slice of koh

The Apple iPad is a novelty.  Everyone around the globe was waiting for Steve Jobs to unveil the rumored “tablet” that would change the computing world as we know it.  I was a little cautious because most first generation Apple products are subpar.  After the press conference on the 26th, the iPad clearly does not truly differentiate itself from a netbook, smartphone, or iPod Touch.

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Is the new IPhone really worth the hype?  As much as the battery life and processing power have improved, too bad the new iPhone will not fulfill its potential in the near future.  Due to the limitations of AT&T’s network, the new iPhone 3GS owners will probably be disappointed if they are part of AT&T’s network.  Although tethering and 7.2 Mps HSPA speeds are available for the new IPhone, these crucial features will not be available for AT&T iPhone customers in the near future (or at least part of the current data plan).  Knowing AT&T, they will probably charge extra for unlimited data and tethering, and it will likely cost someone an arm and a leg plus more.  In fact, AT&T customers are likely not to see 7.2 Mps HSPA until 2010 or 2011.  By then, a new iPhone model will probably be released.  They even lowered the price for the last generation 8 gig iPhone to $99 with a 2-year contract which is definitely going to send a signal to its smartphone competitors.

I do like the additional features of iPhone 3.0 OS.  Safari can now handle HTML 5, HTTP video and audio streaming, and auto fill with some improvements in JavaScript speed.  MMS is finally available, and new OS seems to be friendlier towards gaming development.  Some new applications such as the ScrollMotion’s Iceberg Book Store (Kindle competitor), Live 6, and Zipcar definitely look promising.  My contract is ending in August, and it’s going to be a hard to decide whether to wait for Palm Pre GSM or make the iPhone conversion.

Is it actually worth $600+tax for the lowest specs though?  From the Apple website, below is a rundown of the upgrades to the new Mac Mini.

1) Slightly better Intel Core 2 Duo processor with larger L2 Cache and system bus

2) DDR3-1066 Memory (This is only up to 4 gigs.  This is strange because DDR3-memory could feasibly support up to 6 gigs with 3×2 gig memory cards.  This is probably because Mac OS only runs up to 32-bit which usually supports up to 4 gigs)

3) Nvidia 9400M (This is definitely an improvement to the Intel GMA 950 which is a pretty lackluster graphics card.)

4) Lots of USB ports.  You lose a native DVI-port but gain a mini-DVI port.

5) Miscellaneous: Upgraded Firewire 800 port that is backwards compatible with the 400 port; 802.11n wi-fi specification; Bluetooth 2.1

My verdict:  The graphics card is definitely a lot better than the old one.  This was one of the main factors why I did not get the original Mac Mini.   If you want to hook up your Mac Mini to your flat panel HDTV to use as a DVR or play your media content, it is very pricey for its specs.  However, you add in the AppleCare support and the nice small form factor, it is hard to pass up.  I’m having a hard time deciding because I thought about building a HTPC for my TV until this cute thing came along.  The Mac mini is more than enough to do everyday computing and basic media editing on the side.   I would probably wait until they come out with the refurb version of this thing in a couple months, but they will be pretty hard to come by.