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The Mac Thread - New Laptops and an Overpriced Cinema Display

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Posts

  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    which on the macbook is extremely easy by the way, if they do it the same way i won't mind at all

    Faricazy on
  • SaarSaar Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    If the rumor of a solid billet casing (i.e. bathtub) for the note books is true then maybe the keyboard would flip up to expose the battery, HDD and RAM. Any other idea's?

    Saar on
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Saar wrote: »
    Well if they can control the depth of the cut, it's a big deal from a manufacturing stand point.

    Billet is pretty tough stuff compared to stamped pieces. They won't need to make dies for stamping. Shavings can be recycled. Prototype cases can be changed on the fly (because there's no more need for dies). It's all automated start to finish.

    With the right set up, no human hand would ever touch the hardware.

    Just a block of aluminum and components coming in and a completely boxed product going out, extending across the the entire line.

    Yeah, I doubt that it's working "lathe" style at all. Probably cut out then stamped if this rumor holds *any* water at all. If it is working like a water jet lathe, then they will either need to spend a ton of money on recapturing and recycling the fine dust that would be produced, or they can simply ignore it. Either way it's wasteful of resources, money, or both.

    jonxp on
    Every time you write parallel fifths, Bach kills a kitten.
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  • SaarSaar Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    jonxp wrote: »
    Saar wrote: »
    Well if they can control the depth of the cut, it's a big deal from a manufacturing stand point.

    Billet is pretty tough stuff compared to stamped pieces. They won't need to make dies for stamping. Shavings can be recycled. Prototype cases can be changed on the fly (because there's no more need for dies). It's all automated start to finish.

    With the right set up, no human hand would ever touch the hardware.

    Just a block of aluminum and components coming in and a completely boxed product going out, extending across the the entire line.

    Yeah, I doubt that it's working "lathe" style at all. Probably cut out then stamped if this rumor holds *any* water at all. If it is working like a water jet lathe, then they will either need to spend a ton of money on recapturing and recycling the fine dust that would be produced, or they can simply ignore it. Either way it's wasteful of resources, money, or both.

    The dust is easily captured. Like a CNC set up, the machining is done in a booth, the material thrown off falls into a hopper. Whether it's a laser, bit or water that does the cutting, it's all easily recoverable.

    Saar on
  • ZackSchillingZackSchilling Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    All I know is that if Apple is doing something massively expensive and incredibly wasteful all in the name of aesthetics:

    1.) I am not in the least bit surprised.
    2.) It is going to be awesome.

    I mean, really. Apple used to maintain, along with one and a half unwilling partners, an entire PC architecture, from CPU to motherboard to OS. Their standard markup can cover just about any obscene R&D or manufacturing overhead they cook up. That's how Apple works. Their products aren't expensive for no reason at all. Ok, at least not most of the time.

    ZackSchilling on
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  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Saar wrote: »
    jonxp wrote: »
    Saar wrote: »
    Well if they can control the depth of the cut, it's a big deal from a manufacturing stand point.

    Billet is pretty tough stuff compared to stamped pieces. They won't need to make dies for stamping. Shavings can be recycled. Prototype cases can be changed on the fly (because there's no more need for dies). It's all automated start to finish.

    With the right set up, no human hand would ever touch the hardware.

    Just a block of aluminum and components coming in and a completely boxed product going out, extending across the the entire line.

    Yeah, I doubt that it's working "lathe" style at all. Probably cut out then stamped if this rumor holds *any* water at all. If it is working like a water jet lathe, then they will either need to spend a ton of money on recapturing and recycling the fine dust that would be produced, or they can simply ignore it. Either way it's wasteful of resources, money, or both.

    The dust is easily captured. Like a CNC set up, the machining is done in a booth, the material thrown off falls into a hopper. Whether it's a laser, bit or water that does the cutting, it's all easily recoverable.

    My main issue with the whole thing is I haven't heard of a water or laser based milling machine, and some searching around and asking friends in the business didn't uncover anything either. Unless Apple has suddenly gotten into the metalworking business, I don't see that part of the rumor as accurate.

    Recovery of the swarf (as I just recently learned that stuff is called) is not really as simple as "collecting it in a hopper" for large factories. But it *is* a net gain to recycle it energy and money wise since it's aluminum (which is one of the few "recyclable" items that actually take less energy to recycle than create). Probably comes close to breaking even for the cost of recovery vs income from recycling.

    jonxp on
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  • EchoEcho ski-bap ba-dapModerator mod
    edited October 2008
    KalTorak wrote: »
    I remember seeing the high-pressure waterjet cutting tool on Bill Nye back in the day.

