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	<title>Articles &#38; Opinions On Everything Apple &#38; Mac Computer</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.powermax.com/articles/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles</link>
	<description>Just another WordPress weblog</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
	
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		<title>The PowerMax weekly specials keep comin’ at ya</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/weekly-new-hannustmasgiving-deals/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/weekly-new-hannustmasgiving-deals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=740</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We’re pretty sure our loyal PowerMax customers appreciate our personalized approach, especially because we hear from so many of you so often. In fact, our CEO keeps a folder in his email “in box” loaded with unsolicited emails (hundreds of them from this year alone). He’s been spotted reading them aloud to Max the Sasquatch, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We’re pretty sure our loyal PowerMax customers appreciate our personalized approach, especially because we hear from so many of you so often. In fact, our CEO keeps a folder in his email “in box” loaded with unsolicited emails (hundreds of them from this year alone). He’s been spotted reading them aloud to Max the Sasquatch, who squeals delightedly while clapping his monstrous, hairy hands at the latest compliment.</p>
<p>We even appreciate the occasional criticism, because not only do we know we’re not perfect, but hearing about how we can be better is very important to us. Accordingly, it seems just a couple of our Bolt subscribers thought we were being a little disrespectful of the holiday spirit by merging some of the major holidays into one word; keeping in mind Max came up with it after we tried explaining it all to him, dubbing it Hannustmasgiving. I guess that shows us what delights a Sasquatch may not delight every human being out there. But then again, we should’ve known that because he eats rodents without bothering to cook ‘em.<span id="more-740"></span><br />
In any case, we want to make it clear that we in no way intended to diminish the importance of these holidays by creating a name for the two-months-long season. Sure, we could have said “holiday season,” but not only is there no fun in that, but we think that term obscures all those holidays even more than Hannustmasgiving does. So we’re sticking to our guns, by golly. Besides, the positive feedback outweighed the negatives by an order of magnitude. Still, we just want to make sure everyone knows that in no way are we suggesting that the individual days should not be cherished and respected.</p>
<p>Just in case you want a little more on the topic and our approach, take a sec to read this article where <a href="/articles/2009/11/the-funny-thing-about-humor/">we discuss humor, in all its glory</a>. As always, we appreciate any feedback on this or any other topic!</p>
<p><strong><a href="/parts/show/chi-chi1125"><img class="size-full wp-image-746 alignleft" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/chi-chi1125.jpg" alt="Chill Pill Speakers   $29.95" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Chill Pill Speakers -  $29.95</strong></p>
<p>To keep the ball rolling (in more ways than one), our first extra special deal is on these cute little speakers that allow you to take your music anywhere you go. They really sound great&#8230; just be sure to be respectful of your surroundings when you crank up the music. Not everyone likes to hear Slim Whitman at full volume (especially the aliens in “Mars Attacks”).</p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/chi-chi1125">Check out this deal &gt;&gt;</a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/abl-nc200"><br />
</a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/c-rfb766ll__a-ref"><img class="size-full wp-image-742  alignleft" title="a-sc-fmjichrm" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/appl_mb_2006.jpg" alt="Refurbished MacBook Pro" /></a></p>
<p><strong>17&#8243; Factory Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - $1749</strong></p>
<p>Our second awesome Hannustmasgiving Special is one we figure people will want to keep all to themselves. It’s still a little early to get really serious about Christmas shopping for a lot of folks, so what better way surf the web for gifts than with the world’s best deal on a 17” MacBook Pro. Factory Refurbished is pretty much the same as new, including a one year warranty. <a href="/parts/show/c-rfb766ll__a-ref"></a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/c-rfb766ll__a-ref">Check out this deal &gt;&gt;</a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/nov-dfm4x-oem-en"><br />
</a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/kli-1009098"><img class="size-full wp-image-744  alignleft" title="d-lac-301302u" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/kli-1009098.jpg" alt="Klipsch iGroove iPhone &amp; iPod Speaker System" width="150" height="109" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Klipsch iGroove iPhone &amp; iPod Speaker System - $119.95<br />
</strong></p>
<p>For those of you who want a more permanent audio set-up for your iPod but haven’t gotten around to buying that really nice iPod sound system, we’re pleased to offer the Klipsch iGroove SXT at a price you won’t find anywhere else. Klipsch has long been regarded as one of the finest manufacturers of audio systems, so here’s your chance to pick one up at the best price ever. <a href="/parts/show/kli-1009098">Check out this deal &gt;&gt;</a></p>
<p><a href="/parts/show/v19134"><img class="size-full wp-image-744     alignleft" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/v19134.jpg" alt="Intuos4 Medium Pen Tablet - $339" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Intuos4 Medium Pen Tablet - $339</strong></p>
<p>Lastly, we love sneaking in products that normally have to be advertised at a certain price, because these deals are made known to our Bolt Subscribers only, and of course the deals are over by the weekend. This Wacom Intuos4 is not something you’ll normally see on special, but is a great product that everyone from Photoshop artisans to folks who just want to dabble around with graphics would love to have. <a href="/parts/show/i-nin-mc031ll__a">Check out this deal &gt;&gt;</a></p>
<p>Remember, we also offer <a href="/free_shipping/">free shipping on orders over $100!</a> These specials will be over sometime on November 22, so get your orders in today!</p>
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		<title>The Funny Thing About Humor</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/the-funny-thing-about-humor/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/the-funny-thing-about-humor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:19:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kevin Anderson President CEO</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=769</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s been said that the most difficult movie to make is a comedy. I believe that, just as I also believe that the most difficult marketing or advertising concept to produce is one that contains humor. Being something of a stubborn and contrary cuss, usually when I hear that something is harder than everything else, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s been said that the most difficult movie to make is a comedy. I believe that, just as I also believe that the most difficult marketing or advertising concept to produce is one that contains humor. Being something of a stubborn and contrary cuss, usually when I hear that something is harder than everything else, I’ll gravitate toward the more difficult concept, figuring that any Joe Blow and his brother can do the easy ones.<span id="more-769"></span></p>
