THE MAC BLAST

apple continues the tradition of "crappy" graphics cards in expensive machines

2006-08-07T14:11:00.000-04:00

Wow. The new Mac Pro is damn near a dream Mmachine. Specs:

base config- $2500, and features "Woodcrest" Xeon dual-core 2.6GHz processors
1GB of RAM
2 optical drive slots (finally!)
4 hard drive bays (omfg!!!!)
250GB HDD
NVIDIA's GeForce 7300GT with 256MB of RAM (wtf???)
16x SuperDrive
options:
ATi Radeon 1900 or Quadro FX 4500 GPU, 16GB of RAM and 2TB of disk space

So essentially, apple's entry level workstation is running about 3 grand. OUCH!!! Glad my dual 2.5 beastie is still "fast", as I'd be pissing fire if my checkbook would have to blow that wide open.

Do you see the standout(hint: it's in bold) ? Once again, mac user are privy to the bottom of the barrel graphics cards. yuck. We are all lucky apple didnt stick Intel graphics- I'm sure they were thinking about it.

The thing I don't get is why no mac websites (Macworld is a bunch of pussies) go wacko on the mothership for apple's continuous ability of f'ing us in the bottoms....there is no aftermarket for mac videocards, so they can keep up with this practice. This madness needs to stop!. And please OWC, you can keep your 2-3 choices- that ain't no market by any means. It's not you fault.

Most corporations won't upgrade a mac's graphics card. Last week I did a job at a large ad agency in new york on a dual 1.8 with a geforece 52x card. The redraw was so embarrassing I was ready to walk off the job(not quite :)).

Somebody, Anybody, please create a good mac graphics card for less than 400 bucks. I', dying over here!!!!!!

Mac Mini's Graphics: Substandard to say the least. And Let's Thank Apple for the Mac Graphics Hardware Disaster

2006-03-21T14:18:00.000-05:00

10-12fps on Unreal Tournamant 2k4? PATHETIC, even by pathetically low standards. Why don't they ask Apple's senior director of desktops, Tom Boger, if anyone should be interested in such marginal graphics ability. And soon enough ATI and already Nvidia will have hardware acceleration for mpeg4, so thats a wash as well. Sigh.

You know, if I see one more link to Macworld's 'breakdown' of the Mini's graphics abilities i'm going to go hurl- so many sites, including IMG has referenced it. Not to attack an established Mac entity, but the article once again just takes a nice easy glance over the true problem here (they tend to glance over a lot of things- no guts, no opinion). The original post on this topic was to address the greater situation of the entire mac graphics market. Attempting to be a gamer on your mac you learn really quick what you limitations are- and they outweigh the strengths by an order of magnitude. Limited performance is likely to change with the intel platform, but by how much? Again, we REALLY need to help Inside Mac Games get some traffic, there isn't a new game in sight on them pages. The benefit of no choices? You dont have to 'worry' about it. But what if I want to, huh Apple?

The point is, no one other than Apple it to blame. And even when I say blame, they are the origination point for the marginilization of this market. If Apple does not push the platform itself to lend itself to game development, why would anyone else follow? Going back to the original mac mini, this excerpt is from ATI's mac page:

"Radeon® 9200 delivers stunning graphics and comprehensive support for Mac enthusiasts, powering the ultimate visual experience for OS X and legacy OS 9 operating systems."

Don't know about you guys, but that doesnt really sound exciting, does it? Some will always argue "..it's a mini, why would you care about games- go buy a powermac" but that doesn't fly. We are talking 4 GENERATION OLD TECHNOLOGY. And many, many who wanted one, well, waited. And we are wating AGAIN. You do not impress anyone, even die-hards with this garbage - if you care enough anyways. Im not suprised if 2 revisions down the line the mini will get a X1600. That's about a year and a half away, right on schedule as far as Apple is concerned. For those of us well used to Apple's marketing tactics they will be touting a dedicated graphics card as a new feature for its future revisions. WOW! And that's not even a joke.

