Apple finally wins us over

So, let me first start by saying that I'm generally a late adapter of technologies. Lisa can testify to this point. We both still have flat-tube TVs and have yet to convert to a flatscreen LCD, plasma, or anything of that sort. It wasn't until after I graduated from college that I got my first digital camera and only recently splurged on a Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR [and this was mainly in response to two "once-in-a-lifetime" type events: our wedding and multiple safaris in Africa]. That being said, I do appreciate technology and its role in the advancement of mankind, and will go pay respect when respect is due. This leads me to the MacBook...

You're probably all there, scratching your heads, wondering, "how the heck are they just going to go out and buy a new laptop -- and an Apple of all things?" Well, let me attempt to answer.

1) Lisa's IBM Thinkpad T40 has been on its last legs and was running on fumes here in Nairobi. It almost died a couple of times here and finally took its last breath upon arrival back to Boston. The monitor went totally dead and would cost ~$400 to repair, not worth it for a laptop that is already 4 yrs old.
2) We look into different options: a new laptop, a new desktop, a used laptop from Craigslist, etc. We find a relatively decent laptop on sale from an HBS student for $650 and I like to save $$, but a laptop really is one of those things that you should get new, in my humble opinion.
3) Several of my fellow VolCons at work introduce me to their Apple computers. I also recall stumbling into some trendy Apple stores in the past and thinking, these things are pretty cool. I also remember one of my sectionmates creating amazing graphics/slideshows/videos using Apple software and thinking I was lame for still using a PC.
4) I attend a presentation skills workshop and me and this American guy have to give 30 second presentations. He uses his 30 secs to convince me that Apple is better than PC. I finally surrender to the wrath of Apple...
5) The same guy from #4 gives me a 15 minute "tour" of Apple and its functionality, design, hardware, software. Now I am really hooked.
6) I find myself on the Apple website, and notice that Apple offers student discounts and a free Nano and printer with purchase [well, through rebate, but close enough].
7) The same day, I call Lisa on Skype and make the big purchase approx. 5 minutes later.

That's pretty much how my life goes. So what did we get?

Well, for less that $1600 total, we got: a MacBook 2.16 GHz/
1 GB RAM/120 GM Hard drive + an iPOD nano + a HP C4280 all-in-one printer. We'll get a $300 rebate, so that brings the total down to $1300. Then I'll try to pawn off the iPOD nano & HP Printer [since we already have 2 printers], hopefully bringing the total down to somewhere in the neighborhood of $1100. Not bad!!

The order shipped on the same day and will arrive in Boston around the 1st of Sept, right around the time I return home. I'm sure you'll hear more about this from us later!