Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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I wonder how much of this is political. If we ignore the graphics programs (ie. niche) the only general software for the Mac is really all from Microsoft (Office and Internet Explorer).

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Huh? Obviously, you have not been subjected to the never-ending stream of MacWarehouse catalogs then...

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Honestly, I wish Apple would port OS X to the x86 chipset. They can do that and still make a profit.

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Perhaps...but it wouldn't be much of a company then. Apple is very much about the hardware just as much as the software. They aren't going to jepordize one over the other.

James, I also don't your argument that you'd possibly switch to OSX if it were ported to Intel chipsets. Most people have an investment in the OS...NOT the hardware. I'm sitting at work with a $1400 G4 that has about $5000 worth of software on it. For a lot of people that depend on their computers for work, the hardware is typically the smallest financial portion of their entire system. If a person is willing to spend $5000 to switch their software and OS, they aren't going to balk at a $1000 hardware purchase.

Now, in your case, I suppose you'd just have to upgrade Office and Photoshop, but realize you aren't a typical consumer of the Mac OS. Apple doesn't expect all of these wintel users that have a few apps to swtich OSs...that just won't happen.

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Woulnd't porting OS X to the x86 would also make Win emulation faster?

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It wouldn't be emulating...it'd run natively on the Intel Chip.

Ultimately, the PowerPC Architecture is superior...it's just that Motorola isn't doing a whole lot to take full advantage of that. I agree with Apple in not porting the OS. Had they done that 10 years ago, the PPC would have never been, and, most likely, the push for outstanding industrial design at Apple probably would have never blossomed.

Why can't people just leave Apple be?

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
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quote:

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Originally posted by lennonhead
[snip]
I forgot to say that VPC runs at about the half the speed of your Mac, so don't expect to run anything processor intensive. Also 3-d games are out of the question (except maybe Doom). It is a great program if you need the extra compatibility and if you want to play old games.

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

quote:

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Originally posted by Eug
[snip]
OS 9 really isn't a very good operating system. It doesn't multitask very well, and it's not quite stable.

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Your right that it doesn't Multitask well (if I take it that you mean it can't run three extremely processor heavy apps at the same time very well. The frontmost one gets the lion's share of the Processor, the the other two are left doing not-too-much. but if you mean that it's hard to navigate between many open applications at the same time, I strongly disagree with you), but it is extremely stable. I leave my G4/400 on for weeks at a time, and the only time it crashes is when I try to run a Beta Mod for Quake3, or if some Java Applet Crashes IE5. But then again, same goes for my Win98 Machine. I think they have both been running non-stop for a week and a half.

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I am very excited about Mac OS X, but I can't justify buying a laptop for OS X when the OS is still beta, and virtually no software exists for it. I also find it strange that Apple hasn't taken care of the file sharing issues with Windows systems. It's hard to justify spending another $200 (CAD) on Dave just to get basic file sharing functionality.

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Explain to me why this is Apple's responsibility?
Software exists for BOTH platforms for cross compatible file sharing. It's just as much Windows fault as it is the MacOS.

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The Cube IS cool (pun intended), but in truth it takes up more desk space than a G4 because most people just stick the G4 under the desk. Makes more sense.

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Who would ever dream of putting their beautiful G4 Tower UNDER THEIR DESK?!?!? You're insane!!! remember, you don't have to hide an ugly beige case anymore
Have you even seen the Cube in person? The first time I saw it, I was in awe. Print doesn't do it justice when it's shown next to G4 towers that look the same size in print.

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Yes, Apple, port OS X to Intel. If you do that you are going to have an all out war! However, you may actually win part of that war. Personally, I love the idea of OS X on a PC. If I could I'd dual boot Win 2000 and OS X in a shot. But I can't.

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Never going to happen. Apple would be only a fraction of the company it is today by selling only software.

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P.S. I wonder how much of this is political. If we ignore the graphics programs (ie. niche) the only general software for the Mac is really all from Microsoft (Office and Internet Explorer).

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He he he he .....
I have one sound for you : <gameshow buzzer>



[Edited by Vertigo on 12-11-2000 at 01:53 PM]

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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Have you even seen the Cube in person?

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quote:

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Originally posted by homer
i was compleely blown away at how intelligently designed it is.

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quote:

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Originally posted by foo
From what I understand, there is no power switch.

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Just because there is no tactile sensation when you turn the thing on doesn't mean that it doesn't have a power switch. It isn't like one of those lamps that you can touch anywhere to turn it on, there is a sensor on the top that you touch which turns it on.

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Originally posted by foo
If I decide to later add an extra drive, or whatnot, I have to upgrade to an entirely NEW system.

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There are a few options you are overlooking, but before I mention them- the Cube was not designed for those people that need four drives in their computer, that is why the towers still exist. If down the line a Cube owner needs more HD space they can always replace the internal drive with something larger. In terms of CD-RW, if you know of a slot loading one, then I'm sure you could install one of those in place of the DVD drive (no, I don't think any exist). Other methods such as external cases work well too. I just bought a QUE! firewire external CD-RW which works (and looks) great. You can find good prices on these drives, mine was just over $200 which is around the price of comparable internal CD-RW's. One of the major drawbacks of the current towers is their lack of a second full size drive bay in the front, which is why I went external (alternatively you can get a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and replace the stock DVD drive).

