September 14, 2009
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Technology vs Matt ... no contest
I've been suffering from some technology problems. Both my work laptop and my home PC stopped working on the weekend. It was very frustrating and I felt utterly helpless and vulnerable. I had to travel on business on Monday and if I couldn't get it working today it would be crippling. Fortunately the helpful deskside support person was very good and got it fixed. I almost hugged her.
My home PC is still not working with many error messages about memory followed by the infamous blue screen of death. My bf and I were talking a few weeks ago about getting a new PC. We both got ours around the same time (same model too) and we both have different problems. Mine seems to be more fatal. On the good side, maybe now is the time to get an Apple. I'm not a techie though so I hope it's very, very user friendly. I do love the look of their products though.
I flew out on an early flight this morning and set my alarm for 5AM. I couldn't get to sleep until 2:30ish trying to figure out what to do if my laptop wasn't fixed today. I was so tired when I woke up. When I'm tired, my eyes start to water and get puffed up. So people think I'm just an emotional wreck. I'm glad my customer meeting tomorrow isn't till 10AM. It's been a long day and I got caught in a rain shower while walking back to the hotel after dinner. I just hope I can sleep tonight.
I'll catch up on your entries soon.
If you're an Apple user, I would appreciate getting your feedback about their products.
Comments (30)
What PC maker/model have you been using? I just rec'd a new work computer, a Dell Latitude E5400, on my trip back to the US and am pretty happy with it. We also bought a MacBook about six months ago. I have to say that I find the "user friendly" brand image to be a lot of hype. It is designed to let complete novices do some pretty cool looking things, but only as long as you stay within their programs' narrow constraints. The minute you want to customize anything, you run up against the barriers. That is at least the case for the iMovie, iTunes, iPhoto, etc. software.
Get lots of sleep tonite after your meeting. Not worthwhile to lose sleep over computer equipment! LOL. I have been using Macs since they first debuted their 9 in screen desktops (Gosh, I can't remember what their model names were then) and I have no trouble with Apple computers ever since. I'm currently using a MacBook Pro, and loving it! BTW, their operating system is drastically different from Windows, and needs time to get accustomed.
I can relate to your laptop anxiety. I had a hard drive die on my laptop right before a 4th of July weekend when I was flying out for an important business trip. Given the timing I had to go out and buy a new laptop! so I'm glad you got your issues resolved. Good luck on the meetings.
where did you fly to?
I just bought a Macbook and so far I love it. The only down side is some format issues with word documents, but otherwise I'm happy.
i love mac but the office uses windows application so i really have to get myself working with windows based ones like dell. good thing about mac is that they now have MS office softwares. just check on what programs do you use for business and if it works on mac. that's it.
performance wise, nobody does it best but mac.
no right clicks!
I agree with Chris, Mac ain't all that user friendly... I find it very weird. I have a DELL Inspiron laptop for a little over 2 years now and I am very happy with it. DELL systems are reliable and I also love them for their prompt on-site service.
oh, you poor thing! that's a lot of work for a person who is severely lacking in sleep - not to mention the computer issues!
Hey Matt, I sure hope you were able to get some decent rest.
I've never used a Mac, so I'm of no help there,sorry. Good Luck
with the quest for a new machine.
Peace *~matthew~*
@CurryPuffy - well, if using a Mac can improve my cooking skills, eat at the finest restaurants, take beautiful food pics like you,then I think I'll make the switch. I did sleep very well - thank you.
@christao408 - hmm... interesting experience, generally the biggest beef I've been hearing about Macs is that they are pricey. I'll keep this in mind. I use a ThinkPad for work and a Dell Dimension 9100 at home.
@TheLatinObserver - it's the utter dependency we have on our technology that is scary. I was talking with a colleague who had a hardware failure a few years ago. He said even if you backup religiously, it takes a few days to become fully functional and during that time it was chaotic.
@tomatoboi - I'm in Ottawa (my business trips do not involve any exotic locations).
@Roadlesstaken - thanks for the feedback.
@Renatojr3 - I will keep my work and home machines separate. Since I don't need to do any fancy spreadsheets or word processing, I think I can get by with the Mac equivalent or use Sun's open office. Thanks for the information (I tried a Mac a few times at the store - just couldn't get the hang of it).
@Dezinerdreams - ooh... another voice for the PC. I guess with Macs, you either like it or you don't.
@stepaside_loser - I slept well even though I was in strange bed. It usually takes me a while to fall asleep. But last night, I just crashed as soon as I turned off the light.
@bleuzeus - oh yeah, the sleep was very good last night and I'm a light sleeper who will toss and turn in hotel rooms.
Just want to correct something... The Microsoft Office suite has been compatible with Mac OS for many years now. The latest version for Mac, Office 2008, uses the new format and I have not encountered ANY problem whatsoever between PC and Mac.
