the $600 i was talking about wasn't the mac mini, i was actually refering to Sony's PS3.
Holy Mother of Mario, six hundred bucks for a console?
Ya! That's what i said! Personally i'm leaning towards the Nintendo Wii. Just seems interesting enough (and another Smash Brothers!) that i'd like to have one. Plus it's only $250 compared to $300-400 xbox360 and $500-600 PS3.
She didn't delete all of them, just programs and big files she "didn't use".
Lol, i used to work at Best Buy and there are tons of stories i could go on about. But one in particular, this lady JUST bought her pc and brought it back furious! She claimed that Geek Squad put A LOT of files on her computer that she didn't approve of. Know that we were quite busy that day and even by some chance they DID try something like that, they wouldn't have had time to. We asked her to show us what was on there. She brought up the properties to the/windows folder and it showed xxxxx files and xxxx folders. Took them awhile to explain those were suppose to be there.
As an aside... it will actually be possible to upgrade the mini to a Merom (Core 2 Duo) because the newer CPU runs cooler... (I'm sure Apple didn't mean people to actually do this, and will make sure that the next version isn't upgradable).
Although most likely will be pricey, i'd kinda like to have a Mini with a Merom and a 1GB of ram. That's a small PC with a punch!
A three year old high-end card today is a GeForce FX series. What cutting-edge games does that run out of box, adequately and with no tweeking?
Lol, honest you've got me there. GeForce FX series was horrible. BUT, the 9800 series in ATI was actually quite better. And i do know people with those that don't have a problem running current games (yes even fear).
doesn't need in a computer. I'm talking purely POTENTIAL in a purchase. I'm stating that a $1000 gaming machine CAN do more than a Mac and console.
People don't buy computers for potential. They buy them for what they need to do. Most people don't do enough with their PCs to warrent a serious machine. Of the minority that do, most of those are gamers, who only need the power for gaming. Thus, for the vast majority of people, even gamers, $1000 is better spent on a sensible computer and a console than on a gaming computer. The console will get you a lot more gaming for the money*, and the Mac Mini will be a much nicer, quieter, friendlier surfing/work machine.
I think you missed the point. I wasn't saying what people buy them for, what they use them for, or anything like that. I agree with you on the fact that alot of people buy systems that can do much more than they actually need and same thing the other way around. But this whole discussion IS NOT ABOUT THAT. I don't know of any other way to explain it to you.
I know many gamers, none of which do video editing. I'd argue that my experience is by far more common than yours.
I give you that. Although i do know several gamers that do video editing, i would agree your experience is more common than mine. But going back to what i've said many times now, THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO. It's about what you CAN DO.
Re:Macs suck, but the commercials are midly amusin
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New "Get a Mac" TV ads
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I've always liked the Shell changes you do with Astonshell or similiar. I have seen several friends make their complete desktop (not just change themes or colors) look different. I haven't seen anyone's Mac look like anything other than OSX (excluding bootcamp). I mean completely rearranged so it doesn't even look like windows, ie: OSX, KDE, or my personal favorite is none of the above.
What i have seen from OSX is just themes. You can easily change the color and shape of the bars but not completely do away with it or put something else in it's place.
Now i'm not saying you can't do that. I haven't seen an easy to use program to do that for OSX. I am open minded so if i'm wrong, let me know (screenshots would be sweet).
Re:Macs suck, but the commercials are midly amusin
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New "Get a Mac" TV ads
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· Score: 1
"As for "price" macbook pros/macbooks are very competitively priced compared to say, Dell. The thing is, people will look at the "Lowest end" Dell, and see "Ooh! $600! but it's about 1/2 the machine of the macbook. If you look at the equivalent machine(from a hardware perspective) it generally runs $100-200+ more than the macbook."
2 corrections: Lowest end dell is a little under $500 and i agree, it's at least 1/2 the machine of a macbook (if not less). Equivelent though, i couldn't equally spec (just got back from apple.com and dell.com).
Macbook (base model): $1099 1.83 Core Duo, 512 ram, 60Gb HD, Combo drive Dell E1505(configured to match as best as possible)
$934 1.83 Core Duo, 512 ram, 60Gb HD, dvdburner (no combo drive option)
I fail to see the $100-200 more.
