Coco Chanel in all her glory

Why Coco Chanel?

Well, for the past few months I’ve been stressing out between Mac vs PC. I considered so many things, from specs to price to usability to future-proofness. If you just look at the price and the hardware, it made absolutely no sense to spend a whole thousand more on an underpowered Mac — especially in an age where cloud computing will render operating systems as a secondary function.

So I went around asking the other geeks to try to persuade me to buy a Mac — with not much success. They all told me PC was the more pragmatic choice and reminded me that I am a pragmatic person.

But on Friday, a fashionista friend said this:

I don’t know much about computers but Mac and PC are like Chanel and Furla. Both designer labels and make good quality products, but which would you rather carry?

That hit me like a thunderbolt (Yes, Apple fans, lame pun intended).

Under all that pragmatism lies a gadget snob. I mean, seriously, how geek-cool is it to own a product that came out just a couple days ago?

First Impressions

But of course, it wasn’t just all snobbery. I am genuinely impressed at how fast a solid state drive is compared to a normal hard drive. The screen is absolutely magnificent — more magnificent than a 2011 Macbook Pro’s. And I’ve never owned a laptop that weighs under 2KG. Maybe I would even go out to cafes more often to Mac Off to blog more often. And then there’s Bluetooth 4.0, which is a competitor to NFC. Not sure which will win, but it’s a potential future-proof feature.

More Photos of the Macbook Air

Anyway, here are some more shots of the Macbook Air compared to my trusty first generation 2006 Black Macbook, which I intend to keep forever. I love it to bits. It lasted 5 years with very little trouble. And IMO, is still the best-looking Mac ever made.

2006 Black Macbook vs 2011 Macbook Air

Not too sure if it’s obvious here but there’s some discoloration on the Black Macbook’s screen. It’s too yellow.

2006 Black Macbook vs 2011 Macbook Air — Start-up Screen

And here’s the difference between the size of the Macbook vs the Macbook Air.

2006 Black Macbook vs 2011 Macbook Air — difference in the thinness

And finally, my new gadget family is now silver and black. I don’t really fancy silver, but these are a sure feast for the eyes and ears.

Macbook Air and Bose AE2 Headphones

That is all, folks. I just needed to be an iSnob and iSnub everyone with an entry on my iFetish. In all seriousness, if you could choose (or are choosing) between a Mac and a PC, which would you pick? Why?

Related posts:

1. My Macbook Adaptor Melted!
2. What’s In My Bag — 2011 Edition

What I Like

Auto-correct – One of the few gripes I have with the iPhone is its egotistic auto-correct feature. Without adding words, I can’t swear or type in foreign languages without being corrected. Not the Nexus One though! I could write whatever I want without having to battle the phone for dominion over my linguistic choices. It has even recognized my address book’s and Google Contacts friends’ names.

Performance – It’s the fastest Android-powered phone I’ve tried so far. No lag whatsoever! Not sure how it performs in comparison with the iPhone 3G S. But I’m guessing it should be at least comparable.

Auto-syncing with Google accounts – I was a bit shocked when I first played with the phone. After logging in with my Google account, I found all my contacts, photos and even web search history on the phone. It was quite scary at first, but I have to say it’s now quite handy since I’m now only one touch away from everything.

Camera – For a phone, it has quite a good camera. It has 5MP with flash. Here are two shots. One of yummy waffles and a low-light shot of a souvenir Kirin got me when she visited Singapore. I did not edit the pictures except to watermark and re-size them.

What can be improved

Scrolling – It takes a little bit more effort to scroll on the Nexus One than on the iPhone but it’s better than all other touchscreen phones I’ve tried so far.

Touch buttons – I think this is a matter of personal preference. If you’ve read my gadget reviews before, you’d know that I don’t like touch buttons. They are no match for real buttons. Touch buttons fail miserably at usability – even with tactile feedback.

Accelerometer – There’s a bit of a lag when I turn the phone sideways for the larger keyboard. I feel like I have to shake it for the screen to change. Definitely not as smooth as the iPhone.

Design – The Nexus One is not the type of phone where you whip out of your pocket and everyone in the vicinity will go “whoa!”. Here’s a photo of the Nexus One next to the ultra sexy Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. There’s just no comparison in terms of looks.

So tempted to buy it but….I. must. resist!

I am this close to clicking “buy” at google.com/phone. It’s one of the very few phones that I very happy with. And the iPhone HD (or whatever it’s gonna be called) and HTC Desire are coming out, so I shouldn’t be hasty.

More importantly, I’ve actually been resisting a smartphone for the longest time because:

1. I don’t want to be that accessible.
2. I would really like to experience life outside of rectangular screens.
3. And I don’t want to be that rude person who whips out her smartphone to check some unimportant email / tweet, while leaving her dinner companions feeling dejected.

