Anyone else abandoning ship?

[The_Interloper]

both Windows and macOS are mature operating systems, what sort of features would you say that MS or google would need to add to leap frog apple? I will say that MS has swung for the fences a number of times with its updates, sometimes providing nice updates, sometimes swinging and missing. Apple hasn't really done much, Mojave's biggest feature seems to be dark mode.

I'm not sure there's much more Microsoft can do to improve Windows – those areas where they've swung and missed are normally due to their complete lack of an ecosystem. Since Microsoft completely blew it with mobile, Windows is left with a glaring hole in its product offering. Could you imagine if it had full Continuity, Handoff and messaging features etc like Apple? It would make leaving the iOS/macOS ecosystem immeasurably easier.

As it is, Apple is able to effectively take the foot off the gas with Mojave as they have already created the ecosystem that is not only completely holistic but also almost impossible to give up, even when the hardware is lacking. All PC manufacturers can do is throw every bell and whistle into hardware as the software can never match up; at best, it's a fragmented marriage with Android that sorely lacks Apple's finesse and polish.

That's not to say Apple isn't completely resting on its laurels to some degree but, in their defence, the ecosystem didn't happen in a vacuum. Apple fought hard to create it and now has the benefit of being able to simply print money because of it (also having a heads-up over the competition with selling cross-device services).

 

[maflynn]

• Track Pad... something like Apple's design, no moving parts, haptic (no "diving boards"), smooth, highly sensitive, glass

• A P3 screen with emphasis on QC around uniformity (both on color and light)

• The "good things" about the MacBook: Rigid/metal casing, thin, light, TB3

You seem focused on MBP centric design and wanting/needing only what the MBP is offering then perhaps the MBP is the only machine for you.

As for your bullet items, I'd want to address them with some personal thoughts.
Trackpad, Apple's hardware and software is certainly best in the industry. I initially hated the force touch trackpad, but I did get used to it and actually miss it compared to what I have on my Thinkpad.

P3 screen, this is really a niche requirement, its nice that apple has a full P3 screen, and I'm not taking anything away from them on that, but its something that only a handful of people actually need. I much prefer getting a higher resolution 4k screen, given that the retina resolution is lower then 4k. To each his own, I'm not questioning your need, but only mentioning that few others have that as a requirement.

Good things, this one is a bit odd, only because we see so many posts here bent laptops. Using alu means the case deforms very easily. I can understanding wanting a thin design and like the look of the alu finish, but its anything but rigid. I personally would rather have a few more millimeters in thickness for added cooling, as that thin design has been shown to hamper the cooling of the hot running coffeelake chips.

Overall, you need to buy a laptop that fits your needs, and as such it seems that you've already settled on a model that fits that needs - the MBP.

 

[Queen6]

You seem focused on MBP centric design and wanting/needing only what the MBP is offering then perhaps the MBP is the only machine for you.

As for your bullet items, I'd want to address them with some personal thoughts.
Trackpad, Apple's hardware and software is certainly best in the industry. I initially hated the force touch trackpad, but I did get used to it and actually miss it compared to what I have on my Thinkpad.

P3 screen, this is really a niche requirement, its nice that apple has a full P3 screen, and I'm not taking anything away from them on that, but its something that only a handful of people actually need. I much prefer getting a higher resolution 4k screen, given that the retina resolution is lower then 4k. To each his own, I'm not questioning your need, but only mentioning that few others have that as a requirement.

Good things, this one is a bit odd, only because we see so many posts here bent laptops. Using alu means the case deforms very easily. I can understanding wanting a thin design and like the look of the alu finish, but its anything but rigid. I personally would rather have a few more millimeters in thickness for added cooling, as that thin design has been shown to hamper the cooling of the hot running coffeelake chips.

Overall, you need to buy a laptop that fits your needs, and as such it seems that you've already settled on a model that fits that needs - the MBP.

I don't need the fluff, I need reliability, performance, usability and scalability. I don't want the CPU/GPU running at elevated temperature when only dealing with basic tasks as it simply radiates to the case. When I need to light up the CPU/GPU I don't want a hoard of excuses why it cant perform, I want solid stable performance, if that requires a larger chassis so be it.

Apple needs to get off the Vanity Fair merry-go-round and put usage first again, then design around it, not upselling Ultrabooks that fail to deliver on multiple levels.

