Nearly One in Four Windows Users Surveyed Plan to Switch to Mac Within Next Six Months

[MarkB786]

Two questions
1) Why didn't you get applecare for the iMac? Then the problem would have been Apple's and not yours
2) When are you filing your class action against Apple. Clearly you have a problem with the hardware and you can't be alone in suffering like that?

AppleCare would have helped for sure. But pay for a premium device and then pay Apple again because it might be crap? Goes against my principles, which of course has cost me $$. I think Apple has lost money on the deal at the end. I have turned numerous people away from Apple products citing great OS, but terrible hardware. Buy a disposable Windows machine instead. Very few people really need the ecosystem that Apple offers.
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I would spend all my time searching for 4 leaf clovers if I had that kind of luck.

Good to hear that my experience might be an anomaly. I have a very high-intensity, demanding personality (which will kill me someday), so maybe I am less patient than most. Not leaving the ecosystem yet!

 

[Tech198]

A little late to the party in this thread as I was heading to work when the story was posted.

I was seriously thinking of getting a Dell laptop for my next machine, but I've largely pulled back from that notion, for one simple reason. Ransomware. It seems that malware, specifically malware has gotten a lot worse, and while keeping your machines up to date and having a good anti-virus application will mitigate the risks, I feel I'd rather set myself up for success.

Ransomware may a always a good reason. But if your experienced enough, i don't really care...all machines are as secure as one another,... its only the differences of "Who" controls that security which makes it better and stand out more.. which is why Apple is up on the first step. Users don't need to think about this stuff anymore, nor does Google chromebook, because its all too easy to go back... a lot more work is needed with Windows, but users don't wanna think about that.

To me, that's the only reason.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

The main reason I left Windows was because what you say above never happened - happened all the time!!!

Back in the 1990s and 2000s, just turning on a computer with freshly installed Windows and connecting it to the internet, you could get a virus immediately. You had to install Norton Anti-virus or some sort BEFORE connecting to the internet. I saw people's machines get infected within 10 seconds of connecting to the internet, without them doing anything - not even opening a browser.

It's different now, but that was my experience back in 2006, when I switched to Mac and haven't gone back.

I use NO anti-virus on my mac, and never have for the past 11 years. I go to dodgy web sites, and I'm not that careful in what I do. If I had Windows, I would have tons of viruses by now. Mac IS more secure, this is something that Windows users that hate Apple don't understand.

Windows users think that all houses are made of straw, and can easily be blown down by the Big Bad Wolf. He just has never bothered to enter Apple's part of the forest. Not true - Apple houses are built of brick, and he isn't able to blow them down. Maybe someday he can, but Apple houses are a lot more secure.

While I've been working in the computer industry since 1986, I can't remember one time that just turning on a computer with a fresh Windows install, it would get a virus. The 1990's? Did you mean AFTER connecting to COMPUSERVE via your Hayes modem, or was this right after you got real internet and were stupid enough to connect your computer directly to the modem without a firewall/router? Basically, it would be (next to) impossible for a fresh Windows computer to get a virus from the internet if it was behind a firewall. Not going to argue the point, though.

I would agree that many Apple users are Apple users because, like you, they can't stop themselves from visiting "dodgy web sites" and find having a Mac a simple way to stay safe. A sort of Computer Condom...

BTW, the bias in your post is more than obvious. In case you were interested, the Big Bad Wolf is already blowing at your house.

 

[Tech198]

I would spend all my time searching for 4 leaf clovers if I had that kind of luck.

And a 7-leaf clover would bring more luck.

 

[bbeagle]

The scenario you painted with viruses and Windows is taking about something 20 years ago, and I would still claim BS that you turned on a computer, did nothing, and it was suddenly infected with viruses. There has to be more to the story. An average person would not have that happen at any time. If it were true, then the entire world of computing would have imploded since it would have been impossible for anyone to use a computer.

It's completely true. Research your history.

20 years ago, most people did NOT connect to the internet. They bought a computer for word processing, games, or something else. And if they wanted some current information, they used AOL, which was connecting to AOL service, not the general internet.

