Neodym
Oct 3, 05:28 PM
Unfortunately this is EXACTLY why Apple ISN'T producing a headless mid-range Mac. They will lose out tremendously on display sales. They either want to sell you a display within the unit (iMac, MacBooks) or sell you a display with the unit (Mini, Pro). Mini users will buy one because A. they're in the store and B. don't know any better. Pro users will buy one because they are top-of-the line, beautiful screens and they, generally, have money to burn. Mid-range users (and prosumers) know well enough that they can get a cheap, good-enough monitor for $200 from NewEgg or eBay (for the daring). Instead, we prosumers either have to settle for the iMac or splurge on the Mac Pro.
Mmmh - i see it a little different:
Why shouldn't the so-called "prosumers" be interested in beautiful and top-of-the-line monitors as well as the "pros"? Even worse - the target clientel for a Pro computer often earn their living on those machines and they might need raw power, but not necessarily a "beautiful" screen - especially if the old one would still do its work.
Thus i would suspect prosumers to be more willing to "burn some money" for a nice Apple screen just because it fits their lifestyle, than someone who has to invest to earn money on it. And don't forget how Apple introduced the mini - it was targetted at users who ALREADY OWN a monitor (and keyboard and mouse).
So one of the main target groups for Apple monitors would be exactly the clientel which currently is not able to find something proper: A more powerful computer than the mini, but less pricey than a Mac Pro.
Therefore the gap between a mini and a Mac Pro is a little big indeed! Not only because of the initial purchase cost, but also because of the cost following when you have to buy "pro" equipment (like e.g. memory) at "pro" prices as well...!
The iMac aims at a completely different audience here and is a good complement, but never a replacement for a mid-class machine.
If Apple wants to continue to grow they HAVE to differentiate their lineup a little more! Personally i would not mind if they would do it in the stylish area and bring up some acrylic beauty again or even introduce some really new (or at least different) ideas. But it is not that important as long as the they eventually close that huge gap!
Regards
Neodym
Mmmh - i see it a little different:
Why shouldn't the so-called "prosumers" be interested in beautiful and top-of-the-line monitors as well as the "pros"? Even worse - the target clientel for a Pro computer often earn their living on those machines and they might need raw power, but not necessarily a "beautiful" screen - especially if the old one would still do its work.
Thus i would suspect prosumers to be more willing to "burn some money" for a nice Apple screen just because it fits their lifestyle, than someone who has to invest to earn money on it. And don't forget how Apple introduced the mini - it was targetted at users who ALREADY OWN a monitor (and keyboard and mouse).
So one of the main target groups for Apple monitors would be exactly the clientel which currently is not able to find something proper: A more powerful computer than the mini, but less pricey than a Mac Pro.
Therefore the gap between a mini and a Mac Pro is a little big indeed! Not only because of the initial purchase cost, but also because of the cost following when you have to buy "pro" equipment (like e.g. memory) at "pro" prices as well...!
The iMac aims at a completely different audience here and is a good complement, but never a replacement for a mid-class machine.
If Apple wants to continue to grow they HAVE to differentiate their lineup a little more! Personally i would not mind if they would do it in the stylish area and bring up some acrylic beauty again or even introduce some really new (or at least different) ideas. But it is not that important as long as the they eventually close that huge gap!
Regards
Neodym
thesdx
Jan 10, 03:53 PM
That was just plain stupid. Nice way to ruin your career, Gizmodo. No Macworld for you. (I hope)
Proud Liberal
Sep 12, 10:33 AM
...I know the media invite says "It's Showtime" and we know what the connotation is for that. But I find it interesting that the theater where the event is being held is done up with huge silhouette iPod ads, which doesn't really fit the "It's Showtime" theme, unless the new true video iPod is also going to be announced in conjunction with the movie download service. :confused: :confused: :confused:
maflynn
Apr 8, 09:43 AM
MS still playing catchup by the looks of the feature list in my opinion.
Actually its the other way around. Windows 7 has leap frogged apple in terms of functionality, UI and usability.
Apple needs to play catch up by adding some features to OSX.
Actually its the other way around. Windows 7 has leap frogged apple in terms of functionality, UI and usability.
