Apple's entry-level machine for MWSF

[sjs]

By or before MacWorld San Francisco 2003, what do you think Apple should do for an entry-level computer?

Seeing as the new iMac is about $1500 to start (with some RAM, tax/shipping) Apple doesn't really have an entry-level machine currently.

I think they do need one. My gripe with the old iMac is lack of speed and small screen. I don't think it should remain as the entry level machine.

I'd love to see something as simple and beautiful as the Cube was, with a 1ghz G3, 256 mb RAM and the same graphics card as is currently in the old iMac for $799. Let me use any monitor I'd like, including one I may already own (since monitors tend to outlast computers.)

[Beej]

How could you not want to see the cube make a comeback? It would make a great low end computer due to it's lack of expandability.

[Biggles]

that sounds perfect. just take the mobo from the old iMac and stick it in a little matte white case...simple and cheap.

[sjs]

biggles and beej,
Sounds beautiful: a Cube-like case, matte white. Take the componentry out of a $799 Indigo iMac, ditching the case and CRT, add 128 mb RAM and bump the G3 to 1 ghz (this should be possible later this year) and sell for the same $799.

Maybe even add a 13 or 14" LCD to the Studio line?

[AlphaTech]

sjs, the G4 iMac starts at $1399, with 128MB of RAM (enough for a lot of home users). Don't get additional memory from Apple, there are plenty of other sources that charge less for the same chips. As for shipping, Apple offers FREE ground shipping. IF you want it faster, you will have to pay extra (as is the case with just about any online/mail order place you go to get a computer). As for tax, well, my last online order from Apple didn't have any, and I live in the tax state (MA).

As for the cube, give it a rest, the thing is dead, buried and not coming back. Why would you want a 13" or 14" lcd in the studio line??? Who knows what Apple will do with the current line of G3 iMac's. They could give them a speed boost, then again, they don't have to.

[MacAztec]

Originally posted by Biggles
that sounds perfect. just take the mobo from the old iMac and stick it in a little matte white case...simple and cheap.

Hehe, Biggles, I like your signature. If you guys didnt know, I am Mac_User. said all that stuff because someone started talking about contraversies with numbers. Oh well, I just thought that was pretty funny that you kept that!

[Mr. Anderson]

I don't see the cube showing up again. At least not this soon after it died. Apple would redesign something before using a failed computer. Look at the difference between the first Mac (1984) and the iMac. Simillarities, but oh so different. If Apple goes to a new entry level design, it might have something in common with the cube, but I bet in has curves:D

[MacAztec]

Yeah, Apple should have more curves on their laptops. I personally like the old G3 Powerbook's curves and design. The Titanium is just to blocky and square. As for the iBook, it is a little better than the Ti, but it still needs more curves.

The iPod...leave it the same! Well...drop the friggin price!

[jefhatfield]

some desktop machine for $699, g3 processor

some laptop for $1049, but $999 would be sweet, for students especially!

when i was a student, i just used the internet, email, and word processing so maybe an ibook "student version"

...at 500 mhz, 10 gig hard drive, 256 MB of RAM or slightly less, 56k modem, headphone port, a basic video card, airport capability, 1 usb, 1 firewire, no external monitor port, and a CD ROM for $1049 or $999...maybe i am dreaming but this would be a good alternative to the $999 dell or gateway laptop

i still think the sub-$1000 dollar laptop is a gem for sales for students

my 2 cents

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by MacAztec
Yeah, Apple should have more curves on their laptops. I personally like the old G3 Powerbook's curves and design. The Titanium is just to blocky and square. As for the iBook, it is a little better than the Ti, but it still needs more curves.

The iPod...leave it the same! Well...drop the friggin price!

i will make the confession that i still think my original blueberry ibook is super cool with its shape but it is a little heavy to carry

could apple come out with a smaller and lighter clam shell "curvy" ibook?

