[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-09 Thread Tony Pelliccio
As someone who has analyzed the AppleCare policy, it isn't worth it. Most 
failures occur within the first year and Apple covers out to one year 
automatically. 

Secondly don't let Apple install options like bigger HD's and RAM, you can do 
all that yourself less expensively. And were you to do that anyhow you'd void 
your AppleCare contract. 

I currently have an laptop with XP Pro and am seriously considering a MacBook. 




  


[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread Heath
See this is the thing that kills me about Mac's everyone acts like 
nothing ever goes wrong with them, and yet I hear quite a bit 
different looking at fourms, etc.  It just seems like Jobs and Mac's 
get a pass...not trying to start a flame debate, I'm just sayin  ;)



Heath
http://batmangeek.com
http://heathparks.com

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> I have to totally disagree with Tony about applecare,  especially 
if  
> you have a laptop. I have had the logic board replaced, the screen  
> replaced, the casing replaced and two batteries replaced (pretty  
> evenly spread between my two years of ownership) and have paid 0  
> dollars. I have a first generation macbook pro 17" - so its been a  
> little over buggy, but even so,  applecare has been more than 
worth  
> it to me with every laptop I've owned.
> 
> 
> 
> On Jun 9, 2008, at 4:23 PM, Tony Pelliccio wrote:
> 
> > As someone who has analyzed the AppleCare policy, it isn't worth  
> > it. Most failures occur within the first year and Apple covers 
out  
> > to one year automatically.
> >
> > Secondly don't let Apple install options like bigger HD's and 
RAM,  
> > you can do all that yourself less expensively. And were you to 
do  
> > that anyhow you'd void your AppleCare contract.
> >
> > I currently have an laptop with XP Pro and am seriously 
considering  
> > a MacBook.
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>




[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread missbhavens1969
Same here. I'm a overheating/no second memory slot victim, too. But I
had Applecare and after some prodding and tears they did cover the
repair (more like a replacement, really). I was *so* grateful for
Applecare when my Powerbook fried out. I'd nevernevernever buy another
laptop without it.

I actually always buy extended warantees for expensive
electronics/appliances that I don't plan on upgrading soon. Computers,
cameras, dishwashers. Clock radio? Not so much.

I think warrantees are always worth it. Peace of mind. Granted,
Applecare ain't cheap, but neither is a new computer. Free repair vs
$2000? No contest.

Bek
--
http://www.missbhavens.com

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, B Yen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
 
> I have the Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, & I got Good Guys extended warranty  
> (2 yr).  Good thing I did, the HD died at the end of 2 yrs.
> 
> This laptop had the infamous "missing memory slot" that affected tens  
> of thousands of users..there's a class-action lawsuit.  Basically,  
> the "cool thin ness" violates the Law of Physics (Thermodynamics):  
> the heat kills the logicboard..which creates the "missing memory  
> slot" bug.  Apple refuses to acknowledge this problem. 



[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Heath
Most of the active people on this list use Mac, but I would question 
wheather that everyone on this list has agreed PC's are harder to 
use.I frequent the DVX fourms and a lot and I mean A LOT of 
people there use PC's to edit.

I know I may not be in your league Rox ;)  but I think me and my PC 
have made some pretty nice videos on occasion...(which is due more to 
my own limited skill set than my PC..  ;)


Heath
http://batmangeek.com
http://heathparks.com

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Roxanne Darling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! Just 
do a
> google search and read some of the posts.  (Again, we use both in 
our
> office.  People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to 
use.)
> iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used those 
tools and
> so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP.  
You CAN
> produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE 
software.
> (iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is another
> thread).
> 
> Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go 
insane
> sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac 
Mini for
> only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able to 
run Mac
> and PC on that sweet little box.
> 
> Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know end 
up
> upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers (PC's 
largest
> target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed to be 
writing
> Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load up a 
PC with
> one?  But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video 
creators.
> Do you tools support you or frustrate you?
> 
> Here is a side by side chart:
> http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-expensive-
thats-crap/#
> 
> Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no person 
is. I've
> used them for over 20 years and  had great response from them.  But 
then
> when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be fixed 
not
> ranting that it should never have broken in the first place.  (Hint 
hint -
> how to get good customer service)
> 
> This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac to a 
brand
> new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks 
taking that
> route. But that doesn't mean Macs are more expensive. It means you 
have
> champagne taste, and I will be the first to raise a glass to that!  
I always
> buy the best computer I can possibly afford at each new milestone, 
knowing
> it will last me longer.  I still have a 12" G4 laptop and it serves 
as a
> great bookkeeping and surf-while-watching-TV machine.  We just gave 
a 6-year
> old eMac running Tiger to a friend for her 3-year old.  The thing 
only cost
> $899 when it was brand new, it still looks great and performs just 
fine if
> you are not in a big hurry.
> 
> I rarely choose to rant on this list. It's kinda fun to get out of 
my box
> though. :-)
> 
> Aloha and thanks for listening,
> 
> Rox
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:53 AM, Patrick Delongchamp 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> 
> >   Another thing to definitely consider.
> >
> > but getting back to the topic at hand, i'd summarize the 
conversation
> > as the following:
> >
> > Mac - It's much more expensive but a better value and you'll be 
very happy
> > PC - You'll be reasonably happy and have more money in your 
pocket but
> > you'll have a higher learning curve.
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jake Ludington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > wrote:
> > >> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on 
products can be
> > >> a wise choice. This is especially true if you are in a 
financial
> > >> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the 
first
> > >> place.
> > >
> > > Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime 
would be
> > a
> > > greater inconvenience than being out the money. For instance, 
with
> > > AppleCare, the inconvenience on the iPhone might have been $60 
had it not
> > > paid off. Without it, the inconvenience would have been no 
phone until
> > the
> > > warranty repair turned it around in a couple of weeks (and/or 
buying
> > another
> > > phone). In that case, the potential of losing $60 was lower 
risk than the
> > > risk of being out a phone for 2 weeks. The added bonus of 
having a new
> > phone
> > > in under 15 minutes made the $60 an easy decision.
> > >
> > >> It's just important to remember that either decision you make 
is a
> > >> "bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the 
decision of
> > >> *not* buying extended warranties. Not the other way around.
> > >
> > > That entirely depends on what you're factoring for. Time is way 
more
> > > important to me than the extra $100 or $200 for bigger ticket 
items. If I
> > > spend $100 to insure against losing both the ite

[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Stan Hirson, Sarah Jones
--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Roxanne Darling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> ...I'll repeat my first comment in part - I truly admire being able
to look at
> things objectively when group mind goes so strongly in one
direction. I was
> curious to see what I would learn in the thread. And for me I have
ended up
> where I started - an appreciative Mac user. :-) 

As the initiator of this thread, I first want to thank everyone who
responded!  It was very helpful to me. 

I am coming to the realization that I will probably stick to the Mac,
but more as a reluctant rather than appreciative or enthusiastic user.
 I would get AppleCare for the MacBook Pro, no question that it is
worth it just for hardware issues alone. 

But everything I have read has not won me back to thinking of Apple as
a company that cares for its customers the way it did a few years ago
before it hawked content and consumer media appliances.

Apple's denial of problems it caused customers such as its QuickTime
updates and the unwillingness of the "Genius Bar"  (I have no idea
what's behind the counter) to solve problems rather than replace
components is really what caused me to rethink buying another Mac.