Apple needs to play catch up by adding some features to OSX.
roadbloc
Apr 11, 05:28 AM
So how did they copy Apple? Having 90% of the market without a quality product one can only imagine what they could have done with a good product.
I wouldn't bother arguing *LTD* about this. Many have tried and failed. He simply refuses to accept that Redmond has produced some quality products without ripping off Apple. Each versions of every Microsoft products have their +'s and -'s. Recently, with Windows 7, Office IE9, WP7; Microsoft have been churning out some quality, solid, software. Not to mention what a great success the Xbox has turned out to be. Yes, they are not always the first to have some features in their products, but neither are Apple at times. Fast user switching is one that springs to mind.
Just because they licence their software to a range of hardware companies, *LTD* automatically thinks they are trash. And, yes, some of their products have been trash. But so have Apple's at times.
You are aware that the Core2Duo 'requirement' is because Lion is 64-bit, right?
Yes. That doesn't make it okay. I'd expect the first intel Macs to still be able to run the latest OS. What is the betting that computers from 2006 will be able to run Windows 8? High chance I'd say.
I wouldn't bother arguing *LTD* about this. Many have tried and failed. He simply refuses to accept that Redmond has produced some quality products without ripping off Apple. Each versions of every Microsoft products have their +'s and -'s. Recently, with Windows 7, Office IE9, WP7; Microsoft have been churning out some quality, solid, software. Not to mention what a great success the Xbox has turned out to be. Yes, they are not always the first to have some features in their products, but neither are Apple at times. Fast user switching is one that springs to mind.
Just because they licence their software to a range of hardware companies, *LTD* automatically thinks they are trash. And, yes, some of their products have been trash. But so have Apple's at times.
You are aware that the Core2Duo 'requirement' is because Lion is 64-bit, right?
Yes. That doesn't make it okay. I'd expect the first intel Macs to still be able to run the latest OS. What is the betting that computers from 2006 will be able to run Windows 8? High chance I'd say.
Truffy
Mar 25, 06:32 AM
Ridiculous? I defy you to name one thing (http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2003/04/finder.ars) that Apple has fixed in the single-worst, most user-hostile app ever written for the Mac!
<pedantry>
Is Finder an App per se or integral to the OS?
</pedantry>
<pedantry>
Is Finder an App per se or integral to the OS?
</pedantry>
World Citizen
Apr 5, 04:02 PM
Is it too late for April Fool's?
Edit - I kinda want a McRib now...
Loool
Even before I red the news item i had sended it to a friend...
They ******* canceld the mc rib in holland. Now I have to drive to germany every other week.. And ONLY for the mc rib... The rest is garbage, the mc rib is nice garbage.
Edit - I kinda want a McRib now...
Loool
Even before I red the news item i had sended it to a friend...
They ******* canceld the mc rib in holland. Now I have to drive to germany every other week.. And ONLY for the mc rib... The rest is garbage, the mc rib is nice garbage.
Sir Ruben
Mar 19, 07:44 AM
I work in a techie environment. I have my phone on my desk in front of me all day. My colleague happened to mention a guy sitting on a desk behind us and described him as a "know it all" who knows about everything and has done everything better than everyone else.
Anyway he keeps randomly talking to my colleague about crap (which really bugs him as he never starts a conversation with this guy), and I noticed twice in two days he has brought up the subject of his android phone and how my colleague shouldnt get an iphone. Now my colleague isnt the mobile phone type, he has a Sony Erricsson and has no intention of buying any kind of smartphone. Then I realised what was happening, he had clocked my phone on my desk and as I never even look at the guy, realised he was goading a response out of me on the subject.
He sat there for 10mins or so going over the pro's of owning an android before showing my colleague a Tron Legacy theme he had installed. When he finally went away I leaned over and said "pretty sad that he feels he has to justify his purchase by giving a lecture to someone who doesnt even care". My colleague agree'd and thinks these sort of people do it as they are insecure about their purchase.
