Originally Posted by CarbonNation OSX ... I use it regularly ... here the basic issue ... its design is very rigid ... there is one way to do things and thats with the mouse ...
I find with OS X I use the mouse a hell of a lot less than in Windows/Linux. Especially with apps like Spotlight/Quicksilver. You can do a lot more with a keyboard in OS X, and that's how you can get away with one mouse button. I can happily navigate around Windows with just my right (mouse) hand - There's very little you can't do, and it's probably the quickest way of doing things. On the other hand OS X is definitely a two handed job - and I probably spend more time using the keyboard than I do using the mouse. I like that, and I think I am more productive on a Mac, but I can totally see why other people get annoyed.
I do agree though that there are more ways to do things in Windows, but I don't find it a problem. The only thing that annoys me in that respect is iTunes and the way it organises your life for you. Whereas in Windows there are ten different ways to organise your music, iTunes won't let you do that. It's iTunes' way or the highway. But once you get over that, you're fine :)
Originally Posted by Tomm So AMD are copying Intel by innovating, which was Intel's idea? :)
:?
Wha?? Where did that come from?
You should read the post before you reply.
I will clarify for you, so you can comprehend what is said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m0dd Based on your original article and your reply, what you have basically implied is that companies should differentiate itself, both on a corporate identity level and on a product level. Than you go on to express how you would prefer to see AMD follow Intel's plan of action. Is that not just suggesting AMD mould and model itself based on Intel - in essence just another Intel replicate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomm So AMD are copying Intel by innovating, which was Intel's idea? :)
Firstly disputable whether you consider Intel's course of action as innovating. If you had read through the post, instead of posting the first thought that came to you, I mentioned 1. Intel in my opinion is not innovating, 2. Intel's plan of action is to become a platform company - hence the course it has taken to create the ViiV band. Hence my statement was in response to the OP that he wished AMD copy Intel and become a platform company.
Innovating was Intel's idea? When did Intel invent the term innovation? :)
Originally Posted by Nexxo Mmmm... fair point. However what I think Wil is saying (although I could be wrong) is that AMD should follow Intel's approach; not necessarily follow in their footsteps. Intel looks at where they see the use of technology evolving, then develop the chips to match (thus driving the evolution of that technology in that direction); AMD could also look at the evolution of the application of computer technology and develop chips to match. That doesn't mean they have to focus on home media; they could focus on interactive gaming, productivity technology, you name it. However it is true that AMD's focus on within-CPU technological progress is quite valid in itself. Intel takes the meta-approach; AMD takes the micro-approach. I see the two as complementary.
Well said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexxo Intel takes the meta-approach; AMD takes the micro-approach. I see the two as complementary.
My interpretation of the OP's reply was that he regarded AMD's approach as the inferior approach.
Dunno, but we all owe Al Gore royalties, as he invented the internet.
Hamish - it says right on the wiki page that the iPod is indeed a USB mass storage device. That does NOT translate to drag+drop audio support, it means you don't need special software to put files on. You plug it in, it's treated as an xxGB thumb drive. Instead of comparing it to how easy it is to use explorer to drag stuff on (which, btw, most "typical" users don't like doing), compare using iTunes/Anapod Explorer/ml_ipod/other to Sony's minidisc software. THAT was the worst load of crap ever - it'll transcode your unprotected MP3 or WMA files to their own proprietary and low-quality ATRAC3 files which can only be transferred to three minidiscs ever (think DRM on MP3s you ripped yourself), using a very slow and barely managable software. The players did have awesome battery life though, ~50hrs for a single AA batt, which almost made up for only being able to hold about four CDs worth of music on a single minidisc (vs my 81 albums in 5.48GB, a few gigs in audiobooks and another twenty or so in videos, at only half capacity, all in a smaller space with an infinately better interface)
Yes, to each his own with regards to media library vs explorer D+D. And to each his own with players - I tried foobar, absolutely hated it from the first second. Love(d) winamp, I've been using it for years. Hated iTunes passionately at first, but after taking a couple hours to set things up correctly and figure out exactly how it works, there's no better way (IMO) to keep music organized by anything and everything.