But I want to take another crack at the warranty issue.  How long
should a computer last?  And how long should a company be willing to
support it?  The AppleCare period is 3 years -- I don't know if that
is in addition to the 1 year warranty.  Then, I recently discovered,
Apple will not even look at a computer that is over 5 years old. I
brought one in for help in doing an Open Firmware Reset and when I
found someone who has actually heard of it he refused to show me how
to do it until we threw a public fit to embarrass the staff in front
of customers and they had to call the manager who *made* them do it. 
This was on a perfectly usable G4 desktop, dual processor.  I use it
every day.  

I can understand out of warranty.  But I do not understand older than
5 years.  A $4,000 computer can be expected to be used that long. 

It's an attitude, I guess that has made me very reluctant. 

Thanks for posting and hearing me out on this rant.

Stan Hirson
http://hestakaup.com   



[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Heath
I didn't take any disparage personaly, and I have been known to 
complain about PC's in the past for sure and I know I will again in 
the future, just as I am sure if I ever do switch to Mac, I will 
probably complain about that at some point as well..  ;)

It is funny to me though that PC vs Mac is such a personal issue it 
seems.  I will and have always admited that I have not spent any 
considerable time with a Mac, and if that day ever comes, whos knows 
maybe I will be a whole hearted confert...I mean PC's seem simple to 
me because that is what I have always used, I know how they work, I 
understand what to do to make things work.I think the only time I 
really get frustrated with my PC is when the software won't do what I 
want it to do, so is that a PC issue or a software issue

Although I will admit, that I don't like Vista all that much as an 
OS, I have it on my laptop and there are things I don't like for 
sure, Ah...who knows live and let live I say!

Heath
http://batmangeek.com
http://heathparks.com

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Roxanne Darling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> My dear Heath,
> I do not mean to disparage anyone, especially you.  I am merely 
tired of the
> "mac is more expensive than PC" mis-conception.  It was true in the 
80's,
> maybe some of the 90's, but not here in the new century, especially 
when you
> map components side by side.
> 
> Most people who disparage Macs have never really used them. Most 
people who
> disparage PC's, have used them. I would bet money on that.
> 
> I'll repeat my first comment in part - I truly admire being able to 
look at
> things objectively when group mind goes so strongly in one 
direction. I was
> curious to see what I would learn in the thread. And for me I have 
ended up
> where I started - an appreciative Mac user. :-)  Thank you for 
speaking up!
> 
> Love and hugs to you, Rox
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM, Heath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> >   Most of the active people on this list use Mac, but I would 
question
> > wheather that everyone on this list has agreed PC's are harder to
> > use.I frequent the DVX fourms and a lot and I mean A LOT of
> > people there use PC's to edit.
> >
> > I know I may not be in your league Rox ;) but I think me and my PC
> > have made some pretty nice videos on occasion...(which is due 
more to
> > my own limited skill set than my PC.. ;)
> >
> > Heath
> > http://batmangeek.com
> > http://heathparks.com
> >
> > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com ,
> > "Roxanne Darling" 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! 
Just
> > do a
> > > google search and read some of the posts. (Again, we use both in
> > our
> > > office. People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to
> > use.)
> > > iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used 
those
> > tools and
> > > so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP.
> > You CAN
> > > produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE
> > software.
> > > (iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is 
another
> > > thread).
> > >
> > > Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go
> > insane
> > > sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac
> > Mini for
> > > only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able 
to
> > run Mac
> > > and PC on that sweet little box.
> > >
> > > Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know 
end
> > up
> > > upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers 
(PC's
> > largest
> > > target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed 
to be
> > writing
> > > Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load 
up a
> > PC with
> > > one? But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video
> > creators.
> > > Do you tools support you or frustrate you?
> > >
> > > Here is a side by side chart:
> > > http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-
expensive-
> > thats-crap/#
> > >
> > > Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no 
person
> > is. I've
> > > used them for over 20 years and had great response from them. 
But
> > then
> > > when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be 
fixed
> > not
> > > ranting that it should never have broken in the first place. 
(Hint
> > hint -
> > > how to get good customer service)
> > >
> > > This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac 
to a
> > brand
> > > new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks
> > taking that
> > > route. But that doesn't mean Macs are more expensive. It means 
you
> > have
> > > champagne taste, and I will be the first to raise a glass to 
that!
> > I always
> > > buy the best computer I can possibly afford at each new 
milestone,
> > knowing
> > > it will last me longer. I still have a 12" G4 laptop and it 
serves
> > as a
> > > great bookkeeping an

[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Heath
I think more than anything it's just the overall lack of customer 
service in general.  Everybody is slow to admit to any issues 
anymore. It's sad, it really is  I hope things work out

Heath
http://batmangeek.com
http://heathparks.com

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Stan Hirson,  Sarah Jones" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Roxanne Darling" 
> wrote:
> 
> > ...I'll repeat my first comment in part - I truly admire being 
able
> to look at
> > things objectively when group mind goes so strongly in one
> direction. I was
> > curious to see what I would learn in the thread. And for me I have
> ended up
> > where I started - an appreciative Mac user. :-) 
> 
> As the initiator of this thread, I first want to thank everyone who
> responded!  It was very helpful to me. 
> 
> I am coming to the realization that I will probably stick to the 
Mac,
> but more as a reluctant rather than appreciative or enthusiastic 
user.
>  I would get AppleCare for the MacBook Pro, no question that it is
> worth it just for hardware issues alone. 
> 
> But everything I have read has not won me back to thinking of Apple 
as
> a company that cares for its customers the way it did a few years 
ago
> before it hawked content and consumer media appliances.
> 
> Apple's denial of problems it caused customers such as its QuickTime
> updates and the unwillingness of the "Genius Bar"  (I have no idea
> what's behind the counter) to solve problems rather than replace
> components is really what caused me to rethink buying another Mac.
> 
> But I want to take another crack at the warranty issue.  How long
> should a computer last?  And how long should a company be willing to
> support it?  The AppleCare period is 3 years -- I don't know if that
> is in addition to the 1 year warranty.  Then, I recently discovered,
> Apple will not even look at a computer that is over 5 years old. I
> brought one in for help in doing an Open Firmware Reset and when I
> found someone who has actually heard of it he refused to show me how
> to do it until we threw a public fit to embarrass the staff in front
> of customers and they had to call the manager who *made* them do 
it. 
> This was on a perfectly usable G4 desktop, dual processor.  I use it
> every day.  
> 
> I can understand out of warranty.  But I do not understand older 
than
> 5 years.  A $4,000 computer can be expected to be used that long. 
> 
> It's an attitude, I guess that has made me very reluctant. 
> 
> Thanks for posting and hearing me out on this rant.
> 
> Stan Hirson
> http://hestakaup.com
>




[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Steve Watkins
Well thats a problem with the whole computer industry.

The pace of change makes it that way, and really the whole consumption
economy is based on things not being built to last.

The practical aspect of a 5 year limit is that after 5 years they
probably dont have much of a source of components to replace faulty
ones with.

Im fairly sure all this will change in a major way within a decade or
2, human civilisation has no choice but to become a lot less wasteful.
And to a certain extent the almost lost art of making efficiency gains
& performance improvements through software updates alone, will return.

Having said all that it is possible to get a computer that will last
more than a decade, but its never a cert, and the manufacturer will
have moved on in the meantime and have zero interest or incentive to
have it back for repair.

