You browse the web, you check email, maybe design little HTML based websites and that sort of thing.
I also do photography, programming, and other things.
You said "I've had hardware problems within a few months of buying a new PC. You don't buy a new PC, you build one.
I have the skills to add or replace a few things but I do not have the skills to build my own PC. Nor do most people. Nor do I have the ability to diagnose problems, hardware or software. About all I've done, hardware wise is add more ram, a second graphics card, and a second hdd. I have never ever built my own PC. Now I have had to reinstall Windows a bunch of tymes. And installed Linux once, which didn't out well.
Unless you bought a boutique computer, of course you had hardware problems if you bought a Dell or Gateway or something - they use crappy components.
The first PC was a Gateway, which was a big mistake. The other one I had hardware problems with was an HP. The only PC I had, and still have, that I did n't have a problem with is a DEC Alpha I order from Microway. While I didn't have hardware problems with it, because it's CPU's an Alpha I wasn't able to get much software installed. Of all the Windows PCs I've owned or used NT4, which it ran, was the most stable. Heck the first tyme I used XP it froze while booting up. And it was on a brand new Dell the college I was attending had just got.
Here's one thing I'd like you to do: Run HFS+ and install Dreamweaver for webpage design.
Unless HFS is a file system I have no idea what it is. Dreamweaver? I've used Dreamweaver, on both Windows PCs and Macs. I prefer to handcode though, using TextPad on PCs and TextEdit on the Mac. I also used TextPad for Java and Perl.
Install Flash to augment those web pages.
I have the Flash player installed on my Mac. As for creating Flash, though Adobe has Flash for both OS X and Windows, I don't like Flash. Years ago I bought Macromedia Studio which came with Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and Homesite. The only one of them I used much at all was Dreamweaver. Then again the only reason I used it at all was because I was taking a Dreamweaver class at the tyme. I haven't used since.
Here's another thing: In Mail.app, mark a message as unread from the message list so you can address it later.
Why would I want to do that. I don't even use Mail. When I used Windows I used Eudora and liked it, and so when I switched to Mac I kept using it. The only problem with it is that OS X and Windows does end of line differently. To convert my old email from Eudora for Windows to Eudora for OS X all I have to do is open the messages in TextEdit and do a search and replace. Before making the switch I researched what I needed to do.
Share your HFS+ drive to a Windows box with logon credentials.
Again I don't know what HFS+ is. As for Windows, I don't want to have anything to do with it. I switched because I was sick and tired of having Windows crash, and I don't like spyware or being treated as a criminal. And that's was Activation does.
You can't use a Mac to create websites with Dreamweaver
I have no interest in using Dreamweaver. And Dreamweaver is not the only way to create websites. TextEdit does me fine. However Adobe does have Dreamweaver for OS X.
That vast majority of those using an creation tool use Dreamweaver, yet it doesn't work.
That Dreamweaver class I said I took, we used Macs not PCs. The classes that used PCs used Frontpage. Because it was several years ago when I took the class I just checked Adobe's site to see what the requirements for Dreamweaver is now, and they do have a Mac version, it says specifically "Mac OS X v10.4.11-10.5.4".
To get a laptop from Dell with better than integrated graphics you can spend as little as £499.
And does that Dell have a 17", or bigger, screen? Is it's graphics good for graphics and photography? Yes, I want both. I want it for graphics and photography. I also want it for programming and web design.
What you need to realise is that not everyone wants a machine that is high spec across the board with all the bells and whistles
And what you need to know is that some people do want or need high specs. And not everybody likes to be treated like a criminal, which is what Microsoft is doing with mandatory Activation and all the spyware. I also hate having all the problems I had with Windows. On two brand new PCs I had to replace, er take in for replacement, 2 hdds and 2 mobos and had to reinstall Windows a lot of tymes. Sure, I could go with Linux. But I don't know of any place around here that carries, and services, Linux laptops. And yes local service is important to me, I want any service I need done quickly. There are 3 Apple stores I've been to not more than 20 to 30 minutes drive where I can go to the Genius Bar for service. Before getting it the PCs I bought I bought at stores that had their own repair facilities on site. That's not possible ordering from the web, which would be the best way to get a laptop with Linux.
It will be interesting to see what the response to this post is. As normally when this is brought up it prompts a deluge of Apple fans talking about how the aesthetics are what is really important and how Macs are like art.
