Why does my new mac...?

1. start working within 2 min. of taking it out of the box? My last Windows box (a thinkpad running windows XP SP2 purchased in September 2007) needed 2 HOURS of setup/screens before I could use it.

2. find and connect to my home server (a windows server 2003 box) faster/sooner/more easily than my recent Thinkpad which took futzing with for four hours to get it to connect properly?

3. Make me smile everytime I look at it? I get angry looking at my windows boxes now, remembering how much agony it was to set them up to self maintain (defrag & backup every night).

4. find all my music and movies and other media content so much more quickly?

5. run an incredible amount faster / boot much more quickly than a similarly speced windows box?

5. cost about the same for nearly the same configuration hardware wise (price difference: $8. that's less than me & Knick Jim going to the taco truck)?

6. not annoy me every time I want to run an executable or asking me always "Am I sure I want to do this?" for every freakin' action?

6. not have ANY 64 bit driver issues? (running Vista 32 bit is like trying to walk with one leg. The OS hogs so much memory you can't get anything done - I refuse to use it. I was about to build a new PC to run Vista 64 bit, but after experiencing this MacBookPro - my next desktop is going to be a Mac too.).

I swear, I am only MORE motivated to port Speak With Me's code to the Mac now (and support the iPhone too). We're all equipped with VMWare fusion and if 70% of the car navi market didn't use Windows CE we wouldn't have to support Windows for the long haul. I think that Thinkpad will be my last PC purchase. Windows, you are now going to be relegated to being a second class citizen I dual boot to - or run as a virtual machine so I can kill you any time I want to. This is coming from someone who used to be fanatical about Windows NT 4.0 & Windows 2000. No one is getting Vista in our office for as long as we can avoid it (we may get a contract for a media center pc that requires it, but until then...)!

Oh, and our new CEO who's joining next week used to work for Microsoft. I bought a mac book pro for him, too. I had them in mind initially so we can port our code to the iPhone - but I think these will fast become our daily use machines.

All I have to say to the world is: If you aren't making a product you yourself LOVE to use everyday, make something different. Make something irresistible - make something drool-worthy, make something you are proud of - and WANT to show off and talk about. And don't piss off your users - they are your biggest evangelists.

For the first time since I used the very first macintosh when I was four years old - I have this huge grin on my face that won't go away - and all the inspiration I need to convince everyone on the planet - that the next step in the user interface - is the one that listens to your every word

Don't be surprised if I stay up this late routinely, as I am itching to make our stuff work on an iPhone just that much more quickly.

Frank, Nizam, Gordie, Edward & Kevin & everyone else I know at Apple - my compliments to all of your and all of your colleagues hard work! Your Ferrari's are well deserved! (ok Edward, I know you're still workin' on yours... as am I...)

 

This is good info for a guy who does not know squat about computers, me.

Not my specialty as most of you know!!

 

Hey just sell two more and you'll get an iToaster...

 

Hey AJ.. thanks for contributing to my cause! well at least 85% of it..

 

can anyone explain to me why the MacPro's configurability is like having to choose between spinners and dubs for a Ferrari?

The graphics cards are severely outdated. The hard drives are weak--still running 750GB SATA drives. And 16GB of FBDIMM RAM costs $4500 when you can get better latency FBDIMM's independently for WAYYYYY less.

It's just if you were to make an ALL-IN-ONE machine that's ultra powerful (3.0 Ghz, 8-core, 16GB RAM, 5TB of storage w/ an OS/App HDD--SAS preferably), I'm not sure a MacPro is the way to go--custom building a PC would be better right? At least given the current options on Apple's website.

I'd have to say though that Apple cleaned up their act as far as appearance and 'pizzaz'. The new Leopard OS looks pretty... uhh.. pretty..

I do have an iPhone & iPod though.

 

I think if the machine works well for him, is plug and play, then that is all that matters.
Apple is very good at providing that and also provide high quality items abit at a price.

Microsoft writes for both Apple and Windows based systems.
I believe that you are now seeing a merger/overlap/ansi standardization of a number of items which is good for the consumer and the manufactuers.
Most people will never use all the power of their machines unless they are playing complex games at high resolution or doing destop publishing.
It certainly does not make me use Word or Excel any faster.

I have four machines networked in my home office.
Part of the reason I use a Window based systems is due to Bloomberg and Reuters institutional securities trading software which is setup for Windows XP.
The load is fairly demanding as everything is real time for bonds and equities.

However that being said.
I just purchased the new Toshiba Qosmio Q45 Laptop that just came out on September 9.
It runs the new Santa Rosa T7300 Dual Core (Runs for hours on the battery)
17' 1920x1200 Utitmate True Brite Screen (I only have it turned half way up).
320 GB HDD (2x160) Raid O
nVidia 8600M GT 512MB+1,024MB Running DX10 w/ 3D.
2.0M camera
HD DVD WRITABLE
External High Definition Tuner
Harmon/Kardon with Dolby
Wireless N, Bluetooth & Infrared
Windows Ultimate (The updated Dsivers just came out). More stable than XP. I had ZERO problem transfering all my software over via a USB cable in one swoop.

The laptop comes with HDMI output that plugs straight into my Sony 63." I am planning on just dowloading movies in 1080P.

I will play with it some more then I might provide a review soon.
I am very happy that I did purchase an Alienware, Sager or M-tech machine.



Like I said, if the Apple works for him, lasts for four years, does give him any headaches than that is all that matters.
Yes, Apple turns some really nice hardware and software.
In fact, I have some of it on my new machine.
Apples and Oranges
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Some of the brightest words ever spoken.

Apple, while not perfect, really has hit nearly every one out of the park since the first iMac.

