Thunderbolt: Apple Strikes Again :-)

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Jetexas

At the current moment, Thunderbolt is just annoying. The problem is, there are no drives fast enough to utilize the thunderbolt transfer speed, so a USB 3.0 port would have been a better choice.

For a single drive you are correct. But this changes when you connect a RAID array of drives or a combination with other devices that share the bandwidth.

The Thunderbolt port can also be used for adding external monitors, but no monitors use a Thunderbolt connection, so you have to spend another $50 on an HDMI adapter.

Thunderbolt is compatible with the Apple Mini Display port (same connector even). Apple and Dell sell these for years already. When you daisy chain these on Thunderbolt, the Mini-Display-Port screen must be the last device in the chain.
You only need a cable for this, no adapter.

Then, these first generation Thunderbolt ports have metal wiring versus optical wiring, so from what I understand, once drives are developed to utilize the speed, these first-gen ports will still bottleneck them.

It is likely that 90% of all Thunderbolt ports will be copper based because they can supply power to connected devices that way. Optical only makes sense for longer cable lengths. There is no speed difference between the two, so no bottleneck. Copper or fiber, both are 10 Gbps.

cheers,
Nick.

[barnakiel]

G-sensor is a movement (probably inertia) sensor, not a gyro-compass sensor.

Not?

b.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

G-sensor is a movement (probably inertia) sensor, not a gyro-compass sensor.

Yes, but Apple introduced a real compass with the 3Gs iPhone. (the 3G didn't have it yet). This is a true solid state 3-axis magnetometer just like in the newer instrument packages (lower quality of course).

Before this, they had a G-sensor (like my 1st generation iPod-touch). But the 3Gs was introduced in June 2009 so a real compass has been around for years now.

Edit: ah you probably mean that there isn't a gyro in there? no, but same for most devices that still get the gyro label although they are 100% solid state.

ciao!
Nick.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I agree that many cruisers only need a $350 netbook, but in the marina here, I see more MacBook's than netbook's now.

Here in the academy I'd estimate the macbook/pc ratio among students to be at least 3/1.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes, but Apple introduced a real compass with the 3Gs iPhone.

You mean a sensor of the magnetic field, do you?

So now we are talking about 3 different things:

- movement sensor,
- magnetic field sensor,
- gyro.

Mixing these up is OK as long as all discussing parties relate to the same reality. Which was not the case.

iPod DOES NOT have a gyro sensor any more than a 3G mobile has three gyro sensors (buy one, get one free!).

;-)
barnie

[tager]

My next computer is going to be a netbook. Just sayin'.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by tager

My next computer is going to be a netbook. Just sayin'.

Mine a tablet. Just saying because have a netbook already.

b.

[Intentional Drifter]

I always get a kick out of people who diss Apple. BTW, I don't think I qualify as a fanboy; 4 of the 6 computers I own are PCs. But, I am truly thankful for Apple's role in personal computing. They are responsible for getting into the consumer's hands a few important advances: The first consumer computer that regular folks could actually buy and use (Apple II), GUI's, mice, a somewhat "portable" computer (the IIc), laser printers, desktop publishing, SCSI, 3.5" discs, small footprint all-in-one computers (Mac), even smaller footprint all-in-ones (iMacs and minis), large, high quality flat screens (Cinema displays), the first flat screen monitor (in 1984), and of course, iPods, iPhones, and the first usable, carry it with you anywhere tablet, the iPad. I've probably left out even more than I've listed.

Without Apple always pushing the envelope, even during the "dead years" in the late 80's/early 90's, we may very well still be using MS-DOS and 40 pound desktops. The competition that Apple brought, and is still bringing, has kept everybody else on their toes. I am also thankful that Apple's competition also exists, since that keeps Apple always having to keep their prices "within reason", even if there is somewhat of a premium.

In my customer service experience, Apple has also substantially improved with the stores and the Genius bars. On the few times I've had a problem, the longest I've ever had to wait for a fix (and that was to replace a laptop screen) was 90 minutes, from walking in with the problem to walking out with it fixed.

I'm still wishing for that Apple 2-button mouse, though.

ID

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Intentional Drifter

I'm still wishing for that Apple 2-button mouse, though.

Mouse buttons what's that?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

You mean a sensor of the magnetic field, do you?

No. It's time for you to catch up with new tech

start here: Magnetometer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and here: Accelerometer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The technology in the new iPhones is the same as in the fancy Maretron, Simrad etc. "electronic compasses". They outperform the old gyro compasses where a real gyro spins at 20 krpm etc. omg, I worked with those in Leopard tanks while serving in the cavalry

ciao!
Nick.

[capngeo]

I bought an iPhone 2 years ago... liked it so much I got a MacBookPro.... Looking at an iPad next week.... Never going back to PC.. Jus' Sayin'

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Bash

Here in the academy I'd estimate the macbook/pc ratio among students to be at least 3/1.

Thats quite a high ratio 25%

Here in Aus its incredible the number of IPhones around. Its only a matter of time before i end up with one.

cheers

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Bash

Here in the academy I'd estimate the macbook/pc ratio among students to be at least 3/1.

Every class / college / university must have its slow learners, Professor . . . after all, someone has to work on the cars and mow the lawns of the elite.

TaoJones

[Event_Horizon]

The Ipad shouldn't be randomly grouped in with other Apple product pricing. Most of the stuff Apple puts out is fairly expensive when you compare it to similarly spec'd devices. The Ipad is a glaring exception to the rule. It is very inexpensive compared to the competition.

[George Wade]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Apples are good for cider only.

Why pay twice as much for something that can be gotten for half the price?

b.

Good thought — I'll go to 'The Troller' and ask for a cider with Thunderbolt. It won't cost me twice as much. Only problem is that the cider's too sweet.

George
H S Bay