I HATE MACS

Now, Now…calm down bud! Just throw that computer out of the apartment window and release some of that angst!

So since that’s over, you have me wondering about getting the same computer. I actually do like my current Apple PowerBook G4 except for the fact that it can’t run my school CAD programs. Maybe I should stick with it.

PS. I love the new name and the new header look. Sweet. Hey bud, get an email off to Marc/Voyeur Nation.

Love the new name and blog!! Sorry I didnt get back to you, Spider just located me in a ditch in da ‘hood. Dont know how long I was there, but I am sure I looked fabulous!! Thanks for the plug, you two are a hoot.

Oh no. I’m sorry to hear this. I was with my Mac buddies in TO and they had nothing but bad things to say about the new Intel Macs.

I have heard that if you sync an iPod with a Mac it’ll never work on a PC, but not the other way around.

I love my G4 Mac, but work on a Dell in the office.

BTW, love the Dan Nation and the podcast. And I’m only a little crazy, like Anne Heche/Margo Kidder crazy.

Poor Danny

Like Adam said, take a breather. I think a lot of people get frustrated easily when it comes to computers. We get very attached to them and starting over with a new operating system does take a few days to adjust.

I think I can help with most of the problems you described.

iChat – You don’t have to pay to use iChat. I’m guessing it’s referring to a .mac account perhaps? By default, it’s going to ask for your .mac user name and password. The .mac service is a paid subscription that lets you backup your emails, files, photos, etc online. But iChat is completely compatible with AIM accounts. Just make sure you’re putting in your AIM username, and have the account type setup as an AIM account.

iTunes – This has nothing to do with the Mac. It would be the same on a PC. Anytime you move songs from one computer to another, you have to re-authorize them. iTunes allows songs to be put on up to 5 computers when you buy them. All you have to do is log-in with your iTunes Music Store information, authorize the songs, and you’ll be good to go. Again, this would happen on a PC too. It’s standard in all newer versions of iTunes to prevent piracy.

$299 Restocking – Yes, this fee sucks, but other stores charge it too. I think Best Buy does, CompUSA definitely does. It’s a crappy fee, but it isn’t exclusive to Apple.

File storage – I’m sure the box told you how much storage capacity the computer had. Is that really Apple’s fault? A gigabyte on a Mac is exactly the same as a gigabyte on a PC

Office & Outlook – Windows XP doesn’t ship with these items either. They are upgrades that are included in software packages on PC’s. If you bought a bare bones PC with Windows, you would not get these items. But because you are buying from manufacturers, like Dell, they bundle those products and increase the price to cover the software. And again, I’m sure the box of the MacBook didn’t claim to include either of these products, so I’m really not sure how it’s the computers fault

If you’re frustrated with the computer, then you should definitely return it and stick with Dell. Some people just prefer Windows, just like some people prefer Toyota, while others prefer Honda. But the problems you’re having seem to be related to human error, and most of them are easily fixed by following a few steps in the software (i.e. using an AIM account, logging in to authorize your music). As for Office, well it lists the software you get on the website and on the box. So it’s not a marketing ploy. And it can easily be bought and added on.

As for the price…well again, Apple lists their prices upfront. Apple products do cost more. But you have to consider everything you get. A top quality built-in webcam, professional podcasting and recording software, DVD and video editing software, photo editing software, a fast Intel processor, the list goes on.. Point being, MacBooks actually come without a lot of great software and technology. Plus, you don’t have to worry about viruses or spyware.

That doesn’t mean Apple is perfect. I don’t believe any computer, television, phone, etc is perfect. But I do think their products are superior, and they actually have a very high customer satisfaction rating, which you won’t find on Windows or PCs.

Good luck buddy. If you do decide to try the Mac out for a few days, give me a call and I can probably walk you through it.

Wow, Nathan should be running the campaign for PC users to switch to MAC. Very well said, and very true!

Firstly, I’d just like to say that Nathan writes well and has great advice. I do appreciate correct grammer, spelling, and structure, as well as content. I see so little of it on the internet. Secondly, I’d like to say that your ranting and raving about Mac is really just about your control issues….but I love you anyways, you big drama queen!