If Apple actually allows mac users to make our own graphics decisions, the market will grow. Like they say, if you build it they will come. But Apple refuses to build it- why be suprised if no one's coming. Choices, that's what its all about. For the dude who spent $3000+ on his monster Quad, having oh, about 2 choices for graphics upgrades is pretty pathetic, especially since they both come from only one manufacturer. Every year Apple plays the "who wants to deal with the mac market" game between ATI and Nvidia. Nvidia didnt even care enough to bring out anything- they just sold Apple the keys to the car. Granted, the conversion to PCI-Express only on the newest models didnt help, so I guess they get some slack for that. Some. Sigh. Look at the mac's first true "workstation card", the Quadro Fx. No one can use it. Not one AGP workstation card. Again, Apple Shot themselves in the foot, but we are the ones getting hurt. For all of the AGP macs, including my precious dual 2.5 G5- still KING- bringing out such a card would mean instant sales because the market already exists- and it's starving to death. But ATI can bring out a goddamned Radeon "Special Edition" Card and sell it to us for 150 bucks, even though in the real market it's only worth like $50. And if that junk doesn't sell, they claim there is no market. Idiots, all of them.

Thanks a lot Apple.

Why I Hope The Mac Mini is Shunned by Mac Users- oh, and Apple Just Hates Gamers!

2006-03-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

Why I Hope The Mac Mini is Shunned by Mac Users- oh, and Apple Just Hates Gamers!

Oh boy. Why. Oh why? Why Apple, must you insist that macs always have the cheesiest graphics cards compared to pc's? How many years and how many jeers does it take to get these mac users to throw a fit about the absolutely horroble state of the mac graphics card market? Radeon 9600's are still going for 150 bucks- for mac users anyways. I mean, it's only a 5 year old technology. And low level (yes, I know, they must exist) mac users purchase these super-low-end cards because thats whats available. Is it really too hard for good ol' apple to give us the choice of our graphic capabilites for our machines? Even a build to order? CONSISTENTLY? I dare any of these mac sites to ask big Steve or any top apple rep about why the graphics card even in the new powerbooks are the weakest of what's available on the market, along with no choice for upgrades. Thanks a fucking lot APPLE. Pardon the French. What's the point of checking out mac game sites? For the new version of NANOSAUR? Nothing against shareware dude, but um, that is a shareware game. Nuff said.

The reason im so pissed about this fiasco is because im am the biggest mac nerd out there- well, uh, u get the point- and apple refuses to make a "killer" machine...something ALWAYS have to get left out. And the killer, is now we have integrated graphics in the mini? This is a BAAAAD road to travel. For all of the bullshit excuses flying over the mac boards as to why its ultimately a good thing, no one should be agreeing that (integrated graphics) should even been in consideration in the first place. Apple has no control over that particular technology, so they simply act like they dont care and always opt for the crappiest chipset they can fit in thier machines that wont cause too much of an unrest from the mac pros and other faithful. I say respond with your dollars and your noisy mac mouths- enough is bloody enough. It's taking a year just to get a radeon 1800 on the mac. A damn shame, I tell you. Where is the mid-range current gen card from ATI? Pc users are looking forward to quad sli machines, we dont even have one yet- BECAUSE APPLE DOESN'T CARE. Say what you want, but Apple isnt exactly about bleeding-edge tech. There is even plenty of mac faithful that will argue that you dont even need these cards, that somehow 12-15 frames per second in 800x600 resolution is "viable". No, that is UNUSABLE. why waste everyone's time on such a "benchmark"?

None of these mainstream mac sites ever take Apple to task- EVER. That's why nothing ever gets done about it. Think about all the people that have been dying to buy a mini when it was eventually upgraded, but now "have to think about it" because the inclusion of such a ass-backwards technology that makes everyone go "hmmm" instead of "yeah, I'll get that!".

Dont ask ATI and damn sure dont ask Nvidia- neither of these companies will say a thing about Apple's handling of the mac's graphics market. I haven't bought a mac game for a year (except my UT obligation). And if you are paying 400+(for video card)to play a game at 35 fps (medium settings of course) the jokes on you, literally- shouldnt we be getting more from what we pay for these bloody accelerators? Not enough think so, so nothing will change.

For as much as I LOVE OS X, if windows didn't exist I'd be all over pc hardware, laughing along with my silky smooth frame rates, and toss a custom box to hide the ugly "regular" look. But, sigh, to take the good is to take the bad along with it. But be warned, be scared- the powermacs are coming....what willl apple do to these machines? Where will cut corners? Do we see the low end X1600 chipset pulled over to the "pro" macs? Time will tell. And when they do come out we will fall over over them gushing because we.love.macs; while at the same time groaning because apple has shanked us again out of reasonable graphics for our machines. And you know those prices will be bananas. And we will pay them anyways, because it's sure as hell a lot better than going to the other side if the 'gates'.

