Can you provide a link to information about those free drivers? The only reliable solution I've seen for reading and writing HFS+ drives from Windows is MacDrive, which is not free. It's $50.
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What are your reasons that you must have a Mac?
- Thread starter galaksy
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I've meant Apple drivers extracted from BootCamp but now I've checked and these are read-only. :-/ It's long time since I've used HFS+ on Windows and I must have forgotten. :-/
My bad. Paragon HFS+ or MacDrive is necessary then. Or using exFAT with backups and software ejecting HDD before unplugging it.
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I use both but I find the user experience on the Mac is better. More attention is paid to the hardware and how the user feels when using the hardware. The screen/fonts/menus are all more pleasant to the eye. This isn't mind blowing stuff, just subtle variations that make the Mac more enjoyable to use.
Everyday usability and fluidity of OS X.
The only time I really wish I had a Windows PC is when I need to do some major Excel/Access/Office productivity work. That's going to be easily resolved by installing Parallels and Office 365 to run in coherence mode. Problem solved.
But in all honesty, the tight integration between products ("ecosystem") has it's benefits. Also the quality of their products is industry leading. I know you can buy a similarly specced and quality windows machine for the same price but when it comes to resale value it's going to be low (just sold my late 2008 for $500). Plus integration with other technologies is very half-baked and incomplete when buying non-apple products.
I remember helping my best friend set up her Samsung laptop (when they were just becoming a popular consumer laptop player) and it had so much ****** software written by Samsung trying to mimic the success of OS X. I just laughed and uninstalled it all because none of it worked.
Details. Attention to every detail.
The only time I really wish I had a Windows PC is when I need to do some major Excel/Access/Office productivity work. That's going to be easily resolved by installing Parallels and Office 365 to run in coherence mode. Problem solved.
But in all honesty, the tight integration between products ("ecosystem") has it's benefits. Also the quality of their products is industry leading. I know you can buy a similarly specced and quality windows machine for the same price but when it comes to resale value it's going to be low (just sold my late 2008 for $500). Plus integration with other technologies is very half-baked and incomplete when buying non-apple products.
I remember helping my best friend set up her Samsung laptop (when they were just becoming a popular consumer laptop player) and it had so much ****** software written by Samsung trying to mimic the success of OS X. I just laughed and uninstalled it all because none of it worked.
Details. Attention to every detail.
I just prefer the look, feel, and (for lack of better words) minimalism of OS X. Take Finder for example. In Windows Explorer, Finder's equivalent, the leftside navigation bar is cluttered with so much stuff (i.e. it duplicates the ability to navigate through all of your files), to the point that it's unusable for doing what it's supposed to do -- give you quick access to your favorite folders. In Finder, they actually think about how you will be using it, and don't clutter it up with a bunch of garbage.
I also think that the design, solidness and build quality of their machines is unbeatable. I have no problem shelling out, within reason, whatever I need to, to get my first choice in something that I'm going to be staring at all day for several years. I still have an aluminum MacBook Pro from 2008, and I don't think that it looks like a clunky piece of crap even 6 years later.
I also think that the design, solidness and build quality of their machines is unbeatable. I have no problem shelling out, within reason, whatever I need to, to get my first choice in something that I'm going to be staring at all day for several years. I still have an aluminum MacBook Pro from 2008, and I don't think that it looks like a clunky piece of crap even 6 years later.
I know, it's been gorgeous but the other 8 or 9 months of the year when it isn't are terrible and there was a horendous storm where I live last night after a week of constant sun.
After 20+ years developing for and supporting Windows, I was just plain tired of it. When I have to help family members with Windows problems all the hassles come back. It takes me more time to maintain my Windows VM that I use about once per month than OS X.
OS X is one of the most stable operating systems I've used on a laptop or desktop. Not exactly a desktop OS but VMS was more rock solid but didn't offer the UI.
OS X is one of the most stable operating systems I've used on a laptop or desktop. Not exactly a desktop OS but VMS was more rock solid but didn't offer the UI.
Any Mac or Windows PC are capable of making execellent video, music, photography, etc. It depends on what softwares work best for you. Some softwares are cross-platform (spelling?) I still have Windows PC (custom built in 2009) I will need it for post video editing to create closed captioned which Mac does not have or can't afford it. I think Dell XPS looks good. 
Simply put, OS X.
The form factor and build quality of the computers are also very good but primarily, it is because of how much better OS X is, compared to Windows.
The form factor and build quality of the computers are also very good but primarily, it is because of how much better OS X is, compared to Windows.
