Dare I say this aloud? Boot Camp's a gimmick

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You're Welcome: for the lesson.

>>> ... but thanks for the lesson. >>>

It seems many Windows-using, rarely if ever used a Mac, Mac-bashers need them.

>>> "Most Windows apps used by the average user have Mac equivalents of equal or better quality so why subject yourself to an inferior user experience with Windows?"

If that were true then they would be more out in the business world since that is where the most "average use" is. >>>

No, many business decisions are made by and forced by IT who often have it's own biases and agendas .... Some legitimate and many self-serving (think IT job security, empire building and self-aggrandizement as all independent TCO/ROI studies to date (that have seen the light of day) have favoured Macs over Windows)

Using Windows = mucho tech support = higher end/long range cost (which negates the decision to buy the so-called "cheap" Windows computers in the first place).

Macs could/would fit in very well in most office environments unless IT decides to go with proprietary MS technology (ie asp.net), which ties in with IT's self-preservation, agenda.

(Personal experience? my daughter's a teacher who's school board, for many years, successfully used eTeacher (and app for recording marks and report card generation). It is a local, "client side" typical application that's cross-platform and can be used at home, school, wherever at the users convenience. About a year ago, Board IT switched to a web?based process using asp.net which restricted teachers to using Windows (2000 or XP) and the latest Internet Explorer. Other platform users were "screwed" (many teachers DECIDE to use Macs at home; some have successfully fought to have them in the classroom), the process was/is not as fast or smooth (slower due to web-based access), flaky often losing data (temporary or forever), etc). Bottom line? it was worse than the "old" software and marking/report card submission process, so I ask? who or what did the process switch benefit the most? The students and teachers or IT? Who is IT supposed to be benefiting and serving?)

>>> As far as an inferior experience that is a matter of opinion. I have never liked the way MacOS was layed out or how it ran. >>>

Yes, it's an opinion but how do you define "experience"? My reasons are very direct? a Mac is generally easy and a joy to use out of the box with minimal hassles and headaches (re viruses, malware, overall security? reinforced by an MS security honcho who has admitted defeat and stated it's easier and best to just reformat and start over than try to fix the many Windows problems).

Compare that to the security hoops the average Windows users must jump thru, many of which have frustrated the "average (home) user" so much, they've simply thrown up their hands in disgust and disconnected from the Internet (a survey finding from last year).

Which user experience sounds better, more enjoyable, more desirable, more user friendly (especially for the "average", non-tech user)?

Re Mac layout... it's what you're accustomed to using but many processes are easier (less clicks) and more logical in the Mac OS.

Plus, despite long standing myths and misinformation, there's a "ton" of quality software available for the Mac (free, share, commercial).

>>> "Other than possible games play, where's the up side?"

Uh, I don't know, maybe the fact that it runs a lot more programs, compatible with more devices, and gives you the freedom to choose. >>>

Quantity (more programs) does not equal quality. There may be 10 times the apps available on Windows but how many are decent enough to load and use? How many word processors/image editors/browsers/etc do you need? Mac apps have most of the field covered and usually with top quality software.

Please name an application that the "average" user may want that cannot be found (same app or equivalent function) for the Mac.

Average computer functionality (available on the Mac)... office functions (MS Office, some deem it better than the Windows version); web surfing (Firefox, Safari, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera, OmniWeb); e-mail (Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Netscape Mail, Entourage, various web-based (browser) services); related address book (Apples' Address Book); personal calendar (Apples' iCal, Entourage, other 3rd party apps); digital "fun/leisure"... music, photos, movies, DVD creation (Apple's iLife suite, other apps are available)... higher end uses are covered... Abobe Creative Suite, Macromedia (now Adobe) Studio...

In fact, I probably have and have had a larger software choice than you... Mac-specific, many UNIX-based apps (OSX being BSD-based) that have been ported, Linux (since you can run Linux on a Mac) AND your numerous Windows apps (thru Virtual PC on G5 and earlier Macs; Boot Camp and other virtualization apps allowing Windows on Intel Macs).

The latest games are about the only short coming... buy a dedicated console. (though Windows on the Intel Macs seem to run some high-end games well without additional "tuning"). But then, this point has nothing to do with the business-uses argument presented earlier.

>>> Mac has to include all their "i-series" software with their OS because not many companies make software for them. At least with a PC you can choose what software from a variety of applications instead of a handful. >>>

Apples' are high quality and easy to use but there are others or they're unique without many on any platform. (ie, how many Garageband type apps are out there... MS is rumored to be creating it's own Garageband app) And again, a larger choice isn't necessarily better if the choices are not worth buying/using.

If you can use best-in-class, why do you need many other lesser choices?

And since going with "standards" years back, many peripherals work directly with Macs (keyboards, mice, monitors, video cards, drives, printers, scanners, cameras, etc), many "plug & play". So what if only 5 of 10 work on a Mac (probably higher ratio depending on peripheral, ie most monitors, drives and almost all digital cameras just plug and play)... any of those "5" are no doubt fully functional and highly useable.

Any company that chooses not to support the Mac is often covered by quality, independent programs (ie, Vuescan provides drivers/support for hundreds of older (stopped updating) and new (unsupported) scanners).

I don't feel deprived at all, software or hardware wise.

>>> As far as security, malware and viruses go there are plenty of utilities some of which are free to protect users from Viruses and Malware. >>>

Free or paid for, it's still a major hassle and time (= money/frustration) spent and wasted for constant security maintenance and upkeep.

>>> Also tests have shown that Mac OS has its vulnerabilies too, it is just that they are not as exposed as quickly due to the fact the OS is only on a handful of computers. >>>

Yes, fewer vulnerabilities, a decided advantage so why keep defending Windows use when there is a safer solution that can/will fulfill most/all of your needs? (not just number in use but also OS architecture/corporate agenda & philosophy that determines platform vulnerability)

...; Posted by: MacCanuck Posted on: 04/11/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use