Feeling very good about Apple these days (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

This was a huge week for Apple (though you wouldn't guess it by the
slight drop in its stock price).

The announcement of the 3GS iPhone was huge! Not only were most
of the remaining features that users wanted finally added, but the
release date arrives a surprisingly 30 days earlier than anticipated.
The only drawback came to current 3G owners who learned that the
upgrade would cost them a $200 penalty.

Another big announcement for me was the new 15" Macbook Pro.
Once Snow Leopard is released, I will be purchasing the new model,
replacing my now 2.5 year-old 15" MBP that I will probably sell at
a steal for anyone that wants it. My only concerns is the lack of
an express card slot (for my Verizon air card) and a 400 Firewire
slot. However, looking on the Internet, I found an express to USB
adapter and a 400 to 800 firewire adapter. Problem solved.

The overall improvements being made to Mac software is also
astounding. I love the enhancements made to the iPhone 3.0
software. As a MobileMe subscriber I am tickled about the FIND
MY PHONE feature. I also think Snow Leopard has some nifty
improvements that once again show that Microsoft will never be
able to catch up to OS X.

Speaking of MobileMe, the service finally works as
advertised. Working between a Mac Pro, a Macbook Pro and an
iPhone I can seamlessly share information. The iPhone has become
the best PDA I ever owned thanks to the fact that all my contacts
and appointments are kept up-to-date with the MobileMe service.

Safari 4? Been using it in BETA for the last month or so, but the
final release really improved upon that BETA. Love the layout of
the new browser and overall loading speed is noticeably faster.

Yeah, I have spent a crapload of money on my Apple lifestyle over
the past few years. However, my life and business is centered around
my digital world. I don't think Microsoft could ever have created
products and services that work so fluidly together in a manner
that keeps one's life this simplistic.

None of my computers crash. I don't worry about viruses. I plug
stuff into my Mac and it just works. I am more organized than ever
before and for that, I am feeling very good about Apple these days.

 

[Sam Posten]

The checks in the mail!

 

[Michael_K_Sr]

Count me among those that feel Mobile Me has finally lived up to its promise. I'm very satisfied with its functionality. And I like to think I had a hand in the Find Me feature. Last year I mentioned to our Apple rep that Mobile Me should offer a feature for remote wipes of the device, since that feature was made available to enterprise users with 2.0 last summer.

 

[Darren Lewis]

Ron, before getting the new MBP make sure the USB to express card adapter will work with your card. Some express cards won't work with these adapters - the ones that are PCIe based probably won't work. USB based express cards should work OK.

I *think* wireless cards are USB based, but I'm not too sure. For the cost, I'd get the adapter and use it with your exsiting MBP to make sure it's OK before buying the new MBP.

I found a bit of info about this here.

I was hoping I might be able to get an eSata express card and use one of these usb adapters with my MacBook but it looks like that isn't an option.

The FireWire 800 to 400 cable will be fine.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Sam,

I would do the "Hello and I'm a Mac" commercial any day of the week.
Can you imagine a short bald dude standing next to PC touting the
virtues of Apple?!


Michael,

It seemed to take forever for MobileMe to get its act together. The
first 6 months or more were horrible. Devices did not communicate.
Now, it's pure bliss.


Darren,

Appreciate the heads up. I actually read that the other day. I have
the Verizon V740 air card. Did a quick search and found this link...

new">click here

Do me a favor. Double check what it says just to make sure I am
going to be okay. Thanks.

 

[Darren Lewis]

Ron, from that link it looks like it should be OK. For the sake of $38, I'd get one of those first and test in your existing MBP. Then you know it'll be OK before shelling out for the new MBP.

It does look like it will stick out a long way though? Might put a bit of stress on the USB slot if you're using it with the laptop on your knee?

I'm really surprised Apple dropped the express card slot on the latest update. Sure, not everyone uses them, but they are very good for high speed (ie eSata) external devices. I do find Apple's "we know best" to be a bit frustrating. Eg the MacBook dropping firewire, public outcry, and then the MacBook gets firewire back, but the marketting gurus say its now a MBP so Apple don't lose face

Darren.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Darren,

Thank you. Do these adapters diminish the
speed of either the air card or FireWire?

 

[Darren Lewis]

Hi Ron, In all honesty I'm not sure. I would imaging they're limited to the USB 2 interface speed?

 

[Michael_K_Sr]

Ron, how old is your V740? Verizon and Sprint both let us upgrade our air cards after 12 months with no penalty. You probably would be better off just getting a USB air card to replace the ExpressCard one.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Michael,

I am well over the 12 month period but nearing the 24-month
period whereas my contract with them would expire.

Perhaps at that point I just get the USB version with a new
2-year contract. I mean, I plan to stay with Verizon as I am
very happy with their service.

In any event, I am wondering if it will make a difference? It's
still USB. I could just get a USB adapter for what I have now as
long as that adapter doesn't hinder performance.

 

[pitchman]

I updated to this yesterday and I agree. Wow! Much faster and lots of nice little embellishments.

 

[Michael_K_Sr]

One of the nice things about the ExpressCard air cards was that they sit pretty flush on the left side of the MBP. But with the adapter linked below, you'll have the adapter sticking an inch or two from the side and then the ExpressCard will stick out several inches beyond that. As you said, that could cause some stress on the USB connector, especially if the laptop shifts and the card gets bumped.

Most of the dedicated USB cards are going to only stick out an inch or two. Some come with short extender cables so you can plug in other devices into the open USB port. The two USB cards they have right now are both nice. The Novatel USB 760 is solid...it stores the VZ Access installer right on the device so you could literally connect it to any machine in a pinch and get up and running. We have a few through Sprint and they have caused us no problems. The Pantech U175 is very nice...it flips up and can be rotated to the left or right 90 degrees each way. We have a half dozen through Verizon and none of them have caused us any headaches.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Michael,

I will contact Verizon and ask them about upgrading to the Novatel
USB.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Michael,

Just checked Verizon and I was actually eligible for the upgrade
last December.

I am looking at both the UM175 and the smaller USB760.

The USB760 is the size of a flash drive and has the connection
software already on it. However, the UM175 looks like it will
be more powerful.

Have to read reviews on both and make a decision today.