Are we still cutting edge?

[unamused]

awesome multitouch glass trackpad that actually works?

other companies have them as well, and yes, they work

way longer batter life?

other laptop makers offer different batteries, and the fact that they are not user replaceable is a HUGE negative for me... batteries go bad, with my lenovo, i can just buy a new one and not have to pay to get it installed or worry about having to do surgery on the device.

a proprietary chip that switches gpu on the fly?

check this
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9600m_gt_us.html

yep, graphics card switching on the fly on something other then a mac!

y?
super thin and slick unibody laptop design?

super thin is relative, there are thinner laptops... and again, unibody is not always the best especially when there are components that will wear out, batteries, and other parts which people like replacing, like harddrives, ram, etc.

the option for AG screens?

other manufacturers offer this as well

Need more convincing?

yes, we do!

the fact is, apple is not known for coming out with cutting edge hardware... most of their products offer way less performance at way higher costs... They do occasionally offer a device that really does revolutionize, or even create an industry (think ipod, iphone and i guess ipad) but when you look at the specs, they are way out dated. Many features which were released on the iphone as "revolutionary" were things people could do years before... i mean MMS?? how long did that take??

If you look at just their desktop and notebooks, apple is far from cutting edge... That doesnt mean that the OS doesnt offer anything worth the price premium, but it does mean that apple OSX has to be THAT much better then windows for apple prices to be justified... and seeing how good windows 7 has been doing... apple really needs to make some changes.

 

[LOLaMac]

Depends on where you look.
Apple's computer line (including desktop and laptops) are far from cutting edge. In fact they're generally a bit behind the curve, which makes paying the premium for the product that much more difficult.

The iPad is a cutting edge device, where apple truly took the tablet computer to a new and popular direction.

Honestly, what is so revolutionary about the iPad? It has a touch screen? The iPod, iPhone, and other devices from other manufacturers already have that? It's wireless? The iPod, iPhone, and other devices from other manufacturers already have wireless connectivity.

I keep hearing about how revolutionary and "magical" the iPad is, and I don't get it. It's "magical" because I can take a dump while playing tetris, or some 3rd rate Gran turismo/Forza clone? Because I can sit on the couch and watch a movie or browse the web on some tiny 9" screen.......that has the same resolution as a monitor I owned almost twenty years ago? I can use some cool pinch and zoom thing to focus in on part of a web page because the screen is so darn small, you can't read it the way it was intended? It's revolutionary because I can only download and run 'apps' that someone else has told me I can use?

The iPad is a cool little gadget, to be sure and while I can see some signs of where computers may go in the future, there's nothing about the iPad I see as being any kind of a breakthrough in technology unless "big iPod Touch" which is an apt description of this device, means "magical." Can someone enlighten me as to what makes it so revolutionary and "magical"?

 

[danielcox]

Peasants? Fighting? Them's fanboy words...

I don't know about cutting edge, although Apple is usually the first one to "do it right". Example: the iPod. MP3 players, and hard disk-based MP3 players, were certainly around long before Apple came out with the iPod. And when they did, everyone laughed at it (see that infamous thread 500). But Apple did it right, and that's how it caught on so well. I owned a flash-based MP3 player (64 megs of goodness, woohoo!) Then I bought a disk-based player -- a 6 GB Creative Nomad Jukebox -- and enjoyed its bigger-than-a-Discman bulk and whopping 4-hour battery life. Then I bought an iPod, and ... wow.

iPhone? Same story. Apple certainly wasn't the first smartphone out there, but it was the first one that was so elegant and simple to use that everyone wanted one.

I use a MacBook Pro and not a "cutting edge" PC because, by and large, the Mac works, and I use it to get my work done. Period. I haven't even upgraded to Snow Leopard yet, though I bought the DVD the first day it came out. I'm just happy with how my computer works. I don't need to tinker with it for hours.

