Is Apple dead if/when Steve Jobs dies?

[PricklyPete]

Again, you're trying to put words in my mouth and argue a point I never stated. I never said there wasn't a huge improvement from 9 to 10. The point you're missing is that even with all those improvements, it's still garbage. They can improve it to the best of their ability and make it the best Mac OS ever, but that doesn't mean it is a good OS.
Making huge improvements to a terrible product doesn't make it a good one.

Ok...since you apparently are very well versed in the jump from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X and you feel very comfortable touting that Mac OS X is "garbage", please feel free to explain why Mac OS X is garbage and what other operating systems are so much better. Or do you just feel all Operating Systems do not live up to your standards?

 

[Cogman]

Sweet! An Intel Atom processor. And people are claiming that the MBA is underpowered.
(And it is 1lb more in weight )

Your point being? Your argument was

"Macbook air doesn't need to be powerful, it is for portability and non-power intensive applications"

Mine was

"What about netbooks, they have much better portability and at a much lower price"

Like I said, if their target was ultraportability, then a netbook really does a much better job at this. If their target is higher performance, then more powerful computers do a better job at this. If they are shooting for the sweet spot between netbook and notebook (which is what it looks like they are going for) then they have a good product on their hands.

The situations you proposed, however, can be ran on a netbook without any issue. The macbook air looks almost like it was designed for engineers. Enough power to do complex cad calculations while a small enough size to be fairly portable. It is not, IMO, the ideal solution for someone that just wants to surf the internet and use a word processor.

Kudos to them for getting such a light weight design. Is the difference between 2.3 and 3.0 lbs really THAT big of a difference? (I'm the guy lugging around a 9lbs laptop )

 

[ShawnD1]

The situations you proposed, however, can be ran on a netbook without any issue. The macbook air looks almost like it was designed for engineers. Enough power to do complex cad calculations while a small enough size to be fairly portable. It is not, IMO, the ideal solution for someone that just wants to surf the internet and use a word processor.

The problem is that the Macbook Air doesn't have a DVD drive. You can't install things like AutoCAD or Solidworks unless you're doing it in some convoluted and roundabout way. This is why that computer is a gimmick; it doesn't "just work". It's something you need to fuck with before it works.

Laptops used for things like CAD or Photoshop tend not to be small. It's best for the laptop to be xbox huge. It needs to allow for a lot of air flow and constant heavy processing. Serving as a true example for how some products are nothing more than gimmicks, the Macbook Air is notorious for overheating. It's bad design at its worst.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air#Issues

The flip-down hatch on the side of MacBook Air is a tight fit for some headphone plugs and USB devices, requiring users to purchase an extension cable.[43][44] Since the release of the first-generation product, some MacBook Air users have complained of overheating that caused CPU lockup. The effect can be seen at CPU temperatures as low as 150 °F (66 °C) and worsens with higher temperatures. Apple released a software update in early March 2008 to fix the problem with mixed results: the deactivation of 1 CPU core appears to have been corrected; however, the runaway kernel problem remains for at least some users.[45][46] The problem is aggravated by system-intensive tasks such as video playback or video chatting.[47]

So the computer works great as long as you don't use it like a computer. Photoshop, video, games, watching youtube, etc. If you wanted a Mac that actually does things, you would have bought the Macbook. Since this thing is about decoration, computing is optional.

 

[Cogman]

The problem is that the Macbook Air doesn't have a DVD drive. You can't install things like AutoCAD or Solidworks unless you're doing it in some convoluted and roundabout way. This is why that computer is a gimmick; it doesn't "just work". It's something you need to fuck with before it works.

Laptops used for things like CAD or Photoshop tend not to be small. It's best for the laptop to be xbox huge. It needs to allow for a lot of air flow and constant heavy processing. Serving as a true example for how some products are nothing more than gimmicks, the Macbook Air is notorious for overheating. It's bad design at its worst.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air#Issues

So the computer works great as long as you don't use it like a computer. Photoshop, video, games, watching youtube, etc. If you wanted a Mac that actually does things, you would have bought the Macbook. Since this thing is about decoration, computing is optional.

No dvd drive isn't TOO big of an issue. External DVD drives have been around for a long time. Though, I do take issue that apple charges $80 for their super special external dvd drive.

 

[AMDZen]

 

[MrX8503]

what about this?
http://campuslife.asus.com/product/detail/21

for half the price you'll have nearly the same experience on all the things listed. Yes, it isn't as light or stylish as the mac air, but it can do all the things you just listed at a lower price.

