Ok, friends, it’s time for you guys to talk to me.

After all, every few days, I hop onto my trusty Macbook and tell you guys why I love all things Mac. I share the latest and greatest in the world of Apple. I strut my stuff and try to bond with you.

So, now it’s your turn. To channel Tom Cruise in one of my all time favorite flicks, “talk to me, Goose!”

You guys know why I think a Mac kicks a PC’s motherboard any day. But now I want to know why YOU love yourself a Mac. Are you a newly converted Macintosh aficionado? Or have you been Apple faithful from way back?

What’s more, I’d love to know what widgets and apps you couldn’t live without right now. What’s your favorite part about booting up your little Apple universe every day? Is it making a phone call on your iPhone 4 and video chatting with your best friend across the country? Hitting the iTouch for a round of scrabble against your know it all little sister? (Oh the taste of victory!) Or maybe it’s sitting down to work from your home office with the smug satisfaction of knowing that you shall never have to deal with the drama of an antivirus scan or seemingly endless software updates?

Come on, now… don’t be shy! I can’t wait to hear from you guys!

Once the ugly stepchild of the computer family, today’s Macs are arguably the best machines on the market. Everywhere you look, Apple products abound, and the trend shows no sign of waning.

So just what makes Macs so popular? A big part of the fanaticism comes from the fact that Macs are virus free computers… Right?

The truth is that Macs actually are susceptible to some forms of Malware. But there are very few viruses out there to attack the Mac OS X operating system. One reason for this is that there are relatively fewer Macs online worldwide than PCs. Therefore, there isn’t nearly as much motivation for those who write computer viruses to actually write one to attack the Mac. . Authors of viruses can make a lot more money writing viruses to attack PC’s since there are significantly more of them online.

When the good people at Apple Inc. were coming up with the code for the Mac operating system, they employed quite a few people to make sure it couldn’t be hacked easily. See, Apple actually decided to test its OS for potential security breaches before its release. In doing so it made the operating system much more secure and stable for the end user.

What’s better than slowly peeling back the wrapping of your last Christmas present, making everyone around you die from the suspense of what’s inside? How about learning how to maximize all the fun you can have with what’s inside?

If you just got your first Iphone or Itouch, here are two secrets to getting the most out of the little guy:

Battery Life – One of the things I heard about the IPod before I purchased it was the not so hot battery. There are some things you can do to make it last longer.

Storage – Always store your IPod between zero and 95 degrees F. If you left it in the cold give it a few minutes to warm up before attempting to start it up.

Backlight and Brightness – There is a setting you can use to adjust he backlight on the IPod. You can use it to adjust the lights intensity during use and when it’s not in use. This is a great way to conserve battery power. Brightness levels can also be adjusted to maximize battery life.

Equalizer – If you avoid using the equalizer you’ll save some on battery life as well.

Apple Apps Store – This icon comes preloaded on the main screen of the IPod iTouch. Tap this icon and you’ll find a bevy of applications that can make you more productive (alarm clocks), get you up to the minute’s news and relax you with thousands of games. If you are wanting to get every little drop of usage out of your new toy this is a must have. The best part? So many apps are free!

Ah, it’s that time of year again. The sun is setting a little earlier every evening. The air is turning crisp. And the Apple stores are filled to the brim with computer hunters.

Fall always brings with it eager new students looking of the right computer to score those straight A’s and sweet babes. Ok, well a Mac alone might not get you straight A’s. But it could help you land that hottie in Comp class. Trust me, gentlemen—we dig the Mac.

So before you rush off to start shopping for your first Mac, consider a few options:

What shopping environment is best for you?
Since Macs can be bought either at the Apple Store, online Apple Store or any one of the thousands of authorized Apple Resellers you’ll need to answer this basic question. If you have quite of few unanswered Mac questions you may want to speak to a salesperson before making you choice of Mac. If not, let your fingers do the walking.

Is there an Authorized Apple Reseller in your area?
This may be important if you want to have the right people helping you maintain your cool new Mac after purchase. Resellers are also a great source for software and hardware needs.

New or a Certified Refurbished Mac?
Here’s a great way to get into a Mac if brand new is too rich for your wallet. Certified Refurbished Mac’s are just as good as the brand new ones. But of course if money isn’t an issue … you know what to do.

Primary use equals?
The final point to make here is making sure you buy the right Mac for what type of Mac user you are going to be. If you are into gaming you may want to make sure have lots of RAM, but if you are a photo and music hound then hard drive space might drive you.

