Not too long ago, I sold my iBook, right after the new MacBook was announced. I planned to buy that same MacBook somewhere this summer; however, I started to doubt. I had second thoughts. Let me explain why I decided to not buy a new Mac, but instead opt for a used G4 PowerMac. Note: After being absent for a week, here is another Sunday Eve Column.
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Member since:2005-07-06
What I meant to say: OSX is not unique anymore in the experience it offers; neither is iLife.
That does not mean I do not want access to it anymore, of course.
I don't mean to be contrary, Thom, but the column really meanders about.
You posit the following points, which I do not wish to argue (though I disagree with some):
1. Apple's software is not appealing.
1a. SUSE Linux "has left ... little or nothing to wish for" compared to OS X. In fact, SUSE has the added benefit of being OSS.
1b. The competition has caught up to/surpassed iLife.
2. Apple's current hardware and support is shoddy
2a. The MacBook Pro and PowerMac G5 suffer from a host of issues.
2b. Apple's customer service is poor.
3. The author (Thom) is poor.
4. Apple's hardware design is aesthetically superior.
Points 2 (quality) and 3 (price) provide some reasoning as to why any Apple hardware you buy would not be new. Point 4 clarifies why you would want a Mac instead of a PC. As far as I can see, however, point 1 is irrelevant to your argument as even old versions of OS X and iLife "[are] not unique anymore in the experience [they] offer."
Again: how does your dissatisfaction with Apple's software translate into the desire to purchase an older Mac? If there is no link between the two that item does not belong in the column.
Member since:2005-06-29
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Member since:2006-02-19
Linux is great for the techies or the people that love to be power users or tinkerers. But sorry it is no where near as easy to configure, use and install as OSX. I cannot even imagine putting my Wife's Mac on Linux. Sorry but from the aspect that it all works together with little user tinkering, OSX is still far superior and unique.
As for iLife not being a unique experience over Linux or Windows counterparts. Name one suite on Windows that can come close to the integration, ease of use and the pro quality results you get with iLife. You can't because it does not exist. I have used just about every type of DVD burning, Movie authoring and photo apps out there for PC and they all have major shortcomings or are just plain unintuitive. Sorry again, my wife can manage with iLife but having to teach her another app on the PC that PC users claim to be similar was a disaster...
I just bought a new MacBook, and while I do have a few issues with the emulation speed of PowerPC apps, it's no different then in 94 when they switched from 68k to PowerPC. Those days passed fairly quickly and so will the intel transition.
What other computer brand can you sell a 3 year old computer for $1500 like I just did with my PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8. I was able to buy this MacBook and still pocket a couple hundred bucks. Try doing that with a 3 year old Dell. And that was for the Mac, and a CRT display.
NeoX
Member since:
2005-06-29
What I meant to say: OSX is not unique anymore in the experience it offers; neither is iLife.
That does not mean I do not want access to it anymore, of course.