tech ronin

Mac Mini-Tower Would be Good

Gene Steinberg at the Tech Night Owl Newsletter makes a convincing argument for Apple to bring out a Mini-tower ASAP in issue #348.

The gist of it is that many a potential Mac user, many currently of the Windows persuasion, want a moderately priced (about $1000) traditional sort of a PC box. One that is open. Where you can add a graphics card or an extra hard drive.

And many of us, in this age of the $400 PC, don't want to cough up $2000 for that privilege. We don't need the fastest machine out there - just current technology like the a midrange processor based on the new Intel Core 2 Duo. We need whatever would typically go in the next iMac with a little less concern for power conservation because we have a little bigger box to work with. That should translate to cheaper than what goes in a notebook or iMac (but it might be cheaper for Apple to use the same board as the iMac due to economies of scale).

Sizewise, I'm thinking small mini-tower. At least twice the size of the Mac mini. Bigger than a cube. Something that looks cool, of course.

Most computer users have already spent a chunk of change on a nice flat screen monitor (I have a 20" and 17"), so we would *prefer* to buy a headless Mac.

The Mac mini is too minimalist for flexibility, upgradeability and individuality. We are going to get a lot of PC-types who want to play PC games. And play them with a nice graphics card or at least a decent one. That's not possible with a Mac mini. I actually play games now and then and, if I'm going to bother to sit up in front of a monitor, I want a nice gaming experience. Not the compromised experience the current Mac mini and MacBook provide.

Apple could easily acquire a lot more Mac users, read marketshare, if they saw their way clear to address this big honking market.

The doors are swinging wide for Apple right now with the Intel Macs, all sorts of options for running Windows applications (like games) on Macs and the iPod's continuing popularity drawing lots of *new* people into Apple stores and Apple's website. Here's hoping Steve's minimalism doesn't limit the Mac's potential. He's very, very smart. Cross your fingers.

MacBook Magsafe Power Adapter is Cool

Just a quick update about my experience with the MacBook. I'm loving the magsafe power adapter. I wasn't sure whether it would really be the advantage Apple said it would be. But, in fact, it doesn't pull out every time you turn around. It occasionally pulls out under duress, but that's exactly what I want it to do. It is elegant and light weight. MUCH nicer than the old adapters which I've replaced many times to my financial detriment.

Otherwise, still loving the MacBook. The glossy screen occasionally draws attention to itself with a reflection but I almost instantly tune that out. The only place I noticed it as a minor inconvenience was sitting in my car on a sunny day. The small negative of more reflection seems far out-weighted by the better readability and blacker blacks you get in return. I enjoy my computing experience more. The proof is that I'm finding myself more motivated to work at my computer with this screen.

I recommended the MacBook to a friend who thought she was going to get a MacBook Pro. I argued that the MacBook is the machine of the moment. She did a lot of video production work but used iMovie, a universal app, to do so. In the iLife realm, you have to have a very good reason to fork over hundreds more dollars to get the Pro. When you must have the Pro, then you must. But, I would argue, most of us will find the MacBook a better choice.

When the revised MacBook Pros come out, they may be the hot ticket. But not right now. A 2ghz core duo-driven BlackBook is an amazing deal.

Little Black (Mac)Book, Part 2

I haven't used my Powerbook 1.5 ghz since getting this MacBook. Now that I have a few days under my belt, I'm ready to make further observations.

One. I do see the glare on the glossy screen more easily for sure. However, I LOVE the way things look on the glossy screen. Everything looks better. The type is smaller but the screen's additional brightness and blacker blacks makes up for it and then some.

It seems more like an iBook than a PowerBook. It's plastic. It has all the ports on the left. It has a bigger rim around the screen.

But the wide screen is awesome! It's quite a bit smaller than my 15“ PB, which is easier to carry and easier on the lap.

The lack of aluminum feels like a plus to me. The metal feeling isn't as cozy as the textured plastic.

The black is great.

And the keyboard is, as stated before, superb. The keyboard looks out of this world great. In total the look from here while I type is aesthetically elegant and sumptuous. It is dazzling.

I don't think I will get a 15” Mac Book Pro from here. But when the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro comes out, I might get a 17“. Then I would have a very portable machine for basic use and a big screen when I need more room. In that scenario, I don't think my PowerMac G5 dual 2ghz would get much use. I might sell it. We'll see.

Technorati Tags: MacBook, Macintosh

My New Black (Mac)Book

Just bought a black MacBook today. Paid the extra $100 to get 1 gig of RAM. Bought from my local Apple store, so got the 80 gig drive. I plan to eventually upgrade the RAM to 2 gigs and upgrade to a 120 gig 7200 rpm drive when they are available and affordable.

The out of box experience is stellar. The box is so tiny as it should always have been. So easy to take one out of the store even with the HP Photosmart C4180 which was considerably bigger but OK. I'm hoping that printer/scanner/copier is going to be worth the $49 I pay after I getting the $100 rebate. Seems a deal. On the printer, I like that it has an extra little side panel holder for 4x6 paper.

So, yeah, this is cool. I love the keyboard! Looks sensational and feels perfect. My favorite keyboard. Typing feels effortless.

The type is noticeably smaller than on my Powerbook G4 1.5ghz but that's to my advantage in that I get less weight and just about the same pixels as before. Small pixels give me the high screen real estate I need.

I was blown away by the improvement in wi-fi reception compared to my PowerBook. Instead of the usual two or three hotspots at my home, I'm seeing six or seven!

Things are fast and crisp but I'm not blown away by speed. We'll see. I've got about 30 minutes under my belt. I may try a couple tests and get back to you on that.

It took about an hour to transfer from my PowerBook. Everything since then is just working. Like we like. That migration assistant makes buying a new Mac so easy.

This may just be the ideal notebook for me. I have in the back of my mind that I'll get a Mac Book Pro when the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros come out. But I sure like paying $1499 instead of $1999 or $2499. This little black machine is going to tide me over very, very nicely. Today this is the most state-of-the-art Mac.

I promise to follow up on this post

Technorati Tags: MacBook, Macintosh