Blu ray physical media is a dying technology. It was intrduced too late. The future (and ever-growing in the present) will be AppleTV-like devices that access online HD content. Wetstern Digital and Popcorn Hour already provide some of these solutions, though not every one includes wireless.
Blu ray players and Blu ray physical, movable media will soon be obsolete. It will go the way of physical sofware media. We get everything online now, donwnloaded. Just look at the App Store. That's the future, and it's already happening.
after watching hulu for free and screening itunes rented movies on my mac mini >connected to my hd set . . i do agree apple tv is not as good as a mac-mini set up . sadly blu ray has a lot of other great media soursces competing with it .
yet if bu ray comes down to $99 and lower price discs i would love to watch some great blockbuster movie's on my 1080p sharp i don't see why not . go with blu ray .
blu will be around for a long while ...
I made a big mistake not buying a Mini instead of ATV. I hate that I can't delete files directly on ATV like you can on a mini. And I have to keep all my movies file on my Mac permanently because if I delete them - the ATV mimics them and they disappear there as well. What a frustrating device. It really is only good if your ionto renting movies only. Even Hulu today got free ABC TV.
Hardware aside, how much do you think she's going to have to fork out for some software to compare with iMovie?
If you are serious about editing, and as a film student I think you would be, then you'd use editing software like Apple's Final Cut Studio or Adobe's Premiere Pro. iMovie is a fine piece of software and great for amateur, home movies, and making youtube videos, but anyone making a "film" would want to use more high powered editing software.
Final Cut, which has become somewhat the de Facto video editing software after Adobe let Premiere languish, only runs on a Mac. Funny they don't seem to mention that. Like photographers, a majority of videographers use a Mac. Why? Because they just want a computer that works and supports the tools they use, and not have to monkey around with the OS.
Remember, Macs and PCs use the exact same internals! Is your Apple really worth 700 dollars more? To me it isn't. $700 for a label and a sexy case. Keep in mind, I won't buy an HP either. If I were to buy a real laptop: Lenovo. Those are some durable machines!
I'm really sick of every other post here turning into Mac vs. PC price comparisons.
Is a Mac — not "Apple"*— worth 700 dollars more? To me, that's irrelevant, because a Windows machine would cost me more than $900 more from having to repurchase all the software I already own.
Different people have different needs. I don't need or want a ton of games. I want my control, command, and option keys where they're at. I want the familiar, incrementally updated interface that I've been using for nearly 20 years now.
And the fact that the hardware is more expensive — and it is — doesn't bother me a bit, because (1) I make enough money from my Mac to not care, and (2) it's a tax deduction anyway.
None of this means that Macs are "better" than PCs. I don't care if they are or aren't. I just like my Mac.
The funniest part of the Blu-ray argument is those that think they can see Blu-Ray quality on a low res screen. Still I wish Apple would offer the option.
In my opinion, Blu-Ray is a gateway for HD on TV not computers. Watching Blu-Ray on a 15 inch laptop or desktop screen is an overkill. The quality might be better, but does the improvement in quality justify the price?! Do people want to spend extra $400 for BRD on their laptop or desktop and keep messing with wires every time they need to watch movies on their TV. Or do they want to buy a $300 BR player and watch movies on the HD TVs instantly? I would choose the $300 BR player.
She didn't buy a MacBook Pro because it only had 2Gb of RAM?
Why wouldn't you buy your own RAM from OWC or something? It'd still be cheaper than movie editing software comparable to iMovie (i.e. Premiere Elements or similar).
RAM is easy as pie to upgrade, even for someone not too familiar with computers...
This is one area they should not have gone too, no way does the software or feautres match the Mac Pro, sadly the average dumb user whom this is ad is aimed at wont know the difference.
Exactly. Now you get it. Do you think MS is going to say that they have no match for Apple?
I'm really sick of every other post here turning into Mac vs. PC price comparisons.
Is a Mac ? not "Apple"*? worth 700 dollars more? To me, that's irrelevant, because a Windows machine would cost me more than $900 more from having to repurchase all the software I already own.
Different people have different needs. I don't need or want a ton of games. I want my control, command, and option keys where they're at. I want the familiar, incrementally updated interface that I've been using for nearly 20 years now.
And the fact that the hardware is more expensive ? and it is ? doesn't bother me a bit, because (1) I make enough money from my Mac to not care, and (2) it's a tax deduction anyway.
None of this means that Macs are "better" than PCs. I don't care if they are or aren't. I just like my Mac.
