Mac OS X Leopard Community Commentary
I’ve never done this before, but I was reading the responses in Steve’s Top Five Reasons that Leopard will be Apple’s tipping point and felt compelled to address some of them in a space where my readers might benefit. I hope Steve doesn’t mind.
I’m keeping all grammatical / spelling errors intact:
Geoff ~ “Boot Camp – nice but adds a lot of cost”
How does something that comes with the OS add any kind of cost? If you don’t want to use Boot Camp, don’t use it – that doesn’t cost you a thing. If you’re complaining about Microsoft’s Windows licensing strategies, then complain directly to Microsoft – not to Apple for giving you the smoothest dual-boot system ever built.
The costs of migrating from a “PC” to a Mac can be mitigated if you look at TCO. How much did your backup software cost? How much does your anti-virus service cost? Your MSN Premium subscription? Your anti-spyware service? Your tech support service? Your extended warranty service?
There’s plenty of mature software for OS X out there, if the apps you need don’t already come pre-installed (like iLife, for example).
Zach ~ “While I don’t doubt that Apple’s new release will be solid, do you seriously think that people are going to look at an instant messaging program as the tipping point between a mac or a pc. That’s stupid. Maybe you do alot of messaging, but I don’t know the last time I heard someone ask a sales associate when buying a computer, Mac or PC, what instant messaging software came pre-installed.”
You haven’t seen the demo videos for iChat 4.0, have you? Apple is evolving the idea of Instant Messaging far beyond text, audio, and video interactions – and into the space of simple collaboration. The keyword isn’t “chat” so much as it is “easy.”
After seeing the public demo, I’ve heard four five people state that iChat 4.0 would improve tech support with remote friends and family members. I concur. It looks to be smoother than anything else I’ve seen or used.
Moreover, I’m guessing we’re just a year away from seeing an iChat for Windows. Not to say that it would be widely adopted, but it’s not entirely out of the question. We already have QuickTime, iTunes, Safari, and (most importantly for this prediction) Bonjour working well enough on the Windows platform. It may not match iChat feature-for-feature, but it would allow for users to experience a different level of… nevermind. You don’t get why this is important.
esteban ~ “Nothing original here, just the same fanboy cooing which quickly degrades into the oh so scientific “my aunt, mother, and cousin are all switching, it must be a sign!” drivel.”
I’ve pretty much written off these kinds of responses as jealousy. Seriously. I’m guessing this is a 13 year-old Digg user who has never purchased his own machine, pirates all his software, and brags about his FPS in random gaming forums.
Paul ~ “I think widgets are severely overrated. Sure, when I got my first Mac capable of running Tiger a few years ago, I thought they were cute. I ended up building a few and nothing much past that. Fast forward to now and many, many users associate widget with “something that slows down my Mac” – and with good reason. Search for any “speed up my mac” type articles and it’s sure to list disabling the dashboard or shutting down trivial widgets.”
I’m with you, Paul – but widgets weren’t necessarily made for you or me. My parents and father-in-law, on the other hand, are enamored with them. They don’t care about maxing out the speed of their browser so much as they love to have a flight tracker at their fingertips. Sucked ‘em in for a half hour, easy. Could the same thing happen on a Web site? Yeah, but it’s not as convenient.
And that’s just it: widgets are a matter of convenience. With Safari’s “Web Clip” widget builder, the need to find someone for simple widget developemnt seemingly disappears. Take a look at Dashcode (or Automator, for that matter). Apple is putting development tools directly in the hands of users – without them even knowing it.
This is much bigger than widgets, Paul.
Colby ~ “Sorry dude, I love Apple and their OS, but this won’t be the tipping point until Apple allows for OSX to be installed on any hardware, not just Apple hardware. I see the trends too, but we’re not at the tipping point yet.”
First, there’s a space between OS and X. Last I looked, NVIDIA and ATI aren’t Apple hardware. Neither is Intel’s platform. ;) Your complaint is less about hardware restrictions and more about software restrictions.
I would have agreed with you a year ago, but my experiences with Windows Vista have pushed me further into the “maybe it’s not so bad that one vendor controls both the hardware and software experience” camp. Licensing the OS to third-party vendors could hurt Apple, not help it.