You won't get that from me. I made a list of requirements and wants and after looking at various options I chose to buy a MacBook Pro. While the aesthetics of the Mac is good I prize stability and usability more.
I can envision them having better financials if they could be strictly a software shop running on someone else's configuration-controlled hardware.
Apple tried that. During the '90s before Apple brought Steve Jobs back they allowed third parties to make and sale Mac clones. When Jobs was brought back he took one look at the books, financial records, and saw Apple was losing money because of the clones. So he ended licensing the OS.
Choosing between a family vacation and a new iMac isn't going to go in Apple's favor. If they are going to remain relevant in a tough economy, they are going to have to seriously lower their prices
While I can't explain why, while we are in a tough economy now Apple's sales are actually good.
I'm not sure which I'd be more upset about if I woke up from a coma
You don't want to do that, wake up from a coma unless you get lucky and have a Near death experience. Since I came out of the coma I was in my life as been a living hell. While I was in the coma the docs told my family it would be a miracle if I lived. But it's been nothing like that, instead I wish I had died.
Good point, more than likely this mandatory upgrade will break the dongle's functionality. And, the mandatory update just might include code to protect future attempts at dongles.
Bad point. Even if Apple wanted to they couldn't force a mandatory upgrade. If it were possible though, it would piss off a bunch of Mac users. Including businesses.
Now if only they would release something like that for Linux, then it would be the year of Linux on the desktop!
Apple used to have a version of Linux, MkLinux. Since the switch to OS X I don't see much of a reason to run Linux on a Mac. I'm typing this on a MacBook Pro and before I got it I was thinking about setting it up as a dualboot, with Ubuntu. However after installing MacPorts and Fink I see no reason to. Between the two I can install Debian apt-get and.deb and Redhat.rpm packages.
As far as a "Year of Linux", I doubt there ever will be one. Yes, Linux will be seen on more and more desktops but I don't think there will be a single year that can be pointed to and have said that was the year Linux became the king of the desktop. What matters is that people can do what they need to do, whatever the OS or platform.
Make no mistake, I like Apple as much as the next guy, and have used their machines for many many years... but It's no secret that they have substantially higher mark-ups (and hence, profit margins) on their equipment than other PC Hardware manufacturers
But you are making a mistake. For years now Mac prices have been inline with Windows PCs. Last year, then again a week or so ago, I compared the price of a Mac with a similarly configured Windows PC and they were about the same with most OEMs. For some reason though I found Dells a couple of hundred more.
The problem with comparing prices is that you have to start with the Mac then configure the PC so it's close to the Mac's configuration. Apple doesn't offer much in the way of configurations unfortunately.
Do you mean server grade? If so there's the Xserve. Apple does have a hugh whole in it's lineup and doesn't offer much in the way of configurations though.
Defenders are so quick to point to "if you compare feature for feature they really cost close to a PC"
I do that myself, perhaps two or three tymes with this article. However I also say I wish Apple would release a midrange expandable Mac, something between $1000 and $2000.
but I won't set it up and start using it just to not be able to update it later on, useless.
If they do, that's just a teaser. When I got my Mac nothing came with it about.mac. But even if it were free, I don't really see any reason to use it. I get space on my ISP's server which I've used for various things such as for my website, as storage, and to synchronize files. While I was taking classes I used it for class files. Though I'll have to check to be sure I think my ISP even allows scripts and such for perl, php, and other things.
People who want a reasonably spec'ed machine that has decent upgrade potential. The main reason cited by die-hard Mac zealots* is that it would compete with the Mac Pro
The main reason I hear Apple won't sell a midrange expandable Mac is because Apple would have to test more configurations. I think it's a combination of different reasons though I would like to see some expandable Macs between $1000 and $2000.
If Apple made a tablet Mac I'd love to get one. Another company does make them though, Axiotron makes the ModBook. The company buys MacBooks/Pros then rebuilds them into tablets.
I'm pretty sure that shoddy assembly processes are common to all the computer producers. Especially apple... lol
Yea, I've heard quite a few tales about how Apple's logic boards go bad too often. With me it's been the opposite. I'm typing this on my third Mac and the only hardware I've had with one was when the floppy disk drive failed in one I had 8 years before it fail. Of four PCs I've had, 3 running Windows and 2 running Linux (one was dualboot), though three had to have the mobos and hdds be replaced in the first year of ownership.