[MacAztec]

Originally posted by jefhatfield


i will make the confession that i still think my original blueberry ibook is super cool with its shape but it is a little heavy to carry

could apple come out with a smaller and lighter clam shell "curvy" ibook?

I know exactly how you feel.

I was looking at that "Small Dog" website, and its pretty cool. They have a few iBooks; 600MHz, 15GB HD, 256 RAM, 3YR Apple Warranty, for 1299!

Also, they have like every single G4 tower ever made in stock. I am thinking about getting a 933 or 867!

[jaykk]

i wont mind having a smaller LCD for ibook, very basic light entry level for about $999 - a true portable which will replace all PDAs

[coeus]

Apple allready have a entry level computer. the original imac.
and the high end version isnt far from the low end LCD mac.

imac:
600mhz G3
256MB RAM
40GB HDD
16MB ati rage pro
CDRW

LCD mac:
700 MHZ G4
128MB RAM (128 minimum from running OSX)
40GB HDD
32MB geforce 2 mx
CDRW
LCD

the highend imac is better than a dell entry level computer minus the price.

[iGav]

As much as was argued on this subject on another post, it is a great idea!, and if Apple could do it, then great... but I don't think they will..... the New iMac is THE ENTRY level machine to the Apple range, (exc the low end iBook that is price wise the real entry point) As AlphaTech pointed out though, the cheapest iMac is $101 cheaper than the $1500 quoted..... for a basic but swift entry level machine!!

The Cube is dead and buried and will never come back, but why would you want it too!!?? Apple could come up with something just as lustful, and be of a new design, instead of rehashing something that is 2 years old!! Apple is a forward looking company, that Innovates..... there is nothing innovative about re-releasing an old design!!

Oh I hope if they do release a new entry level machine, I like the idea of a cylinder for the machine, or even a ball shape, they don't come any rounder than that!!:p But not white... please oh please not white........ I think I must be the only one who thinks the iBook's lid doesn't look right!!? White just doesn't look right!! (personal opinion here!!)

I do prefer the colour, design and aesthetic of the TiBook, and would rather see Apple release a 13.2" screen version of this......... Also a sub note book of maybe 10.2" with the aesthetics of the TiBook not the iBook.... for sub $1000 but be G4 based!!

If the much fabled entry level machine is released, I'd rather it be a G4...... 550Mhz chips must be plentiful and relatively cheap to get hold of, and because OSX supports Altivec it really is the way to go, on another thread I suggested the it would be good for Apple to all be on the one family of chips, G4's, rather than short change people with the G3 chip, Jobs has stated that OSX needs a G4, and having the whole Apple range on G4 would mean that you would have a range of G4 based machines from low range entry level machines, mid-range machines all the way through to the Pro-Macs...... (Obviously these will switch to G5's but it would look better to have the rest of the range only a generation behind when this does happen, as opposed to two generations behind!!).....

My idea for basic specs for an entry level machine would be as follows....

• G4 500Mhz to 550Mhz
• 10Gb and 20Gb hardrive
• 128Mb and 256Mb RAM
• ATI 16Mb Video card that can be upgraded when desired.
• CD-RW drive (People need this functionality now).
• 56k Modem
• Ethernet
• 1x Firwire
• 1x USB

My preferred aesthetic would be original and not a juxtaposition of previous designs, and shaped either cylindrical or a complete opposite and make it Monolithic, not in white... as it's horrible....... and would sell for $899 and have a special price option for a Apple LCD display!!!

