… or should I say “ah, screw it” and throw them all in the electronic recycle bin, forsaking future contact with the outside world?
Microsoft has announced, as of April 8, 2014, they will not provide support for Windows XP, which translates into “Hey Hackers, we’re not gonna lift a finger to ensure the security of Windows XP operating system.”
Great. I wrestle with the same decision every time Microsoft changes its operating system. Do I buy the newest Microsoft “promise” or do I become an Apple convert?
Should I go or should I stay?
Through the years, when I mention to my brother that I’m shopping for a new computer … AGAIN … because of planned obsolescence … AGAIN … he puts in a forceful plug for Apple. Well, more than a forceful plug, he outright firebombs Microsoft. He insists Apple products are perfect … easy to use, perform flawlessly, impervious to security breaches and … JUST PLAIN WAY COOLER!
I kept buying Microsoft products … familiarity … cheaper … piss off my brother…
Last year, I bought an Apple I-pad and I-phone because how else was I gonna keep up with my grandkids? They AND their phones were already smarter than mine. In the first rush of new-electronic-gadget euphoria, I had to agree with my brother. Not only were the I-pad and I-phone WAY COOL, but they made me JUST PLAIN WAY COOLER!
Reality soon set in. I wasn’t all that cool. Neither was Apple.
I discovered I could text and Facetime on my I-phone, but phone calls failed. The calls went through, but the person on the receiving end couldn’t hear me. I trekked to the Apple Genius Bar where the genius failed to offer me a cocktail, couldn’t fix my phone and finally gave me a replacement. Eager to connect with my family, I Facetimed my son’s phone at which point he discovered his Facetime wouldn’t work, requiring HIM to trek to the Genius Bar.
I could go on, but to summarize my current household computer status:
Windows XP laptop computer … love it. Wish I could keep it. Destined for obsolescent oblivion on April 8th. Haven’t heard great reviews for Microsoft’s newest generation.
I-phone … can’t blog on it. Screen and keypad are way too small for this can’t-read-small-print, too-tiny-key challenged Boomer.
I-pad … wish I could blog on it. Supposed to be able to blog on it. There’s even a WordPress app for it. But every time I log in and begin typing a post, my I-pad freezes. Is it true that I-pad’s Safari browser isn’t robust enough for WordPress? Is that just on the I-pad or would it be a problem on a full-throttled Apple computer? Do I trust the Genius Bar genius to answer these questions when I can’t even trust him to bring me a drink?
Should I go or should I stay???
What?
My brother?
He’s not answering his phone.
bemuzin 
Comments on: "Should I Go or Should I Stay ?" (4)
Hey friend, funny, we’ve just been through this SAME battle the last year….Go to Apple. I don’t understand the problems you’re having with the iPhone, I suppose there are lemons in every industry. Maybe your phone carrier? And the WordPress App on the iPad I hate, doesn’t work well. I talked with a web designer when I was having problems building my two websites with WordPress and he suggested I move from Safari to Google and have had no problems. I’m not bashing PCs, but honestly, it’s like the Verizon guy told us when we were asking about android vs apple…he said he loves the android/pc/windows, but he’s way tech savvy and knows what to do on a daily basis to keep it running well. But even when his family asks him about it, he always tells them to get apple, because for those of us (especially grandma generation) who are handicapped with all things cyber, the apple stuff JUST WORKS. We’re replacing everything with apple, and couldn’t be happier. No more problems, and apple support is great too. That’s my two cents worth…good luck and cheers!
Thank you so much for visiting and good information. I know-w-w-w Apple is the way to go. I just need to take the plunge – you know how it is. I’ve been dating Microsoft since the DOS days. It’s one of my longest relationships 😄 i will take a cocktail in my flask to the Apple store, repeating in the way over, “an Apple a day …….”, and do some serious shopping for my new laptop.
I have everything Apple, but not my phone. I cannot use a Windows computer very efficiently. The transition takes a moment. Probably kinda how you feel about Apple. 🙂 i guess it’s just a matter of getting used to the OS.
Thanks for your input. I am going with Apple this time. My windows computer isn’t working correctly for last 3 days. Time to switch loyslties. Is that my brother cheering in the background ?!?