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Enderle's Ferrari Laptop

deminisma writes "Hilarity abounds as 'analyst' Rob Enderle gushes over his new Ferrari/Acer laptop. The laptop apparently even plays the sound of a car revving up while booting, which Enderle seems to think is all the rage at meetings."

128 of 563 comments (clear)

  1. Try as they might... by inertia187 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Nothing beats the sleek style of the Apple Titanium PowerBook (old and new). Not even this bucket of bolts, with it's stupid engine sound can change my mind. I'm still not sure I've ever heard a real apple make the sound my TiBook makes when I power it up, but I prefer it none the less.

    --
    A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
    1. Re:Try as they might... by jo_ham · · Score: 2, Funny

      Nothing soothes me more than the boot chime of an Apple computer.

      It seems to convey so many things in just one sound. It's beautiful.

      It sounds stunning from the small, tinny inbuilt speaker on a 9600 and lusterous from the large floorstanders I have connected to the G5 via a Yamaha amp.

      I hardly ever reboot my iBook though, so I forget what the sound is like on the small speakers, but I'm sure it's just as good as the other two machines.

    2. Re:Try as they might... by hackstraw · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm not sure how "new" your talking about, but Apple stoped using titanium for their powerbooks because of poor wireless reception issues.

    3. Re:Try as they might... by ShadowDrake · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I hate to offer the point, but it's true. The boot sound is the feature that I like best about Macs. I wish that x86 makers would allow you to embed a short sound file into the BIOS image and flash it with a preferred sound.

      I had a laptop that had a close startup sound (DFI Mediabook, I believe a Kapok 9200 rebadge), but in these days of decent integrated audio, it should be on every mobo.

      --
      It's just like a fascist dictatorship, without the punctual rail service!
    4. Re:Try as they might... by badasscat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So is it such a slow news day that there's literally nothing to post but personal insults? I mean really, that's what this is. There's no "news for nerds" here, no "stuff that matters". Just a story about a guy who's clueless about his personal laptop. Big deal. "Ha ha! Look at this dork with his goofy thing that he has!" Sheesh. Different people like different things, not everybody is an Apple lover, and not everybody has good taste; get over it. This is certainly not front page news.

    5. Re:Try as they might... by alex_ant · · Score: 5, Informative

      The lid, bottom panel and top area around the keyboard and palmrests are all pure titanium. The frame is carbon fiber. The TiBook has poor wireless range because the signal is shielded by the titanium. The antenna is not "next to the airport card," it runs all the way through the case to the two windows on opposite sides of the machine. Thank you for making a series of blind guesses and passing them off as fact though.

    6. Re:Try as they might... by shut_up_man · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think if there's any way the Ferrari startup sound can be modified, people in Enderle's office will change it to:

      1) "Welcome to my midlife crisis!"
      2) "Step away from the vehicle! STEP AWAY!"
      3) "Varoom! VaROOM! Va... oh, screw it."
      4) "Tutto fumo e niente arrosto, baby!" (All smoke and no fire).

    7. Re:Try as they might... by JDWTopGuy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah, and nothing's impressive about an engine sound on startup - hell, my little brother's "Hot Wheels" laptop has the same thing, and it was a lot cheaper.

      --
      Ron Paul 2012
    8. Re:Try as they might... by jcr · · Score: 3, Interesting

      No, we went for the Aluminum because we didn't want the machine to flex as much as the titanium allowed. Try picking up an Aluminum powerbook by the corner, then try it with a TiBook.

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    9. Re:Try as they might... by jcr · · Score: 3, Informative

      Look closely at the corners and edges of the aluminum shells of the current PowerBooks. A lot of their stiffness come from the large radii used.

      -jcr

      --
      The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    10. Re:Try as they might... by jigyasubalak · · Score: 2, Funny

      Even when I'm in a meeting, I don't turn the sound off because of the unbridled envy that seems to show up in the eyes of my, granted mostly male, co-attendees. So far no one has complained.

      No one has complained, maybe, because they are juniors to you. Did you realize that? They sure must be muttering "JERK" under their breath, anyways.

      --
      The best planning can be done after the project completes.
    11. Re:Try as they might... by dimension6 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Haha ... actually, I think that the ol' Silicon Graphics machines (Indy, O2, etc.) had the best boot-up sounds...

  2. Add-ons... by jwthompson2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Add a F.A. Porsche design Lacie drive [http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10032] and a pine tree air freshener and one would be set no?

    --
    Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. -Martin Luther
    1. Re:Add-ons... by OECD · · Score: 5, Funny

      The laptop apparently even plays the sound of a car revving up while booting, which Enderle seems to think is all the rage at meetings.

      I bet that never gets old.

      --
      One man's -1 Flamebait is another man's +5 Funny.
    2. Re:Add-ons... by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've played with one in the stores, it's kind of cheesy, the Lacie drive, they didn't do a good job with the molding

    3. Re:Add-ons... by MikeXpop · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'd prefer the Porsche laptop.

      I do remember when this came out, though. It was a flop. It was overpriced (more than the TiBook at the time), and fragile.

      --
      Etiquette is etiquette. He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers.
    4. Re:Add-ons... by Chicane-UK · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If its anything like the sound of the Silicon Graphics Indy 'BIOS' beep (imagine a short 2 second synth style riff from the 80's, but modified to fit a game show and you are kinda close), then it'll be one of those cool for the first few times type sounds - then it gets annoying - and then a few weeks on, you kinda hide under your desk every time you power the machine up! :)

      --
      "Hey! Unless this is a nude love-in, get the hell off my property!!"
    5. Re:Add-ons... by RevAaron · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah, I remember seeing one at BestBuy. They had them there for quite a while, though I don't think so any longer. When they first came out, I remember folks on here and other more PC-leaning forums, singings its praises- finally something to rival the TiBook, but one capable of running Windows and Linux/x86. Joy.

      The thing doesn't feel sturdy, less than most PC laptops and far less than a TiBook or any other current Apple 'book for that matter. Although, AFAIK, it was the first widescreen PC laptop, aimed at taking the market the TiBook lived it, so I imagine some folks bought it for that.

      But bleh.