Actually the above would be disturbingly close to an Apple branded X-Box...
:p

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally posted by jaykk
i wont mind having a smaller LCD for ibook, very basic light entry level for about $999 - a true portable which will replace all PDAs

Apple had a brief entry into the world of subnotebooks. Its still a big collectors item in Japan, of all places. Check this out,

Before the introduction of the iBook, the consumer model of choice was the eMate 300, a newton-based portable that used Newton OS 2.1 running on a 25-mhz ARM 710a RISC proccesor. It connected to a Mac via a serial cable and featured 12-24 hour battery life, a PC card slot, IR, speakers, 6.8 inch display, 8MB ROM, and 3MB RAM (expandable). For things like basic word processing and e-mail, it was a nice alternative to the complexity (and price) of a full-blown Mac. The eMate was also very rugged and capable of surviving a fall from four feet.

http://www.powerbookcentral.com/newspro/talk/984598394,4336,.shtml

[sjs]

Part of the reason for an entry level , simple computer is to give a choice to PC users who might like to "come over"

Trouble is, by MWSF, the P4 will be at 3 ghz and the "standard" P4 will be at around 2.2 ghz. P3s and Celerons will be at 1.5 ghz or above.

Come MWSF if Apple is offering ANY cpu below 1 ghz I will be shocked and they can forget converting any PCers.

THINK people.

[iGav]

Part of the reason for an entry level , simple computer is to give a choice to PC users who might like to "come over".... Granted......

But the main reason for an entry level machine, is to allow people that can't afford hi-end expensive machines to get on the Mac ladder, or people that don't care about the most advanced features and will use it for emailing, surfing, word processing to buy a machine that they can afford and will do the job........

Of course evryone wants all Apples ranges to be in the Ghz and this can't be soon enough!! But we've only just hit 1Ghz and you expect the entire Apple range to be on atleast 1Ghz + in 8 months......???:p :p :p

Apple are converting PC users...... it is happening....... but with regards to thinking, sure everyone here could come up with amazing and unbelieveable for the money specs!!

Most people are just been realistic though!!!

[teabgs]

Originally posted by dukestreet


Apple had a brief entry into the world of subnotebooks. Its still a big collectors item in Japan, of all places.

http://www.powerbookcentral.com/newspro/talk/984598394,4336,.shtml

My friend has an eMate. Its really a great little piece of hardware. I think it's apple's most stable(physically) product EVER. He throws it around the room (closed) all the time to show me how durable it is. It never gets anything bad done to it from being tossed around. In fact it doesnt even get scratched!

[iGav]

try that with my TiBook then......:p

Ouch!!!:D

[Macmaniac]

I would like to see Apple release something that would be built purely for schools. With built in high speed modems so schools have a fast way to the internet. Schools are great places to get customers, because parents want to buy a computer that is like the one thier child has in school.

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally posted by Macmaniac
With built in high speed modems so schools have a fast way to the internet.

High speed modems? What do you mean by this. Faster than 56k modems? The only way to get faster than that is to network via a DSL line or Cable modem. That's a whole different ballgame. As far as I'm concerned, make the 56k modem an option across all Apple computer lines. I haven't used one in 4 years.

[iGav]

That my TiBook came with a 56k modem, otherwise I'd be up the proverbial creek without a boat, never mind the paddle....:p

I actually find the modem handy, when I visit someones house without a fast connection, and they just have a standard fone line connection, it means I can still get online!!

I'd love ADSL, but BT have ******** up proper, and are only now beginning to get their act together...... I think ADSL prices start at about £23 to £24 a month, and they aren't exactly supa-duper fast connections..... Also you have to have a 12 month contract, and as I rent places, you might not be in the same place for more than 6 months..... :rolleyes:

Broadband is so on my list to buy when I get my own apartment, along with a wireless home network.......

I agree about it been an optional extra though, but not too much of an expensive one, particularly in the UK where most people think Broadband is something you put round your head when you're playing tennis!!!:p

[CHess]

As someone pointed out earlier, the only reason to have an entry level Mac, that is other than the low end LCD iMac, is because you can make them cheap and uncomplicated. The original iMac already fits the bill.

You don't want anything optional, everything should be standard. They should just kick the line up to 700MHz with enough RAM to run OS X smoothly, albeit, a little slowly. I'm running off of a 600MHz iMac and OS X runs fine. For an entry level user, this is the perfect machine. Just keep the price down to $899 or so. Keep the standard 56K modem, since low-end home users aren't going to fork out extra cash for DSL or cable. Give it a DVD-ROM drive, no burners at low end, stereo speakers are built in, so there are fewer cables than on the LCD iMac, keeping it simple to set up.

