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Updated eMac Line Released Today

TellarHK writes "Today, Apple's eMac line got a nice upgrade with all models getting a 32M Radeon 7500 video chipset, display capable of 1280x960 resolution on a 17" flat CRT, and price cuts across the board. $799 will get you a base model with 40GB of drive, 128M of RAM (continuing the rather odd stinginess on RAM configurations), and an 800Mhz G4. $999 will get you an extra 20GB of drive and a 1Ghz processor, while $1299 lands you a whopping (ahem) 256M of memory, 80G, and a SuperDrive at 4x."

78 comments

  1. Nice by Erect+Horsecock · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Not a bad update but 128MB of RAM on the lowest and middle configuration? C'Mon Apple! OS X needs at LEAST 256 MB to be useful and more is even better. The video card is also at the bare minimum for OS X with the ATI 7500, but thats understandable in a .edu machine. The Speed bump and the rest is a nice update and for the price its a pretty good deal.

    On another note Thinksecret nailed this one a month ago. They also get the iBook update on the nose too. Seems to be the only rumor site with a shit anymore...

    --
    I hope you die painfully and alone.
    1. Re:Nice by ionyka · · Score: 1

      Yeah, they always seem to give the shaft on RAM imo. Other then that, they are really nice machines.

    2. Re:Nice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Look, if all the machines came with a gig of RAM, everybody would be complaining about how expensive the RAM is from Apple.

      Go to RamJet or Other World Computing or something and buy a gig of RAM for a hundred bucks or so, and you're in business.

    3. Re:Nice by rastachops · · Score: 2, Informative

      Hmm but oddly they also are Airport Extreme compatible... so far its just been the Power Macs & PowerBooks that are AE compatible!

    4. Re:Nice by BigBir3d · · Score: 1

      iMac is also AE ready. iBook is last one without, and it just had a speed bump a week ago, so...

    5. Re:Nice by MalleusEBHC · · Score: 4, Informative

      The video card is also at the bare minimum for OS X with the ATI 7500

      I run OS X with either an AGP Rage 128 with 16 MB VRAM or a Rage 128 Mobility with 8 MB VRAM. It runs just fine on those without Quartz Extreme, so I'm sure that a Radeon 7500 running QE will be quite nice. It's not like a 17" CRT is that monstrous.

      I do agree that you need more RAM, but as another poster has already pointed out, it is nice to be forced to buy as little RAM as possible because of Apple's prices on memory. I would always spec out from the Apple store with the least memory and then go buy what RAM you need from somewhere else. It will save you a bundle.

  2. cool stuff by ionyka · · Score: 1

    They seemed to have made some nice updates. Too bad im so poor, id really like to get a mac desktop workstation soon.

    1. Re:cool stuff by foobar3149 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      What I do not understand is why all their sub-1000 dollar models have built in mointors. I would love to see a powermac without a built in monitor in the sub-1000 dollar range i.e. an e-mac without the built in monitor.

    2. Re:cool stuff by ionyka · · Score: 1

      yeah exactly. Ill probably end up buying a lower end G4 just because it doesnt come with a monitor. I have plenty of them and i dont want to waste any more money on them just because i want the tower that it comes with.

    3. Re:cool stuff by TiMike · · Score: 4, Informative

      The eMac (Education Mac) has it built in because according to Apple:

      " Schools have told us they really like an all-in-one design because it saves space in classrooms and computer labs." emac

  3. Other upgrades by PKFC · · Score: 4, Informative

    You also get an Airport Extreme wireless slot and iTunes 4 included along with the rest iLife. I think the bus speed has been bumped up to 133, but I could be wrong about that

    1. Re:Other upgrades by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You know, I was all set to go, "Aw, man, they're screwing the low-end customer! I should have the option of buying the cheaper, old-style AirPort if I want to, to save money!" Then, just one a whim, I went to the Store and checked.

      AirPort Extreme costs exactly the same as AirPort did.

      Bastards. Taking away my sense of righteous indignation like that.

