So here it is.
The revelation.
You thought it would never happen.
It’s almost unbelievable.
I’m still unsure of it myself.
But this memorable event will go down in history, I’m sure.
I now have a Apple Intel-based MacBookPro, running some wild-animal version of an operating system, and it’s very pretty.
Not much more than that.
But then again, in this day and age, what do I actually need?
It runs web browsers, chat programs, multimedia crap and some other features – but what do I really do these days? I run standardized Office-type software, and connect to remote systems, either via command-line shells or Remote Desktop protocols, both of which are supported under any operating system out there.
So there are some obvious down-sides to this new machine – it heats up beyond believable levels (this is somewhat normal for Macs) and makes it uncomfortable to the touch. I’m sure that in deep winter, when I’m stranded on the street, I’ll have a nice warm Mac on my lap, but until then…
The advertised battery lifetime of 4 hours – a little misleading. It will run fine for that long, if you don’t run a wireless connection, bluetooth, and drop the screen brightness to almost impossible to see anything. So this hoopla about battery life is annoying.
I also see a lack of a “hibernate” feature – suspending the current state to disk and shutting the power off completely – something that’s been included in every Windows system for the past long time.
The keyboard feels nice, when not too warm. There’s some sort of sensor that lights up the keyboard from below, but it’s a little confused, as it’ll act unpredictably. So be it.
The whole user experience to a primarily Windows-based user seems a little confusing at first, but quickly realizing that I should stay within my user profile anyways – keeps me compartmentalized.
The overly-promoted features such as Expose and Dashboard are nice, but really non-essential. I mean – it’s pretty, no doubt about it – but from a functional perspective, there are alternatives on other operating systems that do just about the same.
Overall, it’s just like any new, clean computer system – works fast when nothing’s running. But sure enough, the more concurrent programs running, slowly begin to drag it down – despite 2GB of RAM.
So in a nutshell, it does the job – but does it justify ~30% higher price, less literature (therefore less support), less software, less users, less manageability from a corporate perspective, and more.
So where does that leave me? I’ll still be using one, as it’s a laptop, it does the job, and I believe in “Knowing Thine Enemy”.
On another note, I went to the gym today for the first time in a LONG time.
Apparently, my health plan offers partial reimbursement for gym membership – but only if you actually go to the gym. So the incentive is to sign up, go, get some money back, and this way you stay healthier and they have less claims to pay.
It’s a relatively new branch of a global chain, so its outfitted with all the latest and greatest – loads better than the one I used to go to in Jerusalem’s Malha mall – and cheaper, too!
So I spent 45 minutes on a treadmill, where I did about 7 miles, and then another 20 on an elliptical thingie that started hurting some leg muscles.
Afterwards, I sat in the steam room and shvitzed like I was waiting for the subway on a bad day. Ooh. It feels weird to feel every pore on your body sweat – especially from my scalp. That was a sensation that I hadn’t felt very often, and it was odd.
So now I’m:
Living in Manhattan
Eating on a strict 1600-calorie-a-day diet
Moving around on wheels, powered by my own feet
Going to a gym
Using a Mac (!!)
I’d say that’s a bit of a change for a guy like me, no?
I came here for a change – but I realize that the most important change is me – otherwise all the rest is worthless.