Mac OS X forum: Windows to Mac: Why did you switch?

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<span style="'font-family:" "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;'>In reply to
this blog, one can replace all the Apple or Mac references with Windows or
Microsoft. The comparisons reflects the abilities of both operating systems,
with the exception of "why" does the Mac have the 'bootcamp' feature
(its rhetorical but...); likely because it cannot do all that a computer
utilizing Windows can. Considering a computer is only as good as the software
it contains; the operating system and 3rd party software. I for one have the
MacBook pro 17" and after some months of trying to have it apply to the
work at hand (PhD Candidate 2nd year) it was necessary to maintain a Windows 7
operating system via Bootcamp to cover my needs, and eventually a further 2
months passing had me eliminate the Apple product outright for the Windows 7. The Mac hardware
is famous for a failing hard drive which I experienced at a cost of $700 to
replace and loss of all my data. It is also dangerously open to viruses. The public
is under the impression that the Apple is virus free and in some way this may be true
only because it still represents a low market share compared to
the Windows OS; meaning hackers have more bang for the buck going after Windows
products, but this may soon change as popularity increases. But I do appreciate
the mouse pad functionality on the MacBook which other manufactures should emulate. <?xml:namespace prefix =" o" ns =" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"" /><o:p></o:p>
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I use both operating systems and challenge your contention that the Mac's "kick butt" in the consumer area.
The Mac are like everything made by Apple; a wonder to look at and a little easier for a someone with little experience to use. It apps have been customized to be used with the OS and isn't likely to have issues. It's video editing is awesome but the rest of their apps are matched or surpassed by PC apps.

Mac's are also best for someone who are not aware how to protect their computers from all types of malware. Yes, the Mac is not as likely to get a virus but not because of it's OS but because most virus writers want to affect as many computers as they can so they write for the PC.

I only use the Mac for video editing.
Quite simply each has it's benefits and quirks but when you come down to the nitty gritty you will always get more bang for your buck from a PC and that includes power.

@PaxKahuna:

A few problems here...

"For this reason, as a scientist, artist, musician, photographer, vidoegrapher and iPhoneographer, Apple is a very fine surgical instrument, whereas, Windows is a very good, general purpose but not an excellent 'work-horse'."
>>>>Surgical instrument? I assume this is a misnomer, and that you are trying to convey workmanship of fine intricacies with the Mac. As far as surgery goes - like robot-assisted surgery - this is done with Windows, not Mac OS. Also, you raised my eyebrow with the claim that Windows is not an excellent workhorse. Don't forget, Macs and PCs use the same hardware, while PCs offer the greatest selection; the fastest PC is faster than the fastest Mac.

"Keeping in mind that some time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, some Technical/Scientific & Engineering software, was ONLY coded for Windows, Why?, because they got there first, but, now appear to be finishing last, it's all just a matter of perceptive, personal taste, affordability, and purpose of use really! The REST is all about Marketing!"
>>>>Actually, the Mac came out before Windows, not after. And furthermore, how is Apple leading? Mac OS has issues right out of the box, unlike Windows! Kernel panics when inserting/unmounting a flash drive, hanging when trying to close Firefox with just a single tab in use, the infamous sleep bug, etc.

Someone who is all about marketing is someone who comes up with "Get a Mac", making innuendos that every single Windows PC has problems, viruses, and such, while the Mac has none. Apple's Web site actually used to say that Mac OS was "built on a solid Unix foundation and designed with security in mind." Little did the loyal sheeple know at the time that Apple would be humiliated year after year, after year at Pwn2Own, with Microsoft's superior security since Vista clearly demonstrated.

Now you have Apple quietly backing off that bandwagon, preloading antimalware on the OS; while the new fanboy slogan is, "At least we only have Trojans, and not viruses!" Of course, they assume it's harder to run a virus (which almost exclusively depends on user intervention) than to initiate remote code execution; while the reality is that most malwares are profit-driven, while viruses are written out of hate, and sent in patriotic or religious chain letters targeted at politicians and high-profile ministers, assuming they run Windows because 19 in 20 people do.