      Apple used to be the company that I loved to hate. But for the last couple of years, it's been harder and harder to hate them. With this new Music Store thing, I'm starting to think that maybe I hate to hate Apple.

      Which means I'm starting to love Apple.

      Augh! Somebody hose me down, quick!

    2. Re:Other upgrades by capmilk · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are perfectly right about the bus speed. Have a look at the eMac's tech specs page.

    3. Re:Other upgrades by cyman777 · · Score: 1

      *grin* Your comment made me smile, a rare thing facing huge exams next week...

  4. Re:Still not the best value by n1ywb · · Score: 1

    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstech nology/134689749_winhec06.html

    I may yet eat my words.

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
  5. Education Store prices by gadwale · · Score: 3, Informative


    FYI, if you are a student you can get better prices at their online educational store:

    (For my school - University of Maryland at College Park)

    $749.00
    800MHz PowerPC G4
    128MB SDRAM
    40GB Ultra ATA drive
    CD-ROM drive
    Discounted from $799 retail price

    $949.00
    1GHz PowerPC G4
    128MB SDRAM
    60GB Ultra ATA drive
    Combo drive
    Discounted from $999 retail price

    $1,149.00
    1GHz PowerPC G4
    256MB SDRAM
    80GB Ultra ATA drive
    SuperDrive
    Discounted from $1,299 retail price

    $1,528.00
    Image
    1GHz PowerPC G4
    1GB SDRAM
    80GB Ultra ATA drive
    SuperDrive
    AirPort Extreme built-in
    Discounted from $1,698 retail price

    Even better deals can be had at Apple B&M stores in universities.

    You have to be a valid student to get these prices.

    There are also refurbished products that you can buy with Applecare over here.

    Adi Gadwale.

    1. Re:Education Store prices by rastachops · · Score: 1

      the bog standard eMac is £650 here in the UK, with the edu discount its drops £70 to £580... a much larger discount than the US edu one! (equivilent of $110 off!)

    2. Re:Education Store prices by Drakonian · · Score: 3, Informative
      You can also get a 1-time (ever) hardware discount if you sign up for the Apple Student Developer program. It's hard to track down prices but I think they are very substantial, ie better than education.

      http://developer.apple.com/membership/hardware.htm l

      --
      Random is the New Order.
    3. Re:Education Store prices by discstickers · · Score: 3, Informative

      Ya, you have to click like 50 links to get to the actual store.

      Once you get there though, the discounts are realllllly nice. And the higher end you go, the better. Don't forget that you have to pay $100 to join ADC. Still, I think the discount on some models aproachs 20-25%.

      --
      I have a shitty sig!
    4. Re:Education Store prices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Costs more than a hundred bucks. $99 gets you a student membership, but that level doesn't get you the discount. Only Premier members ($3500/year) or Select renewals (i.e. you have to be a member for two years, at $500/year) to get the discount. Check out the faq

    5. Re:Education Store prices by Mister+Black · · Score: 2, Informative
      Per this page:

      ADC Student Program members are entitled to one purchase of a discounted development system (one (1) CPU with one (1) monitor; or one (1) iMac, PowerBook, or iBook per lifetime (non-renewable and subject to change) at approximately a 10-20% discount.
      --

      You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.
    6. Re:Education Store prices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      bog standard? hehehe, funny brits. Speak American

    7. Re:Education Store prices by Dolly_Llama · · Score: 1

      You mention that those are the prices for your school. Is the discount different depending on the school?

      --

      Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. -- Carl Sagan

    8. Re:Education Store prices by good+soldier+svejk · · Score: 1

      You mention that those are the prices for your school. Is the discount different depending on the school?
      Yes. Apple also hosts online stores for schools. Harvard's pricing at the Harvard Apple store is noticably lower than College Park's.