Cheers

Steve Elbows

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Stan Hirson,  Sarah Jones"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I can understand out of warranty.  But I do not understand older than
> 5 years.  A $4,000 computer can be expected to be used that long. 
> 
> It's an attitude, I guess that has made me very reluctant. 
> 
> Thanks for posting and hearing me out on this rant.
> 
> Stan Hirson
> http://hestakaup.com
>




[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Steve Watkins
OK well I just mapped components side by side for the 17" Macbook Pro
Spec versus a HP PC Laptop.

I configured the HP spec so that it was as identical to the standard
Macbook Pro 17" as I could get. Got an almost perfect match, only
difference being very slightly different graphics card on the HP, the
512MB Nvidia 8600M GS as opposed to the 8600M GT in the Macbook.

The HP is $1609 and the Macbook is $2799!

Even if you whack on a few hundred dollars for theroetical exact
graphics card match, and a few hunred dollars more for software, the
price is still not close.

I would not be surprised if this is the most extreme example possible,
the 17" Macook Pro must surely be the worst value in terms of what
hardware spec you actually get for your dollar.

I would completely agree with you that Macs in general have become
much better value this decade. Some of their models represent fairly
good value for money now, but some clearly do not, and so it is not
safe to label these issues a myth.

Im also fairly sure that the stuff you mentioned about Mac screen
refresh rates being superior, is not accurate. Its true that bargain
basement PCs are not high spec and can be compared to few Macs
properly, but in the medium and high end there are plenty of PCs that
outperform Macs on price, and thatnks to the switch to Intel
processors, geeks like me can make true spec comparisons.

Cheers

Steve Elbows
--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Roxanne Darling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> My dear Heath,
> I do not mean to disparage anyone, especially you.  I am merely
tired of the
> "mac is more expensive than PC" mis-conception.  It was true in the
80's,
> maybe some of the 90's, but not here in the new century, especially
when you
> map components side by side.
> 
> Most people who disparage Macs have never really used them. Most
people who
> disparage PC's, have used them. I would bet money on that.
> 
> I'll repeat my first comment in part - I truly admire being able to
look at
> things objectively when group mind goes so strongly in one
direction. I was
> curious to see what I would learn in the thread. And for me I have
ended up
> where I started - an appreciative Mac user. :-)  Thank you for
speaking up!
> 
> Love and hugs to you, Rox
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM, Heath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> >   Most of the active people on this list use Mac, but I would question
> > wheather that everyone on this list has agreed PC's are harder to
> > use.I frequent the DVX fourms and a lot and I mean A LOT of
> > people there use PC's to edit.
> >
> > I know I may not be in your league Rox ;) but I think me and my PC
> > have made some pretty nice videos on occasion...(which is due more to
> > my own limited skill set than my PC.. ;)
> >
> > Heath
> > http://batmangeek.com
> > http://heathparks.com
> >
> > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com
,
> > "Roxanne Darling" 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! Just
> > do a
> > > google search and read some of the posts. (Again, we use both in
> > our
> > > office. People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to
> > use.)
> > > iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used those
> > tools and
> > > so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP.
> > You CAN
> > > produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE
> > software.
> > > (iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is another
> > > thread).
> > >
> > > Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go
> > insane
> > > sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac
> > Mini for
> > > only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able to
> > run Mac
> > > and PC on that sweet little box.
> > >
> > > Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know end
> > up
> > > upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers (PC's
> > largest
> > > target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed to be
> > writing
> > > Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load up a
> > PC with
> > > one? But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video
> > creators.
> > > Do you tools support you or frustrate you?
> > >
> > > Here is a side by side chart:
> > > http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-expensive-
> > thats-crap/#
> > >
> > > Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no person
> > is. I've
> > > used them for over 20 years and had great response from them. But
> > then
> > > when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be fixed
> > not
> > > ranting that it should never have broken in the first place. (Hint
> > hint -
> > > how to get good customer service)
> > >
> > > This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac to a
> > brand
> > > new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks
> > taking that
> > > route. B

[videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-14 Thread kaytoh1414
About your last point, i'm not sure if i'm reading it correctly, but
you can use a program called PowerMenu which gives you an option to to
give an window an attribute of being "always on top"

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/PowerMenu.shtml

--- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "Kath O'Donnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> I'd always had a pc (work) laptop until I bought a macbook pro for
> home. I couldn't afford a mac and the pc did most things I wanted it
> to. but usually I had to fix it before I could use it - even for
> simple installations - there was usually something missing and I had
> to install extra bits or the s/w I wanted to try was only on mac.
> since buying the  mac I haven't had to do this, so I've found I prefer
> using it and am more productive on it than before when I had a pc. I
> can just sit down and start making things so I find it's better for my
> creativity levels. I like the software that comes with it - iphoto etc
> and how it's easier for me wrt to music/video/development tools. I'm
> an engineer and work on computers all day at work - years ago I used
> to like fixing computers & kept up with hardware specs etc but now I'd
> much rather just use one. I still have a windows laptop for work and
> work on linux/posix systems too so go through the pain at work. but
> for home I wouldn't go back to pc now except for maybe a cheaper
> storage server desktop/archive system solution as it'd only be used
> for file storage  perhaps remote access to files, though with cheap
> ISP online disk storage options available these days even this is a
> stretch. the one I bought originally had a screen problem - I think I
> must have bought one of the first batches - and the apple store
> support from where I bought it was terrible. eventually I went to
> apple australia during a trip home and they arranged a replacement and
> since then everything's worked well. they said it's easier to purchase
> online rather than the stores as the stores don't have the same
> infrastructure they used to for getting things fixed. if I'd known
> that at the time I would have bought it online originally like my
> first apple product - the ipod. the mac was more expensive but for me
> I don't care about that because it's saved more time in me having to
> get things to work first go & actually getting something creative
> done, so was worth the money. over time the difference isn't much. the
> only problem I have now is I fill the disk all the time but that's a
> user issue not machine. I wish they'd let me use the mac at work
> instead of the pc. the best thing I like about OSX (& linux) is that
> when you open a few things at once and are working in one screen the
> other screens open in background and u can select them when u are
> ready. whereas windows pushes everything to the front when it's ready
> - it doesn't care if you're in the middle of typing something in an
> already selected window. this annoys me no end on a pc at work!!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> http://www.aliak.com
>




Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-09 Thread Kathryn Jones
I have to totally disagree with Tony about applecare,  especially if  
you have a laptop. I have had the logic board replaced, the screen  
replaced, the casing replaced and two batteries replaced (pretty  
evenly spread between my two years of ownership) and have paid 0  
dollars. I have a first generation macbook pro 17" - so its been a  
little over buggy, but even so,  applecare has been more than worth  
it to me with every laptop I've owned.



On Jun 9, 2008, at 4:23 PM, Tony Pelliccio wrote:

> As someone who has analyzed the AppleCare policy, it isn't worth  
> it. Most failures occur within the first year and Apple covers out  
> to one year automatically.
>
> Secondly don't let Apple install options like bigger HD's and RAM,  
> you can do all that yourself less expensively. And were you to do  
> that anyhow you'd void your AppleCare contract.
>
> I currently have an laptop with XP Pro and am seriously considering  
> a MacBook.
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-09 Thread Pete Prodoehl

Mac Mac-nerds have told me they follow this policy:

Laptop work or home - Get AppleCare
Desktop Mac at work - Get AppleCare
Desktop Mac at home - Skip AppleCare if you want...

