Review of the Powerbook G4 and Second Life (December 2005 model)

it'll be interesting to see what real-world usage is like with those macbooks... but... they -do- look oh-so-droolworthy...

didn't i once read that one of the maclindens reported that they already had one of the developer intel machines? i imagine a port is ongoing... (and i saw where developers get to trade those in for the new machines - nice deal, getting the latest greatest chips and all...)

if it hadn't been mentioned prior, be sure to check out macintouch.com - the real daily proverbial poop on what's going on in the world of mac... absolutely, positively my first stop everyday! and welcome to the club... lol, once you go mac...

Well. I'm feeling like a toggle switch as of late.

Here is the new review of the Imac using the Intel chipset:

http://www.macworld.com/2006/01/features/imaclabtest1/index.php


As it is, I'm also hearing a goodly number of reports of crashes and errors. Enough to make even me wary. Seems that the Intel, combined with the iLife and iWord software, may be having a large number of issues that will have to be patched and corrected as time goes on...

Combine this with the following system:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=336978&pfp=BROWSE

<sigh>


Let me run a quick compare:

- They both seem to have the same CPU ( Core Duo 1.66 GHz )
- They both have a built in Camera
- Only the Mac has the remote
- The Acer has 4x memory.
- The Acer has 1.5-2x hard drive space
- Both have a compairable video chipset (x1400 for Acer, x1600 for Mac)
- While both have 128 megs independant video memory, the Acer can also use up to 512 total from the main system memory. (and at 2 gigs, would probably not be noticed)
- Acre has Dual Layer DVD
- Acer has a ton of input output ports that the mac is missing without adapters.
- Both have wireless in all formats, including bluetooth.

And finally, both have really cool looking cases...

While I have nothing against Apple, I now have to look at the current situation: Acer has released a powerful machine that beats the mac system BEFORE IT HIT THE MARKET.

As soon as my Comp-USA get's the next shipment in, I have to go after it. I always go after the better overall tool, and if I really need a solid core, I cal always wait for SL-Linux and load redhat on the bugger.

Anyone notice that computer tech is leapfrogging this month for everyone? It's KILLING me!

Ok, A few things the mac has (to be fair):

- Slightly faster bus speed, 667 vs 533, for about a 25% increase there...
- Magnetic power connecter for safty.
- Backlight keyboard. Not to be underestimated in usefulness.
- A screen with brightness like a nova.
- 1440 by 900 res display.
- about 1.5 lbs lighter, and smaller.
- Aluminum casing. Armor for your laptop!

Ugh, Foolish, do NOT buy an Acer.

Total crap, man. I used Acer hardware for nine months and it was miserable, poorly built shit. (So, yeah, buy the Acer if you like your computer's enclosure to slowly but surely disintegrate into multiple, sharp plastic pieces)

Also, the main reason to buy the Mac is the operating system, man. If you're going to live with Windows, you may as well lop off your nuts right now and buy the Acer. This is kind of a big transition, so there will be hiccups. Apple is good about issuing patches, though.

Me? I'm waiting until Q1 2007. I'ma get me an Intel-based Mac desktop.

<nods> Explain?

And the Acer you purchased, what was it's price, and what brings you to believe it's quality level is an example of all computers they produce?

Acer Tablet -- TravelMate something. edit: Price new was $2100. What makes me believe my experience is indicative of their products' overall quality? 40 other units (yes, 40 that I directly experience, but several hundred all told) all exhibiting the same mechanical failures.

It's cheap, poorly-designed crap. Broken hinges, clips, flanges, all the shit you need to work on a laptop for many years, all broken within six months. If they can't even fabricate something simple like a plastic enclosure, I don't even want to know how failure-prone the electronic components are.

Don't do it, dude. I will never touch that company's wares ever again.

You remember how your PowerBook latched closed? You may not even have thought about it, but it's a magnetically-triggered hook that exposes itself only when within a hair's width of closure. That's a well-thought bit of mechanical engineering that protects a very sensitive assembly of parts. Foolish, you can't put a price on the sheer amount of thought and passion put into Apple's industrial design. It simply isn't a priority for other manufacturers. And it definitely isn't a priority for Acer.

You're going to learn now or you're going to learn later: there's a lot more than the hardware specs to compare here.

<raised eyebrow> I have LEARNED quite a bit in my 20 years of computer tech, Enabran. My questions were valid. I have also heard the same thing said by someone about EVERY company by someone. Apple included. And saying that only Apple makes quality is as silly a statment as I've ever heard.

If you like Apple, then more power to you. As it is, I'm trying to balance ALL the options. Not just any one.

Now, back to your perspective: You're talking about a tablet. I have not met even ONE person who felt those things were anything but a broken screen waiting to happen.

As to the rest: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=30960

Seems to get average to decent reviews. I DO like the aluminum chassie for the Macbook, though.

Negative. I know two guys with HP and Compaq tablets which have lasted them in excess of 2.5 years. Not a single complaint.

Acer is a cheapass brand. I'm not talking about screens. I'm talking about hinges and such, which will be used literally thousands of time's in a product's life. You don't need to get into a pissing contest with me about all your years with computers. Where I work we had hundreds of Acers deployed. I shared my view. Buy what you want.