To contrast -- no joke -- this morning I turned on my netbook, and Windows booted up, warned me it hadn't done a virus update for a while, tied up my system while it downloaded and installed said update, insisted on doing a scan, found a trojan that I had to clean up... it was 20 minutes before I was able to do anything useful with it.

That doesn't mean anything - I've crashed software on my Mac. you can't blame annoying features of crappy software on the underlying OS.
Windows is now an excellent OS and in many respects a better one than OS X.

 

[Stella]

What? Are you mad? PPC were years ahead Intel/AMD, and the G5 Mac Pro in my studio still often outperforms my Intel I3.

Try re-reading my post:
"PPC had their day - years ago - early 2000s, Intel / AMD processors had surpassed G4s. G5s - well, they never really took off, albeit,promising."

So - by early 2000s, ( 2003 / 2004 ) Intel processors had exceeded G4 performance. G5 were promising, but never really took off.
Sure - PPC were once faster than Intel processors - but Motorola / IBM were lazy and Intel caught up, and surpassed.

The switch to Intel was the right choice - switchers can run windows at native speed , if they so wish. What would apple be doing with PPC processors had they not switched? Motorola couldn't push out PPC processors that outperform Intel ( especially for mobile processors ), and IBM - a load of false promises.

Sure - your desktop G5 outperforms an I3... all well and good for desktop machines.. but G5s were too hot for laptops. The desktop market is shrinking, laptop markets are growing.. mobile is the future.

 

[maflynn]

Try re-reading my post:
"PPC had their day - years ago - early 2000s, Intel / AMD processors had surpassed G4s. G5s - well, they never really took off, albeit,promising."

Yeah its too bad moto really failed to innnovate with the successors to the G3 and G4. IBM blew it too promising a laptop G5 cpu and 3GHz speeds, neither of which materialized.

From what I read, apple was ready to shift over to intel but IBM stepped in and promised apple that their G5 CPU is the future. The rest is history.

 

[rhett7660]

I've considered this already and I've come to the conclusion that there are few reasons left to buy a Mac. Unless Apple does something significant soon I'm almost certain my next computer purchase will not be a Mac.

Windows 7 is better than OS X Snow Leopard - that's the main reason. It's more stable, more secure (Microsoft patches the holes when they are found, whereas Apple waits months or even years to do so) and has a much better interface. It also has much better support from developers and applications are written for it instead of simply being ported as many are on OS X.

So, without the big "OS X" reason to buy a Mac, what's left? The only one I can see is the build quality of the computers. They're still the best around IMO, but I don't really think that Dell or Lenovo's machines are so far behind. I don't think that anyone can possibly justify paying such a huge premium for Apple's hardware when it is only slightly better built and everything else is worse.

And of course I would expect nothing less from you. Of course this is all just opinion not fact. Unless you can provide some data to back up this claim, of Win7 being a far more superior product to OSX.....

And of course none of the products or software that were built for XP or vista have been ported over for win7.....riiiiiiiigggghhhht.

Has apple really ever been on the cutting edge? I mean they do updates to the software ever 6-12 months. Were as the PC industry does it monthly or every two months at best. I have never seen them as the cutting edge company. They have been the company that has designed elegant pieces of hardware and software but cutting edge. I don't think so in my opinion.

 

[Jaro65]

The thing is, I wasn't aware I was fighting for anything. I'm just happily using my MBP's doing what I need to get done.

I do run Win 7 in VM and I will say that it looks pretty good. Still, in terms of maintenance, application installation/removal, etc., there is just no substitute for a nice Unix-based system.