    Ow. What did Bill Nye do to deserve that?

    Echo on
  • Inglorious CoyoteInglorious Coyote Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    All I know is that if Apple is doing something massively expensive and incredibly wasteful all in the name of aesthetics:

    1.) I am not in the least bit surprised.
    2.) It is going to be awesome.

    I mean, really. Apple used to maintain, along with one and a half unwilling partners, an entire PC architecture, from CPU to motherboard to OS. Their standard markup can cover just about any obscene R&D or manufacturing overhead they cook up. That's how Apple works. Their products aren't expensive for no reason at all. Ok, at least not most of the time.
    Isn't this the company that sold titanium laptop.

    They could announce tomorrow that they where encasing the new Macbooks in Wonderflonium and I wouldn't bat an eye.

    Inglorious Coyote on
  • EchoEcho ski-bap ba-dapModerator mod
    edited October 2008
    Is there anything that lets me remote control iTunes on my Windows desktop from my Macbook when I'm too lazy to get off the couch?

    Echo on
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Plenty of apps on the iphone/touch, including Remote.

    edit: ohh from your macbook. uhhh

    Faricazy on
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Faricazy on
  • dodosdodos Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Couple of days ago I finished my math homework, cleverly called WebWork, on my iPod Touch between classes because the solution of the last problem just popped into my head without thinking about it.

    Fuck ubiquity, I love you but you're so scary.

    dodos on
  • FatsFats Corvallis, ORRegistered User regular
    edited October 2008
    jonxp wrote: »
    My main issue with the whole thing is I haven't heard of a water or laser based milling machine, and some searching around and asking friends in the business didn't uncover anything either. Unless Apple has suddenly gotten into the metalworking business, I don't see that part of the rumor as accurate.

    Recovery of the swarf (as I just recently learned that stuff is called) is not really as simple as "collecting it in a hopper" for large factories. But it *is* a net gain to recycle it energy and money wise since it's aluminum (which is one of the few "recyclable" items that actually take less energy to recycle than create). Probably comes close to breaking even for the cost of recovery vs income from recycling.

    Waterjet/abrasivejet machining has been around for 30 years. It's not incredibly expensive to run, you can cut practically everything, and most of them cut underwater so the swarf and abrasive medium doesn't go everywhere. The downside is that you have no real depth control, but in the case of a tub-shaped object you could make a fast pass with the jet so it didn't cut all the way through, and then use a standard cutting head to level and finish it. Not really the simplest way, but hey.

    I've never been around a laser cutter, but they look interesting.

    Fats on
  • jonxpjonxp [E] PC Security Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Fats wrote: »
    jonxp wrote: »
    My main issue with the whole thing is I haven't heard of a water or laser based milling machine, and some searching around and asking friends in the business didn't uncover anything either. Unless Apple has suddenly gotten into the metalworking business, I don't see that part of the rumor as accurate.

    Recovery of the swarf (as I just recently learned that stuff is called) is not really as simple as "collecting it in a hopper" for large factories. But it *is* a net gain to recycle it energy and money wise since it's aluminum (which is one of the few "recyclable" items that actually take less energy to recycle than create). Probably comes close to breaking even for the cost of recovery vs income from recycling.

    Waterjet/abrasivejet machining has been around for 30 years. It's not incredibly expensive to run, you can cut practically everything, and most of them cut underwater so the swarf and abrasive medium doesn't go everywhere. The downside is that you have no real depth control, but in the case of a tub-shaped object you could make a fast pass with the jet so it didn't cut all the way through, and then use a standard cutting head to level and finish it. Not really the simplest way, but hey.

    I've never been around a laser cutter, but they look interesting.

    I was specifically talking about milling, not cutting. Laser cutters are a lot of fun to watch in operation. :D Water cutters are significantly less interesting without the sparks and such.

    jonxp on
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  • FatsFats Corvallis, ORRegistered User regular
    edited October 2008
    jonxp wrote: »
    I was specifically talking about milling, not cutting. Laser cutters are a lot of fun to watch in operation. :D Water cutters are significantly less interesting without the sparks and such.