But I did get AppleCare with the last iMac I got at home, mainly cuz I 
feel Apple's quality has sunk in the last few years, and my previous Mac 
had the log board die. (Granted, it was about 6 years old.)


Pete


Kathryn Jones wrote:
> I have to totally disagree with Tony about applecare,  especially if  
> you have a laptop. I have had the logic board replaced, the screen  
> replaced, the casing replaced and two batteries replaced (pretty  
> evenly spread between my two years of ownership) and have paid 0  
> dollars. I have a first generation macbook pro 17" - so its been a  
> little over buggy, but even so,  applecare has been more than worth  
> it to me with every laptop I've owned.
> 
> 
> 
> On Jun 9, 2008, at 4:23 PM, Tony Pelliccio wrote:
> 
>> As someone who has analyzed the AppleCare policy, it isn't worth  
>> it. Most failures occur within the first year and Apple covers out  
>> to one year automatically.
>>
>> Secondly don't let Apple install options like bigger HD's and RAM,  
>> you can do all that yourself less expensively. And were you to do  
>> that anyhow you'd void your AppleCare contract.
>>
>> I currently have an laptop with XP Pro and am seriously considering  
>> a MacBook.
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 




Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-09 Thread B Yen
On Jun 9, 2008, at 2:51 PM, Pete Prodoehl wrote:

>
> Mac Mac-nerds have told me they follow this policy:
>
> Laptop work or home - Get AppleCare

I have the Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, & I got Good Guys extended warranty  
(2 yr).  Good thing I did, the HD died at the end of 2 yrs.

This laptop had the infamous "missing memory slot" that affected tens  
of thousands of users..there's a class-action lawsuit.  Basically,  
the "cool thin ness" violates the Law of Physics (Thermodynamics):  
the heat kills the logicboard..which creates the "missing memory  
slot" bug.  Apple refuses to acknowledge this problem.  I ended up  
send it to a 3rd party to fix it (some place in S. Carolina).  The  
corrupt GE care (which took over when Good Guys disappeared) wouldn't  
pick up the tab!!??

The thin Powerbooks look cool, but have major cooling issues.  (it  
gets INCREDIBLY hot on your lab, it's a widely known issue).  It's  
what leads to the failure rates.  Heat is the Enemy.

I goto the desert offroad races (hot!), & this Powerbook has died  
TWICE because of heat: hard drive goes kaput.  My PC laptop works  
fine, because it's FAT & has a F***G fan!!  Law of  
Thermodynamics..must dissipate the heat!

> Desktop Mac at work - Get AppleCare
> Desktop Mac at home - Skip AppleCare if you want...

I have a quad G5 that's sitting 4 ft away (I'm using a G4/667 desktop  
that's circa 2001..7yrs old!!).  On a hot day in 2006, it went  
kaput..heat issues.  It took 3 visits to Applecare to fix it (fancy  
watercooled system).  I was 4 days late in buying Applecare, so I  
don't have coverage.  Frankly, I'm scared the quad G5 will blowup & I  
will have an expensive paper weight.  I use it ocassionally (to  
render videos), but it's definitely not my main machine.

A bunch of other people have had problems with the quad G5, & it's a  
known fact to stay away from this machine.

>
> But I did get AppleCare with the last iMac I got at home, mainly cuz I
> feel Apple's quality has sunk in the last few years, and my  
> previous Mac
> had the log board die. (Granted, it was about 6 years old.)

I agree.

I have had issues with Apple hardware going back to '95.  There was  
this Applevision 1710AV monitor, which was a total POS.  It was  
widely known to be a defective product.  When I called in, the Apple  
guy refused to acknowledge the problem (lie) & wouldn't do anything  
about it.  I have never bought an Apple monitor since.

Apple has always had an elitist attitute (with price to match)

The Apple AV cable for the iPod, a pricey $20..the connector cracked  
& broke.  (Apple found a cheap supplier, & uses its "brand name" to  
jack up the price).  I got a 3rd party one for $20 (at the local  
supermarket), works fine.  Apple has a lot of hype/marketing behind  
it.  I asked an Apple sales guy about the iPod, why it's so  
successful.  His response was "Marketing".

"People don't buy Good Products, they buy GOOD MARKETING"
-- business saying

Apple vs PC, it's a matter of "lesser of 2 evils".

I have a Hewlett Packard PC laptop running Windows XP, NEVER had a  
problem with it.  However, it's incredibly "clunky" vs Mac OS in  
terms of intuitive useability.  Existing PC users use it because they  
are "used to it".


>
>
> Pete
>
>
> Kathryn Jones wrote:
>> I have to totally disagree with Tony about applecare,  especially if
>> you have a laptop. I have had the logic board replaced, the screen
>> replaced, the casing replaced and two batteries replaced (pretty
>> evenly spread between my two years of ownership) and have paid 0
>> dollars. I have a first generation macbook pro 17" - so its been a
>> little over buggy, but even so,  applecare has been more than worth
>> it to me with every laptop I've owned.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 9, 2008, at 4:23 PM, Tony Pelliccio wrote:
>>
>>> As someone who has analyzed the AppleCare policy, it isn't worth
>>> it. Most failures occur within the first year and Apple covers out
>>> to one year automatically.
>>>
>>> Secondly don't let Apple install options like bigger HD's and RAM,
>>> you can do all that yourself less expensively. And were you to do
>>> that anyhow you'd void your AppleCare contract.
>>>
>>> I currently have an laptop with XP Pro and am seriously considering
>>> a MacBook.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> 
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread Patrick Delongchamp
I've heard a lot of talk of Extended Warranties in this thread so I
just want to throw in that people should never buy extended
warranties.  Manufacturing defects will appear within the manufacturer
warranty period.  The only reason anyone offers an extended warranty
is because it's a guaranteed money grab.  People buy extended
warranties because they believe that the odds are in their favour that
they'll save money in the long run.  This is categorically incorrect.
The complete opposite is true.

and if the product you're buying actually *needs* an extended warranty
that isn't already provided by the manufacturer?  Definitely do not
purchase this product.

This is of course my own opinion but I thought it was important to
throw in seeing that you'll almost never hear anyone say "thank GOD i
didn't buy the extended warranty" because obviously it doesn't work
that way.

That being said, I can't imagine that Macs actually need extended
warranties...do they?

On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM, missbhavens1969
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Same here. I'm a overheating/no second memory slot victim, too. But I
> had Applecare and after some prodding and tears they did cover the
> repair (more like a replacement, really). I was *so* grateful for
> Applecare when my Powerbook fried out. I'd nevernevernever buy another
> laptop without it.
>
> I actually always buy extended warantees for expensive
> electronics/appliances that I don't plan on upgrading soon. Computers,
> cameras, dishwashers. Clock radio? Not so much.
>
> I think warrantees are always worth it. Peace of mind. Granted,
> Applecare ain't cheap, but neither is a new computer. Free repair vs
> $2000? No contest.
>
> Bek
> --
> http://www.missbhavens.com
>
> --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, B Yen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> I have the Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, & I got Good Guys extended warranty
>> (2 yr). Good thing I did, the HD died at the end of 2 yrs.
>>
>> This laptop had the infamous "missing memory slot" that affected tens
>> of thousands of users..there's a class-action lawsuit. Basically,
>> the "cool thin ness" violates the Law of Physics (Thermodynamics):
>> the heat kills the logicboard..which creates the "missing memory
>> slot" bug. Apple refuses to acknowledge this problem.
>
> 


RE: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread Jake Ludington
> I've heard a lot of talk of Extended Warranties in this thread so I
> just want to throw in that people should never buy extended
> warranties.  Manufacturing defects will appear within the manufacturer
> warranty period.  The only reason anyone offers an extended warranty
> is because it's a guaranteed money grab.  People buy extended
> warranties because they believe that the odds are in their favour that
> they'll save money in the long run.  This is categorically incorrect.
> The complete opposite is true.

