Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

marco.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

201–210 of 321 posts

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#201

Post by quanticle »

w1ntermute wrote: post #180
betterth wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a strangely pertinent anecdote: I've been a Windows "poweruser" for a long time, and have never used much of Linux. I never had a real need for it. But I've been doing rails development lately and Windows kept getting in the way, and so many people are using OSX and I can't afford a Mac... so I tried Ubuntu. I'm using 12.04, and it's the first significant amount of time I've used spent with Ubuntu. I can say that…

> I really like gedit more than Notepad++ gedit is available on Windows too. If you really want to harness the power of Linux, run Vim. You'll see at least an order of magnitude in productiviy improvement.

Well, to be fair, it depends on whether you're willing to spend a week or so getting the hang of it. That level of investment isn't necessarily for everyone (even developers).

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#202

Post by rurounijones »

bombtrack wrote: post #196
bane wrote: post #188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"If you want non-Apple hardware, go buy it. There's nothing stopping you (or anyone else) from doing so. " Unless I want to use non-Apple hardware with Apple software.

I just built a fairly powerful desktop hackintosh and I'm running OSX 10.7.3. The little bit of research that went into ensuring all the parts were compatible was well worth the cash savings.

Just to make a slight change:

"I just build a fairly powerful desktop hackintosh and I'm running OSX 10.7.3 illegally"

Now you might not care about the licensing restrictions on Mac operating systems (I don't) but saying "Oh you can just do this" when it is technically* breaking the law is not an alternative for many people.

* Rather up in the air at the moment to be sure, but err on the side of caution

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#203

Post by gurkendoktor »

sedev wrote: post #108
vacri wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's funny that Apple markets itself as simplifying and reducing wires and reducing clutter... but boy, they like adaptors!

A wire is a commitment, an adapter is a training wheel. The intent is for you to grow out of needing it. Apple's guesses about what you'll eventually stop needing have been pretty good so far (e.g. ditching floppy drives, going to USB-primary early).

Those were really early decisions. What about Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt? I still rather had DVI on my Mac Mini. What about Ethernet? Anyone who needs it in a wired company is likely stuck with it.

And one more ugly piece of plastic that many people ruin their Macs with - USB 3G sticks, because no Mac series can hold a SIM card, even though Apple has successfully pushed for a more compact standard.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#204

Post by SkyMarshal »

Osiris wrote: post #59

I'm curious, why is it not possible to buy pre-configured, off-the-shelf dual or quad CPU PC systems? I know that you can get dual CPU server motherboards and build your own system, but as far as I know no one sells a pre-built desktop system that looks anything like the Mac Pro (spec-wise). EDIT : Looks like I was mistaken. You can get high-end PC workstations.

Another good option for that:

http://www.gamepc.com/

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#205

Post by kcbanner »

bengl3rt wrote: post #67
AndrewNoNumbers wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ditto to Hackintosh. The Mac Pro never was a good buy. Half the reason one buys an Apple product is because of the terrific build quality and design. That's extremely important in a notebook computer, something you'll carry around day in day out and have to depend on to not fail when you're in the field. There's far less incentive in buying a terrifically sturdy and pretty machine that will sit under your desk and no…

I dunno about you guys, but as a college student that frequently takes internships, I move every 4-6 months. Having a really powerful desktop that can be thrown back into its (incredibly well designed) original box and shipped here, there, and everywhere while continuing to work perfectly and housing all my disks has been awesome.

Any desktop case can be put back into its box and shipped in the same fashion.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#206

Post by madrona »

alaskamiller wrote: post #130
robomartin wrote: post #98

This illustrates the issue I highlighted in another thread: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4097141 The fact that Apple keeps hardware and, increasingly, software, so tightly controlled leads to a situation like that of this "new" Mac Pro. If the Apple hardware ecosystem were open like that of Windows you'd have major companies all over the world evolving the platform in wonderful ways. Performance would go up an…

The irony of this post is so hilarious to me, this is Apple coming full circle from its clone wars days. Man, those were some shitty experiences. Apple is an hardware company. They make money off the nuts and bolts pieced together with premium markup, software is but icing on top. They practically give away the results of their development costs on OSX. You're encountering the cognitive dissonance as experienced in t…

Shitty experiences? Apple made some really, really awful computers during the clone era.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#207

Post by mattgreenrocks »

kcbanner wrote: post #205
bengl3rt wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I dunno about you guys, but as a college student that frequently takes internships, I move every 4-6 months. Having a really powerful desktop that can be thrown back into its (incredibly well designed) original box and shipped here, there, and everywhere while continuing to work perfectly and housing all my disks has been awesome.

Any desktop case can be put back into its box and shipped in the same fashion.

Actually, it's annoying to need a box for a desktop nowadays. But the trend towards ventilated cases makes it a necessity - there's no protection against the elements.

Heck, I have problem with mine sitting near the door after I come in from the snow.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#208

Post by [deleted] »

robomartin wrote: post #98

This illustrates the issue I highlighted in another thread: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4097141 The fact that Apple keeps hardware and, increasingly, software, so tightly controlled leads to a situation like that of this "new" Mac Pro. If the Apple hardware ecosystem were open like that of Windows you'd have major companies all over the world evolving the platform in wonderful ways. Performance would go up an…

[deleted]

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#209

Post by bengl3rt »

kcbanner wrote: post #205
bengl3rt wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I dunno about you guys, but as a college student that frequently takes internships, I move every 4-6 months. Having a really powerful desktop that can be thrown back into its (incredibly well designed) original box and shipped here, there, and everywhere while continuing to work perfectly and housing all my disks has been awesome.

Any desktop case can be put back into its box and shipped in the same fashion.

Not really - most other desktop cases are much flimsier and don't come with as well designed packaging. I've had computers not POST after shipping because something was dislodged in transit, but that never happens with the Mac Pro.

Re: Mac Pro gets half-assed “update”

#210

Post by mturmon »

Osiris wrote: post #54
pippy wrote: post #39

The fact is Mac Pro's aren't as profitable as iPads or iPhones. If you were CEO you'd de-prioritise the line as well. They're not killing off the line altogether probably because it's a less risky market. iPads and iPhones are new, and tomorrow a new phone could kill off iPhone sales over night. It is pretty shitty to see Apple do this however. I'd love for them to put in the bleeding edge hardware on the line.

My problem with that line of reasoning is that the company has (had) over $100 billion in the bank. They have no reason to de-prioritize any area of the business that's making a profit. They have enough resources to pump into all their profitable lines of business and more. Is the potential of pissing off dedicated customers worth the money they'll save? What will they do with the money they save? Add it to their uni…

It's not about profit, it's about executive focus. That's the limiting factor. Mobile is changing so fast, and they don't want to take their eye off that ball.
Post reply on HN