ThatSiebGuy

I figured I would make my predictions for this, the last, Macworld this year:

1. Death of the iPod Classic
2. Price drop on iPod Touch
3. Price drop ($50) on iPhones + Dropping the 8GB in favor of the 32GB + Selling at Wal-Mart
4. New Mac Mini using the new Macbook chipset with Nvidia 9400M + Slight price drop + Aluminum case

Hopes:
New Mini uses Magsafe and mini-displayport adapters so it can be used with the new 24″ Cinema Display, making full use of the Macbook/Pros connectors for everything and giving you iSight and more USB ports.

Maybe an update to the iTV.

Ah, good old HDCP rears it’s ugly head. While surprising, it’s nothing new. In terms of Apple’s enforcement, it’s rather uneven; some content is protected, some isn’t. I would assume this is more to the whim of the content owner, especially when it comes to newly released HD content. If you try to play protected content on a non compliant display, it refuses to play.

Content Protection has already been available for some time now by just about any device that has an HDMI port, and even newer devices that may only have a DVI port. HDCP has been enforceable by Windows (i.e. Vista) for a while. If you were to play a protected HD or Blueray movie on a non compliant display, you would get either a black screen or a lower (SD - standard def) resolution version. So, I don’t see what all the hub-bub is about other than this being all holy and sacred Apple who’s doing it, or rather, following orders to enforce HDCP. Yeah, there will be those that claim they are only doing it to force you to get the new 24″ Display-port Ciniema display for their Macbook/Pros, but I highly doubt that. If that were the case, Apple would have forced all iTunes HD content to be protected. Also, this should only affect a small percentage of users who are still using older displays with their Macbooks. I know I would be one of those with my aging (pre HDCP) Samsung 213T LCD.

Remember, just because you paid for the content does not mean it’s actually yours, even under Fair-Use. Thank the MPAA.

Apple released their new revision to their laptop line earlier this month to much fanfare. Finally, the Macbook Pros have new graphic chips, new buttonless trackpads, and bright LED screens. I can’t wait to get my hands on one after just having sold my Black Rev.1 Macbook leaving me Mac-less at home. But, there are always those ready to badmouth Apple about something, surprisingly, this time it comes from old Walt himself, who is a known Apple fanboy.

In addition, Apple now offers the 15 inch MacBook Pro only with a glossy screen, having removed the option for a matte screen that is often preferred by pros who work heavily with photos and videos, because of the glare and fingerprints it can attract. This glossy-only choice is also present on the MacBook, but it matters less there, because that machine isn’t usually the choice of graphics pros.

Ok, this is annoying me because I have used both a matt 15″ Powerbook, a matt Macbook Pro, and a glossy Macbook. I can tell from experience that I much prefer the glossy screen over the matt. The matt screen always looked dimmer and kinda fuzzy compared to a glossy. Edges didn’t pop out as nicely and colors are not as correct as with the the glossy, something I think the “professionals” would appreciate. And who puts fingerprints all over their screen??

“Oh, but what about the reflections!!” Yes, there are reflections, but its no different than your tube tv, when the image is bright enough, you don’t notice a reflection. I got used to it and never really noticed it after a while of using it daily in an overhead lit environment. I found myself adjusting the screen as needed without even thinking about it. The screen does suck if your using it outside, but I have never had a good experience with a matt screen outside either. Though I know some of the tablets available have very good outside viewing.

That being said, after using one of the new Macbook Pros in the store, with noticable overhead lighting. I didn’t even notice the glare, and I don’t think most people will. I also think it’s unfair to go after just Apple about this when just bout every PC laptop I see in the stores now adays all have glossy screens, and I don’t see people getting all up in arms over it. I think the benefits outweigh any drawbacks, and I am pretty sure someone will come out with an aftermarket matt screen cover. Chill!