Joshuarocks
Mar 25, 12:15 AM
This sounds interesting. Now I'm anticipating the iMac/MP refresh even more....
The possibility of off-the-shelf options looks even better, though. Potential expansion of MP life span?
Imac refresh is more imminent than the MP refresh - for all we know, middle of 2012 the latest or even later, as Apple clearly sees no interest in Mac Pro as much as the Laptops, iMac, and others, esp the iphone 5 coming up. Mac Pro simply doesn't top the list, unfortionately, but sad to say the 6-core is going to be my LAST Mac Pro as I am not using it to its full potential due to lack of interest in multi-threaded apps and no use for such applications.. Only got the 6-core w3680 for prolonging the machine.
The possibility of off-the-shelf options looks even better, though. Potential expansion of MP life span?
Imac refresh is more imminent than the MP refresh - for all we know, middle of 2012 the latest or even later, as Apple clearly sees no interest in Mac Pro as much as the Laptops, iMac, and others, esp the iphone 5 coming up. Mac Pro simply doesn't top the list, unfortionately, but sad to say the 6-core is going to be my LAST Mac Pro as I am not using it to its full potential due to lack of interest in multi-threaded apps and no use for such applications.. Only got the 6-core w3680 for prolonging the machine.
MShock
May 2, 05:40 PM
Interesting� after the new GNOME 3.0 release, I'm convinced we will move farther way from the typical menu layout to a more minimalist, more web interactive interface. iOS is probably the closest to that, but I see windows looking more like FireFox 4 for Windows with the Firefox pop down menu and elimination of File, Edit, View etc. at the top. Mac OS 10.8 or 11 will probably follow suit, except have more webOS like functionality, and will converge several apps into 1�
jxyama
Mar 19, 05:20 PM
please dont put words in my mouth, for around $1500 i would like a G5 2.0 and a ati 9600xp or better. for $1700 give me a 9800.
sorry, no offense meant.
i think for your needs, it would be really nice if apple could somehow establish a small, niche (but still profittable) section of product lineup for people who are knowledgeable and willing to put together their own custom macs...
sorry, no offense meant.
i think for your needs, it would be really nice if apple could somehow establish a small, niche (but still profittable) section of product lineup for people who are knowledgeable and willing to put together their own custom macs...
mambodancer
Jul 18, 10:18 PM
I think you are confusing the term HD in various context.
A movie file (computer file) can be in HD resolution (1280x720 or 1920x1080) encoded in a variety of formats (MPEG2, MPEG4-H.264 aka AVC, Microsoft VC-1).
If the non-DRM'd file is available on your computer, you can view them using a variety of playback software such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, VLC player, etc.
However, you rented HD-DVD. This is a physical media that requires a blu-laser based HD-DVD player to play it on. Currently only Toshiba sells such a player as a standalone player HD-A1 I believe. They also have a high-end laptop with this player built-in. So, you need a HD-DVD readable drive to playback the HD-DVD disc you rented from Netflix.
What Apple is talking about is authoring HD disks. You can make HD movies using Final Cut Pro or even iMovie by importing a HD movie (probably in HDV format). Then create a DVD image of it that is capable of HD. I have not used this feature - so I don't know the details.
I would have preferred a way to burn H.264 based HD movies into a standard DVD (red laser based single or dual layer DVD) and play it back on a low cost player that can do H.264 decoding (including HD resolution). I guess a Mac Mini is one such beast ;-)
That's what I figured. I knew it was too much to hope that I could play HD-DVD's in my iMac without buying a stand alone player. Oh, well. Thanks for the reply.
A movie file (computer file) can be in HD resolution (1280x720 or 1920x1080) encoded in a variety of formats (MPEG2, MPEG4-H.264 aka AVC, Microsoft VC-1).
If the non-DRM'd file is available on your computer, you can view them using a variety of playback software such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, VLC player, etc.
However, you rented HD-DVD. This is a physical media that requires a blu-laser based HD-DVD player to play it on. Currently only Toshiba sells such a player as a standalone player HD-A1 I believe. They also have a high-end laptop with this player built-in. So, you need a HD-DVD readable drive to playback the HD-DVD disc you rented from Netflix.
