iPod worth having? Microsoft thinks so.

[Alpha]

I hate the ipod.. WEll hate is kinda strong. I hear about them breaking so often. I have one friend who brought it back 3 times for replacement, and another who's just randomly broke, and I hear that if you "leave it on concrete, they break". I've experienced with RIO MP3 players for the last 5 years, and every one has broken on me after a few months.

Its CDs and minidiscs for me.

[Python14]

The way I see it, trends like these are what drive innovation. I may have my issues with windows from time to time, but the honest truth is they can come up with some pretty nifty stuff. Give it a few months....they'll have one.

[Can_Opener]

Yea...a lot of companies actually choose to use PC's simply because for much less price you can maintain the same performance. No company is going to pay the like 10 trillion dollars it would cost them to use Macs to do spreadsheets/word processing. The whole adobe suite being optimized for OSX, w/e, I've run adobe software on my PC dealing with HUGE image sizes (like 6x6 foot banners and stuff) and not noticed any slowdown adding multiple vectors and effects.

All of these "performance" gains you've listed (if they are true, I doubt most of them til you can show some benchmarks), just don't match up to the overall cost it takes to buy a Mac, and also the limited upgrade path. There is no third party for Mac Hardware, it just doesn't exist, you can build a PC from about a million different available parts. And before everyone tries to have OSX's baby, just remember its just a GUI versionof Unix, of which runs just as well on PC.

And thanks for the cookie.

Super. You forgot:

Marketing. Essentially 100% of all agencies are Mac-based for creative. The Adobe suite is optimized for OSX.

Filmmaking: Mac + Final Cut Pro = independant film. LOTR used Macs both for production and, actually, they used a 4g iPod to carry the final theatrical cut.

Audio Recording: Garage Band? kthxbye. Even better programs available, and Mac based.

Game Design: Yup, even MS uses Macs for gaming software development.

Console CPU: Oops, both Xbox 2 and PS3 are using IBM sourced Power PC chipsets. (iirc)




Go ahead, you deserve it.

[Automaggin2]

I hate the ipod.. WEll hate is kinda strong. I hear about them breaking so often. I have one friend who brought it back 3 times for replacement, and another who's just randomly broke, and I hear that if you "leave it on concrete, they break". I've experienced with RIO MP3 players for the last 5 years, and every one has broken on me after a few months.

Its CDs and minidiscs for me.

Yea well most people don't understand there is a tiny harddrive in them and they can break very very easily. Apple wants to use that technology IBM uses in there notebooks now, when its falling the harddrive automatically shuts off. I see these kdis walkin around my town doing there extreme sports with there ipod......not such a good idea. A big spill will cost you

[SCpoloRicker]

You would be shocked the number of graphic design companies that are moving over to PCs from Mac's. This is not saying that one is better than the other, it's proof that they both do the tasks at hand well.

This is news to me. Seriously, I have never come across design work being done on PCs. CAD/CAM I don't really know about, but traditional print/2d stuff was exclusively Mac, I thought. Some of my colleagues (sp) on the account side of LARGE agencies (i.e. Y&R, Gray, etc.) use PCs, but they are primarily using Office and Access.

re:can_opener
Yes the initial setup costs for Macs is the main reason that most large orgs use PCs. However, it would be interesting to try and put a dollar amount on ease of use, lack of virus/firewall needs, and generally fewer snafus.

I suggest one main point in why OSX is a superior OS for 90% of traditional desktop uses: By default, Macs operate outside of sysadmin status, and any changes have to be admin authorized. PCs allow users to dig into program settings, install 3rd party software, and generally leave the system open for the user to futz with. In the situation we are describing, that is a bad thing.

Oh, ok two points: I also think that in terms of what 90% of what PCs are used for; word processor, browser, spreadsheets, etc. Macs are easier to learn to use. Now I know that PCs are much more customizable; but for this purpose I don't think thats good. You want people to use one standard process across the org.