We’ll see how long my resistance can last before I cave in. Vive la Résistance!

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1. Review: LG Viewty KU990R

1: What’s the update?
After a chat with Apple Technical Support (Singapore Toll Free 800-186-1087), I was given a Case ID. Next day, I went down to the Apple Authorized Service Provider at Wheelock Place and brought along my:

• melted 60w Magsafe adapter
• Macbook serial number (found under Apple > About This Mac > More Info)
• case ID

I picked up a queue number and filled out the service form. Within 25 minutes, I received my brand new replacement at no cost.

Just as a side note, the service technician seemed really shocked that Apple would replace it for me for free.

2: “…looks like the same thing might happen in a couple of months time” – Claudia
To prevent your Macbook or Macbook Pro from straining or melting, please make sure your cord never turns at a sharp angle. For more info on strain relief, visit the Apple Knowledge Base on reducing cable strain.

3: “Did you say your MB has past it’s one year warranty status? If so, yes, Apple nor it’s authorised reseller or service centres have no obligation to exchange new one for users. That’s where the Applecare is something you can fall back on.” – Jonathan Kong

Although Apple has no real obligation to replace it for you, but due to the overwhelming number of melted adapters (and the bad PR that comes along with it), their Troubleshooting MagSafe Adapters Knowledge Base says:

“Whether your product is in or out-of-warranty, you can take your adapter to an Apple-Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for evaluation and replacement if necessary. You may be eligible for a replacement adapter free of charge provided there are no signs of accidental damage.”

4: “Are the authorised dealers here trying to make a quick buck out of your problem?” – S. Kiat

Initially, I thought so too. But I’ve heard from some people that these authorized service centers require Apple’s permission before replacing the adapter free of charge. So perhaps it’s red tape that prevents them for easily replacing your parts, rather than greed. *shrugs*

Hence, I suggest you call Apple Tech Support before visiting the service centers.

5: “So what’s their official stand? The MagSafe replacement is not applicable in SG??” – NTT via Twitter

Apple Tech Support’s official stand is that my replacement is a “special case”. But for a “special case”, it didn’t take very much to persuade them for a free replacement. All I did was quote the Troubleshooting MagSafe Adapters Knowledge Base.

I’m not sure how it will fare if used the same tactic with the authorized service centers. But as I have explained in question 4, they seem to be tied down with some red tape from Apple, so you may not receive the quick service that I have. In the worst case, you will be forced to pay for a replacement.

6: “I’m planning to get the MacBook in 2009 to replace the notebook I’m currently using. Now I have to think twice.” – Michael Yip

Once you go Mac, you will never go back.

Sorry, I had to be lame.

Seriously speaking, I love the Mac. Yes, I have a plethora of problems with the hardware – overheating hard drives, melting adapters and God knows what’s to come next year.

But the interface and the screen resolution have won me over.

Mac OS X is extremely user-friendly – a Windows noob would be a competent Mac user in less than a week. Let’s compare the installation process for example. In Windows, you need to check the Terms and Conditions, choose the folder location, customize your installation, click “Next” another few times and then search high and low for your new program. In a Mac, you accept the Terms and Conditions and then drag the application icon into your “Applications” folder and you’re good to go!

One major downside of a Mac is the lack of Internet Explorer. Many sites in Asia, especially ones designed in Singapore and South Korea still code for Internet Explorer. So you may not be able to access some sites at all. Then again there’s Boot Camp to allow you to install Windows on your Mac. But it’s still a hassle to have to reboot just to access one stupid site coded in VBScript.

I hope that addresses all your concerns! If you have any more Mac-related questions, please leave a comment.

Oh and my last tip to you is to be courteous. I know people tend to lose it and start swearing at the customer service officer (CSO) when they have a problem. But if you think about it, it’s not really his fault. And actually, he is your potential saving grace.

Being respectful and doing some research goes a long way. The CSO will like you more, and perhaps try a little harder to help you out. That’s just how humans work, don’t you agree?

Related posts:

1. My Macbook Adaptor Melted!

And the Apple dealers (since there is no Apple Store in Singapore) are making me pay 180$ for it because I don’t live in the US, where Apple users that face the same problem are given a free replacement.

This is how my magsafe currently looks like:

Sorry but I’m not going to pay S$ 180 (US$ 120) for a new magsafe. Here’s why:

• This isn’t something I dropped, broke or misused. I’ve just been charging my laptop like everyone else. So I should not be held liable for proper use of a product.
• This is a design flaw. It’s a common problem for Mac users. Just google “magsafe melt” and you’ll find 4,990 sites quoting the same problem. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that thousands of people worldwide have experienced melting adapters.
• But most importantly, it’s a fire and a electrocution hazard. I’ve seen sparks flying out of this. It burned my fingers when I unknowingly touched it. Can you imagine what would happen if my pet or a younger sibling brushed against this? And what would happen if one of the sparks hit a combustible object while I was out? Companies have the responsibility of creating safe products for consumer use. And clearly, the magsafe isn’t as safe as it claims to be.