Why should Apple waste any of its R & D money redesigning a low end machine that is already a beautiful piece of equipment? Why spend the money to retool the production lines? Keep the case the same and keep all the components the same. Spend that R & D money on the higher end stuff like we keep asking them to and help keep the cost of the education version iMac down - it's a great machine!

If anything, re-introduce a little color variety on the cases, just to give them some personality. These WILL be mostly for kids, after all.

And on that note, this computer should be in every Child's room in America. So, make it cheap!!! Then, the parents can still afford the higher-end (higher margin) Mac for themselves. Oh, while you're at it, you could bundle a limited client Apple Remote Desktop so the parents can make sure their kids aren't downloading porn off the internet :)

[sjs]

As dear old dad used to say "I betcha a peanut":

By the last day of MWSF 2003 there is not a computer in Apple's line below 1 ghz!

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by dukestreet


High speed modems? What do you mean by this. Faster than 56k modems? The only way to get faster than that is to network via a DSL line or Cable modem. That's a whole different ballgame. As far as I'm concerned, make the 56k modem an option across all Apple computer lines. I haven't used one in 4 years.

Amen to that. I haven't used the modem in my TiBook in over 6 months, since I switched to DSL. Same thing with the G4 tower that I had. I fully intend to remove the dial up modem from the next G4/G5 tower that I get from Apple. I wouldn't do that with a laptop, since there will be times that you need to use the modem (when you are in a hotel where they don't have the high speed connection).

[kevin49093]

What do you all think of a low end computer being in the form of the new iMac (even the same innards) without the lcd?

You think they could drop the price low enough to lure in those looking for a low end?

[sjs]

I think the new iMac should be modular. You can buy it:

1-with no monitor
2-with the 15" lcd (current)
3-with a 17" lcd

To those who might disagree I would say: why not?
What would it hurt to give people a choice?

[mcrain]

Choice is good, but one of the big benefits to the apples, at least for me, is that there aren't all that many things that I can break off or mess up. (The bluetooth adapter looks like it would be broken in a week). Modularity on the new imac give choice, but at the same time would increase the number of parts to break. I can imagine breaking some little snap that is supposed to hold the lcd to the swingarm. The funny thing is I'm not a clutz or too rough, things just break sometimes. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

[iGav]

Give the people the choice of a 17" definitely...... Options= Good....the more options the better... look at Mercs.......:p

If they were to sell just the base of the iMac, it would only be reduced by the price of the part been taken off....... to stop people buying and ultra cheap base and getting a seperate 15" LCD for cheaper than buying an iMac with a 15" screen bolted on.... ... Apple are not going to lose money if they can help it!!!

Also remember the current iMacs aren't really that 'low-end' compared to some of the lo-fi trash that the wintel world calls a computer...... :p

[AlphaTech]

The main issue that I can see with Apple offering the 17" for the G4 iMac is the weight of the screen on the boom. I don't know how they engineered the arm/boom, so I don't know if it can take the extra load that a larger screen would entail. The 17" screen would also increase the price of the iMac by at least another $500 or so. With the possibility of needing a different arm, that could pose even more issues with it. The G4 iMac comes with a port so that you can attach another screen to it, so if you really must have more, then just go that way.

Right now, people are crying about the small price increase that Apple did at MWT. How many would be willing to shell out another $500+ just to get 2" more of screen space?? I'm sure that Apple thought about that when they were creating the G4 iMac, and decided that the 15" would be the best balance. Consider this, the 15" lcd has almost the same screen real estate as some 17" crt's with better brightness and sharpness then many of them. I would take a 15" lcd over a 17" crt any day of the week. Granted, I have a 17.4" lcd and 19" crt at home, but I like my toys :D.

