Are Microsoft Taking over Apple?
Anyone ever dealt with Microsoft over the phone?
I had to a few times when activating a windows version, well either their taking over Apple or they’ve been training Apple.
I’ve been looking at buying an Apple Macbook Pro for a while and they’ve just released a new model number however spec for spec it seems the same, so I wanted to know from apple why I should buy a new one from them over a new but slightly older model number from Misco. There is a difference of between £300 and £400.
I wanted to know if the battery was better, or the hardware was optimised, or any other improvements, I tried re-wording the question a few time, but ended up banging my head agaist the wall through out this.
- You are chatting with Donna G, an Apple Expert
- Hi, my name is Donna G. Welcome to Apple!
- Donna G: Hello
- Donna G: How may I help you today?
- You: Whats the real difference between the old A1297 and the new MC226B/A?
- Donna G: I’m sorry what are those products please, sometimes the numbers that you have do not work with our system.
- You: Apple Macbook pros
- You: one is a slightly older model, but spec for spec they don’t seem so different
- Donna G: Are you purchasing a MacBook Pro today?
- You: just wonder why spending more on the new model should be warrented
- You: and yes I will be purchasing from some where
- Donna G: You can customize your new Mac including upgrading the memory and the hard drive.
- Donna G: Let me check the refurbished MacBook Pro for you.
- You: Right, I know this.
- You: but some companies still have the lasty model before the new release a couple of months ago
- Donna G: One moment please
- You: they are both new
- Donna G: Apple Certified Refurbished products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo a stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale.
- Donna G: They’re covered by Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty. You can even purchase AppleCare to extend your coverage.
- Donna G: They perform and look like new Apple products and include all manuals and accessories.
- Donna G: Because the refurbished items are boxed and ready to ship, we are unable to customise them.
- Donna G: So, if you find a current generation MacBook Pro in our refurbished section, it will be at a better price and I would recommend if you want to purchase it, do not delay because they do tend to disappear very quickly.
- Donna G: I can stay online with you while you complete your order in case you have any other questions about products or the order process.
- Donna G: I haven’t heard from you for a few moments. Would you like to continue chatting?
- You: Right……… That wasn’t my question. I’ve seen a new Apple Macbook pro from Misco. It’s new but is the old model. I’m also looking at the new model released only the other month, again new. the specs are pretty much the same. Is there an advantage to spending more one the new model?
- Donna G: Only here in the Apple Online Store do you get guaranteed on our refurbished items.
- Donna G: You receive the same hardware coverage you do with our new items.
- Donna G: And you can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for the refurbished items.
- Donna G: We cannot speak for other websites, only for our own.
- Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
- You: Are you reading what I’m asking or giving me an answer to what you think I should be asking. it’s a simple question: Spec for Spec your new model is pretty much the same as the one it replaced just a few months ago. Are there any major differences apart from price?
- Donna G: I am sorry, I thought you stated the other site, was an older refurbished model, did I misunderstand that?
- You: yes
- You: They are both brand new
- You: as I stated
- Donna G: So the other site has a new MacBook Pro and you would like to know why you would purchase from us than them?
- Donna G: That would be up to you.
- Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
- You: they are both boxed and sealed
- You: no
- Donna G: Then you can make your decision depending on the pricing.
- Donna G: We would be happy to assist you with your order from the Apple Online Store, and assist you with your perfect solution.
- Donna G: Or, you can order from the other site.
- You: I’m asking is there a major difference between your old model and the one that replaced it
- Donna G: Either way if it is a new product, you can still purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for it.
- Donna G: The new MacBook Pros come in 3 sizes 13″, 15″, 17″
- Donna G: They can all be upgraded to 8gb of memory.
- Donna G: They have dedicated NVIDIA Graphic Cards.
- Donna G: I cannot compare to your other site, because we do not have access to research the other site for you.
- Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
- You: You make these computers right? so I’m simply asking how does your replacement models better the one before it, which it replaces?
- Donna G: We also have the purchase a printer with your new Mac and receive a rebate.
- Donna G: I’m sorry I believe I addressed that above.
- Donna G: The new models come in 3 sizes 13″, 15″. 17″
- Donna G: You can upgrade the memory to 8gb
- Donna G: And they come with the NVIDIA dedicated graphics card.
- Donna G: I apologise if that did not appear on your screen.
