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KYLE BAXTER
My thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
Articles Posted: 134; Links Seeded: 1104
Member Since: 11/2006Last Seen: 10/18/2009
Member Since: 11/2006Last Seen: 10/18/2009
45 Comments
PrintWhy I'm an Apple Fanboy, and You Should Be, too
News Type: Opinion — Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:47 AM EST
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The term "Apple fanboy" is used by some to deride and reject anyone who defends Apple from criticism, as if merely labeling someone as a fanboy automatically invalidates anything they have to say. I am an Apple fanboy. I admit it, and I am here to take that term back, if it was ever used in any other way than as a pejorative, and explain why I am said term.
I am an apple fanboy for one simple reason that so very many people seem to not understand: Apple understands that people should have what Stephen Fry calls an "emotional relationship" with their computers, MP3 players, and even phones. Those devices, through their hardware and software design, through how their form and function (and how they meet), should inspire their owner.
These devices should not feel like a commodity, like it was designed and manufactured by a lifeless robot with no humanity, as almost all PCs and other personal electronics do. They should inspire in the same way as a finely crafted, handmade piece of furniture, its craftsman's uniqueness oozing out every time you look at it, and use it. The device's design should be of utmost importance to its designer.
Using a different analogy, Apple's products are like a fine chef's creations, each designed for its own purpose, and almost with a sign on top that its creator cares about its taste and presentation. Most other consumer devices, though, are simply fast food, or a chain restaurant, no focus on the design and function of the product, but rather just on its price. Commodity versus individually designed and made. Mass manufacturing versus creativity. The central difference is this: an Apple product inspires people to look beyond just the price tag, which other companies just cannot do.
That is not to say that other companies cannot create products that do this, that have that same focus involved. Here is where you come in. When consumers begin demanding this focus in products -- and they are, as Apple's recent success shows -- companies will respond, or die. If you appreciate someone who actually cares about the products they are creating and selling, rather than just how much units they can move, you should demand it from all companies. Apple's success forces change throughout the entire industry.
So maybe you hate Apple. Fine. Fair enough. But at least respect that they are changing the consumer electronics industry for the better.
It takes nothing more, in my eyes, to be an Apple fanboy.
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19
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{"commentId":1360623,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
I think this is appropriately times for Macworld.
This will probably be my last article until after January 23rd, so, dear readers (I know there are so many of you), don't be too depressed.
{"commentId":1360623,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"kyleb"}
- 2 votes
#1 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:48 AM EST{"commentId":1360897,"authorDomain":"tromba"}
Here, here. Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm an Apple fanboy, too.
{"commentId":1360897,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tromba"}
- 2 votes
#2 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:18 AM EST{"commentId":1361004,"authorDomain":"rutty"}
I bought my first Mac (an iMac) fairly recently after many a year disapproving of Mr Jobs and his business practises. Whereas I still really don't approve of some of things that Apple does (damn capitalists!) I've come around to the view that the iMac as a wonderfully conceived, easy to use beauty of a machine. It all just... works.
You're quite right that people should have an emotional attachment to their gadgets and Apple are far and away the best at providing that. I just wish it was all a bit more Open Source, but hey - you can't have everything ;)
I have grasped the proprietary nettle and it doesn't sting as much as I thought it would
{"commentId":1361004,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"rutty"}
- 3 votes
#3 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:23 AM EST{"commentId":1361905,"authorDomain":"mipadi"}
Large components of Mac OS X are open-source, and a great variety of open-source software runs on Mac OS X.
{"commentId":1361905,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"mipadi"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1362416,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
I just wish it was all a bit more Open Source, but hey - you can't have everything ;)
I have grasped the proprietary nettle and it doesn't sting as much as I thought it would
It is worth noting that since the return of Jobs, Apple has been one of the more standards-compliant companies in the industry. When Intel was still putting out reference specs urging PC makers to ditch the floppy, ISA, and serial/parallel ports, Apple put out the iMac built entirely around USB for external connectivity. While MS was still pushing ActiveX and other proprietary standards in web browsers, Safari was able to complete the Acid2 test successfully (before most other browsers). The iPod uses MP3 and AAC files (both industry, not Apple, standards), while MS has pushed a number of proprietary audio codecs. Darwin, the "guts" of OS X is open-source, and based off other open-source BSD projects (particularly NetBSD).
{"commentId":1362416,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1364066,"authorDomain":"rutty"}
OS X still doesn't feel very Open Source, and MP3 and AAC files are still proprietary formats. I'm pretty sure that very little of iLife is Open Source. I'm not even saying that that's a bad thing as such - I could install plenty of OSS if I wanted too - because I'm enjoying the Apple experience as it is. It's all so well integrated.