 

[sysiphus]

Ultimately, the lack of hardware choice/features is, in large part, why my first-gen Macbook Pro was my last Mac. The lack of a user swappable battery, expansion slots, swappable drive bay, and antiglare screen counted hugely against a future Apple purchase for me. Additionally, I can't stand the flat chiclet keyboards on all the new Mac laptops. Finally, and most importantly, it's the overall design of the computers--my Thinkpad T60 (same basic age as the first-gen MBP) has all of the features highlighted above, plus it's relatively easy to swap/replace parts as wanted/needed:

• Replacing a hard drive is a matter of undoing one screw (fixed on later MBPs)
• Easily replacable keyboard (with inbuilt tray to catch/drain liquid spills away from the systemboard)
• Socketed CPU (as opposed to soldered in Mac--made swapping in a Core2Duo easy)
• Inbuilt cellular internet options
• Cheaper/longer warranties available, with accidental damage provisions
• BIOS that makes multiboot systems not held to silly partition limits inherent to Apple's EFI system
• Docking Station--the Advanced Dock lets me use a desktop PCI-Express graphics card--unbeatable feature to keep an older machine capable/current

Apple has some nice things, but the lack of hardware choices is incredibly frustrating. Your milage may vary, but I was perfectly happy to switch to a Win7/Fedora 12 dualboot to replace my OSX/XP dualbooting MBP--which reminds me of one more thing--the lack of official driver support for the first-generation Intel Macs in Windows 7--thanks, Apple.

 

[bobbytomorow]

Windows 7 is better than OS X Snow Leopard - that's the main reason. It's more stable, more secure

That isn't factual, thats actually probably on the losing end of a debate. I just posted an interview with Gabe Newel @ the game sub forum and apparently Portal is 5 times more likely to crash in Windows than in OS X....keep in mind the source Engine is basically completely new to O SX. And is Gabe Newel respected? Yeah I think so.

So if your going to say OS X isn't stable maybe some links or numbers would help your cause. And security? Ok, ok, you are being sarcastic right? Link me to an OS X virus, please? Just one, I promise I will execute it. Know how many windows virus' I can link you to out in the wild? Literally MILLIONS.

 

[rhett7660]

That isn't factual, thats actually probably on the losing end of a debate. I just posted an interview with Gabe Newel @ the game sub forum and apparently Portal is 5 times more likely to crash in Windows than in OS X....keep in mind the source Engine is basically completely new to O SX. And is Gabe Newel respected? Yeah I think so.

So if your going to say OS X isn't stable maybe some links or numbers would help your cause. And security? Ok, ok, you are being sarcastic right? Link me to an OS X virus, please? Just one, I promise I will execute it. Know how many windows virus' I can link you to out in the wild? Literally MILLIONS.

Pretty much what I said,,,this is his/her opinion nothing more.

 

[*LTD*]

Like Gene Hackman's character aboard the sub (already underwater) said in Crimson Tide:

Any crew member who thinks that they can't handle the situation, can leave the ship right now.

Believe me, you won't be missed. In fact, chances are you'll be back.

Apple is "cutting edge" enough to dictate the pace of change in this industry, and managed to sell out of their notebook and desktop lines while the also-rans were trying desperately to foist horrid netbooks on hapless users.

And now, the gradual transition to the iPad is underway. No one else dares to even do such a thing, but Apple takes the big risks and by all accounts is now reaping the rewards.

 

[sysiphus]

Like Gene Hackman's character aboard the sub (already underwater) said in Crimson Tide:

Any crew member who thinks that they can't handle the situation, can leave the ship right now.

Believe me, you won't be missed. In fact, chances are you'll be back.

Apple is "cutting edge" enough to dictate the pace of change in this industry, and managed to sell out of their notebook and desktop lines while the also-rans were trying desperately to foist horrid netbooks on hapless users.

And now, the gradual transition to the iPad is underway. No one else dares to even do such a thing, but Apple takes the big risks and by all accounts is now reaping the rewards.

Er...what? In what universe is it cutting edge, for example, to drop an expansion slot in favor of a single-use card reader (Express card to SD Reader on the 15" MBP)? Or to have essentially zero user-replacable parts? Or a total lack of inbuilt cellular data options? Or to solder your CPUs so one cannot upgrade the computer? Or to not have any swappable bays on any laptops?

