I looked into this ultra-portable when I first heard about it (yesterday or the day before). It's really cool, but not really a replacement for a "real" computer. It certainly wouldn't replace my 2-month-old MacBook.

It's a function of the OS and the track pad combined.

My 17 Intel MacBook running Leopard has trackpad gestures that do not work on my wifes 17 PPC MacBook running Leopard

Agreed Vista is bad. Laptop w/WiFi is required so no Mini. I can setup an XP desktop with one click access to her stuff (email, docs, etc...) that's ~ equal in simplicity to a Mac but even that is going to be a stretch for her...I may need to get a new (unregistered) number ;)

Impervious to nuclear attack!

fanobi here!

I'm a fan boy for a reason. Just last night I spent another 2 hours dickering around with a XP machine. I have 2 more at my company.

I could have spent those 2 hours here dickering around :P

I have to admit that there is proprietary software that hasn't been ported as of yet but now with Mac on Intel it's just a XP install away.

Also, agree with the game factor but then again ... XP can be installed now and tests show that you are basically a little faster (if you have the newest machines)

My XP boxes are:
noisy, start up like bears after hibernation, and you have to wait for virus software to scan this that and those other places.

OSX does not have a registry! :P

OK, I admit it. Macs are lame because you can't change the mother boards... oh well, I just instead play with a BSD system and enjoy being a geek :D in a different way :D

Jobso is a freak as much as Gates so --- let's just give Gates the points since he's using his cash for charities and what not .... that is way cool!

Woz is ... hmmm ... a segway man!
Balmer is .... a sweaty monkey man!

lolo, this is actually starting to be fun!

ok,ok, Kevin Costner used to be on the Apple team ... now that is ... (???)

Can anybody fill that one in?

I hate the switch commercials ...

Mac hater here. 9 years of tech support for them will do that to you.

hawktel,
Why's that?
User problem or OS/Machine?

I can see the difference in style of usage for the OS, just like any other preference when it comes down to it... Pepsi vs Coke is one that comes to mind

Very interested in the improved AppleTV, if the movie selection is good and new releases not too delayed.

Family night at the movies costs $45 or so, renting a high-def would cost $4, save $41, using 2X a month saves $980. Even if I were "forced to " buy a 50" HD-TV and surround sound system to make the experience comparable, its still a payback in 2 years or less.

Also interested in the Time Capsule. Right now I back up to a USB external hard drive plugged into the Mac, so if house is burgled or burns down, I lose the backup too. I could put a Time Capsule in the garage and have my backup more secure. Just need to figure out how a Time Capsule and an Airport Extreme 11n co-exist, since I'd want the "main"wireless AP/router in the house where printers can be plugged into it.

You know, they've rented movies for a while now:D

Hibernation? You actually DO that? It's better for the hardware to be constantly running, it lasts longer. For example, spinning down the disk after 30 minutes of non-access. When you want to use the computer again, the disk has to spin back up, which takes not only more power than just keeping it running, but puts more stress on the servos (due to increased power). It's quite common to find disk arrays that work fine, until you shut them down and they refuse to spin back up. The servos have enough power to keep the disk going, but not to spin it up. Also, I always leave my computers on because, when you continually power them off and on, the traces in the boards heat up and expand, contract and cool down, over and over again and they wear (and break) faster. Simply leaving the computer on avoids this issue.

Sorry, but the OS has nothing to do with how loud the machine is. The disks and fans determine that. Typically louder disks are faster because they have higher rotational speeds. My 10 and 15K SCSI drives, for example, sound like jet engines, but are fast as hell. You can't knock the OS because your hardware is loud.

Actually, MS more or less hit the nail on the head with the Windows Registry IDEA. Not the implementation, per se, but the idea. Most modern Operating Systems are now incorporating a database (which the Windows Registry is) into the kernel. The Linux kernel, for example, has a database built in. I don't know if OSX does or not.

I'm partial to AT&T style UNIX over BSD, but I guess that's moot:-P

Yeah, but Netflix is a bit of a hassle - need to plan ahead - and physical VCR/DVD rental places (e.g. Blockbusters) are disappearing around here.

A well-executed, fairly-priced VOD solution will be a winner. We haven't seen one yet - maybe this is it.