I really hate to do bad PR for companies because I know how difficult it is just to clean one bad story up. But truth is, you don’t leave me with an alternative. There is absolutely no support past warranty in this country. And your dealers and authorized service centres either 1) ran out of magsafes, or 2) are charging ridiculous prices for a replacement.

It’s a shame because I was an avid Apple fan – despite having my hard drive overheat within the first 6 months of purchasing the Macbook. I was even thinking about buying the iPhone 3G and the new Macbook Pro next year.

But I guess I gotta think twice now, since I am being forced to pay for a product replacement that has the exactly the same potential to turn out just like my current magsafe.

Let’s simplify my argument even further: I pay for a Macbook just like my American counterparts, and yet I do not receive the same level of support and dedication. Never mind the magsafe, this is a problem in itself.

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But that didn’t happen.

It ended up becoming a blog where I tailor my entries to multiple audiences. And I probably did more grammar checks per entry than I did for my some of my college essays. There was even an entry that got Al Jazeera to contact me for an interview – although, I had to decline because I wanted to stay away from politicizing this blog.

Then of course, Nanyate?! took a hit when I moved from Toronto to Singapore, and an even larger hit when I started working back in August.

[digression]

Well, working in public relations means I really don’t have much of a work-life balance. And whatever free time I can scrape, I’ve had to devote a significant amount to sleeping to keep my physical and mental health in check. And let’s not forget about having some sort of social life. Not that I’m really complaining. I actually do like what I do.

[/end digression]

But taking my career seriously doesn’t mean I have to give up blogging or web design. So cheers to another fruitful year at Nanyate.com. Perhaps I should seriously consider buying the iPhone or the ASUS EEE PC to blog during my 45-minute commute to work.

And last but certainly not least, thank you my faithful commenters and growing list of subscribers for your continued support. Oh and do expect some exciting changes soon!

The “What do you think?” Section
So Techies, iPhone vs Netbook. Who wins? Bloggers, how do you find time to blog in a packed schedule? And Lurkers, just um.. lurk.

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I now work at Singapore’s largest telecommunications firm as a Corporate Communications Officer (CCO) - that’s just corporate mumbo jumbo for public relations. (BTW, CCO is just one letter away from CEO. So close, and yet so far! Hahaha! Just kidding!)  specialize in digital media, obviously. I’ve been working here for a little over a week and I admit, I’m currently 3/4 zombie and 1/4 human. My company just launched the iPhone at midnight last night, and I was there helping out past 2am. Considering the fact that I have to wake up at 6.30AM to go to work, 2AM is pretty damn late.

Nevertheless, it was a great experience. I’m so happy that the boss gave me the opportunity to help out! I got to speak to many journalists and super-VIPs. All good in fun. Becoming 3/4 zombie is a small price to pay for such an exhilarating experience. Apparently, I’m on the front page of Lianhe Zaobao (major Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper), as a tiny extra. LOL.

I love my job.

With that said, I have no idea what the hell to do with my blog. I practically have no time to update this thing anymore. Scatch that, I have no time to check my email anymore! I go to work at 8.30am come home by 8.30pm. 11pm is time for bed since I wake up at 6.30am. Include shower and dinner, and I’ve only got about an hour to myself. A medium-length blog entry takes exactly one hour. Clearly, it’s not going to work out.

We’ll see. I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll blog when I get to the office in the morning, like I am, right now.

With that said, I’m going to write about how much a big success the midnight iPhone launch was – on the official social network profiles. And it was. It was a weekday and I lost count at 500 people. The first person, Joel Pan, arrived to the center around 12PM for the 12AM launch. 12 whole hours!! Anyway, he’s now an instant celebrity on the front page of almost every major newspaper this morning! I managed to talk to him for a while – quite a nice guy!

Did I say I love my job?

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On a side note, I think Bill Gates is a lot better looking than Steve Jobs now. At least he’s not trying to look hip with a turtleneck, when he doesn’t have the body for it. Although, 20 years back, I’d say Steve Jobs was sexy and Bill Gates was…well, the epitome of geekiness. See for yourself.

On another side note, (clearly I didn’t put much thought into this post) doesn’t the young and sexy Steve remind you of Ashton Kutcher?!

Source: Ashton Kutcher from usa-man.com; Bill Gates from ?; Steve Jobs from ?. If you are the original owner, please let me know and I will credit you.

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