Don't look now, but your fanboy is showing

 

[neiltc13]

That isn't factual, thats actually probably on the losing end of a debate. I just posted an interview with Gabe Newel @ the game sub forum and apparently Portal is 5 times more likely to crash in Windows than in OS X....keep in mind the source Engine is basically completely new to O SX. And is Gabe Newel respected? Yeah I think so.

So if your going to say OS X isn't stable maybe some links or numbers would help your cause. And security? Ok, ok, you are being sarcastic right? Link me to an OS X virus, please? Just one, I promise I will execute it. Know how many windows virus' I can link you to out in the wild? Literally MILLIONS.

In terms of stability I only have my own experience to go on. Since installing the RC version of Windows 7 I have seen a single program crash - Street Fighter IV and that was when I knocked the network cable out.

This is vastly different to my experience with Leopard and Snow Leopard. On both of these I get program crashes and hangs all the time - in Safari (yes, I'm ready for a reply blaming Flash), iTunes, Pages, QuickTime and third party software like Adium and ImageWell.

My Windows 7 system has never locked up or crashed completely. Huge contrast with OS X, where I've seen several kernel panics, often while running Apple's own software (usually iTunes, but I've also observed it in Boot Camp Assistant).

As for games, of course the Windows version of a game is going to be more likely to crash than OS X. There are so many possible configurations of both hardware and software that it is impossible to test them all. I bet Valve got much better QA coverage of all the potential OS X configurations. There can also be misconfigurations - something which doesn't occur on OS X. I've seen plenty of people who have both ATi and nVidia drivers installed on their system,

The flipside is that this flexibility also offers vastly better performance. Video drivers are much better on Windows, primarily because they're maintained and updated much more regularly. Just look at the numbers from a performance comparison of Portal on Windows vs OS X:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3726/quick-look-mac-os-x-portal-performance

As for viruses, I've never regularly run antivirus software on any of my Windows machines. I certainly don't have it running all the time, but I have run an occasional scan (often using the fantastic free Microsoft Security Essentials) when I've read some horror stories. Every time my machine comes up clean. So, I'm not sure if I'm just lucky or whether these issues are being blown way out of proportion. I'm quite confident that user incompetence is a big factor in the spread of these problems. It's just like someone who owns a car but doesn't completely understand how it works or how to maintain the internal components (like me). You can't possibly expect your system to run as well as someone who is a professional mechanic - the more you know, the more you can do to stop something bad happening.

Here is an interesting article about how long it takes Apple to patch security flaws in OS X:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/05/a_time_to_patch_iii_apple_2.html

 

[TheSVD]

another side by side comparison, and its pretty much what the second poster said. Its not always about exact specification, its about the uniqueness of the products. If we still had PPC, infact, the company would probably do worse and intel has opened up opportunity for things like VMware and bootcamp, making the brand appeal to an even larger market.

Anyway, getting slightly OT here!

Basically, its not the software thats the difference (even though that is one major difference) its the hardware, and its damn good hardware too. And what the second guy said, pretty much

I love when people try to do a comparison of a MBP spec to windows, funnily enough, i havent yet seen one which includes specs such as aluminimum body, LED screen (sometimes) backlit keyboard, digital optical out (this makes all the difference to me) decent built in webcam, actual decent trackpad... i'd love to see a windows laptop with all that.

 

[*LTD*]

Er...what? In what universe is it cutting edge, for example, to drop an expansion slot in favor of a single-use card reader (Express card to SD Reader on the 15" MBP)? Or to have essentially zero user-replacable parts? Or a total lack of inbuilt cellular data options? Or to solder your CPUs so one cannot upgrade the computer? Or to not have any swappable bays on any laptops?

Don't look now, but your fanboy is showing

Seems it's time to redefine "cutting edge." Users like you are about to be left behind. Of course, you'll always have large, has-been tech companies that are in a race for the bottom ready to service your every tinker-toy need.

