*

I went to the Dark Side. (And the cookies are nommy!)

Sunday, May 5, 2013
Grimmy trying to "help."
I had a scare a few weeks back with my Toshiba Satellite laptop, where a security software update farked the boot process and for the better part of two days I was in panic mode trying to straighten it out.

Fortunately, I did get it straightened out, but it was a grim reminder that I was due for a new one. (I prefer to upgrade while the old unit is still working, because one of my early laptops died and while I was waiting for it to be fixed, I was stuck writing on a tiny Asus teensy mini netbook.)

I should note I go through laptops at a rate of 1 about every 2-3 years. That's not a statement on the quality of the laptops--that's a statement about how much I put them through the wringer. (And to be fair to my little red Toshi, the issue was software, not hardware or firmware or bios.)

I've been an ardent and devout Toshiba person for the past three laptops of my own, in addition to one for Hubby, one for my son, and a shared one for Hubby and myself that is a monster, wide-screened workhorse containing my Adobe Photoshop and other software. I'm pretty loyal, and they're good computers.

But.

And again, this isn't Toshiba's fault.

Nope, the fault lies squarely on Microsoft this time. Windows 8, from everything I've read and heard and seen, is NOT an OS I want to upgrade to. I'm the kind of person, when a new OS is released, I'll wait until its been out a loooong while, usually until one or two service packs come out, to upgrade/change over.

So Friday, Hubby and I took a trip to the Apple store. I'm not Mac-averse, but I've never personally had a Mac-flavored machine of my own. I've used them before with no issues, and I have an iPod, iPad, and iPhone.

Well, we came home with a 13" MacBook Air. It was a decision I needed to grit my teeth to make, because the math in my head kept coming back with the reply of, "You can buy THREE OR MORE DAMN TOSHIBAS FOR THAT MONEY!!" We dipped into savings to get it, but I have to say, I love it. And considering what I've heard from everyone so far, this laptop should easily last me 3-5 years (or longer) making it worthwhile.

Another consideration, since I'm now using Scrivener, the Mac version of Scrivener has more features than the PC version. And they just came out with Scapple, the PERFECT mind-map software for how I work...but only available for Macs at this time.

The MacBook Air has good battery life (another consideration for me), and is VERY lightweight (yet another consideration for me). So I still have my little Toshi as a good back-up machine, and now have all my important files transferred over to the new one. After a few hiccups caused by user error (I'm used to tapping, not clicking, the trackpad LOL) and then overcoming that by hooking up my wireless mouse, I've settled in quite nicely with "Spunky."

Yes, I name my computers and my cars. Shut up. Don't judge me.

So I am now a fully Mac person. Honestly? I didn't cross over sooner because of the cost differential. I think Apple could fully give Microsoft a complete run for their money if they figured out how to drop the price of their units. I had NO problems with software installs, or hooking up to my network, or anything. It's been completely painless and went far faster than I imagined it could.

So are you a PC or a Mac person? Or, like me and Hubby, a hybrid of both? (Before my iPhone I had an Android, so I was split three ways then. LOL) Or do you run a Linux-flavored machine? Do you have a Mac and what do you think of it? Are you interested in a Mac? Are you a Mac wanting to switch to PC? Sound off in the comments.

9 reader comments:

  1. Melanie said...:

    Glad you have joined the macbook air club! I adore mine. I've been using it for about 9 months now.
    Have you used the Spotlight feature? I file things all over the place and then forget where I put them. Spotlight finds it no matter where it is.

  1. i've never usee a mac so I don't know what they're like. I was trained on windows 95 and have only ungraded to windows 7. i'm like you and was leary with the 8 so when I had my computer built for me I only had windows 7 installed. I do use my android phone alot too. carolyn

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I have always been a fan of Apple and wanted a Mac laptop [and desktop] for the longest time. Yes, I am the one standing in front of the Best Buy display drooling all over the Mac table [while my grown son is trying to drag me away saying "Mom, you're embarrassing me. Act your age, dammit!"]. Price is the only thing keeping me from buying. Even though they have come way down in price over the years, it still does not fit my limited budget. My Sony VAIO laptop better last a lot longer. Oh, yeah, I'm a Blackberry girl [can't justify the iPhone price either]. Cheryl M.

  1. Unknown said...:

    Once you have Mac, you never go back! Welcome to the dark side. :)

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Still Toshiba, myself. But my brother (a writer too) loves Macs...
    (Only if you want to share....what did you name your car?)

  1. MaryMary said...:

    Yeah, so glad you joined us! My co-worker has a macbook air & loves it, I adore my macbook pro. I admit, I finally was able to justify the price when my HP laptop bit the dust and Best Buy honored their lemon warrenty, so with my credit from that laptop (this was several years ago) I was able to justify the mac. I don't regret it at all - LOVE IT! Love my iPhone, too. So easy to use and I love iMovie :)

  1. Vanessa said...:

    I am going to be looking for a new laptop too, maybe sooner than later..(presently have a Samsung 14", weighs 1.8kg). and I too am extremely wary of Microsoft 8 OS so I am holding off hoping the next OS has fixed the issues of MS 8. Not a writer and no longer studying... but have requirements for it to be lightweight and small enough to fit inside a GoldWing Motorcycle topbox for when we are travelling..(we are planning another trip to the USA and riding down and across the southern states & up to WA). and I agree that the price of the Mac laptop makes one think twice. So it is good to hear your opinion. Thanks!

  1. LisaDee said...:

    After salivating over one for 3 years, I took the plunge and I've loved every second!! All I can say is "once you go Mac, you never go back!" Welcome to the Apple family!

  1. Thanks everyone for the comments. :) Yes, I'm definitely enjoying Spunky and don't think I'm going to be changing back to PC. LOL