Thats not even comparable. Its cheap because its thick as hell and has an intel atom.

There isn't a laptop like the current macbook air in the world. The only other laptop that is similar is the Dell Adamo and last I heard that laptop was also $1k.

You see that laptop above? This laptop isn't about hardware, its about chassis design and engineering. Designing such a laptop is expensive as shit, if it was cheap every laptop manufacturer would be doing it.

The Envy and Adamo lines are expensive as well, but some how HP/Dell has no HP/Dell tax?

 

[preslove]

Thats not even comparable. Its cheap because its thick as hell and has an intel atom.

There isn't a laptop like the current macbook air in the world. The only other laptop that is similar is the Dell Adamo and last I heard that laptop was also $1k.

You see that laptop above? This laptop isn't about hardware, its about chassis design and engineering. Designing such a laptop is expensive as shit, if it was cheap every laptop manufacturer would be doing it.

The Envy and Adamo lines are expensive as well, but some how HP/Dell has no HP/Dell tax?

Dell has a business cousin of the Adamo in its Vostro line. I forget what it's called, but you can regularly find deals for it around $500.

Edit, I found it: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-v13/pd

The V13 actually starts at $499,but you can find better configurations for around that price every once in a while. It's based on the Adamo chassis.

So, yes, saying that there is no apple tax is just plain fucking idiotic.

 

[Patranus]

Dell has a business cousin of the Adamo in its Vostro line. I forget what it's called, but you can regularly find deals for it around $500.

LOL - Thats for a Core 2 SOLO CPU.

Nice try though.

 

[preslove]

LOL - Thats for a Core 2 SOLO CPU.

Nice try though.

You can get a core2 Duo for $120 more. And, if you wait for a deal, you can usually pick one up with a c2duo for even less.

Jesus, you are a predictable fanboy.

 

[MrX8503]

Dell has a business cousin of the Adamo in its Vostro line. I forget what it's called, but you can regularly find deals for it around $500.

Edit, I found it: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-v13/pd

The V13 actually starts at $499,but you can find better configurations for around that price every once in a while. It's based on the Adamo chassis.

So, yes, saying that there is no apple tax is just plain fucking idiotic.

You know whats idiotic, saying that a Vostro v13 has the same chassis as the Dell Adamo. Check again.

The V13 is based off the Adamo, but its not the same laptop.

 

[AMDZen]

Jesus, you are a predictable fanboy.

And you are a predictable anti-apple fanboy

When you get down to it, its the exact same thing

 

[preslove]

And you are a predictable anti-apple fanboy

When you get down to it, its the exact same thing

No, I am antifanboy. You idiot fanboys (you're among the worst) are just incredibly annoying.

 

[ShawnD1]

Dell has a business cousin of the Adamo in its Vostro line. I forget what it's called, but you can regularly find deals for it around $500.

Edit, I found it: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-v13/pd

Operating System
Red Hat® Ubuntu® 9_04

Thats really random. Anyway, it seems like a pretty nice laptop. Comes with a single core CPU, which is basically what the Macbook Air does when it starts to overheat.

 

[OCfreakley]

It's stupid to think that the company and it's vision/strategy is all about one person.

unless your talking about apple.

 

[AMDZen]

No, I am antifanboy. You idiot fanboys (you're among the worst) are just incredibly annoying.

I'm not a fanboy at all so you have no idea what your talking about, as usual

 

[cheezy321]

No, I am antifanboy. You idiot fanboys (you're among the worst) are just incredibly annoying.

No, you consistently come into apple threads and rant and rave at anyone who doesn't hate apple as much as you. You are the anti-apple fanboy, and you just wont admit it.

 

[cheezy321]

The problem is that the Macbook Air doesn't have a DVD drive. You can't install things like AutoCAD or Solidworks unless you're doing it in some convoluted and roundabout way. This is why that computer is a gimmick; it doesn't "just work". It's something you need to fuck with before it works.

Oh, so its just like 95% of PC laptop's where you have to buy a mouse to actually use it? Now I get it.

 

[ShawnD1]

Oh, so its just like 95% of PC laptop's where you have to buy a mouse to actually use it? Now I get it.

My laptop's touch pad works fine. Maybe you should stop using computers you found in a dumpster.

 

[0roo0roo]

Dell has a business cousin of the Adamo in its Vostro line. I forget what it's called, but you can regularly find deals for it around $500.

