Apple question

ChadHahn said:
I have an iPod. I don't use iTunes but have copied my music from CDs so I don't know much about DRM but I didn't really think that was a problem even with song downloaded from iTunes. I thought you could use them on all your iPods. That was one of the reasons I converted to Mac. I bought a Sony CD and it had copy protection and wouldn't allow me to copy it to my computer. However, the protection was Windows only so when I got my Mac there was no trouble adding the CD to my iPod collection.

I'm not sure why you are against iPod. Everything I've read says that their compression format is head and shoulders above MP3. The units themselves are easy to use as well.

However, there are plenty of free programs for the Mac that you can use to play and edit and convert MP3s on your Mac.

Chad
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Good point about Apple quality. Recently, a high end audio company, Wadia, brought out the first iPod dock that directly taps the digital output of the iPod, bypassing its internal D/A converters to that us audiophile weanies can use our outboard converters to feed the signal to our overpriced, archaic underfeatured two channel stereo gear. The upshot was that the reviewers discovered that once the iPod transport was liberated from the inexpensive converters that it is required to use because of it's price point, it was as good a music server/transport device as pretty much any CD player/transport or server that sold for less than $5000. The other thing that they discovered was that, although they still feel that MP3 sucks, Apple's lossless compression was every bit as good as the high end programs from guys like Meridian. The reviewers really could hear any substantial difference between songs ripped in full redbook resolution and those done in Apple lossless.
 
zenheretic said:
Well getting the info is what the thread was for, I prefer the Logitch gaming mouse and keyboard. So does the software work, i.e. the keymapping and programmable keys?
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It should. Like I said, I've never had any problems. Logitech is really Mac friendly. I'd contact them directly to make sure.
 
There are reasons to use Mac and reasons for Windows and for linux.

I've used Macs for years at various jobs and hate them. They've improved, true, but they don't work the way I work and for my purposes are not as flexible of a device.

My current PC triple boots linux, Vista and XP. I'm spending more and more of my time in linux the last 6 months. XP for gaming and for some CD/DVD ripping/converting. Vista I haven't booted for probably 9 months or more.

As to all the talk of customer service, I wouldn't know. When I've bought commercially produced PCs, I didn't have problems or only minor ones I could fix myself. Of course, I don't by Dell, HP, Sony, and the other big OEMs, but from smaller companies using less proprietary crap. I would lay the blame there for people's problems in Windows more than on Microsoft. The OEM used a cheap part. Mac doesn't use the best parts available, but they don't use cheap crap either.

Except for my netbook, I've built all the PCs in my home (5 of them) and find no need for external CS. We don't get viruses and malware either. Quite simple to keep the systems clean. My PC doesn't even have anti-virus installed for the Windows boot. I check it a couple of times monthly but haven't had a problem at all.

It's true, Mac runs cleanly on the limited supported hardware. But those limits are not to my taste. More and more, Microsoft's DRM and anti-consumer behavior is driving me from Windows. But Mac has those same issues too. Have to wait and see how Windows 7 shapes up on those issues.

Phil
 
phatch said:
It's true, Mac runs cleanly on the limited supported hardware. But those limits are not to my taste. More and more, Microsoft's DRM and anti-consumer behavior is driving me from Windows. But Mac has those same issues too. Have to wait and see how Windows 7 shapes up on those issues.
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What Apple DRM and anti-consumer behavior are you talking about?
 
The whole I-tunes system for one. There have been changes, but not particularly significant. Low bit-rate, overpriced, non-portable format plus a history of DRM.
 
phatch said:
The whole I-tunes system for one. There have been changes, but not particularly significant. Low bit-rate, overpriced, non-portable format plus a history of DRM.
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Heck I get all mine of CD. 99c a song? Too much for me. iTunes is there to make money. Just like Napster and all those other music services.

The only thing iTunes brings to the table that's different is it's seemlessly integrated into your music player application and your iPod. That's what makes it an Apple product. It just "works." All together, without tweaking, patches, frantic CS calls, or bullshit runaround hacks.
 
phatch said:
The whole I-tunes system for one. There have been changes, but not particularly significant. Low bit-rate, overpriced, non-portable format plus a history of DRM.
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There are programs to turn the m4a format into mp3 so that isn't a problem. The lossless codec sounds great and is small in size, but if you want you can rip your CDs at 320kbs if you want. I don't know what you consider a low bit-rate but that sounds pretty good to me.

I guess they are over-priced but getting an 120GB ipod for $250 isn't extremely expensive. My 80GB holds something like 1700 songs with the standard lossless file size. I generally only listen to the iPod in the car but the songs sound at least as good as the radio.

Chad
 
ChadHahn said:
I have an iPod. I don't use iTunes but have copied my music from CDs so I don't know much about DRM but I didn't really think that was a problem even with song downloaded from iTunes. I thought you could use them on all your iPods. That was one of the reasons I converted to Mac. I bought a Sony CD and it had copy protection and wouldn't allow me to copy it to my computer. However, the protection was Windows only so when I got my Mac there was no trouble adding the CD to my iPod collection.

I'm not sure why you are against iPod. Everything I've read says that their compression format is head and shoulders above MP3. The units themselves are easy to use as well.

