People aren't going to buy OS X.4 because of the box. And except for the few no-lifers who feel every time they open anything from Apple they have to photograph each step (" And here in picture 66 you see me taking the celophane off the OS X box. I hope you're sitting down, because in picture 67, I'm not opening the box!"), you open the box, pull out the software and either (a) close the box up and shove it on the closet shelf, or (b) fold the box up and shove it in the recycling bin or trash.

Shut up.

is always fun to follow. What other company would get such press (and reaction) just because the design of the box is shown to the public...

I'm not going to buy Tiger (regardless of the cool box), because my Mac is at the low end of those officially supported by Mac OS X. And Panther does a great job for me on this Mac. When I get Tiger, it will come with my new Mac, and by that time it will probably be "Lion" on a G5 Mac mini :)

For me it's rather annoying to buy some new software in these types of boxes, only to open it up and find a disc, a small manual/guide, and lots of empty space. It's as if they designed the box to be filled up with floppies (remember those?), and said "wait a minute, we have cd's!" and still used the old box anyway.

They take up so much space on the shelf. Why not use DVD-style cases instead when possible? Some software companies do.

I have to agree with you there. This design on a DVD style case like the one Adobe Studio and Quark XPress come in would be schweet. Would be a great place to keep the software and you wouldn't need to throw it out.

.sly

The reason they need boxes like this is to fill retail space, and draw people's attention. If the box was the size of a DVD, it would be less effective. At least that's what I think they think. I note that game boxes are much smaller now, and productivity software boxes are a bit smaller.

I remember a database app I bought for my Amiga some 12-13 years ago that was more than three inches think. Nothing was in it except a couple floppies. But it looked more professional to have it occupy more space. Really dumb, but probably psychologically effective.

At least it's not plastic. Little is more obnoxious than the huge plastic boxes RAM comes in when you buy it at CompUSA or the like. Yeah THAT'S good for the environment.

me

looks more dark and sinister than powerful, at least to me. It doesn't communicate the Mac experience (simple and powerful, but colorful and pleasant) very well, either.

I suppose it will have impact in groups on the shelf, but not very enticing, imho.

They would be too cool and powerful to pass up.

Wow, you're right! It would be so powerful I'd just have to pass it up.

To: iFrankie
Shut up.

Apparently someone doesn't take to reality to well. Sounds like iFrankie used to spend his life designing these boxes and doesn't like the fact his art ends up in the trash. Or he's one of those "OMG, I just got my iPod, check out while I open the box" types. Man, its a box, people! [My biggest fear is that there are actually guys out there jerking off to these pictures. "Oh, yeah, and what's under that flap? Yeah, baby, its the power cord. Yeah, that's it. Now pull it out...slooowwly...ooooh, that's it. Now let's lift that styrofoam....ohhhhhh, yeah...."]

At least the "Here's how I swapped out the video chip in my iMac Mini with a Radeon 9800 PCI Express card" videos are useful, step-by-step help.

The reason they need boxes like this is to fill retail space, and draw people's attention. If the box was the size of a DVD, it would be less effective.

I could buy that for games or maybe some productivity apps. But an OS isn't a spur of the moment sale. You don't go into CompUSA, check out the counters, and go, "Hmmm, Medal of Honor looks cool. And check out this Wolfenstein game. That grabs your attention huh. Oh, and and I can't take my eyes off this Tiger thing. I'm going to get that."

I remember a database app I bought for my Amiga some 12-13 years ago that was more than three inches think. Nothing was in it except a couple floppies. But it looked more professional to have it occupy more space.


I don't know, that would probably make me wonder whether the app had any worth at all (if the contents of the box are just a large shell for small contents, is the app the same way?).

At least it's not plastic. Little is more obnoxious than the huge plastic boxes RAM comes in when you buy it at CompUSA or the like. Yeah THAT'S good for the environment.

Yeah, hate that too. Esp since you basically have to kill yourself to get the things open. But the need to do something, otherwise the stuff would be in people's pockets faster then then the guys at the door can frisk you.

I like the idea of a DVD case too. But I think the reason they use the bigger box is so they have more room for all the pretty pictures and descriptions of the OS, especially now that it always has a flap on the front.

This eye candy really could help put some people who may be sitting on the fence decide to buy once the see it on the box.

Comment posted by: testudo

Apparently someone doesn't take to reality to well. Sounds like iFrankie used to spend his life designing these boxes and doesn't like the fact his art ends up in the trash. Or he's one of those "OMG, I just got my iPod, check out while I open the box" types. Man, its a box, people! [My biggest fear is that there are actually guys out there jerking off to these pictures. "Oh, yeah, and what's under that flap? Yeah, baby, its the power cord. Yeah, that's it. Now pull it out...slooowwly...ooooh, that's it. Now let's lift that styrofoam....ohhhhhh, yeah...."]

Actually, you shouldn't make assumptions when you obviously have no information to back it up.

It's not very cool to berate your fellow Mac users when it comes to something as innocent as getting excited about their recent purchase. Some people enjoy taking photos of their new Mac stuff. I'm guessing you enjoy coming to MacNN to talk c*** about other people. Everyone spends their time in different ways.

You should just give it a rest.

Don't care about the box? Have you no sense of brand?

Consistent design will play itself out throughout the OS, if Apple's history has any hint.

The box is the big step towards showing what the new brand image will hold, and (ideally) ultimately lead us into what the OS will be like to use. The box is also merely the first introduction. And it appears to have done it's job well with you all. If it was laced with pastels and pretty flowers, would you be so anxious to check out the OS? ...maybe out of curious disgust...

Understand why this is such a big deal, and cross your fingers that it's not *just* a PR move.

Don't care about the box? Have you no sense of brand?

Consistent design will play itself out throughout the OS, if Apple's history has any hint.

The box is the big step towards showing what the new brand image will hold, and (ideally) ultimately lead us into what the OS will be like to use. The box is also merely the first introduction. And it appears to have done it's job well with you all. If it was laced with pastels and pretty flowers, would you be so anxious to check out the OS? ...maybe out of curious disgust...

Understand why this is such a big deal, and cross your fingers that it's not *just* a PR move.

... can get us excited about the box. Either I'm
1) in a cult
2) board at work
3) Need to get a life
4) All of the above

That'll be 4 Regis - final answer.

X-Men all the way.

Should've called it "Wolverine" . . . heh.

maybe if the software designers were working as fast as the graphic designers the box might actually contain something useful...

... but when's it going to have anything in ?! And more importantly when can I order a new 15" PowerBook with it either pre-installed or available free as a technology guarantee ?!
I already have pretty .2 and .3 boxes. I can't get that excited about a .4 box unless it's going to have something awesome in it.
I'm guessing it'll be about 7 times bigger than it needs to be with no consideration for the environment.

It'll have something in it first half of 2005. By my guestimates, that means in the next four and a half months, or thereabouts.

I'll probably buy it, but I'll probably buy it from the comp store at the university. Therefore, I won't get the pretty box or manuals, but it's nice to see it anyways.