As I am a developer, I'm interested to hear just what makes the mac better for development.
With a Windows PC you can only develop for Windows. With Linux you can develop for Linux or Windows. With Macs you can develop for all three.
I am not one now but that is one of the reasons I switched, to first Linux for my desktop, then to a MacBook Pro for a laptop. I can develop and test on all 3 platforms, er I could if I still had Windows. But unless Microsoft stops treating it's users like criminals I will stay as far away from MS as I can.
The build of some laptops may suck but some are pretty sturdy. I think a lot of it through is what laptop have to go though. Now I'd like it if Apple were to make some like Panasonic's Toughbooks.
I had a cheap ass Gateway laptop that lasted me for 4 years
My first 2 laptops were Gateways. For the first one I had to replace the harddisk drive 6 months after I got it. Then 2 weeks shy of 1 year I called tech support after it crashed. The tech walked me through some tests then said the motherboard had to be replaced, so he arranged Airborn Express to drop off a box I'd pack it in then they'd pick it back up and ship it to the repair facility. A week later I called back asking about it, I was told they had a shortage of one part and it may take another week or two to get. Two weeks later I called again, and I was told it was just dropped off. I didn't have it and it wasn't left for me there. After going to the apartment office to see if it was dropped off there and calling both Gateway and Airborn back Gateway decided to send a new laptop. All together I was without a laptop 4 weeks.
The second Gateway I bought was a remanufactured laptop and like the first I bought Gateway's extended warranty. A few weeks later I got out of my car at home and grabbed the laptop. Walking to the door I slipped on ice. Now I was holding the shoulder strap with the bag along my side, so it wasn't more than a foot off the ground. When I got in I opened the bag and laptop and saw the monitor, I don't recall if it was an LCD or an LED, was cracked. Obviously I called tech support, and even though I paid more for the expended plan it was not covered. So I asked how much it would cost to repair and all they'd tell me was "between $200 and $1200". With all the trouble I had with Gateway's service, including having to wait a month to get a laptop back, I decided I would not give Gateway another penny. And besides the 2 laptops I also bought 2 desktops.
a friend's Macbook died within a few months. On the other hand, I've seen Macs last for years and "pc's" die after a few months.
Maybe it's a lottery. I recall many, many, years ago Zenith manufactured computers, before selling the devision to Group Bull in France. The joke was that if a Zenith computer had any problem in the first month it would always have problems but if it didn't it'd last years.
I could believe the "Macs are used in businesses" troll, but you went too far saying you have "dated a lady".
With as many slashdotters rarely leaving the basement, or attic, I can understand their lack of understanding not everyone using slashdot is an introverted geek who's agoraphobic. Up until an accident while riding my bike, which I rode 100 to 200 miles a week, left me with a disability I was very outward bound. But now because of my disability I don't work, I used to work in concrete construction full time even while riding so much, and spend most of my tyme in my apartment. So I spend a lot of tyme on slashdot. However I'm trying to get back into college and love spending tyme in nature with my camera. I'm actually thinking about trying to start a photography business, but with the recession I'm not so sure that's a good idea.
I notice you didn't respond to GP's statement on crashes, "A single application taking down the entire machine hasn't been an issue since the days of system 9." Mac OS 9 is one Mac OS I know I haven't used but I have used Macs since 1984 and I have not had an entire machine crash because of one app, the only tyme I've had a Mac crash was when there was a blackout. On the other hand I have repeatedly suffered through such crashes when I used Windows. That was one of the reasons I switched from Windows PCs to, first a Linux PC, then a MacBook Pro.
I'm not used to a single application taking down the entire system, or frequent and unpredictable focus-switching.
I've never had these problems on my Macs.
The hardware has been shaky as hell, too.
I had one Mac last me 8 years and the only problem I had with it, until it died, is because it was a Mac SE 30 it was not expandable. I also had a Power Mac 7300/200 last me 6 years, the only problem I had with it was when it refused to boot. In both cases I bought them used, the SE 30 was made in 1988-9 and the Power Mac in 1997. I am typing this on a MacBook Pro I've had more than 2 years and have had 2 hardware problems with it. First the graphics subsystem had to be replaced about 16 months after I got it. The second one when I had to have the DVD drive replaced last week. Two hardware problems in 2 years.
However I had 2 hardware problems with 3 PCs I bought new after less than a year. In all three cases the harddisk drive and motherboards had to be replaced/
My partition table got nuked after a standard update recently.
First, when the harddisk drives in those 3 PCs were replaced, the OS had to be reinstalled as well. Then when the mobo had to be replaced in one the disk I had all my user data on, a second drive installed specifically for user files containing more than 500 GB of data, despite written instructions to not format the drive the tech who repaired the PC reformatted the drive anyway.
Quite simply partitions can be nuked whatever OS is used. Heck I can take a Ubuntu Live CD and nuke a partition.
Not to mention the highly variant battery life. Sometimes it lasts unbelievably long, other times it fails to properly enter standby and it drains away without warning.
