The "heroes" at my favorite Apple Store!

About 14 months ago, I finally broke down and bought a Mac! A MacBook Pro (15 in) actually.  

I have been an avid PC user for more years that I really would like to admit! heh My computer exposure actually started with my first Commodore 64, and then I got a dual floppy disk computer that had the basic DOS, and was a HUGE machine!  I fought upgrading to Windows, back in the day, but finally gave into peer pressure, and the need to learn this new technology!  With each upgrade or improvement to Windows, I would wait a few years until I would invest in the latest upgrade.

Now, I know that Macs have been around FOREVER, but my learning curve with PCs has kept me plenty busy, that I didn’t really have time to learn yet another operating system.  Instead, I put my time and attention to learning how to build my own PC, and fix general problems with the operating systems on those computers, and on my friends’ machines.  I became the proverbial self-taught geek goddess.

Fourteen months ago, I took the plunge and got my MacBk Pro. I did this for a few reasons, many revolving around the fact I have clients that use Macs, and I wanted to beef up on my “service offerings” and expand my business a bit. (I have a bookkeeping service that I work from my home.)  Another reason I wanted this Mac was to learn how to use a program called Garageband, and then do my own production on my very own podcast.

It took me about a year to get to that point, and when I tried to use Garageband, I found it was as cool as other podcasters that use it said it was.  However! I got myself stuck, and found I couldn’t think my way out of the problem.  One problem was that I was trying to do “Mac” stuff with a “PC” mindset.  That never works out real well!  Dummies books, help from friends that use a Mac, and working on my clients’ Macs did help a little, but I still found myself getting more frustrated, then having fun with this new laptop!

And then, much to my delight, an Apple store opened up at one of the malls very close to where I live. I was happy, as this one was much easier for me to get to, and it was at a mall I frequent on a near weekly basis! So, I went to check out this new Apple Store.

It was so obvious this Apple store was going to be very popular.  It was packed with so many people, but there were plenty of Apple people on the floor to help us all.  In chatting with one of them, I was informed about a “free service” they have at Apple stores, called the Genius Bar.  So, I signed up for an appointment, and met with Bruce, who helped me with an issue I had been having with Garageband.  That’s when I learned about their “One on One” tutorial program, and signed up for that. 

This week I had to utilize the Genius Bar again. My battery had basically died.  I was just going get a new battery, and switch it out, but the gal who took my question about the battery suggested I see one of the guys at the Genius Bar, and so, I talked to Bruce, again.  In less than 20 minutes (that is what the Genius Bar appointments run for), a bit of testing and evaluating my Mac’s system profile, it was confirmed my battery was fried, and I needed a new battery.  

Now, the reason the Apple Genius Bar guys are heroes is simple.  Bruce replaced my battery, under the warranty I had on my MacBook Pro, and had me back on the road in about 20 minutes! And it didn’t cost me a dime!  I was so glad I consulted with Bruce!  He really did want me to have the best value for my investment, and understand what was going on with my Mac!  

To say the least, I will continue my lessons on the One on One sessions, and learn as much as I can about my Mac!  And I will, most likely, utilize the services of the Genius Bar as often as I might need to.

And now, I will do a battery calibration, and work a little more on my lessons for my next One on One session….

-cya