Why I love Apple

[rjensen11]

Here's what I have in my inbox from Apple:

Considering how much time you spend sitting in front of your computer, isn’t it time to get a better view? Feast your eyes on the stunning 30-inch (diagonal) Apple Cinema HD Display—the largest high-resolution LCD ever designed for the personal computer. Enveloped in a sleek, new aluminum enclosure, this all-digital beauty features an active-matrix liquid crystal display that produces flicker-free images that delivers twice the brightness, sharpness, and contrast ratio of a typical CRT display. And with 2560-by-1600 pixel resolution, you can see three 8½ x 11 pages at 100% view all on one screen—with plenty of room for palettes and windows.

Combine the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display with a Power Mac G5 and there’s no limit to what you can achieve.* You can have more applications open while viewing more windows and documents at the same time—a surefire way to increase productivity. The tremendous leap in size and resolution of this display requires the most advanced graphics architecture available—the dual-link NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL graphics card can support up to two 30-inch displays.

Priced at $3299, the Apple Cinema HD Display can be yours for as low as $73 a month with the Apple Instant Loan.** The 30-inch display will be available in August but you can order yours today and be among the first to have one. Shop online at the Apple Store or call us toll-free at 1-800-MY-APPLE and speak to a Mac Specialist for answers to any questions you may have.

http://www.apple.com/displays/#

 

[toyomatt84]

Here's what I love about apple: [link with obscene language removed by moderator]

 

[Sage]

Beat you to the punch. I of course watched the news feeds come in live from the keynote.

 

[the_cobbinator]

You might as well another computer for $3200.

 

[Klostrophobic]

That's why I don't love Apple.

I can buy two computers with two 21 inch monitors for 3300 bucks.

 

[Duke]

That's why I don't love Apple.

I can buy two computers with two 21 inch monitors for 3300 bucks.

Name that tune.

 

[Giancarlo]

And i only have to pay $73 a month

for 45 years?

Awesome!

 

[CDailey]

But look on the bright side. All the Windows users can now spend upwards of $2000 for one of Apple's monitors. 👍

 

[Danoff]

$3299 isn't too bad for a 30" display.

Dell has this one (which I bought):

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/lcd_w3000?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs


But if I were going to get the 30" Mac display, I'd want a remote and all the connections the dell has.

Granted the dell has lower resolution. But it's down to $2300.

 

[Sage]

Granted the dell has lower resolution.

But what's the highest the Dell can go? The only number I could find was 1280 x 768, which is almost worthless for computer work (seeing as how I have that many pixels stuck into a 12" monitor, and it gets crowded with pallets), unless I'm just overlooking some other number...? The point (to me, anyway) of having a monitor that big is for the resolution, not simply how big it is... you can cram a lot more into a 2560 x 1600 space than a 1280 x 768 space, regardless of how big each individual pixel is.

 

[sUn]

I've been looking at that iCurve stuff for iBook's is it really any good Sage?

 

[Sage]

Of course – I have an iCurve! It's not exactly cheap, but I think it's worth it... I tried using my iBook for a week without a stand, and by the end of that week my back was in terrible condition. The iCurve's height is perfect ergonomically, it's very durable, pretty (that's important! ), and really helps the air flow around the laptop (not really important where you are, I guess, but in Cali that's a big problem sometimes).

 

[Danoff]

But what's the highest the Dell can go? The only number I could find was 1280 x 768, which is almost worthless for computer work (seeing as how I have that many pixels stuck into a 12" monitor, and it gets crowded with pallets), unless I'm just overlooking some other number...? The point (to me, anyway) of having a monitor that big is for the resolution, not simply how big it is... you can cram a lot more into a 2560 x 1600 space than a 1280 x 768 space, regardless of how big each individual pixel is.

The screen is quite spacious for the computer at that resolution. In fact, I've considered turning up the text size because the text and buttons are often extremely small.

Anyway, it's great for watching DVDs and HDTV.... and HiRes digicam pictures, and winamp visualization, and video games, and everything else I've put on it.

 

[Sage]

Well, to each his own. I would kill for 2560 x 1600 though – I use Fireworks MX a lot, and am always battling the plethora of pallets that it has. In fact, because of all them, my work canvas is only about 600 x 600 px, which is way too small... having to scroll while working on an image makes me .

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Not to sound like I don't like huge monitors but a 30-inch LCD?! What the heck would one do with all that monitor space let alone find a place to put the thing? It's overkill really. Apple seems to excel in that area with the ridiculous prices they demand for their products.

