"Works well" is not the same thing as "dumbed down". The fact that I don't need a crank and a footman to start my car does not mean that the automobile industry has been "dumbed down".
# DVI video output for digital resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels; supports 20-inch Apple Cinema display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports non-coherent digital displays up to 135MHz # VGA video output (using included adapter) to support analog resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels
Whoa whoa whoa! Next you're going to tell me that the left mouse button does the left click, and the right mouse button does the right click!
YOU'RE TALKIN' CRAZY TALK!!!
(i'm right there with you, man. I can't understand why people are working so hard to find fault with this machine. Probably because they're the idiots who said "I'll never buy a Mac until I can get one without a monitor, and for less than $500!" Me, I hope they DON'T buy 'em. They're just gonna hose up my platform.)
So different users have different levels of affinity for complicated computer tasks. Stop the presses.
The one mouse button is an explicit design choice, that Apple makes for good human interface reasons. They also don't force you to comply with that design. Would you please explain to me what's wrong with that?
There are just as many ways to access things on MacOS. The difference is, at least way is well designed, accessible, and consistent. That's only very occasionally true with Windows.
OK, so in your laundry list bake-off, the PC comes out ahead in four categories.
And the Mac is inferior.
Mmmm...okay. Whatever. Guess the market will decide, huh. I've got my Powerbook, and I can't understand why anybody would tolerate a white-box Windows POS anymore.
Look at all the icons in your system tray. Take an inventory of all the functions that are available with the right click, and then all the things that happen with a left click. I've been using computers for 20 years, and I not infrequently have to try both.
This is poor, poor design. Yes, it's poor design by the coders, but it's abetted by the availability of a right mouse button. Too many UI designers use that as a crutch. Don't know where a function should go? Sure, put it in a contextual menu.
With the Mac, all contextual menus are optional. I simply don't use them very much. I use middle-click for new tabs in Safari, and I like the scroll wheel, but neither of those features are critical to making the operating system function.
Try to run Windows without a right mouse button. It's possible, but MUCH harder.
If you'd ever been on a phone call with your grandmother trying to explain the difference between the right and the left mouse button, you'll know...APPLE WAS NOT WRONG.
The one-button mouse is a good default. The fact that they support a richer interface for the people that want one is great.
Slashdot Mirror
All four people who are worried about that can get a USB headset or a Griffin iMic.
Or a bluetooth headset.
When did you buy the no numberpad keyboard? 1991?
No pleasing some people.
Let's compare Nike's marketshare six months from now with Apple's. I think it will be interesting.
It doesn't need to be "innovative" or "revolutionary", it just has to be well designed.
The market will choose.
That adaptor costs $20. Deal.
Why would you waste that beautiful little computer on being a ROUTER? Geez! Get a Linksys! Or an AirPort extreme!
I've got a nutty idea.
Don't buy one.
See? Wasn't that easy?
"Works well" is not the same thing as "dumbed down". The fact that I don't need a crank and a footman to start my car does not mean that the automobile industry has been "dumbed down".
Hel-LO spec sheet!
# DVI video output for digital resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels; supports 20-inch Apple Cinema display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports non-coherent digital displays up to 135MHz
# VGA video output (using included adapter) to support analog resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 pixels
They could have also included a free pony. If they'd raised the price to about three grand.
Jesus...it's the best looking SFF PC on the planet. Add the peripherals you need. What's the damn problem?
And you can get a G4 Powerbook with wireless for less than a grand.
Apples are slightly more expensive than Dells. This doesn't surprise anybody. The price difference is now a pretty small one.
Timbuktu? VNC?
Whoa whoa whoa! Next you're going to tell me that the left mouse button does the left click, and the right mouse button does the right click!
YOU'RE TALKIN' CRAZY TALK!!!
(i'm right there with you, man. I can't understand why people are working so hard to find fault with this machine. Probably because they're the idiots who said "I'll never buy a Mac until I can get one without a monitor, and for less than $500!" Me, I hope they DON'T buy 'em. They're just gonna hose up my platform.)
Interesting idea. No reason you shoudlnt' be able to. That Griffin USB knobby-thing would be similar...
So different users have different levels of affinity for complicated computer tasks. Stop the presses.
The one mouse button is an explicit design choice, that Apple makes for good human interface reasons. They also don't force you to comply with that design. Would you please explain to me what's wrong with that?
You like that. That's cool. My grandma doesn't. Apple serves both your needs.
There are just as many ways to access things on MacOS. The difference is, at least way is well designed, accessible, and consistent. That's only very occasionally true with Windows.
Many options is not always good design.
All four people who need an analog line in can get a USB adaptor for about $30.
So add more memory. RAM comes free in boxes of cereal now. What's the problem?
I'll bet you that the Mac-specialty hardware makers will have nice, stackable FireWire drives available for this thing inside three months.
Why couldn't you get it open? Have you ever tried to open a recent Mac? You grab a handle, pull 'em open. Not exactly brain surgery...
OK, so in your laundry list bake-off, the PC comes out ahead in four categories.
And the Mac is inferior.
Mmmm...okay. Whatever. Guess the market will decide, huh. I've got my Powerbook, and I can't understand why anybody would tolerate a white-box Windows POS anymore.
*sniff*
now i'm depressed.
Look at all the icons in your system tray. Take an inventory of all the functions that are available with the right click, and then all the things that happen with a left click. I've been using computers for 20 years, and I not infrequently have to try both.
This is poor, poor design. Yes, it's poor design by the coders, but it's abetted by the availability of a right mouse button. Too many UI designers use that as a crutch. Don't know where a function should go? Sure, put it in a contextual menu.
With the Mac, all contextual menus are optional. I simply don't use them very much. I use middle-click for new tabs in Safari, and I like the scroll wheel, but neither of those features are critical to making the operating system function.
Try to run Windows without a right mouse button. It's possible, but MUCH harder.
I had a Kensington four-button mouse ten years ago. It daisy chained into my ADB CH FlightStick Pro. Now THAT is a fine input device.
I wasn't offended. I was being funny and ironic. Notice my goofy hat and crazy pants, and my ironic japes.
I think the reaction of the stock market is equally crazy. That's why I don't invest in the stock market.
If you'd ever been on a phone call with your grandmother trying to explain the difference between the right and the left mouse button, you'll know...APPLE WAS NOT WRONG.
The one-button mouse is a good default. The fact that they support a richer interface for the people that want one is great.
Wait, so you mean Apple just released a raft of kick ass new products, and got more beleaguered?
Somebody call John Dvorak. He might be right this time.
Not.