And I'm sure someone will attribute that there are indeed higher-end graphics cards available, and that is well known. What is also well known, is to get graphic options like that on the mac starts at 350+- even with a 3000k computer. Tne Nvidia 6600 is a joke - nothing compared to the 7800, much less the midrage 7300. Let those people explain to me where the ATI X1800 or X1900 series cards are. Who needs options, anyways. Thanks again, Apple. See without the games support from Apple, there are no games. with out games, there is no market. Without any market, no cards. Maybe we should just take whatever we get. And the benefite of all of this is to pay more for the cards we do 'get' and pay twice the price for the games. Fucking great. Get that gams section off the site apple, you ain't fooling anyone.

It is so hilarious is that people are actually out there comparing the intergrated intel crap to the radeon 9200 which is a piece of shit and is so out of date it should be shot. Ironic. If apple users make enough noise, hell - even SOME noise, maybe we can get better graphics cards for our machines. If those new powermacs come with a lowly 1600 - and it will- I'll be throwing a fit. Too bad it looks like I'll be the only one doing so. Sigh.

Have fun guys with your 18fps. Suckers.

-ed

P.S. R.I.P. powerbook (Al)- the most beatuiful machine I have ever used. Oh, and a special shout out to OWC for thier GREAT 2-drive RAID firewire case...sweet business, man, sweet. Also, nothing but commendations to the game companies bringing games to my fave platform- this article is a shot across the bow to apple. If it wasn't for them I'd be dreaing about playing UT antead of owning it. Cheers.

WOW - Keep This Sh*t Out of Games, Please!

2006-01-31T20:32:00.000-05:00

(this article the reecent issue with Blizzard games and a WOW gamer who is trying to make a "gay" clan...just my thoughts on the issue, you can read joystis.com's breakdown here - http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/31/blizzard-vs-gaymers-are-other-minorities-next/)

Fucking idiots, all of them....its a game...someone's being discriminated agaisnt? what the fuck is it to have some idiot rolling around a game world built for customers to have fun to be used by some poor sap that wont leave that shit for the real world to intrude out gametime with? GIMME A BREAK. I'd slap that girl or whomever started that shiz - not in the real world, in the game of course- we play games to have fun, NOT TO DISCUSS POLITICAL AND WHOSOEVERS MORAL STANDINGS IN THE WORLD. just because you are paying for the game doesnt mean you have to right to proclaim your real world beliefs just because it makes you feel better. Show your alliance to your side- horde or alliance. keep all that other shit out the game, please. I cant believe im reading this- In the real world we have to deal with gays always feeling the need to smash the fact that they are not like 'us' in our faces- but please, if thats what you are, for better or for worse keep it to your dam self! aarrrghh!! Now if someone doesnt agree with what they are doing they will be frowned on as anti-gay or something. I' dont suppoirt gay lifestyle, but i also dont feel the need to run through the servers aith a flag trying to find others that feel like i do- im too busy playing THE GAME!!!!!

Im sure the originator of this whole "problem" did not think forward enough to see maybe no one fricking cares about what they believe in- and if you are so confident and in love with your orientation why are you looking for others "just like you" are you that compromised that you cant just enjoy game time with everyone? You have an ulterior motive. I bet you feel like if you dont make sure that someone knows that you are gay that you cannot sleep or maybe believe the world is f'ed up in some way. THANK YOU FOR BEING A SELFISH DIMWIT who is showing no respect for other paying customers who who rather level up and have fun then discuss why all the gay players are all huddled in a corner of one other servers by themselves. IF YOU FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT WHO YOU ARE THEN SHUT UP AND ENJOY IT- let everyone else play the game.

Here is some advice- go on craigslist and do your "recruiting" then go into the game and enjoy the fact you are around who you feel comfortable with. This person deserves no spotlight or notoriety for bringing up this "issue" - they are only serving their own interests for the benefit of no one. sorry to sound so angry, but to come home and read this on a game site is god damned ridiculous. I hope they dont edit this post because i am a gamer first and foremost and when i want to take a break from my daily grind i dont want to jump into an online game to see hear people chanting "whats wrong with us!!??"

