iJawn108
Oct 12, 08:23 PM
Meh I want the black nano to match my macbook, not a red one. :\
.jpg "Chicago Bulls retro jerseys")
kresh
Sep 19, 03:58 PM
It clearly states Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic Systems. This is from the VHS days. DVDs support Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. This is plain nuts. Not only are you getting slightly inferior picture, the sound is ancient. Dolby Surround is nowhere as good as Dolby Digital. Here is a simple explanation.
Dolby Surround uses two tracks of audio to encode 4 tracks. The two additional tracks are for the center channel and a single rear channel. The single rear channel is not full spectrum (20Hz - 20kHz), but rather something very narrow.
For comparison, if you have a good surround sound system (I am not talking about the $200 Home Theatre in a box system, but a system that cost at least $1000), play a DVD that has both Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital. Play with the Dolby Surround track first and then play with the Dolby Digital track next. Huge difference. I am disappointed. Surely, there is a way they could embed discrete surround with AAC.
The specs for Dolby Digital is as follows: 5 tracks of discrete digital sound full spectrum 20Hz-20kHz. One channel for LFE (low frequency extension) - topping out at about 120Hz. That is why you have 5.1.
Dolby Digital is lossy compression though but still you have 5.1 channels. DTS is another lossy compression format but has a higher bit rate and sounds better than Dolby Digital. DTS typically have about 760kbps while Dolby Digital is about 448kbps.
HD-DVD and Bluray Disk support Dolby TrueHD that supports 8 channels of lossless sound upto 18Mbps. Cool. Well, we are way off from there.
I don't think Apple is aiming for the uber-geek with $25k worth of home entertainment equipment. IMHO, they will never be able to compete in that market.
I think they are reaching for the average joe blow that has a servicable $400 TV that he bought at Wal-mart, and maybe, just maybe, has a stereo hooked up to it. The average Joe doesn't care, and can't tell, that it's Dolby Surround and not Dolby Digital.
Dolby Surround uses two tracks of audio to encode 4 tracks. The two additional tracks are for the center channel and a single rear channel. The single rear channel is not full spectrum (20Hz - 20kHz), but rather something very narrow.
For comparison, if you have a good surround sound system (I am not talking about the $200 Home Theatre in a box system, but a system that cost at least $1000), play a DVD that has both Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital. Play with the Dolby Surround track first and then play with the Dolby Digital track next. Huge difference. I am disappointed. Surely, there is a way they could embed discrete surround with AAC.
The specs for Dolby Digital is as follows: 5 tracks of discrete digital sound full spectrum 20Hz-20kHz. One channel for LFE (low frequency extension) - topping out at about 120Hz. That is why you have 5.1.
Dolby Digital is lossy compression though but still you have 5.1 channels. DTS is another lossy compression format but has a higher bit rate and sounds better than Dolby Digital. DTS typically have about 760kbps while Dolby Digital is about 448kbps.
HD-DVD and Bluray Disk support Dolby TrueHD that supports 8 channels of lossless sound upto 18Mbps. Cool. Well, we are way off from there.
I don't think Apple is aiming for the uber-geek with $25k worth of home entertainment equipment. IMHO, they will never be able to compete in that market.
I think they are reaching for the average joe blow that has a servicable $400 TV that he bought at Wal-mart, and maybe, just maybe, has a stereo hooked up to it. The average Joe doesn't care, and can't tell, that it's Dolby Surround and not Dolby Digital.
MrSmith
Oct 27, 08:25 PM
So all Greenpeace did was hand out leaflets in areas other than their stand? So they didn't smash up the Apple stand or invade Adobe chanting and shouting.
They handed out leaflets and were ejected because no one's ever allowed to talk about the downsides of our throwaway consumer-trinket technojunk culture without being told to shut up.
Heck, every trade show I ever go to has girls with their tits half hanging out wondering the halls handing out leaflets nowhere near their particular stand.
Sad to see so many people now happy to have people's free speech stamped all over. No wonder Bush can dismantle the Bill of Rights and his lapdog Blair can swiftly remove centruries-old liberties with barely a whisper. I agree with Greenpeace's concerns. Vast toxic waste dumps with no proper processing are springing up across China.
