I think one point in this that people often overlook is that Apple is in a situation of their own making, from the app store submission process to the physical devices. So if they want, they could push out an update to change their situation dramatically. Also they seem to be able to play hardball with carriers to get the features they want to work with their phones.
Android, however, is looking less powerful as a platform because it is only one part of the OS/interface/hardware/carrier system, so they can't stop every Android handset that comes out from having a different UI and features. This is arguably better for the consumer, but I think it's worth realizing that Apple could really change their approach a lot more effectively than their competition.
Adding the Applications menu to the Dock (first icon right of the separator) is the first thing I do on any new Mac I set up. I feel like that is a good solution for an Application launcher, and I think that in itself reflects the flexibility of the Dock. I don't feel like Apple needs to make any drastic changes there, but that might be because I'm so used to it this way.
I also add my Home folder to the Dock as well, as a quick way to get to documents and whatnot. These are actually the only folders in the Dock on my notebook.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing, or not necessary to keep moving forward. I was noting the way it's being done. I'm not someone trying to keep up with the lastest software on an outdated machine. I would much prefer a good OS for current hardware than a crappy one that runs on everything *cough* Windows *cough*
I think Apple does a great job of supporting medium-old hardware. I hope to keep up with current 10.* releases with my Dual G4, and somewhat with my iBook G3, but my Wallstreet happily chugs away with 10.2.8 Server.
Does anyone else notice this phenomenon of the system req's slowly advancing?
With 10.0-10.2, any Beige G3 or Wallstreet PowerBook G3 was fully supported. For Panther, they required built-in USB, thus knocking Beige G3 and Wallstreet systems out of the mix. Now for Tiger, it requires built-in FireWire. The only systems that come to mind without FW but without USB are early iMacs, some clamshell iBooks, and Lombard PowerBooks. That's a fair number of people that are starting to get left behind of the upgrade cycle.
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW); writes DVD-R discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 10x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x speed, reads CDs at up to 32x speed
8X DVD-R speed, that's twice what they're putting in the G5s! Bonus points for that. It's nice that it's not a bare-bones low end model.
Besides the smaller size, lighter weight, and consumer appeal of colors, newness, etc, one other point to consider with the iPod mini vs. 15GB iPod argument is the accessories.
iPod mini comes with a belt clip, arm band, and remote. To get a belt clip and remote for a 15GB iPod will set you back $80 (if you get it from Apple), so then "why not jump another $20 to get the 20GB?" as the 20GB comes with the accessories (plus a dock) and 5GB more space. Then you've jumped in price from $249 to $399, which is significant to most anyone. For their target market, I think Apple did a great job with the iPodmini, and I wouldn't rule out a price drop in a few months after the price of the components has dropped a bit.
The dual 1.8 also uses at the 900MHz system bus, where the Dual 2.0 uses the 1GHZ bus. I don't know how much of a real world difference this makes to you, though...
I have a 17" PowerBook, and I agree that it's too big for taking to class every day. My 12" iBook was the perfect size for bringing in a backpack, but I frequently wished for more screen space. I've gone to a new strategy of bringing my Palm Tungsten T3 (and keyboard) to classes for notes and voice recordings and so on, and using the 17" at home/office/traveling. I find this combination excellent. The screen on the big PowerBook impresses me every time I look at it. Not to mention the sweeeet aluminum case, backlit keyboard, bluetooth, etc, etc, etc. For one PowerBook that does it all, I highly recommend a 15" Aluminum PowerBook. I think you would be very pleased with one.
I happen to work as a salesman at CompUSA (I know that's probably a bad word around here). In my defense, the main reason I work there is to counter all the computer-ignorant (especially Mac-ignorant) sales staff I experienced when I shopped there for Macs.
I think this software on demand distribution system will be generally a good thing for the market, because I explain several times a day how the software a customer is looking for exists, but just not here. Very few users are savvy enough to pirate the software, many wouldn't know where to look to find the software, quite a few aren't comfortable with online credit card transactions, and having this resource would be very helpful. Also, CompUSA installs pretty much everything it sells for free. So in theory, I could send a customer with a brand new computer out the door with all the hardware and software they need, even if it's an obscure title. That is valuable. And CompUSA can be pretty lame about keeping products in stock, and this gives us more options for the customer. Although, in fairness, our store could run out of the box inserts or something stupid like that and void all the advantages of this system : ]
I remember Apple doing this in the US a few years ago, accepting PowerBook 5300's for something like $500 off a new PowerBook or iBook. It would have been when iBooks were still pretty new. This was probably a very good move for Apple since the 5300 were so problematic, and it cost them a lot in warranty repairs.. I don't know how popular that trade-in effort turned out to be.
