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The Mac Experience

I was faced with an issue recently regarding my computer setup. My desktop computer needed serious upgrading soon. As a designer I use software that requires a lot of resources. My desktop PC is nearing the ends of it’s days. One program, great. Two programs, ok. Three, pushing it. More? Ha! I get in the habbit of just opening whatever program I need, why should I worry if it will run slowly? I need it, I open it! Anyone who has run an outdated system will be able to tell you why this is not ideal. Slow as sludge.

But that’s ok, I have a PC laptop that’s less than a year old! *cough* Yeah, I wish that were a good alternative! I’ve owned my laptop for less than a year. It was a great setup when I got it. Then I started really using it. For simple things like on the go internet, email and updating of websites, great! For any intensive designing, not so great. Open up 2 Adobe programs and BAM! Hello blue screen of death. My PC laptop is now a fancy media player. I gave up trying to do anything serious on it. It’s a great backup computer for bringing with for an interactive portfolio, helping do updates on sites (on-site) and staying in touch on the go. That’s about it.

So what do I do? I could upgrade my desktop PC, buy a new PC or step outside my comfort zone and buy a Mac. The next logical step is to buy a Mac. So, desktop or laptop? Another logical choice, laptop. If I’m going to have a Mac I need to be able to bring it with! So I log onto Apple and order my new MacBook. Then I sit and patiently wait for the FedEx truck to deliver my package. Patiently? Ha!

So today my MacBook arrived. New toy! But I had work to do. I don’t think my clients would have appreciated it much if I put their sites on hold to play with the new toy. Finally, I’m done! So I get into the package and pull out my new Mac.

First impressions:

  • White looks better than I thought it would, classy! And no way was I paying extra for a black MacBook.
  • Where’s the CD tray? Ah! That’s cool, just like in the truck/car/SUV! No more worrying about bumping the tray or accidentally ejecting the disk while in use.
  • Only 2 USB ports? Ok, I guess I can manage that.
  • Love the magnetic plug! With 3 small kids running through my office this could come in really handy!
  • That’s a camera? Holy crap that’s small. But I was amazed to see it worked much better than any web cam I have owned!

I turn it on and the first issue I run into is connecting to the internet via my wireless. Not Mac’s fault. (grumbles under breath, “stupid router”)

Then I get to start playing! Now I have to tell you, I’m impressed with all the software thats INCLUDED with the computer. Things I’d pay several hundreds for on the PC counterpart! Dashboard/Widgets has got to be my all time favorite already! Weather, phone directory, stickies and more… right there! Normally I’d have to open up a web browser and hit my bookmarks to look up each one individually. This is sweet! Then I set up my e-mail accounts. Easy as pie and the layout is very intuitive, digging the search feature for emails. I also like the feature that allows me to leave a copy of the email on the server so my other computer can download them as well. Very handy. I start visiting other applications and I notice iTunes. Oh yeah, that’s an Apple product. I gave up on it while using my PC because it ran crappy on XP, slow running and froze often. I open it on Mac and see how it’s supposed to run! Niiice.

So I haven’t had time to really get into it but from what I see so far I really like it! Only issue I have now is that I have a ton of Windows software! I really don’t want to buy things like CS2 Suite, Dreamweaver, Flash, Office and more all over again to get the Mac versions right now. But, there’s one more feature that will make the loyal Mac lovers roll their eyes at me. Mac can run XP! Once you install Bootcamp (free!) you can install Windows XP to run on the Mac as well and can switch back and forth. What a great idea! I have a feeling I’ll be using the Mac OS more but at least I can continue to use my favorite programs without having to switch them all out right away.

One Response to “The Mac Experience”

  1. Ali Says:
    January 22nd, 2007 at 4:51 pm

    Oh…congrats on the MacBook!! I just got one not too long ago. I love it! I agree with the saying “Go Mac and you don’t go back” or something like that. :)

    I’m loving iChat! Now my dd can see her grandparents from far away!

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