Apple has now empowered the Average Joe that had a fear of tech. Apple has made tech accessible, understandable and approachable by all. As it should have always been.

Microsoft and the also-rans are simply unable to evolve and keep up. There's a very simple reason for this: the discussions that take place in their roundtable company meetings are vastly different from the kinds of ideas discussed in Cupertino. Maybe the rest of Silicon Valley will get the memo, but it looks like it's already too late. The also-rans have the wrong ideas, the wrong attitude, and a level of goal-execution that is at best, laughable. Acer, Asus, HP, Dell . . . the whole lot of these generic, undifferentiated box-makers rely on flooding the market with uninspiring, boring trash. The sad part is that they're not going to change any time soon.

 

[roadbloc]

Apple has now empowered the Average Joe that had a fear of tech. Apple has made tech accessible, understandable and approachable by all. As it should have always been.

Apple are not the only ones responsible for helping people understand tech. Microsoft have made Windows 7 very easy to use. Ubuntu is very easy for Linux. You have not at all taken into account the easy to use 'for dummies' books which I would recommend to anyone confused over technology.

Microsoft and the also-rans are simply unable to evolve and keep up.

Windows 7 has surpassed OS X. The HP slate is a lot better than the iPad (at the moment).

The also-rans have the wrong ideas, the wrong attitude, and a level of goal-execution that is at best, laughable. Acer, Asus, HP, Dell . . . the whole lot of these generic, undifferentiated box-makers rely on flooding the market with uninspiring, boring trash. The sad part is that they're not going to change any time soon.

Dell's recent products have really surprised me. They have a wonderful range of colours, designs and specs. They are a lot more flexible and provide a much wider range of hardware. The only problem with Dell is, at the moment, they are rather tacky. But their Alienware range is excellent and far from uninspiring and boring.

Apple's computers were cutting edge on the PowerPC processors. Now they are overpriced and average. The i<devices> seem rather good to the non techy user, but provide no interest to me and are far too restricted.

 

[MikhailT]

Windows 7 has surpassed OS X. The HP slate is a lot better than the iPad (at the moment).

That's a ridiculous statement. That's an opinion of yours, but the second half is just ridiculous.

For a lot of people OS X is more stable and better than W7, just like there a lot of people who thinks W7 is more stable and better than OS X or Vista. Neither OS has surpassed each other, that's a good thing because people have two or more very good choice to pick.

Secondly, HP Slate is a lot better than iPad? That's impossible to say. Slate is not out, not on the market, you can't buy it and Slate is an uncertain product. HP announced Slate will have WebOS on it, they didn't say if W7 will be used either.

Apple's computers were cutting edge on the PowerPC processors. Now they are overpriced and average. The i<devices> seem rather good to the non techy user, but provide no interest to me and are far too restricted.

Most people don't need cutting edge, they need stable and fast computers that works without failing for a couple of years along with superb support from the manufacturer if it does. Apple can provide those technologies. People are willing to pay more just for that.

If people need cutting edge, they can go ahead and buy them from Dell and HP instead.

 

[kernkraft]

Define 'couldn't be bothered anymore'

Seems it's time to redefine "cutting edge." Users like you are about to be left behind. Of course, you'll always have large, has-been tech companies that are in a race for the bottom ready to service your every tinker-toy need.

Apple has now empowered the Average Joe that had a fear of tech. Apple has made tech accessible, understandable and approachable by all. As it should have always been.

Microsoft and the also-rans are simply unable to evolve and keep up. There's a very simple reason for this: the discussions that take place in their roundtable company meetings are vastly different from the kinds of ideas discussed in Cupertino. Maybe the rest of Silicon Valley will get the memo, but it looks like it's already too late. The also-rans have the wrong ideas, the wrong attitude, and a level of goal-execution that is at best, laughable. Acer, Asus, HP, Dell . . . the whole lot of these generic, undifferentiated box-makers rely on flooding the market with uninspiring, boring trash. The sad part is that they're not going to change any time soon.