What Apple is talking about is authoring HD disks. You can make HD movies using Final Cut Pro or even iMovie by importing a HD movie (probably in HDV format). Then create a DVD image of it that is capable of HD. I have not used this feature - so I don't know the details.
I would have preferred a way to burn H.264 based HD movies into a standard DVD (red laser based single or dual layer DVD) and play it back on a low cost player that can do H.264 decoding (including HD resolution). I guess a Mac Mini is one such beast ;-)
That's what I figured. I knew it was too much to hope that I could play HD-DVD's in my iMac without buying a stand alone player. Oh, well. Thanks for the reply.
charlesdjones1
Apr 12, 06:36 PM
After owning every iPod out there, I can honestly say Apple's next approach to the Classic lineup could be something familiar yet adding updated features to take advantage of the newest tech, but no major changes to an otherwise timeless layout. I still use my 80gb model, and wouldn't change anything personally. I've used the Touch, the Nano, and the Classic, to me, for pure music enjoyment the Classic is all I will ever need or use. I have spliced together a possible direction Apple could/ would go in, and I believe it makes the perfect iPod Classic. Basically, anyone familiar with the older Nano style Touch Wheel is going to be right at home, as the the wheel is smaller by about 25% compared to the Classice, but still being more than accessable. At the same time adding a larger, higher def screen makes viewing song selection, videos, podcasts, and coverflow much easier and appealing to the eyes now, yet using todays AMOLED screen which is lighter, brighter and easier on the battery life. A standard 320 gb hard drive keeps you up to date on all the latest hi def content that is released over iTunes, but keeping a smaller overall form factor makes it lighter in the pocket. These are my ideas which I feel would be popular for newer users and older ones as well. Just for an added bonus, you could implement a streamlined touch interface using the classic style menu, adding nice features such as the App Store and even some touch based games.
surroundfan
Sep 6, 09:19 AM
They are expensive, with a lack of hard disc capacity when compared against the new iMacs and existing PowerBooks ( which I'm sure are also about to go Dual Core 2.
The latest pathetic Mac Mini upgrade continues to highlight the idiocy of the decision to build a cheap 'switcher' computer using expensive notebook parts.
For the foreseeable future, compared to your cheap desktop from the purveyors of fine beige boxes, the Mac Mini will lack HDD space, CPU speed, expandability, decent optical drives, and the low, low price tag of the machines it is (supposed) to compete against...
(Yes, we understand why we should buy a Mac, but most folks are only interested in raw numbers. Remember this is theoretically supposed to be Apple's answer to the cheap crap piled high and sold cheap in the WalMarts and Harvey Normans of the world).
The latest pathetic Mac Mini upgrade continues to highlight the idiocy of the decision to build a cheap 'switcher' computer using expensive notebook parts.
For the foreseeable future, compared to your cheap desktop from the purveyors of fine beige boxes, the Mac Mini will lack HDD space, CPU speed, expandability, decent optical drives, and the low, low price tag of the machines it is (supposed) to compete against...
(Yes, we understand why we should buy a Mac, but most folks are only interested in raw numbers. Remember this is theoretically supposed to be Apple's answer to the cheap crap piled high and sold cheap in the WalMarts and Harvey Normans of the world).
Chris Bangle
Aug 16, 11:36 AM
Actually, you can get Sirius in Canada and are able to stream Sirius anywhere in the world IF you have an account registered in the US. I've heard of many international customers setting up accounts to listen abroad.
I'm just saying that I think the two would compliment each other nicely. You could use the service as just an ipod, a receiver for Sirius or BOTH.
Thats far too complicated for Apple.
I'm just saying that I think the two would compliment each other nicely. You could use the service as just an ipod, a receiver for Sirius or BOTH.
Thats far too complicated for Apple.
Plymouthbreezer
Sep 1, 03:11 PM
This would give me a lovely reason to ask for a nice 20" iMac for Christmas!
My 1GHz G4 iMac is starting to show its age!
My 1GHz G4 iMac is starting to show its age!
spyd4r
Oct 23, 09:19 PM
I have been patiently waiting for the new macbook pro just as long as the rest of you, but i have had it, they are like 1.5 - 2 months behind their competitors now.. I am just about ready to drop the money and upgrade my PC desktop instead...they betttter hurrry! ;)
Mr-Stabby
Apr 12, 10:39 PM
Some people seem to think that difficult to use = pro. Those are the people use windows because they enjoy fixing problems. Anything to save time is good for anyone, pro or not, and this interface feels like one that wont take much time to get used to. It looks well designed.
