I'd also like to add that becuase of people like you apple still owns only 5% of the market share. Apparently those "pc geeks" like computer games, who wouldave figured that?? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
I'd also like to add that becuase of people like you apple still owns only 5% of the market share. <hr></blockquote>
You?re generalizing from parts of the whole. That?s like thinking inflation is going up because the money you have in your wallet isn't buying you as much as it did some time ago. The reason Apple only has 5% of the market really has to do in part with people's misunderstanding of Apple's products and what they can do for them. If they realize what Apple has to offer, they may make the choice to spend a bit more money on a better personal computer (a Mac). In addition, there are quite a few factors that have limited Apple?s overall penetration that simply can?t be stated in a single paragraph.
[quote]Originally posted by MrBojanglez50:
Apparently those "pc geeks" like computer games, who wouldave figured that??<hr></blockquote>
Hopefully most people who use geek and game in the same sentence. My point isn't about the connection between geeks and gaming though, it's about comparing Apple's meticulously engineered machines to PC's that have been slapped together by someone looking to waste the day away playing games thinking they're something special.
Choice is always good, so I understand where you?re coming from, but I still think it?s a ridiculous idea. If you really want your Apple to be different, just think of how you only make up 5% of the computing world, and you?ll realize, you already are special from everybody else.
<strong>I would like some genuine simulated walnut side panels for my Powermac please, and also a genuine naugahide front fascia.
Thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think I just pissed myself laughing... more so 'cause it'd be fun to have *one* computer that looked like that. Maybe Apple could bring back the 20th Anniversary edition with an enclosure similar to that?
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: Jim Paradise ]</p>
What a waste of money that would be... I think I'll just put a "Powered by Honda" sticker on the side of my PowerMac and maybe a "VTEC" sticker on the back and be done with it.
<strong>The reason why a Porsche 911 is so distinctive is because the original design was awesome. The design is a classic and thats why it hasn't changed. That shape represents Porsche. It can't be mistaken for anything else. Apple is the same. You will never mistake an Apple computer for a PC. Thats why they have someone like Jonathon Ives working at Apple. Could you imagine walking into a Porsche dealership and asking to customize the body. We all know what that looks like. Classics don't need customizing. The designers have already done their job well enough. I understand that you want Apple to do the customizing, but to me, thats like saying "I don't want the design to be any better, I just want my computer to be different." Thats probably what product designers don't want to hear.</strong><hr></blockquote>
This is also why the best customized cars in the world are subtle. The customizers aren't trying to make the shape into something new, just make i more of what it is. Nobody does this better than the chop and channel Merc cruiser guys. Some of their work goes to extremes but when you see a really intelligently customized classic, you immeadiately notice it's beauty, you know things have been changed, but you're not sure exactly what was changed.
Take the most beautiful 911 Porsche, the 993 Carrera 4 (4S if you like it wide). It just looks right, but there are many little details that can be cleaned up for the sake of customization -- things tht are just impractical for mass production. De-seam the roof for one. Move and change the mirrors. But the best mod would be to change the angle of the roof/windshield! Cut the A pillars and move them to slop the windshield a little more, just a touch though. Now you have to cut all new side glass. But, you also have to lift the ass up a touch. Same general size, but a bit higher at the bumper so that it isn't hump-backed. That means you have to change the back fenders too. Basically to give it a stance a bit more like the 996, but with all the interesting surface detail of the 993. Then the back lights won't fit right, but you remember Porsche's original GT1 rear? With the little slotted vents between the rear wrap-around reflector and the tail-lights? Perfect. Slip in two similar forms but without the race cars areo weirdness, just enough to meet the higher ass lines. NO whale tail! You take the flip up air-vent/spoiler cut it down the middle seam and widen it to meet the profile. Now, when it's down, it's still flush, but when it's up it matches the back end better. What's left? Well, the bumper is now a little higher, so you reposition the license plate and exhaust holes. Down on the license plate, up with the exhausts. Possibly right through the corners of the rear valence -- in nice ovals. While you're recontouring the roof, might aswell play with the doors a little. Cut the rear rocker and door to sweep a 'slightly' more dramatic curve at the bottom.
