Can't we all just get along?

[penfield]

Last week my computer died, its hard drive fatally diseased with more viral infections than Port Ho Chih Minh at shore leave. One sector was so badly damaged that the normally staid Dell technician actually said, "huh -- I've never heard of that before."

So I had to decide whether to buy a new hard drive for my four-year old CPU -- which is equivalent to putting brand-new tires on a 1990 Ford Tempo -- or buy an entirely new computer. Naturally I decided to buy a new computer, and at an exceptional price, thanks to the deep discounts at Dell Outlet. I had momentarily considered going back to Apple, but decided against it since my peripherals, software and last 8 years of experience was entirely with the PC platform -- not to mention that the Apple computer with the same technical specifications would have been three times the price.

Since then I have felt the unflinching scrutiny of Mac users, who talk to me with this strange combination of pity and foreboding, like I just ordered a Filet-o-Fish. The PC-Mac dichotomy has reached new levels of hostility.

I suppose a person could blame this on Microsoft, the aging, blinged-out pimp for all things PC. Back in the mid- to late-90s, when Apple Computers was coughing up blood and surviving only on the dole of the education market, Microsoft basically stepped over Apple's sleeping bag on the way to the bank. This must have made Apple very angry, because when they stormed back after the turn of the century, they conceived a brand strategy based solely on personifying PCs as a flailing asexual dorkbag. Their entire marketing plan is, essentially, "What a geek," the advertising equivalent of a wedgie.

Apple's ethos has been inherited by its consumers, and it has gone beyond brand loyalty or consumer confidence. It is full-fledged antipathy. The meanness of spirit has surpassed that of the cola wars or the burger battles. Are there any other companies that take such pains to eviscerate their competition? Can you imagine:

Ford user: Hi, I'm a Ford!
Toyota user: And I'm a Toyota. Hey! Whoops, I just set myself on fire! Oh, the burning!
Ford user: Heh heh heh.

Besides being smug, Apple has become cruel. You can say plenty of nasty things about Microsoft, but they drew the line at fomenting civil unrest.

Look, I'm sure Apple is great. I am not opposed to buying one, someday. And I'm sure learning Windows Vista will be a challenge, but I'm just going to be Web broswing, e-mailing and word processing, not launching satellites. I think I'll be all right with my PC. Sometimes a Filet-o-Fish is all you need.

Comments

Ford Focus

[village-twins.livejournal.com]

Tread life depends on many factors, but owners should generally replace car tires every four or five years. Thus, your 1990 Ford Focus ought to have new tires!

Then again, Ford didn't launch the Focus until 2000 -- if you somehow have a 1990 Ford Focus, then by all means get brand new tires and log into eBay Motors (using an iMac of course) and let the big bucks roll in.

Re: Ford Focus

[enchanted-pants.livejournal.com]

Riiiiight. I was thinking of the Ford Tempo. The text has been changed to reflect this.

[hbinc.livejournal.com]

Who are these people pitying you for your choice of computer? Who cares what you use? I use Macs and PCs, and each is good for certain things. I've yet to relearn all the Mac keyboard shortcuts I knew back in the day, but I like traveling with a Mac laptop -- it's lighter and slimmer than my Windows-based work laptop.

[village-twins.livejournal.com]

I too use both a Mac and a PC at home. Meanwhile, I knew Macs were expensive, but are they really "three times the price" of the PC you were looking at? That's amazing!

[enchanted-pants.livejournal.com]

The sticker price on an Apple with the same system specifications was three times the amount I actually paid for my new computer. Since I got my computer without a monitor and at a sizable discount -- almost half-off -- we could still say that the Mac is 33% more expensive than a comparable PC.

[village-twins.livejournal.com]

Along these lines, this story today says new Macs can run Microsoft Windows.

[enchanted-pants.livejournal.com]

See, this is what I'm talking about.

