Hummm I'm Pretentious Because I Own A MAC???

Ok, so for those who may not know, when I moved to Los Angeles in 2004 I took a job as a sales rep for at the time successful computer company Dell Inc. I was at one of the most profitable sales kiosk that the company had set up as a face to face business model. We did not carry inventory, just displays and would order systems just like customers would when they called into Dell call centers. I enjoyed the job and was payed quite well. Dell was against selling their products in retail locations because of the failure that Gateway faced when they opened up their own proprietary retail stores. They went into the retail market later to gain more sales but followed the model that all other companies had done. A pre-built in the box get what you get. The thing that I asked because I did have company corporate contacts with the executives of Dell. My question was, "Why is the cost of a PC much lower than that of a Mac?" I also asked this question to Intel rep who serviced my kiosk.

Well I got the answer and I give Apple kudos for having the gall to stay quiet about why they cost much more. Im not here to back or justify Apple's pricing but to voice something that bothers me when someone calls me a wannabe computer user or just a bandwagon rider. This is the reality of the game and what the market of computers brings to consumers. Apple has their problems, and for you Windows fans that guffawed at my observation, hows Windows 8 treating you? I do not blame Microsoft solely although they have got a big hand in this and I do not really blame software companies although they contribute to this but the blame falls mostly on the manufactures of PCs. Okay, I know what your thinking and yes I understand its sounds ridiculous but this is what I was told is the industry standard. My MacBook Pro would cost if they still made this model, $2100 brand new out of the box out of the store. OMG WHY SO MUCH??? Well I'll let you in on a secret but first lets compare my Mac to a retail store off the shelf PC laptop that is comparable. Ok, so I found a laptop that is somewhat comparable. Samsung ATIV 15 inch screen 8Gb Ram and a 750 GB hard drive for $699. The biggest difference is the fact the Samsung has an HDMI built in. My Mac, a lightning port and a firewire port. Sure the Samsung has 3 USB ports, 2 that are USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0. Mine only has 2 USB but they are both USB 3.0, and as long as my Mac is plugged in to its charger, the USB ports will charge a phone or tablet.

So minor things that are pros for each machine, there really isn't much difference. So heres the brass tacks...someone pays that difference and the proof is the pudding. We will start with retailers. They get to flex some of the prices for each of the Windows computers. Apple states that their products do not need to be placed on sale. I agree. The old saying, "You get what you pay for." This is what we get. Apple's OSX is a simple and powerful operating system, that for graphic designers, photographers, film producers, music producers and engineers very much prefer to use a Mac. Yes, you can do all of that same stuff on PC with the same software but somehow miraculously its simpler on a Mac. Does that make the cost of the MAC stand so much higher. Not even slightly. Microsoft is not mandating whats on a PC from any given company. Its the company itself and when it was explained to me I could not believe it.

We all call it something different: Trashware, Bloatware, crap preloaded and etc. Hummm, but its extra software. How does it make your PC cheaper? These companies, too many to list here sponsor these manufactures and also Microsoft to some extent. Yes, this software is free, it doesn't make those companies and money, they are free trials or basic programs only or how ever you want to justify them. Ok, sure they don't make money off of those programs preloaded on your new HP, Asus, Acer, Dell, Sony or Samsung. Ahhhh, but they do make money off of those programs and your PC manufacture gets a cut of it. Start up your new PC and open Microsoft Office or Nortons Anti-Virus or what ever else is on there. You can only use those programs and not even full versions for 30-60-90 days or if youre lucky a year on the antivirus. We get sucked in to buy $600 versions of Office, pay a subscription to a full version of Norton or McAfee. Those games from Wild Tangent, sure you get a couple free trys at Polar Golf but wanna play more gotta buy some tokens or buy the game. Say you buy a computer from the store, guaranteed its only got a limited version of windows on it. So, you have to pay extra for the "Pro" or "Ultimate" versions that are an extra $200-$600. Oh that free software that came on your computer. Its not working right and now your system is messing up. "Crap, now what?"

So when I was told by an executive of Dell Inc., they use these software companies to bloat their computers for home consumers and get money back from those software companies to help pay for some of the cost. I knew the companies associated with Microsoft Windows and that includes Microsoft itself, were scamming the public. Apple, catches so much flack for being a fiscally inflated company with its products. They dont make as many units as all the other companies combined. Same with the iPhone versus Androids. There is only one Apple iPhone but how many companies that make Androids? Apple does not outsource their brand to software companies to pay for an operating system. Their cost, is passed on to us because they are a business too. They have employees that yes dont make the money we do in the states, but exporting is not cheap either. All the other companies except maybe Dell and Asus still have most of their computers made overseas. Im not expecting the new MacPro to be a inexpensive retail item, but they are being made to very very high quality standards here in America.

Now take out that bloatware, build the computers to business standards and guess what happens? That price that was so cheap in the retail market, isnt so cheap anymore and you got less. Hummmmm, sounds fishy. "Oh those computers have better components!!!" REALLY!?! Its all about paying someone for some design. Sleek, Sexy computers made by all those companies; including Apple. I love my all aluminum case that has no holes in the bottom of it for a fan but tucked away neatly in the screen hinge. That cool looking apple that is lit up when its on makes a statement that I own a Mac.

Last point. How many people went out and paid $200 to upgrade their PC from Windows Vista to Windows 7 or Windows 7 to I dont know what they where thinking Windows 8? $200!!! History tells us something great from Apple. If anything tells us something special, it is the cost to upgrade our OS. Users last year in 2012 got to upgrade OSX Snow Leopard to OSX Mountain Lion all for the cost of $20. Not higher, not lower...but $20. Well someone shot the cats, drove their bodies to just south of the San Francisco Bay and drowned those poor kitties in the Mavericks. Yes people, Im more than excited and even as much as I love my beautiful perfect working purring Mountain Lion, I cannot wait for Mavericks to be released and I will, mark my word upgrade ASAP! Sorry Windows fans all you got was Win 8 SP1 which primarily gave you back the start button. *Cue Foghorn here* OSX Mavericks will be spoken about at another time when I get to play with it and and get too know it well.