I love Macs as much as the next person but I just simply cannot afford them or a monitor of that size(Nor would I even need it). If I can though, I want an iBook for portability for college.

 

[toyomatt84]

Here's what I love about apple: [link with obscene language removed by moderator]

HAHAHAHA! Looks like somebody couldn't handle the truth.

 

[Danoff]

Not to sound like I don't like huge monitors but a 30-inch LCD?! What the heck would one do with all that monitor space let alone find a place to put the thing? It's overkill really.

Not at all. This is an excellent monitor (as sage mentioned) for serious graphics work. The high resolution makes this thing really nice for someone who is doing some video editing or cg.

Just take a step back for a second and remember how many different kinds of people want different kinds of monitors. Imagine for a moment that you're working on the latest movie from PIXAR. You've got to work on the animation for one scene. The movie is in 16:9 and you need to make this animation look increadibly real with your computer.... you'd need to have a very nice display. In fact, I'll bet Apple sells quite a few of these to places like PIXAR that do a lot of visualization.

 

[emad]

Wired magazine had a preview of a 40 inch LCD display with a Windows Media Center PC hooked up inside of the unit. Selling price was $4000 USD...for that money you get a much larger screen AND a computer that doesn't need any wires (other than power) to operate. This one too is a high res monitor...

 

[Sage]

In fact, I'll bet Apple sells quite a few of these to places like PIXAR that do a lot of visualization.

It certainly doesn't hurt that Jobs is CEO of both companies...

 

[the_cobbinator]

^

I totally forgot about that.

 

[sUn]

Of course – I have an iCurve! It's not exactly cheap, but I think it's worth it... I tried using my iBook for a week without a stand, and by the end of that week my back was in terrible condition. The iCurve's height is perfect ergonomically, it's very durable, pretty (that's important! ), and really helps the air flow around the laptop (not really important where you are, I guess, but in Cali that's a big problem sometimes).

Sounds good, but I'm not keen on shipping, I've never shipped before and that's the only way I can get an iCurve. The iBook on the other hand is at my local London Drugs, Future Shop sadly, only has iMac's (15" and 20") in there stock, so I'm gonna have to buy it from London Drugs. There's one thing I'm also messed up with, it's the AppleCare Plan for 3 year's on the iBook it's $360. Is it worth it, and what is covered with that plan?

Thanks, Sage.

 

[Danoff]

It certainly doesn't hurt that Jobs is CEO of both companies...

HA! I did not know that.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Not at all. This is an excellent monitor (as sage mentioned) for serious graphics work. The high resolution makes this thing really nice for someone who is doing some video editing or cg.

Just take a step back for a second and remember how many different kinds of people want different kinds of monitors. Imagine for a moment that you're working on the latest movie from PIXAR. You've got to work on the animation for one scene. The movie is in 16:9 and you need to make this animation look increadibly real with your computer.... you'd need to have a very nice display. In fact, I'll bet Apple sells quite a few of these to places like PIXAR that do a lot of visualization.

Well, yes, a monitor of this size would be great at the professional level because of that. But the fact is that most consumers who use their computers to surf the internet and do word processing simply do not need a monitor that big in size.

We all have different needs though so I guess that is why Apple is offering something like that. I'm not saying its bad though. I'd love to have one as I play pc games all the time.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Name that tune.

All About the Pentiums by Weird Al Yankovic

 

[Sage]

HA! I did not know that.

Well now you do. It's also a good explanation for the Macquarium (an iMac turned into an aquarium) in the Finding Nemo DVD.

Sounds good, but I'm not keen on shipping, I've never shipped before and that's the only way I can get an iCurve.

What's wrong with shipping? That's how I got mine, and it was fine. They put it in the most durable cardboard box I've ever laid eyes on, and there's no reason it'd have any problems. Or are you talking about something else?

There's one thing I'm also messed up with, it's the AppleCare Plan for 3 year's on the iBook it's $360. Is it worth it, and what is covered with that plan?

AppleCare pretty much covers anything and everything. Screen breaks, they'll fix it, or if they can't, they'll ship you a new iBook. You get a dud battery, they'll send you a new one. A key on the keyboard gets pulled off, they'll fix it or give you a new keyboard. It's the rough equivalent of an extended warranty, but it also includes telephone support for any problem, including software and OS. Most people like it, because if a piece of hardware is broken, they almost always just send you a new one.

