As some of you might know, or guessed, I've decided to switch to Mac. That means that I will primarily use a Mac, it doesn't mean that I will never again touch a Windows PC; while that's a promise I'd like to make, it's not one I'll likely be able to keep.
The reason I've made up my mind to use a Mac primarily is because I've used my girlfriend's (very underpowered) iBook enough to know for sure that it's a transition I want to make, and one I can make.
It's not that Windows XP is a bad operating system, I seriously think it's quite nice, and a phenomenal improvement on Microsoft's earlier work in the field (that earlier work being everything that came before Windows 2000).
However, it seems like, -- it feels like -- Windows is heading back down into the dark abyss of sucking, deeper than they've ventured before. It seems like every week I read or otherwise learn something about the future of Windows, often DMCA related I suppose, and I sigh in relief that by the time it becomes a reality I won't be using a Windows PC anymore.
Something else that bothers me about the Windows platform is that it seems like every single piece of software do their best to wrestle the system's performance into submission. Virtually all software do what they can to add things, insipid system tray "agents", that run all the time. By themselves, each of these perpetually running memory munchin' processes aren't detrimental to the system's performance, but you only have to install a dozen or so programs (and not deactivate the cursed system tray "agents") for the once speedy machine to feel like it already needs a fresh re-install.
That's what I don't like about the Windows platform; the great third-party conspiracy, led by Real Networks, to fucking kill the system. Actually, if it was a third-party conspiracy that would make just a little bit of sense (in an Alice in Wonderland kind of way), but Microsoft themselves are significant contributors in this quest.
I'm not sure if the ostensible decline of Windows, and Microsoft in general perhaps, is the reason I want to switch to Mac, or if it's the other way around; that my decision to switch to Mac has made me less tolerant of the Windows environment.
Comments
I made the switch about 2 years ago and it was much easier than I ever thought it would be -- I'n very, VERY, happy I did.
I still have a PC that I use on occassion (i.e. as little as possible) and I can say, as a dual platformer -- you're going to be very glad you switched once you get used to the little, tiny differences.
Comment by Keith at 23:02, 29 Jul, 2004 #
Tomas, could you please define "DMCA related" stuff?
Don't give us the full details, just a be a bit more specific so that I can understand what you're talking about.
All I can remember (and not with most certainty), is horror scenarios about DMCA-related locks implemented in the hardware level, a strategy with which major computer makers (Dell, Apple, etc.) will have to go in the future. But as I said, it's quite probable I don't remember this correctly.
Comment by Konstantinos at 02:30, 30 Jul, 2004 #
Konstantinos: Well, it appears to me that Microsoft is really pushing this DRM thing (which is what I really meant by DMCA, sorry if that was unclear), whereas Apple seems to only implement it to the extent that they have to. In the case of the iTunes Music Store, for instance, because that was the only way they could the recording industry to approve it, as opposed to pushing the field themselves out of their own interest in DRM stuff.
Comment by Tomas Jogin at 02:42, 30 Jul, 2004 #
I made the switch a few days back! Its smooth as! I still have some apps that are on PC and am in the process of moving over the rest. OS X is the way to go. And having heard Steven Jobs WWD conference - well there is a lot coming in the future.. I don't see myself going back to PC's in a hurry. I am glad I made the move.
Comment by Amit Karmakar at 06:16, 30 Jul, 2004 #
I finally bought my much awaited 17” PowerBook. It is truly an amazing piece of technology. This is my first posting on mac platform. Eating a humble pie here: I now think a bit more about websites working properly on...
Trackback from Karmakars.com at 06:18, 30 Jul, 2004 #
I switched by accident... how often do you hear that?
I got a little 12" iBook late last year just because I needed my first laptop to be cheap ($1K or less) and figured I might as well get something that was a different OS than my (then) primary desktop machine for testing websites. Having something to learn php on locally w/o an internet connection was also an important factor. Without realizing it, I quickly developed a bunch of websites on it in the first few weeks and have touched my old Windows box only a few times in 2004, only for testing stuff in IE/Win. My primary machine has become my testing platform and vice versa.