Again, in the more than 2 years I've had my MBP I haven't had a problem like this. I did freak out once when I was out and using my laptop, it totally stopped working. After I got home I plugged it in and it started working again, so I guess when the battery charge level went too far discharged it hibernated.
Now, trying to plug in peripherals has been a pain.
Again I haven't had any such problem. When I plugged in my 3 external disks, 2 USB 2 and one Firewire 800, they were automatically recognized. The same with my USB 2 connected Canon printer, Epson scanner, and Logitech trackball. Soon I'll see if Ubuntu is as good, I plan on installing Ubuntu on my Mac and make it dualboot.
I've found that plugging and unplugging three cables, all at the side of the machine, not the rear, on a daily basis was actually a lot easier than dealing with a docking station.
I don't have or use a dock for my laptop now but I did with my first laptop and I'd rather have one. I've thought of getting a BookEndz dock for my next laptop, I've had my current MBP 2 years without one and would rather save my money than buy one for it now.
On the other hand, having three or four cables (power, display, USB, Ethernet) is pretty quick to connect/disconnect, doesn't change the hardware profile of the machine and can be hot pugged/unplugged without having to tell the OS that anything is happening.
When I had a Windows PC Windows complained when I unplugged or turned off a USB device without telling Windows I was going to, and now that I use OS X Leopard it does the same. Sure devices can be unplugged but OSes still complain.
The reason I could never take MAC seriously for any sort of business is lack of docking ports..
Though Apple doesn't make any there are docks for Macs. When I get my next MacBook Pro I may get a BookEndz as well.
It drives me nuts to see how often MAC gets recommended as a laptop.. Sure.. it's the nicest one you see at Best Buy.. But no corporation should ever consider using laptops that don't have docking ports.
One, see above. Two, Macs, including Mac laptops, are used in businesses. I dated, yes dated, a lady who ran her own business and she only used Macs. If she had to run Windows, and running a business she had to when working with clients as well as for testing, she ran it in a VM. Here's a "CIO" article on "MacBook Pro and IPod on Mount Everest".
While I have a MBP 13.3 for dev work, it currently lacks:
Docking port + station
User-swappable battery. However, the 7 hours of battery life it brings is pretty decent, even while working with WiFi. You can, of course, just grab an external battery power pack from a vendor off the web.
I wanted a dock for my MBP too and thought about getting a BookEndz dock. Maybe it meets your requirements. Now I don't like the non user swappable batteries. An external battery pack may mitigate that though.
Still, it's a good buy. I'd forget bootcamp and just virtualize the other OS with vmWare Fusion.
Though I won't use Bootcamp I will dualboot Snow Leopard and Ubuntu. I'm still using Leopard now but when I install Snow Leopard I'll also install rEFIt to use as the boot selector. I'll also install and use VirtualBox. That way I can boot into Ubuntu and use it at full speed as well as run Ubuntu in a VM in Ubuntu.
anyone have experience with how well the EFI-enabled grub (or any other bootloader that can run on a modern Mac) works?
I've read rEFIt is good, so an EFI enabled bootloader isn't needed for a Mac. I'm getting ready to install Ubuntu on my Mac. Right now I'm using Leopard but after I do a fresh install of Snow Leopard I'll install rEFIt then Ubuntu.
Weeelll... you can't just nuke it and install anything yet. I tried to install only Linux on the Macbook I have only to find it uses EFI only, so until grub2 makes it into distros and it fully supports the Macbook EFI, you're stuck with having OS X around just to setup bootcamp (and emulate the regular BIOS, I guess)
You can install and use rEFIt on an Intel Mac. Of course it's a good idea to keep a bootable OS X partition if no other reason than to update firmware.
To tell the truth I don't know why anyone would pay for a Mac and not use OS X. I'm typing this on my MacBook Pro running Leopard now. I have the Snow Leopard DVD but haven't installed it yet. When I do though I will also install Ubuntu. I already have my hard disk drive partitioned with 2 partitions for OS X and Ubuntu and another one for the user home. Doing this I can use any and all user files in both OSes.
My MBP's keyboard backlight was misbehaving within a couple of months of buying it. The machine regularly overheated playing games. The motherboard fried itself and needed replacement after a couple of years. The DVD drive is now extremely fussy about recognizing an inserted disc.
The last two Dell laptops I've owned each lasted well over 5 years with no problems.
I have had the opposite experience, of 4 Windows PCs and 1 Linux PC I bought new and 3 Macs, 2 I bought used and the one I'm typing this on now bought new, I have had more problems with my PCs. I don't know why but I had the hard disk drive and motherboards fail on 3 PCs in the first year and had to replace the RAM in 2 in 2 years. The Macs are a different story though. I bought a Mac SE30, which were made in 1988-9, in 1992. It died in 2000, I don't know why it just wouldn't boot up. A few months later I bought a used PowerMac 7300/200, which was made in 1997. It refused to boot up in January 2006.
In the 2+ years I've owned the Mac I'm using now I've had 2 hardware failures. The first one was after I had it 16 months.
Two failures in 2 years is better than 2 failures in 1 year as is lasting at least 9 years.
make sure you get the extended warranty then - I've had to replace the battery, hard drive, dvd player, and screen of my macbook, and this thing doesn't even get used when I'm not travelling.
