Crash and Burn: How I Bought the Wrong Mac

It was a bright and sunny day, and I had decided it was time to upgrade my aging MacBook. After much research and consideration, I settled on the shiny new MacBook Pro. The specs were impressive, and the reviews raved about its performance. I couldn't wait to get it in my hands.

But as soon as I fired it up and started using it, I realized my mistake. The keyboard was terrible. The Touch Bar was a gimmick. The battery life was abysmal. And worst of all, it was incredibly expensive.

I had bought the wrong Mac.

So what did I do wrong? How could I have avoided this costly mistake? Here are three things I wish I had considered before pulling the trigger on my purchase.

1. Think about your specific needs.

I'll admit it: I was seduced by the sleek design and powerful specs of the MacBook Pro. But did I really need all that power? Was I really going to be using my laptop for heavy-duty video editing or gaming? No, I wasn't. I just needed a reliable machine for daily tasks like email, web browsing, and word processing.

If I had been honest with myself about my needs, I would have saved myself a lot of money and frustration by going with a MacBook Air or even a MacBook. These machines would have been perfectly adequate for my needs without breaking the bank.

So before you buy a new Mac, ask yourself: what am I going to be using it for? Do I need a lot of processing power or graphics performance? Am I going to be carrying it around a lot, or mostly using it at a desk? Once you have a clear idea of your specific needs, you'll be able to make a smart decision about which Mac is right for you.

2. Test out the keyboard and other features.

This is one area where I really fell short. I didn't take the time to try out the keyboard of the MacBook Pro before I bought it. If I had, I would have quickly realized that the shallow key travel and butterfly mechanism didn't work for me. I also didn't pay much attention to other features like the Touch Bar, which turned out to be fiddly and mostly useless.

Take the time to test out any Mac you're considering buying. Visit an Apple Store or other retailer and spend some time typing on the keyboard, using the trackpad, and checking out any other features that are important to you. Don't just rely on reviews or specs - get some hands-on experience so you can make an informed decision.

3. Consider the total cost of ownership.

This is something that's easy to overlook when you're excited about a new purchase, but it's incredibly important. When you're considering the price of a new Mac, don't forget to factor in the cost of accessories, software, and any other extras you might need.

For example, if you're going to be using your Mac for video editing, you might need to invest in a high-quality external monitor. Or if you're a gamer, you might want to get a gaming mouse or controller. These additional costs can quickly add up, so make sure you have a clear idea of what your total cost of ownership is going to be.

In my case, I didn't think about the cost of replacing the keyboard if it failed (which, as it turned out, it did). I also didn't consider the fact that I'd need a dongle for every peripheral I wanted to use, since the MacBook Pro only had USB-C ports. These additional costs made an already expensive purchase even more costly.

In conclusion, buying a new Mac can be an exciting and rewarding experience - but it's important to make sure you're making the right decision for your specific needs and budget. Take the time to do your research, test out any machines you're considering, and think about the total cost of ownership before you buy. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect Mac for you.

References:

- https://www.apple.com/mac/

- https://www.macworld.com/

- https://www.techradar.com/best/best-macbook-air-deals

- https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/24/20695143/macbook-pro-keyboard-issues-butterfly-switch-apple-repair-program

- https://9to5mac.com/guides/best-usb-c-docks/

Hashtags: #Mac #Apple #MacBook #Technology #Productivity #BuyingTips #TotalCostOfOwnership #PersonalComputers #Gadgets

Category: Technology/Computers