Friday Night Photos: Two Reasons this is an Exciting Day!
After thinking about it for years, I’ve finally taken the plunge and switched to MAC! |
I know it’s not Friday night just yet, but there’s a very good reason I’m not waiting until later tonight to tell you how excited I am about my new iMAC computer. Tonight my beautiful niece Alyson is getting married to a great guy named Nick, so I’ll be too busy congratulating them to be posting anything on the blog. It will be one of those wonderful family weddings with many of the 100+ first and second generation Denny family members attending, so even if I didn’t have a new iMAC, this would be a pretty exciting day! But no denying it, I am pretty darn excited about the new computer. I’ve contemplated switching to MAC for years, and after months of computer issues I’ve taken the plunge.
Much thanks to my brother Rand for help with this transition into the world of MAC. He knows better than anyone just how (ahem) technology impaired I am, yet he bravely offered to help me get the iMAC set up and start the process of learning it. Rand is one of the biggest MAC fans I know, and after less than 24 hours with the new computer I’m starting to see why he likes it so much!
I’ve noticed for a long time that everyone I know who has a MAC highly recommends it. In fact, some of my best blogging friends have been urging me to get one for years. That’s why I find it fascinating that overall, far more people use PCs.
Let’s have an informal poll in the comments here: Do you have a MAC or a PC, and why did you pick one over the other?
(And if you have any marriage advice for Nick and Alyson, please share that in the comments as well.)
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84 Comments on “Friday Night Photos: Two Reasons this is an Exciting Day!”
My family has had MACs since my retired father-in-law learned to use his at a local community college. The term "user friendly" doesn't cover the intuitive capability you can have with your computer.
I had a MAC my entire Gov't career then retired and hooked up with a software engineer, who pulled me kicking and screaming into the PC world. I still lanquish there, but someday . . . I'll return!!!!!! Never was computing SO easy and user-friendly. PC's have spent their entire lives trying to be MAC's in my opinion.
I switched to a MacBook Pro today thanks to an extended warranty refund for (yet another) broken PC. Like you, I've been intrigued by how passionate people are for their Macs yet so many use PCs. I'm going to check out a free workshop at the Apple store soon.
Marriage advice: There will be disagreements. No matter what – fight fairly. Always apologize and mean it.
I'm sure I won't ever go back either!
I am also a converted Mac user, and I won't go back [I'll just save a little longer for them]. I'm a rather heavy computer user. Even with my computer tech husband doing my repairs, my PC's only lasted about 2 years. I switched to a Mac about 4 years ago [my husband begged me not too because he wasn't sure he could repair it]. That computer is still going strong. It's much more cost effective in the long run. Now he has switched and we have 3 in the house …. i hope you enjoy yours as much!
Thanks Kelly. I am definitely a convert already. I might take you up on that offer of help; will keep you posted!
Congrats! Very exciting. I'm willing to help with anything you have questions about 🙂
I've used both Macs and PCs for years — Macs because of school, and PCs because my husband uses them for work, so we actually had one of those at home before I could get my own Mac years ago when the very first iBook came around. Although I can and do use both (my husband and son use PCs still) I will always be a devout Mac user. It's just less trouble to do everything and aesthetically, they appeal to me.
On the marriage advise: compromise, compromise, compromise. Learn to appreciate what your spouse's interests are and share yours with him/her. Works!
Katie, I don't use any kind of software, just write my posts in the Blogger Dashboard.
I'm a huge Mac girl! I love my MacBook and will never go back to PCs – I even hate that I have to use one for work!
Can I ask, what blogging software are you using with the Mac? I've heard there's not a good Mac equivalent for Windows Live Writer.
Hi,
I've been a mac user for many years now. I started with a mini – small but powerful and affordable for first timer. Then graduated to an imac – bigger, more powerful and more eye-candy. Love them!