"Time to redefine cutting edge"...

I'm still laughing - that's a good one! Define redefine! I suppose, you are not worried about the meaning as long as you can say that Apple is better than companies that would die in shame rather than putting a years-old processor into a large iPod Touch and calling it "magical and revolutionary".

By the way, you still haven't got an iPad, have you? You have at least a thousand posts about it, yet no iPad?!

Like Gene Hackman's character aboard the sub (already underwater) said in Crimson Tide:

Any crew member who thinks that they can't handle the situation, can leave the ship right now.

Believe me, you won't be missed. In fact, chances are you'll be back.

Apple is "cutting edge" enough to dictate the pace of change in this industry, and managed to sell out of their notebook and desktop lines while the also-rans were trying desperately to foist horrid netbooks on hapless users.

And now, the gradual transition to the iPad is underway. No one else dares to even do such a thing, but Apple takes the big risks and by all accounts is now reaping the rewards.

"You won't be missed" - wow, that's a bit harsh! Did he offend you? Did he told you not to forget taking the toaster with you the next time you are having a bath?

I have to say that you offended people who don't share your views so often that one day, there will be a vote to oust you. In fact, I wouldn't mind one between you and me. I don't mind going if you'll be staying.

 

[*LTD*]

Windows 7 has surpassed OS X. The HP slate is a lot better than the iPad (at the moment).

It no longer matters. It's all about mobile devices and slates/tablets now. Windows is old hat. The classic "operating-system-on-a-computer" paradigm is dying.

Dell's recent products have really surprised me.

Me too, in that they've learned NOTHING from Apple, having been exposed to the Apple way of doing things for years now. Correction: they've learned to copy Apple . . . poorly.

Apple's computers were cutting edge on the PowerPC processors. Now they are overpriced and average.

We no longer need "cutting edge" in the archaic way you understand it. The consumer is looking for usability, design, and a tight mobile ecosystem. The classic definition of "computer" has been redefined by Apple. The also-rans are currently very busy trying (unsuccessfully) to duplicate it.

The HP slate is a lot better than the iPad (at the moment).

There is currently no HP Slate worth buying. Is there even one on the market? HP tried to shove a full OS into their ****** hardware and ended up with a predictably lame product. LOL what else is new. If you're not Apple, chances are you're doing it wrong. Besides, HP has abandoned Windows 7 on a slate device. Seems they're trying to use WebOS, but having the key designer of it jumping ship to Fragmandroid doesn't bode well.

Maybe Android or whatever . . .

 

[roadbloc]

Your definition of cutting edge *LTD* is a little misaligned. Just because it looks cool and is popular with the average joe, does not mean it is not cutting edge. Cutting edge is the height of technology (or as close as possible if we are talking about the home market). A touchscreen device that can't even multitask yet is not cutting edge. It's a helpful home gimmick/toy.

I am not saying it won't be useful or it won't sell. I'm just saying that Apple are not cutting edge anymore.

IBM are cutting edge. Apple used to be. Microsoft could be.

I don't mind going if you'll be staying.

+1. It's people like you, *LTD* who put me and the general public off Apple. Your so god damned anal. Talk about blowing your own trumpet.

 

[*LTD*]

Your definition of cutting edge *LTD* is a little misaligned. Just because it looks cool and is popular with the average joe, does not mean it is not cutting edge. Cutting edge is the height of technology (or as close as possible if we are talking about the home market). A touchscreen device that can't even multitask yet is not cutting edge. It's a helpful home gimmick/toy.

Apple does not see traditional desktop computing as the way forward. You do, and you're wrong.