Pro my arse, Apple should either step up, or step out, most of all quit the ********ting, as indeed the "halo effect" is very much fracturing...

Actually no, not really way too many issues...

Q-6

 

[CE3]

It seems like you want a macbook. So get one then

Someone on a MacBook Pro forum wants a MacBook? Imagine that!

I think this thread should be moved to a different forum. I know a lot it centers around 2016+ MacBook Pro, but at 1800+ posts it’s become more of all-purpose daily Apple Inc. bashfest. Many of the complaints here are fine and valid, but people will find something to complain about either way. Some of same people who criticize Apple for their MacBook keyboard design, also criticize Apple for not releasing a product when it doesn't meet their standards like AirPower. We complain that the prices of their products are too high, and then when they drop the price of HomePod by $50 people today people still cast that in a negative light. I agree that there’s plenty of room for improvement on Apple’s end, but it’s clear there will always be a lot of complaints surrounding Apple and its products no matter what they do.

 

[EdwardC]

I'm not sure there's much more Microsoft can do to improve Windows – those areas where they've swung and missed are normally due to their complete lack of an ecosystem. Since Microsoft completely blew it with mobile, Windows is left with a glaring hole in its product offering. Could you imagine if it had full Continuity, Handoff and messaging features etc like Apple? It would make leaving the iOS/macOS ecosystem immeasurably easier.

As it is, Apple is able to effectively take the foot off the gas with Mojave as they have already created the ecosystem that is not only completely holistic but also almost impossible to give up, even when the hardware is lacking. All PC manufacturers can do is throw every bell and whistle into hardware as the software can never match up; at best, it's a fragmented marriage with Android that sorely lacks Apple's finesse and polish.

That's not to say Apple isn't completely resting on its laurels to some degree but, in their defence, the ecosystem didn't happen in a vacuum. Apple fought hard to create it and now has the benefit of being able to simply print money because of it (also having a heads-up over the competition with selling cross-device services).

[doublepost=1554396286][/doublepost]I don’t know about that. Mac user since ’95 along with all iOS devices since iPhone 3 and it was pretty easy to leave. Office 365, no issues. Spotify, no issues. Various CAD programs much better on Windows. I use an Outlook e-mail address for work, nope no problem there either. The only glaring issue (non-issue in my case) iMessage but no biggie just use my phone or iMac (spare computer) in my office.

 

[The_Interloper]

[doublepost=1554396286][/doublepost]I don’t know about that. Mac user since ’95 along with all iOS devices since iPhone 3 and it was pretty easy to leave. Office 365, no issues. Spotify, no issues. Various CAD programs much better on Windows. I use an Outlook e-mail address for work, nope no problem there either. The only glaring issue (non-issue in my case) iMessage but no biggie just use my phone or iMac (spare computer) in my office.

It's easy to leave if you don't mind breaking the integration. As you said, you can still use your phone (and you still have an iMac anyway) for iMessage. But by switching to Windows you lose everything else - Continuity, Handoff, Universal Clipboard etc. If people are wanting to make a completely clean break, that's a tough sell.

It's not that it can't be done, there's just a thousand papercuts that switching causes. And, obviously, that's exactly how Apple wants it!

 

[c0ppo]

Someone on a MacBook Pro forum wants a MacBook? Imagine that!

My point is that he is searching for an alternative to MBP, but his demands are that he would like a MBP. Nothing wrong with that, just purchase what ever works for you. MBP has a lot of great stuff about it for sure. If those stuff are your mojo, well, why even look for an alternative?

I think this thread should be moved to a different forum. I know a lot it centers around 2016+ MacBook Pro, but at 1800+ posts it’s become more of all-purpose daily Apple Inc. bashfest. Many of the complaints here are fine and valid, but people will find something to complain about either way. Some of same people who criticize Apple for their MacBook keyboard design, also criticize Apple for not releasing a product when it doesn't meet their standards like AirPower. We complain that the prices of their products are too high, and then when they drop the price of HomePod by $50 people today people still cast that in a negative light. I agree that there’s plenty of room for improvement on Apple’s end, but it’s clear there will always be a lot of complaints surrounding Apple and its products no matter what they do.

So basically, lets censor users because they are using the forum as users tend to use the forum?

