Reporter’s Notebook: Wrapping it up

(A disclaimer: Now that the 2003 Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco has started, it’s time for my biannual ramblings and musings on the Apple shows. In case you haven’t read my “Reporter’s Notebook” columns before, these are tidbits, observations, and ramblings designed to capture the flavor of the show for those unable to be here. If that sort of thing’s not your cup of tea, just skip this column and move on to something else.)

The weather has turned nasty in San Francisco, getting a bit cool and more than a bit rainy. But that’s not dampening the sprits of Mac users.

It’s been an exciting show and one that seems to bode well for the Mac community in 2003. Thursday attendance was still strong and the level of excitement very high. And most of the vendors with whom I spoke seemed very happy with the interest expressed in their products.

As I prepare to head home, the thing topping my gotta-have list is the 12-inch PowerBook. It’s got everything I love about a 12-inch iBook (mainly lightweight and portability), plus the oomph of a G4 processor.

By the way, the Mid-Atlantic Macintosh User Groups Team, or MaMUGs, has posted photos from User Group University, which include images from all events and the keynote presentation. Check out their photo album. Also, CHIFCPUG’s own Billy Sheahan has been reporting from MacWorld SF for chicagotribune.com. You can read the coverage, though you may have to register.

And while I can’t wait to see what else Apple has on tap for the rest of the year, it’s time for this overworked and over-caffeinated reporter to head home.