All the hard bits stay in exactly the same location. Same width, length. But the roof is an 1 and half lower, the ass about 2 and half inches higher and the doors mirrors and rear fenders are all recontoured. It still looks like a Porsche. When you see it, you know that things have been changed, but you wouldn't know exactly what has been changed unless you had another example right beside. Everythiing is subtle, but the end result is more Porsche than the original. It's a lot of major work for not so obvious detail changes but you can modify anything with great result, you just have to respect the original shape.
Another great classic with lots of styling potential is the old XJS jaguar coupe/convertible. It looks like a powerboat with that big long hood and the flat but tapered and rolled sides. You could do a lot with that one too, and there are a lot of em around cheap (but ussually the mechanical bits aren't the greatest on those examples)
Hmmm... well used 993's should become semi-afforable in the next 4-5 years. If I get to work on it right away, I might even be able to drive the thing before I turn 55! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
This is my last post on this topic and I just wanted to say one last thing. You all sound rediculous Since were so keen on comparing and contrasting the appearence of a macintosh and a car, this is what basically a majority of you are saying:
"I don't want the Porsche 911 to come in any other color than ?blank?" (where the ?blank? is you insert the name of a color)
Since when has having more of a variety been bad? Am I missing something here?? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
Also, let me make sure were all on the right page.. When I say "shell" I mean, for instance, ONLY the left and right side of the powermac tower (not the front or back.) Changing the "shell" would only alter the color, not in any way the shape or form of the case.
I admit that I like the idea of a customized mac, but this is not an arena that Apple should venture into.
One can talk of the profits that Apple could make selling some reasonably cheap plastic panels for $70-80 bucks, but that profit disappears when you take into account the fact that PEOPLE WON'T BUY EVERYTHING.
Apple has been down this road before - is it not obvious that one reason the iMac and iBook lines have gone to one color is because Apple doesn't want to deal with an inventory of machines that people won't buy because of the color?
The only way to solve this issue is to develop an assembly line where the panels could be infused with their color characteristics on the fly, presumably a build to order option only from the apple store. But even that concept requires additional oversight, technology and manpower.
Do I think the idea of a customizable mac case is cool? Yes.
I just think we need to push the third party community to come up with good solution, and let Apple stick to making kick-ass equipment- even if it is only one color.
No Compaq crap from Radioshack commercials please.. It's called paint. With laptops you can open up the display and place a picture over the backlit Apple, I'm going either Old School Apple logo or Clarus. Moof!
[quote]splode
waiting for the iBook warranty to expire... <hr></blockquote>
<strong>I thought everybody customized their cars to look different than stock so they would be unique, yes people even customize their porsche 911's to not look like everybody elses. </strong><hr></blockquote>
That's one explaination. Here's another:
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
I liken it to the male dog syndrome: I must pee on it to make it mine.
<strong>What a waste of money that would be... I think I'll just put a "Powered by Honda" sticker on the side of my PowerMac and maybe a "VTEC" sticker on the back and be done with it. </strong><hr></blockquote>
New Priuses come with a sticker that seems apt for when we do get whatever the G4+'s replacement chip will be:
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
Could this be true of computers too?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Sounds like someone who is bitter because they woke up one day and realized they have no imagination.
I guess if you are content with being spoon-fed whatever others decide is right for you...
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect./QB]<hr></blockquote>
That's rediculous. Although some people (ricers, mainly) would fit your description, some people just like to make their car more unique and styled more to their tastes. I like flaired fender arches. That is not the current trend, because stylists generally are, these days, hired to make a car look just different enough, but not too interesting, because cookie-cutter cars sell better. Does this mean I should just accept things the way they are? If I have the ability to redo some of the body work to make it more attractive to me, why shouldn't I.
Alot of Porsche 911 (996) owners had the bodies redone to add more curves, just because Porsche removed them to make the car look more like the better-selling cookie-cutters sports cars from Japan. Porsche has now gone back to making the 911 look more like, well, a 911. But people can still customize the bodies if they want to. TechArt makes an awesome-looking 911 Cabrio.