Let's avoid the b**chfest about whether iPods are good or not. Most people love them. Many hate them because they're popular. Many more hate them because they're from Apple. Many have legit reasons. A good chunk are just haters, and the rest are trolls and flamebaits. Editorials imply (in fact, demand to a degree) the writer's opinion. Take it or leave it, but don't get pissed at everyone because you don't agree.
Most of all with these things, keep an OPEN MIND. I used to be exactly like this six months ago regarding iTunes, and an ATi fanboy through-and-through right up till around when PCIE became fairly popular for new systems. I would come up with absolutely any excuse to bash nvidia or go on and on about how much better winamp is than itunes. Then I decided "screw it" and try finding out why everyone else seems to love it so much. I've tried linux and it has its uses, but I couldn't use it day-to-day. I tried the leaked OSx86 but it would barely run; I just wanted to get a taste of OSX as I'm considering making the switch for portables (=buy an iB or PB). I've used half a dozen different media players, and up until finding the ml_ipod plugin for winamp, I didn't even know the media library existed. Then I gave iTunes another shot, mostly so I could load photos and video to my new 5G, and now use it for almost everything.
If you want to hate iPods simply becase they are iPods, go right ahead. If you want to hate iTunes because you don't like the silver background, be my guest. But don't bash other people for their choice because you don't like it, or worse yet because you're just assuming it sucks and your method is better.
Hamish - it says right on the wiki page that the iPod is indeed a USB mass storage device. That does NOT translate to drag+drop audio support, it means you don't need special software to put files on. You plug it in, it's treated as an xxGB thumb drive. Instead of comparing it to how easy it is to use explorer to drag stuff on (which, btw, most "typical" users don't like doing), compare using iTunes/Anapod Explorer/ml_ipod/other to Sony's minidisc software. THAT was the worst load of crap ever - it'll transcode your unprotected MP3 or WMA files to their own proprietary and low-quality ATRAC3 files which can only be transferred to three minidiscs ever (think DRM on MP3s you ripped yourself), using a very slow and barely managable software. The players did have awesome battery life though, ~50hrs for a single AA batt, which almost made up for only being able to hold about four CDs worth of music on a single minidisc (vs my 81 albums in 5.48GB, a few gigs in audiobooks and another twenty or so in videos, at only half capacity, all in a smaller space with an infinately better interface)
gah, fine its a usb mass storage device, my point is you HAVE to install itunes/3rd party apps in order to use it as an mp3 player, that is what i dislike
agreed that even that is VASTLY superior to the heap of **** that was the sony software, i had a netMD for a while, the software made me cry :(
i used to use winamp, i tried itunes for a day or so when it was first released, i went back to winamp, then i got introduced to foobar and thats what i use now
its true i dont like apple and probably will never buy an apple product but i have my reasons, its not just random hate :p
i've posted my history of bad experiences with apple products in one of the other numerous apple threads here so im not going to again, suffice to say i was not impressed.
The idea of all the extra features Ill never use in an os is annoying to me. I have my copy of xp stripped down to win 98. I turn off everything i dont need or use. With itunes it takes up so much resources its worthless to me. Sure there are tons of ipod clones but the choice is good, eventually someone will unseat apple at the top of the mp3 player market.
This is just an opinion in the article, I understand this, but I couldnt count how many times ipod was said.