<p>The thing about humor is that it’s almost impossible to find a humorous concept that appeals to 100% of any given group of people, especially if you really want to make something seem really funny to a large percentage of the group. And let’s face it, humor that appeals to everyone is often overused or not very funny to a majority of the group, not to mention hard to come by. So, by it’s very nature, a humorous approach will always either go over the head of, or be offensive to, some percentage of people (with of course a percentage of people finding it neither humorous or offensive). In fact, I think you could probably diagram an algorithm that indicated that the funnier some percentage of people feel something is, the greater the number of people who will be offended. That’s probably why so many comics use creative profanity, although that’s become so commonplace that there will eventually have to be a shift away from that as the shock value peters out.</p>
<p>The problem with it all is that if you then are so afraid of offending any percentage of people, you are left with an unhumorous or bland approach as the best option.  Indeed, if a company is so afraid of that percentage that it refuses to engage in anything humorous, then the result is a humorless approach, or worse, a humorless company.</p>
<p>There are many ways to describe an individual, but for many, using the word “humorless” is a great way to portray someone in a very negative light. Not a lot of people care to spend time with a humorless individual if they can help it. The same holds true for companies, so we work pretty hard to make sure we don’t become humorless, and we accept the fact that not all of it will click with everyone.</p>
<p>There is also a method to our madness, in terms of depicting ourselves either with humor or irreverence, and that’s to emphasize that we’re human beings, and that we provide a very personal touch with every customer and on every order. While we have extensive automated systems, nothing goes through without human interaction, and we pay our people to talk with you, give opinions and advice, and to connect one-on-one; not just take an order.</p>
<p>All that being said, we’ve received a couple of emails taking offense to the New Hannustmasgiving holiday we, or actually, our mascot Max the Sasquatch, invented. First off, let me emphasize that we’re not making fun of some of our most sacred and cherished holidays, nor certainly what they represent. In actuality, not only are we just having a little fun, but we are also poking a little fun at what has become a two-month free-for-all for your Christmas dollars. While, like virtually any merchant nowadays, a lot of our financial success comes as a result of that buying frenzy, I personally feel as if it’s all gotten a little out of hand, and that we’d be a lot better off taking time to remember what each of those holidays is all about.</p>
<p>So there.</p>
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		<title>The Microsoft Tax Man Cometh, This Time With Even More Worms</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/the-microsoft-tax-man-cometh-this-time-with-even-more-worms/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/11/the-microsoft-tax-man-cometh-this-time-with-even-more-worms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Security]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=736</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Microsoft/Apple debate has not only been beaten to death, but probably trampled into the depths of hell, the heights of heaven and all the stars in between by now. Let’s face it; there are those that see no value in paying the &#8220;Apple Tax,&#8221; which is just another way to say they tend to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Microsoft/Apple debate has not only been beaten to death, but probably trampled into the depths of hell, the heights of heaven and all the stars in between by now. Let’s face it; there are those that see no value in paying the &#8220;Apple Tax,&#8221; which is just another way to say they tend to be initially more expensive, and they’re willing to stand by that opinion I think partly to help justify the relatively small savings they perceive Windows machines represent (and it’s a whole ‘nother article to talk about how Macs aren’t really more expensive at all, even when just factoring in trade-in value, a subject that we know quite a bit about. In fact, we recently stopped using the PC trade-in service we were trying from a third-party, I think mostly because PC owners were just plain discouraged when they heard what their PC’s were worth).<br />
<span id="more-736"></span><br />
I don&#8217;t know about you, but the one thing that makes owning and operating a Mac (in addition to using the slickest OS on the planet) is the almost complete lack of security concerns. I just don&#8217;t think about the issue at all. Sure, I practice safe habits - like not downloading music from any ol&#8217; website, and doing my holiday shopping at reputable sites  - but for the most part, I just don&#8217;t worry about it.</p>
<p>Microsoft <a href="http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/worms-infesting-pcs-worldwide-microsoft-20091103-htsi.html">recently released a security report</a> that makes me cringe: reports of Confickr and Taterf worm infections doubling through the first half of 2009.</p>
<p>What an awful thing - passing Confickr from PC to PC by way of a freaking USB drive. Having your computer for sale as part of a zombie net. Just waiting to see if your machine is going to start spamming all your friends while you&#8217;re away (or start eating brains&#8230;). Millions and millions of PC users have no idea if their machine is just going to freak out and go belly up one day. I&#8217;d be crushed if my MacBook Pro acted like those poor PC’s. Half my life is in this machine.</p>
<p>Computers certainly can make our lives easier - but easier doesn&#8217;t always mean safer. Especially with the reception Microsoft Vista has received, there are more PC users running out-of-date security software and simply not being as careful as they may have been years ago. Like when XP was first released.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re all sharing more of ourselves online these days thanks to social features being woven into every website - from online review sites to e-commerce. I feel safe sharing on my Mac. I feel safe knowing (almost) all those worms and hackers and malicious rogue/do-no-gooders don&#8217;t see the Mac as much of a target.</p>
<p>Maybe it&#8217;s because we Mac users are a little more savvy than the average PC user. Maybe it&#8217;s because hackers just aren&#8217;t writing worms for Macs. Maybe it’s just a safer system. Whatever the case, I&#8217;m wondering how many poor souls who saved $150 bucks on a Toshiba will be pawning it for a pre-owned MacBook after enduring one too many of these types of problems.</p>