What are the Intel Macs missing again?

2006-01-15T17:33:00.000-05:00

Im pondering trading in my trusty 15" PB aluminum for one of these "MacBook (stupid name) Pro's" ...the low end model still offers a hell of a lot more than my powerbook has- little beauty's like SATA, much faster bus speed, and the whole duallie thing really has me tempted. But fear not Alum-book faithfuls, there is something important to remember - Mr. Jobs himself said they are not ready for the professional photoshop users or pro apps for that matter- not until we get some universal binaries in the mix. Of course, this is both good and bad- good because even under emulation, many things will be a hell of a lot faster- a little ut2k4 anyone? With all the upcoming updated software, the machine will definitely geet faster over time. and besides the name, you can brag about that for quite some time. Bad? firewire 800 drive prices has come down. It will cost you some extra bread, but companies are addressing that matter right now. no modem? Don't use them anyways, wah wah wah. better screen? Check. Better resolution? Check. 2 processors? No question there. Pro apps....sigh. Since Im now a final cut wanna be and a photoshop junkie, guess ill have to wait. But someone better get me a copy of Ilife 06) before I lose my mind, the tweaks to that software is just incredible- go read up on it on such fine mac sites like mac360.com.

Cmon, somebody be nice and hook me up wit' some of that iMovie 06. I'll even review it for ya!!

-amx

Will Mactels Save Mac Gaming? We sure need the help-pt. 1

2006-01-14T19:20:00.000-05:00

As we all wait for the rest of the switch to intel chips, some wonder the fate of thier good old trusty powerpc systems. As far as I'm concerned, even though the motherboards of these oldies-but-goodies suck a lot of ass, filled to the brim with old tech, they, especially ther G5's, are true workhorses. My dual 2.5 from 2004 absolutely rips through work, from editing in Final Cut or for any task for that matter- these machines can scream. So I know I'm good for a coule of years (my mac machine ROCKS). IMHO the true test of the mac will come down to one area Apple really doesnt seem to care much about- GAMES. Macs have been humbled year after year on game performance- sometimes so badly that at one point I didn't want to bother trying to play any games on my big box. The Quake 3 engined games ran pretty well on a mac, and so did the Unreal engines- until 2003 anyways, which was apiece of un-optimized garbage. thank goodness ut2k4 or I would never have played a game on a mac again.
There has just always been something about mac gaming that has never added up, and the more I've read about game performance on the mac, I have come to this conclusion- no one really seems to know why. Or maybe the mac developes don't want to tell us and make us feel worse. It is a subject glossed over somewhat on mac gaming sites, and snickered at by pc gamers, with good reason. Opengl, which os x's graphic layer, is based on, is good, if not old and shitty, technology. Opengl reminds me of Java apps- should run everywhere and everything, but it damn sure wont be the fastest by any strectch of the imagination. Opengl's improvements over the years have jst been dog-slow- are they even using 2.0 yet? I imagine someone will comment and clear that one up for me.. And Apple hasn't helped at all in this regard- they show gamers how much they care by including years old graphics cards in even the most expensive machines- a core apple philosophy in which they believe only a few users 'need' a modern graphics card. my 2.5 dual came with a god damned ATI 9600- a POS so old I wonder why these so-called mac gamers dont stage a riot at apple's campus. I remember waiting for 6 months to year until the ATI 9800 was released, well after the PC part which is the norm. The problem was watching framerates improve by 20 percent or so on a such a powerful card for its day. The unoptimized nature of mac game ports has always bitten us a new asshole. A couple of extra frames per second for 400 bucks- money well spent, huh?
To be continued....

Oh boy, Here we go....

2006-01-13T23:17:00.000-05:00

Man, this is gonna hurt. Not me, but for all the members of the Society for Just •Us, a self-serving, tech-loving, woman-chasing, game-playing, republican life wanting group of zealots to which the like you have never come acroos. Okay, we are just some kool kats that are gonna burn some collars with this blog- and give a special shoutout to all the companies we love in jest- like the RIAA, whom we personally refer to as "our brothers in this war."

Let the fun begin. I need a sandwich.

-amx