[jefhatfield]

those are not toys...they are tools

now your motorcyle...now that is a toy!

actually, it is an extension of a male bodypart which i never had the privelidge of owning...what do you think about indian motorcyles and the new excelsior-hendersons?

i found out the answer to my own question last week...harley did make a dirt bike! i like the idea of mud and flying thru the air...i grew up watching evil kenievel

off topic, i know:p

[iGav]

I agree about the 15" LCD, I have a Sony one (don't flame me here!! I had no choice!! Well I did and Sony was the best option!!) to go with My TiBook, giving 30.2" of screen space... So much nicer than my old 17"CRT that I had with my G3 266Mhz.....

But I'd so love 2 x 19" LCD's (I'm realistic here!!) I'd love 2 x 23" but Mr Bank manager....... say.... "There's the door mr Kirby, whilst rolling around the floor, with his sides spliting!!:p

[AlphaTech]

jefhatfield, tools, toys, they have features of both. I use the G4 here at work as a tool, but when it comes to being at home, they are more like toys :D.

I think that the Indian motorcycles are butt-ugly (shave their a$$es and make them walk backwards ugly). Harleys look like a motorcycle should, and they have many, many, many years (99 of them) of history behind them. When you ride one, you know what you are on, as does anyone else with a simple glance :D.

Which body part do you not own?? ouch... LOL... I just love feeling the power between my legs :D.

iGAV, I blew my spare money on the new truck and Harley for this year. Although, I do hope to have enough available by MWNY to get a new tower (G4 or G5). At least the bank manager didn't tell you to make sure the door didn't hit you in the a$$ on the way out :D. I got lucky with both HD and Ford financing me without too much trouble. I wonder how Apple would see me for that... hmmmmm, might be worth a shot in a few months :D.

Tools, toys, their all good.

[jefhatfield]

actually the indian was around for a lot of years, then went out of business, but are back now...i love them but never have heard one

the japanese companies have copied the harley engine to a t and now some of their bikes sound exactly like harleys

harley davidson tried to sue but it was the technology of some of the japanese companies which helped harley davidson cut down costs while keeping quality as the same high level and still stay in business

harley almost bit the dust recently in the 90s...hard times

i can't tell anymore when i hear a harley...i have to actually see the bike close enough to read the name...that is a shame since i think it was wrong for the japanese comapnies to steal the harley engine

now when it comes to rocket bikes, i love what the japanese are doing and that is a whole diffrent ball of wax

i have a music friend who used to own a harley dealership and he had 2 harleys, triumphs, indians, ninjas, hurricanes, a cool custom gang banger honda accord lowrider, a hot rod muscle car, and an old truck...but only two of three vehicles ever ran at one time:D

he told me to get a harley 883 or something like that because he could teach me how to fix it and it was a reliable machine

[AlphaTech]

Jef,

HD had problems back in the AMF days. Once they bought back the company and went public things started improving right away. Within a few years, quality was back up there (where it should be) and the bikes were selling like hotcakes. Why else would the jap bike makers rip off so much of HD's designs??

The only thing to sounds exactly like a Harley, is a Harley. They might be close, but to me, nothing else is the same. Also, the fit and finish on a Harley beats all, hands down. There is also the reliability issues, which Harley doesn't have.

Once you own a Harley, you can't imagine getting anything else. I know that has happened to me already.

As for the 883 (Sportster), dude, that's a girl's motorcycle :D. It might be fine to start with, but not for any length of time. All Harleys are reliable machines. Follow the routine maintenance, and you will get many, many, many years of riding out of them (and tons of miles too, like over 100,000). The final drive belt alone is rated to last around 85,000 miles on the Harley. You also can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen companies that make parts/accessories for Harley's.

