HP Introduces PC with Built-In iPod Dock

[HAViK]

I was so happy when i found out that Apple had decided to not include a built-in ipod dock on the mac mini.

The ipod dock really isn't very attractive unless it has an ipod sticking out of it. So if i had to look at my mac mini everyday and see a big ditch with a metal connector in it on the top of my mac-mini then i would be pretty upset.

Actually i would not have bought the mac mini if it had a built in ipod dock because its impossible to incorporate it into the simplistic design of the case without making it look ugly.

I think Apple reliezed what a bad idea the built-in dock was when they were trying to incorporate it into the mac-mini design so they handed it off to HP.

I'm sure HP was doing flips thinking that they had got one up on Apple, while Apple is just laughing at how stupid the top of their new HP case must look.

Unless you put a slick ass metal flip top to it. Just a little thumb lifter thing, or maybe push on the back? Or maybe push on the front and it slowly raises up, like those cool ass calculators you get from companies... oh yeah. Heh. But yeah, it could run nice and flat along the top in the back... We're talking about Apple here, really, innovation at it's finest, however, they aren't too nice I here, a bit agressive, like any good business man in a large world. Blah.

Again done rambling on this. I'm on a role today.

 

[HAViK]

Big is the new beautiful, don't you remember tower hifis, with nothing inside them. Don't forget most folks assume bigger is better value, got more bells and whistles etc

Probably that size cos it full of sound insulation to get it down to Mac mini sound levels

They should have thrown in some insulation for my Jet Engine run Power Mac G5. This thing bothers me when I'm in the bathroom it's so angry. Must be that folding@home stuff.

 

[KingSleaze]

Of course they didn't change the color because Apple did it, they did it because their customers said that they liked the colors (that Apple was using).

Or am I just being cynical?

 

[Timelessblur]

at least they're using P4. as much as i dont like Windows, if i DID have a windows machine mine would be a Pentium 4. good to see them using intel instead of some dirty AMD processor. ho hum.

i just can imagine ANY company, be it Apple, HP or George Foreman making a computer that looks good with an iPod stuck in the top. i suppose you better pray that you dont lose the bits of plastic for the various iPod flavours too.

not for me thanks.

Well clearly some does not know anything about processor. Lets see AMD chips are cheaper for the same lv of power, beating intel in almost all test and they have x86-64 chips out..... Intel nope dont have that. I dont see why you dont like AMD.

 

[d.perel]

I'm really suprised we didn't see this as part of the new iMac G5 design, although I have no idea where they would have put it.

found a decent pic:

photo from this article at CNET.com

That iPod looks very snug up there...but why not so in a Mac Mini ? (or my G5 for that matter...)

 

[shamino]

As for a dock on top of a tower... I see nothing wrong with the option of a dock on top. It won't be for everyone, but nothing is.

It's a pretty good idea. As long as the connector is at the front of the case. If it's in the middle, it will get in the way of the things I put on top of my tower cases (like external drives.)

 

[ziwi]

Hp - moving to Apple's way of thinking...hmmm PC's turning back from the dark Maybe a pre-cursor to the rumored OSX for PC....

 

[mac-er]

Hp - moving to Apple's way of thinking...hmmm PC's turning back from the dark Maybe a pre-cursor to the rumored OSX for PC....

No, its just every other PC maker copying Apple....the mouse, all-in-ones, lack of a floppy, USB use, colors, etc, etc

No wonder the other PC companies don't have as big of a R&D budget as Apple...all the other companies just use Apple's R&D budget (by waiting for Apple to come out with something and then copying it)

 

[egor]

at least they're using P4. as much as i dont like Windows, if i DID have a windows machine mine would be a Pentium 4. good to see them using intel instead of some dirty AMD processor. ho hum.

Dirty? What are you on about?

And why would you want a P4 if you're likely to be rather used to 64bit in the apple world?

Surely AMD is the apple of the x86 processor market? They're the underdogs (or were), but more importantly they don't feed ignorant people marketing ******** like intel does.

 

[Mechcozmo]

Considering that Apple went through 2-3 (?) dock conenctors for the iPod through my current desktop lifetime, I'm glad they didn't built it in. ^_^ I owned 2 ipods with different connectors meaning my dock would have been useless by the time I had my second iPod. But hten it's just me.

Another prediction: If Apple built it in, there will be people complaining about how they can't order it without one and saving a few bucks on their mac. The eternal built-in/optional debate. Personally, I'd prefer without.

Keep in mind that the dock connecter is the same, but the thickness of the iPod is what changed. Not the pins themselves.

And has anyone pulled this up yet? (Didn't read the entire thread.... not enough time to do that with everything...)
Linkety to Mac Mini and integrated dock. Thanks lbodnar, again!

 

[egor]

That iPod looks very snug up there...but why not so in a Mac Mini ? (or my G5 for that matter...)

I wouldn't be suprised if they didn't put one on the mac mini for aesthetic reasons. Look at it, would you really want an ugly slot that takes up a sizeable portion of the face on it? Especially with the apple logo on top it'd look messy... *****, even.

