Why I don't want to switch to Mac (even when I love Mac design so much)

[Rezet]

Re: Why I don't want to switch to Mac (even when I love Mac design so much)

Originally posted by mocca
I love Apple design. They tends to have great design for everything. But everytime I think about switching to Mac (I'm definitely a PC guy by every standard), I cannot make up my mind. After reading through many articles, try many apple computer (G4s mainly and yesterday G5), I come up with a set of conclusion as to why the switching campaign doesn't work for me.

1) I used to think that MS is monopoly but the more I used Apple gears, the more I feel that Apple is even more monopoly than MS. MS is on a SW company and control SW part of the equation in the PC world. But apple control both HW ans SW. I cannot imagine what will happen if I find Apple support are not to my standard or to my likeness, can I change the company, change the producets, and what will happen to all the periherals I bought? In PC world, if I don't like, say Dell, I can goto other companies and still can keep my peripherals. If I don't like Windows, I can always install linux distro and still get most of the critical programs I need to work.

2) The price/performance of the Apple computers just cannot compete to PC (even consider the top-end oem like IBM). This is especially true when it comes to laptop segments (the desktop part is getting better, thanks to the new G5 processor from IBM). For the same price as the highend 15"PB, I can get a top-end T40p from IBM which will perform upto twice as fast (I'm not j/k here). The one thing I find kind of disappointed at the new G5 is that I ran Cinebench on my T40 (1.6GHz P-M laptop) and my bench scores are better than the 1.6GHz G5 machine. Provided that the cinebench isn't optimized for the G5, it also isn't optimized for the new P-M processor either AFAIK. So the scores are quite disappointed (you cannot assume that everyone will use optimized sw on their G5, many of them will not be optimized for G5 for a long time).

3) Choices in SW and HW is very limited for Apple. It is true that it is getting better than several years ago when I started using Mac for the first time. But the situation still looks very grim for Apple. Top SW tends to cater for PC because it have hugh maget shares. Top game developers always think of PC first except probably WC3 and NWN.

4) I'm already hevily invested in the PC world. Their is no way that the benefits of switching to Apple will outweight the cost of buying new SW and HW.

Bottom line is that the switching campaign doesn't work for me even though I really want to be convinced to switch to Mac for a long time. I cannot make up my mind to order a 15"PB why I can get a much better performance/support/ and probably design as well from IBM T40 series laptop.

Mocca

You are right on most things... but...

...But I'm just plain and tired of windows. Linux maybe good, but there are less programs for it than for OS 9! So you really don't have much of a choice there but to run windows. (On OS X you can run Virtual PC, if you are in a need launching a PC only program.)
As for Hardware, It will most likely get better now with IBM.. but who knows.
>Software. I agree, if you heavily invested into PC and have many several hundreds worth of programs (assuming you got them legaly), it's not worth getting same stuff for a mac... Unless of course you don't care about it and have money... (but i wouldn't).
>Monopoly, well, that is what every company is aiming for...
Apple is way to small to be considered it a monopoly as users clearly have an alternative way to go. Apple seems to be more of an underdog as of right now...

As for Powerbooks, agree, they are a joke that for some reason apple calls a "pro" line that costs over 2k but can't beat in speed Centrinos that are almost 40% cheaper... Apple really needs to get with a program here...
But then again, nobody buys a laptop for a pure speed... Laptop is mobility... I'm just not sure it should cost that much. If you are looking for the best of the best laptops... check out www.alienware.com and their hardcore gamer notebook that features some crazy stats like P 3.0 and 128 mbs video card.... If you want a laptop that weights 12 pounds and costs around 3k, you may get that...

As for mac software, it seems it has most of the programs any basic user would want. If you are referring to games, I'd suggest www.xbox.com to a mac or to a pc for that matter. (PC games have no resell value once the box was open...)

I can tell you one thing... PC hardware is good, but I'm very upset with windows... don't get me started here...

Cheers...

 

[Horrortaxi]

Originally posted by idea_hamster
Bravo! This is one of the all-too-often over-looked points: Who cares if Wintel has a ga-jillion applications when the 10 or 15 that I care about are available for Mac?

Even more overlooked is what kinds of programs are Windows only. Usually it's system utilities and antivirus. Those are always the big sellers. Who cares if there are 50,000 apps out there that you don't need?

