Thank you for reading Part 1 and adding such fascinating comments!
Now to our second bite of the BIG Apple.
Dick withdrew my slightly preloved but still breathtakingly beautiful iMac from its box.
Then, by prior arrangement, he started installing my software for me.
Dissenting votes
When he came to the Windows emulation program, two other Apple staff gathered to watch.
‘There’s just something wrong about seeing that Microsoft logo on a Mac isn’t there?’ said one.
‘Oh yeah,’ concurred the other. ‘Totally.’
This did not reassure me.
Was I really hearing the PC vs Mac debate being continued between the very staff who’d assured me I was onto a sure thing?
Grudging admission
Dick registered my anxiety and reiterated that his Battlefield 3 game worked a treat on his Mac.
I asked what games his two colleagues played on their Macs.
After a pause, he admitted that they both had separate, dedicated gaming PCs for that sort of thing.
I began to feel uneasy.
Burden of proof
I asked Dick if he’d be kind enough to run World of Tanks (WoT) on my Mac to allay my deepening fears.
He replied that he couldn’t, as the file was too big: I’d have to download and run it myself at home.
I posited that, being an Apple store, he must enjoy the mother of all uber-high-speed cable broadband plans. Surely he could snatch that file in a few minutes flat.
He replied that the store’s download speed was probably far slower than what I had at home.
Amazed, I asked if he could download the file overnight. The thing being that I wanted to see if the Mac could actually do what he said it would before I left the shop.
He replied that an overnight download was impossible as everything in the store was turned off.
I began to feel queasy.
Judgement day
After more than two hours of set up, installation, configuration, walks round the block, calming beers and ever more desultory conversations about PC-to-Mac phobias, my juggernaut was finally ready to roll.
Dick pressed the start button.
The boot-up was even slower than my PC’s.
Then he initiated the Windows emulation program.
The machine ground to a complete halt.
I felt ill.
Rough justice
Does any of this sound familiar?
Do you see parallels in your business or another sector?
Am I the freak here, or is this story nightmarishly freaky?
Perhaps I’m that one bad apple – spoiling the bunch.
Or some kind of fruitcake?
Whatever your view, please table it.
And don’t miss our worm-turning climax.
Paul Hassing | Founder & Senior Writer – The Feisty Empire
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Author
tash hughes
June 7, 2012 at 11:28 am
As I said earlier this week, Paul, my windows on mac experience hasn’t been golden so I hear you – although it does at least work!
It sort of makes sense that a PC operating system doesn’t function as well on a mac but that’s what this version was made for so what’s wrong with expecting it to work???
So did they get it working at all? A long weekend worrying about what comes next…
I must say I have a bad feeling about your sales team there – seme happy to give you any story or assurance to get a sale rather than truly answering your needs.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 11:34 am
So good of you to pay us a return visit, Tash. I concede that a Mac works best when it’s Apple hardware with Apple software and no nasty Microsoft intruders.
This is why I questioned everyone so closely about this bamboo hip-joint procedure. I was assured the sheer power of this particular iMac would crush all before it. My error may reside in how I interpreted this last phrase.
Sorry to keep you hanging, Tash. But in this age of instant gratification, perhaps the frisson of uncertaintly will flavour your long weekend. I sure hope so. Best regards, as always. P.
Author
Leah Klugt
June 7, 2012 at 11:36 am
I want to hear the finale before I comment! I’ve owned 3 Macs over 10 years, had problems with two of them that could easily be fixed.
My mac that I have now (5 years old) has the issue needs repair. Im not having a fabulous time with the Apple store ordering parts etc.
Personally can’t comment on how good they are with gaming – so unhelpful there!
Looking forward to part 3.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 11:39 am
Good show, Leah. I’m REALLY keen to get your take on this. I promise all will be revealed on Tuesday. Meanwhile thank you for commenting that you’re not ready to comment. It’s great to know you’re reading along. Just … follow … the … bouncing … track … ball!
Author
Bridie Jenner
June 7, 2012 at 11:40 am
Oh yes, this is most definitely the case in the transcription world!
Unfortunately these days every man and his wife seems to think they can do transcription (most under the complete misconception that it’s ‘just typing’) and the majority have absolutely no transcription skills whatsoever.
In addition, said people offer it at ridiculous rates ($0.50 a minute, for example).