I’m not saying that Apple shouldn’t be held in check, or that their practices are any less monopolistic than Microsoft’s, but… you should understand why Apple does business the way they do. Don’t compare their business model to Microsoft’s or Dell’s or HP’s or… anybody else’s, for that matter. Apples and oranges. :)
Paul ~ “Linux is handily beating Microsoft already, and most people don’t have the kind of $ it takes to get onto the Apple bandwagon. And the quality of their hardware is abysmal. Left Linux 5 years ago to to go MacOS X with a G17. Java support was terrible with bugs that affected my ability to earn a living as a java architect. Saw many people walk away from the lousy support, lousy attitude, and constant $$ upgrades (want java 5? Upgrade, because osx 10.4 doesn’t and never will support java 5).”
Linux is handily beating Microsoft already? Really? REALLY?!
Yikes. Someone must be ignoring the wealth of free and open source software available for OS X (and Windows). In all my years of interacting with “regular folks,” I’ve never heard one of ‘em complain about the lack of Java 5 support in Tiger.
Doesn’t make your issue any less of an issue, but take it in context. It’s not fair to compare UNIX / FreeBSD to Linux – completely different licensing strategies, completely different philosophies. My parents and 99% of the people on MySpace don’t care about either. ;)
Balboa Peterson ~ “Until there is a two butotn mouse/trackpad, then Apple is going NOWHERE. Get over it Steve!!! Bring us two frigging buttons and I’ll start buying apples. (and no, buying a separate mouse does not count – I want it on the macbook trackpad)”
Oh, god… where do I begin with this child? You can “right click” with a trackpad by using two fingers. After trying that for a week, you’ll find notebooks that don’t have the same functionality on their own trackpads to be worthless. Trust me.
Seems to me you’d be better served by a spell checker than a second mouse button. Oh, and OS X has a spell checker built into it (by the way).
Idiot. IDIOT.
Forrest ~ “Apple is the most overrated company in existence. There products are innovative, over priced, and under-featured (the iPod STILL doesn’t have an FM tuner). Not to mention that their DRM policies are the most restrictive out there. Its funny how all the uneducated fan-boys are drawn in by aesthetic aspects of there products. People complain about Windows – but seriously; if you can’t get XP (or your linux distro of choice) to work how you want it too all the time then your an idiot.”
I had to read this assertion twice. It’s just… wow. You accused Apple of being innovative? Is that supposed to be a bad thing?
I can understand that you’d want the iPod to have an FM tuner in it (who wouldn’t, quite honestly), but Apple’s DRM policies are not all that restrictive. If you want to buy an MP3 through iTunes, you most certainly can – so long as the artist or label allow you to do so. That’s not Apple’s fault, is it?
When you call someone a “fan boy,” you erode your own position to that of jealousy. If you’re frustrated with Apple because it’s not giving you the products you want, that’s not Apple’s problem – it’s yours.
The question is, Forrest: what are you going to do about it?
Rip Ragged ~ “I disagree that Leopard is the tipping point. Vista was the tipping point. Vista failed to leapfrog anything. It’s an incremental upgrade to XP. A huge, bloated, crappy incremental upgrade, but an incremental upgrade, nevertheless.”
I wrote this in CPU Magazine over a year ago: Vista would drive more people to adopt OS X than OS X would. That said, I really do believe that Leopard is a compelling upgrade from Vista.
The tipping point started when Apple switched to the Intel platform. The tipping point continued when Microsoft released Vista. The tipping point happens with the release of Leopard (especially so close to the winter Holiday season).
Make no mistake: OS X isn’t going to draw people away from Windows by the millions. I don’t think Steve was suggesting that, either. The iPhone was a social epidemic – and if Apple plays their cards right, Leopard will be as well.
McJohn ~ “Yes, I get that dual-booting lets me play my windows games under windows on mac hardware. On the other hand, a mac desktop is very expensive compared to a windows desktop.”
Let me get this straight: you’re willing to fork out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on entertainment for your PC – and you’re likely just as willing to fork out hundreds more for a powerful video card and PPUs and glowing neon for your case – and you’re willing to pay a subscription fee for some of those MMORPGs – and you’re… starting to understand how your position has been completely nullified now that you’ve identified yourself as a gamer?