The simple truth is that using Windows/Linux is a cost benefit analysis performed by the end user.
My cost benefit analysis led me to buy my MacBook Pro.
You get the most product for your money using a traditional PC
What is this traditional PC? Do you mean a Windows PC? Before I bought my MBP I compared it's price to a few Windows OEM laptops. With one exception the MBP cost about the same as Windows OEM laptops. The one exception was a Dell and it cost $200 more.
when I was talking about the components I was pretty much trying to point out how you get less but pay more when you go the Apple hardware route.
If I had gone the Window PC route when I got my MacBook Pro I would have paid just as much for a Windows Laptop as I did for my MBP, unless I bought a Dell. In which case I would have paid $200 more for the Dell. Getting OS X though I saved a lot of grief. My first Windows laptop had to have it's hdd replaced 5 months after I bought it new. The mobo had to be replaced when it was 11 months old. Between the tyme I got it and the last tyme I used it I had to reinstall Windows, and every apps I had, at least 6 or 7 tymes. I then bought an HP desktop. It's hdd and mobo had to be replaced in the first years as well. I ended up replacing the hdd 3 tymes. I have only bought one Windows PC that did not have problems in the first year. Unfortunately as it's CPU's a DEC Alpha I wasn't able to get much software installed so I haven't used it much.
On the other hand I bought 2 used Macs and used them for years before they died. And a working computer is what matters to me.
As for the laptops, well, I admit readily that that's a topic I'm not very well versed in at all.
I'm not conversed in hardware much at all. To know the differences between graphics card X and card Y I have to search for them on the net. The same with CPUs as well as other components.
I don't have much of a use for a laptop myself and anytime someone has asked me to price out a laptop for them it always ends up being out of their price range (~1000$) for what they want it for (Usually gaming).
I prefer having a laptop, I can take it with me. I don't play games, if Macs come with any installed I don't know and I haven't installed any myself. While I was uncomfortable paying as much as I did for my MacBook Pro, I had reasons for getting it. First I'm hoping to start a photography business, so I wanted something I could take with me on location that had enough power for graphics. I also wanted a large screen. Whether Mac or Windows, both means money. I want something that is stable and other than NT4, which is on my Alpha, I have had trouble with every Windows version I've used. Heck the first tyme I tried XP it didn't finish booting up. After about 5 minutes I gave up and pushed the power button in until it shut down. And that was a new Dell. Now, I have a Linux PC in a tower case I'll setup as a server so it's not like I'll only use a Mac.
I already conceded the other point with regards to keeping a process running in a few of my other posts tho, heh.
Could you provide an example scenario where it would be preferable to keep pure GUI applications running in the background when any way of interacting with that program is removed (I.E. - Closing every window for the app)?
I open and close application windows often. I may have different apps running. For instance when I'm online I frequently save webpages locally. After saving it I can quickly open a text editor and paste the page url into what I downloaded. Then I can close the window but keep the app running, which makes the next page I want edit open faster.
Long post short, if I close the last window an application has open, there's no reason for the application to still be running when there is no visual representation of the app.
Long story made short, I have no problem [alt][q] to quit an app. However after closing the last open window of an app I might want to open a new window of that same app.
Disclaimer: I would gladly buy a Mac if they would lower their prices to be more reasonable for a new system.
Before I got my MacBook Pro I compared it's price to laptops from Windows OEM that were configured similarly. In every case but one the prices were comparable. The one exception was a Dell laptop, and the Dell was $200 more. Unfortunately if you want an expandable midrange computer you won't find it in the Mac lineup.
My quad core cost me about 1 grand from Dell, the equivalent system as far as I can see from Apple's Shop Mac Store is the Mac Pro which weighs in at a whopping $2,799.00.
Other than the quad core requirement you don't list any other requirements. However you can get a quad core Mac Pro for $2300.
I know the OS is great for some people, but for those of us who want to get real work done, OSX is NOT the way to go unless the only real work you need to do is video editing or graphic design. Neither of which I do.
