# "I Love My Macintosh Almost As Much As My Perfect Pancake" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2002, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900 "2002-11-21T08:30:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Demise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@Demise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demise)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/101 "2002-11-22T22:09:35Z")
Having done technical support on both PCs and Macs, I can tell you that they have the exact same problems. Broken machines suck, no matter what OS is on them. Stupid customers suck, no matter how friendly an OS is. They can, and will, figure out how to fuck up the easiest thing. And I hate those commericals. I was told many, many times by the pissed off people with broken Macs that if they were going to have a fucked up machine that didn’t run, they were going to at least pay less for it. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/102 "2002-11-22T22:24:42Z")
Those commercial amuse me in a way only stupid, contrived anecdotes can. “Bill Gates used black magic coding to turn me into a butter-faced, dimwitted, bed wetter, but buying a Macintosh made me smart and attractive to the opposite sex. My programs run 37.5 times as fast, and I have become a wealthy tycoon while my Windows using friends have died painful, gruesome deaths as penniless paupers. Jesus would use a Macintosh, and scripture says you cannot reach heaven without OS X.” ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/103 "2002-11-22T23:34:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AudreyK \* > \*\*I’m also not going to be recruited, **Derleth**. 😉 > > Though admittedly I was once curious about/interested in Linux… \*\* Can anyone tell me why my name was mentioned in this thread? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/104 "2002-11-23T00:22:53Z")
I’m guessing that **Darth Nader** was mistaken for you. Put it down to a typo. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/105 "2002-11-23T05:42:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kal \* > Couple of things. Firstly, you have those who need to brag about how their object of choice is the bestest thing ever in the history of the world, who use mockery in order to brag. > > Some people don’t like having their choices mocked. > > … > > Only a poopiehead with cooties would have one of **those**." > > And then the pissing contests start. > … > And, yet again, the pissing contests start. > > Either way, it comes across as being pretty childish, but there ya go. You’ll see people do it about almost anything; What bands they like, games they play, movies they watch, cars they drive. I understand where you are coming from and I don’t disagree. And you see, the kind of behavior you are describing is _exactly_ what I have endured since I got my first Mac. And, I hasten to add, I wasn’t condescending or hostile to Windows with other people. I started as a Windows person, and while I sometimes found my experiences on Windows to be frustrating, it wasn’t as if I ever despised them. I still don’t. (I keep on saying I want to get a new PC, and one of these days, I will!) I never started any serious PC bashing. But I got a LOT of crap about Macs. And it was the “only a poopiehead with cooties would have one of _those_” kind of abuse, too. But I suppose that was your point all along, right? That it is a never-ending battle, and a never-ending pissing contest. But in my case, **I didn’t start it.** All I do (and all many Mac users do) is have the audacity to mention that we own Macs. And then the “poopyhead” crap starts. And as far as the ads go, a lot of them are just enthusiastic recommendations and endorsements from people who are enjoying this particular product very much. Since there is so much of the “Mac users are poopyheads” attitude flying around (I know about this first hand) I must say that I think that PC users can weather a few ads featuring enthusiastic Mac users. > [@](#): > > Me? I’m happy with my Speak and Spell. But it only runs on _Windows!_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/106 "2002-11-23T06:22:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by apotheosis \* > \*\*How does one quantify the experience? The sublime pleasure in the crackle of silvery anti-static component bags and the zipping noise of cable ties, the joy of rooting around in parts bins for the perfect short coarse-thread screws to mount the hard drive, the craftsmanship of ribbon-cable routing, the Zen state of calm before that first glorious power-up… \*\* So you’d have laughed at the nail-biting I did when my Dad, an IT person, installed more RAM into my computer for me. What if something broke? My PC is a very loyal pet, and it was hard to watch the surgery on it; actually doing it myself is unthinkable. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/107 "2002-11-23T06:34:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\*So you’d have laughed at the nail-biting I did when my Dad, an IT person, installed more RAM into my computer for me. What if something broke? My PC is a very loyal pet, and it was hard to watch the surgery on it; actually doing it myself is unthinkable. \*\* Nothin’ to it. RAM installation is especially easy…you just have to make sure your hands are good and clean, preferably by rubbing them vigorously on a wool cloth before starting. 😃 Seriously, though…I fried more than my share of components in the learning process, but like any other hobby it can be rewarding when things go right. Again, assuming it’s what you’re into… ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/108 "2002-11-23T06:41:26Z")
I trembled and almost hyperventilated when I added some RAM to my G4 recently. Some of us don’t naturally enjoy opening up the case and tinkering around. I hope to overcome this phobia (I did feel a great deal of “empowerment” after I upgraded the RAM). But to be honest I doubt I’ll ever be a great “tinkerer” of computers. Next project: replacing the internal CD-ROM drive with either a DVD or DVD-CD-RW drive. I am told it is easy, just a matter of sliding out the existing CD-ROM drive and putting the new one in. And attaching a ribbon cable and unscrewing something? Please convince me that I can do this. My Mac Guru friend is going to talk me through it, but I’m still pretty shaky about the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/109 "2002-11-23T06:47:09Z")
