How long before OS X cathches up with Windows 7?

[Eidorian]

The OP claims Windows 7 jumps ahead of SL & asks "How long before OS X cathches up with Windows 7?". Kinda leaves the floodgates open if you ask me.

Specifically about touch/multi-touch and the easier access, not necessarily utility, of it on a desktop/notebook over smaller mobile devices.

I've tried it under Vista and 7. It's still a gimmick but it's still there. We don't have a touchscreen iMac to compare. Attempted BSOD and Windows Starter adventure aside.

 

[macrem]

Specifically about touch/multi-touch and the easier access, not necessarily utility, of it on a desktop/notebook over smaller mobile devices.

I've tried it under Vista and 7. It's still a gimmick but it's still there. We don't have a touchscreen iMac to compare. Attempted BSOD and Windows Starter adventure aside.

Point taken but the multitouch discussion died around page 3.

 

[skye12]

This is a joke, right?

 

[Kristenn]

Am I the only one who thinks touching your computer screen to do stuff is lame? First. your hands get in the way. Second (should be first) you get blasted finger prints and smudges ALL over your screen. I don't know about everyone else... but the mouse works fine. If anyone touches my screen they get a kick in the crotch... hard!

 

[jaw04005]

Am I the only one who thinks touching your computer screen to do stuff is lame? First. your hands get in the way. Second (should be first) you get blasted finger prints and smudges ALL over your screen. I don't know about everyone else... but the mouse works fine. If anyone touches my screen they get a kick in the crotch... hard!

If you go back before the iPhone was released people thought touching your phone was lame too.

Touch has its uses. In Windows 7, Media Center’s UI is very adaptable to the touch interface. It’s easier to use touch than trying to navigate Media Center with a remote, keyboard or mouse.

Touch works well with the Microsoft Maps application too.

 

[Eidorian]

If you go back before the iPhone was released people thought touching your phone was lame too.

Touch has its uses. In Windows 7, Media Center’s UI is very adaptable to the touch interface. It’s easier to use touch than trying to navigate Media Center with a remote, keyboard or mouse.

Touch works well with the Microsoft Maps application too.

Aren't there touchscreen remotes for Windows Media Center?

Windows Media Center in Vista and 7 is something that they've done right. With a mouse or a remote you're still able to do everything. A keyboard is nice but not necessary. I've rarely considered touch for it.

 

[Infrared]

I've heard that Windows 7 Starter edition can only run three applications simultaneously Is that true?

No. I've heard that Apple's iPhone can only run one application
simultaneously. Is that true? ;-)

 

[messedkid]

No. I've heard that Apple's iPhone can only run one application
simultaneously. Is that true? ;-)

Oh Snap!


If you check my signature, you'll see what I'm running.
Switching from Leopard to Snow Leopard, knowing not many new features would be added, I was still a bit disappointed, as the same bugs still showed up that were running in Leopard, and the only BIG change I have really noticed is boot and shutdown times.

Switching from XP to Windows 7 is just beautiful. I decided to skip Vista because of all the bad hype around it, and I have definitely made a wise choice. Windows 7 is in my opinion on par, if not a few steps ahead of Leopard/Snow Leopard.

Windows 7, apart from still being vulnerable to attacks, has simplified it's desktop and added a lot of eye candy, as well as adding many new features which, of course, OS X has always had. But has gone a bit further to add new features only non-apple products could support. (ie touch screen)


Everything else aside, I was definitely more enthusiastic switching from XP to Windows 7 than I was switching from Leopard to Snow Leopard. Even though I'm comparing OS' running on a macbook vs a netbook, Windows 7 is still my favourite new OS. I would carry my macbook around everywhere instead of my netbook when it ran XP, or even Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but now I carry my Win7netbook around with me.

I do think that the next OS X release (10.7) will be a bigger change. Kind of like the switch from Tiger to Leopard. A lot more features, major UI changes and hopefully some more built in customization options.

 

[vansouza]

I am so sure I want finger prints all over my screen. Oh and I want the screen to have track marks too; because touch screens are so perfected right now.

Spare me.

 

[sidewinder]

messedkid,

Windows XP was released in late 2001. Windows 7 was released in late 2009. I would expect a huge user experience change.

Leopard to Snow Leopard represents a 2 year difference. Plus, Snow Leopard was never about a change in user experience. It was a rewrite of the OS to introduce a few new core technologies and to get the code base cleaned up for future innovation. Considering all the work they had to do, there are very few issues.

Windows 7 is Microsoft throwing more code on top of a code base that is badly in need of a clean up. Sure they fixed a lot of problems, improved reliability, and added many new features. But they still have that hodgepodge code base to deal with. They are going to have to clean it up at some point. Good luck then!

S-

 

[TennisandMusic]

messedkid,

Windows XP was released in late 2001. Windows 7 was released in late 2009. I would expect a huge user experience change.

