Windows tech writer Paul Thurrott comments on HP’s first computer with a built-in spot for an iPod:
“OK, it’s HP, so the ‘dock’ isn’t all that elegant (apparently, the plastic cover can be swapped for one that fits HP cameras too), but it’s still interesting that Apple didn’t do something like this first.”
“Oh, and that computer is fricking cool looking, BTW.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If that lump of mismatched plastic doors and components is “fricking cool looking,” then Dame Edna Everage is one hot babe. The only thing remotely “cool looking” about it is that they’ve got Apple’s light silver color matched pretty closely, they laid out the collection of 57 cheap-ass plastic parts neatly for the photo (how did they get that remote to stand up on it’s hind end?), and they left its very square screen black to spare us from the cartoonish Windows XP eyesore. It would seem that some Windows PC users don’t care about design, simply because they can’t tell the difference between the good and the bad. They’re “designblind.” And hideously so. A strong reason for Windows’ popularity perhaps?
Apple could hire the “designer” of this thing to go after the mass audience, except we don’t think these Wintel box assemblers have any designers on staff. Doing so would no doubt increase the sticker prices of their plastic lumps by one-tenth of a cent per unit, thereby costing them massive market share. This HP, like something from Gateway or Dell or other Wintel box assemblers, looks like something a random hardware engineer “designed” in order to keep the manufacturing and assembly costs as low as possible.
And look at that poor iPod perched up there like Julia Roberts atop Ed Asner. (Sorry, Ed). If Raymond Loewy wasn’t already dead, this HP setup’s image would surely kill him.
Save the aesthetically impaired, get them a Mac.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Hewlett-Packard mimics Apple color schemes on new Pavilion desktop PCs – March 30, 2005
Hewlett-Packard adds ‘iPod dock holder’ to latest Media Center desktop – March 30, 2005
Defending Windows over Mac a sign of mental illness – December 20, 2003
Power Mac G5 industrial design is simply genius – June 26, 2003
Apple leads; Wintel follows as usual – November 11, 2002
Frankly, I like the idea of a built-in dock. Not on the top, but in the front (as long as I don’t lose a USB 2.0 or FireWire 400 port!). Fewer cables and crap on my desk is a plus and matches Apple’s current design neatness.
Personally, I thought the eMac and original iMacs were pretty ugly computers. Oh, the clam-shell iBooks? Yuck! The G3 and G4 towers were pretty nice in the way the opened up, but I didn’t much care for the exterior design. The G5 Powermac? That IS nice.
Figures HP would put a iDock on the top of the PC, how stupid.
Anyway at least that locks a iPod to a PC.
For a cool looking Mac and a example how stupid a iDock on top of a PowerMac would be, just look at this guys Mac picture
http://homepage.mac.com/hogfish/PhotoAlbum2.html
this guy sure has a hard on for us mac boys , i think he needs to be taught a lesson in manners
“And look at that poor iPod perched up there like Julia Roberts atop Ed Asner.”
Funniest MDN analogy ever!
“And look at that poor iPod perched up there like Julia Roberts atop Ed Asner. (Sorry, Ed).”
Sorry Ed? What about poor Julia?
Or look at ths guys setup.
That HP computer is just window dressing on a inferior product.
Especially the OS that runs it.
Cheeeeezzzzze grater…
or Why MacDailyNews doesnt care about its visitors..
or Pop-Underware for FREE from MacDailyNews…
or We’ll keep popping your browsers with crap until you stop coming.
Stop reading this site – I’m only coming back to make sure I complain enough.
Macdailynews – the ONLY mac site that serves Pop-Unders..
Watch this comment disappear!
AM
You guys are f’ing ANAL. This case isnt bad, I wouldnt buy it. But alot of people have..
Stuck up Bastards
Im in marketing, I have a G5. It doesnt look any better than my Sonata case from Antec..
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-170-020&DEPA=1
‘… I did realize however, when the blue G3 came out that Apple too can make bad looking stuff’.