"And just to be as transparent as possible, Apple designs, builds, produces, and delivers a Complete "PC" Package (Hardware, Software, Displays, etc), whereas, Windows is a generic, emulating-based Software. Microsoft left the PC Manufacturing to other manufacturer's, and saving a ton on development."
>>>>First of all, you make it sound like sticking with software was a scheme by Microsoft to reap as much profit as possible. On the contrary, Microsoft started out writing languages, while IBM (and all their future copycats) employed Microsoft to provide the operating system (IBM had assumed mistakenly that MS had an OS, and Bill Gates initiatlly tried to steer them toward Digital Research before that deal fell by the wayside), scoffing at the little software maker and saying that hardware was where the real money was.

Second of all, what hardware does Apple make? They buy from the same pool of manufacturers PC vendors buy from! I assume you're referring to the fact that Apple SELLS both the operating system and the hardware, and insinuating that it was a mistake for Microsoft not to do so. Of course, this still raises the question as to why you're more likely to have OOB problems with a Mac than with a PC. I'll never forget working in the Geek Squad years ago, and having to try two or three times to install MS Office on a brand, new MBP, and three or four times to get Apple's OWN updates to install on the same units!

"* Hardware - From the Avant Garde, Model Design Concept to selecting the CPU motherboard(s), including the technical concept of moving electrons thorough it's proprietary shorter "pipeline", I have always believed that Apple has been on the cutting edge, because they clearly understand how to develop a Synchronization model between all the Important elements, mentioned above."
>>>>Ah, yes, Apple's magical motherboard. Funny thing is, the boards are made by Foxconn, who makes practically everyone's motherboards! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn

"* Software - Extremely Intuitive, Stable, User-friendly interfaces, that made everyone else jealous enough to form a stampede of emulating/copy-cat software, with unattractive results. I mean when you make the Hardware, doesn't it makes sense that in developing the Software, you would be paying closer attention to a complete Integration Process & System? It's Yes, and Apple wins this one hands down! Instead of Hey ... we have completed our PC Project or Software Version, and we'll let the OTHER guys to figure out how to make it all work down the line, concept."
>>>>I'm sorry, but this paragraph was 100% nonsense. Apple doesn't make their own hardware, and even their kernel was made by someone else. Yes, Microsoft bought QDOS, which was a knockoff of CP/M, but NT was written by Microsoft from the ground up. Apple's Darwin kernel came from FreeBSD and NetBSD. And again, Windows is more stable out of the box than OS X; the problem is that there's poorly-written (or adware/Trojan infested), third-party application software everywhere you look on the Web, targeted at Windows. If you were a little more careful, you might find that you can run Windows and have it NEVER crash, while running your Mac alongside it and having it RARELY crash.

"The other point, is that both Operating System Upgrades from Apple, are dead simple to install, and in most instances are an Improvement over the last one, like Jaguar to Snow Leopard, for instance. And I have never felt like Apple was Monitoring my every key stroke or sending any of my personal information, to the Mother Ship, unlike Microsoft." >>>>It's been awhile since I've updated a Mac, other than my old PowerBook G4 running Leopard (which hasn't had a problem). But because of my previous experience with Macs running Panther, which is newer than Jaguar, I would have to contest your claim. And speaking of sending your personal information to a mother ship, how do you feel about your Apple devices tracking you everywhere you go, and making that information available to anyone?

"Furthermore, leaving Windows 98 aside, and conveying my own personal experiences with Windows XP Pro, based on a longer 'Work History Use' ... all the way to my current version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Well, in truth I don't see much of an UPGRADE or some Spectacular futuristic MS/OS Version, going from XP Pro to W7, they are the SAME exact "blueprint", with just some updates like fancy icons, and adding some small graphical changes, the OS;s are identical. All you have to do is just Compare them Objectively, not subjectively."
>>>>Here we go. Just like the nastiest people in the world always introduce themselves as being "easy to get along with," the fanboys always have to lead with this pigswallow about being "platform agnostic" or "objective," before proceeding to take the audience hostage for a ride through La La Land, hyping up their favorite platform and bashing its opponent with outrageous tall tales, so little of which are true that the SUBJECTIVITY of their rants are as transparent as a Republican's attempt to conceal their commitment to corporations.

