microsoft dropping windows xp

[NowInc]

My main machine is a 2006 Mac Pro (which granted, I've upgraded a little over the years) and it's still doing a bang-up job. Though I do believe I'll be upgrading it this year once the new ones are announced. Not that I have to, but I want to.

My other workhorse is a 2008 17" MBP - which I've upgraded as much as possible with both SSD and 6GB of RAM (all it can take). It has the hi-rez screen (1980x1200) option. Not the most portable laptop, but all things considered it's very sweet. Shame they dropped the 17" model.

I guess my point is, you get your money's worth out of Apple products. If you can resist the desire to upgrade, a machine will serve you for a long, long time. Somehow with Windows, you always had to upgrade every couple of years for Windows to feel anything sort of "snappy."

Ehhh..My work macbook (which I love..don't get me wrong) was VERY overpriced (I even got it as a refurb to save some money) out of box. I upgraded it myself (doing it via apple would have been insanity), and end of the day..it cost me double what my PC laptop (which is actually very powerful as well) cost me.

Apple makes fine hardware, which costs WAY too much. The whole "It just works" mentality is also a bit wrong. If macs were so flawless and built to last, there wouldn't be long wait times at the Genius bar. In fact every time we have had to get one of our apple machines serviced, we have to go 3rd party authorized in order to get it done fast enough (The appointments for the Apple Stores here in South Florida..especially Miami, are booked up for over a week).

ALSO keep in mind that Apple went and changed their architecture from powerPC to Intel which sort of forced people to upgrade a few years ago..and rumor has it they are going to be switching again (IF they do, it would be the single dumbest move a tech company has made in history...in my opinion at least). I am not a fan of their "support" ("Oh, this is broken...well..let me show you this new model instead that you should buy"), nor am I someone who agrees with the "Apple Tax" philosophy ("I'll pay more because it guarantees it works!").

 

[BoarderPhreak]

^ I guess I'm not the mainstream. I've never been to a Genius Bar, and in fact do ALL of my own service (unless it's warranty work).

I don't mind paying more for Apple products because they're built well and look good which I'm sorry, most commodity "PC stuff" does not. Adding your own upgrades (drives, memory, etc.) is definitely the way to go!

I do recall Apple switching platforms from PowerPC to Intel. My last tower was a 2001 G4 "Quicksilver" model. Still have it! The rumor of switching to ARM is just that. iOS devices are ARM-based.

 

[NowInc]

^ I guess I'm not the mainstream. I've never been to a Genius Bar, and in fact do ALL of my own service (unless it's warranty work).

I don't mind paying more for Apple products because they're built well and look good which I'm sorry, most commodity "PC stuff" does not. Adding your own upgrades (drives, memory, etc.) is definitely the way to go!

I do recall Apple switching platforms from PowerPC to Intel. My last tower was a 2001 G4 "Quicksilver" model. Still have it! The rumor of switching to ARM is just that. iOS devices are ARM-based.

Ah but see...you and I are not like most users...we are able to perform our own upgrades. Apple aims to people who like things to be done for them..and what they charge to do even a simple ram upgrade (not going to mention the gross upcharge they put on the actual hardware component)..is just unbelievable.

I also hope its just rumors on changing the architecture. A BIG selling point for Mac (Macbooks especially) to most I know are the fact that It can also run Windows (even better usage in tandem with Parallels)..and if they switch off intel..that just won't work anymore. I'm also curious to see if they are going to be doing the long overdue updates to the MacPro line..as our main Mac guy here uses one and its starting to run a bit sluggish.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Ah but see...you and I are not like most users...we are able to perform our own upgrades. Apple aims to people who like things to be done for them..and what they charge to do even a simple ram upgrade (not going to mention the gross upcharge they put on the actual hardware component)..is just unbelievable.

I also hope its just rumors on changing the architecture. A BIG selling point for Mac (Macbooks especially) to most I know are the fact that It can also run Windows (even better usage in tandem with Parallels)..and if they switch off intel..that just won't work anymore. I'm also curious to see if they are going to be doing the long overdue updates to the MacPro line..as our main Mac guy here uses one and its starting to run a bit sluggish.

True, true. That's where they really make their money. They can't price the initial hardware too high (and risk being completely non-competitive), so they get you big time on the add-ons.

As for ARM, yeah... That would be a huge mistake for exactly the reason you gave. I run Linux and Solaris in VMs (which admittedly could be done regardless of architecture). I like being all native... It lessens the "issues" usually involved with drivers, performance, etc. Though with the continued 'iOS-ificiation" of OS X, who knows... I refuse to install Mountain Lion. For one, it would fragment the devices in my house. At least now they're all on the same OS (Lion). I still haven't installed iOS 6.x for the same reason. We're at a crossroads...

That's why I'm looking to upgrade mine. It still does what I need, but I'm a "power user" (using the aforementioned OSes and also Photoshop heavily) and it's getting a bit sluggish. They NEED to get a new Mac Pro out this year (which is the understanding). Though truth be told I may just centralize my storage with a NAS and go the iMac route. 'Dunno.

