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Actually Swatch Group has turned into the world's largest watchmaker...
They just earned record sales and profits by grossing $ 2.91 billion in the first half of 2010!

But of course they no longer just manufacture cheap plastic watches for the masses. Their ongoing strong success is based on prestige highend brands like Omega, Blancpain, Longines, Rado, etc.

Now Swatch Group makes ****loads of money by producing the watchmakers equivalent to Mac Pros... :D

And yes, you are also correct. What they are selling by now under the Swatch label is just peanuts...
Well now, how do you like them Apples? :cool::apple:

The mac was a revelation then. I wish Apple would do that again. Bring power to the basic user. When they did that with DVD, technology prices came down to meet the demand.

Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak.......
 
Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak....Light Peak.......
Still vaporware city. The only reason people have some bizarre endless hope for it is that Apple was dragged along for the ride in the same sentence.

Masochism abound.
 
Still vaporware city. The only reason people have some bizarre endless hope for it is that Apple was dragged along for the ride in the same sentence.

Masochism abound.

That was the 'voice of the future,' you've responded to.....

It would seem, however, that Light Peak, although not yet in production, is, at this stage, at the very least, one step beyond 'vaporware.'
 
That was the 'voice of the future,' you've responded to.....

It would seem, however, that Light Peak, although not yet in production, is, at this stage, at the very least, one step beyond 'vaporware.'
I'd rate it a little beyond WiMax and Duke Nukem Forever right now. It gets tiresome to still see those hoping that the next Mac Pro will have Light Peak.

USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gbps are here today and X58/55xx have plenty of PCIe 2.0 lanes with PCIe 3.0 coming in 2011.

There's still plenty of love to leech off of the PCI-Express bus.
 
The other thing I think some people are missing, though they keep getting close, is that until the last few years the innovations that Apple brought to personal computing made people's computing experiences better. Whether Apple invented the technology, or refined someone else's "not quite ready for prime time" technology into something wonder, they have been driving the changes in computers that made them easier to use.

The GUI
The Mouse
All-In-Ones that eliminated cable clutter
Easy to install printers
Track Pads
Multi-touch
USB ports
Floppies to CDs

In the Software category, iPhoto (that allowed anyone to create photo cards, calendars, books); Garage Band; the Movie making stuff (sorry, I'm a still photographer); etc etc

But now.... what is left that will make a mass of people's computing experiences better? Will more PCI slots do it? (Note: Think Masses, not specialists) Will USB3 drive the next revolution? Will millions of people ooh and aww over Blueray?

These are all "features" that millions of people seem to not actually need. The proof is that Apple can't make computers fast enough. They continue to set sales records because what they make is what people seem to want.

I know Apple is spending a lot of $$ on battery technologies. Each cycle of portable systems sees a significant bump up in the time between charges. Also batteries are now so long-lived Apple can essentially make them last as long as the life of the computer. (yes yes, I know that there at least 20 or 30 people here who keep their systems for 7 seven years or more, but I'm talking about the masses of customers that Apple is selling to.) Apple has decided that a notebook that goes all day, or perhaps two days between charges will make people's lives' better. I predict we will see charging times come down as well.

I think/hope they are working on Light Peak for their Pro customers (iMacs and portables don't really need what LP has to offer - but they will come with a LP port as well. I predict something big announced in early 2011. Right now Apple will concentrate on the holiday sales quarter. Announcements made now of big technology shifts will only hurt sales now. So the announce will come after the holiday season, but early enough to get something out in time for next year.

Take that with a grain of salt and whatever libation suits your fancy. :)
 
But now.... what is left that will make a mass of people's computing experiences better? Will more PCI slots do it? (Note: Think Masses, not specialists) Will USB3 drive the next revolution? Will millions of people ooh and aww over Blueray?
As a specialist I don't give a rat's ass what masses want or need!
Can someone please explain, why we always have to be thinking like a bloody Apple shareholder, even when we make our living with something else than stocks?
The only tools people should worry about, are the ones helping them improving THEIR work.

I guess when you have to undergo surgery, you'll certainly hope that your surgeon (even specialists sometimes come pretty handy...) will perform it with the best and most precise tools available, not just a kitchen knife. Although the latter certainly has much more mass appeal than surgeon steel...

If a company starts neglecting their high-end product line, which in most cases also works as an experimenting field for expensive new technology, your middle class and standard model line will sooner or later suffer as well.

The Mac Pro department is comparable with the racing department of a car manufacturer.
To the average car driver, racing seems like a pretty useless sport. But they easily forget that it was more often than not racing experience which lead to better car technology, i.e. more engine power, better brakes, better suspension, etc. All valuable and sometimes even lifesaving advantages we certainly appreciate in our everyday cars!

A company only thinking about mass appeal and "good enough", in the long run won't be able to push innovation above mediocrity.
Those who are pushing the envelope only do so, because they have the urge to go faster, to do better and to perform things above average. Often things the masses wouldn't even dream of, because they are followers, not leaders.

That's why Apple still NEEDS his Mac Pro line to be leading and cutting edge!
 
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