First Flavour of Apple

First impressions of the MacBook I recently acquired via a project are very positive.

Little but important things impress. It starts up in under 15 seconds and shuts down in about 6 seconds. All the Windows machines I use take ages to do either. Batter life is very good compared to the Windows XP and Vista laptops I’ve used. Lightweight and looks good but will I have to use a special cleaner to keep it that wistful white?

Absolutely love some of the pre-loaded software but haven’t yet harnessed it in a productive sense. Really need to spend a day just playing with the software and the MacBook/Tiger OS in general. Given I’m going to be carrying this laptop around a lot (for the project work) can I set a password on the machine? Can I easily encrypt or password protect folders or files on it if I cannot set a password? Love the wi-fi on it. Very good at picking up networks and quick to access those that are open. Again might not just be down to Windows but the Wintel laptops I use versus this recent MacBook. So very promising initial experiences but not perfect…

Wireless Penetration

Some time ago I mentioned some research that suggested that wireless access increased Internet penetration. Since I've lost the wireless capabilities on my aging laptop I've definitely found it more difficult to keep up blog postings.

I either have to break away from something at work or have to use a particlar computer in a specifc room in my house. When the laptop was fully functional it was much easier to break away from activities for a few moments anywhere in the house (or even garden) and make a quick posting. Must get the wireless sorted!

High Tech Hiatus

There's been a break in posting partly because I'm simply knackered at the moment and have dropped a gear for the so called Easter break and my laptop still has no wireless card at the moment. Think I mentioned that the old one broke recently so I bought a new one last week from Tesco in Barrow in Furness (while visiting relatives) but that worked in Barrow but not since I've got back here.

Wireless Connectivity and Internet Use

Some new research suggests a strong link between the use of wireless networking and patterns of internet usage. If you have wireless you use the web a lot more.

The fact that the wireless card on my laptop got broken a few days ago, and the lack of blog postings since then, may offer further proof to this idea.

I'm currently typing this entry in the dark, in a cold conservatory, on my desktop machine. Whereas I might normally have done it on the laptop from anywhere in the house. Probably a nice warm room with a TV in it. So there may well be something in this new report...