Be careful when argue cost – cost is relative.
I started on Apple ~ “this is just one more tired Mac OS update. they havent done anything truly new in AGES. are you paid for? do you work for Apple? maybe…. trying to hype up such ‘nothingness’…”
When all else fails, accuse the author of payola.
mrp ~ “you can never come up with any feature, no matter how bullshit it is, that hasn’t been done on windows 100 times before and 5 years earlier. It’s like people don’t know you can download programs that do stuff windows doesn’t AND osx for that matter”
Heh. People know they can download programs – it’s how spyware, viruses, trojans, and keyloggers are installed. And if you’re suggesting that Windows has been enabling that experience 100 times before and 5 years earlier, you’re absolutely right.
If OS X doesn’t have the features you want, fine – but did it promise to give you something that it ultimately didn’t? I’m not going to name any Ultimate examples because… oops.
Some may be ready to assert that the new iChat screen sharing tool is exactly what Microsoft had with Remote Desktop in MSN Messenger years ago. Almost. Took me a half hour to get something started with my parents two weeks ago – and let’s not forget the fiasco that ensued when I explained to them that they couldn’t turn off the advertisements in Microsoft’s chat client. Seems to me that MSN Messenger is there to serve endless upsells, whereas iChat is there to serve the user.
That’s clearly not Apple’s problem.
Dave ~ “Does iChat suddenly work when all parties are behind NAT gateways? No? It’s still useless then. Skype wins again and is available now.”
Useless is relative. So is the functionality of Skype. You’d have to purchase an add-on or two to get the audio / video recording features that are baked into iChat 4.0. Are you upset that iChat isn’t like Skype, and if so: how is that iChat’s problem?
Let the flames begin. ;)
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30 Comments
Singapore Entrepreneurs ~ Venture Capital Funding in Singapore
October 23rd, 2007
at 4:57pm
Other good reads include: With FriendCSV, Data Sneaks Out Facebook’s Back Door from TechCrunch about data in online social networks, and perhaps, some upcoming thoughts on the coming release of Mac OS X Leopard fromChris Pirillo. If you don’t have anything on tonight, drop by E27 Garage for the FaceBook Developer’s Garage later. Posted in Entrepreneur Blogs |
MyAppleMenu : Conversations In The Apple Community
October 23rd, 2007
at 1:58pm
Mac OS X Leopard Community Commentaryby Chris Pirillo
Switchblog
October 23rd, 2007
at 1:20pm
Mac OS X Leopard Community Commentary. As Bwana said: “Chris Pirillo pwns Leopard trolls.” Technorati Tags: chrispirillo, leopard, vista, steveborsch
Bharath Kumar
October 23rd, 2007
at 4:14pm
s DRM policies are not all that restrictive. If you want to buy an MP3 through iTunes, you most certainly can – so long as the artist or label allow you to do so. That’s not Apple’s fault, is it?#. But the last time I checked Apple offers over 2 million DRM-free tracks with AAC encoding. AmazonMP3 too offers over 2 million DRM-free tracks but in MP3 format. Its Apple who chose AAC for DRM-free music not labels or artists. Now tell me whose
PCMechTV » PC Mechanic
October 23rd, 2007
at 4:51pm
Chris Pirillo has seen it fit todirectly poke fun at his own community– even though he touts that everyone is invited and all are welcome should they wish to discuss technology. In one of Chris’ latest blog articles, he directly names people by their usernames just to substantiate his pseudo-stalwart defense of
Chris
October 23rd, 2007
at 5:01am
I want to also throw in that sure windows programs have done things way before OS X has…the difference; They are painless and JUST WORK in OS X.
PC for years, now on Mac for 8 months, would never go back.
John
October 23rd, 2007
at 5:59am
Impressed! It takes guts to go against anyone’s ideas, whether they be from Windows or OSX users. I applaud your notion that OSX isn’t the tipping point for Apple. Windows Vista, and Apple switching to Intel is the tipping point.
