Marketing and all things related

I've been shopping for a new laptop. As part of my research process, I've been chatting with a number of my technically-minded friends about the subject. Some are passionate Apple proponents and many work for Microsoft (and despite what you might think those two groups are NOT mutually exclusive).

I'm leaning towards buying an Apple. Why? A variety of reasons but there are two big ones. 

First, my neither of my last two PC laptops (a Dell and a HP respectively) have survived beyond 2 years. The HP's hard drive imploded and the Dell is headed that way. After this less than positive experience, I'm willing to give Apple's supposedly more reliable platform a try. 

Second, I think that that a Macbook Pro that can run both Windows and Leopard with numerous browsers installed (Firefox, Safari, IE) is going to become essential for understanding the online user experience of one's customers. The market is diversifying.

Here's a few things you might want to consider that can seriously affect your customers' experience: connection speed, platform, browser/version, email interface, language, and monitor size.

It's time to take off the tinted sunglasses.  

(Inspired by this article about email rendering.)