Its a Mac Mac World!
Hello everyone, time to lighten things up and take a break from our discussion on Singularity…
I do not know how many of you are Mac (Macintosh) fans out there. Regardless, I am quite sure that many of you heard about the new products that were announce last week at Mac World in San Fran. The Ipod shuffle, the Mac Mini Apple attempt at creating a more price friendly computer. Then of course more examples of the beauty and power of Tiger, which is Apple next installment of the Mac OS X operating system. Cannot forget to mention the introduction of iLife 05 and iWork software packages. Plus the new and improved Final Cut Express which is now equipped to handle HD.
While the Ipod shuffle has garner the most attention the Mac Mini is not to be overlooked. As an Apple user but not quite a zealot, for I love Apple pc’s but I do not think that they are for everyone. The main complaint that I have received in trying to get Window users to try an Apple computer is the price. Why are Apple computers priced so high? Time in and time again that is the main question I hear. While a few Apple heads and critics feel that the Mac Mini will suffer the same fate as the Cube. For those not in the know the Cube was a computer release by Apple in 2000 that was shape like a, well the name speaks for itself. Though to me the Cube was a lovely machine it did not catch on and was suspended in mid 2001. Though Apple never officially announced the Cube was discontinued. Leaving the door open for a return and considering the undying loyalty to the Cube you never know.
Saying the Mac Mini will go the way of the Cube is a bit premature. Although, every time a product is release there is a chance that it can fail but the Mac Mini and the Cube have some varying differences. Mainly the price the Cube low-end configuration price was $1499 and that was after a price cut. The Mac Mini comes out the box with a price of $499 and $599 that in itself will save the Mac Mini from a quick doom like that of the Cube. Even if the Mac Mini does not sell quickly from the beginning with a price so low Apple should be able to keep it on the market a while.
Second the Mac Mini is really aimed at “switchers” Window users who have bought an Ipod and are thinking about trying an Apple computer. The Mac Mini is also being marketed to Apple users who may want a second Apple pc in their household but are not ready to fork a lot of money for it. So these three reasons alone should keep the Mac Mini from going the way of the Cube.
iLife 05 speaks for itself although the improvements to Garage Band are excellent; too many people slam Garage Band without fully giving it a try. No it is not Logic or Logic Express it is free but for what its worth Garage Band is an excellent music program.
Now is iWork Apple attempt of creating an office suite to challenge Microsoft Office for Mac? Microsoft Office for Mac is by far one of the best programs for Apple and leaves Appleworks Apple office suite in the dust by miles. Before iWork can become a true challenge to Office for Mac it will need a spreadsheet application among other things but iWork is a step in the right direction.
Adding HD to Final Cut Express is a great addition but the true gem of the next installment of Final Cut Express is the addition of Soundtrack and Livetype. Two important features in movie editing.
The HD for Final Cut I understand but with Final Cut Express I do not know. Final Cut Pro HD is a professional application while FCE is more of a “prosumer” application. Although JVC and Sony have both release HD camcorders under $5000. HD still has a way to catch on with the every day consumer. Even for the developing independent filmmaker and your above average cinematographer HD cams have a way to go before supplanting DV as the standard. Still adding HD capabilities to FCE and iMovie are the way to go for the day will come that HD maybe the standard.
I do not know how many of you are Mac (Macintosh) fans out there. Regardless, I am quite sure that many of you heard about the new products that were announce last week at Mac World in San Fran. The Ipod shuffle, the Mac Mini Apple attempt at creating a more price friendly computer. Then of course more examples of the beauty and power of Tiger, which is Apple next installment of the Mac OS X operating system. Cannot forget to mention the introduction of iLife 05 and iWork software packages. Plus the new and improved Final Cut Express which is now equipped to handle HD.
While the Ipod shuffle has garner the most attention the Mac Mini is not to be overlooked. As an Apple user but not quite a zealot, for I love Apple pc’s but I do not think that they are for everyone. The main complaint that I have received in trying to get Window users to try an Apple computer is the price. Why are Apple computers priced so high? Time in and time again that is the main question I hear. While a few Apple heads and critics feel that the Mac Mini will suffer the same fate as the Cube. For those not in the know the Cube was a computer release by Apple in 2000 that was shape like a, well the name speaks for itself. Though to me the Cube was a lovely machine it did not catch on and was suspended in mid 2001. Though Apple never officially announced the Cube was discontinued. Leaving the door open for a return and considering the undying loyalty to the Cube you never know.
Saying the Mac Mini will go the way of the Cube is a bit premature. Although, every time a product is release there is a chance that it can fail but the Mac Mini and the Cube have some varying differences. Mainly the price the Cube low-end configuration price was $1499 and that was after a price cut. The Mac Mini comes out the box with a price of $499 and $599 that in itself will save the Mac Mini from a quick doom like that of the Cube. Even if the Mac Mini does not sell quickly from the beginning with a price so low Apple should be able to keep it on the market a while.
Second the Mac Mini is really aimed at “switchers” Window users who have bought an Ipod and are thinking about trying an Apple computer. The Mac Mini is also being marketed to Apple users who may want a second Apple pc in their household but are not ready to fork a lot of money for it. So these three reasons alone should keep the Mac Mini from going the way of the Cube.
iLife 05 speaks for itself although the improvements to Garage Band are excellent; too many people slam Garage Band without fully giving it a try. No it is not Logic or Logic Express it is free but for what its worth Garage Band is an excellent music program.
Now is iWork Apple attempt of creating an office suite to challenge Microsoft Office for Mac? Microsoft Office for Mac is by far one of the best programs for Apple and leaves Appleworks Apple office suite in the dust by miles. Before iWork can become a true challenge to Office for Mac it will need a spreadsheet application among other things but iWork is a step in the right direction.
Adding HD to Final Cut Express is a great addition but the true gem of the next installment of Final Cut Express is the addition of Soundtrack and Livetype. Two important features in movie editing.
The HD for Final Cut I understand but with Final Cut Express I do not know. Final Cut Pro HD is a professional application while FCE is more of a “prosumer” application. Although JVC and Sony have both release HD camcorders under $5000. HD still has a way to catch on with the every day consumer. Even for the developing independent filmmaker and your above average cinematographer HD cams have a way to go before supplanting DV as the standard. Still adding HD capabilities to FCE and iMovie are the way to go for the day will come that HD maybe the standard.
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