Apple and Macs: New products, iMacs, iWork, iLife

[dbdynsty25]

Because people are paying for the form factor. For more and more consumers the super-lightweight is more important than the processing power, because they're just going to be doing basic computing but they will be carrying it around a lot.

Not that I have any plans to buy one, it just seems that is the direction laptops are going.

I get that...but you can go buy any old netbook with significantly better specs for less than half the price. May not be "quite" as thin, but it'll be just as light and perform a hell of a lot better. People are paying for the 'aura' and 'prestige' not form and function since those are both trumped for significantly less money.

[Naples39]

Well you are the resident tech guru, but will a netbook running windows really perform better?

I was under the impression that atom processors kind of suck.

I would also think the air is thinner, lighter, and has a better touchpad, keyboard and battery life (though I could be wrong on any of those counts).

[dbdynsty25]

Well you are the resident tech guru, but will a netbook running windows really perform better?

I was under the impression that atom processors kind of suck.

I would also think the air is thinner, lighter, and has a better touchpad, keyboard and battery life (though I could be wrong on any of those counts).

The touchpad is for SURE better...I love the touchpad on my MacBook. And they started putting core 2s in netbooks a while back along with 4gb of ram and better video cards, so without a doubt they will perform better. But then again, you have the whole windows vs. mac debate as far as operating system performance goes. I use both, so I really don't hate either of them. I'm way more offended that they are offering a 10" and 13" screen with such weak processing and ram attributes...especially at the >1K price point.

[Naples39]

Didn't know that netbooks had gotten up to 4GB and out of the atom processor line.

The processor and RAM specs for the new Air are pretty lame.

[wco81]

Here is the reason they stuck with the C2D:

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/ ... d-cpus.ars

Size and better graphics than most Arrandale solutions.

But yeah, limitations for RAM.

Maybe if the line sells well this time around, they could use the Sandy Bridge platform in the future.

[dbdynsty25]

Didn't know that netbooks had gotten up to 4GB and out of the atom processor line.

The processor and RAM specs for the new Air are pretty lame.

Once you start pricing out mini's with Core 2s and 4Gb of ram...they get up towards a grand, so you still are paying the same price, but you're getting that jump in performance. But whatever...I know people like the way Macs look...can't fault people for that. I love my MacBook even though it was slightly overpriced for what I got at the time.

[dbdynsty25]

Apparently I should be writing for Wired since they just published a story about exactly what I was referring to.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/10/ ... weak-cpus/

In short...they did it for battery life. Fine. I can accept that. Now lower the price 250 bucks please.

[Zlax45]

What you think of the MacBook Pros?

[wco81]

They're fine but when buying a computer these days, you should be aware of the timing, the processor road maps.

In laptops, Intel Sandy Bridge chipsets are due in a few months and these promise a pretty good jump in performance at the same price points.

For MacBook Pros and Apple products in general, good idea to consult:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

[FifaInspected]

Hi all,



Can anyone provide any feedback in regards to IOS 4.2 on Iphone 4? Any issues?

I'm gun shy after 4.0 killed my 3G.

[Sport73]

Hi all,



Can anyone provide any feedback in regards to IOS 4.2 on Iphone 4? Any issues?

I'm gun shy after 4.0 killed my 3G.

4.2 is rock solid and should update without issue; it actually helps fix performance on the 3G, but on an iPhone 4 it refines 4.0 and adds some features (Airplay, printing etc.).

Do not delay putting this on your iPhone 4.

[Danimal]

Can anyone provide any feedback in regards to IOS 4.2 on Iphone 4? Any issues?

I'm gun shy after 4.0 killed my 3G.

I don't care what anyone says but after upgrading to 4, and now 4.02 my battery life on my phone and iPad is significantly less.

[wco81]

Is that with a lot of apps running?

One thing that's kind of a drag is that you have to go back and manually close out apps. that you don't need any longer.

[JRod]

Is that with a lot of apps running?

One thing that's kind of a drag is that you have to go back and manually close out apps. that you don't need any longer.

I noticed that iOS 4.whatever doesn't actually shut down the app all the way. It seems that the more you have "open" not closed from the menu actually drains battery.

Anyway there is a drop in battery life with the new iOS. And some programs have poor memory management and simply kill battery. I would say you get maybe an hour less than pre-iOS 4. Just a guesstimate! I have both an iPhone and iPad.