I must also say I value Apple's customer support very highly. The few times I have had to contact them I have always spoken to someone who was very polite and helpful. That is one of the big reasons I have switched over to Macs:
My last personal Windows PC experience was a nightmare. I had purchased a Windows "gaming" desktop from the company iBuyPower. I really should have just built my own, but this particular desktop was a decent price with decent hardware. About 7 or 8 months after purchase (still under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty) the desktop started having major problems. So I had to ship it (at my own expense of $60+) to iBuyPower for them to work on it. And then I waited, and waited, and waited. After numerous phone calls to iBuyPower support and getting a bunch of excuses: "Oh, our techs are just so busy this time of the year", "they're getting to it", "they've looked it over and don't quite know what the problem is", "we're not sure when it will be fixed", "oh they think it's the processor and the power supply but they're not sure when it will be done", ... On and on this went for over a month. Finally after getting frustrated after yet another worthless iBuyPower support phone call I took to the iBuyPower Facebook page and posted something along the line of "iBuyPower support has had my broken computer for over a month and has no clue how to fix it, iBuyPower support sucks, I'm never buying another computer from iBuyPower ever in my life, and my next computer will be a Mac!". Not long after that I had my iBuyPower desktop back. Somewhere along the line they had managed to dent and scratch the computer's case which annoyed me, but it was finally back.
After that horrible experience I tell anyone looking into getting a new Windows PC to avoid iBuyPower like the plague. My experiences with others like Dell and HP haven't been much better. Apple's support is top notch. Their standard 1 year warranty is great and AppleCare extends that excellent service to 3 years. I haven't had to personally use it yet (and hopefully never have to) but I think AppleCare is worth every penny for the peace of mind and the excellent support you receive. Apple covers all shipping costs, even provides you a box to send your device in (I used an old iMac box and a lot of padding when I shipped off my iBuyPower desktop - I'm sure that really thrilled them) and you usually get your device back in days not weeks/months. So to me Apple = quality, you do get what you pay for.
My last personal Windows PC experience was a nightmare. I had purchased a Windows "gaming" desktop from the company iBuyPower. I really should have just built my own, but this particular desktop was a decent price with decent hardware. About 7 or 8 months after purchase (still under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty) the desktop started having major problems. So I had to ship it (at my own expense of $60+) to iBuyPower for them to work on it. And then I waited, and waited, and waited. After numerous phone calls to iBuyPower support and getting a bunch of excuses: "Oh, our techs are just so busy this time of the year", "they're getting to it", "they've looked it over and don't quite know what the problem is", "we're not sure when it will be fixed", "oh they think it's the processor and the power supply but they're not sure when it will be done", ... On and on this went for over a month. Finally after getting frustrated after yet another worthless iBuyPower support phone call I took to the iBuyPower Facebook page and posted something along the line of "iBuyPower support has had my broken computer for over a month and has no clue how to fix it, iBuyPower support sucks, I'm never buying another computer from iBuyPower ever in my life, and my next computer will be a Mac!". Not long after that I had my iBuyPower desktop back. Somewhere along the line they had managed to dent and scratch the computer's case which annoyed me, but it was finally back.
After that horrible experience I tell anyone looking into getting a new Windows PC to avoid iBuyPower like the plague. My experiences with others like Dell and HP haven't been much better. Apple's support is top notch. Their standard 1 year warranty is great and AppleCare extends that excellent service to 3 years. I haven't had to personally use it yet (and hopefully never have to) but I think AppleCare is worth every penny for the peace of mind and the excellent support you receive. Apple covers all shipping costs, even provides you a box to send your device in (I used an old iMac box and a lot of padding when I shipped off my iBuyPower desktop - I'm sure that really thrilled them
) and you usually get your device back in days not weeks/months. So to me Apple = quality, you do get what you pay for.
I use Windows at work (company policy) and Macs at home. To be honest, Windows 7 at work has been rock solid. I haven't had any crashes or freezes in years. So, at least for me, the Operating System is not much of a big deal anymore compared to the 90s, early 2000's.
The biggest difference I perceive is in hardware. Apple machines are engineered, manufactured and toleranced way better than any Windows PC. The flex, squeakiness and brittle plastics on a PC just completely ruin the experience. The Aluminum MacBook sounds and feels much sturdier.
The biggest difference I perceive is in hardware. Apple machines are engineered, manufactured and toleranced way better than any Windows PC. The flex, squeakiness and brittle plastics on a PC just completely ruin the experience. The Aluminum MacBook sounds and feels much sturdier.
1. I hate Windows, have for about 40 years
2. I use Apple Motion, Final Cut X and Keynote for my business
3. Macs are the standard for playing videos during live shows
4. Macs work with all my other Apple products
5. Apple has the best customer service
6. I've been using Macs since 1985 so I'm good at troubleshooting issues and upgrading/fixing them myself
7. Macs are more reliable and less likely to get malware
8. Apple products don't look cheap
9. I can use Bootcamp on the same computer in the rare times I'm forced to use Windows/Office
10. It pisses off Apple haters and I love that they feel the need to insult my choice because it means they are insecure about theirs
2. I use Apple Motion, Final Cut X and Keynote for my business
3. Macs are the standard for playing videos during live shows
4. Macs work with all my other Apple products
5. Apple has the best customer service
6. I've been using Macs since 1985 so I'm good at troubleshooting issues and upgrading/fixing them myself
7. Macs are more reliable and less likely to get malware
8. Apple products don't look cheap
9. I can use Bootcamp on the same computer in the rare times I'm forced to use Windows/Office
10. It pisses off Apple haters and I love that they feel the need to insult my choice because it means they are insecure about theirs
I must have a Mac for my personal computer simply because of Mac OS.
