New Intel Macs

[eric_darling]

Intel Duo Core iMacs.
Dual 1.83Ghz 17" $1299
Dual 2Ghz $1699

Same price and design as the current iMacs
You can order them now.

And a new Mac Book Pro (laptops)

15" Dual 1.67 $1999
15" Dual 1.83 $2499

These can be ordered now, and they'll ship in February.

Yes - dual core laptops! They are said to be 4-5 times faster than current models on the PowerPC chipset. Sounds interesting anyway. However, since I have to wait for all my software vendors (including Apple) to catch up with Intel based Macs, I might as well wait to buy until April, when at least I know I can count on re-worked versions of Final Cut Pro (announced today) and Photoshop (yet to be announced) and the like.

[Corey]

Leo LaPorte recommends not buying one yet on his last podcast. He said there are sure to be a bunch of problems and to just sit tight for now. He plans to keep using his dual G5 for the time being. Usually he wouldn't make such a recommendation, so I'd tend to put some stock into it.

Specifically he raised some serious misgivings about the dual core laptops, to the agreement of the other panelists. Not sure why but they are being extra cautious for whatever reason.

As far as the software goes, it's just a bad time to buy a new Mac. Personally I feel those prices are inflated so I won't be buying one regardless.

[Intrigued]

I have to admit myself, those prices sure seem high. But, I have bougth two (2) Apple iPods and they were not cheap either, compared to other units (at least compared to the 3G unit) with like features, etc. etc.

I also found the PowerBook I had to "tech on" last year to seem to run slower a bit. That was odd to me. It looked sharp, iPod'ish styled, that's for sure though.

[Corey]

BTW the cheaper shuffle sounds noticeably better than the more expensive iPOD. I have keen ears and I did a listening test the other day of the shuffle IR sent me last christmas (THANKS IR!!!) compared to a brand new top end iPOD. The difference in quality is obvious. The shuffle has great quality, the much more expensive iPOD has average quality. Not sure why but I guarantee it's so. Another example of consumer electronic whackiness...

[eric_darling]

Yeah - I've no need for a new Mac laptop just yet. And the desktop that I would need to buy isn't yet announced. So, I'm off to wait it out...

I wonder what PowerBook you were using I-man? I have the G4 1.5 with 1.0 GB or RAM running a 7200 RPM drive, and the 128MB graphics card. It's plenty fast at just about everything I use it for (which is an awful lot, actually). The speed compares favorably with my P4 1.7 with 1.0 GB RAM desktop at the office. I find them both rather serviceable, still.

[Corey]

BTW not sure if you guys know this but the shuffle sounds way better than the iPOD. I have keen ears and I did a listening test the other day of the shuffle IR sent me last christmas (THANKS IR!!!) compared to a brand new top end iPOD. The difference in quality is obvious. The shuffle has very good quality, the much more expensive iPOD has average quality. Not sure why but I guarantee it's so. Another example of consumer electronic whackiness...

[rhosk]

There he goes again, double-posting

I just bought my daughter a shuffle and listened and was impressed. Not knowing what the recent iPods were like, I just assumed that they would sound just as good (maybe a headphone issue?).

Thanks for the info I was thinking of jumping on one of the newer ones myself...maybe I'll hold off.

[Corey]

Sorry Ron, I just wanted to make sure everyone sees me, hey everyone look at me, get a load of *me*!!!! Good point Eric.

FWIW LaPorte was saying that on the new Macs to just lay in the cut for a minute and give them a chance to get all the kinks worked out, and then grab one. He wasn't saying don't buy them, just not right yet was all. He says that his dual G5 is one of the nodes from a disassembled supercomputer which was used to set a world record (can't recall which university it was) so he has a sentimental attachment to it.

Interesting factoid, LaPorte does all his audio work on a PC despite his general disdain for XP. And he does a *ton* of audio work these days.

[Corey]

Here's exactly how it got announced on the CBC National news here in Canada. The business reporter said:

"Steve Jobs, the head of I B, errr, Apple, announced a new laptop. It's more laptop than anyone would ever need but it has two brains. That reminds me of the story about the two headed snake, and now we have a computer with two brains. I'm not sure why it reminded me of that story, but..."

No lie. And my tax money pays that boob's inflated salary. Man that burns me up.

[Intrigued]

Shuffle sounding better than my new Video iPod? (or my 3Gen. iPod)? lmao

That's something I have yet to have anyone else state. Hmmm... I have listened to both and I could not tell them apart. Plus, now I can do the video thing, JOY!

[eric_darling]

Hey, cut Corey a break... He's usually using the Shuffle in much more enjoyable surroundings - like him upon a rolling board. He's bound to think it sounds better.

[Corey]

That's something I have yet to have anyone else state.

Actually Patrick Norton of Digital Life TV also confirms this rather emphatically. He's tested dozens of MP3 players/earbud combos, and he's a hobbyist musician. I have also confirmed this with a couple other pro audio folks. I guarantee it's so, at least in some cases. The difference was quite obvious. I have no theory as to why.