Name: Richard Doran
From: Battlement Mesa, CO
OS: Windows XP
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I have a friend who is seriously considering a switch from her Dell PC to a Mac. On a couple of occasions you have presented some really excellent “talking points” for people who should consider using a Mac. These deal mainly with their own personal computer usage, as I recall. I pulled up all Mac reference on your website and even “googled ” – but found
nothing that really covered the subject like you did.
A review of of your comments would be appreciated and this information could be a helpful useful addition to your web site!
Now I must wait to see if I get embarrassed that the info is already posted, as you so often prove.
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ANSWER
Great question Richard. And I do not currently have that information on that site, so here goes:
First, let me say that when I recommend that folks switch to a Mac or Ubuntu Linux, it takes business away from me. Why? Because when they do switch, they have very few problems.
From a tech guy’s perspective, I recommend Macs to people who use their computer for:
- Internet
- Word Processing
- Digital Photography
In no way shape or form is that the only thing a Mac can do, but it makes the transition much easier since these activities require little or no learning curve when switching from Windows.
Macintosh computers cost up to 20% more than an equally outfitted PC at the cash register, but they save the computer user much more over time. They save time and money by not requiring:
- Frequent computer tech support help calls or visits
- Constant security software updating and scanning
- Confusion with inane popups advertising fake security software
- Confusion and worry with fake security warnings
If a computer user relies on or is very attached to a specific Windows based program, check with the publisher to see if they make a Mac version. If not, then factor that into the decision. While it is possible to run Windows and Windows programs on a Mac, it takes away from the simplicity of using just one operating system. The idea of changing is to simplify, not add complication.
Finally, Mac product engineers do the best job in the business at designing their products. I think that is one Mac vs. PC statement that no one can argue with no matter what side of the equation the person takes.
All that being said, I want to add one last factor into the mix. All of these Mac advantages can be attained by buying an inexpensive PC, take Windows off of it and install Ubuntu instead. The only thing missing would be the Mac design and Mac support, but for the users I described above, Ubuntu makes a compelling, inexpensive choice.
There is one Mac advantage that cannot be matched on an Ubuntu system, or any other Linux system. That is digital photography. Gimp just does not have the same caliber of editing tools that Photoshop has.
Windows XP comes close, and can be good enough for advanced amateurs, but professionals are going to need a Mac. Calibration of monitors and printers required for accurate work is just better in a Mac system.
GIMP is rough around the edges, but for the average person’s use, it works fine. For me, I strictly use Pixlr.com or picnik.com in the browser, since the only editing I do is cropping and resizing. Also, the basic editing tools in Picasa are sufficient for many folks. But for digital photographers who need power and proven features, Photoshop is it.
I got rid of my Windows and security problems… I just got a new IMAC two weeks ago. But I will use Boot Camp so that I can use Proshow Gold (a great slide show program).
I’ll bet you are enjoying them! Glad to hear. Does Pro Show Gold not make a Mac version.
Your photo of the week clearly shows three Mac systems on a desktop, but the credits indicate the OS as Windows XP??
Dale
You misread the photo credit…that’s directly below the photo and gives credit to the photographer. The person asking the question was using Windows XP and asking about the Mac OS. And you had a good eye, because all 3 of those machines were Apple.
ProShow Gold is a great program. When I recently upgraded my PC, the upgraded Roxio was incompatible with ProShow and I had to uninstall ProShow. (Ithink that was the problem). I also have a MacBook for making DVDs, etc. Can I get a Mac version of ProShow Gold?
I just checked…no version for Mac. Seems Mac users use iPhoto or iMovie instead.
I was a PC guy for more than 25 years, I used windows since first version until a month ago. I decided to buy a Mac and let me tell you that the only regret I have is that I did not change to Mac before. I have to use sometimes windows on a virtual machine because of my work (visual studio) and I have to say that windows works better and faster on a Mac.
OS X is a much better OS than windows.
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