Some may frown on it but I always get an extended service plan. I got one with my HP, Gateways, and I got Applecare with my MacBook Pro. I used the plan, which I'm glad I had, with my HP. I bought it at Best Buy and when it failed twice in the first year, the first tyme the hard disk then the motherboard had to be replaced, all I did was take it down to Best Buy. A few hours after I took it down because of the hdd failed they called me saying it was ready. Now when the mobo failed they had to send it to another repair facility, so I was without for a week.
I had trouble with Gateway though, this was when even the Gateway stores only placed orders for delivery instead of carrying stock in stores. I kept on having to call Gateway for tech support, and the first question asked after I gave them the serial number was "has anything been installed?" Of course because I wanted to use it I did install software and peripherals. So to get support I'd have to do a clean install of Windows and only Windows. Of course the hard drive then motherboard failed so I couldn't install Windows so eventually tech support agreed to send me a new drive and arranged to have the computer picked up the second tyme.
Anyhow with both my HP and Gateways I had 2 hardware failures in the first year I owned them. The only problem I had with my MacBook the first year was Apple had sent me an older version of software which didn't run on the new Mac version. The second year, after 16 months, the graphics had to be replaced then at the end of the 2nd year the DVD drive had to be replaced. Two hardware failures in 2 years on my Mac versus 2 failures in the first year with HP and Gateway computers, hard disk drives and motherboards in both cases.
I ask Slashdot: What is your pick for best developer's laptop under $1,200, considering the features above?"
The problem I have with this is the price. I too wanted a new laptop for development, and photography. After making a list of requirements, from a fast CPU to a fast and large hard disk drive, I looked at a bunch of laptops. The cheapest laptop I found that met the requirements was more than twice as expensive. Prices have come down since then and if you have an open mind on the hardware and software then I suggest you look at Apple's 13" Macbook Pro, it's base price is $1200 but of course if you want to run Windows on it then there's the price on an MS Windows license. You also have to consider the docking station, Apple doesn't make any though third parties do such as BookEndz, which adds almost $300 to the cost. A simple MacBook will be cheaper but if you want to run just MS Windows or Linux then don't bother with a Mac.
Car engines have not changed in any fundamental way apart from going to fuel injection and electronic ignition. Now things are more like computers in the sense that they usually either work or they don't. They aren't really any more complicated in terms of serviceability.
Ah, but you need a computer to diagnose today's engines. I compleatly tore down the 350ci engine in my 1978 Monte Carlo then rebuilt it with hand tools. The only thing I could not do myself was bore out the cylinders so I took the engine block into a metal shop which had the equipment to it. I used my wrenches, including the torque wrench I had, my timing light to adjust ignition, and hand gauges to adjust the spark-plugs. The only electrical tool I needed, and it wasn't a computer, was the timing light.
I changed fluids, repaired brakes, engines, and transmissions for years on cars and trucks. But when the oil in my 2000 Saturn had to be changed years ago I found out that just to get to the oil filter and remove it it needed a special tool, which only had that one use. So because of the hassle and expense I decided to go ahead and let a shop do any work needed from now on. Yet one of the reasons I did as much work as I could myself was to save money.
The problems are...and V-engines
That's what the engine in my Monte Carlo was, a V8, and I had no problem working on it. Prior to my Saturn the only problem I ever had when working on any car or truck was when I didn't make sure an axle wasn't properly seated on a stand when I was working on a brake. Somehow the axle slipped off the stand and one of my hand's became trapped between the brake drum and the pavement.
Falcon
Ooh, BTW I still feel like a fool getting my hand trapped like that.
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
That's why newspapers are going under. Because advertisers are deciding that online advertising is more effective than print advertising. Cheaper too.
More effective, ie they work at least better than other forms of ads. They're also cheaper because websites are cheaper. In the print industry, newspapers and magazines revenue from subscriptions barely paid distribution expenses before, profit was made in advertising. However subscriptions have been falling and adverting rates are determined in part my the subscription base.
Personally I'd pay a little more to subscribe to publications I like. And a little more for web access as well without ads. One of my favorite print magazines was "Byte magazine". It did have an online edition but when I just went to it I was redirected to "Dr Dobb's Journal". Another one I loved went out of print but still has a web presence, Transitions Abroad. I had renewed my subscription 2 months before the print edition was stopped but they had arranged with a Canadian magazine like it to take over delivery of the print edition, "Verge Magazine".
The question is just how they learn these things, and if they use them for more nefarious purposes. With Facebook, I'm fine with them using the information that I gave them. I'm not fine with them using my activity outside the site to target advertising.
Except it's not Facebook that provides the ads, all Facebook does is provide the space for the ads. Microsoft provides the ads.
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
They "work" in a crude, approximate, inefficient way.
Actually some of those who sell ads, like Google provides tools to advertizers so they can determine which ads work best. Google Analytics is a tool to analyze website traffic and marketing effectiveness.
Advertisers waste lots of money on ads that are ignored.
