Apple Computer Life is about to END.

No thanks. I prefer to build my own, with the parts I choose.

Don't ever want a pre-built again.

 

"Decent" is a relevant term. When pricing one, with a 1.5GHz Intel solo the price starts at $599 (minus keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.) By the time I added the display (only a 20"), the keyboard/mouse, put the RAM up to 1GB, and the drive up to 100 GB I was at $1,726 (before taxes, and without APP.) And that gives me no expandability.

To do with what I have in my Media Center PC, I have to get into the larger class machines which start at $1,999 before customization (and I cleared the whole machine including Dell flat-panel display for well under that!) Actually, for that much I bought my Media Center PC, display, and my Dell SC-420 web server (including mirrored SATA drives) that I use to host my Exchange/IIS for my personal domains.

They just aren't in the right price range to have non-"Cult of Mac" folks really excited about them yet. I do hope they come around though, or they release Garage Band on PC. But, I won't hold my breath on either.

 

Up 300 and some %?! WOW So that'ld give them.....what 5-6% market share in Oz now? :tongue3: :sleeping_2:



Oh I LOVE stirring

 

Dod you get the Apple Monitor? That is a mistake, I got a 1.66 dual core system and a 19" ViewSonic Widescreen and nice M-Audio studio speakers.

Got them all for:
Mac Mini 1.66 with Wireless, Bluetooth and DVD Burner
$699
Widescreen display:
$173 after rebate
Studio monitors"
$110

Not to bad..you may get a PC a little cheaper, but not that does half of what the Mac is capable of and with all of the bundled software.

 

I used to do that...but I started using Apples and realized there is no way I could design a better system than Jonathan Ive can

I never have to worry about drivers and the system just all works.

They are worth any premium that you might pay, although that premium is virtually nothing anymore.

The only way to save on a PC these days over a Mac is to get less of a system than what Apple offers. feature for feature, Apple is usually lower, but you just may not want all of the features that they give you.

 

Dale, you've got it bad. I'm glad you love your Mac and all, but you are the minority around here.

 

I thought I was the one that had it bad...or I guess that is SAD.
CTX...circa:1997
WD 8.2Mgb HD + WD 2.4 Mgb HD
AMD II 350 Mghz
160 Mgb Ram
4 Mgb Video Card...can't remember the brand
AOpen SVV 56K Modem
ASTVision 17in. monitor, CTX Speakers
I mean I know this , nowdays, is sad. But I love this machine. The HD according to specs has a life expectancy of 3-4 yrs. Going on 9. I run Win.2000pro, which I like a whole lot better than XP. COurse this machine doesn't qute have the proper power to run XP, or Linux as I discovered. My step-son had XP on his & had nothing but headaches out of it, finally installed 2000.
I've looked at buyin or building in the future but it'll proably be when this one DIES. Sides it's fun going to the local shop here & have him look at me funny when I DO need something. Like now I'm afraid the video card is plannin to fail soon, but can't find another old one to put in it. He even gave me one but couldn't find the right drivers to work with 2000.
Like I said....sad!!!!

 

Hey preacher. Here's a site you might find useful:http://www.pcliquidator.com/xfer

Especially since you need older parts.

 

"Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat . . . narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
:smilewinkgrin:

I have been using Macs for 18 years, and I wouldn't change them for the world. I have bought PC's for my kids and can't stand using them. I'm with Dale.

 

"Half of what the Mac is capable of" is not a correct statement and again, relativity. But, after years in technology, I should know better to discuss platforms with an indoctrinated Mac user. Like them or not (and I mentioned being enamoured with them after the BSD core was pulled in,) if I don't sing the praises of Mac as the sole computing platform, it always elicits a defensive posture.

