Anybody misses the old Apple?

[KnightWRX]

But the following was it's strongest, the company somehow lasted through that period because there were still people buying the products. It was a close knit community in those days that doesn't exist now.

A close knit community of people who obviously had no interest in advancing their computing experience. If you want a "close knit community", go pick up an obscure Linux distribution and hang out on its forum, contribute to its creation/packages.

Some of us would rather have modern OSes running on good hardware. I much prefer Apple now to Apple of the 90s.

 

[TSE]

I have to admit I feel more emotion and nostalgia from Apple products that came out in the late 90's - mid 2000's.

I also like the more risque designs and ideas that Apple used to come out with - although some of them were fads (colored iMacs, Toilet Seat iBook) and others were flops (Cube), the company was much more interesting and evoked more of an emotional response from it's costumers.

While yeah, Apple products have only gotten better with time and technology, they are quite boring now and Apple really has lost some of it's magic that made it a very special company to me.

I still like the company, and I still think it makes products that are second to none, and I can see why they changed up their business model, there's nothing I can do but be nostalgic every time I fire up my Pismo Powerbook or iMac G3, or use my first generation iPod Shuffle.

 

[mono1980]

Apple's products are built better than they've been in a very long time in my opinion. When Steve came back and through the 2000s there was much to be desired. My 2006 Macbook cracked at all the seams. They fixed that with the unibody cases. My iPod scratched like crazy on the back. The G4 Cube got micro cracks in the case. The original iMac had a crappy monitor that had a high fail rate. The Mighty mouse was a piece of junk that you couldn't take apart and clean. I could go on, but I think their stuff is better built than it's been in years, and it looks the best it's ever looked.

 

[Ariii]

Have you? The G4 cases were curvy, goofy looking hunks of plastic, with the internals so packed it was difficult to change out parts. Plastic handles broke, the clear plastic scuffed if you breathed on it wrong, and the over-engineered flip-down doors for the optical drives were prone to breaking their springs.

As for the G5s the case was a marked improvement, and they had the added capability of doubling as a space heater.

Sure, those B&W G3's looked better but this looks pretty nice:

With the pin-striped plastic and the clear edges, those were amazing IMO. And the Cube had a couple problems, but I haven't seen any cases from the Intel era that have been that unique. And nearly every laptop in the notebook line looked great, even when they were outdated.

 

[Technarchy]

I've been using Apple machines since the first Mac was intro'ed back in 1984.

For me, the eras that most hold some type of nostalgic value was 1984 Macintosh, Bondi blue iMac 1997/1997, and iPhone 2007.

 

[student_trap]

And whats wrong with Plastic? Sure its not as pretty as metal

I'd beg to differ, I find the metal computers boring (although I found them more exciting when I got my first powerbook). Plastic is where it is at. Bring back the colours and white tech.

When everything is metal it all just looks the same. It is better than the competition, sure, but when you used to wonder about what the next imac/ibook/powerbook would look like, you could never be sure what was up their sleeve.

Nowadays its easy, the next mbp will be aluminium, the next macbook air will be aluminium, and the next imac will be aluminium (and look pretty much the same).

There's just not as much fun in it!

 

[imahawki]

As someone late to the Apple party, many of these posts sound like hipster whining that Apple is no longer cool. Reminds me of the black guy in Swingers who always looks around the packed, hopping, party and says "yeah, lets go, this place is dead anyway."

 

[maflynn]

I don't miss the old apple as much as I miss the era that the old apple existed in.

I mean computer shows, computer clubs where we built computers. At the beginning of the home computer era there was such youthful exuberance and excitement of trying something new. Seeing how people show off their newest computer or peripherals or write some fascinating code. Its that I miss the most.

Macworld was awesome, they moved it from Boston to NY and I kept going but I could see that apple wanted to get out of doing those shows and they eventually did.

 

[jamesjingyi]

I like all Apple products but I love Macs and MacBooks and I think that they haven't concentrated on these very much. Yes the rMBP was "resolutionary" but it wasn't that good, just a lot of performance boosts. I cant really see where they can go next with the iPad or the iPhone after the rumoured specs in the 5.
Macs should be the place they concentrate most on as they are the ones they can make most money on and can revolutionise most. All the iPad can become is become thinner, longer battery life, better camera etc.

