC) users are considering the $500 Mac?

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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 5:32 pm
  #61  
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Originally Posted by GodOSpoons
Common for what? An entry level PC?

The strange thing about all of this is that the base configuration, though light for a Windows machine, is perfectly acceptable for an OS X running Macintosh, unlike previous versions of the iMac, which have shipped with 128M (or the original iBooks with 64M). I have a iMac G4/700 at home with only 256M of RAM and the thing is downright perky. It also helps to note that I've got OS X and Office 2004 installed on that machine in less than 10G of space, leaving quite a bit for Grandma to work with.

However, if you want a 500G drive, 2G of memory and hardware MPEG, this machine isn't for you... you're probably looking at the full PowerMac. The configuration you're referring to is akin to putting a Porsche engine into a Fiat Bingo. But considering how much stuff you can jam into the tiny chassis--DVD-RW, Bluetooth, Firewire, USB, WiFi--and do so without massive heat syncs and fans, it is a rather impressive little feat.

Timothy

OK, Windows and linux guys... return to sniping.
Apple's own web site says 128Mb required for OSX and 256MB for iLife. As minimums are just that, I'm betting that running iLife on the $499 box will be like driving a Fiat Bingo with a Fiat Bingo engine.

Also, the jury is out on this "fanless" device. Remember the cube?

I still want one though.

Last edited by winkydink; Jan 12, 2005 at 5:46 pm
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 5:41 pm
  #62  
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Originally Posted by ScottC
AKA Movie Maker, something that was in XP before the Mac had it.


iDVD perhaps, but not iMovie. I was using iMovie in early 2000.

Last edited by winkydink; Jan 12, 2005 at 5:44 pm
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 5:42 pm
  #63  
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Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer
But apparently I'm just getting one so that I'll have a first hand experience to allow me to better nit-pick all of the problems w/ Macs.
SEA... we adore you. It's a little brighter than "Sea, I AM YOUR FATHER! Join the dark side!"

But this has turned into an Apple-Windows wizzing war, thus we will have collateral damage. And, I must admit, you are the only person who actually answered the question in the topic, though we haven't resolved whether you actually HAVE an iPod.

Timothy

PM me if you need any help with the switching thing. It is, after all, a little late to save Christmas. However, I'm sure someone will help you acquire a .WAV of the stoner girl's Windows error beep.
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 6:03 pm
  #64  
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Nope, no iPod

I don't have an iPod - I've got a 4GB Creative MuVo2. I've got 6500+ songs in WMA format - so getting an iPod has never made much sense for me.
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 6:04 pm
  #65  
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To answer the original question is

NO

Wife has an ipod, that's about it.

Until Apple has the equivalent of a multimedia computer with remote control and has the look of a component unit for my stereo, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, then I will be interested
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 6:59 pm
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No I-pod here, but I'm considering buying the mini Mac anyway. I've always loved the sleek look and feel of OS X.

Functionally, it has the basics in a nice, compact, cool-looking case.
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Old Jan 12, 2005 | 9:42 pm
  #67  
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Originally Posted by winkydink
Also, the jury is out on this "fanless" device. Remember the cube?
I, too, thought it was fanless, but heard today at the expo that there is one fan, and it "expedites" air up through the "bottom" (though it can be used on its side) and "blows" out the vents that look more like radiant heat vents.

Didn't hear a fan going at the show, but then again, it isn't exactly quiet at Moscone.

And yes, remember the cube. Still my mom's #1 machine, alive and running with daily use. Couldn't switch her over to windows. Looks like she'll be "upgrading" to this one instead on Jan 22nd.

=========1/30/05========
looking at the service manual now, I'm not so sure there is a fan. There is a funny "thermal pad", but I don't see an actual fan. hmm.