Oh and Windows folks shouldn’t be upset about this at all. If OSX gains in popularity, this can only make Microsoft step back, take a good long look at the mistakes they are making with Vista, and hopefully change to make a much more competitive product.
zach
October 23rd, 2007
at 6:19am
*yawn*. .. take it easy. It’s an OS.
One that no one I know has touched since … grade school.
Ted
October 23rd, 2007
at 8:18am
Some good points, some inflammatory ones, some both. While I’m a PC guy from way back ( started in DOS days on a Novell network ) I do love the mac-mini. When I plugged it in my first thought was “This must a product of alien technology”. Anyway – back to Leopard, I would agree that M$ has dropped the ball with Vista – had they included an upgraded file system that worked and been more conservative with the eye candy this could gone a different path … but it is, what it is. Combine this with VMWare’s announcement of Fusion and I am seeing only one reason why not to go with the MAC and that is purely price. I can put together a cheaper ( NOTE : I didn’t say better ) PC from parts. Toss on Linux and some virtualization software and you can get by. I would agree that looking at the TCO would probably negate any savings but the reality is that sometimes poundfoolish beats up pennywise.
One of the comments above said that the way that Apple does business isn’t like any other company. I’m wondering if game console manufactures wouldn’t be similar. Eitherway you have the entity that creates the hardware controlling the OS, the big difference is the console manufactures also have a certification process for games to ensure that things like M$ BSOD do not degrade the reputation of the platform. How I wish the same could be said for Windows products! Of course that means increased costs, but one things remains true – you get what you pay for. Or is that – the best things in life or free? I’m so confused! ;)
Peaceout!
j bush
October 23rd, 2007
at 8:36am
Chris–
As an admitted Apple fanboy since the days of the of the Apple II+, I enjoy reading your posts about Apple. As long as you abide by you own principles and remain open-minded, objective and truthful, you can’t let all the flamers get to you.
jb
gunslinger
October 23rd, 2007
at 8:38am
Ah, the old Mac vs. PC flames again. Where to begain? Ok lets start with the term “fan boy” If you present both sides in an equal and honest way Its one thing, when you blindly state that one or the other is better all the time no matter what, that makes you a “fan boy”. Let me just say, I don’t hate Macs. I’m actually thinking about getting one soon. What I dislike is the attitude of a typical Mac user. I have found most to be arrogant pricks.
Lets move on to cost. chris states often that cost is not an issue. Maybe its not for you but for most people it is. There is a price difference, want an example?
Dell 1501 laptop 2 gz dual core, 2 gigs of RAM, 160 gig hard drive 15.4” display, price at local wal-mart $798. Mac book from apple.com with the same specs and a two inch smaller screen? $1,399.00 across the board apple is more expensive, Its a fact. Is it really worth $600 extra just to say you own a Mac?
Oh, but we are not done with price yet as you have to factor in antivirus/antispyware programs. All that is free you know, most of the good programs are.
Macs have lots of great things going for them and so do PCs its a matter of personal choice. But when you make up things to try and prove your point you have crossed the line and become a “fan boy” it does not matter what side you are on.
don
October 23rd, 2007
at 8:51am
I agree with you 100%. Apple isn’t perfect… who is? But the truth still is that Apple, headed by a guy who is more into great design than profit, has less hang-ups then the competition and that includes both Microsoft and the 300 to 400 Linux distros!
One company to deal with in hardware and software is less complicated than the other two could ever hope to be.
Jade
October 23rd, 2007
at 10:17am
Great rebuttal Chris. Allow me to add this gem:
“TimeMachine will flop. Why? You need an external HD or a second computer to backup to. For this reason most people will never use it.”
Because of course, what you want is to be able to backup to the SAME machine right? and hard drives are so prohibitively expensive, I mean WHO can afford those things….
Man, it’s like watching monkeys discussing Plato.
P.S btw, I’ve been using iChat behind NAT since 1.0. What’s the problem again?
dude
October 23rd, 2007
at 12:06pm
You talk a lot about Apple not being the source of the problems.
Last time I checked, Apple made Apple stuff. If Apple stuff doesn’t work, or doesn’t satisfy the customer, that is most certainly not the customer’s problem. Apple won’t be around if there are no customers, so they had better endeavor to keep them all happy.