- Donna G: Would you like to purchase your Mac from the Apple Online Store today?
- You: ok how, is the new 17″ better than the old one 17″?
- Donna G: I’m sorry I do not have the specs to give you a side by side comparison in this Apple Shopping Chat.
- Donna G: Our purpose is to assist our Customers with their Apple Online Store purchases.
- Donna G: I’d be happy to give you the specs of the new MacBook Pro
- Donna G: Size and weight
Height:
0.98 inch (2.50 cm)
Width:
15.47 inches (39.3 cm)
Depth:
10.51 inches (26.7 cm)
Weight:
6.6 pounds (2.99 kg)1
- Donna G: Connections and expansion
View larger
MagSafe power port
Gigabit Ethernet port
One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
Three USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
Mini DisplayPort
Audio line in
Audio line out
ExpressCard/34 slot
Kensington lock slot
- You: What I’m trying to find out is, is the battery better, is it more reliable, is it quicker spec for spec. This will help me decide wether to buy the new 17″ from you or the slightly older yet still new from another company
- Donna G: Communications
Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
- Donna G: Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)
Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
Combined optical digital audio output/audio line out (minijack)
- Donna G: Input
View larger
Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
- Donna G: Pure digital video output
DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)
VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)
Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
- Donna G: Graphics and video support
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory3
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory
Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
Built-in iSight camera
Mini DisplayPort
- Donna G: Display
View larger
17-inch (diagonal) high-resolution LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
Supported resolutions: 1920 by 1200 (native), 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched
- Donna G: Processor and memory
2.8GHz or 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB on-chip shared L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed
1066MHz frontside bus
4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
- Donna G: Storage
500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive4
8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD
- Donna G: Battery and power: 8 hour charge
Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
MagSafe power port
- Donna G: Please click here to take your MacBook Pro 17″ for a “spin”
- Donna G: The above are all of the stats on the new MacBook Pro 17″
- You: What I’m trying to find out is, is the battery better, is it more reliable, is it quicker spec for spec. This will help me decide wether to buy the new version of Macbook pro 17″ from you or the slightly older version yet still new from another company.
- Donna G: I’m sorry, I do not have access to the model of MacBook Pro that you are referring to, to give you a side by side listing.
- Donna G: It is the longest lasting MacBook battery.
- Donna G: The longest-lasting Mac notebook battery ever.
- Donna G: Precision aluminum. The new gold standard.
- Donna G: Graphics in full force.
- Donna G: Display: It offers a 60 percent greater color gamut than previous generations for richer, more vibrant colors.
- Donna G: Even the keyboard is advanced.
The rigid aluminum keyboard webbing has been cut precisely to hold the keys. And the keys are curved to perfectly fit fingers. The result? Pure typing bliss. The keyboard is also illuminated, so when you’re in low-light settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see what you’re typing.
- You: Right, I’d have thought Apple would have been able to tell me how they improved their computer in the new model, I guess you people don’t know how you’ve improved your own hardware.
- Donna G: The first thing you might notice — or not notice — is the button. The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere.
- You: Thanks any way
- Donna G: Burn DVDs superfast.
- You: I’ll try and find some users to ask, perhaps they will know your hardware better.
- You: bye……..
- Donna G: I just gave you the updated features.
- Donna G: Did you not view them?
- Donna G: Perhaps you will be able to understand our Telesales Agents better.
- Donna G: One moment for that phone number…
- Donna G: The number for the Telesales department is 0800 048 0408.
- Donna G: Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. If you would like more help, please chat with us again.
- Your chat session has ended, if you require further assistance, please wait a few moments and try chatting with us again.
5 Of The Most Used Applications And Then Some
OK so they might not be your 5 most used but they are mine and if you potter around the web working on various projects or it’s something your starting to get into, then no doubt you will have your preferred applications and most likely you’ll use these for a long time come, but the following should at least be considered.
I have a mixture of systems here running on Windows XP, Ubuntu & CentOS however XP is my main platform not because it’s good, because it isn’t, but because some of the programs I use (funny enough not in this list 
) only work on it, for example my network hard drives, although there is a Linux work through, it means spending time getting it running, backing up the drives because they’re file systems will need changing and the hassle is just not worth it at the moment and yes I’m aware I could install a partitioned version of XP on a Linux machine.
