A few weeks ago I dived back into the Macintosh world, after a long dry spell wandering in the Windows wilderness. I started with Apple back in the way old II+ days, but got tired of not being in the computer mainstream.
My new MacBook makes me wonder, "Why did I stick with PCs for so long?" I just made a You Tube video that implies an answer: "Because I didn't know what I was missing, fool that I was."
Below the video I'll expand upon my reasons for loving MacBook more than ThinkPad, and clarify some remarks I made in my unrehearsed (a.k.a. "semi-coherent") computer comparison.
This is the biggest change I found with moving to a Mac: now your computer is a friend, rather than a challenge.
From the moment I turned on the MacBook for the first time, I felt like it was trying to anticipate my needs and make whatever I wanted to do go as smoothly as possible. With a PC, no matter what version of Windows you use (I'm very familiar with XP and mildly acquainted with Vista), it's like handling a stick of dynamite.
Useful stuff, but always capable of unexpectedly blowing up.
About a year ago I seriously thought of getting a Mac. I didn't, because I felt that I'd worked out ways of dealing with the vagaries of Windows and was afraid of being thrown into a unknown operating system that wouldn't be compatible with what I needed to do everyday.
I knew that Macs were for creative types. But I wasn't planning to make an indie movie. I email; I surf the Internet; I blog; I write; I take photos and simple videos.
I've found out that my worry was unfounded. It didn't take long to be up and running on the MacBook, doing almost everything I did on my PC laptop. Here's a few tips for those thinking of making a similar switch:
-- Don't buy the Macintosh version of Office. The reviews on Amazon are terrible, and my Apple store salesman told me that people are unhappy with Word 08 for the Mac. I got the iWork package for $79. The word processor, Pages, meets my needs and reads PC Word files fine (most of the time).
-- If you're using Outlook on a PC, invest $10 in a terrific program from Little Machines that handles moving emails, contacts, and calendar entries to a Macintosh. You can try exporting the files on your own, but it seemed rather complex when I Googled the subject. This program worked like a charm.
-- One drawback of Apple's Safari web browser, which otherwise is terrific (better and faster than Firefox or Explorer in my opinion), is the lack of protection for saved passwords. I'd been using RoboForm on my PC and liked it a lot. A Mac program, 1Password, is just about as good.
And if you're using a Flip Video camera and find that it won't work with the marvelous iMovie program that comes with your Mac, check out these tips from the Flip folks. I had problems at first, but managed to use iMovie to edit and upload my You Tube video.
Where I may have left some wrong impressions, which I'll clear up here.
(1) I really like the MacBook touchpad. It's the first one that I've felt comfortable using. But it takes some getting used to. You can do quite a few different things with your fingers, depending on how you use them: one, two, three, or four finger touch; direction you move your fingers; and such.
I had some trouble getting text size to change on web pages. Usually I don't. Video finger performance anxiety, I guess. Pressure on the key pad has to be just right to adjust the text size with a finger flick.
(2) I emphasized how much I like the quick start-up on my MacBook compared to my PC. I mentioned the many programs I had on the PC that were part of the reason it takes Windows ages to get going in the morning.
What I was referring to were the essential add-ons to keep a Windows PC running halfway smoothly. A virus checker. Anti-spyware program. Google Desktop to find stuff quickly. A better firewall than XP provides.
All of this starting up makes an already cumbersome Windows even more sluggish. Since the Macintosh operating system (Leopard) is much cleaner and more tightly integrated, it does things more quickly and smoothly (plus, the MacBook hardware is more powerful than my ThinkPad).
I could go on about how much happier I am with my Mac than I was with my PC. But that'll wait for another day.
Bottom line: you'll spend more for a Mac, but it's worth it. If you're a Windows user who's wondering why all the cool people (like me now!) use Macs, head on down to an Apple store and experience a soft sell.
My sales guy just pointed me toward the new MacBook and let me play with it for as long as I wanted. When he wandered back to me after a while, my main questions were "How much is it and when can I get one?"
Falling in love doesn't take long.
So glad you've finally come back to the bright side. I'm only sorry it took you so long. Just for fairness, I must say that I'm running Office 2008 on my MacBook and I have had no problem with it. Nice video and post, though.
Macs rule, PCs drool!
Posted by: Brook | November 09, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I actually love the RoboForm software myself. I use it all of the time and it takes all of the menial everyday tasks that I have to perform on my computer daily and shortens them extremely! What once took me fifteen minutes to complete now takes me only one second because RoboForm does the same task with just one click. In fact I wrote a Report about a lot of RoboForm’s capabilities for use that aren’t even touched on in the User’s Manual for RoboForm. You can get that Report here:
http://www.theroboformreport.com
There is also a FREE version of RoboForm that you can download on this web page, just to test the RoboForm software out for yourself! I highly recommend it!