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
I remember when I bought a house. Got lots of ads from contractors. If the advertisers realized I was a do-it-your-selfer, I would have loved to get ads from building material suppliers.
What, you don't get ads from building material suppliers? I rent an apartment and I get ads from Home Depot, Lowes, and other suppliers.
Does that mean you don't use Google, or you just don't want to pay to use it? I block almost all ads but I accept Google ads because I like being able to google. I'd rather put up with the annoyance of ads than not being able to find what I'm looking for relatively easily.
And no, I really don't believe that anyone on YouTube should be paid for making videos and posting them online.
While I'll say being paid isn't a right or an entitlement, I do want to support those who created stuff I like. I also believe there would not be as many creators, sure there would still be some just not as many, if they had to give away their creations.
That's true. Personally, if I must have ads, I'd rather they be targeted. The problem is that I'm not sure I want to give up enough of my privacy in order to receive ads that are appropriately targeted.
So there's the problem. I'd rather see ads for the next neat videogame than ads for Pampers. But, no, I'm not sure I want to advertisers that I'm childless in order to make certain that I don't see ads for Pampers.
I agree, most people would rather have targeted ads over others but don't want to give up the privacy needed for targeted ads. Personally I block almost all ads, though I do accept ads from Google. Between allowing Google ads so I can google as well as visit other websites that use Google ads such as slashdot, and not accepting them and giving up being able to google, I'll accept their ads. Every once in a while I'll even click on an ad. I however only use Google to search, I don't even use gmail.
Oh, come on, like anything good ever came out of making homebrew computers.
Only some of the world's wealthiest people were made wealthy by them. I don't know if he's number 1 or 2 on Forbes and Fortunes wealthiest people but Bill Gates got his start on the road to wealth with them, he and Paul Allen hacked the first BASIC interpreter for microcomputers. Carlso Slim, who surpassed Gates some years ago to hold the title of the World's Wealthiest person and is now number 3 owned, er was the majority owner of, CompUSA. I guess CompUSA closing it's doors hurt his status. All together Microsoft created at least 3 billionaires. Oracle made Larry Ellison another billionaire, and if you look at that list of Billionaires you'll find others who were made wealthy because of computer hardware or software. Though he's not on the list Steve Jobs is estimated to be worth $5billion. And it's not just Americans some of the Indians and I believe Russians were also made wealthy by computers. Others may of been too, but I'm too lazy right now to go through the list.
Falcon
Ooh, don't get me wrong, I realize you're probably joking but others may not know the impact computers have had on the economy, wealth creation, and progress.
It doesn't take a visible spark to kill a component, a visible spark takes ~500V to feel it and 1kV to see the spark. To destroy a component just hit it with 10x its operational voltage and it will likely be toast, that could be as low as 25V for something that operates at 2.5V.
But it doesn't matter if you can't experience it, by seeing or being shocked, yourself. My professor could talk about it all he wanted but it was hard to get the students to understand if they couldn't see it in action.
I understand what you are saying but you are presenting a common misconception regarding ESD. Plus just because you cannot generate a visible spark one day doesn't mean you can't the next.
You'd better correct my professor then, he was the one that said that not me, and he got his BS in Mathematics, MS in Physics and PhD in Science Education from Purdue. Scan down to George W Coyne.
I'd also argue that DIY Tech should have a stronger electronics background
Why an electronics background? Being able to grow your own food may be more useful if you want Do It Yourself projects. That or building a shelter. Of course being able to repair if not design and build your own electronics could pay more than being able to clothe, feed, and shelter yourself with your own hands. Then again why limit yourself, why not learn unrelated subjects? For instance "Makezine" has had projects on mycology or growing mushrooms as well as on using a Gardino microprocessor to water an indoor garden, give them more light, or warn when it gets too cold.
I read "Makezine" and want to try to do half of the projects it has. Unfortunately while I have plenty of tyme I don't have much money, I'm on disability and don't work. Perhaps I can make things and sell them.
My brother is a shop teacher and kids these days have a hard time doing a half decent job assembling simple plastic models -- in high school!
This may be true, kids today may have trouble doing something we did growing up, but they have skills that didn't exist then. When I first got into computers microprocessors and microcomputers were only for hobbiest and were homebrews. The kids today that are the age I was then can post their own websites, even if only on Facebook or Myspace. I used to be able to work on car engines and repair as well as rebuild them, but now I wouldn't try to work on the engine in my car without first taking a class on repairing engines.
I've always thought that teaching something that combined science, engineering, and Vo-Tek would be highly practical in high school.
You can buy a small lawnmower engine (and a manual) and teach them principles of mechanics and combustion while also levening parts of "how things work" as well as basic repair techniques. Eventually you put the thing back together and start it up.
I did this in jr high, the school had a small engine repair class and workshop. I didn't take the class the whole term, I had moved and transfered to the school most of the way through the year, however I grew up helping others repair car and truck engines so I wasn't lost. The school I started the year at had a metal shop class I was taking however the new school didn't, the closest they said they had was small engine repair so I took it.
Slashdot Mirror
As I am a developer, I'm interested to hear just what makes the mac better for development.