By the way guys, some people are throwing the word "monopoly" around pretty loosely. It has a definition--exclusive control of a market, usually acheived through government support and collusive agreements among other companies or individuals. I'm not saying Microsoft has a monopoly (after all, they <i>only</i> have 90% market share--that's not exclusive) but that's what the word means. Apple certainly doesn't have a monopoly. They make a product. You don't say BMW has a monopoly because you have to get a BMW engine in their car. That's just how BMWs are.

 

[RandomDeadHead]

Plus, the next time a Mac user claims to be a "power user" with his dual 2Ghz G5, my response will be quick: "Oh, you're only running 2 processors.. that's cute.

I run a newspaper off of 18 single proc Mac's. My wife and I started this business over twenty years ago, with one original mac. I think I know how to use a computer fairley well, but do not consider mysellf a "power user", more like a Power money maker. I plug a lowley single proc mac into the wall, and Bam money appers in my bank account.

If you think you you have to have 4 proc's to be a "power user" than I pitty you.

 

[Powerbook G5]

You need 4 processors just to get Microsoft Word to run fast enough to type.

 

[judith]

Powerbook:

Being as tho you understand that it is in fact NOT true that all prior-to XP programs will work with XP, and appearently you have the emulator, I'm wondering if you can give me some info on the speeds and ease of use?
I feel I need my Dreamweaver and Adobe goods, I couldn't possibly purchase them new for the other platform (ka-ching), I currently use both platforms, with the PC for the graphics. Now, I know this is ridiculously backward-a** Certainly I should prefer using my Mac for graphics. Can you (anyone) give more specifics on the emulator's performance?
Thanks!

 

[Powerbook G5]

It can be painfully slow, unfortunately. Right now I have Windows 98 installed with VPC running on a pretty slim and lean diet. I've cut just about anything possible to just leave the very basics to get the most out of it, but besides running simple Print Shop for making greeting cards and a few DOS games, there isn't much performance. I haven't tried running those types of programs, so I am not sure what kind of muscle they need, but if they don't require hefty video performance or high clockrates, you could give it a try.

 

[hulugu]

Switching, etc.

I think the whole of it is, a computer is a tool, a system designed to—hopefully—allow you to get things done. Nothing more.
Now, I've used a Mac since the Mac Plus and I've used every operating system on the Mac since. I've also used every Windows interation since DOS.
I just like my mac better. I have a 550mhz TiBook stuffed full of RAM and I manage to get more work done with it than the 2.4 ghz P4 I've got at work. Why?
It's almost intangible, I'd like to use Job's buzzwords: intiutive, fun, etc. But there's just something there. Safari is faster, Mail is most intiuitive, Word is well-behaved, I can print any document to .PDF.
My Wintel box with XP SP1 is odd, it does need a reinstall once in a while (don't ask, I don't know either) it has eaten a virus and had fever dreams for a while, it just sucks. And, one poster mentioned Dell and HP using better parts that Apple. Then how come the Dell I bought at work around the same time I bought my TiBook has died twice: HD and power-supply: they sit on the same desk, get carried in the same bag. (I've been accused on dropping it down stairs to prove Apple makes better computers!) And yet, I swear, same operations, same environ, had to call Dell twice. And they are not fun to talk to.
But, I drive an old Jeep CJ too, so what do I know?

 

[mocca]

For me, the switch campaign need a stronger back up from the Apple hardware department. The G5 is a good step forward for the desktop section but the PB section looks very grim right now. I think Apple will compete better in the world of multiple platform if the HW can back up the SW (as of Apple SW design usually top notch but the performance of the HW is lagging except probably the G5).

As far as I concern, if the G5 is successful, many more people will decide to switch easier. As for the PB line, unless Apple put the G5 in them (which eventually will but at what time is still open for debate), the PB line cannot compete to the PC counterpart. My IBM T40p is a good example in this case. It have everything that the PB have (may be except the 17"LCD) but it perform much better and run much cooler and quieter (I used 12/15/17PB before as we have them in my department).

The attitude of the Apple CS is also a problem to me as well. May be it is just the persons that I spoke to when I went to buy the iPod. But I get bad treatment from them before when I need to get my iPod in for service (and this is at a local Apple store and I was very polite). Compare to IBM support which I have extensive experiences with, it is just different and very much in the way that make me feel unhappy with my iPod purchase at the time. Many ppl told me that Apple have good technical support but it is getting worse nowaday. I guess it is true for other companies as well.

