Apple unveils smaller iPod, new software

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RE: It looks like Apple = iPod + iTunes Music Store

>When will 95% of the market try the rest of Apple hardware?

Never, but that's not to say it's a bad thing. Apple market share is slowly on the climb again, but it's never going to be a majority, and it doesn't need to be.

>Apple is 100% monopoly in the niche market. That?s why Apple is fighting for the survival and that?s why Linux is growing.

That's not really an accurate statement. Apple shares the 'niche' market... that is, the PC market not owned by MS operating systems, with other players like various Linux distros. Add to that the fact that Apple is definitely not fighting for survival. I believe since Jobs returned they have only had 1 quarter without profit. They have a hoard of cash and assets, they 're market share is growing, they're moving more units than ever before. Bottom line, they're in great shape. They're not as financially secure as, say, Microsoft, but then again, no one is, and they don't need to be.

>Please, compare performance (applications, not benchmarks) G4 vs. equally priced PC.

A couple things need to be understood for that to work... first of all, everyone realizes the G4 has been crwaling for a while. Motorola dragged their feet far too long with that chip (part of the reason Apple is now working with the IBM side of the PowerPC family.) Secondly, if you're buying into a G4 nowadays, you're buying into 1 of a few markets; 1 - you're buying a budget PC (ala the eMac,) 2 - you're buying a boutique PC (ala the iMac,) 3 - you're buying a mid to high end laptop. Essentially, if you're still looking at G4s, you're not looking for high-end performance machines.

In the budget PC arena, you can definitely get budget Windows PC with a nice 17" monitor and add a semi-decent video card that outperforms the eMac for $700-$800.

In the boutique PC arena, the playing field is a little more even, mainly due to the high quality of the iMac screens. Getting an LCD monitor that performs as well as those costs a lot (if you're talking about performance, you need to consider all performance aspects, not just the speed of the applications.) The rest of the specs are mostly mediocre to mid-grade... 1.25GHz G4s, GeForce 5200, 80 GB drives, etc. (though the DVD-RWs are still a nice inclusion.)

If you're looking at laptops, the iBooks probably offer the closest comparison in price/performance to Windows notbooks. They don't perform as well as the PowerBooks, but they're also a bit less expensive.

>(G5 is a bit different. Look at Macworld journal, December 2003, p. 60).

That's the thing, though, isn't it. If you're worried about that much performance, you're not looking at G4 anymore (unless you need mobility in a PowerBook.) You're looking at G5s, and price-to-performance, they rock right now. Those things scream.

>Linux also has dissent immunity to viruses.

Yes it does.

>Linux servers are much more attractive than Apple?s servers. Developers have access to all Linux codes but not all Apple?s code they need to develop applications.

That depends on the use, the environment, the administrators and the developers. Apple servers are very nice right now, especially with the introduction of G5 XServes. They're ultra-easy to set up and manage (FAR easier than any Linux box.) In the end, though, I actually like MS Servers. I know there's security issues and patches galore, but if you take a little care and administer them well, they offer everything I need.

>Linux desktop become better and better.

Agreed, it does, but it is still at least a couple years off from becoming a viable desktop platform for anything more than the most computer saavy people. I've mentioned this before in other discussions; Linux is not mature enough for average users, and that's what Linux needs to become widely accepted. It's one thing to say Linux is great (from everything I've experienced, it is.) It's another thing to say Linux is easy. To 99.8% of general computer users, Linux is incredibly intimidating. A lot of work has been done to make it less so by distros like Lycoris and Lindows, but it's not there yet for the average user. I seriously hope it does get there, because competition is good, for Mac users, for Windows users, for Linux users.

Posted by: JakAttak   Posted on: 01/06/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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