Let’s start the discussion on what you think the best examples of technology design are these days and in recent history. We don’t have to focus on items that are just beautiful aesthetically either. Great design can also encompass a great user-interface too. I don’t like iTunes to manage, but the simple interface of iPods are a great example of design in my opinion.

I’ve mentioned before my love for my first personal desktop computer with the Toshiba Infinia. It was one of the first non-beige desktops. Bummer that my monitor for that machine is no longer working. It’s got a short in it or something. Doesn’t detect a signal sometimes and doesn’t turn on.

What’s more important to you with your devices? Should it look great or work great? Nice to have both, but would you give up features for a flashy design? Would you forgive a little ugly if things "just worked" like you expect?

Let us know in the comments.

Image: Product images from product websites

Post from: EveryJoe

Top Technology Design Discussion

Overall, though, Mac OS X beats Windows. There, I’ve said it. And lightning hasn’t struck me yet.

These words came straight from Preston Gralla, a Contributing Editor to Computerworld.com. He’s a Windows expert with a lot of articles and books about PCs and Windows under his belt. So you know this isn’t just some PC user. This guy KNOWS windows. Yet, at the end of the day he admits after having spent 2 weeks with the Mac OS X, he says it is better than Windows.

Image: Mac

Mr. Gralla was given a MacBook Air to try out Mac OS X with. He used it for two weeks and tried most of the tasks he normally does. Mac OS X passes with flying colors. Of course nothing is perfect, he has some things that he does not like about OS X such as the menu of the application is separate from the application window itself. If you minimized an application the menu is still visible on the top of the screen. Small things really.

For a Windows expert to concede and say that OS X is better says a lot. I’m not writing this to gloat about OS X being better, etc.. Rather I wrote about this because I wanted Windows users to know that it’s ok to try OS X. A Windows user can make the transition. There’s nothing to be scared of.

While Mr. Gralla won’t be totally switching anytime soon, he has said that he will be ordering a MacBook Air.

Read his entire column here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Windows Expert Says OS X Beats Windows

The MacBook Air is the closest thing that Apple has to an ultraportable. The Air is thin and light but the 13″ screen still makes it a wide laptop. It’s also quite expensive. The starting price for the Air is $1800.

Compare that to netbooks such as the Mini-Note which have 10-11 inch screens and priced somewhere between $400-$700 dollars. But because of the lower price point you get a slower processor and basically a slower architecture.

While netbooks are small and more affordable they’re not for everyone. If you travel a lot and use your laptop as your primary work computer then a netbook isn’t for you. I just can’t imagine spending a whole day with a netbook. It’s fine for checking emails and the occasional web browsing but not for a full day of typing out a document or doing a spreadsheet.

The Air however offers a full-size keyboard, ample screen real estate. While it’s not the most powerful computer, it’s enough for a full-days worth or word processing and doing spreadsheets.

The Air and netbooks in my opinion are totally different markets. The question is does Apple need to be in both markets.

Apple has said before that while they’re watching the netbook market, they don’t want to go into that market if they can’t offer anything substantial. If they feel that they can’t make a good contribution to that market then why get in to it?

In my opinion, Apple doesn’t need to be in the netbook market. If it’s email and web browsing you want, the iPhone/iPod Touch does a pretty good job at it. I’d be happier if Apple comes up with a slightly bigger mobile device that is similar to the capabilities of the iPhone.

I feel at this current time, Apple should just leave netbooks to the likes of HP and Acer.

Post from: EveryJoe

Does Apple Really Need To Make A NetBook?

According to this article from Fortune, the Apple event on October 14 is pushing through. So much for my previous entry. This time Apple is not being subtle about what they intend to announce. The invite says “The spotlight turns to notebooks”. How much clearer can you get?

The event will be on Tuesday Oct 14 at 10 a.m. It will be held at the Town Hall inside the Apple campus.

While I was excited about the iPhone 3G, I think I’m more excited about the new notebooks. It’s about time the MacBook Pro sees a redesign. The current design is already several years old and is really due for a replacement.

There have been a slew of reports about what will be announced on the 14th. There’s the $800 laptop, a story on leaked photos about the new notebook casings and a whole lot more.

I’m just really stoked that the notebooks are getting the attention they deserve. So much for my previous post. Thus the wait begins…

Post from: EveryJoe

The Show Will Go On After All

When this happens it really sucks. Most components of your portable are quite expensive if you but it from Apple. So it’s really not a joking matter.

First thing to do is bring it to an Apple Certified Service Provider. If you have an Apple Store near you then better, bring it there. Have your machine diagnosed, unless it’s glaringly obvious what the problem is. A cracked LCD is quite obvious. Still it would be good for you to bring it. Have the whole unit looked at and get a part estimate. This is good for several things. One you can gauge how much Apple will charge for it. If you can afford it and think it’s reasonable then that’s good. If not at least you know what part to look for.