      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
    6. Re:Add-ons... by Saint+Stephen · · Score: 4, Funny

      They should just make the laptop have a picture of a giant schlong on it. What a loser!

  3. Safety by dolo666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well at least the CEO of Nissan can't drive this into anyone. :-)

    1. Re:Safety by ScottGant · · Score: 5, Funny

      Kinda reminds me of a joke that George Carlin used to tell:

      In Heaven, the Italians make the food, the English are the diplomats and the Germans make the cars.

      In Hell, the English make the food, the Germans are the diplomats and the Italians make the cars.

      --

      "Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it." - John Lennon.
    2. Re:Safety by spun · · Score: 5, Informative

      That is only part of the joke. It's an old European joke. Never heard Carlin tell it, but it wouldn't surprise me. As I heard it, it goes like this:

      In Heaven: the chefs are French, the lovers are Italian, the police are English, the mechanics are German, and the managers are Swiss.

      In Hell: the chefs are English, the lovers are Swiss, the police are German, the mechanics are French, and the managers are Italian.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    3. Re:Safety by Erick+the+Red · · Score: 4, Funny

      Kind of like the Canadian joke:

      When Canada was created, it could have had French cuisine, British culture and American technology. Instead, it got French technology, British cuisine and American culture.
      --

      DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE

      ok
    4. Re:Safety by phong3d · · Score: 3, Funny

      ...and then have to find another soul to sell to afford repairs.

  4. This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. article. by Dr+Reducto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This laptop doesn't seem like it is that good aside from the paint job. IMHO, the Ferrari products that carried the Ferrari name, but were manufactured by someone else just seem tacky and sucky. This joins the Ferrari mountain bike in my mind as a sucky marketing ploy. Fortunately, the Article mentions how this is mainly designed to appeal to PHB's who think that because a company is good (or arguably the best) at making cars, the laptop bearing their name is good, or arguably the best.

  5. So Basically... by GTRacer · · Score: 5, Funny
    They've combined the reliability and TCO of an Acer with a *FERARRI*?

    Way to go.

    GTRacer
    - Still, the paint's nice

    --
    Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
  6. What's in a name? by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Funny
    It seems Ferrari is willing to license their name on anything.

    The obvious downsides to haveing a Ferrari computer:

    Authorized customer support means having your own personal tech, at the same rate as a car mechanic.

    Tech charges same as the Ferrari auto mechanics, speaks only italian and probably dresses sharper than you.

    It needs a tune up every other week to keep in top performance condition.

    When it's old, it's no classic, it's slow and out of date and looks lame compared to some cheap POS.

    In exchange for its eye catching appeal, you have to live in denial of its shortcomings.

    One scratch and it's just another laptop.

    When it craps out, it's just another piece of dead weight, just like all other laptops.

    It looks cool until your boss has one, too.

    People accustomed to getting the best bang for the buck have no idea who 'Ferrari' is.

    It probably looks really bad when you try to declare this as a business expense on your tax return.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:What's in a name? by wankledot · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "When it's old, it's no classic, it's slow and out of date and looks lame compared to some cheap POS." This one is true for laptops, but hardly for Ferraris. There are very very few Ferraris that are NOT classics.

      --
      My sig is blank, I typed this by hand.
    2. Re:What's in a name? by kfg · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, if you go back and read that line again you'll find that was his point. He was contrasting the laptop against the classic Ferrari.

      KFG

    3. Re:What's in a name? by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny
      A Ferris Bueller moment

      "The 2004 Ferrari 250GT California.
      Less than a hundred were made.
      My father spent 3 years restoring this laptop.
      It is his love,
      It is his passion..."
      "It is his fault that he didn't lock the docking station..."

      Nope, I can't see it. Although, after the nth vroom-vroom, I'd be willing to try kicking it a few times and dropping it into a ravine.

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  7. booting sounds? in a meeting? by lysander · · Score: 4, Insightful

    why the hell are you booting in a meeting? it should already be up and ready to go.

    --
    GET YOUR WEAPONS READY! --DR.LIGHT
  8. It's funny, laugh... by Anonymous+Freak · · Score: 5, Funny
    It's what the Apple fans are really doing.

    When I walk into a room with this baby, even the Apple users join the throngs of admirers.


    Hate to break it to you, they're not 'joining the admirers', they're laughing their socks off at your gullibility.
    --
    Another non-functioning site was "uncertainty.microsoft.com."
    The purpose of that site was not known.
    1. Re:It's funny, laugh... by Mandomania · · Score: 4, Funny

      Man, you know you're a sucker when the Apple users* are laughing at your gullibility.

      ZING!

      Thank you, I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

      * Disclaimer: I am, in fact, an aforementioned Apple user.

      --
      Mando

    2. Re:It's funny, laugh... by slackr · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, that's interesting. I do the same thing when an Apple user walks in.

      *ducks*

      --

      * Please do not read my signature.
  9. This is a joke, right? by Captain+Tenille · · Score: 5, Funny
    Right? Right? No one could possibly be stupid enough to market a laptop with automotive pain that makes revving noise when you start it up, right?

    sigh Maybe I'm wrong...

    --

    ------------
    /* You are not expected to understand
    1. Re:This is a joke, right? by dbirchall · · Score: 4, Funny

      I wonder if Rob has a Hot Wheels PC on his desk?

  10. New Trend? by Deflagro · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope this isn't a new trend where automakers start designing laptops. Imagine a computer designed after something like.. oh... the Gremlin!
    Sweet.

    --
    Der Tod ist der einzige Weg hier raus!
    1. Re:New Trend? by somethinghollow · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or the Pinto. If you drop it on the wrong side, it may explode.

      At least the people who make nicely padded carrying cases would get a few more sales.

    2. Re:New Trend? by corbettw · · Score: 3, Funny

      Or the Pinto. If you drop it on the wrong side, it may explode.

      Speaking of which, isn't Nokia coming out with a Pinto themed phone?

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
    3. Re:New Trend? by cgenman · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh, you mean the powerbook.

      Once again, Apple is ahead of the curve.

