In Australia we have "Apple Centers", MacDonalds style franchises. Unfortunatly, most of them suck balls, as Apple doesn't have much control over them.
Two years ago seven Apple Centers (with a total of 40 stores) merged to become "Buzzle". Unfortunatly, they were too interested in their IPO to actually RUN a business, and they all went bust.
------------------------------
Barto
you failed to mention the other woeful apple dealers...in Oz and the fact that the exchange rate in Australia (the peso of the south pacific) makes a basic mac (eMac) a purchase over $2000 without blinking. Im still recovering from my Ti book purchase at over 6 grand. Although I think its the best mac I have ever had. As for buzzle, it wasnt their IPO that killed them but the in factional fighting ( I have several buddies that worked for Buzzle) Meanwhile check out NextByte who are upgrade most of their stores to look like the US stores... Now if we could only get some service from apple aust.
In other words, I agree with you. Maybe we will see a rerun of the cube inventory induced 1/4 billion $ loss.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Let's hope so! At 1000-1200USD (some of the last cubes went for less) a DP 1Ghz PowerMac actually makes a good deal (slow bus and all). And it's the kind of lesson Apple seems to need from time to time to cure their arrogant pricing proclivities: people won't just buy any pretty but outdated box with an Apple logo on it because Steve says so. Well, maybe John Manzione might.
All signs point to Apple's intent to take over multimedia markets. They cannot do that with their current hardware.
There MUST be an end in site to the performance gap. The only question is when...probably not MWNY, maybe MWSF, more likely MWNY03.
I think that as long as Apple is using the G4 in their pro machines, there will be a performance gap. But when they move to the G5 (whatever it is), I expect the performance gap to be closed in a big way. It simply doesn't make sense that Apple would be aquiring all these 3d applications when they don't have the hardware to run them. I think they DO have the hardware to run them, but it's still in development.
As for no hype for this expo, I think all it means is that no NEW models will be introduced. Powermacs could still be upgraded heavily, iMacs could get a new display, but no models will be completely revised. Normally Apple don't hype an expo...they only did it when an entirely new model was announced, more than that, the new model was their most important computer since the original Mac: the iMac. It was the iMac that saved apple, so to Jobs a new iMac is an enormous event.
Afterlife: There is no Nextbyte in canberra . But AppleCenter Canberra City is pretty good, now that it's under new management. There is 2 AppleCenters in malls here, and they both suck. There is MAC1, and they are a multimedia/design outlet. I got my soundsticks there .
Matsu: I like Apple products, so I wouldn't want them hurt by this. But hey, there's no way I would buy a pmac for it's current price.
JYD: Yep. They have the software and the killer OS. Now all Apple needs is some decent hardware.
Hmm...do the Apple Centers in Australia still suck a lot? I remember that the one in Perth wasn't much good...just a small space that had a few things....I mean the room was literally like a room in a house with a couple Macs on display. I think that was the Mac store for Perth too.
There was "Remeber "Beyond the Rumor Sites. Way Beyond."??" In the quote.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that from MWSF02, not MWNY01?
MWNY01 didn't have anything new (with exeption of minor pmac case update).
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Okay, you're wrong. Apple created incredible hype before macworld NY 2001, "Way beyond the rumor sites" and all it contained nothing new, except for a big applause for the families of apple workers.
And this thread is about whether the LACK of hype before this Macworld is an indicator of coming attractions. Welcome to this thread.
Anyhow, previous major releases contained more indicators that things were imminent than what it leading up to this one. But then again, I don't trust the "it's common sense!" approach by ThinkSecret at all. SOOOO, my wager goes to unveiling of the new G4, but not shipping until 4 weeks.
Okay, you're wrong. Apple created incredible hype before macworld NY 2001, "Way beyond the rumor sites" and all it contained nothing new, except for a big applause for the families of apple workers.
MWNY01 was hyped with big "INY" posters plastering NYC.
