As far as the soda/coffee, I think they’ll be around much longer, since there are machines/infrastructure installed (it’s fountain, not cans or bottles). But, like everything, I’m sure it will eventually succumb to the cost cutting axe. I intend to enjoy it while I can.

So, the drinks and donuts thing, how long will that last? I remember visiting acquisition sites and their freebies didn’t last long after acquisition. Although, CO3 retained their free soda up until the time I left Intel (don’t know the status nowadays). In typical Intel style, I imagine there will be some attempt to measure the effect of free refreshments and it will be reported on a quarterly basis. Hmmm, how do you predict the progression of work effectiveness through free refreshments on SLRP and how do you determine EOL?

There’s a very small Mac pilot at Intel, where people could opt in to a Mac instead of a Thinkpad or HP, and I’m involved in that pilot, but my Mac use at Intel goes way back before the pilot started. Pretty much right after Apple switched to Intel chips, basically. I’d been wanting to try a Mac for a LONG time, for all of the creative/video/podcasting work I do, and I haven’t looked back.

I wouldn’t go back to a Windows laptop if you paid me.