[sjs]

Completely off the topic of Harleys:

a) FYI-the 17" display weighs 3 pounds more than the 15" (or 26%). Surely the arm can support an increase of 26%, especially given an internal component change.
b) Given that displays seem to last longer than computers...when I want to upgrade or replace the computer, will I have to just throw away what will probably be a perfectly good lcd?
c) When a customer sends Apple a computer for repair or replacement, will Apple throw away the good lcd? Wouldn't they just disconnect the base and attach a new one to my lcd and send it back? Or vice-versa, if the lcd is bad and needs replacement, are they going to throw away the computer?

All these things seem to demand that the iMac be modular.

If the iMac is modular, as it seemingly must be, then why on earth would they not offer different configurations? No monitor, 15", 17"...

[jefhatfield]

i heard that about the 883...my harley dealer friend told me they are the cheapest to fix and in the days he was a dealer 70s and 80s, many harley models were great out of the sales floor but broke down a lot and were expensive to fix...could be amf

as bad as amf was for harley, the early or mid 90s was a time they almost went out of business but it wasn't due to bad bikes, it was more like the management spending $1.10 in expenses for every dollar they made

it didn't seem to matter how many harleys the company sold in any given month, somehow there was serious financial arterial bleeding somewhere that had to be stopped in both management and certain ultra expensive manufacturing processes

there are some experts who can claim they can hear the difference between a new harley and a japanese copy...the engineering is nearly the same, but you have to really know your bikes, which i don't

i do know vintage guitars (25 years collecting), and i could tell you if a part is counterfeit by the sound or even the plastic used on some of the parts or if the instument was refinished due to the angle of the cracks on an old refin job and how close they are...those fine details are what us guitar collectors look for...even finger bacteria gives a super desireable black funk which settles into the wood of the guitars fingerboard and some upper bouts of a guitars body has the stench of cigarettes and human underarm sweat...a truly wonderful experience for a vintage guitar collector...i know this is more than anybody here ever wanted to know...he he

i guess harleys and all motorcyles have their signatures

i want a harley and a ninja so i can indulge both my motorcyle moods...classic or os x:D

[jefhatfield]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sjs
[B]Completely off the topic of Harleys:

a) FYI-the 17" display weighs 3 pounds more than the 15" (or 26%). Surely the arm can support an increase of 26%, especially given an internal component change.QUOTE]

right on, that arm can hold me mama;)

[AlphaTech]

sjs,

The iMac's are probably modular, but not in the way you would normally think.

As for the weight difference between the 15" and 17" lcd's, that would be fine if they were sitting on a table. Being on the arm/boom, the weight effects it differently. The extra few pounds could be enough to tip the iMac with the screen in certain positions. It is a weight on the end of a lever, which has an applied weight that is more then just the weight of the screen. To put the 17" lcd on an iMac might require adding weight to the base unit (to offest the increase in the screen). It would also require Apple getting additional supplies of the 17" lcd to meet demand. Considering the difficulty they had in getting enough of the 15" screens, I can't see it happening, at least not anytime soon (or this year). That's not to say it will never happen, it just might not be as soon as you are hoping for.

As for knowing the differences between Harley's and Jap bikes... it is similar to knowing the difference between the Mac OS and windblows. On the surface they might be similar, but scratch the surface and the difference really shows (hence winBLOWS).

I will be using Mac's, and riding Harley's until I take the dirt nap. :D

[jefhatfield]

no, don't say that...stay safe alphatech

i used to work in er on friday and saturday nights and i have seen gruesome accidents...faces ripped off people that had to be sewn on and one motorcyle rider had his head roll several hundred feet after a car made a bad left turn

i had a friend ride in a car to a party and their friend was riding in a motorcycle too close behind the car...there was a thump which was barely noticeable on the car and that was all she wrote

i always wanted to go to sturgis and check out the bikes but being of japanese american ethnicity, i would feel a little uncomfortable

and i don't easily get intimidated either since i am a part time volunteer social worker and i get to work with the junkies and dealers and some of these people have iced other human beings...awful stuff

life is too precious, stay safe on your bike...i am married so i won't ride...i trust myself but not the silicon valley road rage...during the height of the california road rage, three people per day were getting shot dead and many more were getting wounded

well, anyway, i feel safe with my mac, even if it goes 300...300 mhz:D

[mischief]

Check out Buell:

www.buell.com

It's Harley's rocketbike. Built more like a Ducati than a Honda though. Still a V-twin.