You've hit the nail on the head there. It goes back to the old problem that some pros enjoy having something thats hard to use, because they feel clever/superior using it, knowing that others can't. Releases like this one that make a Pro program accessible to not so skilled people p*sses off these Pro users, because they want to be seen to be the clever ones, the mystical being who can work this very complicated program that no one else can. It's these type of people who come out with the 'Oh well it's not a pro program anymore, hello iMovie Pro" type comments.
I for one am a professional video editor, and i am extremely excited by this. It's going to be so fun learning this new program! Something new to investigate is always fun. From what i've seen, it doesn't look dumbed down at all.
You've hit the nail on the head there. It goes back to the old problem that some pros enjoy having something thats hard to use, because they feel clever/superior using it, knowing that others can't. Releases like this one that make a Pro program accessible to not so skilled people p*sses off these Pro users, because they want to be seen to be the clever ones, the mystical being who can work this very complicated program that no one else can. It's these type of people who come out with the 'Oh well it's not a pro program anymore, hello iMovie Pro" type comments.
I for one am a professional video editor, and i am extremely excited by this. It's going to be so fun learning this new program! Something new to investigate is always fun. From what i've seen, it doesn't look dumbed down at all.
Biscuit411
Apr 21, 11:56 AM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)
Good thing Al Franken is on the case...
Good thing Al Franken is on the case...
chinesechikn
Mar 26, 06:18 PM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)
The Future of video games?
In the future, your controller will cost �400, require a 10ft HDMI cable, a �25 adapter, and have the graphics of a PS2.
Yeah, and you can unplug it, put it in your bag, play it on the train, surf the web, check your email, edit your movie ...bit more than a $400 controller
The Future of video games?
In the future, your controller will cost �400, require a 10ft HDMI cable, a �25 adapter, and have the graphics of a PS2.
Yeah, and you can unplug it, put it in your bag, play it on the train, surf the web, check your email, edit your movie ...bit more than a $400 controller
Cat-toy
Sep 24, 12:33 AM
glad to hear it. hopefully it'll be ready for pickup by monday. though the 99 cent hong kong cases are really starting to grow on me. i have like 7 of them. lol.
Me too...
As much as Belkins and the Incipio (I own dermaSHOT) cases are considered "quality" the little 99 cent cases have a place in my small world. two words - Color choices.
As it seems, we are all "covered" :)
Me too...
As much as Belkins and the Incipio (I own dermaSHOT) cases are considered "quality" the little 99 cent cases have a place in my small world. two words - Color choices.
As it seems, we are all "covered" :)
jephrey
Jul 14, 10:53 AM
I thought that there were other benefits to BD, therefore I've been backing their effort. I read that the scratch resistance of a BD is amazing. I know that there's a size issue at this point, but 25G on one layer is nicer than 30 on 2. Yes, you're going to pay for it, but there's much more "potential" with BD. We justified the expense of our macs using a similar argument. Finally, I think that in the future, we'll be needing that extra space on the 2-6 layers of a BD for uncompressed or losslessly compressed Hi-Fi audio/video. And is BD limited to MEPG-2, or can't it do MPEG-4 h.264 ? But all this may be bunk. I'm waiting for the first HVD to come out, then I can just stour a few TB on each disc. I'll just burn a main and a backup and keep all my digital data on them.
Jephrey
Jephrey
ImAlwaysRight
Aug 29, 10:06 AM
... with Yonah they can make them cheaper again.Good observation. Would be nice to see the price point on the Mini come back down to starting at $499.
Why is everyone so hung up on Merom?
Perhaps they were daydreaming during economics class. :rolleyes:
READ MY LIPS: Merom will not appear in the MacBook or Mini during 2006.
Why is everyone so hung up on Merom?
Perhaps they were daydreaming during economics class. :rolleyes:
READ MY LIPS: Merom will not appear in the MacBook or Mini during 2006.