 

[EdwardC]

It's easy to leave if you don't mind breaking the integration. As you said, you can still use your phone (and you still have an iMac anyway) for iMessage. But by switching to Windows you lose everything else - Continuity, Handoff, Universal Clipboard etc. If people are wanting to make a completely clean break, that's a tough sell.

It's not that it can't be done, there's just a thousand papercuts that switching causes. And, obviously, that's exactly how Apple wants it!

Valid point, guess I was fortunate not to get caught up in that web!

 

[CE3]

My point is that he is searching for an alternative to MBP, but his demands are that he would like a MBP. Nothing wrong with that, just purchase what ever works for you. MBP has a lot of great stuff about it for sure. If those stuff are your mojo, well, why even look for an alternative?



So basically, lets censor users because they are using the forum as users tend to use the forum?

Fair enough. That user posted that they’ve had few issues with the 2016+ MacBook Pros, so I agree. I wasn’t sure if your post was being sarcastic or not.

Saying this thread should be moved to a more appropriate forum isn’t a request for censorship. But that’s fine, it can stay and I can stop reading the same complaints regurgitated over and over again, page after page. Many of the people who have supposedly “abandoned shipped” and moved on are still here posting about Apple every day.

 

[c0ppo]

But that’s fine, it can stay and I can stop reading the same complaints regurgitated over and over again, page after page.

I can agree on this with you completely. But it's basic of human nature, and you will find similar stuff like this on any forum, no matter the subject. It's unavoidable, so there is really no reason to think about it at all. I just pass on by posts that don't interest me at all.

Many of the people who have supposedly “abandoned shipped” and moved on are still here posting about Apple every day.

I've moved on. Using X1E, but also using mac mini, so not completely moved on. I would like to use MBP as well, because I prefer Mac OS. But that isn't possible for me because of various reasons. I can speak just for myself. I'm hoping Apple will turn things around. That's why I'm sticking on these forums.

If they put out a redesign and don't turn things around, well, I personally hope that I will leave these forums. Not because macrumors is bad or anything, but because I won't have the will to wait a few years for next redesign

 

[WickedPorter]

You seem focused on MBP centric design and wanting/needing only what the MBP is offering then perhaps the MBP is the only machine for you.

As for your bullet items, I'd want to address them with some personal thoughts.
Trackpad, Apple's hardware and software is certainly best in the industry. I initially hated the force touch trackpad, but I did get used to it and actually miss it compared to what I have on my Thinkpad.

P3 screen, this is really a niche requirement, its nice that apple has a full P3 screen, and I'm not taking anything away from them on that, but its something that only a handful of people actually need. I much prefer getting a higher resolution 4k screen, given that the retina resolution is lower then 4k. To each his own, I'm not questioning your need, but only mentioning that few others have that as a requirement.

Good things, this one is a bit odd, only because we see so many posts here bent laptops. Using alu means the case deforms very easily. I can understanding wanting a thin design and like the look of the alu finish, but its anything but rigid. I personally would rather have a few more millimeters in thickness for added cooling, as that thin design has been shown to hamper the cooling of the hot running coffeelake chips.

Overall, you need to buy a laptop that fits your needs, and as such it seems that you've already settled on a model that fits that needs - the MBP.

Great points.

Definitely agree with your assessment on the screen. Re-thinking this, I'm more interested in general color uniformity/lighting. High res isn't that big of a deal for me, as long as it's above FHD with decent scaling options.

In general, you are all correct ... this is basically another way of saying that I want the MacBook, but would like Apple to do better. Plenty of threads on that.

To the other manufacturers ... I don't think I'm asking for that much... Can we start with the MacBook-like touchpad, uniform screen and go from there?

 

[maflynn]

Can we start with the MacBook-like touchpad

This is what baffles me, so much. Trackpads are not new inventions, they've been around for ages, yet PC makers can't seem to figure it out.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

This is what baffles me, so much. Trackpads are not new inventions, they've been around for ages, yet PC makers can't seem to figure it out.

The good news is that before they were basically unusable (even 5 years ago) in the PC notebook arena. Now they are fine, they just aren't as good as mac's trackpad.

 

[rutrack]

Someone on a MacBook Pro forum wants a MacBook? Imagine that!

