iOS for a better behaved pup

Time for a short story about the happy convergence of need and utility. As the owner of a perpetually puppy-ish old English Bulldog, I saw the early need for some training as soon as my furry baby came home. While I’ve had several big dogs, this would be the first that spent a majority of her time indoors (partially because of the extensive work schedule in my household, and partially because of the elemental intolerances of the breed- heavyset, short snouted breeds don’t take well to Florida’s summer temperatures). I opted for some professional help via our local PetSmart, and was very happy with the results (kudos to our trainer Katie; she taught me as much about how to communicate effectively as she did my pup). Emma excelled in her training, as we were merrily on our way. 

As time passed little Emma became not-so-little Emma (finally stopping at 70 lbs!) and while she still remembers important aspects of her training like sit and wait, some things have been lost due to a lack of repetition on my part. Rather than return for some additional one-on-one training at PetSmart I opted to explore the power of my iOS devices. After a quick read and a recommendation from a pet-centered blog I downloaded Positively Dog Training: The Better Path to a Well-Behaved Pup. While I had originally thought the only option was to explore the various digital bookstores I had access to (primarily iBooks and the Amazon Kindle library), the concept of a book-as-an-app was more appealing. Positively Dog Training could easily have been presented in regular ebook format, but the layout and interface freedom that the Betterbook app format from Open Air Publishing offered made it much more attractive as an effective tool.

The difference is immediately evident. Rather than the typical ebook layout, the app presents an illustrated and annotated chapters accessed via a single icon tap. Selecting a chapter revealed a second column to the right further breaking down the contents of that chapter. The app makes the information a more visually engaging experience, and the writing style coupled with the presentation makes what could have been dry and hard to absorb material a great deal more accessible. The book itself is cleverly and humorously segmented in an appropriately doggy theme starting with the nose, then head, body, and tail; all corresponding to different aspects of training. The actual content of the material is in a very similar format to the professional training we had received at PetSmart; positive, reward-centered training that encourages desired behavior rather than punishing the unwanted. Anecdotally, I can affirm that this is not only a more successful means of training it’s the only method I, as a devout animal lover, could endorse. While I chose Positively Dog Training as a reference guide and reinforcement for what I and Emma had already learned, for some it could serve as a primary resource. It is intelligently and concisely written, covering not only the basics of training but building the necessary foundation for long term success, tools, and advice on how to go forward. Of particular use was the chapter on addressing common roadblocks like jumping (not a good idea when your overenthusiastic pup is built like a cinderblock) and door dashing (she doesn’t hate the Fed Ex man, she just really wants to greet him in her own overly-affectinate way).

Tools like Positively Dog Training aren’t a magical solution for better behavior, but they are a very valuable resource. Learning how to communicate  with your pup is as much about your education as it is the dog’s, and given the right tools such as this app and the love and patience that all pet owners should have I have faith that you’ll be well on your way to a more harmonious household. Positively Dog Training is a comprehensive and well-written book masquerading in the iTunes App Store; and as an extra incentive it’s marked down to just $4.99 for the Easter Holiday.

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Sometimes you just need the real thing

I’ve been a proponent of the iPad as a tool of productivity since my first Bluetooth Keyboard (paired with an iPad 2). The Zagg Folio keyboard/case combo made for a great laptop replacement, offering the same touch typing experience coupled with the iPad’s slim form and great battery life. While the experience isn’t the same as a full fledged laptop, using iWork (Numbers and Pages primarily) I’ve been able to do most of the tasks my role at work required, often quicker than if I had stayed with one of the Dell workstation PCs and Microsoft Office my employer uses. Having my own personal device had other bonuses- access to media (you can’t install third party applications like Pandora desktop on work computers), better access to communication (instant messaging over multiple platforms via IM+ and iMessage without having to pull my iPhone out of my pocket), and best of all portability.

While some workflows had to be altered to accommodate the iPad’s single focus approach to applications (I don’t consider the fast app switching iOS uses to be full multitasking) and there have been some issues with cross-platform compatibility (iWork and Office don’t always play well together). The document sharing I love in the Apple ecosystem has been hampered as well by my choice of device; USB drives and SD cards aren’t an option, my workstations are limited to an older version of IE for legacy software, and access to third party cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox can be problematic. Still, old school emailing of important files worked, even if it lacked elegance.

