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[Always-honest]

when a design is pretty much perfect, you don't have to change much.
The powermac/ Macpro hasn't changed in yeeeears for instance (though i'm guessing it will be gone soon)

 

[Gamecocks625]

I liked the design of the iPad 2. Nothing really needs to be totally re-thought with its design, in my opinion. The retina display is probably the greatest thing we could have asked for in a "major need".

 

[MercuryLS]

2011 - there was only 1 single apple product with a new design: iPad 2.

Iphone 4s was same as 4
MBA was same as 2010 MBA
AppleTV came out in 2010
iPod touch same as 2010
blah blah

While I'm not saying Cook isn't to blame, 2011 was not exactly setting the world on fire for design innovation - which is when Jobs was alive.

Is there any phone or ultra book anywhere near as well built as the iPhone 4S and Macbook Air?

 

[Anticitizen One]

Is there any phone or ultra book anywhere near as well built as the iPhone 4S and Macbook Air?

Not really

 

[jts]

2011 - there was only 1 single apple product with a new design: iPad 2.

Iphone 4s was same as 4
MBA was same as 2010 MBA
AppleTV came out in 2010
iPod touch same as 2010
blah blah

While I'm not saying Cook isn't to blame, 2011 was not exactly setting the world on fire for design innovation - which is when Jobs was alive.

Um, in 2009 the iPhone 3GS was the same as the 3G, the iPod touch 3G was the same as the 2G, there was no iPad, no new MBA also, etc. Cycles.

And it's funny that you phrase it in that way, because this is truly the 1st year without Steve Jobs alive (he was alive for the best part of 2011) and yet, we'll see all-new designs for a lot of products, including the iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro, probably an Apple TV set etc.

Amazing how people are still not convinced that the most valuable tech company in the world doesn't act randomly. That the most important stuff is decided in the rush of the moment and not years ahead of time. That the company actually has values, a culture deeply ingrained into its DNA, and for the foreseeable future, it will act precisely has it has been doing in the last decade or so.

 

[Doffen]

Is there any phone or ultra book anywhere near as well built as the iPhone 4S and Macbook Air?

That depends on what you put in "well built".

HP Envy Spectre is a really good looking ultrabook:

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Um, in 2009 the iPhone 3GS was the same as the 3G, the iPod touch 3G was the same as the 2G, there was no iPad, no new MBA also, etc. Cycles.

And it's funny that you phrase it in that way, because this is truly the 1st year without Steve Jobs alive (he was alive for the best part of 2011) and yet, we'll see all-new designs for a lot of products, including the iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro, probably an Apple TV set etc.

Amazing how people are still not convinced that the most valuable tech company in the world doesn't act randomly. That the most important stuff is decided in the rush of the moment and not years ahead of time. That the company actually has values, a culture deeply ingrained into its DNA, and for the foreseeable future, it will act precisely has it have been doing in the last decade.

Clearly, they should lurch around changing their design radically. Not broken? Fix it immediately!!!

That depends on what you put in "well built".

HP Envy Spectre is a really good looking ultrabook:

I bet it flexes when you push down on the middle and creaks if you hold it up by one of the sides. It's a common issue with ultra-thin PC laptops. Actually, with PC laptops generally.

If you want to talk about well-made PC laptops, your talking about Thinkpads, HP Elitebooks, Sony Z's, and Dell Precisions. Everything else flexes and creeks, reminding the buyer their shit is made from cheap plastic parts in an attempt to save money.

 

[Refrigerator]

I don't know the personalities well enough to know whether they're joking or not, but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that Cook will cripple Apple to be just another tech company going forward - stagnant, iterative and drawing on glories past.

Even the little moves - like the push towards providing shareholder dividends and matching charity donations - is indicative of a man who does not live and breathe the import of his company's products in the world. For Cook, it's the end of history with Apple. Now's the time for him to burnish his and the company's legacy and become just-another tech company whose inflection point has already past. It would sicken me if I had a shred of emotional connection to Apple.

 

[Pachimari]

Am I the only one who has a MacBook Air 13" that creeks all the time as well?

 

[silentspork]

Clearly, they should lurch around changing their design radically. Not broken? Fix it immediately!!!



