Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks

[ajpl]

I don't really think radio competes with iTMS. Otherwise why would iTunes have all the internet radios? You'd have to have a really really lax mind and diverse taste in music to be able to substitute listening to the radio for listening to quality music without annoying presenters and ads.

Seeing as the major radio stations in the UK have no ads and play an extremely diverse range of music so you can listen to what you want, that's not an argument. Besides many people listen to the radio as they like to hear someone wittering on, whether inanely or about the financial markets

[Edit: I mean substitute owning ANY music for completely listening to the radio, ie. iTMS and radio can coexist without competing as radio listeners will still buy music - actually more likely to find a new song they like.]

That's the sensible thought, but control freaks at Apple seem to worry they'll not simply be using iTunes. Apple want you to use their software, their hardware, buy new USB kit to replace your perfectly good FW kit.....

Standard radio antennae have to be long too (half wavelength). Take FM 92.9 (MHz), that requires a 1.6m aerial for optimum reception. Generally they compromise by putting the antenna into the headphones, but it seems more trouble than what it's worth, particularly as it makes the iPhone thicker, more expensive and more prone to interference.

Putting antennae in headphones is simple + effective. I have a phone smaller than the iPhone, which also has radio and reception is fine actually. Hey it's not like iTunes MP3s are actually good quality anyway. I certainly wouldn't pay for quality that poor anyway. I prefer to buy CDs and copy at a quality that suits me.

 

[ajpl]

creative content producers have the pro line.

Not if you want a 13" laptop for traveling as I do.

 

[ajpl]

No alternative by Sony will ever convince me, neither with Toshiba. I do like HP machines, but even then they are nothing in comparison build-wise.

I have a Sony 13". Better than anything made by Apple, as Apple don't make a pro 13". Well made too, it's well travelled and is now over 3 years old and can run CS4 OK too. Looks like my next 13" will also be made by someone other than Apple too.

 

[pismodude2]

I'm getting one!!! OH, yeah! (but not for six-nine months... ).

 

[marbles]

I have a Sony 13". Better than anything made by Apple, as Apple don't make a pro 13". Well made too, it's well travelled and is now over 3 years old and can run CS4 OK too. Looks like my next 13" will also be made by someone other than Apple too.

Are the sonys suitable for the hackintosh effect ?

 

[sangosimo]

if you are doing alot of development in cs4 you should use windows. It is a waste of time to use osx when everything will be faster on the window side.

 

[editguy]

creative content producers have the pro line.

They're too big. And apple won't make a 13" MBP. Plus, I needed two and the MB specs were all I needed for my purposes, IF they hadn't stripped the firewire. And, just because Apple calls a computer a "pro", doesn't make it one. The user determines whether it's a professional tool or not.

 

[Adjei]

I have a Sony 13". Better than anything made by Apple, as Apple don't make a pro 13". Well made too, it's well travelled and is now over 3 years old and can run CS4 OK too. Looks like my next 13" will also be made by someone other than Apple too.

So what?

 

[Adjei]

The same reason as the iPhone has no radio unlike most other phones, so Apple can flog you more stuff from iTiunes. Letting you listen to music without giving them money is not going to happen if Apple can do anything about it. Non replacable battery means you have to give Apple more money when your iPod battery dies. It's all about making money, but sadly by coercion, not by tempting you with the best products.

Which company isn't out there to make money?

 

[piraeus7]

Which company isn't out there to make money?

So what????

Being a macuser doesnt mean that we have to be Apple's die-hard supporters, neither Apple's volunteer lawyers.

We are humans, with our own personal needs and budget limitations. Not all of us treat ourselves as «consumers», right?

Apple's new laptops are extremely expensive, no good value for money. No one said that profit is a bad thing but over–profit, yes it is. Other pc companies like Sony do produce beautiful hardware too with great performance. The fact that pc laptops run the worse OS ever doesnt justify Apple to keep such a policy against people who supported them for more than 20 years, neither cancels the hardware quality of a pc laptop itself.

Apple is not listening anymore to these people, serious pros and serious amateurs, who supported them during really difficult eras in the past, nowdays. They dont give any elementary freedom to the candidate buyer to customize a system according his/her own needs. There are power users who want a small laptop. There are power users who need a big display. There are novice or people with no desire to delve in computing who need either a big or a small display. A matte or a glossy one. There are people who do need a strong gpu and others who simply don't. There are gamers who need the best gpu but not the best cpu.

