thedetroitchannel asks above…. “mediocre? please explain.”

Build quality. Apple doesn’t manufacture them like they used to, or at least they don’t manufacture the iPod line to the same build standards of the Quadra 840av (which I still use a few times a month) or the PCI Macs of the 1990s. See comment below.

KFF states above…. “Will the iPhone also break at the 18 month mark so you need to go and purchase a new model….”

This is an important point that one needs to consider seriously before purchasing the proverbial “iPhone”. “Non-functioning iPods being offered as parts units are frequenly listed on the various electronics/computer swap lists that I watch, which indicates a less-than-stellar reliability rate within the iPod product line. If the iPod has a habit of developing problems after a year or two of use, then there is no way I’d trust a telephone built by the same company, especially since that phone might be my lifeline to the world in an emergency. YMMV

I have electronic equipment which was built in the 1970s and still works as new. There is no reason why Apple computer couldn’t build iPods and other products to the same longevity standards.

David Westin says…. “How about a $200 price chop on the 24″ iMac?”

Now that Apple builds their computers using Intel chipsets and offers no classic application support (that I know of) on the Intel machines, unless one has a specific need to run OSX, one can build an Intel clone PC from parts for easily a third or even less of the price of a new Mac if they are a good shopper. Many/most OSX functions can be duplicated using the FreeBSD system (on which OSX is based) or one of the various flavors of Linux running on generic Intel hardware. Considering this, I don’t see how Apple can justify the big-buxx they are asking for their post-switch-to-Intel offerings.

Just my opinion - YMMV

73’s - DJ Carli

I would like to see Apple come out with their own printer with wireless capability in it.

For real predictions instead of wishful thinking, the iTV with the ability to watch multiple streams.

And yes, it will be announced at Macworld, with Steve Jobs calling Bono.

mind you, i couldn’t operate an ipod if my life depended on it. but my kids have had everything from the original click wheel to the shuffle to a mac book .

never a problem save the battery on the original ipod, which was immediately replaced simply by presenting it at best buy (where i always purchase the service contract).

mediocre? please explain.

expensive? i’d agree there.