If some fat overfed Westerner's kids had to live and play near a site like that they'd be up in arms! But, no, let's pretend the problems are somehow 'made up' by 'subversives' and need stamping out with the jackboots.
I didn't read every post, but the above nicely sums up my take on it. The reference to half-naked women at car shows is a stroke of genius. I mean, kids go to such shows. Greenpeace handing out leaflets, though, is an affront to mature businessmen.
But Greenpeace aren't going to make a change at Apple. Only the consumers are going to do that. Not by forming a negative opinion about Apple's business practices/production methods but by not buying their products. Anyone here willing? Thought not. Me neither. Only the powers of the marketplace are going to force a powerful, important company to invest in change, and those powers need to be manifested as more than opinions.
And sorry if this has been mentioned already, but in the picture on the GP site they're holding red apples, not green. Isn't that, like, stupid?
They handed out leaflets and were ejected because no one's ever allowed to talk about the downsides of our throwaway consumer-trinket technojunk culture without being told to shut up.
Heck, every trade show I ever go to has girls with their tits half hanging out wondering the halls handing out leaflets nowhere near their particular stand.
Sad to see so many people now happy to have people's free speech stamped all over. No wonder Bush can dismantle the Bill of Rights and his lapdog Blair can swiftly remove centruries-old liberties with barely a whisper. I agree with Greenpeace's concerns. Vast toxic waste dumps with no proper processing are springing up across China.
If some fat overfed Westerner's kids had to live and play near a site like that they'd be up in arms! But, no, let's pretend the problems are somehow 'made up' by 'subversives' and need stamping out with the jackboots.
I didn't read every post, but the above nicely sums up my take on it. The reference to half-naked women at car shows is a stroke of genius. I mean, kids go to such shows. Greenpeace handing out leaflets, though, is an affront to mature businessmen.
But Greenpeace aren't going to make a change at Apple. Only the consumers are going to do that. Not by forming a negative opinion about Apple's business practices/production methods but by not buying their products. Anyone here willing? Thought not. Me neither. Only the powers of the marketplace are going to force a powerful, important company to invest in change, and those powers need to be manifested as more than opinions.
And sorry if this has been mentioned already, but in the picture on the GP site they're holding red apples, not green. Isn't that, like, stupid?
dr Dunkel
Mar 23, 01:40 AM
Call me spoiled by all things thin, I think the iMac is looking pretty chunky these days. Not sure why it isn't significantly thinner than it is. The next time they do update the form factor it should essentially look like a giant first gen iPad.
I see no end in itself in the iMac getting thinner. Performance is much more important to me. I think the form factor is fine today, and no, today we can't have both. I want a real computer, not a giant iPad.
I see no end in itself in the iMac getting thinner. Performance is much more important to me. I think the form factor is fine today, and no, today we can't have both. I want a real computer, not a giant iPad.
mudstuff
May 4, 09:26 AM
Hi, I've been lurking for the last few months waiting for the refresh. This'll be my first home Mac (got a Mac Pro and MBP in my office).
I ordered the 27" i7 Quad yesterday with 2GB 6970 and trackpad. Got the standard 4GB RAM and will add some more myself. It's a shame about the target display mode as I was hoping to use the iMac sporadically as a display in the lounge when my buddies bring their Xbox 360's round but hopefully there'll be a HDMI/DVI/Mini display port > ThunderBolt box. It's a pretty expensive occasional use proposition though and it might be easier to throw a �100 TFT display in a cupboard to get out for gaming.
I look forward to seeing some benchmarks.
I ordered the 27" i7 Quad yesterday with 2GB 6970 and trackpad. Got the standard 4GB RAM and will add some more myself. It's a shame about the target display mode as I was hoping to use the iMac sporadically as a display in the lounge when my buddies bring their Xbox 360's round but hopefully there'll be a HDMI/DVI/Mini display port > ThunderBolt box. It's a pretty expensive occasional use proposition though and it might be easier to throw a �100 TFT display in a cupboard to get out for gaming.
