I Brought a MacBook Pro 3 Years Ago After Fantasizing About One

Summary

The author reflects on their decision to purchase a MacBook Pro three years ago, primarily influenced by brand appeal and perceived status, and concludes that the expensive purchase did not bring lasting satisfaction or significant benefits over more affordable options.

Abstract

Three years after purchasing a MacBook Pro, driven by a strong desire to own one after seeing influencers use it, the author evaluates whether the expensive investment was worthwhile. Despite the laptop's durability and superiority over their previous device, the author admits to falling for the brand's allure and the social status it symbolized, rather than making a pragmatic choice. They acknowledge that a less expensive laptop, such as a Microsoft Surface, could have served their needs just as well. The author also notes the additional cost of purchasing Microsoft software due to the Mac's operating system, which was necessary for their work. Reflecting on the broader implications of materialism, the author regrets the purchase, recognizing it as a manifestation of extrinsic motivation and societal pressures to fit in, rather than a source of genuine joy or happiness.

Opinions

The author was swayed by branding and the perceived coolness factor of owning a MacBook Pro.
They believe that the MacBook Pro was not a transformative purchase and that a cheaper alternative would have been equally satisfactory.
The author feels that the MacBook Pro's brand appeal and status symbol were more influential in their purchase decision than practical considerations.
They admit to being influenced by the desire for social acceptance, akin to preferring Nike over Skechers in childhood.
The author expresses regret over succumbing to materialistic temptations and acknowledges the mistake of prioritizing brand over functionality and cost-effectiveness.
They endorse the minimalist perspective that expensive possessions do not equate to happiness and caution against the pitfalls of materialism, such as taking on high-interest finance deals for luxury items or buying a house solely for impressing others.

Buying solely for the brand — Was it worth it?

Three years ago I really wanted a MacBook Pro. In fact, I started to crave one. Not sure why. My current laptop was getting slow and was a bit heavy so I was in the market for an upgrade.

But why did I need to get the most expensive laptop known to man?

I had an urgent desire for one. The blinkers were on and the only laptop on my mind was this shiny, slink, space grey sensation. For no real reason other than I had seen entrepreneurs living the dream on Youtube, working away on their Macs.

I had never used a Mac, but they looked light-weight, enjoyable to type on, ultra-fast, and have seemed to have many unique features.

This was not an impulse buy either. I thought about it for about 6 months and waited until Black Friday until it was on sale.

A wise man once told me, whatever material thing you buy, no matter how much you crave it now, you will not care about it in 5 years' time.

Well, I brought my Macbook about 3 years ago and I can tell you, that wise man was right. I no longer care at all about having one.

I spent well over £1,000 on the machine. Although it is still going strong, it has not changed my life. It has been good enough and I would find it hard to go back to a heavy clunky laptop again.

But I remember eyeing a similar Microsoft Surface laptop that was around £700. In hindsight, I am sure this would have done the exact same job and given me the same amount of pleasure.

I also had to pay an additional £100 on Microsoft packages as needed Microsoft Excel for some consulting work. The drawbacks of having a different operating system at its core.

I had let my heart rule my head. Classic branding at its finest. Was triggered by extrinsic motives — having a Mac would make me cool and was a status symbol to impress my friends.

This happens all the time in our society and stems from our childhood of wanting to fit in. We would buy a pair of Nike sneakers over Skechers (no offense Skechers wearers). More about social acceptance than the internal joy the item brings.

Looking back, I regret making this purchase. Mainly because I got fooled by the oldest trick in the book. And by now I should probably have known better.

But I have done well to avoid more damaging materialistic behavior. Have held off from making the same mistake as my peers as buying a luxury car on a horrible high-interest finance deal and purchasing a house just to impress other people.

These are the materialistic mistakes we all keep making.

Minimalists and those that have experienced great wealth keep telling us that buying luxurious things won’t make us happy.

And they are right.

When will we actually start listening?