I was thinking today why I love my Apple devices so much and had a revelation that I thought every PC user should be aware of. My Apple devices do what a PC has never done for me...they make me feel like I'm improving as a tech user. 

In the words of the late Steve Jobs, "It just works". While I have been what I would consider a moderate computer user for nearly 20 years now, I've never really become a fluent computer user. That's until now. I've been using an iPad for nearly a year now and am in the process of transitioning to a MacBook. In this short 1-year time frame, my ability to use technology has grown exponentially. I have determined that the reason for this is that the apple products I own reflect a mature, finished product that always seem to simply do what I hope to do. Compared with the unfinished feel,of my PC  and more specifically the Windows operating system I have spent so much of my time using. 

The big difference as I see it is that while most of the same functionality exists on both systems, the PC forces the end user to find the functionality and finish setting it up in the manner you want to use it. For a user like me with a hectic job and little uninterrupted time on the computer, I never completed that last step of setting it up so it worked easily. The easiest example that comes to mind for me is a task as simple as handling pictures. On my PC, I never felt like I really figured out how to store and manage pictures correctly. Sure, I did it, but every time I needed to save a picture it seemed like I was always shooting from the hip and simply hoping I found the correct path and left it in a place I could find at a later date.  When that later date came around, the same thoughts always entered my head, "Now where did I save that picture and how do I go about finding it?" This example should give you a little idea of the level of user I am.  In fact, I now blame my PC for holding me back as a user. Again, I've spent a long time in front of a computer over the last 20 years and unfortunately most of this time has been confusing and frustrating for me. Because of feeling this way I haven't really grown as a user. I'm as confused today as I was 20-years ago. However, throughout this year as an Apple user I've seldomly been confused and can't think of the last time I've been frustrated. The Apple devices I own (iPad, iPhone, MacBook) take their systems to completion by actually setting the functionality up the way an expert user would set it up. The difference is that while the PC relies on the user to find it and figure it out, the Apple device finds it, puts it where you need it and takes away most of the barriers from using it. To me it's like having your most tech savvy friend come over and organize your computer for you.  They know what shortcuts should be on your desktop and they configure those shortcuts for ease of operation. One of the beliefs at Apple is that building a computer is a technical process and should be left to the experts.    Mr. Jobs was famous for saying that the consumer doesn't know what they want until we show it to them. Apple has taken the last step when developing their operating systems. Instead of simply making the functionality available, they make it useable for the average tech user.

Let's go back to the picture example. I can take a picture with my iPhone or my iPad and it automatically gets saved within the photo app. I know exactly where it is and how to find it when I need it. No worries at all on my part. In fact, it's so seamless, it doesn't even matter which device I took the picture with. iCloud is so fabulous, the picture is easy to find from either device. If I want it on my MacBook it's just as simple. Stick it in iPhoto and the rest is automatic. I've found that all tasks are that simple on my Apple devices and the best part about it is that they all work the same way. If I know how to do something on my iPad I can pick up my iPhone and do it the same way. 

iCloud assists me greatly with productivity. If I create a document on my iPad, I can easily view it on my iPhone or MacBook. If I make changes to the document on my iPhone, those changes are automatically sent to my iPad or MacBook via iCloud. It all works seamlessly with no effort on my part. I love this feature because I often get my best ideas for revisions when I'm away from my desk. My wife may not like this feature as much as I do, as I have been known to pull out my phone while enjoying an afternoon on the boat with the family. However, the fact that I can make that revision while the thought is in my head and the freedom of knowing that the revision will happen automatically on all of my devices is priceless to me. I've read recently that Apple has changes in store through iOS 6 and the soon to be released Mountain Lion that will provide even greater functionality to iCloud. I'm excited to see how they will improve an already great product. However, as I've quickly learned, Apple is very good at making great things even better.

Bottom line is that I love my Apple devices because they make me a better tech user. I now understand how technology can be used to manage my life and make it better. My PC use was a necessary evil that I needed in order to do my job. My Apple use is a leisure activity that I do for both work and fun. It’s so much better when you can find enjoyment in your work.

Fred Z. Sitkins
Elementary School Principal
Boyne City, MI