A is for Apple
July 22, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
So the computer crash of ‘08 is finally behind me. What a week it’s been!
I spent hours online checking prices and specs and finally decided to buy another PC instead of a Mac. The windows computers are more affordable and frankly, I felt like the last thing I had time for was learning a new system.
So Many Choices
After perusing the many options, I settled on an HP tablet notebook, but I wanted to go into a store and try it before buying. The tablets are attractive because you can take handwritten notes, use a stylus on the screen, and also navigate by touch.
In the store, I was impressed by the way it worked but wondered if I would really get much use out of it. Plus, after browsing the aisles, I realized I could get a more powerful laptop and buy a peripheral stylus and tablet for less money. I started over, checking out the oodles of windows-based laptops and that’s when I started getting sick and tired of computer shopping.
Keep in mind I was sticking pretty much to the HP section. The models are so poorly named I couldn’t keep them straight in my head and a couple hundred dollars difference between the various models was confusing because the features were basically the same. What a nightmare.
What Would You Do?
Throughout all this, a very helpful salesman was assisting me and answering my questions. In the midst of my frustration, I finally said, “Alright, tell me this — what kind of computer do YOU have?”
“Me?” He sort of blushed. “Oh, I built my own.”
“Nice,” I responded, impressed. “Is it all tricked out?”
“Yep, it sure is.” Wait, that wasn’t a blush. This kid was glowing with pride.
“Okay, so let’s say you wanted a store bought computer. What would you get?”
“Oh, that’s easy. I’d get a Mac.”
All I could do at that point was sigh.
Zen Happens
I walked over to the Mac section and sat down in front of the MacBook Pro. I’d already done the research and knew if I was destined for Appledom, this would be the machine for me.
It was sleek, simple, and easy on the eyes. I blinked and ran my finger across the touchpad. The screen lit up.
And that’s when I got The Feeling.
The Feeling always shows up when I’m in great need. Sometimes it shows up when I’m not. But whenever it appears, I do as it says because The Feeling is always right. It’s helped me buy cars, make career decisions, and gotten me through some tough times. Sure, The Feeling is a little bit like my muse, and has a tendency to run off at times when I could really use its advice. But for the most part, it’s always there when I really need it and that’s what matters.
So I was pretty relieved when The Feeling showed up while I was sitting at the Mac station. Actually, I was so out of sorts from the whole experience, I would have been happy if it had appeared at any station, maybe even Dell.
Okay, not Dell. I may have actually doubted The Feeling if it rooted for Dell.
Deciding Factors
“Apple it is,” I said. And the rest, as they say, is history.
There were a few things that sealed the deal for me.
- Two years no interest means I can afford to spend a little more (thanks Best Buy!).
- All the new PCs have Windows Vista and the older versions of Microsoft Office conflict with it. In other words, I had to buy the latest Office whether I got a Mac or a PC.
- I’m sick and tired of Microsoft. Their software doesn’t work right and they build an operating system on which their own software doesn’t run properly. Could they be any lamer?
- Everyone I’ve ever talked to raves about how well their Mac works. PC users just complain.
- When my intuition rears its little head and starts giving me instructions, I obey.
The Mac Life
I’m not fully switched over yet. I’m still using my old laptop for most of my client work because I’m much faster on the PC than on the Mac. There are some significant differences that I need to adjust to before I can switch over completely. Also, I need some (expensive) software for the Mac and that’s going to have to come later.
Here are the things that are difficult for me with the Mac:
- I miss the HOME and END keys. I use those a lot and really wish the Mac keyboard included them.
- The DELETE key backspaces and there is no BACKSPACE. I liked having both.
- Right click used to be my friend. Yes, I know I can connect a two-button mouse, but then I’m not really adjusting to the minimalism that is Apple. I’m learning how to do CONTROL-click.
- I do not like COMMAND- keyboard shortcuts for cut, copy, and paste. That key is just in the wrong place and CONTROL is in a better location for those shortcuts.
- No games! Where is my spider solitaire? Eeek!
Other than that, I’m loving the MacBook Pro. It feels solid, is nicely designed, and easy to use. I’m looking forward to making the full switch over the next few months.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Oh, and I hope you all backed up your computers this past week!
Now, back to our regular blog posts about writing.
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Glad you found something you like.
But no spider solitaire? How WILL you live. LOL
Hi Melissa, my congratulations too! I love my MBP so much it feels like it should be wrong. It was funny to read your lists of Mac difficulties because they were all the things I missed at first too, the only thing that still gets me today is the lack of backspace key.
Some great tips and websites here in your comments so thanks everyone!
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@Amy, I know! My windows laptop doesn’t have Spider either because I bought it from my old company when they went out of business. Aaagh!
@Greer, Thanks! Yes, the keyboard shortcuts are all that’s standing between me and my Mac
but I’m learning them. Of course now I want to get some new speakers for the Mac, Time Machine, an iPhone… LOL, Apple’s going to put me in the poorhouse!
i’m a mac girl. always have been. welcome home.
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@Carolee, I’m loving the Mac more and more and I’m itching to get more software for it. Yeah, it is a little like coming home
Reading about your shopping and converting is really enlightening to me. I can’t say that I’m a true convert yet, but I really was against Macs, but I didn’t have a legit reason to be. Then I started using them at school and I’ve been wanting one for the past year so I can get into video work.
I really can relate to The Feeling because I get that too when I expereince certain things that I know feels right, or destined to be. It’s possible that’s how I got my car or how I have the laptop I have now.