And that's not the main thing - all that is just how it eased my work life, which I had a hunch might improve. What I didn't expect was how much it helps with my private life, all of my personal stuff. Don't even get me started on iLife. Basically, I bought it for my needs and ended up having all of my wants taken care of to boot.
Comment by Al Abut at 06:26, 30 Jul, 2004 #
Congratulations. Good for you. ;)
Comment by Pythagore at 19:06, 30 Jul, 2004 #
For all of you who have switched to Mac but still have a Windows box hanging around, you might consider Virtual PC. I run it on my PowerBook G4 to test my solutions on Windows XP, and have found it works quite well. In the time I've had Virtual PC, I've run Windows 95 and Windows 2000 also, both without problems. Microsoft is hopefully going to release a new version of Virtual PC in the next month or two. By using it, I am able to keep everything on a single computer.
Speed is an issue, and I've considered getting a cheap Windows box and getting into it with Timbuktu, but I'm usually in and out of Virtual PC within five minutes, and only get into it once or twice a week, so I haven't done this yet.
Chuck
Comment by Chuck at 22:36, 30 Jul, 2004 #
I can't wait to get my new Powerbook. I've converted to a MacAddict ever since I started to play around with my friend's Powerbook. Mac OS X is surprisingly much more efficient than Windows. Good deal switching.
Comment by iSujay at 03:42, 31 Jul, 2004 #
Tomas, I totally feel the same way. I'm using a Windows machine right now but my sister got an iBook and I'm so jealous. I'm probably going to grad school next year, and if I do, I'm going to invest in a Powerbook.
Comment by Mike Steinbaugh at 08:06, 03 Aug, 2004 #
I made the switch a couple of years ago and haven't looked back yet. I used a PC sometimes at first but now I find that I haven't touched one in quite a while (and didn't realize it until now).
Hope the switch goes as well for you as it did for me.
Comment by Ian McFarlan at 15:42, 03 Aug, 2004 #
I quit the PC world pretty much cold turkey last year (I knew everything about PCs and only a little about macs, and only about OS 9). I got the first edition of the 15" Aluminum PowerBook, and though apple's tech dept. has annoyed me by reformatting my drive while fixing screen issues, I thoroughly enjoy the mac experience! The only thing I touch windows for is IE to see how it's messed up my latest website designs. To think, all those years that I spent online (especially lately) in ignorance that the sites I looked at and created were defiled by Internet Explorer! Such perversion haunts me even now. I used to like IE? HOW! I hated netscape navigator in those days too, and with good reason. Now I realize that it's great what they've done to come back, while Microsoft shuns the movement it helped along (CSS standards) by controlling the mindshare of the public into thinking it's broswer is still the top! They creep along in their development of IE7
Comment by Joe Clay at 11:06, 09 Aug, 2004 #
I split my time about 30/70 between OSX/Linux and find that whenever I have to use a Windows machine (rarely, like right now!) the clunkyness really shows. I'd go totaly Apple if it wasn't for the price and vendor lock in with the hardware.
Comment by Steven Marshall at 02:39, 10 Aug, 2004 #
Good to hear! I switched last December, and I haven't regretted it one single time. Quite contrary, I have never loved a system as much as I love my 15" Powerbook.
If you need any advice on software or whatever, you know where to find me.
Comment by Michael at 00:10, 11 Aug, 2004 #
Tomas, welcome to the fold. We've been waiting for you!
I should place a disclaimer here to say that I've been a Mac user since Day 1 (and interestingly just got a PC to augment my office Mac just a few months ago --I actually love having both, especially for Web testing). Virtual PC just doesn't make it for me. Too slow.
All kidding aside, I hope you enjoy your Mac and OS X.
Comment by Jeff at 15:13, 12 Aug, 2004 #
The discussion has been closed on this entry. Thanks to everybody who participated.