I don’t like how much people love Steve Jobs and Apple. I don’t like how obsessed people are when they find out he’s taking a crap in their town, or when Apple releases a new product, and if you’re lucky you can buy it. It just doesn’t jive with me.

That being said, I love Apple; I can think of a few people reading this that would cringe at the statement, but they’re seriously awesome. Let me explain.

Not long ago I became gripped with the unwanted, but immutable urge to get an iPhone. I hated how everyone had one, I hated how it makes people look like elitist jerkoffs, and I hated that it was Apple. Still, every time I got my hands on the device I was blown away. My prejudice against Apple stemmed from being forced to use the machines in school throughout my education. The finder face was (and still is), annoyingly stupid, and I just couldn’t stand how much ridiculous crap was going on in the OS (like not being able to cut files, which I still hate).

Eventually the urge turned into a purchase, and I found myself the proud owner of an iPhone 3Gs.  That changed everything. I just couldn’t get enough of the UI. I couldn’t get enough on how I just thought “wouldn’t it be nice if…” and my phone would do it, and what’s more do it without me thinking “how.” It was instinctual, unbelievable, and so full of awesome that it blew me away every time I turned it on.

Last year, I found myself in need of a new laptop, and just at that time, Apple was releasing its new ultrathin MB Air. I scurried over to the Mac Store and tried one out, and had the same experience as my iPhone. I was blown away. I couldn’t (and still can’t) understand how they fit so much into something so small, and then made it light to boot. I wanted it, but was afraid of the learning curve from PC to Apple. I decided to splurge and get the most supped up version available as a backup for my laptop, and within one week it had replaced my legacy dell computer as my primary work machine.  Every day, I was blown away when I’d turn it on, not from standby, but from powered off, and it would be ready to work in 3 seconds. It’ was like staring into the future. It still is, and I feel the same way with my iPhone 4.

Now, a few months ago, I decided I wanted more power in my design work, so following my now well-formed convention I purchased a refurbished 27in iMac with all the trimmings. With what had now become an expectation, I was again dumbfounded at the fluid nature of the magic mouse, the compact wireless keyboard, and the enormous screen real estate. Looking at the screen now, I still feel taking a step back and saying “Wow.”

That’s the power in Apples product. From a $299 purchase of an iPhone with a ridiculous plan from ATT, I’ve completely converted every device and computer I own to Apple machines. They’re beautiful, they’re fast, and they make going to work every day a pleasure. I still hate how much people obsess over Steve Jobs, and Apple, but let me be the first in line to say it: I love apple, and I can’t wait till they let me buy their next product.