thinking about buying a MAC...
Oct 19, 2005 | 3:20 am
#16
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Media reports that Apple may have some new models out Thursday. There may be some surprising new features to differentiate it from other alternatives. Pricing may also be lower.
But rather than just look at apple.com, why not try to include a visit or two to an Apple Store. Check your mail, try a few different sizes of notebook without being hassled. After a visit or two you might know what you want.
Then get it.
I love the 12" models for their light weight and features (and are often better value than most of the mini PC laptops. Maybe some FTers travelling the same routes/lounges as you may also have some experience to share.
There are quite a lot of dealers in most cities as well as the apple stores. Check out pbcentral.com, which tracks the retail offerings in the world of apple gear. I think some retailers are including MS Office with the notebooks for no charge. Or an iPod
. Let FT know what you get 
But rather than just look at apple.com, why not try to include a visit or two to an Apple Store. Check your mail, try a few different sizes of notebook without being hassled. After a visit or two you might know what you want.
Then get it.
I love the 12" models for their light weight and features (and are often better value than most of the mini PC laptops. Maybe some FTers travelling the same routes/lounges as you may also have some experience to share.
There are quite a lot of dealers in most cities as well as the apple stores. Check out pbcentral.com, which tracks the retail offerings in the world of apple gear. I think some retailers are including MS Office with the notebooks for no charge. Or an iPod
. Let FT know what you get
Oct 19, 2005 | 4:53 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
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Don't forget to mention that you're on their payroll as well. 
Originally Posted by swise
Here are some areas where I think the Mac/Apple stands out (in no particular order):
Editing digital video
Creating DVDs
Managing your photo library
Text/Audio/Video Chat/Conferencing
Managing your music library
Creating music
Creating presentations
Connecting to/managing/detecting wireless networks
Sharing music (legally)
Automation
Handling documents (organizing them, finding them, printing to PDF, etc)
Integration with other devices (iPod, iSight, third party peripherals, playing music to the stereo with the Airport Express)
Security (-Zero- known viruses in circulation attacking OS X)
Seamless, native access to a full Unix environment, including command line functions and pretty much all native Unix apps (emacs, VI, etc)
Ranked #1 in support 6 years consecutively by Consumer Reports, each year the lead has grown
Ranked #1 in quality by Consumer Reports 6 years consecutively, with fewer repairs needed as reported by owners than any other brand
Most drivers are already built-in
Easy, automatic updates to the OS and all Apple software
More built-in, default features: WiFi, Bluetooth, gigabit ethernet, DVI support, USB2, FireWire, SVideo, Motion-sensing technology in laptops to protect the hard drives, automatic illuminated keyboards, auto-dimming display when the room gets dark
Dependable, instant wake from sleep
X11
XCode
cool stuff like Dashboard, the easy on the eyes UI, expos, Bonjour (aka rendezvous, aka zero conf)
Consistent UI (i.e. what works one way in one app works the same way in another app, including keyboard shortcuts, menu structures, window behavior, etc)
Editing digital video
Creating DVDs
Managing your photo library
Text/Audio/Video Chat/Conferencing
Managing your music library
Creating music
Creating presentations
Connecting to/managing/detecting wireless networks
Sharing music (legally)
Automation
Handling documents (organizing them, finding them, printing to PDF, etc)
Integration with other devices (iPod, iSight, third party peripherals, playing music to the stereo with the Airport Express)
Security (-Zero- known viruses in circulation attacking OS X)
Seamless, native access to a full Unix environment, including command line functions and pretty much all native Unix apps (emacs, VI, etc)
Ranked #1 in support 6 years consecutively by Consumer Reports, each year the lead has grown
Ranked #1 in quality by Consumer Reports 6 years consecutively, with fewer repairs needed as reported by owners than any other brand
Most drivers are already built-in
Easy, automatic updates to the OS and all Apple software
More built-in, default features: WiFi, Bluetooth, gigabit ethernet, DVI support, USB2, FireWire, SVideo, Motion-sensing technology in laptops to protect the hard drives, automatic illuminated keyboards, auto-dimming display when the room gets dark
Dependable, instant wake from sleep
X11
XCode
cool stuff like Dashboard, the easy on the eyes UI, expos, Bonjour (aka rendezvous, aka zero conf)
Consistent UI (i.e. what works one way in one app works the same way in another app, including keyboard shortcuts, menu structures, window behavior, etc)
Oct 19, 2005 | 5:46 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Originally Posted by BiziBB
But rather than just look at apple.com, why not try to include a visit or two to an Apple Store. Check your mail, try a few different sizes of notebook without being hassled. After a visit or two you might know what you want.
Then get it.
Then get it.