All my macs have been refurbished which makes them much more affordable for a single technology- loving parent (look on apple site) and have worked wonderfully out of the box – well worth it…
Kalyn, I love your site. Being a vegetarian, there are some adjustments I have to make, obviously, on some of the recipes. But everything I have made has been wonderful! Keep on posting. I look forward to opening the posts…
Hi, I converted to Mac 6 years ago, started with a mini, which I fell in love with. It didn't look like much but could do a lot, and was a great starter. Then I graduated to an imac (it's prettier and more powerful)
Look for the 'refurbished' section in the site – it's well worth the look because it makes them much more affordable!
Kalyn, love your site. As a vegetarian, I'm limited in what works for me, but I love your flavour combinations and every recipe I've ever tried has been wonderful!
I have a PC now. After being amazed at my wonderful iPhone, my next computer will be a Mac.
On marriage, thoughtful communication and respect for each other are critical to success.
I'm a professional software developer, have no trouble with PCs at all for years and years. When forced to use Apple products, I always remember the mantra, "Don't compute with fruit!" 🙂 Seriously, my brain seems better wired for doing things on a computer where you have access to every detail, rather than Apple's "just does it for you" style. That said, several of the other developers in my office use Apple computers, and Linux. Everyone seems to get work accomplished… but I've always found it impossible to figure out Apples.
Kalyn, congrats on your first Mac! I switched over a few years because my kids were using them for school. It took a little bit getting used to, but I love it now and would not go back to a PC. As for a piece of marriage advice – communication is so important, even when you think you know what the other person is thinking.
Anonymous, thanks for giving us the other side from a happy PC user's perspective!
MaryKay, welcome. Hope you will enjoy the blog. (I am in love with Pinterest!)
I recently found your blog through pinterest while looking for SBD recipes. I have only tried one so far but I am drooling over MANY!
I am a MAC and will never go back!!!
I've owned and used both Macs/Apples and PCs for over 20 years now. My favorite computers though, have always been PCs. I know everyone says that Macs are so much easier to use, but my PCs have always been easier, faster, and more reliable for me. I don't see myself ever buying a MAC again in the future because of all of the issues that my last one (bought in 2005) gave me.
As for PCs, you can get a much better and cheaper machine if you build it yourself instead of buying the pre-fab computers at the stores. My current computer that my husband and I put together is a million times better than any PC or Mac that I've ever owned or used, including the new Mac that my friend recently bought. This option of course only works if you or someone you know are technologically inclined. If anyone does decide to take this route, you won't regret it!
Kat
TW, I am having that exact same problem!
Ha! We have made exactly the same switch – Your "desktop" looks identical to the new look in my home office! It really wasn't that hard to switch, and I'm loving it. A lot of the quirks I struggled with blogging on a PC don't seem to exist on the Mac. Problem is, I like it so much I'm sitting in front of it for hours!
I will have to check out Yum. Right now I save recipes to Delicious, which I do like pretty well.
I have always had Macs back to the Apple II. Love my new macbook. With iLife and iWork, I can do everything that I can do on the PC at work.
By the way, I use YUM to keep my recipes – free to download and try. I use the first version because you can make separate cookbook for everything. I have too many recipes for the way the new one is set up.
Alisa
I am loving both the computer thoughts and the marriage advice. Just found out my niece is in the Bahamas on her honeymoon (it was a surprise!)
Barbara, congratulations on the marriage of your son!
I have only ever used PC, but may change to Mac if and when I upgrade. Congrats to the newly weds. My son got married last week. A small family only beach wedding here but they are now in Montreal where they will have a second wedding in the Greek Orthodox Church with Maria's family.
Our first computer 18 hrs ago was a Mac, but when we started using pcs at work we switched over for software reasons. Though both my husband and I still have pcs at work and windows based laptops, our family is solidly Apple… On last count, we have 3iPhones, 1 iPad, 2 iPods, 1 Nano, 2 iPod shuffles, 2 iMacs, and 2 MacBooks between 4 people. I love all things Mac! There is no comparison!
