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Sunday, April 3, 2011

iConundrum

Yesterday I bought a MacBook. I needed a new laptop, have for some time. The laptop I have been using is a hand-me-down, generous on the part of the giver, but that hasn't made me and the machine BFFs. It likes to listen to honkytonk and randomly refuse to allow me access to my files. It is a morning person and has a bowl haircut. We have politely shared space and several hundred thousand words over the last year or so, but it was clearly time to part ways.

Except, I have no idea what to do with the MacBook. Some history: in grade school, when computers were just worming their way into the general public, I worked on an Apple Macintosh.
We did not use it for schoolwork, or to skim wikipedia in the name of "research". No, they taught us Basic programming. We programmed elementary games, and something related to creating graphs. That was the last time I worked on a Mac, back when it was still using its full name. And now I have this sleek, colorful, beauty that literally sings when I turn it on:

So tell me, MacMinds, what are your favorite parts of the MacBook, the things it does so well that PCs can't even hope to match? And don't tell me about the no viruses or out-of-the-box badda-bing capabilities. I already bought the thing. No need to sell me twice. :)

Tell me about the programs, the computing equivalent of the dive bar with the killer steak burritos and $2 cocktails made with top shelf booze. Help me to fall in love with this aluminum-encased feat of engineering.

6 comments:

  1. I don't have a Mac (I wish I did, I am squeeeee-ing for your new companion there!) I just had to say: bowl haircut and honkytonk? Priceless.

    ~bru

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  2. The OS is not Windows Vista.

    'Nuff. Said.

    In all seriousness, there is a bit of a learning curve (especially if you're used to Windows applications), but the programs become intuitive. Plus, all your other Apple gear (iPhone, iPod, iPad, iChainsaw) can talk to it easily.

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  3. Hi Bru! The day it came home with that haircut, that's when I knew it was over. :D

    Cobra, I'm not sure how to tell you this, but the idea of my appliances "talking" to each other scares the bejeesus out of me. Oh, I guess I did know how to tell you that. :) Actually, of those items, I only have an iChainsaw, and it's kind of a loner.

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  4. Yours is prettier than mine. I am somewhat depressed by this....

    And CM's correct - not only can your devices talk to each other via wireless, you can also print from other related devices through your Mac, if it's on and connected to a printer.

    But, hands down, the three things I have LOVED about mine (so much so that I love him and pet him and squeeze him and name him George):

    1. True plug and play. I have yet to meet the device that would not do just that.

    2. True drag and drop. From webpage to desktop or wherever to wherever.

    3. Every program I have ever needed, for anything, I have been able to find a free version of. A stable, easy to use free version of. For EVERYTHING. I love the Mac community, even if I don't actually talk to any of them and just lurk in the shadows ready to pick their pockets when I need something.

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  5. You could paint yours, Bos. :)

    Thank you for sharing. I may pick your brain on specifics.

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  6. *sigh of jealousy*

    I want a MacBook. I almost asked my husband for one for Christmas, but I'm glad I didn't because the jewelry he got me is much better. :)

    Let us know how it goes! I'm sure it would take me awhile to get used to it too. And...maybe I'll ask for one this year instead.

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