APPLE's new G5 IMAC (released last week) comes with
a remote control like a TV. I guess the thought is you're supposed to use your computer like a stereo or DVD player.
[However, it has no built in TV tuner.]
The new IMAC no longer includes an internal modem.
You'll have to buy an external USB modem for $50 if you really need one (along with that 3.5-inch floppy disk drive as well).
I guess STEVE JOBS thinks no one uses dial-up anymore.
Bill Smallfield, thanks for the post.
[Hey, Steve! I'm still a dial-up guy! Come on!]
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3 comments:
Rob, nobody does use dial-up anymore. Just you and Bill. Friends don't let friends use dial-up
Tom,
Funny you should say that and make this post.
At dinner the other night at work, we were discussing this exact topic. It seems Bill and I are not the ONLY folks who still use dial up. Two guys we work with who were at the dinner table (Andy and Steve) also admitted to using dial-up internet. They also didn't see why this was a HUGE problem if it's meeting their internet service needs.
I've always admitted Tom, that when dial-up starts to really bother me, I would run out in an instant and get either DSL or a cable modem. So far, I'm fine with the old dial-up.
What's next? You gonna get on me about using a VCR?
If it still works, and WE are not complaining about it (only you guys are) what's really the big deal?
Rob
I just think you undervalue your spare time if you think that dial-up is a worthwhile user experience and/or the incremental price difference between it and any flavor of broadband fails your cost/benefit analysis.
Ok, let's try some simple math. I'll low-ball dial up for the two of you at $10/month. I'll even high-ball broadband at $50/month between you. (won't even go into the $50 month you pay for the phone line to keep the equation simple)
Let's leave this scope to access only, not any content, etc (i'm not saying you shouldn't keep your AOL.com address -- have no issue with that -- and of course my stock price will thank you for doing so).
So we have a delta of $40 / month.
You're an ITunes enthusiast I know..So let's use that as our example.
Say you buy 100 songs/month (ok a little high, but possible, right)
Using 128 kb/s and an average length of 4 minutes, that translates to 375 megabytes of data.
Time to download at 56 kb/s. (assuming a perfect connection) 914 minutes.
Time to download over 3 mb/s broadband connection (average between DSL and fast cable) 16 minutes.
Difference, almost 15 hours.
Are you telling me you don't think your spare time is worth more than $2.67 an hour? ($40/15)
And your VCR arguement is interesting in that it brings up the concept of the "technology curve" where like any bell curve there are those who adpot to all new things so early that they pay the premium for being the first on the block, then there's the bulk of the curve that adopts once things are stable and then the lower third or quartile that are the stragglers.
I would say the VCR replacement (Tivo, DVR's, DVD-Recorders) are probably at about the 2nd quartile on that curve now. Cable companies are offering them in STB (which is what I use) but their use is still in the minority/early adopter stage.
Broadband access, however, is decidedly in the 4th quartile of that curve now.
So if's it not the economics (which I hope I've done a reasonable job of debunking that myth), what is it?
Open yourself up to an experiment. Most of the companies offering broadband if asked will do a money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied. Take them up on it for a month. Then tell me honestly you want to go back to dial-up.
Anyway, just wait until you buy that Video Ipod, that'll get ya... (very cool btw, bought one for work last week)
-tg
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