I switched from Windows to a Mac because I wanted to get work done. When I owned Windows PCs I've had hardware problems within a few months of buying a PC new. I've also had to reinstall Windows along with all of the software I used a bunch of tymes. On the other hand the first two Macs I bought I bought used and they both lasted years without problems. As for what I can do with it, I can do anything with it I could do with a Windows PC. Name one thing you think a Mac can not do, and I'll look into it. I bet I can find a way to do it.
It's for Mom and Dad and Little Sister who just want to email and view the web as quickly and easily as possible.
I can do much more than just surf the web and send and receive email with my Mac. The biggest uses in business is with office suites, and even Microsoft has a version of Office for Macs. Personally I use NeoOffice and I have no trouble opening, editing, and saving Word documents. I can use my Mac to create websites or program. I can also use CADD on it. There is nothing I could do on my Windows PC that I can not do on my Mac, or with some work, on my Linux PC. Heck, I can run Windows software on it, can you run Mac software on your Windows PC?
And yes that little PDA can easily wreak havoc on a Broadway show, NFL broadcast or any other production. That's why we regulate the spectrum...devices operating on the same frequency will interfere.
That's not why the airwaves are regulated. The airwaves are regulated because large media companies wanted to reduce competition. Airwaves were originally homesteaded. Courts were ruling that the first person to setup a transmitter and broadcast on a specific frequency had the right to that frequency and others were not allowed to interfere with the broadcast. These rulings were based on, and the basis of, common law. Large businesses like RCA didn't like this so they convinced congress to pass laws requiring expensive licenses. By doing this they were able to reduce competition or potential competition.
Slashdot Mirror
You browse the web, you check email, maybe design little HTML based websites and that sort of thing.
I also do photography, programming, and other things.
You said "I've had hardware problems within a few months of buying a new PC. You don't buy a new PC, you build one.
I have the skills to add or replace a few things but I do not have the skills to build my own PC. Nor do most people. Nor do I have the ability to diagnose problems, hardware or software. About all I've done, hardware wise is add more ram, a second graphics card, and a second hdd. I have never ever built my own PC. Now I have had to reinstall Windows a bunch of tymes. And installed Linux once, which didn't out well.
Unless you bought a boutique computer, of course you had hardware problems if you bought a Dell or Gateway or something - they use crappy components.
The first PC was a Gateway, which was a big mistake. The other one I had hardware problems with was an HP. The only PC I had, and still have, that I did n't have a problem with is a DEC Alpha I order from Microway. While I didn't have hardware problems with it, because it's CPU's an Alpha I wasn't able to get much software installed. Of all the Windows PCs I've owned or used NT4, which it ran, was the most stable. Heck the first tyme I used XP it froze while booting up. And it was on a brand new Dell the college I was attending had just got.
Here's one thing I'd like you to do: Run HFS+ and install Dreamweaver for webpage design.
Unless HFS is a file system I have no idea what it is. Dreamweaver? I've used Dreamweaver, on both Windows PCs and Macs. I prefer to handcode though, using TextPad on PCs and TextEdit on the Mac. I also used TextPad for Java and Perl.
Install Flash to augment those web pages.
I have the Flash player installed on my Mac. As for creating Flash, though Adobe has Flash for both OS X and Windows, I don't like Flash. Years ago I bought Macromedia Studio which came with Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and Homesite. The only one of them I used much at all was Dreamweaver. Then again the only reason I used it at all was because I was taking a Dreamweaver class at the tyme. I haven't used since.
Here's another thing: In Mail.app, mark a message as unread from the message list so you can address it later.
Why would I want to do that. I don't even use Mail. When I used Windows I used Eudora and liked it, and so when I switched to Mac I kept using it. The only problem with it is that OS X and Windows does end of line differently. To convert my old email from Eudora for Windows to Eudora for OS X all I have to do is open the messages in TextEdit and do a search and replace. Before making the switch I researched what I needed to do.
Share your HFS+ drive to a Windows box with logon credentials.
Again I don't know what HFS+ is. As for Windows, I don't want to have anything to do with it. I switched because I was sick and tired of having Windows crash, and I don't like spyware or being treated as a criminal. And that's was Activation does.
You can't use a Mac to create websites with Dreamweaver
I have no interest in using Dreamweaver. And Dreamweaver is not the only way to create websites. TextEdit does me fine. However Adobe does have Dreamweaver for OS X.
That vast majority of those using an creation tool use Dreamweaver, yet it doesn't work.
