J. Kent Garman, M.D.

Those of you who have read previous computer articles from me know that I have always had a Microsoft Windows-centric view of the computer world. In fact I have regularly received comments from outraged Apple users who demanded equal time. Well this article will hopefully satisfy this demand.

I started out with Apples (the original Apple II) in the 1970s and used them for many years until Windows passed the Apple platform in capability and ease of use. Apple has since lingered as a niche product with less than 5 percent of market share. I had no reason to even consider going back to Apple, until recently. Why did I consider this switch?

Apple has come back! Under the direction of Steve Jobs, the company has produced a new, innovative operating system and a software and hardware combination that is simply seductive and that just works!

First the operating system: I disliked the old Apple operating system (OS 9). I thought it was counterintuitive and difficult to use. This has changed with OS X. This new operating system (the most recent iteration is called “Panther”) is easier to use than Microsoft Windows and is very intuitive to any computer user. It is based on Unix, one of the most stable and mature operating systems available. Thus far the virus epidemic affecting Windows computers has not touched Apple computers because of the numerous safeguards built into OS X. (To be fair, this is also because virus authors write to attack the largest number of computers, Windows machines.) The most important reason to use OS X, however, is that it almost never crashes. I grew tired of the numerous crashes that occurred with Windows XP, but I can count the number of crashes I have had in a year of using OS X on one hand (and I try to crash computers just for fun).

Next the hardware: If you have not handled the new Apple computers, especially the laptops and their associated devices such as iPod music players and iSight camera, you need to visit an Apple Store as soon as possible. I guarantee that if you walk into one of these stores (the 77th one was just opened in San Francisco, California), you will leave with computer envy and will probably follow me by switching. The computers just feel and look good. Besides they have every capability built in (very large hard disks, wireless Internet (WiFi), Bluetooth, DVD-burning optical drives, video inputs, high-resolution screens, USB 2, Firewire, etc.) If you live in an area without an Apple Store, go to the Web site <www.apple.com>. If you work for a university, be sure to sign in as an academic user to qualify for the significant discounts.

What about software? Apple computers come preloaded with an amazing array of useful software, especially the iLife suite. iTunes is the best music program on any computer with its automatic link to your iPod music player. iPhoto, likewise, organizes your digital photographs with ease and links to the Internet to store and print pictures (it uses the Kodak Ofoto service). If you like digital movies or music and like recording them on DVDs, the Apple will meet your demands. I am currently using it to record transesophageal echocardiography teaching clips on a DVD. It also comes with a state-of-the-art Web browser named Safari and useful e-mail and address-book programs.

In addition I recommend purchasing the Mac version of Microsoft Office for easy conversion of all your work from the Windows platform. This suite has Macintosh (Mac) versions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Since Windows files are directly compatible with the Mac programs, you can immediately work with the programs you have used in Windows. It also includes Entourage, a substitute for the popular organizer Outlook. In my opinion, it is actually a better program with all the features and none of the problems of Outlook.

I also recommend the competitor to PowerPoint, Keynote. This program is just fun to use and allows easy conversion of files between PowerPoint and Keynote so that you can still show your slide presentations on Windows machines using PowerPoint.

Unfortunately there are two useful programs that are not available on the Mac: Microsoft Access (a database program) and Microsoft FrontPage (a Web authoring program). I have substituted FileMaker Pro for Microsoft Access and successfully converted most of my Access data files into FileMaker.

FrontPage is another matter with a partial solution. If you author and administer a Web site with FrontPage, you know that it is difficult to use any other program to do the same level of work. I find the learning curve of other programs like Dreamweaver to be too high for me. To use FrontPage, you must buy the Microsoft Windows emulator that works on the Mac, Virtual PC. This program basically places Microsoft Windows in your Apple computer with some limitations. It tends to be slow but does allow you to use those few Windows programs that you just cannot do without. One caveat: The current version of Virtual PC does not work on Apple computers with the fastest chip (PowerMac G5). Microsoft promises a new compatible version “real soon.”

One other problem has been difficulty synchronizing the Mac with Microsoft PowerPC hand-helds. This problem is now solved with a third-party program, PocketMac <www.pocketmac.net>. Palm OS hand-helds synchronize easily.

Finally here is a good tip: Although the Mac comes with a one-button mouse, it actually is configured to work with any two-button mouse as well. When you do this, those of us who are used to right-button clicking and context-specific menus on Windows now have this capability with the Mac.

So what are my recommendations for an ideal laptop? Apple has three PowerMac laptops with the G4 chip, with 12-inch, 15-inch or 17-inch screens. They are all wonderful computers, but if you are going to travel with one, I would avoid the larger version. If portability is not a problem, the 17-inch screen makes a perfect desktop computer with beautiful graphics and color. Having chosen the screen, get the largest hard drive available. Add built-in WiFi (802.11 g), called “Airport Extreme” by Apple. Also be sure to get the “SuperDrive,” which includes DVD-burning capabilities (the “Combo” drive will only read DVDs). I looked up the current price of a 15-inch PowerMac G4 with an 80 GB hard drive, SuperDrive, Airport, Bluetooth and 512 MB RAM and found that the complete system costs $2,300 (including the educational discount). Do not forget to include the two most useful and fun add-ons, the iPod music player and iSight camera.

Although this probably sounds like an Apple commercial, I assure you that I have no financial or other incentive to push these computers. I just like computers that always work and are fun to use. You probably will, too.

Editor’s Note: The mention of certain brand-name products is not intended to be construed as an endorsement by ASA and is essentially the personal preference of the author.

J. Kent Garman, M.D., is Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.