Plecky said:
I want the best overall thing (remember we're excluding the OSX advantage which we all know is huge so don't flame up).
As someone who has assigned a heirarchy of value to the different features a notebook offers, why would you disregard the OS, even in a hypothetical argument? It makes your point totally moot.
Plecky said:
But as for laptops, because there's a glowing apple logo on the outside, a aluminum case or a light up keyboard is not going to warrent a purchase on such aesthetics alone. By the way, what's with the glowing keyboard on powerbooks? Shouldn't most "power users" that use powerbooks know their keyboard by heart (I don't even considor myself close to a poweruser, yet I know where all the buttons on a systems keyboards are by heart in not-even-a-week of use and type without even looking down at my keyboard...).
You know, in theory your right here. I certainly do not need to look at my keyboard when typing with two hands. However, when I remove those hands to retrieve documents or software, and am in the dark, the light up keyboard helps greatly in quickly getting back to work. It is also great on those nights where you are typing with one hand and have a cigarette or coffee in the other. Although Im a blind speed deamon with two hands, with one I really do have to look at the keys, as I am not using the standard ASDF JKL; placement of the fingers. (although I am faster with one hand than most are with two
)
Plecky said:
although the valley girl comment is more like "will I get this small pink cell phone with no features" or this "silver 'clunky' cell phone with a color screen, camera, and internet access?"
Now Pleckmeister, what could a valley girl possibly do with a cell phone that has a color screen, camera, and internet access? Realistically speaking, they are choosing the phone that will benefit them the most. They make and recieve calls and text messages, and want to look good in the process...they dont check email and stock quotes on the go.
And Plecky...I think you have mistakenly assumed that asthetics are on the top of my list, judging by your posts. I was only responding to coolmrhomeslice's lame argument comparing a five year old sony to a top of the range, current powerbook. I dont put too much weignt on aesthetics, but the gravity is still there. If there are two similarly equipped books next to one another, each with a similar track record, I'd pick the better looking. Part of the whole Apple OS scheme is an aesthetically pleasing backdrop. Ever notice how apple's rounded buttons and soothing colors (in the OS) are generally better to look at as opposed to a windows setup, with its square interface and dull colors? There is a reason for that...its been proven that a more pleasing visual environment equals higher production and higher moral among employees. So, perhaps the purchase of a better looking notebook, assuming equal features to the Dull Brick next to it, will actually lend to more productivity and a larger bottom line, all while being happier in the mean time.
My opinion is simply that all products that aren't bargain basement generics (ie: name brand consumer goods) should strive toward an aesthetic ideal. People consistently downplay the importance of aesthetics in everyday life, but the significance is there. Im glad Apple doesn't settle for generic...their current line is something to behold. Very well executed while not being over the top and gaudy like many of the PC counterparts...that Dull XPS is a PRIME example of designing went horribly rotton...how could they let that shltbox out the door?!
Sure, there are other manufacturers out there that have nice looking machines. I consider Apples to be the best looking mass produced computer on the market, thats all. Some of you might say sony, some dell. The fact of the matter is, however, that regardless of whether these manufactureres may or may not have a slight aesthetic edge over Apple the OS is all the difference and in my opinion it is just pointless to compare Apples to PCs without the OS having a large factor in the argument. Even making the comparison for what the "thing" itself is, like Plecky would suggest, I'd still say an Apple is better than a Sony or any other mass prodcution PC box for a number of reasons, which I could site if you'd like me to.