I look forward to seeing some benchmarks.
HecubusPro
Aug 28, 04:55 PM
You try making something perfect the first time around.
To be fair, direzz is just one person, not a major corporation who pride themselves on providing peerless products with few defects. That being said, with technology, there's always a certain percentage of failure rate with new systems. Eventually they work those out, but if you're an early adopter, then you run a higher risk of being in that percentile.
Additionally direzz, you said everytime you've bought a new apple product it's had defects. Yet you still buy from them. There's got to be a point where you should just say, "screw it. I'm not buying from X corporation anymore because I get bad products every time." Vote with your money. Go buy somewhere else. I would certainly go to another manufacturer if every product I bought from a particular company was defective.
Then again, you haven't really told us what you consider defective is. Sometimes programs crash, even on a mac. Sometimes little things happen that make you say, "darnit." Then you move on because it's not that big of a deal. Then there are some things, like a MB randomly shutting down, or batteries bursting into flames that make you say, "holy crap! This thing is messed up! And this is my third mac that this has happened to!" In other words, don't sweat the little stuff. :)
To be fair, direzz is just one person, not a major corporation who pride themselves on providing peerless products with few defects. That being said, with technology, there's always a certain percentage of failure rate with new systems. Eventually they work those out, but if you're an early adopter, then you run a higher risk of being in that percentile.
Additionally direzz, you said everytime you've bought a new apple product it's had defects. Yet you still buy from them. There's got to be a point where you should just say, "screw it. I'm not buying from X corporation anymore because I get bad products every time." Vote with your money. Go buy somewhere else. I would certainly go to another manufacturer if every product I bought from a particular company was defective.
Then again, you haven't really told us what you consider defective is. Sometimes programs crash, even on a mac. Sometimes little things happen that make you say, "darnit." Then you move on because it's not that big of a deal. Then there are some things, like a MB randomly shutting down, or batteries bursting into flames that make you say, "holy crap! This thing is messed up! And this is my third mac that this has happened to!" In other words, don't sweat the little stuff. :)
skunk
Aug 23, 07:06 PM
Smooth Move � Willingness To Admit They Are Right When They Are Right Is Smart Biz. Long Term it's cheap insurance. :)Huh? :confused:
mrsir2009
Apr 25, 03:38 PM
Those having glossy screens sure will need an automated screen wiper to go with their new laptops. They've got no touch screens and we take care to not touch them, but eventually the screens get dusted and/or fingerprinted all over.
Look at this iPad. Isn't it disgusting?
Image (http://www.tema.ru/jjj/apple-2.jpg)
Sure it's not how it looks in ads. It's a real thing in real use.
I also expect a screen wiper in iPad 3, by the way. Screw the liquid metal and gimme the ol' good wiper, please. Or make it matte/Pixel Qi, for heaven's sake.
Meh. Both my MacBook Pro's and Samsung touchscreen cellphone's screens look like that when they're turned off and being viewed in the light from that angle. But you don't notice it when the device is turned on and you are looking directly at it :)
Look at this iPad. Isn't it disgusting?
Image (http://www.tema.ru/jjj/apple-2.jpg)
Sure it's not how it looks in ads. It's a real thing in real use.
I also expect a screen wiper in iPad 3, by the way. Screw the liquid metal and gimme the ol' good wiper, please. Or make it matte/Pixel Qi, for heaven's sake.
Meh. Both my MacBook Pro's and Samsung touchscreen cellphone's screens look like that when they're turned off and being viewed in the light from that angle. But you don't notice it when the device is turned on and you are looking directly at it :)
TheKrillr
Sep 5, 05:53 PM
Tell ya what..If I want to watch a full length movie I'm gonna do it in my living room in front of my TV NOT wherever the computer is.
Exactly why there'd be the video equivalent of airtunes... haven't you been paying attention?
Exactly why there'd be the video equivalent of airtunes... haven't you been paying attention?
iMeowbot
Aug 29, 03:28 AM
I have never seen a PC manufacturer put out an ad that attacks Macs.