  11. Well? by Moth7 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Am I the only one to ask "What's the point?"? It's very pretty 'n' all, but why bother when you can put your money towards the laptop itself rather than an industrial strength coat of paint. Not to mention the fact that you're paying for the brand too. Maybe it's nice to have it as a status symbol, but that's all it is. And yes, I did RTFA.

    1. Re:Well? by TechnoWeeniePas · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Isnt this the same question that can be asked of a case moder? I mean look at the market for premoded cases and the amount of web pages and information dedicated to the topic...this is just a pre moded laptop thats all...nothing new really.

  12. Who is this Enderle guy? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just like John Katz or Al Gore, this Bob Enderle dude seems to erupt with totally unresearched, poorly reported and over-exaggerated stuff that seems todraw everyone's attention.

    How does he get to be on eWeek and Slashdot and what not with below average write-ups suitable for personal blog? Is the legend about gay mafia true?

    1. Re:Who is this Enderle guy? by An+Onerous+Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Rob Enderle is the founder--and as best I can tell, sole employee--of "The Enderle Group." Basically, he started calling himself an expert on stuff, a few online 'zines believed him, and he got famous on Slashdot for badmouthing Linux.

      --

      You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!

    2. Re:Who is this Enderle guy? by Sevn · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This is why it is not that surprising that he would have a laptop with car paint that goes vrooom vrooom. He's a flipping idiot. He proves it more each article. He IS the PHB type. Another buzzword know-it-all with no actual technical cred to speak of. He's Microsoft's sock puppet. He'd make an excellent technology commontator for Fox News.

      --
      For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
    3. Re:Who is this Enderle guy? by laird · · Score: 2, Informative

      Nope. Check out the email addresses:

      Research: Rob Enderle renderle@enderlegroup.com

      Sales: Fred H. Abbott fhabbott@valleyviewventures.com

      Is a guy who does sales and marketing for independent analysts.

      Media Relations:
      Amy Riemer
      amy@riemercommunications.com

      Is a woman who runs a one-person PR firm that has about 15 clients.

      So basically the "Enderle Group" is Rob, who hired a tiny PR firm and a tiny Sales & Marketing firm. All three companies appear to be "one-person" shops.

      There's nothing wrong with small companies or independent consultants, but it's pretty funny seeing how hard they're trying to inflate themselves so that they look like large, credible companies. In particular, Rob's bio is astoundingly funny if you know how to read it -- he lists a bunch of "Board/Advisory" positions, all of which are meaningless "Member, Industry
      Advisory Council" (i.e. he's not on anyone's board) and he even thinks it's impressive to mention that he "has done special segments for United Airlines in flight programming." And one can only assume that "As he became better known and the traditional research firms fell into decline his clients recommended he go out on his own and form a company to better address their emerging need" translates to "Rob was laid off."

      Just reading his bio makes me feel slimy. Can you imagine what he's like in person?

  13. Style over substance by IamGarageGuy+2 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is the coming of consumer products that have less to do with the tech and more to do with the marketing. Does this mean that laptops are now becoming fashion accesories more than tools? I also wonder if this is a bad thing or a good thing?

    --
    Stay tuned for new sig...
    1. Re:Style over substance by computersareevil · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Does this mean that laptops are now becoming fashion accesories more than tools?

      Yes, just like cell phones have.

      I also wonder if this is a bad thing or a good thing?

      IMHO, bad. Phones are now overpriced, unreliable, feature-happy, hard-to-use, and almost useless as phones. They used to just be overpriced.

    2. Re:Style over substance by 16K+Ram+Pack · · Score: 2, Insightful
      I think overall, good.

      There are morons who buy the latest PDA even though they bought one 6 months ago that they only used for bragging to their mates. They pay for the R&D that means I can get the older one cheaper - and there's more second hand ones on Ebay.

  14. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  15. Follow the money by Petronius · · Score: 4, Informative

    Look who wrote the article. The guy works for a company who sells as its major product: " Provides consulting services during the review process of a poorly founded negative piece on a vendor or its products and, should it be needed, showcases the research errors, statistical mistakes, and unfounded conclusions that often define such a piece.". May be Acer got some bad press recently and this is how this guy is spinning it? I smell a rat

    --
    there's no place like ~
  16. So stupid it's almost surreal by ChaosDiscord · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The great features on this wonder laptop? A pretty red finish that he apparently spends time worrying about damage to. It plays a revving up sound when it boots (as far as I can tell, this is just the Windows Log In sound), and Ferrari themed background image. This man is a giant dork. Yes, I appreciate good looking hardware and even a nice desktop graphic. But to suggest that those are key purchasing decisions, let alone something to base an article on, is inane.

  17. It's got a WAV! by ivan37 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "One impressive piece of execution is that when you fire the machine up it plays a WAV file of a Ferrari race car revving its engine. That alone is worth the relatively low $1,899 price of admission."

    Hrm...I might have to track this guy down and sell him my outdated Dell laptop. I guess all I have to do is put a race car startup sound and he'll pay anything!

    1. Re:It's got a WAV! by Experiment+626 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hey, the RIAA says an MP3 is worth $15,000. Here, you can get an audio file for only $1899, AND they throw in a laptop with a pretty paint job! What more could you possibly ask for?

  18. Oh god no by TechnologyX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just wonderful, next thing you know you'll have an "Acer rawkin Neon RT" laptop, or worse yet, some 16 year old goof in history class with his "Acer 2Fast Civic", complete with annoying useless NOZ stickers and an oversized processor fan.

    --
    Slashdot sucks
    1. Re:Oh god no by blugu64 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey don't knock my Powerbook 1400 SiR Type-R GT NOS. She's got a 117mhz 603e processor, with custom intake and exhaust, I also pulled off the rubber feet which dropped her, and gives her that "low rider" look......ya I think you can see what I think of this one.... ;)

      --
      "Personal ownership is a hallmark of conservative capitalism. And I don't believe I am entitled to anything that I did n
  19. He must not get out much... by Sinter · · Score: 5, Funny

    I admit, I stopped reading the article when I hit this paragraph: "One impressive piece of execution is that when you fire the machine up it plays a WAV file of a Ferrari race car revving its engine. That alone is worth the relatively low $1,899 price of admission. (I found it priced as low as $1,725 at PCVideoOnline.) Even when I'm in a meeting, I don't turn the sound off because of the unbridled envy that seems to show up in the eyes of my, granted mostly male, co-attendees. So far no one has complained." Now I feel dirty for having read as much as I did. -Sinter

    --
    From Wherever to Whenever.
  20. Ferrari, eh? by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 5, Funny

    So I can use this while driving, correct? You know, in addition to talking on my cell phone, shaving, making notes on my PDA, translating various languages for the benefit of my passengers, beating Kasparov at chess over the Internet, and giving advice to NASA and the ESA about how to avoid retaliation on their probes from the native Martian factions.

