Anyone Buying a New Macbook?

[fidelfs]

Mattehew,

I am a software consultant (Oracle) and based in my experience you can develop any software on top of any OS (open or close) and you are the one who make the call to leave it open or charge for it.
The agreement of BSD states that you won't charge for it, apple is nor charging for BSD they just developed something on top of BSD.

There are some software in the open community that is a shareware so even is for Linux, they can charge for it.
Oracle itself runs in Linux but charges for the Database and the applications to customers running in Linux.

 

[extiger]

Mathew and Fidel, I think the FOG should start a new topic. I would suggest calling it DEEP DIGITAL, or EXTREME COMPUTER. After all, BDX and Ubunu are getting a little arcane when discussing the PC/MAC differences.

Gary Curtis

 

[richard.selwyn]

I always enjoy an off-topic topic.  Have just read all of this one on my 8 year old dual processer 450mhz Mac.  It should be in the bin - but is still going strong.  My wife has had 3 PC's since I installed the G4. ( I would love a new Mac but can't afford one. )  I am not very computer literate (although I have managed to assemble a couple of PC's from the component parts) but I still "love" Mac OS and "hate" Windows - totally irrational of course - but I think the big difference I have found is that Apple manages to get the Chinese or whoever (see another thread) to build them a high quality product - I always think of my Mac as a bit like my Festools.  PC's can be anything from a Mafell to a Dewalt to a Home Depot special

 

[fidelfs]

For the most part, it is a really amazing system.  There are a couple of things that Apple needs to still address, like a weird "jumping" of the track pad.  Also, they need to fix their marketing material, which claims that the entire track pad is "clickable," when actually it is only clickable in the lower half.  This may sound like a nit-pick, and for me, I prefer lower-half-only clicking, but a lot of people may be misled by Apple's claim.

Matthew,

I know what you experienced, I went this weekend to the Apple store and what happened is that the new Macbook models don't have the little bar on the track pad to click (On Windows machines, you have 2 buttons to click. On a Mac, you have only one big button). On the new model, the entire track pad is one piece but the lower part moves when you click it.

I changed the settings to make the all of the track pad clickable, but even though only the lower part moves when you click it physically, all of the track pad is still clickable.

It looks like the mighty mouse from Apple.  This mouse doesn't have any buttons but you can click left or right and the mouse "senses" and acts as if the buttons are there.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Afternoon,
Well, I am definitely in a wait-and-see stance on this.  In this economy, no way do I want to buy the latest and greatest, only to see an improved version come out within weeks.

I'm also thinking that Apple will have to offer some kind of sales incentives soon.  The economy is in the toilet, and Apple sales are down just like everyone else's.  What will they offer for deals on the Macbooks?  Will those deals also coincide with an improved Macbook?

Even worse than seeing a better version of the Macbook come out after buying an earlier version would be seeing a cheaper and better Macbook come out after buying an earlier version!  That's what happened to people who took the plunge on the 1G iPod Touch and iPhone, after all.

So, wait and see...

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[richard.selwyn]

Good Afternoon,
Well, I am definitely in a wait-and-see stance on this.  In this economy, no way do I want to buy the latest and greatest, only to see an improved version come out within weeks.

I'm also thinking that Apple will have to offer some kind of sales incentives soon.  The economy is in the toilet, and Apple sales are down just like everyone else's.  What will they offer for deals on the Macbooks?  Will those deals also coincide with an improved Macbook?

Even worse than seeing a better version of the Macbook come out after buying an earlier version would be seeing a cheaper and better Macbook come out after buying an earlier version!  That's what happened to people who took the plunge on the 1G iPod Touch and iPhone, after all.

So, wait and see...

Thanks,
Matthew

I agree with all of that but ... that could mean that you NEVER take the plunge.  I have often bought things that have then been superceded not long after.  The point is in the interim I've had the use of whatever I've bought - if it's an Apple product that's often just the pleasure (like my 1G i-pod touch) - but if its a Festool it can be valuable work.  I bought the AFT 55 knowing a replacement was due, but used it a whole lot before I bought the TS 55.  Given the current economic climate I can only dream about buying a new Mac!!

