Hopefully this little rant, which I will turn into a blog post, will help me figure out how much a MacBook Pro is worth to me. First things first: A computer, in its simplest form, is a tool. A very modular tool.  This isn’t a Mac vs PC (really, Mac vs Windows since PC is a Personal Computer) but rather an inner discussion on if I want to spend the extra cash just to get a Mac. Lets be real, a Windows machine with nearly identical hardware (Intel Core 2 Due, 2 GB RAM, NVIDIA Graphics, 200GB HD, etc) is less expensive than the Mac. So does the Mac merit the extra cash, to me? O and Linux is not in the discussion because Adobe Suite doesn’t run on it.

My laptops:

• MacBook Pro 15, 2.3 Intel Core 2, 2 GB Ram, NVIDIA 256, 250 GB HD, with the LED screen (Work Laptop, could buy it from them for $1400, ebay for less, but had to give it back)
• HP Pavillion dv6587se, 1.8 Intel Core 2, 3 GB Ram, NVIDIA 256, 300 GB HD. (Personal, got it slightly used for $500)

First, a program breakdown.  What programs I use that are Mac or Windows exclusive, what are both, and what I prefer on one or the other. And I avoid using Microsoft Office, so that is just off the list, else I would put it on the “runs better on Windows” side.

How valuable are the programs that are only available on one OS too me?  Does it improve productivity? Easier to use? More stable? Give me less aggravation? Will it help me earn more money?In most cases, it’s more a matter of usability. For instance, Trillian and Adium are nearly the same, but I prefer Adium’s look and feel to Trillian’s. The harder case is Notepad++ or TextMate. Both are excellent apps. Excellent plugins, easy to use, stable.  But TextMate has better keyboard shortcuts for auto complete and directory reading.  But Notepad++ also has nice auto complete, can read directories (via exploer plugin), and a built in FTP (but not sync). If I had to pick, I would pick TextMate, but am perfectly happy with either one. Really, the best text editor would be the light weight of Notepad++, the text manipulation power of TextMate, and the parsing and sync ability of Eclipse.

I don’t use Unity or XNA enough right now to merit one over the other. I hope to get more into game development, for serious games or not serious games, soon, but until then those will be a straight wash. Same with XSI (there’s Modo for both), and I don’t do much modeling. And also with Visual Studio. I don’t use VS enough right now, but have in the past and will in the future, so that’s like half a point. Man, I should put point score.

So the software pretty much comes down to what I am working on. Now, mostly web, PHP, so its a wash.  If I needed to do .NET, Windows would win. If I needed to do Unity3D, Mac would win. Next is hardware interface. The construction, feel, and ease of the basic hardware for an average Windows laptop and a MacBook.

I would have to pick the MacBook on design. Smooth curves, simplest shape, sturdy feel.  When you close a MacBook it just feels closed. The HP I have, has bumps and uneven surfaces. Mostly aesthetics. Usability: There’s the 2 finger scroll on the Mac. So much better than the side of the damn track pack that sort of works, and always seems to be too sensitive or not sensitive enough. Two fingers, up down, or left right.  Beautiful.  But the real kicker. What I think makes Mac so great to use:

The Apple (Command) key.  And this, to be honest, is what I enjoy the most about working on a Mac. One modifier key. Apple + … On Windows is Alt + Tab, or Ctrl + C, or Windows Key + R, etc. And the placement of the Apple. Right on your thumb. Perfect. I barely have to move my hands on the keyboard or use the mouse.  This does improve my productivity.  Makes me move faster, quicker. Seems kinda stupid, but when your typing away at code, and you need to quickly move around the computer nothing is worse than missing the control key or hitting alt and accessing the file menu.

And the kicker, you can run Windows on a Mac (Virtual or Boot), without having to pull and iHackintosh. If money was not an issue, I would love to get a MacBook Pro. So, if I had the money, it would most likely be worth it. Till then, I will have to keep trying to get Mac to work on a PC.

Today is my last day in Ohio.  I move out west to live with family and get a Master Degeree in Game Development from USC.  Its been fun and painful to live in Ohio.  The Buckeyes will always be #1. I am thankful for my opportunities at Avetec.  But I am very excited to start my new chapter.  I will be posting here about what I learn.  It will most likely be more technical (like tutorials and work samples). But you can infer how I am doing and all the sappy stuff thru those.

I also wrote this post for people at Avetec, so after reading my “Peace!” email and clicking on the link they have something new to read.  Thanks again!

Fight On Buckeyes!

Do we love because we are in love, or are we in love because we love?