What i meant with the "change anything graphically" i meant along the lines of making the OS not look anything like it should. I've seen windows look like OSX, KDE, or something completely different. Although i am going to give you (and all the other people that replied) the benefit of the doubt and take back my claim of "change anything yada yada". Apparently i haven't goofed with OSX as much as i should have.
The price difference is probably the biggest factor though. Although, i'm been going with windows lately, i try to keep as much of an open mind to the two (not a fan boy of either). I go with what as i see as the best for the money. I've had AMD for quite some time now but about to upgrade to a Core Duo 2. Been an AMD fan, but Intel seems to be doing better right now. So if you do find that $100-200 difference, show me please. With good timing, my next pc may just as well be a mac. I believe i remember seeing the MacBook Pros (when first released) were cheaper than the comparable dell. That has changed now though.
As for video cards, i agree (with 1 exception). Video cards help but not much of a difference between a $100 vid card or $500 vid card in the terms of video editing (with the exception of ATI's reported encoding acceleration, which i honestly have never tried). But the $599 Mac mini sporting a 512MB of ram and 40GB harddrive will be handicapped to a system with at least double the amount of ram and 6x more harddrive space . As for the MacBook Pros, those i see as great machines for video editing (maybe with an extra HD depending on how much you do). With most video editing applications, they will take advantage of the MacBook's dual cores while the Mini only has a solo. But to be fair, the system i used for spec didn't have a dual core either.
Offtopic, but if i were to get a Mac, it would most certainly be a MacBook Pro (gen 2 most likely). Other than the reported problems, i've heard some great things about these. I'd love to see that Core Duo 2 in there too. Only problem is i don't have $2000.
1) If people don't buy from custom from local shops, they should look into it. Most big name companies (dell etc), don't put good video cards in their system until you get to their "gaming" series. Most "gaming" series are drastically overpriced and like you said, come with way more than needed. The video card is the single most important component in a gaming computer. You can build a relatively lower end system and stick a high-end video card in it. That will give you a pretty nice computer. You can walk into best buy and drop $1300 on just a tower that still isn't good for gaming.
2) Here i will have to agree with you on the fact that the future 360 games will look better (at least i hope so!). Without upgrading the computer, if you started with a highend video card, it should be adaquate for 3 yrs at least. The main thing i've seen that makes video cards obsolete is the lack of support for newer technology (ie: newer directx, HDR, pixelshader X.0) If you buy high in the video card area, that pc should be fine. Also in five years, the 360 will most likely be replaced also. (although i've very curious to see how far they can go with the 360)
3) I for one do (vid editing), i have several friends who do also. The gaming pc is going to be able to edit vids with little problem.
"My argument is that its a lot cheaper and a lot simpler to buy as much computer you need for non-gaming purposes"
I'm not trying to prove what the average gamer does or doesn't do. Also I'm not saying anything on what one needs or doesn't need in a computer. I'm talking purely POTENTIAL in a purchase. I'm stating that a $1000 gaming machine CAN do more than a Mac and console. If all one needs is to add 4+3, a $10 calculator and an $400 xbox is MUCH cheaper and MORE than enough for that person. But obviously an computer will have MUCH more POTENTIAL as what the person can do.
As for aging, the console, pc, and mac will all show it's age after 3-5 years. As for which will age quicker, i can't predict that. I do feel that the consoles have taken a big step with the new systems as far as future proofing, but so have current video cards and the new Intel Macs (I'll be happy to see the Core Duo 2 macs).
"Unless it does amazing things over the competition (like make me PB&J sandwiches), i can't justify $600.
It can survive two years of steady abuse from a teenager who managed to render a Windows PC unbootable on the average of 2-3 times a year. I think that's pretty amazing."
the $600 i was talking about wasn't the mac mini, i was actually refering to Sony's PS3. That thing better sweep the floors and cook dinner for that price!...but not at the same time.