    --
    True story.
    1. Re:Ferrari, eh? by savagedome · · Score: 2, Funny

      beating Kasparov at chess over the Internet

      I was nodding till this point. You just pushed your luck with this :)

  21. Re:Which Nissan? by dolo666 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This CEO of Nissan. :-)

  22. Raise your hand if you are surprised... by rc.loco · · Score: 4, Insightful


    Based on his columns and viewpoints, I've always thought of Enderle as a poser, at best. This just cements that impression. :-)

    --
    --rc
  23. Screenshots? by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 3, Insightful
    OK, this is stupid pendanticism, but it's hard to respect an article that labels pictures of the outside of the product in question as "screenshots". Well, it's a snapshot, maybe, and it is on my screen, but that's not what I usually associate with that word.

    If it had 15 transparent Eterms with a naked chick as the background, then, yeah, it's a screenshot. A JPG of a computer case doesn't cut it.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  24. Finally... by gothrus · · Score: 4, Funny

    A loptop that says I have a really small penis

  25. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by RealityMogul · · Score: 3, Funny

    I love Ferrari cars and have since I first saw a Testarossa in a Motor Trend mag. And I used to collect Ferrari stuff to, mostly toys.

    Although I stopped doing that 2 minutes ago after I saw what Ferrari agreed to put their name on.

  26. Wow, this guy's stupid. by amitti · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This notebook is just a POS Acer with Ferrari's name stamped on it. He goes on about it's poor battery life but how you have to comprimise for a high proformance machine. This is nothing spectacluar, this is AMD's mobile chip, which I've heard runs pretty hot and sucks the juice down. This machine looks very thick, and is 7lbs, not very light.

    Just because this thing has a car companies logo on it and is painted steal me red, doesn't mean it's a good machine.

    -Aaron Mitti

  27. Re:booting sounds? in a meeting? by ivan37 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every manager's worst nightmare: stupid employees wasting time by turning their laptops on and off so that they can hear the startup sound.

  28. Re:Handlebar mustache? by Deraj+DeZine · · Score: 2, Funny

    Actually, both of the properties you listed would imply that he is rather wealthy from making sly Texas oil deals, so yes, he probably is rolling in chicks on his million dollar yacht.

    --
    True story.
  29. Man, I hope this guy was looking for laughs... by NickV · · Score: 4, Funny
    This quote just says it all:

    "Part of me wishes this notebook was fueled by the Athlon64 rather than the Athlon XP-M chip because, like with the car, I want ultimate performance--but then I take one look at the machine's lustrous coat, and somehow everything else seems trivial"

    So basically, because it's red and shiny, it's great? It's heavy, it gets bad battery life, and man, it really actually looks ugly when it's open. Sorry. But hey, the guy also owns a Ferrari watch... there's nothing classier than that.
  30. You make it, they'll buy it by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 5, Funny

    Lets see...
    Acer(Shiny Shiny Red ^ Ferarri logo)/CSt
    where CSt == Consumer Stupidity

    Yeap... the Acer marketing dept was right on the money this time. I read the story last week and I thought it was hilarious that a "tech-savvy" adult would get such a kick out of the PC equivelant of a Dukes of Hazard lunchbox.
    Goes to show it's not all about Mhz/RAM/HD... nope not at all. Give anything a paint job, slap on a snazzy logo and damn... if someone wont think it's just the bestest thingy since slicest breaded.

  31. The Slashdot Effect by segfault7375 · · Score: 4, Funny

    It may be a Ferrari, but it runs like a Pinto when it gets Slashdotted :)

    Segfault

  32. REAL Ferrari notebook by binaryDigit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Too bad they took the Ferrari thing to such a shallow level. Would would have been REALLY cool would be

    - case made of carbon fibre
    - billet aluminum trackpoint knob
    - "paddle" mouse buttons
    - see through area of case above the cpu
    - red EVERYWHERE, expect where the black/grey of the cf showed through
    - Italian voice sounds by default
    - "track" day where all the notebook owners can get together and learn how to properly use their new toys

  33. Article Summary: by theghost · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oooooooh Shiney!

    --
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
  34. Translation: by llamalicious · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I drive a Ferrari" == "I have a small penis"

    "I have a Ferrari laptop" == "I have a small penis, and a small wallet"

    1. Re:Translation: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As a (real) Ferrari owner, I can only shake my head in puzzlement when every other red-blooded American male in my office drives to work alone in a 5,000-pound SUV that gets worse gas mileage than my 512TR... and people say I have a small penis.

      'Splain?

  35. Ferrari? more like a Fiero Kit Car by Pontiac · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This thing looks like a gussied up Fiero to me..

    A real Ferrari Laptop would have Carbon fiber pannels, a true performance CPU (battery life is for pussies!) a 19" display and a connely leather keyboard. Nobody would care that it cost $30,00 and has a 30 minute battery life..

    --
    If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur. --Red Adair
  36. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by JMemmert · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If I wanted more than a great paint job, I'd go for a Hypersonic laptop... same great red color (among other colors) and I'd get great performance, too.
    On the other hand, if I were silly enough to consider a sound effect during startup like the one described "cool", I'd never go for performance if I could get the brand name... Silly.

  37. ultimate laptop? by morcheeba · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder why there is no ferrari-like niche in the laptop world -- ultimate performance that makes a lot of sacrifices that most people wouldn't make. How hard would it be to slap this dual processor motherboard onto a 20" LCD screen, and add a few SCSI 2.5" drives in a raid? There are people who'd go for it, even though it would weigh 20 pounds.

