Comments on: Walt Mossberg on how to buy a Mac http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:07:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Chuck http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525866 Chuck Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:00:57 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525866 I would make the change if I could. But I design consumer electronics products for a living, and there is almost no software for a Mac that will let me do my job. Sure I could draw a nice picture or write emails, but I need serious 3D cad software, PCB/schematic software, embedded development tools, high end engineering analysis tools, mission specific emulators and hardware etc. etc. Some people here at work have a MAC, but I think mostly as a symbol to convince everyone that they are more creative. Interestingly most of these people also have a PC on their desk, where they do their creative work. I would make the change if I could. But I design consumer electronics products for a living, and there is almost no software for a Mac that will let me do my job.

Sure I could draw a nice picture or write emails, but I need serious 3D cad software, PCB/schematic software, embedded development tools, high end engineering analysis tools, mission specific emulators and hardware etc. etc.

Some people here at work have a MAC, but I think mostly as a symbol to convince everyone that they are more creative. Interestingly most of these people also have a PC on their desk, where they do their creative work.

]]> By: ProfessionalGun http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525537 ProfessionalGun Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:37:54 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525537 Speaking to the above comment on cost, I think what we'll begin to see from Apple is a focus on more basic models with lower price points, as we saw the beginings of with the Mac Mini. After doing a lot of research while contemplating the purchase of my first Mac, I'm actually fine with their price points. Macbook Pros have dedicated video cards for one small comparison point. That's something you'll NEVER find in a notebook in the sub-$1,000 range. Additionally, cramming all that technology into such a svelt enclosure css at a price premium all its own. Apple will do well to fill out their lower end offerings. Speaking to the above comment on cost, I think what we’ll begin to see from Apple is a focus on more basic models with lower price points, as we saw the beginings of with the Mac Mini. After doing a lot of research while contemplating the purchase of my first Mac, I’m actually fine with their price points. Macbook Pros have dedicated video cards for one small comparison point. That’s something you’ll NEVER find in a notebook in the sub-$1,000 range. Additionally, cramming all that technology into such a svelt enclosure css at a price premium all its own. Apple will do well to fill out their lower end offerings.

]]> By: Fred http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525499 Fred Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:11:15 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525499 The idea that Mossberg has a PC bias is laughable. He probably still devotes more time to PCs than Macs, but that's understandable given (a) the WSJ's audience and (b) Apple's relative market share. Also, it may be picking nits, but he never says you can't import Outlook mailboxes - he says Entourage can't open Outlook data files. I think this is true, so far as it goes. If you have a PST file, you can't open it in Entourage; you have to download and install the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx?pid=download&location=/mac/download/office2004/pstimport.xml&secid=4&ssid=15&flgnosysreq=True" rel="nofollow">PST Import Tool</a>. That's picking nits, of course, as what most people want is to import their mail. Take all the above with a big grain of salt - I don't own a Mac, and won't until they are priced more reasonably. The idea that Mossberg has a PC bias is laughable. He probably still devotes more time to PCs than Macs, but that’s understandable given (a) the WSJ’s audience and (b) Apple’s relative market share. Also, it may be picking nits, but he never says you can’t import Outlook mailboxes - he says Entourage can’t open Outlook data files. I think this is true, so far as it goes. If you have a PST file, you can’t open it in Entourage; you have to download and install the PST Import Tool. That’s picking nits, of course, as what most people want is to import their mail.

Take all the above with a big grain of salt - I don’t own a Mac, and won’t until they are priced more reasonably.

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525488 Andy Beal Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:49:09 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/11/15/walt-mossberg-on-how-to-buy-a-mac/#comment-525488 I think Uncle Walt is pulling the wool over your eyes. ;-) He's always writing how great Macs are. I think Uncle Walt is pulling the wool over your eyes. ;-) He’s always writing how great Macs are.

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