Marriage advice: never go to bed angry! Always apologize for your part, even when your spouse doesn't.
You'll never look back! I got a MacBook Pro four years ago. I'm a techie and had an Apple II in the early eighties until the PC came out. It's been great!
Marriage is hard work, but well worth the payoff as you grow and change to release the baggage each brings to the union. When you experience pain in a marriage, that's when the real change happens. ~Celebrating 23 years on the 18th of June and the real bliss has just begun!
I bought my husband our very first computer for Christmas in 1985. We didn't have a lot of money then, but he knew he wanted a Mac and found someone who had just purchased one and then transferred overseas. Since then we've had several more Macs, large and small, but we passed each of them on to someone else, simply because we wanted a newer Mac. I'm always delighted to hear someone has bought their first Mac – you'll never look back! We're all Mac – iPhones, iTouch, iPods, MacBook Pros and even an iPad, which I love. Our Macs have never let us down!
P.S. LOL I also feel just as stongly about my Keurig coffee maker!
I love my Imac. When I had my daughter I bought a netbook and it was a cheap way to keep up with everyone while on the run with my daughter…however it didnt even last a year before it started having problems. So i upgraded to a macbook air. Love it! I love the programs. I use Iphoto/Itunes and i LOVE imovie for making slideshows of my family. Glad you like it…once you start exploring everything you will totally fall in love!
Yea Mac. I have NEVER had a PC, been a Mac lover forever. Not only are they far easier to use, they have less problems. Their tech support is the best if you do have a problem and they are always so nice and helpful.
You're going to LOVE your Mac! I've had mine a little more than a year and would never go back to a PC. I also have an iPhone 4 and an iPad 2. I'm a total convert!
We have a PC and it is juuust fine, thanks. I can't get around the 'one button clicker' on the MAC mouse 😉
Enjoy your new toy!
I've always had PC's – usually built my own, and have always been happy with them. Friends and family have Mac and / or PC, sometimes one of each. I think they both have their place ;-))
I do covet in iPad, tho…. most seriously……
Just had to chime in with a little about switching to the MAC. Setting up the machine was super easy, I could have probably done that myself (although I would have been scared, no doubt about that.) I don't know anything about transferring data from PC to MAC though, most of my data that I want transferred is on an external hard drive and I haven't transferred it yet. When I did make the switch I was surprised to realize that most everything I had saved was stored somewhere online, either on Flickr, Delicious, or on the servers at Blogger.com, so I did not have all that much I needed to transfer.
I have a MacBook and I love, love it. I always used a Mac while I was working and once I retired, I bought my MacBook. My husband has a PC and is always having some kind of computer problems. My Mac is so easy to use and of course the MacBook is also very portable. Congrats on your new purchase. I know you will be very, very happy.
Marriage advice: hug your wife/husband everyday.
I've always had a PC: my home desktop computer and
PCs at work as well. Now that I've retired and had to turn in my office laptop, I've been flirting with the idea of getting a MacBook Air… $$$ is the main barrier to shifting to Mac.
Congrats to you Kalyn! Like you I've been thinking of switching as well. Keep us posted once in awhile as to how it's going. I don't have a techie brother,so aibt intimidated(scared actually) to hook it all up by myself. Enjoy! As for the newly married couple,my advice is one word 'communicate'. Best wishes.
Purely $$ for me. I wish I could afford a Mac. Don't know anybody who has one who doesn't love it.
Not sure which I'm enjoying more, the MAC vs. PC thoughts or the marriage advice!
I've used a mac since the days before they even had a hard drive. Hope you will love your MAC! ♥♥
Some Favorite quotetsfor THE NEWLY WEDS:
“The critical period in matrimony is breakfast-time.”
—A.P. HERBERT, Uncommon Law p. 98 (1935).
