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My iPology
- 01/30/09
- 68
Some light-hearted fare for a Friday...
Among friends, family and perhaps even readers of this site, I have achieved the reputation of being something of an Apple-hater; that is, a hater of all things Mac. MacBooks, iMacs, Mac Pro's--I have often spoken out against all of them. They are overpriced, underpowered, toys for yuppies or for people with thick-rimmed glasses and soul patches--people who just take themselves far too seriously. They're computers for followers, not leaders.
And then I bought one.
I bought one of those nifty new MacBooks I had been hearing so much about. One of those unibody ones, carved from a block of aluminum. It was love at first sight. With my old Acer laptop on the fritz, I had to find a replacement of some kind before my spring travel schedule began. And as I looked at the vast number of laptops available today, something drew me to the Mac. I guess it's probably that I've recently taken a "quality over quantity" approach to life (and technology in particular) and realized that this was not just a nice-looking little machine, but a very high quality one. And so I walked out of Best Buy with it tucked under my arm.
I guess my downfall began with my first iPod, a little Nano that I bought a couple of years earlier. It was a nice little piece of hardware, though one that was mostly without frills. This was, quite literally, my first Apple experience. I couldn't help but notice how much care Apple took even in the packaging. It showed me that Apple wants to give its customers more than a product; they want to give them an experience. And the experience begins with the unboxing of the hardware. There is something kind of dumb about this. Who wants to pay extra for packaging that will soon be thrown out? Yet there is also something appealing about it.
A few months ago Aileen somehow got her hands on a very cheap iPod Touch and gave it to me for our anniversary. It is a gorgeous little gadget that does a lot of things very well. It is simple, elegant and very effective at what it does. This iPod was the next stage in my downfall.
Well, once I got the laptop, I found that I was committed. My desktop computer, the one that I rely on to make my living at web design, was failing fast. Even worse, the installation of Windows Vista was getting slower and slower. And so I jumped in with both feet, so to speak, and bought an iMac. At this point I think there's no turning back. At this point, I don't think I'll want to.
What I've come to realize is that I don't dislike Apple computers. No, I just dislike the people who use them! I'll grant that there are some exceptions, some people who are humble Mac users. But far too often I've come across these Mac apologists, the kind who feel the need to disparage all things Microsoft and to boast in their own superiority. They are the ones who make you feel like you're missing out, like you'd be so much better and more popular if you'd just become part of the in-crowd. I've never wanted to be part of that crowd. All along I've allowed the people to influence my perception of the product. Shame on me.
So I offer this brief article as my ipology to all of those humbly orthodox Mac users whom I've ever mocked or belittled or persecuted because of their choice in computers (you know who you are!). I admit it now: Apple really does do things well. I guess you were right all along. I was wrong. And I ipologize.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I write books and blogs for fun while doing web design and consulting for a living. I worship and serve at 
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Comments (68)
So Tim, when is the "soul patch" going to come? I still can't afford anything apple for myself!!! My bitterness is all I can cling too (LOL!). Even my two daughters have ipods - compliments of nana and papa! Maybe one day.
Hey Tim,
I will also offer my apology, got a touch a year ago and now I'm saving up for an iMac. Never thought that would happen.
No, I just dislike the people who use them!
They will know we are Christians, by our love, by our love, yes they will know we are Christians by our love...
It is a good thing that real Christians don't use Macs.
;>)
Tim,
I totally agree. I bought a MBP about 18 months ago. I grew tired of investing significant amounts of $ into what seemed inferior machines. I hated thinking about "crossing" over - but I did and I don't regret it. I got rid of all of my PCs.
I still have a hard time stomaching some of the Mac "evangelists" though!
You have never written a more humble post. :-)
I've been a mac user since 1988, when I was 3. The unfortunate thing is, I could never bring myself to use anything else.m Apple has me in the palm of their hand, and there is nothing I want to do about it.
