It's unbelievable how full of crap those two statements are -- but sadly, it's also typical for the stereotype Mac user to put something like that on the Internet.
We have a saying in Germany, let me translate it for you: "Other mothers have beautiful daughters, too." Just because you're so proud of your consumer good "designed by Apple in California" that doesn't automatically mean that everything non-Apple is a POS by default.
I tell you what: It's BS like the above and the mindset of the average Mac user on the Internet that really makes me hate everything Apple.
You make the incorrect assumption that I am an "average" Mac user. Fact is, I am an IT professional. And I have worked with and supported Windows machines for over 20 years. Everything from Windows 3.1 to Windows 7. I have bought, owned, built and supported more different types of Windows-based hardware than most people even know exist. I know intimately of Windows, Dell, Compaq, HP, Lenovo, Acer and Gateway. I built a Windows Media PC before Microsoft did. I am responsible for assuring that over 2000 Windows machines boot and work for their users on a daily basis. I make a very lucrative living supporting Windows. I know of what I speak. I choose to use Apple when I don't have to use Windows.
My 15" Dell XPS M1530 wakes up every time I open the lid. It stays connected to my Linux WLAN router in the other room, and never flickers. It even runs flawlessly with Ubuntu Linux and even works with Mac OS X, if I want to.
I'm happy for you. Your statement kind of helps to make my point, though. The XPS is not the typical plastic Windows POS. It was Dell's attempt to head off MacBook competition. I know, because I strongly considered the 13" version when I bought my first MB. Of course, back then the only OS available on the XPS was Vista. No way was I letting that syphilis back in my home.
Impressive that you know how to root your router with Linux. Done the same myself in the past. Of course now I just prefer to buy a router that works like I want it to out of the box.
I've also run Ubuntu on my Mac, Windows machines and dedicated hardware. I don't find it useful for my needs. Don't have time to finish baking it. I don't have any half-built cars in my garage, either.
My 27" iMac i5 hums along with no performance or display issues. But it's even faster when I boot it into 64-Bit Windows 7 - does that make it a "plastic Windows box", too?
I call BS on this one, my friend. I, too run Win 7 64-Bit on my 27" iMac. While I agree that it does run much better on the iMac than it does on my $2000 Dell Latitude, it definitely does not run better than OS X. It is funny that Apple can do a better job of providing Windows drivers for their hardware when they've only supported Windows for about 3 years or so, than Dell can after over 20 years.
My iPad was a useless toy, thus I returned it to Apple.
Your choice. My first reaction to that would be that you appear to have no imagination. I use my iPad for business and personal use every day. I will admit that it is now more useful than it was before I put 4.2 on it. But I knew that going in.
My iPhone works on an acceptable level, but it certainly is not the answer to all our smartphone prayers.
And no smartphone ever will be. As someone who's carried Palm devices, Windows Mobile phones, countless Blackberries, and multiple Android phones, I keep going back to my iPhone. Overall, it gives me what I want. I played with the new Win 7 Mobile. Not bad, and it has some promise. But I'm afraid that MS has cried wolf too many times over the years, and it's too late for them to get the market share back that they gave up to Apple and Google in the smartphone sector.