I think this thread should be moved to a different forum. I know a lot it centers around 2016+ MacBook Pro, but at 1800+ posts it’s become more of all-purpose daily Apple Inc. bashfest. Many of the complaints here are fine and valid, but people will find something to complain about either way. Some of same people who criticize Apple for their MacBook keyboard design, also criticize Apple for not releasing a product when it doesn't meet their standards like AirPower. We complain that the prices of their products are too high, and then when they drop the price of HomePod by $50 people today people still cast that in a negative light. I agree that there’s plenty of room for improvement on Apple’s end, but it’s clear there will always be a lot of complaints surrounding Apple and its products no matter what they do.

I think you should be moved to a different forum mate. I can assure you, barely anyone on this thread gives a damn about "AirPower" or "HomePod" or any other junk, we are talking about a laptop for work, that Apple turned into AirPowered Homepod.
[doublepost=1554407464][/doublepost]

On the hardware front, Apple's competitors are moving forward, and providing designs that imo are superior to apple, providing quality superior to apple and at a price point that is typically less then what apple charges.

What puzzles me, though, is why doesn't market adopt 16:10 screens, this is an incredible advantage on Apple hardware. On the other hand , why does Apple still have it? Seems to be a very productivity oriented feature that is not in line with where Apple is moving.

 

[maflynn]

The good news is that before they were basically unusable (even 5 years ago) in the PC notebook arena. Now they are fine, they just aren't as good as mac's trackpad.

They've gotten better to be sure, and some are close to the Mac's.

 

[SDColorado]

The good news is that before they were basically unusable (even 5 years ago) in the PC notebook arena. Now they are fine, they just aren't as good as mac's trackpad.

That's a fair assessment. They aren't bad and they do get the job done, but they won't wow you like the Mac trackpad can.

That said, I really don't need a trackpad bigger than an iPhone XR either. I have to turn off the Tap to Click or else it is unusable for me. I guess most people don't have an issue though.

 

[H2SO4]

It's easy to leave if you don't mind breaking the integration. As you said, you can still use your phone (and you still have an iMac anyway) for iMessage. But by switching to Windows you lose everything else - Continuity, Handoff, Universal Clipboard etc. If people are wanting to make a completely clean break, that's a tough sell.

It's not that it can't be done, there's just a thousand papercuts that switching causes. And, obviously, that's exactly how Apple wants it!

I don't think it's a big deal at all. The integration isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Funny, way back when the conventional wisdom was don't put all your eggs in one basket and here we are now all in on Apple.
I used to dislike WhatsApp but think it's better, (certainly hugely more reliable), than iMessage. I use it for work and play too as almost everybody I communicate with has it.
IMO Continuity, Handoff, Universal clipboard are all Meh for me.
As far as I'm concerned for play Mac OS is far more the preferred option but for work it's Windows all the way, (luckily you can run Windows on a Mac). I can't afford to ask someone to resent in a different format, or tell them that I can't run something on OSX.
A thousand paper cuts isn't even close to being close.

 

[throAU]

How about a 3-year warranty extension/replacement program? https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...rogram-for-defective-ipad-pro-smart-keyboards

The new ones also look like expensive duds: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...d-after-one-month-just-by-holding-it.2171999/

Apple's QC is shot to bits right now. Lousy/failing keyboards, FlexGate, iPad Pro touchscreen issues and bending out of the box, Mac Mini Bluetooth issues, throttling on everything...sheesh. And that's not even counting the last few years of iPhone X Touch Disease, failing GPUs in Mac Pro (still being sold!!!) etc. Something is rotten in Cupertino.

Again.

i'm not talking about the smart keyboard. If you're on the ipad you have plenty of other options, that's my point. i.e., if you need an apple portable with a keyboard that works, the ipad (sure, maybe with a third party keyboard - but the point is you have an option for that, that's an integrated "part of the device" like a case) has options. The Macbook? Nothing that isn't an additional bit of stuff to carry around.

And if the keyboard dies, you buy a new keyboard case from anywhere, clip it on, and carry on.

Built in keyboard on the Macbook fails? You're SOL for weeks while apple repair it. Totally different failure modes, and if you buy a decent third party iPad Pro keyboard chances are it won't fail in the first place.

Would be still supremely annoying with the failure rate even if it was a 5 minute job to swap it out. But it isn't. And the typing quality is not an improvement if you take both sides (those who like vs. those who don't) into account. The previous keyboards were almost universally loved.

We've got a fault prone keyboard for what benefit?


[doublepost=1554443114][/doublepost]

It frustrates me that no-one else (MS, Google etc) has seized the opportunity to push ahead while Apple stagnates.