That's alright Tim. We're used to being "mocked or belittled or persecuted because of their choice" as you say, when we proselytize for things we believe in like Apple, oops - I meant Jesus.
I made the switch about a year ago and I love my Macbook Pro. Overpriced? Absolutely. Worth it? For the most part, yes. Buy a Mac with decent parts, but not the best stuff - lower memory and smaller hard drive - and do the upgrades yourself. Saves a ton of money.
I still like Windows and keep a Dell desktop around but I don't think I could ever go back to Windows 100%. My Mac just works too smoothly and everything is too integrated for me to give it up.
It started for me with the iPhone. Bought a first gen, loved it, then bought a Mac Mini, then a Macbook Pro. Saving up for an iMac now.
I should have mentioned. I think the new trackpad on the MacBooks is an amazing innovation. Now that I've used it, I'd find it hard to go back. It's more than "cool"--it's very useful and innovative.
"What I’ve come to realize is that I don’t dislike Apple computers. No, I just dislike the people who use them!"
I know what you mean! All those Apple fan-boys who go around writing gushy blog posts about the superiority of their ... wait a minute.
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Tim, welcome to the tribe! And thanks for the apology:-). How about a post comparing the annoying mac users and annoying Christians. I think there are some clear similarities that can be helpful to point out. For example, approaches to evangelism, tendency toward toward misplaced trust, and general pride of our 'better' position.
I thought the macbook was a visible sign of God's election?
My first laptop was a Compaq which worked for approximately 1 year before burning up shortly after the warranty expired.
I then switched to Gateway systems. My first Gateway Desktop is now in my sons room and continues to run just fine. It has been upgraded from Windows 98 to Windows ME to Windows XP. My Desktop is also a Gateway which is now 8 years old. It only has 512K of Ram but runs just a fast (XP) as it did when I purchased it and does everything I've ever needed it to do. I also purchased a Gateway laptop, 4 years ago, and it is still running like new. I purchased my oldest son a Gateway laptop for his graduation two years ago and he is still using it in college. I have had nothing but good experiences with Gateway products.
Now, I too (or is it ..... i2) have jumped on the Mac bandwagon. My oldest son walked out of Bestbuy with his new MacBook just before Christmas. He then brought it home and dangled it in front of my face!
So, I hit Craig's List and found the following:
Apple 13.3" MacBook Laptop2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2.0 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 160GB SATA 5400 RPM Hard Drive. Remote and Case. Install/Restore software CD/DVD's including the following: (OS X Leopard, Adobe CS# Design Premium, Microsoft Mac Office 2008, iWork 2008, Roxio Toast Titanium 8, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe in Design, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Digital Edition)
The computer is 10 months old and still under warranty. The purchase has been made. I have the tracking number and it is set to arrive next Tuesday! The transaction was made through DHL which allows me 5 days to test drive my purchase with the option of a full money back return if I'm not satisfied.
I paid $400.00 for it.
I'm in HOG HEAVEN and can't wait.
Once you go Mac, you never go back. :D I got my first Mac laptop from one of my husband's co-workers. He upgrades every time a new laptop comes out, so I purchased the one he was replacing. I've upgraded twice...What can I say...I love my Mac.
Just for the record. I don't have a soul patch, but I do wear my hair in a pony tail. ;)
So you've decided to Think Different, great news! I'm no Apple apologist or fanboi, but I make my living using a Mac and have a couple of older machines at home. The bottom line is they just work. I've never bought a new machine or a new iPod, I always buy refurbished from Apple's website (my G5 was $500 off list price). Now that you have an Intel Mac you can run OS X, Windows and Linux. Check out this site for free open source Mac apps: opensourcemac.org
I had to laugh, because I was anti-Mac for the very same reasons until I bought my iPhone. I am completely hooked, and will never own another phone again for as long as I live.