I was of this same opinion and am for most products. Having said that, I
bought one on a laptop once and it paid off. The laptop died due to a heat
issue. I got it replaced without hassle. Because the entire laptop cycle had
revved, I got a newer laptop with current features. The second laptop died
too and that was replaced by the warranty as well, again with a newer laptop
with better features. The lesson learned was I'll never buy Toshiba again,
but if I hadn't had the extended warranty, they would have repaired my
existing laptop, not replaced it.

I also purchased the AppleCare on an iPhone and had it pay off by having the
iPhone swapped out no questions asked.

I still don't buy extended warranties for most things because in many cases
they are overpriced, but in the two cases I've cited here, I'm definitely
ahead of the game for buying them. An extended warranty is an insurance
plan. They are betting most won't pay off to come out ahead. If you buy it,
you're betting it will pay.

Jake Ludington

http://www.jakeludington.com




Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread Patrick Delongchamp
I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on products can be
a wise choice.  This is especially true if you are in a financial
situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the first
place.

It's just important to remember that either decision you make is a
"bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the decision of
*not* buying extended warranties.  Not the other way around.

On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 8:25 PM, Jake Ludington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> I've heard a lot of talk of Extended Warranties in this thread so I
>> just want to throw in that people should never buy extended
>> warranties. Manufacturing defects will appear within the manufacturer
>> warranty period. The only reason anyone offers an extended warranty
>> is because it's a guaranteed money grab. People buy extended
>> warranties because they believe that the odds are in their favour that
>> they'll save money in the long run. This is categorically incorrect.
>> The complete opposite is true.
>
> I was of this same opinion and am for most products. Having said that, I
> bought one on a laptop once and it paid off. The laptop died due to a heat
> issue. I got it replaced without hassle. Because the entire laptop cycle had
> revved, I got a newer laptop with current features. The second laptop died
> too and that was replaced by the warranty as well, again with a newer laptop
> with better features. The lesson learned was I'll never buy Toshiba again,
> but if I hadn't had the extended warranty, they would have repaired my
> existing laptop, not replaced it.
>
> I also purchased the AppleCare on an iPhone and had it pay off by having the
> iPhone swapped out no questions asked.
>
> I still don't buy extended warranties for most things because in many cases
> they are overpriced, but in the two cases I've cited here, I'm definitely
> ahead of the game for buying them. An extended warranty is an insurance
> plan. They are betting most won't pay off to come out ahead. If you buy it,
> you're betting it will pay.
>
> Jake Ludington
>
> http://www.jakeludington.com
>
> 


Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread B Yen

On Jun 10, 2008, at 1:50 PM, missbhavens1969 wrote:

> Same here. I'm a overheating/no second memory slot victim, too. But I
> had Applecare and after some prodding and tears they did cover the
> repair (more like a replacement, really). I was *so* grateful for
> Applecare when my Powerbook fried out. I'd nevernevernever buy another
> laptop without it.

I read the lengthy posts on Apple forums, about this issue.

After the "missing memory slot" issue, the repaired Powerbooks..had  
the problem resurface!!

It's the heat issue that DAMAGES the logic board!

There's an outfit in S. Carolina that understands the problem, & will  
fix it RIGHT.  Applecare wouldn't have covered it, the Good Guys  
extended care did.

I am real leery of all this Apple "cool" stuff (that ends up  
breakting the "Laws of Physics"), that's also overhyped marketing wise.


>
> I actually always buy extended warantees for expensive
> electronics/appliances that I don't plan on upgrading soon. Computers,
> cameras, dishwashers. Clock radio? Not so much.
>
> I think warrantees are always worth it. Peace of mind. Granted,
> Applecare ain't cheap, but neither is a new computer. Free repair vs
> $2000? No contest.
>
> Bek
> --
> http://www.missbhavens.com
>
> --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, B Yen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> I have the Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, & I got Good Guys extended warranty
>> (2 yr).  Good thing I did, the HD died at the end of 2 yrs.
>>
>> This laptop had the infamous "missing memory slot" that affected tens
>> of thousands of users..there's a class-action lawsuit.  Basically,
>> the "cool thin ness" violates the Law of Physics (Thermodynamics):
>> the heat kills the logicboard..which creates the "missing memory
>> slot" bug.  Apple refuses to acknowledge this problem.
>
>
> 
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-10 Thread WWWhatsup

>

Going back to the original topic -  for price and efficiency it's hard to beat
those refurbished HP dual-core slimlines they flog down at J and R, as cheap as 
$430 inc tax.
http://www.jr.com/search/slimline/ + another $230 odd on an LCD

Strip down the vista and add on Vegas 8 & QT  (cough, pirate bay, cough)
and you are cooking..*

I've got two of the cheapest ones and am amazed how fast they do m4v renders.

They also run silent.

joly

* I did cough up $40 for the Ultra Flash Video FLV converter which
I thoroughly recommend http://www.aone-soft.com/flash_video_flv_converter.htm


---
 WWWhatsup NYC
http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com
--- 



RE: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Jake Ludington
> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on products can be
> a wise choice.  This is especially true if you are in a financial
> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the first
> place.

Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime would be a
greater inconvenience than being out the money. For instance, with
AppleCare, the inconvenience on the iPhone might have been $60 had it not
paid off. Without it, the inconvenience would have been no phone until the
warranty repair turned it around in a couple of weeks (and/or buying another
phone). In that case, the potential of losing $60 was lower risk than the
risk of being out a phone for 2 weeks. The added bonus of having a new phone
in under 15 minutes made the $60 an easy decision. 

> It's just important to remember that either decision you make is a
> "bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the decision of
> *not* buying extended warranties.  Not the other way around.

That entirely depends on what you're factoring for. Time is way more
important to me than the extra $100 or $200 for bigger ticket items. If I
spend $100 to insure against losing both the item and my time, the $100 is a
no brainer.

Does that mean you should buy an extended warranty for everything? Certainly
not.

Jake Ludington

http://www.jakeludington.com




Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Patrick Delongchamp
Another thing to definitely consider.

but getting back to the topic at hand, i'd summarize the conversation
as the following:

Mac - It's much more expensive but a better value and you'll be very happy
PC - You'll be reasonably happy and have more money in your pocket but
you'll have a higher learning curve.

On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jake Ludington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on products can be
>> a wise choice. This is especially true if you are in a financial
>> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the first
>> place.
>
> Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime would be a
> greater inconvenience than being out the money. For instance, with
> AppleCare, the inconvenience on the iPhone might have been $60 had it not
> paid off. Without it, the inconvenience would have been no phone until the
> warranty repair turned it around in a couple of weeks (and/or buying another
> phone). In that case, the potential of losing $60 was lower risk than the
> risk of being out a phone for 2 weeks. The added bonus of having a new phone
> in under 15 minutes made the $60 an easy decision.
>
>> It's just important to remember that either decision you make is a
>> "bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the decision of
>> *not* buying extended warranties. Not the other way around.
>
> That entirely depends on what you're factoring for. Time is way more
> important to me than the extra $100 or $200 for bigger ticket items. If I
> spend $100 to insure against losing both the item and my time, the $100 is a
> no brainer.
>
> Does that mean you should buy an extended warranty for everything? Certainly
> not.
>
> Jake Ludington
>
> http://www.jakeludington.com
>
> 


Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Roxanne Darling
Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! Just do a
google search and read some of the posts.  (Again, we use both in our
office.  People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to use.)
iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used those tools and
so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP.  You CAN
produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE software.
(iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is another
thread).

Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go insane
sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac Mini for
only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able to run Mac
and PC on that sweet little box.

Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know end up
upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers (PC's largest
target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed to be writing
Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load up a PC with
one?  But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video creators.
Do you tools support you or frustrate you?

Here is a side by side chart:
http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-expensive-thats-crap/#

Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no person is. I've
used them for over 20 years and  had great response from them.  But then
when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be fixed not
ranting that it should never have broken in the first place.  (Hint hint -
how to get good customer service)

This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac to a brand
new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks taking that
route. But that doesn't mean Macs are more expensive. It means you have
champagne taste, and I will be the first to raise a glass to that!  I always
buy the best computer I can possibly afford at each new milestone, knowing
it will last me longer.  I still have a 12" G4 laptop and it serves as a
great bookkeeping and surf-while-watching-TV machine.  We just gave a 6-year
old eMac running Tiger to a friend for her 3-year old.  The thing only cost
$899 when it was brand new, it still looks great and performs just fine if
you are not in a big hurry.

I rarely choose to rant on this list. It's kinda fun to get out of my box
though. :-)

Aloha and thanks for listening,

Rox




On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:53 AM, Patrick Delongchamp <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

>   Another thing to definitely consider.
>
> but getting back to the topic at hand, i'd summarize the conversation
> as the following:
>
> Mac - It's much more expensive but a better value and you'll be very happy
> PC - You'll be reasonably happy and have more money in your pocket but
> you'll have a higher learning curve.
>
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jake Ludington <[EMAIL 
> PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> >> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on products can be
> >> a wise choice. This is especially true if you are in a financial
> >> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the first
> >> place.
> >
> > Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime would be
> a
> > greater inconvenience than being out the money. For instance, with
> > AppleCare, the inconvenience on the iPhone might have been $60 had it not
> > paid off. Without it, the inconvenience would have been no phone until
> the
> > warranty repair turned it around in a couple of weeks (and/or buying
> another
> > phone). In that case, the potential of losing $60 was lower risk than the
> > risk of being out a phone for 2 weeks. The added bonus of having a new
> phone
> > in under 15 minutes made the $60 an easy decision.
> >
> >> It's just important to remember that either decision you make is a
> >> "bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the decision of
> >> *not* buying extended warranties. Not the other way around.
> >
> > That entirely depends on what you're factoring for. Time is way more
> > important to me than the extra $100 or $200 for bigger ticket items. If I
> > spend $100 to insure against losing both the item and my time, the $100
> is a
> > no brainer.
> >
> > Does that mean you should buy an extended warranty for everything?
> Certainly
> > not.
> >
> > Jake Ludington
> >
> > http://www.jakeludington.com
> >
> >
>  
>



-- 
Roxanne Darling
"o ke kai" means "of the sea" in hawaiian
Join us at the reef! Mermaid videos, geeks talking, and lots more
http://reef.beachwalks.tv
808-384-5554
Video --> http://www.beachwalks.tv
Company -- > http://www.barefeetstudios.com
Twitter--> http://www.twitter.com/roxannedarling


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Patrick Delongchamp
true, but we're talking about notebook computers.  I think we would
both agree that Mac notebooks are generally much more expensive
(though a better value) than notebook PCs available in Best Buy for
example.  Macbooks start at 1099 USD, whereas Bestbuy Notebook PCs
start at half the price.

I think it was a pretty reasonable statement.

On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 1:21 PM, Roxanne Darling <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! Just do a
> google search and read some of the posts. (Again, we use both in our
> office. People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to use.)
> iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used those tools and
> so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP. You CAN
> produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE software.
> (iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is another
> thread).
>
> Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go insane
> sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac Mini for
> only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able to run Mac
> and PC on that sweet little box.
>
> Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know end up
> upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers (PC's largest
> target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed to be writing
> Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load up a PC with
> one? But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video creators.
> Do you tools support you or frustrate you?
>
> Here is a side by side chart:
> http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-expensive-thats-crap/#
>
> Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no person is. I've
> used them for over 20 years and had great response from them. But then
> when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be fixed not
> ranting that it should never have broken in the first place. (Hint hint -
> how to get good customer service)
>
> This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac to a brand
> new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks taking that
> route. But that doesn't mean Macs are more expensive. It means you have
> champagne taste, and I will be the first to raise a glass to that! I always
> buy the best computer I can possibly afford at each new milestone, knowing
> it will last me longer. I still have a 12" G4 laptop and it serves as a
> great bookkeeping and surf-while-watching-TV machine. We just gave a 6-year
> old eMac running Tiger to a friend for her 3-year old. The thing only cost
> $899 when it was brand new, it still looks great and performs just fine if
> you are not in a big hurry.
>
> I rarely choose to rant on this list. It's kinda fun to get out of my box
> though. :-)
>
> Aloha and thanks for listening,
>
> Rox
>
> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:53 AM, Patrick Delongchamp
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
>
>> Another thing to definitely consider.
>>
>> but getting back to the topic at hand, i'd summarize the conversation
>> as the following:
>>
>> Mac - It's much more expensive but a better value and you'll be very happy
>> PC - You'll be reasonably happy and have more money in your pocket but
>> you'll have a higher learning curve.
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jake Ludington
>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> wrote:
>> >> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on products can be
>> >> a wise choice. This is especially true if you are in a financial
>> >> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the first
>> >> place.
>> >
>> > Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime would be
>> a
>> > greater inconvenience than being out the money. For instance, with
>> > AppleCare, the inconvenience on the iPhone might have been $60 had it
>> > not
>> > paid off. Without it, the inconvenience would have been no phone until
>> the
>> > warranty repair turned it around in a couple of weeks (and/or buying
>> another
>> > phone). In that case, the potential of losing $60 was lower risk than
>> > the
>> > risk of being out a phone for 2 weeks. The added bonus of having a new
>> phone
>> > in under 15 minutes made the $60 an easy decision.
>> >
>> >> It's just important to remember that either decision you make is a
>> >> "bet" and the one that gives you the better odds is the decision of
>> >> *not* buying extended warranties. Not the other way around.
>> >
>> > That entirely depends on what you're factoring for. Time is way more
>> > important to me than the extra $100 or $200 for bigger ticket items. If
>> > I
>> > spend $100 to insure against losing both the item and my time, the $100
>> is a
>> > no brainer.
>> >
>> > Does that mean you should buy an extended warranty for everything?
>> Certainly
>> > not.
>> >
>> > Jake Ludington
>> >
>> > http://www.jakeludington.com
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
> --
> 

Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-11 Thread Roxanne Darling
My dear Heath,
I do not mean to disparage anyone, especially you.  I am merely tired of the
"mac is more expensive than PC" mis-conception.  It was true in the 80's,
maybe some of the 90's, but not here in the new century, especially when you
map components side by side.

Most people who disparage Macs have never really used them. Most people who
disparage PC's, have used them. I would bet money on that.

