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Convince me to stay with Mac OS

7031

7031

macrumors 6502
Original poster
First of all, I want you to be aware that I have been using Macs for around 2-3 years now. I have owned 3 macs in that time.

However, I'm starting to think that the only reason that macs are fast and reliable is because of the hardware. Windows actually runs very well on my Mac. And well, to be honest I'm sick of paying insane amount for hardware. I could build a desktop PC that could wipe the floor with a £900 iMac for around £500 + £200 for the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Also, I just don't like the idea of all in ones.

The OS is great, but I have yet to find anything I can do in Mac OS that I can't do in Windows. While I will keep Mac OS since I'm doing a BTEC in music technology, I feel pretty close to switching back.

One big thing for me with the OS though, is that I feel left in the dark. There doesn't appear to be any equivalent to Device Manager, and there is no real advanced system preferences style thing. While I wouldn't likely need such a thing, it would be reassuring to have. Also, I've had issues with my Mac that can often only be fixed by doing something drastic such as reformatting or creating a new user account or whatever. While I did have issues with Windows, they could often be fixed if I was willing to spend the time.

Basically, I just don't feel Macs are advanced enough. The OS is great, but I feel like it's aimed at idiots, since their hardware is rediculously overpriced, the OS is kinda basic and well, I'm really not seeing what it has over Windows.

Of course, I would likely continue to post here and such. I love the Mac community, and well, I'm pretty sick of Windows fanboys, but still.

Simply put, give me some reasons to stick with the Mac OS. Again, I love their macbook range, and I will be keeping my Macbook Pro, but I am seriously considering switching back to Windows.

Of course, if Apple was to release a mid-range tower, I would quite happily stay on the Mac side.
 
7031 said:
One big thing for me with the OS though, is that I feel left in the dark. There doesn't appear to be any equivalent to Device Manager,
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Apple Menu>About this Mac>More Info


7031 said:
and there is no real advanced system preferences style thing.
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What's the equivalent on Windows?

7031 said:
and there is no real advanced system preferences style thing. While I wouldn't likely need such a thing, it would be reassuring to have. Also, I've had issues with my Mac that can often only be fixed by doing something drastic such as reformatting or creating a new user account or whatever.
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Or an archive and install which isn't destructive. You may also be able to fix issues by using the command line...
 
Perhaps you should read up a bit more about OSX (and particularly the power of the Unix terminal). More control on offer there than you'd probably ever want. I recommend browsing Amazon for a good in-depth book and reading it cover to cover. 🙂
 
7031 said:
Basically, I just don't feel Macs are advanced enough. The OS is great, but I feel like it's aimed at idiots, since their hardware is rediculously overpriced, the OS is kinda basic and well, I'm really not seeing what it has over Windows.[/B]
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You've convinced me. Definitely, build your own PC. Why would anyone want an overpriced computer with a basic OS built for idiots? I would do the same if I was smart enough.
 
I don't feel compelled to convince you

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
Lol. Sorry if I offended any of you. Just a bit of rant.

OK. Now to try and answer you guys:
Or an archive and install which isn't destructive. You may also be able to fix issues by using the command line..
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Done that before 😀. Command line? The one thing I like about Mac OS. The Windows commandline sucks. Why I also like Linux lol. In fact, I actually really like apt-get in Debian.

What's the equivalent on Windows?
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Well, I just like being able to feel like I have complete control over my computer. Why I prefer building my own.

Actually, you've just made me realize that I'm an idiot.

Goodbye. thy can join the Bill Gates show now and we shalt laugh at thee from Steve Jobs show!
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OK then. Like I said though, I really like the Mac community.

You've convinced me. Definitely, build your own PC. Why would anyone want an overpriced computer with a basic OS built for idiots? I would do the same if I was smart enough.
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Thankyou for understanding 😀. Well, actually, I don't think it's a matter of it treating you like an idiot, I just feel it's a bit too simple.

Perhaps you should read up a bit more about OSX (and particularly the power of the Unix terminal). More control on offer there than you'd probably ever want. I recommend browsing Amazon for a good in-depth book and reading it cover to cover.
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True. I normally just Google stuff though. Heh, I actually like Debian Linux quite a lot. Shame it lacks wireless drivers by default and stuff.
 
If you don't like it don't buy it, if you can't find anything in Mac OS X that's worth it for you that's no problem, everyone has different tastes and that is a good thing.