The Cube isn't for everyone. I wish it could fulfill my needs because it is the most beautiful computer out there. You have to see it in person, as others have said, and you'll dream about it for weeks afterwards .

Apple should not have expected the Cube to make us power users happy. The G4 towers are in desperate need of a major update and an 8" cube didn't do anything for us, but that is not to say that I regret its announcement. It has its place among users and looks damn good while it does its job.

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Personally, I LOVE the G4 tower. The "door" in particular. I have no idea why it has taken so long for PC makers (Wintel) to accept style as part of the "out of the box experience". This is the one key point that continues to give Apple its edge of cool looking computers. I am sick to death of boring beige box PCs, especially DELL. Obviously style and design are NOT the single most important aspect to a desktop, but it does have some merit in purchase decisions by consumers.

I don't believe for a minute that the PC is dead. But if it is, I sure as hell won't miss the color beige!

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quote:

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Have you even seen the Cube in person?

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But of course.

In truth, I like the look of it, but it is impractical, especially for someone like me. I consider myself a power user, and would never get one of these for my primary machine. It would look good in my office, but it would get irritating after a while, since every inch of desktop space is precious to me. I'd rather have my tropical fishtank there than a Cube.

I like the look of the G4 tower, although I do think it does look a tad cheesy. However, it's superior to 99% of PC cases out there, which just look plain ugly. But even more, I like the design of the case. Superior to most PC cases for ergonomics and build quality.

Unfortunately, the cost premium for the Apple stuff is just a bit too much for me. I would pay $150 more for Apple looks in a desktop, but not several hundred more.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Foo:

I think Lennon pretty much summed it up, but, just to reiterate (that's what forums are for, right...reiterating my opinion? ) you are NOT the target audience for a Cube.

That is why apple has different computers. They each are for a different segment of the market. Apple didn't make all three to meet your needs.

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From what I understand, there is no power switch. You simply "touch" the top of the cube which then boots the system. Exactly why do we need this feature?

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quote:

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[/B]What I want is a G4 tower (possibly new design) with at least 750MHZ, 128 Ram, 40 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon (or nVidia GeForce2), CD-RW, more PCI slots, and a list price of $1499.[/B]

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Foo:

Maybe they are listening to you...

http://www.macuser.co.uk/guest/php3...cle.php3?id=520

This article mentions that Apple is going to put CDRWs in the next round of Macs and IBM now has the technology to create 10GHz PPC processors.

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Apple has to be doing something wrong. This iMac is absolutely amazing! I've never used a Mac before in my life and I was up and running in a matter of 5 minutes. The screen is absolutely wonderful, the sound quality is better with it's two built-in speakers than my pc with two fairly expensive externals. And I'm not sure but this 400mhz processor seems quite a bit faster than the 500mhz pc I use at school. I thought I was going to have a problem not having a floppy drive, but the iDisk on Apple's website is a lot larger and more versatile. This machine is so intuitive it's unbelievable. This doesn't bring in graphics or the lack of a fan, which everyone already knows it does better than pc's. PalmDesktop is quite a bit better as well. I can't get over the speed and quietness! Gotta run. Working on making this thing read me a bedtime story and say my prayers for me .

[Edited by dick-richardson on 12-14-2000 at 01:07 AM]

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If only the rest of the world was as open as you are! Now you understand what it is like to use/own a Mac Of course Apple's marketing could improve too, which might help a bit.

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quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
What I want is a G4 tower (possibly new design) with at least 750MHZ, 128 Ram, 40 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon (or nVidia GeForce2), CD-RW, more PCI slots, and a list price of $1499.

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Thought that it was interesting that you pretty much hit the nail on the head with the specs for the recently introduced towers (minus the price point). I think you have a gift Foo .

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quote:

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Originally posted by lennonhead
Thought that it was interesting that you pretty much hit the nail on the head with the specs for the recently introduced towers (minus the price point). I think you have a gift Foo .

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Registered: Sep 1999
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quote:

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Originally posted by lennonhead

quote:

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Originally posted by foo fighter
What I want is a G4 tower (possibly new design) with at least 750MHZ, 128 Ram, 40 GB hard drive, ATI Radeon (or nVidia GeForce2), CD-RW, more PCI slots, and a list price of $1499.

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Thought that it was interesting that you pretty much hit the nail on the head with the specs for the recently introduced towers (minus the price point). I think you have a gift Foo .

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When I first read those specs, I scoffed. Then when apple released their new line of G4's, my jaw dropped. I REALLY want one of those new DVD-R/CDRW combos!

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Atop a wandering buffalo hunting aardvaarks
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Just heard a rumor that NEW!!! iMacs will be introduced in Japan February, as the Japanese are iMac-happy. Any thoughts as to what might be available?

Love to see a high-end system with a 60gb HD & 256mb with PhotoShop, Macromedia Flash, and MS Office 2001 in a packaged deal.

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Registered: Mar 2000
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You can bet on CD-RW drives along with G3 processor's probably up to 600 MHz (I can't imagine iMac speeds will equal G4 speeds as they did the last time around). Maybe a revised Mobo? Larger HD's and probably more memory (128 MB on the DV+ and higher) too.

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