The mac mini i do see as more expensive than it really should be, but it's not OVERLY expensive. I wouldn't say it's badly priced while the PS3, for what you're getting is decently priced, but still quite high for any console that doesn't make me food. Although i'd pay $600 for the xbox from CtrlAltDel.
I like your part about deleting the/Applications and/Library. That's kinda humorous.
"As for custom-built computers, when did they come into play?"
When weren't they in play? I didn't say YOU had to build them. Local shops can put together a better system for the application than an off the shelve dell or bby pc.
The Mini is a low price computer but high quality yes, but with low specs. A $1000 computer will match a 360 and outperform a Mini especially for video editing, render, and other not-so-easy things to do.
Video editing. If you really want to get technical. i just priced out a decent gaming computer system for $835, shipped (before another $80 in rebates). If you got a mac mini and a Wii (assuming it's $250). So now your down to $835 vs a $900 Mac.
argent made a point that he had to buy the mac anyways, so ya that's a valid arguement. If you already have to buy the mac, it is cheaper and a better bang for your buck to buy the console than any windows machine.
don't get me wrong, the only thing i have against macs is the price. The O/S is great. But to pay for a mac and a windows install if you're bootcamping can get expensive. I'm not exactly rich or poor, but if it costs way more than the comparable competition, i'll go with the significantly cheaper. Unless, of course, you HAVE to have it. Same thing with the PS3. Unless it does amazing things over the competition (like make me PB&J sandwiches), i can't justify $600.
you can toss a $500 vid card in an emachine and you won't have a problem running any game. I'm not really talking about the easy stuff for a computer to do (surf, type etc) i'm talking vid editing, sound editing, animation rendering. Yes a mac mini can do these, but about just as good as a low end computer. I'm not much of a fan of low end computers whether pc or mac. Yes it's great for typing, but what isn't? A custom build pc from someone who knows what they're doing can fit quite a bit into $1000. Most games default off the shelf are set to medium settings. A $1000 computer can easily take that.
Depends on your definition of decent. By decent i mean play every game out there and still look good (not great but good). Can be done for $1000 easily. Entry level imac is $1299 (Mac Mini doesn't count), xbox is $300. That adds up to $1600. You can make one hell of a computer for $1600.
Like many other have said, it's an unreleased version of OSX. Apple owns it, Apple specifically said "you shouldn't have it yet". Also what would preaching the superiority of a product that the congregation couldn't purchase do? It would make them hold off from buying a mac NOW. Preaching about it to customers before it's released will have no good effects over preaching to them at the time of release. Plus i seriously doubt Apple would give them a copy if they asked.
Re:Macs suck, but the commercials are midly amusin
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New "Get a Mac" TV ads
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· Score: 2, Interesting
I see it as a trade off. Simplicity comes at the cost of options. A great example is Sony's camcorders. They have this "Easy" button. With it off, you have a relatively large selection (complicated for some) in the menu. The common person may find this confusing and not use any of it. When you press the "Easy" button, it basically locks out and automatically controls everything in that menu except for the very basic of functions. Yes, mac may be easy to use for the general public, but when it comes to some that NEEDS to do something that is not relatively basic. The ease of use can go right out the door. My personal opinion, i like windows (also linux) because if something is not doing what i want it too, i can change it. It can be something as simple as making the desktop experience more graphical (or less graphical). I like the choices. Also to repeat from your blip, for a fraction of the cost.
(bootcamp isn't a solution to OSX's lack of software choices. It's joining the other side while getting charged WAY to much)
Haha! I have to agree. My favorite part in the PC Guy/Mac Guy commercials is when the PC Guy has his pie chart. "This area can represent chillin' and this area can represent just kickin it." I loved it! Reminds me of a friend who made an excel spreadsheet for when he ordered wings at BW3s.
I can agree with that. I would have done just that if i DID pay full price for a game and that happened. The copy I received was a FREE copy with a purchase of an ATI card at that time. I had plans to buy one of those cards before they offered the card but that did seal the deal.
Had i paid $60 for the first copy, i would have put up a HUGE stink! Paying a total of $120 for HL2 would be insane.
