It was time to get a new computer for Laura. The days of fighting over one little laptop are now over, and I must say that I am pretty jealous. When I thought that my laptop screen was big and bright, now seeing the new iMac, I think my screen has dimmed over the last two years.

Setting up a new Mac is quite an amazing experience. It took me less time than it will take you to read this blog entry. It’s such a refreshing experience when everything just works. So much technology today is released before it is ready, but Apple, on the whole, is always ahead of the game.

The screen is 20 inches across — larger than the TV we had growing up. Some of the features we can do with the two computers are amazing enough, I don’t know how we lived without them.

We primarily got the second computer so that Laura could use a computer while I was in training in Hong Kong. Now, it looks as though she will be spending around half the time I’m there with me! But, we’re still glad to have the new computer.

With two Mac’s, we can “share screens.” If I’m on an overnight trip somewhere, and Laura is having trouble getting something to work and changed (impossible with Mac) or she just has a question, we can share screens. I log in to her computer, and then her computer screen shows up as a new window on my screen. I can take control of the mouse and lead her through the issue!

Each Mac has a built-in web camera and microphone (they are built into the top of the screen and would be hidden behind an eraser head) so video chat is a breeze. Even if I’m in Hong Kong and Laura is in Ohio, we can see each other and talk, for free.

Time Machine is the best upgrade yet. We’ve plugged in an external hard drive so that it can be shared by the two computers. But Time Machine is a program that backs everything up to that hard drive, behind the scenes, all the time. When you find that you’ve accidentally deleted a document you needed, just open Time Machine. The desktop disappears and it shows you in outer space, with all your files lined up by date. “Rewind time” until you see your file, click “Restore”, and your missing files is instantly back where it should be! 

I encourage anyone thinking about a new computer, PLEASE at least consider a new Mac. Option for option, my Mac laptop was $300 bucks cheaper than an equivalent Dell. People only think Mac’s are more expensive because they don’t sell cheap versions of their computers. Anyone can by a $500 dollar Windows laptop, but it will be stripped down. Again, apples to apples (no pun intended) Apples are often cheaper, plus they work! With Mac it’s plug-and-play, but with Windows, it’s: plug-and-PRAY! Sharing files between the two Mac’s is simple, and if you are an unfortunate Windows user, there are simple file transfer procedures to move your files over when you buy your new Mac.

You don’t need expensive anti-virus software that slows your computer down, and you have to admit it: iMac’s are sexy! One Mac is great. Two are fantastic as they talk to each other. And two Mac’s, with high speed internet, is second, only to heaven.

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