 

[AdeFowler]

I miss the Apple of 1996 when I bought my PowerMac 8100/80AV….. awful product line, none existent international support, OS7, bankruptcy looming… happy days!

 

[Danoc]

When you're challenger, you dare more to break the rules. When you're leader in your industry/subindustry, your work to keep to rules that made you leader.

Apple is stuck with this grey design probably because 1- it's a good design, 2- it's the Apple's trademark, 3 - it helps a lot setting the leadership position.

Leaders are often boring, underdogs are more challenging.

 

[Kurwenal]

I miss the old Apple which focused on making personal computers.

I miss my purple iMac G3, but I wouldn't exactly call it sturdy.

I don't miss the mouse that came with it......

 

[MacFan782040]

I miss being a part of that "unique group" of Apple users.

I remember back in high school... early 2000's... and I would make video projects with iMovie... slideshows with iPhoto... create DVD's or burn discs with iDVD and iTunes... at a time when practically nobody else did that.

Sure, I'd like to think I was more technologically inclined, but still... there was some sense of pride when somebody asks.. "how did you do that?" ...And you said you made it on a Mac.

I was always one of the first people to have something... an iPod.. a flat screen computer (iMac G4)... iPhone... In the mid 2000's it was great to see the company really turning a profit and becoming more popular. But you also lost some of that uniqueness when everyone and their brother had an iPod... later an iPhone.. a Macbook. It wasn't a tight knit group of people with Macs anymore because they understood what it meant to be an Apple user... it was just another consumer product that was cool to have.

So yes, while I think it's a natural human emotion to "miss the good old days", I think it's more that the userbase has changed, rather than the company itself. Whether or not the userbase in return is reflects the company is up for debate... And just like there have been dark days in the past, there are sure to be some ahead. Maybe they might loose their focus or direction at times. But I think if Apple holds true to it's DNA, there will be an Apple a hundred years from now, much like some of America's most innovative companies have lasted the test of time.

 

[Apple OC]

But the following was it's strongest, the company somehow lasted through that period because there were still people buying the products. It was a close knit community in those days that doesn't exist now.

The Graphic Arts and Printing Industry were the loyal group ... when PCs were taking off and the big computer stores were overflowing with cheaper PCs ... there was always that small section in the back corner where the Macs were.

Back then PC files caused problems for printing and a lot of printing companies struggled with projects that were not created on a Mac.

yeah ... those days

 

[Alameda]

The Apple today makes laptops that are, IMO, the most durable and solid ever. The OS is the most stable ever, and has been for some time, and the CPU's are so fast that it's difficult to measure performance improvements anymore.

The only thing I miss is that Apple no longer puts Mac first and foremost. Designs used to change every year or two whether they needed to or not. But now we have the Unibody MacBook Pro, which looks just like the MacBook Air, the Mac Mini, the iMac, and the iPad. And OSX updates are going backwards in some respects, with users frequently complaining that the UI improvements are steps backwards.

Another frustration is that Apple's finally reached the position where they can truly take on Microsoft in the desktop, but Apple's office suite is no match for Microsoft's, and Apple doesn't seem to want to displace Microsoft in the desktop PC OS market.

 

[Wardenski]

I followed Apples hardware development during its resurrection years. It was interesting to see what they came up with. It was entertaining to see what Jobs said when they were stuck with G4s at 500 mhz.

Now they are successful and now I don't really care.

But I do not "miss" the old times because at the end of the day, to me, Apple is a faceless cooperation so I can't get sentimental about it.

 

[SpyderBite]

I'm digging the current Apple more than I have in the past. I no longer have to jump through hoops to keep all my devices synced. In the past I had to rely on my Blackberry to keep all of my info consistent with my work and home computers. Prior to that I was a slave to my Palm Pilot. Everything required a well thought out synchronizing strategy in order to avoid merging data in the wrong direction and screwing up the whole system.