So for this reason, some of these applications may only be Windows based and if your on a windows machine then it’s sure worth giving them a try.
My most used daily applications are as follows:
1. Firefox – I’ve always been a fan of Mozilla and as far as browsers go this is my all time favourite, I have to admit I wasn’t to keen on the latest major release at first, but now I’ve got use to it, I love it.
Because I’m involved in various web projects I find some of the plugins available for FireFox amazing, one of my most used plugins would be Firebug – In short this will help you find faults with websites.
2. Thunderbird – Yes it’s another Mozilla product, this time a mail application which has the capability of both POP and IMAP which is important for me.
There is no special reason I use this other than it’s simple, it’s free, the spell checker works (added dictionary for English – British) and it’s not Microsoft, plus in my opinion it’s the best available.
3. WinSCP -I’ve used the rest and I truely believe this is the best and what’s more is that this is also open source and free. As far as FTP clients for windows go in my honest opinion this out performs others, I’ve never had one issue with this client yet and I’ve used it for years.
In addition to it being free, I also find it very stable and love the fact that it’s only a one button click away from loading up PuTTY. It’s secure and runs over SFTP providing your server enables SSH connections that are not “jailed” depending on your hosts settings. But not to worry if you can’t use SFTP then you can still use FTP.
4. PuTTY – If your needing a CLI then this is the application for the job, I find it simple to use with the features I need.
What makes this extra special for me is that it’s like the strong arm of WinSCP, like I said when using WinSCP it’s only a click away.
5. OpenOffice Writter – Open Office is your answer to Microsoft Office, I don’t use many of the other tools in it but you might, it comes packed with Writer, base, cal, draw, impress, math, but it’s mainly writer I use.
Basically Open Office will do everything from spread sheets, word documents to presentations and more. I was introduced to this by a good friend of mine whom I work with on another open source project and since then I’ve never looked back. Basically fulfils most of my writing needs.
And then Some……………………..
I also use many other applications which are maybe noteworthy for people to try:
Browsers:
Internet Explorer 7 (IE8 looks promising)
Safari – From Apple
I use various browsers when testing websites out to see how well they render, I also have similar browsers installed on my Linux machines.
Other:
WinMerge – Very handy when you need to compare two documents for changes and when you might need to merge them. Also handy for when your working with web projects and you need to quickly compare code which someone else has written.
PHPDesigner - I’ve not yet purchased this piece of software but I have tried the trial and a friends*cough* copy. I much prefer using PHPDesigner over any other software including Dreamweaver. Don’t be confused by it’s name though because it’s also good for HTML, CSS, JS, XML and many more.
It also integrates nicely with the PHP manuals. It’s not free but it is worth it.
And for the finale………………………………………
Ok it’s not a musical end but still this is a pretty impressive and small application which I was introduced to by my good friend James Morris:
Startup Control Panel – I couldn’t really do it any justice in my explanation so here is theirs:
Startup Control Panel is a nifty control panel applet that allows you to easily configure which programs run when your computer starts. It’s very small and won’t burden your system. A valuable tool for system administrators!
My computer can now breath again when it boots up.
With the exception of PHPDesigner, every other application linked to in this blog is FREE, some are open source, some licensed under GPL or similar but most of all did I mention, their FREE.
Google Chrome – Is it just another browser?
Google Chrome promises to be the next evolution of web browsers for the internet, they claim to run multi processor tab browsing with a good balance of “simplicity meets complexity”, in other words they want some cool features in there but they don’t want to bulk it out and slow it down.
Google loves to try and lead the way, but they actually piss me off sometimes, recently they reduced the PR of a popular site we run to 0 and won’t tell us why it was dropped so dramatically making it impossible to correct any issues to reinstate the high page rank.
Anyway that’s sour grapes.
If Google can deliver what they promise it will mean an end to webpages crashing whilst running some java script and forcing you to restart your whole browser because nothing works. Well the pages might still crash but the browser shouldn’t.
If you interested in learning more about Googles new browser you can visit their comic book presentation:
http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/
Googe Chrome is open source so anyone can develop for it, and for themselves which is very cool.
Will it just be yet another browser on the market?
I’m not sure, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see how it preforms and what it actually does feature wise.
NOTE: This beta version has two serious bugs which could leave your computer vulnerable!