With a Windows PC you can only develop for Windows. With Linux you can develop for Linux or Windows. With Macs you can develop for all three.
I am not one now but that is one of the reasons I switched, to first Linux for my desktop, then to a MacBook Pro for a laptop. I can develop and test on all 3 platforms, er I could if I still had Windows. But unless Microsoft stops treating it's users like criminals I will stay as far away from MS as I can.
Falcon
The build of some laptops may suck but some are pretty sturdy. I think a lot of it through is what laptop have to go though. Now I'd like it if Apple were to make some like Panasonic's Toughbooks.
I had a cheap ass Gateway laptop that lasted me for 4 years
My first 2 laptops were Gateways. For the first one I had to replace the harddisk drive 6 months after I got it. Then 2 weeks shy of 1 year I called tech support after it crashed. The tech walked me through some tests then said the motherboard had to be replaced, so he arranged Airborn Express to drop off a box I'd pack it in then they'd pick it back up and ship it to the repair facility. A week later I called back asking about it, I was told they had a shortage of one part and it may take another week or two to get. Two weeks later I called again, and I was told it was just dropped off. I didn't have it and it wasn't left for me there. After going to the apartment office to see if it was dropped off there and calling both Gateway and Airborn back Gateway decided to send a new laptop. All together I was without a laptop 4 weeks.
The second Gateway I bought was a remanufactured laptop and like the first I bought Gateway's extended warranty. A few weeks later I got out of my car at home and grabbed the laptop. Walking to the door I slipped on ice. Now I was holding the shoulder strap with the bag along my side, so it wasn't more than a foot off the ground. When I got in I opened the bag and laptop and saw the monitor, I don't recall if it was an LCD or an LED, was cracked. Obviously I called tech support, and even though I paid more for the expended plan it was not covered. So I asked how much it would cost to repair and all they'd tell me was "between $200 and $1200". With all the trouble I had with Gateway's service, including having to wait a month to get a laptop back, I decided I would not give Gateway another penny. And besides the 2 laptops I also bought 2 desktops.
a friend's Macbook died within a few months. On the other hand, I've seen Macs last for years and "pc's" die after a few months.
Maybe it's a lottery. I recall many, many, years ago Zenith manufactured computers, before selling the devision to Group Bull in France. The joke was that if a Zenith computer had any problem in the first month it would always have problems but if it didn't it'd last years.
Falcon
I could believe the "Macs are used in businesses" troll, but you went too far saying you have "dated a lady".
With as many slashdotters rarely leaving the basement, or attic, I can understand their lack of understanding not everyone using slashdot is an introverted geek who's agoraphobic. Up until an accident while riding my bike, which I rode 100 to 200 miles a week, left me with a disability I was very outward bound. But now because of my disability I don't work, I used to work in concrete construction full time even while riding so much, and spend most of my tyme in my apartment. So I spend a lot of tyme on slashdot. However I'm trying to get back into college and love spending tyme in nature with my camera. I'm actually thinking about trying to start a photography business, but with the recession I'm not so sure that's a good idea.
Falcon
I notice you didn't respond to GP's statement on crashes, "A single application taking down the entire machine hasn't been an issue since the days of system 9." Mac OS 9 is one Mac OS I know I haven't used but I have used Macs since 1984 and I have not had an entire machine crash because of one app, the only tyme I've had a Mac crash was when there was a blackout. On the other hand I have repeatedly suffered through such crashes when I used Windows. That was one of the reasons I switched from Windows PCs to, first a Linux PC, then a MacBook Pro.
Falcon
I'm not used to a single application taking down the entire system, or frequent and unpredictable focus-switching.
I've never had these problems on my Macs.
The hardware has been shaky as hell, too.
I had one Mac last me 8 years and the only problem I had with it, until it died, is because it was a Mac SE 30 it was not expandable. I also had a Power Mac 7300/200 last me 6 years, the only problem I had with it was when it refused to boot. In both cases I bought them used, the SE 30 was made in 1988-9 and the Power Mac in 1997. I am typing this on a MacBook Pro I've had more than 2 years and have had 2 hardware problems with it. First the graphics subsystem had to be replaced about 16 months after I got it. The second one when I had to have the DVD drive replaced last week. Two hardware problems in 2 years.
However I had 2 hardware problems with 3 PCs I bought new after less than a year. In all three cases the harddisk drive and motherboards had to be replaced/
My partition table got nuked after a standard update recently.
First, when the harddisk drives in those 3 PCs were replaced, the OS had to be reinstalled as well. Then when the mobo had to be replaced in one the disk I had all my user data on, a second drive installed specifically for user files containing more than 500 GB of data, despite written instructions to not format the drive the tech who repaired the PC reformatted the drive anyway.
Quite simply partitions can be nuked whatever OS is used. Heck I can take a Ubuntu Live CD and nuke a partition.
Not to mention the highly variant battery life. Sometimes it lasts unbelievably long, other times it fails to properly enter standby and it drains away without warning.
Again, in the more than 2 years I've had my MBP I haven't had a problem like this. I did freak out once when I was out and using my laptop, it totally stopped working. After I got home I plugged it in and it started working again, so I guess when the battery charge level went too far discharged it hibernated.