Edit, I found it: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-v13/pd

The V13 actually starts at $499,but you can find better configurations for around that price every once in a while. It's based on the Adamo chassis.

So, yes, saying that there is no apple tax is just plain fucking idiotic.

apples..oranges. if you can't admit that the macbook air is a different level of achievement in engineering and miniaturization you are just full of it. you do get what you pay for.

i know folks like to diss apple, but their track record is pretty poor. the ipod? yea..that'll never take off...

the ipad? in 6 weeks there will be android/windows tablets everywhere!!

...we are still waitin.

 

[cheezy321]

My laptop's touch pad works fine. Maybe you should stop using computers you found in a dumpster.

Link to said laptop? Do you use only the trackpad, or did you buy a mouse for it?

 

[Cogman]

Oh, so its just like 95% of PC laptop's where you have to buy a mouse to actually use it? Now I get it.

Im currently using a dell Studio 1558. The trackpad works fantastically. Not only that, but I can scroll with one finger instead of two...

And yes, I've used a mac track pad and didn't notice any real difference (other then the fact that the smooth surface tended to make my fingers skip a little more).

 

[ShawnD1]

Link to said laptop? Do you use only the trackpad, or did you buy a mouse for it?

Acer Aspire 3680. No I did not buy a mouse for it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/acer-aspire-3680-2633/1707-3121_7-32481478.html

 

[Cogman]

apples..oranges. if you can't admit that the macbook air is a different level of achievement in engineering and miniaturization you are just full of it. you do get what you pay for.

i know folks like to diss apple, but their track record is pretty poor. the ipod? yea..that'll never take off...

the ipad? in 6 weeks there will be android/windows tablets everywhere!!

...we are still waitin.

I have to say, I'm still flabbergasted that the Ipad took off like it did. It just goes to show two things.

1. Style really matters to the general public, the ipad looks slick.
2. Apple has one of the most dedicated fan bases I know of. Seriously, they could probably release a stylish brick and sell millions of it right now.

But from a hardware standpoint? They are often overpriced. And not just a little to cover engineering costs. If intel and AMD can make a killing selling cpus for $200, which are EXTREMELY complex engineering problems, I don't see how you could really argue that apples really thin laptop justifies a $400->500 price premium for a relatively simple engineering problem.

That being said, the dedication of mac fans is astounding. I have one as a roommate right now that will literally go to tears if you say "Oh, my PC is better than your mac". or even "Macs and PCs are really about even". If it is anything less than "Mac is computer components that have been touched by god and worked with by the angels" you are insulting the macs. There can be not fault with the all mighty mac.

 

[ShawnD1]

That being said, the dedication of mac fans is astounding. I have one as a roommate right now that will literally go to tears if you say "Oh, my PC is better than your mac". or even "Macs and PCs are really about even". If it is anything less than "Mac is computer components that have been touched by god and worked with by the angles" you are insulting the macs. There can be not fault with the all mighty mac.

I have a friend like this, and I don't get it. He is absolutely loyal to AMD for no reason at all. I buy AMD stuff because I like supporting for the underdog, but my friend insists that AMD is better and higher quality or some other thing like that. A few years ago, he had absolute blind faith in General Motors. That was finally shaken when his Chevy Blazer was a piece of shit vehicle that broke down all the time. Now he owns a Subaru and he swears Subaru is the best thing ever. He also has some kind of weird loyalty to memory companies. When building a computer, I sort ram by price and compare companies based on that, but my friend will only buy from either Crucial or Corsair; I can't remember which.

It might be some kind of brain based disease :hmm:

 

[MrX8503]

I have to say, I'm still flabbergasted that the Ipad took off like it did. It just goes to show two things.

People just don't get it, or will never learn.

A successful tablet has to have:

1: Fluid Touch UI
2: Fast
3: Instant on
4: Portable
5: Battery life (10 hrs)
6: Responsive touch screen

Yes, the iPad is a giant iPod touch, but iOS was originally developed for the tablet. Since Apple had this idea from the ground up, the iPad does all six of those things very well.

Whereas you have other tablets coming out that are hack n slash frankensteins. There's even manufacturers that even dares to release Win7 tablets. A full fledged desktop OS on a tablet will result in failure of all six areas.


As for the touchpad argument. PC touch pads work and are fine, but a MacbookPro touch pad absolutely thrashes it in usability.