Sadly, many people look at the bottom line and wonder why they should pay someone like me four times that amount when they can get the same thing so cheaply…
Of course, the end result is an incredibly poor transcript full of misheards and gaps, very often with no time spent on presentation whatsoever.
And, of course, some then assume that all transcription services are like this and so run for the hills when they ask for a quote and see what my rates are.
Luckily, the majority are savvy enough to realise that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys, and that the extra you pay means you have a fabulous end result, but I still have the odd person who just doesn’t “get it”.
So yes, I hear you Paul – loud and clear!
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 11:44 am
Hi, Bridie! I never tire of hearing about your profession. Every time I think I have a handle on what you do, you reveal another layer of depth. Thank you for educating me (and, I suspect, many others). Knowledge is power!
Author
Leon Noone
June 7, 2012 at 12:32 pm
G’Day Paul,
I resolved not to comment oh this ancient conundrum. But your puns are so dreadful my resolve has faltered.
Years ago, an aged nun was asking a clerical friend of mine why he hadn’t attended a temperence convention. He explained that alcohol was one of God’s gifts, was used in the mass and could be enjoyed in moderation.
The nun looked at him sadly and said, “one day God will give you the grace!”
Paul, we’ve been a dedicated Mac house for about 30 of our 34 years. And, believe it or not, “one day God will give you the grace.” All it needs Paul, is faith. Ya just gotta believe.
Best Wishes
Leon
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I’m so pleased you broke your resolution, Leon. You may now also return to cigarettes and whiskey and wild wild women if you so choose.
I believe you, Leon. As to the Apple chaps, however, I’m not sure.
Let me light a candle …
and reflect.
Author
Leon Noone
June 7, 2012 at 12:32 pm
G’Day Paul,
I resolved not to comment oh this ancient conundrum. But your puns are so dreadful my resolve has faltered.
Years ago, an aged nun was asking a clerical friend of mine why he hadn’t attended a temperence convention. He explained that alcohol was one of God’s gifts, was used in the mass and could be enjoyed in moderation.
The nun looked at him sadly and said, “one day God will give you the grace!”
Paul, we’ve been a dedicated Mac house for about 30 of our 34 years. And, believe it or not, “one day God will give you the grace.” All it needs Paul, is faith. Ya just gotta believe.
Best Wishes
Leon
Author
Belinda Weaver | Copywrite Matters
June 7, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Hey Paul, I think I know where you’re going wrong.
You see Apple products are supposed to make life so easy (for us “users”). You don’t have to worry about all the nerdy, technical stuff you used to have to know owning a PC. When things go wrong you don’t have to [get the chance to] figure them out. You wear hip jeans and go with the flow man.
BUT… this technical utopia only works if you play within the boundaries and never try and tamper with them. Like trying to use emulators *slow head shake*
This is illustrated again with iPhone. The iPhone is wonderful and whizzy but people who want to approach things in a slightly different way to the way dictated by Apple – and these people are usually technically minded – end up frustrated. And buying Android phones.
But if you’re a user who is mostly happy with the default settings, then Apple is more than ok.
It’s not that the machines are incapable of handling technical changes but (I believe) behind the branding is a requirement that you play within Apple’s the designated areas and don’t bring in unauthorised toys.
PS Our house is a Mac house and I love them but we have Android phone because we don’t like being locked into using iTunes. But I’ll stop there before I start ranting incoherently about iTunes.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Damn fine of you to visit, Belinda. I’ve been reading those bulk ace comments on your Facebook page and wondering how they hell I can transfer that action into this forum.
Your analysis sounds very convincing. I recall seeing labels on goods like:
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 6:39 pm
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. Apple seem to have taken that to its logical conclusion.
It’s best that neither of us starts on iTunes. I do hope this didn’t happen to you too:
http://myob.com.au/blog/facing-the-music/
Author
Belinda Weaver | Copywrite Matters
June 7, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I should also add that my husband is in the tecnical-tinkerer category I mentioned and has split my shiny iMac into several virtual machines to improve security around our home network. The tinkering is definitely outside of “the rules” and I’m plagued with glitches as a result.
I’m personally with Denise [who commented on PT1]. Call me shallow but I love my shiny big screen and little features on the macbook like the power light glowing and dimming, simulating breathing, when in sleep mode.
Bring out the hip jeans man!
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 7, 2012 at 6:41 pm
How fortuante we are to catch a glimpse of your both-sides-of-the-fence household. I hear you have chickens. And that chickens are much smarter than hitherto thought. So, which system do you think they’d prefer?
