Sorry I need to blow off steam. I am so sick of this iPhone crap. Did Apple stop making other products? What's with all the iPhone posts. I know, I know there is a lot going on. However, the amount of discussion for a product, which clearly should not have not released yet is getting way to much coverage; just like Mobile me. Whew sorry for the vent. I feel better.
I agree with you. the iphone is getting too much reports lately. There are alot of other products that rival the iphone nicely, once you get everything hooked up (Palm Centro, Sprint's new SamSung -which is starting to come out on other networks, etc).
I know the iphone is new and still in its infancey (as compared to say mac's). I know the iphone brought many new apple customers, change the way we look at smart phones, but come on. mac was their core business and where they stand to keep and make customers.
all the iphone news hurts Apple and their stock. I know people who laugh at apple just because of the iphone and mobile me issues. They don't want to hear how great the mac line ups are.
I was talking to a guy in Wal-mart who was looking at a new computer, because his current Vista computer was giving him problems.

Although, I should not be confused as MS marketing Vista Sp1 as Mohave in their commercials - so now people are looking to buy new machines (thinking they are getting a new OS) rather than just downloading sp1 (but that is another rant for another day). Anyway, I told the guy:
1. If you do not want issues, and want ease of use - I would go with mac.
2. But, if you really want to stay with Windows. Stay away from Dell, Compaq was bought out by HP, so compaq is the "economy" and not so well supported machines. Same with these other models you are looking at, "e-machines became gateway, and gateway is now Acer". Funny Walmart still has all these sub-brands on thiers shelves and tells people they are actually different computer companies.
Anyway he said "yeah, I am looking at computer because of my vista issues, I only need to have a few photos, maybe a couple of songs, and a few games for when the 5 year old grand kids come over. Maybe do a little something with home videos of kids growing up." I really do not care about keybord, mouse or monitor- I could just use what I have. They have that flat plug (think they call it USB) rather than the round one

- Ok, you have to understand something - the guy was probably pushing 60, from the country, and really did not use computers much..

I told him to drive the hr and get himself a mini. He then asked "Apple, does it run the same as that iphone thing. I mean I do not want the same problems as I am having with Vista. I was told by someone else I should get Mohave". when I explained what Windows was trying to do with the Mohave, he just shook his head and said "thanks for the info." Then he started asking, "what do I need for ram (actually what is ram, is it the same as they list here as memory), what do you think of hard drive" I told him head to Durham, go to streets of southpoint and talk to an apple rep. they will go over everything with you, show you how to use it, and get you the exact machine for your needs in all about an hour. With the hour drive there, and hour in the store, and an hour's drive back - you will have the perfect machine for your needs; not just an off-the-shelf walmart special that will give you more problems or questions. I also told him buying a new non-apple computer, you would also have the following other issues:
1. HP, Acer, E-machines, toshiba, and Gateway will not give you your OS disks - you must make your own and are allowed only to do it once, so if it screws up; you will have to pay for new disks.
2. Dell will give you a restore disk, but it may or maynot work.
I saw him a little later on leaving without a computer.
I am happy to spread the word about Apple's other products - but when people start saying no because of the iphone issues; then that starts an hours discusion on how the iphone is not a mac, and not a real computer. it is just a glorified smart phone and a mac computer does not have the same problems.