I bet it flexes when you push down on the middle and creaks if you hold it up by one of the sides. It's a common issue with ultra-thin PC laptops. Actually, with PC laptops generally.

If you want to talk about well-made PC laptops, your talking about Thinkpads, HP Elitebooks, Sony Z's, and Dell Precisions. Everything else flexes and creeks, reminding the buyer their shit is made from cheap plastic parts in an attempt to save money.

It's funny you say that, because my work Thinkpad creaks the worst out of any laptop I have used. I acknowledge that it will take a beating but I don't think its particular well build other than that.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I don't know the personalities well enough to know whether they're joking or not, but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that Cook will cripple Apple to be just another tech company going forward - stagnant, iterative and drawing on glories past.

What are you basing any of this on? Gut feeling? Do you have access to Apple's 10-year LRP? A body of work by Cook that suggests he will deviate from their LRP to become stagnant and content?

It's funny you say that, because my work Thinkpad creaks the worst out of any laptop I have used. I acknowledge that it will take a beating but I don't think its particular well build other than that.

then I stand corrected on the ThinkPad. I thought they were a bit more solid than that. But my comment stands for the Precision, Elitebook and Vaio Z! But none of those have that MBP feel. That single piece of aluminum makes for a pretty rich-feeling device.

Am I the only one who has a MacBook Air 13" that creeks all the time as well?

you'd be the first I've heard of. 2 of my family members have Airs and they don't creek...and the solid aluminum it was made from should eliminate the possibility. Odd. Were does it creek from?

 

[Doffen]

I bet it flexes when you push down on the middle and creaks if you hold it up by one of the sides. It's a common issue with ultra-thin PC laptops. Actually, with PC laptops generally.

I own several laptops from a variety of brands, and I simply have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[JCreasy]

Hour 2 without iPad. Feeling anxious. Uncomfortable twitching in my appendages. Malaise. It's got to get worse before it gets better, right?



Guess I should start adding wallpapers to my photostream...

iMore (pinned announcement date) now claiming LTE is IN

iMore also said quad-core incoming.

Spirits lifting

 

[jts]

I don't know the personalities well enough to know whether they're joking or not, but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that Cook will cripple Apple to be just another tech company going forward - stagnant, iterative and drawing on glories past.

Even the little moves - like the push towards providing shareholder dividends and matching charity donations - is indicative of a man who does not live and breathe the import of his company's products in the world. For Cook, it's the end of history with Apple. Now's the time for him to burnish his and the company's legacy and become just-another tech company whose inflection point has already past. It would sicken me if I had a shred of emotional connection to Apple.

It would sicken me if you actually believed in the diatribe that you write about Apple, so there you go.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I own several laptops from a verity of brands, and I simply have no idea what you are talking about.

then you've learned to bullshit quite well. I also own several laptops from HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway and even Compaq if we want to go back. Full laptops, tablet PC's and Netbooks. They all creek, flex or otherwise feel unstable if held in a particular way or pressed down in the center.

You can bullshit some people, but not me. I've been working on or with PC desktops and laptops for damn near 25 years. If none of yours flex or creek, you have some miracle computers and I tip my hat. Otherwise, I say to you, "come clean!"

 

[Slurpy2k20]

I don't know the personalities well enough to know whether they're joking or not, but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that Cook will cripple Apple to be just another tech company going forward - stagnant, iterative and drawing on glories past.

Even the little moves - like the push towards providing shareholder dividends and matching charity donations - is indicative of a man who does not live and breathe the import of his company's products in the world. For Cook, it's the end of history with Apple. Now's the time for him to burnish his and the company's legacy and become just-another tech company whose inflection point has already past. It would sicken me if I had a shred of emotional connection to Apple.

When the fuck is this guy gonna get banned? Isn't his language indicative of classic trolling? He's been going on with this bullshit for dozens and dozens of posts, not to mention the Retina trolling garbage.

Do you not realize Cook has been living and breathing Apple since 1998 (14 years), starts his workday at 4am, and is widely known as the hardest working guy there? Do you not realize that Steve Jobs trusted him above everyone else to run the company, and that he is more responsible for Apple's current success than anyone else beside SJ? Who the fuck are you to say shit like that? Can you do us all a favor and leave this thread before the keynote, so you don't pollute it with your blatant concern-trolling?