So, is it really a huge cost to buy a Mac? Yeah, Im not going to tell you its not! But that PC that doesnt have that extra software in it, is pretty expensive too. So, instead of calling us Mac users bandwagon computer wannabes who paid too much, realize you just fooled by your PC builder. Its a ploy for you to buy the full versions of software. Like Office is for the most part already in your system, you just have to buy the product key and it finishes out the software for you to use. There are different versions of Windows operating systems, but only one OSX Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard, Lion, Tiger, Cheetah, Leopard, etc. Yes, it would put me back a hefty and extremely pretty penny to purchase another MacBook Pro like I have with all the software but hey, that software I have cost the same for Widows users too. Its all about preference and I love my Mac.

New things

So the work has been a little slow due to some personal things going on (nothing bad just busy and no time) but my house is coming along. Waiting to get my windows in and im finishing out the hardwood floor in my dining room. Carpet going in soon also in my bedrooms, and my sitting room next to my bedroom downstairs. Its nice to see things progress the way they are but its taking time and Im bummed its not done now. Gotta have it done soon because im looking into maybe start driving truck around the country. Ugh my life is getting crazy it seems, and then to add the fact that I could be away from home for 2 - 3 weeks at a time while im driving truck makes it even crazier but gotta do what I gotta do. Pictures coming soon of my house while im working on it :)

On the road again

So I've been thinking about driving truck for a living. It's good money, gives me the opportunity to travel the country and it's something I probably would be good at. Something to keep praying about and see how it can effect my future

My new city

So I've made the move to Joplin at the beginning of the month. It's been interesting to say the least and was hoping that I'd be able to get into my house sooner but thankfully that will come soon. There are a few things that make me feel this is a good place to be after having my life ripped apart. Joplin is a wonderful city and not just because it got hit severely by the may 22nd tornado. People can be asses here but at the same time there are people just equally nice and genuine. I am with a great girl who loves me for the man I am and I love her too. So more updates will come soon.

Jaymes

Ending the Pain

Its been a hard few months...
Seeing what is out there in the world so i can see a glimmer of light again...
I'm ready to live again for the first time...
New plans are being made, ones more realistic...

Moving on past the pain to find a life that makes me happy...
Over the disappointments of the heart...
Vindicated in a reality of what I have...
Intrigued by the new...
Nearing the final turn of the past...
Granting a new uncomfortableness...
Observing the craziness that is intoxicating...
Nesting in a joyous movement of myself...
Malevolent images of what I never really had...
Obstetric actions that bring life to the new me...
Dissolved is the shell around the nut hidden away from society.
Eating, breathing and drinking...

Say hello to the new me...  

Amour Amour

Love is a wild animal
It breathes you it looks for you
It nests upon broken hearts
and goes hunting when there are kisses and candles
It sucks tightly on your lips
and digs tunnels through your ribs
It drops softly like snow
First it gets hot then cold in the end it hurts

Amour Amour
Everyone just wants to tame you
Amour Amour in the end
caught between your teeth

Love is a wild animal
It bites and scratches and steps towards me
It holds me tightly with a thousand arms
and drags me into its love nest
It devours me completely
and retches me back out after many years
It drops softly like snow
First it gets hot then cold in the end it hurts

Amour Amour
Everyone just wants to tame you
Amour Amour in the end
caught between your teeth

Love is a wild animal
You fall into its trap
It stares into your eyes
Spellbound when its gaze hits you

Please please give me poison

Die Nacht öffnet ihren Schoß         The night opens her lap

Das Kind heißt Einsamkeit            The child's name is loneliness

Es ist kalt und regungslos           It is cold and motionless

Ich weine leise in die Zeit          I cry softly into time

Ich weiß nicht wie du heißt          I don't know what your name is

Doch ich weiß dass es dich gibt      But I know that you exist

Ich weiß dass irgendwann             I know that sometime

irgendwer mich liebt                 Someone will love me

He comes to me every night           He comes to me every night

No words are left to say             No words are left to say

With his hands around my neck        His hands around my neck

I close my eyes and pass away        I close my eyes and pass away

 

I don't know who he is               I don't know who he is

In my dreams he does exist           In my dreams he does exist

His passion is a kiss                His passion is a kiss

And I cannot resist                  And I cannot resist

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Don't die before I do                Don't die before I do

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Stirb nicht vor mir                  Don't die before I do

I don't know who you are             I don't know who you are

I know that you exist                I know that you exist

Stirb nicht                          Don't die

Sometimes love seems so far          Sometimes love seems so far

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Your love I can't dismiss            Your love I can't dismiss

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Alle Häuser sind verschneit          All the houses are covered in 
                                     snow

Und in den Fenstern Kerzenlicht      And candle light in the 
                                     windows

Dort liegen sie zu zweit             They lie there together

Und ich                              And I

Ich warte nur auf dich               I only wait for you

 

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Don't die before I do                Don't die before I do

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Stirb nicht vor mir                  Don't die before I do

I don't know who you are             I don't know who you are

I know that you exist                I know that you exist

Stirb nicht                          Don't die

Sometimes love seems so far          Sometimes love seems so far

Ich warte hier                       I wait here

Your love I can't dismiss            Your love I can't dismiss

Stirb nicht vor mir                  Don't die before I do