 

[tallgrass]

is this thread , should you get a mac laptop or how much of the mac cool aid should you drink? ; ;D.As for durability, i think that depends on how  you treat the machine, i still have a working think pad running  windows 95. i hate to say it, but i tend to think that the mac is a lifestyle choice and not a technical choice. It also tends to depends on what your demands  are,are you  hooking up  the laptop to a sensors, 3d printers?Or just flashing coffee shop bling while writing your next screen play? . i am not sure you  can get real time output from a mac as you can not get low level control of the hardware, which limits your output options, and i think that might also impact real time data collection. i think there are all solid state laptop options for less money which should provide great performance at a more reasonable price.

 

[JeromeM]

Good Afternoon,
Well, I am definitely in a wait-and-see stance on this.  In this economy, no way do I want to buy the latest and greatest, only to see an improved version come out within weeks.

As Apple has just released it new line of Macbooks and Macbook pro's it will be at least 1.5 years before they get anything but a speed bump.

I'm also thinking that Apple will have to offer some kind of sales incentives soon.  The economy is in the toilet, and Apple sales are down just like everyone else's.  What will they offer for deals on the Macbooks?  Will those deals also coincide with an improved Macbook?

Apple has not often offered deals on recent products. The only things that may be offered are bundles, like a lower priced iPod or printer. Good if you want them.

Even worse than seeing a better version of the Macbook come out after buying an earlier version would be seeing a cheaper and better Macbook come out after buying an earlier version!  That's what happened to people who took the plunge on the 1G iPod Touch and iPhone, after all.

So, wait and see...
Thanks,
Matthew

See above if you want a uniblock Macbook.
But one thing is sure there will always be a better cheaper one if you wait. ;D
As far as the other Mac models. The Mini is getting old so may be replaced sooner than later. The iMac could be speed bumped, as could the Mac pro.

 

[fidelfs]

is this thread , should you get a mac laptop or how much of the mac cool aid should you drink? ; ;D.As for durability, i think that depends on how  you treat the machine, i still have a working think pad running  windows 95. i hate to say it, but i tend to think that the mac is a lifestyle choice and not a technical choice. It also tends to depends on what your demands  are,are you  hooking up  the laptop to a sensors, 3d printers?Or just flashing coffee shop bling while writing your next screen play? . i am not sure you  can get real time output from a mac as you can not get low level control of the hardware, which limits your output options, and i think that might also impact real time data collection. i think there are all solid state laptop options for less money which should provide great performance at a more reasonable price.

Well, you are somehow correct but let me remind you about something called windows.  Many people (included me) hate windows and it is not just a matter of taste it is a crusade.    I am not a hacker but when I am in the field I see myself with more technology "know how" that many of my peers.  I know I am full of BS ;D, but is true.
I have so many friends that bought the iPhone, and they don't use it nearly at the 25% of the functionality, they use it as a phone and being cool  8), I am not like that when I have a computer in my hands I explode all the functionality, not just being cool with a new gadget.

In the other hand my work environment is in windows just as an example even my company has stopped creating new versions of Oracle database for mac.  My company provided me with a window machine that I don't use, I bought a macbook pro and made it work seamless in a windows environment.  My productivity has tenfold since I am using my macbook pro. Why?  It is to long to explain but some of my peers are now considering switching to apple because they see what I can do and how easy I can do it. Anything is possible in any computer, windows machines are not better than a mac and viceversa.  The difference is how easy is to do things that creates a difference for the user (this is the part when I agree with you that is a life choice).

