Quote:
Originally posted by TenoBell
You say the G5 towers are outdated? Look at the PC world how many people really have the latest computers?
Most of the people I know with PC's are running 4-5 year old machines that don't have any USB ports. What they do have are color coded plugs meant to be idiot proof in plugging the keyboard and mouse into the right port.
What in the hell do I care whether some guy is running a 5 year-old Dell or not. The point is, if you go to buy a NEW PC, its not likely to be the same exact PC your neighbor bought two years ago. PCs, motherboards, chipsets, etc, get updated a whole lot more than the snails pace of Apple's hardware.
And what's this snide comment about color-coded plugs? You prefer that all plugs are all the same, forcing users to guess which port to plug a mouse vs. a keyboard in? Yeah, that makes loads of sense. Lets increase support costs rather than make things SIMPLE. Hell, everyone says "Macs are so simple", and PCs try to make it simpler, now its no longer about being simple, its "PC users are idiots, they need color coordination!"
I'd also like to point out that Apple used to (and probably still does) mark all their components with symbols so you'd know that this cable is a printer cable and needs to plug into that printer port, not the serial port, and not the ADB port (which is for the keyboard, you know). Were you complaining when they did that?
Quote:
Originally posted by TenoBell
If this is true then why is Intel embracing Apple as a way to push its newest technologies. Why hasn't Dell adopted it already?
It's true that just because some new technology comes out as the new hot thing Apple does not just slap it into its box. But Apple has been first on many important technologies that other OEM's were slow to adopt. USB and Firewire being two of the most significant.
First, Intel's not embracing Apple to push its newest tech. I've not seen one thing from Intel talking about how this is now going to make USB3 or their new chipsets reach market any quicker. Second, Dell adopts Intel's stuff quite quickly. In fact, they're usually right there when intel's announcing a new motherboard or chip, having product available to order right away.
I bought a Dell at Christmastime, a cheapo sub $700 4600, and guess what, it came with a PCI-Express slot. Plus several PCI slots. Wow! Can't get PCI except on a $2000 mac. Can't get PCI express at all.
USB was first mainly adopted by Apple, true. Firewire doesn't count, since they invented it, it took them YEARS to finally add it to their motherboards, and it still hasn't reached a saturation state where that many people get it with their computers (most computers might offer it as an add-on, only some have it standard). USB2 has taken over from firewire, whether you like it or not.
But besides those? Apple likes playing with their own stuff (ADC) rather than go standard, or they'll go standard along with anyone else. But when was the last time they offered up some truly new useful feature? Hell, macs don't have decent audio out capabilities (stereo only, with the possible exception of the digital ports on the towers). Their video is average (to be kind) and only updatable on the high-end machine (Apple can't figure out, apparently, how to make a video card upgradable on any machine except the overly large tower).
And what's so hard about getting PCI-Express into a Mac? But then, since Apple has no market to speak of, it'd probably cost them a bundle to develop it, then have to write or help write the drivers for it, since the board makers don't want to waste their time doing that. And then the cards will cost $200 more for the mac then the same card for windows. So, yeah, you probably got a point. Too bad none of this gets helped by going to Intel, except if Intel makes the mobo, they'll have the slot (but not the drivers or the cards).
And forget that. What's so hard, if you're going to have a computer that's like 2 feet high and 18" long, that you can't find any room to plug in any external devices except two hard drives and a single optical drive? You ever look inside one of those towers? Everything is designed on looks and keeping them cool, not about expandibility or usability. Who'd want a second optical drive? Or want more than two internal hard drives? Apparently you're an idiot if you think you do. What's a little desk clutter with all those external components when that tower looks so nice and neat (sitting under the desk, where no one can see it)?