I regulary use Windows 7/8.1, Ubuntu and OSX, and at the end of the day (after work, after making dinner, after walking the dog) I just can't stand the thought of sitting down in front of any other OS.
Warning! I will be using hippy dippy touchy feely terms and concepts from now on.
In the office I work on Windows 7 and for computer games at home I mostly use Windows 8.1, no complaints, stable as mountains. But...
But it's not a nice place to be. It feels cold and clinical, like a machine.
Using Windows feels like browsing a file cabinet.
Ubuntu I use for occasional fun. I had a couple of courses in Uni. that centered around Linux and I fell for the its unique charm. I've tried different versions but I find Ubuntu to be the most to my liking.
Ubuntu feels like a toolbox, or perhaps a chemistry set, I just like fooling around with it.
But I don't want to sit in front of a toolbox when I just want to unwind with my computer.
Mac OS, OSX, this is where I want to be.
Like a soft bathrobe or a warm pair of slippers that somehow come with a butler (Automator).
Everything feels connected in OSX. Hard to explain.
It looks nice and unobtrusive, not distracting. Using it feels intuitive (a relative term, I guess).
I never get that "HNNGH! WHAT? WHAT!? JUST DO AS I ****ING TELL YOU AND DON'T ASK ANY ****ING QUESTIONS!" feeling with OSX that I frequently get with Windows.
And to hell with Windows Update, Java updates, Anti Virus updates...Just go away!
I just want to enjoy some peace and quiet with my personal (the operative word here) computer, not fiddle with all the maintenance **** Windows requires to go smoothly.
I simpy need a Mac for OSX. -and build quality, I guess.
I regulary use Windows 7/8.1, Ubuntu and OSX, and at the end of the day (after work, after making dinner, after walking the dog) I just can't stand the thought of sitting down in front of any other OS.
Warning! I will be using hippy dippy touchy feely terms and concepts from now on.
In the office I work on Windows 7 and for computer games at home I mostly use Windows 8.1, no complaints, stable as mountains. But...
But it's not a nice place to be. It feels cold and clinical, like a machine.
Using Windows feels like browsing a file cabinet.
Ubuntu I use for occasional fun. I had a couple of courses in Uni. that centered around Linux and I fell for the its unique charm. I've tried different versions but I find Ubuntu to be the most to my liking.
Ubuntu feels like a toolbox, or perhaps a chemistry set, I just like fooling around with it.
But I don't want to sit in front of a toolbox when I just want to unwind with my computer.
Mac OS, OSX, this is where I want to be.
Like a soft bathrobe or a warm pair of slippers that somehow come with a butler (Automator).
Everything feels connected in OSX. Hard to explain.
It looks nice and unobtrusive, not distracting. Using it feels intuitive (a relative term, I guess).
I never get that "HNNGH! WHAT? WHAT!? JUST DO AS I ****ING TELL YOU AND DON'T ASK ANY ****ING QUESTIONS!" feeling with OSX that I frequently get with Windows.
And to hell with Windows Update, Java updates, Anti Virus updates...Just go away!
I just want to enjoy some peace and quiet with my personal (the operative word here) computer, not fiddle with all the maintenance **** Windows requires to go smoothly.
I simpy need a Mac for OSX. -and build quality, I guess.
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I'm not saying all of the Windows hate here is completely unfounded, but since it's the primary operating system amongst consumers and businesses alike, it has to be better and more stable than what you'd believe here. I've never personally had any major issues with any of the systems I've built. An anecdotal story from iBuyPower isn't related to the topic and is best left out.
There's no denying that there's vastly more options, configurations, and customization on a true Windows PC than any Mac, sans Hackintosh (but even then, you're running OS X). That said, I do admire Apple's ability to control everything, yet still spit out a high quality product. Different stokes for different folks, people.
Do you want a cheaper, highly compatible, possibly subpar experience, with the ability to customize to your heart's desire and have the ability to upgrade whatever hardware you want at any time bundled with the world's most recognized and used operating system? Go Windows.
Do you want the most polished, thoughtful, controlled, best ecosystem available? Go Mac.
At the end of the day, most users can get 99% of what they want done in either environment. But there are plenty of things that Windows has just because its more abundant that OS X never will. So some of it is out of necessity. I personally don't need access to anything on Windows, thus I choose the more polished experience, Mac.
