I moved over to an iBook about five years ago. Since then my ex wife and myself bought Macbooks. The only windows PC I have is a left over from when I was consulting and had to have a windows computer to do windows based software development.

At work I have a windows machine for Outlook/MS-Project/etc. I develop on a big ass Mac Pro.

I just recently hooked up my itunes library with the stereo via the airport dongle and now use my iphone as a remote for it all. Very cool.

Cam,
I've been putting the switch to Apple off because of my investment in the Toshiba Tecra 2 laptop. I still have a PC desktop down at the weekender at Victor Harbor. Windows worked okay as a general platform/operating system for a while. No more. Vista is junk and Microsoft is not going to support Windows XP

I didn't go up to the Macbook pro as my photography work didn't warrant it, as I don't see myself editing film, making music in the near future, or doing graphic work for clinents. I wanted something very portable as I lug around two computers and two cameras when I travel.

Yeah I'm also wanting to hook up my musical files to the stereo in the apartment office in Adelaide.I had intended to buy Logitec's Squeezebox before the Toshiba became dysfunctional. Since Apple appears to be the cutting edge on the entertainment/visual side of things. I ''ll see how they link digital files to stereo.

Hi Gary, for designers like me it was the only option in 1986 - join the Apple platform. I had to completely stop doing what I was trained to do in the 1960's - design on layout pads, make final art on Bainbridge Board, retouch halftone photographs, apply agents to retouch film in the Litho Department, wait ages for 4 colour litho proofs (and still see the dot gain at the printers machine - and freak out!) I still remember going from handlettering to Letraset type to metal type to bromide headlines to punched ribbon text setting, all stuck down with rubber cement, a set square and an artist table - oh and the Agfa bromide machine in the darkroom to do screens and reverse bromides - ALL GONE! Now any secretary with a Mac and a few applications can do my job . . . well not quite but you get the drift. So starting with a Mac 2 and following numerous upgrade paths, via 840s, a Mac clone and then G3s, PowerBooks, G4s, dual G5s, IPods, MacBookPros and another MacBook I can tell you Apple is in the best state-of-the-art position now but the Company itself is still secretive, bullish and actually not responsive to client requests - ask any of their re-sellers, as a company they're shite!

Malcolm,
I cannot say that I'm overly fond of the closed and secretive Apple culture, that is more about marketing gee whizzery and general indifference to your computer problems.

However, I do accept that Apple is now in the best state of art position and that they are they have, and will continue to develop, the kind of gear that I need for working on my photography in a more professional way.

Letraset. Now there's a memory jogger. The feel of galley paper sliding around on that rubber cement. And the smell of it. The expense and luxury of white space. The fridge full of film stock. Check for a clock before you flop. Tracing over a lightbox. Filing cabinets full of transparencies.

The doing was a totally different aesthetic then. I'm glad I experienced it.

hey also a word of warning - Jane Grigg has shot thousands of images and has used iPhoto to store her data - she reached Apple's limit ages ago, tried to export them NO GO . . . tried to get support or help TRITE replys. Ever tried to understand the file names and protocols in your pictures/iPhoto? - what files are where? Be warned, download straight to the desktop then open and save to your external (mirrored) drive using the application of choice. Go and buy Graphic Converter, at least the app will provide a better browser to view and manage loads of visual files . . . and make movies for free with sound beds. I've given up paying for QuicktimePro keys that only last the life of the update!

Hi Malcolm,
yeah I know about the problem re photo files. Mine on the Toshiba laptop are a mess.

Do I need Graphic Converter when I have Adobe Lightroom installed?

I will acquire Time Capsule as the external (mirror) drive.

Lyn,
I don't know that graphic world that you and Malcolm refer to. I do know the photographic equivalent --the darkroom. I have no nostalgia for the chemicals and darkness etc. Digital is so much better. This is a case where technology--digital--is an improvement.

Gary, The platforms go up and down. There was a time when Windows was easily the best of the OS's, there was also a time when Linux seriously challenged it, especially on the server side. Today, Apple is the best of the operating systems and platforms by far. Their implementations are superior.

There will come a day when something else is better, for now though, Apple is it.

Cam,
yes I can see that "for now Apple is it" in terms of platforms re operating systems. What I'm rebelling against is the constant need to upgrade every three years or so; the shift from desktop to laptop; and the limited functionality of laptops in terms of mobility because of their fragility and limited battery life.

I can see why we need to constantly upgrade--the internet is evolving and the technology is improving--- but it sure costs a lot to keep up.

Gary, The Apple Store has a bargains section. It is where their refurbished laptops are. You can usually get good deals from that.

We recently redecorated the study and the desktop now looks gargantuan and cluttered in there. Since we need a windows machine of some kind around, we replaced it with an old laptop. The desktop is now being resigned to the bin. We only have laptops in the house.

I actually prefer the form factor of laptops. They are far more useful than the desktop. Then again my laptop bag is my 'man purse'. It has all my stuff in it.

Cam,
Yeah I've done the same in the office in the city apartment. I only have laptops in the apartment.The desktop has gone--not the bin--but down to the weekender in Victor Harbor, where the study area is being turned into a photographic studio.

I did consider buying an older Apple --but the new ones are a technological step up with their dual processors. Not worth it.

Gary, Our redecorating plans for the study have gone astray. The big couch we intended to use in there does not fit :/

We will have to go furniture browsing and redesign the room around another piece of furniture or rug.