It happens. (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-26-2002/0001789141&EDATE=)
Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW) today launches its sleek new Gateway Profile(R) 4 all-in-one PC with an aggressive advertising campaign encouraging people to compare it head-to-head with the Apple iMac computer on design, performance and value. TV, print and Web ads employ hard facts to demonstrate the superiority of the Gateway Profile 4 over the iMac.
It happens. (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-26-2002/0001789141&EDATE=)
Gateway, Inc. (NYSE: GTW) today launches its sleek new Gateway Profile(R) 4 all-in-one PC with an aggressive advertising campaign encouraging people to compare it head-to-head with the Apple iMac computer on design, performance and value. TV, print and Web ads employ hard facts to demonstrate the superiority of the Gateway Profile 4 over the iMac.
Rodimus Prime
Apr 25, 01:11 AM
EDIT: @ Rodimus - Had she hit me when I slammed on the brakes, she would have been at fault. All I have to do is tell the cop that I thought I saw an animal run across the road. She is supposed to keep enough distance to be able to stop if I slam on the brakes. Doesn't matter than I cut her off, she has to prove that I did, and she also has to prove that I slammed on the breaks with malice.
-Don
umm good luck with that. My father has a ticket to prove other wise. He made the mistake and cut off a guy who was speeding by mistake. Cop handed him a ticket for illegal lane changed and the other guy a ticket for doing 20 over the limit.
It was declared a no fault and both were on their own. Both cars totaled.
You cut her off therefor made an unsafe lane changed. Legally you should of given her enough room to be able to adjust for you. Add to the fact you are 16 and chances are would be a witness or 2 saying you were speeding. Your word vs hers and your word is pretty worthless.
And if you did if they can prove malice or road rage you just increased your charges and heck could be nailed for insurance fraud as well.
You are proving to us all that you should not have a DL. You just are increasing the case that you should not be behind a wheel of a car.
On and do not use the argument that the car can do 186 mph. Sorry that is for another country. Top it off I am pretty sure my car can out handle your car.
I've seen people like the OP get pulled up and receive whopping great tickets from the cops. To say the least they look terrified about what their mum will say when she finds out. It makes me laugh.
Funny story. One time when I was driving back to TTU some idiot in a purple VW blew past me like I was standing still a little north of Houston. At the time I was doing 5-10 over the limit (75-80 mph). Scared the crap out me as they wiped right around me.
about 30-45 mins later I see the same purple VW pulled over and the driver was in hand cuffs. It was priceless.
-Don
umm good luck with that. My father has a ticket to prove other wise. He made the mistake and cut off a guy who was speeding by mistake. Cop handed him a ticket for illegal lane changed and the other guy a ticket for doing 20 over the limit.
It was declared a no fault and both were on their own. Both cars totaled.
You cut her off therefor made an unsafe lane changed. Legally you should of given her enough room to be able to adjust for you. Add to the fact you are 16 and chances are would be a witness or 2 saying you were speeding. Your word vs hers and your word is pretty worthless.
And if you did if they can prove malice or road rage you just increased your charges and heck could be nailed for insurance fraud as well.
You are proving to us all that you should not have a DL. You just are increasing the case that you should not be behind a wheel of a car.
On and do not use the argument that the car can do 186 mph. Sorry that is for another country. Top it off I am pretty sure my car can out handle your car.
I've seen people like the OP get pulled up and receive whopping great tickets from the cops. To say the least they look terrified about what their mum will say when she finds out. It makes me laugh.
Funny story. One time when I was driving back to TTU some idiot in a purple VW blew past me like I was standing still a little north of Houston. At the time I was doing 5-10 over the limit (75-80 mph). Scared the crap out me as they wiped right around me.
about 30-45 mins later I see the same purple VW pulled over and the driver was in hand cuffs. It was priceless.