Anyway, thanks for breaking down those differences I rarely read about from PC to Mac that might matter to someone like me. I love the short cuts PCs have, but I know almost nothing about that with Mac, and those are the things that help me get my job done.
Also, thanks for naming the store you went to, I’ll be making a visit soon enough.
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@t. sterling, Every time I bought a computer, I considered a Mac but I grew up on PCs and because my dad is a dedicated PC user, back in the day he really talked me into being a Windows user. Now that the two have grown so similar, it’s not so difficult to make the switch so I’m glad I waited.
Yep, The Feeling is a helpful guide! I once had a job offer that sounded really posh but The Feeling said NO NO NO. All my friends and family were shocked I turned it down. A few months later, the company went through a major restructure, laid a bunch of a people off and the guy who wanted to hire me left. Good thing I listened to my gut!
I would have preferred to buy directly from Apple, but I really needed the financing option that the other store offered. Plus, I was able to pay extra for a 3-year accidental damage warranty, which gives me great peace of mind
Do let us know when you get back from your trip to that store!
Oh shucks, the Mac fire has been burning in my belly for about 6 months now and you just ruined my day.
Damn you woman! Hehehe…..
I also got the Feeling when I first saw a MBP in the shops and wanted to throw my newly purchased laptop out of the window straight away. Then, realism struck and I put my burning dreams on hold.
*she wipes her tears away
I WILL be a Mac user one day. Probably in 2009, perhaps sooner. I’m happy for you Melissa, but oh so jealous right now.:-)
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@Monika,
When I come to visit you (once we get to NZ), we can go to the Mac store together
(I’ll probably need some more stuff by then)
@Monika, I know that fire! It burns hot. It sure seems like everyone under the sun either has or wants a Mac. They must be giving all those PC companies a run for their money! Hahaheh. Just remember — it’s a write-off
@ Brett: Oh YES, pllleeeeeease. When are you coming. The sooner the better.
@ Melissa: You know, after I wrote that comment yesterday my husband walked into the room and I told him about the comment I just wrote and showed him your Mac pictures.
Suddenly I realized that I was REALLY crying. No kidding, I had tears of anticipation, excitement and a bit of sadness in my eyes. LOL. That is how big that fire is.
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@Monika,
I’m planning on it being sooner than later now. I had to get one key piece of the puzzle in place, which has now happened. Now I can go full speed ahead.
(Of course, just for fun I’m going to buy a ticket on tonight’s lotto - $43M! - so if for some reason I get hit by lightning and win it, I’ll be there next week, and I’ll buy you any Mac you want.)
@ Brett: Way cool. I so hope you get that pushed through ASAP.
Now, let me kneel down in front of the Lotto Gods and pray for your win. * she turns away and starts praying for Brett
For 43 Mil you could actually buy the company and become Mac yourself. LOL.
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@Monika,
I think once everything is lined up, it just becomes a matter of persistence. So it will happen.
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@Monika, That’s a big fire indeed! I can’t remember if there were tears when my computer crashed or when I bought the Mac but I do remember it was a pretty emotional experience ranging from panic to relief and frustration to sheer joy. I was even excited about the MPB box (it’s really pretty).
@Brett, 43 million sounds pretty damn nice right about now. Oh, the damage I could do with that kind of money…
@Melissa,
No kidding! I’ll start by buying everyone I know who wants a Mac, a Mac…
(And then I’ll put my GTI into the shop for some “custom work”…)
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays - burn the boats, revisited.
@Brett, I think everyone you know would really appreciate that
Haheheh.
My next computer is likely going to be a MacBook. I’m just so not into Vista and the stupid DRM that Microsoft has instigated.
I’m amazed however at the difference prices between a Mac in the US, in Canada and in Spain. If you convert the prices to the same currency, the US version is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, while the Spanish model is the most expensive - for the same computer! Then again the Spanish model includes sales tax, the Canadian model is before tax and I’m assuming the US version is the same - but US$500 is a big difference for a basic MacBook.
Fortunately I think it’ll be a couple of years yet until I need a new computer (oops, now I’ve just jinxed myself).
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@Alex,
It would almost be worth your while to come to Canada to buy the machine (when the time is right, that is) - the savings would pay for a significant part of your airfare.
(I’ve known people to do that, though they did a UK to NYC flight.)
Vista *is* workable, but I think you’d be happier with a Mac.
-Brett
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@Alex, That’s wild. I wonder if the higher cost has to do with shipping and distribution. Then again, I live just a couple hours from Apple headquarters, and I don’t think I got any kind of discount for that (hey, it would have been nice!).
@Brett, After the clerk explained a few things about Vista, I wanted to boycott Microsoft completely. Unfortunately, I still need them for Word and Excel.
@Melissa,
I don’t blame you
as I said, it is workable but OS X is much nicer… at least you can get Office 2008 for Mac!
One thing to remember, too, is that Mac Office is developed by a different group from Windows Office. And since Office 2008 had to be recoded for Intel CPU’s (Office 2004 was for Power PC), it is a completely clean code base.
Office 2007 on Windows is probably not i.e. it may have legacy code from many, many years ago.
(not working for Microsoft, I don’t know for sure - I just suspect)
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays - the worst sickness.
Melissa,
Late to this but wanted to say:
The Feeling.
Om. Welcome to our tribe.
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@Janice, Thank you very much
*bows* Ommmmm…
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