You're missing some plusses, but thats really irrelevant and this is an old thread.
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Play devil's advocate - give me reasons to NOT go mac
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You're missing some plusses, but thats really irrelevant and this is an old thread.
Can you please list those plenty OS out there?
Linux maybe a third choice, and what are all those others?
Not inferior. Different.
You don't have to do this. Just change your preferences:
So buy a Mac with a matte screen, like I did. There's a choice.
More people use Firewire than you know. And no, it's not limited to video professionals. I use FW800 for all my external drives, as it's much faster than USB 2.0.
Expresscard slot... who the heck uses this? I have one and have never found a use for it.No Expresscard slot but on the 17 inch model.
Link to proof of this? Even if it's true, it doesn't eliminate the fact that firewire is in use by far more than just video professionals.
I thought this thread was for fun but apparently someone is taking it seriously so...
1. Keyboard is different, no kidding boss. Inferior implies usability and productivity. Many keyboards out there are inferior as well however it's hard to simply target a PC since they vary so much in their design. However Thinkpads for example have by far a much better feel, it's been proven that people type faster, longer and more accurately on them. At the same time productivity is increased when accountants or anyone who deals with a lot of numbers can use a numeric keypad, something all Macs lack.
I know you can change the key prefs, I was hoping you'd understand that my post wasn't meant to debate the obvious.
2. Matte screens are a good choice as long as there's availability. In our region there's zero, I've been told by 2 of the local Apple Store managers that they don't stock them because there's no demand for them, so as I stated earlier, that's just my personal preference and when I inquired to Apple about availability, I was told there'd be a 4-6 week wait. I'm very impatient when it comes time to purchasing. It's not a big deal but between gloss and matte...
3. It still doesn't justify the port. So what if you use it for external drives, the Firewire interface alone doesn't magically make the hard drive inside of it faster than it's capable of. I work in an office full of Mac users, I hardly see any of them use the Firewire port. When I did contract work at Google HQ where they've switched to using mostly Macs, even they don't use that port much. Shop around at any non-Apple store, how many Firewire devices are you going to find on the shelf?
4. Expresscard slots are in use and it's increasing. From those who use it for custom audio setups (different audio chipset), CAC card readers, USB 3.0, digital hardware encryption,
I could name many pluses but I thought that was for a different thread. I've intermittently added some pluses for Macs just in case some diehard Mac lover gets their butt hurt from what I post.
Linux... there's so many flavors out there. Ubuntu, Mint, Slackware, Debian, Red Hat, Backtrack... there's too many for even me to list.
What I didn't say about the OS's is that although there are a lot out there, it really boils down to what the intent is for the machine. Unix (such as OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc.) are great but it's not for everyone. There are many OS's but not all of them make good everyday desktop operating systems for multipurpose use.
Many non-Mac PCs lack numeric keypads, as well. Not everyone needs them, but if someone needs a numeric keypad, they can always attach one.
Well, if you can change the prefs, you don't have to rely on the Fn key to access normal F keys, as you claimed.
There is availability. Just order online.
Who said anything about making the drive faster? USB 3.0 doesn't do that, either.
Well, there's no arguing with such definitive and complete market sampling!
Every firewire device I've ever bought, I bought from a non-Apple store.
Such niche applications are not indicative of widespread usage. I'd place more credence in independent surveys on both firewire and Expresscard usage.
Software limitations:
NONE! Everyone thinks Macs are limited in compatibility, when they're the most versatile laptops of all. Need Apache or a Windows-only program? Install Ubuntu or Windows on a VM or Bootcamp. There's practically no limitations to what a Mac can do.
However, if you do take this path, then you will be forced to install Windows 7 as Apple is slowly ending support for XP. Also, this means you gotta move all of your files and do a new Windows installation again, since you're running XP right now.
Software development:
Read above.
Objective-C
Xcode costs money...?
Xcode requires extra coding for it to work for Android.
Hardware-specific:
Magsafe is great. Except when it frays on you, which happens very often.
You'll need to get used to a single-button touchpad. If not, enable tapping.
Apple displays are great, but only when they're calibrated correctly. This can be remedied by a free profile, but those won't always be the best for your display. You'll want to buy a calibrator, which costs $$$.
The arrow keys on the keyboard might be too small for some people.
That goes for any laptop as I mentioned however like I said it is very useful especially on the larger models, there's no reason why a 17 inch model should lack one now days.
Again it seems you miss the point.
At the time of ordering mine, there was none, hence 4-6 week waiting period. I said this earlier.
You mentioned speed, I brought it up in the manner that it's a bad thing. Sure you can attach Firewire devices but for some of us who want to connect that external device to another machine, what other machine is going to have native Firewire built in? That's right, only other Macs. With USB, you can connect to just about everything, as such a 3rd USB port just might prove more useful than that Firewire port.
Exactly, we should all conform to what you say because you're the definitive opinion about computers.Well, there's no arguing with such definitive and complete market sampling!
Well then I guess we should all run out and buy Firewire devices because Firewire devices are readily sold everywhere in every corner computer store.
The same could be said about Firewire device usage. Oh wait, you're the authority and expert on the topic. Because YOU don't see it in use, it's a niche application.
That's why many drives have multiple connectors, for compatibility with various computers.
You appear to be missing the overall point. You claim that things like the keyboard, USB ports, Firewire ports, Expresscard ports (or lack thereof) and glossy/matte screen are reasons not to buy a Mac. None of these are valid arguments, as they are not disadvantages for the majority of buyers. If they were, Apple wouldn't be selling over 1 million Macs per month. The fact that a configuration doesn't meet any individual user's preferences does not mean that configuration isn't ideal for many others.
Your "survey" of the few Mac users you've encountered is not a representative sampling of the marketplace. Apple's sales statistics are a much more reliable indication that the configuration they offer is meeting the needs of a large number of users.
1. Magsafes do not fray that often.
2. Multi-touch is WAY superior.
3. Say what? Most Apple displays I've seen have been great out of the box. Actually, ALL Apple displays I've seen have been great out of the box.
4. If the arrow keys are too small, you need to put down those candy bars and take a hard look in the mirror. Unless you're the Hulk, in which case, you should be smashing things, not using a computer.