In 2002, I bought my first Apple computer, an Apple iBook laptop computer. My purchase was fueled not so much by Apple, but by Microsoft. Sure I had a fond memory of the Apple IIe and first generation Macintosh computers I used in junior high, but that was long ago. Back then the 256 shades of gray a Mac offered was a quantum leap over monochrome green! I have always had a desire to get a Mac, but what actually motivated me to buy a computer that wouldn't use any of the massive software library I had accumulated over the years was Microsoft's business practices. I don't actually dislike most Microsoft's software, but the way they go to market with their products, and their subversive tactics costs each of us a lot more than the price on the box. I decided to put my money where my mouth is, and find something other than Windows to use as my operating system, and shed all the Microsoft products I can.

First I looked at Linux, which I'm still convinced is a great product, but I have yet to actually use it. I bought a Red Hat version of Linux for $4.00, but I never installed it. The only problem I have with Linux is that you can't get much commercially popular software (but that is rapidly changing). Today I am more interested then ever to try Linux, but now that I have kids, (My wife gave birth to twins on June 2nd, 2003) I'll just have to wait until I get some free time.

After looking into Linux, I decided I would rather try an Apple Laptop. There are three main reasons for this; 1) I bought a new PC with Windows XP only a couple of months ago, so I didn't want to buy another desktop system. 2)I've always wanted a Mac. 3)You can get many major pieces of software you are familiar with on a PC for a Mac (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Netscape Navigator, and yes even Microsoft Office). At the time the closest place to me to get a Mac was at CompUSA, so off I went. I did some homework on the internet, so after getting my hands on an 14" 700 Mhz G3 iBook, I bought it. Since then I have never looked back. But I have bought more Apple products. Shortly after buying my mac, I bought an Apple Airport (wireless router) and a Airport card for my iBook. In August 2003, I bought a 1.25Ghz G4 PowerMac and two 20" flat screen monitors, along with an airport card for it. I also bought a 15GB Ipod. Since I have all this super cool Mac stuff, I might as well sign-up for a .mac account and move my Jeep site there, so I can get rid of all the crappy ads and pop-ups i was getting with Angelfire. I now have an Apple computer technology showcase in my home, and I'm loving it.