Apple releases $499 Imac!!!

www.apple.com ^ | 1stFreedom

[1stFreedom]

A few notes...

>>Integrated 3D AGP Video

Integrated graphics "cards" on PC motherboards are typically sub par in performance. The ATI 9200 in the Imac isn't a speed demon either, but I'd speculate it's above he PC's video chipset.

The processors are comparable, with the PC coming out on top. But that depends on the test -- the G4 is a 32/64/128 bit CPU.

And for your $466, what do you get? A good pc with a cludgy operating system. The Mac is not about the hardware, it's about style AND a killer OS. Windows IS NOT A KILLER OS. Not yet, maybe longhorn will be, but XP is crappy. I think MS hired design school dropouts to design the GUI.

So it's all subjective, if you are happy with a PC, buy one.

IMO, the best move apple can make is to release OSX for the PC platform. They'll never do it, but it would be great.

[1stFreedom]

You also forgot to add a CD/RW, which the IMac comes with (DVD-R/CD-RW). So add about $20 or so to your list..

[Richard Kimball]

You're thinking of the 1DsMII. Mine is 8.2 mp and costs about 3 grand less. The 20D is an excellent camera. Because I shoot a lot of sports, I bit the bullet and went for the upgraded camera. 8.5 frames per second, 45 point predictive autofocusing and very low noise at higher ISOs. That shot was at 1600asa.

The new Nikon that's coming out (the 2DH), I think is going to be a disappointment for sports people, especially people like me who cover high school, which means dimly lit gyms and night football. It only goes to 800 asa with expansion and internal noise reduction software to 1600, but that means they're having some significant noise issues.

I shot film for around 20 years, and went seriously digital about 3 years ago. I do NOT miss the wet labs, film processing or chemicals. You're going to be thrilled with the 20D, and the first thing you're going to want to do is probably get a good DVD burner. With those 8 megapixel files, you'll have a 1 or 2 gig compact flash card, and about the third time you end up storing a photo session over four cds, you'll want the DVD. My primary sports site is http://www.crawfordamerica.com. Oh, you'll also end up shooting more photos in six months with digital than you did in five years with film. If you get some stuff up on the web send me a ping. I'd like to see it.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Yes dealt with above...carry on same was posted here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318690/posts?page=75#75

MD

[Swordmaker]

Thanks for the ping! Must have been announced at the show?

Yup!

[Swordmaker]

No one who knows the difference. This isn't elitist to others reading, the difference is as little as $20.

You did not account for the software that is included with the Mini Mac...

System software

Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther,” includes Classic environment,
Mail
iChat AV
Safari
Sherlock
Address Book
QuickTime
iSync
iCal

Software

iTunes
iPhoto
iMovie
iDVD
GarageBand
AppleWorks
Quicken 2005 for Mac
Nanosaur 2
Marble Blast Gold
Apple Hardware Test

The System Software is included with OSX... but the rest are extras. The iLife package which includes the first five retails for $79. AppleWorks also retails for $79. Quicken 2005 for Mac is $70. NanoSaur 2 sells for $30. Marble Blast Gold is $20. That all totals $278.

Oh, and don't forget that the cd drive in the Mac Mini is a CD burner as well as capable of playing DVDs. And who assembles this? You or the seller who is warrantying it?

[SunkenCiv]

I've heard that these things are so small, that people regard them as disposable, even though there are poisonous components which should be recycled. ;'D

[Swordmaker]

I've heard that these things are so small, that people regard them as disposable, even though there are poisonous components which should be recycled. ;'D

Hehehehe... and how many people do you know that take the time to properly dispose of all those Alkaline, Mercury, and Lithium cell batteries in their cameras, flashlights, Gameboys, earing aids, laser pointers, etc.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh... luckily NO ONE USES BATTERIES. ;'D Greenies are just publicity hounds. Around conservative West Michigan, the drop points for batteries tend to be (at least here in Grand Rapids) at the libraries. But I know where one hazardous waste disposal facility is in Ottawa County, also.

[theFIRMbss]

>But it is interesting...

If Apple's OS
allows you disable
the Finder and stuff

normally foreground,
this could be a cheap server
for lots of odd stuff . . .

[AFreeBird]

Oh right. I was thinking the 's' model. And here I thought you dropped 5 large on a camera. You must have bought yours before the 20D came out cause the prices sound the same. I take it you have fast glass for your indoor sporting shots? I need some too, but damn they're expensive.

According to some reviews I read, the 20D compares favorably to your model with the exception of the smaller - less than full frame - sensor, and might even surpase it at the higher ISO's (ASA) noise wise.

As for photo storage; I've got a DVD burner in addition to a Linux server with oodles of gigs. But I'm thinking this mini Mac might be a good digital photo post processing machine to add to my in-house network. Hell it costs less than the fast glass.

As soon as get a digital portfolio built up, I'll give you a ping. Shouldn't take too long. As you said I know I'll shoot more frames with this than I ever did with film.

[Richard Kimball]

The 1DsMII runs about 8K. The 1DMII runs a little less than 4K. I looked at the 20D, and it's an excellent camera, but much of my photography is sports. Image quality for portraits, etc, is almost identical. I was shocked at how well the 20D performed at high iso. The difference between the cameras is in the autofocus, build and frame rate, which doesn't make much difference until you're trying to get players running at you, in the middle of a pile, or going through a play sequence.

The 1DMII uses predictive autofocusing, which tracks the speed of moving objects, and also stops autofocus for approximately 1/4 second if another object (like a player) comes in between the camera and the locked on subject. It will move the autofocus point to one of the other points if the subject moves off-center, and is selectable to use 1, 7, 13 or all 45 points. In this photo, for example,

it would have been easy for the camera to focus slightly behind the ball carrier as he was moving directly at the camera, or to lock onto the back of the defender, as he was covering the center focus point, and was the closest object. Because I'd already locked on the other player, the camera moved the focus point to one slightly off-center and continued to use predictive autofocus.

Currently I shoot with a 70-200 2.8L and 550EX flash on high speed synch for football, and a 50 1.4 for really dark gyms inside (referees are really touchy about flash in our area for inside stuff like basketball).

[LexBaird]

Total failure. Apple wants to take on Wal-Mart? Well, that's ok, I shorted Apple today.

Apple up 12%. Still glad you shorted?

[SengirV]

Seems that AAPL was up at 74 at one point today. I hope you have some a nice nest egg to pay for shorting Apple.