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[Phoenix]

Yes, Apple computers can cost a bit more -but it's not that much more, and nearly any difference is offset to many users by the software, useability out-of-the-box, and form factor. Different people value different things in their computers :O.

And not having to be ass-raped to get legitimate versions of the office suite. $399? Microsoft come on WTF! I don't generally enjoy just bashing Microsoft for no good reason, but I think they would do well to look at a more Apple-ish pricing strategy for their software. I mean you gouged the shit out of me for Vista, don't bend me over for Office as well - shit!

 

[Tron 2.0]

GAF I need help.

I may be buying a macbook.

Is the extra $200 worth it for the extra 1.6ghz on the midrange macbook assuming I will never need to burn a DVD or use more than the standard 80 gig hard drive?

It's not an extra 1.6GHz, it's an extra .16GHz (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo vs 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo).

So probably not.

 

[WORLDWIDEWII]

the next ipod will be iphone without the phone feature.

 

[rollingstart]

I might get the 20 inch low spec imac

actually, I might just get a Mac mini.

 

[Tron 2.0]

That doesn't change the fact that if you don't care to run OSX, then the announced iMacs are just objectively a bad deal.

Definitely. But it's a stupid argument because someone that doesn't care for OS X won't even bother to look at a Mac. Since they run OS X.

It's like me saying that a $500 PC that won't run OS X is objectively a bad deal. OF COURSE IT IS!

 

[rollingstart]

the next ipod will be iphone without the phone feature.

I hope so

take out the speakers, add more memory, maybe keep wifi. I wouldent mind them adding more actual buttons to it somewhere on it or atleast including a remote or something.

 

[aaaaa0]

But it's a stupid argument because someone that doesn't care for OS X won't even bother to look at a Mac. Since they run OS X.

Not true, I know lots of people who have Macs that spend at least half their time in Windows: for gaming and at work.

It speaks volumes about Apple's hardware design that some people who still primarily run Windows will consider getting a Macbook because it's in their opinion the industrial design makes it worth it.

 

[shantyman]

I'm installing iLife 08 now- will let you know how it is tomorrow.

 

[Gantz]

Unless you get it with the actual machine, you will wait for 3-5 WEEKS to get one. Considering its in the box with the iMac, I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Um you can buy them separately at the apple store... http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=162919D6&nplm=MB110LL/A

 

[Phoenix]

Um you can buy them separately at the apple store... http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=162919D6&nplm=MB110LL/A

Wireless variant - 3-5 weeks

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=CB3A1F54&nplm=MB167LL/A

 

[shantyman]

Wow, the new iPhoto is awesome!

 

[Juice]

I'm unimpressed with the new iMacs. I really doubt they'll age well. Of course, it's really just a different shell for an already dull, aged design.

Anywho, the only good thing about today was probably the Wireless keyboard. Looks slick as hell.

 

[Phoenix]

Wow, the new iPhoto is awesome!

Yeah, the whole new iLife08 suite kicks much much much ass. If you get a chance, play around with iWork as well.

 

[Jugendstil]

NO KIDDING I WISH IT LOOKED LIKE THIS

PA-CHEW! PA-CHEW! LAZERS!

Best response in this thread! :lol

 

[cvxfreak]

And not having to be ass-raped to get legitimate versions of the office suite. $399? Microsoft come on WTF! I don't generally enjoy just bashing Microsoft for no good reason, but I think they would do well to look at a more Apple-ish pricing strategy for their software. I mean you gouged the shit out of me for Vista, don't bend me over for Office as well - shit!

I for one am glad to still be a university student. $75 Office suite, $100 Vista Home Premium FTW!

I think some college bookstores let you keep those discounts after you graduate provided you join their alumni association for like $50 lifetime. Still worth it.

 

[Slurpy]

I totally agree. The best reason to use a Mac is OSX.

That doesn't change the fact that if you don't care to run OSX, then the announced iMacs are just objectively a bad deal.

Subjectively, things can be totally different, but then subjective stuff has never moved me to a degree that it does some others. That's fine, different people value different things.

To me, a computer is just a machine. It is not a lifestyle. It does not represent my "tastes", my "philosophy", or my "outlook on life".