Leopard to Snow Leopard represents a 2 year difference. Plus, Snow Leopard was never about a change in user experience. It was a rewrite of the OS to introduce a few new core technologies and to get the code base cleaned up for future innovation. Considering all the work they had to do, there are very few issues.

Windows 7 is Microsoft throwing more code on top of a code base that is badly in need of a clean up. Sure they fixed a lot of problems, improved reliability, and added many new features. But they still have that hodgepodge code base to deal with. They are going to have to clean it up at some point. Good luck then!

S-

I can't believe you people believe the stuff you write.

Anyway I run both OSX 10.6 and Win7. Win7 beats OSX in more ways than OSX beats Win7. That's pretty much the simple truth. Win7 wins in speed and functionality(in this area by leaps and bounds), and OSX looks nicer. That's the gist, without going into detail.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I can't believe you people believe the stuff you write.

Anyway I run both OSX 10.6 and Win7. Win7 beats OSX in more ways than OSX beats Win7. That's pretty much the simple truth. Win7 wins in speed and functionality(in this area by leaps and bounds), and OSX looks nicer. That's the gist, without going into detail.

Please elaborate. Functionality? Macs boot both OS X and Windows. How is this a loss in functionality? Speed? That depends on hardware. Faster/higher end hardware will perform better than slower/lower end hardware. PCs start at lower prices and usually contain slower/lower end hardware because of it's low price point.

OS X is more stable than Windows 7. OS X never crashed for me, iBook G4 to MacBook to MacBook Pro (today). Not one single time. XP, Vista and Windows 7 crashed for me multiple times. If it crashes, it's not surprising. If OS X crashes, then it's surprising.

 

[dukebound85]

Please elaborate. Functionality? Macs boot both OS X and Windows. How is this a loss in functionality? Speed? That depends on hardware. Faster/higher end hardware will perform better than slower/lower end hardware. PCs start at lower prices and usually contain slower/lower end hardware because of it's low price point.

I disagree. I find the same power, if not more, on a comparable pc for less than a mac. You just lose out on the "frills" so to speak, including the design , the os, and what not

OS X is more stable than Windows 7. OS X never crashed for me, iBook G4 to MacBook to MacBook Pro (today). Not one single time. XP, Vista and Windows 7 crashed for me multiple times. If it crashes, it's not surprising. If OS X crashes, then it's surprising.

Really? I have had numerious kernel panicks over the years. Ive also had non stop beachballing numerous times. Id call that crashing

Apple isnt as perfect as you seem to believe

 

[cjmillsnun]

I've heard that Windows 7 Starter edition can only run three applications simultaneously Is that true?

Nope, it was proposed to do that, but under pressure from the OEMs and consumers, they decided not to go ahead, so the only limit is what the system can physically handle.

 

[macrem]

About the further touchscreen discussions: of course a remote (also in the form of small aka mobile screen) is better for a media center and a trackpad or mouse & keyboard is better on the desktop. Nobody wants finger smudges all over their desktop or laptop screen nor to keep holding their arms up at a ~90 degree angle outside the gym. It's a gimmick with little real value on the desktop. Multitouch was already done by apple on devices where it makes more sense. Nothing new.

No. I've heard that Apple's iPhone can only run one application
simultaneously. Is that true? ;-)

Would not know as I use an Android phone. Winmo is a horrible embarrassment for the MS fanboy crowd, but I won't go there in this thread...

 

[iPhone 62S]

Right, firstly there have been unofficial Mac tablets for years.

Second, Apple is making one. This is pretty much certain after all the different sources claiming it.

Third, when that happens, Snow Leopard will obviously get it's multitouch features. I'd also like to note that all Macs support multitouch mouse hardware.

Fourth, OS X is, in general, a more secure and reliable OS. Is Windows 7 better than previous versions of Windows? Yeah. Is it better than OS X? Not so much, no.

Fifth, if you want all the features of Windows 7, be prepared to fork out the cash for the Ultimate version. Snow Leopard, with all the features, is £25. The Ultimate version of Windows 7 is £170.

 

[Avro]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8317369.stm

So Windows 7 has been released today on sale.

[snip]

How long before all Apple Laptop screens are touch sensitive and work like this? Surely it has to be the future... Apple need to catch up fast.

Yeah, I just love greasy finger prints all over my pristine screen.

I love my 2G iPod Touch, but I use it with a stylus.

 

[garybUK]

Just going to pop a bluray movie into windows 7... sweet; Just going to pop a bluray movie into a mac.... oh wait can't do that!!

I guess it doesn't 'Just work'

 

[Kristenn]

Right. But a phone screen is small and easy to clean off. A computer screen isn't. I still think its a lame idea. If Apple did it I don't think I would ever use it. Thats one thing I don't really like about the new design on Windows 7 is how big the buttons on windows and the windows boarders are. It just seems to hog up space.

