A couple of weeks have gone by and I still haven’t clapped eyes or laid hands on the new MacBook in any of its three colours, mainly because I haven’t had a chance to get to an Apple Store that has one on display. But this doesn’t lessen the lust. I’ve written about the dilemma at length.
While any sane power user would choose a MacBook Pro Retina over the weedy little MacBook, there’s a sizeable chunk of my heart that tells me to go out and order one of these feeble passion kindlers with its solitary port and make the best of it. I wish it were that easy because I am getting conflicting advice.
Don’t worry about the performance or that little port, just savour the tiny profile, featherlight weight and gorgeous finish, sings the Siren-voiced seductress on my left shoulder. Meanwhile, Jiminy Cricket on the other, more sensible side is confiding that I absolutely do need the faster processor and a standard keyboard. It’s boring but it’s what you really need, says he with conviction. (Incidentally, Jason Snell, for one, can’t get on with the shallow-travel MacBook keys so Jiminy might have a point).
What to do? I take comfort from the fact that I am not alone. Many writers are currently experiencing identical angst. Some, I know, have considered ordering a MacBook just to have a play. If they can’t get on with it, send it back or swap it for a MacBook Pro. I thought about doing just that.
Now I don’t need to bother because David Sparks of MacSparky has everything in hand. He’s written at length about his trying the MacBook in a local Apple Store (which is more than I’ve managed to do) and his love-me-love-me-not inner turmoil. You can see he’s wavering when he tells us:
I no longer spend every work day sitting at my laptop. I use my home iMac a lot more and my laptop a lot less. Put simply, my laptop has changed from being a second primary computer to just a second computer. I don’t need it super powerful but do need it to write words, handle mail, outlines, mind maps, and the other tasks that I normally do on the road. Getting it down to just two pounds means I’d be able to carry it a lot easier and more often. Something this portable has a real benefit to me. I’m just not sure if I could get used to that keyboard.
David is about to do my job for me:
To answer that question I’ve ordered one. I’m going to use it for a week, but still keep the box and my MacBook Pro at the ready. After a week, I’ll either keep it and sell the MacBook Pro or send the MacBook back. Either way, I’ll be reporting in.
And I will be tuning in and linking to David’s conclusions. I just hope its a conclusive conclusion that will put me out of my misery.