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MikeM32 · Jul 18, 2002, 09:01 AM

Charging for an iTools account? <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" /> Sad but I must migrate to an x86 box as my next computer. I've enjoyed my days using Apple Macintosh computers, but this was the end of line for me, as well as thousands of people that stood by Apple with faith and courage.

This is a sad time for all of us, but in the end it's what performs best and is cheapest that matters. I am proud to say I used a Mac when Apple computer still existed.

R.I.P. Apple

Mike

(this post was inflammatory sarcasm)

undotwa · Jul 18, 2002, 09:05 AM

some people take things so harshly... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

KaptainKaya · Jul 18, 2002, 09:13 AM

solitere · Jul 18, 2002, 09:15 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by MikeM32:
Charging for an iTools account? <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" /> Sad but I must migrate to an x86 box as my next computer. I've enjoyed my days using Apple Macintosh computers, but this was the end of line for me, as well as thousands of people that stood by Apple with faith and courage.

This is a sad time for all of us, but in the end it's what performs best and is cheapest that matters. I am proud to say I used a Mac when Apple computer still existed.

R.I.P. Apple

Mike

(this post was inflammatory sarcasm)<hr /></blockquote>Why would something like this make you change Computer and OS! I could agree that I wouldn�t pay the 99 $ annual fee. And my mail account at .mac would propably expire sooner or later. But so what my ISP is giving me an e-mail account and most schools have own e-mail accounts for their students. Most employees have own accessiable e-mail accounts today.

I think most people are willing to pay a reasonable fee for the .mac services but it�s not 99 $.

DNA man · Jul 18, 2002, 09:44 AM

I think that the majority of us are not really worried about the $99 for .mac but the way Apple has changed direction yesterday and is now more like M$. Apple enjoyed a very loyal base. We have stuck through 'thick and thin' with Apple. I would n't be surprised if Apple will start to charge for the free iApps in the future and really, 10.2 with no free or reduced upgrade for us poor suckers who have been with them since the public beta, come on, that's pretty poor.
Anyway, as they say, it's that last straw that broke the camels back.

With the cheaper prices to be paid for X86 hardware and software, plus a much faster, powerful x86 platform. Where is the alternative choice? 1996, again? No, this time the Apple Phoenix has had it, I'm afraid to say. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

osiris · Jul 18, 2002, 10:08 AM

I hope it's not the end for Apple - but it looks to me like Apple is focusing solely on (overpriced) consumer desktops. Like most of you here, I bought the OS X Beta, then the update - and we were sort of promised that the next version would be better- Jaguar would finally bring speed to OS X.

Well Jaguar is almost here and it's not free . I don't even know if Jaguar is fast, sans the multithreaded finder (that should have been the first thing fixed from the OS X Beta) To make matters worse, the desktop professionals who have blindly supported Apple hardware for years have now been given a back seat.

Yeah yeah, it's the economy, blah blah.... BS There are many people I know with plenty of cash waiting to buy, just there's nothing worth buying at the moment nor has there been anything of real value in the past year (except for the G4 Servers which are a steal BTW)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a godsend will appear mid-August, until then let's try to chill for a little longer. In the mean time, sign petitions, bitch and let Apple know that you're mad as hell and you're not going to take it anymore.

So open your windows and repeat -

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore"

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

ringo · Jul 18, 2002, 10:40 AM

Is this the end? Nah, probably not. Apple will survive, and they will make changes if they don't make the revenue they expect to from their new plans.

I am concerned about the price of ownership.

Example -> For the basic 800Mhz iMac (No new widescreen), you'll spend:

$1,799 for the hardware

$300 for .Mac - $100/year for 3 years (reasonable useful life)

$150 for tech support for 3 years (something the competition gives for free)

$30 for Quicktime Pro (Gotta have it to convert common video formats to DV for iMovie)

$359 for Office v.X for Mac after $100 rebate w/ new purchase (Again, a must have for professionals)

$20 to Upgrade to Jaguar and have an OS optimized for your hardware

Total: $2658.00 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

starman · Jul 18, 2002, 11:39 AM

What were you saying about cement shoes, Mike?

Mike

philzilla · Jul 18, 2002, 12:11 PM

does this mean you won't be posting here any more Mike? oh dear. how sad. never mind.

burger · Jul 18, 2002, 12:21 PM

I too was an Apple loyal who bought into the Mhz Myth (back when it applied) and thought I was wiser spending more for premium product and outstanding benefits.

The speed gap is now huge, and so is the price gap. If Apple can't innovate on the hardware front, then why are there no substantial price reductions to offset the difference? And to start charging for items that were previously bonus services really does not make sense from a marketing standpoint.

