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Why You Should Buy A Mac

Great blog by the New York Times tech writer, David Pogue, on Mac OS X versus Windows.

Windows XP on a Mac? Oh, My. How Uncool.

One of those, "Hell has frozen over," moments comes on April 5, 2006. Remember this date, years from now, when Steve Jobs, CEO/Founder of Apple, is Emperor of the World. Apple has introduced Boot Camp, a program that allows installation of Windows XP on Mac hardware.

"'It makes the Mac the most versatile computer on the market," said Tim Bajarin, a tech industry consultant at Creative Strategies. And "American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu described the announcement as a 'significant game changer.'"

Mac-folk saw this day coming (maybe not so soon) but we also hoped Bill Gates would come crawling on his knees first. That day will still come, but Bill will get much wealthier in the meantime. Jobs is so sneaky! Love it!

Detroit Free Press: "Apple iMac is simply the best"

Mike Wendland of the Detroit Free Press writes, on February 14, 2006, that,
"Apple's new iMac running the new Intel Core Duo microprocessor is the finest, most reliable, stable, elegant and intuitive personal computer available anywhere. There. I don't think I could say it any clearer."

"This new iMac, which marks the first time Apple has used Intel chips to power its machines, is simply astounding. As multimedia and digital entertainment becomes more mainstream, you will find no other machines as well suited to create, edit and display audio and video materials."

"I have been testing a new 20-inch iMac with the Intel chip right next to a G5 iMac that came out last fall with the older PowerPC chip. I hit the start buttons on the two machines at the same time and ran a stopwatch three times. The Intel machine was up and running in an average of 24 seconds. The G5 version took 72 seconds."

"Web pages loaded faster, pictures and video images appeared quicker, scrolling through documents and spreadsheets was smoother and the whole feel of the machine felt more nimble than the already impressive G5."

"In appearance, it's impossible to see a difference between the two. Both come with the built-in high-resolution iSight Web camera. The thin white plastic case that contains the entire computer is supported on a brushed aluminum stand that makes it appear to be suspended in air. Both have standard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections and all the ports and the CD/DVD slot are in the same places.
Even the cost is the same. Apple very wisely did not boost the price for these new Intel models. A 17-inch iMac with all the standard software and the iLife suite costs $1,299. The 20-inch version is $1,700."

"Those thinking about replacing an older PC should look at these iMacs and consider dumping Windows..."

"But making a great machine even better is a suite of upgraded applications called iLife '06 that take advantage of these new Intel chips and deliver such vast improvements in digital imaging and multimedia programs that no programs on any other platform can even be called rivals."

"Apple's switch to Intel microprocessors (think of the microprocessor as your computer's brain and the Core Duo works like two brains) opens up the very distinct possibility that you will also be able to run Windows programs on these Macs, as soon as Microsoft upgrades its Windows XP operating system to the new Vista system late next fall."

Wendland has made a short video demonstrating the new Intel-powered iMac and the iLife applications. You can find a link on www.freepress.com.

Disney to Buy Pixar for $7.4 Billion

January 24, 2006- AP reports that "the Walt Disney Co. is buying longtime partner Pixar Animation Studios Inc. for $7.4 billion in a deal that could restore Disney's animation domination while vaulting Pixar CEO Steve Jobs into a powerful role at the media conglomerate."
Disney will buy Pixar in an all-stock transaction that makes Jobs Disney's largest shareholder. Jobs will also join Disney's board.

"Pixar President Ed Catmull will serve as president of the new combined Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Disney chief executive Robert Iger and Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios."

"Pixar Executive Vice President John Lasseter will be become Chief Creative Officer of the animation studios and Principal Creative Adviser at Walt Disney Imagineering, which designs and builds the company's theme parks."

"'With this transaction, we welcome and embrace Pixar's unique culture, which for two decades, has fostered some of the most innovative and successful films in history,' Iger said in a statement."

"'Now, everyone can focus on what is most important, creating innovative stories, characters and films that delight millions of people around the world.'" jobs said in a statement."

"With Pixar, Disney gains a company that has produced a long-running string of animated blockbusters, including 'Toy Story' and 'Finding Nemo.'

"Through Jobs, Disney will tightens its link with Apple Computer, the innovative technology company behind music and video iPods that Jobs co-founded and also leads as CEO."

"Pixar has served as Disney's de facto animation unit for a decade. Two Pixar movies, 'Finding Nemo' and 'The Incredibles,' have won Academy Awards for best animated feature film."