Sadly, due to changes in software platforms relying on my iPad isn’t an optimal choice in the near future. My employer embarked on several projects, changing/upgrading several systems including our supply and payroll platforms in order to be compliant with our parent organization. None of these systems are iPad friendly, so for me to better be able to take advantage of our new portals I’ll have to transition from my iPad to an actual laptop.

On the positive side, Apple still offers the best of all possible worlds for what I want and need out of a device. The 11 inch MacBook Air is my laptop of choice; it’s the perfect blend of size, weight, power, and flexibility. I owned one of the original Air models a few years ago and enjoyed it, although the limited ports and underpowered internals hampered my enthusiasm somewhat. The updated models have benchmarks that rival (and often surpass) any ultraportable, and offer something the iPad just can’t- a full OS experience. No more reconfiguring workflows or searching for the best app to accomplish a task; I can simply take the road more travelled (although I will still choose iWork over Office when possible).

Best of all, the Air is the most affordable of the MacBooks. I chose a model with the upgraded 2.0 GHz processor via Apple’s refurbished outlet for a far lower price than I had thought. Apple’s refurbished outlet has been a great resource; the devices are indistinguishable from non-refurbs and have the same warranty and customer support but can offer a considerable savings. I’ve bought several items and have yet to be disappointed in my purchases, from less expensive devices like a Time Capsule router to my soon-t0-be-delivered Air.

There are still some things the iPad outperforms all comers in, such as media consumption. Reading books just isn’t enjoyable on a laptop, regardless of how light and portable. While the unibody aluminum chassis of the Air does a good job of keeping the device cool, it does still require ventilation making some situations (like lying in bed) less than optimal. The iPad will remain my primary portal for news and information, as well- RSS via your method of choice (web portal or app) and dedicated iOS apps provide the best experience for staying in the know.

While I’m a little disappointed that I’ll have to move beyond relying solely on my iPad as my portable computing platform, the tech geek in me is still reveling in the knowledge that a new toy is in the mail.

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Waking up to iOS

In an attempt to both further the uses I have for my favorite multitaskers (my iPhone and iPad) and de-clutter my nightstand I chose to ditch my old iHome dock/alarm clock for an app-focused solution.

While the iHome IP9SR served me well as both a recharging station for my iPhone, an alarm clock, and a means of enjoying audio on my iPhone it had a larger footprint that I had expected when I ordered it from Amazon. My nightstand isn’t that large, and when you consider the space the lamp takes up there isn’t much room left for the iPad dock and any other random things (paperback books, graphic novels, the random late night aperitif) I might want to place there. The clock function built into iOS worked adequately for a travel alarm, but it was hardly elegant enough to make it  my first choice for a home solution considering the hardware I wanted to replace.

So after a good bit of evaluation I chose Thomas Huntington’s Nightstand Central as my physical alarm clock replacement. The app is impressive; when coupled with my iPad’s Apple dock (I chose the iPad over the iPhone as my clock replacement due to the larger screen size- my eyes are so bad they are almost square) it offers a robust and customizable set of tools that can’t be matched by any of the bedside clock radio docks. The biggest factor that drew me was the ability to program the alarm to my work schedule; I was able to set it to only go off on weekdays, allowing me to sleep in on my all-too-short weekends without having to remember to turn off the alarm. The interface is simply beautiful, providing a digital time display even my poor eyesight can decipher without fumbling for my glasses while including temperature, weather, and a time and weather influenced background image. The app comes with additional functions I never used, such as the ability to activate a flashlight mode by shaking your device or use existing photos in your device as wallpapers. Nightstand Central also has a sleep timer that will pause whatever audio you’d like to listen to after a preprogrammed time, allowing you to choose your background noise to help you drift off. You can program in multiple alarms with a variety of sounds that will work even if your device is locked or muted.

Nightstand Central was a very good solution to my crowded bedside table, but with the purchase of my current iPhone 5 the clean aesthetic was disrupted. My 30 pin iPhone dock was now useless, and for some reason I loathe just plugging the lightning cable into my handset and leaving it just lying there (yeah, I know- first world problem). Coupled with that I had some issues with Nightstand Central that took time to bother me. While the screen brightness is easily dimmed by swiping the screen, the iPad has a large enough screen that even dimmed it can be a bit bright when turned so you can see the time display. To counter this I developed the habit of tapping the sleep button on the top of my iPad when I was ready to sleep, but this led to me sleepily fumbling to unlock my iPad’s screen when the alarm rousted me from slumber so I could hit the snooze button on the screen (or turn it off like a responsible adult).

