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macnn/electronista

12/27/2007, 1:10pm, EST

Thursday, December 27th

Mossberg: XPS One poses threat to Apple, Gateway

Dell's recently-launched XPS One computer may pose a serious threat to Apple's iMac, says popular columnist Walt Mossberg. Like the iMac or the Gateway One, the XPS One combines the internals of a computer with an LCD monitor, making for an extremely compact system. Mossberg notes, however, that the XPS comes with features even the iMac does not, such as a TV tuner and a built-in card reader, as well as a wireless mouse and keyboard bundle which Mac users must pay extra for.

The design is also more convenient in some ways, with USB and headphone ports mounted on the side instead of the rear, and a dedicated button for turning off the screen without shutting off the computer. Furthermore, where simplified media playback requires a remote and a new menu (Front Row) on an iMac, XPS users must only interact with a touch panel on the system's right border.

Mossberg is ultimately recommending the iMac though, as he argues for the superiority of Mac OS X Leopard over Windows Vista, primarily because of the included iLife suite and less vulnerability to malware. He also notes that a comparable iMac is at least $100 cheaper, despite having a dedicated graphics card. [via Wall Street Journal]


Filed under: computers, industry, Apple
Other story tags: Dell, iMac, Gateway

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12/27, 1:23pm, EST
first off, the iMac runs OSX and Dell runs Windows. So that alone refutes Mossberg's claim.

second, not everyone prefers a wireless keyboard and mouse for the simple reason of having to worry about changing batteries, or facing lesser Mouse performance.
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Uh...
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12/27, 1:38pm, EST
Uh, Belugashark, maybe you should read the actual article, or even the third paragraph of this MacNN story. I know, reading can be difficult for some.

"Mossberg is ultimately recommending the iMac though, as he argues for the superiority of Mac OS X Leopard over Windows Vista, primarily because of the included iLife suite and less vulnerability to malware. He also notes that a comparable iMac is at least $100 cheaper, despite having a dedicated graphics card."
yup
0
12/27, 1:44pm, EST
"USB and headphone ports mounted on the side instead of the rear" Agreed, this is much better and I still do not understand why apple take so long till they realize the obvious, like putting FW, USB, and Audio jacks in the front?? What is the hold-up

"... a dedicated button for turning off the screen without shutting off the computer." This is actually available on all macs, it's called the power-button. Click it and the computer goes to sleep, shutting off the monitor.
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RE: uh...
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12/27, 1:46pm, EST
yeah I know... I was refuting the "pose a serious threat" phrase and not the third paragraph.
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threat from what?
0
12/27, 1:51pm, EST
A more expensive computer with fewer features, and inferior software. Sounds like another Dell clunker to me.
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Form...
0
12/27, 2:00pm, EST
From an ascetics viewpoint, Apple doesn't want cords and wires sticking out of the side of the iMac. From a practical viewpoint, a single USB port and moving the headphone jack to the side would make sense.
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I'd really like it if...
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12/27, 2:01pm, EST
Apple would be kind enough to add a SDHC slot to their entire line of computers. I added one to my MacBook Pro via the Express Card/34 slot and it sure comes in handy for storage.
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Someone's getting OLD
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12/27, 2:07pm, EST
and SENILE. Time to sit back and eat marshmellows ol fella. Your days as tech critic has officially been flushed down the toilet by that insulting and totally ridiculous comment. DELL? Get real.
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read the article, people
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12/27, 2:14pm, EST
unless you're too cheap or lazy to go read the article at mossberg's website. he's one of the most respected critics for 'real people' tech, and every single pc and gadget maker dreams of favorable reviews from mossberg as it makes a HUGE difference in product success.

just re-read the final paragraph of this article. he acknowledges this is a vast improvement for dell, but ultimately votes for the apple.

i welcome competition for apple in design and functionality, even if it comes from hacks like dell. it benefits all of us.

so spare me the 'your career is over old fella' crap. it's so far from true and shows how closed minded people can be in both the anti-and pro-apple camps.
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Headphone Jack
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12/27, 2:19pm, EST
Not so sure it's good to put it on the side or in front. I have external speakers hooked up to mine - would be unsightly to have that always hooked up in front or on the side.

Of course, an audio line out on the back and a separate headphone jack on side/front would be OK...
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