iTribute: How I finally bit the Apple

DNA's photo editor Atul Loke narrates how he fell in love with Apple

I got a text message early in the morning from a friend, who knew I am an Apple freak, breaking the sad news that Steve Jobs was no more. The first thing I did was call my younger brother. I knew he shared the same passion for Apple. I drove home, met him and we spoke about Apple for a while as he was busy making Steve Jobs' picture as the wallpaper on his iPhone4.

I had seen Apple computers at the advertising agency when it was a big odd-shaped color box with a mouse. I was quite fascinated with that machine starting with the bitten-into apple logo. But the first time I used it was in Tuscany, Italy, where I had gone for a photography fellowship. The room was full of the latest Mac computers and laptops with young European photographers using it swiftly. Coming from a Windows background, I was intimidated by just the looks. I didn't even know the differences between Tower Macs, iBooks, Powerbooks. Nor had I any knowledge as to what they were exactly called for few days. I was completely bowled over, first by the looks and the aesthetics of the Mac, then by the user friendly interface and its graphics compatibility and software. The more I used them over a period of six months in the workshop the more I wanted to buy one once I go back home. I didn't know how I could afford it with my meagre salary working for a news magazine, but I wanted one nonetheless.

Some time later, I had started approaching photography agencies in Italy. With a few prints in my hand, I set out to compete in a world already in the digital phase. Again, I saw fellow photographers showing off their work on those tiny silver notebooks. As a photographer I realised that this particular machine was very helpful due to its digital configuration, which gives better quality viewing. It has unique software that make working on photographs easier and yield better results.  I needed one. A really good European photographer friend Alex Mojoli from Magnum decided to help me out by lending me his Powerbook G12.

He taught me how to use it and make my portfolio in the form of a presentation on iView. This time, I set out with renewed confidence. That small silver thing did have some contribution in my career.

The next thing I know, I got an opportunity to go to Pakistan for a photography assignment for Newsweek magazine. But, unfortunately, I had to turn it down as I did not have a laptop of my own. My eyes were now firmly set on the Apple.

I got to be a part of a workshop in Singapore. After a fruitful experience, one day, my friends and I went out. As fate would have it, I came across an Apple store. There I was, surrounded by these wonderful machines, in a country where I knew I would get a good deal. I quickly started comparing prices at Indian rates. I set my eyes on the Powerbook G12. I got it configured to the latest version according to my professional needs with the help of my Italian photographer friend Gianluca Colla, another Apple freak. I was still short of money. Out of sheer desperation and the burning desire to own an apple, I asked some friends to lend me money.

The next day I was on the flight back home, with a bright smile on my face as a proud owner of a beautiful Powerbook G12. Back in India, I had to temporarily share Gianluca's software as I could not afford them that time. Thus started my journey with Apple as I upgraded softwares, bought the latest versions of the 27-inch iMac, the 17-inch Macbook pro, an iPhone 3G and finally an iPhone4.
 
My love for Apple's products goes beyond the looks. Its one-of-a-kind display, the mouse, keypad and all the different software just changes your view of a computer. There are features unique to a Mac that may look complicated at first but as you start exploring, it can just get you hooked on. My wife, who is not even a gadget freak, cannot work on anything except her iMac. To gift her an iPad on her birthday I went to the extent of wiring money to my in-laws in the US and get it imported to India. At first glance she was annoyed about the amount I spend but later she started loving it. With her recurring back problem, now she can sit in a relaxed position wherever she wants and work on a light and handy iPad.