Durability, I agree it depends how you treat the computer but this is not what others call durability.  windows95 and windows xp are so far the best releases by Microsoft.  The difference is what can you do with a windows 95 computer and what can you do with a windows xp.  There is a huge gap.  That is the difference between the apple computers, I know people with old apple computers working hard and they don't consider upgrading because it fulfills their needs.  I am not talking a home computer, I am saying people working with those computers.  I have not seen many windows 95 computer in the field now days, only at homes.
That is what I call durability, the same we can apply to the woodworking tools, festools vs others.  I don't like many things about festools but something I know is they will be with me for the long run, and I won't see the need to get a new one because these tools will keep working the same as the first day.  That is the difference between mac and windows in my point of view.

Sorry if made this to long but technology and woodworking are my hobbies even I work with computers, I really enjoy technology.

 

[tallgrass]

in reality i do not care what computer system somebody runs. As long as it does what you want. Hell even mac makes sure that there computers can run windows programs, o wait a minute ,macs run off of x86 Intel chips,,,they are pcs that run a mac os. ;Di just finished watching the self congratulatory video on the mac uni bloc. What a bunch of targeted bs. You would have to know nothing about current manufacturing technologies to think that is the bleeding edge. I would rather have a magnesium alloy and titanium frame lap top,O i am sorry mac does not do that, but others do. i guess i just always expect Mr Rogers to walk out and finish one of their commercials. The industrial design is great that is for sure,it is just once you get under the hood i am not too impressed. To me it is style over substance. If you want touch screens, you can not have it, if you want a very rugged feild computer they do not have it, if you want one that has an integrated paper to computer digitizer with OCR you can not have it, and that is something woodworkers would love.The list goes on and on and on, and at all price points, the mac is like McDonald's there is their way or the high way. The one thing i would like to know is why can i not buy a mac laptop and wipe out their OS and install windows? The system would work beautifully but they will not release the drives so you can do it, though you can do it with a mac partition? ??? it would be nice to buy hardware and use it the way you want but that is not the mac lifestyle way. Just like the Iphone, their way or no way. Soon you will have to wear their cloths to use their stuff and give a registered blood sample each time you power up. ;D Rant over

 

[fidelfs]

tallgrass,

I think your keyboard is not working or you have the wrong setup.  When I read mac it should say windows right?  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I can just switch those words and your posting it remains true.  Enjoy what you have that makes you happy.  Windows is good for you great,  It is satisfactory for almost 90+% of the pc users.

I agree with all you points but I don't understand something.  You said about buying a mac and installing windows, yes you can do that. It is an intel pc, as is now you can boot in windows without having mac running at the same so that means you don't need the drivers.

This is the same if you want to buy a powerful pc in any store but you want to run linux, you have to pay for windows os even you are not going to use it.  All the manufacturers have a contract with microsoft that any computer build must have a windows operating system.  Unless you build your own or buy a preinstall linux pc  then you have to pay for windows but if you install linux or unix, etc you can run that pc.  if you have an specialized hardware then you will have some issues finding the driver for linux or whatever but that is the same for anything.
I just bought a Bosch Jigsag with the dust adapter thinking I can use my festool CT22, I was surprise that the hose does not fit the dust port. Same as drivers in a computer.
Something else in the market place there are some brands that identify the product like Kleenex and it should say facial tissue, or Gillette instead of razor blade, etc the same is "PC" for a windows machine.  Dell and others make big computer for corporations that use intel chips but they run using linux, they still intel machines but definitely are not windows machines.

 

[johnrichardson]

Before I  started  buying Festools  I used to  buy Apple computers, I have three,  an imac desk top, a powerbook and the black macbook .  To cut a long story short the products that apple make are as well made and designed as festools . 

I have taken the computers apart to  upgrade them and if you think they look  slick on the outside the real  beauty is in the attention to detail on the inside.

But that is only part of the story - the software apple produces is legendary and moreover I have never had any virus attack  in ten years of using apple.

Soon I will have completed my collection of festools my fave tool is the  domino which in my  opinion is a work of art!    soon I will have to find something else  to hanker after...

