I had to think long and hard before responding to this post, it made me so angry. I have rarely read such an offensive, ill-informed, irrational post.
But at the risk of starting a flame war, I'm going to. on 10/16/01 8:30 AM, Eric D. at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hmmm. Disagree with you on that one: a work station!!! What advantage that > people will *use* does the workstation offer over the souped up home market > PC? Simple answer, you have to compare apples with apples. (yes, yes, I know, not very punny). As you yourself point out the G4 is a machine for the "hyper-power user". Comparing a G4 to the latest Costco special is like comparing a Leica to a disposable camera. The machines in Dell's line that match a G4 are the work stations. > > I'm looking at the PC as something in between the iCraps and the towers. Here's where you get really offensive. "iCraps"? First, Eric, there's no doubt a lot of people on this list that use iMacs, and love them. No reason to insult their choices or their Macs. Second, there is nothing low-quality about an iMac. It is a product aimed at a particular segement of the computing market (the largest segment), that wants an easy-to-use computer, in a convenient package, that performs a wide range of functions. This group isn't interested in upgrading their computer every two months and the iMac fills the niche perfectly. The wonderful thing about the iMac is that a lot of the more serious users have found it to be perfectly capable for their uses. Which brings me to another of your points: > iMacs don't function as a great computer. Completely and utterly fallacious. The sentence is nonsense in the first place, since there is nothing wrong with the functioning of the iMac. But if I try to take in your larger meaning, you still don't know what you're talking about. I borrowed a friend's iMac 400 for a couple of months last year. I used it for web design, for pre-press work, for video authoring, I ran Photoshop, AfterEffects, GoLive, Virtual PC, you name it, I used it as a server, god only knows all things I put that machine through. It handled them all admirably. Upgradability isn't the be-all and end-all of what defines a great computer (And yes, my own machine is upgraded all I can; drive, CPU, 512MB of RAM, USB, Firewire, you name it). What defines a great computer is whether it does what you need it to, and all our needs are different. An iMac is all the computer some people will ever need. > GB ethernet is virtually useless for home and business users (unless you're > doing HUGE file transfers over networks). Had to come back to this one. What ever gave you that idea? Even if you only ever transfer small files, cutting the transfer time from five seconds to 1 second is a major ROI factor. There's not an intelligent decision maker in the world that wouldn't see that as worthwhile. > The iMacs are useful for the flush-toilet society. Buy a "cheap" computer. > Use it for a few years and throw it away. Umm, my original Plus, the "iMac" of it's day, is still in operation - my nephew uses it for a word processor. There's no such thing as a disposable Mac - you might outgrow your present model, but that doesn't make it worthless. Any Mac holds it's value and usefulness far better than a PC. An example: The newspaper I work at is Mac only. The Macs range from G4's through upgraded clones, original PowerMacs, a 6360, down to the current oldest model, an LC 575. They all still perform their functions fine. No, we don't do page layout and design work on the 575, but it makes a dandy workstation for a reporter. (Note: Our older machines, pluses, classics, SE's and the like? They got donated to a charity that refurbishes them and ships them to schools in Mexico.) > G4s are not a great value (IMNSHO) when you can outfit an Intel system (and > Windoze software *is* easier (& cheaper) to get for Intels... <snip> > with the same power CPU + audio + video + networking + firewire for $1000 > less, <and snipping yet another offensive, ill informed comment about iMacs> Bull. That's one of those idiotic arguments that PC lusers, usually ones who see a computer as nothing more than a giant Nintendo, use. 1) There is no shortage of Mac software, nor is it usually more expensive. 2) We've beaten the price comparison thing to death. You cannot compare a cheap PC with a G4. They are just not the same league of machine. > especially with U of T site licences Again, I wanted to go back to this one. Eric, most people may not have caught this, but that's piracy, my friend. I've worked in an educational institution as well and know quite well that the site license does not allow you to take home or make copies of those Burgundy discs. MS, etc. ship those out as a service to the institution, not as a free-for-all for employees. I know it goes on, but at least have the sense not to brag about it. Especially on a public list. -- Mac Canada is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Shop Canadian, visit Mantek Services <http://www.mantek.mb.ca> Low Prices That Will Keep YOU and Your MAC Smiling Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Mac Canada info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/mac-can.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/mac-canada%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
