Updated: Will Mac OS X.1, iPod, new iMac, and iPhoto convince you to buy a Mac?

[FOBSIDE]

<< No, still 3x as expensive as a comparable PC >>



Hmmm, lets think about that. the new bottom line imac is $1300. You can count that as total price because other retailers besides apple.com will offer it for that price. 1/3 of that price would be $433. The processor in the bottom line iMac is a G4 700Mhz processor. The basic way to tell the equivalent Intel processor is to double it. Let's give Intel the benefit of the doubt and say the equivalent processor is 1.2 Ghz. You're telling me that you can get a 1.2 Ghz machine with a 15" LCD monitor for $433? No way can you do that. Also, throw in an operating system if you're not running *nix and it'll cost you even more. Apple's iBook and new iMac are very affordable for the power they pack. There's a big misconception about Apple computers not having any power but just looking nice. Yes, most of the hardware is more expensive than Wintel hardware, but how many times have you seen a Mac user ask, "Will the OS support this video card?" I love both my Wintel machine and my PowerBook and I don't think one is superior to the other. I'm just sick of hearing people complain about Apple computers having no power and the only thing they have is looks.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< There's a big misconception about Apple computers not having any power but just looking nice. I'm just sick of hearing people complain about Apple computers having no power and the only thing they have is looks. >>


exactly. its just that the people here are ignorant PC zealots with small penises and they just KNOW that macs suck, because, i mean, duh, they're macs. that is their argument. macs are ugly, and they are slow, and they are only for photoshop. sigh :|

 

[nortexoid]

i know i definitely want an i-pod...i'd want a g5 as well, but honestly - i can't afford that crap...so i stick to a considerably cheaper PC..

i can't afford an ipod either, but i mean, i'm not gonna be a student forever (or will i??!!)

small penises - i hear that...poor pc fan boys.

 

[Colt45]

i had a Mac once.. and LCII, I didnt really like it, but i suppose there's been some changes since 1992-1993. Still think im going to stick to x86 for now.

 

[FOBSIDE]

<< i had a Mac once.. and LCII, I didnt really like it, but i suppose there's been some changes since 1992-1993. Still think im going to stick to x86 for now. >>



hehe, just a few changes...i totally understand that people dont like to change what theyre used to and i do agree that not everyone can afford a new machine, much less an apple computer which tends to be a bit more expensive than x86 machines. i know, however, that there are some users in this forum that own tons of computers and are fortunate enough to have the money to buy new machines quite often. they stick to what theyre used to because thats what they know. thats fine if thats what they want to stick with but ignorant comments is what i cant stand. lets educate ourselves here. thats what the forums are for right?

 

[Willoughbyva]

I would realy like to have a new mac. Not neccissarily the i-pod, but maybe an i-book. If I ever get the money I will get one. Actually the I-mac with the dvd burner is about the same price as a hp tower with dvd-rw.

I think the OSX.x is an awesome os and wish there was something similar in the PC camp with software support from people like Adobe.

In reality I just upgraded my computer about 6 months ago for less than $500.00 I just wish I was more creative and had people/friends that were interested in doing cool design and playing with computers in general. It makes learning a lot easier, that is why I like Anandtech so much.

If I ever hit the lottery I am going to build me a computer lab that has all kinds of nice equipment in it.

 

[Sunner]

<< The basic way to tell the equivalent Intel processor is to double it >>


That may be true with a Willy P4, but with Athlon XP's being the price/performance champs, I think it's more fair to compare the G4 against the AXP.

And there's NO WAY a G4 will have 2x the IPC of an AXP, not even in select Photoshop filters.
I agree it's generally not 3x the price, but they are a crapload more expensive, and even the Durons are faster than the G'4 in most tasks, cept a few select things, such as some Photoshop filters and RC5.

Don't get me wrong, I like Mac's, the first computer I ever did any serious work on was a Mac, and I was a Mac fan up until like 5-6 years ago, but these days, Mac's just aren't what they used to be.

 

[Charles]

I hated Macs before. I started liking Mac only after I saw the screenshot of Mac OS X, and I even got more curious after I found out that it's based on Unix. I have to admit it. Mac OS X is a very beautiful OS.

 

[Charles]

I will not buy any of Apple's Mac product unless it has Mac OS X.

 

[FOBSIDE]

<< Don't get me wrong, I like Mac's, the first computer I ever did any serious work on was a Mac, and I was a Mac fan up until like 5-6 years ago, but these days, Mac's just aren't what they used to be. >>



well 5-6 years ago, there wasnt nearly as much competition so to say theyre not what they used to be in terms of being on top of the market, youre right. to say macs are no longer competitive, i disagree with though. i welcome the competition from other processor companies. it just means better computers and better prices, whether its from apple, intel, or amd.

 

[Sunner]

<< to say macs are no longer competitive >>


I didn't say that, I asid they aren't what they used to be.

Once a Mac was like a Ferrari, you had MacOS vs DOS, and a fast computer with SCSI disks vs x86's with ide disks, and the peripherals were generally also supperior to what was in PC's.

These days, PC's are faster, cheaper, and the selection of peripherals is supperior, and all that at a lower price, the only thing that's really better about Mac's is the OS, and it's not good enough to make it worth the other tradeoffs IMO.

 

[Charles]

<<

<< the only thing that's really better about Mac's is the OS, and it's not good enough to make it worth the other tradeoffs IMO. >>

Have you actually seen iPod, new iMac, or PowerBook G4 Titanium?

 

[Sunner]

Yup, seen them all.

The iPod isn't a computer, so it will have a hard time competing with computers.