You are right though. I was fighting it up until they released the HL2DM (my favorite game of all time was the original HLDM so when this came out I HAD TO PLAY IT NOW!). If something like this does happen in the future, i am going to be taking your route and fighting it until i get what i rightfully should have.
Very good points you made.
That's where i was confused! I had pre-loaded the game before it was released. I already had a steam account before that. So i added the cdkey to my account. No problems. I got the game unlocked and started playing. At one sitting i went through 1/2 the game. When i went to go back in the game the next day, it wouldn't let me load it up saying "You cannot play this game because the cdkey you are using is activated under another account" (or some to that effect). I had saved games halfway through the game already! I was surprised as anyone else would be. Then pissed.
I bought it at best buy. The box was sealed and (apparently) brand new. The keycode has a scratchy stuff (like lottery ticket stuff) over it so i had to scratch that off to see the key. I had the key in a lock box until the game was released (overkill i know).
I'm thinking it was most likely take by blunt force or incidently came up on a keygen before i activated it.
The odd thing is, i got to play 1/2 of the game before valve started yelling at me for using an activated key.
Although, even through all that, i'm not sour i had to go and buy another copy. I've loved the game and think Valve (even though they don't really care about the customer after you've paid them their money) deserves the cash for that game.
Lol, i have the card the cdkey is printed on from the box. I have the reciept for the video card along with proof of purchase. I still have the original box stating that it comes with HL2 (upon release). Correct me if i'm out of line, but I believe that's more than enough proof for valve. Of course, valve never got back to me. That's the only thing I don't like about Valve. They don't care if your cdkey IS infact stolen from you.
P.S. As pissed as i was, when HL2DM was released i couldn't hold out any longer and reluctanly purchased what should have already been mine.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i think what he's saying is that YOU wouldn't be infringing because YOU did not make the CD. You just possess it. The friend would be infringing though.
I'm with you on that one. The whole halflife series is my favorite, so if Valve wants some more time to make it better, not a problem. I'll just be patient and know i'm getting my money's worth when it does come out.
I bought the same card for the HL2 deal. Although, after entering the code and playing half the game, valve decided my cd-key had already been activated. I was not a happy camper.
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the $600 i was talking about wasn't the mac mini, i was actually refering to Sony's PS3. Holy Mother of Mario, six hundred bucks for a console?
Ya! That's what i said! Personally i'm leaning towards the Nintendo Wii. Just seems interesting enough (and another Smash Brothers!) that i'd like to have one. Plus it's only $250 compared to $300-400 xbox360 and $500-600 PS3.
She didn't delete all of them, just programs and big files she "didn't use".
Lol, i used to work at Best Buy and there are tons of stories i could go on about. But one in particular, this lady JUST bought her pc and brought it back furious! She claimed that Geek Squad put A LOT of files on her computer that she didn't approve of. Know that we were quite busy that day and even by some chance they DID try something like that, they wouldn't have had time to. We asked her to show us what was on there. She brought up the properties to the /windows folder and it showed xxxxx files and xxxx folders. Took them awhile to explain those were suppose to be there.
As an aside... it will actually be possible to upgrade the mini to a Merom (Core 2 Duo) because the newer CPU runs cooler... (I'm sure Apple didn't mean people to actually do this, and will make sure that the next version isn't upgradable). Although most likely will be pricey, i'd kinda like to have a Mini with a Merom and a 1GB of ram. That's a small PC with a punch!
A three year old high-end card today is a GeForce FX series. What cutting-edge games does that run out of box, adequately and with no tweeking?
Lol, honest you've got me there. GeForce FX series was horrible. BUT, the 9800 series in ATI was actually quite better. And i do know people with those that don't have a problem running current games (yes even fear).
doesn't need in a computer. I'm talking purely POTENTIAL in a purchase. I'm stating that a $1000 gaming machine CAN do more than a Mac and console. People don't buy computers for potential. They buy them for what they need to do. Most people don't do enough with their PCs to warrent a serious machine. Of the minority that do, most of those are gamers, who only need the power for gaming. Thus, for the vast majority of people, even gamers, $1000 is better spent on a sensible computer and a console than on a gaming computer. The console will get you a lot more gaming for the money*, and the Mac Mini will be a much nicer, quieter, friendlier surfing/work machine.
