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Why is mac not as popular as windows?
- Thread starter manapple
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Well, with OS X you have one company selling everything, at what some consider a high price. With Windows you have a lot of competitive companies selling computers from low to high prices.
That's really about it. I'm sure if Apple had allowed other companies to put OS X on their own hardware, and set their own prices, OS X would be a lot more popular.
That's really about it. I'm sure if Apple had allowed other companies to put OS X on their own hardware, and set their own prices, OS X would be a lot more popular.
Stop using the word winning. Winning doesn't matter in this case. Being competitive is what matters, and Apple is handily doing that.
Reason in 3 points
1) Windows has alot of revendors we you buy an HP ACER DELL ASUS TOSHIBA etc they come with Windows.
While Mac only Apple sells them.
2) People are scared of the changes, they are used with Windows, and if they change to mac they are scared that they will be lost and all that ****
3) Price, People doesn't understand what's behind the price of the mac VS the price of Windows.
Quick exemple
A HP Laptop + Office 2010 is about 1000$ depending the Office version
A Mac + Office 2011 can come for about 1200$ depending the version of the mac. + all the stuff you can get for free as mac software that you need to buy on Windows.
1) Windows has alot of revendors we you buy an HP ACER DELL ASUS TOSHIBA etc they come with Windows.
While Mac only Apple sells them.
2) People are scared of the changes, they are used with Windows, and if they change to mac they are scared that they will be lost and all that ****
3) Price, People doesn't understand what's behind the price of the mac VS the price of Windows.
Quick exemple
A HP Laptop + Office 2010 is about 1000$ depending the Office version
A Mac + Office 2011 can come for about 1200$ depending the version of the mac. + all the stuff you can get for free as mac software that you need to buy on Windows.
Very true. Plus they compare the wrong things. Specifically the entry level MBP, that is a Unibody, Aluminum device against the BestBuy Sunday special HP Pavilion with Windows Home. "Look! I can get a kick butt laptop for $499!, and it runs Windows 7!" LOL...Good luck with that...tell us how it's running 6 months from now...
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Wrong webpage to ask this question! Move on, next in line please.
Regarding price - if you compare what a Mac offers vs a PC - if you put the same quality stuff into a PC the prices aren't that different any more...
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As much as I spend fixing my fiance's Dell with Windows 7 (usually MS issues, not Dell issues) and my hourly rate at work, I could afford a new 15" MBP every year. I bought a Mac because I got tired for working on PC's at home. It's amazing how much downtime is caused at my plant because of Microsoft (Server, SQL, XP, etc.).
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1. Macs cost more. People don't like to spend more.
(Before anyone counters with resale value, no antivirus etc remember people are generally idiots and are incapable of thinking too far in advance. They see the extra initial outlay for a Mac and that is it).
2. Some people are technophobes. They know about windows from work etc and stick with what they are used to. Even though Mac is easy to learn, it still takes some time.
3. Windows is fine for many people. Some people use their computers all the time, others for only an hour a day to check emails etc. My fiance's parents use their laptop for about 15mins a day, and only for email/web/letters. A Mac isn't necessary for them. A £300 laptop will do.
(Before anyone counters with resale value, no antivirus etc remember people are generally idiots and are incapable of thinking too far in advance. They see the extra initial outlay for a Mac and that is it).
2. Some people are technophobes. They know about windows from work etc and stick with what they are used to. Even though Mac is easy to learn, it still takes some time.
3. Windows is fine for many people. Some people use their computers all the time, others for only an hour a day to check emails etc. My fiance's parents use their laptop for about 15mins a day, and only for email/web/letters. A Mac isn't necessary for them. A £300 laptop will do.
Whoever said Mac's aren't enterprise friendly couldn't be more wrong. The line commands for rolling out updates and packages are incredible and I can tell you now that building a net image for mac is far easier and more robust than any image tools for windows. Security is easier to manage, printers are easy to network.
Rant over.
Rant over.
My MacBook doesn't have "right click". It has "two finger tap"
Which reminds me, I have friends with MBP's who have never gone into system preferences to manage their trackpads, and know nothing of multi-touch!
Also, I don't like when people use my MBP, and "click" my trackpad. Tap to click, people, COME ON!
1 - Sometimes things are more popular because they are better.
2 - Sometimes things are more popular because the company that makes them is better at strategy than the other company.
3 - Sometimes things are more popular because they look better.
4 - Sometimes things are more popular because of sheer dumb luck.