You see computers today where you boot it up, and connecting to the internet is just one of those things you do. It has only been like that for about 10 years now. Less, for other people.
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BTW, the bias in your post is more than obvious. In case you were interested, the Big Bad Wolf is already blowing at your house.

Ransomware is NOT the same as a virus.
[doublepost=1498748404][/doublepost]

or was this right after you got real internet and were stupid enough to connect your computer directly to the modem without a firewall/router? Basically, it would be (next to) impossible for a fresh Windows computer to get a virus from the internet if it was behind a firewall. Not going to argue the point, though.

What do you mean 'stupid enough to connect your computer directly to the modem'? Most normal people did not know what a firewall was or how to use it. They simply bought a PC, a modem, and an internet service, connected all 3 up.

I knew the difference - I've been in the computer field since the 1980s. But most people had no clue. The Circuit Citys, Best Buys, etc. were the only places many people got their information from. Most people were clueless.

 

[mi7chy]

Same here, I never got any malware on my PCs, however, with children and my wife who has unfortunately clicked on things she shouldn't have, the PC I have that they used has gotten infected.

Easy solution to that is make their accounts 'user' access only (no admin). And, use a separate account with 'admin' access only to install software. No admin, no malware.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Plenty of Windows machines are glued shut with soldered RAM... my new Surface Pro included. Unfortunately this is an area where Apple's bad practices are being adopted by more and more other companies trying to "be cool" like Apple.

"be cool like Apple"...way to spin it. The fact is, there are PLENTY of Windows machines that ARE easily upgradable and the few that aren't are (like the Surface Pro) incredibly thin and really have no parts inside that are user serviceable, so who cares.

The problem with Apple is, in trying to "be cool" and create incredibly thin computers, they have made it so their computers can't be upgraded. At the same time, they are UNCOOL in making the ones that CAN BE upgraded (iMac) incredibly complex or impossible to get to the components to upgrade.

I'll stick with my brand new Dell XPS 27 (All-in-One) with a two screw back removal, allowing me access to the socketed CPU, GPU, 2 hard disks, the m.2 SSD, 4 SODIMM slots, and WIFI card. 2 SCREWS. I think THAT's pretty cool.

 

[Altis]

Funny I recently installed Windows 10 on my 2016 MBPro just to play a few Win only game titles. I have been using Windows on and off over the years, so it's not like I'm not used to it, but I felt like the whole UI and everything was so 10 years ago on windows. Font rendering is still godawful, everything still take twice as many steps on Windows and it simply wasn't inspiring or fun.

That's funny considering how macOS looks and feels just like it did 10 years ago -- only slower and more bloated.

What are all these things that take twice as many steps? Are they things you do once and then never again, or things you need to do frequently?

There are lots of things I need to do in macOS regularly that can't be done without going through the terminal, such as disabling the funked-up mouse acceleration.

Meanwhile productivity just soars on the macOS side. F**k all the naysayers, there still is no comparison.

macOS still has abysmal window management that's only just getting the most basic snapping features, and frankly it's not great.

Applications are where 'productivity' happens. The OS is only there to let you run and manage your applications and workflow efficiently. macOS makes it slower for me by having such slow/clunky window management and a rather dismal file manager. I can't even CUT files.

I use macOS, Windows 10, and Linux (mostly Xfce), and consider myself platform-agnostic. Each one has a purpose, and for me macOS is only well suited for laptops or if you need Xcode.

Windows and Linux are far from perfect but so is macOS. Ultimately they're all just tools for the job.

 

[MacBH928]

The macbooks are not bad for the future once USBc is standard, the problem with macs is the price and specs.

That you don't have to worry about if you are an average user because I can assure you it will do emails and facebook just fine...
Now for pro users... thats another story.

I have no idea why Pro users still buy Macs since they can get powerhouse machines for a cheaper (and are upgradable). The major issues of Windows crashing and malfunctioning is long gone.

 

[stockscalper]

A little late to the party in this thread as I was heading to work when the story was posted.

I was seriously thinking of getting a Dell laptop for my next machine, but I've largely pulled back from that notion, for one simple reason. Ransomware. It seems that malware, specifically malware has gotten a lot worse, and while keeping your machines up to date and having a good anti-virus application will mitigate the risks, I feel I'd rather set myself up for success.