So one day while perusing one of my new fascinations Bite My Apple (focusing on Kickstarter campaigns for Apple products) I found a new solution- the Snooze by Distil Union. The simple accessory turns your iPhone into a fumble-free alarm clock and recharging station via a free app developed for the product. Your iPhone 4, 4s, or 5 slides into the Snooze’s maple wood and silicone housing in portrait mode, with a passthrough opening allowing you to connect the appropriate charging cable should you wish to. The Snooze has a no-slip bottom preventing it from ending up on the floor (barring a hearty backhand), and a catch to keep the charging cable secure in the accessory.

The charm of the Snooze comes from its construction. The top panel is made of silicone, allowing the entire panel to act as a snooze button. When pressed it triggers the volume buttons on the side of your phone, suspending the alarm for whatever period of time you’ve preset. Just as with Nightstand Central, the Snooze app can be easily dimmed by sliding a finger across the display. Unlike my iPad use of Nightstand Central, the amount of light generated by the minimalistic Snooze (and the smaller screen of the iPhone) isn’t enough to be bothersome when dimmed. Up to ten alarms can be programmed, as well as five distinct tones for the alarm. Distil Union’s page mentions a possible future paid version that would offer features to rival more powerful competitors like sleep timers, choosing existing audio on your device as alarm sounds, and a gradual wake function that would slowly increase the volume of your alarm as so to wake you gently; but there’s no release date given for the more powerful version.

So far the Snooze has been a very good choice for me. While the numerical display isn’t as large as that of Nightstand Central’s on my iPad, it is still legible to my weak eyes. While I’d happily buy a version of the Snooze clock app that provided more functions,the minimalistic version gets the job done. The Snooze stand is very easy to employ; my iPhone 5 fits comfortably even while in the CM4 card case I’m currently using (although Distil Union does warn that some cases are not compatible). It’s taken me longer (and with considerably more sleepy fumbling) to detach the lightning cable from my iPhone than it did to remove it from the Snooze to answer an unexpected late night call. Should it happen again I may opt for the speakerphone function and bypass the fumbling entirely.

The Snooze is available now from Distil Union’s webpage or via Bite My Apple for $39.99.

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Mourning in the Google Graveyard

Time for one last outburst of wailing and gnashing of teeth for the pending demise of Google Reader before I can put it behind me, and some retrospect for all the other failed products Reader will be joining in obscurity.

A recent article from Slate (courtesy of the best/most entertaining news aggregator online Fark) pays homage to the surprising number of discontinued services Google has spawned over the years. Quite a few (like Jaiku, Google Talk Chatback, and Google One Pass) I’d never heard of. Others such as Google Video were created to compete with a popular service, only to be retired when the competition (YouTube) was brought into the Google fold. So what gives- do so many failed ventures mean Google is on shaky innovative ground? Do they even know what they are doing?

Thankfully, the answer is of course they do. Google’s business strategy and corporate culture are both to blame for the many discontinued services and the fantastic innovation that has brought us the host of nearly invaluable services they offer. Creative chaos can be a powerful tool, and Google has long been celebrated for the working environment they have fostered for their staff. Unlike traditional business models, Google encourages staff to use productive company hours for “pet” projects, and doesn’t shy away from releasing beta projects to the public without extensive research, polishing, and planning. Much as Samsung has done with their handset lineup, Google often takes the ‘throw it all against the wall and see what sticks’ approach to services. While it sounds inelegant, it does provide a nurturing setting for creativity that other business models lack. They remain the web’s biggest provider of search and are a core component of almost everyone’s web experience, so you can hardly argue against such a successful track record.

Sadly, as Google matures they do have to make hard business decisions, and the end of Reader looms. Google hasn’t made public the factors behind the move; it could be an effort to funnel interest into Google Plus, their (to date not all that successful) Facebook competitor. It may very well be because usage of Reader has fallen, although from the public outcry I sincerely doubt it. Perhaps they just weren’t generating revenue from the platform and wanted to spend the resources devoted to it on other projects. Regardless of the true reason, I do admire Google for being able to offer so much to their user base for my favorite price- FREE.

