It’s been a long time since I’ve geeked-out. Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a reason to geek out.

However, today I had a great excuse to visit a side of town I haven’t been to in seven years – and my first, ever trip to an Apple Store!

I know, I know, it’s not like I actually purchased anything but for a PC-user of 20+ years to walk into an Apple store with the intention of making some final purchasing decisions before going all-out to new hardware and apps is a big deal. It’s also probably the last step before I make my next post on the subject… the actual purchase.

I started life on an Apple ][e when they first came out. Well, I guess I should admit I used a TRS-80 "back in the day" but the ][e was really the beginning of it all. Like most people, though, it was pragmatic to switch to PC's in those days to do any real work and I've been on a Windows system ever since (survived Windows 3.1/DOS all the way to XP now). I refuse to go Vista.

However, it seemed an important time of transition for me, my business, and our household and frankly, the benefits of transitioning to Macs (now that they're Intel) far, far, far outweigh the process of extracting myself from the Windows/PC world I've been entrenched in for so long. I can barely believe it's been 25 years since I began my love affair with computers. The last time I touched a Mac was in college and those were early Mac System 7's. Not exactly the "glory days" for the series (like Windows or DOS were any better).

At any rate, my little visit to the Apple Store was short, but productive. A nice fellow answered all my questions (and I didn't even have an appointment) and helped me define my next courses of action. I do realize I'll probably keep my current XP system to be practical and help me transition out (I still have a business to run without interruption), but I think it'll be a good move and enjoyable one.

I’m thinking a MacBook Pro (undecided on 15″ or 17″) with all the goodies for myself and a MacBook standard-issue for the wife. Maybe throw in a Time Capsule for extra good measure?

I’d be grateful for any feedback, suggestions, advice, warnings, or comments you might have about this. So, if you have something to let me know – I’d really welcome it!

*CC Photo by Kevin Thoule – Thanks Mr. Thoule.