Microsoft is guilty of the same crime. Vista does have some nice new features, but it isn’t the computing revolution that it was/is made out to be. What puts them ahead is the general ignorance of the average computer user. Most often, they don’t even know anything outside of Windows exists.
To keep it relatively short I’ll say this: You assume a lot about the people who criticize Macs. I half expect to get the same treatment.
You seem very unwilling to realize that there are limitations to every computers, including the almighty Mac. Price is a limiting factor in a Mac, and it isn’t relative. A $2500 computer isn’t anything else but a $2500 dollar computer. Paying top dollar as a gamer (see McJohn’s comment) to get a lightning fast computer is one thing. Paying the same amount for a Mac with less horsepower and the inability to upgrade parts leaves a gamer in a very cost ineffective position.
Don’t make so many assumptions, and you might find people taking you more seriously.
Steve Borsch
October 23rd, 2007
at 1:10pm
“I hope Steve doesn’t mind.”
Mind? Heck no Chris. Appreciate you reading the post and carving out the time to answer all you did.
This post of mine was sort of a throwaway…written quickly after I watched the features video and read the site in a bit more depth. Much of this stuff I’d seen and experienced in the developer version (buddies are developers) but wasn’t expecting the hailstorm of comments.
Right this moment the Digg post has 513 comments and my blog has 77. I can’t even think about how to address all of them and am too busy right now to try…but you did quite well thanks.
Chris S
October 23rd, 2007
at 1:31pm
What is it with Apple? Are they desperate or something? No wonder, because they only own 10% of the computer market. I find their “Reasons” to switch to a Mac really stupid and the only people that believe that list of false information are delusional.
1) No Viruses on a Mac. – Ever heard of a Firewall?
You can get Nortans Internet Security package for $49 a year and it solves 95% of all your PC problems.
2) You can run Windows on a Mac. – Do you know how much it will cost to do so?
3) It’s simpler. – Bull****. If someone can’t understand between 4 Vista packages then they either have mental problems or they’re dumb. The only difference between each package is a small amount software, that’s it.
4) Macs can run Microsoft Office. – So can a PC, actually years before a Mac could, and the PC people get the new versions first, as well.
5) No upgrade nightmares. – All you have to do is look at the back of the box for the minimum and recommended system requirements. Is it that hard? For Apple it might be.
6) I can do instant video chat, make podcasts,make my own video, look at system-hogging widgets and look at photos. – You can do all that with a PC, out of the box.
7) No hunting for drivers. – All hardware usually come with a CD with the drivers on it. Also, Windows detects most hardware without the software.
8) A Mac Pro is powerful. – Indeed it is powerful, but a Windows PC can be more powerful with a cheaper price tag. I mean come on, there’s absolutely no point whatsoever in buying a Mac Pro with that kind of spec. Firstly, there’s no games on a Mac that would use up a 1/10 of that hardware, and developers use Windows XP because developing software, like 3ds Max, doesn’t support the Mac OS.
In my opinion, there’s no reason to get a Mac whatsoever. All you need is Windows with a good Internet Security package and there you go. My PC came with a free warranty, like all things mostly do, and a free tech support call line.
The only thing i see good on a Mac is it’s immunity to viruses, but i wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money and go through the hassle of switching for that reason. And there’s more valid reasons to be on a Windows PC then there is a Mac.
As I’ve mentioned before, Microsoft owns 90% of the computer market, so most third-company software that you download aren’t Mac supported. So you’re limited on a Mac IMO.
Ken
October 23rd, 2007
at 1:49pm
Regarding Paul’s comments that 10.4 doesn’t support Java 5 on his “G17″ (whatever that might be)….you really don’t know what you’re talking about, do you? Let’s see what the horrible people at Apple with their lousy support and their “(want java 5? Upgrade, because osx 10.4 doesn’t and never will support java 5)” attitude have to say about Java on 10.4:
“Java for Mac OS X 10.4, Release 5 delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 and Java 1.4 on Mac OS X 10.4.8 and later. This release updates J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_07 and Java 1.4 to version 1.4.2_12. It also improves SWT compatibility for J2SE 5.0.”
