Bill Gates Plots a Windows Future... - Page 2

chornbe · #9 February 22nd, 2005, 09:06 AM

Eh, you have to give the guy credit for always putting forth a good marketing happy face. They still (for the moment - discuss at your own risk) dominate the desktop. That's not a commentary on quality or the religion of computers... just stating what is.

Linux is a long, long ways away from being over take over simply for the usability x-factor. Windows beats most Linux distributions hands down for novice users and late-comers to the computer world. Again, not a commentary; just a statement of fact.

Apple is the only one technologically poised to take over the desktop. The Mini is a nice in-road into the PC universe solely because of cost. They (apple) need to rethink the marketing, price point and feature set just a little to make that push more successful. You can get a system that is more *apparently* capable, or more *apparently* equipped for less money from vendors such as Dell and eMachines. Do I think they're "better"? no, but the average new-user shopper, second-system shopper or low-budget shopper has little choice but to listen to the biased circuit-city flunkies. And they (Circuit City, Best Buy, etc) get some decent enough kickbacks to make the mild bias worth while. Apple is like your average import auto - an ok price point but no wiggle room, where as the PC world has price points all over the map and way, way more flexibility in inclusions, exclusions, special deals, etc. Again, just stating the way it is and not giving a commentary.

Media Center is an abortion and an abomination. </commentary> I can't think of too many home users that will spring the extra thousand bucks just to get past the near-$1300 licensing fees for it. A total and complete ridiculous move.

The idea that media center is even necessary is ludicrous.

$.02/ymmv

chornbe · #10 February 22nd, 2005, 09:12 AM

To clarify... when I said that Media Center isn't necessary, what I mean is that a separate version of Windows with media-based bells and whistles is silly. You have two computer markets.

Corporate desktops where you need a lean, network-capable OS that knows how to manage memory and process spaces.

Home systems that should be media-based powerhouses. The average new-computer purchaser and new-comer buys a system, printer, digi-cam, scanner and dvd burner, if not all at once, within a 4 month period.

In short... "once you go digital you never go back". It's the wave of technological progress. Why in the WORLD would M$ want to hamper themselves with YET MORE niche versions of Windows and exorbitant software licensing fees when simple business logic would apply - drop the price and sell more.

aicul · #11 February 23rd, 2005, 03:13 AM

Quote:

the average new-user shopper, second-system shopper or low-budget shopper has little choice but to listen to the biased circuit-city flunkies.

I see this daily. So does this mean apple should focus on how its products are presented in shops, how advice is given..?

If I compare apple-PC marketing (in Europe). PCs are sold as boxes full of technical hardware, apple sells me a dream of how to use its product in a fun way.

I prefer the dream has positive ummmph!

chornbe · #12 February 23rd, 2005, 05:06 AM

You and I, my friend, are the exceptions to the rule.

The rule is founded on the price, built upon the notion that most = best and fueled by the ignorant who buy into the hype.

There are rules. There are exceptions.

No, What I believe is that *if* Apple truly wants to inject further into the average-user desktop segment, they have to include PS/2 support on the mini - even if they have include a KVM-like piece of hardware - and they have to provide for "bring my Windows stuff onto my new shiny Mac" type functionality.

They need to bridge that chasm, else they are going only half the way. There is certainly an argument to be made for Apple not wanting those customers who aren't willing to come 1/2 way, but experience shows that unless you provide a 100% complete solution, you will *not* win market share.

Does that mean I think that Windows is the 100% solution? No, not by itself. But... most Windows apps read and write a variety of formats, most provide seamless upgrade paths and import/export tools to help, windows integrates pretty smoothly into most networks...

Windows does many things well, Apple does a few things perfectly.

Given the choice, history shows the market place wants the "many things well" solution over the "some things perfectly" choice.

$.02/ymmv

texanpenguin · #13 February 23rd, 2005, 03:22 PM

No PS/2 ports! It's quite easy to get USB adapters for that function (admittedly, I'd be impressed if the Mac mini came with a USB plug which took both ATX keyboards and PS/2 mice in the one plug (so as to leave some peripheral room).

The biggest change I think the Mac mini needs: more USB ports.

The rest is perfectly fine.

chornbe · #14 February 23rd, 2005, 07:13 PM

Agreed on the PS2->USB converter. That'd go miles to making the Mini more palatable to the Win32 crowd. Very few PCs come with USB keyboards. I'd rather them add more memory than ports. USB hubs are $8, but 256Megs of RAM is anemic and nigh onto useless if trying to draw in PC owners who routinely run 512 megs or more right out of the box.

$.02

Pengu · #15 February 23rd, 2005, 09:04 PM

Um. firstly. No PS2 ports. there has been no legacy in macs since the first G4s. we don't need it now. Offer a USB/PS2 adapter (with a single usb -> dual ps2 for keyboard and mouse) but don't make it standard. offer it for $10.

more usb ports is good. a hub is going to give you more ports, but you're just splitting the speed then.

chornbe · #16 February 23rd, 2005, 10:01 PM

I agree the adapter would be better than built-in ports. But it should be included in the box. Remember, the mini is made to draw in PC users. You *have* to make that seemless. That means "out of the box" ready to go. The last thing you want if you're trying to win folks is "ah shit, I have to head to the computer store now!!"