 

[Leona Lewis]

then you've learned to bullshit quite well. I also own several laptops from HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway and even Compaq if we want to go back. Full laptops, tablet PC's and Netbooks. They all creek, flex or otherwise feel unstable if held in a particular way or pressed down in the center.

You can bullshit some people, but not me. I've been working on or with PC desktops and laptops for damn near 25 years. If none of yours flex or creek, you have some miracle computers and I tip my hat. Otherwise, I say to you, "come clean!"

Even my old Thinkpad, with its rock-solid, no-flex keyboard, creaked a little bit. And my HP netbooks felt like flimsy boxes made of cardboard from day 1.

Other than the Lenovo Ideapad U300 (what a sexy beast!), I can't think of a computer as well-built as the MacBooks. Those HP Envy ripoffs shatter into a million little pieces if you so much as look at them wrong.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

When the fuck is this guy gonna get banned? Isn't his language indicative of classic trolling? He's been going on with this bullshit for dozens and dozens of posts, not to mention the Retina trolling garbage.

Do you not realize Cook has been living and breathing Apple since 1998 (14 years), starts his workday at 4am, and is widely known as the hardest working guy there? Do you not realize that Steve Jobs trusted him above everyone else to run the company, and that he is more responsible for Apple's current success than anyone else beside SJ? Who the fuck are you to say shit like that? Can you do us all a favor and leave this thread before the keynote, so you don't pollute it with your blatant concern-trolling?

but Refrigerator's gut instinct can't be wrong, sir.

This year will be the year Apple's slow fade begins!

Even my old Thinkpad, with its rock-solid, no-flex keyboard, creaked a little bit. And my HP netbooks felt like flimsy boxes made of cardboard from day 1.

Other than the Lenovo Ideapad U300 (what a sexy beast!), I can't think of a computer as well-built as the MacBooks. Those HP Envy ripoffs shatter into a million little pieces if you so much as look at them wrong.

this has been my experience as well. about 13 years with PC laptops and 2 years with Mac laptops. I loved my PC laptops but damn if they didn't feel cheaply made. It is what it is: cost-cutting. And using plastic allows those computers to have different designs almost annually and keep the machines affordable. I respect the reasons why.

 

[Tobor]

When the fuck is this guy gonna get banned? Isn't his language indicative of classic trolling? He's been going on with this bullshit for dozens and dozens of posts, not to mention the Retina trolling garbage.

Do you not realize Cook has been living and breathing Apple since 1998 (14 years), starts his workday at 4am, and is widely known as the hardest working guy there? Do you not realize that Steve Jobs trusted him above everyone else to run the company, and that he is more responsible for Apple's current success than anyone else beside SJ? Who the fuck are you to say shit like that? Can you do us all a favor and leave this thread before the keynote, so you don't pollute it with your blatant concern-trolling?

Hadn't even thought of this. He's going to shit all over the thread after the keynote.

 

[rezuth]

I want my iPad HD now

 

[tralfazz]

When the fuck is this guy gonna get banned? Isn't his language indicative of classic trolling? He's been going on with this bullshit for dozens and dozens of posts, not to mention the Retina trolling garbage.

Do you not realize Cook has been living and breathing Apple since 1998 (14 years), starts his workday at 4am, and is widely known as the hardest working guy there? Do you not realize that Steve Jobs trusted him above everyone else to run the company, and that he is more responsible for Apple's current success than anyone else beside SJ? Who the fuck are you to say shit like that? Can you do us all a favor and leave this thread before the keynote, so you don't pollute it with your blatant concern-trolling?

I'd love to ignore him but that GAF function isn't working. I respect his opinion..I'm just tired of hearing it over and over. It's like being at a party and he's the guy telling the same joke to everyone even though we were all within earshot the first time he told it. It's awkward.

 

[giga]

iPad HD is better than iPad 2S at least.

 

[mrkgoo]

I think you guys are being overly harsh. If you ask me, I reckon it's the occasional ... opposing view that MAKES these threads interesting.