Oct 19, 2005 | 5:59 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 22
I would think as long as they are there with their own Powerbook/iBook/Apple product then there should be no objections to them being there. But it is very crowded at the Mall Apple store where I live. Hey, at least the register lines are not crowded.
Oct 19, 2005 | 6:29 am
#20
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Originally Posted by UScolorado1k
I admit it, I am a windows bigot, been one every since, well for a long time. Now I'm beginning to wonder if I should experience the MAC side.
I travel every week, so I am looking for something that is very light, but has the power to do what I need, evern though I don't know what it is yet.
Will still have to carry my corporate machine (windows), so don't need a replacement for that.
any suggestions? i'm kind of in uncharted waters here...
thanks!
I travel every week, so I am looking for something that is very light, but has the power to do what I need, evern though I don't know what it is yet.
Will still have to carry my corporate machine (windows), so don't need a replacement for that.
any suggestions? i'm kind of in uncharted waters here...
thanks!
Oct 19, 2005 | 7:56 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
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Posts: 192
Originally Posted by Professor Yaffle
Has anyone ever seen a free machine at an Apple store - the one in Regent Street is always chock full of Gypos and foriegn students using the place as a free internet cafe. Cant beleive Apple dont take a harder line with people who clearly have no intention of spending their cash...
I actually think that's a brilliant move from Apple. A lot of people are intrigued by the idea of having a "cooler" laptop but are afraid that MAC OS is going to be completely different. When they let people freely use their machines, with the applications most of them are going to be using, they can see that it is in fact a very friendly OS. For this to work, you cannot select who can use it and who can't. People that are there only to check their mail or surf the web (myself included several times) are part of the cost to Apple. And who knows, maybe they will convert also.
Oct 19, 2005 | 6:43 pm
#22
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Welp as expected Apple upped the resolution on the 17" Powerbook - now 1680x1050. This is the resolution my HP 17" has and, if they are using the same "BrightView" LCD panel from LG/Phillips, they are very sweet.
The 15" was bumped to a little above the specs of the old 17" - 1440x960. No resolution boost for the 12".
Both can drive the 30" Cinema Display.
All units now come with SuperDrives.
Specifics at http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1333
The 15" was bumped to a little above the specs of the old 17" - 1440x960. No resolution boost for the 12".
Both can drive the 30" Cinema Display.
All units now come with SuperDrives.
Specifics at http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1333
Oct 21, 2005 | 10:27 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SEA
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After years of being fanatically anti-Apple, I suddenly developed a burning desire to get one. Like in that desperate "Hmm... how many hours until I can leave work and go to the Apple store before meeting missydarlin for dinner" sort of way.
OTOH, I feel sort of guilty about blowing a big sum on another computer when my Dell laptop is less than a year old and works perfectly well. Maybe I'll go play with them and see what I think.
OTOH, I feel sort of guilty about blowing a big sum on another computer when my Dell laptop is less than a year old and works perfectly well. Maybe I'll go play with them and see what I think.
Oct 21, 2005 | 10:37 am
#25
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Apple made a website for those of us considering abandoning our beloved Windows PCs:
http://www.apple.com/switch/
http://www.apple.com/switch/
Oct 21, 2005 | 8:01 pm
#26
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Originally Posted by TakeMeToEZE
After years of being fanatically anti-Apple, I suddenly developed a burning desire to get one. Like in that desperate "Hmm... how many hours until I can leave work and go to the Apple store before meeting missydarlin for dinner" sort of way.
OTOH, I feel sort of guilty about blowing a big sum on another computer when my Dell laptop is less than a year old and works perfectly well. Maybe I'll go play with them and see what I think.
OTOH, I feel sort of guilty about blowing a big sum on another computer when my Dell laptop is less than a year old and works perfectly well. Maybe I'll go play with them and see what I think.
Oct 23, 2005 | 11:09 am
#27
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Originally Posted by ScottC
I could not get used to some of the stuff, and sold my mac after just 2 weeks...
Oct 23, 2005 | 11:13 am
#28
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Originally Posted by buddy1065
I would think as long as they are there with their own Powerbook/iBook/Apple product then there should be no objections to them being there. But it is very crowded at the Mall Apple store where I live. Hey, at least the register lines are not crowded.
Oct 23, 2005 | 11:16 am
#29
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Originally Posted by Efrem
The missionary in me would love to see another convert, but I don't see a compelling reason here - and believe me I'd find one if I could!
Oct 23, 2005 | 11:21 am
#30
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Here's an interesting story about Apple in the Times magazine.
NOTE: link may only work for this week as the Times Canada updates weekly with new stories (but using the same URL!)
NOTE: link may only work for this week as the Times Canada updates weekly with new stories (but using the same URL!)
Last edited by Foady; Oct 23, 2005 at 1:20 pm Reason: Updated link