Cool screensavers for your beloved Mac

I regularly check the TalkBack from my columns to see what readers are saying about my software choices and how they feel about my subject matter. TalkBack from a recent screensavers column really gave it to me for not featuring Mac software and went so far as to accuse me of being a Mac hater (in not so many words).

I don't blame readers; my coverage is admittedly lopsided toward Windows PCs, but it isn't because I hate Macs. In fact, I love Macs. If you knew me, you would know that I grew up as a Mac guy first and in fact was hired originally at CNET to be the Mac guy at Download.com. Knowing my history, you might wonder why I don't feature more Mac stuff in my columns, as they are great systems loaded with great software and brimming with style and class. The reason is simple: numbers.

I try to write to my audience, and that audience (for better or for worse) uses Windows PCs. Let's say you were a farmer and you knew that 90 percent of your buyers liked blueberries and 10 percent of your buyers liked...apples. Even if apples were your favorite fruit, you would have to grow blueberries if you wanted to last as a grower. If the people demand blueberries, you have to grow blueberries, but that doesn't mean you can't eat apples often and voraciously.

Fruit-growing metaphors aside, I decided to show those on TalkBack that I do listen and do indeed love Macs, and I will try to include Mac downloads in my columns in the future -- numbers be damned. But if you see more Windows columns than Mac columns, don't blame the messenger; blame the millions of people who have a taste for blueberries.

With that, I give you my favourite Mac screensavers for your viewing pleasure. Long live Macs!

Fracture lets you set various mathematical parameters in order to create a screensaver of re-eating designs called fractals. My favourite feature of this screensaver is that it zooms in on an area of the screen, further illustrating how the fractal was constructed. It doesn't have much in the way of motion, however. (Shareware/Mac)

SereneScreen Marine Aquarium is easily the best and most realistic desktop aquarium available for Mac. This one lets you choose which fish you would like in your aquarium, whether you want bubbles (with sound) and how to light the scene. I guarantee this screensaver will turn heads -- it's really well done. (Shareware/Mac)

Plasma Tunnel Saver is fairly simple but magically pulls me in every time. The liquid quality of the graphics is mesmerising and the ability to change the colours is just icing on the cake. This one is a longtime favourite of mine, since the OS X beta period. (Free/Mac)

Even though I started with Macs, I have since learned to love Windows PCs as well. The fact is I love all computers and software, which is probably a good thing in this line of work. So whether you're one of the Mac faithful or a PC Windows-loving user, I'll try to keep you informed of my favourites on both platforms.

Jason Parker writes for Download.com
Additional editing by Tom Espiner