Originally Posted by Firehed So in other words, the article is wrong because your opinion is superior? Honestly, you're bashing the iPod after saying you love your 3G. I must question that thought process.
dont really think i said i loved my ipod 3rd gen, it happens to be sitting in my drawer with other spare parts, i didnt pay a dime for the thing, and merely traded for it for an item i got for free, to me there is no more of an un baised opinion on the matter, the point with itunes and the whole mac shall rule the world on music is incorrect, i have a library of over 10k songs, and frankly having to go and cater to all the shortcommings on the ipod's playlist is sadening... if only winamp made a good portable mp3 player, wait thats my laptop...
i never said the article was wrong, i just dont agree with everything in there, is that so wrong?, personally i like to hear the views the editors put on things, it gives another look at something you never thought a second point of view might be... still dosent mean i have to agree with it, but it doesnt mean im saying the article is wrong...
I think the point that imitation is no match for innovation is true for everything in life.
Look around you, for example movies the same old ideas in a new shell no matter how good always have critics saying how it's an overused story blah blah however a creative director with an innovative story or new type of genre always has a lot of interest.
People like change, alot of other companies copying one manufacturer in this case Apple's Ipod is not doing anything helpful apart from competition.
At least we can say this competition will keep Apple constantly on their toes unlike for example Microsoft which is a operating a monopoly as they practically have such a high market share there is no competition.
Yes but Microsoft became a 'monopoly' out of self-growth. They didn't buy any other countries to gain such a large market share (although they do now obviously) and thus this was just a result of their success.
I don't know if I am making myself sound like an idiot or not. Hasn't the ipod just got smaller with a bigger screen? Where is the innovation in that. I know I will have people reading off a bunch of different little things that change but what about a complete overhaul. I do have an Ipod nano and I like it a lot. But is size and screen the major differences from the original ipod. I personally like what Nintendo is doing with innovation, changing the way players play games (DS and revolution controller). I would like to see that kind of creativity in other markets. Sure there might be some flops from companies but there will also be great new products.
I think the one place Apple and the iPod win out is on publicity, thats thier true innovation. If it wern't for plastering the world with annoying adverts it wouldn't be so huge.
When it gets to the point where people buy white headphones to make it look like they've got an iPod, they havn't won out due to technical superiority, but because of brainwashing the masses. Once something becames fasionable, people want one without knowing anything about it and assume its the best "cos my best mate's got one and he says its good' and he got one for the same reason. But then you also get the people who hate it because it's fasionable (for good reason usually :p)
I think it's a similar story with the Macs, my friend's brother installed a OSX theme for windows on his laptop so his friends think hes cool for owning a mac. You're not part of the cool crowd if you don't own a mac obviously, I think its a geeks way of rebelling against 'the system'.
I'll stick with what works, I'm not saying macs are bad, but I'm used to windows, and I'm a gamer, that reason alone is enough. It said in the article about all these fancy new things Vista will have that macs have already, to be honest I want none of that, I prefer to pick and choose which things I think are best out of all the media players, web browsers, etc.
EDIT: Oh and someone above said that people like change, it's a known fact that people don't like change, they like something thats the same or similar to things they're used to. All big films in the last 20 years or so havn't been innovative, I'm not just talking about the remakes. Most of the innovative films are pused to the bottom of the charts by big blockbusters, making no money and getting little recognition. Yes there are some people who don't mind a bit of creativity and difference (me included) but the majority of the population ('the masses') feel frightened by it.
Originally Posted by Nexxo I apologise if it came across that I was specifically referring to you (I wasn't). I was speaking in general, but re-reading my post I appreciate that was probably not very clear. Just for the record, I appreciate you as one of the most mature, informed and reasonable members on the forum.
My annoyance is that all too often things are being misread or misinterpreted and conclusions jumped to, with Bit-Tech staff or mods subsequently being accused of being biased, partial or unfair. I would like to think that members would give us the benefit of the doubt; that they would re-read carefully, or first confirm whether that was really what was meant, and keep in mind that opinion is neither gospel nor blasphemy. It is really tiring to keep having to defend our objectivity and impartiality every time we say or do something that someone might disagree with. It is really tiring to keep having to manage emotional outbursts, trolling, or condescending insults in response to rational opinion. I suspect bigz's threat to ban people who continued trolling with the same old argument was a reflection of that exhasperation.