      1GHz PowerPC G4
      256MB SDRAM
      80GB Ultra ATA drive
      SuperDrive
      $1099

      1GHz PowerPC G4
      128MB SDRAM
      60GB Ultra ATA drive
      Combo drive
      $849

      800MHz PowerPC G4
      128MB SDRAM
      40GB Ultra ATA drive
      CD-ROM drive
      $699

      Harvard also gets special deals from Apple on returned orders etc. These are available only from Harvard TPC's own site, but can be pretty dramatic. How about a 17" Powerbook with an extended warranty for $2,979? Or a 15" combo drive TiBook with an extended warranty and a free Airport card for $1,799?
      --
      It is cowardly, and a betrayal of whatever it means to be a Jew, to act as a white man

      -James Baldwin
  6. Re:Still not the best value by forsetti · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Price/Performance is only one factor in the TCO calculation. I prefer to look at Price/Work_Output. I know I'll start a war with these comments, but consider this:

    First, the "Windows" part of "wintel":
    How much down time is caused by rebooting Windows?
    How much down time is caused by patching Windows?
    Is the cost of the Apple solution outweighed by the cost of downtime experienced by Windows users?

    Second, there are other Intel-based OSs, like Linux and *BSD. These are excellent, top-notch OSs, however, it can be tough to convince management that they can rely on a vendorless OS. (Yeah, blah blah RedHat blah blah).

    If I could convince my management to give up Exchange, then OS X would be a great solution for the default desktop config.

    If we were all on the same STABLE OS, with a single vendor supporting our Hardware and OS, with the large selection of vendor-backed applications, our work output would go through the roof.

    Ok .. I'm ready for the flames now :)

    --
    10b||~10b -- aah, what a question!
  7. They also have the new keyboards by Erect+Horsecock · · Score: 4, Informative

    see here

    --
    I hope you die painfully and alone.
    1. Re:They also have the new keyboards by discstickers · · Score: 1

      They changed the mouse too. The bottom used to say "Pro Mouse", now its only "Mouse". I think they got rid of the sensitivity adjustor too.

      --
      I have a shitty sig!
    2. Re:They also have the new keyboards by jadriaen · · Score: 1
      Some rumorsites also report the arrival of new keyboards and mice. Nowhere on the Apple site one can find a confirmation of this. Shouldn't they advertise this, if they included it?

      The fact that on the same image one can see an eMac supports your "new keyboard" and "new mice" theory of course. But there is, for the time being, no confirmation whatsoever.

      Maybe Apple chose to use the old keyboard ultimatly? Time will tell.

    3. Re:They also have the new keyboards by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe they didn't say anything because it's a keyboard. A keyboard! Not that big a deal.

    4. Re:They also have the new keyboards by Alex+Thorpe · · Score: 1

      Not bad looking; I'd heard mention of them somewhere else before, but this is my first look. On the other hand, I've been using the old Apple Pro Keyboard for years, and am used to white lettering on black keys. Kind of like my old TI 99 4/A, come to think of it.

      --
      "Common Sense Ain't" -Unknown
  8. Apple charges a lot for RAM by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 2, Informative

    Oddly, I find the low RAM configurations something where it looks like Apple is trying to give me a break, since they sell RAM at INSANE prices, and you can buy it much more cheaply from someone like Crucial.

    1. Re:Apple charges a lot for RAM by Drakonian · · Score: 1

      I was going to ask - is the SDRAM completely standard? Cnn you just buy PC133 SDRAM from Crucial and pop it in?

      --
      Random is the New Order.
    2. Re:Apple charges a lot for RAM by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 2, Informative

      From what I've heard, you can buy GOOD RAM and pop it right in. If it's from Crucial, they even have a section for buying RAM for Macs. I've never seen it fail, though I hear stories now and then about after market RAM not working at all.

    3. Re:Apple charges a lot for RAM by Mononoke · · Score: 1
      I was going to ask - is the SDRAM completely standard? Cnn you just buy PC133 SDRAM from Crucial and pop it in?
      Yes. You can even get it at WalMart, Best Buy, etc, if you are so inclined.
      --
      NetInfo connection failed for server 127.0.0.1/local
    4. Re:Apple charges a lot for RAM by phillymjs · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Apple charging high prices for RAM is like 7 Eleven charging ~$20 for the smallest bottle of Tylenol made-- it's all about convenience.