There are people who need fw or 3 usb ports instead of 2. There are people who dont want to be dependent on Apple's gimmicks (special adaptors, monitors and cables). People have different needs.

I suppose all of us, though, we do welcome lower prices too, especially when the globe's economy is going to hell day by day.

When apple is actually upgrading their laptops after a quite long period, all of us we would expect significant improvement in performance and value for money. That an upgrade is supposed to be: progress. You are supposed to get something faster in the same or smaller cost. With the sole exception of the gpu (which is not expensive anyhow), the new computers are not practically faster and they do cost much more.

Design is pretty much an subjective story and for those that have it as their first priority i cant say anything. For me these machines are ugly. And the black bezel a bit kitsch.

I can't be indifferent and a blind supporter of Apple when i see that the past gen macbook @ 2.4 is practically 15-20% faster than the new alu macbook @ 2.0, having 1 fw port extra and costing 50$ less (check this if you doubt)

http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/10/macbook-and-macbook-pro-performance-october-2008/

Reasonable pricing, elementary customization and less lies by Apple would be appreciated. Apple is making 3 times more profit than competitors and i really hate the excuse they use to justify the value of products that cost hundreds of $s and €s less.

 

[NT1440]

<snip>

Ok, I know you dont want to hear this, but if you dont like it, dont buy it, simple as that.

Also with ur 2.4 vs 2.0, you realize that all the other improvements actually more or less make up for the difference right?

Watch a video or sumthing and look at the difference.

 

[Adjei]

Look dude I don't give a damn about Sony. Their computers are just as expensive as Apple's in some cases even more. Apple can charge whatever they want as long as someone is willing to pay. You don't find value in Apple go and buy something else, no one is forcing you. I am willing to pay Apple prices because of the experience of owning their products. Not everything is based on specs. Apple products are packaged well, have access to my local Apple store, support, design, quality, Apple products have the highest satisfaction rates, I find value in this and more, you don't value that go and buy your Dell or whatever.

 

[Adamo]

I have a Sony 13". Better than anything made by Apple, as Apple don't make a pro 13". Well made too, it's well travelled and is now over 3 years old and can run CS4 OK too. Looks like my next 13" will also be made by someone other than Apple too.

I have a 13" Sony (C21M or something), it feels like the cheap plastic it's made from and it's far clunkier and chunkier in comparison to the MacBook I also own. It also runs Vista like arse too, got far too fed up with it so my friends use it in the house as a net machine more than anything. I guess I've yet to find any laptop I appreciate for build quality other than decent HP machines.

 

[piraeus7]

Look dude I don't give a damn about Sony. Their computers are just as expensive as Apple's in some cases even more. Apple can charge whatever they want as long as someone is willing to pay. You don't find value in Apple go and buy something else, no one is forcing you. I am willing to pay Apple prices because of the experience of owning their products. Not everything is based on specs. Apple products are packaged well, have access to my local Apple store, support, design, quality, Apple products have the highest satisfaction rates, I find value in this and more, you don't value that go and buy your Dell or whatever.

Of course i am not going to buy neither a pc nor the new crap from Apple. I am not blind, these products are pretty overrated. And because i am a macuser for many years i am allowed to criticize irrational movements from Apple. I can do it because i 've invested my money and time on them several times in the past to get great computers and i demand from them respect cos i am user and not a consumer, above all (there is a vast philosophical difference underneath i suppose).

I never compared OS X with vista, as well. So your example is really off logic. But with users like you, users like me are screwed completely by Apple. And you know why? Because u seem to accept exclusions, lack of customisation and a high cost. You don't protest. You dont need to, since you like the new products undoubtedly. No problem, it is your choice, but your choice makes many others life more difficult. Without criticism supported on logic arguments and spirit of good faith there is no progress. Thousands of users do protest about price, about poor customisation, about matte displays, about fw, about poor performance (yes). Buy your new mac and let us complain. Maybe, in the next upgrade we will see more customisation, better price so we will be both satisfied (you are not going to be sad at all if you see the next macbook starting at 1000$, trust me)

Years ago Apple was providing us machines with the best processors, the best gpus, the best aesthetics and above all, customization, great value for money and flexibility (am talking about hardware only).

Now Apple products use identical hardware with pcs (everything made in China for literally speaking few ¢ per labour-hour) and you pay for this 2 times more. If you can't see it, it is your problem. If you can't see also that there is world outside the state you live then i am really sorry. Apple products in other continents are ****ing expensive.