For someone not in NYC, MWNY is all about the keynote. For someone attending MWNY, its not. They can "taste" the Mac platform there. Apple hyped MWSF02 on it's web page, but only hyped MWNY01 in NYC. Doesn't that tell you something?
Damn all you sissies who can't even remember the LAST MacWorld should turn in your memberships.....geez oh pete.
HypeWorld San Francisco 2002: The Winter of our discontent . If they'd introduced the LCD iMac machine a year earlier the hype would have been well-deserved. No one disputes how much the hype hurt the general public impression of that keynote. I doubt that you'll very often see Apple break very far ahead of the pack with their hardware in the future.
I'd love a major Macworld, but I'm not going to get too excited. You can't eat steak at every meal.
The most immediate economic concern for Apple it seems to me is the fact that they *are* going to introduce the G5 and completely leave G4 users in the dust like they did with G3 when the G4 came out so shortly later (I believe B&W G3 came out in January 99, G4s came just a few months later in September of that same year).
In other words, looking at Apple's past schemes to rip us off, they just might announce a new G4 *enclosure* at this Macworld and then wait until a special event next January or February to drop a completely new processor and motherboard in it, enraging a lot of us again -- those of us who can't drop $3k at every wink of a new piece of complex machinery, which is all they are, as much as Steve Jobs would dispute that.
It's probably just that I'm mad about still having a B&W G3 350 and the fact that my iBook runs slow as mud in OSX (which, hopefully, will be alleviated in 10.2, but probably not because I do not believe this first-generation dual-USB iBook is compatabile with Quartz).
I wish Apple would listen at least offer owner-loyalty discounts for their new hardware--something. I could build a wonderful Wintel for less than a grand, but I won't because there's no direct control over what's happening inside the confines of my operating system. -- but wait, is this not the evolutionary path of the Mac OS, seeing as X is allowing users less and less direct interface with the brain of the OS? Shudder.
<strong>I could build a wonderful Wintel for less than a grand...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Man if I had a nickel for every time a mac fan said this.... (I'd have enough to buy another Mac in no time)
Newsflash, If you want to buy a PC, don't let us stop you. Whip out the good old MasterCard and build one of those suckers away. Let us know how it turns out.
I wasn't implying I was ever actually going to do that -- note the subjunctive in my grammar. I have had many friends go out and build PC systems from parts for under a thousand and most of these said systems go up in flames -- sometimes literally, suffering from myriad problems that come with doing just that. No, I will always use Macs, regardless.
Apple's silence before this expo also could mean that their back to business as usual -- not hollywood-style teaser-antics. They very well could have some really good products up their sleeves.
Wintel eats fresh steamed lobster at every meal and gets a doggy bag for next day's lunch...</strong><hr></blockquote>
You consider Windows fresh steamed lobster?
I'd say it's more like Wintel users get a nice over flowing plate full of rabbit pellets and goat feces sprinkled on top of leftover Apple sauce. BUT Hey, at least it's served on cheap, ugly, beige (but highly efficient) dishware that is easy to wash and cheap enough to be disposable.
My wife got me a 5GB iPod on Friday. After hearing the prediction for upgrades, I took it back to the Apple Store.
When I told the employee why I was returning it...."because there is going to be an upgrade on Wednesday"...I got total silence. No repsonse from any of the employees standing there. No denials. Granted this isn;t too surprising since any response would cause Steve to materialize there on the spot and fire everyone in the store and several stores to either side of it. But.....
When he was processing my refund, he asked, "Would you like this as a gift card? You know, you could just use it when you come back on Wednesday."
Why would he assume I was coming back unless there was going to be a new iPod for me to come back to?
OK, pretty flimsy, but it's my story, and I'm sticking with it.
Comments
[QB]
I hope this is true...
In Australia we have "Apple Centers", MacDonalds style franchises. Unfortunatly, most of them suck balls, as Apple doesn't have much control over them.
