Dear Apple
Dear Apple,
I have a Dell desktop that is loud as hell. It is plenty fast for most of what I do, but the only resource-intensive task I currently do is ripping DVDs, converting them to h264, and streaming them wirelessly to an XBox running XBMC. I have a functional knowledge of how to do this with Windows and although it's pissing me off currently (only works half the time), I hate the very long encoding time.
With the introduction of Conroe I am almost convinced that this is a sufficient leap in processor speed to justify ditching a P4 3ghz system for an upgrade.
So if you can provide a reasonably quiet and affordable Conroe/Woodcrest machine capable of performing my tasks at a significantly faster rate than I am currently used to I will buy a new computer from you.
love & kisses
- groverat
I have a Dell desktop that is loud as hell. It is plenty fast for most of what I do, but the only resource-intensive task I currently do is ripping DVDs, converting them to h264, and streaming them wirelessly to an XBox running XBMC. I have a functional knowledge of how to do this with Windows and although it's pissing me off currently (only works half the time), I hate the very long encoding time.
With the introduction of Conroe I am almost convinced that this is a sufficient leap in processor speed to justify ditching a P4 3ghz system for an upgrade.
So if you can provide a reasonably quiet and affordable Conroe/Woodcrest machine capable of performing my tasks at a significantly faster rate than I am currently used to I will buy a new computer from you.
love & kisses
- groverat
Comments
it is with deep pleasure that I can tell you that what you're asking for already exists. It's called an iMac, it's faster than your 3 GHz Pentium 4, and there's Mac apps available for XBMC connectivity. Alternatively, you can run Windows side-by-side using Parallels or natively using Boot Camp.
Cheers,
chucker
"Conroe/Woodcrest"
What does the name of the CPU matter as long as it's faster?
"Conroe/Woodcrest"
Merom/Conroe/Woodcrest are exactly the same cores in different packages. So you can get an iMac with Merom and basically have a Conroe or a Woodcrest.
Mactheripper (basically the only [free] way to rip encrypted DVDs on a mac) works great but just decrypts the video_ts and saves it... after that you're on your own.
If it's too big for a single layer DVD-R, you have to BUY software to make it smaller. DVD2One is what I use.
Yeah, OK, it works every time, but it's still a pain in the ass.
The [freeware] software I've seen for windows machines is far superior.
What does the name of the CPU matter as long as it's faster?
Seriously? So if I were to have a 400mhz P3 machine there is no reason for me to want a 3ghz Conroe instead of a 500mhz P3 since they are both faster?
And obviously there are no other considerations, like the iMac is a closed box with a monitor attached to it.
Merom/Conroe/Woodcrest are exactly the same cores in different packages.
You might want to re-think using that last word in your username.
Our most strenuous encoding test, the Quicktime H.264 encode, is 21.7% faster with a Core 2 Duo installed than with a Core Duo running in our test notebook.
Seriously? So if I were to have a 400mhz P3 machine there is no reason for me to want a 3ghz Conroe instead of a 500mhz P3 since they are both faster?
The 3 GHz Conroe would be a huge step; the 500 MHz P3 would not.
A Yonah would be a big step, as would a Conroe. So, an iMac would already be quite a step up for you. Surely, the Conroe iMac or Woodcrest Mac Pro would be a bigger one, but also more expensive ones (since, at that point, a Yonah iMac will be cheaper).
You might want to re-think using that last word in your username.
Our most strenuous encoding test, the Quicktime H.264 encode, is 21.7% faster with a Core 2 Duo installed than with a Core Duo running in our test notebook.
Why? Yonah is Core Duo, not Core 2 Duo. Merom=Core 2.
Where do I get a Merom iMac?
Somewhere down the road of wet dreams.
I should just get a 3.1ghz P4 from Dell and stop whining!
Where do I get a Merom iMac?
I'm sure it'll be really soon, as high-end Yonahs won't be made anymore.
I'm sure it'll be really soon, as high-end Yonahs won't be made anymore.
Unless the iMac goes Conroe which is possible.
Ripping on a mac is a pain in the ass.
Mactheripper (basically the only [free] way to rip encrypted DVDs on a mac) works great but just decrypts the video_ts and saves it... after that you're on your own.
If it's too big for a single layer DVD-R, you have to BUY software to make it smaller. DVD2One is what I use.
Yeah, OK, it works every time, but it's still a pain in the ass.
The [freeware] software I've seen for windows machines is far superior.
Do you want to encode DVDs into movie files, for free, fast and with a lot of options and easily?
Have you tried Handbrake?!?!
This encodes DVDs at 60-70fps on a low end iMac, for an average of 40 minutes per feature length DVD.
Ripping on a mac is a pain in the ass.
Mactheripper (basically the only [free] way to rip encrypted DVDs on a mac) works great but just decrypts the video_ts and saves it... after that you're on your own.
If it's too big for a single layer DVD-R, you have to BUY software to make it smaller. DVD2One is what I use.
Yeah, OK, it works every time, but it's still a pain in the ass.
The [freeware] software I've seen for windows machines is far superior.
You might want to try a program called Handbreake. It's free.
Unless the iMac goes Conroe which is possible.
Merom is just a different packaged Conroe. Merom is also pin compatible whereas Conroe requires a new motherboard.
Merom is just a different packaged Conroe. Merom is also pin compatible whereas Conroe requires a new motherboard.
Right, but if Apple is already purchasing Conroe mobo's for a Mac Pro, why not put it in the iMac and try and get some economy of scale going?
Apple can't use Conroe in the Mac Pro because it's not MP-capable.
That'd only matter if they were doing an all-quad MP lineup. They'll have P965 or 975x motherboards for Conroe. I still think they'll do an all Woodcrest lineup, but Merom on the iMac. Conroe's TDP is a bit on the high end and would require a case redesign.