$700? I would pay $1400 more. I use an Apple because I like it and it works, much like the previous poster here. In fact, I am not sure you could put a price on what it would take for me to use a Windoze machine. If I won one, I would throw it in the garbage where it belongs.
This reminds me of how much coke and pepsi spend on advertising. Billions each year are put into sponsoring games, sticking ads on urinals, anything you can think of, and when you're at a restaurant and you ask for a coke and they say all they have is pepsi, what's the typical response? "Oh that's cool, they're both the same"
My response is always, " Uuuugh... no way, i'll have an ice tea then."
$700? I would pay $1400 more. I use an Apple because I like it and it works, much like the previous poster here. In fact, I am not sure you could put a price on what it would take for me to use a Windoze machine. If I won one, I would throw it in the garbage where it belongs.
Exactly. I like Apple because it works most of the time. My ATV and the stupid upgrades have it a bit screwed but it is still better than anything currently on the market. Apple just works and those arguments about Apple being for dumb people is a wasted argument. Who wants to spend their time screwing around with their computer when being productive is what it is all about. I am in a chat right now with a friend trying to fix a BSOD problem on one of his Windoze machines but he loves to talk about how underpowered, and simple Macs are. So sad. He must be a Rethuglican, I mean Repugnican. Easy brainwashing material.
What "premium" are you willing to pay then? 50 bucks? 100?
One thing I've learned after ten years of being a Mac Fanboy and spending the 10 previous that as a windows tech support specialist is that a lot of people are just cheap.
I always drove Dodge trucks, and Ford Cars. Then I got a Benz. I paid a premium for it, and it was used, but you know what? It smokes everything else I've ever driven. There simply is no comparison to brilliant, precision engineering. I WANT that in my life. I want the reliability, I want the peace of mind, I want the unparalleled aesthetic.
You do too, so stop complaining, because you're clearly willing to pay whatever premium you paid for your mac, and the only thing you have to gripe about is a few dollars more you spent on it?
And how many viruses have you had? How many times has your mac BSOD'd?
Its all perspective. You don't think about the stress you've missed until its right up in your face asking "Cancel or Allow?"
I wish it was that simple.
The car comparison has been debated on many forums, by many people and I find it irrelevant. A Merc is different in so many ways from cars like Ford & Dodge. Completely different hardware.
Different engine, different gear, different interior,different software, etc.
A Mac on the other hand has similar hardware as every other high quality PC. Same CPU, same GPU, Same MB, same RAM. So we are left with 2 things really: the exterior & the OS + iLife.
As I said I am willing to pay a premium for that (especially for the OS), but there is a limit. How much do I see as an acceptable premium? I say 10% is fair.
I just can't understand why a Mac Pro with a Quad processor should cost 2,499$! You can buy a PC with identical hardware for HALF the price! Xeons these days offer only two benefits: Multiple CPUs on the same MB and ECC RAM... Other than that it is the same freakin CPU as an iCore7. If the Xeon is so expensive, offer an iCore7 Mac Pro.
So again, I am asking what justifies a X2 price?.... \
Second thing is this: not all Mac users can afford themselves the price. As you are well aware of, not all people have the same capabilities when it comes to income.
Regarding security issues on the PC. Well, it is something a user needs to be aware of. The Mac is in a much better place in this regard. My PC is behind a router, with Norton Internet security 2009 and is fully patched. I have very little problems security wise. Just take into account that most of the Mac security comes from the relative small % it has in the market - not from OS X's uber security capabilities. So there is no special effort on the side of Apple worth paying for. It is a side effect, nothing more.
As of BSODs: My Mac gave me a Kernel Panic one time. Windows got stuck several times (not more than 8 times or so) - both are the same age (about 4). Again the Mac is somewhat better, but hey, 8 or so BSODs in 4 years is not something you can't live with.
In summary, Mac is better than PC. OS X is better than windows. Premium price is acceptable - but there is a limit, and Apple's pricing at this stage is waaaaay above it.
Comments
Makes no difference, really.
Blu ray physical media is a dying technology. It was intrduced too late. The future (and ever-growing in the present) will be AppleTV-like devices that access online HD content. Wetstern Digital and Popcorn Hour already provide some of these solutions, though not every one includes wireless.
Blu ray players and Blu ray physical, movable media will soon be obsolete. It will go the way of physical sofware media. We get everything online now, donwnloaded. Just look at the App Store. That's the future, and it's already happening.
