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Macs to the Max
Forming the Next Macintosh Generation
- 2006.12.12
How did you get hooked on the Mac?
Did someone show you the wonderful world of Macintosh? Maybe someone, such as a close friend, told you to "just give it a try" - or did you wander upon it yourself?
You probably remember the first time you saw that Mac smiling at you - or, if you're younger, that grey screen with the apple in the middle.
Once you discovered computing the Macintosh way, you probably never wanted to go back. But what makes it so special? Is it the user-friendliness that cuts frustration to a minimum? Or is it that colorful, happy-looking graphical user interface (GUI) that tickled your fancy?
Whatever the reason, there's something special about this line of computers that has captivated millions.
End of an Era?
Is the "Mac fanatic" group dying out? Some would say that the new wave of PC popularity has caused the popularity of the Mac to fall even more that it had previously. With Apple's switch to Intel, the Mac is now capable of performing just like a PC by running Windows XP and (soon) Vista, and some people are buying Intel Macs because they can run Windows so well.
With the switch to Intel, Apple is gaining new Mac customers. But are they coming for the Mac OS or Windows?
Ever Yelled at Your Computer?
If you've ever yelled at your computer, you might be using a Windows PC. But how many times have you expressed your joy at how much easier Macs are than your old Wintel boxes? (Some of you might be privileged enough to not have had that experience.)
With Macs, it's usually not hard to figure things out; many of us have seen young children learn how to use a Mac on their own. Unlike most other operating systems, the Mac OS is fun and easy to learn.
Pass It On
What we need to do is carry this wonderful experience to someone else in need.
Mac users often feel a sense belonging to each other and may feel as if they belong to some sort of club or cult, if you will. As Mac users, we feel a responsibility to support Macs and try to get something across to the next generation. And we work to get the "Mac is bad" image out of the heads of today's youth.
Sure, Apple advertises, but nothing even close to the massive proportion that the Windows world does. It's simply not enough for Apple to advertise, so it's necessary - as with all great experiences - to pass it on by word of mouth.
Now you know what to do the next time you hear, "My old PC finally bit the dust - have any ideas for a new computer?" or "Hey Dad, what kind of computer should I get for college?"
Who Wants a Mac?
Let's face it, we could go on and on about how much greater we think Macs are. We all have a story to tell about our first Mac experience, and that's something we'll always remember. Those are all great conversation starters for all those times when you're caught with a Mac vs. PC question.
What about the other writers on Low End Mac? Their first Mac was most likely what inspired them to their Mac writing career.
Share your story with someone else and pass on the joy; this can
spur the imaginations of coming generations. So tell your story.
Reach out to someone and encourage them to try a Mac.
Recent articles by Matthew Jay
- Save those old Macs, 12.19. When friends, neighbors, schools, and businesses are ready to dump their old Macs, save them from destruction and give them new life.
- Forming the next Macintosh generation, 12.12. We've been hooked by the Mac. Now we have a responsibility to bring the experience to others and create a new generation of Mac users.
- Nintendo and Apple, industry leaders, 09.13. Both Apple and Nintendo remain committed to providing the best platform in their market, and neither company is afraid of innovation.
- Is the G3 still a practical choice?, 08.10. Although the G3 is several generations old, it has enough horsepower for most of the things we do on our computers.
- More in the Macs to the Max index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 17" iMac G4/800 MHz, July 2002 - The iMac 'grows up' with a 17" 1440 x 900 display.
- Group of the Day: LisaList supports Lisa users.
- November 8 in LEM history: 99: OS 9: I think I like it - 01: The simplified Mac life - Soured on Windows - Flea market Mac - 02: Little room for improvement in new 'Books - Combo drive upgrade for iceBooks - 04: Re-Porter - 05: Fix the old iMac or buy a Mac mini? - Apple's Copland project - 06: MacBook Core 2 - MacBook value equation - Cheap is as cheap does - 07: Problems with Classic mode in Tiger - The G4 Power Mac that won't run Leopard
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Quad-Core CPU Makes Sense in MacBook Pro, OS X 10.6 Causing Overheating, Overseas Power, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.06. Also Late 2009 MacBook reviewed, how to add RAM to new MacBook, 18.4in Acer notebook used Intel i7, and SanDisk SSD chosen for Sony VAIO X.
- Dumping Macs for Google Apps, SSD in iMac, Late 2009 iMac Performance Problems, and More, Mac News Review, 11.06. /newsrev/09mnr/1106.html
- WiFi Paranoia, iMac-O-Lantern, Magic Mouse Does Click, Free Clipboard Managers, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.05. Also strange time stamps, problem with ColorIt on Intel Mac, and the story behind OS X 10.5.4 install discs.
- IDE Is Dead; Long Live SATA!, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.04. SATA has displaced parallel ATA. While IDE hard drives haven't disappeared, the best deals are in SATA hard drives.
- QuickTime X in Snow Leopard Imports, Trims, and Publishes Video Quickly and Easily, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 11.04. The long, slow process of importing video into iMovie to edit it, then render it to another format, is history as QuickTime X does that much more quickly.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best Mac Pro Deals, 11.03. Used 2.66 GHz 4-core, $1,300; 3.0 8-core. $2,299; refurb 2.66 4-core Nehalem, $2,149; 2.93, $2,549; 2.26 8-core, $2,799; 2.93, $4,999.
- Best iPhone Deals, 11.03. New 8 GB iPhone 3G, $$99; refurb 16 GB 3GS, $149; new, $199; 32 GB, $299.
- Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.03. Used 867 MHz SperDrive, $348; 1 GHz, $499; 1.33 Combo, $298; SD, $559; 1.5 Combo, $448; SuperDrive, $589.
- Best Power Mac G3 and PCI Video Card Deals, 11.02. Used beige 300 MHz, $25; G4/366, $49; blue & white 350, $80; 400, $90; 450, $105; PCI video cards from $15; shipping additional.
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.02. Used 400 MHz, $50; 733 MHz, $69; 933 MHz, $209; 1.25 GHz dual, $299.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.02. Used 2.0 GHz, $800; 2.2, $900; 2.4, $1,000; refurb 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,949; 3.06, $2,169; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
- Best Mac mini Deals, 10.30. Used 1.33 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.42, $389; 1.5, $419; 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $350; Core 2, $439; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $770; Server, $990.
- Best G4 iBook Deals, 10.30. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $225; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1 GHz, $349; 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz SuperDrive, $498.
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals, 10.30. System 6.0.8 floppies, $10; 7.1, $12; 7.5, $20; 7.5 CD, $4; 7.6 $13; 8.1, $11; 8.5, $20; 8.6, $90; 9.0, $20; 9.2.2, $30.
- More deals in our archive.
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