Hmmm…that sure says it’s J2SE 5! And it also keeps the 1.4 environment at the same time, to allow deployment tests against multiple versions. I think the only impediment to your ability to earn money is a colossal lack of skill. And/or intellectual integrity. Take your pick.
Chris Hockey
October 23rd, 2007
at 3:15pm
Less “addressing the reponses”, and more fuelling a flame war there Chris. Since when did calling someone an Idiot become part of a cogent argument?
Since your conversion to Apple you’ve become much less readable than before. While I realise you’ve put yourself in position of vulnerability to fanboys by your switch and consequently sometimes have to descend to their level, I much prefer your less vehement writing style from before your damascian conversion.
James Bailey
October 23rd, 2007
at 6:16pm
To gunslinger, this is probably going to sound a bit harsh but I don’t really mean it that way. Apple really doesn’t want your business if you can’t afford the premium for a Macbook. They don’t want to produce low cost computers. They have minimum standards and refuse to produce computers of less quality. Don’t get me wrong, the extra cost (especially if you buy memory from Apple) is not all put toward quality but much of it is. You are also paying extra for smaller and thinner laptops and other innovations. If those things aren’t important to you and OS X isn’t enticing, by all means keep using your Dell with Windows or Linux. No one is going to make you switch. For many of us, and the number appears to be growing rapidly, the advantages of OS X and Apple hardware easily make up the difference in cost.
It is entirely possible that the–we only sell premium products–attitude on the part of Apple will change in the future but right now they are making more money than ever so they aren’t going to change any time soon.
Glenn
October 23rd, 2007
at 6:30pm
For me Vista was the tipping point. I tried to wait for Leopard, but my homebuilt PC died in April and I couldn’t wait 6 months for a new computer. In June my wife’s PC died, so I bought her a MacBook also. She doesn’t complain about it like she did her old PC.
I will support my local Apple dealer and buy a Leopard Family Pack, when they are in stock.
Paul
October 23rd, 2007
at 6:53pm
All I can say is, although I am a bigger fan of Macs, they are finally going to get Microsoft to get into gear. Microsoft became a monopoly by luck, because IBM took a chance and they didn’t. Since then, Microsoft hasn’t had to try. Now that Apple is catching up (Linux flavor of your choice too) Microsoft is going to actually have to kick it into gear. Now I can see Microsoft having a problem with this because for years they have spent more time stealing other’s products and making them look like their own rather than innovating themselves, we might see a worthy product out of them, we might not. Either way I don’t care because I am a PC-to-Mac convert for 6 months now and loving it.
Paul
October 23rd, 2007
at 6:59pm
To Chris S. I thought the same thing before buying my MacbookPro, I was beginning graphic design at my college. I figured I would just install XP Pro and use BootCamp and only use XP Pro unless for class. Well, I get it, love OSX, never got XP Pro, and have no problems finding software. Now, as for the widgets, that just seems like a dumb reason to not get something as great as a Mac, honestly, WIth 2gigs of RAM and a 2.2 Core2Duo, having 5-10 widgets open isn’t going to slow you down. I just see people such as yourself leaving comments such as the thoughts I had before getting my Mac, and I cant believe I thought that now that I have mine
gunslinger
October 23rd, 2007
at 7:22pm
Chris states the difference in Mac programs is they just work and are painless. I think the difference is if they don’t work on a mac you are screwed. With a PC you can choose maybe 200-300 other programs that do the same thing and find the one you like best.
