Why I mac

This is something I feel I need to explain. I own an Apple Mac laptop. Not only that, I also own an iPhone, I bought both of those, and I was given an iPod. That's quite a bit of Apple.

I often want to explain having those gadgets - after all, they are much more expensive than other tech gadgets that do essentially the same job. Yes, Apple products are nice and in some ways easier to use, but they still crash, they still have problems running some programs - they are still computers, made by humans, not perfect. So why would I buy an expensive computer or phone?

Well, first reason was environmental, and if you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know environmental issues are often the first thing I consider. Apple was a target of  a Greenpeace campaign I worked on, and together with my amazing colleagues, won. Apple committed to remove all the PVC and BFRs (Brominated Flame Retardents - nasty chemicals that do all sorts of bad things including messing with our hormones) from their products. It started with one - the MacBook Pro I'm currently working on (that aluminium body isn't just for looks), and now most if not all of Apples products are PVC and BFR free.

The second reason is also environmental - I hope as it was one of the fastest laptops it will last longer than the normal 3 years laptops are supposed to last. It also has a better battery life than most of the laptops I have had or my friends have - another reason I won't have to buy another laptop soon. Yes, the battery cannot be removed, but I haven't had to yet, and if I do, my argument will fall down, but speaking of that...

Another reason I've heard that people don't like Apple is that their products tie you into their "eco-system". I'm purposefully trying to avoid that by using other companies products such as a Kindle and a PC at work. Let's not lie though, every company is trying to tie you in -I'm probably more tied into Google than Apple. Google owns most of my data, even this blog is written on a oogle platform.

So, no I don't think Apple is the most amazing company in the world. If I could really follow my ideals, I would not buy a computer at all - I think they separate us from the natural world. I have chosen a life that requires these tools though, and as such I will make the most environmentally sound decisions I can, in full knowledge that buying any product mined from the earth and whose production pollutes the earth is not sustainable.