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Google officially closing Reader

Alas, Google; you wound me. I’m a big fan of keeping up with important news and favorite sources via RSS, and Google Reader has been the focal point of my RSS diet for a long time now. It offered the perfect cloud solution for my habit- the web page is a bit spartan but works well, and the service integrates perfectly with so many RSS clients (including my current iOS choice Mr Reader). The search function was the clincher: no matter what topic you might want to add to your feeds, the ever present Google search bar on the Reader page could quickly find the perfect feed.

While Google hasn’t been shy about discontinuing products that never caught on (such as the much maligned Buzz), the pending elimination of Reader was surprising and unwelcome news. I’m not the only one that feels this way; Reader has always been a fairly popular RSS solution for those in the know. The majority of RSS clients listed in the iTunes App Store boast of their ability to work seamlessly with Reader. Some sources have stated that Reader isn’t being completely discarded, it’s just being absorbed by the less popular (to me at least) Google +, but even if it doesn’t lose much of its current functionality I loathe the idea of forcibly merging what is usually quality me time (enjoying RSS feeds) with a social networking platform.

So now what? I’m at a slight loss, to be honest. There are plenty of RSS readers for both OSX and iOS, but I’m looking for a cloud-based solution that offers the same sort of device agnostic support that I’ve grown accustomed to. My needs aren’t that great; I don’t want to merge my social network reading (especially Facebook, but I’d like to keep Twitter and G+ separate as well), I just want my feeds to sync across all the devices I use to access them and the ability to easily share the articles that I find interesting/entertaining with those I think will enjoy them too.

I’ve already checked out some suggested alternatives. NewsBlur looks like it would fit the bill, but their free service is intentionally limited and currently I feel too spoiled by my free Reader experience to quickly opt for their $1/month subscription service. Netvibes is a powerful service and offers just about everything I’d want, but the interface isn’t appealing at the moment and it may be a bit TOO powerful. Their homepage tout its usefulness for professional data mining and limitless configuration/personalization. While impressive, my needs are too simplistic to go that route right now.

My choice as of now is Feedly. It has simple cross platform support (including a Safari plugin for web use), a clean and easy to navigate interface, and some of the same sharing functionality that Reader supported. With luck I’ll be able to make a fairly painless transition.

While I can’t rule out Google as my source for RSS, integration into Google + does seem to be a deal breaker at this time. For those of you like me, we do have some time- Reader’s end as a standalone product won’t be until July.

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You say iWatch, I say Pip Boy Junior

There’s be a lot of discussion over the rumored iOS-based Apple watch (not to be confused with the recently released third party Pebble). Some argue about the need for such a device, some what function it would provide, and some the wisdom and merit of making it at all. The last generation of iPod Nano created a mini craze when some, recognizing the size and form similarity, popped it on a wristband; the purported iWatch has been rumored to be a supercharged version of this idea.

I, along with a majority of smartphone users, have completely abandoned wristwatches. Wearing one was never comfortable (I don’t care for any adornment, be it watch or jewelry) and the functionality of a smartphone made it completely redundant; the date, time, and a whole lot more was already available via a device I was carrying, why duplicate it with a device I don’t really want to wear?

Enter the rumor du jour (thankfully replacing the tired Apple television talk). There are a lot of possible technologies that could add enough value to such a device as to overcome even my dislike for wearing watches. Curved glass offering a more aesthetically pleasing device that fits the shape of the wrist, seamless integration with its parent iPhone (or other Apple device), full touch screen functionality thanks to a complete iOS installation, reliance on the more powerful Airplay technology rather than Bluetooth (requiring pairing), and Siri control of its parent device are all some of the enticing possibilities that an iWatch could bring. Such a device could be an easy, readily available gateway to your iDevice; no more pulling your iPhone from your pocket or purse to read text messages or updates. It could easily allow interfacing with your device as a Siri proxy, again allowing you to create reminders, send texts or emails, or get audio information quickly and easily when pulling out your iPhone isn’t optimal.

The device could quickly eclipse the category of wristwatch and become a new sort of device altogether, like a minimal version of Fallout’s Pip Boy wrist computer. While I still use my Arkon iPhone Sleeve on a regular basis (instead of a less functional upper arm case), being able to store my iPhone in a more protected location while still having access to important visual information and full control would be extremely useful. Using wired earbuds has always been problematic when carrying the iPhone in an arm sleeve, and a device such as the purported iWatch would provide all the benefit without some of the disadvantages.

