Switching to a Mac: Is It a Trend?
"I'm switching..." At CES, I heard it everywhere: In hallways, on the exhibit floor, and at the press events. Journalists were talking about how they were leaving their PCs and migrating towards Macs.
Even Chris Pirillo, a diehard PC user, made the jump in February. So long, Chris, nice knowing 'ya.
I've been thinking of picking up a Mac, maybe one of those nifty PowerBook G4s, to see what the fuss is all about.
Seriously, I've toyed with the idea, knowing that I can still comfortably use all my PC apps. The cost is one consideration (LOL -- PC World won't buy me one, right, Harry?); the other roadblock is learning how to use the beast. My friend Thom switched after his PC died and when I tried it, I was surprised at how unintuitive it was. Ctrl-A to highlight all the files? Couldn't get that to work. And Thom is too cheap to buy a Logitech mouse, so my right-clicks kept screwing up things on the desktop.
What's the Riff?
I sometimes wonder if some of the animosity between Mac and PC users have to do with some underlying feelings of inadequacy on the part of one group of computing loyalists. I'm not going to get more specific and risk the wrath of those one-buttoners.) Tom Lenzo, a buddy of mine, sent me this clip with some research about Mac and PC user attitudes.
We also ran a news piece on this: 'Mac People' More Open, Liberal Than PC Users?
I'm dying to hear what y'all think, so I cooked up a PollDaddy survey. Even though it has the approval of the Bass International Polling Lab, I agree, it's kinda biased and somewhat unscientific (ha!). Use the "other" spot to stick in your thoughts. And who knows, it might give us a little insight into the mindset of the 15 of you reading my blog.
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Assuming all other things are roughly equal, you can't help but be impressed when a MAC turns ON quickly and OFF quickly without waiting and feeling your hair growing in the process! Will Bill Gates' tombstone be engraved with the word "START" on it once he has "STOPPED?"
I switched, too - to Linux (Kubuntu)!
I still have to use WinXP at work, but my laptop at home is a dedicated Dell*buntu - and I couldn't be happier.
I'm actually platform agnostic -- I just use what's best for the moment. (Though I admit I haven't gotten around to installing Ubuntu yet. Any day now, I promise!) For the record, though, I find I gripe a lot less when I'm using my MacBook.
By the way, Steve, you can use right-mouse functions on a Mac by pressing Ctrl while clicking. (If you're using the touchpad and the feature's activated, you can also do it by tapping two fingers side by side on the pad.) Also, the common file and editing command from Windows have Mac equivalents (actually, vice versa -- where do you think they came from?) -- just use the command key (looks like a splat) instead of Ctrl.
you're thinking of getting a powerbook g4??!?!?!
ummm . . . . say hi to 2004 for me . . .
I've used both. I have to say that while the Apple hardware is nice, and the concept of controlling your hardware is great (Macs, in theory, should have less driver issues, be faster on the same hardware then Windows, and be able to implement more features out of the box), but hardware nuts (i.e. people who play games) would rather controll their hardware then let the software maker do it. Additionally, I perfer Windows over OS X. There are a few reasons... Close/Resize buttons on the wrong side; adding more buttons to the default mouse, but not adding right click functionality to it; programs not closing well/right (closing a window does not close the program, opening programs takes longer on a Mac); lack of Powershell; Macs crash more (I'm also refering to programs... APPLE programs... quit unexpectedly my ass).
There are very innovative features in OS X though, such as mouse gestures built in, Exposé (hope I got the e right...), and of course, it is Unix!
Still, its all choice.
I should start counting the TROLL articles I read. Both on the Apple and MS side. The fact that someone that has been using a particular operating system for some years, and then when trying a completely different system find it ... un-intuitive? It is called learning, and adaptation. The Apple UI uses a "Book" system. Start at the Top Left work Left to Right till you get too the end.. on the bottom Right
MS believes closing a window should shut down an application. Apple believes closing a window should close a window, and that shutting down an application does... this
MS has you move your pinky from the A to the CTR key to do Copy/Paste/Selection etc commands. Apple has you move your thumb from the space bar left or right to the CMD key
I am a Windows user and I am a Mac user, and I love technology
Macs Crash more PC's Crash more whatever, Computers Crash, it sucks, and I hate it. In my years of experience you pay for what you get, on both sides.
More INFO, Less TROLL
'I was surprised at how unintuitive it was. Ctrl-A to highlight all the files"
You serious? On Mac's it's Command-A. Not everything has to work like Windows.
"And Thom is too cheap to buy a Logitech mouse, so my right-clicks kept screwing up things on the desktop."
That's a nice way to describe your friend. There is a right click in OS X, with the trackpad or the Mighty Mouse. just enable it in System Preferences. It's only a couple of clicks.
It's fun to learn sometimes.