With the popularity of Windows, I think we are looking at a combination of items 2 and 4. However the underlying purpose of this thread, and so many others before it is to simply sing that old Ken-L Ration jingle...
"My dog is better than your dog! My dog's better than yours!"
Shouting MDIBTYD louder doesn't make it true. If Windows works better for you, then by all means use it. If OS X works better for you, then by all means use it. For me OS X works better but I'm glad Windows is more popular because popularity is part of what keeps the bulk of malware targeted at Windows.
ZDnet is all over a malware scare on OS X. One. One malware scare and they are all over it like it was the biggest news since the twin towers fell. After years of worms that could spread simply by leaving your computer connected to the internet without the latest MS patches or anti virus software, malware comes along for OS X that requires an admin password to install and these guys are acting like it's the end of the world. Now that's objectivity.
So the OP comes to an Apple site to ask why Windows is more popular and (thankfully) quite a few of the replies are somewhat objective and appear to outnumber MDIBTYD posts. Bravo. Well done, MR. Keep it up!
Than what? Same system, with same specs it's sometimes less.
If it's compared to the Staple's special; the plastic POS with Windows Home, definitely. See me in a year, and we'll see which one is less, after the cheapo special is dead, or nearly dead and falling apart...
But hey, it's cheaper!
0) You seem to have the functional cognitive abilities of someone who hasn't reached puberty, or at least the level of your prose and the fidelity of your argument seems to indicate this.
1) ISO handling came to Windows waaaaay late. There is no avoiding that.
2) iTunes works well on Macs, Zune works well on Windows. Simple As. iTunes for Mac is a lot better than iTunes for Windows, and Zune is, on Windows, a lot better than iTunes for Windows, but not as good as iTunes for Mac is on a Mac.
3) Mac OS X supports any monitor resolution you care to throw at it. If you have any expandable Mac, or attach an external monitor, you can use any Monitor and OS X Supports the Resolution if your graphics card does. The nonsense about choice isn't a valid argument, as the same constraints apply to Windows All-In-Ones and Laptops. There might be more options, but Apple covers the range well enough. (And most people only look at 1 or 2 PC brands anyway)
4) I couldn't be productive on Windows, as the software I use to be productive is Mac OS X and Linux only in combination (Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio and Shake, as well as a few Linux tools). So for me Using a Windows PC would be unquestionably a bad decision, as my key productivity applications are Mac OS X only, and I would get nothing done. There are plenty of creative professionals in this boat, as having Access to Apples' as well as other software can be vital for getting creative things done. Just because you don't like or need Mac OS X to get stuff done doesn't mean we can all survive on Windows
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well to me I have both and apple has it's good points and bad. Now with win 7 there is little difference in performance and ease of use.
but myself I run a lot of the same software on both and it always works better on win7. I am talking about firefox and chrome. none of the plugins work as well on my mac if at all. both eat up memory more and slow down more after a few days running.
installing apps for the most part is smoother in windows. with a mac sometimes you double click sometimes you drag sometimes you can't find running install app sometimes a drive is left on the desktop and you have to drag it to the trash. copy and paste sometimes you can right click with the mouse sometimes you can't the delete key won't delete a file. you can't drag and drop files into a open folder with files in the way.
Quite a few apps won't close down and need a forced close.
but myself I run a lot of the same software on both and it always works better on win7. I am talking about firefox and chrome. none of the plugins work as well on my mac if at all. both eat up memory more and slow down more after a few days running.
installing apps for the most part is smoother in windows. with a mac sometimes you double click sometimes you drag sometimes you can't find running install app sometimes a drive is left on the desktop and you have to drag it to the trash. copy and paste sometimes you can right click with the mouse sometimes you can't the delete key won't delete a file. you can't drag and drop files into a open folder with files in the way.
Quite a few apps won't close down and need a forced close.
I think Apple's refusal to offer that perfect price point laptop has hurt their market share potential. $1000 is far too much for the low end Macbook (especially at those specs), if they offered it for $600-700 it would be a massive seller.
The Mac Mini is supposed to be that entry level Mac but less people are buying desktops today, so they really need that entry level Macbook for the first time Mac users.
With the App Store Apple is going to want to get more people with Macs, so it wouldn't surprise me to see them finally offer a Macbook at that price point sometime in the future. It also wouldn't surprise me to see it stripped down a bit, no iLife (buy it from the App Store!), possibly removing the dedicated graphics card.