If the rumored iWatch could interface with other devices than just an iPhone, it becomes exponentially more valuable. You could have a remote (possibly even Siri-based) for your Apple TV or iTunes library on you at all times, or a way to interact with your MacBook without having to open it.

All of this is wild conjecture; there’s little firm evidence that an iWatch is definitely coming much less chock full of the features I’ve put on my want list, but the idea isn’t far fetched. Apple has a history of creating devices that redefine their category; an iWatch could easily replicate the success that the iPod, iPhone, and iPad have had.

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The benefits of perseverance

Not too long ago I had attempted (with a surprising lack of success) to test one of the latest shining stars of the iTunes App Store, Winston. The concept behind the app is a fantastic one: choose the news and social media sources you’re interested in, and Winston reads your updates to you in a refined-sounding synthetic British voice. The enticement of eyes-free information was a strong one; while my morning and evening drive isn’t as long as it once was I still have some downtime that I’d like to fill with something a bit more topical than my favorite podcasts.

Thankfully my perseverance with Winston has been rewarded. I was able to circumvent the issue I was having with the app’s installation routine by limiting the number of default categories chosen. Rather than five I limited my selection to two (headlines and technology), apparently allowing the app to complete its preliminary setup.

Now (like the Death Star) fully operational, Winston has demonstrated that it is well deserving of the praise it has garnered. The app gathers new information quickly over LTE or wifi, and offers a tiled photo image of categories for you to choose from (as well as the logos of Facebook and Twitter). By default Winston only dictates a summary of news stories with an accompanying background musical score. The voice simulation falls short of what I’ve heard via Siri and other apps; the speech can be somewhat clipped at times and mispronounces names (even considering the British accent). That admitted, it does a fluid job of reading your selections for you, and can easily be configured to cover entire articles instead of summaries. Should you prefer complete stories (as I do) but not wish to hear the entire article Winston is on, just swipe the screen to change to the next article. Additional sources of information can be added after the initial setup, so limiting your sources doesn’t impact the long term usefulness of Winston.

The app had a surprisingly broad range of sources to choose from, and adding new feeds was very easy. After my initial issues the app has been rock stable and very easy to use. Coupled with my car’s Bluetooth streaming it’s been enjoyable to have my own Winston-dictated customized news and updates radio station every morning. If you’re a news addict or a social media junkie, if you’d like to stay informed without having to commit your entire attention to  your device Winston offers the perfect way to sate your appetites. Best of all, Winston is completely free via the iTunes App Store.

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That rumored cheap iPhone isn’t likely for you

There’s been a lot of talk lately about drastic changes Apple may be making to the iPhone, mostly in the name of staying competitive with their primary rival Android. While the central argument has some logical flaws (chiefly that Apple isn’t competing directly with any one operating system, they compete with other handset manufacturers), there is likely some truth to the rumored new iPhone handsets.

Apple has long stated that they have engineered the iPhone to be the perfect size for single hand operation, even with the larger (but no wider) iPhone 5 screen. Many pundits have stated that Apple is losing market share because they have so far refused to enter the ‘phablet’ market (phone/tablet hybrids sporting a screen between 5 and 8 inches). Before the smartphone era handset makers had struggled to make flagship phones smaller; being unencumbered offered value that a smaller form didn’t impinge. Enter the smartphone era sparked by the iPhone, reversing the trend because of the value offered by screen space. Larger screens offered easier interaction with touch screens, easier viewing of media and websites, and more visibility for those that want to make a social/technological statement (oh my god, Becky- look at  her phone! It’s so….BIG.) While the phablet market is a budding one, I’d wager that Apple will stick to their game plan of maximal utility from a uniform factor and not deviate from the screen size of the iPhone 5. A successful phone can only be so large before it becomes cumbersome, and a device that can’t be carried in a pocket is simply too large to be practical for all but a niche market.