Xandra
I agree Tim, I wasn't big into Apple products either....I got the nano a year ago and then the touch this year...the ipod touch is amazing! I will probably eventually fall for the MAC laptop. Great post!
you wrote exactly what macfolk are like! mostly the employees. but i own a mac and really do like how it isn't all cramped up with slow processing, viruses, and unwanted updates. it runs itself and I like that. plus, I do like that if i really screw it up and just don't understand something on here, I can go into one of the genius bars and get help, albeit from a self important mac worker looking down their nose at me. oh well.oh, and we got our mac for free. maybe that makes it easier to convert. p.s. does anyone know if we are supposed to say 'I own a Mac', or 'I own an Apple'? What is 'proper'?
**DISCLAIMER - Please in no way take the following analogy as equating Mac to the Gospel! **
I can't help but think about the parallels between your views of Apple and their evangelists and the Gospel and Gospel 'fanboys'. Too many turn people off to the Gospel (Apple) by hating on societal norms , 'culture', or how the average person lives and gets by (Microsoft.) Knowing us by our love or our fanaticism has a direct effect on someone's willingness to test truth.
I too went from the iPod to the MacBook Pro.My wife just got me Logos software for it for Christmas and my birthday. I think I have Biblical binary dreams now....
Say it ain't so Tim. Next you'll tell me Luther or Calvin would have been Apple guys. We still love you man. I'm typing this from my Acer netbook running Windows 7 and it rocks.
This could be more controversial than a homeschooling post. ;)
Glad you're happy with the Mac.
Tim,
I don't leave home without my Ipod touch.But I don't know if I am ready to sink that much cash into a Mac system but hopefully I can get a good deal on a used one ;-)
You write: "They are the ones who make you feel like you’re missing out, like you’d be so much better and more popular if you’d just become part of the in-crowd. I’ve never wanted to be part of that crowd."
Tim, are Canadians ever in danger of becoming part of the "in-crowd"?
Welcome home prodigal. We are happy to have you part of our fold.
I was a PC guy, then I bought and iPod, then a PowerBook G4 and started telling people how much I loved it. I bought another iPod, then an iPod touch. I even convinced my die-hard PC fan brother that he should get a MacBook for his wife. Then... my PowerBook started having problems: the SuperDrive failed, then the whole thing froze after I tried to upgrade the hard drive and put Leopard on it. Some kind of massive hardware failure. And now, when I'm considering a new machine, I'm thinking about my trusty Windows XP desktop that's been running nearly non-stop for seven years with very few problems. And when I look at new machines, I see an iMac with moderate horsepower for $1000, and I see a loaded PC with much better specs for... less than $500. I just can't do it any longer. If the price was equal, I would probably still get a Mac. They really do make excellent products. But I don't think I can justify the extra expense. (I still love my iPod Touch though!) So I went Mac... and then I went back.
I'm still holding out...I don't like being beholden to one company...but some of us have to hold and and not be cool. Plus, the Palm Pre will allow me to have a cool phone and not have to drink all the kool-aid.
Best of luck with your Mac...I still like to be able to plug video into a laptop without buying multiple dongles, without paying crazy prices for a real warranty, to be able to login with my finger print, to use SD cards from my camera without buying attachments...
If you guys have not seen the Mapple Simpson Episode it is a warning about MacIdolatry that is warranted: http://www.maclife.com/article/news/simpsons_pokes_fun_apple
Story of my life, right there.
I've been a mac user for years, switched from windows xp and linux to a 12" powerbook g4. It still runs, though a little slow. It was the best thing I've done. In my experience, OS X is one of the best OSs out there. I now have a 1st gen mac pro, bought from the apple refurb store. Did the upgrades myself. My thought these days are cheap laptops (which are easier to drop and break) and a decent desktop which would last years to come (hence the bottom of the line mac pro).It was the constant maintaining of xp and having to reinstall every 6-12 months which made me get a mac pro. The mac pro actually replaces a dell desktop. My next computer will either be a pc with linux or another mac.
All told, the only reason I have a mac is, well, it just works.
If you have any mac related questions, just ask. There are some quite good web development tools out there.
sounds like it belongs in Piper's "Finally Alive." the process of the new birth.