      People in the know buy the bare minimum RAM from Apple, and max out their machines with third-party RAM from a trusted source. Personally I swear by Other World Computing's "store-brand" RAM. I buy it for myself and recommend it to clients, and I've never had a problem with any of it.

      ~Philly

  9. Quality of the monitor? by angle_slam · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This seems like a bargain too good to pass up. But I wonder about the quality of the monitor. If I were to get a Mac, it would be for photo and video editing. Is the integrated monitor on the eMac of good quality?

    1. Re:Quality of the monitor? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Apple CRTs are usually made by Sony or Mitsubishi. I think the iMacs and eMacs are Mitsubishi. They make very good monitors. But it will get dimmer like any CRT over a period of years and you won't be able to just swap the monitor. But at $799, you're probably going to ditch the whole computer by then.

    2. Re:Quality of the monitor? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      I have an eMac. The monitor is great in my opinion. I am not a graphics guy so I am not expert. It is nice and bright. Quite clear. I have absolutely no complaints.

      It is a good machine. I am loving it.

    3. Re:Quality of the monitor? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am a "graphics guy" and I think that the monitor of the eMac is not very good. It's a bit grayish-looking, lacking real "oomph". I've just checked it out because we were thinking of using eMacs as kiosk computers for an exhibition we're working on. But then again, it's so cheap so we decided to use it anyway. If I lacked funds and needed a Mac for personal use I'd buy one, too. But fill it up with RAM, I can't understand why Apple even allows dealers to let people play with eMacs with just 128 MBs of RAM. They absolutely _crawl_.

  10. USB 1.1! by angle_slam · · Score: 2, Interesting

    No USB 2.0 ports! Why not?

    1. Re:USB 1.1! by Gropo · · Score: 2, Informative

      Because a mouse/keyboard/joystick only needs so much bandwitdh... And for every conceivable USB 2.0 peripheral that requires the bandwidth of USB 2.0 there's a non-CPU-dependant FirewWire alternative?

      Oddly enough, apparently Apple's actually using USB 2.0 controllers on the newer MoBo's, just hobbling it to 1.0 in the firmware. I guess it's hard to find supplies of new 1.0 parts nowadays :P

      --
      I hate Grammar Nazi's
    2. Re:USB 1.1! by pressman · · Score: 1

      well, uh, it has 2 Firewire ports.... better than USB 2.0. Plain and simple.

      --
      Pooty tweet
    3. Re:USB 1.1! by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 1

      If it's anything like their other machines, it's because they're morally opposed to USB 2.0: The hardware has support for USB 2.0, they just disable it in software. If you get drivers from the controller's manufacturer, you can get USB 2.0 on your powermac.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    4. Re:USB 1.1! by bpbond · · Score: 2, Insightful

      1) FireWire
      2) If you need USB2-type speed, Apple wants you to buy a better machine anyway.

      --
      "Science is a tribute to what we can know although we are fallible" -Jacob Bronowski
    5. Re:USB 1.1! by angle_slam · · Score: 1
      And for every conceivable USB 2.0 peripheral that requires the bandwidth of USB 2.0 there's a non-CPU-dependant FirewWire alternative?

      IT may have already changed, and will almost certainly change in the future, but I was looking for a Compact Flash card reader about a month ago and Firewire card readers were a lot more expensive than USB 2.0 card readers.

    6. Re:USB 1.1! by Onan · · Score: 1

      Well, compact flash is considerably slower than usb 1.1 anyway. So there's no real reason to bother with either firewire or usb2 for this application.

  11. Should be useable for graphics and CAD by mnmn · · Score: 1

    The market apple is strong in is the graphics market, and 128MB is like undermining themselves. They need firewire, USB2, 256MB starting RAM (possibly with 400FSB) and a good useable mouse, not a hockey puck. Both the radeon and 17" monitor are good choices there, but 128MB ram just doesnt go with it. DVD authoring would also be preferrable, but maybe not on the base model. I wonder if they should release a lower end than the basic eMac, with a 2d graphics card (or a Rive tnt2, or ati rage) 128MB ram, ~10GB harddisk, 500MHz CPU, 15" monitor and sell it at about $400. That would be a good way to get more people to use the Mac, especially during these recession times when everyones going for cheaper cars etc.