That Dreamweaver class I said I took, we used Macs not PCs. The classes that used PCs used Frontpage. Because it was several years ago when I took the class I just checked Adobe's site to see what the requirements for Dreamweaver is now, and they do have a Mac version, it says specifically "Mac OS X v10.4.11-10.5.4".
What CAD software do you use?
I don't use C
To get a laptop from Dell with better than integrated graphics you can spend as little as £499.
And does that Dell have a 17", or bigger, screen? Is it's graphics good for graphics and photography? Yes, I want both. I want it for graphics and photography. I also want it for programming and web design.
What you need to realise is that not everyone wants a machine that is high spec across the board with all the bells and whistles
And what you need to know is that some people do want or need high specs. And not everybody likes to be treated like a criminal, which is what Microsoft is doing with mandatory Activation and all the spyware. I also hate having all the problems I had with Windows. On two brand new PCs I had to replace, er take in for replacement, 2 hdds and 2 mobos and had to reinstall Windows a lot of tymes. Sure, I could go with Linux. But I don't know of any place around here that carries, and services, Linux laptops. And yes local service is important to me, I want any service I need done quickly. There are 3 Apple stores I've been to not more than 20 to 30 minutes drive where I can go to the Genius Bar for service. Before getting it the PCs I bought I bought at stores that had their own repair facilities on site. That's not possible ordering from the web, which would be the best way to get a laptop with Linux.
It will be interesting to see what the response to this post is. As normally when this is brought up it prompts a deluge of Apple fans talking about how the aesthetics are what is really important and how Macs are like art.
You won't get that from me. I made a list of requirements and wants and after looking at various options I chose to buy a MacBook Pro. While the aesthetics of the Mac is good I prize stability and usability more.
Falcon
Apple should be happy to lose a few hardware sales in order to secure their place in software.
Been there, done that, Apple lost money when they allowed Mac clones.
Falcon
I will try it out soon, triple booting Ubuntu XP and OSX sounds great fun!
I can, though I won't, do that on my Mac.
Apple should implement apt-get, then it would be definite!
If you have a Mac try Fink, it can install Debian packages apt-get, .deb, dpkg, and dselect. To install Redhat .rpm packages try MacPorts.
Falcon
I can envision them having better financials if they could be strictly a software shop running on someone else's configuration-controlled hardware.
Apple tried that. During the '90s before Apple brought Steve Jobs back they allowed third parties to make and sale Mac clones. When Jobs was brought back he took one look at the books, financial records, and saw Apple was losing money because of the clones. So he ended licensing the OS.
Falcon
Choosing between a family vacation and a new iMac isn't going to go in Apple's favor. If they are going to remain relevant in a tough economy, they are going to have to seriously lower their prices
While I can't explain why, while we are in a tough economy now Apple's sales are actually good.
In case this Google news topic disappears:
Falcon
I'm not sure which I'd be more upset about if I woke up from a coma
You don't want to do that, wake up from a coma unless you get lucky and have a Near death experience. Since I came out of the coma I was in my life as been a living hell. While I was in the coma the docs told my family it would be a miracle if I lived. But it's been nothing like that, instead I wish I had died.
Falcon
Good point, more than likely this mandatory upgrade will break the dongle's functionality. And, the mandatory update just might include code to protect future attempts at dongles.
Bad point. Even if Apple wanted to they couldn't force a mandatory upgrade. If it were possible though, it would piss off a bunch of Mac users. Including businesses.
Falcon
Now if only they would release something like that for Linux, then it would be the year of Linux on the desktop!
Apple used to have a version of Linux, MkLinux. Since the switch to OS X I don't see much of a reason to run Linux on a Mac. I'm typing this on a MacBook Pro and before I got it I was thinking about setting it up as a dualboot, with Ubuntu. However after installing MacPorts and Fink I see no reason to. Between the two I can install Debian apt-get and .deb and Redhat .rpm packages.
As far as a "Year of Linux", I doubt there ever will be one. Yes, Linux will be seen on more and more desktops but I don't think there will be a single year that can be pointed to and have said that was the year Linux became the king of the desktop. What matters is that people can do what they need to do, whatever the OS or platform.