Now, trying to plug in peripherals has been a pain.
Again I haven't had any such problem. When I plugged in my 3 external disks, 2 USB 2 and one Firewire 800, they were automatically recognized. The same with my USB 2 connected Canon printer, Epson scanner, and Logitech trackball. Soon I'll see if Ubuntu is as good, I plan on installing Ubuntu on my Mac and make it dualboot.
Falcon
I've found that plugging and unplugging three cables, all at the side of the machine, not the rear, on a daily basis was actually a lot easier than dealing with a docking station.
I don't have or use a dock for my laptop now but I did with my first laptop and I'd rather have one. I've thought of getting a BookEndz dock for my next laptop, I've had my current MBP 2 years without one and would rather save my money than buy one for it now.
On the other hand, having three or four cables (power, display, USB, Ethernet) is pretty quick to connect/disconnect, doesn't change the hardware profile of the machine and can be hot pugged/unplugged without having to tell the OS that anything is happening.
When I had a Windows PC Windows complained when I unplugged or turned off a USB device without telling Windows I was going to, and now that I use OS X Leopard it does the same. Sure devices can be unplugged but OSes still complain.
Falcon
The reason I could never take MAC seriously for any sort of business is lack of docking ports..
Though Apple doesn't make any there are docks for Macs. When I get my next MacBook Pro I may get a BookEndz as well.
It drives me nuts to see how often MAC gets recommended as a laptop.. Sure.. it's the nicest one you see at Best Buy.. But no corporation should ever consider using laptops that don't have docking ports.
One, see above. Two, Macs, including Mac laptops, are used in businesses. I dated, yes dated, a lady who ran her own business and she only used Macs. If she had to run Windows, and running a business she had to when working with clients as well as for testing, she ran it in a VM. Here's a "CIO" article on "MacBook Pro and IPod on Mount Everest".
Falcon
While I have a MBP 13.3 for dev work, it currently lacks:
I wanted a dock for my MBP too and thought about getting a BookEndz dock. Maybe it meets your requirements. Now I don't like the non user swappable batteries. An external battery pack may mitigate that though.
Still, it's a good buy. I'd forget bootcamp and just virtualize the other OS with vmWare Fusion.
Though I won't use Bootcamp I will dualboot Snow Leopard and Ubuntu. I'm still using Leopard now but when I install Snow Leopard I'll also install rEFIt to use as the boot selector. I'll also install and use VirtualBox. That way I can boot into Ubuntu and use it at full speed as well as run Ubuntu in a VM in Ubuntu.
Falcon
anyone have experience with how well the EFI-enabled grub (or any other bootloader that can run on a modern Mac) works?
I've read rEFIt is good, so an EFI enabled bootloader isn't needed for a Mac. I'm getting ready to install Ubuntu on my Mac. Right now I'm using Leopard but after I do a fresh install of Snow Leopard I'll install rEFIt then Ubuntu.
Falcon
Weeelll... you can't just nuke it and install anything yet. I tried to install only Linux on the Macbook I have only to find it uses EFI only, so until grub2 makes it into distros and it fully supports the Macbook EFI, you're stuck with having OS X around just to setup bootcamp (and emulate the regular BIOS, I guess)
You can install and use rEFIt on an Intel Mac. Of course it's a good idea to keep a bootable OS X partition if no other reason than to update firmware.
To tell the truth I don't know why anyone would pay for a Mac and not use OS X. I'm typing this on my MacBook Pro running Leopard now. I have the Snow Leopard DVD but haven't installed it yet. When I do though I will also install Ubuntu. I already have my hard disk drive partitioned with 2 partitions for OS X and Ubuntu and another one for the user home. Doing this I can use any and all user files in both OSes.
Falcon
My MBP's keyboard backlight was misbehaving within a couple of months of buying it. The machine regularly overheated playing games. The motherboard fried itself and needed replacement after a couple of years. The DVD drive is now extremely fussy about recognizing an inserted disc.
The last two Dell laptops I've owned each lasted well over 5 years with no problems.
I have had the opposite experience, of 4 Windows PCs and 1 Linux PC I bought new and 3 Macs, 2 I bought used and the one I'm typing this on now bought new, I have had more problems with my PCs. I don't know why but I had the hard disk drive and motherboards fail on 3 PCs in the first year and had to replace the RAM in 2 in 2 years. The Macs are a different story though. I bought a Mac SE30, which were made in 1988-9, in 1992. It died in 2000, I don't know why it just wouldn't boot up. A few months later I bought a used PowerMac 7300/200, which was made in 1997. It refused to boot up in January 2006.
In the 2+ years I've owned the Mac I'm using now I've had 2 hardware failures. The first one was after I had it 16 months.
Two failures in 2 years is better than 2 failures in 1 year as is lasting at least 9 years.
Falcon
make sure you get the extended warranty then - I've had to replace the battery, hard drive, dvd player, and screen of my macbook, and this thing doesn't even get used when I'm not travelling.