A fair point, that thread was a total nightmare; many, MANY idiotic posts, i found myself skipping a lot of them, which could possibly be what caused my mis-interpretation of the point. After a quick glance back through it (oh man, i couldn't actually read every post, half of them make you want to beat your head into a wall...) i realise that it could be taken either way. I apologise for any angst ive caused :)
Originally Posted by TroubledMind I don't know if I am making myself sound like an idiot or not. Hasn't the ipod just got smaller with a bigger screen? Where is the innovation in that. I know I will have people reading off a bunch of different little things that change but what about a complete overhaul. I do have an Ipod nano and I like it a lot. But is size and screen the major differences from the original ipod. I personally like what Nintendo is doing with innovation, changing the way players play games (DS and revolution controller). I would like to see that kind of creativity in other markets. Sure there might be some flops from companies but there will also be great new products.
The innovation was that they took the click/scroll wheel first, and people are trying to copy the UI and overall look/design without patent/copyright infringement. Honestly, there's only so many ways to go genre->artist->album->song or playlist->song starting play (or navigation for that matter) at any given step. Apple made it easy to use, people bought it. People told their friends and soon people started recognizing the stupid white earbuds. It then became iPod=MP3 player to most people. When it comes to music, people generally just want to be able to find what they're looking for and start playing, with as little thought as possible. Any player with a screen does that. Apple just marketed it best, and now other companies are trying to use Apple's success to their advantage (and, typically, are failing miserably).
So basically, Apple made the MP3 player popular. Anyone who tries to say otherwise has been living *inside* a rock. They did exactly what every company strives to do: make their product synonymous with the product's function. Again, Kleenex and facial tissue, band-aid and sterile bandage, etc. Arguably, computers and Windows (though, thanks largely TO the iPod, that's not as much the case as it was just two years ago). When your product/brand equates to what it does in the vast majority of consumer's minds, you've reached the epitome of advertising success.
Now other companies can make an MP3 player that has every feature ever possibly wanted with a one-year battery life after a five-minute charge, all in the same formfactor as an iPod, but chances are people will still continue to call MP3 players iPods. It's no longer making a cheaper/better/more useful product, it's about kicking it's arse in advertising. But if you can't match the features at the very least, you don't stand a chance. Hence the lack of innovation.
Originally Posted by Bindibadgi NOO You edited it! Damn you!!
I was gonna quote ya too, the first half read well and I agreed.
Nothing like RATM AMD fanbois to spite in: Intel SUX, Apple SUX, Ipod = sheep/sellout/sucker etc
Sorry I pulled it after reading a little more. It took me a while to write becuase I was at work so I had alot of pauses. Anyways after typing the thing up I saw that quite a few people had posted rather negative reactions which kind of made my post seem silly. For those that never saw it I will give a brief overview of what I said. I was really impressed that such a provactive article generated such intelligent conversation. I commented that this site has one of the best tech communities on the web because when something like this comes up in most places it causes a huge flame war. people here actually explained thier side of things instead of just berating the other person's opinion. I then went on to pretty much agree with what alot of people said about small tech sites covering events others already had. Which was that they should and they do because people that go to thier site for thier particular take on something. Everyone's writring stykles and opinions are different so you can get very different info about the same thing from different places. Anyways I pulled the whole thing because quite a few people did begin to berate Will for this article. I was disappointed especially since I just gushed over how great our community is here but I suppose it happens.
Originally Posted by Etacovda A fair point, that thread was a total nightmare; many, MANY idiotic posts, i found myself skipping a lot of them, which could possibly be what caused my mis-interpretation of the point. After a quick glance back through it (oh man, i couldn't actually read every post, half of them make you want to beat your head into a wall...) i realise that it could be taken either way. I apologise for any angst ive caused :)
The reasons for me making that statement were because (like you) I was getting fed up of reading the same comments. I don't mean to say this nastily, but it's late and I've just spent the best part of 16 hours packing up in readiness to move house tomorrow with the worst hangover I've had in a loooong while so it might come across as a little blunt and to the point. I apologise in advance.