Blue ray = bag of hurt.
after watching hulu for free and screening itunes rented movies on my mac mini >connected to my hd set . . i do agree apple tv is not as good as a mac-mini set up . sadly blu ray has a lot of other great media soursces competing with it .
yet if bu ray comes down to $99 and lower price discs i would love to watch some great blockbuster movie's on my 1080p sharp i don't see why not . go with blu ray .
blu will be around for a long while ...
I made a big mistake not buying a Mini instead of ATV. I hate that I can't delete files directly on ATV like you can on a mini. And I have to keep all my movies file on my Mac permanently because if I delete them - the ATV mimics them and they disappear there as well. What a frustrating device. It really is only good if your ionto renting movies only. Even Hulu today got free ABC TV.
Hardware aside, how much do you think she's going to have to fork out for some software to compare with iMovie?
If you are serious about editing, and as a film student I think you would be, then you'd use editing software like Apple's Final Cut Studio or Adobe's Premiere Pro. iMovie is a fine piece of software and great for amateur, home movies, and making youtube videos, but anyone making a "film" would want to use more high powered editing software.
Final Cut, which has become somewhat the de Facto video editing software after Adobe let Premiere languish, only runs on a Mac. Funny they don't seem to mention that. Like photographers, a majority of videographers use a Mac. Why? Because they just want a computer that works and supports the tools they use, and not have to monkey around with the OS.
Blue ray = bag of hurt.
That's right up there with "Apple TV= hobby".
SJ- The PT Barnum of Silcon Valley.
Remember, Macs and PCs use the exact same internals! Is your Apple really worth 700 dollars more? To me it isn't. $700 for a label and a sexy case. Keep in mind, I won't buy an HP either. If I were to buy a real laptop: Lenovo. Those are some durable machines!
I'm really sick of every other post here turning into Mac vs. PC price comparisons.
Is a Mac — not "Apple"*— worth 700 dollars more? To me, that's irrelevant, because a Windows machine would cost me more than $900 more from having to repurchase all the software I already own.
Different people have different needs. I don't need or want a ton of games. I want my control, command, and option keys where they're at. I want the familiar, incrementally updated interface that I've been using for nearly 20 years now.
And the fact that the hardware is more expensive — and it is — doesn't bother me a bit, because (1) I make enough money from my Mac to not care, and (2) it's a tax deduction anyway.
None of this means that Macs are "better" than PCs. I don't care if they are or aren't. I just like my Mac.
The funniest part of the Blu-ray argument is those that think they can see Blu-Ray quality on a low res screen. Still I wish Apple would offer the option.
In my opinion, Blu-Ray is a gateway for HD on TV not computers. Watching Blu-Ray on a 15 inch laptop or desktop screen is an overkill. The quality might be better, but does the improvement in quality justify the price?! Do people want to spend extra $400 for BRD on their laptop or desktop and keep messing with wires every time they need to watch movies on their TV. Or do they want to buy a $300 BR player and watch movies on the HD TVs instantly? I would choose the $300 BR player.
She didn't buy a MacBook Pro because it only had 2Gb of RAM?
Why wouldn't you buy your own RAM from OWC or something? It'd still be cheaper than movie editing software comparable to iMovie (i.e. Premiere Elements or similar).
RAM is easy as pie to upgrade, even for someone not too familiar with computers...
True, dat!!!
This is one area they should not have gone too, no way does the software or feautres match the Mac Pro, sadly the average dumb user whom this is ad is aimed at wont know the difference.
Exactly. Now you get it. Do you think MS is going to say that they have no match for Apple?
I'm really sick of every other post here turning into Mac vs. PC price comparisons.
Is a Mac ? not "Apple"*? worth 700 dollars more? To me, that's irrelevant, because a Windows machine would cost me more than $900 more from having to repurchase all the software I already own.
Different people have different needs. I don't need or want a ton of games. I want my control, command, and option keys where they're at. I want the familiar, incrementally updated interface that I've been using for nearly 20 years now.
And the fact that the hardware is more expensive ? and it is ? doesn't bother me a bit, because (1) I make enough money from my Mac to not care, and (2) it's a tax deduction anyway.
None of this means that Macs are "better" than PCs. I don't care if they are or aren't. I just like my Mac.
$700? I would pay $1400 more. I use an Apple because I like it and it works, much like the previous poster here. In fact, I am not sure you could put a price on what it would take for me to use a Windoze machine. If I won one, I would throw it in the garbage where it belongs.
Blue ray = bag of hurt.
You get Mac blu-ray for cheap here: http://www.mcetech.com/blu-ray/
based on this, these people would all buy a Tata Nano cuz it's cheaper than a VW Golf.
Blue ray = bag of hurt.