"In addition, Mac Snow Leopard or the newest 'Lion' OS is released ONLY one Version at a time, thereby, you don't have it SPLIT into 4 or 5 "versions', like Microsoft Windows 7, from Basic to the Pro "Versions", and then ADD the high Cost's in "Upgrading", that's enough to make your wallet hemorrhage, every time you turn around."
>>>>I'll admit that I would prefer single versions of Windows, but you raised my eyebrows again as soon as you started talking about the "high costs" of upgrading. I could buy a gaming PC with Windows 7 Ultimate, Office 2010 Pro Plus, and an extended warranty for less than a Mac with half the RAM and no AppleCare.

"Other REALISTIC Talking Points to consider with Windows generally, has always been the CONSTANT OS Daily "Updates", Plus the Pleothra of SUPPORT Software like "ANTI-Everthing In The Kitchen Sink" Software, their additional Costs to factor in, and their Subsequent, Annoying & SLOW updates."
>>>>I was already about to call shenanigans before I got to this part, and now it's clear you definitely DON'T use Windows. DAILY updates? Don't you mean MONTHLY updates, specifically, every second Tuesday for predictability? OOPS!!!

I won't even bother to mention your latter comments/specifications, because I've realized that I'm simply addressing yet another liar. As usual, you can't push Apple with honesty; you have to make up stories.

Here's objectivity for you: I don't use Mac OS much, and the version I have is not the newest one (it's the newest one available for PPC, which is all I'm going to have until I feel like throwing away two grand for a laptop with only 4GB of RAM and less than 1TB of hard disk space (not even an SSD for all that money). What I know about Macs may not be entirely up to date, because the only times I use the newest Apple stuff is when someone comes to me for help with it. However, I know the difference between a bad OS and a successful OS that is exploited by frauds with no business in programming, striving for a piece of the pie.

Pretty much the only thing I use my Mac for is to handle Mac files, and it sits in a desk drawer for about 28 or 29 days a month. I do frequently image my PCs, and have to restore one of them more often than most people when I run into a junk app, but that's because I'm always testing new ones (most of them I install in a W7 x64 VirtualBox machine, to see which ones can be ThinApp'd). The amount of locally-installed software I use is always on the decline; I've even redirected most of my file type associations to portable apps, with the exception of those that depend on services and drivers, or the ones that I need context menus for.

I don't know how many portable applications I have now, but I have over 200 that I use often enough to have them in my PStart menus, because my computers are the Swiss Army knives of my local community. I have been asked to do all kinds of odd jobs, from simple video conversions and compression for smartphones to creating slideshows for a memorial service, whose transitions had to be synchronized with the rhythm of the music (and one of these songs had the man's voice dubbed over the accompaniment, so he could "sing at his own funeral").

I don't use Windows because I think it's magically pristine, or because I worship Bill Gates or Steve Ballmer. I use Windows because I do practically everything with computers, and because there's more free software for Windows than there is software period for the Mac and all other Unix-like platforms combined. If a singular Linux distro ever gets enough support from hardware OEMs to overtake Windows and emerge the new standard (unlikely), then I'll switch to Linux. If the Mac ever becomes the standard, then I'll switch to the Mac (also unlikely, because Apple has almost no presence in the server market as it has always been more fashion than business). Of course, I'll build a hackintosh before I ever spend $2,000 dollars on a laptop with only 4 gigs of RAM and a 750GB hard drive!

PaxKahuna, you may want to change your screenname, because your credibility is ruined. And next time, I suggest you confine yourself to fact and not to favorites, because you WILL get caught and pulled up on it here.

I have been in the Windows world since 1985. I feel MS has not shown much innovation since Windows 95. The menus change and some functions are just different but not really better. I feel Windows Explorer took a step backwards after Windows XP. It continues to frustrate me that the Windows registry is so unstable. I use XP with Office 2007 at work and Office 2003 at home. I was reluctant to learn something new; however, my wife likes her iPhone and my boss is less frustrated with Apple so I bought my wife a MacBook Pro for Christmas. I like the synchronization of the Mac environment. I am struggling more going to a laptop from a desktop that from Windows to OS X. There are less options with apple but the apple solution is usually great. The increased cost is an issue. I got the 13" MacBook Pro to test the waters with apple. So far I feel the Mac offers real solutions rather than annoying reminders. I do miss the 10 key pad and the End key. A year from now I hope to know if I want to jump into the Apple waters with both feet and replace my Windows desktop.