If you haven't already noticed, we're trying to broaden our readership by expanding into new areas that we've previously turned our noses up at. That includes system reviews - you'll be seeing a lot more too. There are always the hardcore enthusiasts who will build their own system and they'll be 100% against buying something that they consider to be an over priced, poorly configured hunk of junk with lots of bloatware.
Hell, I'm like that myself but I know that there are people who do love the convenience of buying everything from one vendor. Not to mention the convenience of having a system that you don't have to worry about when things to tits up. How many times have you had your computer die on you (for no apparent reason) when you're in the middle of an important assignment and sat up til 3 or 4am trying to work out how to get your computer working again?
I know I've done it on more than the odd occasion - I had to do it the other week. Thankfully, experience pays off and you learn your way around an operating system so that you're able to fix it with relative ease when it all goes tits up. Some people don't want that heartache and I can understand why - that's where pre-builds come into a league of their own, especially when there is 24/7 tech support included in the deal. :)
If people can build their own for less, that's fantastic - I can too. But stating that in a discussion thread for a system review is well into the realms of trolling. The point I was trying to make was that if it was overpriced for what it was, I'd like to see comparisons made to other pre-built systems with a similar configuration/specification. I'm sure you're not going to build the same system for less for a friend and then be on the end of the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ;)
Originally Posted by bigz I'm sure you're not going to build the same system for less for a friend and then be on the end of the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ;)
Amen to that; though Im still probably reachable via messenger or phone 15/7 :D
Comments 76 to 91 of 91
I do agree though that there are more ways to do things in Windows, but I don't find it a problem. The only thing that annoys me in that respect is iTunes and the way it organises your life for you. Whereas in Windows there are ten different ways to organise your music, iTunes won't let you do that. It's iTunes' way or the highway. But once you get over that, you're fine :)
:?
Wha?? Where did that come from?
You should read the post before you reply.
I will clarify for you, so you can comprehend what is said.
Firstly disputable whether you consider Intel's course of action as innovating. If you had read through the post, instead of posting the first thought that came to you, I mentioned 1. Intel in my opinion is not innovating, 2. Intel's plan of action is to become a platform company - hence the course it has taken to create the ViiV band. Hence my statement was in response to the OP that he wished AMD copy Intel and become a platform company.
Innovating was Intel's idea? When did Intel invent the term innovation? :)
Well said.
Hamish - it says right on the wiki page that the iPod is indeed a USB mass storage device. That does NOT translate to drag+drop audio support, it means you don't need special software to put files on. You plug it in, it's treated as an xxGB thumb drive. Instead of comparing it to how easy it is to use explorer to drag stuff on (which, btw, most "typical" users don't like doing), compare using iTunes/Anapod Explorer/ml_ipod/other to Sony's minidisc software. THAT was the worst load of crap ever - it'll transcode your unprotected MP3 or WMA files to their own proprietary and low-quality ATRAC3 files which can only be transferred to three minidiscs ever (think DRM on MP3s you ripped yourself), using a very slow and barely managable software. The players did have awesome battery life though, ~50hrs for a single AA batt, which almost made up for only being able to hold about four CDs worth of music on a single minidisc (vs my 81 albums in 5.48GB, a few gigs in audiobooks and another twenty or so in videos, at only half capacity, all in a smaller space with an infinately better interface)
Yes, to each his own with regards to media library vs explorer D+D. And to each his own with players - I tried foobar, absolutely hated it from the first second. Love(d) winamp, I've been using it for years. Hated iTunes passionately at first, but after taking a couple hours to set things up correctly and figure out exactly how it works, there's no better way (IMO) to keep music organized by anything and everything.
