Leoff
Nov 28, 04:22 PM
Saw this thread, read about various people's encounters with stores selling (or rather NOT selling) Zunes, and decided to check it out for myself after work. I figure "maybe some people are exaggerating their experiences?" I'll try and give the Zune the benefit of the doubt.
I go into the local Best Buy. I ask the "greeter" at the door if they have the new Zune in. She had heard of it, but she didn't know what the stock was and forwarded me onto "Jon" back in the mp3 player area.
I asked Jon if they had the new Zune. "We HAD it in stock, but I know we just ran out I can place an order for you, have it here in a couple of days!"
I was impressed. None of the instant badmouthing I'd come to expect. Untill...
"But if you don't want to wait, we've got a lot of iPods and nanos in. I'd say your best bet is to get an iPod."
I asked why, and soon learned that the store got a shipment of 8 Zunes. 4 were sold, one of which was returned that same day. 2 were put out on display, and since their introduction, they've broken and have been replaced by the two remaining Zunes in stock.
Jon seemed almost too knowledgable. He wasn't a Microsoft shill, and I could tell he wasn't a Rah-rah! Applephile. He just knew that it was a very problematic piece of hardware, pointing out the dishonest advertising of wi-fi, the odd pricing scheme at the store, and some ways to get around the repeated failures of the Zune music store software installation.
His opinion? "A good idea, but they rushed it to get it out before Christmas. They should have waited 6 months and worked the bugs out."
I go into the local Best Buy. I ask the "greeter" at the door if they have the new Zune in. She had heard of it, but she didn't know what the stock was and forwarded me onto "Jon" back in the mp3 player area.
I asked Jon if they had the new Zune. "We HAD it in stock, but I know we just ran out I can place an order for you, have it here in a couple of days!"
I was impressed. None of the instant badmouthing I'd come to expect. Untill...
"But if you don't want to wait, we've got a lot of iPods and nanos in. I'd say your best bet is to get an iPod."
I asked why, and soon learned that the store got a shipment of 8 Zunes. 4 were sold, one of which was returned that same day. 2 were put out on display, and since their introduction, they've broken and have been replaced by the two remaining Zunes in stock.
Jon seemed almost too knowledgable. He wasn't a Microsoft shill, and I could tell he wasn't a Rah-rah! Applephile. He just knew that it was a very problematic piece of hardware, pointing out the dishonest advertising of wi-fi, the odd pricing scheme at the store, and some ways to get around the repeated failures of the Zune music store software installation.
His opinion? "A good idea, but they rushed it to get it out before Christmas. They should have waited 6 months and worked the bugs out."
triceretops
Mar 22, 10:53 PM
Is there an app in which the face of the iPod touch/iPhone has a digital scroll wheel on the bottom half and a screen on the top half to simulate the iPod Classic interface? Maybe that would be enough to satiate the holders on to the classic?
Hmmmmm:rolleyes:
Hmmmmm:rolleyes:
hyperpasta
Sep 6, 08:43 AM
Poop. And I was hoping for a $100 price drop.
I see why Apple came out with a 24-inch iMac the same day... we can't complain! :p
I see why Apple came out with a 24-inch iMac the same day... we can't complain! :p
a456
Sep 1, 02:19 PM
At WWDC, Apple mentioned one of Leopard's features - 64 bit application support. Let's fast forward to Leopard's release day and look at Apple's line. I'm guessing that all all their machines will have 64-bit processors, but surely the difference in processors used in the Macbook, Macbook Pro, the iMac, and the mini, surely can't be just speed, and all using the Merom? The iMac will have Conroe, maybe an E6600.
If the iMac had the Conroe and this is more powerful than the Merom wouldn't this continue to place the processing power of the consumer desktop above the power of the 'pro' laptop, which has been one of the problems for some time now? If they both had Merom at least they would be equal. Don't know about the Macbook and the Mini though, I guess the distinction is that they don't have separate graphics cards.