“One of the nicest things about life is the way we must stop whatever we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” – Luciano Pavarotti
Love is a long conversation. —Kirkegaard
“May [God] grant you all things which your heart desires, and may [he] give you … a home and gracious concord, for there is nothing greater and better than this — when a husband and wife keep a household in oneness of mind, a great woe to their enemies and joy to their friends, and win high renown.”
—Homer The Odyssey, VI, 180
“Sometimes it is a great joy just to listen to someone we love talking.”
—Vincent McNabb, God’s Way of Mercy
“A man is already halfway in love with any woman who listens to him.” —Brendan Francis
No Substitution for “Home”
“What is home? A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind?
Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that.
It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness.
That is home. God bless it!” —Anon.
I have both, and that's what I prefer. I got my first (and only) Mac about 4 years ago, and I like it better it for general use. There are many programs that I need for work that are clunky on a Mac, though, so my most recent computer purchase was a PC. Plus, I hate using powerpoint on a Mac, especially when I might need to use the presentation on a PC. So I function best when I can have a Mac around for play and a PC for work.
My computer just recovered from a terrible virus which takes countless hours to correct and a professional. I am told Macs seem to have been immunized so that is why I would love to venture in Apple.
Very fun to wake up to more thoughts on this! I'm editing the photos from the wedding right now and enjoying it again.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the fun new world, Kalyn. I've had my iMac for a little over a year … still learning and still in love. Like my husband says, "You never hear anyone say they love their PC!"
Marriage advice (44 years here): Stay 'best friends'. Good friends never let a good friend down.
I love my Mac. I'm a web developer/programmer. The only time I use a pc is to check out how Internet explorer butchered a webpage. My wife got a cheap pc laptop and can't stand it. Word-processing and spreadsheets are even easier to use on the Mac. A Mac may be more expensive than a pc but worth every cent. I've seen my sister spend far more money over time with her pc taking it to the shop. not to mention all the frustration The macs will get even better next month with the lion update.
Hey Kalyn: Welcome to the Wonderful World of Mac! I've been using an Apple computer since 1992! That's right – almost 20 years! I love my MacBook. Don't you just love the way your blog looks on that beautiful Apple monitor?
We still have one of the first tiny MACs in our attic from close to 30 years ago. I learned how to use a computer on a MAC in the mid 90's. I found it simple to use and it was almost like the MAC anticipated what I wanted to do. It way easy to find things I had saved.
In 2008 my job installed PC's on everyones desk. Good thing I knew something about computer from my MAC experience otherwise I would have either left my job or put my foot through the screen. I find a PC so hard to use. If you don't type things exactly the way you saved it forget finding without lot of searching.
Love MACS !!
Great to read you have a wonderful time at the wedding.
Kath-El
Love my Mac.
Marriage advice? We have been married for 34 years and it keeps getting better. But it does not happen by accident. It is like a garden. Well tended, weeded and watered it will bring you a lot of good "fruit". Left to itself – the weeds will go to seed and the thistles will take over.
1. Remember to be thankful and express your gratefulness.
2. Look for good things to compliment. We all need compliments.
3. Never raise your voice.
4. Always be quick to say, "I am sorry."
5. Never go to sleep upset. Communicate.
These things will make a HUGE difference, and you will be able to solve many differences.
Blessings for a happy life – though not necessarily an easy one. It takes work.
Mac all the way. I am on my second MacbookPro and my kids have the imac. We lost 2 pc's to virus and hard drive issues in one year – and with it some of my most precious photos. I will never go back…
Very fun hearing everyone's thoughts on MAC vs. PC plus marriage advice. I just came home from the wedding, which was beautiful. We all had a great time!
I don't have enough good things to say about our Mac desktop!! When we needed a new laptop recently, we got a PC strictly b/c of money… and it is a "just fine" computer, but there are so many things about it that remind me why I *love* the Mac. I'm just hoping we can keep the PC virus-free… I know we have spent enough money debugging previous PCs that we could have just bought Macs in the first place and saved ourselves the hassle!