EricNau
Sep 6, 05:58 PM
For 10 to 15 bucks these videos better be a higher quality than their current videos in the iTunes Music Store.
I was hoping they'd be releasing a Mac Media Center to compliment this movie service, but after today's iMac update that seems unlikely (the 24" iMac would have been the perfect all-in-one media mac).
As for Disney and Apple, who would have thought! :eek: ;) :p
I was hoping they'd be releasing a Mac Media Center to compliment this movie service, but after today's iMac update that seems unlikely (the 24" iMac would have been the perfect all-in-one media mac).
As for Disney and Apple, who would have thought! :eek: ;) :p
brazos
Nov 27, 02:12 PM
I wish Apple would come out with a 17" LCD monitor that has the same form factor as the 17" MacbookPro. Instead of a keyboard, computer, it could just have a large battery in the base to power the display and provide additional power out to a Macbook Pro or Macbook. Assuming it had a DVI out, I could use it as an extended desktop with my MacbookPro on the go with out the need for additional power (in fact, it could extend the runtime of the Macbook as well). And best of all, the whole thing would fit in my carryon bag. If Apple doesn't come out with this, I wish someone else would...
dukishdary
Jan 11, 05:15 PM
i highly highly doubt they are calling it the "macbook air." that's borderline laughable. i am willing to bet the phase "there's something in the air" is referring to the soon to be announced rental service, not a piece of hardware. apple is making an obvious attempt to eliminate physical mediums altogether, first cds with mp3s and now dvds with downloadable vids (both via the itunes music store). everything will be available "in the air" or "up in the cloud," if you will. i'll be damned if they name their next product the "macbook air." c'mon people...
mainstreetmark
Jul 19, 03:47 PM
Count me in, too.
Of course, they got an extra $200 out of me, because I wanted a black Macbook. *grumble*
Of course, they got an extra $200 out of me, because I wanted a black Macbook. *grumble*
Mr Bigs
Sep 15, 09:17 AM
bmustaf
I agree with you on the points that Apple does need a reminder of where it stands in the consumer/producer relationship every now and then, just as any other company does. Consumer Reports generally does a good job with facilitating this. I'd much rather a major publication start taking Apple to task about not allowing sideloading/locking down the device though to be honest.
My issue, from a personal viewpoint as an iPhone and Android user, is the way the iPhone4 antenna issue was approached and in my opinion blown out of proportion in terms of the net effect.
Yes the phone suffers a -20dB attenuation when you hold the device and bridge that antenna. My HTC Desire gave me a -14dB attenuation when I held it in one hand and my Galaxy S gives me -18dB when holding it in one hand. The only difference is that the attenuation on the iPhone4 is possible by simply bridging that antenna with your pinky finger rather than needing to hold the device.
The point there is that how often does someone do that where they lay a device on a table and touch that particular spot with a pinky finger? Or why would someone do that? The issue is that the signal attenuates when the device is held. But every phone suffers that to some degree, with even phones that have internal antennas giving comparable attenuation when held in your hand.
They focused quite a bit on "if I touch the device just like this when it's laying down it gives me the attenuation" despite the fact no one does that. They should have looked at it from a net user experience, where "does a -20dB attenuation make a phone not recommendable compared to a phone with only a -15dB attenuation" being the more deciding factor.
To me personally, I can't see how someone can recommend a phone that gives you -15 to -18dB attenuation when held and then not recommend a phone that gives you -20dB simply because it can also be reproduced by touching a marked spot with your pinky if the device is laying on a table. That's not to say that Apple should be proud that their phone also attenuates (and usually more so by varying degrees), but where's the cutoff?
Is -19dB the maximum allowable attenuation before you say something isn't recommendable? I think that's a fair question to ask.How many of those devices actually loose service because of a grip ?
I agree with you on the points that Apple does need a reminder of where it stands in the consumer/producer relationship every now and then, just as any other company does. Consumer Reports generally does a good job with facilitating this. I'd much rather a major publication start taking Apple to task about not allowing sideloading/locking down the device though to be honest.
My issue, from a personal viewpoint as an iPhone and Android user, is the way the iPhone4 antenna issue was approached and in my opinion blown out of proportion in terms of the net effect.
