The Dark Side of the Force...

So, it’s exam time again – the inevitable conclusion of the university semester. This for me generally means one thing – an abnormal and probably unhealthy addiction to internet reviews of the latest gadgets and youtube videos. This is not my greatest cause of concern, though. It is instead my increasing interest in Apple technology, namely their new Macbook Pros.

Before I continue, I probably should point out that I’ve never had a real issue with the hardware itself. Just the seemingly gimmicky software and “Apple Tax” that seems to go up with every release. My first experience with computers was with Apple, and that was for a good 4 or so years before I got my first windows laptop for high school – which spent most of its time either under warranty repair or being reimaged to “fix” the many, many issues with windows 98.

To demonstrate the differences between Linux, Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX, I believe I’ve found several analogies that may fit the bill:
First up we have Linux. Linux is like the quiet child genius who sits up the back of the class avoiding class discussion. Sure, he’s brilliant at school work – and does it quickly, but he’s in a class of his own. Nobody seems to understand him.
Then we have Windows XP. This is like the 40 year old man who still lives at home with his parents. No matter how much Dad tries to push him out, Mum just doesn’t have the heart to let him go. Sure, it’s great having him around to open those sticky lids on the sauces, but really, it’s time to move on.
Windows Vista is next. Vista is pretty much that overweight know-it-all that always sits at the front of the class and keeps asking those questions that just don’t need asking. Everyone hates him for it – not to mention the fact that he struggles to keep up in the 100 metre dash.
OSX is... umm... like.... Darth Vader. Stick with me here – Sure, it started off good and honest, what with its unique use of the mouse. Then it started with the lawsuits, iTunes tie-ins, and iPods and became bent on world domination. But people still bought into it, because let’s face it, Darth Vader was clearly a pretty cool guy.

As you can see from my heavily stretched and butchered analogies, there is an issue. Darth Vader eventually comes back from the “dark side”. Now, I have a huge problem – I like Unix. A lot. And this is what OSX is based on. Compounding the problem is that XP is too old and clunky, while Vista is consistently persistent in its lack of usability options and attempts (badly) to look like OSX. It also has way too many editions.

The main problem probably is that Macs are no longer just for rich idiots. No question, they are more expensive than ever, but when you look at what’s on offer in competition, there’s little choice. Either you pay a premium for quality and OSX, or you save a few bucks and get a perfectly good laptop and spend 3 days trying to get it to connect to your wireless router. Only to discover that the hardware on the machine isn’t compatible with the OS it came with. But it will in the future. Maybe.

Not helping is the fact that the MacBook Pro would probably give my desktop a run for its money, even on lower specs. I can also use the spare XP licence I've got lying around for those games that won't cope with Crossover.

With full time work next year, I will have more disposable cash floating around, which means that I will be in a better position than ever to consider the evil corporation bent on world domination. Damn.

“Every value I’ve ever held is being questioned, and I’m loving it!” Moss, IT Crowd.


EDIT: I'm not sure if this vid relates... you decide.