<p>It is true that IBM and Apple make some of the best laptops in the world. Even so, IBM knew enough to have an Intel (chip) Inside their machines. In this case, IBM knew enough to outsource the processor. Why spend millions of your own money for a chip when Intel was more than happy to oblige. Meanwhile, Apple worked with Motorola and then with IBM for their chip needs. Since Microsoft and Intel have been joined at the hip for many years (Wintel), it was highly unlikely that Apple would come knocking on Intels front door asking for Chips, please. After all, Apples marketing slogan: Think Different was a way to differentiate them from the Microsoft/Intel world. Since last Monday, how the world has changed! </p>
<p>The split between Apple and IBM was due to: (1) IBM not making enough progress in supplying a G5 mobile chip to compete with Intels Pentium M (now the default gold standard by Apples own admission) or (2) that IBM was either losing or just breaking even on their sale of the G chips to Apple (the 1999-2005 contract) and that development costs for a G mobile chip coupled with Apples demand for steeper discounts across the G series line made it financially unrewarding to continue with the relationship. </p>
<p>I suspect the truth is somewhere in the gray middle. Yes, IBM failed to deliver a G mobile chip in a timely manner as Jobs stated at last Mondays Developers Conference. Then again, the G chips only represented 2% of IBMs chip plant capacity and were looking more and more like a Kmart Blue Light Special financially. IBM was probably expected to bear the lions share of the development costs for the new chip for which Jobs was expecting to get at a good price. Such a deal for IBM I find it difficult to understand why the Apple faithful are not embarrassed by the fact that IBM will make more money selling variants of the G chip to the console game manufacturers than to Apple. The G chip: Good enough for Nintendo!</p>
<p>What I find unfathomable is the sheep-like acceptance of the Apple faithful when Jobs admitted that deep within Apple Central, a skunk works group has been secretly working since 1999 (the year that Jobs came back) to port their OS to an Intel platform. It was an article of faith that Apple was the Anti-Microsoft and by extension Anti-Intel. Are there still people out there that remember the snail commercial that Apple ran to run down Windows working (slowly) on an Intel platform? Many of the faithful argue that Apples soul is in its OS and that the hardware is secondary or not important (unless its shiny or really stylish: anybody remember the Cube?). Message to the faithful: You were punked!</p>
<p>Dont get me wrong. Im not a huge fan of Microsoft or Intel either. Anyone who had to install Windows 1.0 and 2.0 on dozens of 286 machines with 5 Meg hard drives, network them together and do support has been scarred for life. My sympathies lie with parents and students looking for an appropriate computer solution for the upcoming fall term. Windows vs. Mac isnt as clear cut as it used to be.</p>
<p>That's the big problem for students looking for an Apple computer or laptop for this fall. The new models will not be available until next year which is of no help to you. I live in Michigan where the Big Three auto manufacturers think nothing of introducing a new convertible in October. Never could figure that out </p>
<p>The Apple faithful have a need to drool over their computers. Ive never drooled over my Toshiba (at least, not intentionally). Now, my nephew just finished his freshman year at college and has a Toshiba Tablet PC. Now that machine is worth drooling over, but thats another story. </p>
<p>My advice is to buy an IBook or PowerBook and dont look back. Like Lots wife, if you turn around and start reading Mac magazines or spend time on Mac centric web sites, youll turn into a block of salt. Will the new Mactel machines be faster, more powerful and have better battery life than the current models. Yes. They have to have better specs to justify the switch to Intel. And Steve is right hes always right. And where does that leave you? Google the expression collateral damage. Welcome to the real world of bleeding edge technology and try not to think about the Mac options for the class of 06 (that block of salt thing). Have you seen Star Wars III? If it makes you feel better, consider yourself the last of the true knights of the Old Republic.</p>
<p>Thanks michuncle...I think I'm probably just gonna suck it up and buy the 12" Powerbook. It seems to fit everything what I need, as long as I don't obsess about the Intel thing. </p>
<p>No, I haven't seen Star Wars III, but thanks for the compliment...I think. </p>
<p>Also, any advice about RAM? I'm going with 768MB DDR333 (256MB built-in + 512MB SO-DIMM), because the next upgrade (to 1.25 G) costs a whopping $385. My desktop (a PC) has 512 RAM and it seems to do all right, so I'm not too worried with 768. How do you know if you need all that RAM? </p>
<p>What accessories are helpful? In my shopping cart now: Detto Move to Mac, HP PSC 1610 All-in-One, Apple Mouse, AppleCare Protection Plan for PowerBook, Timbuk2 Marina handbag - Pink. Ok, that last one isn't helpful per se, but it's sooo cute.</p>
<p>More memory is always better. I hate that computer companies put minimum ram in their machines. 512 should be the minimum and is fine for most applications. If you do photoshop, think about going to 1 gig. Installing ram is pretty simple. Most laptops have a plastic cover on the bottom held in with a couple of screws. It's usually cheaper to buy memory on-line and install it yourself... </p>
<p>And yes, being a "knight of the Old Republic" is a compliment.</p>