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		<title>20 cheap apps to get your iPhone/iPod touch ready for Halloween!</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/10/20-cheap-apps-to-get-your-iphoneitouch-ready-for-halloween/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/10/20-cheap-apps-to-get-your-iphoneitouch-ready-for-halloween/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:40:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=669</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ll admit it - Halloween is my favorite holiday. Unlike most other holidays, Halloween is about little more than having a good time. Whether it’s with your kids knocking on your neighbor&#8217;s doors or getting down at some Zombie-themed soiree, Halloween gives people a great excuse to let it all hang out (sometimes including fake [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ll admit it - Halloween is my favorite holiday. Unlike most other holidays, Halloween is about little more than having a good time. Whether it’s with your kids knocking on your neighbor&#8217;s doors or getting down at some Zombie-themed soiree, Halloween gives people a great excuse to let it all hang out (sometimes including fake intestines).</p>
<p><span id="more-669"></span></p>
<p>Why not bring the celebration to your iPhone? Check out this list of 20 Halloween themed iPhone/iPod touch apps to make sure you&#8217;re the life of the party (or the bane of your neighbors)!</p>
<h2>Pumpkins!</h2>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-670" title="hallowcarver" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/hallowcarver.png" alt="hallowcarver" width="81" height="83" /> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=332447737&amp;mt=8 "><strong>Hallowcarver ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Drawing your jack-o-lantern on paper is soooo 2004! Bring your pumpkin carving planning into the digital age with this app which lets you carve your creepy right on your iPhone!</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="size-medium wp-image-676 alignleft" title="crazy_pumpkin_light" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/crazy_pumpkin_light.png" alt="crazy_pumpkin_light" width="81" height="81" /> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=330247040&amp;mt=8 "><strong>Crazy Pumpkin Lite (free)</strong></a></p>
<p>Running out of jack-o-lantern ideas? Use Crazy Pumpkin Lite&#8217;s design combinations to craft your digital jack-o-lantern.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-678" title="halloween_experience" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/halloween_experience.png" alt="halloween_experience" width="81" height="80" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=289982211&amp;mt=8"><strong>Halloween Experience ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>One of the more popular general Halloween apps, Halloween Experience gives you a chance to carve your own pumpkin, play games like hangman &amp; puzzles, play spooky sounds, AND provides a count down of the days till Halloween. Certainly lives up to its billing.</p></div>
<h2>Horror Apps</h2>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-688" title="slasher" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/slasher.png" alt="slasher" width="81" height="80" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=287112945&amp;mt=8 "><strong>Slasher ($0.99)</strong></a><br />
Scare the life out of your victims - uh, &#8220;friends&#8221; - with this app which displays a kitchen knife on your screen and plays the vintage horror sound when you make a stabbing motion. Too classic.</div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-675" title="crazy_chainsaw" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/crazy_chainsaw.png" alt="crazy_chainsaw" width="79" height="79" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=288051841&amp;mt=8"><strong>Crazy Chainsaw ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Is there anything but? You&#8217;ll be the life of any dinner party with this little app. Start up your chainsaw and scare your friends or just let your boss know how you really feel.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-677" title="ghost_detector" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ghost_detector.png" alt="ghost_detector" width="78" height="81" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=328648931&amp;mt=8"><strong>Ghost Detector ($0.99) </strong></a><br />
Nothing says &#8220;happy house warming&#8221; like a free ghost inspection. Make sure your next blind date is free of demonic possession with this little gem.</div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-686" title="saw" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/saw.png" alt="saw" width="81" height="83" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=331954517&amp;mt=8"><strong>Saw VI (free)</strong></a></p>
<p>Do you like creeping folks out? Record your voice as Jigsaw (you know, from the &#8220;Saw&#8221; movies) and email them to your amigos. Guaranteed to surprise&#8230;</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-679" title="halloween_sounds" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/halloween_sounds.png" alt="halloween_sounds" width="79" height="81" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=329200391&amp;mt=8"><strong>Free Halloween Sounds (free)</strong></a></p>
<p>What Halloween celebration would be complete without creepy sound effects? Grab this app and create a one-of-a-kind soundtrack with 15 different sounds. Conference calls will never be the same.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-691" title="zombie_me" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/zombie_me.png" alt="zombie_me" width="79" height="83" /> <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=315705722&amp;mt=8"><strong>Zombie Me (free)</strong></a></p>
<p>Ever want to become a zombie without the commitment? Now you can! Transform your (or your friend&#8217;s) picture into a brain-hungry zombie pic. Bloody mouths, wounds, scary eyes - oh my!</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-692" title="zombietron" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/zombietron.png" alt="zombietron" width="80" height="78" /><strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=311732514&amp;mt=8">Zombietron (free)</a></strong><br />
We all know synth music soothes the savage undead - so make some of your own! Add movie effects like a chainsaw or shotgun for extra guffaws!</div>
<h2>Spooky Games</h2>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-693" title="zombieville" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/zombieville.png" alt="zombieville" width="79" height="82" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=307416345&amp;mt=8"><strong>Zombieville USA Lite (free)</strong></a><br />
Who doesn&#8217;t love a good zombie killing game? Rummage through the pockets of the fallen townsfolk for ammo (or loose change) and keep the undead hoards at bay.</div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-690" title="undead_pinball" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/undead_pinball.png" alt="undead_pinball" width="78" height="82" /><strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=331453001&amp;mt=8">Undead Attack! Pinball ($2.99)</a></strong><br />
