I am a PC. I am happy with my Thinkpad. Yes, there are service packages that I need to install, but I look at it as par for the course. I understand the complaints others have regarding their Windows machine. I appreciate the Mac commercial (though I do have more sympathy for the PC character, since I think the Mac character is way to smug…) I am happy with my Windows machine (or I am not cool enough for a Mac).
I have an iPod Touch. I use it mostly for the apps and enjoy trying out different ones. However, I have been reluctant to download more recently. Why? Well, it seems like every time I want to try something new, I discover that I need to upgrade the software on my iPod.
This was my recent experience trying to download a new app. I needed the new iPhone/iPod software. Okay, I synced it with my computer in order to upgrade. Oh, we can’t upgrade it yet, my iTunes software needed to be upgraded. Okay – downloaded the new version of iTunes. By the way, it came with Quicktime, Bonjour, and MobileMe, that Apple thinks I will need (I uninstalled some of them last time I upgraded). Okay… (The download and install took a while.) Afterwards, I needed to reboot my computer. By the way, my previously made shortcut didn’t work anymore. Okay, I needed to make a new shortcut. Hmm, why did it take over 30 seconds to load the new iTunes? Finally, I was able to upgrade the software for the iPod. It costed $9.95! Sigh!
I was told that the $9.95 thing is not Apple’s fault – it is GAAP related. Those silly accounting rules… But the whole process for me wanting to try out a new app took FOREVER. Yes, it was a one time thing, but there were incremental upgrades that I had to do in the past. The upgrade process is not the most simple, the syncing and the dual downloading / installing. It happened more frequently that I like for a portable music player. Yet, there are no major complaints from Apple users. Why is that?
I get the sense that Apple can’t do no wrong, whereas everything Microsoft does is evil. Maybe I am not seeing the Apple complainers. Still, Apple is a huge company making money off of us. Even Google has been getting some flack after getting “too big”. Why does the public seem to have this double standards with Microsoft and Apple?
Please checkout GIT Silicon Valley launch event on Thrusday, 9/10.
http://gitiphoneapps.eventbrite.com/
September 8th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Dear Lucy,
No one should apologize for their choice of computers. If PC works for you, fine. As for me, Macs are the only choice. I have used both for over 20 years although I must say that I spend as little time as possible on my PC. Why? My Mac just works. I have never had a virus or malware on my computer. I don’t have to reinstall the operating system regularly as many of my friends do. I run my Mac all day long will a minimum of 20 applications running and will go months without restarting the machine. I am way more productive on my Mac. My iphone is fabulous. It is without a doubt the best phone I have ever owned. I run my business and life with my iphone. I am never without it. Nothing like getting off the subway system and firing up Google maps to get where you are going.
You mentioned updating your software was a hassle and made your purchase of an app too long. Well, no matter what your OS choice upgrading software to the latest version is good practice. The app may have needed the latest version of the software to run or perhaps the upgrade was an important one. As security problems are discovered, they need to be fixed. All computers have security issues. iTunes makes it easy to check for software updates automatically and will let you know when you sync your device. Just click and download and install. You mention that it happens too often for a portal music player. A touch is a mini-computer, not a simple mp3 player.
So, why do Apple fans feel the way they do? I can only speak for myself. Apple has been very good to me. They have given me tools to help me grow my business that I can depend on. One of my clients was down completely for two days due to a virus that infested all their machines. That is not dependability. When I have a problem I can go to the Apple store and sit with a Genius who helps me – free of charge! In more than 20 years there was exactly one time that I was disappointed with Apples service. Considering I own a large number of their devices and have used their service for more than 20 years that says a lot. They have done a great job in a professional manner at a fair price. Many times they have gone way beyond what I would have expected to keep me a happy customer. In my opinion one of the biggest reasons that many of us are Apple fans is that they concentrate on the user experience.
So, if you are happy with your PC, don’t apologize. Enjoy it. It may be that for you it is the best choice.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:50 am
Not intending any sort of attack, but Linda’s post above made me smile. I’m not saying Linda’s a hypocrite
because she’s right about several things, particularly: use whatever computer, OS, and software works for you. But she also made a few points that sounded to me like the exact kind of fuzzy logic that dominates the Mac vs. PC debate.
I’m not a huge fan of Windows, per se. But I am a huge fan of PCs. I like being able to pick out parts and put together a powerful PC for under $1000. I like the plethora of options available to me in software from OS to freeware timers. I stick with Windows for the reason that I’m used to it — I’m familiar with all of its quirks and options. I’m far more productive on a Windows PC than a Mac, because I can’t *find* anything on a Mac. But that doesn’t mean Windows is better, just that it works fine for me.