Happy Hunting!

After watching Mac ads run on television for the last few years, one is left to ponder: How can anyone buy a new PC or laptop, and possibly feel even the slightest sliver of a microscopic slice of nanobyte cool?

The fine people in the marketing department at Apple Inc. should all be given gajillion dollar bonuses for burying the pc in the world of consumer electronics advertising.

Mac’s coolness meter is stuck in overdrive with Gen X, Y and Z. From the 1984 television ad introducing the Apple Macintosh, to the hipper than hip “Mac vs PC” television ads staring Justin Long, how could the PC hope to stand a chance at survival?

Years ago, owning a Mac was downright frowned upon; kind of like… well you know what I mean.

Now? It’s been a public relations bonanza the last few years, one big Mac party whose end is nowhere in sight.

What’s my favorite Mac commercial of all time?

Victoria Secret model Gisele Bundchen looking so sweet and so innocent, luring untold millions of pre pubescent teenage boys (and full grown men too) into the steamy world of Mac. Ok, Mac’s aren’t seedy, but you’re picking up what I’m putting down yes? They’re sexy, and this was the perfect commercial to showcase that.

Sex sells in advertising and Gisele definitely hits the proverbial nail on the head in the ad. It also didn’t hurt to have the disheveled dude in drag cement pc’s image as one thing no college guy wants be caught dead with.

In the last twenty years or so, the wizards over at Apple Inc. have taken a gangly, awkward young computer company to market and with a lot of hard work, both on and off the motherboard, transformed it into its own trend.

Rock on, Mac

Every day we are bombarded. Forced to make decisions we may or may not be ready to tackle.

Choices like… ice cream or chocolate chip cookies? M&M’s or crushed Heath bar in your blizzard? Paper, plastic, or reusable canvas? Pepsi or Coke?
Yes, my friends, corporate America has us making all kinds of “critical” decisions on a daily basis. So, when it comes to making that most essential of all choices (what kind of portable computer is right for me?) you may be worried.

But relax. This one’s a no brainer.

You basically have two choices here: Macbook or Laptop. Here’s how I see it: You can have a slow and “nostalgic” work machine—think, the efficiency of an AM radio or the speed of a horse and buggy—or you can slide into the driver’s seat of what feels more like a streamlined fighter jet.

Macbook’s user interface is unrivaled… it’s perfect for new computer users, and not too tough for those making the switch from the PC world. Worried about giving up Word? Don’t sweat it… there’s even Office on Your Mac available for the new Mac OS, Snow Leopard.

Ok, so the price tag is a little steeper on a Macbook than a laptop, with books starting at around $999. But when you factor in that you won’t have to pay for antiviruses or loads of other programs, it really evens out the playing field.

Anyone who has been keeping up with this blog knows that I really… really… REALLY want an iPad.

Apple is great at coming up with the unexpected. Who would have thought they would design a computer that is more like a giant iPod or iTouch, and that millions and millions of people would flood retailers the world over for it?

Here are some of the things that make the iPad oh so very cool:

Gaming.
If you have been stuck in the world of the small handheld gaming devices, step on over to the iPad. The iPad will take your gaming to a new level. Perfect for the coach potato in all of us.

eReader.
Move over Kindle, the iPad has an enormous selection of reading material for your eyes to devour. The amount of books and other reading material is nearly unrivaled.

Texting and Tweeting.
You’ll be able to watch your favorite television shows right on the bright clear iPad screen while texting a tweeting. There’s also IMBD– an iPad app that’ll do something pretty cool. It lets you look up an actor’s name when you spot a familiar face on television.

Cooking Guide
Can you image how cool it would be to use the iPad as the biggest cook book ever? If you love your time in the kitchen as much as I do you’ll find this particular use of the iPad very a”peeling”.

Where to watching the big game?
Answer? Wherever you feel like it. The iPad, through the use of one of several app’s available, can become the coolest portable television you’ve ever seen. Imagine stealing a little “Me Time” away from the hubby and kids with your favorite beverage and your favorite team crushing the competition on your iPad.

So, here I was… teetering on the edge of making the leap to the iPhone 4 from my beloved Apple Empire. Yes, there are some pretty cool changes to the latest edition to the family. And I’ll agree there is something a little George Jettsonish about video conferencing from a cell phone while I am sitting in rush hour traffic.