I like the iPod dock to be seperate, the ideal place for the computer is often not the ideal place for your mp3 player.

 

[Psychic Shopper]

Cup holders!

And the following line was just announced with built in cup holders, key rings, change sorters, air cleaners, and even an easy bake oven!
Thats innovation people!

Cup holder, you mean the CD rom drive? It's been used as such

 

[Kirbdog]

It looks and feels like a gimmick to lure windows iPod users wanting a Mac. A PC wrapped in a white and silver case may have the same colors as a Mac but it's still a PC. Who knows, maybe the team that designed that HP were fired by Steve for thinking about something that sad.

 

[paulypants]

White and Silver? HP Invent! How utterly pathetic...

 

[ekimsekeem]

the authority

Just to let everyone know, the new m7000n Media Centers do not have a built in dock for an iPod/Camera. This is some misinformation on HP's part, the new Media Centers have a place to put an iPod dock that you can purchase separately and place in a compartment (usually used for CD's) on top of the computer. The compartment will have the ability to hide cables by running then under the top part of the case, which exits through the back to plug into ports on the back of the computer. I work for HPShopping.com, i had the product training last week, i almost keeled over and laughed when i saw this post. Oh and HP does not manufacture iPods, we get them from Apple and we slap our logo on it, that’s it. In the near future will be offering iPod Photo (both versions) and plans are in the works for the shuffle, but no guarantees. Anyways, that’s all i have to say, just figure you all should hear it from the beast itself so to speak.

-Mike
PC Sales Agent
HPShopping.com

ps. i have a mac at home, can't stand windows, if HP were running mac os on their computers, i'd probably more then consider an HP for my computer.

 

[Marsh451]

Dang!

Just to let everyone know, the new m7000n Media Centers do not have a built in dock for an iPod/Camera. This is some misinformation on HP's part, the new Media Centers have a place to put an iPod dock that you can purchase separately and place in a compartment (usually used for CD's) on top of the computer. The compartment will have the ability to hide cables by running then under the top part of the case, which exits through the back to plug into ports on the back of the computer. I work for HPShopping.com, i had the product training last week, i almost keeled over and laughed when i saw this post. Oh and HP does not manufacture iPods, we get them from Apple and we slap our logo on it, that’s it. In the near future will be offering iPod Photo (both versions) and plans are in the works for the shuffle, but no guarantees. Anyways, that’s all i have to say, just figure you all should hear it from the beast itself so to speak.

-Mike
PC Sales Agent
HPShopping.com

ps. i have a mac at home, can't stand windows, if HP were running mac os on their computers, i'd probably more then consider an HP for my computer.

Wow...good thing i read this whole freakin' thread just to end up with that! Thanks HP dude!

 

[vouder17]

You really think so? the only thing that looks cool in those pics on cnet is the ipod, the design of the computers is horrible.

no..it really is quite alright..seriously. i might consider it...if it had OS X in it...i am not sure what the price tag is but i heard some where it starts at $1000. That aint bad either!!

 

[AliensAreFuzzy]

It looks stupid with the iPod sticking out of the top like that.

The iPod still is the prettiest part of that picture, no doubt.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

If I had to buy a PC, I would get that.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

The iPod still is the prettiest part of that picture, no doubt.

I agree that that looks just silly with an iPod shooting out of the top of an iMac G5. Yuck.

 

[Peel]

I am hoping for some decent printers and scanners that finally match the apple look and hopefully even feel (so no cheap silver sprayed plastic). HP's scanners and printers are the most decent designed already IMO but they are still bulky, poorly built and an insult to your Macintosh that shares the same desk.

Ageed! That's why my latest HP purchase was a Wi-Fi printer/scanner/fax/copier, so I can put it on a bookcase across the room from my gleemingly beautiful 20" iMac G5

 

[Object-X]

Desperation

Tell me HP isn't jones'n to load OS X on that baby! An iPod dock on top...man, they are really having Apple envy.

 

[HAViK]

Ageed! That's why my latest HP purchase was a Wi-Fi printer/scanner/fax/copier, so I can put it on a bookcase across the room from my gleemingly beautiful 20" iMac G5

I would love to see an aesthetically pleasing printer come out.

 

[nagromme]

This is some misinformation on HP's part, the new Media Centers have a place to put an iPod dock that you can purchase separately and place in a compartment (usually used for CD's) on top of the computer.

Thanks for the info.

And from iPodLounge:

"HP said it is planning to add a spot for the iPod in its new Media Center m7000 desktop PC. The computer "doesn't have a dock itself, but rather features a molded piece of plastic that fits around Apple's own dock to allow the device to gracefully dock atop the PC," according to CNET News.com's Ina Fried."

http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comments.php?id=6822_0_7_0_C

So the dock is still Apple's dock--if you have one.

That's pretty sad actually

 

[swissmann]

Kind of funny that Apple didn't do this first.