a drop of water

Apple computers are gaining market share on college campuses like crazy.  With their in store support (Genius Bar), optional (but well worth the money) 3 year warranty upgrade, their default suite of software productivity solutions, and their strategic marketing, Apple is poised to jump into the mainstream market share as the current collegiate-apple-fan graduates and becomes the majority of the technological work force.

Apple has made its product releases “events” that are cultishly followed by live feed and wildly rumored about on fan websites.  The interesting part is that once their new products are released, the older generation of products are substantially marked down, creating bargain deals for those who are at peace with the reality that 1st gen products typically have bugs and issues, while the tried and true nth gen products of the outdated product line are stable and dependable.

Here is an example:

Previous generation: Apple MacBook Pro MB133LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive on Amazon for $1444 (After Rebate [AR]) when just a week ago, it was around $1999.

Now, obviously if you were to buy this, then you wouldn’t have the newest and the best and the fastest and the shiniest, but you are also stretching your dollar by buying the previous product model.  What I mean is, let’s say you sell this laptop a year from now for $1000.  This would mean you “rented” this laptop for $444.  On the other hand, if you were to buy the newst model Macbook Pro, you would pay something around $2100 (retail in CA for the “low” end MBP barring any discounts), and probably sell it for $1300, resulting in a “rental fee” of $700.  As much as I like to have the newest model with all the fancyness, I must remind myself that waiting usually pays off.

This is the first Apple Special Event that I’ve followed live thanks to the real time feeds of Engadget and Gizmodo.  In preparation for the announcements, I sold my 16gb Ipod Touch on Amazon this past weekend ($280).  I originally purchased it in used condition from Ebay a few months back ($260).  Prior to the Ipod Touch, I had an 8gb Ipod Nano 2nd Generation (which was also sold).

I purchased the Touch with the intention of playing with the Apple SDK in hopes developing some applications, but unfortunately that intent still remains on the todo list.  I liked having contacts, photos, mail, access to the internet, maps online/offline and the occasional quick game to pass the time available, but found myself looking for circumstances to use it, instead of realizing circumstances where it came in handy.  This is probably because the  Touch requires a wifi connection for many of its features and applications versus the Iphone which has internet access available where ever there is reception.  My main computer, not being a mac added another level of disconnect between the Touch and the information I would like it to store, so maybe I will move to the new Nano instead.

Enter the new Ipod Nano and the new Ipod Touch.  The Nano went back to a “tall” form factor which has an overall better feeling in your hand, a full aluminum casing, an increased screen size, a jump in capacity (150$ for 8gb, 200$ for 16gb), new colors, and an accelerometer.  The Touch got a slight redesign with tapered edges (like the Iphone 3g), some volume buttons on the side, a price cut (8gb at $229, 16gb at $299, 32gb at $399) and an integrated Nike receiver.  Unfortunately the polished steel back casing lingers!

Personally, I felt the Nano upgrade was substantial and in the right direction.  As for the Touch, I felt the upgrade was minimal and generally left me unsatisfied.  I guess I read too many rumors at http://macrumors.com/ about how the Touch could receive upgrades including GPS (maybe even turn by turn directions), camera, etc.  Initially the integrated Nike receiver seemed cool, but after doing a little research it just seems more like a gimmick than a feature.  The Nike Running system seems to lack accuracy for the serious runner and the sensor does not have a replaceable battery, meaning that you have to buy a new sensor when the old one stops working.  The external speaker is a nice touch ;) and the curved edges do simulate a much slimmer device.

So in conclusion, I wouldn’t mind a new Ipod Touch, but it will probably just catalyze my wanting of an Iphone (which one side of me wants and the other side of me wants to avoid), so maybe I should just get a Nano and keep life “simple” and not tethered to a data service plan :)

Gizmodo article on Ipod Touch

Gizmodo article on Ipod Nano