- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 27,042
- Reaction score
- 812
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Lake Mary, Florida
- Your Mac's Specs
- 14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Hello all, I'm new here and just began lurking to try to absorb as much as I can about the Mac and its community before I jump in.
Just a little about myself - I've been a computer geek since I was a kid. I cut my teeth on a Commodore 64 and gradually moved up to the Amiga where I really learned to love computing. As I got out of school and into the real world, I started using PCs and have been solidly in the Windows camp since Win95. I now working as a network administrator in a large enterprise environment, hold various certifications (MCSE, A+ and Network+) and even run a small PC repair business on the side. But something has happened these past few years that sort of crept up on me unexpectedly. I've found myself bored with the current crop of Windows machines. I used to love exploring new software, finding new and innovative ways of doing things, and figuring out problems and how best to fix them.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job and I love troubleshooting. But there's something about the fact that I spend the majority of my computing time troubleshooting, maintaining and basically keeping Windows machines working the way they should that bothers me. I remember being wonderfully productive on my old Amigas. Now I feel like all I do is spend my time making up for the shortcomings of Windows.
To me, Vista is the last straw. Draconian DRM schemes, a gussied-up GUI and the recommended requirement of 1GB of RAM (just for starters) do not make for a revolutionary OS - especially one that took over 6 years to build. Add that to the fact that they want an arm and a leg for even the most basic versions is simply adding insult to injury. To me Windows Vista is nothing more than putting lipstick on a pig. It might look prettier - but it's still a pig.
I tried Linux for a little while, Ubuntu 6.06 and 6.10 to be more precise, but it's my opinion that Linux still has a lot more growing up to do before it's ready for prime time on the desktop. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy learning a new OS, but configuring and mastering Linux can take years - and I really don't feel like reading forums ad nauseum just to get drivers and basic functionality working. Once the Linux world starts to actually come up with some standards for even just one facet of their OS, I'll take a second look. Until then, it's just a toy to me.
So, based on my love of my iPod, I figured it's time to check into the Mac - particularly now that Apple has gone Intel. Don't get me wrong, I still think the PowerPC line is a better overall CPU than any x86 processor, but Motorola/IBM simply don't have the resources to dedicate to CPU development that Intel and AMD do. It's also handy that in the event I needed to run a Windows app, I can easily do so using Bootcamp.
I last touched a Macintosh back in the days of OS8. I can't say that I was very impressed back then, especially as someone accustomed to the overall excellence that was the Amiga, but I know the world has changed by several orders of magnitude since then. OS X just looks awesome and I'm ready to own a computer that "just works". I'd also like to feel like I'm a member of a tightly-knit community of enthusiasts once again. To me, that is the true appeal of the Mac - to be different, part of something - and ultimately, part of something that is better than the garbage Microsoft tries to shove down the throats of the masses.
OK, thanks for sticking with me, I know that was a long rant
As I said before, I'm in the market for a Mac. I've lusted after a 12" Powerbook G4 for some time now, but I really want something that runs on Intel. I've searched the forum quite a bit, but I haven't caught any rumors of Apple producing a 12" MacBook Pro (yet). Have any of you heard anything?
I've also heard a lot of rumblings about the 1st generation of Intel machines. I really would rather not stick it out and wait for the 2nd generation, but have there been any rumors of when we might expect it?
Anyway, looks like a great forum you have here and I'm looking forward to contributing to it. Thanks for listening.
Just a little about myself - I've been a computer geek since I was a kid. I cut my teeth on a Commodore 64 and gradually moved up to the Amiga where I really learned to love computing. As I got out of school and into the real world, I started using PCs and have been solidly in the Windows camp since Win95. I now working as a network administrator in a large enterprise environment, hold various certifications (MCSE, A+ and Network+) and even run a small PC repair business on the side. But something has happened these past few years that sort of crept up on me unexpectedly. I've found myself bored with the current crop of Windows machines. I used to love exploring new software, finding new and innovative ways of doing things, and figuring out problems and how best to fix them.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job and I love troubleshooting. But there's something about the fact that I spend the majority of my computing time troubleshooting, maintaining and basically keeping Windows machines working the way they should that bothers me. I remember being wonderfully productive on my old Amigas. Now I feel like all I do is spend my time making up for the shortcomings of Windows.
To me, Vista is the last straw. Draconian DRM schemes, a gussied-up GUI and the recommended requirement of 1GB of RAM (just for starters) do not make for a revolutionary OS - especially one that took over 6 years to build. Add that to the fact that they want an arm and a leg for even the most basic versions is simply adding insult to injury. To me Windows Vista is nothing more than putting lipstick on a pig. It might look prettier - but it's still a pig.
I tried Linux for a little while, Ubuntu 6.06 and 6.10 to be more precise, but it's my opinion that Linux still has a lot more growing up to do before it's ready for prime time on the desktop. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy learning a new OS, but configuring and mastering Linux can take years - and I really don't feel like reading forums ad nauseum just to get drivers and basic functionality working. Once the Linux world starts to actually come up with some standards for even just one facet of their OS, I'll take a second look. Until then, it's just a toy to me.
So, based on my love of my iPod, I figured it's time to check into the Mac - particularly now that Apple has gone Intel. Don't get me wrong, I still think the PowerPC line is a better overall CPU than any x86 processor, but Motorola/IBM simply don't have the resources to dedicate to CPU development that Intel and AMD do. It's also handy that in the event I needed to run a Windows app, I can easily do so using Bootcamp.
I last touched a Macintosh back in the days of OS8. I can't say that I was very impressed back then, especially as someone accustomed to the overall excellence that was the Amiga, but I know the world has changed by several orders of magnitude since then. OS X just looks awesome and I'm ready to own a computer that "just works". I'd also like to feel like I'm a member of a tightly-knit community of enthusiasts once again. To me, that is the true appeal of the Mac - to be different, part of something - and ultimately, part of something that is better than the garbage Microsoft tries to shove down the throats of the masses.
OK, thanks for sticking with me, I know that was a long rant
As I said before, I'm in the market for a Mac. I've lusted after a 12" Powerbook G4 for some time now, but I really want something that runs on Intel. I've searched the forum quite a bit, but I haven't caught any rumors of Apple producing a 12" MacBook Pro (yet). Have any of you heard anything?
I've also heard a lot of rumblings about the 1st generation of Intel machines. I really would rather not stick it out and wait for the 2nd generation, but have there been any rumors of when we might expect it?
Anyway, looks like a great forum you have here and I'm looking forward to contributing to it. Thanks for listening.