Assuming the machine is adequately built, the electrons don't care if the case is made of brushed aluminum. The transistors do not care what logo is on the case. The hard disks do not find the integrated form factor of the machine pleasing.

You use the machine to run programs. Therefore the best computer is the one that runs the programs I want the fastest it can for the least amount of money.

Blah blah blah. And a car is just something with 4 wheels, who gives a shit how it looks. I mean, seriously. Your mentality can be applied to any product. Many people care about aesthetics, simplicity, functionality, and anything that increases the pleasure of use. Especially that of a machine that you use daily and frequently.

 

[mrkgoo]

I totally agree. The best reason to use a Mac is OSX.

That doesn't change the fact that if you don't care to run OSX, then the announced iMacs are just objectively a bad deal.

Subjectively, things can be totally different, but then subjective stuff has never moved me to a degree that it does some others. That's fine, different people value different things.

To me, a computer is just a machine. It is not a lifestyle. It does not represent my "tastes", my "philosophy", or my "outlook on life".

Assuming the machine is adequately built, the electrons don't care if the case is made of brushed aluminum. The transistors do not care what logo is on the case. The hard disks do not find the integrated form factor of the machine pleasing.

You use the machine to run programs. Therefore the best computer is the one that runs the programs I want the fastest it can for the least amount of money.

Fair enough.

To me, a computer is a tool, just like you. But it's a tool that I spend a LOT of time on. Doesn't hurt to make it a pleasure to work on, as opposed to frustrating (namely, some aspects of Windows beyond a preference thing, and hardware issues etc.). I guess you're right- a computer is not REALLY a lifestyle...but in some ways it is. I use my iPod, digital camera (with iPhoto), and so on, and all these sync seamlessly together. But that is subjective as you say.

On top of that, however, I need to run some unix based software. I'm not a very computery person, so I don't know the next thing for compiling code from source - but a lot of the software I need is compiled for both Linix and Mac OS X, presumably because they are both Unix underneath. A Mac OS X system allows me to do all these things at once.

Shantyman:

about iPhoto7 ('08) - how are the new features, and what are you upgrading from? I had iPhoto5, and recently moved to 6 - the upgrade was huge, much better speed and editing features. Are the new features in iPhoto7 that mindblowing? From what I can tell, it's: a few more editing bits (shadow/highlights), event organising, uh...what else?

As it approaches October, getting a new mac seems like a very good time to do so for me! I move to intel, get Leopard, new ilife, new screens (i'm still on G4, with their old non-bright screens). So many bonuses for me to upgrade this year.

 

[rakka]

Trying iWork now.

Wondering if the lag in Pages has been taken care of (esp. with slower machines)

 

[Draft]

Blah blah blah. And a car is just something with 4 wheels, who gives a shit how it looks. I mean, seriously. Your mentality can be applied to any product. Many people care about aesthetics, simplicity, functionality, and anything that increases the pleasure of use. Especially that of a machine that you use daily and frequently.

Also many people really like The Sharper Image and Apple has really nailed that look.

 

[sc0la]

The black glass (is it even glass? if not = ewww) looks a little out of place and lost in the design.

I think it would have looked cooler if they had overstated the glass surface and just offered it in black or white. (EDIT:: p.s. the apple logo under the glass is the aluminum finish in my mock up)

i.e.

 

[mattiewheels]

what i really want in iphoto 08 is a very fast and easy keyword system, where i can just tag a group of photos with whatever i want. i think they only had pre-determined keywords in 06, which is really backwards.

 

[Pochacco]

hawtness

new keyboard must feel like shit though

 

[Macam]

They're manufacturing clones now,

v1 - iPhone site dude

v2 - iLife 08 site dude

they're getting closer!

Steve will have to learn some music skills it seems if he wants to outperform Clone #2.

Also, Pa-chew! Lasers!

 

[Meier]

My mom just bought an iMac about two weeks ago or so. Oops.