Semi-Mac convert

[arealariel.livejournal.com]

I am recently the proud owner of a Mac laptop after my 4-year old PC desktop decided to become just slightly slower than a Commodore 64 circa 1983-ish and to crash every other day or so. I also tired of listening to my husband *tsk* at me and say "a Mac would never. . . (crash, catch a virus, be so friggn' slow, etc) every time the PC would misbehave. Portability was also a must with the little one on the way at the time.

That all said, I do actually love the Mac, but I also have to admit the few times I got the "color-wheel of death" I did take to opportunity to snarkily say to my daring husband "I thought Macs NEVER crashed. . ."

I just hope you don't use iTunes to manage your music on your new PC--rumor has it Vista somehow hoses iTunes, but that could just be Apple corporate hate-mongering gossip.

Re: Semi-Mac convert

[village-twins.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you mentioned that "color-wheel of death."

In my household, it is called the "spinning pinwheel of death."

How 'bout them Apples?

[smithie98.livejournal.com]

Are you just trying to egg me on? I *promised* that I was not going to rant on your blog (unless Josh said something ridiculous), so I will not mention how much better Macs are than PCs, and why you should have spent the extra money. I will also not pity you, because after all, I will not be the one using your computer.

I also use both PCs and Macs, but (as you know), much prefer the Macs.

I think that since computers are such an integral part of our lives now (I am just waiting for the day that babies can start using computers in vitro), you should go with what you are comfortable using. Screw the nay-sayers and poo-poo-ers.

Re: How 'bout them Apples?

[enchanted-pants.livejournal.com]

You will not pity me, because you will not be the one using my computer?

Isn't that the whole *point* of pity? If you were using my computer, you couldn't pity me.

Of course, you won't be using my computer, since it is so obviously beneath you. Please try to avoid defecating on it the next time you visit.

Re: How 'bout them Apples?

[(Anonymous)]

This sounds like a challenge, Smithie!

I heard that Apple is funding fascist guerrillas in El Salvador.

Re: How 'bout them Apples?

[smithie98.livejournal.com]

Josh, if you don't sign your name, how can I respond to you?

You must be on a PC.

Re: How 'bout them Apples?

[jatchwa.livejournal.com]

I am on a PC. Mostly because of the Salvadoran guerillas!

Viva La Establishment Ruling Class!

Re: How 'bout them Apples?

[smithie98.livejournal.com]

Clearly, I am not understanding your reference. Maybe when I regain some perspective--when I am not neck deep in nursing school, I will understand this better? Help, anyone?

[enchanted-pants.livejournal.com]

Thank you, everyone, for proving my point.

nothing wrong with the fish

[(Anonymous)]

I happen to find the filet-o-fish quite good. You just don't like it because it has white creamy stuff on it. What about those nasty Egg McMuffins?! The point here is that I am apparently not the only one that can appreciate the filet-o-fish since it's still on the McDonald's menu. Plus you shouldn't care so much about what other people think - that's exactly what Apple is trying to accomplish. Love, your darling girlfriend.

nothing wrong with the fish

[(Anonymous)]

I happen to find the filet-o-fish quite good. You just don't like it because it has white creamy stuff on it. What about those nasty Egg McMuffins?! The point here is that I am apparently not the only one that can appreciate the filet-o-fish since it's still on the McDonald's menu. Plus you shouldn't care so much about what other people think - that's exactly what Apple is trying to accomplish. Love, your darling girlfriend

amused

[(Anonymous)]

I just want to say that I was extremely amused to read the rantings and ravings about Mac's, PC's, and fish. I have nothing to add as you all spoke my own opinion at one time or another, although you all might have too much time on your hands (or spending too much time with your computers) to be putting this much thought into it. Though, I guess that is the purpose of the blog. And, I seem to have too much time also, since I have spent my lunch break reading it and writing this. And though I am on a PC, I choose to remain anonymous but I am not the other anonymous writer. You all have a good day, and I hope you all go outside and play because that is what is important in life! :)