You can check eBay for parts. A lot of people are selling spare parts via eBay. You might be able to get a good deal there. Mac User forums are also a good place to look. Sometimes people post parts for sale. It’s true in the Mac User Group I belong to.

Then there are the web sites that sell parts for your Macs. Sites such as All Mac and iFixit. These are good places to find spare parts for your Mac.

When all else fails or you’re just too lazy to have your Mac fixed, you can try to sell it for parts and go buy yourself a new one. This time remember not to let the warranty lapse and go get yourself the extended warranty.

Post from: EveryJoe

What Do You Do When Your Mac Breaks Down and Warranty Has Lapsed

I know in theory the SSD should be ok. It is in some instances but I’m really not inclined to justify the additional cost for the benefit it gives. Sure, there’s faster boot up time and the assurance that there are no moving parts and it should protect your data better than the hard disk based counterpart but really, the price difference is still too big.

The good thing I can get out of this is that with the price of the SSD drives going down, these types of drives will soon be mainstream rather than just something most geeks lust after.

So do you think the MacBook Air SSD version is now worth it’s sticker price?

Post from: EveryJoe

$500 Off The SSD MacBook Air Is It Now Worth It?

So I bought a 12" PowerBook G4. It was small, lightweight, got 5 hours of battery life, and was as powerful (almost) as the 15" or 17" PowerBooks of its day.

But then came the MacBook and MacBook Pro series of computers. It was at this point that Apple decided that people who wanted smaller computers didn’t need the extra speed/power as those who wanted larger computers.

Now I am still not positive what I am going to buy to replace my PowerBook. But, with just a few upgrades, I am looking towards the MacBook Air. Lightweight, decently powerful, absolutely gorgeous. It just needs a little more battery life and a bigger Solid State Hard Drive.

Well I haven’t heard anything new about the battery, but Samsung has released some news regarding the drive. You can read more about it over at AppleInsider [update: Tech Side Up has a bit about it too], but the future looks like larger faster drives for less money. And with no moving parts, it is bound to save on battery life as well.

Now I am still hopeful that Apple will release the perfect computer at WWDC or maybe early fall. If not, I may just have to settle for buying a Mac Pro to go along with my not quite perfect laptop.

Post from: EveryJoe

My Next Mac Computer

I just got my hands on an Air Manila Sleeve for the MacBook Air. It was loaned to me by a friend who recently bought one. This particular sleeve is manufactured by Civilian Lab. Now, a sleeve for the MacBook Air is a fairly simple product. There’s not much bells and whistles you can put on it. Rightfully so.

What it lacks in features though it makes up for in quality. The premium waterproof leather used for the sleeve gives it a sense of luxury. The padded lining gives it a sense of protection. Although I’m not sure it will completely protect the MacBook Air if dropped. It’s made of great material and very well constructed. It uses snap-on buttons to secure the lid as well as the traditional string and leather button similar to the Manila Envelopes it was patterned after.

Like the MacBook Air, this product is a no-frills but elegant product that might not be suited for all people. However if you own a MacBook Air, you’re not most people are you? This is the sleeve for you. There’s a classic elegance to the sleeve. I know it’s patterned after a simple envelope but when you add the leather material and classic design it just works.

There’s not much else I can say about this, the only downside I can see to this is that it costs $55. Quite pricey for what is essentially a padded envelope. Somehow despite that slightly high price tag, I’m still drawn to this product. I can’t imagine owning a MacBook Air and not owning this or a similar product. It’s a perfect partner to your MacBook Air.

Check out the Air Manila here.

[Images courtesy of Civilian Lab]

Post from: EveryJoe

Air Manila: A Sleeve Fit For The MacBook Air

It’s not only the numbers that show it. Even in everyday life you see the Mac gaining popularity. I’ve been seeing more and more glowing Apple logos in coffee shops, schools and offices here in Manila. Sales of Macs are up as evidenced by more and more stores selling Apple stuff.

The strength of Mac OS X coupled with the blunder that is Vista is making people really think about getting Macs.

Check out the full story here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mac Sales Sky Rocketing

Macs are gaining market share and it has nowhere else to go but up. Macs actually represented the strongest revenue stream for Apple ahead of iPod and iPhone sales.

These facts aren’t just imaginary. I’m experiencing it first hand. I know 8 people who bought new Macs this month alone. Some of them are already Mac users and there are also new Mac users. That’s 8 people I know personally or family members of people I know. That’s saying a lot.

As time goes by more and more people are drawn to Macs because of the simplicity of OS X. It’s just easier for most people to use. Plus the cost of ownership is indeed going down.

I don’t see this as slowing down anytime soon. For the rest of the year I see that more and more people will be switching to the Mac.

Read the complete earnings press release here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mac Sales Up