 

[miyamotofreak]

I installed the iWork 08 trial. Keynote is better than ever (and at this point running circles around powerpoint), Pages is loads better too (less clutter FTW!). And numbers is already my favorite spreadsheet app. It's just so bloody nice. It sounds so fucking cliche but I had fun messing around with it. Extremely impressive. iLife is much better now too. iPhoto is no longer a better version of Picasa and is really in a class of its own. iMovie solved all my qualms with it (organization) and is very fast. iDVD is essentially the same (just faster and more themes) but it's not like it could really expand much. iWeb is great and replaced Rapidweaver as my website creator. Extremely easy to use and makes great sites. And Garageband is fucking awesome (making the mario theme remix was real quick). This is so much better than their 05 to 06 updates. I hope they always take the extra 10 months now. Very pleased.

 

[rakka]

@miyamotofreak

Does iWeb still make IE6 incompatible sites?

Using transparent .png's for everything, etc.

 

[xsarien]

My mom just bought an iMac about two weeks ago or so. Oops.

A friend of mine bought one yesterday. I told her that this would happen, she said "Yeah, probably. Whatever."

 

[aaaaa0]

Doesn't hurt to make it a pleasure to work on, as opposed to frustrating (namely, some aspects of Windows beyond a preference thing, and hardware issues etc.).

I totally agree. However, many people might prefer the way Windows works. Or Linux. Or BSD. Or whatever.

I bought a $650 Dell Core 2 Duo desktop a few weeks ago for my parents. It had 2GB RAM, a 250GB hard disk, and a GeForce 8600GT. I consider this a low-end machine.

I took it out of the box, formatted the hard disk and put a clean install of Vista Ultimate on it. All the peripherals I plugged into it just worked. At no time has the machine ever bluescreened or crashed. The machine was fast, responsive, and a pleasure to use.

I added a second hard disk and configured a RAID1 mirror, added a TV tuner (for Media Center), and loaded a pile of other software onto it.

All in all, I think it's a great machine and it will serve them well. At no time did I think the system was confusing or irritating, nor did I ever think "boy I wish I had gotten them a Mac instead".

What I object to are the people who believe this scenario is just impossible with a PC or that PCs are inherently irritating to use, or assume that only Apple can deliver a good user experience. It's just not true.

 

[xsarien]

What I object to are the people who believe this scenario is just impossible with a PC or that PCs are inherently irritating to use, or assume that only Apple can deliver a good user experience. It's just not true.

As someone who's suffered through every Microsoft operating system since, oh, let's put it at DOS 3.0, I humbly suggest that you're fucking kidding me. I know how to pilot these things with the best of them, build them from the ground up and can usually kick Windows into doing what I want it to do - OR SHOULD BE DOING - with little difficulty. That doesn't mean that I enjoy tolerating these indignities. Something That Just Works is a nice proposal, and it's good to see Apple doing it. I get little tastes of it when I plug in my iPod, someday I'd like the complete package.

I'd switch to Apple in a heartbeat, but corporations like Adobe flat-out refusing to do cross-platform license upgrades makes it quite a pricey endeavor.

 

[sc0la]

Did these launch to stores today as well? I kind of want to see it in person before I pull the trigger.

 

[aaaaa0]

As someone who's suffered through every Microsoft operating system since, oh, let's put it at DOS 3.0, I humbly suggest that you're fucking kidding me.

That's your opinion.

I used to be an Amiga fanatic, then when Commodore self-destructed, I became an OS/2 fanatic. I used to intensely hate MS OSes -- I stayed away from Win3x, Win9x and hated those with a passion. I also ran Linux, back in the days before it was cool to run Linux.

NT 3.1 was the first Microsoft OS where I thought they had actually figured out how to write a real operating system. NT4 was when NT became better than OS/2, and I actually for the first time in my life, made a Microsoft OS the primary OS on my machine.

So yes, I've done the whole "hating Microsoft" thing. Been there, done that. And the truth is, it's not actually that bad on Windows and hasn't been for years. And if you really think that using Windows is nothing but suffering, then I humbly suggest that you're the one fucking kidding me.

 

[SuperPac]

Part of the Mac experience is the interface and integration -- between apps, between devices. It starts with iTunes and extends to iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb, etc. Extends to the web and your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, whatever. The point is that it's easy enough for casual users to make their machines do things that are usually reserved for power-users (like the new iMovie's ability to publish a movie to the web, youtube, etc. in different sizes, etc.). And they're actually good enough programs so to a more advanced user these apps don't feel as if you're going from Photoshop to MS Paint.