If the iMac had the Conroe and this is more powerful than the Merom wouldn't this continue to place the processing power of the consumer desktop above the power of the 'pro' laptop, which has been one of the problems for some time now? If they both had Merom at least they would be equal. Don't know about the Macbook and the Mini though, I guess the distinction is that they don't have separate graphics cards.
mi5moav
Sep 7, 08:57 PM
We'll I guess you guys are right about getting a new streaming airport... looks like the wait time is back up from 24hours to 1-3 WEEKS WEEEEHOOOOOO!!!!!
vand0576
Sep 1, 12:18 PM
man have i been waiting for this one. the 12th would be great, have a shot at the iPod offer too. W00T
You KNOW iPod updates are imminent, why the hell would you care about this deal, for a soon-to-be replaced product?
You KNOW iPod updates are imminent, why the hell would you care about this deal, for a soon-to-be replaced product?
Dr.Gargoyle
Aug 29, 12:52 PM
I'm thinking something similar. 3.5x8.5x8.5. Basically a larger MacMini with a 3.5" hard drive, dedicated graphics, and video chipset similar to the Miglia TV Max.
Exactly!!!
I media center like this would sell like crazy... small, simple and elegant. Just imagine how many switchers you would get at the same time.
Exactly!!!
I media center like this would sell like crazy... small, simple and elegant. Just imagine how many switchers you would get at the same time.
Lollypop
Aug 7, 06:46 AM
Not really. I just moved to Mac and i was surprised by the intuitive networking in OSX. However, i agree that it still could be better. Why the aliases? Why won't it connect to the PC when i type its local IP adress? Why is it so hard to have a permanently mounted network drive on your mac? I keep loosing it, having to re-mount it everytime i have taken my MacBook out of WiFi-range. Such things. Maybe most of it is me being a newbie, but still, that proves that it is not intuitive enough.
Networking in the Finder is one of the biggest complaints people seem to have. Said it before and will say it until its done, FTFF! :cool:
Networking in the Finder is one of the biggest complaints people seem to have. Said it before and will say it until its done, FTFF! :cool:
poobear
Apr 1, 08:46 AM
Somehow I am unable to grab any screen shots. They all end up "blank" (or black in this case). Has anybody had any problems? I suppose not, since I see everyone posting screen shots everywhere...
I tried changing the format from PNG to JPG with no effect. Tried other screen grab utilities also with no luck (Guess they use the system calls).
Any ideas? (and please don't say post a screen shots of my problem, hehe)
Thanks
Thats known, was in the official known issues.
Known Issues �
* If running Developer Preview 1, please make sure to install �Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview Update 1″ from Software Update (available under the Apple menu) prior to downloading Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 2. If you do not perform this update, your download will not begin when you redeem the code and the code will no longer function.
* The Recovery HD may not be created when installing Lion on a drive with an unsupported partition scheme.
* Installation of Mac OS X Lion onto a software RAID volume, or while booted from a software RAID volume, is not currently supported. Attempting to do so may render the volume non-bootable. Software RAIDs can still be used as data volumes.
* Network migrations are only supported from Mac OS X v10.6.6 with the Migration Assistant compatibility update installed.
* If you intend to migrate a user with FileVault enabled from another system, make sure the user is logged out on the source system before you begin.
* Thunderbolt devices are not fully supported. � Videos purchased from the iTunes Store will not play on Early 2011 MacBook Pro models.
* Screenshots may be black on Macs with integrated graphics.
* If you get a warning that �FaceTime does not support video calls� when using FaceTime, please quit and re-open the application.
* iPhoto 9 crashes when trying to create a book, card, or calendar from an event or album, and when clicking a photo�s info button.
* Users with NTFS volumes (such as BootCamp) may experience a panic when rebooting or shutting down. To work around the issue, unmount the volume before rebooting or shutting down.
Known Issues with Lion Server
* An Open Directory Master is no longer created by default during Setup Assistant. It can be created after setup in the Server application or in Server Admin.
* Safari is currently the only supported browser for use with Wiki Server or Profile Manager.
* Use of local or caching Software Update servers may cause installation problems for Lion Server.
* Profile Manager does not currently allow for pushed configuration profiles to be locked, including the profile containing the MDM payload.
