Subject: A Mac Amongst a Sea of Compaqs

Why buy a Mac? Especially me, I’m a Network administrator, responsible
for a large number of Windows servers on a daily basis. Certified in
more Microsoft Certifications than I care to admit. And I am quite happy
and content to go about my daily Windows routine.

I first noticed the iMac watching TV, an interview with Steve Jobs in
early January. My first thought was, nice lamp! Then the DVD burner
caught my attention. After a little research I considered it a
possibility, but not seriously, after all I’m a MS guy. I looked
seriously at both platforms and calculated what it would cost for both.
With interest somewhat piqued, I called one of the local resellers. We
arranged to have it delivered to the office. I was very apprehensive,
with a bad case of post purchase stress syndrome. What have I done?

It arrived as promised, a Mac amongst a sea of Compaqs. It caused a
commotion at the office, as the Windows guys started pouring out of the
woodwork. Some joking and teasing took place, I found myself defending
it. (Not that I had a leg to stand on, I haven’t even turned it on yet)
but what a crowd of curious people.

I managed to get it home and eagerly opened the box, and attached the
various clear plastic devices and fired it up. For the first time in
many years I looked somewhat puzzled at a GUI I knew nothing of.
Refreshing. I configured the TCP/IP settings to become part of my little
home network in no time at all, although it looked out of place sitting
next to a couple of beige NT Clones. The OS automatically downloaded the
latest OS X upgrade and the DVD upgrade too. In under 15 minutes from
the box, iMovie was capturing its first set of DV clips from my Digital
8 Cam. It worked as advertised. (I know that sounds anti-climatic, but
it really is a big deal.)

As a Windows kind of guy, here are my impressions so far. (I don’t have
any horrible feelings towards Microsoft or Bill Gates, so no MS bashing
here, sorry).

I like the over all performance with an 800 processor. We Windows types
are hung up on CPU speeds.

Trying hard to not mention how it looks, but I can’t, it just looks
smart!

I like not having to fart around, searching for fixes, comparing
firmware versions, reading obscure ‘readme’ files to find out it really
isn’t what was promised, downloading file after file of Services packs,
Hot Fixes, Service Releases to get it to work. Hoping that the fix
doesn’t blow up the OS (it happens all the time).

I love the display, it is gorgeous, almost as big as my 17-inch monitor.

I love FireWire and how it handles my Digital Cameras. BTW, I tried
adding a FireWire card to one of my Windows machines with little
success. Not worth the effort. I was surprised that my Digital8 worked
even when not listed in the compatibility list.

I like iPhoto - A nice app , but I doubt I’ll use it to full potential.

I like iDVD - What can I say, I’ve been waiting for a solution for
years. Works slick.

I love iMovie - Finally I can organize my endless hours of home movies.

I like iTunes - The nicest Music app I’ve seen to date.

I’m surprised with AppleWorks - Seems to be able to handle all of my MS
Office documents. (Someone told me that the Mac wouldn’t be able to read
my MS Office files, he was wrong, I was surprised. Is this one of the
myths I keep reading about?)

As for Mac OS 10.1.3, I enjoy using the OS, it all makes sense, and
visually pleasing too. Powerful yet simple. Stable. Stable. Stable. 3
weeks of continuous use and not a single reboot. And that’s with me
investigating and tinkering with everything.

Networking is a breeze.

I can see my desk again, I’ve regained more than half of my desk!

So why did I do it? Some had to do with pure numbers, the cost of the
iMac was much cheaper than purchasing all the hardware and software
components, to be fully DV and DVD-R compliant on a PC. What attracted
me most was the single solution. The iMac was designed to do what I
wanted, and was proven to work. Too often I’ve purchased PC components
that don’t work well together, I want to use my PC, I don’t like
troubleshooting problems in my spare time. I do that all day long, and
get paid for it. Not to mention troubleshooting my friends and families
PC’s too.

My new iMac works, as advertised, really.

- DS