I think you missed the point. I wasn't saying what people buy them for, what they use them for, or anything like that. I agree with you on the fact that alot of people buy systems that can do much more than they actually need and same thing the other way around. But this whole discussion IS NOT ABOUT THAT. I don't know of any other way to explain it to you.
I know many gamers, none of which do video editing. I'd argue that my experience is by far more common than yours.
I give you that. Although i do know several gamers that do video editing, i would agree your experience is more common than mine. But going back to what i've said many times now, THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO. It's about what you CAN DO.
I've always liked the Shell changes you do with Astonshell or similiar. I have seen several friends make their complete desktop (not just change themes or colors) look different. I haven't seen anyone's Mac look like anything other than OSX (excluding bootcamp). I mean completely rearranged so it doesn't even look like windows, ie: OSX, KDE, or my personal favorite is none of the above.
What i have seen from OSX is just themes. You can easily change the color and shape of the bars but not completely do away with it or put something else in it's place.
Now i'm not saying you can't do that. I haven't seen an easy to use program to do that for OSX. I am open minded so if i'm wrong, let me know (screenshots would be sweet).
"As for "price" macbook pros/macbooks are very competitively priced compared to say, Dell. The thing is, people will look at the "Lowest end" Dell, and see "Ooh! $600! but it's about 1/2 the machine of the macbook. If you look at the equivalent machine(from a hardware perspective) it generally runs $100-200+ more than the macbook."
2 corrections: Lowest end dell is a little under $500 and i agree, it's at least 1/2 the machine of a macbook (if not less). Equivelent though, i couldn't equally spec (just got back from apple.com and dell.com).
Macbook (base model): $1099 1.83 Core Duo, 512 ram, 60Gb HD, Combo drive
Dell E1505(configured to match as best as possible)
$934 1.83 Core Duo, 512 ram, 60Gb HD, dvdburner (no combo drive option)
I fail to see the $100-200 more.
What i meant with the "change anything graphically" i meant along the lines of making the OS not look anything like it should. I've seen windows look like OSX, KDE, or something completely different. Although i am going to give you (and all the other people that replied) the benefit of the doubt and take back my claim of "change anything yada yada". Apparently i haven't goofed with OSX as much as i should have.
The price difference is probably the biggest factor though. Although, i'm been going with windows lately, i try to keep as much of an open mind to the two (not a fan boy of either). I go with what as i see as the best for the money. I've had AMD for quite some time now but about to upgrade to a Core Duo 2. Been an AMD fan, but Intel seems to be doing better right now. So if you do find that $100-200 difference, show me please. With good timing, my next pc may just as well be a mac. I believe i remember seeing the MacBook Pros (when first released) were cheaper than the comparable dell. That has changed now though.
As for video cards, i agree (with 1 exception). Video cards help but not much of a difference between a $100 vid card or $500 vid card in the terms of video editing (with the exception of ATI's reported encoding acceleration, which i honestly have never tried). But the $599 Mac mini sporting a 512MB of ram and 40GB harddrive will be handicapped to a system with at least double the amount of ram and 6x more harddrive space . As for the MacBook Pros, those i see as great machines for video editing (maybe with an extra HD depending on how much you do). With most video editing applications, they will take advantage of the MacBook's dual cores while the Mini only has a solo. But to be fair, the system i used for spec didn't have a dual core either.
Offtopic, but if i were to get a Mac, it would most certainly be a MacBook Pro (gen 2 most likely). Other than the reported problems, i've heard some great things about these. I'd love to see that Core Duo 2 in there too. Only problem is i don't have $2000.
Three counterpoints:
1) If people don't buy from custom from local shops, they should look into it. Most big name companies (dell etc), don't put good video cards in their system until you get to their "gaming" series. Most "gaming" series are drastically overpriced and like you said, come with way more than needed. The video card is the single most important component in a gaming computer. You can build a relatively lower end system and stick a high-end video card in it. That will give you a pretty nice computer. You can walk into best buy and drop $1300 on just a tower that still isn't good for gaming.