Tim,This is weird, this post is just like what you say you don't like about Mac users. Macs cost two to three times the price of a PC with comparable performance, and judging from all the stories of hard drive failures the quality is well, debatable. Personally, I get sick of the firefox people, there’s nothing wrong with ie and I don’t need more software to install. Besides Bill Gates gives a lot of money to charity...
BTW - I've owned both, they're just tools to use while we live as foreigners on earth.
God bless,-jim
I second Jamie's suggestion to buy refurbished products from the Apple website. I've been doing that for a few years now and I've been very happy with everything I've purchased that way.
What do you do with all the PC software you have? I found that I will not be switching to a Mac because of the investment to replace all the software. What is your take?
This might be good timing to have you come on the GodsMac.com podcast? There are those of us out there that aren't so "cult-ish" about all things Apple. I'm sure you'll find that the machine is much better for web design.....it should increase productivity if anything. Nice post Tim!
For those concerned about switching software from PC to Mac - Adobe usually is the suite that everyone worries about, and with them you just pay shipping and you get a Mac versions of the suite you own for free. Took less than a week to get mine when I called in and requested it.
I went to the Apple Store yesterday (one of my PC friends pictured me skipping among aisles of Granny Smiths and Golden Delicious with a basket on my arm the first time she heard me say that...) to pick up the 2nd Gen iPod touch for my son. 'Cause, you know, his "old one" (13 months) wasn't good enough anymore and he'd diligently saved his pennies to upgrade. I managed to walk by the new 24" iMac, though I admit I wanted to stop and smile at it, tell it how pretty it is compared to my good ol' iMac that got me hooked, maybe give it a little hug and let it know I'd soon bring one home. sigh... I'm kinda coveting my son's old iPod touch and all the crazy fun apps. My little pink nano is slightly jealous.
I believe the modern MAC addiction does start when you first get an iPod. (BTW, you get a 10% discount on a new one when you trade in an old - even busted - iPod.)
On a more serious note, one of the best things about Apple is the service you get at an Apple Store. Great products, great packaging, great service, great company.
I do love Jesus a whole lot more than Apple. I definitely won't be doing street evangelism hoping to convert the heathen PC users.
I am indifferent one way or the other. OS X is very nice. Window's Vista is an overhead heavy, badly designed operating system. XP is ok, although I still preferred Win2000. Linux, in particular Ubuntu is getting to the point that the initial learning curve is very similar to all the other operating systems out there.
Apple has always produced good hardware, but that does not mean there are not high quality manufactures of what has come to be known as "PCs" although by definition all the Apple computers mentioned are PCs as well, since they are all personal computers.
The computer that I have always preferred over everything else what the Amiga, but since it was produced and distributed by a company that would have marketed 'sushi' as 'cold, raw, fish pieces' it never established its market they way it could have. There were things it was doing when it came out that nothing else could, and nothing else did in the personal computer market for years after.
As for me, my first Toshiba laptop 'just worked' for 7 years until I put it on the floor while plugged in and my rather large dog stepped on the power plug where it plugged into the laptop. That broke the connector internally, and while it still worked, at times it would loose power when the plug got shifted. I have discovered that the fix is pretty easy, so I might fix it myself.
My current laptop is another Toshiba, and it is still working fine after 3 years. I tend to run 50/50 Win XP and Ubuntu Linux, although I am enjoying using Linux enough that I am using it more and more.
Basically, find good quality hardware, take care of it, and find an operating system you can work with. Oh, and avoid Vista at all costs.
Tim, I'm glad to hear that you've come over to the Apple side. I've made that same switch in 2007, and haven't regretted it for one minute. I'm confident that you'll have a great experience with your new Macs.
Enjoy.
Your post could be used for Apple marketing.
I have an iPod Touch, and I like it a lot. I still use a Windows Mobile phone though. I do wish my family budget could cover a MacBook, but until then it's Windows City.
