No product on the planet enjoys the devotion of a Macintosh computer. Famously dedicated to their machines, many Mac fans eat, sleep and breathe Macintosh. In "The Cult of Mac," Wired News managing editor Leander Kahney takes an in-depth look at Mac users and their unique, creative, and often very funny culture. From people who get Mac tattoos and haircuts, to those who furnish their apartments out of empty Mac boxes, the book details Mac fandom in all of its forms. This paperback edition includes an all-new chapter about the iPod, updates throughout, and new photos that reflect current Apple technology.

Table of Contents

Part 1: MACINTOSH MADNESS Ch 1: Techno Fetishism Ch 2: Macs and the Counterculture Ch 3: Worshipping the Two Steves Ch 4: Mac Tattoos and Haircuts Ch 5: Macspotting Ch 6: Mac Evangelism Ch 7: The Mac Web Part 2: GATHERINGS OF THE CLAN Ch 8: Tales of Macworld Ch 9: Macs in Japan PART 3: INCESSANT TINKERERS Ch 10: Macquariums Ch 11: Fantasy Macs Ch 12: Hardware Mods Ch 13: Paper Macs PART 4: HOARDERS AND RECYCLERS Ch 14: Mac Collectors and Collectibles Ch 15: Antique Macs PART 5: NEW FRONTIERS Ch 16: iPod Ch 17: What Makes Mac Fans So Loyal

Reviews

Kahney, a journalist for Wired News (www. wired.com), goes inside the psyche of fervent Mac fans everywhere, examining various aspects of the Apple underground. Presenting himself as an example of someone obsessed with possessing the latest Apple product, he writes about the psychosexual bond that Macintosh users have with their machines. It gets weirder: there is a cult of Mac Classic collectors who claim that owning said model is like owning a hot rod-it's impractical but cool. Another counterculture invented the "iBong" to celebrate the utopian nature of Apple computing. The Mac has even inspired haircuts and tattoos, to which Kahney devotes one chapter. In addition, readers will find stories of Apple cofounders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs and basic background on the benefits of Mac ownership for those who work in the arts, music, and filmmaking. Brimming with more than 500 color photos, this fun book won't stay on the shelves long. Highly recommended for public libraries.-Joe Accardi, Harper Coll. Lib., Palatine, IL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.