Touch a phone screen that is how many inches and easy to clean? Yeah... sure I guess. Touching a computer screen that could be 30 plus inches? No thanks. I like to sit down to use my computer. Not reach out to different places on my screen and touch it. Touching any screen that is as big as a TV screen or a computer screen is the last thing I want to do. But thats just my opinion.

 

[kate-willbury]

Am I the only one who thinks touching your computer screen to do stuff is lame? First. your hands get in the way. Second (should be first) you get blasted finger prints and smudges ALL over your screen. I don't know about everyone else... but the mouse works fine. If anyone touches my screen they get a kick in the crotch... hard!

lets just wait till macs catch up. then all the fanboys will forget that they pretended to hate it so much and then fawn over macs revolutionary multitouch computer screen.

 

[kate-willbury]

Right, firstly there have been unofficial Mac tablets for years.

Second, Apple is making one. This is pretty much certain after all the different sources claiming it.

Third, when that happens, Snow Leopard will obviously get it's multitouch features. I'd also like to note that all Macs support multitouch mouse hardware.

Fourth, OS X is, in general, a more secure and reliable OS. Is Windows 7 better than previous versions of Windows? Yeah. Is it better than OS X? Not so much, no.

Fifth, if you want all the features of Windows 7, be prepared to fork out the cash for the Ultimate version. Snow Leopard, with all the features, is £25. The Ultimate version of Windows 7 is £170.

tons of people are getting windows 7 for free through vista upgrade programs, school programs, work programs, or for a highly discounted rate (50% pre-orders, etc).

you don't have to pay for windows updates. snow leopard, which is essentially a patch which actually made things worse for a lot of people costs you $10-30. lol.

 

[Shodan]

Yes we all want more bloat in our Operating System, Gorilla Arm and a registry to **** it all up.

End of thread, tbh.

Just going to pop a bluray movie into windows 7... sweet; Just going to pop a bluray movie into a mac.... oh wait can't do that!!

I guess it doesn't 'Just work'

Get a PC then.

A Mac is a Mac, Blu Ray isn't integral - you can get external Blu Ray players for you're television if need be.

Judging by the 16:9 ratio, it look's like Apple will be adopting Blu Ray soon anyway, quit the QQ.

 

[macrem]

Just going to pop a bluray movie into windows 7... sweet; Just going to pop a bluray movie into a mac.... oh wait can't do that!!

I guess it doesn't 'Just work'

Uh, isn't there BR hardware that'll work with both OSes? Yup. It depends what hardware you get... My 1 yr. old PC does not support blue-ray, so it would not matter if I got Win7 & it had BR support...

But we're talking OSes and AFAIK, Win 7 does NOT have native BR. Does Win 7 even have native DVD playback support? OS X does. I clean installed SL with its DVD only & all my hardware just worked

 

[Rampant.A.I.]

It's not an OS thing, it's a hardware thing. OS X has had the necessary subroutines for multi-touch support for quite some time (don't forget that the iPhone OS is essentially a cut-down version of OS X). What is missing is hardware that actually makes it useful.

Microsoft are very good at making a big deal out of new features that few people have any real use for. Other than Apple's MT mouse and the trackpad on the MBPs, there isn't any real need for it. Yet. Multi-touch on a desktop screen would be worse than useless - anybody touches my screen gets slapped. Hard...

The niche here is for kiosk applications (which Apple doesn't really get involved in, but MS does) and tablets (which we may or may not see from Apple in due course )

And this is precisely what everyone is missing. There is no touch screen hardware available for OS X, yet Apple was able to implement a touch screen interface just fine on the iPod Touch and iPhone.

If there's no hardware to run it, there's no sense in putting it in the OS if it can be added later with a simple patch.

We've seen this time and time again with features like Bluetooth. Support simply gets added later on.

Why people are letting this guy troll so successfully I have no idea.

 

[mac2x]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8317369.stm

So Windows 7 has been released today on sale. Check out the link above on its multi-touch features. Frankly very nice and it jumps ahead of OS X. If this software actually really works, and all the indications are that is does for a change, then suddenly Apple are the underdog again. I switched to Apple initially because of superiority of OS X. Now while I am not going to switch back again in a hurry just because of this, this should be a big warning for Apple.

How long before all Apple Laptop screens are touch sensitive and work like this? Surely it has to be the future... Apple need to catch up fast.

Troll-o-meter is spiking here...but...I will say that touchscreen is useless garbage on anything other than small devices like smartphones or iPod touches. Besides, my screen gets dirty enough from sneezes and coughs. Why do I want grease from my hands all over it???

Besides, OS X is Unix, and Unix >> Windows any day of the week.