If you've purchased into the Mac environment just to edit photo and video, you've already messed up. Any capable Windows machine can do that with the Adobe Suite (Final Cut can do nothing more than Premiere). It's only when you've carefully weighed the other aforementioned differences relative to your needs that you could possibly make an informed decision.
There's no denying that there's vastly more options, configurations, and customization on a true Windows PC than any Mac, sans Hackintosh (but even then, you're running OS X). That said, I do admire Apple's ability to control everything, yet still spit out a high quality product. Different stokes for different folks, people.
Do you want a cheaper, highly compatible, possibly subpar experience, with the ability to customize to your heart's desire and have the ability to upgrade whatever hardware you want at any time bundled with the world's most recognized and used operating system? Go Windows.
Do you want the most polished, thoughtful, controlled, best ecosystem available? Go Mac.
At the end of the day, most users can get 99% of what they want done in either environment. But there are plenty of things that Windows has just because its more abundant that OS X never will. So some of it is out of necessity. I personally don't need access to anything on Windows, thus I choose the more polished experience, Mac.
If you've purchased into the Mac environment just to edit photo and video, you've already messed up. Any capable Windows machine can do that with the Adobe Suite (Final Cut can do nothing more than Premiere). It's only when you've carefully weighed the other aforementioned differences relative to your needs that you could possibly make an informed decision.
So you've been hating Windows since about 11 years before it was first released.
I hate ugly things. Therefore I don't have a Dell, Samsung or anything running Windows for personal use.
But really, I feel Macs are overall faster and last longer. I used to have Windows machines and they always seemed to go to crap after 2 years. Macs have always done me well.
The hardware is sexy and I love the Apple ecosystem. Makes my life much easier to have a phone, tablet and computer that all speak the same language.
But really, I feel Macs are overall faster and last longer. I used to have Windows machines and they always seemed to go to crap after 2 years. Macs have always done me well.
The hardware is sexy and I love the Apple ecosystem. Makes my life much easier to have a phone, tablet and computer that all speak the same language.
I'm going to be very honest here, and I will admit this is just an opinion and is probably coming from a place of ignorance.
You see about two years ago, I decided to switch to mac (my first mac ever) I got the iMac and a macbookpro for school. All is fine, and the reason why I switched was because of the hype.
I like the aesthetics but I find mac too simple and it's a little picky with the old games.
I think I'll always be a windows at heart, and will probably use windows the next time I buy a pc but that remains debatable. I just find windows more flexible for my need but I DO NOT regret switching.
You see about two years ago, I decided to switch to mac (my first mac ever) I got the iMac and a macbookpro for school. All is fine, and the reason why I switched was because of the hype.
I like the aesthetics but I find mac too simple and it's a little picky with the old games.
I think I'll always be a windows at heart, and will probably use windows the next time I buy a pc but that remains debatable. I just find windows more flexible for my need but I DO NOT regret switching.
So you've been hating Windows since about 11 years before it was first released.
Yeah, you got me. I should have said I've hated non-Mac computers for about 40 years since I hated using DOS WordPerfect and the monitor-less mainframe input machine I used to learn Fortran. Since Windows copied the Apple OS GUI, they did come later. Happy now?
When you hate something so much, it makes time seem much longer than it really is
I just got home from a corporate job in Boston and had to use my Bootcamp Windows/PowerPoint. I missed a cue right at the start because I clicked to go to the next slide but PowerPoint had fallen asleep like it does when I sit in show mode for too long without advancing. I have no indication that it has gone dormant but when I click, nothing happens. Another guy on the crew who likes Windows showed me how to dig down and change the energy saver section. On the Mac, it's very simple to keep the hard drive from going dormant. On Windows, it's several layers in and you have to click things in the right sequence or your changes don't get saved. I had to go back and forth, back and forth several times before I got the changes to stick. Dumbest most unintuitive thing ever. Same for turning off all the system sounds so the entire room doesn't hear them. On the Mac, it's a simple click of a preference. In Windows, you have to dig for them and spend a while individually shutting off every single possible system sound via a long dropdown menu. Most of the time, all that "customizability" is a royal PITA. Don't get me started on how hard it is for me to create a local ethernet network between two PCs. It seems simple but never is for someone who doesn't do it very often. Two seconds on the Mac is half an hour and another guy trying to help me figure it out with Windows. Before you say anything about it being Bootcamp's fault, I'm talking about networking two actual PC laptops in this case.
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Trackpad. Cant find a single Windows laptop STILL that can even come close to a Mac trackpad. It's actually embarrassing for PC manufacturers.
I like the stability of OS X for everyday use, windows just takes 10 different steps to do various things. But with proper computer etiquettes viruses on PC is not really a huge problem. I still have a PC but mainly just for gaming purposes.