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Should I switch to Apple and Mac OS X?

Posted at November 27, 2004 21:58 (UTC) from London, UK
Apple Powerbook G4, 15"
Today I've been visting Apple's new Store in Regent Street here in London which only has been opened last Saturday. It is very impressive and like their gadgets very trendy and stylish. A must visit for everybody who's interested in high technology, excellent design and modern innovations.

I spent a few minutes with Apple's new iMac G5 which is an amazing machine. The first time I was really impressed by such a gadget and in particular by the Max OS X.

Well, now, to be honest, I started to inform myself quite a lot about the Apple's entire range of gadgets and software. The more I read the more I think my next portable computer will probably be a Powerbook. Maybe even in combination with an iMac G5. Who know's.

Apple iMax G5

What's the lesson learnt of today? Yes, I definately have to give up my doubts and also small prejudices I had until today. I'm really convinced now and also believe that Apple will have a great future. Mac OS X is also a great operating system with an agile development. For example, in the next release there will be a feature called 'Spotlight':

"Spotlight is Apple's new lightning fast way to find any file, document or information created by any application on the Mac. Much like users can instantly find songs in iTunes by their name, artist or album, Spotlight enables users to instantly find just about anything - including emails, presentations, images, appointments and Microsoft Office documents - then automatically organises and displays the results by kind, time or people. Spotlight technology also powers Smart Folders in the Finder, Smart Mailboxes in Mail and Smart Groups in Address Book that work like Smart Playlists in iTunes to automatically keep a user's information organised and updated."
Taken from Apple's press news 'Apple Previews Mac OS X "Tiger"' - June 28th, 2004

This sounds to me as they are going to introduce a database backed filesystem. Will Apple be the first introducing such a filesystem of the next generation? Will they be a step ahead of the game than Microsoft with WinFS which won't be part of Longhorn, the next Windows version? I am really looking forward how 'Spotlight' will work and if my suspicions will be right about it and WinFS.

AirPort Express

Another very nice gadget which shows very well what innovation potential Apple has is their AirPort Express. It is a wireless basestation with an integrated USB print server and, the best of all, the possibility to connect your HiFi station to it. Once it is connected your iTunes (using under Max OS X of course) will realize that there is a HiFi station available in your wireless network. Consquently, iTunes offers you the option to broadcast your music via AirPort Express to your HiFi station. Cool, fabulous and brilliant at the same time. If I ever will have a Powerbook or a iMac, then that base station will be the first additional gadget!

Ok, that's enough for a first impression of my new Apple experiences. I'm keen of what's next and looking forward to see all the other brilliant gadgets.