January 28, 2005

Mac mini - On my mind

The Mac mini crosses my mind way too often, usually at least once before I have my morning coffee. I'm a PC guy so it's a little unsettling. True, I've always respected Apple's design skills and Job's marketing skills but I've never really considered buying a Mac. My 1st computer was an Apple IIe but my parents bought that. I used MACs occasionally while I studied at the University of Oregon - mostly for working in PASCAL. For the 1st time I find myself thinking about buying a MAC. Why am I hesitating? This question justifies a list.

• $500 can buy a lot of different things.
• I don't really want to start a software library for another
• platform.
• I'm worried about seamless compatibility with my two Windows XP machines at home.
• I'm worried about the quality of the product. Did Apple test it well? Are there going to be heat related failure issues?
• How fast does a G4 feel? Is my Sony Intel P4 going to make it feel like my Apple IIe?
• What will my peers think?

Why do I want one? It looks cool.

• I want to be part of the exclusive Apple owners club. Hmm...
• I want to be friends with Steve Jobs.
• I want to make slick home movies. But I just invested in Adobe�s
• Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements.
• I want to be able to talk positively or negatively about Apple
• based on experience not conjecture.
• I want to keep Microsoft on their toes. If I support both platforms, maybe Bill wil work harder to keep me as a customer.
• Installing Linux on a Mac mini might be fun.

Hold on a second. My beautiful wife bought me an iPod for Christmas - does that get me into the club? Steve, will you be my friend now? Or, do I have to spend a little more to join? So I find myself sitting on a white-picket fence, gazing at a beautiful Apple orchard; wondering if I dare jump off and take a bite of one of the big shinny red apples.

Posted by Cale on Jan 28, 2005

Categories: tech.commentary, tech.commentary.apple
Technorati Tags: Apple iPod