Not missing my Mac
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 05:09AM
I've been a faithful Apple computer user since buying my first Apple II in about 1983. I switched to a Mac Classic in 1992 and have had probably a half dozen other desktops and laptops since that time, the most recent a MacBook Air I bought 9 years ago that died last fall. But when I found it would cost $600 to fix my trusty Air, I decided not to replace it.
Instead of $1300 Mac, I bought a reconditioned Samsung Chromebook for $130. (We old retired people on a fixed income have to conservative. Oh, I am also cheap.) So far, it's done everything i need it to, including being my go-to device for my 3 month backpacking trip this winter and giving slideshow presentations as needed.
Now I will freely admit I am not a power user. I write in GoogleDocs, spend too much time on Facebook, and read and send emails. Facebook Messenger has been the go-go means of communication with the rest of my traveling family this trip. I can do rudimentary photo editing. All my documents are in the cloud. I can use the hotspot on my phone if wifi is not available. And as you can tell, I can still bore people senseless with my blog posts.
Were I a graphic designer, serious photographer, movie editor, hardcore gamer, or actually understood the value of pivot tables in a spreadsheet, this would not be the right machine. But for most people, the simplicity of the ChromeOS, especially its background system updating, should be a blessing, not a curse.
As a former tech director, I often observed that it was not the lack of features in a technology or computer program that people struggled with, but with too many confusing choices. The drop down menu on Microsoft Word, the system updates, the virus protections, and the printer configurations on regular PCs created great job security for technicians, but I don't think they ever helped the educators with whom I worked be more productive.
When my iPhone and iPad die, I may well replace them with machines that are more simple as well. I may also upgrade this small, cheap Chromebook to one with a bigger, perhaps flip screen.
But the OS? I'm staying with Chrome, thank you.
P.S. Most of the locals I've talked to here in SE Asia only have a smartphone, not a computer of any kind. I don't think I would ever be able to make a phone, or even a tablet, my primary device. My concern about the "only phone set" is if reading long, complex text would be discouraging. I can, but dislike, reading the newspaper on my phone. But then, who but me reads the paper anymore?
Reader Comments (3)
Welcome to the dark side...
As a retired Media Specialist, I totally get this. My nine year old desktop imac rarely gets turned on. If/when it gets replaced it will be a laptop with photo editing capability (that my ipad does not do). I have an iphone and ipad that do most everything I need done.
So, Kenn, where is the "light side" of the technology world?
Doug
Hi Elena,
Like the auto industry, the tech world persuades us to buy what they want to sell, not what we need. I've long ago given up trying to impress anyone with what I drive or what technologies I use!
Thanks for the response,
Doug