But in the end, I decided against it. Here’s my reasoning, in case you’re contemplating whether to make the jump or wait a while:

After all the glitz and glamour wears off this is still an iPhone.
The changes revealed in the iPhone 4 are nice and all but do they really demand the upgrade? Unless you are planning to sell the compact camera you got for Christmas and break Aunt Judy’s heart, I think you may want to rethink this. Screen resolution is much better huh? Yeah, I’ll give you that, but you really need to see the roots of the hairs on the gnats’ bottom?

Video Conferencing, Really?
Yes, yes Virginia while the idea of being able to teleconference with Santa Claus will be really awesome on Christmas Eve, have you investigated the possibility that Santa may not have an iPhone 4? Are a bunch of your friends and family taking this dive with you? Because if they aren’t, you’ll be video conferencing in the mirror with yourself. So if you are thinking you’ll be able to see your soldier halfway around the world on the phone, think again. Oh, and do you really want people to see you on their phone first thing in the morning?

Money, money, and more (or less) money.
If you are currently in contract with your cell carrier and without an available upgrade you’re going to pay a pretty steep price. If you aren’t in contract you’ll need to consider if you want to remain with your current carrier or wait until the first of next year and have another option. If you do it now you’re locked in probably for two years.

iPhones are such sweet candy to those of us who love our apple toys and Mac gadgets. Just make sure you’re getting a new phone for the right reasons and not becoming a serial upgrader. For me, this wasn’t the right time.

The folks over at Apple sure know how to roll out a new product don’t they? It’s like they are unveiling a newer stronger version of some Marvel Comic hero each time. The world swallows up each and every morsel of the marketing build up, tantalizing the cyber taste buds of all who crave technology. I’ll admit, I’m just as guilty of loving all things Apple and Mac.

The iPad created a huge buzz with its recent release (and heaven knows I still want one so very bad!), but the iPhone has created a bit of its own with the release of the next generation iPhone.

Pre-release sales began June 15th in the U.S. and those sales have done so well that when the phone was actually released for retail sale in late June many retailers had no stock. If you are looking to join the stampede here are a few things to consider.

The cost of the new iPhone 4 for those of you who’ve saved your upgrade just for this is somewhere in the $200 range for the 16G version and $300 for the 32G version. Keep in mind that’s roughly and extra $100 over the iPhone 3GS.

You’ll get some pretty cool things with this new phone. The camera is high definition so it may just replace your compact camera. The phone also offers HD video. If you love to take pictures and make videos you’ll enjoy the upgrades. You can also add iMovie.

The antenna is also much improved over previous versions, battery life is estimated to be somewhere between 36-38 hours (which is a significant improvement) and there is a little more muscle in the processor than in previous releases. The phone is a little smaller, has a much improved display and even includes iChat video teleconferencing capabilities.

I think the most rabid iPhone follower will find these features as nice additions. The real question behind all of this is, is extending your cell phone contract and shelling out the cash worth it? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made the switch.

By now you should have read the pros of jailbreaking your iPhone. I only gave you three reasons why you might want to do it. Now I am going to give you some reasons you may not want to jailbreak your sleek little phone. So for all you rebels out there … here we go!

First and foremost … You’ll invalidate your warranty.
The rebel in you may not really care if you void your warranty because you think it’ll be easy to get around. Truth is, companies that spend the time and money making these phones can always tell when the average user has cracked the preverbal seal. If you run into any problems with your jail broken phone don’t expect Apple or AT&T to help you out. Considering all the money you’ve spent and the time you’ve invested in your phone would you really want to ruin the whole thing just for some pretty icons?

Bricking your iPhone.
I love the use of the word brick here. Bricking your phone is exactly what it sounds like—turning it into a brick. (Or paperweight) If your foray into the rebel realm doesn’t go so well, you may just have just ruined the coolest phone you’ve ever had. If you have an extra couple of hundred backs (or more) lying around and you love Vegas you might enjoy the rush of risking it all. But remember, the house always ends up winning.

Creating an unstable phone.
The iPhone has had to work out a lot of kinks and bugs in the operating system over the years. Jailbreak your iPhone and you’ll run the risk of turning it into a great Smartphone, when it works. You could very well end up suffering through a whole lot of iPhone crashes. I don’t know about you, but I hate any time my computer crashes let alone my phone.

These are just the three scariest scenarios. There are several other potential downsides to jailbreaking. Don’t make a big fat iMistake.