I started out my online life as a Windows fanatic. Then, a few years ago, I became a Mac Fanboi. I have given over my entire technological life to SuperGenius SuperStar Steve Jobs — not Apple, Steve Jobs — and he controls my iPad and iPhone and AirPort and MacBook, and my daily happiness by default, and I just sit idly by and enjoy the fruit of his labor. I do worry about his demise, though, because I think Apple is Steve Jobs, not the other way around. Yesterday, I dutifully took the $30.00USD plunge and upgraded my 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook to OS X Lion, and the process was clean, transparent and simple. I love my Mac!
The longest part of the upgrade process was downloading the files from the App Store. The download and installation took about an hour.
Last week, I received notifications from Final Draft and Quicken that I had to upgrade my software if I planned to upgrade my OS to Lion. Final Draft was a simple download and update. Quicken was a little tricksier. I was using Quicken 2006 — I have simple financial needs and I like to keep my own records and not download them from my bank — so I have been a happy “Rosetta” user of Quicken for many years. My Quicken upgrade notice told me I had to purchase Quicken Essentials for $25.00USD if I wanted to continue to use Quicken under Lion. I did want to keep using Quicken, so I finally pulled the upgrade trigger. When I first considered upgrading to Quicken Essentials six months ago, the price was $50.00USD. Waiting until the last moment to upgrade saved me 50% off the price.
When Lion restarted, I was told my system had three incompatibilities and that they had been disabled: the SRS iWOW audio plugin for iTunes, my AT&T Laptop Connect card and something called “Air Display.” I deleted the SRS software. I haven’t had my AT&T card for at least two years. Since I didn’t remember was Air Display was — I think it had to do with my iPhone — I felt happy and content that I wouldn’t be missing anything at all with my Lion upgrade.
There was a strange problem with my mouse and scrolling that I quickly fixed — I think it’s a feature and not a bug — and I don’t like the new F4 interaction at all. Lion is fast. Everything responds quicker and better. My internet connection has never been more robust. I feel like I have a whole new computer.
My Lion experience after a full day’s work is a blinding success. I only wish it had happened sooner.
Great review, David! Look forward to getting it!
Let us know what you think of the upgrade, Gordon!