The time when my Sony Minidisc player was no longer cool

Frank Berentsen

My name is Frank Berentsen, and I am 32 years old. I live in Utrecht with my girlfriend Elke and our seven-month-old daughter, Sarah. Since November 1, 2019, I have been working as an Apple Systems Engineer at Root3. On my very first day, I made an unforgettable impression by spilling coffee on my brand-new MacBook, luckily with a good outcome.

In my free time, I enjoy taking my race bike for a ride through the Utrechtse Heuvelrug when the weather is nice. I also love spending sunny days in the park with friends, playing games, having a beer, and barbecuing. Since the birth of our daughter, I work four days a week, allowing me to spend precious time with Sarah, which I find very special.

Highlight of Today/Yesterday

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, options for activities have become limited. Walking has become the main activity. Yesterday, my girlfriend, our daughter, and I drove to the Bussumer heide for a morning walk.

My History with Apple

My first encounter with Apple was during my fifth year of high school. At that time, my Sony Minidisc player was no longer trendy, and MP3 players were all the rage. Apple had already been selling its first iPod for a while. Although the iPod was quite expensive for a student, everything changed in 2004 when Apple introduced the iPod Mini. I purchased this iPod using an inheritance, and that’s when my love for Apple began. When I started studying, I received my first Apple computer, the iBook G4. Using a Mac for my studies was challenging at the time, as not all software had been developed for the Mac platform. Nevertheless, I persisted because I found the product beautiful, enjoyable, and distinct from the rest. After the iBook, I had several other MacBook models and never switched to another brand.

As I gained considerable knowledge about Apple products, I started working at the Apple Store in Utrecht (Amac Premium Reseller) during my studies. There, I provided advice on purchasing Macs, iPads, iPhones, and everything related to Apple. At that time, the now indispensable Apple Watch did not exist. After my time in the store, I transitioned to Amac’s headquarters, where I provided guidance and assistance to store employees. Additionally, I worked as a trainer, teaching new users how to navigate their Macs/iPads. As Amac continued to grow and double the number of stores, a “Care” department was established, and I joined this team, along with my two former store managers. I did this for several years.

Later on, a friend who owned his own company asked me to work for him. This company provided Apple assistance at people’s homes for individuals and self-employed individuals. I worked there for a few years before making the switch to Root3. It’s safe to say that I turned my hobby and interest into my profession.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Remote Work

Advantage: When working from home, I finish work earlier, allowing me to spend some more time with my daughter before she goes to bed.

Disadvantage: I miss the personal contact with colleagues when working from home. Calling each other to catch up is different from seeing each other at the office. Additionally, I have fewer opportunities to visit clients, which is an aspect of my work that I really enjoy. Hopefully, this will change soon.

Surprising Observations

I am sometimes surprised by the prejudice that Apple is considered too expensive for the corporate world. Many (especially young) people would love to work on a Mac. This often plays an important role in their decision to work somewhere. Sometimes, employees are allowed to bring their own Macs, but IT does not provide support. Having been convinced for a long time that Mac is a good choice, even in a professional setting, I delved into supporting Apple products. This led me to Root3.

Significant Event in Your (Professional) Life

The transition from working at the Apple Store to joining the headquarters team was a significant event for me. My former store managers asked me to make this move, which gave me a lot of confidence. Another important moment was when I started providing Mac assistance at people’s homes. I look back on that experience with great pleasure as it taught me a lot about providing Apple support. The opportunity to join Root3 came at the right time. Here, I had the chance to utilize my accumulated Apple knowledge and further expand my expertise in providing business-oriented support. I have learned a tremendous amount over the past year and a half.

Areas for Future Development

More and more Mobile Device Management Systems are emerging, similar to Jamf, with increasingly advanced features. It would be interesting for me to follow these developments and train myself in these systems.

What Would Wake You Up?

With a young daughter of seven months old, I know all too well what it’s like to be awake at night. So just let me sleep well if I can.