Well, reading the inevitable lashing. It really brings out the discussion.

 

[Tobor]

I think you guys are being overly harsh. If you ask me, I reckon it's the occasional ... opposing view that MAKES these threads interesting.

Bring back Marty. At least I know he's a real person, and not a joke character or troll-bot.

 

[Leona Lewis]

Don't these poor juniors know that you're most likely to get banned in threads pertaining to the following?

1) Gender/sex/race
2) Politics
3) NPD
4) Apple

I understand that these topics tend to rile up some folks, but once you've contributed your nonsensical fringe opinion and gotten a tidal wave of backlash, you don't go back and try it 50 more times unless you're a masochist. Jesus.

 

[Al-ibn Kermit]

you'd be the first I've heard of. 2 of my family members have Airs and they don't creek...and the solid aluminum it was made from should eliminate the possibility. Odd. Were does it creek from?

My brother also had a 13 inch Air which creaks a little when you hold it by the edge and tilt it at a high angle. All laptops do that but aluminum ones are definitely less noticeable.

For whatever it's worth, I tried the Asus UX31 which is basically the same specs/construction as the Air, and it feels the same in your hands.

Regarding Apple's consistent product design, I don't think they need to change everything every year but it would have been really nice of they updated the iphone design by at least making it bigger. It feels tiny compared to most other smartphones.

 

[kehs]

No, I'm not insane, and I don't believe Cook is boiling over. The big reveal for the iPad 3 isn't expected to be the physical design. It never was, contrary to the iPhone 4 in which the design was the biggest thing. Not sure if your post was sarcasm, but either way I stand by my view that Apple doesn't give a shit and this won't affect anything in the least. If they managed to get a fully working model and showed off iOS with new software and the retina display, that would be something else entirely.

Anyone know if there will be a livestream? If not, I might just go on a news/media blackout (as insane difficult as it may be) and just wait for the full keynote to be posted.

Cook is well beyond well-done at this point. There is such a huge difference in the 2 and 3, you don't have to stand more than 14" or 16" to be able to discern between individual pads. The Pad Per Increment difference is huge.

 

[mrkgoo]

Bring back Marty. At least I know he's a real person, and not a joke character or troll-bot.

Yeah, where's Marty? I liked the cut of his gib. whatever that means.

 

[border]

I think you guys are being overly harsh. If you ask me, I reckon it's the occasional ... opposing view that MAKES these threads interesting.

It's nice to have a devil's advocate.

It's not nice to have someone who gets the facts incorrect, is corrected, ignores the correction and then continues FOR PAGES to make complaints concerning a "fact" that is not correct.

 

[JCreasy]

Faux Tim Cook just confirmed that the next iPad will be named iPad HD https://twitter.com/#!/fauxTimCook/status/176820265131581441

 

[Gamecocks625]

if it's iPad HD, I'm screwed. See you guys...whenever I get released from ban prison (if I do).

 

[Dreams-Visions]

It's nice to have a devil's advocate.

It's not nice to have someone who gets the facts incorrect, is corrected, ignores the correction and then continues FOR PAGES to make complaints concerning a "fact" that is not correct.

+1

Opposing viewpoints are appreciable when they're based in some sort of objectiveness and facts. Rather than gut feelings, which seem to always be negative.

 

[Leona Lewis]

if it's iPad HD, I'm screwed. See you guys...whenever I get released from ban prison (if I do).

HD is such a gimmicky term nowadays. Isn't the iPad 1/2 technically "HD" since its vertical resolution is greater than 720 pixels?

Retina! HD! Though since they never tell us what the abbreviations stand for (ex. 4S), we could just interpret "HD" as "higher density"

 

[Keylime]

HD = Haptic Display

 

[Damon Bennet]

It'll be interesting if LTE will be US only.



I got an iPad 2, iPhone 4, MacBook Air and a Kindle Touch. Yet, I'm contemplating buying the iPad 3.

iPhone 4: For everything on the go
Kindle Touch: For reading books
MacBook Air: For work
iPad 2: For Skype with the family
iPad 3: Consuming / Entertainment

yeah i dont think ipad 3 will be able to run skype

 

[Dreams-Visions]

My brother also had a 13 inch Air which creaks a little when you hold it by the edge and tilt it at a high angle. All laptops do that but aluminum ones are definitely less noticeable.