Marriage advice–you know… sometimes… you're a Mac, and he's a PC. And it's all okay; you just have to learn how to translate from one to the other, and to celebrate each other's strengths and forgive the downfalls. (And yes, you might have to invest in cleaning him up now and then!). LOL
Congratulations Kalyn you have a double happy day!
In 1980, I took some computer classes (Fortran, Cobal etc.). What I learned was: I never wanted to be a programer. We got our first Apple in 1984, I've never wanted anything else.
Love Sandie's marriage advice.
As a blogger, a young woman married for 8 years & a wedding DJ….. I love my PC! I've used Macs and they are great, but I love my PC. For couples advice…LAUGH EVERY DAY! Even when I am furious with my husband, he makes me laugh and I forget all about it. Even in the worst of times, LAUGH about it. There is something funny about EVERY bad situation. You just need to find it to get through it!
Mo – lifeofapitbull.wordpress.com
I came over the the MAC side a couple of years ago and would never go back! It rocks. No anti-virus programs, none of the other junk you need for PC, it's been a great move after years of PC. You'll love it.
I'm a two-Mac girl! I've been all Mac for 20 years and many, many computers. You will never look back. My advice — take the free classes at the Apple Store. And my advice about marriage: be sure to laugh every day.
I would love to have a MAC but always buy a PC due to price.
I do have one too Kalyn and I love it! What I don't love is the Apple store when there is a problem but I bet Rand can help you better!
I saw my first Mac in 1984 when I was in college (my future sis-in-law worked there) and I was so hooked that I started working there in 1988 out of college 🙂
I drank the KoolAid. It's fantastic being here now and living through that amazing company history!
Marriage advice:
"Be the partner you'd like to have" That pretty much sums it up!
I have a Mac, and I love it! No problems AT ALL and it's been nearly two years. Much better than I can say for any PC I've ever come into contact with!
By the way, just discovered your blog and I'm excited to follow along!
My daughter in law got a Mac for photos – looks great and she loves it!
Marriage Advice:
Pretend this is your second marriage and communicate things that bother you as soon as they happen…asking, what are your thoughts on that?….so it becomes a loving conversation; each expressing their views calmly. Also a backrub helps. Tell them HAPPY MARRIAGE! from me.
Woohoo! Congrats on the switch! I used PC's up until 6 years ago, when I got fed up dealing with viruses, having the computer crash all the time, and having to buy a new computer every 1 1/2 to 2 years. My first Mac lasted me 4 1/2 years, and my current one is approaching its 2nd birthday with no problems other than low RAM. I have no qualms with the higher price of Macs because they last so much longer. And everything is just SO much more intuitive, from desktop design to finding WiFi signals. So glad you're enjoying your new computer so far!
Beth, we must have been writing at the same time. Why am I not at all surprised you're a MAC person. I am sure I'm going to be a big fan.
Ali, love, love, love the monitor!
I've always wanted to try a Mac, but I always got a PC because it was what I knew and affordable.
I would be excited too for that monitor! Yowie!
Biggles, I agree; the monitor quality is amazing!
Welcome to the Mac club! You won't regret it! I've been a Mac person for about 10 years. I originally got one because I couldn't help but notice how far they surpassed PC's in design (hardware AND software design). My first mac was an eMac and I had it for 7 years. I never updated any hardware and it was still useable after SEVEN YEARS. Also, I never had to use any virus protection software. Never ever. I bought a new iMac in 2009 and have been loving every bit of it!
Every time I use a PC it is so … messy. There are buttons, popups, icons, just STUFF everywhere. Mac's are clean, useable, and well thought out. They are beautiful machines!
Anyway, congratulations on the switch! 😀
Woot !!! Got my first mac (imac) last year after 27 years on a PC. Still doing hand to hand combat with it. For the monitor alone it was well worth the transition. Play time !!!
xo, Biggles
Thanks Patricia. So far I definitely agree!