I've had a Hackintosh Mini, while it works half decently it's not really worth it. Unless you have some Mac only apps that you need you're much better off just putting Linux on since Netbooks basically are just there for browsing/email/other light tasks, Linux will do it without hacking with much of the same benefits (no Antivirus, mainly).
The Mac Mini is supposed to be that entry level Mac but less people are buying desktops today, so they really need that entry level Macbook for the first time Mac users.
With the App Store Apple is going to want to get more people with Macs, so it wouldn't surprise me to see them finally offer a Macbook at that price point sometime in the future. It also wouldn't surprise me to see it stripped down a bit, no iLife (buy it from the App Store!), possibly removing the dedicated graphics card.
I've had a Hackintosh Mini, while it works half decently it's not really worth it. Unless you have some Mac only apps that you need you're much better off just putting Linux on since Netbooks basically are just there for browsing/email/other light tasks, Linux will do it without hacking with much of the same benefits (no Antivirus, mainly).
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*yawn* Just fine. And just fine 3 or 4 years from now. People really need to get out more and stop spouting outdated tech-cliches. Most modern hardware is pretty sturdily made. It's childsplay now (and has been for years) to get a decent laptop that will last for years of solid use without spending a fortune.
Apple makes great stuff- no doubt. But realize- NOT EVERYONE GIVES A FLYING RAT. Like someone else here spelled it out- for many (if not MOST) people, they really don't give a damn about the brand of computer they buy, or the OS on it, any more than the brand of toaster oven they have in their kitchen. It's something that interests many of us that hang out on computer sites, but the average person couldn't care less. They can easily buy a computer for $500 and it serves their uses just fine. It's 2011, not 1995.
Bingo. Many people believe macs have crappy hardware, that macs don't support right click, that they're dumbed down and only suitable for kids/old people, the list goes on. Ignorance is probably the biggest factor for why macs are not so popular, and like you said, price. I used to have a dell laptop for that very reason, it got the job done, that is until it broke down... Then I had to deal with dell customer support, and it went downhill from there. Bottom line is you get what you pay for when you buy a mac. It isn't overpriced in any way.
I agree with some of the posts that I skimmed through: Windows is distributed all across different computer vendors (e.g. Dell, HP, etc.) - and thus, makes them accessible to people. Furthermore, they offer it in a price range that an average user can afford.
However, it comes down to quality. Yes, you do pay more for a Macbook/Pro/Air, etc. but you get what you pay for. It is all worth it after all.
I got my Macbook White (pre-unibody version; early 2008) from a trade for my ASUS laptop. And I was never disappointed. Because being it used for such a long time, it was really astounding that it is still functioning just like a new computer bought from an Apple Store. It proved itself to be a durable laptop in the long run.
I'm never gonna go back to a PC again. I love Macs
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Sidenote : I did not consider any other factors when writing what I think about this question. But I believe it suffices enough to consider the quality made by a laptop.
However, it comes down to quality. Yes, you do pay more for a Macbook/Pro/Air, etc. but you get what you pay for. It is all worth it after all.
I got my Macbook White (pre-unibody version; early 2008) from a trade for my ASUS laptop. And I was never disappointed. Because being it used for such a long time, it was really astounding that it is still functioning just like a new computer bought from an Apple Store. It proved itself to be a durable laptop in the long run.
I'm never gonna go back to a PC again. I love Macs
. Sidenote : I did not consider any other factors when writing what I think about this question. But I believe it suffices enough to consider the quality made by a laptop.
Your basic assumptions is wrong, I think. You are equating absolute numbers sold to "popularity". And I believe, you think more units sold is better.
Apple is, I believe, selling just as many units as they want. They could easily sell more units simply by dropping their prices, or by introducing a bargain priced unit. They don't, because they don't want to sell a mass market product. It doesn't fit their image, and their philosophy.
Also, in certain market segments, Apple is more popular. In the $1000+ range, iirc, they sell more than anybody else. Also in the University crowd, they sell more portable units (again, iirc).
One big thing. No virus problems, little to no maintenance.
I worked at Paramount Studios where there are Macs in graphics, Video, Sound and other creative areas. The IT people told me that if everyone at the Studio had Macs they would not have a job.
My friends with Windows spend so much time and money on "Geek Squad" type people that they could have bought 2 Macs, had no downtime and eliminated all those PC headaches.
I say Macs cost less over time, hold a high value and just work really well.
I worked at Paramount Studios where there are Macs in graphics, Video, Sound and other creative areas. The IT people told me that if everyone at the Studio had Macs they would not have a job.