* All users must have an email address when using shared calendars with iCal Server.
* New sharepoints will not inherit group permissions. You must manually change the permissions.
* To remotely administer Lion Server from a client, download the Lion Server application from the Mac App Store. After download, select �Connect to Server�� from the Manage menu. Only click �Continue� on the �Welcome to Server� window if you wish to install server services on the machine you are running the Server application from.
* Installing the Server Admin Tools package on non-Lion systems is not supported.
* Podcast Producer Server is not supported in this release of Lion.
* NetBoot/NetRestore from install source is not supported in this release.
* Booting into a NetRestore is not supported in this release.
Two *major* bugs:
1) TextEdit crashes on launch (tried trashing the prefs file - nothing)
2) cmd+left/right no longer goes to the start/end of the line :O wtf!
Anyone else experiencing these?
None of that happens for me.
I tried changing the format from PNG to JPG with no effect. Tried other screen grab utilities also with no luck (Guess they use the system calls).
Any ideas? (and please don't say post a screen shots of my problem, hehe)
Thanks
Thats known, was in the official known issues.
Known Issues �
* If running Developer Preview 1, please make sure to install �Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview Update 1″ from Software Update (available under the Apple menu) prior to downloading Mac OS X Lion Developer Preview 2. If you do not perform this update, your download will not begin when you redeem the code and the code will no longer function.
* The Recovery HD may not be created when installing Lion on a drive with an unsupported partition scheme.
* Installation of Mac OS X Lion onto a software RAID volume, or while booted from a software RAID volume, is not currently supported. Attempting to do so may render the volume non-bootable. Software RAIDs can still be used as data volumes.
* Network migrations are only supported from Mac OS X v10.6.6 with the Migration Assistant compatibility update installed.
* If you intend to migrate a user with FileVault enabled from another system, make sure the user is logged out on the source system before you begin.
* Thunderbolt devices are not fully supported. � Videos purchased from the iTunes Store will not play on Early 2011 MacBook Pro models.
* Screenshots may be black on Macs with integrated graphics.
* If you get a warning that �FaceTime does not support video calls� when using FaceTime, please quit and re-open the application.
* iPhoto 9 crashes when trying to create a book, card, or calendar from an event or album, and when clicking a photo�s info button.
* Users with NTFS volumes (such as BootCamp) may experience a panic when rebooting or shutting down. To work around the issue, unmount the volume before rebooting or shutting down.
Known Issues with Lion Server
* An Open Directory Master is no longer created by default during Setup Assistant. It can be created after setup in the Server application or in Server Admin.
* Safari is currently the only supported browser for use with Wiki Server or Profile Manager.
* Use of local or caching Software Update servers may cause installation problems for Lion Server.
* Profile Manager does not currently allow for pushed configuration profiles to be locked, including the profile containing the MDM payload.
* All users must have an email address when using shared calendars with iCal Server.
* New sharepoints will not inherit group permissions. You must manually change the permissions.
* To remotely administer Lion Server from a client, download the Lion Server application from the Mac App Store. After download, select �Connect to Server�� from the Manage menu. Only click �Continue� on the �Welcome to Server� window if you wish to install server services on the machine you are running the Server application from.
* Installing the Server Admin Tools package on non-Lion systems is not supported.
* Podcast Producer Server is not supported in this release of Lion.
* NetBoot/NetRestore from install source is not supported in this release.
* Booting into a NetRestore is not supported in this release.
Two *major* bugs:
1) TextEdit crashes on launch (tried trashing the prefs file - nothing)
2) cmd+left/right no longer goes to the start/end of the line :O wtf!
Anyone else experiencing these?
None of that happens for me.
JRM PowerPod
Aug 7, 04:42 AM
Not too brag or anything :D but it works out great for us in UK. Get in from work 5.30pm / open a beer / macrumors / keynote 6pm / tears of joy / rob bank 9pm / buy mac pro :D
Yeah, but you have to live in the UK. It all works out
Yeah, but you have to live in the UK. It all works out
reticulate
Apr 19, 11:42 PM
The new CPU ships February 20 and it takes two months for supplies to become constrained. Knowing Apple they'll deliberately hold off another month just to make sure they're a full quarter behind everyone else. After all desktop computers are so last century. Except that "we" need something to plug our iDevices into.