 

[Lurchdubious]

My last computer before my mac was a Vaio. It was sexy, but a piece of junk. One of the main driving factors behind my move to mac.

 

[NT1440]

<snippity snip>

Not to ruin your personal vendetta against apple, but again, whos forcing you to buy one of these?

 

[ajpl]

So what?

So fuccking what?

So who says Macolytes cannot debate?

 

[ajpl]

Which company isn't out there to make money?

Well none, duh!
Try reading all of this line not just the first part - "It's all about making money, but sadly by coercion, not by tempting you with the best products."

 

[ajpl]

.........double post!

 

[NT1440]

Well none, duh!
Try reading all of this line not just the first part - "It's all about making money, but sadly by coercion, not by tempting you with the best products."

How is it coercion when people can fully look into what they are buying through even the littlest amount of research? Can apple provide better? certainly. Are they lying and saying that your getting the best specs immaginable? nope.

Frankly I have to lay out this general statement that can be used when purchasing anything, not just macs:

If its not what your looking for, dont buy it.

 

[ajpl]

Are the sonys suitable for the hackintosh effect ?

I've no idea, not something I've considered. And not sure it's something I want to do either.
But If it means I can run OSX on a 13" laptop that isn't aimed at kiddies, it may be an idea.

 

[ajpl]

How is it coercion when people can fully look into what they are buying through even the littlest amount of research? Can apple provide better? certainly. Are they lying and saying that your getting the best specs immaginable? nope.

Frankly I have to lay out this general statement that can be used when purchasing anything, not just macs:

If its not what your looking for, dont buy it.

Not to ruin your personal vendetta against apple, but again, whos forcing you to buy one of these?

If you run say Final Cut or Aperture and your 2 yr old machine dies, is not fast enough..etc, then you have no choice but to buy the latest Apple machine, despite the fact that it may not be what you want.
You are locked into the hardware by the OS, so yes it is coercion as you have to use what kit Steve lets you. Swapping platforms is not easy in either direction.

 

[Adjei]

Well then you should have thought of that before investing in the mac platform, you knew it was a closed platform but went ahead into it and now whine when they don't release the hardware at the price you want. If you are concerned with choice you shouldn't be investing in the mac platform.

 

[NT1440]

If you run say Final Cut or Aperture and your 2 yr old machine dies, is not fast enough..etc, then you have no choice but to buy the latest Apple machine, despite the fact that it may not be what you want.
You are locked into the hardware by the OS, so yes it is coercion as you have to use what kit Steve lets you. Swapping platforms is not easy in either direction.

Hackintosh?

There are many options out there to get things done, some just require more work than others. You arent by any means forced to buy one product or another.

You could buy that nifty usb thing that makes any computer run OSX as well...

 

[piraeus7]

Not to ruin your personal vendetta against apple, but again, whos forcing you to buy one of these?

Well, am gonna give you the answer. It is Apple who forces me. And you will see why.

Years ago, i dont know if you were then a macuser, mac users had the right of choice between lots of models. We, mac users, invested not only money but mostly our time and effort to explore Mac OS and MacOS compatible software. We can't switch easily to windows either cos we hate them and because we are dependent on Apple, since we are using Apple's software for years (or mac compatible software anyway).

Years ago machines like PowerMac 7500 or 8600 were perfect examples of customisation, value for money, nice design and super power. The same applies for the first powerbooks, the ibooks (especially the 14") or Titanium and Alu powerbooks. Then you had the right of choice. The gap between powerful and non-powerful machines was evenly covered by machines of intermediate power. Now this doesn't happen at all.

I am protesting and hopefully hundreds of people in the mac community cos we dont have choices anymore. Apple tries thru a mean way and monopoly tactics to sell more machines, more adaptors and «special» cables. I surely hate vista but this doesn't mean that Apple's policy is perfect or honest. It does imply dependencies of controversial incentives.

And to be even clearer: just few years ago i had the choice to get a more customised mac close to my needs within reasonable price range. Unfortunately, now –and talking about laptops– i can do my job only with past generation macbook pros but it is absolutely certain that the old form will disappear soon. Then, i will be forced by Apple to buy a mac pro (i will have to pay lots of €s for power that i will not ever use, sacrifying mobility) or to hack a pc laptop to run mac OS, which is illegal and undesirable or to move to linux and/or windows (which is a «suicide»).

Titanium powerbook models 8 years ago had the same price with new alu macbook pros. Titanium is a far more expensive material... no comment.

Hope that i have answered precisely your question.