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Random Thoughts

Bill Gates Dug His Own Grave, Now He Has To Lie In It!

31/3/2012

7 Comments

 
Pictureby Bradford Renner
I’ve wanted a Mac Computer for the longest time. I perused Apple’s offering for the first time back in 2005 but one thing stopped me: the interface was very unfamiliar territory for me. At the time, the main tools I used were Word Processing (MS Word) and Number Processing (MS Excel). 

As a young intern at an investment bank my basic skills had been bumped up to a professional level. I was very comfortable in the world of Microsoft. I knew almost every option that was available to me not only using the slow-coach mouse method but also using the more rapid keyboard short cuts. 

The drop-down menus offered by Microsoft made exploring very easy. Ultimately, I decided that as pretty as I thought that Macs were, they were a step too far for me.

In 2007, Microsoft released its new versions of Word and Excel. Gone were the drop-down menus with short cut prompts to lead you along. To use shortcuts, you had to have them already committed to memory from previous experience with the programs, the prompts were gone. I didn’t like the new interface and found it a little harder to use.

Come 2010, the upgraded version is even worse than its 2007 cousin. The key issue: usability! 

Microsoft has changed its platform so drastically that it now makes sense to learn an entirely new operating system. The unfamiliarity that I felt with Macs is now also applicable to the key tools that I like to use on Microsoft computers.

Importantly, Mac has now become firmly embedded in people’s minds as the computer of choice for creative types: video and picture editors, music creators and so forth. If you want to be considered serious about your technology you need to have a Mac.

For the nth time today, I explored the idea of buying a Mac. I went to London’s flagship Apple store in Covent Garden and I am officially sold. I like to think of myself as a professional user of technology. Mac offer training very cheaply, Microsoft do not. This makes the prospect of plowing into Planet Mac so much less daunting and is definitely a plus.
​
I did enjoy using PCs but like millions of serious techies, I am crossing the bridge to Mac. Microsoft laid the foundation for this decision, they changed their technology without breaking dedicated users in with courses, webinars or any other training.

In Economics, demand is defined as want that must be backed up by the ability (money) and willingness to purchase a good. Want and willingness I have, now I just need to take care of ability: donations are welcome! ​

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7 Comments
A.N
9/8/2016 06:58:55 am

I am an unashamed Apple b!tch.

Going on the old YGWYPF line, Macs are expensive (overpriced some say) but you get an attractive product which works well, as Apple only let their own products, which they have tailor made themselves, run their operating system, ensuring smooth(ish) running of all tasks you ask.

Microsoft let anyone buy their discs and don't strictly limit which machines can run their operating system. This means all the cheaper-option computers, with less capable hardware and inferior build quality than a Mac, surprisingly, perform worse on a one-size-fits-all operating system than a high end machine with a bespoke operating system. Microsoft and Windows have open accessibility at the expense of consistency, reliability and aesthetics.

With selling the majority of their machines directly to customers from their outlets, Apple ensures a uniform quality of care, with an excellent INTERNATIONAL repairs and replacement program (tested several times by me) and good aftermarket support. Whereas Microsoft leave themselves open to variable 3rd party standards in manufacturing, support and distribution. Think about how much Dell (for example) branded software there is, complete with irritating popups, and the expired one-month trials of virus scanners you get when you buy a Windows computer greeting you every time you switch on to write an email.

If you chose to spend £1500 on a brand new Windows machine, it would run just as well as a new Mac of the same price, be easier to upgrade and probably have more powerful hardware.

So with a Mac you get a more expensive, less customisable, and more restrictive machine than a PC but you know that for the questions you are allowed to ask of it, it will probably be better than a (on average) cheaper Windows machine.

Also the interfaces really don't differ that much at all and most high-end Mac users will have Windows installed on their Mac, where it runs impeccably, by the way.


Rant over.

Reply
Heather KW
9/8/2016 06:59:49 am

I feel encouraged A.N. You're right about price, a high spec desktop version costs the same as my PC laptop. If you go for cheap PCs then Apple can't match pricing but if you go for high quality PCs eg. Sony Vaio Z series then pricing is pretty equal. I am also with you on quality and after sale service.

H

Reply
Tiamo
9/8/2016 07:00:37 am

Is it just me or did you email me a personalized version of your blog?? This technology is getting away from me. So you actually bought a whole new laptop?! Wow. Well I am actually in the process of building my 'fund for a grad school laptop'.. just FYI.. But yes. I am very loyal to Mac.. very much so. The main problem I find with people.. perhaps more so Mac users than others is that they are either afraid or just don't make time to explore their Mac.. I think I learned very quickly a lot of things my Mac could do just by sitting down and going through all the folders, files and especially 'system preferences'.. i take prides in doing small things like changing the highlight color and then learning trouble shooting tasks like 'repairing disk utilities'... And when it was new.. if i saw someone doing things with their Macs that mine was not doing yet I asked them about it.. I'm no pro.. I learn new stuff everyday but Apple makes it easy.. and i love em for it! :)

Reply
Tiamo
9/8/2016 07:01:35 am

Oh and YES! The lack of viruses is a number one PLUS for me.. Devout Microsoft users always make the argument that 'Macs just aren't popular enough yet.. but they are getting more so so viruses for them will show up soon'.. well you know what.. they're not here NOW! And it's been 4 years since i was first told that.. Get and antivirus just incase though ;)

Congrats on this initiation..

Reply
Heather KW
9/8/2016 07:02:16 am

Tia, you know me well. When I get that iMac I'm going to be so all over it. I'm going to book one-on-one coaching at the store and although I haven't even got it, I'm watching YouTube tip videos for Macs. I'm all about becoming a tech guru!

Reply
Ethel
9/8/2016 07:06:06 am

Im not that conversant with technology.... work requires that I use the other.... but when I get down to it....Mac does it.... its viral resistance being the first attractive feature then all them others... though I must confess the the interface is still unfamiliar territory to me.... but its definitely my husbands favorite..... ours is MAC! we with you on this one!

Reply
Heather KW
9/8/2016 07:06:58 am

The interface is new to me too but a few minutes in the Apple store showed me that I can get used to it quickly. I can't wait to get one.

Reply



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