I have just bought two Le creuset cooking pans and they really are pukka ...Im off to get another next week methinks you must get the new macbook its superb  and real value for  money.

 

[fidelfs]

Hey Johnrichardson,

I am buying one cocking pan Le creuset once a month.  They are great and my wife love those cocking pans. I made some research and cast iron is the healthiest way to cook.  Look  here

 

[tallgrass]

i will agree that your choice is pans is first rate, the reason i would like to install something else on the mac is that the hardware is first rate and the industrial design is top drawer, it is the OS that is the deal breaker for me. One, it feels as if i am in third grade and it is assuming i am some all black wearing overly groomed metro-sexual who just can not be bothered to learn how things work so here is your baby food , do not forget to drink your glass of smug,now go play. That commercial for the uniblock should have had rain bow bright music in the background. The price you pay for the simplicity of use for me just does not outweigh all of the utility the PC Linux world has to offer.Now as for the virus thing i can not remember that last time i had a virus, the only reason macs are spared is because there are so few of them used by the technical world. and yes the virus scum bags unfortunately are in that world. it is not a big deal to me but there is definitely a lifestyle aspect that does not need to be their to sell good hardware. but is you cruise the coffee shop world there is cool factor. ;D

 

[The Woodentop]

in reality i do not care what computer system somebody runs. As long as it does what you want. Hell even mac makes sure that there computers can run windows programs, o wait a minute ,macs run off of x86 Intel chips,,,they are pcs that run a mac os. ;Di just finished watching the self congratulatory video on the mac uni bloc. What a bunch of targeted bs. You would have to know nothing about current manufacturing technologies to think that is the bleeding edge. I would rather have a magnesium alloy and titanium frame lap top,O i am sorry mac does not do that, but others do. i guess i just always expect Mr Rogers to walk out and finish one of their commercials. The industrial design is great that is for sure,it is just once you get under the hood i am not too impressed. To me it is style over substance. If you want touch screens, you can not have it, if you want a very rugged feild computer they do not have it, if you want one that has an integrated paper to computer digitizer with OCR you can not have it, and that is something woodworkers would love.The list goes on and on and on, and at all price points, the mac is like McDonald's there is their way or the high way. The one thing i would like to know is why can i not buy a mac laptop and wipe out their OS and install windows? The system would work beautifully but they will not release the drives so you can do it, though you can do it with a mac partition? ??? it would be nice to buy hardware and use it the way you want but that is not the mac lifestyle way. Just like the Iphone, their way or no way. Soon you will have to wear their cloths to use their stuff and give a registered blood sample each time you power up. ;D Rant over

It's simple. You have to be a wanker to waste money on a Mac. But we all waste money, we're all addicted to Festool!

 

[tallgrass]

spending money on my crack,oops i mean festool habit is not a waste of money!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[The Woodentop]

Before I  started  buying Festools  I used to  buy Apple computers, I have three,  an imac desk top, a powerbook and the black macbook .  To cut a long story short the products that apple make are as well made and designed as festools . 

I have taken the computers apart to  upgrade them and if you think they look  slick on the outside the real  beauty is in the attention to detail on the inside.

But that is only part of the story - the software apple produces is legendary and moreover I have never had any virus attack  in ten years of using apple.

Soon I will have completed my collection of festools my fave tool is the  domino which in my  opinion is a work of art!    soon I will have to find something else  to hanker after...

I have just bought two Le creuset cooking pans and they really are pukka ...Im off to get another next week methinks you must get the new macbook its superb  and real value for  money.

It would be a twisted world if you could justify saying Mac produced software. It's like singing 'Yellow Submarine' and adding the words 'Yeah yeah yeah' on the end and not acknowledging anyone else's influence. There is a pattern, you like nice things, nothing wrong with that. I won't wear the 'better' badge! Now try to get the full set of Le Creuset before they sell out!

Wow! (W*****)