 

[Clever Name]

Well for Apple it is about iTunes and digital downloads. Blu Ray is a piece of plastic that will ultimately become unavailable, as will the players, and you will be left with a collection of drink coasters.

But I've transferred the content of all those drink coasters to hard disk. Optical media will die just as Zip Drives and floppies. Hard disks will die as solid state devices take over. However right now, those drink coaster disks are still the best bargain in town.

Just the other day I decided that I wanted to get a copy of the John Wayne movie "The Searchers". It's prominently shown in the preshow of The Great Movie Ride. iTunes wanted $9.99 for a DVD download. Yet, it was easy for me to find a new Blu-ray copy of the movie for $4.99. My home network isn't fast enough to stream 1080p high definition content so I ripped the movie to a portable hard drive that plugs into my home entertainment media center.

Apple's well known proprietary control of their product keeps prices artificially high. I'm just looking for the highest quality at the lowest price

 

[lazyboy97o]

But I've transferred the content of all those drink coasters to hard disk. Optical media will die just as Zip Drives and floppies. Hard disks will die as solid state devices take over. However right now, those drink coaster disks are still the best bargain in town.

Just the other day I decided that I wanted to get a copy of the John Wayne movie "The Searchers". It's prominently shown in the preshow of The Great Movie Ride. iTunes wanted $9.99 for a DVD download. Yet, it was easy for me to find a new Blu-ray copy of the movie for $4.99. My home network isn't fast enough to stream 1080p high definition content so I ripped the movie to a portable hard drive that plugs into my home entertainment media center.

Apple's well known proprietary control of their product keeps prices artificially high. I'm just looking for the highest quality at the lowest price

That still all sounds more convoluted than just having a Blu-ray player.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

But I've transferred the content of all those drink coasters to hard disk. Optical media will die just as Zip Drives and floppies. Hard disks will die as solid state devices take over. However right now, those drink coaster disks are still the best bargain in town.

Just the other day I decided that I wanted to get a copy of the John Wayne movie "The Searchers". It's prominently shown in the preshow of The Great Movie Ride. iTunes wanted $9.99 for a DVD download. Yet, it was easy for me to find a new Blu-ray copy of the movie for $4.99. My home network isn't fast enough to stream 1080p high definition content so I ripped the movie to a portable hard drive that plugs into my home entertainment media center.

Apple's well known proprietary control of their product keeps prices artificially high. I'm just looking for the highest quality at the lowest price

iTunes can be either really great or a rip off. I usually get my music from there because it's cheaper than buying a CD, but about two weeks ago, I decided I wanted the Les Mis CD and ended up finding it at Target for $10. iTunes was $15. Same deal with a Kelly Clarkson CD. Guess you just have to look around.

The Searchers is a great movie, by the way.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

That still all sounds more convoluted than just having a Blu-ray player.

Well, yes... But there's a) the cost of the player and cables (HDMI at least), and b) having another component (and remote). Investing in a player and media is a losing battle. For example... You buy the latest VHS player and buy 20 movies. Great. But now DVDs come out. Start over. Wait, now it's Blu-ray time... Buy a new TV *and* a player. Oh, and all your media. AGAIN. No thanks!

That having been said, I did drink the Blu-ray Cool-Aide with my last home theater rebuild. Still, I think a HTPC is the way to go. Media and formats are a losing proposition.

 

[Clever Name]

iTunes can be either really great or a rip off. I usually get my music from there because it's cheaper than buying a CD, but about two weeks ago, I decided I wanted the Les Mis CD and ended up finding it at Target for $10. iTunes was $15. Same deal with a Kelly Clarkson CD. Guess you just have to look around.

The Searchers is a great movie, by the way.

That's exactly right. In my examples, I guess I made iTunes out to be bad. I have found some good prices on iTunes and ordered items from them in the past. I just like to find the lowest price. Sometimes I find the lowest price from a local vendor while other times Internet stores win. Indeed, shopping around for the best price is my avocation.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Well, yes... But there's a) the cost of the player and cables (HDMI at least), and b) having another component (and remote). Investing in a player and media is a losing battle. For example... You buy the latest VHS player and buy 20 movies. Great. But now DVDs come out. Start over. Wait, now it's Blu-ray time... Buy a new TV *and* a player. Oh, and all your media. AGAIN. No thanks!

That having been said, I did drink the Blu-ray Cool-Aide with my last home theater rebuild. Still, I think a HTPC is the way to go. Media and formats are a losing proposition.

The difference is Blue Ray players still let you play your DVDs. We had to replace all of our VHS's with DVDs, but the DVD's are still good and play on our blue ray player, so we don't replace them. Except for the few that we didn't have for whatever reason. But it is expensive. The only reason we upgraded was because we needed to move the old TV downstairs when they made the switch to digital. The next craze is 3D TVs and smart TV's. We're not investing in that!

 

[BoarderPhreak]

The difference is Blue Ray players still let you play your DVDs. We had to replace all of our VHS's with DVDs, but the DVD's are still good and play on our blue ray player, so we don't replace them. Except for the few that we didn't have for whatever reason. But it is expensive. The only reason we upgraded was because we needed to move the old TV downstairs when they made the switch to digital. The next craze is 3D TVs and smart TV's. We're not investing in that!