Two years ago seven Apple Centers (with a total of 40 stores) merged to become "Buzzle". Unfortunatly, they were too interested in their IPO to actually RUN a business, and they all went bust.
------------------------------
Barto
you failed to mention the other woeful apple dealers...in Oz and the fact that the exchange rate in Australia (the peso of the south pacific) makes a basic mac (eMac) a purchase over $2000 without blinking. Im still recovering from my Ti book purchase at over 6 grand. Although I think its the best mac I have ever had. As for buzzle, it wasnt their IPO that killed them but the in factional fighting ( I have several buddies that worked for Buzzle) Meanwhile check out NextByte who are upgrade most of their stores to look like the US stores... Now if we could only get some service from apple aust.
<strong>
In other words, I agree with you. Maybe we will see a rerun of the cube inventory induced 1/4 billion $ loss.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Let's hope so! At 1000-1200USD (some of the last cubes went for less) a DP 1Ghz PowerMac actually makes a good deal (slow bus and all). And it's the kind of lesson Apple seems to need from time to time to cure their arrogant pricing proclivities: people won't just buy any pretty but outdated box with an Apple logo on it because Steve says so. Well, maybe John Manzione might.
There MUST be an end in site to the performance gap. The only question is when...probably not MWNY, maybe MWSF, more likely MWNY03.
I think that as long as Apple is using the G4 in their pro machines, there will be a performance gap. But when they move to the G5 (whatever it is), I expect the performance gap to be closed in a big way. It simply doesn't make sense that Apple would be aquiring all these 3d applications when they don't have the hardware to run them. I think they DO have the hardware to run them, but it's still in development.
As for no hype for this expo, I think all it means is that no NEW models will be introduced. Powermacs could still be upgraded heavily, iMacs could get a new display, but no models will be completely revised. Normally Apple don't hype an expo...they only did it when an entirely new model was announced, more than that, the new model was their most important computer since the original Mac: the iMac. It was the iMac that saved apple, so to Jobs a new iMac is an enormous event.
Matsu: I like Apple products, so I wouldn't want them hurt by this. But hey, there's no way I would buy a pmac for it's current price.
JYD: Yep. They have the software and the killer OS. Now all Apple needs is some decent hardware.
Barto
<strong>
That and Steve Jobs saying Apple was about to introduce a ?breakthrough digital device that?s not a Mac? during the quarterly results conference call.
J :cool: </strong><hr></blockquote>
Steve didn't say that, it's more like the press release / invistation of the press conference...
<strong>
There was "Remeber "Beyond the Rumor Sites. Way Beyond."??" In the quote.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that from MWSF02, not MWNY01?
MWNY01 didn't have anything new (with exeption of minor pmac case update).
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Okay, you're wrong. Apple created incredible hype before macworld NY 2001, "Way beyond the rumor sites" and all it contained nothing new, except for a big applause for the families of apple workers.
And this thread is about whether the LACK of hype before this Macworld is an indicator of coming attractions. Welcome to this thread.
Anyhow, previous major releases contained more indicators that things were imminent than what it leading up to this one. But then again, I don't trust the "it's common sense!" approach by ThinkSecret at all. SOOOO, my wager goes to unveiling of the new G4, but not shipping until 4 weeks.
There is a LOT of information concerning the bottlenecks the G4 is facing now and what the G5 could actually shape up to be.
Being informed is fantastic, isn't it?
<strong>
Okay, you're wrong. Apple created incredible hype before macworld NY 2001, "Way beyond the rumor sites" and all it contained nothing new, except for a big applause for the families of apple workers.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
No, n00b. check out <a href="http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/15621.html"; target="_blank">http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/15621.html</a>;
MWNY01 was hyped with big "INY" posters plastering NYC.