Falcon
Make no mistake, I like Apple as much as the next guy, and have used their machines for many many years... but It's no secret that they have substantially higher mark-ups (and hence, profit margins) on their equipment than other PC Hardware manufacturers
But you are making a mistake. For years now Mac prices have been inline with Windows PCs. Last year, then again a week or so ago, I compared the price of a Mac with a similarly configured Windows PC and they were about the same with most OEMs. For some reason though I found Dells a couple of hundred more.
The problem with comparing prices is that you have to start with the Mac then configure the PC so it's close to the Mac's configuration. Apple doesn't offer much in the way of configurations unfortunately.
Falcon
Do you mean server grade? If so there's the Xserve. Apple does have a hugh whole in it's lineup and doesn't offer much in the way of configurations though.
Falcon
Defenders are so quick to point to "if you compare feature for feature they really cost close to a PC"
I do that myself, perhaps two or three tymes with this article. However I also say I wish Apple would release a midrange expandable Mac, something between $1000 and $2000.
Falcon
but I won't set it up and start using it just to not be able to update it later on, useless.
If they do, that's just a teaser. When I got my Mac nothing came with it about .mac. But even if it were free, I don't really see any reason to use it. I get space on my ISP's server which I've used for various things such as for my website, as storage, and to synchronize files. While I was taking classes I used it for class files. Though I'll have to check to be sure I think my ISP even allows scripts and such for perl, php, and other things.
Falcon
People who want a reasonably spec'ed machine that has decent upgrade potential. The main reason cited by die-hard Mac zealots* is that it would compete with the Mac Pro
The main reason I hear Apple won't sell a midrange expandable Mac is because Apple would have to test more configurations. I think it's a combination of different reasons though I would like to see some expandable Macs between $1000 and $2000.
Falcon
Personally I feel the Apple applications (and computers) would be so much more interesting if .mac was free.
.mac used to be free, at least Apple used to give away a year's subscription on new Macs.
Falcon
If Apple made a tablet Mac I'd love to get one. Another company does make them though, Axiotron makes the ModBook. The company buys MacBooks/Pros then rebuilds them into tablets.
Falcon
I'm pretty sure that shoddy assembly processes are common to all the computer producers. Especially apple... lol
Yea, I've heard quite a few tales about how Apple's logic boards go bad too often. With me it's been the opposite. I'm typing this on my third Mac and the only hardware I've had with one was when the floppy disk drive failed in one I had 8 years before it fail. Of four PCs I've had, 3 running Windows and 2 running Linux (one was dualboot), though three had to have the mobos and hdds be replaced in the first year of ownership.
Falcon
I tried for a while to use my MBP as my primary machine. Apple desperately needs to make a docking station for that thing.
Yea, I'd love to have a docking station for my MBP. I'd love to be able to quickly and effortlessly pack it up and take it with me.
The 3rd party docks also seem to almost all suck :/
I thought of getting one of those Bookendz but don't think much of them for the price.
Falcon
The simple truth is that using Windows/Linux is a cost benefit analysis performed by the end user.
My cost benefit analysis led me to buy my MacBook Pro.
You get the most product for your money using a traditional PC
What is this traditional PC? Do you mean a Windows PC? Before I bought my MBP I compared it's price to a few Windows OEM laptops. With one exception the MBP cost about the same as Windows OEM laptops. The one exception was a Dell and it cost $200 more.
Falcon
when I was talking about the components I was pretty much trying to point out how you get less but pay more when you go the Apple hardware route.
If I had gone the Window PC route when I got my MacBook Pro I would have paid just as much for a Windows Laptop as I did for my MBP, unless I bought a Dell. In which case I would have paid $200 more for the Dell. Getting OS X though I saved a lot of grief. My first Windows laptop had to have it's hdd replaced 5 months after I bought it new. The mobo had to be replaced when it was 11 months old. Between the tyme I got it and the last tyme I used it I had to reinstall Windows, and every apps I had, at least 6 or 7 tymes. I then bought an HP desktop. It's hdd and mobo had to be replaced in the first years as well. I ended up replacing the hdd 3 tymes. I have only bought one Windows PC that did not have problems in the first year. Unfortunately as it's CPU's a DEC Alpha I wasn't able to get much software installed so I haven't used it much.
On the other hand I bought 2 used Macs and used them for years before they died. And a working computer is what matters to me.
As for the laptops, well, I admit readily that that's a topic I'm not very well versed in at all.