In your post it states Mac Gear: iPhone 5?

Hi, I recently bought a CD of ARCH LINUX so I could try the system out,not wanting to add to the hard disk I have booted from the CD but I am unable to move from the black screen which I can type on at the bottom but am unable to open up the programme , can some one offer a simple means of opening up, or suggest where I can download the basic instructions since all the normal channels seem to assume that I am aware of all the information and details from the disk?(Isuppose at 79 I am not as astute as I was at 35-- but then there was no internet then!!!! Irun XP (3) 32 bit with 250 GB disk and 2GB ram.on a desk top.

Arch Linux is probably the wrong distribution for you. It's unashamedly made for people who want maximum control and who want to learn how Linux works. I gather that you are new to Linux and just want something that you can install once and run problem-free forever - Arch is for tinkerers.

If you are new to Linux, I'd suggest you try a more mainstream distribution such as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE or Fedora. These hide the complexity of the Linux system with intelligent default settings and a sane selection of software. These distributions will be much easier for you to learn and use. You're also likely to get better support as more people use them, and it's not assumed that you're already familiar with the internals.

Having been a heavy PC user pretty much since day one, I have been forced into the Mac world simply because I wanted to be able to support my many clients that have made the switch or who have simply added some Mac's to their inventory of computers in the home or Office. I have assisted several hundred clients in making the switch from a PC to a Mac and for the most part it has been a fairly easy transition. I would rate the experience a 5 for simple computer users and a 3 for complex computer users. As a part of my informal interview, I always ask why they are making the switch and the number one answer is "my kids talked me into getting a Mac". But in order of importance, here are the most popular reasons that I get in my area.

1. My Kids Talked me into getting a Mac.
2. My friends told me how great Mac's were.
3. I am sick of getting Viruses on my PC and I was told Macs never have this problem.

In my little corner of the market, I find the most common scenario is as follows: One the children in the house (usually a Daughter) gets a Mac first. Then the other kids in the house want one with the exception of maybe one of the boys who is heavy into gaming. Then finally Mom breaks down and gets a Mac. Dad holds out running his 6 year old PC because his office is running on all PC's and they don't support Mac yet. Finally, dad's office decided to start supporting Macs and his work buddies convince him to make the switch because they never have virus problems. In the end, I still find many households still have a mix of computers both PC and Mac.

MAKING THE SWITCH - As far as making the switch from PC to Mac goes, I have found that I run into 3 basic scenarios:

1. EASY - This is usually a young person that has no real prior history to worry about on his or her old computer and they use some form of online email such as gmail or Yahoo mail and do not use the computer for much more than email, writing documents, Printing photos, listening to music and surfing the web. Moving documents, internet Favorites/Bookmarks as well as music and photos is straight forward and goes fairly smoothly most of the time and the transition for the user is relatively easy. RATING = 5

2. MEDIUM - This person again uses the computer for basically all the same reason as above with the exception of their email is on Outlook Express, Outlook or some other email client instead of being web based. Here you run into potential issues converting old emails and folders as well as address books and calendars to some other standard that the Mac uses. The transition is more difficult and you may spend a lot of extra time converting, fixing and resorting data to get it working the way you want. One example of this is if you are currently using Outlook 2000, 2002 or 2003 on your current PC for email and you purchase Outlook 2011 for your new Mac expecting it to convert seamlessly, you will find that the Mac version of Outlook will not convert Outlook data files that are older than version 2007. You will first need to find someone to convert your PST file to 2007 or 2010 on the PC before importing the data into Outlook 2011 for Mac. This is just one of the little things that they don't tell you in the store. RATING = 4

