Did I mention I’m a PC?
No, c’mon …I’m joking. Kinda ;) I’ve been a mac-guy forever. They’re great machines, and more importantly they have a wonderful OS. However, after getting rid of my Air not so long ago, I missed not having something to take along with me to wherever I might need a computer. I suppose I should be more specific …wherever I might need a browser, and that’s the thing that I recently realized; you don’t need a computer to get online anymore. You don’t need Lions or thunderbolts or gigs of data or aluminum enclosures to surf the web – just a browser of choice (Firefox), your bookmarks and a laptop savvy enough to handle modern media. That’s it. Maybe a word processor too …Google docs isn’t my cup of tea for some reason.
And so, a few months ago, I bought a used Eee PC. It’s a 1001PX (if you’re keeping score) and I got it for $150 including a warranty that’s good till Aug. of this year …and after which if nothing breaks I get $50 in-store credit. The best I could afford in the Mac universe for that price is something 6+ years old and sadly out of touch with the online world. The keyboard on this thing is kinda old-school …but it’s almost full size. It’s got amazing battery life though, and Microsoft’s WordPad has been surprisingly nice to work with …aesthetically that is. That was a weird realization, especially coming from the king of aesthetics. I’m not inept with windows either, but occasionally out of practice. This PC however is my first non-Mac purchase for myself …ever! That should say something of my Apple loyalty.
After years of taking apart Mac stuff though, I’m very much aware that internally a computer is a computer. Apple makes their machines with the same chips, drives and connectivity as PC makers ….the big difference being looks, build quality and the OS. That’s all important stuff (worth its price? …easily debatable) but for browsing the internet a lot of that is overkill. Pages open the same, look the same(ish) and reveal the same content across any modern computer or operating platform – Mac or PC or mobile. I still use my iMac at home for audio, video and image editing/design, but I don’t need it to get online to do those simple things that are more house-keeping than actually creative in nature.
Apple has fallen from my pedestal though. They’ve been falling for many years actually (joining the Intel gang was a big straw) and I suppose their success in popularity now is just confirmation that they’re no longer the David in this world of Goliath’s. They’re like that independent band that sold out to the Big Label – keeping some of their indie-creed but essentially going where the money is. Kinda. Of course I can admit it may also be my bitterness with the ‘in crowd’. Lol, yes …I am that way, but at the same time I think it’s healthy to stand a little back from the herd. When the iWorld goes iCrazy you need some perspective. I think. I suppose that goes for anything assimilated into popularity. Again, I think. Or rather iThink.
Linux here I come.