{"commentId":1364066,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"rutty"}
{"commentId":1364151,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
OS X still doesn't feel very Open Source, and MP3 and AAC files are still proprietary formats.
AAC is a *mostly* open standard.
From Wikipedia:
Standardization
It is specified both as Part 7 of the MPEG-2 standard, and Part 3 of the MPEG-4 standard. As such, it can be referred to as MPEG-2 Part 7 and MPEG-4 Part 3 depending on its implementation, however it is most often referred to as MPEG-4 AAC, or AAC for short.
AAC was first specified in the standard MPEG-2 Part 7 (known formally as ISO/IEC 13818-7:1997) in 1997 as a new "part" (distinct from ISO/IEC 13818-3) in the MPEG-2 family of international standards.
It was updated in MPEG-4 Part 3 (known formally as ISO/IEC 14496-3:1999) in 1999. The reference software is specified in MPEG-4 Part 4 and the conformance bitstreams are specified in MPEG-4 Part 5. A notable addition in this version of the standard is Perceptual Noise Substitution (PNS).
HE-AAC (AAC with SBR) was first standardized in ISO/IEC 14496-3:2001/Amd.1. HE-AAC v2 (AAC with Parametric Stereo) was first specified in ISO/IEC 14496-3:2001/Amd.4. [2]
The current version of the AAC standard is ISO/IEC 14496-3:2005 (with 14496-3:2005/Amd.2. for HE-AAC v2[3])
AacPlus v2 is also standardized by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) as TS 102005.[2]
Licensing and patents
No licenses or payments are required to be able to stream or distribute content in AAC format. [5] This reason alone makes AAC a much more attractive format to distribute content than MP3, particularly for streaming content (such as Internet radio).
However, a patent license is required for all manufacturers or developers of AAC codecs, that require encoding or decoding.[6] It is for this reason FOSS implementations such as FAAC and FAAD are distributed in source form only, in order to avoid patent infringement.
AAC requires a patent license, and thus uses proprietary technology. But contrary to popular belief, it is not the property of a single company, having been developed in a standards-making organization.
The licensing fees are very reasonable.
As for OSX, it ships with a ton of open source software pre-loaded: apache, php, MySQL, Ruby on Rails, etc. All ready to go...
{"commentId":1364151,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1364772,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Also, the printing system is essentially a front-end for CUPS.
{"commentId":1364772,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1361634,"authorDomain":"blai"}
I despair of technology zealotry in all its forms. We are not our possessions. The Japanese have a word, SHIBUI, an aesthetic term which can mean slate grey, the bitter taste (say of beer), or a refined beauty of something which works well.
I built robots for many years, mostly integrating test equipment. I built simple, character-based interfaces for them, with clean, readable content. The highest compliment I received from the Japanese for whom I built them was "the technicians prefer to work with your robots."
Apple has lovely aesthetics, but it has proven to be a difficult machine to repair and configure. In my house, everyone but me is a Mac person, I've faced this problem. I'm a Linux guy, if you don't count the RTOS work I do. Mac seldom abides by any standards but its own. In an insular world, where cool trumps all, Apple's the box, no doubt. But in the gritty world of interoperable standards, Apple has proven an inept player. Culture may not be a crime, but digital xenophobia is stupid.
{"commentId":1361634,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"blai"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:20 PM EST{"commentId":1361704,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1361925,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
But in the gritty world of interoperable standards, Apple has proven an inept player.
Apple OS X (Leopard) is a fully certified Unix OS:
Leopard is an Open Brand UNIX 03 Registered Product, conforming to the SUSv3 and POSIX 1003.1 specifications for the C API, Shell Utilities, and Threads. Since Leopard can compile and run all your existing UNIX code, you can deploy it in environments that demand full conformance — complete with hooks to maintain compatibility with existing software.
Doesn't get more standard than that...
{"commentId":1361925,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1362080,"authorDomain":"blai"}
Heh. Now put a front end on it.
{"commentId":1362080,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"blai"}
{"commentId":1362133,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
Heh. Now put a front end on it.
???
{"commentId":1362133,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
{"commentId":1362277,"authorDomain":"blai"}
Here you go... tell me again how easy it is to reach OpenGL with this stack.
{"commentId":1362277,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"blai"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1361935,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
The term "Apple fanboy" is used by some to deride and reject anyone who defends Apple from criticism, as if merely labeling someone as a fanboy automatically invalidates anything they have to say.