Then there’s the rumor of Apple developing an entry-level, less expensive iPhone. It’s been rumored to cut corners that Apple generally doesn’t to contain costs, like regressing from the iPhone 5′s aluminum chassis to a composite plastic one. Originally I didn’t think this concept held any validity, as Apple has never adopted the strategy of offering a loss leader as Amazon does with the Kindle (or to a lesser extent Google does with the Android OS)- offering a product at low to no cost, expecting to generate profit from core businesses that are fed by customers channeled to it from the free/low cost product. While Apple could count on the profit generated by sales via the iTunes App Store, media sales through iTunes, accessories, and kickbacks from cellular providers that subsidize the price of the handsets to lure customers into a long term contract, they to date have not only collected revenue from those sources but also maintained a profit from the sale of the iPhone itself. This is only possible if your product is perceived as a quality good; Android handsets run the gamut from quality to entry level with prices to match. Even Google makes more profit from the iPhone than they do the far larger numbers of Android handsets in use.

So given these factors, what incentive does Apple have to delve into the entry level smartphone market? When you consider my home country’s smartphone market, very little; hence my (and many other’s) dismissal of the rumored cheaper iPhone. Sadly, like many Americans I tend to overlook the rest of the world, and this profoundly impacts the market strategy of a company like Apple looking to maintain their record growth and profits. The largest developing markets for smartphones aren’t in the Americas or Europe, they lie to the East. China is a booming market that Apple has been courting for a few years now, and they’ve had some success with their primary market strategy of premium product brand identity that has served them so well in their home country. While news of the Chinese technological market is news to most of us, it’s old news to technological strategists. India and the rest of Southeast Asia is the new gold rush, but old strategies may not work in these new business environments. Many of these countries lack cell providers willing or even able to offer subsidized handsets in exchange for long term contracts, and customers may be unwilling to accept them. In such markets you simply purchase your handset and pay as you go, and in markets such as this a $650 unsubsidized iPhone (the actual out of pocket cost of the cheapest iPhone 5) simply isn’t an option. For a company looking to enter a market, sometimes it’s best to conform to market standards rather than stoically stay the course. In such a situation a lower-cost iPhone makes perfect sense; while it may not generate the same profit as the handset does in my homeland’s market, it could very well do so in another or at least offer Apple a chance to gain a foothold in a rapidly developing market. One look at the history of consumer electronics shows the fate of those that move too slowly: the Zune was a fine digital audio device, but by the time it hit the market it was already passé. Apple cannot hope to maintain their meteoric growth in Western markets; we have already come close to smartphone saturation, with only the lower income demographics and niche markets left unplumbed (but already well targeted by inexpensive entry-level Android handsets). I’d go so far as to argue that catering to these markets is one of the reasons Android users as a whole have been found to use their devices less for non-telephone tasks like browsing and spend far less on apps and accessories; they simply have less use for smart devices and less money to spend. The market numbers are impressive when overall numbers of handsets are considered, but market share is meaningless if you aren’t generating adequate revenue from it.

So considering this, it is more than possible Apple may release a less expensive ‘new’ iPhone (rather than their entry-level strategy in existing markets of offering older models at a discounted price). Sadly for bargain hunters, these low cost iPhones may never be aimed at US or European consumers.

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Some practical advice for the Mac curious

Back from a short but cold business trip to Wisconsin. It may not have been that frigid to the locals, but to a Florida native highs in the 20′s with constant snow is one of the undiscussed circles of Dante’s hell. A couple of quick observations while spending time in airport terminals waiting on connecting flights:

Half of all the laptops I saw in use were Macbooks. A bit surprising, considering that the majority of users were business travelers.

I saw as many iPad Minis as regular iPads. Not that surprising given the news of the Mini’s popularity, even without a retina display. Pundits that like to echo the mantra that Apple can’t be successful without Steve Jobs should stop and consider that he was firmly opposed to the iPad Mini.

I saw a few of the latest Samsung ‘phablets’ (the Galaxy Note). Good god are they huge; forget about carrying it anywhere but a purse or backpack. If you own one and enjoy it, rock that party my friend; I can’t imagine any informed consumer picking up something so ungainly.

Something awaiting me when I landed home and was able to take my iPhone off Airplane Mode was another request for help from a coworker looking to switch to a Mac instead of buying into the bag of hurt that is Windows 8. While my knee jerk answer would be to just head over to your local Apple Store and talk to one of the associates, not everyone has this option.