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
    1. Re:Should be useable for graphics and CAD by discstickers · · Score: 1

      Psssst. Apple is also (still) strong in education. What do you think the e in eMac stands for?

      --
      I have a shitty sig!
    2. Re:Should be useable for graphics and CAD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Should be useable for graphics and CAD

      Yep, now all they need is CAD software.

    3. Re:Should be useable for graphics and CAD by shylock0 · · Score: 1
      I agree with the Anon. Coward. I do a fair bit of consulting work for architectural firms, and they simply can't buy Macs because AutoCAD -- and pretty much all of the top-end CAD packages -- are PC-only (with, in some cases, SPARC/Solaris and IRIX support).

      Apple would do itself a HUGE favor if it could get AutoDesk to port AutoCAD to the Macintosh. Vectorworks in ok, but its not AutoCAD...

      --
      Statistically speaking, there's a 99.998% chance that my IQ is higher than yours. Get over it.
    4. Re:Should be useable for graphics and CAD by dadragon · · Score: 1

      USB2 is crap, but it might be the only choice soon for high speed external CDRW drives and the like. The 400mhz FSB can't be done with Motorola chips because they're being dinks about Apple. Apple is charging an arm and a leg for ram, so I'd rather add it myself. DVD authoring is there.

      I too would like to see a low end Mac, but that isn't Apple's business. Apple starts in mid-range, and it shows.

      --
      God save our Queen, and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf Forever!
    5. Re:Should be useable for graphics and CAD by thunderbird46 · · Score: 1

      Seen thinksecret.com lately? They just had an article about AutoDesk considering porting AutoCAD to OS X. As an engineering student I just might e-mail them to encourage it, I'd love to be able to do CAD work on my Mac as opposed to on a Windows machine.

  12. Pretty good...IF Apple's cured the eMac QC issues by 0x69 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    *IF* Apple has fixed the huge early-failure defect problem they were having with eMacs, then these look like nice econo-G4 systems. Base price is about where the much weaker G3/15" CRT iMac was until recently.

    They're really short on memory for most uses, but good 3rd party memory is so cheap that it's often thrown in free when you buy the system.

    Size & weight are what you pay for the eMac being a G4 at G3 prices - look, lift it, & measure your desk before you buy.

    --
    It's easy to make up & spread cool- and credible-sounding stuff. Finding & checking hard facts is hard work.
  13. No flamage needed by macguiguru · · Score: 0

    Exchange does seem to be the outstanding issue. Supposedly Entourage (Mac Office vX Outlook) now has Exchange support. That would seem to answer that. You can put Linux or pretty any flavor of *nix you want on these. It just amazes me that a machine with a flat-screen 17" display can be that cheap - I paid that much for just my studio display!! Gotta love it.

    1. Re:No flamage needed by gryphokk · · Score: 1
      Exchange does seem to be the outstanding issue. Supposedly Entourage (Mac Office vX Outlook) now has Exchange support.



      Is that already available? I heard that was coming down the pipe, but if it's ready, I desparately need it. (it did not function last time I tried with Entourage.)


      If there's an available update, patch, or procedure, please advise!

      Thanx

      --
      And you, madam, are very ugly. In the morning, I shall be sober.
    2. Re:No flamage needed by JJahn · · Score: 1
      "It just amazes me that a machine with a flat-screen 17" display can be that cheap"

      It's not an LCD display (which I think is what you're thinking), its just a 17" flat CRT.

    3. Re:No flamage needed by extra88 · · Score: 1

      The patch is not out yet, it's due this summer. If Exchange has IMAP and LDAP enabled, Entourage v.X is a great client for email and Global Contacts. It's the group calendaring which is still a big missing piece.

      Unfortunately they say it will require Exchange 2000 (or newer) which screws us since it'll probably be another year before our organization has Active Directory going (required for Exchange 2000).

