Andy Laub

Andy Laub is a designer & developer in the Twin Cities.

Published May 06

Things I Need to Mention 3/3: E3, etc. »

In continuing my habit of writing about major events at least two weeks after they happen, I give you my thoughts on E3 2006. Just a quick note for those not aware, E3 = Electronic Entertainment Expo and is generally the place to be for the biggest and baddest of video game-related announcements. Last year we were given a taste of the PS3 and Wii, and a full-fledged preview of the 360. This year the spotlight shifted to Sony and Nintendo and what they’re bringing to the next-generation table.

Sony, overall, left a lot of disappointment among a lot of enthusiasts. Complaints were rampant about three main things:

  1. Multiple Levels: Similar to Microsoft’s approach last year, Sony plans to sell two different versions of the PS3. The base model includes a 20-gig hard drive while the fancy-schmancy model ups that to 60 gigs and adds a myriad of other things. Unlike the 360, however, these aren’t necessarily accessories so much as actual hardware differences, namely HDMI, wi-fi, and built-in card readers. Sony has said there will be add-ons for wi-fi and the card reader, but you’re stuck with the high-end model if you want HDMI. Another point that was brought up was how difficult it will be (possibly) to get the console you want at launch time. Last I checked only the black PS3 will be available at launch so at least there won’t be color issues (yet).
  2. The Price: The issue of multiple SKUs is of course exacerbated by the moderately ridiculous price: $499 for the base unit and $599 for the hot-damn bells and whistles model. Is this too much money? Not necessarily. If it was really, really good I would spend the money, but it’s not going to be that good.
  3. The Controller: The controller from last year was a disappointment to many, so Sony labeled it as a “concept” and chucked it before the show this year. Instead they’ve introduced… the Dual Shock. Again. The new controller looks exactly the same but hey, it’s wireless now. And it doesn’t actually have the rumble feature anymore. And they decided it needed to be motion-sensitive. Wonder who gave them that idea.

Whatever. The PS3 isn’t shaking up to be such a good deal at this point. We’ll see where it goes.

On the other hand, I’m all over the Nintendo Wii. I was pretty skeptical up to this point and some of that skepticism remains, but if they make it as fun and irreverent as the DS, I’ll buy one. If they make it as fun and irreverent as the DS, and keep it under $200, I’ll buy one at launch. It just looks fun.

Much to my delight, Grand Theft Auto IV is officially in production and scheduled for a Fall 2007 release on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. I’m going to follow this closely as I’m very excited about it, but I’m also interested in seeing what changes will be in place between the Xbox and Sony versions, if any. I am seriously trying to keep myself from preordering it right now.

Also, for our impending (read: tomorrow) trip to Vegas, I picked up Brain Age and (of course) New Super Mario Bros for the DS. I’ve only played through the first world of Mario so far and can say that it’s the quintessential DS Mario game. And as expected, Nintendo has pulled out the stops for the accompanying website, which they use to rub in the fact that we poor Americans still have 2 more weeks (June 11) to wait for the DS Lite.

I’ve found myself much more engaged with Brain Age, maybe because of its promise to make my brain work better or maybe just because I like the activities (math problems? memorization?). It also has sudoku puzzles which Abe thinks are extremely stupid but what I think will be occupying the majority of the plane flight.

Back to the subject of the DS Lite for just a sec: I was also really happy to see that it will be selling for $129.99 (the same as the outgoing “normal” DS) rather than the expected $149.99. I need one so, so bad.

Things I Need to Mention 2/3: the MacBook »

This past Tuesday Apple dropped a sexy new bomb in the shape of the all-new MacBook. It’s a pretty logical step forward in the evolution of their consumer-oriented laptop line with a larger and brighter screen, integrated iSight, and of course the Core Duo processor.

Do I like it? Absolutely. The thing is, to put it bluntly, hot. Do I love it? Not quite. There are a couple things keeping me from buying one two days ago:

  • Culprit numero uno is the finish. Black or white is fine for those lower echelon notebooks. I’ve been spoiled by the industrial aluminum finish that’s graced Apple’s professional lineup since 2003. I don’t care how easily it scratches. I don’t care how it shows smudges. It absolutely needs to match my display.
  • Number two? That glossy screen. I’ve been harboring a gradually-building dislike for glossy displays. My office at home is very, very bright during the day and I can do without the glare. And again, I worry about the glossy screen of the laptop clashing with the matte screen of the monitor. It would be nice if it were optional, though I can understand why they wouldn’t want to add yet another choice to their non-pro line.
  • I’d like to see them offer a 7200 RPM hard drive as an option on the MacBooks, but they won’t because that’s one of the small upgrades on the Pro.
  • This is not a huge issue, but I’d like to see what they can come up with for a slightly smaller form factor. A good example of what I’m talking about is to compare the (ex-)current 12″ Powerbook to the outgoing 12″ iBook and take note of how the entire shell seems to have tightened around the internals on the Powerbook. Like I said, it’s not major but it is noticeable.

See a trend? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: build a 13″ Mac Book Pro. Every single item listed above would be null and void and I’d be awfully close to a new laptop.

I have to admit that I don’t plan on upgrading immediately regardless, but I see myself making the switch to a Mactel fairly soon after Leopard makes its appearance, though depending on when that is (I’m going to guess October-November if it’s similar to Panther) I may hold out until MWSF in January. We’ll see. I’m not quite as desperate to ditch this machine as I was when I upgraded to it.