The user needs to get some job done. The operating system shouldn't make itself visible unless absolutely needed. I think Microsoft is too concerned with 'delivering an experience' and not concerned enough about making sure the user is actually able to reliably use his PC as a tool, unhindered by irrelevant distractions.
Yes, the OS does need to "stay out of the way" while being reliable. OS X does a great job of this, with its random crashes, and Mail crashing in the background if theres a connection interruption, or iTunes randomly crashing while trying to sync an iPod or iPhone...
OS X is great about this in other ways too. For example, if you're browsing through folders in Finder and hit the back button, it doesn't take you back to wherey ou were, it takes you back to the top of the folder, so you have to scroll down again.
OS X really gets in the way when you hook up an external display to a portable. On Vista, the first time you connect a display, it brings up a little box asking you if you're like to clone the displays, extend, or use only the external. Even if you're on a portable. You can disable the built-in display and use the external. Better yet, it automatically detects the external displays native resolution. OS X? Mirror or extended. It won't detect the native resolution of the external display, and probably won't have it available if you're connecting to an HDTV. The only way to disable the built-in display is to close the lid to sleep the system, hook up an external mouse and keyboard, and wake it that way. But even then you still don't get proper resolution support thanks to OS X.
Another way OS X gets in the way: on Windows you cant alt+tab through all of your open WINDOWS. In OS X you can only do it (command+tab) through open applications, then you have to use a separate shortcut for going through the windows in the application.
Shall I go on about the ways OS X gets in the way?
And yes, visual distractions are a part of that. One (random) example: I love LOVE OS X's way of recognizing a USB mouse when plugged in and just letting me use it practically in an instant (without 'boasting' about it). Why would I have to be told about what the system is doing to let that happen (as at least XP did).
The "found new hardware" prompts only show up the FIRST time you connect a new device. Not every time. And that prompt is only onscreen as long as it takes for OS X to recognize a new connection for a device. OS X has to have me go through a setup wizard after a fresh install when I connect my wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse. Windows doesn't.
you can be relatively sure of its conformity in behaviour across the system, moreso than on Windows.
Even Jobs admitted that one of the improvements of Leopard was a uniform UI, since so many apps had such different UIs.
I stand by what I said, namely that I find that OS X cares much more for uniformity systemwide and across applications, often has easier to understand and carefully designed dialogues and generally adheres to guidelines that try to minimize clutter, visual overload and confusing behaviour, as well as unneedingly interrupting the user to take administrative actions not needed for his current work.
Are you referring to UAC? That only shows up as often as a password prompt does in OS X.
OS X is better about visual clutter than Windows? are you kidding me? In OS X, if you have a ton of windows/apps open, your only real way to access them all is either through Expose (which requires you to search for what you want out of the mess), or to bring all windows to the front by clicking on the apps icon in the Dock, or by control+tabbing to the app then control+~ to the window you want.
In Windows, you have access to ALL windows with the click of a button on the taskbar.
IF indeed OS X has serious crashing issues, I would agree that that would 'get in the way'.
And, indeed, OS X does
It's just that Apple fans are brainwashed to believe that, despite the crashing issues, they're still getting a better experience than Windows.
I know a guy with a dell 15something or other core 2 in it that I;m sure and I kid you not my G3 starts quicker ....can't watch flash on it but it starts quicker all the same ...funny that
System boot speed has absolutely nothing to do with overall system speed. Don't let OS X's boot speed fool you either. It appears to be faster, but for a good full minute from the time you press the power button, OS X is still performing boot and loading processes in the background even though you have a "useable" desktop. Watch iStat or Activity Monitor if you dont believe me.
Personally, if my MacBook started cracking I wouldn't mind. As long as the machine is fully functional and I can stay with OS X, I don't mind aesthetic issues. I realize everyone is different, though.
You see, thats the problem right there. Apple knows that they have millions of diehard fans that share those exact same feelings. And that those ridiculously loyal fans that will stay with them and buy their products no mater what.
Apple knows that they can charge premium prices for poorly built MacBooks and MacBook Pros with low-end specs and hardware and that these kind of people will buy them up without hesitation, because it has an Apple logo.
If these people would finally realize that they're getting ripped off... that $1100 for a combo drive, no dedicated GPU, and poor build quality is unacceptable, or that the MacBook Pro is also poorly built and $800 too expensive... and stop buying Apple products, then things would improve across the board.
But as long as theres enough people out there that are diehard fans, enough to keep Apple's profit margins high, they're not going to change their ways and we're going to be stuck with low-end and low quality hardware.
OP: after reading your original post (and nothing else, because i read enough), i have the opinion that it was your fault everything happened to that, and i support apple for their decision (IMO). my friend has an original MB (which is at least 2 years older than yours) and his has only just started cracking on the sides. none on the palm rests mind you.
how hard are you on your MB? of course plastic is going to crack if your 'mean' to it.
Classic Apple apologist reply.
It's never Apple or OS X's fault. Never. It's ALWAYS the users fault. Apple, Macs, and Mac OS X are absolutely perfect. Whenever something is wrong, it is because the user did something wrong or abused it or something.
Why don't you read this forum a little bit more or do some googling? Or even read Apple's support forums. You'll find pretty quick that the MacBooks are prone to cracking from regular use, cracking due to heat in various places, cracking because of over tightened screws and the stress caused by heat, cracking at various stress points for no real reason, cracking around the vents due to heat, the hinge separating due to heat. Need I go on?
there may be a design flaw but it can be (somewhat) avoided by being easier on it. the thing isnt a friggen brick.
i read the last result from the google search... that was caused by idiocy. im guessing some of the other 1million results are also from that kind of thing. yes it may be weak plastic, but no you dont have to be harsh on it. if you dont like the computer, go and buy a MBP. ive had mine since forever, it is an actual machine, nice n sturdy. [/quote[
How can you be easier on it? The palmrest cracks are a result of the magnetic "latches" putting too much pressure on the palmrest material. The high amount of constant pressure and weak material combine to make cracks. That has NOTHING to do with how the user treats it.
you go on back to winblows, goodluck with that buddy
At least Windows has modern technologies and is sold on hardware that is generally built significantly better
And if you spend $2,000 on a notebook, you actually get a machine worth $2,000. Not one that is not even on par with a $1300 Gateway from Best Buy.