    4. Re:No flamage needed by gryphokk · · Score: 1
      Unfortunately they say it will require Exchange 2000 (or newer)

      Requiring Ex 2000 is fine, when they come across with it. I was just dreading having to purchase Office 2004 just to get going. Still using Outlook under classic, but it's such a lame client. no graphics or html. How could anyone live like that?

      --
      And you, madam, are very ugly. In the morning, I shall be sober.
  14. Time to get out the Big Foam Cluebat by Llywelyn · · Score: 2, Informative

    "They need firewire,"

    Got it. 2 Firewire ports.

    "USB2"

    Why? They have Firewire.

    "256MB starting RAM"

    http://macseek.com

    Or you can just add it in their online store.

    "and a good useable mouse, not a hockey puck."

    Um, the Apple Mouse that comes with it ain't a hockey puck.

    " DVD authoring would also be preferrable, but maybe not on the base model."

    It is. Just not on the base model.

    Of course, if we are upgrading for the base model, the one that is automatically equipped with a Superdrive has 256MB of RAM.

    --
    Integrate Keynote and LaTeX
  15. Re:They also have the new keyboards, indeed! by jadriaen · · Score: 1
    Indeed, the indisputable Apple Spokesperson brings confirmation of the fact: the new keyboards and mice are here.

    Rejoyce.

    More info from MacMinute.

  16. I don't know - can't get an answer! by macguiguru · · Score: 0

    I've asked repeatedly and am getting stonewalled by M$. Our org will NOT buy it for the 50 or so Mac users on site, so I'll be paying for it out of my pocket so I can at least continue to work on a par with the PC users (I'm presently using Outlook 9 and it's fine under emulation). I work as a web developer and it's been a struggle to hold onto my Mac! Several of the apps on it are being supported at my expense since corporate mgt. simply will NOT realize their web pages MUST work on Macs since many of our clients USE Macs! Not to mention, the entire Design group uses Macs! I'll inquire further and advise.

  17. 10.2.6 released by Mister+Black · · Score: 1
    10.2.6 has been released via Software Update:

    The 10.2.6 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: Address Book, Graphics, Printing, OpenGL, and PC Card and USB hub device compatibility.

    For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n25448
    --

    You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.
  18. Low RAM for a reason by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It was always my understanding that Apple shipped with low quantities of RAM as a bone thrown to their retail distributors. If you buy from MacMall or MacWarehouse you get "free" RAM with your purchase. If customers thought they had enough then this offer wouldnn't have the apeal it now has.

  19. So weak! by macguiguru · · Score: 0

    Had me fooled! Sigh!!!!! It's a turkey. CRTs are the biggest *(#&^$@# pain the arse! Now that I've seen the way, LCD for ME. Have heard back about Entourage - MS Rep at recent show promised June.

  20. Well.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Somebody is a negative nancy today

  21. Re:Still not the best value by n1ywb · · Score: 1

    Hmm way to go modding me down as a troll and flaimbait. You've proven once again that Apple users are the most zealous. And not a single reply explaining why anybody thinks I'm trolling or baiting, how about that? Grow up, if you think I'm wrong and you want a debate, bring it. If you mod me down just because you disagree with me, and you don't even have the balls to say why, you're a pussy. And my karma is so high I don't give a damn.

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
  22. Re:Still not the best value by n1ywb · · Score: 1

    Just for the record, I do own two PowerMacs. I used to be an Apple fanatic. But I honestly couldn't justify spending any more money on their products.

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
  23. Re:They also have the new keyboards, indeed! by Dr+Reducto · · Score: 1

    What are you talking about? New mice and keyboards are not here. They have not been seen within 300 miles of here. That's assuming that they even exist, which they do not!!

  24. Refurb by Unregistered · · Score: 1

    I've heard apple sells refurb stuff, but every link i've seen goes to a page that says session timed out and i can't find the link to refurb on the store. Does anyone know how t get to the refurb apple products.

    1. Re:Refurb by Mister+Black · · Score: 2, Informative

      Go to the main store site ( http://store.apple.com ). Then scroll down and on the bottom left hand is a section labeled "Special deals" with a red tag labeled "SAVE". That's the refurb section.