Today, I just add contacts, create appointments, save documents, take/save photos and my information is automagically available on all my devices.

As a company, I've always enjoyed Apple. Even when I was at Microsoft we preferred to carry apple laptops because the company distributed Compaq Armadas were to large and heavy to carry on to a plane and had to be checked with our luggage.

 

[G51989]

The Apple today makes laptops that are, IMO, the most durable and solid ever. The OS is the most stable ever, and has been for some time, and the CPU's are so fast that it's difficult to measure performance improvements anymore. .

They are great laptops, I find them lacking on the durability side a little bit, besides the sexy case. And lacking in the performance department. But carrying my 11 lb 18 inch Alienware for EVERYTHING does suck sometimes ( Yes, I actually need the performance. Something I can't get on the Apple Side ). So for my personal use, I am highly considering a Macbook Air, I need to go to my local Apple Retailer to really give one a shot, but they are beautiful machines.

And yeah, I remember when Apple made the Switch to Intel CPUs/PC hardware. As much as I love my old PowerPC Macs, they can't hold a candle to my 2011 27in iMac. Or my Mac Book Air I'll pick up soon, if I like it. 1500 bucks isn't really very much for it, so. Yeah.

The only thing I miss is that Apple no longer puts Mac first and foremost. Designs used to change every year or two whether they needed to or not. But now we have the Unibody MacBook Pro, which looks just like the MacBook Air, the Mac Mini, the iMac, and the iPad. And OSX updates are going backwards in some respects, with users frequently complaining that the UI improvements are steps backwards.

I 100% agree with this. They've basically been putting mediocre PC hardware into shiny glass and metal cases, then charging out your ******* for it. Was not always so, they used to update hardware and desings pretty freqenctly. I still think my Pismo and G4 TI are the best Laptops I've ever owned, overall.

Yep, they are focusing on the iToys.

And yep, OSX for me used to be an awesome alternative to Windows ( always have used it for work related stuff, and gaming of course ) And I have always viewed OS"s as nothing more than a tool, I tend not to " prefer " one over the other. But with the advent of 10.7 and 10.8, I am starting to massively " prefer " windows 7 over them both.

Another frustration is that Apple's finally reached the position where they can truly take on Microsoft in the desktop, but Apple's office suite is no match for Microsoft's, and Apple doesn't seem to want to displace Microsoft in the desktop PC OS market.

Well, its not because Apple doesn't want to become dominate in the Desktop/Laptop market. Its because it can't. Its hardware choices are FAR to limited, Office has over a billion users, and is THE standard. Plus, lots of people, weather it be consumers or business, probably look at the fact that Apple won't support their hardware for very long as " get me the **** away from that "

 

[KnightWRX]

I tend not to " prefer " one over the other. But with the advent of 10.7 and 10.8, I am starting to massively " prefer " windows 7 over them both.

Nothing really changed in 10.7 and 10.8. Seriously. Folks who think Expose as it was in 10.6 was the greatest thing and the only reason that made OS X are seriously underplaying what makes OS X great.

 

[zioxide]

I miss the old Apple which focused on making personal computers. The company seems to have spent too much resources on making products like iPad, iPhone, iPod, iTV, etc for the more general public.

iPad, iPhone, and iPod ARE personal computers now. The old personal computers that you refer to are dead (or close to it). The iPad and iPhone are the way of the future.

I'd beg to differ, I find the metal computers boring (although I found them more exciting when I got my first powerbook). Plastic is where it is at. Bring back the colours and white tech.

Plastic is ugly and tacky and makes it look like a kids toy. The unibody aluminum casing is the best thing that Apple ever designed.

 

[Alameda]

Well, its not because Apple doesn't want to become dominate in the Desktop/Laptop market. Its because it can't. Its hardware choices are FAR to limited, Office has over a billion users, and is THE standard. Plus, lots of people, weather it be consumers or business, probably look at the fact that Apple won't support their hardware for very long as " get me the **** away from that "

Apple certainly has the resources to develop a competitive and compatible office suite.