richie
October 23rd, 2007
at 9:51pm
i have the new macbook pro 17″ 200gb hd 3gb ram glossy hd screen awsome mac nothing compairs then i go to school im 16 and no parents did not buy a 3,500 dollar computer for me i got it with my own money that i work hard for beacuse it a great all arond system. it gets me so angry when somone says i need a new computer what should i get i say mac cause they rock and as every one knows they are the best lol but there is always some kid that goes no dont get a mac they suck dells are the best i just wanna stab them cause i have 2 dell notebooks and i had to combine them to make one run because as soon as my warinie was up nothin butt problems and everyone knows that the only reason people hate macs is because they cannot aford to pay for them but lets see viris software needed none thats $0 msn preiums 0 cause ichat and lots more its so easy to use to when i go to school my school has all dell stuff servers desktops laptops everything it all sux and windows is so hard to use after using a mac and i have this to say and you can qoute me “i use windows because i have to,but i use MAC because i want to” by me Richie Corcoran 16 years old
Jon
October 24th, 2007
at 6:31am
Transactional Analysis postulates that for effective communication to take place it must be on an appropriate level. Well, you succeeded in lowering yourself to their level that’s for sure. Even to the point you lived in a glass house and threw stones – by this I point out your attack on the user will poor spelling and grammar when you had your fair share of grammatical foo-pahs sprinkled throughout. Seriously Chris – you *are* starting to sound like an Apple fanboi. Jealous? Me? Hell no – I bought my MacBook Pro a while back and enjoy using BOTH systems – each to use for what they excel at. Your definition of a fanboi is skewed. A fanboi is a more modern version of the word “apologist”. You take a couple of the comments to task for daring to suggest that perceived lacks in Apple’s offerings were _their_ fault – not Apple’s. Sorry bud. You’re off base on this one. A need is a need, a want is a want. If Apple decides that a feature isn’t economically feasible ore desirable from other standpoints then they have to the right to offer or not offer said features with no apologies – but is *is* their decision on what features are included. Now just because somebody wants that feature – or even absolutely *needs* it isn’t Apple’s fault – it’s nobody’s fault – it is what it is – a desire or need. Get it? No need to finger point on either side. Now a feature omission like the stated 2 button trackpad is very high on Job’s list of “things I want my way to hell with what other people think” list – but that’s his call. In spite of the fact that a HUGE number of people have stated they would like this feature. It is not the fault of these people to want the feature – they after all are spending their money and would like for things to be the way that they want them. Is it Steve’s fault for not giving it to them? No – fault isn’t the right word – decision is much more appropriate. By the way – I took to the two-finger method like a fish to water – about 90% of the time. The other 10% it is awkward in some apps like Photoshop – but hey – I’ll adapt.
So. Chris. Yo. Bud. Lighten up. Be a beacon not just another butthead. ;-)
gunslinger
October 24th, 2007
at 12:04pm
to: James Bailey
If the Mac specs were different I could see your point, but they use the exact same parts. Same CPU, same RAM, and then add a 40% mark up to that RAM. I think for the most part people that just have to have a Mac are the same people that have to ware name brand clothes (pretentious arrogant little pricks) they think if they spend more, they get more. You can argue that OS X is better than vista if you like, and I’ll agree with you. But don’t try to say the hardware is better now that Macs are Intel based. I’d bet 80-90% of the parts inside those two systems are interchangeable, the parts that matter anyway (CPU, RAM, video card, ect). When all else is the same your are buying a name, and thats the bottom line.
Alex
October 25th, 2007
at 9:06am
1. People bitching about DRM, games are geeks or thiefs and so don’t have the right to say anything. Who needs to put there music on more than 5 computers ( and unlimited ipods if i’m right) ?
Gamers can buy dedicated consoles, oh but wait you have to pay for them…
the biggest games are available on mac ( wow anyone ? )
2. People saying that they can found the same applications for a new pc than a mac or can build they’re own computer for less have IT knowledge. Not everybody has the time nor want to learn all this.
3. Linux is great and all but its too complicate for 99% of the world.
4. You can develop professional applications on mac. Oracle JDeveloper, Netbeans…. There’s gonna be more and more a huge demand for Mac software and not a lot of programmers -> more money.
Chris Mankey
October 29th, 2007
at 4:47pm
“*yawn*. .. take it easy. It’s an OS.
One that no one I know has touched since … grade school.”
Which in your case was just a few years ago!
Chris Mankey
October 29th, 2007
at 4:52pm
“6) I can do instant video chat, make podcasts,make my own video, look at system-hogging widgets and look at photos. – You can do all that with a PC, out of the box.”
Gee, you can do all that on a mac….out of the box! Never heard of ilife?
C.G. Mankey
November 25th, 2007
at 7:54pm
Hey, Chris Mankey, I’ve got something I’d like to talk to you about. Email me when you get a chance.
cmankey@purdue.edu