I don't though. My only iDevice is a touch that's now too old to accept the latest OS and there's zero chance that I'll ever buy another one of those. I can't justify the monthly charges for an iPhone and the iPad is pointless if you don't live in coffee shops and carry your life around in a messenger bag.
Part of me is glad Apple is doing well, but I don't see any indications that Apple will ever again make products for me. Guess I need to start learning about "distros".
Well Sandy Bridge has had its fair share of issues, so a delayed launch for the revised chipset is actually a good move. Especially on a machine like the iMac where they have more than a couple of SATA ports available for stuff.
The iMac is still an excellent consumer machine. Pricey, but eminently capable of just about anything that's not native resolution gaming for the latest titles. In fact, given how good the Core i7's are, they represent a very capable Mac Pro replacement with the added goodness of a 27" IPS screen.
I think you might be selling the Mac offerings a little short, to be honest.
I don't though. My only iDevice is a touch that's now too old to accept the latest OS and there's zero chance that I'll ever buy another one of those. I can't justify the monthly charges for an iPhone and the iPad is pointless if you don't live in coffee shops and carry your life around in a messenger bag.
Part of me is glad Apple is doing well, but I don't see any indications that Apple will ever again make products for me. Guess I need to start learning about "distros".
Well Sandy Bridge has had its fair share of issues, so a delayed launch for the revised chipset is actually a good move. Especially on a machine like the iMac where they have more than a couple of SATA ports available for stuff.
The iMac is still an excellent consumer machine. Pricey, but eminently capable of just about anything that's not native resolution gaming for the latest titles. In fact, given how good the Core i7's are, they represent a very capable Mac Pro replacement with the added goodness of a 27" IPS screen.
I think you might be selling the Mac offerings a little short, to be honest.
FireStar
Oct 20, 03:12 PM
i found one that matches a case that i bought for my iphone a while back!
[tIMG]http://thmb.inkfrog.com/thumbn/cimo/itouch4_dualgel_blue_01.jpg=800[/IMG]
snatched it up for 6 bucks! what a deal. i think i might get black next..
Darn. I thought it wasn't generic for a second. But it still looks nice.
[tIMG]http://thmb.inkfrog.com/thumbn/cimo/itouch4_dualgel_blue_01.jpg=800[/IMG]
snatched it up for 6 bucks! what a deal. i think i might get black next..
Darn. I thought it wasn't generic for a second. But it still looks nice.
camelsnot
Apr 2, 08:20 PM
have one but that commercial makes me want to puke. Once you use one and realize it's limitations, it's not so magical. It's a fun consumption device which you can get some work done on, but without real multitasking, it's lack of real technology actually hinders and isn't so magical.
With apple it was never about the hardware technology. They have at least that right in the commercial (the only thing right).
Job$, instead of waxing philosophical with your over-inflated ego in embarrassingly inaccurate commercials, how about trying to innovate. iOS should've had REAL multitasking years ago. Quit pandering cheap to make speed bumps at the same prices, as something magical. DO something magical. You built iOS off a phone, morphed into an ipod touch and now an ipad (yes.. a larger version of the touch, but in a better form factor). That was just smart business. ALWAYS repurpose what you can. BUS101. Now do something magical with the OS.
With apple it was never about the hardware technology. They have at least that right in the commercial (the only thing right).
Job$, instead of waxing philosophical with your over-inflated ego in embarrassingly inaccurate commercials, how about trying to innovate. iOS should've had REAL multitasking years ago. Quit pandering cheap to make speed bumps at the same prices, as something magical. DO something magical. You built iOS off a phone, morphed into an ipod touch and now an ipad (yes.. a larger version of the touch, but in a better form factor). That was just smart business. ALWAYS repurpose what you can. BUS101. Now do something magical with the OS.
NeuralControl
Jan 23, 10:58 PM
My Baby
Is that the 2011 or 2010? How is it treating you so far? Looks amazing.