My wife surprisingly said she'll be wanting to get a mac the next time she needs a new computer and she's been a staunch PC user since I met her.

I'm not happy about some of the moves that apple has made with the laptops, but overall, I think I'll be getting value for my money and longevity

Just don't click on any links from widows of Ugandan princes and you'll be fine

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

It's completely true. Research your history.

20 years ago, most people did NOT connect to the internet. They bought a computer for word processing, games, or something else. And if they wanted some current information, they used AOL, which was connecting to AOL service, not the general internet.

You see computers today where you boot it up, and connecting to the internet is just one of those things you do. It has only been like that for about 10 years now. Less, for other people.
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Ransomware is NOT the same as a virus.

I never said VIRUS. My post that you replied to only referred to "malware" and "ransomware". Who get's viruses anymore? Practically no one. The financial gain of ransomware has caused a huge decline of virus activity. Compared to the destruction of what ransomware does, I'll take a "virus" on my computer any day.

 

[MatthewUT44]

Yep college students getting that financial aid "refund" money will buy a macbook pro. I seen it happen throughout my college years. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[Cloudane]

Whewie, just shows how many people are paid a lotttttt more than me.

Odd to see the lower end about the same as the higher end, with the middle class more inclined to stick to Windows! (Or Linux if they're masochists)

I'm switching the other way. Premium Windows laptops are £1000 cheaper for the same specs and you get convertible form factors and touchscreens. I'm not a huge fan of Windows and do prefer macOS, but not enough to spend an extra grand on it!

 

[flat five]

Editing uncompressed 4K video footage in After Effects and Premiere. Rendering 3D scenes in Lightwave. Mid level GPUs from 3-4 years ago don't cut it.

Aside from the fact that a 1500$ PC is much more powerful than a 3000$ MacBook Pro, there was also the issue of connectivity, since the SSD caddy for our cameras interfaces with USB 3.1 type A, and our multimedia projectors use HDMI, and none of them wanted to carry around adapters for everything.

Oh and everything is handed out on USB flash drives using type A ports.

so what's up with the 2 people that stayed on Mac?
they're failing? their projects are always past due? they're not real students? they're doing fine?

fwiw, if 2 people in your class of 16 are on Mac, that's above the norm.. (13% of your class are mac users)..
so you're actually describing an uptick in Mac usage.

 

[H2SO4]

Anything that makes Apple look good must be false in some way, anything that makes Apple look bad is undeniably true. That's the law of the land on these forums.

No it’s not. Don't be ridiculous. Not a great comparison - Windows users switching to Macs?? They might already be Windows users, on Macs.

 

[theluggage]

I don't get it... you complain about "stoopid" prices and then mention the iMac Pro... you do realize that several publications tried to build an equivalent Windows machine at that price and failed?

Sure, the 27" 5k screen makes all the iMacs pretty good value, including the iMac Pro... if you want a 5k all-in-one with a limited choice of GPUs (restricted to mobile-class GPUs in the iMacs - we'll see about the not-available-yet Vega GPU in the iMP).

The problem is lack of choice: what if you want something with a bit more oomph than an iMac. Want a powerful i7 that won't get thermally throttled? Tough - shell out for a premium Xeon/ECC RAM system that you don't really need. Want a decent, full-fat consumer/gaming PCie GPU, but not silly prices for workstation-class OpenCL-optimised kit? Not from Apple (yeah, eGPU, but add $300+ for the PCIe enclosure...). Maybe you want a 30"+ 4k display rather than a 27" 5k one? Choice of outdated & expensive Mac Pro, outdated and limited Mac Mini, wait for a new new Mac Pro (which will again cost workstation-class money) or by an all-in-one/laptop with a screen you don't need. Want an iMac with a 256GB PCIe SSD for the system and an affordable 1TB SATA SSD for data? Sure... with the second drive as an external (or maybe iFixit have a kit if you want to void your warranty...)

So, yeah, you can cherry-pick Macs that are good value when compared like-for-like - the appeal of PC and Linux is that you can build, or have built, exactly the size, shape and configuration that you need.