I'll repeat my first comment in part - I truly admire being able to look at
things objectively when group mind goes so strongly in one direction. I was
curious to see what I would learn in the thread. And for me I have ended up
where I started - an appreciative Mac user. :-)  Thank you for speaking up!

Love and hugs to you, Rox



On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM, Heath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>   Most of the active people on this list use Mac, but I would question
> wheather that everyone on this list has agreed PC's are harder to
> use.I frequent the DVX fourms and a lot and I mean A LOT of
> people there use PC's to edit.
>
> I know I may not be in your league Rox ;) but I think me and my PC
> have made some pretty nice videos on occasion...(which is due more to
> my own limited skill set than my PC.. ;)
>
> Heath
> http://batmangeek.com
> http://heathparks.com
>
> --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com ,
> "Roxanne Darling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> >
> > Macs are not much more expensive. Sorry to challenge that one! Just
> do a
> > google search and read some of the posts. (Again, we use both in
> our
> > office. People on this list have agreed that PC's are harder to
> use.)
> > iMovie and iPhoto and iTunes come free - and Rocketboom used those
> tools and
> > so did Beach Walks for well over a year before switching to FCP.
> You CAN
> > produce a professional, highly edited product using the FREE
> software.
> > (iMovie 6 is great editor - iMovie 8 not so much but that is another
> > thread).
> >
> > Mac monitors have a more humane "flicker rate" so you won;'t go
> insane
> > sitting in front of one all day. Already insane? Fine, get a Mac
> Mini for
> > only and use your old Dell monitor and keyboard and being able to
> run Mac
> > and PC on that sweet little box.
> >
> > Macs by default have better video cards. Most PC people I know end
> up
> > upgrading the default card. Makes sense - most office workers (PC's
> largest
> > target market) don't need good video cards, they are supposed to be
> writing
> > Word docs and crunching Excel worksheets all day, so why load up a
> PC with
> > one? But (snark alert) last I checked, this is a list for video
> creators.
> > Do you tools support you or frustrate you?
> >
> > Here is a side by side chart:
> > http://www.myspace-modifier.com/macintosh/the-mac-is-more-expensive-
> thats-crap/#
> >
> > Of course Macs are not perfect. No machine, no company, no person
> is. I've
> > used them for over 20 years and had great response from them. But
> then
> > when something goes wrong, I call calmly assuming it will be fixed
> not
> > ranting that it should never have broken in the first place. (Hint
> hint -
> > how to get good customer service)
> >
> > This message started off with a comparison from a very old Mac to a
> brand
> > new top of the line Mac. Yes, you are going to spend some bucks
> taking that
> > route. But that doesn't mean Macs are more expensive. It means you
> have
> > champagne taste, and I will be the first to raise a glass to that!
> I always
> > buy the best computer I can possibly afford at each new milestone,
> knowing
> > it will last me longer. I still have a 12" G4 laptop and it serves
> as a
> > great bookkeeping and surf-while-watching-TV machine. We just gave
> a 6-year
> > old eMac running Tiger to a friend for her 3-year old. The thing
> only cost
> > $899 when it was brand new, it still looks great and performs just
> fine if
> > you are not in a big hurry.
> >
> > I rarely choose to rant on this list. It's kinda fun to get out of
> my box
> > though. :-)
> >
> > Aloha and thanks for listening,
> >
> > Rox
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 5:53 AM, Patrick Delongchamp
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Another thing to definitely consider.
> > >
> > > but getting back to the topic at hand, i'd summarize the
> conversation
> > > as the following:
> > >
> > > Mac - It's much more expensive but a better value and you'll be
> very happy
> > > PC - You'll be reasonably happy and have more money in your
> pocket but
> > > you'll have a higher learning curve.
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 3:12 PM, Jake Ludington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 40jakeludington.com>>
> > > wrote:
> > > >> I can agree that purchase one..maybe two warranties on
> products can be
> > > >> a wise choice. This is especially true if you are in a
> financial
> > > >> situation where you shouldn't be purchasing the product in the
> first
> > > >> place.
> > > >
> > > > Or if you're in a situation where wasting your time on downtime

Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Richard Amirault
- Original Message - 
From: "Steve Watkins"
(snip)
> Having said all that it is possible to get a computer that will last
> more than a decade, but its never a cert, and the manufacturer will
> have moved on in the meantime and have zero interest or incentive to
> have it back for repair.
(snip)

My first computer in fact *did* last 10 years ... an Apple II ;-)

I then upgraded to an Amiga 500, and then finally to different versions of 
"PC's"

Richard Amirault
Boston, MA, USA
http://n1jdu.org
http://bostonfandom.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hf9u2ZdlQ



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Brook Hinton
When you buy a mac you are not primariiy paying for hardware. You are
primarily buying a specific type of functionality and a specific
manifestation of a computing experience, wrapped in a piece of industrial
design. On a secondary level (primary for some), you are
buying compatibility with a set of applications from apple and other
manufacturers that work together in a particular way on macs (and in some
cases are not available for windows). Hardware is just the base.  Which is
why if you only care about hardware power (and especially if you care about
it in a bang for the buck way), and assuming you like Windows ok, you should
not get a mac.
I'm not one of those people. Hardware and power matter to me, but not nearly
as much as the rest.

If the HP ran OSX, had totally smooth and mostly intuitive integration with
the applications I need, required bare minimum techy involvement from me,
was beautifully designed to the extent that it doesn't look too much like
"gear" and was aesthetically pleasing, I would fully expect to pay much more
for it, as I did for my Macbook Pro.  For whatever reason, I need to forget
that I am using a computer when I use a computer or else I just want to
throw it out the window. Apple is STILL not there in that regard, but they
get closer and closer. The MBP is the first computer I have owned in 20
years of computing that doesn't induce a little cringe when I fire it up
(that includes previous macs, though none were as bad as the previous
windows systems I had). It actually kinda makes me happy, which is kind of
disturbing if I think about it.

But yes, the customer service at Apple is not what it used to be.

Brook




___
Brook Hinton
film/video/audio art
www.brookhinton.com
studio vlog/blog: www.brookhinton.com/temporalab


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-12 Thread Adrian Miles
Late entrant

On 13/06/2008, at 12:12 PM, Brook Hinton wrote:

> When you buy a mac you are not primariiy paying for hardware. You are
> primarily buying a specific type of functionality and a specific
> manifestation of a computing experience, wrapped in a piece of  
> industrial
> design. On a secondary level (primary for some), you are
> buying compatibility with a set of applications from apple and other
> manufacturers that work together in a particular way on macs (and in  
> some
> cases are not available for windows). Hardware is just the base.  
> Which is
> why if you only care about hardware power (and especially if you  
> care about
> it in a bang for the buck way), and assuming you like Windows ok,  
> you should
> not get a mac.



friends sometimes ask me about buying computers, and they refuse to  
consider a mac because they think it is more expensive. As has been  
discussed here the difference is minor, if it exists at all. But what  
always intrigues me is that these friends regularly drive old european  
cars (they can't afford new ones). I point this out and they have all  
these answers which, at the end of the day, boil down to recognising  
the value of exemplary design.