Mac OS has barely changed for a decade. MS is still not enticing me and Chrome OS is confusing and pointless.

IMHO macOS is not the problem.

It works well enough and annoys me far less than Windows.

The operating system for laptops is a solved problem. This is why it is "Stagnant". What do you wish it could do, that is missing?

The issue is that to continue to run macOS legally i need to run it on Mac hardware. And there is no simply no Mac hardware on the market i want to purchase.

 

[09872738]

That's a fair assessment. They aren't bad and they do get the job done, but they won't wow you like the Mac trackpad can.

That said, I really don't need a trackpad bigger than an iPhone XR either. I have to turn off the Tap to Click or else it is unusable for me. I guess most people don't have an issue though.

The said also applies for mouse input.
It may not look like a big deal. However, for me it is: I am scrolling through source code while programming, and that is what I do pretty much all day. The Magic Mouse is unbeatable in that regard; the left-right swipes and most of all: the scroll characteristics, in particular the acceleration effect when swiping up and down the mouse are just stellar. It just feel exactly right. I am way faster programming on a Mac as opposed to other systems just because of that.

I have yet to see a mouse/driver under Windows or even better Linux that is even remotely close.

I know, it sounds strange, but seemingly unimportant things like mentioned mouse scrolling behaviour and, e.g., Expose, are the features I heavily miss when on other operating systems.

 

[PeterJP]

I know, it sounds strange, but seemingly unimportant things like mentioned mouse scrolling behaviour and, e.g., Expose, are the features I heavily miss when on other operating systems.

Exactly. For me, it comes down to the combination of bash-vi etc with commercial apps like Adobe. On Linux, you don't get the latter. On Windows, you have to jump through serious hoops to get the former. On both, the experience isn't as nicely integrated. I'm hoping for a return to form with a newly designed 16” MBP this year, but since I currently have no budget at all, I will have to wait anyway. My late 2013 is still working great except for VMs, but I've set up a server with ProxMox for that both at work as well as at home now as a workaround:-D

 

[mariogt]

I just come back from abandoning the ship 7 months ago, and I tell you , I made everything in my book for make the use of my Thinkpad P51 & Windows 10 bearable, for instance, I had to install utilities to simulate Quick View, Spotlight, a good PDF reader & editor, Terminal (and unix subsystem) , etc. Having said that, nowadays you can install easily the linux subsystem on Windows, but its miles away from getting a REAL Unix at your disposal, also you cant replicate things like the awesome experience and features of Mission Control, its just superb, in windows you have "Virtual Desktops" but you cant reorder the virtual desktops, or control it per Monitor. Multi monitors (and multi resolutions) setups are also a nightmare, for example if you disconnect your laptop from a dock or multi monitor setup win 10 will not remember the positions of your windows and apps, that alone is infuriating. Preview App on OSX is just an awesome software that I cant replicate on windows world, features like that insert your signature, marking, editing and refinement in general. Another issue is that is nearly imposible to remove a program completely (with no leftovers) from windows, you never know if was left behind a DLL, hidden folder (like many on /UserData), caches, registry modifications, etc, etc. I can go forever enumerating all the problems and frustrations that I encountered, that not mentioning privacy issues and windows update !!

Then in the hardware side my experience from using the ThinkPad P51, nice laptop, very expandable, its a tank, but again , it lags heavily on term of screen quality and refinement.

In conclusion Im come back with a new MBP 15 2018, now I appreciated even more the hardware and software integration that Apple give to us.

 

[rutrack]

I just come back from abandoning the ship 7 month ago, and I tell you , I made everything in my book for make the use of my Thinkpad P51 & Windows 10 bearable, for instance, I had to install utilities to simulate Quick View, Spotlight, a good PDF reader & editor, Terminal (and unix subsystem) , etc. Having said that, nowadays you can install easily the linux subsystem on Windows, but its miles away from getting a REAL Unix at your disposal, also you cant replicate things like the awesome experience and features of Mission Control, its just superb, in windows you have "Virtual Desktops" but you cant reorder the virtual desktops, or control it per Monitor. Multi monitors (and multi resolutions) setups are also a nightmare, for example if you disconnect your laptop from a dock or multi monitor setup win 10 will not remember the positions of your windows and apps, that alone is infuriating. Preview App on OSX is just an awesome software that I cant replicate on windows world, features like that insert your signature, marking, editing and refinement in general. Another issue is that is nearly imposible to remove a program completely (with no leftovers) from windows, you never know if was left behind a DLL, hidden folder (like many on /UserData), caches, registry modifications, etc, etc. I can go forever enumerating all the problems and frustrations that I encountered, that not mentioning privacy issues and windows update !!