So for the Mac curious lacking any informal help on choosing the right model, let me humbly offer the advice I gave to my coworker. As with just about any major purchase, the right choice depends on your needs. While I’ve been using an iPad with a keyboard (currently a Brydge) for all my mobile purposes, it’s not idea for everyone. There are some tasks that call for a full fledged laptop, and many that are possible on an iPad but require a change in your workflow that not everyone will find acceptable.

For general computing use, your best choice is the workhorse model of Macbook Pro, the 13 inch base model. The most recent model offers a powerful Intel i5 processor, adequate memory and hard drive space, and very good battery life (up to seven hours) coupled with the lowest price of the Pro lineup. As with all of Apple’s laptop line it sports a unibody aluminum case, making it very durable. The large trackpad (considerably bigger than most competitors) is perfect for OSX’s multitouch controls. Should you need more memory it’s easily upgraded; I’d recommend for all but the technophobic to do so themselves rather than ordering extra memory from Apple as they tend to charge considerably more to preinstall it.

If you need more horsepower or screen space then move up to the 15″ Pro. The entry model sports a quad core processor instead of the 13′s dual core (four ‘brains’ on the chip rather than two, providing more stability and multitasking prowess). The larger laptop also comes with a discreet graphics card making it a much better choice for the amateur photo or video editor, or those that want to explore the Mac’s growing gaming options.

If you plan on using your laptop on the go and/or don’t need an optical drive (Apple’s Superdrive, the DVD and CD slot on the Pro model) I’d recommend the Macbook Air. The 11 inch model is small enough to fit in a large purse but still sports a full sized keyboard and trackpad. Both the 11 and 13 inch models are ridiculously thin and light, but still offer a considerable amount of power for just about any everyday task. Other than screen space the primary difference between the two is battery life; the 11 advertises five hours, the 13 matches the 7 hour life of it’s Pro sibling. While they lack in internal DVD drive, if you truly need one but covet the Air’s portability you can always pick up an external drive like Apple’s own USB Superdrive (matching the aesthetic and slimness of the Air). The biggest caveat of the Air (other than lack of optical drive) is that they aren’t user-customizable; you are stuck with what you purchase. All the components are permanently affixed to the motherboard, and none but a professional should attempt to access the Air’s internal workings. That being said, even the first generation Macbook Air that I’ve owned was capable of just about any task that I had without a complaint.

I wouldn’t advise opting for any of the new retina display models of Macbook Pro unless you truly need the higher resolution or have some extra cash you don’t mind parting with. Much like the iPad Mini beside a full iPad, you only notice the difference in resolution when you place a non retina screen beside a retina one. While the visual clarity of the retina Macbook Pros is stunning, it’s an expensive upgrade unless you truly will exploit it. Bear in mind, all of the retina display Pros lack optical drives like the Airs.

For those of you that are shopping for both a desktop and a laptop, allow me to make one last suggestion. Your new Macbook (regardless of model) sports an important and versatile technology- the Thunderbolt port. Via this port you could easily connect to one of Apple’s beautiful (but pricey) Thunderbolt displays, instantly transforming your laptop into a desktop (along with your choice of bluetooth keyboard and mouse/trackpad). For those of you wanting a less expensive method of docking, there are multiple options. You could simply connect directly to a third party monitor via a Thunderbolt to HDMI or mini DVI adaptor and control your laptop via USB or Bluetooth inputs. If you’d like something a bit more elegant there is Belkin’s new Thunderbolt Express Dock. One cable to your Macbook connects it to a wide range of ports and inputs: Gigiabit ethernet, USB, audio/mic, and two serial Thunderbolt connectors.

While you can’t go wrong with an iMac or Mac Mini, unless your budget isn’t constrained you would be well served by a Macbook running in clamshell mode if you really need the desktop experience at home as well as a full laptop on the go. There are many accessories to optimize your experience as well, like 12South’s BookArc, Raindesign’s mTower, or Just Mobile’s clever AluRack (hiding your laptop behind your desktop monitor!).

I’ve owned and built a lot of Windows computers, but there’s nothing to rival Apple’s Mac lineup. When I considered the quality of construction, power and ease of use of OSX, and Apple’s top notch customer service there’s no other computer I’d recommend. While they do cost more than your run of the mill $500 Dell, you get what you pay for. For long time Windows users looking to purchase a new system I urge you to give Macs a look; Windows 8 will require you to relearn how to interact with your computer and may have a steeper learning curve than a better constructed, more stable and more secure Mac would.

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