Well, it’s been 22 years since I first sat at computer, and now it feels like I wouldn’t function normally without them. Every computer I owned has been run by Microsoft Windows.

However, I often think of the first computer I learned on… the Apple IIe. Control, open Apple, reset. It was a good thing.

Over time, Mac users have formed a group being perceived as wearing black t-shirts, tight pants, and black rectangle glasses… quick to point out all the flaws about the dominant Microsoft forces.

They drive me nuts.

I don’t know if it was the release of the iPhone (and the subsequent iPod Touch), or what, but I started adding Macs to my comparisons as I was looking for my latest laptop. Small, light(ish), and good looking - they quickly appeared at the top of my list.

To be honest, I knew I was conflicted. Do I give in to my desire or hold my grudge against the Mac fan-boy crowd?

Well I’m typing this from my new MacBook. I’m slowly getting over my guilt as I populate my dock with more applications that all seem to be as beautiful as the last… I find that doing things so differently than on my PC isn’t as painful as I thought it might be… it’s actually fun.

Are there shortcomings? Sure. Some will tell you those shortcomings are things you don’t need. Those people hate Microsoft. I’m fine with the shortcomings because they seem so far from the number of fustrating things on a PC. I can start this thing up in about 30 seconds. It shuts down completely in less then 10. My Windows machine sometimes takes several minutes just to turn off.

I’ll always own a PC… maybe. I’m comfortable with them - and as Vista improves (hopefully), I’ll look forward to using it. But for now, my Mac has become my sidekick - with me at home, work, and play… I really look forward to some productive and fun time with this thing.