True, yeah - and also CDs! 3D TVs is already underway and in the process of fizzling out. People are not dropping their existing HDTVs to switch to 3D... It's cute, but overrated and too much trouble. Most people just get headaches. The next craze is actually smart TVs (most are these days anyway) like you said - but also UDTV. "Ultrahigh Definition" and 4k.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

True, yeah - and also CDs! 3D TVs is already underway and in the process of fizzling out. People are not dropping their existing HDTVs to switch to 3D... It's cute, but overrated and too much trouble. Most people just get headaches. The next craze is actually smart TVs (most are these days anyway) like you said - but also UDTV. "Ultrahigh Definition" and 4k.

They're starting to upgrade some of their stuff. We got Pinocchio and Lady and the Tramp on blue ray and both look pretty good, as do some of the older James Bond films.

I like some of the new Hollywood stuff. But there are classics that cannot be beat from the seventies and eighties (Star Wars). Les Mis was a really good movie. I enjoyed Amazing Spider-Man too. And Men in Black 3. And I'm pumped for the new Star Trek film! But you're right; it's mostly garbage.

 

[Clever Name]

That still all sounds more convoluted than just having a Blu-ray player.

You're right, it is. However, there are many advantages.

I can sit down in front of the main TV and with one remote control, turn on the entire system. I can select from thousands of songs (hundreds of them being Disney related tunes) and I can look through all of my digital photos dating back over 100 years (all digitized). The photos are sorted so I can bring them up by date, time, subject matter (i.e. WDW trips), persons in the photos. If I want to see little Bobby from the Disneyland trip in 1965, I can find it fast.

Same deal works with movies, music and documents as well. I can see my income tax return from any year (which comes in handy on April 15th) and I can simultaneously play the song "Singin' The Blues" while reviewing my income.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You're right, it is. However, there are many advantages.

I can sit down in front of the main TV and with one remote control, turn on the entire system. I can select from thousands of songs (hundreds of them being Disney related tunes) and I can look through all of my digital photos dating back over 100 years (all digitized). The photos are sorted so I can bring them up by date, time, subject matter (i.e. WDW trips), persons in the photos. If I want to see little Bobby from the Disneyland trip in 1965, I can find it fast.

Same deal works with movies, music and documents as well. I can see my income tax return from any year (which comes in handy on April 15th) and I can simultaneously play the song "Singin' The Blues" while reviewing my income.

My $80 Blu-ray player could do that.

 

[luv]

"I'll pay more because it guarantees it works!"

not sure why you have a problem with that. I know you can't be saying you'd rather pay less for something that doesn't work...but I don't get why you have an issue with people paying more to get things that work. Other than people who cannot afford to do it, who wouldn't?

It's why I decided to spend more...person after person telling me how I "wouldn't have those problems" if I got a mac.

Yes, Apple costs more. I am not a fan of spending more just to do it...but Apple stuff works!

 

[NowInc]

not sure why you have a problem with that. I know you can't be saying you'd rather pay less for something that doesn't work...but I don't get why you have an issue with people paying more to get things that work. Other than people who cannot afford to do it, who wouldn't?

It's why I decided to spend more...person after person telling me how I "wouldn't have those problems" if I got a mac.

Yes, Apple costs more. I am not a fan of spending more just to do it...but Apple stuff works!

Because its false...it doesn't "just work"..at least not for everything as they claim

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Because its false...it doesn't "just work"..at least not for everything as they claim

Not everything, no. But pretty close - and it doesn't matter. It only has to be better than Windows... And it most certainly is.

 

[luv]

Because its false...it doesn't "just work"..at least not for everything as they claim

I see! I don't know what all they claim. I just know it has worked beautifully for me.

But I get your point. Thanks!

 

[Clever Name]

My $80 Blu-ray player could do that.

You're lucky to have that player. All new players now sold are cinavia infected and prevent playback of many files from hard drives and other storage sources.

Make sure you don't update the firmware on that player. New firmware will infect it with cinavia.

 

[NowInc]

Read this today to elaborate more on what I said regarding the whole not blaming windows 8 for pc sales declines:

Windows 8 sales performance, more analysis
An article on Computerworld yesterday quotes an analyst saying that the recent steep decline in PC sales wasn’t the fault of Windows 8. Stephen Baker of the NPD Group analysed data that his company collected for Q1 2013 and came to the conclusion “It wasn't about Windows 8, it was much more about the price challenges facing OEMs”. He added that“People want cheap touch devices, and that's where Windows 8 devices can't compete right now.”
Last week’s IDC report cited Windows 8 as a contributor to the slowdown in PC sales. However NPD say that the price of touch enabled hardware is the problem. Steven Baker said Apple Macs are also experiencing a similar downturn and “The market is flat, and no one is outperforming the others”.
Interestingly NPDs Mac sales data wasn’t in line with that collected by IDC and Gartner, there are 15 percentage points between the rival market research and analysis firms. However, as Computerworld reminds us, we will find out the true figures for first quarter Mac sales during Apple’s investor conference call on 23rd April.