It's worse than that, Kyle. It's to the point where if you post anything positive about any Apple product, the trolls will label you a fanboy (or "fanboi" as the turds like to call it.) If someone posts something factually incorrect, and you attempt to correct them, you're labeled a fanboy. (Ex: we still see posts and comments all over the place deriding Apples supposed lack of a 2-button mouse, even though that hasn't bee the case for years. Point out the error, and you're immediately labeled a fanboy.)
{"commentId":1361935,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 3 votes
#5 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:42 PM EST{"commentId":1362342,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
I switched to Mac for personal use almost exactly a year ago.
I think Apple's understanding of the need for emotional response in all human interfaces is really what sets it apart from other computer makers, and increasingly from other consumer electronics makers.
While I've had a number of friends deride OS X as "pretty," the fact that it's "pretty" compared to other OSes is not without reason, and certainly not for the sake of showing off to your friends. If you want the peacock of operating systems, go for Vista, whose attempts at "Microsofticizing" Apple's fluid, yet minimalist visual effects has resulted in an abominable amalgamation of transparency effects, gradients, and ultra-bubbly buttons that make Liberace look like Nancy Pelosi. If you want clean, intuitive operation, you go with OS X.
The OS X interface is intuitive in a very human way. Being raised on Windows gives you a feel for what a "computer operating system" is supposed to feel like, and how an electronic interface acts differently from human interactions and common physical interfaces, driving you to think that that must be the way of the world. I found that when I could use OS X much more smoothly if I treated it less as a computer interface, and more as an extension of general interfaces: It just works.
On a surface level, nothing showcases this breaking down of digital vs. physical barriers better than Expose. While some may deride it as "just eye candy" or "unnecessary embellishment," its operation is far more akin to what you would want a physical desktop to do than the list-cycling Ctrl-Alt-Del of Windows. Because it encourages the use of mental visual search algorithms we've developed for real-world applications (looking for a toy in a toy box, for example), it connects on a much more fundamental, seamless level than Windows and its Linux GUI clones.
{"commentId":1362342,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 5 votes
#6 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:11 PM EST{"commentId":1362393,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
The OS X interface is intuitive in a very human way.
That's certainly the case, and it's why I've stuck with Macs since I switched in 2003. There are just so many little moments when I wondered, "I wonder if I can do this…I bet the way is *this*," and then I would try it, and what happened was exactly what I wanted.
I know a few people who were really put off by music management in iTunes. They were so used to managing all their music themselves, that it really threw them off to have iTunes move things around for them. When I used Winamp, I was constantly having to manage id4 tags, and file locations (because I'm a bit OCD that way). The best thing I can tell them is either turn it off or just learn to "trust in the Force, Luke." There's definitely something almost Zen-Jedi about the Apple approach.
{"commentId":1362393,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1362458,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1362497,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
When I used Winamp, I was constantly having to manage id4 tags, and file locations (because I'm a bit OCD that way).
I still do that, actually. With file locations, I put my music on an external drive, so iTunes can't automanage file locations for me (can it?!). When a friend wants more than a few of my songs (an entire album, for example), I want to be able to simply click and drag the file folder onto a USB stick.
{"commentId":1362497,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1362572,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1362577,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
In fact you can do that, Jack. I used to (although I since moved it to my laptop so I could carry my music with me). In iTunes preferences, just change the music folder location (under Advanced / General). I wouldn't recommend doing it if you regularly disconnect your external drive, as it can really confuse iTunes to start up and not find the expected music library.
Regarding copying whole albums to a USB drive, by default iTunes saves files in Music / iTunes / (Artist Name) / (Album Name), so it should be relatively easy to copy. Maybe one reason I don't find it intrusive is that this is the exact system that I used when I used to manage my folders myself.
{"commentId":1362577,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1362600,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1362701,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
Usually if I want to send more than a few songs, I just use the built-in Spotlight search to limit it to what I want, then CMD-A it, and unselect the few songs I don't want. At least for me, that's quicker than going through the folder hierarchy to select it.
I have to admit that I've barely played around with Spotlight at all. I still navigate to specific files through Finder.
That's one part of my "computer interface" mentality I haven't been able to overcome yet.
Actually, your first drag-from-iTunes solution is a good solution to my problem. I just tried, and it's amazing! Whooooaaaaaaaa.
Regarding copying whole albums to a USB drive, by default iTunes saves files in Music / iTunes / (Artist Name) / (Album Name), so it should be relatively easy to copy. Maybe one reason I don't find it intrusive is that this is the exact system that I used when I used to manage my folders myself.
Yeah, except that my music is on a preexisting external hard drive location.