It's great that you can get a PC for less or whatever but out of the box it does not offer that kind of experience, integrated together. And to me it's well worth the price of admission on Apple hardware.

 

[Tron 2.0]

Did these launch to stores today as well? I kind of want to see it in person before I pull the trigger.

Depends on your Apple Store.

They probably have iLife and iWork. It may take a few days before they get the new iMacs in. Apple pretty much keeps the store employees in the dark just like everyone else.

 

[duderon]

That's your opinion.

I used to be an Amiga fanatic, then when Commodore self-destructed, I became an OS/2 fanatic. I used to intensely hate MS OSes -- I stayed away from Win3x, Win9x and hated those with a passion. I also ran Linux, back in the days before it was cool to run Linux.

NT 3.1 was the first Microsoft OS where I thought they had actually figured out how to write a real operating system. NT4 was when NT became better than OS/2, and I actually for the first time in my life, made a Microsoft OS the primary OS on my machine.

So yes, I've done the whole "hating Microsoft" thing. Been there, done that. And the truth is, it's not actually that bad on Windows and hasn't been for years. And if you really think that using Windows is nothing but suffering, then I humbly suggest that you're the one fucking kidding me.

Thank you for giving your computer history in this thread dedicated to the Apple Event of 8/7/07. You almost convinced me to stick with a PC for my next computer, almost.

 

[Tron 2.0]

hawtness

No kidding. You're looking at the only visible screw on the entire exterior. And you can add more memory in there.

new keyboard must feel like shit though

It's the same ones used on their MacBooks and MacBook Pros. I'm typing this on one right now. They're nice.

 

[xsarien]

That's your opinion.

I used to be an Amiga fanatic, then when Commodore self-destructed, I became an OS/2 fanatic. I used to intensely hate MS OSes -- I stayed away from Win3x, Win9x and hated those with a passion. I also ran Linux, back in the days before it was cool to run Linux.

NT 3.1 was the first Microsoft OS where I thought they had actually figured out how to write a real operating system. NT4 was when NT became better than OS/2, and I actually for the first time in my life, made a Microsoft OS the primary OS on my machine.

So yes, I've done the whole "hating Microsoft" thing. Been there, done that. And the truth is, it's not actually that bad on Windows and hasn't been for years. And if you really think that using Windows is nothing but suffering, then I humbly suggest that you're the one fucking kidding me.

Clearly, people, we're dealing with a deranged mind. Move along, there's nothing to see here.

 

[Particle Physicist]

does iphoto still save your photos in that weird folder structure? thats my main complaint with that software.

 

[aaaaa0]

Clearly, people, we're dealing with a deranged mind. Move along, there's nothing to see here.

And you're right, it's deranged to follow an OS like a elitist fanatic. Just as deranged as those that blindly follow the cult of Apple today.

I'm not saying the Mac user experience isn't better. For many people, maybe it is.

But it's not the slam dunk some people think it is. In a lot of cases and for a lot of people, the PC (running Linux or Windows) does everything they need and costs less.

If you think that makes me a deranged mind, then there's something seriously wrong with yours.

 

[Sean]

Did these launch to stores today as well? I kind of want to see it in person before I pull the trigger.

Apple store in NJ said they'd be getting the 20" models in tomorrow. That lady better have known what she was talking about or else there's gonna be trouble. If I don't get my iMac tomorrow I'm gonna go nuts :lol

They won't have the wireless keyboard for awhile though

 

[mrkgoo]

what i really want in iphoto 08 is a very fast and easy keyword system, where i can just tag a group of photos with whatever i want. i think they only had pre-determined keywords in 06, which is really backwards.

I have iPhoto6, and I have made loads of my own keywords. Like my GF's name, and any photo with that keyword is flagged as such - just type it in, and all photos with her in it from the album (or entire library) are left on the view. Fast too, and I'm on a G4 1.5GHz.

quadriplegicjon: the folder structure is kind of weird - and I used to prefer the iphoto5 structure of year/month/day over the iphoto6 of orginal/roll, but in the end, iPhoto is first and foremost a photograph organisation program - you ignore the actual underlying structure, and use the iPhoto app to search for pictures, what with albums, smart albums, keywords adn a pretty good search function - it should cover your needs there. Like iTunes, something people forget about is that YOU are supposed to forget about how it organises the files and just leave it to the computer. There's no need to modify the original file.