<p>What a bunch of helpful people you are. If only I weren't so technologically un-hands-on. Nah, I don't do Photoshop. But I do obsessively multitask, which can suck if you don't have enough ram (yep, I learned this from reading many FAQ pages.)<br>
I think I found something pretty nice at pricewatch.com (1 GB for $122!), but I'll definitely do some investigating at all of those sites.<br>
Unfortunately, I'll have to find some knowledgable chap to actually install this nonsense for me, cause there's no way I'm cracking open my own machine. That can only lead to badness. </p>
<p>yeah, dont get the apple mouse, I hate them. Buy a decent optical mouse with a few buttons and a scroll wheel for less $$ than the apple mouse.</p>
<p>Buy the timbuk2 bag actually from timbuk2.com I have had a messenger bag from them for a long time and I love it dearly but the best deals are to be had from their website where you can customize it EXACTLY how you want it.</p>
<p>I dont know how useful that move to mac software would actually be. Personally I would just stick the two on the same network and either copy the files (if you are ditching hte old computer) or set up a program like the free SyncBack to sync your files together. Its cheaper (free) and more effective I would think.</p>
<p>Definately take the advice of buying ram elseswhere but be careful that you dont have to throw out the one that comes with the computer. Say the computer has 2 slots and you want 1gb of ram. If you buy the computer with one 256 chip, you will have to get rid of it and add two 512's but if you buy it with ONE 512 (not two 256), then you just buy one more 512. That should be cheaper than the other way around.</p>
<p>The Timbuk2 website is super addictive. I find myself coveting all their merchandise. Very dangerous. I bought the Move2Mac software for cheap on ebay, so even if it turns out to be crap, it only cost $3 (plus s&h=$10). Ottothecow and madd87, I think you may be underestimating my ability to **** things up. As for bargain RAM, I think the 12" Powerbook only has one memory slot, unfortunately. I might still upgrade, at least now I understand the option more.</p>
<p>The Timbuk2 website is definately a lot of fun. Be forwarned that when they say large, they mean it (and their bags wear better when being close to full).</p>
<p>I have the medium bag and my mother has hte small bag. Both are great sizes for their purpose (we both have different fabrics, either one is good). My friend has the large...it is HUGE and it only accentuates his physical size and the fact that he is prone to excess. Really big...truly designed for bike messangers and not for walking around school.</p>
<p>Okay, Otto is going to kill me, but I gotta post this once and for all. I am going to be an incoming freshman and after much debating between the IBM tablet, the Apple ibook, and the Apple Powerbook, I think I've finally decided on a 12'' Powerbook. While I admit, some of the decision was made with regards to the pb's aesthetics, I really do think it's a great machine. What I'm wondering is if it's too much power. I'm not much of a gamer, but I do a lot of multi-tasking, much like verymarycherry (speaking of which is that from that show 'Popular' that was on the WB awhile back?). I am also not very into graphics, although I may take some graphic design classes in the near future. I am a prospective neuroscience major, so yeah...I'm also wondering if a 12'' is a good size. I don't think I'll feel like the added weight of the 15'', so an LCD monitor would be a good solution, right? Keep in mind, I'll be watching TV and DVDs on this thing. Lastly, are the timbuk2 bags really worth the price? Plus, would a small size work? I don't want a huge honker of a bag, considering I'll be carrying it around everywhere. Sorry for my tendancy to ramble. Sorry for cluttering up the board with yet another laptop post.</p>
<p>This doesn't answer any of your "real" questions, but that's totally not my area, anyway. Yeah, my name is Mary and I have been called Mary Cherry (though, thankfully, not because I acted like crazy Mary Cherry on that show), and I like things that rhyme.<br>
I'm still waiting on ordering my machine, hoping they'll lower the prices in August or something. We'll see, the rebates right now are good anyway. Good luck, LiquidPaper!</p>
<p>Thanks, you too. Yep, I had the same mindset. Let's hope everyone who's buying a mac thinks like us, so that July sales will suck and Apple will reduce Aug. prices to boost their sales! Here's hoping!</p>
<p>I dunno why I would kill you...you did the right thing in the proper thread...good job.</p>
<p>As to the timbuk2 bags...the price is definately worth it, I have never seen one die. Mine still has many years of life left (after 3 years of daily use) and I see a lot of bike messengers who have been using them for years (heavy use here) and they are still great. You will not need to buy another bag....possibly ever. As to size, the medium is a pretty normal bag size, smaller than the largest backpacks but still has room for plenty and "compacts" itself fairly well when its not full. The small size is more of a purse (my mother has one and thats how she uses it). It would probobly fit the 12 inch laptops but good luck with much more than that (like say, the laptop, a textbook and a notebook...it will be pretty full if they even fit). The Large can handle...its hard to explain, I am looking at a standard audio component sized tape deck...its about 17"x4"x10" (you probobly have a similar sized item connected to your TV or stereop...basically, the large could hold that thing and still have room for your laptop and some other stuff. The biggest size...just dont think about it...bike messengers carrying large packages ONLY.</p>