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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: Power Mac G5 Quad, Oct. 2005 - With two 2.5 GHz dual-core G5 CPUs, the G5 Quad was the most powerful PowerPC Mac ever and introduced PCI Express.
- Group of the Day: Mac Network deals with all aspects of Mac networking.
- November 21 in LEM history: 00: OS upgrades, downgrades - AltiVec vs. Pentium III - 01: Saved by the clones - Computer of the future - 02: Apple Education: Let's get to it - 03: Panther lets Macs and PCs work together, - Lombard SCSI bug - 05: 3 survivors from the 1970s - Real world battery life inadequate - Windows to Mac file transfer with Zip disks - $99 alternative to Microsoft Office - 06: Parallels 1.0 far more polished than beta
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
- Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- Replacing the Hard Drive in a Clamshell iBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks to disassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will not do.
- IBM Model F: A Great Old Keyboard with an Outdated Layout, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.19. Although it used a different technology than the revered IBM Model M keyboard, the Model F was a great keyboard in its own right.
- Soft Touch Keyboards, Wireless Mouse Options, Loving SeaMonkey 2, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.18. Also the future of browsing with PowerPC Macs and the multiple mouse input bug introduced with OS X 10.5.8.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
- Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.17. Used 1.83 GHz, $750; 2.16, $800; 2.33, $900; refurb 2.4, $1,299; 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,899; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.17. Used 400 MHz, $50; 933 MHz, $80; 500 dual, $60; 867 dual, $90; 1 GHz dual, $150; 1.25 GHz dual, $225; 1.42 GHz, $499.
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 Deals, 11.17. "Leopard" upgrade, $80; single user license, $135; 5 users, $173; Mac Box Set, 5 users, $230; Server, 10 users, $340; unlimited, $850. Shipping included.
- Best Mac mini Deals, 11.16. Used 1.42 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.66 GHz Core Solo, $419; 2.0 Core 2, $450; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $769; Server, $990.
- Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
- Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
- More deals in our archive.
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