I wish Apple would be the first to offer their OS for download rather than going to a shop. I can be lazy sometimes.
I was subtracting it from the price to dumb it down to windows, not adding.
Why? You "smartened" up the Windows PC by adding that stuff.
"Add: $110 for Sony Vegas/ACID for iLife like compatibility. Use Picassa and other free tools to replace iPhoto, iWeb.
The idea is to make them as equal as possible.
Just like Vista was supposed to give Apple a run for it's money?
wow..you mean Apple has the 90% market share now??
This reminds me of how much coke and pepsi spend on advertising. Billions each year are put into sponsoring games, sticking ads on urinals, anything you can think of, and when you're at a restaurant and you ask for a coke and they say all they have is pepsi, what's the typical response? "Oh that's cool, they're both the same"
My response is always, " Uuuugh... no way, i'll have an ice tea then."
based on this, these people would all buy a Tata Nano cuz it's cheaper than a VW Golf.
Mate, I'll take 3 Tata nanos for the 1 VW Golf. One for me, one for the misses and another for the mistress.
$700? I would pay $1400 more. I use an Apple because I like it and it works, much like the previous poster here. In fact, I am not sure you could put a price on what it would take for me to use a Windoze machine. If I won one, I would throw it in the garbage where it belongs.
Exactly. I like Apple because it works most of the time. My ATV and the stupid upgrades have it a bit screwed but it is still better than anything currently on the market. Apple just works and those arguments about Apple being for dumb people is a wasted argument. Who wants to spend their time screwing around with their computer when being productive is what it is all about. I am in a chat right now with a friend trying to fix a BSOD problem on one of his Windoze machines but he loves to talk about how underpowered, and simple Macs are. So sad. He must be a Rethuglican, I mean Repugnican. Easy brainwashing material.
That's right up there with "Apple TV= hobby".
SJ- The PT Barnum of Silcon Valley.
What "premium" are you willing to pay then? 50 bucks? 100?
One thing I've learned after ten years of being a Mac Fanboy and spending the 10 previous that as a windows tech support specialist is that a lot of people are just cheap.
I always drove Dodge trucks, and Ford Cars. Then I got a Benz. I paid a premium for it, and it was used, but you know what? It smokes everything else I've ever driven. There simply is no comparison to brilliant, precision engineering. I WANT that in my life. I want the reliability, I want the peace of mind, I want the unparalleled aesthetic.
You do too, so stop complaining, because you're clearly willing to pay whatever premium you paid for your mac, and the only thing you have to gripe about is a few dollars more you spent on it?
And how many viruses have you had? How many times has your mac BSOD'd?
Its all perspective. You don't think about the stress you've missed until its right up in your face asking "Cancel or Allow?"
I wish it was that simple.
The car comparison has been debated on many forums, by many people and I find it irrelevant. A Merc is different in so many ways from cars like Ford & Dodge. Completely different hardware.
Different engine, different gear, different interior,different software, etc.
A Mac on the other hand has similar hardware as every other high quality PC. Same CPU, same GPU, Same MB, same RAM. So we are left with 2 things really: the exterior & the OS + iLife.
As I said I am willing to pay a premium for that (especially for the OS), but there is a limit. How much do I see as an acceptable premium? I say 10% is fair.
I just can't understand why a Mac Pro with a Quad processor should cost 2,499$! You can buy a PC with identical hardware for HALF the price! Xeons these days offer only two benefits: Multiple CPUs on the same MB and ECC RAM... Other than that it is the same freakin CPU as an iCore7. If the Xeon is so expensive, offer an iCore7 Mac Pro.
So again, I am asking what justifies a X2 price?....
Second thing is this: not all Mac users can afford themselves the price. As you are well aware of, not all people have the same capabilities when it comes to income.
Regarding security issues on the PC. Well, it is something a user needs to be aware of. The Mac is in a much better place in this regard. My PC is behind a router, with Norton Internet security 2009 and is fully patched. I have very little problems security wise. Just take into account that most of the Mac security comes from the relative small % it has in the market - not from OS X's uber security capabilities. So there is no special effort on the side of Apple worth paying for. It is a side effect, nothing more.
As of BSODs: My Mac gave me a Kernel Panic one time. Windows got stuck several times (not more than 8 times or so) - both are the same age (about 4). Again the Mac is somewhat better, but hey, 8 or so BSODs in 4 years is not something you can't live with.
In summary, Mac is better than PC. OS X is better than windows. Premium price is acceptable - but there is a limit, and Apple's pricing at this stage is waaaaay above it.