Apple: “Computer” No More.
Back in the early 1990s, us Mac users used to gang-up together to help “raise awareness” for the computer we used. I used to say slightly louder than usual “it’s a Mac!” whenever a Macintosh is shown on screen in the cinema.
Following the lead of then Chief Evangelist Guy Kawasaki (pic left; read about him on his wiki), I ordered materials such as the booklets that told you “Why Do People Prefer Macintosh” and the six-coloured Apple logo stickers so I could plaster them all over the place.
My Mac has followed me almost everywhere I went; I moved my Mac SE30 to the all MS-DOS based office at The Star, I brought my PowerBook Duo 230 on all of my journalistic assignments, when I upgraded to the PowerBook 1400ce, it was with me all along, till it was replaced by the PowerBook G3 “WallStreet”, and then later replaced by the 12in PowerBook G4 before it was taken over by my trusted 15in PowerBook G4, the computer I used to write this entry.
If you want to know what else I own with an Apple logo besides all the free Tee-shirts they gave away, I own a Newton Message pad, a few Apple watches, key chains, the G4 Cube, an LC II, PowerMacintosh 5200 etc etc.
My addiction to all things Macintosh worsen when I attended Macworld San Francisco in 1997, watching Steve’s keynote “live” is not something you can forget easily.
The PowerBook and I have become so inseparable, it goes to bed with me, literally.
But Apple to me has never been a “Computer Company”. Though my friend asked me why am I always carrying my laptop — she will one day understand, personal computing is a lifestyle.
It is a way of life.
So when Steve announced that Apple is dropping the word “computer” from the name of the Cupertino-based company, my reaction was: “you should have done that ages ago!”
Because the Macintosh has never been about computing, it’s about the articles I wrote, the pictures I took, the videos I have edited, and the music I recorded with the Macintosh.
My question is: What is a Mac to you?
The Queen recently lost her iBook to a motherboard meltdown, and she acted as if her world has ended (and I could not bear to see a fellow Mac user suffer and loaned her my iBook G4).
Sam carries his 12in PowerBook G4 home as he leaves his Windows notebook in the office.
Maiko names all her Macintoshes as if they are living objects.
My friend, Hal Suzuki painted his Mac SE and proudly displays it in his office.
Over the last two weeks Sam and I have worked round the clock to rescue 5 old Macintoshes and installed Mac OS X onto hardware that dates back to the 1998 (read: First Generation G3 PowerMacintosh and the Fruity iMacs) because I couldn’t bear knowing that there are some Macintoshes out there that are neglected.
Why are we doing this? You may ask.
It is a way of life.
Our. Way of life.
With the success of iPod, iTunes and the new Intel processor-based Macintoshes (I hate to lose the word “Power” from the names), I guess we no longer need to help Apple “advertise”.
Still, I couldn’t help but to say “It’s a Mac!” when we went to the movies the other day — everyone used a Mac in the movie Sinking of Japan, I guess the Mac does help save the world, time and time again.
Some things never change.
As I will always be branded as an “Apple Advocate”.
So, welcome to a new Era, and keep changing the world, Apple Incorporated.
| related reads: • Sam’s Mac Story. |
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