I'm typing this on my FOURTH apple powerbook (the last 1.6ghz G4), and I still use the other 3 (ok one's a print server and another is a fancy single-function server. but still. And the print server serves an Epson 7600 24" drum printer!) I'll be upgrading to a MacBook Pro probally in the next rev.

Apple's products by and large JUST WORK. I never could say the same for microsoft's windows, including v3.0.

My iPhone is all about teh sex. Really.

 

No Problemo - I had a choice in the Apple store - between VMWare and Parallels - and I said, "I've got a couple of friends at VMWare - I should help their stock price some, however insignificant that current purchase effects it!"

You guys definately have done awesome work too

 

PM me about your product, if it's iPhone based I'm sure you can find a few willing testers here!

 

thanks for the nice post AJ.

You might be interested to know we have a developer SDK coming in February for the iPhone. You won't have to wait long to have API-level command and control over the device.

Hope to see you guys on Saturday at SR.

Arun... you should bring that noisy CS of yours to SR (it's been a while) and we can talk computers and dubs.

Frank

 

or an iMicrowave

I'm an anti-Ipoder. But I've always liked Macs. Even had the inventor/designer at my college graduation. I thought that he was cool. First time I played with a Mac was my friend's in 84 I believe, with macpaint. hehe.
Whenever I get around to getting a laptop, it will be a powerbook

Josh, are you at vmware? I'm looking to learn how to use that soon.

 

Yup, that's why I bought the macs now. Gotta spend some time before February learning the ins and outs of developing for OS X!

 

I like the MAC interface. My sister-in-law has one and for someone like her, it's perfect.
I came from the very roots of the PC world (IBM 5150) and been with it ever since. I've lost track of how many systems I've purchased, built, rebuilt, modified, that it get's tiring after awhile. I almost cringe everytime an in-law calls with a PC problem.

I think very low of the IBM Thinkpad series. The company I work for uses them exclusively but lately, there has been a push by a number of individualistic engineers to purchase MAC's. Since I'm with the Desktop Support group, we don't officially support them (because IBM owns the support contract!) They don't care. They hate the Thinkpads and Windows.

My specialty support though, is with Solaris and RH Linux. Now talk about bullet proof systems. I've seen old Solaris boxes from the late 90's still running and their uptime closing in on 2 years without a power down. Many people have replaced their desktop workstations with Linux OS's. Still somewhat buggy but not nearly as bad as the Thinkpads/WindowsXP. Now they're talking about rolling out Vista!!!!

For me, I don't care. I'd rather learn more about the MAC OS because I beleive it's portable across the UNIX OS's. I knew I should have gotten in on the VMWare IPO.

 

SUN and Silicon Graphics systems absolutely rock. I've had several SGIs with uptimes (no power interrupts or resets of any kind) in the 3+ year range. It's a real shame what's happened to SGI the last 5 years, but at least I have my multi-rack Onyx2 that nobody can take away from me.

It's kind of like owning a Pan Am 707, a little out of date in some respects, but when you fire it up, the neighbors cower!
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Frank: definitely interested in talking computers... are you going to SR this Sat.?

Artherd: absolutely INSANE... is that in your garage or do you have your own 'server room'??!?

 

Was in datacenter, right now it's in the garage under wraps. My new place will have a fully raised floor room with (thick, for noise reduction) glass walls so I can run and light 'em properly.

Some stats on the machine:
16 processors (R12000 at 300Mhz, have room for 32.)
8 GB RAM.
1920x1200 res. 512MB framebuffer.
4x fibre channel to disk arrays.

 

Drew.. I work for the company that spun them off earlier this year.

 

arthur... not very green I assume! I had a Clariion CX SAN w/ 2 mcdata switches connected to 3 hosts and an old netapp box running at my house and let me tell you, PG&E bill was not very pretty!

 

You guy's are off the hook!
The last guy I knew with a mini-computer had an old HP3000 Series III! He had to get an AC unit just for the garage!

The SGI's look good if that's how they still look after you finally get them in place. I once thought of getting a Chatsworth when I had the chance to get one for free but then figured it'd cost too much to fill it with network equipment and pizza servers; and the real killer: electrical bill. Still, it would of been fun.

sorry this took a weird turn from the original post.

 

The electric bill was the first thing I thinking...Kind of makes you wonder what he up too...Ben?

I looked up the the Mac Pro.
It is a very impressive for a factory machine...cutting edge.
One is going toward my entertainment system in my living room, abit one version down the road.
Looking for eight core video cards and hard memory.

 

My plan is to be there 9:30-ish. It would be great to see you (and your car) again.

Frank

 

Let's just say the machine requires TWO 220v 30A outlets! (and a 6KW Symmetra UPS.) I really ought to put together some sort of cogen to run it full time, but to be honest I just fire it up for a few hours every month or so. I'd love to run it 24/7 solving cancer or something, but can't find anyone willing to pay for power/time. I'd do it at cost in a heartbeat.

289FIA_Cobra: those pics are taken in my office, machines have been moved once since, but are in just as good of shape as in that photo. I moved them myself, (I'm in construction industry) I have trucks with liftgates and do not trust anyone else to handle my babies.

 

Just wanted to add, the onyx2 debuted in 1995. It is now more than TWELVE years old, and still does many things better and faster than the best money can buy today. This is the McLaren F1 of computers, I've always wanted one and feel privliged to own it.

 

Ben: how about just letting run the SETI program all day? Heaven knows there has to be more intelligent life beyond earth!
Did you work for SGI before? I used to work in Mt.View over a decade ago when SGI was just getting big (I used to work for the defuct "Metaphor Computer Systems" on Rengstorff/Charleston. I still yearn for La Costena burritos!

 

La Costena burritos < I ate there a few times

And Ben, let's go after finding someone who would do that with using it to help aid in cancer research...