vrijdag, januari 30, 2009

I switched from Windows to Mac


Last week my WinTel based laptop began having video problems. As it was 4 years old and based on the problem, i estimated it might be better to buy a new one. My boss was o.k. Mobility was key for me. I had a look at Netbooks, but they all are limited to 600 pixels vertical. Definitely not enough for doing my work (too much scrolling). Next comes the categorie of cheap laptops, but battery life is so so. For good battery life, you find the more expensive laptops. In several reviews the Macbook Pro was mentioned. And since Media Markt had a sale which meant a 18% discount over the Apple store price, i decided to take the plunch.

I had a presentation to do, so i loaded the Powerpoint in the OSX equivalent Keynote. I was suprised it even converted transition effects; it was almost 100%! For my work i use Citrix to work on Windows desktops, and the OSX Citrix client works flawless (although i first was shown a red cross and had to specify Citrix should use the local client instead of the Java one, and i have to figure out the keyboard layout since it does not correspond with the Mac keyboard). Also my 3G UMTS HSDPA KPN Dongel works fine. The Microsoft Office for OSX works, and just in case i need a Windows function i don't have a Mac equivalent for, i can use Parallels and start Windows. A colleague even boots Windows as default; well, that works, but to me that seems like eating fast food in an expensive restaurant.

Update: found out how to make the Citrix keyboard correspond to the Mac keyboard:
1. Search your drive for an application called "Citrix ICA Client Editor"
2. Click on the button that says "Default Settings..."
3. Click on "Connection Properties"
4. Click on "Keyboard" ... fiddle around with the settings (depends on your local situation)

Update Feb 3: i noticed the video flickering. I read on the Net a batch of Macbooks are known to have a similar issue. But at a certain point i had to reboot the Mac (which is one of those things a Windows-user loves: you just leave your Mac on, and are up and running in seconds), and now the video flickering has disappeared. Now, this is in a way great, since i assume it apparantly is not a hardware issue. But now i have to try to find when this flickering will start again, and what might be causing it...

5 opmerkingen:

  1. Anoniem9:33 p.m.

    Lucas woule be SO proud now!

    and in two weeks.... you'll be hooked on your MBP forever.....

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  2. at last! So that completes the Firm!
    Groet

    Frans

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  3. @Frans: not 100% sure which Frans this is (i guess Frans S, but your Blogger-profile is hidden/secured). And yes, 3 of the Tippies are now Apple users (by the way, my wife started/fueled it, so we already had a Mac in the house :-)). But the 2 new Tippies are still Windows-users afaik...

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  4. @Frans: not 100% sure which Frans this is (i guess Frans S, but your Blogger-profile is hidden/secured). And yes, 3 of the Tippies are now Apple users (by the way, my wife started/fueled it, so we already had a Mac in the house :-)). But the 2 new Tippies are still Windows-users afaik...

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  5. at last! So that completes the Firm!
    Groet

    Frans

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