Use a Mac for a month?

by Anand Lal Shimpi on February 4, 2004 10:57 AM EST
It's an idea I've had for a while and I really wanted to do it during the height of the "Switch" commercials, but I always found a reason not to. My recent blog about Macs brought about two responses (by ViRGE and GL) that have sparked my interest in doing an article about using a new Mac for a month.

So I've decided to pull the trigger; in the next week or so I will begin a new category on my blog dedicated to the experiment (any ideas for what I should call it?) and then at the end of the month I'll publish an article on the whole thing.

I'm already seeing some issues that I'll have with the move but I'll save all the ranting and raving for my posts on it :) It'll be an interesting month, luckily I've got a couple of PCs in the house that'll still be operational just in case things get too rough ;)

I'd like to hear your thoughts - anything you'd like me to focus on during the month?

In other news, I'm heading up to NY this weekend and Vinney will meet me there. We're going to try and catch a play while I'm up there for the weekend. Any recommendations for good places to eat in NY? Whenever I've got to the city I've always been on business and never really had time to explore the city.

Class is almost over (shhh...I don't always blog in class) so I'm outta here.

Take care.
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  • bleeb - Thursday, February 12, 2004 - link

    Once you go Mac, you never go back. ;)
  • Ornery - Monday, February 9, 2004 - link

    How much weight will "bang for the buck" carry in the final evaluation?
  • rpitre - Sunday, February 8, 2004 - link

    It might be helpful to some if you could evalutate AppleCare.
    This is one area where the single source of hardware and OS has contributed to improved service for my needs. For computer hobbyist and gamers AppleCare is probably not so important but for consultants and businesses where time==money it can make a difference.
  • Robert Cassidy - Saturday, February 7, 2004 - link

    Yes, OS X eats RAM, but consider that it uses the unix philosophy of make the most of what you have. It'll keep as much as it can get away with in RAM. It's a good thing.
  • Jeff - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    A few helpful mac-oriented sites:

    http://www.versiontracker.com
    Great for finding freeware shareware and misc updates

    http://www.xlr8yourmac.com
    Good overall tips and news

    http://www.macintouch.com
    http://www.macfixit.com
    Troubleshooting oriented sites

    http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve
    Macintosh Achaia is full of helpful multi-platform folks

    http://forums.appleinsider.com
    Don't get sucked into the RDF, also has helpful folks

    http://www.macsales.com
    http://www.smalldog.com
    Great places for mac-specific hardware needs

    Looking forward to your comments!

  • jonte - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    read this first ...

    http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/osx/

    Enjoy /j
  • Hameed - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    The Mac section should be called "Mac Attack" :)
    Anyway, what I am intersted in seeing compared against a PC is Graphic Design. Also CAD and CG won't hurt me thinks.
    On the other hand plz evaluate the Mac as a gaming machine or a part of the home entertainment system.

    But more importatnly, include prices when comparing.
  • Tim - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    Oh, and like some others mentioned, Apple is damn near ready to come out with speed bumped Rev. B ~G5fx~ models in anywhere from a weeks time to maybe a months time, only Steve Jobs knows. If this would affect you in a bad way you may want to hold off until you can get your hands on the latest and greatest.
  • Tim - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    I think you will have a great time with your mac. It really is a different scene now - Apple's hardware and op system have kinda come together with Panther and the G5. I had a 733 Quicksilver and it was dog ass slow - I sold it and went back Windows. Now I have and use both but 90% of the time I use my G5.

    OS X eats RAM....the more you throw at it the more it will take. the 512 MB is not enough. You need 1 GB. Coast to Coast Memory has 2 256MB sticks for 62 bucks shipped. They worked GREAT in mine. Dont bother getting SUPER FAST 2-2-2 733t RaM for it, as long as it meets the specs Apple sets it will work, and more expensive RAM means nothing in the Apple world.

    I think you should get the 2 Ghz dual G5 and the 20 inch Cinema Display. Both are available as refurbed from Apple with a full 1 year warranty same as a new machine. The G5 is only $2399. Dont know if you could get the student discount along with that or not.

    I think you will find it's not the same old mac.....

  • George - Friday, February 6, 2004 - link

    supercheap good indian can be had at Minar on 31st. Citysearch has the listing. Also the Baluchi's chain (http://www.baluchis.com/) is really good (excellent samosas) and scattered all over the city.

    NYC is food paradise. Enjoy yourself.

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