My friends with Windows spend so much time and money on "Geek Squad" type people that they could have bought 2 Macs, had no downtime and eliminated all those PC headaches.
I say Macs cost less over time, hold a high value and just work really well.
I beg to differ. Products made today are the worst in history. They have poor components and have an even worse track record for dependability.
Several years ago, Intel was making the $300 reference motherboards that would last 5-7 years (before failure), while everyone else was making $89 motherboards that would last maybe a year. Intel figured out that the effort to make the 5-7 year motherboard wasn't worth the $$$ spent and discontinued that effort. Now every remaining MB manufacturer's "decent" boards cost $200 and they still only last a year or two before some component failure.
Almost all MB are made in China where quality is a distant 12th (maybe even worse), lead times are ~42 weeks, components are grey market and they have ZERO motivation to change any of it (since we demand cheap cheap cheap, they will continue this way).
How in any way is this sturdily made? Oh, I see just because you happen to have a few laptops / desktops survive beyond this, makes it the rule, not the exception.
I'd have to say that any factory where Apple produces products, they are held to a higher standard and have better QA processes than any other brand out there. Sure, there will be exceptions, but then again, I don't want to spend countless hours trying to figure out why my system keeps blue screening when I've changed nothing and installed nothing. Suddenly, boom, system is toast.
Several years ago, Intel was making the $300 reference motherboards that would last 5-7 years (before failure), while everyone else was making $89 motherboards that would last maybe a year. Intel figured out that the effort to make the 5-7 year motherboard wasn't worth the $$$ spent and discontinued that effort. Now every remaining MB manufacturer's "decent" boards cost $200 and they still only last a year or two before some component failure.
Almost all MB are made in China where quality is a distant 12th (maybe even worse), lead times are ~42 weeks, components are grey market and they have ZERO motivation to change any of it (since we demand cheap cheap cheap, they will continue this way).
How in any way is this sturdily made? Oh, I see just because you happen to have a few laptops / desktops survive beyond this, makes it the rule, not the exception.
I'd have to say that any factory where Apple produces products, they are held to a higher standard and have better QA processes than any other brand out there. Sure, there will be exceptions, but then again, I don't want to spend countless hours trying to figure out why my system keeps blue screening when I've changed nothing and installed nothing. Suddenly, boom, system is toast.
Why is it always those who seem like they have the least tech experience, always try and make the most sweeping over-generalizing proclamations from the position of least authority?
"EVERYTHING SUCKS BECAUSE I SAY SOO!!!"
No it doesn't. You just need to learn to be a better consumer. There are mountains of info, reviews, user feedback, etc. etc. about virtually every piece of hardware out there to gauge before you buy. Next time, avail yourself of it.
Both Macs and PCs use the same components- CPUs, GPUs, PSUs, hard drives, RAM, major motherboard components (hell, Apple's mobos are made largely by Foxconn, one of the most generic makes) monitors, perifs, etc. etc.
If you can't find quality versions of the above, then you're simply not a good consumer, because there's TONS of quality in all of the above.
Virtually every laptop I've purchaced for myself or others in the past five years is still going strong. Again- AVAIL YOURSELF OF READILY AVAILABLE INFO before you buy things, and this can be your experience as well. If something gets ****** reviews all over the place, then don't buy it. You can find plenty of hardware of any time with glowing reviews and users who already own it telling you the pros and cons.
I've got motherboards that cost me $50 years ago that are still running strong. My HTPC is vintage 2007, runs the latest OS, plays blu-ray and HD perfectly, and is virtually always running or in standby. I've never needed to spend $300 on a motherboard to achieve this level of stablity, nor has anyone else who *ahem* actually knows quality hardware from bad.
Total bull, and is just an illustration of my earlier point about people making proclamations about things they have no real knowledge of. One can EASILY find a sub $200 motherboard that can last years of use. It's not even difficult, let alone impossible.
I see, just because you're a terrible consumer, assign yourself the status of proclaiming that *EVERYTHING* sucks, and only you know what doesn't! Every company gets by by selling nothing that works, and every other consumer on the planet is NEVER satisfied with what they buy- somehow all of this has slipped subtly under the radar- but hey, YOU caught it and are blowing the whistle! Thanks! Now go inform everyone on newegg and eveywhere else who aren't having any problems with the products they give five egg reviews to that EVERYTHNG SUCKS- they just don't know it.
Yeah, Foxconn is the industry leader! HAHAHAHAHA! Too funny!