The G4 Titanium powerbook is very nice, for a notebook, notebooks arent by bag though, so it's uninteresting to me in any case.

The new iMac is an interesting creation.
Looks isnt something that's terribly important to me, so the fact that it looks like a table lamp is neither a pro nor con for me.
The price is actually pretty decent, for a box including a decent CPU, and an LCD monitor, but with the LCD lies the biggest problem.
15 inch monitor? Not nearly enough to be very useful for me, my 19" is too small, I oredered an Eizo 21" yesterday.
And another thing, GM2 MX? Gimme a break, they could have included a GF2 Ti200, or at least a GTS-V.

But the monitor is what really kills it for me, 15" is just too small, and yes I know LCD's actually are 15"(or whatever size), but a 15" LCD is smaller than a 17" CRT, and a 17" CRT is too small for my tastes.

 

[FOBSIDE]

<< But the monitor is what really kills it for me, 15" is just too small, and yes I know LCD's actually are 15"(or whatever size), but a 15" LCD is smaller than a 17" CRT, and a 17" CRT is too small for my tastes. >>



too small for my tastes too but you have to remember who the imac targets. most computer users use their computers for browsing the web or surfing the net. i think its a great package for those users. my friend went to macworld actually and he said the even tho its an LCD you can see the screen clearly at almost any angle. ill have to see that for myself but im quite impressed if that is the case.

 

[Electrode]

I've said this so many times before.

I'm happy with PCs for the time being, but I would like to give OSX a try. It seems like something I could enjoy.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

me want the new iMac

 

[Charles]

<FONT face=Verdana size=1>Sunner: It looks like only a top of the line Power Mac G4 with a GeForce 3 + the huge cinema display will make you happy. </FONT>

 

[Sunner]

<< Sunner: It looks like only a top of the line Power Mac G4 with a GeForce 3 + the huge cinema display will make you happy. >>


Well, a 360 Modena would make me happier, but that PowerMac would make me quite happy as well

 

[Louie1961a]

I see no advantage (technical or otherwise) to owning a mac, and they seem to be more expensive to buy or upgrade, so why would I buy an apple product? AMD and linux make me very happy. If there was some compelling argument to buy a mac, the story might be different. Am I being ignorant here? I don't think so. I can't think of a single thing a mac can do that my PC can't, and I feel I have more flexibiltiy (dual booting win 98 for games, etc.) with the x86 architecture.

 

[TheWart]

my bro has a friend who is in a band and making demos, and he has both PC (gaming and general use) and Mac (audio editing/processing only). if i was rich that would be the only way i would use a Mac, in an area where it is somewhat of a leader.

 

[luv2liv]

for the price of a new iMAC, ~1200, i would rather buy a Fujitsu notebook!
that is.... if regular people just use the computer for surfing, chatting, emails, wordings.

i've always like pc cause its easy to upgrade. Mac are like Lexus and PC are like a Honda Civic. u cant fixed a lexus that easily nor cheap. but with a Civic, and u know what u're doin... sky's the limit!

 

[Psychoholic]

iNo.



<< According to Job's MacWorld Keynote, in 2001 40% of the customers who bought Mac product in their retail store never own a Mac before.
Are you convinced to buy one now? I think I am... >>


Just because Job's states that in his report, you're all ready to go and buy one. Boy, marketing must really work. After all his report would be completely unbiased now, wouldn't it???

Sorry but I can get equal or greater hardware for much less than they want someone to pay. I will also have an upgrade path. Those that like Mac's can have 'em, it would take a hell of a lot more than a Keynote speech by Jobs for me to bite into an Apple.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< iNo.

Just because Job's states that in his report, you're all ready to go and buy one. Boy, marketing must really work. After all his report would be completely unbiased now, wouldn't it???

Sorry but I can get equal or greater hardware for much less than they want someone to pay. I will also have an upgrade path. Those that like Mac's can have 'em, it would take a hell of a lot more than a Keynote speech by Jobs for me to bite into an Apple. >>



Your opinion doesnt count because you are a Windows user

Seriously though, Macs arent as bad as some people seem to say they are. They may not be what you are looking for (for good reasons or bad), but they are nice machines.

 

[Samsonid]

OK, here is what I want from Apple.

I want them to port OS-X on the PC platform right next to Linux and Windows.

I want to be able to run OS-X on MY computer without having to buy Apple hardware.

There is nothing wrong with Apple hardware, other than they are way top of the line (elite) and of course there is a price for that.

We are in the PC market because we are in a tight budget and Apple is out of reach.

Of course such a thing will never happen especially now that M$ has attained ultimate control of Apple,much the same way whith anyone who dares commit mutiny against the Micro$oft dictatorship.

 

[FOBSIDE]

<< I see no advantage (technical or otherwise) to owning a mac, and they seem to be more expensive to buy or upgrade, so why would I buy an apple product? AMD and linux make me very happy. If there was some compelling argument to buy a mac, the story might be different. Am I being ignorant here? I don't think so. >>



1. for your personal use, i might agree with you. i cant really make a call because i dont know what your personal use is for a computer. the imac targets users that dont do a lot of technical things. most computer users surf the web and check email. why not do it on a nice machine with an LCD monitor for a decent price?



<< I can't think of a single thing a mac can do that my PC can't, and I feel I have more flexibiltiy (dual booting win 98 for games, etc.) with the x86 architecture. >>



hehe, usually the argument goes the other way. theres very little that you can do on a pc that you cant do on a mac. games is one thing but other than that i havent found anything i need to do on my mac that i have to go to my pc to do because of lack of software. you can dual boot in mac os too if you want. linux, older mac os's, you can do it.