Why You’re not too Smart to Switch to Mac
Somebody over at Gizmodo published an article on why he still uses Windows. He begins by saying that he’s “too smart for Macs” (emphasis his). No, dude. You’re not. Let’s go through your arguments one at a time and see what’s really what.
The first argument, “I’m a monster on Windows” has merit. If you’d expanded on this a little and let that be it, I’d have left you alone. If you’re comfortable and really productive on an OS, there’s really no reason for you to make the switch. You might find that you’re more productive on another OS once you get over the learning curve, but I’ll give you this one.
The next section describes how Macs used to be utter garbage. This is a statement I agree with. Mac OS and even OS X wasn’t always as awesome as it is today. But it is awesome today. Who cares about what it used to be. Windows used to be better. It’s not today. Welcome to the present.
The next section tries to make several points, most of which, are utterly misinformed. PCs are better for games. Agreed. “Windows is an OS that feels structured and it makes sense just because I’m used to them.”(sic) There’s always a period of getting used to something new. This is the same as the first point. Macs feel dumbed down. You can’t tinker or access low level system stuffs. Mac OS X is based on BSD Unix. I would argue that it’s more flexible/tweakable, though, fewer changes are necessary to get acceptable performance. There aren’t as many apps. True. But it’s not like it used to be. There may not be as many, but there are plenty, and they’re usually better. Limited hardware choices. The Mac Pro is very expandable. If you really want to build your own machine, and that’s more important than actually using the machine, I have nothing more to say to you. Nowadays, most people buy laptops, and nobody is really making laptops designed to be taken apart.
Next up, we have a section about the founders of the companies. This is irrelevant. It’s worth mentioning, however, that even Bill Gates thinks Windows sucks. This is followed up by a section about how Macs are too cool. This is another irrational decision that has nothing to do with the actual platform itself.
The last section is a gold mine. “The main reason I still use Windows is this: I’m stubborn and lazy.” Not too smart, too stubborn and too lazy. I believe that. “I don’t want to switch because it will amount to admitting that I’ve been wrong for the last 15 years or so.” First of all, so fucking what. I thought you didn’t care what people thought? What happened to “My computer is not a fashion statement”? Second, you don’t really have to admit anything. Windows used to be better. Now Mac is. You weren’t really wrong. I got razzed a little bit when I made the switch, but I’m still glad I did. There’s some more stuff about not wanting to learn something new. It takes about two weeks to get acclimated to the Mac. Ask your pals over there at Gizmodo for a few app suggestions to replace your Windows tools.
Get yourself a review MacBook Pro and use it for a month or so. You won’t want to give it back.
It doesn’t bother me so much that this guy uses Windows. If he’s comfortable, productive, and happy with it, there’s no reason to switch to something else. The thing that bothers me about this article is how ignorant most of his arguments are. In 2001, I would never have imagined myself using a Mac. The people over there have made some amazing achievements since then. I’m irritated when people compare today’s Windows with 1998 Macs and say they’re better. We should be looking at today’s realities and tomorrow’s prospects.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Zealots are unable to make unemotional arguments about their favorite OS/platform because they despise any change or challenge to what they hold dear. Dave, this guy certainly needs to relax and try a MBP, as you suggested, because he might just end up eating his words and ’switching.’ Just like you, 7 years ago I didn’t ever think I’d be a daily Mac user, but today, I’m so excited I did.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
In my office of 30, give or take, we have about 10 Mac users. I was hired a few weeks after the first sMac hit our office. At first the Mac users were the odd men out. A few more weeks and a few more Mac’s later, my department is flooded with requests for Apple hardware. The argument that Macs are more expensive, has merit but in the long run that’s not the case. As part of our standard deploy we use 3rd party firewalls, ani-virus, remote desktop software etc ….. all of witch are beautifully integrated into OSX. This is also not to mention the HUGE open source community that provides some of the platform’s most innovative software. My work requires me to use a variety of operating systems, and while I do sometimes catch flack from some of my windows minded co works, I always smile when I’m set to task and to get from start to finish it takes me 2 steps instead of 4 on windows.