So I finally got my new MacBook, after much waiting and worrying about what state it might be in, on Tuesday this week. Just wanna lay down my thoughts on the OS as a new user(first Mac I have touched since grade 8) and grab some opinions/tips from others who have just jumped over.
So first, a bit of history and some important info:
1) I am not a Windows fanboy, I use whichever OS best suits the needs of type of machine I aim to build/buy
2) I am still epically new to OS X and am still learning the ropes
3)Computers are a part of my everyday life, and while I'm not awesome with them, I can hold my own in most operating systems thrown my way
So after my few days of using the new machine I have my general thoughts and feelings about the OS, some pros and some cons(no bashing please, this is just opinion, nothing more)
Pros:
-Good software/hardware integration, its all very well laced together, using the new trackpad is a dream, and having multitouch integrated into most parts of the OS makes the whole experience very nice
-Clean, minimalist look, very appealing for me, I like that the actual interaction with the OS is very low-key and doesn't really intrude on actually USING the machine
-Application installation, I just have to say WOW, they nailed it right on the head. This is the closest thing I have seen to the perfect app handling model I have ever seen
-Bundled software, the curse of a Windows computer, if purchased from a vendor they usually load it down with 10ft of crap. Not necessarily the fault of MS, but their partners really need to take a lesson, THIS is how I want my machine to ship, the basics and nothing else
-Easy, robust networking options. This was more of an issue in XP(which for the record, had GARBAGE network handling) rather than Vista, but in OS X its nice and easy to use, without being overpoweringly complex.
-Stacks, they are interesting, and fairly functional while still managing a bit of flare
Now the cons, and yes there are a few:
-Weird window behavior, it may just be me but I find when I close an item in System Preferences without going back to the full list I can't make System Preferences come back onscreen until I forcibly quit the app from the dock. Just me or a common occurrence?
-Lack of a system tray. Now this is a weird issue for me, I LIKE an OS that doesn't intrude into my vision too much, but at the same time I had gotten accustomed to the way I can easily plop information into my system tray on Windows.
And finally, my biggest issue:
Mac shipped hardware only. I know that you can get a hackintosh up and running, but you really lose something in the translation. I wouldn't mind having Leopard on my gaming machine, mostly for managing my iPhone, since Windows support I find to be sketchy at best.
Anyway, those are my first impressions, overall I am pleased, my friends all told me that the OS would suck, and I have received a lot of criticism, but I figure that a computer is a tool like any other, and I use whichever OS works best for the situation, Windows for my gaming rig, Linux for my router/file server and finally OS X for my runabout laptop.
Anyone else who's a recent switcher, chime in please🙂
So first, a bit of history and some important info:
1) I am not a Windows fanboy, I use whichever OS best suits the needs of type of machine I aim to build/buy
2) I am still epically new to OS X and am still learning the ropes
3)Computers are a part of my everyday life, and while I'm not awesome with them, I can hold my own in most operating systems thrown my way
So after my few days of using the new machine I have my general thoughts and feelings about the OS, some pros and some cons(no bashing please, this is just opinion, nothing more)
Pros:
-Good software/hardware integration, its all very well laced together, using the new trackpad is a dream, and having multitouch integrated into most parts of the OS makes the whole experience very nice
-Clean, minimalist look, very appealing for me, I like that the actual interaction with the OS is very low-key and doesn't really intrude on actually USING the machine
-Application installation, I just have to say WOW, they nailed it right on the head. This is the closest thing I have seen to the perfect app handling model I have ever seen
-Bundled software, the curse of a Windows computer, if purchased from a vendor they usually load it down with 10ft of crap. Not necessarily the fault of MS, but their partners really need to take a lesson, THIS is how I want my machine to ship, the basics and nothing else
-Easy, robust networking options. This was more of an issue in XP(which for the record, had GARBAGE network handling) rather than Vista, but in OS X its nice and easy to use, without being overpoweringly complex.
-Stacks, they are interesting, and fairly functional while still managing a bit of flare
Now the cons, and yes there are a few:
-Weird window behavior, it may just be me but I find when I close an item in System Preferences without going back to the full list I can't make System Preferences come back onscreen until I forcibly quit the app from the dock. Just me or a common occurrence?
-Lack of a system tray. Now this is a weird issue for me, I LIKE an OS that doesn't intrude into my vision too much, but at the same time I had gotten accustomed to the way I can easily plop information into my system tray on Windows.
And finally, my biggest issue:
Mac shipped hardware only. I know that you can get a hackintosh up and running, but you really lose something in the translation. I wouldn't mind having Leopard on my gaming machine, mostly for managing my iPhone, since Windows support I find to be sketchy at best.
Anyway, those are my first impressions, overall I am pleased, my friends all told me that the OS would suck, and I have received a lot of criticism, but I figure that a computer is a tool like any other, and I use whichever OS works best for the situation, Windows for my gaming rig, Linux for my router/file server and finally OS X for my runabout laptop.
Anyone else who's a recent switcher, chime in please🙂
