Those who’ve known me for 20 years will be shocked, but I don’t think many of those are around. The reason they’d be shocked (if they were here) is because I bought myself a MacBook. Apple! Oh man, what is the world coming to? Armegeddon must be right around the corner, I assure you, for me to own a Mac. I’m a PC girl from Windows 3.0 for God’s sakes! I’m a Microsoft Certified Professional and paid a lot of money to be so, thank you very much (yeah, all right, it’s for Windows NT but that’s beside the point).
Actually, my computer experience started a little earlier than Windows, but I’ve forgotten most of the names of that software (although, if anyone knows of the game Exterminator for CPM, let me know. Silly little game but I spent HOURS playing it!)
I digress…
So, what led up to this cataclysmic event? A number of things, really:
- Getting tired of my PC at home getting more and more sluggish. Last straw was when it took 10 minutes (I kid you not) to boot up.
- I’ve been wanting to get a personal laptop for awhile. Previously, my only access to a laptop for traveling was my IBM from work and writing erotica on that just always seems wrong.
- Certain very loud, very persuasive cps **eyes JL and Ally** and a fierce PB **eyes Dick** kept raving about this writing program/aid called Scrivener. This miracle program is, however, only available for Mac.
- I love my iPod
- And–the clencher–through this lovely program called Parallels, you can run Windows programs on your Mac. At the same time as your Mac programs.
- A gut aversion to Vista (and it is just gut, btw, I haven’t played with Vista enough to like or hate it), led me to look a bit more seriously at Macs.
Now, in the past, I steered clear for many reasons. Chief among them were the flexibility of components, software choices and price. OK, let’s now address those:
- Flexibility of components: in this time of external hard drives networks, wireless and Bluetooth, that’s not an issue.
- Software: I don’t use nearly the variety that I did when I was younger **cough**games**cough* so if it runs Word and I can get on the internet, I’m happy. I have one game that I play anymore and that’s Civilizations IV, which is only Windows. However, with Parallels, I can now take advantage of Windows and Mac. Not an issue.
- Price: Yes, Macs are initially more expensive. Always have been. However, I took a good look at my history. I’m one of those nerds who used to buy all the components and put together her own computer. I’ve done that a number of times and been relatively happy with each iteration. I have now gotten over my fascination with the inside of a computer. I know what’s there, thank you, I don’t need to touch it anymore. Plus, with a laptop, that isn’t something you do anyway. OK, so we’re talking laptops. I could have gotten any number of very cool looking PC laptops, but they would all just end up being like the computers I had in the past and I’d be ready to replace it in about 2 years. This is normal for most everyone I know who has a PC. However, the Mac people tend to keep their babies much longer. So, I could shell out some extra dough up front and not have to do it again in 2 years.
Rationalization? Perhaps. I will also admit to taking a good look at the MacBooks and liking the look and feel of them. Cute and light.
Yeah.
So I now own Aaron (so named because JL told me I must name him, so why not use my own computer-nerd character as a namesake) a 13″ black MacBook. I’ve had him since Monday and he’s barely been away from my side since. Yes, I’ve taken him to work with me to let the coworkers ooo and ahh. I felt better about my decision when I found out (after my purchase) that our head techies have Macs as their main machines at home.
BTW, I looked at the MacAirs but I chickened out. The lack of optical drive and all the ports worried me. They do look nice though.
Yes, I did download Scrivener for the 30 day trial. I’ve already purchased my registration.
Now I just need to get used to the different keyboard configuration and such but, all in all, I’m a very happy camper **pets Aaron**
Written by Jet Mykles
Jet is a writer of sexual fantasy with a firm belief that all men are at least partially gay, that vampires are just people with a liquid diet and shapeshifters live on every block.
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Zot wrote,
Erm… Civ IV definitely runs quite nicely, natively, on the Mac. (Not that this is a good thing, if you like to actually get anything done)
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Jet Mykles wrote,
Natively?! Or through Parallels?
Oh I must check this out!
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 am
zadia wrote,
I want one too. I had spent $4000 on this gaming laptop that I have now. I have had it for 4 yrs. I intend to get a mac pro after this divorce of mine is final. I have been looking over the fence for years. I am tired of spending more money on utilities to keep it running then software for me to used on it.
zadia
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
JL Langley wrote,
My understanding is that Windows will run faster on a Mac than a reg computer. That is according to a friends wife who is a die hard Mac person in RL, but is forced to run Windows at work. Also, my understanding about the Mac users keeping their macs longer is because unlike Microshaft (as Ally calls it) they do not make their programs and such obsolete when upgrading their OS’s. Unless your machine is really really old, (memory and such) you are able to run mac’s new Os’s. At least that’s what i’ve heard, don’t quote me on that. I know this is true with my friend Rob he got a Mac several years ago, and had no problem upgrading to Leopard. I drank the kool aid late last year and couldn’t be happier. You knows I loves my Gilbert.
JL
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
lisabea wrote,
Kool aid is on the list. We’re purchasing something Mac (need to research) for our daughter as a graduation gift. I wonder if they have a 2 for 1??? She’s a music major; supposed to be the thing for composition. She’s also been through 3 dell laptops (yes, that’s three) in as many years. Gosh darn it.
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Zot wrote,
Civ IV is definitely native — I know, I burn way, way too much time on it. (The fact that it pegs my MacBook Pro so hard it eats a full battery in less time than my train ride is the only reason I get anything done. Yay for externally imposed willpower…)
Macs also, generally speaking, age well. My mom just replaced her iMac. It was seven years old and finally getting outrun enough by the new programs that she needed to upgrade. Generally I see ‘em having a useful lifespan that’s two to three times your average Windows box if you’re using it for Real Work. (Gaming rigs are an entirely separate category of machines)
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Jet Mykles wrote,
Well, now that I know about Civ IV I’ve got another purchase to make! lol wonderful/horrible game, isn’t it? i can play for hours upon hours sometimes. It’s good for when I want/need to turn off for awhile.
I’m hoping for a good long relationship with this little guy. So far we’re doing great. I’m waiting for my new copy of Win XP to arrive before I install Parallels. that’ll be the last “big” thing
Link | February 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Sophie wrote,
My computer’s name is Slowmoe. Need I go further? I am curious to find out how you will like your new Macbook. I am a PC girl as well (I got my MCSC certification with Windows NT4), so I know where you are coming from: moving from a PC to a MAC is a big deal! But I have only heard negative things about Vista so…
I am tired of giving money to Bill Gates, so when Slowmoe dies, I will be investigating the Mac world as well (I am not crazy about Linux).
Please, keep us poted on your Mac adventure!!!
Link | February 28th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Jet Mykles wrote,
so far so good with the Mac. Really. I’m having to relearn some shortcuts and get used to the different screen placement, but I’m liking it. And I finally got Parallels working so I’ve got my Windows programs that I need available. it’s really nice.
Link | February 29th, 2008 at 12:07 am