    (related link tadpole sparcbook)

  38. Re:Handlebar mustache? by gwernol · · Score: 4, Funny

    Handlebar mustache and a Ferrari laptop... This guy is obviously rolling in chicks!

    That, sir, is not a handlebar moustache, these are handlebar moustaches. Look on these work, ye mighty, and despair.

    Mind you, I agree that Rob must be absolutely up to his eyebrow in chicks.

    --
    Sailing over the event horizon
  39. Wonderful! by SniperPuppy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Zero to Blue Screen of Death in 3.8 seconds!

  40. Re:Ferary licence by Malk-a-mite · · Score: 5, Informative

    "custom AMD processor"

    The Athlon(TM) XP-M 2500+ .... the same one you can get in a HP ze4000 laptop?

  41. Re:Handlebar mustache? by freejamesbrown · · Score: 2, Funny

    ah but with a handlebar mustache, is it really the chicks he's after?
    m.

  42. Has Enderle actually been correct on anything? by heychris · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I'll admit that I really only hear about Enderle's weak Apple-related predictions (iPod Mini would be flash-based, Mac moving to x86, etc.). However, I just attributed that to not being knowledgable about the Mac world. However, after glossing over the tech stuff to basically say "It's pretty", I'm wondering who his audience is exactly. I thought it was high-level IT management, but hsi arguments seem like they won't hold a lot of weight with them.

    Yes, the Ferrari name has cachet, but if given the choice, I'll take a quality product from a company that focuses on the market and the users. It doesn't mean cross-branding can't work, but this seems like an odd pairing.

    CC

    1. Re:Has Enderle actually been correct on anything? by ablair · · Score: 3, Informative

      From my experience, no. I have no idea why he is quoted so often when he (quite obviously in many cases) has doen not offer many quotes of value - it must be that he's seen to it that more journalists get his business card that most other "analysts". Since you mentioned Apple, just months ago he predicted Apple would ditch their own hardware development roadmap and migrate to x86 by the end of 2003, adding "When you are down to 2 percent share and the trend is still in the wrong direction you need to do something before someone asks you to turn out the lights," OK Rob, Apple will get right on that. Even people who work for Microsoft know he's full of it. Seeing a quote from him in an article just warns the reader of lazy journalism.

  43. Re:Ferary licence by nate1138 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    They had a custom AMD processor made and all that stuff

    I don't think so. Do you have ANY idea how much it costs to bring a new CPU to market? WAY more than Acer could afford, even with Ferrari as a backer. It's a standard AMD mobile chip (not even 64 bit). Don't get me wrong, it's pretty, but not much else.

    --
    Where's my lobbyist? Right here.
  44. Laptop isn't just for show... by terradyn · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I own this laptop and aside from the many double-takes I get at the office, the system is a powerhouse:

    AMD Athlon XP-M 2500
    512M Ram
    4 USB 2
    DVD+-RW
    IR, Bluetooth, and 802.11b/g
    15" screen 1400x1050 resolution
    4in1 media reader

    to name a few things...

    Also of note is that even though the website quotes a mono headphone jack and I've seen some message boards that are complaining about it, I can say that it is definitely a stereo headphone jack. You'll have a lot of fun with this system.

    1. Re:Laptop isn't just for show... by Jabes · · Score: 2, Funny

      Come on, post a link to the startup wav file for us wannabe rice-boy laptop owners! :-)

  45. Jerks... by p4ul13 · · Score: 4, Funny
    I just know I'm going to pop into a conference room any day now and find one of these laptops taking up two seats at the table because the owner is worried about somebody bumping it. Worse still, I can easily imagine finding one of these plugged in at one of the handicapped desks without a permit.

    I've never keyed a laptop before, but I guess I might be forced to start. Oh well.

    --
    Paul Lenhart writes words!
  46. Delorian Anyone? by T-Kir · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, I would like to see if someone tried a Delorian laptop... then lets the geeks get at it and plug in a flux capacitor, someone will have to drive at the correct speed plus with the way Intel are going with the CPU power requirements, it'll be a couple of Pentium revisions before we get to the 1.21Gigawatts that said notebook is needed to supply.

    Why would we want to make a time travelling laptop? Why so we can remove any previous dupes /. have done from ever existing... but then we'd have a paradox problem with /. instead.

    ;)

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  47. Re:Handlebar mustache? by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 5, Funny

    He probably doesn't care. This is the kind of guy that makes VROOM noises when he's feeding himself.

    --

    There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
  48. Re:Ferary licence by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe it has a Ferrari decal. Or Ferrari brand thermal paste.

    --

    There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
  49. Re:As a car nut as well as a computer geek... by back_pages · · Score: 2, Funny
    Spare your credit card and buy two shades of red spray paint, a Ferarri logo sticker, and record a .wav of a kid's Tyco dumptruck with Real Engine Noises!

    Seriously, hold the presses. "THIS LAPTOP IS RED! OMG!"

    Now for the insightful part of the post: People have pointed out for years that auto manufacturers are experts at user interface design (though they're not always perfect and Ferarri perhaps focuses on other aspects) so I would expect some revolution in form factor on a Ferarri laptop. Maybe put the touchpad above the keyboard, or be the first to market a laptop with a non-qwerty keyboard, or to implement a new metaphor for interacting with your computer. "Desktop" is so cliche.

    This product, of course, is nothing but a laptop spray painted red with a Tyco toys engine noise and a Ferarri sticker. Seriously, man, strive for a better purchase with that exorbitant interest rate.

  50. Suckers (or Economics of the Ferrari Laptop) by DingoTango · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Forbes just did an article about this laptop. The Acer Ferrari laptop retails for $1900-$2000, but laptops with similar hardware retail for $1200-$1300.

    So the suits observe, rightly so, that $700 for a logo and a paintjob is a pretty good deal (for them). The Forbes angle is that we should expect to see more of these "dressed up" laptops and other hardware, since consumers are willing to pay disproportionately more for the cache of identifying with their favorite brands.

    Interestingly, the same principle explains why ugly-ass autos like the PT Cruiser continue to be marketed and sold: Niche items have higher margins.