I have many more true stories about a couple of other similar people who work with me but its sunny outside and I dont really care who has an android and who has an iphone :cool:
Anyway he keeps randomly talking to my colleague about crap (which really bugs him as he never starts a conversation with this guy), and I noticed twice in two days he has brought up the subject of his android phone and how my colleague shouldnt get an iphone. Now my colleague isnt the mobile phone type, he has a Sony Erricsson and has no intention of buying any kind of smartphone. Then I realised what was happening, he had clocked my phone on my desk and as I never even look at the guy, realised he was goading a response out of me on the subject.
He sat there for 10mins or so going over the pro's of owning an android before showing my colleague a Tron Legacy theme he had installed. When he finally went away I leaned over and said "pretty sad that he feels he has to justify his purchase by giving a lecture to someone who doesnt even care". My colleague agree'd and thinks these sort of people do it as they are insecure about their purchase.
I have many more true stories about a couple of other similar people who work with me but its sunny outside and I dont really care who has an android and who has an iphone :cool:
notjustjay
Apr 21, 12:02 PM
I think I'd prefer a system where only upvotes ("likes") are allowed (e.g. Engadget). That way you can still see who's got the most positive/popular posts while not opening it up quite so much to abuse or the negative connotations associated with a negative score.
Another forum I visit (RedFlagDeals) has a similar system where people can be "thanked" for particular posts, and then their user profile shows how many times in total people have thanked them. It helps show who is the most helpful or who has a good reputation for providing useful advice.
Another forum I visit (RedFlagDeals) has a similar system where people can be "thanked" for particular posts, and then their user profile shows how many times in total people have thanked them. It helps show who is the most helpful or who has a good reputation for providing useful advice.
Beric
Oct 6, 03:34 PM
Verizon has the best service, AT&T has the best phones.
You win and lose either way.
You win and lose either way.
thisisahughes
Mar 29, 12:58 AM
Could they... award themselves?
FaceTime or Xcode?
FaceTime or Xcode?
iceman1234
Oct 6, 06:51 PM
I spend at least 98% of my time in AT&T 3G coverage areas. While Verizon's coverage map may look impressive with their sea of red, they seem to be forgetting that dirt can't use 3G.
Yea I haven't been to half (ok 100%) the places were verizon 1-ups Att... Plus verizon turned off all the cell sites in my area so I was forced to leave Big Red!
Yea I haven't been to half (ok 100%) the places were verizon 1-ups Att... Plus verizon turned off all the cell sites in my area so I was forced to leave Big Red!
tigress666
Apr 8, 02:53 PM
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me.
This is true of any retail. And it doesn't matter how bad or good corporate itself is, if you have good managers they can make a store that is great to go to regardless of bad corporate culture or vice versa.
I'm sure Best Buy has some stores run by good management. I am betting the place you work at is one of those. But in my experiences amongst four different Best Buys between two different states, they are not the norm.
(and yes, working for good managers makes a helluva lot of difference. They really do set the tone and not just in how they treat you and the customers and expect you to treat the customers, but it also shows in the quality of help they hire or the quality of help they keep. No, it's not fun to work under a manager who won't fire anyone. Sure, you have piece of mind in your job stability, but so does that crappy co worker that never does any work or pisses off the customers that you have to deal with the fallout from).
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me.
This is true of any retail. And it doesn't matter how bad or good corporate itself is, if you have good managers they can make a store that is great to go to regardless of bad corporate culture or vice versa.
I'm sure Best Buy has some stores run by good management. I am betting the place you work at is one of those. But in my experiences amongst four different Best Buys between two different states, they are not the norm.
(and yes, working for good managers makes a helluva lot of difference. They really do set the tone and not just in how they treat you and the customers and expect you to treat the customers, but it also shows in the quality of help they hire or the quality of help they keep. No, it's not fun to work under a manager who won't fire anyone. Sure, you have piece of mind in your job stability, but so does that crappy co worker that never does any work or pisses off the customers that you have to deal with the fallout from).
xUKHCx
Jan 5, 11:55 AM
Cool i prefer to see the introduction gives it the wow factor rather than the mild excitment of reading the keynote.
Full of Win
May 2, 09:37 AM
VICTORY. I just Apple does not replace it with some more invasive.
brepublican
Oct 4, 08:29 PM
This is HOT *****!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the 'true video iPod'. And a stunning live performance! By Dido or Alicia Keys - with SJ going 'Wooo' at the end of the live performance :D :D
And is it wierd that I keep watching last month's keynote (just the end of it though) for that sizzling John Legend performance?? I've seen it like more than thrice already...