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
I liken it to the male dog syndrome: I must pee on it to make it mine.
Could this be true of computers too?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Comments
I'd also like to add that becuase of people like you apple still owns only 5% of the market share. <hr></blockquote>
You?re generalizing from parts of the whole. That?s like thinking inflation is going up because the money you have in your wallet isn't buying you as much as it did some time ago. The reason Apple only has 5% of the market really has to do in part with people's misunderstanding of Apple's products and what they can do for them. If they realize what Apple has to offer, they may make the choice to spend a bit more money on a better personal computer (a Mac). In addition, there are quite a few factors that have limited Apple?s overall penetration that simply can?t be stated in a single paragraph.
[quote]Originally posted by MrBojanglez50:
Apparently those "pc geeks" like computer games, who wouldave figured that??<hr></blockquote>
Hopefully most people who use geek and game in the same sentence. My point isn't about the connection between geeks and gaming though, it's about comparing Apple's meticulously engineered machines to PC's that have been slapped together by someone looking to waste the day away playing games thinking they're something special.
Choice is always good, so I understand where you?re coming from, but I still think it?s a ridiculous idea. If you really want your Apple to be different, just think of how you only make up 5% of the computing world, and you?ll realize, you already are special from everybody else.
-CFPC
<strong>I would like some genuine simulated walnut side panels for my Powermac please, and also a genuine naugahide front fascia.
Thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think I just pissed myself laughing... more so 'cause it'd be fun to have *one* computer that looked like that. Maybe Apple could bring back the 20th Anniversary edition with an enclosure similar to that?
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: Jim Paradise ]</p>
<strong>The reason why a Porsche 911 is so distinctive is because the original design was awesome. The design is a classic and thats why it hasn't changed. That shape represents Porsche. It can't be mistaken for anything else. Apple is the same. You will never mistake an Apple computer for a PC. Thats why they have someone like Jonathon Ives working at Apple. Could you imagine walking into a Porsche dealership and asking to customize the body. We all know what that looks like.
This is also why the best customized cars in the world are subtle. The customizers aren't trying to make the shape into something new, just make i more of what it is. Nobody does this better than the chop and channel Merc cruiser guys. Some of their work goes to extremes but when you see a really intelligently customized classic, you immeadiately notice it's beauty, you know things have been changed, but you're not sure exactly what was changed.
Take the most beautiful 911 Porsche, the 993 Carrera 4 (4S if you like it wide). It just looks right, but there are many little details that can be cleaned up for the sake of customization -- things tht are just impractical for mass production. De-seam the roof for one. Move and change the mirrors. But the best mod would be to change the angle of the roof/windshield! Cut the A pillars and move them to slop the windshield a little more, just a touch though. Now you have to cut all new side glass. But, you also have to lift the ass up a touch. Same general size, but a bit higher at the bumper so that it isn't hump-backed. That means you have to change the back fenders too. Basically to give it a stance a bit more like the 996, but with all the interesting surface detail of the 993. Then the back lights won't fit right, but you remember Porsche's original GT1 rear? With the little slotted vents between the rear wrap-around reflector and the tail-lights? Perfect. Slip in two similar forms but without the race cars areo weirdness, just enough to meet the higher ass lines. NO whale tail! You take the flip up air-vent/spoiler cut it down the middle seam and widen it to meet the profile. Now, when it's down, it's still flush, but when it's up it matches the back end better. What's left? Well, the bumper is now a little higher, so you reposition the license plate and exhaust holes. Down on the license plate, up with the exhausts. Possibly right through the corners of the rear valence -- in nice ovals. While you're recontouring the roof, might aswell play with the doors a little. Cut the rear rocker and door to sweep a 'slightly' more dramatic curve at the bottom.