I don't have AppleCare though, since my dad bought this computer, and I wasn't going to be rude and make him get that too. If your stuff is susceptible to damage, then by all means get it, but if you're like me and are ridiculously paranoid about keeping things in working condition anyway (nothing scares me more than when somebody holds my iBook, because I'm afraid they'll drop it), then it's probably not worth it. A few things are out of your control though – For instance, I was lucky and was able to replace a dud battery before the 90-day complimentary AppleCare period ran out (all new computers have AppleCare for 90 days, just for those problems that aren't caused by the owner).

 

[sUn]

Well now you do. It's also a good explanation for the Macquarium (an iMac turned into an aquarium) in the Finding Nemo DVD.


What's wrong with shipping? That's how I got mine, and it was fine. They put it in the most durable cardboard box I've ever laid eyes on, and there's no reason it'd have any problems. Or are you talking about something else?


AppleCare pretty much covers anything and everything. Screen breaks, they'll fix it, or if they can't, they'll ship you a new iBook. You get a dud battery, they'll send you a new one. A key on the keyboard gets pulled off, they'll fix it or give you a new keyboard. It's the rough equivalent of an extended warranty, but it also includes telephone support for any problem, including software and OS. Most people like it, because if a piece of hardware is broken, they almost always just send you a new one.

I don't have AppleCare though, since my dad bought this computer, and I wasn't going to be rude and make him get that too. If your stuff is susceptible to damage, then by all means get it, but if you're like me and are ridiculously paranoid about keeping things in working condition anyway (nothing scares me more than when somebody holds my iBook, because I'm afraid they'll drop it), then it's probably not worth it. A few things are out of your control though – For instance, I was lucky and was able to replace a dud battery before the 90-day complimentary AppleCare period ran out (all new computers have AppleCare for 90 days, just for those problems that aren't caused by the owner).

I guess with your advice, I won't buy AppleCare because I feel the same way about my things the way you do. More than likely, it will stay on one desk, and be moved maybe once or twice onto my bed or something and that's it, not planning on using it everywhere. Sage, I owe you tons and tons and tons for the information and questions you've helped me with. If only I could repay my debt.


Edit: If you don't mind me asking what network devices are you using?

 

[Sage]

Sage, I owe you tons and tons and tons for the information and questions you've helped me with.

No problem. It's my weak spot – Punch my "Apple" button, and I'll spew out more information than anyone cares for.

Edit: If you don't mind me asking what network devices are you using?

Network devices? Erm, well, I've got a phone line going into the modem jack, and that's about it. We don't have enough computers in this house to need a network (2 to be exact, and the other's running OS 8.6, so it's worthless).

 

[Duke]

I guess with your advice, I won't buy AppleCare because I feel the same way about my things the way you do.

Actually, I never get extended warranties, but I did spring for Applecare on the Flattop, just because it gets moved around, and its intended use makes it more likely to get damaged. I think of it as comprehensive automobile insurance, that covers vandalism and broken glass etc.

If you don't mind me asking what network devices are you using?

I've got two Airport Extreme base stations, one with modem (recently connected to Netopia DSL modem), and one without. These are bridged to work together. The two olders Macs (G4/450 and iMac/266) are each connected by Ethernet to one of the base stations, and the two newer Macs are connected via Airport card (15" robot iMac) and Airport Extreme card (the Flattop).

You should be able to use any 8011.g-compatible router with the new iBook. A lot of them have web-based configuration, rather than a separate administration utility. They'll likely be cheaper than the Apple AE stuff, and better for cross-platform networking if necessary.

 

[sUn]

My current desktop will goto my sister's room, I still need internet to go to that desktop. So I'm probably going to have to buy a router. Will I need a network card for my desktop aswell?

I want the iBook and the Desktop to share the same internet connection.. All I need are network cards and a router correct?

 

[Duke]

What is your current desktop machine? All Macs made in the last decade have built-in ethernet, so that's not a problem. On the PC side, I'm not sure, and it's going to vary by machine. The desktop machine definitely will need an ethernet connection.

What kind of internet connection will you have? DSL/cable, or will you be using the internal dialup modem on the desktop machine?

The simplest way to do it is to get a wireless router. This will be located in the room with the desktop, which will also need a phone line. The wireless router will be connected by ethernet cable(s) to both the modem and the desktop computer. The modem is obviously connected to the phone line.

Then, buy an Airport Extreme card with the iBook, if it does not come with it already. The iBook will then be able to access the wireless router from anywhere in the house that the signal will reach, and the router will share the internet between the two machines. I have 2 routers bridged together, and I can get signal just about everywhere in a large 4-bedroom house.