FWIW, I just picked up my 17" MBP from all 4 corners, mashed down as hard as I could around the palm rests, and pushed hard on, around and above the keyboard (between the keyboard and vent below the screen).

No creaking, cracking or flexing. But I certainly accept that you're seeing a little bit in your Airs. None here, though.

 

[Refrigerator]

Asking me to be banned again? A poster above expressed the same trepidation about Cook, I just further elaborated on my own beliefs. And there's no need to worry about me interfering on your open thread during the keynote - I'm usually too busy with projects to post during business hours, and don't see myself being free anytime this week to indulge in this thread during 9-5, let alone during the conference.

I don't understand - should I just not restate my views when it's brought up in context? Should I avoid all Apple threads since some of you posters have already taken to me as some troll that's unable to be genuine. A simple go at my post history should be enough to show that I post in a wide variety of topics and usually try to further the topic in whatever thread I'm in. I'm not perfect, but no one is.

I don't want to be banned, but I'm also not going to act like I'm being bullied and not take part in discussions I am fully able of taking part in. I was bullied when I was younger and I don't like having that same feeling on an internet forum - of all things - when I'm well past my adolescent years.

Back to the topic at hand - Can't wait for the iPad 3! I have a feeling that the multi-color explosion in the banner could hint towards multi-colored iPad SKUs, a la the multicolored iPod Minis.

 

[Doffen]

then you've learned to bullshit quite well. I also own several laptops from HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway and even Compaq if we want to go back. Full laptops, tablet PC's and Netbooks. They all creek, flex or otherwise feel unstable if held in a particular way or pressed down in the center.

That's true, but you made it sound like (in your first post) that every laptop would break if you just lifted it up.

 

[mrkgoo]

It's nice to have a devil's advocate.

It's not nice to have someone who gets the facts incorrect, is corrected, ignores the correction and then continues FOR PAGES to make complaints concerning a "fact" that is not correct.

True true. Not nice.

But maybe just ignore it. Meh, I guess I'm never one to be much for getting riled up onthe Internet.

 

[Sky Chief]

Is there any phone or ultra book anywhere near as well built as the iPhone 4S and Macbook Air?

Nokia N9 and Lumia 800 and 900 and the new Samsung 9 Series

 

[Dreams-Visions]

That's true, but you made it sound like (in your first post) that every laptop would break if you just lifted it up.

No, I didn't. I said they would flex or creek...and I said that flexing and creaking reminds buyers of the plastics used secondary to cost-cutting. I never said anything would fall apart (there's still a metal chassis of course); only that it would feel a bit cheap at times. And further, that if you want something that feels solid through and through, there are a few specific models you can look at. No more no less.

 

[JCreasy]

HD = Haptic Display

Hnnnnnggghh

Don't tease me!!

 

[hyp3rlink]

Am I the only one who has a MacBook Air 13" that creeks all the time as well?

Had that issue...got it replaced ASAP.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Had that issue...got it replaced ASAP.

In this case you might want to take it to an apple store, Anastacio. Just to see what they say. I really don't think unibody Mac laptops should be creaking.

 

[Leona Lewis]

HD = Haptic Display

HD = "Hot Damn!"

 

[HollovVpo1nt]

I'm curious, what is a haptic display?

 

[JCreasy]

I'm curious, what is a haptic display?

The future

http://www.disneyresearch.com/research/projects/hci_teslatouch_drp.htm

http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/2/2605173/senseg-tactile-display-technology-tablet-demo-video

 

[Tron 2.0]

I wish we all could, as a whole, find the strength to just stop responding to Refrigerator.

 

[Technosteve]

can't wait for the new apple rectangle

 

[Koodo]

Don't these poor juniors know that you're most likely to get banned in threads pertaining to the following?

1) Gender/sex/race
2) Politics
3) NPD
4) Apple

I understand that these topics tend to rile up some folks, but once you've contributed your nonsensical fringe opinion and gotten a tidal wave of backlash, you don't go back and try it 50 more times unless you're a masochist. Jesus.

And Final Fantasy.