A Baby Boomer considering a new Mac Air
January 19, 2008 by Jean Murray
I’m fed up with the PC; well, not the generic PC, but just the one that Microsoft has crammed down our throats. I need a new laptop but I refuse to buy a PC because I refuse to be forced to have Vista on it. I understand that I would not even have the highest level of administrative rights on that machine. (Is that really true?)
Everyone I have talked to in my small field of influence has said, “check out a Mac.” So I looked at the new Mac Air. It is slim and light, has a dual core so I can run my current Windows programs. But the battery life is limited and I need at least 3 ISB ports. Maybe I’ll get a Mac Book Pro.
It seems that Apple and Microsoft have changed places. Used to be that Apple was the proprietary nazi, forcing users to Apple only. Now it’s Microsoft that is demanding that we use their latest software version. Strange world. Steve Jobs the new Bill Gates?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I own a MacBookPro, an iMac, and a MacMini runing on a Cinema Display. The MacBookAir would not be my recommendation for you, the Hard Drive is only 80GB – unless you need the ultra portable 3lbs the MacBookPro is a great solution for an everyday machine. I run mine using a USB hub and Firewire Hub.
Although I use my MacMini with the Cinema Display as my everyday machine and the laptop for portability.
If I was starting over I would get the MacMini, Cinema display, Time Capsule, a MacBookAir, and a iPodTouch.
If funds were limited, the MacMini, Cinema display, with Time Capsule are a little more than the MacBookAir which could be added later. With TimeCapsule you get 802.11N airport and an automated backup system that works with Time Machine wirelessly and automatically.
I also have iWork 08 and can easily export Office Documents that my PC clients and friends can open with zero issues. I have not had to fire up a PC program for 2 years and includes Microsoft Office for Mac.
My 2 cents.
Thanks, Greg for taking the time to comment. I use a laptop exclusively because I commute. I will definitely look into the MacMini with the features you suggest.
FYI, I added extra RAm to 2 GB and the larger drive with 160GB. Good luck, let me know how I can help…
Greg
My frustration with Macs (and I don’t own one) is trying to communicate with them. I have family with Macs and every time they send e-mail video, pics etc, it’s a nightmare. I don’t think that Microsoft is evil nor is Apple. Microsoft just developed the software that almost everyone uses in daily life and for me, it works better. I’m not an artist or someone with software interests that are particularly unique or different – so the mundane solution that works for most of the world – to a lesser or greater extent – works for me, too.
Microsoft has succeeded in the marketplace. Others may take over and do well. Did Microsoft use somewhat ruthless tactics, maybe? Or just shrewd business. But the computer transformed the world – and the main computer used is PC based worldwide. Unless there’s some huge reason not to be part of that, I can’t see why not. I sell to mainstream society and work with them. I’ve already “joined ‘em” in many senses – I want to be able to communicate with them, too!
I shop at a Healthfood store occasionally but for daily groceries, I hit the regular store. The groceries there work for me and in fact, they now have a large organic section that is cheaper and more diverse than the healthfood store. Is there a need for healthfood stores – sure. But not for me for everyday needs.
I admire Bill Gates very much for his success. Anyone who does things on his scale will be criticized. I especially love his commencement address to the Harvard grads last spring and think he will bring changes to the world that no one but someone of his stature can in the time frame is working toward. So I don’t mind supporting his organization at all.
I have a Dell. When I had problems, I wrote to Michael Dell and someone in his office gave me his own direct e-mail so I communicate someone outside of tech support. I’ve had so little trouble with my Dell stuff that I’ve not really had to use extraordinary channels. The majority of the world computers are now Dells – they have a great service network and meet customer needs- obviously. The marketplace is pretty organic – it will flow to where the needs are met. It’ll be PC’s for while – then maybe something else. But for whatever reason, Apple didn’t follow a course that a lot of people wanted to follow. It doesn’t make them wrong or Apple, but as I said, I work in mainstream society and for my computer, being mainstream works better for me. I know I’m rambling, sorry – but you covered a variety of topics here which I wanted to touch. Pragmatically, I use a PC.
What works best for you?? Thanks!
Thanks, Linda. I hadn’t heard about the issue of communication with Macs and PC’s; I would like to hear what others say about this concern, since the rest of my family have PC’s.
I agree that there is no evil intent in a company like Microsoft, but I do think there is sometimes an arrogance – an attitude that “we have the best and we think everyone should do things the way we do.” That kind of arrogance isn’t unique to Microsoft; you find it as far back as Henry Ford, who said people could have any kind of car they wanted, as long as it was black. This is particularly true with big companies who live in their own worlds and sometimes forget about the consumers, the people who buy their products.
I have been using Macs since 1995 and getting mail attachments to Windows users was an issue in those early days.
I send attachments daily to Windows users and I have not had any complaints or issues from my clients or friends.
i own both macs and pcs:
3 dell laptops, a dell aximx51 pocket pc, a desktop compac pc, a mac g4, considering buying a g5 and i am def about to buy a macbook pro and a sony vaio. here is the deal:
macs are made for video and music, pcs are made for traditional business, both sides can adapt to the other, BUT not without work arounds that are frustrating. I own multiple businesses and use macs for music and pcs for traditional type business work. I have tried the ‘one computer for all’ thing and it simply does not work well for me. I don’t think it is worth the extra hassel, just my 2 cents
Oh yeah, one more thing, I just had to pay dell an extra $300 on a new laptop for the XP Pro Professional Downgrade from Vista, this totally stinks, but is still better than using vista, none of my pcs have vista on them and they never will. I will stay with XP until none of my software works anymore.
I agree about Vista, Michaux. That’s one of the reasons I got a Mac. I’m in the process of adding Parallels and I had to purchase another copy of XP so I can run it on the Mac.
I thank myself every day for getting the Mac!