I have put off buying a PC in the hopes Apple could make good, but I will unfortunately be giving in and switching to the dark side.

Owning a Mac just isn't as much fun as it used to be.

Thanks Apple, it been real!

Dan Szwarc · Jul 18, 2002, 12:24 PM

iTools: What Apple giveth, Apple doth take awayeth, then Apple doth Chargeth foreth!

Andrew 8808 · Jul 18, 2002, 12:33 PM

Seriously people, get a grip. What's w/ all this "omg i'm never buying a mac again" stuff? Just because they decided to upgrade and charge for iTools, now .Mac? If nobody buys .Mac, then Apple will take notice and do something about it. I mean, c'mon, they were absorbing the cost of iTools. And it doesn't help when some people have like 5 mac.com address and iDisks for themselves.
Chill people, chill.

MikeM32 · Jul 18, 2002, 01:08 PM

Look, people, if you can't take a joke then get off my bulletin board.

Mike

Worst. Episode. Ever. · Jul 18, 2002, 01:23 PM

Obviously, sarcasm is lost on some folks.

I got your joke Mike, and I thought it was funny.

driven · Jul 18, 2002, 01:25 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by MikeM32:
Look, people, if you can't take a joke then get off my bulletin board.

Mike<hr /></blockquote>If they can't take a f_ck, joke 'em!

Ca$h68 · Jul 18, 2002, 01:25 PM

Hey, everyone keep in mind one thing:

Those cheap PCs can do full screen video!

If only the 'superior mac' were capable of such a thing.

Oh wait, it is, they just want you to pay ****ing money for it.

- Ca$h

chris v · Jul 18, 2002, 01:37 PM

waiddaminnite <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" /> arent you really a head of lettuce?

Cv

Millennium · Jul 18, 2002, 01:52 PM

Don't be so rash just yet. Give them until September 30, the day the old iTools accounts are due to be deactivated.

A lot can change in two months. I admit, I'm more tempted to leave Apple now than ever before, since they've decided that we as the userbase are not the indispensable resource which has pulled their rear out of the fire on multiple occasions in the past. That must change. And I think it will, but not unless there is action.

I will have more to say on this later.

anarkisst · Jul 18, 2002, 02:29 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by MikeM32:
Look, people, if you can't take a joke then get off my bulletin board.
Mike<hr /></blockquote>Really, get a life, get a job or become a mullet haired stupid white trash with a Dell PC...

forkies · Jul 18, 2002, 03:19 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by philzilla:
does this mean you won't be posting here any more Mike? oh dear. how sad. never mind.<hr /></blockquote>I was thinking the EXACT same thing.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by anarkisst:
get a life, get a job<hr /></blockquote>Two things I couldn't agree with more.

MikeM32 · Jul 18, 2002, 03:42 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />(this post was inflammatory sarcasm)<hr /></blockquote>It seems a few of us can't read <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

Of course I'm not bailing out on Apple. Sheesh

Mike

MikeM32 · Jul 18, 2002, 03:46 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by anarkisst:
Really, get a life, get a job or become a mullet haired stupid white trash with a Dell PC... <hr /></blockquote><img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Someone had thier frosted flakes p i s s e d on.

Mike

mitchell_pgh · Jul 18, 2002, 04:19 PM

Ugh, you so got me on this one...

[ 07-18-2002, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: mitchell_pgh ]

ringo · Jul 18, 2002, 04:38 PM

I live in both worlds. I have a free app on windows for converting video formats. I have another editing app that doesn't require me to keep all my video in DV format. I like iMovie, so I pay for QT Pro. I don't have a digital video camera, so maybe I'm more bothered abot this than most, but it's still part of the real cost.

Add an extra $100 for the computer and an extra $110 for OS to the total if you bought the same Mac two weeks ago.

Gateway and Dell don't charge for tech support.

A PC with LCD and DVD-R and similar performance is considerably less ($1300-$1400 range).

Yes, a major update, a year after most people paid for the last "Major Update." (A subscription by any other name...)

I said that I still like Apple's products, I'm just not the kind of person who can afford $2658.00 for a new consumer-level computer.

[ 07-18-2002, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: ringo ]

artley · Jul 18, 2002, 07:01 PM

if something as trivial as this reverts you to microsoft then you obviously dont get this whole apple thing! Apple = number 1. To be honest i dont think there is anything that exists to convince me otherwise .

MikeM32 · Jul 18, 2002, 07:05 PM

Wow you people really want to drag this thread out don't you? <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

Mike

el lindo · Jul 18, 2002, 07:17 PM

Yeah, but just to get my post count up.