  51. Enderle = Stupid Bribed Microsoft Puppet by GillBates0 · · Score: 3, Informative
    I make it a point to remind everybody that Bob Enderle is a stupid Microsoft Apologist whenever /. posts an article authored by him. From his earlier writings, I have lost *complete* credibility in anything he writes. My earlier comment:

    Recall that Rob Enderle=Microsoft Apologist
    by GillBates0 (664202) on Wednesday December 17, @01:30PM (#7746866)
    (http://slashdot.org/~GillBates0 | Last Journal: Saturday February 07, @08:37AM)
    Note that Rob Enderle is the author of In Defense Of the Microsoft Monoculture [internetwk.com], which was highly debated [slashdot.org] on /. a couple months back. It surprises me that he should point out the consistency and flexibility of Linux, since his earlier writeup made him look as if he was paid my M$ to mouth major anti-Linux FUD.

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
  52. Rebooting in a meeting by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny
    why the hell are you booting in a meeting? it should already be up and ready to go.

    A valid point, more so, a point of embarrassment if your Ferrari laptop has to be rebooted frequently during meetings.

    "Enderle, what the hell is wrong with your laptop?"
    "It's italian, sir."
    "Well get a japanese one that works and doesn't make all the racket!"

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  53. Re:Which Nissan? by jeffkjo1 · · Score: 3, Informative

    That guy was/is not a cybersquatter. His last name happens to be Nissan and he was operating in the US using his name as the name of his company before Nissan changed their US monkier from Datsun.

  54. Who says Ferrari's even "the best"? by SuperBanana · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Fortunately, the Article mentions how this is mainly designed to appeal to PHB's who think that because a company is good (or arguably the best) at making cars, the laptop bearing their name is good, or arguably the best

    And it shows just how ignorant some people are to think that Ferrari builds the best cars. They don't, in part because there is no such thing as "the best car". It doesn't help that they're unreliable, grossly under-equipped with features, often handle like a bar of soap, have atrocious build quality, impossible to service(much less find someone TO service them), and grossly, grossly overpriced. Witness the rebirth of supercar/sports car companies in the last 10 years.

    Fastest? No. McLaren has had that for quite some time. Best techno-gee-gaws? Nissan Skyline, hands down. Best autobahn machine, aka, groundcoverer? Take your pick between the Audi RS6(450hp) or the BMW M5('only' 400hp), or the Merc S600(then there's also the Bentley Arnage Turbo). Best daily sports car? Porsche 911 twin turbo(AWD, extensive dealership network, loads of creature comforts). Best go-cart type? My personal favorite is the Caterham Super 7, but there's the Lotus Elise and the Noble(which is probably the fastest closed-wheel car around a track you can find). Best "gotta move a bunch of stuff" vehicle? Ask anyone in the UK, it's the Ford Transit(the funny super-tall van that's started to pop up here in the US). So on etc.

    Further, all it takes is determination to beat Ferrari; there's absolutely nothing about being Italian that makes you build a better car. Ask Henry Ford- when Ferrari refused to sell out to him no matter what the price, he told his staff "beat Ferrari", and the Ford GT40 was born. It slaughtered Ferrari, and everything else. And just think...it's baaaack!(and you can even buy one yourself now, and they're downright gorgeous. I saw it at the NY auto show a year or two back, and there was a -huge- crowd of people just staring, and staring, and staring...)

    Even other Italian companies did Ferrari in handily- the Detomaso is a perfect example. Near identical construction, nice Italian design...but a huge 5.7l big-block chevy V8 in back. So, you could pretty much find anyone to work on it, and there's enough room around the engine that you could practically climb in with it. No "drop the engine to remove the sparkplug" nonsense here.

    Whenever I see a newish Ferrari on the road, I yawn. When I see an older one with racing history, that's slightly more interesting, but still somewhat yawn-inspiring.

    1. Re:Who says Ferrari's even "the best"? by e2d2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I can't believe you would just shit on the craftsmanship of Ferrari. Kids these days. Handle like a bar of soap? When/What model was the last one YOU drove Crockett.

      You yawn when you see one? Who are you? Mika Hakkinen?

      Go read your road and track and compare specs from the back you car nazi. There I have ended this conversation with my nazi reference. GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR!

    2. Re:Who says Ferrari's even "the best"? by NerdSlayer · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, the Enzo is faster than the McLaren.

      Also, Ferraris are hand made, which means they don't have 1/16th inch door gaps like your Accord. But ya know what? That's okay.

      Ford is certainly not a real threat to Ferarri on the track anymore. And I would argue that Pininfarina does much better with the styling than Ford will ever do constantly rehashing every car. The GT looks old, the '05 Mustang looks old, the freakin' new Cobra looks old.

      Did you ever think that Ferarri's exclusivity might actually be an attractive quality to the well heeled buyer?

    3. Re:Who says Ferrari's even "the best"? by Afrosheen · · Score: 2, Interesting

      There's no excuse for poor build quality with handmade cars. They're supposed to be BETTER. For example, the Acura NSX. Each and every NSX is hand built and a technician signs off on each part he works with. Every body piece is aluminum (as is the engine) and sometimes hand-filing is required for exact fitment. Every NSX is test driven at Honda's racetrack after it rolls past the last assembly station for a shakedown drive. If the driver says it's good, it ships.

      All this for $80k new, very affordable and reliable used for around $30k. Sure, it's not as fast as the Ferraris, but it's an everyday, midengined, rear wheel drive supercar with comfortable seats, an a/c, power windows, etc.

      I agree with Ford's styling. 'Gee boss, none of this junk is selling, what do we do?' 'Go take a look at cars that sold really well a long, long time ago. Make the new cars look just like them.' Done.

  55. Obligatory joke... by DrLZRDMN · · Score: 3, Funny

    And When you crash it at over 1Ghz, you die

  56. I have played with one. by Groo+Wanderer · · Score: 4, Informative

    From the current list of comments, every one here is, umm, bench racing. No one seems to have actually seen one, much less spent any quality time with one of these things. That said, most of your comments are way off.

    I have seen and played with them on 2 occasions, and they are rather nice. I was skeptical when I first heard about them, then I saw one at Comdex:
    http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12780
    I saw one again at CES, and talked to the Acer guys. They take this very seriously as do the Ferarri people.