Another correction, yes there is a right click for Mac...
Anyways, I've been using Macs for about seven years now. Currently I have an older 15" MacBook Pro and a 13" Aluminum MacBook. I love the new unibody design. It is a lot more rigid and feels great. There is no virus for Macs so you don't have to worry about that. What I love is that everything is built-in. You enter contact info in Addressbook and you can pull up iPhoto, pick a few photos, press send and it instantly resizes the photos, brings up the Mail program ready for you to type in the name of the contact and boom, it's sent.
Chris has a point about the lack of customization compared to Windows but really, with less control, less things get messed up and that is one of the reasons Mac OSX is so stable.
If you have any questions regarding anything with Macs, please let me know. I'm no guru but would definitely try to help a fellow Mac person out. Good luck!
oh.......I"m a totally computer dummy......all I know is Mac will be a great help for graphics and.......music.....:P hope you will find the best one that suits you....
The type of computer that you should get depends entirely on what you want to do. I use an ASUS EeePC, a little 9 incher. It's not very powerful, and it's graphics card is terrible. I love it, though, cuz it does everything I need it to, and the portability was a necessity for me as often as I move around.
Personally, I don't like Mac that much- I used their stuff at work, and I really prefered a PC. For a good laptop, and for around the same price as Mac's stuff, I recommend one of the high-end Taiwanese brand's laptops. ASUS has a really powerful one out now, big screen, great video card, etc.
Matt, are you downloading too much porn on BOTH your computers? =P
notti notti! hee hee hee
Rest well and have a great trip! Hope it is not too stressful and you can sleep well in the hotel.
I know nothing about Mac...
I am not a Mac fan. I have to use one at the office and really never made it mine. I do the PC better. Notebooks I am not sure where to look for one but it is no the horizon.
A lot of mac users claim that MS Office is completely compatable... but it's not actually true. There are compatibility issues... I've seen it/been a victim first hand. /rolls eyes.
Macs are user-friendly...ish. It really depends on what you're doing...
I find that they're more user friendly if you're doing something art related... but for every day use... they're more of a pain in the ass than anything.
I switched over to Mac two years ago, after two decades using PCs (from age 8 to 28). I've owned them all -- from mail order, store bought to custom built solutions. Dell, Gateway, Sony, you name it, I've played with it.
I'm never going back. I loved my iMac so much I got a second Apple, a MacBook Pro -- and just this year I got my first iPhone.
I used to upgrade my PCs every half year. I haven't had that urge at all with my iMac, which is coming up on 1.5 years. I love it. It works.
Here are a few thoughts as they relate to your situation:
1) Switching over was painless for me. All the apps I used on my PC were on my Mac or had equivalents. As for my PC games, Macs can easily boot in PC (you just need a legal copy of Windows XP SP 2 or higher). You can also get a program called Parallels that lets you run a stripped-down version of Windows in (appropriately) a window, so you don't have to reboot your Mac.
2) Slightly geeky but helpful guide to switching:
http://the.taoofmac.com/space/HOWTO/Switch%20To%20The%20Mac
3) Apple's operating system stays out of your way and has lots of little efficiencies that speed up your workflow. Case in point: I used to have frequent temper tantrums with my Windows PCs where I would bang my desk in frustration. I've done that only once on my Mac, and it was because someone sent me a nasty email.
4) The included Apple mouse sucks. The roller ball will wear out in less than a year and the side buttons are hard as hell to grip. Just buy a mouse that you like -- I use a Microsoft mouse with my MBP. And yes, you can right-click on a Mac. =)
5) Apple screens are vivid and bright--almost ridiculously so. I wouldn't say they're professional-grade in terms of color accuracy, but unless you're a graphic designer who works in print you won't care. I look at my dad's Dell XPS M1330 (a supposed premium laptop) and when it sits next to my MacBook Pro, it just looks so sad and dim.
6) Apple build quality is amazing. My MBP feels so solid, no keyboard flex while you type, no plasticky parts that you can squish and push. Same goes for my iMac.
7) The Apple keyboard layout takes a wee bit of getting used to (look at the ctrl/option/command keys), but you'll be a pro in no time.
8) Applications still do crash with an Apple. I'd say I see a minor crash an average of once a week from random apps (Firefox has been very bad lately). That being said, Apple crashes are largely recoverable -- the application goes down, but the OS chugs along so you don't have to reboot. Complete system freezes are very rare.
9) The only thing I miss from my PC is the way folders are organized -- Windows puts folders first and files second. Macs alphabetize everything, which makes finding folders a pain in the butt.
10) Go all out with the desktop. Get a 24" iMac or a Mac Pro w/Cinema Display. You won't regret it.