2) Here i will have to agree with you on the fact that the future 360 games will look better (at least i hope so!). Without upgrading the computer, if you started with a highend video card, it should be adaquate for 3 yrs at least. The main thing i've seen that makes video cards obsolete is the lack of support for newer technology (ie: newer directx, HDR, pixelshader X.0) If you buy high in the video card area, that pc should be fine. Also in five years, the 360 will most likely be replaced also. (although i've very curious to see how far they can go with the 360)
3) I for one do (vid editing), i have several friends who do also. The gaming pc is going to be able to edit vids with little problem.
"My argument is that its a lot cheaper and a lot simpler to buy as much computer you need for non-gaming purposes"
I'm not trying to prove what the average gamer does or doesn't do. Also I'm not saying anything on what one needs or doesn't need in a computer. I'm talking purely POTENTIAL in a purchase. I'm stating that a $1000 gaming machine CAN do more than a Mac and console. If all one needs is to add 4+3, a $10 calculator and an $400 xbox is MUCH cheaper and MORE than enough for that person. But obviously an computer will have MUCH more POTENTIAL as what the person can do.
As for aging, the console, pc, and mac will all show it's age after 3-5 years. As for which will age quicker, i can't predict that. I do feel that the consoles have taken a big step with the new systems as far as future proofing, but so have current video cards and the new Intel Macs (I'll be happy to see the Core Duo 2 macs).
"Unless it does amazing things over the competition (like make me PB&J sandwiches), i can't justify $600. It can survive two years of steady abuse from a teenager who managed to render a Windows PC unbootable on the average of 2-3 times a year. I think that's pretty amazing." the $600 i was talking about wasn't the mac mini, i was actually refering to Sony's PS3. That thing better sweep the floors and cook dinner for that price! ...but not at the same time.
The mac mini i do see as more expensive than it really should be, but it's not OVERLY expensive. I wouldn't say it's badly priced while the PS3, for what you're getting is decently priced, but still quite high for any console that doesn't make me food. Although i'd pay $600 for the xbox from CtrlAltDel.
I like your part about deleting the /Applications and /Library. That's kinda humorous.
"As for custom-built computers, when did they come into play?"
When weren't they in play? I didn't say YOU had to build them. Local shops can put together a better system for the application than an off the shelve dell or bby pc.
The Mini is a low price computer but high quality yes, but with low specs. A $1000 computer will match a 360 and outperform a Mini especially for video editing, render, and other not-so-easy things to do.
Video editing. If you really want to get technical. i just priced out a decent gaming computer system for $835, shipped (before another $80 in rebates). If you got a mac mini and a Wii (assuming it's $250). So now your down to $835 vs a $900 Mac.
argent made a point that he had to buy the mac anyways, so ya that's a valid arguement. If you already have to buy the mac, it is cheaper and a better bang for your buck to buy the console than any windows machine.
don't get me wrong, the only thing i have against macs is the price. The O/S is great. But to pay for a mac and a windows install if you're bootcamping can get expensive. I'm not exactly rich or poor, but if it costs way more than the comparable competition, i'll go with the significantly cheaper. Unless, of course, you HAVE to have it. Same thing with the PS3. Unless it does amazing things over the competition (like make me PB&J sandwiches), i can't justify $600.
you can toss a $500 vid card in an emachine and you won't have a problem running any game. I'm not really talking about the easy stuff for a computer to do (surf, type etc) i'm talking vid editing, sound editing, animation rendering. Yes a mac mini can do these, but about just as good as a low end computer. I'm not much of a fan of low end computers whether pc or mac. Yes it's great for typing, but what isn't? A custom build pc from someone who knows what they're doing can fit quite a bit into $1000. Most games default off the shelf are set to medium settings. A $1000 computer can easily take that.
Depends on your definition of decent. By decent i mean play every game out there and still look good (not great but good). Can be done for $1000 easily. Entry level imac is $1299 (Mac Mini doesn't count), xbox is $300. That adds up to $1600. You can make one hell of a computer for $1600.
