Computer Hardware/Accessories

» Barbara Nicholson Bell - Switched To mac?

I started out with an Apple IIe in the early 80s, for my home computer. I never had any other brand of home computer until about 3 years ago. But I always used PCs at work, so I was comfortable with Windows, too.

I've just gotten a new iMac with the Intel Duel Core (both Mac OS X and Windows XP). My complaint is that the Mac attitude toward PC users is so superior that it's insulting, even though nothing in its repertoire is significantly better than the similar programs available for Windows.

For example, the .Mac mail program is NOT better than Outlook Express, in fact it's harder to use. The iPhoto program is NOT better than Kodak's EasyShare software or Photoshop Elements. As far as I can determine, the one significant advantage over a PC is that it's harder to acquire viruses, spyware and corrupted files if you're using the Mac OS.

If you've never had a computer before, it's much easier to learn on the Mac. But if you're very experienced, the Windows platform is still the best and most widely used.

Plus, the new Mac gadgets assume that you have extra money (for your iPod and downloading iTunes) or lots of extra time (to build your own website). If you're not interested in these things, much of the "advantage" of the Mac OS is irrelevant.

And I was a Mac fanatic for many years, so it's really that Apple has missed the mark in trying to convert PC users to their wares.