News
Mix: Mac mini, Hit-and-run, Hi-Fi disappointment, Music Week
Like it did with the iMac G5, Apple is promoting the new Intel-based Mac mini computer as being iPod-like. “Mac mini. Your whole digital life, as easy as iPod,” reads an email to Apple Store customers.
A San Francisco woman who was the victim of an hit-and-run accident was identified thanks to her iPod and the help of an Apple retail store.
David Colker of the Los Angeles Times says the iPod Hi-Fi is “quite disappointing” and that it’s “maybe the weakest offering from Apple since the woeful Cube computer of 2000.”
Apple’s iTunes Music Store was named Best Digital Music Store at the Music Week Awards 2006, which were presented at the Grosvenor House in London on March 2nd.
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1
The problem with the LA Times review is that the reviewers don’t seem to understand the whole concept of “all-in-one speaker unit.” Instead of evaluating how the systems sound in comparison to each other, they whine about how it’s not true stereo and how any single-box system will sound bad. Yes, mostly it’s understood that for true, quality sound you are going to need actual speakers. But some people, for whatever reason, will want an all-in-one unit. Unfortunately this review doesn’t take that viewpoint into account, and instead seems to be comparing these speakers to any and all out there. Of course the Hi-Fi will not sound as good when the standard is high end bookshelf speakers. For the all-in-one buyer, this review has no bearing. Read the iLounge one instead.
Posted by Joshdude in Long Beach, CA on March 5, 2006 at 8:34 PM (PST)
2
I don’t really understand why people think the Cube was such a weak offering. Although initially overpriced, it was a great computer. Aside from being a marvel to look at, it was perfectly silent (with the right hard drive), and was the most easily upgradable computer I’ve owned.
Posted by Dweebert on March 5, 2006 at 9:21 PM (PST)
3
Gotta love the integrated video on the new Mac mini…
Posted by JPack on March 5, 2006 at 9:39 PM (PST)
4
The major flaw with that review was that the system was tested with 128 audio files. So yeah, the “grilled cheese sandwich” was actually the crap quality of the files from the music store. I’m not defending the product, just saying that in my opinion, that review is worthless.
Posted by iPinkFloyd on March 6, 2006 at 3:23 PM (PST)
5
i agree they shouldn’t call it ‘‘ipod hi-fi..i would call it spaker hi-fi:)
Posted by Apple on March 6, 2006 at 6:17 PM (PST)
6
So yeah, the “grilled cheese sandwich� was actually the crap quality of the files from the music store.
Um…I think the original “grilled cheese” reference was made with regards to the Hi-Fi’s uncanny resemblance to a toaster oven.
Also, considering that—what was it again?...oh, yeah—a billion of those 128k downloads have been sold, it seems to me the LA Times test is INDEED a fair test, simply because so much of the music used on iPods is compressed to 128k. Plus, it’s not like a person has a choice on the sampling bitrate if they buy all their music from iTMS.
Posted by flatline response on March 7, 2006 at 3:14 PM (PST)