AngryCorgi
Mar 29, 11:25 AM
Here were their illuminating predictions in Jan 2010. :rolleyes:
http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS22176610
Key findings from a new IDC market outlook include the following:
17 Best Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan Wallpaper
michael jordan, shaquille
michael jordan, basketball
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls 23 Michael
Karla Knafel: jordan michael
http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS22176610
Key findings from a new IDC market outlook include the following:
blahblah100
Mar 30, 01:25 PM
In the Windows world, it would be a Program Store. Look at any Windows computer and there's nothing called an application or an app. MS claims to have, like 95% of the desktop market. How would the gazillion Windows users out there even know what an "app" was? They've had zero exposure to it, it's a totally foreign term. Wait a minute, it's an Apple term that is coming into common usage and now MS might have to change their language to get rid of the goofy term "program", conceding defeat, so its usage must be stopped or curtailed. That's what this is really about.
As others have pointed out (repeatedly), Windows does actually refer to what you call 'Programs' as applications. For example, right click on a 'program' shortcut. On the short-cut, what does it say for the "target type?"
Since you seem to have trouble reading so-far, I'll give you a hint: it says "Application."
It's been this way since <at least> Windows XP.
Edit: Actually, I just looked at some really old KB articles from Microsoft, MS-Dos 'programs' were also referred to as "applications."
As others have pointed out (repeatedly), Windows does actually refer to what you call 'Programs' as applications. For example, right click on a 'program' shortcut. On the short-cut, what does it say for the "target type?"
Since you seem to have trouble reading so-far, I'll give you a hint: it says "Application."
It's been this way since <at least> Windows XP.
Edit: Actually, I just looked at some really old KB articles from Microsoft, MS-Dos 'programs' were also referred to as "applications."
�algiris
Dec 30, 09:15 AM
What else can they say. Moving on.
E.Lizardo
Apr 22, 06:59 AM
Other songs from their hard drives. That would be truly awesome! I do hope that that makes it into the final product.
Yes it would be quite stunning.Without that the service would be useless to me.I only have a handful of songs from iTunes.When I buy it is in this order:
Used CD
Discounted new CD
Amazon Download
iTunes download
Price rules!
Yes it would be quite stunning.Without that the service would be useless to me.I only have a handful of songs from iTunes.When I buy it is in this order:
Used CD
Discounted new CD
Amazon Download
iTunes download
Price rules!
nagromme
Oct 12, 03:00 PM
I'm all for AIDS prevention, but there's not a single aspect of this story that doesn't strike me as crass and exploitative.
Agreed. Apple should stop being so exploitative and give nothing! :o
Apple's not the first in the RED program. Maybe the program HAS done some good and thus is continuing?
Here's a challenge. How about everyone here who has an iPod gives $10 or equivalent to this charity?
Hmmm.... a matching program would be cool--it could all be done electronically, like when Apple has had disaster charity giving built right into iTMS.
So when you buy a Red iPod, you pick the price :) If you pay more than normal, Apple will match your donation, and will pay a minimum of 10% regardless.
Agreed. Apple should stop being so exploitative and give nothing! :o
Apple's not the first in the RED program. Maybe the program HAS done some good and thus is continuing?
Here's a challenge. How about everyone here who has an iPod gives $10 or equivalent to this charity?
Hmmm.... a matching program would be cool--it could all be done electronically, like when Apple has had disaster charity giving built right into iTMS.
So when you buy a Red iPod, you pick the price :) If you pay more than normal, Apple will match your donation, and will pay a minimum of 10% regardless.
ThomBombadil
Jan 13, 02:15 PM
I have just installed Sophos Anti Virus - what a mistake!
I decided to install it because I have been a long term user of Sophos at work on the corporate PC and having installed the latest OSX I saw virus checkers in the App Store and a recommendation for Sophos there in a reference for another product.
I ran a scan and a couple of PC specific malware files were found and destroyed.
Then I noticed that my Time Machine back up was struggling.
It turns out that there are issues with Sophos and Time Machine.
I moved my Time Machine back ups to a DroboFS in December I have now lost all my back ups since then.
Once I have backed up again I will be deinstalling it - bet I find that I loose the new back up then!