      --

      You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.
  25. Re:Still not the best value by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Basically because you're incorrect.

  26. Re:Still not the best value by n1ywb · · Score: 1

    AC, incorectness != trolling. Furthermore I'm stating my opinions, I never claimed them to be facts, therefor they cannot be incorrect.

    --
    -73, de n1ywb
    www.n1ywb.com
  27. Re:Still not the best value by Graymalkin · · Score: 1

    What you're saying is a price/performance comparison is a measure of the unit's price vs. its SPEC benchmark scores. Performance is not measured in CPU processing power alone.

    I'd put a Mac up against a Windows PC any day if you measure performance in terms of productivity. When orienting a new hire who may or may not know anything about computers, I've found Macs are FAR easier for them to learn to use than a Windows PC. Style and function guidelines are much more strictly followed as well as intelligent interface concepts. Shortcut keys are also used with much greater effectiveness. Getting a new user to use the Mac interface speedily is a relatively simple task.

    If you're talking about interoperability as performance, OSX easily beats out Windows. Out of the box OSX supports NFS, CIFS/SMB, and AFS both as a client and server. You can stick an OSX system on a network with Windows, Linux, Solaris (or any other Unix), and Macintosh file servers and not need any third party software to browse or mount shares. On the file server end using OSX clients means no more third party software to provide a share protocol not natively supported by the file server's OS or vendor. Being able to interoperate with an existing infrastructure is a major advantage to using OSX.

    If you measure performance in the form of longevity the Mac is a winner again. You may pay more up front for the Macintosh than you would an equivilent Windows PC but you end up with a much longer lasting machine. Ask anybody still doing serious work on their 8500s. Look to any school still doing quite well with Netscape 4.7 running on their Rev A iMacs.

    If price is the lifetime price as opposed to the initial price a Mac is going to cost you a great deal less. Licensing Microsoft software for a large number of users is extremely expensive. A site running OSX over several years, and OS releases, is going to be paying far less than a Windows site. Because of the previously mentioned server compatibility the Mac site can replace their expensive proprietary servers with house supported open source server systems. Even if instead a site went with vendor supported server options they'd still be paying far less than the Windows site. A 10-user license for Windows Server 2003 Standard costs as a small cluster computers running open source programs providing the same functionality.

    You may measure performance in terms of processor speed but when you run a business performance takes on many different meanings. Don't buy a Mac if you don't think the processor is fast enough. However don't be ignorant and make broad statements about price/performance comparisons if processor speed is the only metric you can think of.

    --
    I'm a loner Dottie, a Rebel.
  28. Dear Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Dear Apple,

    I am a homosexual. I bought an Apple computer because of its well earned reputation for being "the" gay computer. Since I have become an Apple owner, I have been exposed to a whole new world of gay friends. It is really a pleasure to meet and compute with other homos such as myself. I plan on using my new Apple computer as a way to entice and recruit young schoolboys into the homosexual lifestyle; it would be so helpful if you could produce more software which would appeal to young boys. Thanks in advance.

    with much gayness,

    Father Randy "Pudge" O'Day, S.J.

  29. Dear Randy O'Day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Dear Father O'Day:

    Thanks for your letter. Being Catholic myself, I know exactly what you're talking about! It has always been our plan here at Apple Computer Inc to revolutionize personal computing with our high-quality and highly gay products.

    I'm happy to answer your letter by letting you know that YES we will be releasing an entire hLife ("homo-life") software line. You'll be able to recognize it in stores by the small stylized logo depicting a large cock entering a tight anus with an Apple logo on it. ("Suddenly it all comes together" indeed!).

    Anyway, I hope you and other members of our community will join us on our mission, and purchase the exciting new hLife boxed set. Only the boxed set comes with translucent cock rings!

    Sincerely,

    Harry Rodman
    Vice-president
    Homosexual Liaison Services
    Apple Computer, Inc.

  30. Re:Still not the best value by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I,for one, like pussies!