the air

Now that I have spent a few days with my new MacBook, I am quite pleased with it and am surprised at how easy it was to transition from a Windows environment to a Mac OS.  Interestingly, the learning curve is not as bad as some might be inclined to suggest.  However, there is a small learning curve and things do work differently in the Mac world than in the PC world.  For starters, installing and un-installing applications is extremely easy under a Mac.  To install, all you have to do is drag the application into the Applications folder and it is installed automatically.  To remove, simply drag the application to the Trash Bin and it’s gone.

Having used Linux for a few months last year, I can see some similarities between MacOS X and Ubuntu.  I won’t go into too much detail since I do not have an operating Linux machine nor do I want to overload you with needless information.  Apple does a great job of providing useful resources to ease your transition from Windows to Mac.  In addition, they also provide a web page that contains common keyboard shortcuts that many Windows users might use.  The trick to remember is that there is no longer a windows key.  Rather, the Macs come with an “Apple”/command key that functions frequently as the Windows and CTRL key.  I should point out that there is a CTRL key on a Mac keyboard, but many keyboard shortcuts won’t use the CTRL key like it is used in Windows.  

My only complaint, so far, is the price of this machine.  I spent roughly $1265 including the extended warranty and after my student discount.  Is the extended warranty worth it?  The warranty gives me three years of tech support via phone and protection for the machine.  I have heard that Apple machines are not very error prone, but can be subject to expensive repairs.  Hence, the $183 price tag is a small investment to ensure that my machine can enjoy three years of trouble-free service.  My machine is the base MacBook since I do not need a DVD burner as my desktop as a DVD burner already.  Before you buy a Mac, make sure that its specs meet your needs and wants.  There is not much you can upgrade on a MacBook once purchased.  In fact, I think you can only upgrade the RAM and hard drive but you will not be able to change the Combo Drive into a Super Drive.  

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