And is it wierd that I keep watching last month's keynote (just the end of it though) for that sizzling John Legend performance?? I've seen it like more than thrice already...
Retrograffica
Jan 11, 01:25 PM
I know it's been said before but a wireless Apple MediaCenter would make sense, put that in your front room with all your media on it then have your imac in your office, MacBook in the den, (and one in each kids room and your bedroom if Apple have their wicked way). iPods get bluetooth so they can sync and everything would be 100% accessible all the time and if the MediaCenter was also the broadband router it would all be available remotely as well.
...the iCenter
...the iCenter
robbieduncan
Apr 21, 11:48 AM
Apathy would be not clicking anything.
True apathy would be not caring if you've clicked anything or not.
True apathy would be not caring if you've clicked anything or not.
grahamtearne
Sep 12, 04:21 AM
isnt the event being streamed live over to london for the us?
if so i am quietly optimistic about us uk'ers getting a new movie store along with the us. i see no reason to stream it to the uk if the annouced products wont be released here, thats just teasing!
if so i am quietly optimistic about us uk'ers getting a new movie store along with the us. i see no reason to stream it to the uk if the annouced products wont be released here, thats just teasing!
TheAshMan
Jul 22, 04:45 PM
What real issues?
Apple are selling iPhones as fast as they can make them.
Aside from a tiny minority on the internet, the avg. joe is out there enjoying and using their new iPhone. If it was a big issue as the media portrayed it, Apple wouldn't be selling a single unit.
You people are funny.
I'm not really sure how to respond if you don't know what the issues are. My main point was the videos are dishonest and Apple has damaged themselves with their response. You disagree?
I agree it is a great phone and that everyone loves it as long as they have good coverage. I don't have the new one, but I have marginal AT&T coverage with my current iPhone. If I had just spent over $2,200 (phone + plan) and lost calls, I would not be happy. I think the response to give away the bumpers and reminding people that they can return them was a good, concrete response so far, but these propaganda videos are laughable and may come back to bite them.
No issue? It was being demonstrated that in marginal signal areas you could have 5 bars and then lose a call if your finger was in the wrong place. Apple immediately realized how bad that was for their brand released a patch that dramatically alters the signal bar on the phone, making them more accurate. They have 18 PhD's working on the antenna technology and they were "shocked"? Please. They knew exactly how their previous calculation distorted reality.
This issue brought it to the forefront. I have seen claims that many phone makers do the same thing, but how come my AT&T Blackberry Bold from work gets 2-3 bars at my house, but the iPhone gets 5? Apple knew it was enough of an issue to call a major press conference, where they discussed and obfuscated the issues.
Most people would use a case anyway, negating the issue for them, but that isn't the point.
Apple are selling iPhones as fast as they can make them.
Aside from a tiny minority on the internet, the avg. joe is out there enjoying and using their new iPhone. If it was a big issue as the media portrayed it, Apple wouldn't be selling a single unit.
You people are funny.
I'm not really sure how to respond if you don't know what the issues are. My main point was the videos are dishonest and Apple has damaged themselves with their response. You disagree?
I agree it is a great phone and that everyone loves it as long as they have good coverage. I don't have the new one, but I have marginal AT&T coverage with my current iPhone. If I had just spent over $2,200 (phone + plan) and lost calls, I would not be happy. I think the response to give away the bumpers and reminding people that they can return them was a good, concrete response so far, but these propaganda videos are laughable and may come back to bite them.
No issue? It was being demonstrated that in marginal signal areas you could have 5 bars and then lose a call if your finger was in the wrong place. Apple immediately realized how bad that was for their brand released a patch that dramatically alters the signal bar on the phone, making them more accurate. They have 18 PhD's working on the antenna technology and they were "shocked"? Please. They knew exactly how their previous calculation distorted reality.
This issue brought it to the forefront. I have seen claims that many phone makers do the same thing, but how come my AT&T Blackberry Bold from work gets 2-3 bars at my house, but the iPhone gets 5? Apple knew it was enough of an issue to call a major press conference, where they discussed and obfuscated the issues.