    There is a lof of thought that went into this box, and it shows. It really has to be seen to be understood. The paint looks insanely good, I have never seen a laptop that looks this nice.

    The laptop itself is pretty nondescript, I think Enderle must be on crack to give up his T40, the nicest laptop I have ever reviewed for it.

    Overall, give this thing a chance, it is a really unique laptop that looks damn good. Hunt one down in a store, you will be impressed.

    -Charlie

  57. He was not legit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If he was really legit, he would not have been engaging in massive spam campaigns to make his case.

  58. New Civic laptop! by sickmtbnutcase · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm gonna produce this dope laptop with automotive clearcoat paint, and some panels just covered in primer! It'll have a big wing(handle) on the end of it and sound like a bunch of bumblebees when booting up! It'll have tons of athlon, pentium, and crucial stickers on it, but have absolutley none of those parts inside!!!
    Best of all...it'll be cooled by nawwwssss...but when it runs out, you'll still think it's fast!

  59. Stinker of a Marketing Idea by aaron240 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Laptops seem so sad after only a couple of years. Does Ferrari really want a bunch of embarassingly outmoded laptops laying around with their name all over it?

  60. Whoa, I made a mistake... by Dragoon412 · · Score: 2, Funny
    One impressive piece of execution is that when you fire the machine up it plays a WAV file of a Ferrari race car revving its engine. That alone is worth the relatively low $1,899 price of admission.

    You mean all these years I've been fixing PCs for peanuts when all I needed to do was spend 10 seconds changing the bootup music for some sucker and he'll fork over $2k?

    I just started back to school to get away from IT. Maybe it's time to move back...
  61. Mmm... by Greyfox · · Score: 3, Funny

    Mine plays the Underwear Gnomes song. Now that one NEVER gets old. I could just sit here and play it over and over again... that's odd... one of my co-workers just shot himself...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  62. I have to say, it's kinda fugly by Cthefuture · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Not that I would expect anything better from Acer (ugh) but come on, do a little design work.

    The thing is red on top with a red stripe on the side and a cheap looking silver everywhere else (I don't know about the back). It looks nasty. They could've integrated the red so much better (think Alienware in Ferrari red).

    And the case is a regular old Acer case. It would've been so cool if them Italian engineers could've added a little flare or something, sheesh.

    Right now it's just a dorky laptop that looks like it was made with some duct tape and a spray can.

    --
    The ratio of people to cake is too big
  63. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by DougJohnson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Exactly. It's not about whether or not Ferrari can build a better lap-top than ACER or Dell or Apple or whoever, but rather cross branding, and individualization. The linux community is a great environment for individualization of technology, so the extension of this concept into hardware seems like an appropriate /. story to me! I'd love to see one of those Toughbooks with a "Jeep" brand on it. I'd think 2ce about getting one because I drive a jeep. If it's just about function, then why would people ever buy cheques that have a sailboat on them, or different kind of anything? The choice of having a Ferrari laptop will hopefully only be the beginning. Notice things like mini-iPods being offered in several colours, cell phone covers etc, design is important, and people are buying.

  64. Boot Canary by AtariAmarok · · Score: 3, Funny

    I used to have an old 386 that must have had an unstable system clock. The benchmarks varied wildly, often showing unheard of 400 mhz speeds on a 16 mhz machine.

    When you turned it on, the "beep" was often a wail or canary-like warble. The clock speed was so inconstant that it varied even at boot time, affecting the pitch of the beep.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  65. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by snero3 · · Score: 2, Informative

    IMHO, the Ferrari products that carried the Ferrari name, but were manufactured by someone else just seem tacky and sucky.

    So I presume you are actually in including Ferrari's road cars in this statement as they are all made and owned by fiat who just license the Ferrari name + symbol from the F1 team. The only true Ferraris left are the F1 cars

    company is good (or arguably the best) at making cars

    like I said above they don't make road cars anymore, however if you are referring to F1 cars then you would correct

    --
    It said "windows 98 or better" so I installed Linux
  66. Re:booting sounds? in a meeting? by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I had to give a presentation in a meeting recently. Actually, I was one of two people giving presentations, the other was a visitor (we had three groups of visitors there, and ourselves). We all arrived at the meeting on time. I opened up my powerbook, which woke from suspend mode instantly. He sat down and waited while his Dell booted. The person chairing the meeting suggested that it might waste everyone's time a bit less if I went first. I plugged in the projector, which was detected automatically, and gave the presentation using my mobile phone as a remote mouse.

    Afterwards, the other guy messed about trying to get Windows to recognise the projector, and fired up powerpoint. After every slide, he had to walk to the laptop and press the mouse button to advance it.

    Which person do you think made the better impression?

    Having a laptop that makes a whoosh sound when you boot does not make a good impression. If the people in the meeting are focusing on the technology you are using then they are not focusing on you.

    --
    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  67. Cheap Alternative: by alan_dershowitz · · Score: 2, Funny

    Large "Type R" sticker on laptop.

  68. Missing the point by BugMaster+ChuckyD · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The laptop (as silly as it is) is not about the cars that Ferrari sells to the public, it is about their race cars! (And their Formula One cars are arguably the best out there) Most slashdotters being American proabbly don't realise that Ferrari is one of the biggest sports franchises on the planet. Manchester United is likely the only bigger name in worldwide sports than Ferrari.

    F1 is second only to the World Cup and the Olympics in global TV audience. So the tie in is not snob appeal for the expensive road cars (BTW Ferrari only started making and selling cars to the general public to pay for their racing) This is more like having a New York Yankees or Chicago Bulls branded lap top than having a Nissan branded laptop.

    Still a silly idea IMO, but its a different silly idea than the one everyone is poking fun at!

  69. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by Scooter · · Score: 2, Interesting

    erm.. I'm pretty sure the F1 cars are still made in the UK - along with most of the others. I remember almost literally tripping over the wind tunnel test model in the low speed wind tunnel at BAE, Bristol.

    I don't think financial ownership matters that much in Ferrari's case to be honest - and hey - it's not like Fiat is not Italian too. However - Mr Banana just about summed it up - I agree with every word - Ferrari trade on their name these days - the cars are flimsy, not that well made and some are just too damm ugly man! They handle pretty well on nice smooth roads, but for real world roads - get a rally bred 4 wheel drive machine! On the cost thing though - they are worth what people are prepared to pay, and as long as there are badge snobs out there to be parted from their cash, Ferrari will keep the "exclusivity" up with a large price tag.