Like many other have said, it's an unreleased version of OSX. Apple owns it, Apple specifically said "you shouldn't have it yet". Also what would preaching the superiority of a product that the congregation couldn't purchase do? It would make them hold off from buying a mac NOW. Preaching about it to customers before it's released will have no good effects over preaching to them at the time of release. Plus i seriously doubt Apple would give them a copy if they asked.
I see it as a trade off. Simplicity comes at the cost of options. A great example is Sony's camcorders. They have this "Easy" button. With it off, you have a relatively large selection (complicated for some) in the menu. The common person may find this confusing and not use any of it. When you press the "Easy" button, it basically locks out and automatically controls everything in that menu except for the very basic of functions. Yes, mac may be easy to use for the general public, but when it comes to some that NEEDS to do something that is not relatively basic. The ease of use can go right out the door. My personal opinion, i like windows (also linux) because if something is not doing what i want it too, i can change it. It can be something as simple as making the desktop experience more graphical (or less graphical). I like the choices. Also to repeat from your blip, for a fraction of the cost. (bootcamp isn't a solution to OSX's lack of software choices. It's joining the other side while getting charged WAY to much)
I think he means have a computer that CAN ALSO play games. It's cheaper to buy a decent gaming PC than a Mac and a console.
Haha! I have to agree. My favorite part in the PC Guy/Mac Guy commercials is when the PC Guy has his pie chart. "This area can represent chillin' and this area can represent just kickin it." I loved it! Reminds me of a friend who made an excel spreadsheet for when he ordered wings at BW3s.
I can agree with that. I would have done just that if i DID pay full price for a game and that happened. The copy I received was a FREE copy with a purchase of an ATI card at that time. I had plans to buy one of those cards before they offered the card but that did seal the deal. Had i paid $60 for the first copy, i would have put up a HUGE stink! Paying a total of $120 for HL2 would be insane. You are right though. I was fighting it up until they released the HL2DM (my favorite game of all time was the original HLDM so when this came out I HAD TO PLAY IT NOW!). If something like this does happen in the future, i am going to be taking your route and fighting it until i get what i rightfully should have. Very good points you made.
That's where i was confused! I had pre-loaded the game before it was released. I already had a steam account before that. So i added the cdkey to my account. No problems. I got the game unlocked and started playing. At one sitting i went through 1/2 the game. When i went to go back in the game the next day, it wouldn't let me load it up saying "You cannot play this game because the cdkey you are using is activated under another account" (or some to that effect). I had saved games halfway through the game already! I was surprised as anyone else would be. Then pissed.
I bought it at best buy. The box was sealed and (apparently) brand new. The keycode has a scratchy stuff (like lottery ticket stuff) over it so i had to scratch that off to see the key. I had the key in a lock box until the game was released (overkill i know). I'm thinking it was most likely take by blunt force or incidently came up on a keygen before i activated it. The odd thing is, i got to play 1/2 of the game before valve started yelling at me for using an activated key. Although, even through all that, i'm not sour i had to go and buy another copy. I've loved the game and think Valve (even though they don't really care about the customer after you've paid them their money) deserves the cash for that game.
Lol, i have the card the cdkey is printed on from the box. I have the reciept for the video card along with proof of purchase. I still have the original box stating that it comes with HL2 (upon release). Correct me if i'm out of line, but I believe that's more than enough proof for valve. Of course, valve never got back to me. That's the only thing I don't like about Valve. They don't care if your cdkey IS infact stolen from you. P.S. As pissed as i was, when HL2DM was released i couldn't hold out any longer and reluctanly purchased what should have already been mine.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i think what he's saying is that YOU wouldn't be infringing because YOU did not make the CD. You just possess it. The friend would be infringing though.
I'm with you on that one. The whole halflife series is my favorite, so if Valve wants some more time to make it better, not a problem. I'll just be patient and know i'm getting my money's worth when it does come out.
I bought the same card for the HL2 deal. Although, after entering the code and playing half the game, valve decided my cd-key had already been activated. I was not a happy camper.
Judge: "in his room. Why?"
...There's something about putting electricity into something that holds water, and then you sit on. When the product does not NEED to be electric.