I have to use XP all day and its boring, slow, rubbish and counter-productive, but this I actually like the sound of...maybe Vista won't be that bad?. $200 isnt all that much for an initial release either, prices can only fall right?
Lets hope Apple are planning some major improvements...I would hate the Vista Vs Leopard war to fizzle out...Bring it on!

I just read some more comments as they were added here...*you are blind* * i will not be submissive* *socially engineered malware* maybe you guys should chill, spend a little less time talking big on a forum and spend a little more time working on that novel you've been working on...

Do people even read the posts before making comments anymore?
It has already been stated that information is NOT sent to Apple servers, but infact information is sent TO your computer for a comparison to take place. This simply means that (as stated above)if someone has downloaded a dodgy widget, their computer will realise and update/inform them.
If the Mac platform really does take off, and its market share does increase sharply, then the ratio of stupid people per computer will also increase... due to all the switchers...so stuff like this will be useful to stop future (probably immanent) infections from malware, virus attacks etc. :p

The cross hair style control does actually make some sense. With regards to navigation, the menus are only horizontal and vertical...not ciruclar. If it was like a touch pad, you could scroll your finger along it. Although, I think its quite iconic, they may as well change the Apple logo...

The PowerMac enclosure is nice and all, but it sure is big, and I can't help but think that it was designed with functionality in mind more than dashing good looks. Hence why it has holes all over it to aid cooling. I think Apple will have to redesign it anyway, as I seem to remember the G5 chip enclosure inside it being the largest component/s by far. I think a much sleeker, shexier design is in need! I just hope it uses more advanced technology this time ie faster hard drives and faster ram. Surely it will be released with a new cinema display with iSight and IR sensor built in?

This really doesn't surprise me. After 14/15 months of backbreaking work, my PowerBook's HD packed in. I did have prior warning so was able to back up my data. I contacted Apple about the cost of repair, and they couldn't stop apologising for the fault. It was picked up the next day, delivered back to my door two days later with a new HD, and all the latest updates installed on it, fully cleaned and serviced...which in itself extended my warranty, at no charge! Now THATS service.
I have a nano also, but I bought that from a Dixons store, to get the accidendental damage cover, and I have to say, sometimes the faults with 1st Gen Apple products really piss me off! But, thats the risk of being an early adopter I guess. But then again, don't lots of companies have problems with 1st Gen runs of products? PS2? Xbox 360?
Thats my 2p, but I agree with much of what has been said already...well that which I was able to decipher... :P

Its not a half bad looking laptop actually, if you got rid of the stickers on it, and changed the break-easy hinges, got rid of the aerial on the side, made the track pad slightly larger, coordinated the keyboard with the rest of the box you know, spent some time making it look decent. I think even though it has a relatively low spec, the performance of the HD will make a huge difference! Can you imagine the prices of gamer laptops/high end consumer laptops with one or two of those hard drives in! Eeek!

I dont know whether im impressed or not...Im not keen on the Matte finish, but i havent seen one in the flesh yet. I know people keep going on about the integrated graphics, but are they really that bad? Whats the spec on that thing?
I did imagine it to be much thinner and sleeker, but i wasn't that keen on the last ibook to be honest.Was a bit too clunky.
Next to the last ibook revision though, the spec is miles better, so thats good i suppose.

blzeebub see comment 3.

Maybe you should run me through your magical process again?

:P

7.5 x 4.2 x 8.5-foot plasma?

So its a box then?