Posted by: Omarra Byrd | November 09, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Yeah, what Brook said!
I still have an ancient iBook. It's slow and out of date, but it's still my buddy.
Posted by: Zack | November 10, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Zack, yes, I know how you feel. My MacBook is now my best (inaminate) friend. My only worry now is whether my love has gone into the danger zone:
http://hinessight.blogs.com/hinessight/2008/11/can-i-love-my-m.html
Posted by: Brian | November 10, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Excellent video there! Of course, what you pointed out was just what you see from the outside. I'm sure within a month you will know why we truly appreciate the Mac.
Posted by: Goobi | November 12, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Nice post!! I too love my MacBook!!
Posted by: Jerick | November 23, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Brian,
I adore my MacBook and wouldn't imagine life without it ... Macs are indisputably wonderful. Like you, I languished in PC land and then switched about 2 years ago having done video editing on Macs (Avid). I then read Steve Wozniak's biography iWoz (Steve was the science brain behind Apple) which is a delight. I'd urge you to read it. I also love down-loading widgets for my Mac - there are some great ones!
Enjoy your Apple :-)
Posted by: Catherine Muller | December 06, 2008 at 09:41 AM
My last experience with Apple was in 1984 on the IIe and IIc. For years, I had languished under an assumption that Macs were toy computers for quirky artsy folks. But, after having suffered under Bill Gates tyranny for many years, I went to BestBuy and played with the Macs. Lo and behold, it was like waking up to a bright, beautiful morning! We purchased an iMac and I haven't looked back since. My PC is still up and running, but it sits in a corner and is used mainly by my 3 year old for drawing and doodling. This isn't about Pepsi vs. Coke, it's about one product being clearly superior to another.
Posted by: Mac MacIntire | March 30, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Greets
Cute little review, though really, isn't it a bit unfair to compare the loading times of a brand new computer with an ancient one? That struck me as being a tad odd, since your old laptop wouldn't be serious competition for any newer computer, mac or not, so I'm not sure what you were trying to show us here.
Out of curiosity... since when have you had your old laptop?
Second of all (and this is directed at the commenters), it constantly amazes me how people swoon so childishly over their computer and most of them magically turn into windows haters. Both systems have their upsides and their downsides. I'm typing this from my new alu macbook, incase anyone gets any ideas. I also have a PC that I like very much. Try to retain some objectivity, guys!
Posted by: Jason Caldwell | April 24, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Jason, my ThinkPad is a few years old. My Lenovo laptop was bought in early 2008. So I'm not comparing ancient Windows history with a modern Mac story.
Having used Macs for a long time, then PCs for even longer, and now having shifted back to a MacBook, my feeling is that there's no contest between Apple computers and Windows machines.
The Apple experience is so superior, its no contest. I have zero problems with my MacBook (except those I caused myself). Everything is easier on a Mac. Everything works better.
Posted by: Brian | April 24, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Duh, ofcourse the mac salesman bashes Office for mac.
Come on. Are you really that stupid that you base your decisions on what that sales person said.
Office 2008 is just as good as the windows equivalent. And Iworks just doesn't work for me.
Posted by: xfactor | December 05, 2009 at 04:58 PM
xfactor, each to his own. I've found that iWorks is just as good as the Office equivalents, and is easier to use.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | December 05, 2009 at 05:23 PM
openoffice.org
works better than office mac, is reads and writes all the microsoft office formats, and is free.
everyone should check it out before dropping any cash on an office package of any kind.
Posted by: blane | December 22, 2009 at 01:41 AM
Love your video. And I really love your quote about the windows wilderness. I referenced you on my blog. http://anticubestuff.com/2010/09/07/so-glad-i-have-a-mac/
Posted by: Tara | September 07, 2010 at 08:54 PM
I've just bought an applemac pro after four years with microsoft stuff. Windows vista -aaaargh! Never again. My mac seems so intuitive, no 'configuring updates' notices, or noisy fan, or adverts, windows telling me i can't do this or that, error notices, etc., etc. Last year I bought an ipod, as my introduction to apple. Then came an iphone and ipad, and finally my macpro. I work as a carer, so i have little money, and had to save really hard to buy my mac, but i would say that don't let the expense put you off. Macs are worth the investment.
Posted by: Cath evans | November 20, 2011 at 04:15 AM
Jesus Christ. Bunch of idiots that express feelings about commercial piece of machinery. You are all sick.
Posted by: Aron | July 22, 2012 at 06:23 PM