Wait... I just looked through iTunes options again... I can change the location of the iTunes music folder. Hmm, if I redefine my iTunes music folder, then let iTunes organize my music for me, will the new file locations screw up my existing playlists? Rebuilding them would a royal pain in the ass.
Will iTunes preserve playlist integrity across a mass iTunes Music folder auto-organize?
{"commentId":1362701,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1362741,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Will iTunes preserve playlist integrity across a mass iTunes Music folder auto-organize?
Don't count on it. :)
I'm relatively sure that it won't, and that you'll end up with a zillion broken XML links. Every time I've moved my library, I've usually had to spend an hour or two cleaning things up. Such is life; even Macs are a little dumb at times.
{"commentId":1362741,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1362746,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Although I think, perhaps, if you set iTunes to manage your music and then set the Music folder location, iTunes will move things around on its own. It might take a little while, but I definitely wouldn't move the files manually unless you want to go through your library looking for broken links.
{"commentId":1362746,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1363168,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
I've already had the displeasure of rebuilding all of my playlists once before, when manually moving my music collection from my Macbook to an external.
I meant your second scenario, where I would have iTunes' auto-organizer move all my files around.
I don't want to risk an auto-organize if there's a possibility I'd have to rebuild links, playlists, ratings, and whatnot.
Thanks for your input, guys.
{"commentId":1363168,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1363186,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
Here's a good article about iTunes libraries, and the right (and wrong) way to move them. It covers an example where you move your library to an external drive, without breaking anything.
{"commentId":1363186,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1362500,"authorDomain":"chum"}
Not sure what my term would be since I'm female, but I'm a big Apple fan. LOVE my iMac, Touch (and all the other great products I've owned).
{"commentId":1362500,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"chum"}
- 1 vote
#7 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:48 PM EST{"commentId":1362566,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1362584,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Maybe fangrrl.
{"commentId":1362584,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1373592,"authorDomain":"corizzo"}
I'll go with fan-chica.
I've had my iBook G4 since 2004 and it's performed better than the two Windows 'puters we've also owned (for silly husband) during that time. It's my lil Guy and everyone who knows me, knows how attached I am to it. Other Apple products include ipods, including the new iPod Touch (LOOOOOOOVVVE IT). I have my old, clunky ipod (3rd gen?), and my kids are using it every chance they get. I may have upgraded the iPod, but the old one isn't being cycled out any time soon. It's definately about a relationship with style. Makes me feel like we're appreciating the cubism or impressionism of technology, before it's classic.
{"commentId":1373592,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"corizzo"}
{"commentId":1373732,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
I think I qualify as a fanboy now. I've owned 4 iPods so far: two (black 2G nano & orange 2G shuffle) still in active use, one (5G iPod video) I gave to my dad for listening to audiobooks on his commute (yes, it's overkill, shut up), and one was a 3G iPod that has unfortunately succumbed to the 18-month battery failure issue. I wish they'd resurrect its backlit controls for the non-Touch iPods. That was slick.
I've been intrigued by the Touch, but can't bring myself to buy one just yet, as I can't really myself living down the fact that I'm actively using 3 iPods.
I'm quite attached to my Macbook, as well, to the point where if I'm ever out at an engagement longer than a party night, my friends treat me pulling out my Macbook as inevitable.
I've also gotten my little sister hooked on Macs. She has a new nano and wants the Macbook Air. :-p
{"commentId":1373732,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1363133,"authorDomain":"prez"}
The central difference is this: an Apple product inspires people to look beyond just the price tag, which other companies just cannot do.
Yeah, I will concede that you do have to be pretty oblivious to the price tag to buy an Apple product.
And I'm really sorry to have to break this to you guys, but your overly-expensive hardware... still comes from the same manufacturing plants as every other PC. If the little Apple logo makes you feel better that you spent 10-20% more on the hardware, well... to each his own I guess.
I have an emotional attachment to people, not to hardware. It seems unhealthy...
{"commentId":1363133,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"prez"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:53 PM EST{"commentId":1363181,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
Sigh, again the passive-aggressive "if you want to waste money, you buy Apple" schtick.
Would you say the same about people who pay a premium for Thinkpads' durability, reliability, and customer service?
your overly-expensive hardware... still comes from the same manufacturing plants as every other PC.
Then why does Dell's build quality suck goat bollocks compared to Apple's? (My family owns a Macbook, a Mac mini, a Dell 700m, and a Dell Vostro by the way)
I have an emotional attachment to people, not to hardware. It seems unhealthy...