Purge the town of undead baddies with something a little less traditional; a pinball. How could you not like a game that combines both zombies AND pinball?</div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-683" title="monsterkill" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/monsterkill.png" alt="monsterkill" width="81" height="82" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=329505049&amp;mt=8"><strong>MonsterKill ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<div class="line">A fun twist on the classic castle defense genre - slice, shock, and broil wave after wave of classic horror monsters.</div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-681" title="idracula" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/idracula.png" alt="idracula" width="78" height="77" /><strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=305196662&amp;mt=8">iDracula ($2.99)</a></strong></p>
<p>A very fun, intense survival shooter which pits you against wave after wave of undead - and Dracula himself. Not for the feint of heart.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-689" title="trick_or_treat" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/trick_or_treat.png" alt="trick_or_treat" width="79" height="78" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=292067335&amp;mt=8"><strong>Trick or Treat ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>This cute, all-ages game is addictive! Simply catch candy corn and avoid the spooky ghosts. Friendly graphics make this a seasonal charmer for everyone.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-680" title="horror_trivia" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/horror_trivia.png" alt="horror_trivia" width="79" height="78" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=329190495&amp;mt=8"><strong>Horror Master Trivia ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Stump your legions of undead friends with this entertaining ride through the annals of the horror movie genre.</p></div>
<h2>More Halloween Fun</h2>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-684" title="ouija_board" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ouija_board.png" alt="ouija_board" width="80" height="81" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290406202&amp;mt=8"><strong>&#8220;Ouija Board&#8221; - Talking Board PRO ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Nothing transforms a pajama party into screenplay material quite like a seance. Up to four fingers can be placed on the Ouija planchette - but the spirits spell out the messages.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-685" title="poe" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/poe.png" alt="poe" width="79" height="79" /><strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=305667318&amp;mt=8">A Edgar Allan Poe - Collecton ($2.99)</a></strong></p>
<p>The complete works of Edgar Allen Poe, on your iPhone, for less than 3 bucks. &#8216;Nuff said.</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-682" title="isausage" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/isausage.png" alt="isausage" width="80" height="78" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320278071&amp;mt=8"><strong>iSausage ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Ok, so this isn&#8217;t exactly Halloween themed, but who doesn&#8217;t want to experience &#8220;a revolution in virtual sausage technology&#8221;?</p></div>
<div class="line"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-687" title="scary_riddles" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/scary_riddles.png" alt="scary_riddles" width="79" height="80" /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=331522187&amp;mt=8"><strong>Scary Riddles ($0.99)</strong></a></p>
<p>Featuring over 130 Halloween riddles, this app is great for introducing the kids to spooky characters without, well, scaring them. Suitable for kids 4 and up.</p></div>
<div class="line">So what are you waiting for? Ensure you&#8217;ve got the Halloween apps of the year cornered and have a fun, safe holiday!</div>
</div>
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		<title>Snow Leopard Heresy</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/08/snow-leopard-heresy/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/08/snow-leopard-heresy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:04:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kevin Anderson President CEO</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=647</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As I write this, the internet airwaves are awash in reports and reviews of Snow Leopard, Apple&#8217;s latest operating system. My contribution to the broohaha is designed to represent the majority of computer users who for the most part don&#8217;t, or shouldn’t, give a rat&#8217;s patootie.

Hey, what? We&#8217;re Apple resellers&#8230; we’re supposed to be all [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As I write this, the internet airwaves are awash in reports and reviews of Snow Leopard, Apple&#8217;s latest operating system. My contribution to the broohaha is designed to represent the majority of computer users who for the most part don&#8217;t, or shouldn’t, give a rat&#8217;s patootie.</p>
<p><span id="more-647"></span></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__ahttp://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__a"><img title="Snow Leopard Box Set (Live at Leeds)" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/app-mc223za.jpg" alt="The Superfluous Leopard? " width="150" height="148" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Superfluous Leopard? </p></div>
<p>Hey, what? We&#8217;re <a href="/">Apple resellers</a>&#8230; we’re supposed to be all giddy about the latest and greatest offering! What’s wrong with us? But there is a truth out there that almost no one is willing to talk about (which is the kind of stuff I like to talk about), and that&#8217;s that this upgrade is virtually meaningless for that large mass of Mac users who don&#8217;t make their living in technology, or can hardly tell you what OS they&#8217;re using at the moment, or even exactly <a href="http://www.everymac.com/">what kind of Mac they have</a>.</p>
<p>As a technology company, <a href="http://www.apple.com/">Apple</a> obviously has to drive toward new technology in order to keep its products fresh, interesting and competitive, and of course to continue to generate revenue. Someone using a G3, G4 or <a href="/parts/code/PM_CU_G5">G5 Mac</a> who is perfectly content with their system doesn&#8217;t make Apple any new money. So the pressure is on&#8230; upgrade or be left behind!</p>
<p>This doesn&#8217;t mean that I think Apple shouldn&#8217;t be doing exactly what it&#8217;s doing. <a href="http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=61DC40B9-1A64-67EA-E4B706479B184A9E">Snow Leopard was a very smart upgrade</a>&#8230; I was delighted when I heard what their plans were over a year ago. Stop the feature wars, let&#8217;s go back and really tighten up the code, make it smaller and faster and just plain better&#8230; behind the scenes. They&#8217;ve accomplished this in spades with this upgrade, and all the technology geeks and fans with <a href="/cats/disp/new_macs/">Intel-based Macs </a>should upgrade as soon as they know all their key software works properly. You can find a number of <a href="http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/">Snow Leopard compatibility</a> lists.</p>