Some may frown on it but I always get an extended service plan. I got one with my HP, Gateways, and I got Applecare with my MacBook Pro. I used the plan, which I'm glad I had, with my HP. I bought it at Best Buy and when it failed twice in the first year, the first tyme the hard disk then the motherboard had to be replaced, all I did was take it down to Best Buy. A few hours after I took it down because of the hdd failed they called me saying it was ready. Now when the mobo failed they had to send it to another repair facility, so I was without for a week.
I had trouble with Gateway though, this was when even the Gateway stores only placed orders for delivery instead of carrying stock in stores. I kept on having to call Gateway for tech support, and the first question asked after I gave them the serial number was "has anything been installed?" Of course because I wanted to use it I did install software and peripherals. So to get support I'd have to do a clean install of Windows and only Windows. Of course the hard drive then motherboard failed so I couldn't install Windows so eventually tech support agreed to send me a new drive and arranged to have the computer picked up the second tyme.
Anyhow with both my HP and Gateways I had 2 hardware failures in the first year I owned them. The only problem I had with my MacBook the first year was Apple had sent me an older version of software which didn't run on the new Mac version. The second year, after 16 months, the graphics had to be replaced then at the end of the 2nd year the DVD drive had to be replaced. Two hardware failures in 2 years on my Mac versus 2 failures in the first year with HP and Gateway computers, hard disk drives and motherboards in both cases.
Falcon
I ask Slashdot: What is your pick for best developer's laptop under $1,200, considering the features above?"
The problem I have with this is the price. I too wanted a new laptop for development, and photography. After making a list of requirements, from a fast CPU to a fast and large hard disk drive, I looked at a bunch of laptops. The cheapest laptop I found that met the requirements was more than twice as expensive. Prices have come down since then and if you have an open mind on the hardware and software then I suggest you look at Apple's 13" Macbook Pro, it's base price is $1200 but of course if you want to run Windows on it then there's the price on an MS Windows license. You also have to consider the docking station, Apple doesn't make any though third parties do such as BookEndz, which adds almost $300 to the cost. A simple MacBook will be cheaper but if you want to run just MS Windows or Linux then don't bother with a Mac.
Falcon
Car engines have not changed in any fundamental way apart from going to fuel injection and electronic ignition. Now things are more like computers in the sense that they usually either work or they don't. They aren't really any more complicated in terms of serviceability.
Ah, but you need a computer to diagnose today's engines. I compleatly tore down the 350ci engine in my 1978 Monte Carlo then rebuilt it with hand tools. The only thing I could not do myself was bore out the cylinders so I took the engine block into a metal shop which had the equipment to it. I used my wrenches, including the torque wrench I had, my timing light to adjust ignition, and hand gauges to adjust the spark-plugs. The only electrical tool I needed, and it wasn't a computer, was the timing light.
I changed fluids, repaired brakes, engines, and transmissions for years on cars and trucks. But when the oil in my 2000 Saturn had to be changed years ago I found out that just to get to the oil filter and remove it it needed a special tool, which only had that one use. So because of the hassle and expense I decided to go ahead and let a shop do any work needed from now on. Yet one of the reasons I did as much work as I could myself was to save money.
The problems are...and V-engines
That's what the engine in my Monte Carlo was, a V8, and I had no problem working on it. Prior to my Saturn the only problem I ever had when working on any car or truck was when I didn't make sure an axle wasn't properly seated on a stand when I was working on a brake. Somehow the axle slipped off the stand and one of my hand's became trapped between the brake drum and the pavement.
Falcon
Ooh, BTW I still feel like a fool getting my hand trapped like that.
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
That's why newspapers are going under. Because advertisers are deciding that online advertising is more effective than print advertising. Cheaper too.
More effective, ie they work at least better than other forms of ads. They're also cheaper because websites are cheaper. In the print industry, newspapers and magazines revenue from subscriptions barely paid distribution expenses before, profit was made in advertising. However subscriptions have been falling and adverting rates are determined in part my the subscription base.
Personally I'd pay a little more to subscribe to publications I like. And a little more for web access as well without ads. One of my favorite print magazines was "Byte magazine". It did have an online edition but when I just went to it I was redirected to "Dr Dobb's Journal". Another one I loved went out of print but still has a web presence, Transitions Abroad. I had renewed my subscription 2 months before the print edition was stopped but they had arranged with a Canadian magazine like it to take over delivery of the print edition, "Verge Magazine".
Falcon
The question is just how they learn these things, and if they use them for more nefarious purposes. With Facebook, I'm fine with them using the information that I gave them. I'm not fine with them using my activity outside the site to target advertising.
Except it's not Facebook that provides the ads, all Facebook does is provide the space for the ads. Microsoft provides the ads.
Falcon
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
They "work" in a crude, approximate, inefficient way.
Actually some of those who sell ads, like Google provides tools to advertizers so they can determine which ads work best. Google Analytics is a tool to analyze website traffic and marketing effectiveness.
Falcon
Advertisers waste lots of money on ads that are ignored.
Advertisers wouldn't pay for ads if they didn't work, at least not for long.