Let's avoid the b**chfest about whether iPods are good or not. Most people love them. Many hate them because they're popular. Many more hate them because they're from Apple. Many have legit reasons. A good chunk are just haters, and the rest are trolls and flamebaits. Editorials imply (in fact, demand to a degree) the writer's opinion. Take it or leave it, but don't get pissed at everyone because you don't agree.
Most of all with these things, keep an OPEN MIND. I used to be exactly like this six months ago regarding iTunes, and an ATi fanboy through-and-through right up till around when PCIE became fairly popular for new systems. I would come up with absolutely any excuse to bash nvidia or go on and on about how much better winamp is than itunes. Then I decided "screw it" and try finding out why everyone else seems to love it so much. I've tried linux and it has its uses, but I couldn't use it day-to-day. I tried the leaked OSx86 but it would barely run; I just wanted to get a taste of OSX as I'm considering making the switch for portables (=buy an iB or PB). I've used half a dozen different media players, and up until finding the ml_ipod plugin for winamp, I didn't even know the media library existed. Then I gave iTunes another shot, mostly so I could load photos and video to my new 5G, and now use it for almost everything.
If you want to hate iPods simply becase they are iPods, go right ahead. If you want to hate iTunes because you don't like the silver background, be my guest. But don't bash other people for their choice because you don't like it, or worse yet because you're just assuming it sucks and your method is better.
agreed that even that is VASTLY superior to the heap of **** that was the sony software, i had a netMD for a while, the software made me cry :(
i used to use winamp, i tried itunes for a day or so when it was first released, i went back to winamp, then i got introduced to foobar and thats what i use now
its true i dont like apple and probably will never buy an apple product but i have my reasons, its not just random hate :p
i've posted my history of bad experiences with apple products in one of the other numerous apple threads here so im not going to again, suffice to say i was not impressed.
This is just an opinion in the article, I understand this, but I couldnt count how many times ipod was said.
dont really think i said i loved my ipod 3rd gen, it happens to be sitting in my drawer with other spare parts, i didnt pay a dime for the thing, and merely traded for it for an item i got for free, to me there is no more of an un baised opinion on the matter, the point with itunes and the whole mac shall rule the world on music is incorrect, i have a library of over 10k songs, and frankly having to go and cater to all the shortcommings on the ipod's playlist is sadening... if only winamp made a good portable mp3 player, wait thats my laptop...
i never said the article was wrong, i just dont agree with everything in there, is that so wrong?, personally i like to hear the views the editors put on things, it gives another look at something you never thought a second point of view might be... still dosent mean i have to agree with it, but it doesnt mean im saying the article is wrong...
geesh, this is the last article i post in...
Look around you, for example movies the same old ideas in a new shell no matter how good always have critics saying how it's an overused story blah blah however a creative director with an innovative story or new type of genre always has a lot of interest.
People like change, alot of other companies copying one manufacturer in this case Apple's Ipod is not doing anything helpful apart from competition.
At least we can say this competition will keep Apple constantly on their toes unlike for example Microsoft which is a operating a monopoly as they practically have such a high market share there is no competition.
<A88>
When it gets to the point where people buy white headphones to make it look like they've got an iPod, they havn't won out due to technical superiority, but because of brainwashing the masses. Once something becames fasionable, people want one without knowing anything about it and assume its the best "cos my best mate's got one and he says its good' and he got one for the same reason. But then you also get the people who hate it because it's fasionable (for good reason usually :p)
I think it's a similar story with the Macs, my friend's brother installed a OSX theme for windows on his laptop so his friends think hes cool for owning a mac. You're not part of the cool crowd if you don't own a mac obviously, I think its a geeks way of rebelling against 'the system'.
I'll stick with what works, I'm not saying macs are bad, but I'm used to windows, and I'm a gamer, that reason alone is enough. It said in the article about all these fancy new things Vista will have that macs have already, to be honest I want none of that, I prefer to pick and choose which things I think are best out of all the media players, web browsers, etc.
