Going Mac...maybe.

[N80]

To be honest I am pretty ambivalent about which OS I use. To me there isn't enough difference to prefer one over the other.

I mentioned above that there are plenty of people who don't really, well, 'get' the difference. And when someone tells me that, I just tell them that it doesn't matter, and in fact, its great for them since they can use whatever they want without preference.

But because someone can't tell the difference doesn't mean there isn't one. Ask an audiophile, or a sports car enthusiast, of a serious photographer, etc etc. Just because my Nissan Maxima suits me and a BMW M5 would get me to work in exactly the same amount of time and fashion, doesn't mean that the two are equivalent in every way.

Mac's are software poor if you have very special needs.

With the emphasis being on 'very special'. You are correct, but, Macs are used widely at NASA, in university level astro-physics applications and widely in bio-chemical research. So it wouldn't be correct to assume that you can't find specialized software for Macs. I have a Bible research program for my Mac for which there is no parallel in the Windows world.

If you are doing e-mail and the Internet, it doesn't make a bit of difference.

I disagree. I spend 8 hours a day in Windows Explorer and Outlook. I spend a few hours at home on Safari and Mail. Worlds of difference to me.

I have never understood the religious fervor of some Mac users.

The religious fervor amongst Mac users has its roots firmly established in response to a few simple phrases like 'I can't see a use for a GUI' or 'command lines are easier for me than point and click' and 'what good is a mouse'. It was that sort of mentality in the computer world that made Mac users seem like nuts. 'We' just couldn't understand why people didn't get it. But they do now, you might have noticed.

That fervor seems to have subsided in recent years with Apple's introduction of the ipod and iphone where Apple is definitely the leader.

The fervor has subsided, as you say, due to those products, which in the case of the iPod, are unparalled and currently uncontested. Its changing in the PC world because the iPod and iMac have led so many people to the Mac that there isn't much need for fervor and preaching. Vista hasn't hurt things either. Most people, given the chance to use both, do in fact, get the difference. And there is no need to preach to those who don't, because they probably never will and they are quite happy with Windows...which is great.

And the other 'religious' aspect to it is the experience of watching a long time and frustrated Windows user get and use thier new iMac or iBook. Its like an epiphany when they suddenly realize what elegant computing is all about. Or even plugging in a printer of digital camera and it working without a call to India.

I'm not claiming that the experience is universal, or even the majority. But it is real......I've seen it happen. Many times.

 

[Dargo]

Not that it matters much, but maybe it may be useful to someone. After years and years of totally ignoring Apple computers and sticking religiously with PCs and Windows I finally had it with Microsoft about 6 months ago for 2 reasons. First, they want to blame all the problems with Vista on other programs. One problem with that; on the computer at work I only have Microsoft programs! I use the Office suite including Outlook and MS Explorer. Still I get crashes on a completely "normal" off the shelf computer. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Microsoft steals from people!! I had a laptop that I bought about a year and a half ago. It came with Microsoft One Care on it so I went ahead and subscribed to it. My son took that computer to college and it got destroyed. After it was about a year old Microsoft emailed me to tell me that they were going to charge me another $55 for continuing the One Care antivirus etc. software subscription. I emailed them and wrote them telling them that I do NOT want it continued because that computer no longer exists. Surprise, surprise, when I got my next CC bill Microsoft had charged me anyway!

After wasting hours trying to find a number to call Microsoft and discuss the matter I gave up and called my credit card company to remove the charges as unauthorized. As soon as I did, Microsoft sent a standard letter to my CC company saying the charges are legit and I'm billed back! So, again I call my CC company and have them try to call Microsoft. Get this; they finally got a "level one" support person on the phone with us. This person said that Microsoft does not recognize emails nor written responses to terminate One Care service! WTH?!! When both me and the rep from the CC company asked to speak to a supervisor, the "level one" support person told us that Microsoft does not allow supervisors to speak to customers or credit card companies and gave me the same freakin' address I'd written to before and told me that I could write Microsoft with my concerns and they would possibly take it under consideration. OMG!!! I ended up with three people from Bank of America on the phone with me then and they absolutely could not believe what Microsoft had done. They said that Microsoft blatantly committed credit card fraud and then thumbed their nose at the credit card company and credit card holder! BOA did credit me the money back but had to cancel that card and issue me different cards to make sure Microsoft didn't have my CC number. As of last week BOA said that they were going to take this matter to upper management and possibly not allow Microsoft to charge anything to BOA credit cards!

So, sorry for being long winded, I decided to go ahead and buy a MacBook Pro for my new laptop. I really haven't spent enough time with it yet to learn half of the stuff it will do, but I admit that I am pleasantly surprised at it's speed and ease of use. And, shocking to a lifetime Windows user, it has not locked up ever or ever had to be rebooted except when I've installed new software. It seems that all of my Windows computers must be rebooted every few days or they get really slow or buggy. It still kills me (since I'm a tightwad) to spend the extra money on Apple stuff, but the equipment seems to be superior and I know that the support is vastly superior (I've called with dumb questions several times and they've not only answered all my questions, but have been very pleasant and I have spoken with a real person in just a few minutes). I'm by no means a Mac expert, but I am a new convert and I believe that I'm going to like Mac stuff much better than Microsoft stuff. My guess is that Microsoft must be hurting to now be stealing from their customers and committing credit card fraud.