I remember when I bought a house. Got lots of ads from contractors. If the advertisers realized I was a do-it-your-selfer, I would have loved to get ads from building material suppliers.
What, you don't get ads from building material suppliers? I rent an apartment and I get ads from Home Depot, Lowes, and other suppliers.
Falcon
Does that mean you don't use Google, or you just don't want to pay to use it? I block almost all ads but I accept Google ads because I like being able to google. I'd rather put up with the annoyance of ads than not being able to find what I'm looking for relatively easily.
And no, I really don't believe that anyone on YouTube should be paid for making videos and posting them online.
While I'll say being paid isn't a right or an entitlement, I do want to support those who created stuff I like. I also believe there would not be as many creators, sure there would still be some just not as many, if they had to give away their creations.
Falcon
That's true. Personally, if I must have ads, I'd rather they be targeted. The problem is that I'm not sure I want to give up enough of my privacy in order to receive ads that are appropriately targeted.
So there's the problem. I'd rather see ads for the next neat videogame than ads for Pampers. But, no, I'm not sure I want to advertisers that I'm childless in order to make certain that I don't see ads for Pampers.
I agree, most people would rather have targeted ads over others but don't want to give up the privacy needed for targeted ads. Personally I block almost all ads, though I do accept ads from Google. Between allowing Google ads so I can google as well as visit other websites that use Google ads such as slashdot, and not accepting them and giving up being able to google, I'll accept their ads. Every once in a while I'll even click on an ad. I however only use Google to search, I don't even use gmail.
Falcon
Oh, come on, like anything good ever came out of making homebrew computers.
Only some of the world's wealthiest people were made wealthy by them. I don't know if he's number 1 or 2 on Forbes and Fortunes wealthiest people but Bill Gates got his start on the road to wealth with them, he and Paul Allen hacked the first BASIC interpreter for microcomputers. Carlso Slim, who surpassed Gates some years ago to hold the title of the World's Wealthiest person and is now number 3 owned, er was the majority owner of, CompUSA. I guess CompUSA closing it's doors hurt his status. All together Microsoft created at least 3 billionaires. Oracle made Larry Ellison another billionaire, and if you look at that list of Billionaires you'll find others who were made wealthy because of computer hardware or software. Though he's not on the list Steve Jobs is estimated to be worth $5billion. And it's not just Americans some of the Indians and I believe Russians were also made wealthy by computers. Others may of been too, but I'm too lazy right now to go through the list.
Falcon
Ooh, don't get me wrong, I realize you're probably joking but others may not know the impact computers have had on the economy, wealth creation, and progress.
It doesn't take a visible spark to kill a component, a visible spark takes ~500V to feel it and 1kV to see the spark. To destroy a component just hit it with 10x its operational voltage and it will likely be toast, that could be as low as 25V for something that operates at 2.5V.
But it doesn't matter if you can't experience it, by seeing or being shocked, yourself. My professor could talk about it all he wanted but it was hard to get the students to understand if they couldn't see it in action.
I understand what you are saying but you are presenting a common misconception regarding ESD. Plus just because you cannot generate a visible spark one day doesn't mean you can't the next.
You'd better correct my professor then, he was the one that said that not me, and he got his BS in Mathematics, MS in Physics and PhD in Science Education from Purdue. Scan down to George W Coyne.
Falcon
I'd also argue that DIY Tech should have a stronger electronics background
Why an electronics background? Being able to grow your own food may be more useful if you want Do It Yourself projects. That or building a shelter. Of course being able to repair if not design and build your own electronics could pay more than being able to clothe, feed, and shelter yourself with your own hands. Then again why limit yourself, why not learn unrelated subjects? For instance "Makezine" has had projects on mycology or growing mushrooms as well as on using a Gardino microprocessor to water an indoor garden, give them more light, or warn when it gets too cold.
I read "Makezine" and want to try to do half of the projects it has. Unfortunately while I have plenty of tyme I don't have much money, I'm on disability and don't work. Perhaps I can make things and sell them.
Falcon
My brother is a shop teacher and kids these days have a hard time doing a half decent job assembling simple plastic models -- in high school!
This may be true, kids today may have trouble doing something we did growing up, but they have skills that didn't exist then. When I first got into computers microprocessors and microcomputers were only for hobbiest and were homebrews. The kids today that are the age I was then can post their own websites, even if only on Facebook or Myspace. I used to be able to work on car engines and repair as well as rebuild them, but now I wouldn't try to work on the engine in my car without first taking a class on repairing engines.
Falcon
I've always thought that teaching something that combined science, engineering, and Vo-Tek would be highly practical in high school.
You can buy a small lawnmower engine (and a manual) and teach them principles of mechanics and combustion while also levening parts of "how things work" as well as basic repair techniques. Eventually you put the thing back together and start it up.
I did this in jr high, the school had a small engine repair class and workshop. I didn't take the class the whole term, I had moved and transfered to the school most of the way through the year, however I grew up helping others repair car and truck engines so I wasn't lost. The school I started the year at had a metal shop class I was taking however the new school didn't, the closest they said they had was small engine repair so I took it.
Falcon