The Macintosh Is Dead - Page 4

Ferdinand · #25 March 1st, 2007, 12:10 AM

How much does an iMac weigh now? They used to way 17kg., so now maybe 5kg, 7kg?

icemanjc · #26 April 8th, 2007, 07:04 PM

I think you have more fun with macs that are 5 years and older, theres just something about using old systems and pushing the limits with new software, and taking them apart and rebuilding them that gives it the charm for me.

jbarwick · #27 April 9th, 2007, 01:32 AM

There is one thing we can agree on, perhaps:

Referring to the Intel/Mac as "Mac" and also referring to the PowerPC/Mac as "Mac" is a little difficult when trying to find software.

But, that will change, eh?

As far as the hardware changes: "Thank GOD!" I can now afford a "Mac" which I could not afford before, and the hardware is B-E-A-utiful.

Open my last 5 "PC's"...what a mess. Open the "Mac", and enter Eden.

I personally believe a "Mac" is a "Mac" and not a "PC"...neither hardware, nor software.

"It just works"...my PC never did (except when brand new).

loyaltubist · #28 May 3rd, 2007, 05:36 AM

I think, if you get as nitpicky as this guy, you would say that a 2007 Buick isn't an automobile because it doesn't look or work like the cars Buick made 100 years ago!

By the way, when you come to Vietnam and ask about Macintosh computers, they will correct you on the pronunciation: Here it's...

Massintoss!

symphonix · #29 May 3rd, 2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loyaltubist

I think, if you get as nitpicky as this guy, you would say that a 2007 Buick isn't an automobile because it doesn't look or work like the cars Buick made 100 years ago!

By the way, when you come to Vietnam and ask about Macintosh computers, they will correct you on the pronunciation: Here it's...

Massintoss!

Actually, I think that is a perfect example of how language changes over time. Who uses the word "automobile" now? Or the 1950s equivalent "motorcar"? Our "saloons" have become "sedans" and our "estates" have become "wagons" (in most parts of the English speaking world, anyway).

So when you hear somebody say "I travelled to the coast in my automobile" you'd be likely to get a mental image of someone in a 1920s car. The word hasn't changed in meaning, but because it hasn't been used in a long time, we tend to associate it with usage rather than definition.

So in that sense, maybe the word "Macintosh" is dying out. In 10 years time, when someone says "I have a Macintosh at home", will we be picturing the latest model off Apple's production line? I somehow doubt it.

Sparrowhawk · #30 June 1st, 2007, 11:27 PM

To a degree, and probably for different reasons, I have to agree. To an ordinary user, the Mac's great advantage was a single machine integrating monitor with computer. But the eMac is now officially dead--fortunately I got one before it was discontinued. But Tiger has no significant advantage that is obvious except for Dashboard, which I rarely use, and Spotlight, which only works with Mac programs, not second party programs like Mariner Write. Esthetically, the old Mac All-in-One idea was wonderful: now we are stuck with laptops with limited lifespans (the battery is not generic, and when they stop making the battery, you're dead in the water) or huge tower systems. Small wonder no one wants Macs anymore--Apple is increasingly, it seems to me, depending on its iPod, a triviaity. Apple needs to resurrect the eMac approach again, and take hold of its birthright again.

MisterMe · #31 June 2nd, 2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawk

... To an ordinary user, the Mac's great advantage was a single machine integrating monitor with computer. But the eMac is now officially dead--fortunately I got one before it was discontinued.

Huh? What's wrong with the iMac? Just because it has an LCD rather than CRT monitor doesn't mean that it is not a a single machine with an intergrated monitor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawk

... Spotlight, which only works with Mac programs, not second party programs like Mariner Write.

What in God's name are you rambling on about? Spotlight also works with files. But, it is MacOS X facility on a Macintosh computer. What more do you demand of Spotlight?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawk

Esthetically, the old Mac All-in-One idea was wonderful: now we are stuck with laptops with limited lifespans (the battery is not generic, and when they stop making the battery, you're dead in the water) or huge tower systems.

... and the iMac and the Mac mini. Why do you continue to deny the existence of the iMac? In fact, with its introduction of the 23" iMac, Apple seems to be pushing the iMac at the expense of the Mac Pro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawk

Small wonder no one wants Macs anymore--Apple is increasingly, it seems to me, depending on its iPod, a triviaity. Apple needs to resurrect the eMac approach again, and take hold of its birthright again.

Where on Earth of you getting your information? The Mac is increasing its marketshare at the same time that Dell is suffering massive layoffs. You need to go back to bed and get up on the right side this time.

Mikuro · #32 June 2nd, 2007, 08:48 AM

Spotlight is actually quite flexible. There are third-party Spotlight plugins to read all sorts of other file formats, like zips, NeoOffice files and many others (see http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/spotlight/ ). The folks behind Mariner Write could make Spotlight work with their file formats. Spotlight is certainly not limited to Apple's programs or file formats.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of Spotlight. I consider it a very good reason to stick with Panther (for reasons I will not go into here; search the forums if you care). But that particular problem is not Apple's fault.

As for the all-in-ones, the low-end iMac seems like a decent successor to the eMac. It's more expensive, which is unfortunate, but then the Mini also went up in price with the switch to Intel, so I guess that's just the way it is for now.