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Android, however, is looking less powerful as a platform because it is only one part of the OS/interface/hardware/carrier system, so they can't stop every Android handset that comes out from having a different UI and features. This is arguably better for the consumer, but I think it's worth realizing that Apple could really change their approach a lot more effectively than their competition.
Adding the Applications menu to the Dock (first icon right of the separator) is the first thing I do on any new Mac I set up. I feel like that is a good solution for an Application launcher, and I think that in itself reflects the flexibility of the Dock. I don't feel like Apple needs to make any drastic changes there, but that might be because I'm so used to it this way.
I also add my Home folder to the Dock as well, as a quick way to get to documents and whatnot. These are actually the only folders in the Dock on my notebook.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing, or not necessary to keep moving forward. I was noting the way it's being done. I'm not someone trying to keep up with the lastest software on an outdated machine. I would much prefer a good OS for current hardware than a crappy one that runs on everything *cough* Windows *cough*
I think Apple does a great job of supporting medium-old hardware. I hope to keep up with current 10.* releases with my Dual G4, and somewhat with my iBook G3, but my Wallstreet happily chugs away with 10.2.8 Server.
Does anyone else notice this phenomenon of the system req's slowly advancing?
With 10.0-10.2, any Beige G3 or Wallstreet PowerBook G3 was fully supported. For Panther, they required built-in USB, thus knocking Beige G3 and Wallstreet systems out of the mix. Now for Tiger, it requires built-in FireWire. The only systems that come to mind without FW but without USB are early iMacs, some clamshell iBooks, and Lombard PowerBooks. That's a fair number of people that are starting to get left behind of the upgrade cycle.
I think he means r as Republican and d as Democrat. Took me a minute, too.
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW); writes DVD-R discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 10x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x speed, reads CDs at up to 32x speed
8X DVD-R speed, that's twice what they're putting in the G5s! Bonus points for that. It's nice that it's not a bare-bones low end model.
Besides the smaller size, lighter weight, and consumer appeal of colors, newness, etc, one other point to consider with the iPod mini vs. 15GB iPod argument is the accessories. iPod mini comes with a belt clip, arm band, and remote. To get a belt clip and remote for a 15GB iPod will set you back $80 (if you get it from Apple), so then "why not jump another $20 to get the 20GB?" as the 20GB comes with the accessories (plus a dock) and 5GB more space. Then you've jumped in price from $249 to $399, which is significant to most anyone. For their target market, I think Apple did a great job with the iPodmini, and I wouldn't rule out a price drop in a few months after the price of the components has dropped a bit.
The dual 1.8 also uses at the 900MHz system bus, where the Dual 2.0 uses the 1GHZ bus. I don't know how much of a real world difference this makes to you, though...
I have a 17" PowerBook, and I agree that it's too big for taking to class every day. My 12" iBook was the perfect size for bringing in a backpack, but I frequently wished for more screen space. I've gone to a new strategy of bringing my Palm Tungsten T3 (and keyboard) to classes for notes and voice recordings and so on, and using the 17" at home/office/traveling. I find this combination excellent. The screen on the big PowerBook impresses me every time I look at it. Not to mention the sweeeet aluminum case, backlit keyboard, bluetooth, etc, etc, etc. For one PowerBook that does it all, I highly recommend a 15" Aluminum PowerBook. I think you would be very pleased with one.
I think this software on demand distribution system will be generally a good thing for the market, because I explain several times a day how the software a customer is looking for exists, but just not here. Very few users are savvy enough to pirate the software, many wouldn't know where to look to find the software, quite a few aren't comfortable with online credit card transactions, and having this resource would be very helpful. Also, CompUSA installs pretty much everything it sells for free. So in theory, I could send a customer with a brand new computer out the door with all the hardware and software they need, even if it's an obscure title. That is valuable. And CompUSA can be pretty lame about keeping products in stock, and this gives us more options for the customer. Although, in fairness, our store could run out of the box inserts or something stupid like that and void all the advantages of this system : ]
I'm curious to see if my store gets one.
I remember Apple doing this in the US a few years ago, accepting PowerBook 5300's for something like $500 off a new PowerBook or iBook. It would have been when iBooks were still pretty new. This was probably a very good move for Apple since the 5300 were so problematic, and it cost them a lot in warranty repairs.. I don't know how popular that trade-in effort turned out to be.