All the hard bits stay in exactly the same location. Same width, length. But the roof is an 1 and half lower, the ass about 2 and half inches higher and the doors mirrors and rear fenders are all recontoured. It still looks like a Porsche. When you see it, you know that things have been changed, but you wouldn't know exactly what has been changed unless you had another example right beside. Everythiing is subtle, but the end result is more Porsche than the original. It's a lot of major work for not so obvious detail changes but you can modify anything with great result, you just have to respect the original shape.
Another great classic with lots of styling potential is the old XJS jaguar coupe/convertible. It looks like a powerboat with that big long hood and the flat but tapered and rolled sides. You could do a lot with that one too, and there are a lot of em around cheap (but ussually the mechanical bits aren't the greatest on those examples)
Hmmm... well used 993's should become semi-afforable in the next 4-5 years. If I get to work on it right away, I might even be able to drive the thing before I turn 55! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
"I don't want the Porsche 911 to come in any other color than ?blank?" (where the ?blank? is you insert the name of a color)
Since when has having more of a variety been bad? Am I missing something here?? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
Also, let me make sure were all on the right page.. When I say "shell" I mean, for instance, ONLY the left and right side of the powermac tower (not the front or back.) Changing the "shell" would only alter the color, not in any way the shape or form of the case.
[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: MrBojanglez50 ]</p>
One can talk of the profits that Apple could make selling some reasonably cheap plastic panels for $70-80 bucks, but that profit disappears when you take into account the fact that PEOPLE WON'T BUY EVERYTHING.
Apple has been down this road before - is it not obvious that one reason the iMac and iBook lines have gone to one color is because Apple doesn't want to deal with an inventory of machines that people won't buy because of the color?
The only way to solve this issue is to develop an assembly line where the panels could be infused with their color characteristics on the fly, presumably a build to order option only from the apple store. But even that concept requires additional oversight, technology and manpower.
Do I think the idea of a customizable mac case is cool? Yes.
I just think we need to push the third party community to come up with good solution, and let Apple stick to making kick-ass equipment- even if it is only one color.
[quote]splode
waiting for the iBook warranty to expire... <hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
You too? Loan me your soldering iron when it's done... :cool:
<strong>I thought everybody customized their cars to look different than stock so they would be unique, yes people even customize their porsche 911's to not look like everybody elses. </strong><hr></blockquote>
That's one explaination. Here's another:
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
I liken it to the male dog syndrome: I must pee on it to make it mine.
Could this be true of computers too?
<strong>What a waste of money that would be... I think I'll just put a "Powered by Honda" sticker on the side of my PowerMac and maybe a "VTEC" sticker on the back and be done with it.
New Priuses come with a sticker that seems apt for when we do get whatever the G4+'s replacement chip will be:
'Eat my Voltage'
<strong>
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
Could this be true of computers too?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Sounds like someone who is bitter because they woke up one day and realized they have no imagination.
I guess if you are content with being spoon-fed whatever others decide is right for you...
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
[QB]
That's one explaination. Here's another:
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect./QB]<hr></blockquote>
That's rediculous. Although some people (ricers, mainly) would fit your description, some people just like to make their car more unique and styled more to their tastes. I like flaired fender arches. That is not the current trend, because stylists generally are, these days, hired to make a car look just different enough, but not too interesting, because cookie-cutter cars sell better. Does this mean I should just accept things the way they are? If I have the ability to redo some of the body work to make it more attractive to me, why shouldn't I.
Alot of Porsche 911 (996) owners had the bodies redone to add more curves, just because Porsche removed them to make the car look more like the better-selling cookie-cutters sports cars from Japan. Porsche has now gone back to making the 911 look more like, well, a 911. But people can still customize the bodies if they want to. TechArt makes an awesome-looking 911 Cabrio.
<strong>
That's one explaination. Here's another:
People customize their cars (or whatever) because they are arrogant and frequently tasteless egotists who think they can improve upon something that took a lot of talented people a long time to perfect.
I liken it to the male dog syndrome: I must pee on it to make it mine.
Could this be true of computers too?</strong><hr></blockquote>
And let me guess. Toyota Camry? Honda Accord?
[ 08-07-2002: Message edited by: iMax ]</p>