As for your other comments about Apple over-charging for low quality, I disagree. I remember when Apple over-charged. Apple's prices have come way down and I believe they provide excellent value. Of course, if you fully load a MacBook retina, you'll go for a ride, but I frankly think that the computing power of these products has become so extreme that I am usually disinclined to believe those who "need" to max out their system.

I do believe that Apple delivers excellent quality and support at a reasonable price. Is it the lowest price? No, but the quality is there, and the support is unbeatable, at least if you live close enough to an Apple Store. And of course you get MacOS instead of Windows.

 

[Liquinn]

What? Have you ever actually seen a G4? Or G5 tower? The build quality on those was incredible. In fact, the G5 case was so good, they still use it to this in the Mac Pro, 10 years later.

I know, the Mac Pro's basically the Intel version of what was the Powermac G5.

 

[G51989]

iPad, iPhone, and iPod ARE personal computers now. The old personal computers that you refer to are dead (or close to it). The iPad and iPhone are the way of the future..

If you mean the Smartphone, the iPhone has been overtaken by Android.

So, how are they dead again? The PC Desktop/Laptop Market is far from dead.

Dead? PC sales are expected to climb next year, and even higher next year. The Desktop/Laptop PC is far from dead. Far far far far from it.

Why?

You CANNOT get any serious work done on an iPad. You really think enterprise will trade in their dependable, cheap, and extremely productive PC's for a tablet?

Anyone who thinks the Desktop/Laptop will be 100% dead any time soon, just drinks way to much

Things like tablets just Expand the Desktop/Laptop computer. They are not a replacement for it.

Plastic is ugly and tacky and makes it look like a kids toy. The unibody aluminum casing is the best thing that Apple ever designed.

I would disagree.

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Apple certainly has the resources to develop a competitive and compatible office suite.

Of course they do, but the problem is, Office has over a billion users, getting that many people/companies to switch to an Apple platform would be...problematic. Plus they have no reason to, Office is made for OSX. And I bet Apple gets a decent chunk of those profits as well.

As for your other comments about Apple over-charging for low quality, I disagree. I remember when Apple over-charged. Apple's prices have come way down and I believe they provide excellent value. Of course, if you fully load a MacBook retina, you'll go for a ride, but I frankly think that the computing power of these products has become so extreme that I am usually disinclined to believe those who "need" to max out their system

Look no further than the Desktop Mac line, all extremely overpriced.

The Laptops? Thats another story, the MBA is fairly priced. The rMBP is fairly priced as well, I would consider a rMBP if they had decent hardware, but they don't

And yes, I need to Max out my systems, the kinda work I do pretty much requires it.

I do believe that Apple delivers excellent quality and support at a reasonable price. Is it the lowest price? No, but the quality is there, and the support is unbeatable, at least if you live close enough to an Apple Store. And of course you get MacOS instead of Windows.

They do offer decent quality, I would never say " high end " though. At least from my prespective, I mean look at the Mac Mini? What a rip.

The Support is very good on Apple, but its also no better than the Support I get from the company that built my Gaming Rig ( I can mail it out and have it back in 2 days if the need be. ), and my Alienware is supported via a local computer shop which is dell certified, so I can take it in there to get anything fixed.

Same with the Apple store, and my iMac 11 has been in there a couple times ( mostly for stupid problems ) and the service has been pretty good. Though I find most of the genius bar to be lacking a genius. And the way they try to sell you stuff you don't want gets annoying, but it is their job. I don't blame them personally.

 

[Alameda]

I was tremendously productive with a Macintosh that had two 800K floppies, a 9" screen, 1 MB of RAM, and an 8 MHz CPU, although adding a 40 MB hard disk and 2.5 MB of RAM gave it a huge boost.

 

[student_trap]

Plastic is ugly and tacky and makes it look like a kids toy. The unibody aluminum casing is the best thing that Apple ever designed.

One opinion

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Things like tablets just Expand the Desktop/Laptop computer. They are not a replacement for it.



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I would disagree.

Another opinion.

My opinion is that they are better, not at all like children's toys. The plastic macs I have are all design icons. And everyone who sees them (especially those that have no technical interest at all) love them.