Last edited by jdn; Jan 30, 2005 at 5:31 pm Reason: add information on fan
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 12:41 am
  #68  
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Originally Posted by ScottC
OUCH, the configuration I'd like:

512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive
Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card
Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set
56K v.92 Modem
Mac OS X - U.S. English
1.42GHz PowerPC G4

Estimated Ship:
Deliver by Jan 22nd
Free Shipping
Subtotal $1,002.00

That is insane.

For that you still don't even have a monitor.
Unless you order that configuration from Dell.

Actually some of those parts are yesteryear - I'm shocked a new rig from Apple is sporting Vic-20 esque componentry!
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 12:43 am
  #69  
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Originally Posted by alanw
I'd pay $100 not to have to watch a bunch of Mac worshippers throw Jr. High insults at other platforms on a travel board...
^
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 12:46 am
  #70  
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Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer
I don't have an iPod - I've got a 4GB Creative MuVo2. I've got 6500+ songs in WMA format - so getting an iPod has never made much sense for me.
I don't understand why it wouldn't make sense? iTunes can convert unprotected WMA files.
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 9:03 am
  #71  
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Originally Posted by Tummy
I don't understand why it wouldn't make sense? iTunes can convert unprotected WMA files.
Who says he has unprotected files?

Besides that, converting 6500 WMA's doesn't really make sense, it's better to just pick a player that can play your own music as each conversion will degrade the quality of the file, especially if it's VBR WMA.
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 11:08 am
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I'm betting that running iLife on the $499 box will be like driving a Fiat Bingo with a Fiat Bingo engine.
What is this famous Fiat Bingo everyone is talking about?

My main gripe about this new Mac is the poky 2.5" laptop drive, which moreover adds an unneeded ~$25 to the machine's cost.
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 11:59 am
  #73  
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Originally Posted by monahos
What is this famous Fiat Bingo everyone is talking about?

My main gripe about this new Mac is the poky 2.5" laptop drive, which moreover adds an unneeded ~$25 to the machine's cost.
Two reasons:

- more compact
- cooler
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 12:10 pm
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Originally Posted by swise
Two reasons:

- more compact
- cooler
Obviously. I would also add:
- will help making sure the Mini won't cannibalize iMac sales, due to its slow and capacity-limited HD.

The ~3W difference in power consumption, and additional ~300cm3 of a regular desktop drive aren't factors which couldn't have been addressed in a newly designed machine. Sure, the toaster would be a little thicker...
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Old Jan 13, 2005 | 1:46 pm
  #75  
 
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Originally Posted by alanw
BTW, recording a TV show != media center. See Meedio, XP Media Center Edition, MyHTPC, Freevo, MythTV, etc. PC-based, 10-foot interface, integrated remote control, no need for mouse, keyboard, or a half-dozen contraptions hanging out of every USB port.
MyHTPC, which is now known as Meedio (the commercial version of MyHTPC) is not a media center in the sense that it has no built-in functionality -- it uses external applications to play DVDs, etc. Freevo and MythTV are, OTOH, media centers but they do _not_ run under Windows, only Linux.

As you probably know, the XP Media Center was orginally a hardware/software product that sold for what? $1,300+ or more, IIRC.

I am not sure what, other than possibly MCE, you are referring to with the "integrated remote control, no need for mouse..."

This new Apple box might make a good platform for such a thing, but there is no software even close to doing it (and a Google search turns up absolutely nothing likely in development).
Using a Mac (including the Mini) for a media center is actually not that bad an idea. Assuming you get the Airport card with the machine, you can then buy an AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes ($129) which gives you: 1. a wireless router (up to 10 machines plus a printer port) and 2. provides a optical output to connect to an audio amplifier. The audio for a DVD is sent wirelessly to the amp via the base station.

There is also the Keyspan Express Remote ($59) which gives the Mac remote control.

You can read about both products here:
http://tinyurl.com/3pexv

For software, there is Apple's DVD Player, plus there are Videolan (VLC) and MPlayer. Just like with Windows, as the hardware becomes more popular, the software will come.
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