The industry is increasingly following Apple's lead. "Cutting edge" means something quite different in 2010 than it did a few years ago. The entire industry is undergoing a paradigm shift. It's no longer about raw specs and and a multitude of ports shoved onto a device, or removable batteries. These "features" have no descended into the realm of second-class importance. It's all about the synergy between usability, power, and design. Shoving a big CPU and a new camera into a device can be done by anyone, but it'd rendered meaningless if the User Experience isn't up to snuff. Just look at HP's lame "cutting edge" Windows 7 Slate that they just scrapped. Big, bulky, with a lousy UI. An amateur showing at best.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/197132/why_the_fate_of_windows_7_slate_tablet_is_sealed.html

Your new "cutting edge" exemplar is the iPad. This is 2010. Completely different ballgame.

 

[maflynn]

Apple does not see traditional desktop computing as the way forward. You do, and you're wrong

You're both incorrect and correct at the same time. Yes, apple does not see desktops as way forward to extend its business and profit margins. What I and many people disagree with you is that the tablet computer is going to replace the desktop.

Especially the iPad which is incapable of multitasking, storage, optical drive, running a full blow OS to get your work done. Its great for a device that sits between a phone and laptop. Jobs has stated as much in the keynote unveiling the ipad. It's design and features are such that it cannot compete with desktop/laptop computers.

People will still need desktop/laptop computers, now and in the near future.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

cutting edge? Seriously?

btw ppc was junk, whoever said their ppc outperforms their i3/i5 or whatever needs to back it up with a benchmark of the same program ran on both computers natively.

 

[roadbloc]

You do, and you're wrong.

Oh, I'm wrong, just because I do not see the use for an iPad (or similar device) in my life, and doubt I ever will?

Believe it or not, my mentality is not uncommon. I know plenty of people who do not see a use for the iPad, but will use a laptop/desktop fine. It isn't because they are wrong as you put it. It is simply because they do not need or like (or both) and iPad. They want a computer, not a giant iPod Touch. Does that make them wrong? No.

You are the one that is wrong, with a statement like that. Now you can go swanning off with your iPad, thinking anyone who doesn't use one is a fool, but an iPad is no use for me in my line of work. And I'll be the smug one on the train, when I'm with my Macbook Pro mixing down a track in Pro-Tools, typing up my music cue sheet and browsing the internet. With my portable hard drive, ilock dongle, miniature audio interface and internet dongle plugged in. Whilst your are sat in the carriage opposite with your iPad, doing one task at once, struggling to type up something on your touchscreen keyboard and maybe looking for a pointless cookie cutter app in the app store which will cost you $2.

But if thats all you need to do, thats fine. I have big boy work to do, and an iPad does not cut it. It does not make me wrong at all.

Your new "cutting edge" exemplar is the iPad. This is 2010.

It appears we have taken a backwards step in technology this year then. The iPad is a huge iPod Touch which was made in 2007. It's hardly 2010.

I think Logic Pro 9 is cutting edge. It is a very good piece of kit from Apple (even if it does dominate your hard drive). Now that is what I'd call 2010. Not the iPad.

 

[MikhailT]

You're both incorrect and correct at the same time. Yes, apple does not see desktops as way forward to extend its business and profit margins. What I and many people disagree with you is that the tablet computer is going to replace the desktop.

Especially the iPad which is incapable of multitasking, storage, optical drive, running a full blow OS to get your work done. Its great for a device that sits between a phone and laptop. Jobs has stated as much in the keynote unveiling the ipad. It's design and features are such that it cannot compete with desktop/laptop computers.

People will still need desktop/laptop computers, now and in the near future.

You're thinking too focused on the desktop power and its usage.

Think about the user interface and interactivity between the user and the computer as the cutting edge technology here. Hardware is not the only thing that can be cutting edge.

My mother does not use computers, an old fashioned woman and yet she knows how to navigate with my iPad than she'll ever understand with a PC and so does my 5 year old nephew.

The interaction of the iPhoneOS/iPad/iPhone is the cutting edge part, it has never been done before.