Other people marginally care about ease of use and intuitive interfaces. Since you apparently don't care for such frippery, should I expect that your home computers run UNIX command-line?
{"commentId":1363181,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":1363257,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
{"commentId":1375742,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
Oh and Kyle, Apple is totally second.
To the Commodore!
LOAD "Sarcasm",8,1
RUN
{"commentId":1375742,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1375737,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}
I have a Macbook Pro and all in all it's pretty handy. I myself don't get attached to hardware to be honest, but to software. The biggest crutch that Apple still has is that their desktops just seem off by me. They go from Mac Mini to Mac Pro with nothing in between. I also don't get that unique vibe because all Macbook Pros are alike, aluminum. If you have one, it looks exactly like everyone elses. Sure, you can accessorize, but I guess being bought up on PCs just makes you want to have a shell of your own.
{"commentId":1375737,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"justinpm"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:17 AM EST{"commentId":1377086,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I also don't get that unique vibe because all Macbook Pros are alike, aluminum. If you have one, it looks exactly like everyone elses. Sure, you can accessorize, but I guess being bought up on PCs just makes you want to have a shell of your own.
I have a Mac Pro at work, as does every developer in the office. And I don't care at all that mine looks like theirs, especially considering that when we all upgraded our RAM and added an additional hard drive, the experience of opening and upgrading what is the best designed interior of a computer I have ever seen or worked with made it seem very unique compared to any PC box I've seen.
{"commentId":1377086,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1377687,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
the experience of opening and upgrading what is the best designed interior of a computer I have ever seen or worked with made it seem very unique compared to any PC box I've seen.
So very true.
It's no wonder that aesthetes veritably drool when they see how effort Apple puts into adhering to its design philosophy inside and out.
The inside of the Mac Pro is absolutely stunning. It puts all the highly touted cable origami of Voodoo and Falcon Northwest to absolute shame.
{"commentId":1377687,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
{"commentId":1382004,"authorDomain":"mountaineer"}
It seems like I might be the only person on this article who's had quality issues with Macs. I owned 2 Mac Book Pros, an iPod Nano (1st and 2nd generation), only to see each piece of hardware utterly fail.
I loved the aesthetics of it all. I mean, what else is there to say about it other than the fact that each piece of hardware looked great?
But much to my dismay, my first Mac was troublesome. The logic board was replaced several times, before I gave up and bought another.
The next mac I owned had problems where it shut down numerous times on its own. I was actually in the process of trying to back up my files before it shut itself down. I lost everything. Nothing more frustrating than that.
My first iPod nano actually exploded, for lack of a better description. It was apparently installed with a faulty battery and shorted itself out. It was replaced with a new nano under my support plan, but it, too, died several months later.
I was just too frustrated and ended up buying a Zune (the new ones are flawless, a step ahead of the first Zunes) and a Dell XPS.
Mac still has any PC beat on looks and desgin though. I just wish I wasn't so unlucky.
{"commentId":1382004,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"mountaineer"}
- 2 votes
#10 - Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:23 AM EST{"commentId":1382042,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
The only hard drive I've ever had that failed was the one in my 12" PB. I had a screen issue on my 15" PB requiring the LCD to be replaced. I have a friend who has a 1st gen flat panel iMac that's gone through a hard drive, two logic boards, and a fan replacement. Sorry to hear about your issues.
{"commentId":1382042,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1386541,"authorDomain":"sphinx"}
I've had hardware issues, too. Minor in comparison, though. My sister's aluminum iPod nano lost its ability to sync music; she got a replacement (through AppleCare), which proceeded to refuse to hold a charge; she got another replacement, which froze upon every reset; finally, the Apple Store gave her a new video nano, which has been working like a charm.
I'm actually rather interested in your personal take on the Zune 2, Mountaineer. I've heard good things about them, and am curious as to what your impressions are.
{"commentId":1386541,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"sphinx"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1386622,"authorDomain":"mountaineer"}
Personally, I love it.
I feel like it's leveled the playing field, although it's probably too late for Microsoft in that aspect. Mac has them beat in the name game now.
It's definitely a decent alternative to an iPod.
Check out what this review says about the Zune.
{"commentId":1386622,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"mountaineer"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1383192,"authorDomain":"skipfarstrider"}
After reading this article, I am forced to concede the point that some people are really, really into their computers. I am not. To me a computer is a tool and little more. But I guess I understand that to some folks it *is* more.
{"commentId":1383192,"threadId":"202597","contentId":"1225307","authorDomain":"skipfarstrider"}
#11 - Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:54 PM EST{"commentId":1383584,"authorDomain":"kyleb"}
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