I’ve been using Windows PCs for 10 years and I’ve never had a virus or malware either. At least, not for more than a minute or so. You might argue that’s not the same thing as what you mean, and you’re right, it’s not. I do have to maintain anti-virus and anti-malware software. Yet the only time I’ve had an active infection that I *didn’t* stupidly install myself (packaged in freeware) the vulnerability was in Adobe Reader, *not* Windows. Macs *are* indeed vulnerable to infections, especially those malware infections that target vulnerabilities in Flash, Adobe Reader, etc. Do Mac users genuinely not use anti-virus or anti-malware software on their Macs even though Apple recommends that they do? If they don’t, how can they be 100% sure they don’t have spyware? Not all malware is obvious, some of it tries its best to be invisible and succeeds.
The idea is that Microsoft is evil and Apple is not. They are both evil. Apple’s business model is even more proprietary than Microsoft’s. In my head, proprietary = evil. The whole argument to me is ridiculous — it’s like arguing over Publix vs. Kroger.
Sure, Macs *seem* to require less work in regard to stability of OS (not needing to reformat once a year), viruses, malware, and software updates. I say seem because I’ve yet to see any credible, neutral study or statistics — only anecdotal evidence from Mac users. I’ve used Macs, but never owned and operated one on a daily basis
September 21st, 2009 at 8:15 am
Linda’s post above made me smile. I’m not saying Linda’s wrong
because she’s right about several things, particularly: use whatever computer, OS, and software works for you. But she also made a few points that seemed based on the general fuzzy logic that dominates the Mac vs. PC debate.
I’m not a huge fan of Windows, per se. But I am a huge fan of PCs. I like being able to pick out parts and put together a powerful PC for under $1000. I like the plethora of options available to me in software from OS to freeware timers. I stick with Windows for the reason that I’m used to it — I’m familiar with all of its quirks and options. I’m far more productive on a Windows PC than a Mac, because I often can’t *find* things on a Mac. But that doesn’t mean Windows is better, just that it works fine for me.
I’ve been using Windows PCs for 10 years and I’ve never had a virus or malware either. At least, not for more than a minute or so. You might argue that’s not the same thing as what you mean, and you’re right, it’s not. I do have to maintain anti-virus and anti-malware software. Yet the only time I’ve had an active infection that I *didn’t* stupidly install myself (packaged in freeware) the vulnerability was in Adobe Reader, *not* Windows. Macs *are* indeed vulnerable to infections, especially those malware infections that utilize vulnerabilities in Flash, Adobe Reader, etc (the most common kind)! Do Mac users genuinely not use anti-virus or anti-malware software on their Macs even though Apple recommends that they do?
The idea I have a problem with is that the notion that Microsoft is evil and Apple is not. They are both evil. Apple’s business model is even more proprietary than Microsoft’s. In my head, proprietary = evil. And most of the whole argument about “which is better” is ridiculous — it’s like arguing over Publix vs. Kroger.
Sure, Macs *seem* to require *less* work in regard to stability of OS (not needing to reformat once a year), viruses, malware, and software updates. I say “seem” because I’ve yet to see any credible, neutral study or statistics — only anecdotal evidence from Mac users. It may be true and I won’t argue it, because I am inclined to believe it without evidence (as less does not equal none). I’ve used Macs, but never owned and operated one the way I do my PC, so I don’t have a relevant personal comparison… But my experiences with the Macs I have used demonstrated to me that Macs can and do have problems, like any computer. A few years ago I was in a room with 30 6-month-old G2 PowerMacs and 2 of them were all but useless due to to performance issues and 1 was just purely broken. Maybe they needed a reformat (or maybe they were duds with hardware issues)! The PC room with older computers suffered from about twice that amount. It’s not statistically significant and it’s anecdotal, but since I spent a month fighting with one of the dud Macs (unable to connect to the network storage and waiting 15 minutes for a file to save in Photoshop) I became prepared to take claims about Macs’ inherent superiority with a grain of salt.
A PC “just works” for me, period (one bit of fuzzy logic is the failing to separate the machine from the OS). Windows works for me because dealing with Windows is second nature to me, something I do unconsciously. As far as Apple vs. Microsoft / Mac OS vs. Windows is concerned, my opinion is that the only group with any sort of moral or technical high-ground are Linux users.