My Life With the MacBook Kult
Well, I’ve had the shiny white MacBook for almost a week now. UPS delivered it at 2pm last Wednesday, along with another package with RAM and a few other things. I took the computer out of the box and went through the first-time setup routine. It found my wireless network and seamlessly logged on (in true Mac style, it didn’t show any security specifics… it simply detected my encryption and asked for a password).
After I made sure everything worked out of the box, I shut it down and read the manual about how to upgrade the memory. It wasn’t the easiest upgrade I’ve ever done, but it was pretty easy. And from what I’ve heard about older iBooks and PowerBooks, the MacBook is an absolute breeze to upgrade RAM and HD. Anyway, when I restarted, the system told me I had 2Gb of RAM, running at 667MHz, which was what it should’ve told me.
I’m still discovering things about OS X. Some things are truly Mac-frustrating, but I’m coming from the Wintel world where I have 20+ years of continuous experience. My OS X experience is recent and a lot less thorough. Still, the system is easy enough to figure out, for the most part. I won’t do an in-depth review of the MacBook itself, since Ars Technica already did a great review, but I will tell you about some of my experiences.
First and foremost, the MacBook is a really good-looking computer. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you to get a regular Intel notebook and install OS X with help from OSx86. Yeah, sure, you’ll have an OS X computer for 1/3 the cost, but it’ll look like you spent 1/3 the money. If price is your only concern, and you don’t mind looking like a Win-drone, then create a Franken-computer and dis people for their sense of style.
On the other hand, if you like a bit of style, then the MacBook is perfect. It’s a fantastic computer in a really, really nice package. And with all the built-in features (like wireless, Bluetooth, a dual-layer DVD-R/CD-RW drive, etc.) the price is comparable to a similarly outfitted Wintel machine. OS X runs most major productivity software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, so you can work seamlessly.
Windows has mostly caught up in features, so you’re not going to see anything truly radical in OS X. But it does have some truly useful things like dashboard widgets (among others). And the operating system really is gorgeous.
I’ve discovered some things I don’t like, but they’re few and far between. The edge of the palm rest is a bit sharp, and my wrists get rubbed if I type in the wrong position (mostly when I’m slouching, instead of sitting up and working over the computer). Also, the bottom of the machine does get a little warm. I don’t use it on my lap, though, so I’m not really worried about that. I can’t feel the heat through the keyboard, and that’s all that really matters.
The final thing I don’t like is the minor differences in some software between Windows and OS X. Some apps are perfect (Macromedia Dreamweaver is near-identical on both platforms), but others aren’t. Firefox is nice, but I miss some functionality from the Windows world. IPhoto may be nice… for Mac users… but it can’t hold a candle to the power and flexibility of ACDSee Pro. Other apps aren’t so bad, and will simply take some getting use to.
But the fact that I’m lying in bed and writing on the blog is a big plus. The MacBook seamlessly changes wireless networks from work to home, and it has enough battery life (3.5+ hours) that I don’t have to worry about running out of juice. So I’m no longer shackled to my office—home or work—and I can be a lot more productive.
Besides, it’s fun. So I’m willing to forgive some of the differences between OS X and Windows. I’m also more than willing to take advantage of the really nice features of OX S. All in all, it balances out, with the incredible looks and style tilting the balance toward the Mac.
That’s probably enough rambling for one night. It’s getting late, and I’m a little sleepy. Fortunately, I’m already in bed, and I only need to save this and turn out the light. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
- Nick
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12 Responses to “My Life With the MacBook Kult”
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One word of warning - be careful where you set your new toy when you put it down. One of my co-workers got his first laptop, and when he finished and went to go to sleep he set it on the floor next to his bed. The next morning, forgetting he had done so, he sat up and put his foot directly on the laptop, severely cracking the screen. Oops!
yes, of course, hoe doltish of me to put form and function over looks…..
what was i thinking…..
Of course, I should run out and purchase the ferrari because it LOOKS so much better than my current car.
Of course this is the most logical thing to do, and is the reason that apple is doing so well that they had to bastardize an already bastardized version of a unix shell like darwin.
so dont listen to anyone who has something different than you to say.
Instead, go buy a computer that internally has all of the same compnents, comes with nothing different at all other than a shiny plastic case……
and if you think it costs the same for an intel based computer (not necessarily windows based as you ASSUMED) with bluetooth, wireless, DVD-RW DL, and the other toys, than you need more research….
facts are facts, and most macophiles truely just want to forget that…..
Mike,
Facts are facts, and pricks are pricks.
Go rain on someone else’s parade.
- Nick
After using various computers for the past 23 years (TI 99 4/A was my first when I was 9! But mostly PC’s) I switched to an iBook a little over a year ago. It is BY FAR a superior machine to any windows product I’ve ever used. I still own a PC for those time when it’s needed (online classes, etc.) but it hasn’t been turned on in something like 3 weeks.
I’ve NEVER encountered a virus, NEVER gotten a Blue Screen of Death, and have only had “xxx application has unexpectedly quit” messages 4 times in 1.5 years on my Mac. And that’s only with 3rd part software.
I found it very easy to update my ram on my iBook, but the hard drive swap was a PITA.
Congrats on the purchase, Nick. Hope you enjoy it.
Jay
Hi Nick…
Maybe you’ve also noticed that Office for the Mac works a heck of a lot better than it does for Windows.
Mac-on!
Jim
Nick –
Two suggestions… 1) spend the 40-50$ and buy a platform fan that rests under your computer and runs on USB for when the laptop is plugged into AC power and 2) If you like ACDSee, try Picasa from Google. I’ve been quite happy w/ Picasa.
Best,
Ajacied
Hey Nick!
Have you updated the OS recently? Apple released a patch that fixes a little bit of the heat problem on the bottom of the computer! Just an Fyi
Andrew,
Yes, I downloaded the update the day it was released. And while they fixed the heat issue (as much as they could), they fixed it by having the fan run constantly.
Now, with ambient background noise, the fan blends in. But in a quiet environment, it’s kinda noticeable.
Still, fan white-noise is better than too much heat, but I want to have my cake and eat it too.
Thanks for the tip, though.
- Nick
Nick,
Are you a fan of the Thrill Kill Kult? I was wondering if I was the only one who got the allusion.
Bernardo
[...] Now here’s where the story needs a little more explanation. Since I bought the MacBook, I’ve fallen in love with iPhoto. It’s a fantastic photo management program, with tons of powerful organizational features. [...]
I gotta say that I love my Macbook Pro. I have had it for a month and a half and I haven’t found anything that I don’t like about it, save the inordinate amount of money that I am spending on applications to replace my windows versions.
A heads up to you, though, some quick searches will lead to a more windows-like experience with Firefox, if that’s what you’re looking for. And you might try aperture instead of iPhoto. Its an amazing application, especially if you do any photography
Enjoy the Macbook!
I haven’t used Firefox on a windows machine, so I’m not sure what I’ve missing. I do like Camino, though. It’s also built on Mozilla’s Gecko, but specifically for Mac OS X, and I prefer it to Firefox for Os X, and to Safari. Anyway, here’s the url http://www.caminobrowser.org/