Choosing a New iMac (August 2007)

iMac 2007As many of your may have heard Apple Inc. released new versions of the iMac line last night (HK time).

It had been an upgrade that was anticipated and over due for the past 12 months. In my opinion, they did not disappoint.

They changed the industrial design of the machine but kept the machines the same thickness as the previous versions. There are 4 standard models to choose from, plus Built-to-order (BTO) versions, where you can choose different internal hard drive capacities and memory combinations; with the 24″ model able to upgrade the default processor also. You can see the chart below and click on it to see an enlarged version.

As I always say, one should always choose a computer based on what they intend (plan) to use the computer for, rather than choosing based on price and MHz. Having said that I will start off by describing three hypothetical users.

A. A first time computer or Macintosh user

This user will use his computer for general Internet surfing, visiting information sites, online banking sites and photo album repositories. They will have a web based email account. He will download photos from his digital camera and manage his collection of audio CDs on his computer.

B. A user who may have used the Macintosh before but definitely a computer

This user has the same requirements as user A, with the following additions. He will upload and share photos on online repositories (ie. Flickr), he will download and edit videos that he had taken with his DV (digital video) camera.

C. A user who had used the Macintosh before

Like user B, will have the same requirements as A and B, with the desire to use the computer as a primary video viewing platform.

Now based on these three hypothetical users I will now recommend the appropriate iMac (August 2007) for each. In all cases, I would suggest a minimum of 2GB of memory. Depending on where you purchase the new iMac, you can probably find cheaper memory upgrade from reseller other than Apple. If you do choose that route, make sure these memory chips (RAM) come from reliable sources and a respectable manufacture. If you have faulty RAMs that’s more problems than you will ever want to deal with.

Let’s jump into the recommendations. For User A I suggest the basic model for him. The reason is because he does not have a great need for video and hence quick redraw of the screen for images. As a result the entry level iMac (August 2007) with 2GB of total memory will be sufficient.

For User B I suggest the minimum the 2nd “standard Apple model” of the iMac (August 2007) (aka. “the 20″ model with the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor”, since I do not want to emphasis the MHz differences of the models). This is not because of the slightly faster processor, it is mainly due to the much faster (almost twice) video card in this model. Due to this user’s need for editing and processing his home videos on his new Mac, this is the minimum configuration I would recommend.

Finally, for User C I recommend he purchase the 3rd “standard Apple model” of the iMac (August 2007) (aka. “the 24″ model with the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor”). This is because his need for using the computer as the primary video viewing device. With the 24″ it has the screen pixel resolutions to support full HD (High Definition) video content.

Speaking of HD video content, the new line of iMacs all have video capabilities to playback protected HD video (HDCP).

I am sure your needs and computing requirements will be different than User A, B or C, but I hope you find this useful and if you need, please feel free to contact me with your specific “computing requirements” and I am happy to brainstorm the perfect Mac for you.

iMac 2007 SpecsiMac (August 2007) hardware specifications

Vox Hunt: This Makes Me Cross!

Show us something that makes you cross.
Submitted by Rev Stan.

These is an old billboard location in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong.

It had one of the longest Nike ad on the side of a building one block long and 3 stories high that also wraps around the building on two faces.

The billboard had long been removed (over a month) and the 36 high power lights (just on one side) still come on each evening shining on an empty space until 23:00 each night.

This is an extreme waste of energy, especially in this day where Hong Kong’s pollution is getting worst and worst.

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QotD: Past Five Working Years


How many jobs have you had in the past five years? Where and what did you do? 
Submitted by M.  

In reverse chronological order they are:

  • "eBusiness Technology Planning Manager", Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Hong Kong
  • "Manager, Advanced Technology and Media", Arthur Andersen, Hong Kong
  • "Principal Consultant, Internet & Intranet Application Development", Hongkong Telecom, Hong Kong

More details of what I did can be found in my resume.

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Movie Review: Transformers

Poster
My Rating: 4Stars

This evening I saw the movie “Transformers” at Broadway Theaters, Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sa Tsui.