<p>But I think that legion of Mac users who are tootling along just fine with their current <a href="/preowned_macs">used Macs</a> sans problems will be better off waiting a bit. Let the upgrades happen, the software incompatibilities flesh out and the bugs be found. The same with companies with installations of multiple Macs on their networks. The faces of most competent IT managers blanch the minute they hear about someone upgrading to a new OS, and these are largely the same people who have had a copy of Snow Leopard installed on their home machines the minute a developer copy leaves the Apple campus. But playing around with technology is one thing, making sure everything works on a network is another.</p>
<p>If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is a motto that is very, very appropriate to personal computers.</p>
<p>All I’m trying to say is that if you’re reasonably happy with the performance of your Mac and you’re not a techno-geek, don’t worry about upgrading right this moment. If you have a G5 Mac and it’s doing everything you need it to do, the fact that the Leopard OS is the the end of the line shouldn’t make you lose one wink of sleep. When you’re ready to upgrade&#8230; When you feel like the computer is lagging, or there is some software you really want to use but can’t, then a new Intel Mac with the latest/greatest software will be just the ticket. At that point, Snow Leopard is simply the best PC operating system you can own. But, so is a Mercedes or Bugatti or whatever (I’m not a car guy), but that five-year-old Toyota that’s running fine didn’t suddenly become obsolete because a fancy new 2010 Ferrari was introduced.</p>
<p>Personally, if I really wanted to increase my performance on my Mac, I’d get <a href="/cats/sub/25_lcd">a bigger display</a>. There is no single piece of hardware or software that increases my productivity more than seeing more information on my screen at a time. I’m not speaking for everyone, I’m just sayin’&#8230; At any rate, if you happen to need/want the latest OS from Apple we&#8217;ve naturally got Snow Leopard for sale. We&#8217;ve also got a great promo going with the fine folks at Softpress - <a href="/freeway">buy Freeway Express or Pro and get Snow Leopard for free</a>.</p>
<p>Of course, if you&#8217;re hankering for Snow Leopard and still running a beloved G3, G4 or G5, our <a href="/mac_trade_in/">Mac trade in</a> makes it crazy easy to upgrade and get that new Mac with the latest Apple has to offer.</p>
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		<title>The Snow Leopard Arrives August 28th</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/08/the-snow-leopard-arrives-august-28th/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/08/the-snow-leopard-arrives-august-28th/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=636</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Way back at the WWDC conference in June, Apple let the world know that its next upgrade to OS X, dubbed Snow Leopard, could be expected around September. But after what feels like an eternity of guesses and anticipation (imagine that!) the black turtlenecks have given us all a little gift and  and actually [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Way back at the WWDC conference in June, Apple let the world know that its next upgrade to OS X, dubbed Snow Leopard, could be expected around September. But after what feels like an eternity of guesses and anticipation (imagine that!) the black turtlenecks have given us all a little gift and <a href="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/08/24macosx.html"> and actually shipped early (imagine that too!)</a>.</p>
<p><span id="more-636"></span></p>
<div id="attachment_637" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 207px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/app-mc223z__a"><img class="size-full wp-image-637   " title="The Snow Leopard Box" src="http://www.powermax.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/picture-3.png" alt="Look out killer!" width="197" height="210" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Look out killer!</p></div>
<p>It&#8217;s hard to know exactly what drove Cupertino to push the release up (back-to-school? pre-empting Windows 7? They just plain got it done faster than they planned?), but this next release will tweak and refine the operating system we all know and love. It&#8217;s not so much a replacement for Leopard, but more of an &#8220;under the hood&#8221; performance and future-looking update. As many now know, this is an Intel-only release: Power PC users will have to make due with their old OS. Even with the Intel-only requirement, some very well-paid guy named <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/24/analyst-apple-likely-to-sell-5-million-copies-of-snow-leopard-this-quarter/">Piper Jaffary thinks Apple will move something like 5 million copies of Snow Leopard this quarter</a>, or something in the neighborhood of  $110 million dollars in gross revenue.</p>
<p>The enhancements in OS 10.6 are centered around efficiency and extended Microsoft Exchange support, which some speculate are geared toward further enterprise market penetration. You&#8217;ll also get something in the way of 7GB of disk space back with the install, which is almost unheard of when <em>adding</em> software to a computer!</p>
<p>As discussed at WWDC, the Finder has been completely rewritten - although users will see no difference in the front-end - and will take better advantage of the underlying technologies in OS 10.6. Ultimately, using Snow Leopard doesn&#8217;t feel much different than Leopard, but as the tweaks and fixes and updates pile up, the OS continues its march ahead of any competition.</p>
<p>Look to PowerMax to help you with your Snow Leopard order, and any questions you might have about your system. And of course, don&#8217;t forget that <a href="/resources/trade_in/">we take trade-ins</a>, so if you&#8217;re ready to hop on the back of this big cat but have a G3, G4 or G5, we&#8217;ll be happy to make your transition as smooth as it can possibly be. Call us at 1-888-769-7629 or email sales@powermax.com.</p>
<p>With PowerMax, we&#8217;ve teamed up with the great folks over at Softpress to offer a white-hot deal: <a href="/freeway/">Freeway Pro and Snow Leopard, shipped, no tax for  $229.00</a>! Get your copy today</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/sof-sppdje50001r"><img class=" " title="Freeway Pro Snow Leopard Bundle" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/sof-sppdje50001r.jpg" alt="Freeway Pro Snow Leopard Bundle for $229.00" width="150" height="195" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Freeway Pro Snow Leopard Bundle for $229.00</p></div>
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		<title>On the shared experience</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/07/on-the-shared-experience/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/07/on-the-shared-experience/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:19:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=625</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most significant byproducts of the growth of the Internet has been the availability of data. Huge oceans of data available to anyone who cares to dive into it.