:mad:
My wife is a University employee and Sophos is one of the IT folks recommended software programs. It seems to work fine on my 2gHz MBP Core (1) Duo and on the Mini without upsetting Time Machine. My 867mHz 12" PB is slow running Leopard, barely functional if Sophos is added as well, so I do not use it on the 12". AV software may not be a necessity but, if it does not cause a problem, or slow things noticably, I think it is a reasonable precaution. I'm not sure if "herd immunity" is an apt analogy, but I think if everyone tried to avoid passing on virus/trojan/malware/spam etc it would be a good thing.
I decided to install it because I have been a long term user of Sophos at work on the corporate PC and having installed the latest OSX I saw virus checkers in the App Store and a recommendation for Sophos there in a reference for another product.
I ran a scan and a couple of PC specific malware files were found and destroyed.
Then I noticed that my Time Machine back up was struggling.
It turns out that there are issues with Sophos and Time Machine.
I moved my Time Machine back ups to a DroboFS in December I have now lost all my back ups since then.
Once I have backed up again I will be deinstalling it - bet I find that I loose the new back up then!
:mad:
My wife is a University employee and Sophos is one of the IT folks recommended software programs. It seems to work fine on my 2gHz MBP Core (1) Duo and on the Mini without upsetting Time Machine. My 867mHz 12" PB is slow running Leopard, barely functional if Sophos is added as well, so I do not use it on the 12". AV software may not be a necessity but, if it does not cause a problem, or slow things noticably, I think it is a reasonable precaution. I'm not sure if "herd immunity" is an apt analogy, but I think if everyone tried to avoid passing on virus/trojan/malware/spam etc it would be a good thing.
DeaconGraves
Mar 23, 04:50 PM
1) If you can pull up an app about where DUI checkpoints are, recognize where one might be, and craft a proper route around the checkpoint, then you probably aren't above the legal limit. I would almost want to use this app when I am sober to avoid any obnoxious stops on the way home.
2) Gizmodo brought up a good point. What's the difference between this app and people tweeting about DUI checkpoints?
3) In connection with point #1, I'm not understanding the arguments that the app should be pulled because the app would be essentially pointless. When have apps been pulled because they are pointless?
2) Gizmodo brought up a good point. What's the difference between this app and people tweeting about DUI checkpoints?
3) In connection with point #1, I'm not understanding the arguments that the app should be pulled because the app would be essentially pointless. When have apps been pulled because they are pointless?
jasper77
Sep 5, 05:50 PM
NOW you're on to something.Let's expand on that ;)
Where is the video out from the airport going to go ? The TV of course!
Now..
Why not just make a Mini type box with 802.11n with DVI/HDMI/S-Video and Digital/Analog out ports.Connect that to the tv then stream from your computer or the movie store.While we're at it toss a hefty HD in the mini for recording.
It's much more convenient too.Just sit on the couch and surf Front Row for movies then buy it and send it to the tv.POW! one step..
Apple IS about ease of use..
ease of use à la apple = buy/download a movie in the itunes movie store and stream it via airport av from your mac to a tv. or take a subscription to a tv show (like Lost or Prison Break) and let iTunes automatically download each new episode (via RSS) to your hard drive and than stream it to your tv whenever you want.
I don't think recording is the future.
Where is the video out from the airport going to go ? The TV of course!
Now..
Why not just make a Mini type box with 802.11n with DVI/HDMI/S-Video and Digital/Analog out ports.Connect that to the tv then stream from your computer or the movie store.While we're at it toss a hefty HD in the mini for recording.
It's much more convenient too.Just sit on the couch and surf Front Row for movies then buy it and send it to the tv.POW! one step..
Apple IS about ease of use..
ease of use à la apple = buy/download a movie in the itunes movie store and stream it via airport av from your mac to a tv. or take a subscription to a tv show (like Lost or Prison Break) and let iTunes automatically download each new episode (via RSS) to your hard drive and than stream it to your tv whenever you want.
I don't think recording is the future.
aafuss1
Sep 4, 07:12 PM
Same imac with more disk space, faster processor, 23'' screen, better wireless, maybe a second disk drive, and the same price as the old 20 Incher.