11) If you get a laptop, it really depends on your usage requirements but the whole line from the 13" MBPs to the giant 17" MBPs are wonderful. I'd skip on the MacBook Air unless you really have a lot of money to blow and are smitten with its lightness, but it's otherwise underpowered and overpriced.
Hope that helps!
i have only recently got myself an apple laptop. it's just been a little over 2 months. so far so good. the reason i convert to apple is because i've just had it up to HERE with my computer screen freezes n the program working so damn slow due to the constant harassment by the many viruses from internet connections. viruses seemed to be window's best friends. with advice from a friend who's been a loyal apple user for many years, i finally gave in and switch religion.
the only negative thing is that it takes a while to get used to and getting familiar with the mac program. the plus side is that it's user friendly and allows your computer to have a dual program - mac and windows. so you can keep switching back and forth between the two depending on your needs. so far i tend to use mac for my personal stuff and use windows for work stuff. mac's program is also designed so that it will be able to open up any files from windows e.g. word, excell, powerpoint, etc. and continue the work on mac. so if the windows stars to become a pain again, we won't have to worry, since it won't effect the mac program. you just need to reboot or reprogram the windows program on your computer. the mac is still there, untouched and untainted. it's like having 2 different hardwares on the same computer. genius.
I don't use a Mac, but I am planning to get one next year after I pay off my debts and save up for one. I'm using an iPhone and I learned a bit about the Mac and I think it's good for me to get one. However, Windows 7 is coming out next month so there will be lots of reviews about which is better and stuff.
Wow, you certainly got a lot of feedback. I don't think I could switch to Mac at this stage of the game. Too many differences...plus I'm a businessman...not an artist or educator. Why not opt for a Netbook? I'm hearing good things about them.
The mac is pretty but you can get 2xpc's for the price of a mac!
Easiest solution is to reformat and re-install your non-working pc. try to recover the documents first though (by taking out the data drive and connecting it to another computer to access the files).
@yang1815 - thanks for the tips and insight. I don't really customize my PC so it probably won't be a major factor for me.
@agmhkg - I will use it mostly for my photography, writing, home finances... I won't be doing coding or serious number crunching.
@secade - thank you... that's interesting... I'll have to check out the Asus brand. I've heard of them but haven't done any research on them.
@ZenPaper - me download porn? hahahaha.... the hotel bed is comfortable but there are 7 pillows. I just throw them on a chair and use 2. The comforter is very warm. Other than that, I have been sleeping ok.
@Fatcat723 - interesting, another vote for the PC side. Thanks for the feedback.
@HoneyandSaliva - yeah, I think I'll have to figure out my needs first. I probably can get away w/o MS Office. The Apple iWorks (I think that's the name) should take care of my needs. Thank you for the comment.
@dynamiqvision - Sion, yes your comments was very helpful - thank you. I had a hunch I would get some feedback from you. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of detail you've included - much appreciated.
@rudyhou - I doubt if I'll use the windows if I get a Mac. But it's nice to know that this feature works well. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
@mmmagination - hee hee... you always seem to stay on top of the newest phones and other tech stuff.
@CareyGLY - I guess I like big screens. hahahaha
@chrispycrunch - yeah, that's my main complaint about Apple products such as Macs, they are very pricey. I'm not a techie so reinstalling the OS for me is out of the question. I think there's something wrong with the memory or motherboard.
@ElusiveWords - Blah!!! Sorry just getting a little irritated with the MS Office issue... IT IS TOTALLY COMPATIBLE!!! As for the customization, I really don't see what customization one may need... You can obviously do the desktop/screen saver as usual. What else do u need though?!
At the beginning there will be a learning curve BUT you will quickly overcome it and realize how easy everything is and how the computer just works! Also when/if there are problems the tech support is good (make sure to get the Apple care) and also I love the built in backup utility which makes it really easy to back up your important files.
@christao408 - That's true about iMovie/iTunes etc. but those products are aimed at the home/novice user. There are more professional products if you want to do more powerful stuff. And I kind of disagree about the user friendliness part. I've introduced Mac's to a lot of friends/colleagues who can barely use a PC to save their life but on a Mac they work wonders.
@brooklyn2028 - you must have Apple stocks!
But seriously, your friends were able to adapt well to Macs?
@brooklyn2028 - thanks for the input - much appreciated. I'll have to make a note about Apple care.
@ElusiveWords - LOL! Can you tell I'm an Apple fan boy? Perhaps my friends were able to adapt better because I sat down with them and gave them a quick tutorial on how to use the computer. There are quite a few things to get used to when switching so I guess they adapted better since I told them the stuff they needed to know. In fact, my boss/friend told me I should start a company doing computer shopping, setup and training!
@brooklyn2028 - To each his or her own. Maybe it is just because I'm trying to jump back and forth between the two systems, but I find Apple not nearly as intuitive as their marketing team would like us to believe. Not bad, necessarily, but not God's gift to mankind, either.