The Apple thread

seibu · Post by **seibu** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:36 pm 0

Apple have invented the ThinkPad X series, four years too late for everyone except posers.

WiteWulf · Post by **WiteWulf** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:37 pm 0

The only problem for me with the webapps is that they're webapps, i.e. they don't work if you've got no network connection. With an iPod Touch and no Cloud account that's quote a problem. I'll be sticking with JailBreak and homebrew apps for the timebeing.

Deckard · Post by **Deckard** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:40 pm 0

WiteWulf wrote:The only problem for me with the webapps is that they're webapps, i.e. they don't work if you've got no network connection. With an iPod Touch and no Cloud account that's quote a problem. I'll be sticking with JailBreak and homebrew apps for the timebeing.

Ahhh but how often am I out of connection - either over the network or thru wifi in my local area and anywhere else I have been in the last 6 weeks - never

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:26 pm 0

http://apcmag.com/7839/macbook_air_top_ ... ng_with_it

Post mortem: Yes, there are some really nice features of the MacBook Air: the multi-touch trackpad, the fact that it doesn't have a tiny, cramped keyboard like many ultraportables, some clever workarounds for the fact that it doesn't have an optical drive -- the ability to comandeer another Mac's drive over a network, and so on.

But the fact is, apart from the screen and keyboard size, everything else in the MacBook Air is a big compromise.

People who were looking for a viable "pro" upgrade path for their PowerBook G4 12" will be disappointed, as will anyone who wanted a lighter version of the MacBook Pro.

Atty · Post by **Atty** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:33 pm 0

Not a bad presentation thingy. The appleTV finally looks like it might be good for something, although the lack of non-HD output on the back seems just as stupid as it did when the product originally launched.

Macbook air looks ridiculously pretty, but I agree, it seems to be aimed squarely at execs/rich bastards with a tonne of disposable income who want the bragging rights of owning something so sexy. To anyone who's not farting banknotes, the standard macbook seems to be far, far better value for money.

EDIT: Oh, and only one USB 2.0 port sounds horrible, especially when you'll be needing it for so many things.

Rod_S · Post by **Rod_S** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:35 pm 0

HGFB wrote:http://apcmag.com/7839/macbook_air_top_10_things_wrong_with_it

Post mortem: Yes, there are some really nice features of the MacBook Air: the multi-touch trackpad, the fact that it doesn't have a tiny, cramped keyboard like many ultraportables, some clever workarounds for the fact that it doesn't have an optical drive -- the ability to comandeer another Mac's drive over a network, and so on.

But the fact is, apart from the screen and keyboard size, everything else in the MacBook Air is a big compromise.

People who were looking for a viable "pro" upgrade path for their PowerBook G4 12" will be disappointed, as will anyone who wanted a lighter version of the MacBook Pro.

That article completely misses the point so badly I'm almost embarrassed for them. What an utterly pointless piece of writing, it's shameful really.

Edit: Oh shit I get it, it's to dampen any Dell/Acer crew envy. Of course.

kalmar · Post by **kalmar** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:49 pm 0

Atty wrote:Not a bad presentation thingy.

Translation:
That was an awesome Stevenote, Steve!

It was too. I'm quite looking forward to the movie rental thing when it comes out, and I'm sure they'll make a portable device that I won't be able to resist one of these days

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:02 pm 0

Rod_S wrote:That article completely misses the point so badly I'm almost embarrassed for them. What an utterly pointless piece of writing, it's shameful really.

Edit: Oh shit I get it, it's to dampen any Dell/Acer crew envy. Of course.

Yeah totally. Don't see it fitting in to what I use a computer for (form factor wise I'm happy with an ordinary higher performance Dell/MBP) but they will sell a shit tonne to executives. Maybe not quite so practical but it really is a thing of beauty. Hope someone takes one to bits soon

Cheers

Bubba

Post by **RiK** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:29 pm 0

Atty wrote:Not a bad presentation thingy. The appleTV finally looks like it might be good for something, although the lack of non-HD output on the back seems just as stupid as it did when the product originally launched.

But it's to connect to your WIDE SCREEN TEEVEE, or perhaps you may have missed it when Steve mentioned that?

lazerwalker · Post by **lazerwalker** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:32 pm 0

Yes, it's underpowered compared to the other laptops, but it isn't meant to replace the Macbook (pro), otherwise they'd have discontinued them. The key point is the weight/form-factor. I've got a 12" iBook, that I fairly often lug round with me. It weighs 4.9lb and I find that too much to be honest, so a 3lb laptop would be great, if only it weren't quite so expensive.

For comparison, the Macbook comes in at 5lb, the small Macbook Pro 5.4lb, the 12" Powerbook G4 was 4.6lb. An eee is 2lb.

Atty · Post by **Atty** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:04 pm 0

RiK wrote:
Atty wrote:Not a bad presentation thingy. The appleTV finally looks like it might be good for something, although the lack of non-HD output on the back seems just as stupid as it did when the product originally launched.
But it's to connect to your WIDE SCREEN TEEVEE, or perhaps you may have missed it when Steve mentioned that?

My WIDE SCREEN TEEVEE does not have component or HDMI in. It gets by just fine on RGB SCART. I realise that in the US, component-capable standard definition TVs are common as muck, but that's simply not the case in the UK (or presumably the rest of Europe).

Rod_S · Post by **Rod_S** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:22 pm 0

This just in: The Mac Pro doesn't have SCSI.

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:25 pm 0

Rod_S wrote:This just in: The Mac Pro doesn't have SCSI.

The RDF is strong in this one.

Deckard · Post by **Deckard** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:31 pm 0

Atty wrote:Not a bad presentation thingy. The appleTV finally looks like it might be good for something, although the lack of non-HD output on the back seems just as stupid as it did when the product originally launched.
Macbook air looks ridiculously pretty, but I agree, it seems to be aimed squarely at execs/rich bastards with a tonne of disposable income who want the bragging rights of owning something so sexy. To anyone who's not farting banknotes, the standard macbook seems to be far, far better value for money.

EDIT: Oh, and only one USB 2.0 port sounds horrible, especially when you'll be needing it for so many things.

My Apple TV has an HD output port and I have had mine since launch...

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:33 pm 0

Deckard wrote:My Apple TV has an HD output port and I have had mine since launch...

Atty said non-HD. I think he'd need a scart socket to be able to use one.