From the online shopping perspective, this means shoppers have been able to use any data point (price, shipping options, location, number of rebates, etc) to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the most significant byproducts of the growth of the Internet has been the availability of data. Huge oceans of data available to anyone who cares to dive into it.</p>
<p><span id="more-625"></span></p>
<p>From the online shopping perspective, this means shoppers have been able to use any data point (price, shipping options, location, number of rebates, etc) to effectively &#8220;sort&#8221; online retailers - they get to define the success criteria by which retailers will be compared. This has effectively created a race to the bottom of every possible success criteria. Wanna make sure you&#8217;re at the top of the (real or imagined) price column? Better have the lowest price. Oh, you better offer free shipping to cover that base too&#8230; What about rebates? How many of those can you shove in there?</p>
<p>For the longest time the (arguably) most important aspect of shopping - the experience - has been completely missing from the equation. Sure, pricing engines, forums, newsgroups, etc have been around for years, but research is time consuming and most niche communities are product focused. Determining what it&#8217;s like to actually do business with a company is left to searching through comment strings or Google results. The barrier to finding relevant feedback on retailers wasn&#8217;t terribly high, but just high enough to make you think twice about the trade-offs.</p>
<p>Thankfully things have been changing. The rise of Social Media and its perpetual connectivity means sharing your experience (or listening to the experiences of others) has never been easier. Hated your experience at the Outback? Your friends will savor every unbearable detail in your blog post. Or maybe toss that new trendy clothing store into a Twitter search and see what other folks are saying about it, then ask them if they&#8217;d shop there again - right now.</p>
<p>Social Media has fundamentally lowered the barriers for learning about (and thus incorporating) other people&#8217;s experience into your &#8220;retailer success criteria&#8221;, and quite frankly we couldn&#8217;t be happier about it.  Sure, price is still important, but filling in the rest of the picture before you make a decision is just one &#8220;What are you doing?&#8221; away. The importance of the experience has reached critical mass and retailers need to be listening to you. We do, here with our article blog, through feedback@powermax.com, and <a href="http://twitter.com/powermax_news">on Twitter</a>. You&#8217;re always welcome to share all the good, bad, and ugly details with us (and everyone else).</p>
<p>We really encourage everyone to participate and share their experiences because sometimes the people most likely to share things online are the grumpy, sometimes unreasonable ones. We all love to let people know when things don&#8217;t go our way, and in the beginning of a movement of this type - when only a small percentage of people participate - those voices are out of proportion to the real experience most people encounter. And while companies need to hear the complaints, if there are hundreds more people who were delighted but don&#8217;t bother to share (it&#8217;s a lot easier to get riled up about a bad experience than be delighted enough with a good one to take the time), then the grumpies sometimes have a little more voice than they should. After all, those shopping decisions would be much easier for everyone if 100% of a company&#8217;s customers posted their comments, so the closer we can get to that, the better!</p>
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		<title>WWDC 2009 Roundup - new iPhones, new 13&#8243; MacBook Pros, oh my!</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/06/wwdc-2009-roundup-new-iphones-new-13-macbook-pros-oh-my/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/06/wwdc-2009-roundup-new-iphones-new-13-macbook-pros-oh-my/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:02:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[WWDC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=597</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, we all expected some interesting iPhone news out of the WWDC this year - but wowee did it ever over-deliver in this humble observer&#8217;s eyes.

There&#8217;s a new MacBook Pro in the family, the 13&#8243; MacBook Pro. The MacBook already has the wonderful aluminum unibody enclosure - this new MacBook Pro offers up 40% more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well, we all expected some interesting iPhone news out of the WWDC this year - but wowee did it ever over-deliver in this humble observer&#8217;s eyes.</p>
<p><span id="more-597"></span></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/c-nmb3-mb990ll__a"><img title="The new 13 MacBook Pro" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/aluminum_macbook_20081014.jpg" alt="The new 13 MacBook Pro" width="150" height="97" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The new 13&quot; MacBook Pro - $1,199</p></div>
<p><strong>There&#8217;s a new MacBook Pro in the family</strong>, the <a href="/parts/code/PM_CN_MB_13">13&#8243; MacBook Pro</a>. The MacBook already has the wonderful aluminum unibody enclosure - this new MacBook Pro offers up 40% more battery life, a built in SD card slot (I&#8217;m going to use the heck outta this. - ED), advanced graphics, a FireWire 800 port and one of the most beautiful displays available today - the Apple LED. The best part? You get this package for less than $1,200!</p>
<p><strong>The 15&#8243; and 17&#8243; MacBooks have also been updated. </strong>Both get the new Lithium-polymer non-removable battery, which is said to be good for a full 7 hours. The <a href="/parts/code/PM_CN_MB_15">15&#8243; MacBook Pro</a> specs are now 2.53/2.66/2.8GHz with list prices as $1,699/$1,999/$2,299 respectively. The 15&#8243; also gets the SD card slot (at the expense of losing the Express Card slot), and supports up to 8GB of RAM.</p>
<p>The <a href="/parts/code/PM_CN_MB_17">17&#8243; MacBook Pro</a> retains the express card slot.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 154px"><strong><strong><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CN_MA"><img title="The MacBook Air received a serious price cut! " src="http://www.powermax.com/img/hero_nm_macbook_air_u.jpg" alt="The MacBook Air received a serious price cut! " width="144" height="82" /></a></strong></strong><p class="wp-caption-text">The MacBook Air received a serious price cut!</p></div>
<p><strong>What about the MacBook Air?</strong> Well, how about a $300 price drop for the 1.8Ghz model? Sounds great right? If you&#8217;re looking for a <a href="/parts/show/c-nma-mc234ll__a">128GB MacBook Air</a> you&#8217;ll now find that at $1,799 - a full $700 price cut!</p>
<p><strong>The iPhone 3G [S] has arrived.</strong> The S stands for speed apparently. The <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/iphone-3g-s/">new iPhone</a> will launch applications and render web pages significantly faster. With a new processor, Apple claims 2X the speed of the previous generation. Launching messages 2.1X faster &amp; loading the NY Times in Safari will take place at 2.9X the current model - all while consuming less battery life.</p>
<p>The new iPhone camera has an increased resolution of 3 megapixles - which should provide better quality images in every condition. It&#8217;s a totally new camera with auto focus, auto exposure, and auto white balance. Tap focus was also introduced, which is a nice use of the iPhones native interface. Apple loves the touch.</p>
<p>All camera functions are available to any application - with photo/video geotagging. Did we mention video? Yeah, the new iPhone supports VGA at 30 frames per second. You can edit/trm videos using the touch function and fire your new video around the globe with email, MMS MobileMe or post straight to YouTube. Neat stuff.</p>
<p>Starting price for the new iPhone is $199 for the 16GB version, $299 for the 32GB version. Both will be available June 19th (just one day after the launch of the Palm Pre. Excellent move Apple. - ED) The previous 3G iPhone remains available at the super discount price of just $99. No reason not to have an iPhone these days.</p>
<p><strong>Snow Leopard - Mac OS 10.6</strong></p>
<p>Snow Leopard has arrived, and it&#8217;s got a load of refinements across the board. Exchange support is built right in, and apparently Apple decided to refine over 90% of the OS. The beloved Finder was completely rewritten — although users won’t actually see any changes. The magical Dock now has Expose support — click and hold to get the window you want. This is a really slick addition.</p>
<p>Snow Leopard will install up to 45% faster (although many folks will never actually install their OS&#8230;). The best part? Once you install Snow Leopard you recover over 6GB of disk space! Mail is up to 2.3x faster as well. The price for all these goodies? Just $29! That&#8217;s right - upgrade your OS for less than $30. The family pack will be available for $49 - both will start shipping (downloading?) in September.</p>
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		<title>Dad&#8217;s &amp; Grad&#8217;s - Graduation Gift Ideas</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/05/dads-grads-graduation-gift-ideas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/05/dads-grads-graduation-gift-ideas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 18:02:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=535</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;ve got a high school or college grad there&#8217;s no time like the present to grab them a gift for their graduation. Below you&#8217;ll find a number of gift ideas to help make the most of your special occasion.