Is that the 2011 or 2010? How is it treating you so far? Looks amazing.
mahonmeister
Nov 29, 07:42 PM
I'll speak loud and clear:
DVR
iTunes Store can't now nor will it likely ever replace Dish Network for me. Just let me record my shows either directly with iTV or via something connected to it. I hope when this is released, HD DVD and Blu-ray make there way into Macs.
DVR
iTunes Store can't now nor will it likely ever replace Dish Network for me. Just let me record my shows either directly with iTV or via something connected to it. I hope when this is released, HD DVD and Blu-ray make there way into Macs.
danielwsmithee
Nov 27, 03:09 PM
I'm sorry, why is their target audience dwindling?It all comes down to how much extra you are willing to pay for the increased monitor specification. Most will pay 20% very few will pay 75%.
MacSA
Aug 29, 11:55 AM
I assume that was *before* the mac pro shipped? I'd expect dropping sales before that, but you're not saying they've continued to drop after the Pro release? And are you including iMacs as part of desktop machines?
ALL desktop machines......
Apple posted their 3rd Quarter 2006 financial results today.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/07/20060719164004.shtml
Apple posted revenue of $4.37 billion and a net quarterly profit of $472 million or $.54 per diluted share. For reference, the year-ago quarter brought in $3.53 billion in revenue, net profit of $320 million or $.37 per diluted share.
Analysts expected Apple to earn 44 cents per share, on average, within a range of 40 cents to 49 cents, on revenue of $3.68 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.
Apple shipped 1,327,000 Macintosh computers and 8,111,000 iPods during this quarter which represents a 12% growth in Macs and 32% growth in iPods year-over-year.
- 75% of Macs sold during the quarter used Intel processors.
- 2nd highest quarterly sales and earnings in Apple's history
- International sales accounted for 39 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
- iPod continued to earn a US market share of over 75 percent
- Desktops: 529,000, down 14% from previous quarter
- Portables: 798,000, up 60% from previous quarter
- iPods: 8,526,000
ALL desktop machines......
Apple posted their 3rd Quarter 2006 financial results today.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/07/20060719164004.shtml
Apple posted revenue of $4.37 billion and a net quarterly profit of $472 million or $.54 per diluted share. For reference, the year-ago quarter brought in $3.53 billion in revenue, net profit of $320 million or $.37 per diluted share.
Analysts expected Apple to earn 44 cents per share, on average, within a range of 40 cents to 49 cents, on revenue of $3.68 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.
Apple shipped 1,327,000 Macintosh computers and 8,111,000 iPods during this quarter which represents a 12% growth in Macs and 32% growth in iPods year-over-year.
- 75% of Macs sold during the quarter used Intel processors.
- 2nd highest quarterly sales and earnings in Apple's history
- International sales accounted for 39 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
- iPod continued to earn a US market share of over 75 percent
- Desktops: 529,000, down 14% from previous quarter
- Portables: 798,000, up 60% from previous quarter
- iPods: 8,526,000
twoodcc
Oct 11, 08:21 AM
congrats to whiterabbit for hitting 1 million!
dguisinger
Aug 7, 08:08 AM
I just find that the Windows Firewall gets in the way. Incredibly irritating after a while...
The OS X firewall is perfect IMHO. I've never had problems with it blocking apps I don't want it to block...
Probably because most apps that use non-standard ports are server apps (most likely not something you are using) or games (most likely not ported to OS X)
I find it comes in quite handy; I've had it many times where I didn't know an application goes online and reports something to the manufacturer and it pops up a note asking if i want to allow the program to do that. Thats not getting in the way, its keeping the programmers honest.
Sure, the firewall does its job, but users don't know how to tweak it, they barely know how to turn on a computer. A firewall that gives them feedback is a great help to helping someone understand the vulnerabilities of a system... i bet most people dont know how many programs report information about you back to the manufacturer....
The OS X firewall is perfect IMHO. I've never had problems with it blocking apps I don't want it to block...