Then in the hardware side my experience from using the ThinkPad P51, nice laptop, very expandable, its a tank, but again , it lags heavily on term of screen quality and refinement.

In conclusion Im come back with a new MBP 15 2018, now I appreciated even more the hardware and software integration that Apple give to us.

It's great to hear stories like this, I guess if you try to create an Apple like experience with anything other than Apple it will be inferior. Can confirm on multi resolution monitors on Linux also, MacOS does it better than others. Not sure what you mean by "REAL Unix" at your disposal however, I always found that while OSX does everything I need, the Homebrew is unfortunately much slower than apt, but user friendly enough.
On the other hand, since going from Mac back to Linux, I find that my productivity went up significantly, but it's a different use case, I guess, but I'm sure if I tried to replicate the Apple experience I would not like it either.
[doublepost=1554497977][/doublepost]A really weird video popped up in my stream with Steve Jobs giving a talk at MIT, and the way he was explaining his first departure from Apple does resemble what happens right now so well.
at 33:09

 

[eltoslightfoot]

It's great to hear stories like this, I guess if you try to create an Apple like experience with anything other than Apple it will be inferior. Can confirm on multi resolution monitors on Linux also, MacOS does it better than others. Not sure what you mean by "REAL Unix" at your disposal however, I always found that while OSX does everything I need, the Homebrew is unfortunately much slower than apt, but user friendly enough.
On the other hand, since going from Mac back to Linux, I find that my productivity went up significantly, but it's a different use case, I guess, but I'm sure if I tried to replicate the Apple experience I would not like it either.
[doublepost=1554497977][/doublepost]A really weird video popped up in my stream with Steve Jobs giving a talk at MIT, and the way he was explaining his first departure from Apple does resemble what happens right now so well.
at 33:09

That is...enlightening. That is exactly how I would characterize Apple today. Like Sony. And they are definitely ignoring their power users.

 

[Jg75]

For people who are frustrated, I recommend trying linux. I got an Acer Swift 1, fanless, quad core intel silver 5000, 1.1 GHz. 8 gb ram, 250 gb ssd.Cost: nothing. I installed Fedora Linux, I like the gnome environment, its the closest thing to macOS. (KDE is for people who love the win 95 interface I think, red hat and ubuntu made the right choice here). it has a dock /dash, and so on. its very clean and nice, if you press the windows button you will get the effect of 4 finger push on Mac (activities, including other workspaces). There are lots of intro videos on youtube. Actually 2 finger scroll works fairly well. I tried to connect a mouse, and the scrolling was terrible, and no way to adjust the scroll-wheel speed. Trackpad is almost up to Mac level on this computer and is the only way, I recommend setting trackpad to basic in Bios settings.

Firefox or chrome, up to you, but I think Firefox has some more features. Password manager, a lot of choices here, if you go for chrome, your passwords are locked to google, if you go for 1password, or bit warden (free open source), you can have freedom of choice for your browser.

I still keep a 2017 MBA, but this is my lifeboat, and it has a much better screen than the MBA. I recommend scaling down to 1600x900, looking good, with decent text size. it has a 14" screen in the same format as MBA 13" with much better resolution. And a matte finish.
PS. learn bash commands and scripting, great for power user, lessons on youtube.
Oh yes, you can run oracle virtual box. For free. This is obviously a great choice for Chromebook wannabees.
Cheers.

 

[SDColorado]

The said also applies for mouse input.
It may not look like a big deal. However, for me it is: I am scrolling through source code while programming, and that is what I do pretty much all day. The Magic Mouse is unbeatable in that regard; the left-right swipes and most of all: the scroll characteristics, in particular the acceleration effect when swiping up and down the mouse are just stellar. It just feel exactly right. I am way faster programming on a Mac as opposed to other systems just because of that.

I like the scrolling behavior of the Magic Mouse, but I loathe the ergonomics. I just can't use it. It just seems typical of much of what Apple does these days. Get one thing really right and screw the rest in a form over function compromise. Dunno.