    If I had $100K to spend on a car - I'd be in the Ford GT queue - it's one beautiful looking car. If I wasn't worried about relaibility and had $60K+, there's plenty of automative art down at the TVR toyshop.

    Actually - as it happens, I don't give a stuff about reliability when it comes to performance cars, which is why I keep a Mazda RX-7 R1 in the garage to play with at weekends :)) Looks and go thats what I need :) (in the week I drive a German car - I'm not totally mad :P)

  70. Stereo jack huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ".... I can say that it is definitely a stereo headphone jack. .."

    Got news for you there, coach. Just because you get the VROOMVRROOOM noises out of both sides of the headphones - doesn't make it a stereo signal....just mono pumped to both ears.

    But hey, you were the one "cool" enough to buy this one, so who am i to tell you about audio?

  71. Alienware.. by msimm · · Score: 2, Informative

    Is currently kind of the Ferreri of the computer world. I'm sure other readers can point to some other venders. Whenever I'm specing out a pc to build I like to take a look at their hardware list. Only top end stuff (whish I could afford that 64!).

    --
    Quack, quack.
  72. Opps, link.. by msimm · · Score: 2, Informative

    Alienware. Forgot the link...

    --
    Quack, quack.
  73. Re:The thing about it, it is still true by Anonymous+Freak · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Name one piece of software that isn't available for the Mac that is for the PC. (And that doesn't have a compatible/comparable Mac equivalent, and that people actually use. Your piece of shareware that you wrote that only you use doesn't qualify.)

    MS Office? It's better on the Mac. Any Adobe app? Available or better on the Mac. Quicken, available, QuickBooks, available. Games? Mostly available. (Most people who would even consider a Mac aren't ardent gamers; the same way that someone who considers an economy car usually wouldn't even think about buying a sports car.)

    Come on, give me a real argument.

    --
    Another non-functioning site was "uncertainty.microsoft.com."
    The purpose of that site was not known.
  74. How about VPR Matrix? by Solarbeat · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is hardly a first... VPR Matrix supplied Porsche designed laptops to Best Buy (they still do, I think). They were pretty far from flashy, with a gray/silvery exterior and a staid black interior shell. I owned one for a few months, and it was a wonderful performer, and always caught people's eyes (without the startup sound and bright red paint).

  75. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by RevAaron · · Score: 2, Informative

    Man- look at the battery specs. All but one model only gets 60-90 minutes of battery life- and it is inevitable that will hover mostly around 60. An hour of battery life? sheesh!

    --

    Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
  76. Green Vegetables... by ErnstKompressor · · Score: 3, Insightful
    but when you are talking about their hardware, Apple owners are paying a premium for style just like an owner of a Ferrari notebook will.

    Without getting into the eternal battle of Macs vs. PCs, I wonder if the term "paying a premium for style" is really accurate...

    Rather, If I enjoy using OS X, and I have no other choice of hardware manufacturer(which I don't decry, mind you), am I paying for 'style' because I buy an Apple laptop, or am I simply buying the 'only' tool for the job, at whatever price it is sold to me?

    I know we could argue endlessly what other people thinkI should do with my money, but given that it is no one elses business what I do with my hard-earned cash, am I really buying 'image'?

    In order to avoid a 'class-warfare-type statement', I would put it this way... I like a certain green vegetable. Sure there are other green vegetables, but I like this certain green vegitable. You might say, "but you can just eat this other green vegetable..." and I say, "but I like this certain green vegetable." "But that vegetable cost more than this other green vegetable. You must be mad, or overly 'style-conscious' to want that certain green vegetable." "No, I just know what I like and don't like. I've tried that other green vegetable. Don't like it." "What, you think you're better than me, with your fancy green vegetable?" "Whoa, there, friend, I just know what I like..." "Dirty Green Vegetable Zealot!"

    And so Slashdot was born...
    --
    We apologise for the fault in this post. Those responsible have been sacked. -- Signed RICHARD M. NIXON
  77. Re:This is pretty stupid, and not worth a /. artic by myklgrant · · Score: 2, Funny

    I assume it was posted as a chance to make fun of Enderle. I like the part where he is afraid someone will fondle his laptop.

  78. Acer gets full credit? by LS · · Score: 2, Informative

    I sent this mail to the author of the article:

    I read your article "My Love Affair with Acer's Ferrari Notebook", and you mention at the end that "Acer gets full credit for applying [unrelated branding] to the PC market." That's not really true. VPR Matrix put sold Porsche designed laptop at Best Buy in 2002. See here:

    http://www.hilary.com/reviews/vprmatrix.html

    and here:

    http://vsbabu.org/mt/archives/2002/10/25/laptop_ by _porsche.html

    LS

    --
    There is a fine line between being a cultivated citizen and being someone else's crop. - A. J. Patrick Liszkie
  79. whee! by Cruciform · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least your insurance doesn't go up when this Ferrari crashes.

  80. Jaguar engineering by mliechty · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why doesn't Jaguar make televisions?

    The engineers can't figure out how to make them leak oil....

    Ba da bum...

    ho ho

  81. Re:real nice by Crazy+Eight · · Score: 2, Informative

    He was talking about the TiBooks, which did use Titanium in the casing, not the newer Powerbooks made with aluminum.

  82. Re:booting sounds? in a meeting? by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Which person do you think made the better impression?
    The best communicator of course!

    You're fixating on sugar coating. You can actually use technical OS flaws to build up a presentation long bond with people. You can also portray yourself as a down to earth person that uses any available technology to bring a message.

    A techno-fixation is likely to distract you from the topic and from the audience.

    --

    I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
  83. Some of the servers do... by quinkin · · Score: 2, Funny
    Some of the servers at work have verbal POST errors.

    It is a bit unnerving when you are fixing something late at night, boot the fixed(sic) server while getting distracted with something else, and suddenly there is a woman just behind your ear saying "Replace the CPU!".

    Q.

    --
    Insert Signature Here