Mocca

 

[Schiffi]

Well, I had to reinstall OSX yesterday. Damn Dave1.4 messing up my computer. oh well. It works now. Personally I got my Ti when the Alienware and the Ti were similarily speced. I got the Ti because I saw it as more worth while and more value holding (PCs, in my experience don't last as long as Macs).

 

[hulugu]

Apple CS still best in the business IMO

Everyone I've talked to at Apple support: wife stepped on power-supply wearing heels, Apple Care card disappeared in mail, and they have been incredibly helpful. They listened to my problem and then sent me a new power-supply, and reissued my Apple care certificate without any hassles. I talked to one person each time and was on hold for less than 10 minutes total.
I help to keep our IT together at work and that includes calling HP & Dell for service on some of our machines. In both cases I was amazed at how clueless or rude they were and how long it took to get the simpliest things done. Dell has a reputation according to ASCI (I believe) for good CS support, but I didn't talk to the good people.
As for the PB, I think an upgrade to the G4 or a 1.3 G5 is coming, but I still think processor-speed is a red-herring for computer performance. Most people bang away on pre-Ghz P4s and are perfectly capable of getting their work done, and I'm slamming away on my 550mhz PB.
But, I do also believe that Apple needs to do better with regards to the PB line. It's supposed to be a pro-grade laptop and I thought it was the "year of the laptop!" What gives Steve?

 

[legion]

Originally posted by RandomDeadHead
I run a newspaper off of 18 single proc Mac's. My wife and I started this business over twenty years ago, with one original mac. I think I know how to use a computer fairley well, but do not consider mysellf a "power user", more like a Power money maker. I plug a lowley single proc mac into the wall, and Bam money appers in my bank account.

If you think you you have to have 4 proc's to be a "power user" than I pitty you.

I don't need 4 procs to be a "power user."

However, as a "power user" (your term, not mine), I can utilize 4 procs. You don't criticize Los Alamos because they have supercomputers and clusters because they can use them.

Keep your pity for yourself if this is too hard to grasp.

 

[Powerbook G5]

I remember a month or so back there was a rumor of 64 processor G5 XServes...now if I see someone getting one of those for their desktop and I'll tip my hat to them for being a poweruser...4 processors? That's so cute!

 

[Codemonkey]

Assuming too much re: software crossgrades...

Hey all,

I'm not sure why no one has mentioned it: either none of us are switchers, everyone paid full price (again) for their software or stole it....because the notion of vendors charging you full-bore for a crossgrade is absolutely ridiculous.

We cross-graded office, dreamweaver, fireworks, freehand, flash, adobe acrobat and adobe photoshop from two peecees to two macintoshes a couple of years ago for mere hundreds of dollars (and some products were so accommodating all we had to do was send in our peecee installs and we got new mac counterparts for free).

To buy them from scratch 2x would have cost close to 10k for 2 'puters.

So, before you write off your software collection: put in a call to the respective vendors - you might be surprised as to how cheaply you can Switch.

 

[Mav451]

Originally posted by Schiffi
Well, I had to reinstall OSX yesterday. Damn Dave1.4 messing up my computer. oh well. It works now. Personally I got my Ti when the Alienware and the Ti were similarily speced. I got the Ti because I saw it as more worth while and more value holding (PCs, in my experience don't last as long as Macs).

I think that understanding comes with the notion that Mac supposedly come with "superior hardware".

In most cases, it is not the HARDWARE at fault, but the drivers.

You'd be surprised, well actually, no one should be surprised how easily bad drivers can mess up a computer's stability?

Bad ram (random restarts) is not a PC problem/Mac problem. The Mac OS cannot save a computer if it has faulty ram.

I get BSOD's ONLY, and ONLY when i use inferior hardware, or when i overclock

Bad ram will bsod--this is severe wake up call--not sure how Mac OS X reacts to bad ram. Bad PSU? well both will hose your entire motherboard/HD setup if left unchecked.

Well Hard drive is pretty easy to tell--clicking

The biggest reason is that the majority of the population will download spyware (and not use Spybot or another form of Adaware software to get rid of it); download "utilities" that conflict with each other (seen this too many times in 98); or just do stupid stuff to .ini or registry files (VERY BAD).

Winxp all you have to do is go to "run: regedit" and you can easily screw up your computer. I'm not sure it is as easy with Mac OS X as it doesn't operate using registry--i'm not a programmer so i have really no idea. I don't have experience with Macs either, i used an old mac when i was in elementary school--no "easy" ways to f*ck up drivers or registry settings.