For me it's expose, quicklook, the much nicer interface (whoever thought of windows blue bar with green button and yellow folders should be fired, unless you like the OS to have a fisher price look). I also prefer the finder to explorer, which is way too clumsy for my tastes. And since I'm working with my hardware I like to sit in front & look at something beautiful the whole day.

But these are all personal things.
 
chaosbunny said:
If you don't like it don't buy it, if you can't find anything in Mac OS X that's worth it for you that's no problem, everyone has different tastes and that is a good thing.

For me it's expose, quicklook, the much nicer interface (whoever thought of windows blue bar with green button and yellow folders should be fired, unless you like the OS to have a fisher price look).
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Heh. You are the first person who I actually fully agree with in this thread lol.

I must admit, quicklook and expose are actually really useful, but in Windows we have the thumbnail and previews in explorer? Not quite as powerful, but still. Also, we have the taskbar, which has the names of the program and the contents or whatever. Something that Mac OS lacks, unless the program is minimized. I suppose why it makes sense for Mac OS to have expose.

I also prefer the finder to explorer, which is way too clumsy for my tastes. And since I'm working with my hardware I like to sit in front & look at something beautiful the whole day.
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Well, I must admit, having the folders and stuff on the side is pretty useful.
 
Re: All-in-ones. Conquer your fear. I didn't 'get' the iMac either until I carpet-bombed my office with them. They're quiet, efficient, fantastic.

What makes you think OS X is basic? The underpinnings of it are far more advanced than Windows - with much better RAM support and management, and very good handling of multi-core and multi-CPU architectures. It sounds like you can get around Terminal fine, so the sky is the limit.
 
miniConvert said:
Re: All-in-ones. Conquer your fear. I didn't 'get' the iMac either until I carpet-bombed my office with them. They're quiet, efficient, fantastic.
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True. The noise from my PC drives me mad. I'm hoping I'll find a way to better cool it though. I might consider water cooling or something. Though, my graphics card is quite loud, so yeah.

What makes you think OS X is basic? The underpinnings of it are far more advanced than Windows - with much better RAM support and management, and very good handling of multi-core and multi-CPU architectures. It sounds like you can get around Terminal fine, so the sky is the limit.
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True. The terminal is Windows is quite frankly ****.
 
I think if you have been on OSX for 3 years or so now, and can't see any beneifits of sticking with Apple/Mac's (of which I personally think there are many!) then it's a bit hard for us to convince you to stay.

Sorry but I really don't see the point of these threads, Macs/Pc's they are all just computers... Use whatever is going to get the job done for you, in your situation. Good luck! 🙂
 
A common hindrance that switchers have, is that they tend to look at Mac OS from a Windows point of view.

"But it was different on Windows."
"Windows had [insert silly gadget]. I can't live without it."
"I need to dig into Device Manager every day, first thing in the morning."
"As a hobby, I'd rather construct my own computer."

If these are issues, then you'll definitely want windows. (…as was pointed out before in this thread. I'm just trying to make a point without being polemical.)

To put it in a nutshell: You're complaining to BMW that they don't build Mitsubishis.

My Macs are tools to get my work done. I've never lost work due to a virus on a Mac. I appreciate the design effort that transcendends a Mac on any level, be it hardware, software, or human interface guidelines.

I deeply distrust any OS that makes you klick OK when it tells you that it has just crashed, and that makes you click START when you want to shut the machine down.
 
pianojoe said:
I deeply distrust any OS that makes you klick OK when it tells you that it has just crashed, and that makes you click START when you want to shut the machine down.
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Like when Windows says,
"There are too many error boxes open. Please close some to continue"?

A common hindrance that switchers have, is that they tend to look at Mac OS from a Windows point of view.

"But it was different on Windows."
"Windows had [insert silly gadget]. I can't live without it."
"I need to dig into Device Manager every day, first thing in the morning."
"As a hobby, I'd rather construct my own computer."

If these are issues, then you'll definitely want windows. (…as was pointed out before in this thread. I'm just trying to make a point without being polemical.)

To put it in a nutshell: You're complaining to BMW that they don't build Mitsubishis.

My Macs are tools to get my work done. I've never lost work due to a virus on a Mac. I appreciate the design effort that transcendends a Mac on any level, be it hardware, software, or human interface guidelines.
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Heh. You actually have some pretty good points, and well yeah. I suppose I'm just a complete nerd lol. But yes, the hardware on Macs is usually very high quality.
 
