The Unboxing

I’d been informed that people routinely captured photos and video of their ‘unboxings’.

I had, frankly, written this off to some type of collective insanity. I mean, seriously, how interesting could this be? I’ve unboxed countless systems, and the experience is quite predictable — idiotic packaging, styrofoam so ill-fitting that a team of oxen are required to extract the device, industrial staples engineered to inflict gruesome injuries. All in all, something that you detail someone else to do if at all possible.

However, I wanted to be in the spirit of the thing, and so I asked Patrick, who’d started me on this path in the first place, to join me. He said he was glad I’d asked, so that he could witness this transcendent moment in my life.

I swear, this is like joining a cult or something. I’m expecting to be taught the secret handshake at any moment.

It was immediately obvious that the two hours I’d booked for this task would be unnecessary. Try five minutes. The care and concern that Apple puts into their packaging is just incredible. Everything opens easily, removes easily, and there’s not an industrial staple to be found. Heck, the styrofoam inserts are bevelled for easy access.

As for build quality, I’d expect the system unit to withstand naval gunfire. Heavy-gauge aluminum throughout; opens easily with a single latch. Easy access to the drive bays and slots, no cables flopping around, obvious airflow paths. Connectors slide home with a satisfying pop into detents; peripheral connections are nicely spaced and clearly labeled.

I work with systems costing in the millions; the design and build quality here are superior to anything I’ve seen.

So in the end, yes, I now understand the unboxing hype. My journey to the Dark Side continues.