Just ordered my first Apple computer
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Despite my excitement and happiness with how Windows 7 is shaping up from Microsoft, I have finally taken the plunge and placed an order for an Apple Mac computer for the very first time in my life.
I opted for a 17″ MacBook Pro over the iMac and Mac Pro for reasons of portability. I am going into this experiment with a positive attitude, thinking that I’m going to love the Mac so much that I will want to take it with me everywhere as my primary machine. (currently I carry a very bulky Dell Vostro 1700)
My $3,000 order on the Apple store includes an upgrade to the 500gb 7200 rpm hard drive, Apple remote, Apple DVI and VGA connectors, AppleCare, and the iWorks suite. (I almost ordered the iLife suite too until a friend informed me these are shipped for free with any new Mac computer - wow something free from Apple Corp!!!)
I have been a “PC guy” since I gave up my Amiga as a teenager, starting on Windows 3.1. I have never used MacOS in my life. And I have never really been drawn to Apple’s platform - probably for a lot of the same reasons as other people in my shoes: cost, lack of software (compared with Windows), and turned off by Apple evangelists.
Thankfully today it’s possible to run any Windows OS on Apple hardware - either using a Virtual Machine or bootcamp. So if I really hate Mac OS, I’ll convert it into a luxury Windows 7 laptop instead. Or more likely return it for free within the 14 days I have to try it out.
I have also pre-ordered an iPhone 3GS for Friday to replace my trusty old BlackBerry. The App Store and massive developer support behind it is probably as big a concern for Microsoft as Google on the web. The vast choice of mobile applications on iPhone certainly swayed my decision against the BlackBerry Bold - and there’s nothing that excites me about Windows Mobile at the moment.
There’s probably a good chance I’ll turn into one of those scary Apple fan boys before the end of summer. But we will see. Windows 7 is going to be the best version of Windows ever, so Mac OS need to be pretty damn special to keep me from wanting to run it.
8 Comments
Robert Hawkes
June 16th, 2009
at 7:38am
I switched 5 years ago and have never looked back, having purchased three Macs. In the mid-80s I started with an Apple II and eventually switched to first the Amiga and then the PC.
I use computers frequently and run a lot of different software. Because of this I probably had a steeper learning curve than the average purchaser but now familiar with OSX I will never go back to Windows. OSX has a lot of goodies and most importantly Apple issues frequent updates. I find plenty of excellent software for the platform so will not install Windows when I purchase my first Intel Mac.
Enjoy!
Chris Clemons
June 16th, 2009
at 7:56am
Good for you! I’m sure you will enjoy the switch.
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June 16th, 2009
at 8:01am
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Louis wheeler
June 16th, 2009
at 8:36am
You will find this change a bit of a learning curve.
There are a few keyboard differences, but Apple and Microsoft have different methods. It will probably take you two to three months, before those differences finally hit home. It will be awkward in the meantime. Then, if you are like most people, it will become natural.
Some of this depends on how much of a geek you are. If you are performance and results oriented, then you will start to appreciate the Mac almost immediately. If you revel in knowing the mysteries of how to tweak your machine, then it won’t hit so fast. If you constantly compare the Mac to Wintel, you may convert back.
Small businesses which convert their office to the Mac say they experience a 20% increase in productivity, because Apple doesn’t have the maintenance overheard that wintel does. You will be amazed at how few problems you will experience. The normal fears, frustrations and anxieties of working on a Wintel computer will fade away. You might even start to enjoy working on a computer.
Most of your problems will from the fact that the Mac has its own peculiarities. Apple was first and got to patent its methods; Microsoft had to develop a counter productive way of doing things for Windows. But, you learned those ways, so they are normal to you. It will take you a while to unlearn them.
Apple is much more logical and consistent. It helps if you don’t put down your coming difficulties to deficiencies in the Mac. It is like learning a new language; it’s difficult and bewildering at first; then it clicks. If you are like most people you will come to appreciate the differences.
As for me, I just hate going back to work on a Wintel computer. I can get by, but it is always a pain.
Sean
June 16th, 2009
at 3:20pm
I installed Windows 7 on my Mac and it is awful compared to the Mac OS. It’s a very poor imitation at best. You will be much happier with the mac than you ever were with a PC. Your excitement for your new Mac is a first sign of things to come.
By the way, I was a PC drone for years and got sick and tired of all the issues with Windows. Once I switched, all of those problems went away. Therefore, I can only conclude Macs are better.
dhatt
June 16th, 2009
at 3:51pm
you seen as though you don’t want the mac experience to work out.that would be sad.
Neil Anderson
June 16th, 2009
at 6:53pm
Congratulations! And welcome.
Pablo Richie
June 16th, 2009
at 7:35pm
Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts and comments.
I’m genuinelly looking forward to experiencing a different operating system. I have already invested in a couple ‘lost manual’ books to help me get to grips with the Mac OS way of doing things.
I have also tried various flavours of Linux. So I’m not afraid of learning new ways of doing things. What Apple has over Linux is good application support from developers - especially the Creative Suite from Adobe (a lot of Linux users would love to have this ported to their platform).
I can assure you dhatt I wouldn’t be investing more than $3,000 and looking for the experience to fail.