3. MOST DIFFICULT - This is the person who has been using a PC for many years and uses the computer for just about everything and has all kinds of applications. He or she has years of data, some of which is in specialized programs such as Quicken, Quickbooks, ACT!, Sony Vegas, Family Tree and Autocad. They also have tons of little utilities that they have downloaded over the years and grown fond of using on a regular basis. They may also have some really old peripherals like scanners and printers that they want to keep using. This is the is the guy that either ends up having to run Windows on their Mac or in many case continues to keep a Windows PC around for certain application that simply do not run on a Mac and there is no good equivalent. Some of the Applications like Quicken are available for both PC and Mac but they are just not the same. Many features can be missing in the Mac version and if it happens to be something that you use all the time, it just may not be acceptable and you may end up having to run Windows in some form or switch to some other application altogether. RATING = 3
RUNNING WINDOWS ON A MAC - I admit I have not tried every possible scenario and it may also simply depend on which applications you need to have running but I have had good luck (short of running two separate computers), with VMware Fusion 3 with Windows 7.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE
I have found that if you are fortunate enough to live fairly near an Apple Store and you are purchasing a new Mac, your transition to Mac will be far more enjoyable if you purchase Apple Care and spend the extra $99 for the training classes. One disadvantage to Apple computers are they are very expensive to repair and having Apple Care will eliminate sticker shock should your computer need any service. In general, my clients that have taken advantage of in-store training at the Apple Store are far more pleased with their purchase then those that try to wing it on their own. If you do not live near an Apple store hire someone to come in and give you a few hours of training. It is well worth the expense.

One other note: The guys at the Mac store are really great but they are trained to put a positive spin on everything and rarely present any negatives. Research and get all the facts before attempting to make the switch. For example, go online and check to make sure there are Mac drivers for all the hardware that you plan to use with your new computer and research what software you will need to work with your current data.

Happy Holidays!
Dana
Wayland Computer

One word: SPEED

As a heavy email and web browser user, I was astonished at how fast I can access my email. On a MAC I am operating in 20-30 seconds from a cold start. My Windows 7 pc (my work laptop) takes at least 1:30 to 2 minutes before MS Outlook is ready to use.

The convenience and usability of a MAC vs. a PC is fantastic.

Although, Windows 2000 was much more stable and easier to work with, it does not support most modern hardware. XP does everything I need it to do, but it took years to get XP to work properly (LIKE Windows 2000) I've begun using Xubuntu (Linux) quite a bit, as it will support any hardware I'm likely to install it on, from the oldest 386 in my closet right up to a laptop built in 2011. Customized it my way within days!
I tried Vista, too many problems, too much eye candy and no functionality out of the box, I'd never recommend it to anyone, even if you turn off the "UAC" garbage (and a newbie wouldn't do that.))
My wife has a Windows 7 laptop and what I've found with it, is it has too many bluescreens, and very difficult to repair, also it's awful to look at and very difficult to use, with tiny "preview" windows that mean nothing, very difficult to see anything on the screen (Areo enabled, maybe OK if you turn that off and revert to a "classic" look such as the windows 2000 start menu, etc, as I did with my XP, and at first with Linux, although I now have a glass effect on the Linux that's USABLE whereas Areo on 7 is NOT) Also, Windows 7 moved files that you can't find, 64 bit and 32 bit stuff running from different folders constantly at the same time, etc. It's a home user's nightmare!
TWO possible pluses for Win 7 and that's all. if it crashes, it will recover (usually) (but the BSOD's seem constant and annoying.. this on an HP laptop, crashed because my wife uses Internet Damn Explorer instead of a real browser like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari.)
The other plus, is the search box on the start button but ONLY if you know exactly what you're looking for already. (If you're looking for where a hidden folder with some DLL you want to remove is contained, forget it, just use Agent Ransack or some other desktop search that's much better.)
Mac, you can just turn on and use, if you're that type of user, but from what I've found, installing software on it is a nightmare, since you can't just download an windows program, install it and run it.. whereas with my Linux you can either run the program in Wine or use a Linux equivalent.) Linux networks with anything, easily. You can hack right through windows 7 security remotely with Linux, no problem.
Windows (especially 7) very difficult to use, and VERY difficult to repair, especially if you were used to Win XP.
I learned all I needed to know about Linux in just days, and was able to 'tweak' it JUST the way I wanted, to look just like Windows 2000, yet with more capabilities. Try that with mac or 7. PLUS I learned how to easily repair any problems.
Big PLUS: Linux= FREE, worldwide support, and you can do what you want with it. Runs anything you'd likely to need.
Big MINUS Windows= $$$, POOR tech support, crashes, poor design, buggy, built on software designed in the 80's, although they've tried to "modernize" the UI, however it doesn't network with Windows 98 or 2000, or even XP computers very easily unless you're a techie.
Big MINUS MAC= $$$$, Can't install whatever you want, can't work on it, can't customize it, have to go to an "app store" to get software or replacement hardware. (But it works out of the box if you're happy with what you're given, which I rarely am, I want to do it my way.)