Sharing in your Mac happiness!! Used PCs for waaaaay too long, and cursed waaaaay too much in the process. Something was always going wrong! I find Apple computers are a joy to use, more intuitive or something. Best wishes!!
Barbara, I think that's one reason I didn't get one earlier too. But after my computer got repaired 10+ times and was still not fixed, I was ready to switch.
I'm a PC… I mean have a PC. I used both at school and liked the Mac but could never bring myself to fork out the extra $.
Go to bed mad if you're tired. Things usually look better in the morning anyway. Just remember you're on the same team. Congrats!
People are writing comments at the same time I'm replying! Mary, love your advice!
Jacqueline, I get that completely!
Laura, that's the one I got. Once I was in the store, I just couldn't resist it!
Allison I understand that completely. When I was teaching I never considered MAC because we had PC at school!
Pam I will tell you that the monitor quality is astounding. The first time I downloaded photos, I just gasped at how good they look on the MAC!
Anonymous, it was definitely an investment! Thanks for the marriage advice.
I have a pc and that is just because it is what I am used to. Never really thought of getting a Mac although I know they are good.
Congrats on joining the Mac world. I have using a mac since the first one came out. We have several in use at our house.
Now for marriage advice. Be kind, be patient, nover go to bed mad at each other!
MACs are super, I didn't buy one last time cuz I couldn't afford it..that simply. They are more epensive..however, worth it if you can do it!
Best wishes and Congrats to the happy couple!
Advice? Appreciate each other's efforts, listen when your partner talks, think before you respond.
I am sitting on the fence right now. It is time for a new computer, and I can't really decide. Have always had a PC never a Mac.
Kalyn, I'm a PC. I've used Microsoft Office products for the last 11-12 years and most of my clients use them. I bought an iPad last year and I've been struggling to make it productive because I can't use Word, Excel and other Microsoft software, and I don't want to pay for new Mac apps. I know that Macs are more reliable, but I stay with PCs because they're less expensive and I don't want to relearn everything.
Marriage advice? Know that marriage entwines your happiness with someone else's. You need to make sure you're always working on yourself in order to help your partner.
I'm a PC user, but I've been drooling over the 27 inch iMACs for a while.
I admit, I was a bit "afraid" to get a MAC too, until my friends told me about them for years. Fun hearing from all the MAC fans out there. I love the wedding advice too!
I bought a new PC about 2 years ago. I had the opportunity to purchase a MAC but I was "afraid" of it!!!
Next purchase will be a MAC!!!!
Macs are the way to go. I have only used Apples my whole life. I just got a new 27" iMac a few months ago. I know you are excited. I still am. Welcome to the Macworld.
My first computer was a Mac over 25 years ago and I've only ever used a Mac. My husband and grown children (3) all use Macs too.
I grew up with Macs, and love Apple products in general. Enjoy!
I have had a MacBook for three years after using PCs for over twenty. The Mac software available for business applications was not up to speed until right about then. Now it is all good to go!
Marriage advice: never let the word divorce come into your thinking or across your lips! We all have relationship struggles, but facing them and working through them make your relationship stronger. Don't assume you know what your spouse is thinking. Men and women really do think differently! Always assume that your spouse has loving and honorable intentions that don't always translate perfectly.
I have both and I LOVE my MAC! Some programs I use for Real Estate don't really work on the MAC, but it's awesome for everything! So much easier and faster than my PC- plus does a lot of cool stuff! Congrats!
And Congrats to the soon to be husband and wife- be nice and always remember to say kind words and simple things- like please and thank you! I have been married for 15 years and the simple things will make the harder things easier!
YAY! Congrats for joining to the Mac world!
I have a (kind of ancient) MacBook that has been runnin' strong for over 2 years! I love it so so so much. Have fun with your new computer, they are always so fun to play with for the first few weeks!