Prepare to want one
by Volker Weber
Related: iLife 08 with new versions of iPhoto and iMovie, iWork 08 now with spreadsheet (30 day trial), .Mac upgraded to 10 GB and new photo gallery (demo), Mac mini upgraded to Core 2 Duo.
Opinion: If Apple would not introduce another proprietary file format with their iWork applications, they'd be much better off.
Comments
Almost... But do I want a glossy screen? Not really.
I have a glossy screen on my MacBook. It's wonderful.
I tried a glossy MacBook and couldnt stand it because of all the reflections. Much preferred the matt screen on my MacBook pro. I suspect it comes down to where you are going to use it. Glossy doesnt work in a brightly lit office environment. I much prefer to see my work rather than the reflection of the window blinds behind me.
@Andy - exactly. I have a large window right behind my desk! Apple could at least offer a choice...
This is a good example of why I don't like glossy screens. (Sorry vowe!)
I like them being thinner, but the old ones are much more beautiful.
This picture says a lot.
This picture.
Yet again Apple shaft us on exchange rates.
iLife/iWork 08 is ¢55/$79/€79. Base iMac is ¢799/$1199/€1199.
Why do the UK get ripped off? $2=¢1 right now.
Don't forget the taxes - calculation for the base iMac:
Country: UK | US | DE
home price: ¢799.00 | $1,306.91 | 1199€
exch. price: 1,178.74€ | 946.41€ | 1199€
That means it's cheaper in GB than in Germany and still cheapest in the US ;-)
They should really provide an option for non-glossy screen as there are environments that can make the glossy screen really annoying.
We recently purchased 30 iMacs 17" for the office and I am glad we did it before the swap.
But I really like the new desing (except that the back is black :o) )
@Andy Mell,
UK isn't the only country that is being ripped off .. see the table below. Only two countries under-cut the USA (not by much thou!).
The figures below relate to buying iLife '08. Ranking the worst off to the best off:
Country (Currency) / Quoted Price: / USD 79 buys: / Quoted Price to USD: / Markup %
Norway (NOK) / 649 / 458.4 / 111.85 / 41.58
UK (GBP) / 55 / 39 / 111.41 / 41.03
Sweden (SEK) / 745 / 531.25 / 110.79 / 40.24
Denmark (DKK) / 599 / 428 / 110.56 / 39.95
EuroZone (EURO) / 79 / 57.5 / 108.54 / 37.39
Luxembourg (EURO) / 75.08 / 57.5 / 103.15 / 30.57
Singapore (SGD) / 148 / 119.7 / 97.68 / 23.64
South Korea (KRW) / 89000 / 72945 / 96.39 / 22
Switzerland (CHF) / 109 / 94.6 / 91.03 / 15.22
Australia (AUD) / 99 / 92.4 / 84.64 / 7.14
New Zealand (NZD) / 109 / 103.8 / 82.96 / 5
Japan (YEN) / 9800 / 9380 / 82.54 / 4.48
USA (USD) / 79 / 79 / 79 / 0
Hong Kong (HKD) / 590 / 618.5 / 75.36 / -4.6
Canada (CAD) / 79 / 83.35 / 74.88 / -5.22
@Martin Hiegl
Actually, it is cheaper in Luxembourg ... €1139.55
Anybody know why computer goods are a bit cheaper in Luxembourg compared to the other EuroZone countries?
I wish they would make the Mac Mini with the guts of an iMac.
I have a KVM connected to a Samsung 244T (24" 1920 x 1200) and have no room for a dedicated all in one. I don't need all the power of a Mac Pro, but the Mac Mini is a bit light, especially in the video department.
I can whole heartedly recommend the 244T to anyone who is looking for a high-res 24" monitor.
@Henry - I agree re. Mac mini - I've been waiting for a refresh since Christmas and am rather disappointed. As I don't want a glossy display, I will now probably think about a MB or MBP and use them most of the time in the office closed up with an external screen and keyboard. The laptop would have the advantage of portability on those odd occasions when I need it...
I'm buying the 24" as soon as I'm back in France :)
I do have mixed feelings about the new design. While I really like the keyboard, understand the thermal benefit of using aluminum, and understand the visual share with the iPhone, the brushed metal/glass/black frame mix remembers me to something from the 90s... :-)
Ah, got it! The all new iMac looks like a EOL'd flat square tube tv from B&O! :-)
I may be tempted but will wait until Lepoard
Will wait for Leopard as well, however, I was planning to get rid of my last desktop at home and stick with a new macbook. The new pricing makes me rethink though.
Nice straight forward ad, too. Does anybody know what that song is?
The track is:
Honeycut, Exodus Honey from the album The Day I turned to Glass
Glass? Was there something about aluminium and glass? What was it again...?