 

[Macam]

Thank you for giving your computer history in this thread dedicated to the Apple Event of 8/7/07.

Seriously. Please take this PC vs. Mac chit-chat elsewhere (perhaps where someone cares...like Slashdot?). I'm more interested in hearing feedback about the new products and software than having to re-read this type of argument in every Apple thread.

 

[mrkgoo]

And you're right, it's deranged to follow an OS like a elitist fanatic. Just as deranged as those that blindly follow the cult of Apple today.

I'm not saying the Mac user experience isn't better. For many people, maybe it is.

But it's not the slam dunk some people think it is. In a lot of cases and for a lot of people, the PC (running Linux or Windows) does everything they need and costs less.

If you think that makes me a deranged mind, then there's something seriously wrong with yours.

I understand what you're saying. I don't mind Windows, for the most part, but preferences of little things aside (like which side the close window is on and small stuff like that), but I think the structure of everything is much better laid out in Mac OS X. True, I am extremely biased, but just looking in the files of Mac OS X: you have root/users/*username*/folders with your stuff. Applications are self-contained (mostly) folders with everything it needs. The layout of the system preferences seems more logical than the control panel for windows and stuff like that.

For me, I actually learn stuff when I navigate Mac OSX, but with Windows it always seems a struggle to find things.

Granted, I AM one of those blind followers - I will tend to trust Apple and their products, because of the reliability (not hardware) and logic of everything they do makes sense to a non-computery (well, better than some) like me. If their other products follow the philosophy of their OS (and by large, they do), there is not much problem with blindly following them.

 

[mrkgoo]

Seriously. Please take this PC vs. Mac chit-chat elsewhere (perhaps where someone cares...like Slashdot?). I'm more interested in hearing feedback about the new products and software than having to re-read this type of argument in every Apple thread.

Arguably, and fairly, the same argument often tends to crop up in PC threads. I don't mind personally.

Incidentally, I downloaded Macam (software) the other day. Neat stuff.

 

[mattiewheels]

I have iPhoto6, and I have made loads of my own keywords. Like my GF's name, and any photo with that keyword is flagged as such - just type it in, and all photos with her in it from the album (or entire library) are left on the view. Fast too, and I'm on a G4 1.5GHz.

ok, i'm probably coming off like a real moron, but i have no idea how to add new keywords to the pane. help.

 

[mrkgoo]

I have iPhoto6, and I have made loads of my own keywords. Like my GF's name, and any photo with that keyword is flagged as such - just type it in, and all photos with her in it from the album (or entire library) are left on the view. Fast too, and I'm on a G4 1.5GHz.

ok, i'm probably coming off like a real moron, but i have no idea how to add new keywords to the pane. help.

iphoto6

Open preferences, under the keyword tab, press the + symbol (or rename other keywords).

 

[mattiewheels]

Open preferences, under the keyword tab, press the + symbol (or rename other keywords).

thanks man. after using flickr all the time, doing it this way feels very backwards. wish i could just tag them without having a universal keyword.

 

[White Man]

does iphoto still save your photos in that weird folder structure? thats my main complaint with that software.

Can someone answer this (I don't think it's been answered in the thread)?

 

[miyamotofreak]

@miyamotofreak

Does iWeb still make IE6 incompatible sites?

Using transparent .png's for everything, etc.

It worked fine in IE7 not sure about 6.

 

[Sean]

thanks man. after using flickr all the time, doing it this way feels very backwards. wish i could just tag them without having a universal keyword.

http://homepage.mac.com/kenferry/software.html

http://www.bullstorm.se/KeywordManager.php


I think the new iPhoto (iLife 08) has this built in though. I'm picking it up later today (hopefully) so I'll give impressions and answer questions later on.

 

[rakka]

It worked fine in IE7 not sure about 6.

IE7 supports transparent pngs, so no surprise there