    Ah, I thought maybe you were conflating the two terms, like most of the engineering students I work with. :P I've no idea how a literal "waterjet mill" would work.

    Fats on
  • eric.eric. __BANNED USERS regular
    edited October 2008
    eric. on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Took my macbook pro to the apple store today and they said it was overheating, so they are replacing the heatsink, thermal paste, and logic board. I love apple so much.

    ...but maybe I should of deleted my porn off the computer before I left it with them D:
    Joking.

    or am I?

    darkenedwing on
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  • Inglorious CoyoteInglorious Coyote Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    eric. wrote: »
    Having a proper gpu in a Macbook would be awesome.

    Inglorious Coyote on
  • Dublo7Dublo7 Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    So I think I want to buy a laptop and I'm thinking of getting a Macbook. It will be my first Mac.
    I don't really need a Pro as I'll just be using this for Uni related stuff. I take it you guys think I should wait a few weeks and see what the new Macbooks are like?

    I'd obviously like to get more bang for my buck.

    Dublo7 on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dublo7 wrote: »
    So I think I want to buy a laptop and I'm thinking of getting a Macbook. It will be my first Mac.
    I don't really need a Pro as I'll just be using this for Uni related stuff. I take it you guys think I should wait a few weeks and see what the new Macbooks are like?

    I'd obviously like to get more bang for my buck.

    Have you ever been to an apple store?

    Before ordering anything I would recommend going to an Apple Store or some place that sells macbooks/pro's so you can see their actual sizes. I went to one today and seen a real life macbook for the first time and it would be too small for me for as much as I use a computer. I love the Pro's amazing keyboard for when I am typing up my 1000 word essays for college.

    darkenedwing on
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  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Really? I find the Macbook keyboard worlds better than the typical laptop keyboard (like on the Pro), and very much hope that the new Pro's adopt it. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way.

    Faricazy on
  • RBachRBach Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    What's different about the Pro's keyboard? I thought they were identical (except for the light-up keys, of course).

    And I for one love the Macbook keyboard.

    RBach on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Kudos to Sony for coming up with this style of keyboard. Kudos to Apple for ripping it off. It's fantastic.

    Faricazy on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    they are?
    maybe because of the screen size it just seemed smaller. I only had a minute to use it.

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • Dublo7Dublo7 Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dublo7 wrote: »
    So I think I want to buy a laptop and I'm thinking of getting a Macbook. It will be my first Mac.
    I don't really need a Pro as I'll just be using this for Uni related stuff. I take it you guys think I should wait a few weeks and see what the new Macbooks are like?

    I'd obviously like to get more bang for my buck.

    Have you ever been to an apple store?

    Before ordering anything I would recommend going to an Apple Store or some place that sells macbooks/pro's so you can see their actual sizes. I went to one today and seen a real life macbook for the first time and it would be too small for me for as much as I use a computer. I love the Pro's amazing keyboard for when I am typing up my 1000 word essays for college.
    The small size of the Macbook is actually what's luring me towards it. I'd love to be able to just chuck it into my messenger bag and be on my way. Plus, the Pro is too expensive for what I need.
    Really my Macbook (assuming I get one) will just be my secondary PC. I still use a Windows machine which I use for pretty much everything.

    Dublo7 on
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  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dublo

    size wise, the macbook is pretty perfect I think. What it could do with is a sturdier case and a dedicated graphics chip, both issues that are widely believed to be addressed by the upcoming version. I love mine, but on the other hand it does make me want a Pro, but that's since it's my only computer right now and sometimes the screen doesn't cut it. Rarely, though.

    Faricazy on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dublo7 wrote: »
    Dublo7 wrote: »
    So I think I want to buy a laptop and I'm thinking of getting a Macbook. It will be my first Mac.
    I don't really need a Pro as I'll just be using this for Uni related stuff. I take it you guys think I should wait a few weeks and see what the new Macbooks are like?

    I'd obviously like to get more bang for my buck.

    Have you ever been to an apple store?

    Before ordering anything I would recommend going to an Apple Store or some place that sells macbooks/pro's so you can see their actual sizes. I went to one today and seen a real life macbook for the first time and it would be too small for me for as much as I use a computer. I love the Pro's amazing keyboard for when I am typing up my 1000 word essays for college.
    The small size of the Macbook is actually what's luring me towards it. I'd love to be able to just chuck it into my messenger bag and be on my way. Plus, the Pro is too expensive for what I need.
    Really my Macbook (assuming I get one) will just be my secondary PC. I still use a Windows machine which I use for pretty much everything.