However, there are plenty of free programs for the Mac that you can use to play and edit and convert MP3s on your Mac.

Chad
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The problem with ipod is it doesn't convert readily (or didn't) to other formats. For example I have a PSP, which plays games and music.

iPod may have thee finest sound reproduction available, but I'm guessing well over 90% of the listening audience can't tell the difference. If they could, they likely can't now due to hearing damage from playing too loud for too long. ;)

If someone is a discerning audiophile, good for them on a $200+ piece of equipment. For my needs, a smaller cheaper device that might have less storage and audio quality works for me. :)

There is also the problem of Apple (like any industry leader) of deliberately selling a suboptimal package for a length of time, then releasing a slightly better product for a few dollars more yet still not max quality (hey our scientists are working night and day to get out something better next year, meanwhile buy this now), ad infinitum. I don't care to chase that dragon.
 
If games are your main thing I don't recommend getting a Mac. I have a cheap PC for that. If you play a few games on the side, some games will run natively on Mac (all Blizzard games, including World of Warcraft, for instance), and the Mac can run Windows for other things.

The Mac towers are too expensive and unfocused for gamers (they are really just desktop-shaped servers) and not as upgradable as a comparable PC. They do make great workstations though.

If you don't need specific Windows-only applications daily, a Mac is good to consider.

Macs do things differently from PC's, but what makes them especially nice is that even 5 years later that same Mac will still be chugging along just fine without a software reinstall.

In my computer science classes, more than half the laptops used are Macs. Most of the non-Macs are Thinkpads.

Apple customer service is the best. I've dealt with a few other computer manufacturers and the only other one that ranks up there is Fujitsu.

A Mac mini or iMac will take care of the needs of most computer users. The "upgradability" or "expandability" often touted with most PC's is pretty much unnecessary. Unless you are constantly pushing the limits of your computer you are better off getting a new one when the old one is no longer extremely useful. Macs don't build up cruft like Windows requiring hardware upgrades all the time.
 
I would say go with an apple. I have always found them to be more intuitive user interfaces and things seem logical when you are searching etc.
I dont know how well the PC emulators work, but a good Mac should be able to handle. The weak point of the apple is that it does not have the software base that PCs have, there arent as many applications, but I hvae managed to get by with my macs. There are good games just not as many. WOW is the only MMO i know of for apple though.

Im not sure about transfering music but as long as the file type is readable then it shouldnt be a problem. I moved my itunes library from my apple to my wifes PC without any problem.

Another downside is the cost but it is true that you get what you pay for. Apple consistently ranks higher in customer satisfacion and warranty with fewer problems than the PC companies out there.

Photo shop is photoshop on a mac or a PC, but apples come with some nice basic photo software.
 
zenheretic said:
The problem with ipod is it doesn't convert readily (or didn't) to other formats. For example I have a PSP, which plays games and music.

iPod may have thee finest sound reproduction available, but I'm guessing well over 90% of the listening audience can't tell the difference. If they could, they likely can't now due to hearing damage from playing too loud for too long. ;)

If someone is a discerning audiophile, good for them on a $200+ piece of equipment. For my needs, a smaller cheaper device that might have less storage and audio quality works for me. :)

There is also the problem of Apple (like any industry leader) of deliberately selling a suboptimal package for a length of time, then releasing a slightly better product for a few dollars more yet still not max quality (hey our scientists are working night and day to get out something better next year, meanwhile buy this now), ad infinitum. I don't care to chase that dragon.
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Your PSP should play .m4a (mp4) files.
 
My first computer was an IBM PC (5150) in the 80's. Since then, I have always slapped together PCs' for myself and relatives, so I have a bit of experience with the PC platform.

If gaming is your primary use, a PC with XP Pro is pretty much the only game in town. You can build your platform to your own desires and specs, while still keeping an eye on prices. You will encounter more 'housekeeping' with XP, as well as an eternal vigilance for malware and driver issues. Given that, XP Pro is not a bad OS for most uses and is the only OS for gaming compatibility. This may change with Windows 7, but we shall see.

Personally, I detest Windows and have since it first came out. UNIX derivatives are more stable, efficient and have far better security. I run Linux and have never been happier. It is as stable as your shrink's shrink and does pretty much everything better...except gaming. Given all of the above, my next computer will be a Mac. They are better engineered, supported, and a far more stable platform than your average PC. However, I am not a gamer, so once again, for gaming, you will want a PC with a fresh install of XP pro, IMO.
 
When is Windows 7 supposed to come out? Maybe I can slap some more RAM in my tired old XP with its 1.5 Gigs of ram and just settle for crummy graphics long enough to see if 7 is worth a massive upgrade...
 
zenheretic said:
When is Windows 7 supposed to come out? Maybe I can slap some more RAM in my tired old XP with its 1.5 Gigs of ram and just settle for crummy graphics long enough to see if 7 is worth a massive upgrade...
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I've had a beta version of Windows 7 running for a while. It is better than Vista so far. There are reviews of Windows 7 and my experience mirrors the reviews. It boots and shuts down faster than Vista. Windows 7 doesn't seem to be as much of resource hog as Vista. I would definitely choose Windows 7 over Vista but XP is still better for most tasks IMHO.
 
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