I'm not conversed in hardware much at all. To know the differences between graphics card X and card Y I have to search for them on the net. The same with CPUs as well as other components.
I don't have much of a use for a laptop myself and anytime someone has asked me to price out a laptop for them it always ends up being out of their price range (~1000$) for what they want it for (Usually gaming).
I prefer having a laptop, I can take it with me. I don't play games, if Macs come with any installed I don't know and I haven't installed any myself. While I was uncomfortable paying as much as I did for my MacBook Pro, I had reasons for getting it. First I'm hoping to start a photography business, so I wanted something I could take with me on location that had enough power for graphics. I also wanted a large screen. Whether Mac or Windows, both means money. I want something that is stable and other than NT4, which is on my Alpha, I have had trouble with every Windows version I've used. Heck the first tyme I tried XP it didn't finish booting up. After about 5 minutes I gave up and pushed the power button in until it shut down. And that was a new Dell. Now, I have a Linux PC in a tower case I'll setup as a server so it's not like I'll only use a Mac.
I already conceded the other point with regards to keeping a process running in a few of my other posts tho, heh.
Okay.
Falcon
Your history might be right, but your reality is slanted a little too much to the era of tinfoilism.
You need to take your tinfoil hat off because it's distorting reality.
Falcon
Could you provide an example scenario where it would be preferable to keep pure GUI applications running in the background when any way of interacting with that program is removed (I.E. - Closing every window for the app)?
I open and close application windows often. I may have different apps running. For instance when I'm online I frequently save webpages locally. After saving it I can quickly open a text editor and paste the page url into what I downloaded. Then I can close the window but keep the app running, which makes the next page I want edit open faster.
Falcon
Long post short, if I close the last window an application has open, there's no reason for the application to still be running when there is no visual representation of the app.
Long story made short, I have no problem [alt][q] to quit an app. However after closing the last open window of an app I might want to open a new window of that same app.
Disclaimer: I would gladly buy a Mac if they would lower their prices to be more reasonable for a new system.
Before I got my MacBook Pro I compared it's price to laptops from Windows OEM that were configured similarly. In every case but one the prices were comparable. The one exception was a Dell laptop, and the Dell was $200 more. Unfortunately if you want an expandable midrange computer you won't find it in the Mac lineup.
My quad core cost me about 1 grand from Dell, the equivalent system as far as I can see from Apple's Shop Mac Store is the Mac Pro which weighs in at a whopping $2,799.00.
Other than the quad core requirement you don't list any other requirements. However you can get a quad core Mac Pro for $2300.
Falcon
I know the OS is great for some people, but for those of us who want to get real work done, OSX is NOT the way to go unless the only real work you need to do is video editing or graphic design. Neither of which I do.
I switched from Windows to a Mac because I wanted to get work done. When I owned Windows PCs I've had hardware problems within a few months of buying a PC new. I've also had to reinstall Windows along with all of the software I used a bunch of tymes. On the other hand the first two Macs I bought I bought used and they both lasted years without problems. As for what I can do with it, I can do anything with it I could do with a Windows PC. Name one thing you think a Mac can not do, and I'll look into it. I bet I can find a way to do it.
It's for Mom and Dad and Little Sister who just want to email and view the web as quickly and easily as possible.
I can do much more than just surf the web and send and receive email with my Mac. The biggest uses in business is with office suites, and even Microsoft has a version of Office for Macs. Personally I use NeoOffice and I have no trouble opening, editing, and saving Word documents. I can use my Mac to create websites or program. I can also use CADD on it. There is nothing I could do on my Windows PC that I can not do on my Mac, or with some work, on my Linux PC. Heck, I can run Windows software on it, can you run Mac software on your Windows PC?
Falcon
And yes that little PDA can easily wreak havoc on a Broadway show, NFL broadcast or any other production. That's why we regulate the spectrum...devices operating on the same frequency will interfere.
That's not why the airwaves are regulated. The airwaves are regulated because large media companies wanted to reduce competition. Airwaves were originally homesteaded. Courts were ruling that the first person to setup a transmitter and broadcast on a specific frequency had the right to that frequency and others were not allowed to interfere with the broadcast. These rulings were based on, and the basis of, common law. Large businesses like RCA didn't like this so they convinced congress to pass laws requiring expensive licenses. By doing this they were able to reduce competition or potential competition.
Falcon