7031 said:
Well, I just like being able to feel like I have complete control over my computer.
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If you want complete control, build your own machine and install Linux. But saying you want complete control and then installing Windows is just plain stupid.
 
Convince you? Why? OS X is just another OS. If I didn't use it, I'd use Windows or Linux, and I'd be fine.

Computers aren't nearly as black and white as some here would have you believe.
 
7031 said:
True. The noise from my PC drives me mad. I'm hoping I'll find a way to better cool it though. I might consider water cooling or something. Though, my graphics card is quite loud, so yeah.
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Well there goes your price points you mentioned in your starting post. 🙂

You know the terminal, I would suggest looking into what you can and cannot do in the terminal. See if what your missing is there. Have you heard of macports? www.macports.org Your familiar with apt-get, its similar. If you have ever been on a FreeBSD machine, its very much like ports.

If you want convincing, I really cannot help you. But... I moved to OS X because I wanted (basically) a portable FreeBSD like environment. And FreeBSD at the time was and still is mostly, a PITA on a laptop, unless you get a laptop that just happens to be perfect hardware wise. I did NOT want a linux laptop, I am not all that fond of linux. I have been in a BSD environment since the mid 90's, and OS X is similar enough to FreeBSD to me, for me to be comfortable with it. I run windows because I have to (Work), not because I want to or need it for anything. (Not really into games on a PC). Like I said, I really could not help much. Unless you are really into FreeBSD, then maybe... 🙂
 
If you're getting a desktop, I would build your own and run OS X and Windows on it. For what most people need an iMac isn't enough, and a Mac Pro is way too much.

I really like my MB, but I can't justify buying an Apple desktop.
 
StuBeck said:
For what most people need an iMac isn't enough
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I can't imagine what "most people" would need that an iMac cannot do

Seriously, I would be interested in your thoughts on this
I think the average (most people) user does not need more than an iMac

Email
Web browsing
Word/Pages
Excel/Numbers
iPhoto
iTunes
Quicken
burning CDs/DVDs
Photoshop Elements or even Photoshop itself
iMovie

What exactly does the iMac NOT do that most people need?

Are we talking "gaming"?
I would say that doesn't qualify for "most people" if that is the case

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
I shouldn't have used the term "most people" I apologize, but I don't need your tone. For "me" which is what I meant, it isn't enough. Also, with the newer screens, the minimum people doing photo work would want is the 24", which is rather expensive for what you get.
 
StuBeck said:
I shouldn't have used the term "most people" I apologize, but I don't need your tone. For "me" which is what I meant, it isn't enough. Also, with the newer screens, the minimum people doing photo work would want is the 24", which is rather expensive for what you get.
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You misread my "tone", because there was none when I wrote
I merely was interested in your claim, which you have revised

It may not be enough for you... and that is fair
But to say it is not enough for "most people" was a claim worth asking about

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
If you have been using macs for 2 - 3 years, then you should know enough about the hardware, OS, and other software to make an informed decision. Looks like a matter of personal preference to me. I'm assuming that before the 2 - 3 years, you were on windows systems? Experimented with linux?
I think you have enough experience with hardware and OS's to make a good decision for yourself without outside input.😕
 
7031 said:
However, I'm starting to think that the only reason that macs are fast and reliable is because of the hardware. Windows actually runs very well on my Mac. And well, to be honest I'm sick of paying insane amount for hardware. I could build a desktop PC that could wipe the floor with a £900 iMac for around £500 + £200 for the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Also, I just don't like the idea of all in ones.

The OS is great, but I have yet to find anything I can do in Mac OS that I can't do in Windows. While I will keep Mac OS since I'm doing a BTEC in music technology, I feel pretty close to switching back.
Click to expand...

O.K. So you think Mac Hardware is superior; you think Windows is as good and sometimes better than OSX; Windows runs very well on your Mac; you need OS X for music technology. And your solution is to build your own windows machine (that won't run OS X)? Why do you need ANY new machine if Windows, which you prefer, "runs very well," and I'm assuming that OS X, that you need, does also? And if you'd buy a Mac mid-range tower, what does "convincing" you about Mac OS X have to do with it? It sounds like you like changing hardware often (3 Macs in 2-3 years), in which case you won't get as much of the benefit of re-sale value of Macs vs. PC's, and yes, building your own machine might make sense, but not sure what that has to do with OS X vs. Windows (since they both run on a Mac, and you need OS X)
 
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