Category Archives: Product Reviews

From Chris Pirillo of Lockergnome.com:

Your next computer may very well come from Apple, largely based on my first reason you’ll be compelled to “think different.”

1. Duality. Windows Vista won’t be blocked on Intel-based Apple hardware. This means you will (in theory) be able to purchase a Mac computer and run Windows on it, just as you would a regular ol’ PC. At least, Apple won’t stop folks from doing so. However, current AND future “Windows” machines will not be able to run OS X. That’s a big win for Apple. It’s upon this first point that the rest of my list is built.
2. Style. Yes, you can trick out your PC with all sorts of neon cables and fancy case accoutrements – but there’s something to be said about Apple’s simplicity. No other PC manufacturer has come close to mass producing an elegant design that was equally as functional. It’s the hardware, man.
3. Fun. When was the last time you downloaded something new. And I don’t mean a new registry cleaner. I mean something completely and utterly new – out of the box new. Something that you just hadn’t seen before (either freeware or shareware). The old “there’s no software for the Mac” argument hasn’t held water for a couple of years now, overturning itself with the advent of OS X. You’ll now have a safety net underneath you.
4. Knowledge. Don’t let platform bigotry get in the way of understanding and appreciating good technology. We all are better for knowing more, and that’s something you should look forward to doing – not avoiding at all costs. Bury the hatchet if you think that this still is the Mac you first saw in 1984.
5. Equality. Pretty much anything and everything you can do in Windows, you can now do on OS X. Not everything, mind you – but in knowing that a new Apple machine (with proper software, I’d assume) will allow you to boot into Windows, any kind of OS driver issues will be further minimized. There’s always Microsoft’s Virtual PC, too.
6. Support. Think about it for a second: just how many millions (if not billions) of Windows PC hardware configurations are out there? Now, how many Apple hardware configurations are there? Believe me, thousands of Windows problems are rooted in the very hardware the OS itself is running atop. When there are a limited amount of possibilities that exist, you should find a solution quicker – or possibly know that no solution exists.
7. Malaise. This market is full of it – PC manufacturers who knowingly make crappy systems, larger-than-life brands who can’t deliver on their “help desk” promises, etc. To put it to you another way, I’m still struggling to find a computer builder who isn’t gonna give me a raw deal for a system. I know what kind of hardware I want, but I also appreciate having a single warranty (four years, minimum). Forget about all the names you think are great – because they’re not. They *ALL* suck, and it may be time that we consumers start telling ’em to get their act together and give us an amazing experience. Not to say that Apple would be any better, but it’s no worse than any existing PC alternative!
8. iPod. Yes, it’s overpriced. Yes, the ala carte pricing stinks compared to existing (and future) subscription models like Napster. However, it’s also holding over 80% of the portable media player market! Car manufacturers, accessory crafters, and countless other services are springing up around a single device – and there’s no such thing as an iPod killer, so get over it. If something isn’t iPod compatible, it likely doesn’t have longevity or enough market share to be worthwhile. You can use your iPod on Windows, but… it’s sincerely not the same.
9. Malware. Viruses, Spyware, et al – they’re bad, and they’re all over Windows. Even when Vista ships, it will still be vulnerable to the same software that has plagued previous and existing versions of the OS. If you don’t want your parents to accidentally send a trojan out to everybody in their address book, don’t buy ’em software that might or might NOT work – have them run on OS X. It really sucks to say that, but Windows is still the tallest nail (and it will continue to get pounded as such). When you absolutely NEED your Windows software, it should only be a click away on the same machine.
10. Change. When was the last time you were excited about using your computer? Something different is something good – and a new Microsoft operating system (the first one in half a decade) is not likely to do the trick. Are you bored with the way things work? Do you want your computing lifestyle to be interesting again? Consider something new, something completely new … and now for something completely different.

Source: “Ten Reasons Your Next PC Will Be From Apple” by Chris Pirillo, published at Lockergnome.com on January 11, 2006.

Reprinted with permission from my blogging friend, Grant Griffiths:

I have been promoting the use of Mac’s in the law office since I switched to the Mac platform August, 2004. As I have stated many times about my switch, why did I wait so long to visit the Apple store? Why did I wait so long to switch.

The Mac OS just works and works great. Since August of last year, my 14″ iBook has never crashed. Nor have I experienced the dreaded blue screen of death. Virus worries are non-existent. I don’t even have a virus program on my Mac.

When I started to consider the Mac for my office, I researched the switch for roughly 6 months. I looked at word processing programs first. My choice is Microsoft Word for Mac. I am able to do anything with my Mac that you can do with your Windows (windoze) machine. Best of all, I can swap documents with clients and other attorneys who use windoze machines. So, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t work in a windoze office with your Mac. And don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t swap documents with another attorney or client with your Mac.

Next, in my consideration of the Mac, I explored the case management software out there for the Mac. Now I must admit, you don’t get the choice of Time Matters. Except perhaps the World Edition that can be used over the internet. But, for me that was not the answer. I am a solo, who has my office in my home. My Paralegal works out of her home. She does nothing with my calendar and I answer my own phone. So, I did not need a program that would support multiple people and staff. But, I needed a program that would do what I needed. Manage my case load. The result of my research brought me to Lawstream. I also must admit that I am just in the process of implementing Lawstream into my office. But, from what I have seen so far, it will do anything and everything you need in case management.

I also use some other great programs with my Mac in my law office. The last one I am going to mention is Circusponies Notebook. I set the notebook up just like one of those trial notebooks you can buy. I set this up for any major case I have and it is wonderful. I put PDF’s of all the case documents in the notebook and also use it to organize the case in that fashion. To get my PDF’s on my computer I use the ScanSnap scanner.

Besides all that I have explained above. One of the best things about the Mac in the law office is the savings I have experienced. While some may claim the Mac cost more, I would have to argue it actually cost less. Think about it, I don’t have a virus program on my Mac. I have experienced no down time due to a virus. How many windoze users can say that. Before I made the switch, I would pay at a minimum of $1,500 per year on IT support. I now spend zero. When it came time to establish a network, I just plugged them in. None of that “stuff” you have to do with a windoze machine. So, in my humble opinion, Mac actually cost less than windoze.

For you 3L’s out there, if you have a Mac already, keep it. You will be able to use it in the office you may end up in. I will warn you however, if your future firm is using Timematters or some other windoze based case management program, you may have problems. But, as far as drafting documents, reading PDF’s and organizing your cases, you can do anything with your Mac.

Finally, I leave you with the best source for information out there on using Mac’s in the law office. Go to MacLaw.org. This is a great group of Mac using attorneys. I actually spent the entire 6 months I was researching Mac for my own law office on the email list for MacLaw.org. Best of all, the members are eager to answer any question you might have. And, this is a great source for information on software and applications for your Mac.

Mac’s in the law office, you bet. What are you waiting for?

Source: “Why A Mac?” by Grant Griffiths, published at The Practice blog on October 22, 2005.