Interesting for me that blue G3 was the first time I saw the computer as a thing of beauty
Do not over-react on anything not Apple dear MDN …
Hmmm.. since I wasn’t sure what ‘fricking cool’ meant.. I decided to check out some pictures of James Dean … this one in particular
I realize now that the new HP-iPodCoattail Media Center is indeed “Frickkin Cool”
“And by the way, it’s “frickin'” cool, not “fricking” cool.”
I prefer friggin.
ButtPirate: “Im in marketing, I have a G5. It doesnt look any better than my Sonata case from Antec..”
Wow, “ButtPirate” — you’re frickin’ blind!
That Antec thing is HIDEOUS. ButtPirate, maybe you’ve been rear-ended one too many times?
It’s getting increasingly annoying how the MDN take is so (biased isn’t quite right–it is a Mac fanboy site) apologetic. Towing the company line is one thing, but this over the top devotion is like worshipping Big Brother. How appropriate Apple used the imagery from ‘1984’ in their most famous commercial. It’s come full circle.
Does that look like the Antec Case? Read Fucko’s..
This is my antec case, Its smaller, lighter, more expandable, and get this, more quite than the G5.
http://www.antec.com/productImage.php?ProdID=15138
“maybe you’ve been rear-ended one too many times”
Yeah Kate, By Apple. Im sure you prefer it that way.
MDN take,
Yes, and hypocritical, too. Some of the links to articles (like Windows IT Pro) require paid subscriptions. All the bashing (like Real’s Glaser) is rather juvenile and petty. The commentary lacks any real thought and professional rebuttal if MDN holds a contrary opinion.
The site does do a decent job in consolidating the disparate Mac sites into one easy-to-access place. That’s the primary reason I visit here. Although, I find myself at MacBytes, et al, with increasing frequency.
It would be nice to see the “MDN Take” mature a bit.
It would be nice to see the “MDN Take” mature a bit.
Once the 13 year old stop running it. Then….Maybe..
Well, before you bash it too much, consider what you’re comparing it against.
PC Designs tend to be fit two categories: Boring Beige/Black or Riceboy X-treme. Dell is the first design example and machines like ButtPirate’s example are the other ones.
For a PC, HP actually came up with one that looks nice and I suppose that, in of itself, is impressive. Compared to Apple? Eh. Compared to it’s PC Brethren? It’s a home run.
Paul, though, needs stop trying to sound like the cool kids. Pretty soon he’ll be talking about how it’s the shiznit.
Hey, ButtyPirate — That’s even uglier than the other one.
And no, I’m not talking about your sisters.
“And look at that poor iPod perched up there like Julia Roberts atop Ed Asner. (Sorry, Ed). If Raymond Loewy wasn’t already dead, this HP setup’s image would surely kill him.”
Brilliant! ROTFL!
spyinthesky-
That’s my point. Everyone who thinks “only” Apple can design anything will hate the HP case, or indeed any case that doesn’t come from Apple. I was that way until the blue G3. You liked it, I didn’t. That’s okay until we start talking Apple vs. anything else. I’m not talking about you, just people here in general. I can imagine what most people would be saying about the current G5 had HP come up with it instead of Apple. That’s just how most Mac fans are.
BTW, I didn’t like the G5 at first. How could that cheese grater replace my beautiful G4. Now my G4 looks so quaint and old school. Funny how things change
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”cheese” style=”border:0;” />
“And no, I’m not talking about your sisters.” – Spelunking Cave Man
For your info Cave Man, I dont have a Sister. Are you refering to your Wife? Cause I wouldnt touch her with a ten foot pole with YOUR dick on the end.
I don’t care for the look of that case. I think having a dock built in is cool. Especially for those who do not have a dock for there iPod.
Some PC manufacturers make nice looking cases and have been for many years now. They are getting quieter as well. There are also a number of case manufacturers that make magnificent looking cases.
I know apple products usually look very nice, but not all of them. I don’t like the big chin on the new iMac myself.
It’s not fair to tag all PC cases as ugly beige boxes.