I’m not in love (with my MacBook Pro)

Last November I switched from a 13" MacBook Air to the equivalent MacBook Pro with a retina display. How does that feel?

My Air was one of the second generation. Pre-Thunderbolt, pre-backlit keyboard and with an earlier processor. Even though the processor was slower, it still handled everything I ever had to do on a laptop. I would’ve kept it longer but a change was forced upon me when I was robbed in Geneva and the laptop got damaged. From then on, its days were numbered.

My MacBook Pro with a retina display is superior in almost every way. It’s only slightly heavier than the Air and I haven’t noticed that extra weight when I carry it. That weight gives me a lot. The amazing, and it is incredible, brighter, faster retina display. A backlit keyboard which I missed on my Air, more power, better sound from the tiny speakers and better battery life. There’s no doubt about it, the MacBook Pro is a better computer, but there’s a problem.

I don’t love it.

My MacBook Air made me smile every single time I pulled it from its sleeve in a way that the MacBook Pro never has. I suppose I never realised just how much I loved it. I get things done more efficiently on my new computer, but I don’t feel as good while I do it. It’s hard to explain why.

I picked up Sue’s Air this morning and the old feelings came flooding back. It was like tasting a favourite food for the first time in a long time.

I suppose it’s little different from forming a connection with a car. I don’t give my computers names more personal than ‘Andrew’s MacBook Pro.’ I don’t talk to them, give them encouragement when their beach balls spin. I know people do that with their cars. I do too¹. But I hadn’t realised how much of a personal attachment I could form with something like a laptop.

Who knows, maybe in a year or so if a Macbook Air gains a brilliant high-resolution display we’ll be reunited. I hope so. Or maybe I’m just an old softy.

1. He’s called Henry Honda and I say “thank-you” every time we arrive home safely. So? What of it?