[10spro]

The battery drainage is obvious on the iPhone and iPad. Another issue I have been experiencing is the drop in the WI-FI signal on the iPad. I find myself resetting the iPad daily in order to get the signal going.

[Danimal]

Is that with a lot of apps running?

One thing that's kind of a drag is that you have to go back and manually close out apps. that you don't need any longer.

There is the issue manually closing apps. Most apps aren't designed correctly for multi tasking and the OS keeps them open. Personally I'd like the option to disable multi-tasking or at least set it on a per app basis. However even with manually closing the apps I've noticed a decrease in battery life.

[FifaInspected]

Battery Life.. Yea. stuff like that is exactly why I asked the question.

As I indicated, I had a perfectly good 3G that I was still more than happy with... then the IOS 4.0 update hit and it literally turned my phone into a useless paperweight. Battery life was sucked out and I needed to charge before noon everyday. I couldn't play music and type an email or text at the same time and switching between apps, or opening an app was a good 30 second delay.

I went to the apple store and they denied the problem existed twice.. both times saying they've never heard of anyone having this problem.

I then went back to the AT&T store across the mall, which is where I bought my phone originally (and befriended the manager) Three trips and three pleasant conversations later, AT&T gave me a free iPhone 4 for my troubles.

I won't update at this point as my 4 is a dream device right now. Only addition that looked cool in the update was the "find my phone" (or whatever it's called)

[wco81]

Doesn't the iPhone 4 already have iOS4 with multitasking?

There probably isn't too much difference in battery life between 4 and 4.2. The latter is suppose to have bug fixes and may enable features like AirPrint, GameCenter.

[dougb]

The battery drainage is obvious on the iPhone and iPad. Another issue I have been experiencing is the drop in the WI-FI signal on the iPad. I find myself resetting the iPad daily in order to get the signal going.

Yup same here with my IPAD. Can't quite understand why decided to go with the idiotic method of multi-tasking method where you have to manually shut off an application. Forget to shut one off and a few hours later it's dead battery time. For all their alleged prowess at user interfaces Apple really do make some utterly boneheaded design decisions sometimes.

Best wishes,

Doug

[Naples39]

I'll add to the chorus about multi-tasking. Annoying to go through the quitting process over and over. Couldn't they make a double-click on the menu button quit or something?

Of course the new mute button makes no sense to me either, residing right next to the volume down button which also mutes when held.

I hadn't noticed the battery issue, but now that you mention it I'm sure it will grate on me.

[greggsand]

I never have to manually 'kill' apps to save battery life. What apps are the problem?

[Danimal]

I never have to manually 'kill' apps to save battery life. What apps are the problem?

How is that even possible? Everything you open when you go back to the home screen stays in the background. You're saying if you open say a facebook app, then go to the home screen if you double click the home button the app is not still in that bottom listing?

[JRod]

I never have to manually 'kill' apps to save battery life. What apps are the problem?

Depends on the apps. iOS 4.2 does take more battery life. But there are a few apps out there that left open consume power. One is a running app with GPS tracker. If I have that open my battery can't last 3 hours.

And sometimes the iPhone just has to be restarted. A 0 turns into a 1 somewhere and it gets all f'd up.

Anyway, iOS isn't so much the problem because while it does use more power it's still slight. The apps are the problem. I think early on it was that these apps weren't updated to iOS 4.2. As apps get updated, I've noticed they get better at memory management.

[dbdynsty25]

Anyway, iOS isn't so much the problem because while it does use more power it's still slight. The apps are the problem. I think early on it was that these apps weren't updated to iOS 4.2. As apps get updated, I've noticed they get better at memory management.

Yeah, sit tight waiting for the app developers to optimize for the multitasking. That was an issue with Android, and obviously still is with some developers. Android as an OS has always done the memory management stuff and it does a fantastic job...it's the apps that are poorly created that bring it down. Same thing holds true with the newer OS on the iPhone. It'll get better as the apps are updated.

[greggsand]

I never have to manually 'kill' apps to save battery life. What apps are the problem?

How is that even possible? Everything you open when you go back to the home screen stays in the background. You're saying if you open say a facebook app, then go to the home screen if you double click the home button the app is not still in that bottom listing?

No, all the apps I use are there. I just don't have to "kill" any apps for the sake of my battery. Both my iPad & iPhone have great battery life esp when 'locked'. The iPad is esp impressive IMO.