For some reason I was never into Transformers toys when I was a kid. Although, I did see the cartoons on TV while living in Hong Kong.

The special effects were amazing, with only a couple scenes that did not match the real picture, where the blue screen was obviously in use.

There were so many product placements, ranging from HP, Apple Inc. and GMC. Fortunately, Dreamworks did not infect the movie with too many of its typical in-your-face humor, as they normally do with their animations.

There were enough action and humor to keep the audience on the edge of their seats while just the right number of breaks in between to let them catch their breaths.

Rating Legend:
5Stars Not to be missed
4Stars Wait for the DVD
3Stars Buy from iTunes Store
2Stars Rent it if you can
1Stars Waste your time elsewhere

iOS Firmware Repositories [Updated: April 14, 2011]

Each time you allow iTunes to update your iOS device, iTunes will automatically delete the previous iOS firmware (ipsw) file from your computer. As a result you will not be able to restore your iOS device to one of these older iOS firmware.

I decided to create a place where I list all the iOS firmware Apple ever released in the past. The following are all hyperlinks to Apple’s official repositories, so there are no worries if any of these package contains malware payloads.
Continue reading “iOS Firmware Repositories [Updated: April 14, 2011]”

QotD: Best Week Ever


If you knew you had one week to live, what would you do, where would you go, who would you see? 
Submitted by normatheartist

I am a fairly conservative person when it comes to extravagant spending. So if I am sure that I only have one week to live. I will have an amazing party with everyone I know and then use the rest of the money to lay a down payment on a Lamborghini or Austin Martin, depending on which I money for.

"Go out with a bang" per se.

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Get Together with CX ex-colleagues @ Brunch Club, Peel St., SoHo, HK

Lamp Chops @ Brunch Club, Peel Street, SoHo, HK
Lamp Chops @ Brunch Club, Peel Street, SoHo, HK
 
The “Brunch Club” on Peel Street, neighbourhood of SoHo in Hong Kong, was a new place recommended by one of my CXex-colleagues for our 
get together tonight. It has a good atmosphere, but that was about it.


Scallops Risotto 
Scallops Risotto
 
The service was pretty poor and the food was worst. I should have known not to expect much of a service, with the numerous signs stating that service charge is not included.

Fortunately, we were more interested in the company and conversation.  

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Queen’s Pier Stand-off

Queen's Pier

I am currently watching the live broadcast of the police stand-off with the demonstrators at the Queen’s Pier, Central, Hong Kong. The police action started at 11:00 this morning.

They went in to remove the demonstrators holding out at the pier, including the three on hunger strike for the past 100 hours, and 8 demonstrators who were camped out on the roof of the pier.

Police Action #1Police Action #2

For those who do not know about the dispute. You can read more about it in a very up to date Wikipedia entry for the pier.

In short, the Queen’s Pier is an “unofficial” historic site, located in Central district of Hong Kong next to the City Hall, was targeted to be demolished to give way to a transportation project to build a costal highway.

They just removed the last of the demonstrator from the roof of the pier.

Demonstrator #1Demonstrator #2Demonstrator #3

I do agree that the demonstrators should voice their opinions against the demolition of Queen’s Pier, but at the same time, I do not agree with their extended defiant of the police instructions to leave.

We all have the rights to demonstrate and voice our opinions openly, which in this case the HKSAR government and the police allowed the public to do so, even after the deadline (August 1, 2007) to reclaim the property for the contractors.

Exercising our human rights is one thing, but defying the law is another. I do not see the need for the demonstrators to hold onto their positions after the police have ask them to leave. Nor do I agree with the demonstrators who attempt to break the police barricade violently.

The even more ridiculous thing is ATV 24 Hours News station broadcasting the demonstration live from 15:00 onwards until 21:30. Especially when there are many other important news in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the world. I agree that the event at Queen’s Pier is happening live, but the ATV reporters just kept repeating what they had said since 15:00.