Nice lyrical wax on the breathing, BTW. Are you a copywriter or something? 
Author
David
June 7, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Hi Paul,
Yours is an interesting case, because of WoT you are bound to Windows.
When running emulation software there is always going to be a performance hit, that coupled with the fact that there are two operating systems running off the same hardware and you have a recipe for a less than optimal gaming experience. That being said there are ways around the issue:
* Use an SSD
* Install Windows on an external hard drive
* Dual boot the computer instead of using emulation software
The sales guy that you were dealing with “Dick” sounds like an interesting character, didn’t the fact that he told you a customer returned a computer because it was to powerful set alarm bells off in your head? Wouldn’t that be like buying a diamond ring that was returned for being to shiny?
I’m interested to read part 3 – which Apple store was this at?
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 8, 2012 at 9:17 am
‘Bound’ is an awfully good term, David! You really nailed it there.
Does SSD = Solid state (hard) drive? If so, I hear they’re all the rage, with no moving parts and such. But how do they help?
Similarly, I can’t see how an external hard drive would help. Nor do I know what dual booting is (other than a wise move for snowboarding). As it sounds like you really know your stuff, could you please unpack these solutions a bit for our benefit?
Re Dick, I’m the sort of fool who believes what people say, then wipes them when they lie. It’s a dreadful way to go through life and I am seeking help.
I like to praise in public and criticise in private. Therefore, I’m not keen to reveal the store. Something tells me word will eventually reach the ears that need to hear it.
With best regards and many thanks for your continued contribution.
Author
David
June 9, 2012 at 2:00 am
Hi Paul,
The biggest bottle neck in any computer is the hard drive.
A SSD (Solid State Drive) is a hard drive with no moving parts they are roughly 20x faster than a standard hard drive (they are also about 5x the price). To give you an idea of speed I have had 3 emulated computers (AKA virtual machines) running on my 2.5 year old Mac Book Pro at the same time and you wouldn’t even know that it was the case.
With the hard drive being the slowest component in a computer moving Windows off on to a second hard drive means that you have less load on your weakest link – kinda like if you magically doubled the width of the busiest road in the city during rush hour. I actually did this for a customer who kept Windows for a couple of games he was playing (similar situation to you) and he was very happy with the speed. That being said I don’t know how high he had the graphics running at.
The third option dual booting is where you choose if you want to run Windows or OS X when starting the computer, this way you have full access to all the resources of the computer. The draw back of course is that you have to reboot your computer to swap back and forth – probably not so much of an issue for someone only using Windows for gaming.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 9, 2012 at 7:44 am
That’s fascinating, David. I didn’t know any of this stuff. Thanks very much indeed for laying it out so clearly!
Author
Phil Owens
June 8, 2012 at 8:57 am
Waiting for part 3 – hoping you get your tanks rolling and all things happy.
I considered the big MAC switchup – with all of the i-thingos in the house these days, I thought ‘why not’? When I saw twice the spec for the same price on a non MAC, as well as lots more ports and stuff, the shiny case and beautiful logo just didnt stack up.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 8, 2012 at 9:18 am
You and me both, Phil! Thanks for adding your voice to the mix. The more data points we get, the more accurate the picture.
Author
Adam Finlay
June 8, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Did you know that it’s Macintosh after the apple (fruit). Just saying. My Mac G4, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro have worked tirelessly and efficiently for years. No gaming though. Can’t wait for the final installment. Well, can and will wait, but just saying.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 9, 2012 at 7:42 am
I did not know that, Ad. That’s why I have you!
I’m glad you’ve been spared techno drama. Life really is too short. And their ain’t no drama like techno drama. Hope you have a beaut weekend, Mate! 
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 10, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Is no-one safe?
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/youll-hate-windows-8-20120608-200ry.html
Author
Adam Finlay
June 11, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Looks like you picked the wrong week to hand back your Mac, Jack.
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 11, 2012 at 4:42 pm
ar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgYuLsudaJQ
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 11, 2012 at 4:47 pm
One the other hand … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HqPpjI3UY&feature=related
Author
Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
June 12, 2012 at 6:33 am
Looks like there’s plenty of rounds left in this battle of the titans:
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/apple-unveils-ios6-macbooks-and-challenges-google-with-maps-20120612-206j0.html