I still have almost a dozen Windows based computers between my small business and home. My new Mac networks fine with all of them. I think as I replace existing machines over time it will be with Apple computers.

 

[N80]

I've seen similar experiences many times.

But, since I seem to be the resident nutcase, Mac Zealot, I guess it is only fair to point out that Apple is a business, much like any other, and in that regard they can be difficult to deal with at times. And some of the quirky things that make them a great company also give them quirky behavior that can be a pain. I've known people who have gotten faulty products and bad customer service from Apple. For a while Apple was outsourcing to India too, but it did not last long fortunately. In the end though, there seems to be less of that than with many other computer and software companies.

And Apple has its own special arrogance that puts some folks off. Its a different sort of an arrogance at Redmond.

 

[alchemysa]

And, shocking to a lifetime Windows user, it has not locked up ever or ever had to be rebooted except when I've installed new software. .

I was just scrolling through Dargo's quote and, right on cue, at the words 'locked up', my PC froze. Absolutely true.

My PC freezes at least once every session. My Macs never freeze.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I was just scrolling through Dargo's quote and, right on cue, at the words 'locked up', my PC froze. Absolutely true.

My PC freezes at least once every session. My Macs never freeze.

Anyone who would use a machine that freezes up all of the time when they have one that never does, would be pretty stupid to keep using the machine that freezes up, or am I missing something?

 

[smfcpacfp]

And Apple has its own special arrogance that puts some folks off. Its a different sort of an arrogance at Redmond.

It is that arrogance that I most enjoy about the mac zealot. It is always easy to get a "rise" out of them. I don't see that with Windows users. They see a computer for what it really is, a tool, and really just a commodity at that. Most mac users don't get it, and probably never will but they are happy thinking there is something special about their 0 /1 tabulator.

I guess I am trying to see if I can get a rise out of a Mac zealot. Let's see what happens.

 

[alchemysa]

Anyone who would use a machine that freezes up all of the time when they have one that never does, would be pretty stupid to keep using the machine that freezes up.....

or am I missing something?

Yes you are.

 

[N80]

It is that arrogance that I most enjoy about the mac zealot. It is always easy to get a "rise" out of them.

Right. Just like I said above. Tell someone with a BMW M3 that your Yugo is just as good and does the same thing. See if you get a rise out of them. For every 'product' zealot out there, there is someone who enjoys getting a 'rise' out of them. I'm not sure which is worse...... not really, I know exactly which one is worse.

I don't see that with Windows users.

Why would you? There is nothing about Windows to generate any passion at all. People who enjoy fine wine or good cooking get excited about good food and wine. But McDonalds sells far more food and Coke than all the fine restaurants in the world. And there is little surprise that not many 'McDonalds Users' are passionate about their Quarter Pounders. Or understand why someone can tell the difference between it and filet mignon.

They see a computer for what it really is, a tool, and really just a commodity at that.

And that's the narrow view that prevents them from seeing a superior and more elegant tool. Its the same narrow view that would see no difference between a painting over the bed in a motel and a Van Gogh. Or between the BMW and the Yugo.....because a car is just a tool, right? Or a Gustav Stickley chair and a 'some assembly required' plastic chair from K-Mart. Or a Purdey shotgun from a Remington 870. Its so stereotypical that its almost sad.

Most mac users don't get it, and probably never will but they are happy thinking there is something special about their 0 /1 tabulator.

Get what? That a BMW and a Yugo ARE the same? That a Purdey shotgun IS just another 'fire stick'. I guess you're right. We'll never get that.

I guess I am trying to see if I can get a rise out of a Mac zealot. Let's see what happens.

Wow it worked. Aren't you proud? Well, don't let you're head get too big yet, looking over this thread it looks like we've gotten a pretty good rise out of YOU too!!! Oh the irony!!

 

[smfcpacfp]

Works every time. Mac zealots always have to have the last word.

To the gentleman who started the thread before it was hijacked, I think you have received enough good information (and a lot of Mac zealotry) to make a good decision. If you don't care about price, just flip a coin and you'll probably be happy.

 

[alchemysa]

I wonder how MarkV is going with his Mac? Still happy I hope.

I'm a long time (happy) Mac user, but with plenty of (unhappy) PC experience too. Recently I had to buy a PC laptoptop and frankly I was dreading it. We got a Dell 1535 Studio. Its quite a nice machine with no serious problems, but honestly, Windows (Vista) is still a nightmare compared to the simplicity of the Mac.

Heres an example. These are the instructions to simply unplug a USB Key Flash drive...

Mac...
•Drag the USB icon to the trash.
•Pull out the drive.

Vista...
Use the 'Safe to remove hardware' hotplug icon in the notification area of the taskbar to safely remove the device before unplugging. The notification area is to the right of the taskbar where you usually see the current time displayed.
•In the notification area right-click on the safe to remove hardware hotplug icon
•Select the device you want to unplug then click Stop
•Click OK to confirm item.
•When windows notifies you that it is safe to do so unplug the USB Flash drive from your computer.


And when you plug a USB (or any device) into the Mac, the icon immediately appears on the desktop. But With Vista you have to dig around to find the thing. I just dont understand why Microsoft have to make everything so hard. Its like they'd rather give you six complicated ways to do something instead of just one simple way.