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iMac: All Your Base-ic Needs In One

By moreApple, March 3, 2006

Don't forget to have it powered by the sun and your motion so you can get your fat ass outside.

Inspired by a recent conversation with Pilky, who is buying a new Intel iMac 17”, let’s debate the Intel Mac mini, the (non-Intel raspberry) iPod Hi-Fi, and the Intel iMac.

Prices for baseline w/out discount or tax or warranty:
iPod Hi-Fi = $349
Mac mini = $599
iMac 17” = $1299

Assuming you already have some iPod, hopefully not a tiny nano or mini, but rather one with the biggest available screen the iPod Hi-Fi will provide you at least average sound---better if you use AIFF---and it will be completely impossible to see what song is playing.  That’s where I’m lost.  You need to sit close to an iPod to operate it because it is normally hand held. 

I’ve used the iPod connected to a dock and speakers for two years and it’s always been inconvenient, although less so now with a remote.  You’re always blind even on a playlist you are familiar with. 

The iPod Hi-Fi has the same exact flaws.

Now when we use an iMac, and I have one, with Front Row you have the best experience.  You have like eight times the screen size and its vivid.  You could do the same with a Mac mini hooked up to a [HD]TV.

Remember the Mac mini’s slogan BYOKVM (Bring Your Own Keyboard, Video, and Mouse) has not changed.  You pay extra for all the peripherals that normally come standard with the iMac.  I’m not going to price out the difference because you can use many brands and quality…
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Rumors: end the madness

By Nick, March 2, 2006

I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a reaction of disappointment resulting from an Apple announcement. Was it the $99 leather case? The iPod HiFi, which looks like a toaster oven? the Intel Mac mini with a higher price and integrated graphics? Or maybe overinflated expactations thanks to rumors (and fairly convincing fakes) of a touch-screen iPod, iPhone, Apple tablet, Intel-based iBooks, etc..?

As much as I like following the rumor mill, it’s gotten to the point where the rumors are getting out of hand. Rumors are at the point where, instead of generating positive buzz for Apple, they’re causing increased expectations that Apple simple does not match. “Apple didn’t release a 2 Terahertz Mac mini with Quad Core processor and holographic storage? They’re losing their edge!” The result of these rumors ends up being a negative buzz. Not good. In the case of the last media even, it’s not so much that the new products suck as it is that people--yes, myself included--get sucked into the rumor hype of a movie store or new iPod or DVR. So it’s given that we’ll be disappointed when Apple releases smaller-scale new products instead of launching an all-out assult on the living room. Maybe a press release would have been a better approach for Apple, so we didn’t get overly excited over the last media event?

For what it’s worth, the one thing that disappoints me most is the pricing of the new products, not necesarrily the new products themselves. An…
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Apple updates abound

By Nick, March 1, 2006

Now in Software Update, a consolation prize of sorts for Mac users disappointed by yesterday’s announcement: iTunes 6.0.4, iPhoto 6.0.2, Front Row 1.2.1, and Security Update 2006-001.

iTunes 6.0.4 and iPhoto 6.0.2 fix some minor issues with the applications and Front Row. Front Row 1.2.1 brings all Front Row users the enhancements included on the new Mac mini.

The most important update is Security Update 2006-001, which fixes a good number of security flaws, including the Safari “Open Safe Files” vulnerability:

Description: It is possible to construct a file which appears to be a safe file type, such as an image or movie, but is actually an application. When the “Open `safe’ files after downloading” option is enabled in Safari’s General preferences, visiting a malicious web site may result in the automatic download and execution of such a file. A proof-of-concept has been detected on public web sites that demonstrates the automatic execution of shell scripts. This update addresses the issue by performing additional download validation so that the user is warned (in Mac OS X v10.4.5) or the download is not automatically opened (in Mac OS X v10.3.9).

Also of note, iChat now protects against the OS X/Leap.A malware:

A malicious application named Leap.A that attempts to propagate using iChat has been detected. With this update for Mac OS X v10.4.5 and Mac OS X Server v10.4.5, iChat now uses Download Validation to warn of unknown or unsafe file types during file transfers.

Download it, install it, love it.


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Are Apple Leather Jackets Next?

By moreApple, February 28, 2006

I am a vegetarian and I have an iPod plus a nice woven iPod sock.  Then there’s the iPod leather case that come out twenty minutes ago.

Why?

Yes, it’s got a solid design on paper as far as how it keeps the iPod in place and every case should work that way.  Why not use faux leather?  If they had a real disclaimer that said the cows used died naturally I’d consider it some day.


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Mac Minintel + iPod BoomBrick.. er… Box

By Pilky, February 28, 2006

Apple has released two new products today. An updated Mac Mini sporting the Intel Core Duo/Solo processor, Apple remote, Front Row et al. The 1.5GHz Core Solo model comes in at $599 with the 1.67GHz Core Duo priced at $799. It has also introduced the iPod Hifi, a boom box that allows any iPod to be plugged in and controlled with a remote. This is priced at $349

DTs Take: Well the Mac Mini is quite expensive now and unfortunately has Intel Integrated Graphics… BAD APPLE!!! *slap*. Other than that it looks OK. The iPod HiFi looks like a white shiny expensive brick but I suppose it’ll find it’s market. Hopefully the integrated graphics in the Mac Mini isn’t a sign of things to come for a possible MacBook.


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