MacBook Laptops 
The perfect device for your grads next adventure - give them the gift of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you&#8217;ve got a high school or college grad there&#8217;s no time like the present to grab them a gift for their graduation. Below you&#8217;ll find a number of gift ideas to help make the most of your special occasion.</p>
<p><span id="more-535"></span></p>
<p><strong>MacBook Laptops </strong><br />
The perfect device for your grads next adventure - give them the gift of the ultimate portable computer - <a href="/parts/code/PM_CN_MK">the MacBook</a>. Wireless, legendary reliability and all the joy of working in OS X. A MacBook will make anyone happy they made it all the way to graduation. (And don&#8217;t forget a bag to protect that new <a href="/">Mac computer</a>!)</p>
<p><em>Top Sellers</em></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/c-nmk-mb881ll__a"><img title="White MacBook" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/appl_mb_2006_white.jpg" alt="The 13 White MacBook" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$988 - The 13&quot; White MacBook was recently upgraded by Apple.</p></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/c-nmk-mb466ll__a"><img title="$1,281.41 - The Unibody MacBook" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/aluminum_macbook_20081014.jpg" alt="$1,281.41 - The Unibody MacBook" width="150" height="97" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$1,281 - The Unibody MacBook features a precision aluminum unibody enclosure. Very cool.</p></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/c-nma-mb003ll__a"><img title="The tiny MacBook Air" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/apple_mba_2008.jpg" alt="$1388.00 - The MacBook Air" width="150" height="112" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$1,388 - The MacBook Air is just 0.76 (back edge) to 0.16 (front edge) inches. The ultimate in mobile notebooks.</p></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/a-tim-135-4-570"><img title="Timbuk2 Laptop Messanger Bag" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/a-tim-135-4-570.jpg" alt="$81 - Timbuk2 laptop Messanger Bag" width="150" height="126" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$81 - Timbuk2 laptop Messenger Bag.</p></div>
<p><strong>iPods</strong><br />
Who doesn&#8217;t want one of the coolest accessories around? Grab <a href="/cats/disp/ipods">an iPod for your grad</a> and give them the gift of music. <a href="/parts/code/PM_MP_TO">The iPod touch</a> offers wifi without the costs of an iPhone data plan!<br />
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<p><em>Top Sellers</em></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/i-nit-mb528ll__a"><img title="The 8GB iPod Touch" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/i-nit-mb528lla.jpg" alt="$219 - The 8GB iPod Touch" width="150" height="226" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$219 - The 8GB iPod Touch</p></div>
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<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><em><em><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/i-nip-mb565ll__a"><img title="The 120GB iPod Classic" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/i-nip-mb565lla.jpg" alt="$239 - The iPod Classic" width="150" height="199" /></a></em></em><p class="wp-caption-text">$239 - The 120GB iPod Classic</p></div>
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<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/a-mb145ll__a"><img title="The 160 GB iPod Classic" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/a-mb145lla.jpg" alt="$298 - The 160 GB iPod Classic" width="150" height="187" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$298 - The 160 GB iPod Classic</p></div>
<p><strong>Display</strong><br />
Increased screen size means increased productivity, so give your grad the advantage of more screen real estate. We&#8217;ve got a few of the <a href="/parts/show/m-um9177">20&#8243; Apple LCDs</a> which are no longer being produced - so you can offer the increased productivity of a larger (or second) monitor and still save!</p>
<p><em>Top Sellers</em></p>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/m-um9177"><img title="20 Apple LCD Display" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/m-um9177.jpg" alt="$472 - 20 Apple LCD Display" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$472 - 20&quot; Apple LCD Display</p></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/m-mb382ll__a"><img title="24 Apple LED Cinema Display" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/m-mb382lla.jpg" alt="$894 - 24 Apple LED Cinema Display" width="150" height="113" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">$894 - 24&quot; Apple LED Cinema Display - super sexy, and greener than ever.</p></div>
<p><strong>Storage</strong><br />
Don&#8217;t let your grad lose all those critical files! Give them the gift of data security with a new external storage device. If they need a bullet-proof backup or just large scale file mobility these storage selections are just the ticket.</p>
<p><em>Top Sellers</em></p>
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<div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><em><em><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/d-lac-301291"><img title="LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive" src="http://images.csnw.com/med/d-lac-301291.jpg" alt="$108 - LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive" width="150" height="107" /></a></em></em><p class="wp-caption-text">$108 - LaCie Rugged All-Terrain 250 GB Hard Drive</p></div>
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<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 170px"><em><em><a href="http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/n73712"><img title="Macally FireWire/USB Storage " src="http://content.etilize.com/Thumbnail/1011137825.jpg" alt="Corsair 16GB Survivor USB 2.0 Flash Drive" width="160" height="160" /></a></em></em><p class="wp-caption-text">Corsair 16GB Survivor USB 2.0 Flash Drive</p></div>
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		<title>The Microsoft &#8220;Lauren&#8221; Ad - It’s Kinda Funny Watching an Elephant Be Frightened by a Mouse</title>
		<link>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/04/the-microsoft-lauren-ad-it%e2%80%99s-kinda-funny-watching-an-elephant-be-frightened-by-a-mouse/</link>
		<comments>http://www.powermax.com/articles/2009/04/the-microsoft-lauren-ad-it%e2%80%99s-kinda-funny-watching-an-elephant-be-frightened-by-a-mouse/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:22:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kevin Anderson President CEO</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[PowerMax Culture]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.powermax.com/articles/?p=519</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the old cartoons it was pretty common to see a large elephant’s eyes grow wide at the sight of a mouse, and stampede away or cause all sorts of damage in its frenzy to get away from the vicious “monster.”