Most people would use a case anyway, negating the issue for them, but that isn't the point.
ucfgrad93
Mar 17, 05:36 PM
I don't know why people feel the need to put others down over their choice of electronic gadgets. People should get what best suits their needs and forget about what others are using. Personally, I would just ignore the rude comments.
0010101
Oct 29, 01:34 AM
The problem with Apple making a 'PC' version of OSX is that they'd have to write it to work with a million different combinations of hardware.. one of the reasons XP is such a crappy OS.
Since Apple builds the hardware, they build the OS to work with that hardware. That's what makes it so stable and reliable.
Now, Apple could, in theory, start a 'OSX Compliant' program, telling third party hardware vendors like Dell or HP that if they use a specific logic board chipset, video chipset, etc that OSX would run as well on such a PC as a Mac, but all that would do is kill Apples hardware sales, because most folks would opt for the ballsed out clone instead of the neutered Apple.
That's why licencing nearly killed Apple.. because the clone companies were building a better, faster box for much less money, and cutting too deep into their hardware sales (which they're making alot more than 20% on).
Another good reason for Apple to keep OSX on their hardware is Microsoft, who would probably quit releasing OSX versions of their popular Word and Excel software if Apple were to try and go head to head with them in the OS market.
Even animals know better than to $#it where they eat.
Despite Apples superior OS, I doubt they'll ever gain much more than 20% of the market, because when it comes down to it, people in general are going to buy what is inexpensive and familure, and has the best range of software available.
Software companies are going to write software for the largest audience possible.. and that's going to continue to be the Winblows platform.
Why hasn't there been a 'universal' version of Photoshop yet? Because the hard core digital imaging people are hanging on to their G5's. The 'casual' and 'consumer' users can use their software just fine under Rosetta on their Intel Macs.
There isn't any incentive for Adobe to port their flagship product yet.. because customers don't have any real incentive to buy it yet.
Since Apple builds the hardware, they build the OS to work with that hardware. That's what makes it so stable and reliable.
Now, Apple could, in theory, start a 'OSX Compliant' program, telling third party hardware vendors like Dell or HP that if they use a specific logic board chipset, video chipset, etc that OSX would run as well on such a PC as a Mac, but all that would do is kill Apples hardware sales, because most folks would opt for the ballsed out clone instead of the neutered Apple.
That's why licencing nearly killed Apple.. because the clone companies were building a better, faster box for much less money, and cutting too deep into their hardware sales (which they're making alot more than 20% on).
Another good reason for Apple to keep OSX on their hardware is Microsoft, who would probably quit releasing OSX versions of their popular Word and Excel software if Apple were to try and go head to head with them in the OS market.
Even animals know better than to $#it where they eat.
Despite Apples superior OS, I doubt they'll ever gain much more than 20% of the market, because when it comes down to it, people in general are going to buy what is inexpensive and familure, and has the best range of software available.
Software companies are going to write software for the largest audience possible.. and that's going to continue to be the Winblows platform.
Why hasn't there been a 'universal' version of Photoshop yet? Because the hard core digital imaging people are hanging on to their G5's. The 'casual' and 'consumer' users can use their software just fine under Rosetta on their Intel Macs.
There isn't any incentive for Adobe to port their flagship product yet.. because customers don't have any real incentive to buy it yet.
jamferma
Sep 12, 08:10 AM
what time is the event on in Australian ESTD ?????
slb
Oct 3, 11:50 PM
They might get laughed at but apple will be the ones laughing when their the first to debut santa rosa with 800mhz fsb and nand flash. Hopefully this is whats going to happen
This is what I'm waiting for before considering a Core 2 Mac purchase. However, the current version of the Merom is drop-in replaceable with the Core Duo, so it's strange for Apple to not have something ready for the holidays. I believe they'll quietly update the MacBooks and MacBook Pros sometime in November with Core 2s.
This is what I'm waiting for before considering a Core 2 Mac purchase. However, the current version of the Merom is drop-in replaceable with the Core Duo, so it's strange for Apple to not have something ready for the holidays. I believe they'll quietly update the MacBooks and MacBook Pros sometime in November with Core 2s.
