My email to Tim Cook.....
Dear Mr Cook,
My first Apple computer was a Titanium PowerBook G4, I remember back then the Windows XP laptops were often very unreliable and needed a lot of rebooting and the thought of doing anything serious on them was not appealing. I did have some problems with my PowerBook, the SuperDrive broke several times, very glad we now don’t need them now. But overall using OS X was a much more enjoyable experience than my previous experience of Windows. Up until then I had always had PC’s.
In recent years I have mostly been using PC desktops and laptops as I liked to play games that were not available on a Mac and liked the value for money, often getting more storage, RAM, etc at a lower price point than a Mac. I have no problem with PC’s, I use and enjoy both PC’s and Mac’s. Recently I have lost interest in gaming and wanted to focus on my creative hobbies, writing and making music. Technically you can do both on a PC, I can use Ableton, and Cubase, and Scrivener on a PC. But using Scrivener on a Mac is much better, I prefer Logic to Cubase, and Ableton works just fine on both. When I look at Windows, it’s functional. But not inspirational. Using Mac OS is such a pleasure, and is also very aesthetically pleasing. When I look at my PC desktop it just doesn’t have the same effect on me as my Mac, on my Mac I feel like I want to create. The design and aesthetics are inspiring. Among other advantages of a Mac, such as vastly superior drivers for audio and video, better built in abilities to handle media, etc. These were all visions that Steve conceptualised many years ago. Something that Microsoft failed to really see the benefit of for a very long time. Although since Windows 10 Microsoft have improved drivers and compatibility, it’s not a patch on a Mac.
Steve’s vision was a rare genius, did anyone else in the world of computers have his ideas back in the 80’s? The original Macintosh was the first computer that enabled creatives to flourish. He saw the computer as an artists tool, not just a functional piece of technology, but something that can enable creativity.
For me being creative is just a hobby, I’m not talented enough to take it seriously, but we all need hobbies. Recently I have purchased a MacBook Pro, M2 Pro. Although I have had an affinity with computers since I was a child, and also enjoy using PC’s. The experience I have had with my MacBook is far and away better than my PC experience. Basic functions are better, the notes, stickies app and iCloud. Are much nicer to use than similar apps on the PC.
I would say, one of the reasons I decided to come back to Apple was my experience of the iPhone, I have had Samsungs in the past, and they are OK, but the quality and experience of using an iPhone is far superior to the Samsung and Windows experience. I think when Steve created the iPod it was seen as a good way to get more people to buy the computers, I think the iPhone now does this.
I read Walter Isaacson’s biography on Steve Jobs and it was one of the most fun and interesting books I have read, Apple made business interesting, often companies are dull and mediocre, but Steve put quality at the heart of Apple, his creativity made Apple stand out as a company. The accounts of other businesses in the book seem quite dull in comparison, and I think for anyone in the tech industry even today Apple are the leaders, android manufactures often look to Apple for innovation, but they can’t emulate Apple.
My first Mac was a Power PC processor, I remember them having quite an advantage over the Intel chips of the day, but they eventually got too power hungry and hot and the Intel chips were not very efficient either. The Apple philosophy of integration and in house control and design couldn’t be realised using CPU’s from other manufactures. That’s why I think the transition to Apple Silicon has been one of the most significant advances for Apple ever. I am looking forward to seeing what is coming next with Apple Silicon. The whole process of design and research needed to create the Apple Silicon must have taken a lot of time and effort, but I think it’s such an advantage that its an essential move for the future. And it’s very exciting.
I have been disappointed by actions taken by some sources within the United States, and also those in the EU, who seem to want to just make things more difficult for very petty reasons. Some actions just seem very anti business, if a country cares about business, why penalise a successful one?
My financial situation in the future may not look too good. I am a disabled person, I am autistic, have learning difficulties and mental health problems. I have not given up, but until I am settled I unfortunately may have to settle for a cheap PC, for the basics. When I can, I will always want to get a Mac. I hope I can enjoy many future Mac’s and have fun with my creative hobbies.
On occasion I have heard comments like ‘Steve wouldn’t do that’, etc. But living in the past is not a good way to continue to innovate and be successful. As great as Steve was, no one can go on forever. The world now is so much more complicated than the 80’s, technology has become much more dynamic. Since we lost Steve, we’ve seen the completion of the new Apple campus, which looks significantly better than how things used to be. And we’ve seen the transition to Apple Silicon, the next innovation of importance is likely AI, and I have heard positive things about what you have achieved here. I’m looking forward to seeing what Apple can do with this technology.
Being autistic, I have quite an affinity with computers, and I like very much my PC. But I’m actually in love with my Mac. This platform simply would not exist if it were not for the vision of Steve. But I think he made a great choice in trusting you with the running of Apple. I’m very excited to see what you have coming in the future, thank you, and Steve, for creating a computer I can love.
I hope this email finds you well?
God Bless,
Saul Elijah.