    Once you get a mac it will be a chore to use your Windows machine :P
    Ironically, for Microsoft Office 2008, I find that every program (even their Windows Messenger program) is better on mac then windows.

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    oh but i should add

    at least based on my experience, it would be awfully convenient to have an apple store within reasonable distance of your house. as much as i like my mac, it hasn't been the most reliable. My hard drive died six months into ownership (thought for some reason they replaced the 80gig with a 160gig - neat), i had a little piece of plastic from the palmrest break off, which they fixed (actually it's cracking a bit on the other side now as well) and last month my OS X installation decided to fuck itself and I thought my logic board was going. They told me to nuke and pave but an archive and install work, thankfully.

    And prior to that, I had to have my 80gig 5.5G iPod replaced twice.

    As much as I love Apple products, the reliability isn't the best but I'm willing to deal with that as long as they keep providing the excellent Apple Store service, but I have three of them within a train ride's distance, so if you don't, that might be a factor.

    Faricazy on
  • eric.eric. __BANNED USERS regular
    edited October 2008
    personally i think anything bigger than a 13.3" laptop to carry around everyday in your backpack for 8 months is just too much. Coupled with 3 textbooks and a binder, yeah, you don't want a much bigger computer. though you're right; the screen is fairly small for daily use, especially when you're coming from a strictly desktop user with a 19"+ monitor.

    Ugh, I honestly can not wait until next Tuesday. I know that sounds really giddy of me and a little "apple humping" but it's the first Mac I'll ever own. Also, it will be nice to actually take notes in class with a computer like everyone else does, though I still find that pretty unnecessary. Maybe that's just me(?) It's gonna be a happy day when I retire my good ol computer I budget-built to run Doom 3 like 5 years ago.

    eric. on
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Ironically, for Microsoft Office 2008, I find that every program (even their Windows Messenger program) is better on mac then windows.
    That is false. Office 2008 is dogshit. The interface is a retarded mix of the new Office 2007/2008 design language and native OS X elements. And whoever decided that taking VBA out of Excel should be maimed. It took them like five months to port over fucking Solver. I won't even go into other Excel design decisions that make it a straight up chore to work in.

    Faricazy on
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    eric. wrote: »
    personally i think anything bigger than a 13.3" laptop to carry around everyday in your backpack for 8 months is just too much. Coupled with 3 textbooks and a binder, yeah, you don't want a much bigger computer. though you're right; the screen is fairly small for daily use, especially when you're coming from a strictly desktop user with a 19"+ monitor.
    The 15.4 inch Pro is only .4 pounds heavier than the Macbook though, and it's thinner. Not that much a difference if you've got the lateral space in your bag of choice anyway.

    Faricazy on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Faricazy wrote: »
    Ironically, for Microsoft Office 2008, I find that every program (even their Windows Messenger program) is better on mac then windows.
    That is false. Office 2008 is dogshit. The interface is a retarded mix of the new Office 2007/2008 design language and native OS X elements. And whoever decided that taking VBA out of Excel should be maimed. It took them like five months to port over fucking Solver. I won't even go into other Excel design decisions that make it a straight up chore to work in.

    Hmm =/
    I haven't spent much time in Excel, but I like Word 2008 on mac more than Windows. Maybe i'm just weird and shouldn't be listened to.

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • GlorfindelGlorfindel Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Faricazy wrote: »
    Ironically, for Microsoft Office 2008, I find that every program (even their Windows Messenger program) is better on mac then windows.
    That is false. Office 2008 is dogshit. The interface is a retarded mix of the new Office 2007/2008 design language and native OS X elements. And whoever decided that taking VBA out of Excel should be maimed. It took them like five months to port over fucking Solver. I won't even go into other Excel design decisions that make it a straight up chore to work in.

    Yeah seriously, Office 2008 seriously sucks. Word crashed on me three times today, each time I was mucking around with footnotes. Really have no other option though, until I finally get around to installing Windows on it.