Yes the phone suffers a -20dB attenuation when you hold the device and bridge that antenna. My HTC Desire gave me a -14dB attenuation when I held it in one hand and my Galaxy S gives me -18dB when holding it in one hand. The only difference is that the attenuation on the iPhone4 is possible by simply bridging that antenna with your pinky finger rather than needing to hold the device.
The point there is that how often does someone do that where they lay a device on a table and touch that particular spot with a pinky finger? Or why would someone do that? The issue is that the signal attenuates when the device is held. But every phone suffers that to some degree, with even phones that have internal antennas giving comparable attenuation when held in your hand.
They focused quite a bit on "if I touch the device just like this when it's laying down it gives me the attenuation" despite the fact no one does that. They should have looked at it from a net user experience, where "does a -20dB attenuation make a phone not recommendable compared to a phone with only a -15dB attenuation" being the more deciding factor.
To me personally, I can't see how someone can recommend a phone that gives you -15 to -18dB attenuation when held and then not recommend a phone that gives you -20dB simply because it can also be reproduced by touching a marked spot with your pinky if the device is laying on a table. That's not to say that Apple should be proud that their phone also attenuates (and usually more so by varying degrees), but where's the cutoff?
Is -19dB the maximum allowable attenuation before you say something isn't recommendable? I think that's a fair question to ask.How many of those devices actually loose service because of a grip ?
corywoolf
Sep 6, 03:26 PM
How is it expensive? 99$ a year is $8.25 a month...thats not bad!
Luckily I get .Mac for free, but $99 is very expensive when compared to using flcker, gmail, youtube, etc.
Luckily I get .Mac for free, but $99 is very expensive when compared to using flcker, gmail, youtube, etc.
RaceTripper
Jan 6, 04:48 PM
...and started to run roughly at 70,000 miles when idling. Dealer said it was due to my dad putting 87 in the tank when BMW recommends 91/93....There's a reason BMW says to use high-octane fuel. If you don't use the recommended fuels and fluids and the engine starts to get rough, you can't entirely blame BMW.
I run my BMW and MINI on 91/93 always. My 70K miles 330ci purrs like a kitten.
I run my BMW and MINI on 91/93 always. My 70K miles 330ci purrs like a kitten.
7on
Jul 18, 01:35 PM
I think the biggest problem is that most HD-DVDs use a WMV codec. And any WMV file with DRM is unplayable with osx. I highly doubt these files lack DRM. So OSX will probably not be able to playback HD-DVD disks. BR uses MPEG2 currently and will transition to .h264.
Apple released DVD-RAM with Power Macintoshes back in the day, why can't they release BTO BR drives? I see it more as a viable Data storage than video playback anyway.
Apple released DVD-RAM with Power Macintoshes back in the day, why can't they release BTO BR drives? I see it more as a viable Data storage than video playback anyway.
Hattig
Sep 1, 03:06 PM
Excellent, if it turns out to be true ... IF Apple include either upgradable graphics (nVidia's MXM "Mobile PCI-Express Module") in the iMac OR they release a small-tower/big-cube 'Mac' with a PCIe x16 slot.
If the current iMac prices drop then I'll have to point my parents towards one - they were previously interested in the Mac Mini, but they also need to buy a new monitor, and they don't need gaming or a massive display - the low end 17" would be ideal, maybe the 20".
Whilst I'm not upgrading my main system until next year, it will be good to see what products I'll have to choose from. I know I want my next desktop to be able to run Mac OS X as well as Windows (for games), therefore it needs a graphics card powerful enough for the display resolution, but it needs to be a Mac. Right now the only option is the Mac Pro, but I don't need 4 cores or 8 FBDIMMs or 4 drive bays.
If the current iMac prices drop then I'll have to point my parents towards one - they were previously interested in the Mac Mini, but they also need to buy a new monitor, and they don't need gaming or a massive display - the low end 17" would be ideal, maybe the 20".
Whilst I'm not upgrading my main system until next year, it will be good to see what products I'll have to choose from. I know I want my next desktop to be able to run Mac OS X as well as Windows (for games), therefore it needs a graphics card powerful enough for the display resolution, but it needs to be a Mac. Right now the only option is the Mac Pro, but I don't need 4 cores or 8 FBDIMMs or 4 drive bays.