/wow, I must really dig my new Mac. this is way too long for me in FC.

[doodeitstom]

Super. You forgot:

Marketing. Essentially 100% of all agencies are Mac-based for creative. The Adobe suite is optimized for OSX.

Filmmaking: Mac + Final Cut Pro = independant film. LOTR used Macs both for production and, actually, they used a 4g iPod to carry the final theatrical cut.

Audio Recording: Garage Band? kthxbye. Even better programs available, and Mac based.

Game Design: Yup, even MS uses Macs for gaming software development.

Console CPU: Oops, both Xbox 2 and PS3 are using IBM sourced Power PC chipsets. (iirc)




Go ahead, you deserve it.

NERD

[Hexis]

[SCpoloRicker]

NERD

To be fair, I'm more of an aspiring-nerd. Now, z-man, there's a Mac nerd for ya

[Echo419]

Does the XBox count?

I believe microsoft just highly sponsored its production and did the Firmware on it... Cuz the internals are all other name brands... Harddrive = Western Digital

[SCpoloRicker]

I believe microsoft just highly sponsored its production and did the Firmware on it... Cuz the internals are all other name brands... Harddrive = Western Digital

So Dell doesn't make PCs?

Yes, PCs are more capable than Macs because of upgrades, 3rd party competition, and many other factors. In the hands of an experienced user. Again, in the hands of an experienced user.

The vast majority of people working today are not experienced users, to put it lightly. It is far easier for these people to learn to use, and not screw up, OSX versus MS/XP/NT/Unix.

And before everyone tries to have OSX's baby, just remember its just a GUI version of Unix, of which runs just as well on PC.

Yes, and it's a fairly pretty and user-friendly one. Got RedHat Home Delux? Kinda doubt it.

/sorta-experienced user

[SAW]

http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125...tml?tw=rss.TOP

<img src="http://img111.exs.cx/img111/1289/emotdance8ax.gif" width="21" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

Thanks, that story made my day.

[BlackVCG]

I can understand using an I-Pod when you go on a trip and need to listen to some music in the plane, in the back of a cab or just relaxing. I can't believe people use them while running, weightlifting or any other physical activity. It's just a broken I-Pod waiting to happen.

In all honesty I personally could never justify an I-Pod and I doubt the majority of the current I-Pod owners can justify it, but use it anyway. Who NEEDS 4,000+ songs? Of course no one needs that much music, but since it's cool, people have to buy it. Oh well, just consumer driven America buying into the fad.

[RobAGD]

Actually I was looking to get that iPod stick thing ( 1gb ) for snow boarding and goofingaround atthe field. Damn thing has nothing but sharp edges So I passed. That and I have to convert all my tunes to the iPod format and thats 20+gbs of music and radio shows.

-R

[Pyrate Jim]

. In all honesty I personally could never justify an I-Pod and I doubt the majority of the current I-Pod owners can justify it, but use it anyway. Who NEEDS 4,000+ songs? Of course no one needs that much music, but since it's cool, people have to buy it. Oh well, just consumer driven America buying into the fad.

My wife listens to Phish. She had over 20 gigs of music files on the komputer. She has at least 200 shows on discs and trades copies for more shows. I got her the ipod with the transmitter so she can listen through the radio at her office, in the car, on trips, wherever.
Now she's as happy as I've ever seen her. She loves the thing.
(and I reap the benefits. I have more space on the harddrive for my paintball pics, and she demonstrates her thanks in ways that are quite enjoyable )

[bofh]

Actually I was looking to get that iPod stick thing ( 1gb ) for snow boarding and goofingaround atthe field. Damn thing has nothing but sharp edges So I passed. That and I have to convert all my tunes to the iPod format and thats 20+gbs of music and radio shows.

-R

I'm confused by, convert to ipod format? All they all in Ogg or WMV? The ipod plays normal mp3's even abnormal mp3's.

I'm with ya on the sharp edges however.