    Glorfindel on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Glorfindel wrote: »
    Faricazy wrote: »
    Ironically, for Microsoft Office 2008, I find that every program (even their Windows Messenger program) is better on mac then windows.
    That is false. Office 2008 is dogshit. The interface is a retarded mix of the new Office 2007/2008 design language and native OS X elements. And whoever decided that taking VBA out of Excel should be maimed. It took them like five months to port over fucking Solver. I won't even go into other Excel design decisions that make it a straight up chore to work in.

    Yeah seriously, Office 2008 seriously sucks. Word crashed on me three times today, each time I was mucking around with footnotes. Really have no other option though, until I finally get around to installing Windows on it.

    Really? I use Word for probably 20+ hours a week for the past 12 weeks straight and I have not had it crash on me a single time, even when working with footnotes.

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    I would say something about performance issues with Office 2008, but a lot of things ran slow when I had 1 gig of ram, and it might very well run a lot faster with 2 gig like everything else is.

    But I will say that iWork '08 dealt with 1 gig of ram fairly well.

    Faricazy on
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Faricazy wrote: »
    I would say something about performance issues with Office 2008, but a lot of things ran slow when I had 1 gig of ram, and it might very well run a lot faster with 2 gig like everything else is.

    But I will say that iWork '08 dealt with 1 gig of ram fairly well.

    2GB of ram is great. and I have not seen any slowdown with anything, even whenever I am writing an essay and playing WoW at the same time with Itunes, Opera, and a number of other programs open.

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • RBachRBach Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    PowerPoint 2008 has started regularly crashing on me. I tried uninstalling and clearing out preferences and reinstalling and it still does it. I could just open it, load a presentation, and then leave it alone and it'll still do it. I should contact Microsoft about that I guess...

    PowerPoint 2007+VMware Fusion works well at least. :)

    RBach on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • darkenedwingdarkenedwing Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Maybe I just have abnormally good luck with software since I have horrible luck with hardware (of my last 3 computers 2 have caught on fire and the processor went bad on the other).

    darkenedwing on
    image.php?type=sigpic&userid=29216&dateline=1296970870
  • Dublo7Dublo7 Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Faricazy wrote: »
    oh but i should add

    at least based on my experience, it would be awfully convenient to have an apple store within reasonable distance of your house. as much as i like my mac, it hasn't been the most reliable. My hard drive died six months into ownership (thought for some reason they replaced the 80gig with a 160gig - neat), i had a little piece of plastic from the palmrest break off, which they fixed (actually it's cracking a bit on the other side now as well) and last month my OS X installation decided to fuck itself and I thought my logic board was going. They told me to nuke and pave but an archive and install work, thankfully.

    And prior to that, I had to have my 80gig 5.5G iPod replaced twice.

    As much as I love Apple products, the reliability isn't the best but I'm willing to deal with that as long as they keep providing the excellent Apple Store service, but I have three of them within a train ride's distance, so if you don't, that might be a factor.
    I've actually read a lot of posts from people saying their harddrive on their macbook died. That's pretty worrying, as in all the years I've had computers, I've never ever had a harddrive die.

    Also yeah, Office 2007 and 2008 blow completely. It's insanely convoluted and unpleasant to use.
    I made the switch to Open Office (FREE!!!) and I will never ever look back.

    Dublo7 on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • FaricazyFaricazy Registered User regular
    edited October 2008
    Dublo7 wrote: »
    Faricazy wrote: »
    oh but i should add

    at least based on my experience, it would be awfully convenient to have an apple store within reasonable distance of your house. as much as i like my mac, it hasn't been the most reliable. My hard drive died six months into ownership (thought for some reason they replaced the 80gig with a 160gig - neat), i had a little piece of plastic from the palmrest break off, which they fixed (actually it's cracking a bit on the other side now as well) and last month my OS X installation decided to fuck itself and I thought my logic board was going. They told me to nuke and pave but an archive and install work, thankfully.

    And prior to that, I had to have my 80gig 5.5G iPod replaced twice.

    As much as I love Apple products, the reliability isn't the best but I'm willing to deal with that as long as they keep providing the excellent Apple Store service, but I have three of them within a train ride's distance, so if you don't, that might be a factor.
    I've actually read a lot of posts from people saying their harddrive on their macbook died. That's pretty worrying, as in all the years I've had computers, I've never ever had a harddrive die.
    At one point there was a bad batch, but mine fell outside of that set of serial numbers.

    Drives fail, mac or not, and you should always have a backup anyway, but I was dismayed that it failed so soon.

    Faricazy on
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