_ahem_ … [looking around] Well, one o’ you Mac people reassure the Lady, willya? ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/110 "2002-11-23T06:48:03Z")
Macs _are_ better-made than PCs: Macs have handles, so you can more easily toss 'em out the window when you get frustrated with 'em. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/111 "2002-11-23T07:15:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by apotheosis \* > _ahem_ > > … > > [looking around] > > Well, one o’ you Mac people reassure the Lady, willya? Oh, come on! My G4 takes IDE drives, just like PCs. My G4 is a tower (not an iMac or all-in-one). I am assuming that installing a CD (or DVD) drive into my G4 will not be that radically different than installing a drive into a PC. > [@](#): > > _Gunslinger wrote:_ > Macs are better-made than PCs: Macs have handles, so you can more easily toss 'em out the window when you get frustrated with 'em. Then that is a feature that all PCs need as well, eh? (That was your point, right?) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![apotheosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@apotheosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apotheosis)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/112 "2002-11-23T07:19:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > **I am assuming that installing a CD (or DVD) drive into my G4 will not be that radically different than installing a drive into a PC.** Maybe not, but I’m sure as hell not gonna be the one to say it. 😃 I haven’t touched an Apple since my ][e died, way back in the Olden Days[sup]TM[/sup]. I’m ill-equipped to advise on what’s what in the current fruitPuter lineup. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/113 "2002-11-23T07:26:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Why would I want to build a computer? Eh. To each his own. Some people buy a brand-new car to avoid hassles of fixing an engine… other people buy an old El Camino and fix it up into a powerhouse. Besides, you can save a couple hundred bucks if you Do It Yourself… > [@](#): > > Next project: replacing the internal CD-ROM drive with either a DVD or DVD-CD-RW drive. I am told it is easy, just a matter of sliding out the existing CD-ROM drive and putting the new one in. And attaching a ribbon cable and unscrewing something? First piece of advice: Stop treating the hardware like it’s made out of eggshells and fine china. The days of ultra-fragile hardware were left back in the '80s. Now, that doesn’t mean you should throw hardware pieces around the room, but you can be a little rough on 'em. Second: It is quite simple. Just look at your current CD-ROM drive in the case, and look at how the ribbon and power cable is attached. In case you forget, remember… plug things in where they fit. After that, you just remove the screws along the side of the drive, slide it out, slide in the new one, screw it back into place, and then plug the ribbon and power cable back in. I’m betting OS-X will automatically set up the new drive (hey, if WinXP can do it…). ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/114 "2002-11-23T10:45:44Z")
**Derleth** – Sorry about that. I think I had another thread open that you did post to. ---
**Author:** ![BadDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BadDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadDog)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/115 "2002-11-23T12:39:17Z")
apotheosis does have it right. You will be a far more competent user if you really know how the thing works. The best way is by building the thing yourself. When my kids wanted computers, they got them, in parts. My daughter got hers for her 9th birthday and my son got his on his 8th birthday. They had to read the instructions, ask the right questions and do all of the work. At the end of they day they had fully functioning machines they could use. Both of them, three years later are making additional money helping out their friends parents that are two timid to take a screwdriver to their machines. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/116 "2002-11-23T15:43:16Z")
**Kal** , [my Etch-a-Sketch](http://www.etch-a-sketch.com/) could kick your Speak N Spell’s ass. Bring it on! HunH! ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/117 "2002-11-23T17:04:04Z")
Just try and draw a circle with it. Not to mention that the slightest jolt will wipe your data. By connecting my Speak and Spell to a Magna Doodle, I have the ultimate multimedia machine. > [@](#): > > Bring it on! HunH! Sorry **Dan** , no amount of tender words will get you to play with my Gypsy love charm. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/118 "2002-11-23T17:17:21Z")
No way, not the slightest jolt - you gotta **shake** it. Besides, I’ll use the Zooper Sounds Etch-a-Sketch, and with my vast array and arsenal of sounds, I’ll overcome anything you can spell at me. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/119 "2002-11-23T17:22:17Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\* > Besides, you can save a couple hundred bucks if you Do It Yourself…_\* Is this true anymore? I knew it was once, but I had heard and believed that the PC manufacturers now get the parts so much cheaper in volume and price their machines at such razor-thin margins that it more than makes up for the cost of manufacturing, and it was actually a little more expensive to make a PC yourself with the same quality components these days. Has anyone done a comparison lately to confirm or deny this? Actually, I think I’ll make a General Questions thread about this. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900/120 "2002-11-23T17:26:05Z")
> [@](#): > > No way, not the slightest jolt - you gotta shake it. Too easy…Must resist… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-macintosh-almost-as-much-as-my-perfect-pancake/137900.md?page=7)