I then point out that that is what the mac is doing, and just like  
that clapped out Renault out there, it just does what it does in a way  
that is not just about getting from A to B. I think Brook nails this  
pretty well here, some of us want our computers to be hammers - we  
like our PCs - some of us like our computers to be Giustaforza torque  
wrenchs (sorry, struggled to find a tool analogy) - we like our macs.

and we shouldn't forget Umberto Eco's essay comparing PCs and Macs to  
Protestantism and Catholicism!

cheers
Adrian Miles
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
bachelor communication honours coordinator
vogmae.net.au


Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-13 Thread Roxanne Darling
Brook - You captured what was in my soul but not my mind.  Using the Mac and
its apps is an experience of artistry and ease, one that cannot be
translated into columns of specs. And clearly for me there is value and
pleasure in that.
Aloha Friday,
Rox

On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 8:44 PM, Adrian Miles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

>   Late entrant
>
>
> On 13/06/2008, at 12:12 PM, Brook Hinton wrote:
>
> > When you buy a mac you are not primariiy paying for hardware. You are
> > primarily buying a specific type of functionality and a specific
> > manifestation of a computing experience, wrapped in a piece of
> > industrial
> > design. On a secondary level (primary for some), you are
> > buying compatibility with a set of applications from apple and other
> > manufacturers that work together in a particular way on macs (and in
> > some
> > cases are not available for windows). Hardware is just the base.
> > Which is
> > why if you only care about hardware power (and especially if you
> > care about
> > it in a bang for the buck way), and assuming you like Windows ok,
> > you should
> > not get a mac.
>
> friends sometimes ask me about buying computers, and they refuse to
> consider a mac because they think it is more expensive. As has been
> discussed here the difference is minor, if it exists at all. But what
> always intrigues me is that these friends regularly drive old european
> cars (they can't afford new ones). I point this out and they have all
> these answers which, at the end of the day, boil down to recognising
> the value of exemplary design.
>
> I then point out that that is what the mac is doing, and just like
> that clapped out Renault out there, it just does what it does in a way
> that is not just about getting from A to B. I think Brook nails this
> pretty well here, some of us want our computers to be hammers - we
> like our PCs - some of us like our computers to be Giustaforza torque
> wrenchs (sorry, struggled to find a tool analogy) - we like our macs.
>
> and we shouldn't forget Umberto Eco's essay comparing PCs and Macs to
> Protestantism and Catholicism!
>
> cheers
> Adrian Miles
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> bachelor communication honours coordinator
> vogmae.net.au
>
>  
>



-- 
Roxanne Darling
"o ke kai" means "of the sea" in hawaiian
Join us at the reef! Mermaid videos, geeks talking, and lots more
http://reef.beachwalks.tv
808-384-5554
Video --> http://www.beachwalks.tv
Company -- > http://www.barefeetstudios.com
Twitter--> http://www.twitter.com/roxannedarling


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-14 Thread Kath O'Donnell
I'd always had a pc (work) laptop until I bought a macbook pro for
home. I couldn't afford a mac and the pc did most things I wanted it
to. but usually I had to fix it before I could use it - even for
simple installations - there was usually something missing and I had
to install extra bits or the s/w I wanted to try was only on mac.
since buying the  mac I haven't had to do this, so I've found I prefer
using it and am more productive on it than before when I had a pc. I
can just sit down and start making things so I find it's better for my
creativity levels. I like the software that comes with it - iphoto etc
and how it's easier for me wrt to music/video/development tools. I'm
an engineer and work on computers all day at work - years ago I used
to like fixing computers & kept up with hardware specs etc but now I'd
much rather just use one. I still have a windows laptop for work and
work on linux/posix systems too so go through the pain at work. but
for home I wouldn't go back to pc now except for maybe a cheaper
storage server desktop/archive system solution as it'd only be used
for file storage  perhaps remote access to files, though with cheap
ISP online disk storage options available these days even this is a
stretch. the one I bought originally had a screen problem - I think I
must have bought one of the first batches - and the apple store
support from where I bought it was terrible. eventually I went to
apple australia during a trip home and they arranged a replacement and
since then everything's worked well. they said it's easier to purchase
online rather than the stores as the stores don't have the same
infrastructure they used to for getting things fixed. if I'd known
that at the time I would have bought it online originally like my
first apple product - the ipod. the mac was more expensive but for me
I don't care about that because it's saved more time in me having to
get things to work first go & actually getting something creative
done, so was worth the money. over time the difference isn't much. the
only problem I have now is I fill the disk all the time but that's a
user issue not machine. I wish they'd let me use the mac at work
instead of the pc. the best thing I like about OSX (& linux) is that
when you open a few things at once and are working in one screen the
other screens open in background and u can select them when u are
ready. whereas windows pushes everything to the front when it's ready
- it doesn't care if you're in the middle of typing something in an
already selected window. this annoys me no end on a pc at work!!






-- 
http://www.aliak.com


Re: [videoblogging] Re:From Mac *TO* PC -- Should I Switch?

2008-06-14 Thread Jan McLaughlin
Just begin to explore running XP on the MacBook Pro.

Four years ago added a G4 laptop to the PC I'd always used.

The peace of mind of not having to worry about digital intruders, being
awakened in the middle of the night by the PC waking to scan for virus
problems, junk being left on the PC hard drive after uninstalling
programs...

Ease of use...

Elegance.

The PC died over the winter and I'll not be replacing it, especially since I
can run the XP programs purchased through the years on the mac.

Seems like a win-win.

Jan

On Sat, Jun 14, 2008 at 8:12 AM, Kath O'Donnell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I'd always had a pc (work) laptop until I bought a macbook pro for
> home. I couldn't afford a mac and the pc did most things I wanted it
> to. but usually I had to fix it before I could use it - even for
> simple installations - there was usually something missing and I had
> to install extra bits or the s/w I wanted to try was only on mac.
> since buying the  mac I haven't had to do this, so I've found I prefer
> using it and am more productive on it than before when I had a pc. I
> can just sit down and start making things so I find it's better for my
> creativity levels. I like the software that comes with it - iphoto etc
> and how it's easier for me wrt to music/video/development tools. I'm
> an engineer and work on computers all day at work - years ago I used
> to like fixing computers & kept up with hardware specs etc but now I'd
> much rather just use one. I still have a windows laptop for work and
> work on linux/posix systems too so go through the pain at work. but
> for home I wouldn't go back to pc now except for maybe a cheaper
> storage server desktop/archive system solution as it'd only be used
> for file storage  perhaps remote access to files, though with cheap
> ISP online disk storage options available these days even this is a
> stretch. the one I bought originally had a screen problem - I think I
> must have bought one of the first batches - and the apple store
> support from where I bought it was terrible. eventually I went to
> apple australia during a trip home and they arranged a replacement and
> since then everything's worked well. they said it's easier to purchase
> online rather than the stores as the stores don't have the same
> infrastructure they used to for getting things fixed. if I'd known
> that at the time I would have bought it online originally like my
> first apple product - the ipod. the mac was more expensive but for me
> I don't care about that because it's saved more time in me having to
> get things to work first go & actually getting something creative
> done, so was worth the money. over time the difference isn't much. the
> only problem I have now is I fill the disk all the time but that's a
> user issue not machine. I wish they'd let me use the mac at work
> instead of the pc. the best thing I like about OSX (& linux) is that
> when you open a few things at once and are working in one screen the
> other screens open in background and u can select them when u are
> ready. whereas windows pushes everything to the front when it's ready
> - it doesn't care if you're in the middle of typing something in an
> already selected window. this annoys me no end on a pc at work!!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> http://www.aliak.com
>
> 
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


-- 
Jan McLaughlin
Production Sound Mixer
air = 862-571-5334
aim = janofsound
skype = janmclaughlin


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]