Probably because most apps that use non-standard ports are server apps (most likely not something you are using) or games (most likely not ported to OS X)
I find it comes in quite handy; I've had it many times where I didn't know an application goes online and reports something to the manufacturer and it pops up a note asking if i want to allow the program to do that. Thats not getting in the way, its keeping the programmers honest.
Sure, the firewall does its job, but users don't know how to tweak it, they barely know how to turn on a computer. A firewall that gives them feedback is a great help to helping someone understand the vulnerabilities of a system... i bet most people dont know how many programs report information about you back to the manufacturer....
Fiveos22
Aug 6, 09:49 PM
My cup runneth over with excitement.
Too bad I'll be in class all day tomorrow and won't get the minute by minute MR coverage...unless I bring my macbook to class with me. :D
Too bad I'll be in class all day tomorrow and won't get the minute by minute MR coverage...unless I bring my macbook to class with me. :D
Unggoy Murderer
Apr 3, 02:54 AM
That's probably one of the most powerful adverts I've ever seen. Apple really are geniuses, no wonder competitors think "How the ***** do they do it?".
VyseTheLegend
Sep 14, 09:33 PM
NYC-- there are 6 of them I went to and each sells different cases. Some more than others. Yes, it is dark purple. ;)
Which store in NYC? I've been looking for that dark blue/dark purple one.
Which store in NYC? I've been looking for that dark blue/dark purple one.
mrgreen4242
Jul 18, 08:21 AM
Well, I'll chime in to agree with a lot of you...
1) it HAS TO BE 480p widescreen or better. 480p would be acceptable - it's better than DVD (roughly the same overall image info, but it's a progressive source material, so no pulldown being done in the player, meaning just a tad nicer images AND it's not NTSC color, so you get an improvement there).
2) it needs to be on my TV, and that doesn't mean buy a $400 iPod to do it, either.
3) it needs to be cheap. I get all the movies I want from Netflix for under $20 a month. The only reason I would use this service is to get something right now on an impulse. which brings us to...
4) downloads can't be overnight. Should be able to start watching within half an hour, otherwise I'll go to video store and rent it for $2.50 on DVD.
Now, the only thing that could excuse any of these requirements would be...
5) release movies that are just out of theatres, but not yet on DVD. There's a market for that with people who don't like going to the theatre (expensive, noisy, etc) but don't like to wait for DVD.
#5 would excuse #3 and 4, but #1 and 2 are pretty non-negotiable for me.
I know, I'm asking for fast, cheap, and high-quality, where it's normally pick two, but there are already many options out there that make you pick two... Apple needs to provide all 3 if they want to sand out in the crowd.
1) it HAS TO BE 480p widescreen or better. 480p would be acceptable - it's better than DVD (roughly the same overall image info, but it's a progressive source material, so no pulldown being done in the player, meaning just a tad nicer images AND it's not NTSC color, so you get an improvement there).
2) it needs to be on my TV, and that doesn't mean buy a $400 iPod to do it, either.
3) it needs to be cheap. I get all the movies I want from Netflix for under $20 a month. The only reason I would use this service is to get something right now on an impulse. which brings us to...
4) downloads can't be overnight. Should be able to start watching within half an hour, otherwise I'll go to video store and rent it for $2.50 on DVD.
Now, the only thing that could excuse any of these requirements would be...
5) release movies that are just out of theatres, but not yet on DVD. There's a market for that with people who don't like going to the theatre (expensive, noisy, etc) but don't like to wait for DVD.
#5 would excuse #3 and 4, but #1 and 2 are pretty non-negotiable for me.
I know, I'm asking for fast, cheap, and high-quality, where it's normally pick two, but there are already many options out there that make you pick two... Apple needs to provide all 3 if they want to sand out in the crowd.
Blue Velvet
Nov 28, 01:22 PM
Honestly, why does M$ keeps trying to "innovate" on each and every market, instead of just focusing on the PC platform?
Because they fear the iPod and what it — and its ecosystem — may potentially evolve into; becoming a platform in its own right, particularly with the convergence of multimedia in the home.
Because they fear the iPod and what it — and its ecosystem — may potentially evolve into; becoming a platform in its own right, particularly with the convergence of multimedia in the home.