Car analogy: some people need pick-up trucks. Apple's answer is a luxury electric SUV which is good value c.f. a Tesla X but lousy value if you just wanted a pick-up truck.

 

[Tubamajuba]

No it’s not. Don't be ridiculous. Not a great comparison - Windows users switching to Macs?? They might already be Windows users, on Macs.

Well, i just find it funny how Apple haters stick around to trash pro-Apple articles instead of finding products that actually meet their needs and don't make them mad. But yes, you make a good point- I imagine most of these supposed switchers would run Windows in Boot Camp if they actually end up switching. So it's really a win-win situation for both Microsoft and Apple.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Good to hear that my experience might be an anomaly. I have a very high-intensity, demanding personality (which will kill me someday), so maybe I am less patient than most. Not leaving the ecosystem yet!

I have a 2011 MBP, 2011 iMac, 2010 Mac Mini, iPads, iPhones and have only had an issue with the 2011 MBP. It had the dreaded graphics issue that has been discussed on this forum. My MBP was way out of warranty and I never had Apple Care (though, it would have been expired), but I called them and they fixed it for free. It is unbelievable that you have had so many issues across all of their products. I would say you are a statistical outlier.

 

[H2SO4]

While I appreciate so many skeptical "members" of MRs calling into question the methodology of the survey (too bad the same level of scrutiny does not come into play with more important issues in the US) I remain astonished that facts are once again so easily ignored:

"In April, however, Microsoft said Surface revenue declined 26 percent to $831 million last quarter, down from $1.1 billion in the year-ago quarter. By comparison, Apple reported Mac revenue of $5.84 billion last quarter, a 14 percent increase from $5.1 billion in the year-ago quarter, on the strength of a new MacBook Pro."

Sure looks to me like there might be something to the survey and reconfirms that MR forums exist within the dark side of current Apple-haters reality distortion field.

Personally I think you’ve got things very wrong. I wouldn’t betting that the vast majority of those ‘haters’ are actually Mac/iOS users, I am - many times over. Doesn't mean I can't hold them to account.
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Well, i just find it funny how Apple haters stick around to trash pro-Apple articles instead of finding products that actually meet their needs and don't make them mad. But yes, you make a good point- I imagine most of these supposed switchers would run Windows in Boot Camp if they actually end up switching. So it's really a win-win situation for both Microsoft and Apple.

I wouldn’t even say a lot are haters. I can't conceive why your average person would hang around on a computer forum to argue about which platform is best. There are so many better things to do.

 

[convergent]

I really really want to love my SFP3, I'm an artist, so is something I'm dreaming with (iPad Pro is not a real tool for my needs) BUT I'm in a constant battle every day with Win10, always something is there to screw my day...
My most common problems:

1-when connected to an external display, touchscreen wont work right and makes random touches, which is something unbelievable.
2-making the text bigger wont work perfect with many apps, so OS fault because not handle this as good as OSX, but EVEN text of the win10 OS wont show right!! which is unbelievable.
3-autohidding the taskbar doesn't work at all, sometimes random, it keeps showing, or sometimes it doesn't come up. which is unbelievable.
4-on screen keyboard in some text boxes:
a1-sometimes it doesnt show up, as in chrome search bar, or sometimes even in the lock screen.
b-it doesn't care if there is a physical bluetooth keyboard attached, his behaviour doesn't change!! which is unbelievable.
5-rotation sometimes doent work, and you have to reboot the SFP3 in order to get it right. which is unbelievable.

so, there are 5 HUGE fails, microsoft seems to be just right there were I left them 15 years ago when I switched.

but in paper, the SFP series is a dream to me, thin, good quality, powerful, fair price, very very portable, that' why I gave it a try and I'm bearing all this problems.

SFP are the real next PRO portables and in future when iPad evolve enough, there will be just people using iPads, or Professional using SFP-like tablets (with attached screens in their offices/homes).

I had a little trouble following your post, but wanted to respond. When you say SFP3, I assume you mean Surface Pro 3, which is a 2 generation old machine that I don't believe came with Windows 10, correct? The reason I point that out is it sounds like things are hosed up and it may be advisable to do a clean install of Windows 10 if you upgraded; or even if you didn't. On the new Surface Pro, I'm not having all those problems you described. That's not to say there aren't a few glitches here and there, but nothing huge and nothing I haven't also run into with Apple from time to time.