As far as Honda's "fake hogs" their only cool bike isn't even a v-twin.....it's a 6 cyl. Honda Civic engine!!:eek:

http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/models/2002/index.html?model_number=GL1500C

[jefhatfield]

then i know it wasn't honda, but some other japanese makers made a whole series of v twins and they actually used some sort of high tech acoustic meter to get the sound correct within the range of human hearing

in the harley book i read, the author simply bought all the harleys, all the triumphs, bmws, and japanese bikes so he could test them on his own

yeah, right...that was just an excuse to buy a lot of gear like my harley dealer buddy

he would say, "i like that harley year better than that other year, but i am not sure, so i will buy them both"

guitar collectors are the same... i had a friend who could not decide on a red fender strat or a blue fender strat, so he bought them both...btw, he is almost 30 and still lives at home rent free...how else could he have owned 35 guitars:D

i have been way off topic, more than usual, today...i am getting to be like spikey, kela, monkeybusiness, john123, and joeyj...he he

[iGav]

jefhatfield, sounds like you do some pretty amazing stuff with the volunteer social worker work, I really admire people that take the time and go out of the way to help people..... it's an amazing quality to have.......

You have also seen some truely horiffic crashes.... I'd probably be one of them if I ever rode one again!!!

As for guitars, I used to have a Rickenbacker 330 in Fireglo, so nice..... so very nice.... I know rickenbackers are an aquired taste... but I love em.... superb to play, and the most amzing sounds..... I just wish my playing got the best out of the instrument!!:(

Alphatech..... what's your bank mangers name, I wanna meet this guy.... new truck and Harley indeed...... thats RUDE man..... :D

[AlphaTech]

iGAV, I didn't go to a bank, I went with the companies (like Ford and HD) :D. It probably didn't hurt that I went to the general manager at the Ford dealership either :D

I had to get a black truck since the bike is a dark metallic blue, black along with the chrome :D. Now I just need to measure the bed to see if the bike will fit in the back or not. I am planning on making a trip to FL next spring, and would prefer to put it in the truck then a trailer.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by iGAV
jefhatfield, sounds like you do some pretty amazing stuff with the volunteer social worker work, I really admire people that take the time and go out of the way to help people..... it's an amazing quality to have.......

You have also seen some truely horiffic crashes.... I'd probably be one of them if I ever rode one again!!!

As for guitars, I used to have a Rickenbacker 330 in Fireglo, so nice..... so very nice.... I know rickenbackers are an aquired taste... but I love em.... superb to play, and the most amzing sounds..... I just wish my playing got the best out of the instrument!!:(

Alphatech..... what's your bank mangers name, I wanna meet this guy.... new truck and Harley indeed...... thats RUDE man..... :D

RICKKENBACKER, ONCE CALLED RICKENBACHER (for the afficionados of the "early" stuff), IS REALLY COOL...so is gretsch in a world of gibson/fender/ibanez (kind of like the big three of the guitar world)

i have an ltd by esp, but would like the full-on esp but they cost as much as a tibook...which i would rather have for 2800 dollars with extras

[CHess]

Would you folks just go start a Macrumors Harley Thread so I don't get an e-mail everytime you take this one off topic???

[jefhatfield]

yamaha, d'angelico, bc rich, jackson original charvel, robin, hamer, paul reed smith, johnson guitars, pensa suhr...so many cool guitars, so little time and money

i do want a rick...maybe a 330, or a john lennon model

well, at least they are safer than motorcycles

or i could be like prince with a motorcyle with an electric guitar strapped to my back in the movie "purple rain"

btw - alphatech, what kind of bike did prince have?

[mischief]

I do believe it was an original Goldwing.