Making the switch

Our desktop computer is about eight years old and is still running Windows 98. Because of its age and its size, we've decided that it's not really worth the trouble to schlepp it all the way to Europe, so for the past few months I've been researching getting a new laptop. One of the major deliberations was between getting another PC or making the switch to a Mac. In theory, Macintosh computers have a lot going for them. But I've used Microsoft-compatible computers since my family replaced our Commodore 128. (I still remember what a big deal it was when DOS 6.0 came out.) Anne has also been a Windows user for years, so for both of us, the transition wouldn't be easy. Also, I use a lot of data analysis software that only runs in Windows (or in at least one case, DOS, if you'll believe it). And more importantly, the program that I probably use the most, Microsoft Access, isn't available for Macintosh. But with the new Macs running on Intel chips, it's getting easier to run Windows software on a Mac. I've been peppering all of my Mac-owning friends with questions about being able use Windows on a Mac. Unfortunately, asking someone who owns a Mac about Windows is kind of like asking the kids handing out "Socialist Worker" in Sproul Plaza to explain capitalism. While the fact that people who own Macs are so slavishly devoted to them is a definite selling point, these conversations left me feeling like I wasn't getting the full story.

Well, this past week -- after quite a bit of deliberation -- we got a new computer, and you are now reading the blog of the proud owner of a new MacBook. It was a tough decision because I know I'm setting myself up for some compatibility-related difficulties. Anne was also a bit leary of learning a new operating system. But, being the diligent list-makers that we are, we came up with some pros and cons:

Pros:
Stability and ease of use of the operating system. Also, the OS is built on top of Unix, which is a pretty geeky thing to get excited about but which will make my life a lot easier with all of the programming I'm proposing to do for my postdoc. Using Unix also means lots of free, open-source software.

Compatibility is less of an issue because the intel processor means you can install and run Windows, either by re-booting into Windows or through an emulator like Parallels. Because the processor is the same, emulators run a lot faster than they did on older Macs.

If we got the computer before the middle of September, I could use a student discount and get free iPod Nano.

The computers just look good. The unfortunate corollary is a tendency to emphasize style over substance. Luckily, I think the Mac manages to do well at both. (I'm a little less convinced about the iPod because I think they're grossly overpriced, but you can't beat the free price we paid for ours.)


Cons:
No Microsoft Access. I've invested a lot of time and energy into learning this program, and the database I have for my dissertation has a lot of code that would be impossible to port to another db program. This is probably the single biggest thing I deliberated over, and I'm still a little nervous that I won't be able to use Access to the best of its abilities.

General software compatibility issues. Let's face it, it's a Windows world.

Cost. Apple computers cost more than PCs, sometimes quite a bit more. That said, the MacBook is much more competitively priced than it's bigger, badder cousin, the MacBook Pro.

Learning a new operating system.


All told, I think the pros outweighed the cons (obviously, or I'd be typing this on a new Dell). I think that most of the pros were kind of geeky reasons, so it took a little convincing to sway Anne. But I think my enthusiasm eventually won her over. It's still not completely set up -- we don't have internet access because we didn't spring for the USB modem (we just have dial-up at home) and our neighbors are all savvy enough to password protect their wireless networks. (Even the guy whose network is called "NOTYOURINTERNET". OK dude, I get the picture.) In fact, although I typed this entry using TextEdit on our new computer, I still have to transfer it to our other computer to post it to my blog.

As for compatibility, today I just downloaded a beta version of a program called CrossOver Mac that promises to do away with the need for rebooting or running emulators to get Windows by replacing all of the code for Windows system calls with equivalents that run on a Mac. In fact, reading about the development of this program may have been the most significant factor in swaying me to Apple's side. From what I've read, the version for running Windows software on Linux that's been around a while longer works relatively well with some programs, especially MS Office Suite. I'll keep you posted.

So far, I'm pretty excited about the new computer. I've not had much time to play around with it, but the few things I have done have worked out pretty well. It's amazing all of the Windows keyboard shortcuts I took for granted, but I'm starting to learn their Macintosh equivalents. Now that I own a Mac, I'll try not to become one of those smug Mac owners who disdains PC's and the people who use them. I'm relying on my friends (especially those of you who work for Microsoft) to keep me in line so I don't get carried away. I'll let you know how the transition goes.