March 8th, 2007 | 
Author: It’s just over 2 years since I abandoned my old beige box and upgraded my life to an iMac. I’m still very glad I did; a day doesn’t go by that I don’t congratulate myself for my bold decision to switch.
I’m serious. My iMac has brought me more joy and pleasure than any other device I’ve ever owned. It is such an elegant machine, so simple and clean in design, yet at the same time a complex, multi-functional computing device, capable of a myriad of functions, each performed flawlessly.
It’s a deep and enduring love, as I’m sure you can tell.
Sometimes, even when it’s sleeping, I just glance over at it, sitting quietly in the corner, on my desk and I can’t believe how good it looks. I’ve got a 1.8 G5, 20” model, which is now several revisions out of date and I still feel this way. The newer models are slimmer, faster and more powerful, but mine still does the job reasonably enough.
The only thing connected to my iMac is the power cable, everything else from network connectivity to the keyboard and mouse are all wirelessly attached. It’s a neat and tidy little set-up.
But beyond the design is the functionality and at the heart and soul of that is Apple’s operating system, Mac OS X.
I started out briefly on Panther, 10.3, but not long after I switched, Apple released Tiger, 10.4, which is what I’m still on today. Leopard, or 10.5 will be released soon and I’ll upgrade to it fairly quickly as well.
Why do I love OS X so much? Let me count the ways!
For starters, I’ve never had a system crash. I’ll say that again, I’ve NEVER had a system crash! I’ve not had a single one in over 2 years. The only time my system gets restarted is when I’ve had to run an update to the OS that required it.
And I don’t just mean my iMac either, I also had an iBook for over a year and I’ve had my Mac Mini for around 6 months; none of them have crashed.
OS X is well designed and intuitive and it has so many amazing things built into it that you can do just about anything! I’ve never found a computer to easy to set up; you can literally have one out of the box, configured and online in ten minutes or less. I had the Mini running after around 5 minutes of de-boxing. Let me see you do that with Windows!
Things just work on a Mac. For example, I’m on my third mobile phone since I switched over to Apple and each phone interfaced with OS X effortlessly. I can send files, including cameraphone snaps back and forth using Bluetooth; I sync all of my contacts between the phone and Address Book and all of my iCal events sync as well, again over Bluetooth, so no cables for me!
Here, let me really blow your mind:
My Mac Mini is media hub, handling all of my digital video and audio. As well as playing back video on my 32” Sony Bravia, it plays my entire iTunes library through my stereo, I also have an AirPort express in my kitchen, connected to some speakers, so I can groove and cook using AirTunes.
This is where it gets fancy-smancy….I use Salling Clicker installed as a java app on my Sony-Ericsson k800i mobile phone to control the Mini over Bluetooth. What this means is I can wake up the Mini, choose a song, or playlist, and basically have full navigational control of iTunes, wirelessly, remotely and without disturbing whatever is on the tv or touching the keyboard/mouse. Oh and I get full colour album artwork on the phone’s screen too.
How cool is that? Or did I lose you?
The range of Bluetooth is good enough that I can still control the Mini from the kitchen, so if a track comes on I’m not down with, skipping it is just a thumb-flick away!
Pretty much anything you plug into a Mac will work, old keyboards, mice, external hard drives, printers, DV cameras with Firewire ports, you name it!
Creativity is where a Mac really excels. Audio and video come naturally to a Mac and right out of the box too. GarageBand and iMovie are powerful tools to get you started but again are simple to use. You also get iTunes and iPhoto for organising your media and iDVD for burning your own.
No, I don’t get a commission; I just genuinely like all these toys.
I’ve talked other people into switching to Apple, just as someone convinced me to at least consider the possibility. People always thank you when you do.
My old PC, a fairly nondescript Dell was way past it’s sell by date and it was time to consider replacing it. Right around the same time I starting thinking about buying a new one, Apple introduced it’s first flat screen iMac. I think it was around August 2004.
I remember reading about it at the time and thinking how cool it looked, but not believing that a powerful computer could be housed in a form factor so impressively thin. I didn’t really give it that much thought after that.
As I continued my research into a new computer of the PC variety, a colleague at work told me I should take a look at what Apple could offer. I did, I took a very good, long hard look and I liked what I saw.
I learned loads; about the operating system, the hardware, PowerPC processors, you name it. I discovered just how good and how powerful an iMac could be. I wanted one.
It finally arrived in February of 2005 and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Everything I tried to do with it, it did, without any hassles or headaches. There were no drivers to install, no scary configuration screens; it just did everything I wanted.
Once I tasted my first bite of Apple, I wanted more. I bought the iBook, I bought an iPod, I bought the Mini, I sold the iBook and now I’m waiting for the next refresh to buy another laptop. Please let them come soon; I’ve been waiting for months!
Since becoming a Mac-head, I’ve discovered many other people who belong to the cult of Cupertino and each is as evangelistic on the subject as me. Owning a Mac is like belonging to a secret club and we’re all thrilled to be members. At least there’s no secret handshake.
Mac’s are on the cutting edge of design and technology, they’re made from the best components and will give you years of good service. And when things go wrong, and they might as is the case with anything hi-tech, Apple are surprisingly good at sorting it out for you and yes, I know that from experience.
Would I ever consider switching back to Windows? Not in a million years! Not for all the tea in China! Not even for a go with your sister!
Once you’ve used a Mac, you would never want to go back to Windows. Everything is easier and more intuitive, why would anyone want to give that up?
I guess you can tell I’m glad I made the switch.
Does my Mac do everything a PC can do? Yes, of course, but that’s not the question you should be asking.
Does my Mac do everything better than a PC? Oh yes, and more!
If you’re thinking of switching, you owe it to yourself to make that leap. Once you do, you won’t look back!
PS
Here’s a full resolution photo I took on my phone the other day, the k800i. Enjoy!
Click image for full size.
