I Can't Get Behind That

I can't get behind PCs. Like, seriously, I don't understand why the entire population isn't using Macs.

I just got a new PC (through a combination of gift certificates, work bonuses, and rebates, I will end up paying about $50 for it). It took nearly 40 minutes from the time I pressed the power button to get to a point when I was in Windows Vista and could use the computer at will.

Of course, by "use at will," I mean that I was free to spend another hour of my time deleting all the shit that came preinstalled on the thing, and telling HP Total Care Advisor to stop caring so damn much and leave me the hell alone. There's so much crap in the taskbar that I don't even know where to begin. I think I've deleted 4 different copies of AOL already, and I haven't even launched Windows Explorer yet (oh, I see that Vista calls it "Computer"... how clever).

When I bought my Powerbook a couple years ago, I pulled it out of the box, put it on my desk, turned it on, and started playing. It was that easy.

And people wonder why Apple has fostered such unwavering loyalty from its customers? I'm starting to regret even getting another PC. (That feeling will change as soon as I install Civ4.)