EDIT: Oh and someone above said that people like change, it's a known fact that people don't like change, they like something thats the same or similar to things they're used to. All big films in the last 20 years or so havn't been innovative, I'm not just talking about the remakes. Most of the innovative films are pused to the bottom of the charts by big blockbusters, making no money and getting little recognition. Yes there are some people who don't mind a bit of creativity and difference (me included) but the majority of the population ('the masses') feel frightened by it.
A fair point, that thread was a total nightmare; many, MANY idiotic posts, i found myself skipping a lot of them, which could possibly be what caused my mis-interpretation of the point. After a quick glance back through it (oh man, i couldn't actually read every post, half of them make you want to beat your head into a wall...) i realise that it could be taken either way. I apologise for any angst ive caused :)
So basically, Apple made the MP3 player popular. Anyone who tries to say otherwise has been living *inside* a rock. They did exactly what every company strives to do: make their product synonymous with the product's function. Again, Kleenex and facial tissue, band-aid and sterile bandage, etc. Arguably, computers and Windows (though, thanks largely TO the iPod, that's not as much the case as it was just two years ago). When your product/brand equates to what it does in the vast majority of consumer's minds, you've reached the epitome of advertising success.
Now other companies can make an MP3 player that has every feature ever possibly wanted with a one-year battery life after a five-minute charge, all in the same formfactor as an iPod, but chances are people will still continue to call MP3 players iPods. It's no longer making a cheaper/better/more useful product, it's about kicking it's arse in advertising. But if you can't match the features at the very least, you don't stand a chance. Hence the lack of innovation.
Sorry I pulled it after reading a little more. It took me a while to write becuase I was at work so I had alot of pauses. Anyways after typing the thing up I saw that quite a few people had posted rather negative reactions which kind of made my post seem silly. For those that never saw it I will give a brief overview of what I said. I was really impressed that such a provactive article generated such intelligent conversation. I commented that this site has one of the best tech communities on the web because when something like this comes up in most places it causes a huge flame war. people here actually explained thier side of things instead of just berating the other person's opinion. I then went on to pretty much agree with what alot of people said about small tech sites covering events others already had. Which was that they should and they do because people that go to thier site for thier particular take on something. Everyone's writring stykles and opinions are different so you can get very different info about the same thing from different places. Anyways I pulled the whole thing because quite a few people did begin to berate Will for this article. I was disappointed especially since I just gushed over how great our community is here but I suppose it happens.
If you haven't already noticed, we're trying to broaden our readership by expanding into new areas that we've previously turned our noses up at. That includes system reviews - you'll be seeing a lot more too. There are always the hardcore enthusiasts who will build their own system and they'll be 100% against buying something that they consider to be an over priced, poorly configured hunk of junk with lots of bloatware.
Hell, I'm like that myself but I know that there are people who do love the convenience of buying everything from one vendor. Not to mention the convenience of having a system that you don't have to worry about when things to tits up. How many times have you had your computer die on you (for no apparent reason) when you're in the middle of an important assignment and sat up til 3 or 4am trying to work out how to get your computer working again?
I know I've done it on more than the odd occasion - I had to do it the other week. Thankfully, experience pays off and you learn your way around an operating system so that you're able to fix it with relative ease when it all goes tits up. Some people don't want that heartache and I can understand why - that's where pre-builds come into a league of their own, especially when there is 24/7 tech support included in the deal. :)
If people can build their own for less, that's fantastic - I can too. But stating that in a discussion thread for a system review is well into the realms of trolling. The point I was trying to make was that if it was overpriced for what it was, I'd like to see comparisons made to other pre-built systems with a similar configuration/specification. I'm sure you're not going to build the same system for less for a friend and then be on the end of the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ;)
Amen to that; though Im still probably reachable via messenger or phone 15/7 :D