For someone not in NYC, MWNY is all about the keynote. For someone attending MWNY, its not. They can "taste" the Mac platform there. Apple hyped MWSF02 on it's web page, but only hyped MWNY01 in NYC. Doesn't that tell you something?
Welcome to the thread.
Barto
HypeWorld San Francisco 2002: The Winter of our discontent . If they'd introduced the LCD iMac machine a year earlier the hype would have been well-deserved. No one disputes how much the hype hurt the general public impression of that keynote. I doubt that you'll very often see Apple break very far ahead of the pack with their hardware in the future.
I'd love a major Macworld, but I'm not going to get too excited. You can't eat steak at every meal.
D
D
<hr></blockquote>
Wintel eats fresh steamed lobster at every meal and gets a doggy bag for next day's lunch...
Go here.
<a href="http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/15621.html"; target="_blank">http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/15621.html</a>;
Article is dated 1/4/02. Barto is right. Simple google.com search for "Beyond the rumor sites. way beyond."
Damn.
<strong>
Wintel eats fresh steamed lobster at every meal and gets a doggy bag for next day's lunch...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Unfortunately, that lobster meal is tainted with the Mercury-Lead-DDT poison, Windows.
OS X=Yum, surf and turf!
Hang on for big eats in NY.
<strong>
Wintel eats fresh steamed lobster at every meal and gets a doggy bag for next day's lunch...</strong><hr></blockquote>
You're right about Wintel getting a baggie of dog's something...
In other words, looking at Apple's past schemes to rip us off, they just might announce a new G4 *enclosure* at this Macworld and then wait until a special event next January or February to drop a completely new processor and motherboard in it, enraging a lot of us again -- those of us who can't drop $3k at every wink of a new piece of complex machinery, which is all they are, as much as Steve Jobs would dispute that.
It's probably just that I'm mad about still having a B&W G3 350 and the fact that my iBook runs slow as mud in OSX (which, hopefully, will be alleviated in 10.2, but probably not because I do not believe this first-generation dual-USB iBook is compatabile with Quartz).
I wish Apple would listen at least offer owner-loyalty discounts for their new hardware--something. I could build a wonderful Wintel for less than a grand, but I won't because there's no direct control over what's happening inside the confines of my operating system. -- but wait, is this not the evolutionary path of the Mac OS, seeing as X is allowing users less and less direct interface with the brain of the OS? Shudder.
We should all go Linux to see what Apple'd do.
<strong>I could build a wonderful Wintel for less than a grand...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Man if I had a nickel for every time a mac fan said this.... (I'd have enough to buy another Mac in no time)
Newsflash, If you want to buy a PC, don't let us stop you. Whip out the good old MasterCard and build one of those suckers away. Let us know how it turns out.
Apple's silence before this expo also could mean that their back to business as usual -- not hollywood-style teaser-antics. They very well could have some really good products up their sleeves.
<strong>
Wintel eats fresh steamed lobster at every meal and gets a doggy bag for next day's lunch...</strong><hr></blockquote>
You consider Windows fresh steamed lobster?
I'd say it's more like Wintel users get a nice over flowing plate full of rabbit pellets and goat feces sprinkled on top of leftover Apple sauce. BUT Hey, at least it's served on cheap, ugly, beige (but highly efficient) dishware that is easy to wash and cheap enough to be disposable.
My wife got me a 5GB iPod on Friday. After hearing the prediction for upgrades, I took it back to the Apple Store.
When I told the employee why I was returning it...."because there is going to be an upgrade on Wednesday"...I got total silence. No repsonse from any of the employees standing there. No denials. Granted this isn;t too surprising since any response would cause Steve to materialize there on the spot and fire everyone in the store and several stores to either side of it. But.....
When he was processing my refund, he asked, "Would you like this as a gift card? You know, you could just use it when you come back on Wednesday."
Why would he assume I was coming back unless there was going to be a new iPod for me to come back to?
OK, pretty flimsy, but it's my story, and I'm sticking with it.