But, for the sake of others... I did get the Windows Media Center XP edition, which functions like Tivo, along with the full function remote control. I got dual optical drives, including the DVD burner and several packages to burn DVDs with, plus several options to author DVDs of recorded content. I also got the ability to plug in my digital DVCAM and import via firewire with several software options for editing. I got numerous options for managing my music, video, and recorded TV with options for broadcasting it to remote devices in the house (including an the XBOX when I get one.) There were numerous other applications and packages which I have yet even to take the time to play with. It also came with an office suite from WordPerfect or something, but I put MS Office on it.

As mentioned, I usually just ignore the Mac propaganda, *but* when it isn't correct, I guess I still feel obligated to point things out for those who may not be in the know. I gave up trying to discuss platforms with Mac folks about the same time I gave up discussing religion with Jehovah's Witnesses. Both are equally dedicated to their faiths, regardless of how many misconceptions they have of yours.

 

I have used both platform extensively. I use both XP Pro and Tiger...I much prefer Tiger. I am sure I could get the PC to get the same results, but I would have to spend so much more in software.


Hey, Preacher, 2kPro was the best Version of Windows ever! Stable an not bloated! I run 2K PRo on my Mac Mini with Virtual PC and it runs great.

I have a few programs that I use occasionally that I use that for.
The favorite PC that I ever had was a 933 MHZ HP ePC. IT had 2kPro and I never had a problem with it really.

 

Just FYI, I am not an indoctrinated Mac user, though I know that such exist. I work for a MS parter and a networking company.

I use both platforms a lot but I have found that most things that normal users do can be done on both. A few things I really need a PC for, a few things I really need the Mac for.
80% or so could go either way and it is those things that I always take the Mac over the PC.

I highly recommend the Mac to basic users though since it is so much easier to use.

Oh, BTW, I have a Tivo like device for my mac as well as the Front Row software for DVDs and videos, it is great.
I don't see how I could go back to regular TV again, even though I don't watch it much

 

Trotter....thanks for the link, mabey me & my puter can grow old together!!

 

Oh Dale I do think the Minis are a great deal, but integrated graphics can only take you so far. What I meant was when Apple starts selling their tower systems , the PC-sized systems with Intel Core Duos, that will provide another boost to their sales. I'd like to see one with 4 GB of RAM and a screaming video card.

 

Aubre,
Those should be out in the next couple of months. There are rumors that they will not be the core duo, but a faster desktop cpu, similar to the core duo.
Also the current core duo Imacs DO have a dedicated video card, but they are more expensive.
Milady

 

I think he's looking forward to the new Pro Towers due in a couple of weeks that will likely feature two dual-core Woodcrest chips and a screaming fast architecture to take advantage of all that power.

 

Yes, as nice as the G5s are...the new Intels fly.

This little Intel Mac Mini I am typing on is faster than the G5 we used to have at work.

The only thing lacking is that I need to get more RAM for it. It only has 512 now but I think I will put 1 gig in it at some point.

One thing to note though is the trend away from internal expansion.

How many people, average users, do you know that actually ever put stuff in their PCI slots on their Dells?
Few do and most of those are things that come in the Macs as standard....
I have heard rumors that the new Pro Mac..the PowerMac replacement may not have a lot of internal expansion.

BUt that is all rumor...we shall see.

 

I will be very disappointed if they limit internal expandability.

I have a G4 PowerMac (that's a tower for our Window/Linux friends) from 2001, and I've expanded it like crazy. I've added/upgraded a couple of hard drives, added USB2, added a gig of RAM, added a fast wireless card, upgraded the SuperDrive (DVD-RW) and have strongly considered upgrading the graphics card and processor. (And by the way, I haven't had to install a single driver for any of those upgrades... the Mac is truly plug-and-play!)

The system still serves me well, but I'll eventually need to update to a faster architecture. Apple builds some very nice machines, but I like having options for the future.

 

They do need a highly expandable system for sure. There is still a market for that. I love the G4 towers, I liked them a lot better than the G5 towers. I think it was because of the heat issues that they had to overcome so performance won out over ease of use with those.
Not that I would mind a G5, just that I preferred the smaller but just as expandable G4 case