A le%26#039 ecial event a bit of a letdown

I rushed to TUAW's ecial event headquarters(actually my are room) to participate in our chatcast during A le's ecial event this morning. My blood waspumping; my fingers were poised at the keyboard; I was yched for something really exciting. . . . And then came theletdown.

Sure it's nice to see the Mac mini go Intel, but if I'm going to lurge on any of the Intel Macsit's more likely to be on a MacBook Pro given my peripatetic lifestyle. The iPod Hi-Fi is a bit of a surprise, but Ihave to agree with C.K. that the concept is just so '80's. More importantly, the Hi-Fi's price point is too steep formy pocketbook. I'd rather save my $349 bucks toward that MacBook Pro. When Steve first mentioned the leather cases forthe iPod with video I was yched, but for $99 I'd expect to be able to view the screen and acce the controls --neither of which is po ible with these cases.

So I'm going home empty-handed and will remain that wayuntil the next big A le a ouncement. I may be disa ointed now, but I know the letdown is only temporary. I'm sureI'll be the first one in line for the next A le ecial event. That is, unle you're there first.