Apparently Microsoft’s executives spent a lot of time watching cartoons when they were kids (or [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the old cartoons it was pretty common to see a large elephant’s eyes grow wide at the sight of a mouse, and stampede away or cause all sorts of damage in its frenzy to get away from the vicious “monster.”</p>
<p>Apparently Microsoft’s executives spent a lot of time watching cartoons when they were kids (or perhaps still do). The little Apple mouse is making this elephant of a company run so scared that it’s airing competitive ads against Apple, despite the fact that it still commands roughly 90% of the market.</p>
<p><span id="more-519"></span>The one I get the biggest kick out of is with Lauren:</p>
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<p>If you watch the first part of it closely, you’ll see her walking into an Apple Store (which they call <a href="http://www.themacstore.com/">the Mac Store</a>) to do some “shopping.” The very next scene where she walks out of the store, you can see that she actually spent about three seconds inside, because the guy on the sidewalk approaching the door at the same time has only made it a handful of steps past the door when she walks back out. Apparently Microsoft doesn’t have the budget for an editor good enough to properly fake it?</p>
<p>The other interesting thing in the commercial was when she says, “I’m just not cool enough to be a Mac person.” Hmmm. So I guess they’re going after the ten percent of the <a href="/">Mac computer</a> market that doesn’t consider themselves cool? To top it all off, Lauren is an actress… apparently it’s hard to find someone on the street who would be excited to be given 700 bucks for a free Windows laptop? Heck, I’d take that deal (I’d just return it later and exchange it for something I’d actually use).</p>
<p><strong>My two main thoughts on this campaign are thus:</strong></p>
<p><strong>1) If you feel you have to compete on price, then you’re pretty much admitting you don’t have the same quality of product. </strong>The whole ad is a sham of course, and it’s pretty easy to prove that the “cheaper” thing is as well. I won’t go into as much detail as I could, and in any case any Windows vs. Mac debate usually ends in name-calling because some people like Windows (I personally think they are simply used to it) and some people like the Mac OS, but if you only look at the fact that Apple controls most of the user experience by marrying hardware and software (which is what has made <a href="/cats/disp/ipods">the iPod</a> so dominant), while Microsoft has to contend with multiple hardware manufacturers for the computers, not to mention all the peripherals, video cards, etc., you can extrapolate that just in working around driver conflicts and viruses alone, Mac users are probably more productive overall. Let’s give them a ten percent advantage for the purposes of this point.</p>
<p>So let’s say you use your computer twenty hours a week. If you’re ten percent more productive over those twenty hours, you’ve gained two hours over your Windows counterpart. Over the course of a year, that’s 104 hours of more productivity. If you make $20 an hour, that’s $2,080 a year in time saved or productivity gained. Heck, cut it in half, and give the Mac a 5% advantage. Still over a grand. And that’s at $20 an hour; a lot of people make substantially more than that. In addition, Macs are not anywhere close to $1,000 more than their equivalent PC counterparts… and those savings, with whatever numbers you want to plug in there, are for just one year; most people keep their PC’s for three to five or more.</p>
<p>Personally, <strong>if I had to use a Windows machine I’d probably be about 50% as productive</strong> because I’d spend so much of my time being annoyed. On the other hand, my salty language vocabulary would expand significantly.</p>
<p>Throw on top of that the fact the Macs hold their resale value an order of magnitude better than virtually any PC. We should know; we take <a href="http://www.powermax.com">used Macs</a> in trade all the time. Find out how much you can get for a five-year-old Windows laptop. Pretty much nothing. Compare that to the $700 or so you we’d give you for a five-year-old <a href="/parts/code/PM_CU_PB_17">17” PowerBook</a>. Even if a Mac were many hundreds of dollars more than an equivalent Windows PC, in a few years you’d have gotten that difference back in cold hard cash, plus some.</p>
<p>If Microsoft’s marketing department ever takes on local amusement parks, you’re going to start seeing the slogan: “We’re Cheaper than Disneyland!”</p>
<p>Yeah, but…</p>
<p><strong>2) No one with half a brain should really believe that having only one company in a market or industry is good for any consumer. </strong>It’s why we have anti-monopoly laws. What Microsoft is proving with this ad campaign is they don’t care a whit about the consumer, because obviously 90% isn’t enough for them.  If Microsoft isn’t happy unless it’s a monopoly or near-monopoly, then it’s not happy unless it can exploit it’s customers to the fullest possible extent.</p>
<p>They dismissed Apple as irrelevant when they only had 5% of the market. But now that they’re making it into double digits, somehow this leviathan is getting a bit jumpy… with ads that scream, “Oh yeah? Oh yeah? Well… we’re cheaper, that’s what! Yeah, we’re cheaper! Take that you cool Apple users!”</p>
<p>But this message that &#8220;they really are cheaper&#8221; is just as fake as Lauren’s shopping trip into the “Mac Store.”</p>
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