My prediction: Android will take over the mobile market within five years, and that will be the largest market of all at that time, and for those who don't like some Android device's OS out of the box, you'll just replace that with a standard Linux distro (Unity looks ready for mobile, though I'd never use it on a desktop.) After all Android IS Linux!
My recommendation: go with what YOU want and need, be it customization, compatibility, or ease of use. Try them all.

Waytron -

GREAT breakdown you presented on this subject. But actually, the reason I switched was a bit different: I was sick & tired of "Internet Explorer has stopped working," but the virus susceptibility of the HP came into play as well. In addition, the battery life for my MacBook Pro is a LOT longer than for the HP Pavilion I had (& still have) & I find the MacBook Pro's physical construction better. The MacBook also has the GREAT feature of backlit keys (my HP doesn't). Needless to say, if for any reason you're working in an unlit/poorly lit environment, the backlighting is an ENORMOUS help.

And I agree 115% with your comments about paying the extra & taking the Mac classes.

Thanks again for your write-up.

joe

After reading so many comments stating that the Apple computers are built to a higher standard, I felt I had to pipe back in.

I agree, Apple computers are generally built much better then the "AVERAGE" PC but not better than all PC's. There are a lot of very well made PC's out there. But when it really comes down to it, a large majority of users tend to replace their computers every 3 or 4 years anyway just to keep up with technology changes, so for many users it may not matter if the computer was built to last 7 years.

One major subject I have not seen mentioned here is the fact that the single most common hardware problem on virtually any computer is a failed hard drive. (This may change as SSD drives become more popular). But for now it does not matter whether it is a PC or a Mac, the hard drives are all the same and subject to wear and usually fail after about 3 years. This and likely batery failures is probably why Apple Care is for 3 years.

Waytron

I do agree with most of what Dana says. However, even before I switched from a PC to a Macbook in 2007, I took a few Apple workshops to make sure it was a good idea. I didn't have to pay a dime. I've since signed up for other training sessions to learn more about programs such as iPhoto and iMovie and never purchased a care plan. The workshops are one advantage Macs have over PCs. Apple will help you understand how to use their products if you take the time to learn. I'm not saying that I prefer Macs to PCs. I like using both for different reasons. It's like being bilingual. I still have a desktop PC at home, which I love because it's fast, has a large hard drive and was a bargain for under $500. I also run Windows 7 on my Macbook using Parallels for programs like Microsoft Zune, again, which I love more than iTunes. I just don't want there to be the impression that you have to pay for Apple's group workshops. One-on-one, training, however will cost you $99 extra when you purchase a new Mac and a care plan.

Hello to all:

I switch to a Macbook Pro some 2 years ago. I have no regrets. I do use a Windows machine for work and I have a Windows desktop. One of the main reasons I switched was virus protection. I didn't like that every year I would have to go out and spend $40 to $50 on an update to my protection to ensure that my Windows machine would not become infected. I have had the Macbook Pro for 2 years and I have yet to receive a virus and all my updates are at no cost. My Windows machine I have had to reinstall the OS due to receiving viruses. I think the Macbook plays nicely with the Windows machine, but the other way around is not always the case. If I could afford it I would update all my machines to Macs.

Thank you for reviewing.

It started with my wife, she was a teacher and had an iBook from her school. However, she was frustrated with the small screen so in 2009 I got her an iMac with the 27" monitor. Since then her computer has only locked up once, it runs as fast as the day it came out of the box. The best part is that I haven't had to do anything to maintain this. After getting her the mac I bought myself a Touch and loved the interface. Next thing I know I have 2 ipads and a macbook pro for myself. I do use boot camp on my macbook for quicken. I know there is a mac version, but I tried it and absolutely hated it.