Here's my only problem with Mac/Apple. I have an iPod full of sermons/etc. I have to always use iTunes. If I didn't download it from iTunes and my iPod locks up I have to redo the whole deal. In the case of a basic windows using unit, it is just like a file. I can have that same file on my desktop. It locks up, you reset and drag the whole file back in and your done. No weird rules or controlling what you own. Apple does make great gadgets but like their whole shut down of iPhones outside of Suncom, they are definitely power-hungry. If they took that innovation and let it be more freely used by all there we wouldn't need the Apple cliques...
As a Mac fanboy from the first Mac 128K back in 1984 (the first impulse buy I ever made) through several Macs, Powerbooks, iMacs, Xserves, iPods (best gift I ever received), iPhone, etc. etc.. all with nary a problem like the ones experienced at work on Wintel platforms, I no longer have a reason to stick my tongue out...
If Tim can humbly ipologize, I too can beg forgiveness for my evangelical zeal - (the smell of death to some, the fragrance of life to others) and welcome Tim to share the 'forbidden fruit'... ;-)
I have just one question about this post. Was the humble pie tasty?
I don't think Adobe is the primary concern for switchers like one person mentioned.
However, you should have no concerns about switching. VMWare Fusion is your friend.
AMDG
P.S. I will continue to bash Apple where it needs bashing and Windows where it needs bashing. I use both (in addition to unix) quite extensively.
I don't know, Tim. I've heard that embracing Apple Macintosh is the first step down the path to embracing the Emergent Church ...
Tim, You sound a lot like me in this regard. I'm an IT guy who for years has loathed everything Mac. No real reason other than the same reasons you mentioned. Now that I think of it, I tend to do that alot - rail against the bandwagon. Much like I now appreciate Michael Jordan even though I got tired of all the fanfare when he was playing, I now am beginning to warm up to the mac idea. I still have yet to cave, but between my wife's iphone and my pastors brand new macbook pro, my grip on my rickety old laptop and my zune (not even an ipod for me!) are slipping fast!
Historically I've always used PCs. My most recent job, where I've been for the past year and a half, has me using a 24" white iMac. I've gotten to where I'm about equally comfortable on both platforms. That said, I've had more "crashes" on my Mac than I have on my PC, which is 5 years old and still runs XP. Now, I run virtualization software on the Mac, which is a lot more intense than anything I do on my PC...but still.
I also don't get viruses or malware on my PC, despite my not running any AV software. Then again, I'm pretty computer literate, so I tend not to fall for the phishing scams, keep my machine patched, refrain from opening suspicious attachments, etc.
The main reasons I see to buy a Mac are these:
1. Hardware ergonomics. Until recently, there simply was no alternative to the "all-in-one" iMacs in the desktop category. Period. Now there are, but I personally find the older "white" iMacs to be more aesthetically pleasing. Which brings me to...
2. Hardware aesthetics. Especially the previous generation MacBooks and PowerMacs. Also...
3. OS aesthetics. OS X looks nice. It's possible to run OS X on third-party hardware, but you have to be somewhat savvy to get it all up and running.
4. OS features. Specifically, the fact that OS X comes with a unix-like development environment, tools like gcc, et. al. You can add this stuff to Windows, but it's somewhat of a pain. And generally not free.
5. Malware protection. This is a non-issue if you're like me, but most people aren't like me. If my parents ever get a new computer, I will highly recommend that they get a Mac, just so I don't have to disinfect my dad's computer every six months.
I thought that being a Mac user and a Reformed theologian were synonymous...
;-)
What's the worst part about owning a Mac? (or being a Yankee, Cowboy, or Duke basketball fan?)
Telling your parents you're gay.
Macs are the result of the Reformation of personal computing... we didn't want to split away from the Redmonds, but we didn't have a choice.
"When a something something rings, another soul from Vista springs."
Beware the lure of the Mac. Recall that Satan was the most beautiful of the angels...
;-)