One MD disk holds about 150MB. I'm not sure of the bit rate but comparing file sizes with MP3 I estimate that 256kbit MP3 would be comparable to ATRAC encoding.
MD is better than a cassette tape but not nearly as nice as an iPod. The iPod holds a huge amount more data, it is much faster changing tracks or fast forwarding, it is easier to navigate and it is more versatile.
With MPEG 4 appearing to be an improvement on MP3 and with likely future improvements in iPod (and other players) I think that MD will start to fade away. Here in Japan MD has been very popular (cassettes are already history) but now they are looking at other music players such as MP3 players. Even cell phones and digital cameras are being configured as MP3 players.
[quote]Most PC companies are waiting for Apple to innovate and then trying to be the first to copy it and bring it to the windows users....The reverberation of the colored iMacs is still flowing throughout industries (eg George Foreman Grills).<hr></blockquote>
Maybe the PC companies could bring the "iGrill" to Windows users. They could copy the G4 tower case, and use the heat from the PIV chip to cook the food. Eat while you surf.
I too, was an MD freak until the iPod. I always had a lot of music in my mp3 collection, and wanted to put it onto md. Until the iPod. I don't need to say anything more. MD given to uncle. i still have an MD radio/cd player, and hifi separate, but i am no longer investing money into md's. yesterdays tech.
I am really not bothered about sony intergrating stuff like this into their boxen.
NetMD is an interim solution, IMHO. It will remain niche.
Having said that the vaio vaio is very nice looking on first impressions. But does it ooooze Ive? <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> . It looks nice, but is there function behind the form? Couldn't say til i use one.
Interesting how they don't have a built in floppy drive - a lot like an iMac. But the philosophy behind that move is totally different. Sony is one of the greediest PC makers out there. I read a review of one of their 3 lb micro-laptops that mentioned how Sony claims that a built in "power port" makes up for the lack of power to the built in 4-pin Firewire port. But the only device that uses the power port is a $500 Sony DVD-ROM drive.
So the entire reason for removing the floppy drive is to offer one separately at an inflated price. Like how Apple puts abysmal amounts of RAM in their computers and then charges $150+ installation fees if you buy RAM from them as an option. Or how car dealerships try to sell you useless rust-proofing treatment.
It would be more appropriate to ask if Apple could outdo the Toshiba Dynabook SS. I saw the poster for this on the train this morning. Pretty impressive.
12.1 inch display like the iBook
14.9 to 19mm thick - much less than the iBook
1.19kg - about half the weight of the iBook
256MB - 512MB memory, 20GB HD, USB x 2, airport, modem, Ethernet, headphone - all similar to iBook
sound-in port
external video to 1600x1200 exceeds iBook
750MHz P-3 mobile - slower than 700MHz G3
2.5 hours battery life - much less than iBook
8.8 hours (I can't read Japanese well enough to understand if this is using an external battery or a special battery)
PC card slot x 1 - iBook has none
no FW - iBook has it
iRDA (infrared) port - iBook has none
No optical drive - iBook has various optical drive options.
Overall, I think the iBook is a better performer than this one but the Dynabook surpasses the iBook for weight and thickness.
I haven't checked the price yet but I'd guess the iBook is cheaper. Recently I did a quick study of the available subnotebooks and found that while there is quite a variety of subnotes available here most of them are pricier than the iBook.
By the way, it looks like this is using the same 1.8inch form factor HD as the iPod.
Comments
MD is better than a cassette tape but not nearly as nice as an iPod. The iPod holds a huge amount more data, it is much faster changing tracks or fast forwarding, it is easier to navigate and it is more versatile.
With MPEG 4 appearing to be an improvement on MP3 and with likely future improvements in iPod (and other players) I think that MD will start to fade away. Here in Japan MD has been very popular (cassettes are already history) but now they are looking at other music players such as MP3 players. Even cell phones and digital cameras are being configured as MP3 players.
[quote]Most PC companies are waiting for Apple to innovate and then trying to be the first to copy it and bring it to the windows users....The reverberation of the colored iMacs is still flowing throughout industries (eg George Foreman Grills).<hr></blockquote>
Maybe the PC companies could bring the "iGrill" to Windows users. They could copy the G4 tower case, and use the heat from the PIV chip to cook the food. Eat while you surf.
I am really not bothered about sony intergrating stuff like this into their boxen.
NetMD is an interim solution, IMHO. It will remain niche.
Having said that the vaio vaio is very nice looking on first impressions. But does it ooooze Ive? <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> . It looks nice, but is there function behind the form? Couldn't say til i use one.
low-?i
<strong>Does an MD not hold around 400something meg? Just the data ones only held small amounts.</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, the audio is "clipped" to fit it onto 150MB. The first generation clipping was crap. ATRAC 4.5 is excellent. I cannot tell the difference.
low-?i
Hey speechgod, is that 'progressive' as in 'progressive tech/house"?
Mmmm... progressive techno... drool...
Check out Protonradio.com
So the entire reason for removing the floppy drive is to offer one separately at an inflated price. Like how Apple puts abysmal amounts of RAM in their computers and then charges $150+ installation fees if you buy RAM from them as an option. Or how car dealerships try to sell you useless rust-proofing treatment.
12.1 inch display like the iBook
14.9 to 19mm thick - much less than the iBook
1.19kg - about half the weight of the iBook
256MB - 512MB memory, 20GB HD, USB x 2, airport, modem, Ethernet, headphone - all similar to iBook
sound-in port
external video to 1600x1200 exceeds iBook
750MHz P-3 mobile - slower than 700MHz G3
2.5 hours battery life - much less than iBook
8.8 hours (I can't read Japanese well enough to understand if this is using an external battery or a special battery)
PC card slot x 1 - iBook has none
no FW - iBook has it
iRDA (infrared) port - iBook has none
No optical drive - iBook has various optical drive options.
Overall, I think the iBook is a better performer than this one but the Dynabook surpasses the iBook for weight and thickness.
I haven't checked the price yet but I'd guess the iBook is cheaper. Recently I did a quick study of the available subnotebooks and found that while there is quite a variety of subnotes available here most of them are pricier than the iBook.
By the way, it looks like this is using the same 1.8inch form factor HD as the iPod.