Yeah, I know, this is a blog for weather geeks. But, many weather geeks are also computer geeks, and as promised here is a post about my big platform change.
A week ago, I made the decision become a "Mac guy". No, it wasn't the cool guy on the Apple TV commercials, or any marketing ploy that pushed me into this, but a long study into operating systems, reliability, speed, and ease of use. Time is precious to me, and anything that saves time (quick video rendering, few problems, and very little down time) is what I am looking for.
Many of my friends made the move to the Mac platform in recent years, and they have tried their best to get me to dump Windows. Brian Peters in our office purchased a MacBook Pro earlier this year.
Understand I am not really anti-Microsoft, like some computer people, I am simply looking for the best solution that meets my needs.
I purchased a MacBook Pro a week ago today. Understand I have had very little experience with the Mac operating system, so it has been quite a quick learning experience. But, with seven days under my belt, here are some observations.
THE NEGATIVE:
A large percentage of the population still uses Windows... those running the Apple OS and Linux are in the minority. Not all applications are available for OS X (the Mac operating system), and there are some conflicts with Microsoft products. A great example is QuickTime, Apple's video format we are now using for the map discussion video we produce. QuickTime videos will not play immediately if you use Microsoft's browser, Internet Explorer. The entire file has to download before you see it. very frustrating. By the way, everyone using Firefox and all other browser can watch the video immediately.
I am using Firefox, Opera, and Safari on this MacBook... but I mostly stick with Firefox since I am so familiar with it.
And, after using Windows for 15 years it is a little frustrating learning a new operating system. But, after just a few days I was pretty good at the Mac OS.
The computer runs pretty warm, but not as hot as the original MacBook Pros earlier in the year. Seems like Apple addressed the heat issue to some degree and the strange noises that were reported with early models. But, understand this thing gets really warm since there is so much horsepower "under the hood".
There is no direct mic level input; only a line level input. You have to use a USB or Firewire audio system for a microphone. But, those are inexpensive and easy to find (like the iMic).
You will have to spend a little money on software; like the Microsoft Office suite and other program designed for the Mac OS.
And, not all Mac programs are "universal binary", meaning that have to run under an emulation called "Rosetta" with the new Intel systems like this one. All applications should be universal binary within the next year; there is only a slight slowdown when using Rosetta (it is seamless; you don't even know which ones are using Rosetta).
THE POSITIVE:
This thing rocks. It is fast, has not crashed, burped, or anything else since I put it into use. And, I am a power user. Multiple applications open at the same time, including video applications that are processor hogs. This MacBook Pro has 1 GB of RAM, a 2.16 GHz Intel dual-core processor, and a 100 GB hard drive.
I love just about everything about the operating system (widgets included are too cool). Everything works; just plug and play. No drivers to fool with, no reboots.
The built in wi-fi seems to have a much more sensitive receiver than other notebooks I have used in recent years. And, no drops. Not a single one this week. Great connectivity.
It has a built-in camera, and great applications that come with the OS, like Garage Band (audio editing program) and iMovie HD (video editing program). I am using a higher end editing program called Final Cut for the videos we produce; that thing is amazing.
These are simple, first observations. Give me a few weeks and I will write much more.
Headed out for a long week off. I will check in from time to time, but will do my best to spend quality time with the family. Have a great weekend!
A week ago, I made the decision become a "Mac guy". No, it wasn't the cool guy on the Apple TV commercials, or any marketing ploy that pushed me into this, but a long study into operating systems, reliability, speed, and ease of use. Time is precious to me, and anything that saves time (quick video rendering, few problems, and very little down time) is what I am looking for.
Many of my friends made the move to the Mac platform in recent years, and they have tried their best to get me to dump Windows. Brian Peters in our office purchased a MacBook Pro earlier this year.
Understand I am not really anti-Microsoft, like some computer people, I am simply looking for the best solution that meets my needs.
I purchased a MacBook Pro a week ago today. Understand I have had very little experience with the Mac operating system, so it has been quite a quick learning experience. But, with seven days under my belt, here are some observations.
THE NEGATIVE:
A large percentage of the population still uses Windows... those running the Apple OS and Linux are in the minority. Not all applications are available for OS X (the Mac operating system), and there are some conflicts with Microsoft products. A great example is QuickTime, Apple's video format we are now using for the map discussion video we produce. QuickTime videos will not play immediately if you use Microsoft's browser, Internet Explorer. The entire file has to download before you see it. very frustrating. By the way, everyone using Firefox and all other browser can watch the video immediately.
I am using Firefox, Opera, and Safari on this MacBook... but I mostly stick with Firefox since I am so familiar with it.
And, after using Windows for 15 years it is a little frustrating learning a new operating system. But, after just a few days I was pretty good at the Mac OS.
The computer runs pretty warm, but not as hot as the original MacBook Pros earlier in the year. Seems like Apple addressed the heat issue to some degree and the strange noises that were reported with early models. But, understand this thing gets really warm since there is so much horsepower "under the hood".
There is no direct mic level input; only a line level input. You have to use a USB or Firewire audio system for a microphone. But, those are inexpensive and easy to find (like the iMic).
You will have to spend a little money on software; like the Microsoft Office suite and other program designed for the Mac OS.
And, not all Mac programs are "universal binary", meaning that have to run under an emulation called "Rosetta" with the new Intel systems like this one. All applications should be universal binary within the next year; there is only a slight slowdown when using Rosetta (it is seamless; you don't even know which ones are using Rosetta).
THE POSITIVE:
This thing rocks. It is fast, has not crashed, burped, or anything else since I put it into use. And, I am a power user. Multiple applications open at the same time, including video applications that are processor hogs. This MacBook Pro has 1 GB of RAM, a 2.16 GHz Intel dual-core processor, and a 100 GB hard drive.
I love just about everything about the operating system (widgets included are too cool). Everything works; just plug and play. No drivers to fool with, no reboots.
The built in wi-fi seems to have a much more sensitive receiver than other notebooks I have used in recent years. And, no drops. Not a single one this week. Great connectivity.
It has a built-in camera, and great applications that come with the OS, like Garage Band (audio editing program) and iMovie HD (video editing program). I am using a higher end editing program called Final Cut for the videos we produce; that thing is amazing.
These are simple, first observations. Give me a few weeks and I will write much more.
Headed out for a long week off. I will check in from time to time, but will do my best to spend quality time with the family. Have a great weekend!
on July 29, 2006, 12:01 am
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