What is unbelievable to me is that you find all these glitches unbelievable. Its software. Anything is believable. But something is hosed up on your machine it seems.

 

[magicschoolbus]

i'll be switing Apple to Microsoft. Hate the new Apple under Tims direction.

 

[LordVic]

I really really want to love my SFP3, I'm an artist, so is something I'm dreaming with (iPad Pro is not a real tool for my needs) BUT I'm in a constant battle every day with Win10, always something is there to screw my day...
My most common problems:

1-when connected to an external display, touchscreen wont work right and makes random touches, which is something unbelievable.
2-making the text bigger wont work perfect with many apps, so OS fault because not handle this as good as OSX, but EVEN text of the win10 OS wont show right!! which is unbelievable.
3-autohidding the taskbar doesn't work at all, sometimes random, it keeps showing, or sometimes it doesn't come up. which is unbelievable.
4-on screen keyboard in some text boxes:
a1-sometimes it doesnt show up, as in chrome search bar, or sometimes even in the lock screen.
b-it doesn't care if there is a physical bluetooth keyboard attached, his behaviour doesn't change!! which is unbelievable.
5-rotation sometimes doent work, and you have to reboot the SFP3 in order to get it right. which is unbelievable.

so, there are 5 HUGE fails, microsoft seems to be just right there were I left them 15 years ago when I switched.

but in paper, the SFP series is a dream to me, thin, good quality, powerful, fair price, very very portable, that' why I gave it a try and I'm bearing all this problems.

SFP are the real next PRO portables and in future when iPad evolve enough, there will be just people using iPads, or Professional using SFP-like tablets (with attached screens in their offices/homes).

sounds like you've got a device with either a hardware problem, or a broken installation. happens. Try re0installing windows from clean source (iso direct from windows).

I've got a Surface Pro 2 that I use as my personal device. We also have a range of SP3 and SP4's at the office for demonstrations and loaners. None experience the behaviour you're are describing.
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The look and feel of MacOS has changed less in 10 years than Windows. Too me, MacOS is what looks "so 10 years ago". From a productivity standpoint, the difference between MacOS and Windows 10 is a rounding error, so I would love to know how "productivity just soars on the MacOS side" for you. This is the kind of statement that kills any credibility you might otherwise have. It takes time to learn any platform and there has been a learning curve for me to get productive with Windows 10, having just recently moved to it. I suspect you either haven't really tried to use it, or you just blindly love Apple. As for me, my "productivity just soared" when I got a full function tablet computer that integrates touch, pen, and a pointing device effectively.

as someone who uses both MacOS and Windows daily. There's no discernable differences between day to day usage of the platforms.

it purely comes down to user preference. Users who have used MacOS since they were young are going to favour it due to comfort. Those who have used windows since they were young tend to favour it due to comfort.

attacking the other platform and making hyperbolic claims about productivity or the old addage "the most advanced OS in the world" is just marketing hoopla and really has no basis in reality.

 

[AlexH]

The majority of those attacks are occurring on non-updated computers in places like Ukraine. Doubtful they'll be moving to expensive Macs.

I didn't say they would. I'm talking about marketing and PR, pure and simple. I also thought we were discussing those polled...

But as a side note, I'm sure Americans always keep their machines patched.

 

[BlargKing]

so what's up with the 2 people that stayed on Mac?
they're failing? their projects are always past due? they're not real students? they're doing fine?

fwiw, if 2 people in your class of 16 are on Mac, that's above the norm.. (13% of your class are mac users)..
so you're actually describing an uptick in Mac usage.

There were 5 Mac users now there are 2. Thats a decrease. The only 2 Mac users left are the ones who own MacBooks new enough and powerful enough to keep up.

My point being, that the current crop of Macs offer so little bang for the buck that both students and the school are switching away.

Heck, even in our orientation email they sent out they advised students who needed to buy a laptop to avoid getting a Mac.

 

[henry2]

I hate windows .we are force to use it at work and it it a royal pain in the butt to use because of the software we run