Happens every 8 to 12 months, more offten now with Intel.:cool:
No next gen DVD in the 23" yet, I guess.
Happens every 8 to 12 months, more offten now with Intel.:cool:
No next gen DVD in the 23" yet, I guess.
kettle
Oct 28, 03:58 AM
What can be offensive about being "green"?
The idea... nothing.
The implementation of the idea...
It's just another big stick with a flag on the end.
The idea... nothing.
The implementation of the idea...
It's just another big stick with a flag on the end.
spazzcat
Apr 20, 12:30 PM
Doesn't every GPS based phone have something like this?
OneMammoth
Apr 28, 03:42 PM
Microsoft is DEAD. And so is Google.
GO APPLE!
Wow! Really! No need to be afraid, we can all get along. There is space for everyone here.
GO APPLE!
Wow! Really! No need to be afraid, we can all get along. There is space for everyone here.
Manic Mouse
Sep 9, 10:28 AM
The real problem isn't the OS as much as it is in applications.
A well-threaded O/S won't help make Photoshop or Avid run much faster, unless the application code is also able to use all of the cores that are present.
Some applications are inherently serial - you have to do step A, then step B (because step B depends on step A). It's not a matter of poor programming, it's that the task is serial. (Note that many Photoshop benchmarks quote "MP-aware" filters separately from actions that don't scale.)
For these "not well-threaded" applications, multiple cores will still be beneficial so that you can run multiple applications simultaneously - all at full speed.
There are some server-type applications (web or database) that run many (hundreds or thousands) threads simultaneously. (For a web server - each browser session is a natural thread.) For these applications, operating system efficiency is important. The reports that OSX is poor at threading (such as Mac OS X limits server performance (http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/06/15/os.x.server.review/)) aren't really that important for desktop apps that want to use all 4 cores (or soon 8).
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2436
The server performance of the Apple platform is, however, catastrophic.
...
Workstation apps will hardly mind, but the performance of server applications depends greatly on the threading, signalling and locking engine.
Ahh. Nice info Aiden, thanks for that!
Many BSODs today?
I must be one of the few windows users who has never seen a BSOD since Win 95...
I've been using the Vista Beta 2 exclusively since it's release and it's apparently a very unstable OS yet I haven't seen a single BSOD. Looking forward to upgrading to RC1 and all the performance improvements that will bring though! :D
What I'm wondering is how Leopard will change the performance of the iMacs and Mac Pros. Will having a full 64-bit operating system and applications mean they run faster, or will the end-user see little difference?
A well-threaded O/S won't help make Photoshop or Avid run much faster, unless the application code is also able to use all of the cores that are present.
Some applications are inherently serial - you have to do step A, then step B (because step B depends on step A). It's not a matter of poor programming, it's that the task is serial. (Note that many Photoshop benchmarks quote "MP-aware" filters separately from actions that don't scale.)
For these "not well-threaded" applications, multiple cores will still be beneficial so that you can run multiple applications simultaneously - all at full speed.
There are some server-type applications (web or database) that run many (hundreds or thousands) threads simultaneously. (For a web server - each browser session is a natural thread.) For these applications, operating system efficiency is important. The reports that OSX is poor at threading (such as Mac OS X limits server performance (http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/06/15/os.x.server.review/)) aren't really that important for desktop apps that want to use all 4 cores (or soon 8).
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2436
The server performance of the Apple platform is, however, catastrophic.
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Workstation apps will hardly mind, but the performance of server applications depends greatly on the threading, signalling and locking engine.
Ahh. Nice info Aiden, thanks for that!
Many BSODs today?
I must be one of the few windows users who has never seen a BSOD since Win 95...
I've been using the Vista Beta 2 exclusively since it's release and it's apparently a very unstable OS yet I haven't seen a single BSOD. Looking forward to upgrading to RC1 and all the performance improvements that will bring though! :D
What I'm wondering is how Leopard will change the performance of the iMacs and Mac Pros. Will having a full 64-bit operating system and applications mean they run faster, or will the end-user see little difference?