Comments on: A sign of Macs to come

Apple advocates have always promoted the Mac as a better computing platform. Now, however, we actually have "gateway drugs" to get people hooked on the beautiful aesthetics, ease of use, and coolness of Apple technology through the iPhone, iPod, etc. We

[dustinfrank]

I've never personally owned a Mac but i've always been curious. But i think i would speak for a lot of consumers when i say that the price is the key obstacle to their market presence in the home-use consumer. I bought a new Dell last year and i just couldn't justify forking out an extra $1,000 at least to get a Mac. I think if their prices were more competitive, i would love to try one. (i've always felt like their pricing made them come off as a bit elitist, IMHO.)

[mjkahngr]

Compare features to features and the life expectancy of the computer, I think you will find that the Mac actually come on par with any Windows machine. Add in the cost (in time or money) of trying to keep your Windows machine virus and worm free, and the Mac really becomes a great value.

[DarkHawke]

@mjkahngr: The whole anti-malware expense argument is a little misleading. In terms of time, I spend about 4 hours a week running anti-malware scans on my computer. Or rather, my *computer* is running the scans. I'm either doing something else while the scans run in the background, or I'm away from the machine entirely, as I've set the 4 apps I use in this fashion to automatically run at a time I'm not normally using the computer.

In terms of cost, well, 3 of the above-mentioned apps (Spybot, Ad-aware and Windows Defender) cost exactly nothing, and my anti-viral, NOD 32, is around $25 a year. More per year than the Mac, yes, but far from prohibitively expensive. And as hopefully everyone knows by now, these days it's far more the case of unpatched OS holes and/or stupid user behavior that invites and propagates malware infections. To coin a phrase, safe computing is no accident!

[b_baggins]

You bought a Dell for -$400?!? Wow, where can I get me that deal. Because a Mini costs $600.

[DarkHawke]

"Life expectancy" is a relative thing in terms of computers. Suffice it to say that the Dell I bought in 2001 is still running strong and it was only supplanted as my main 'puter because my ever-increasing system demands overpowered it. That wouldn't necessarily be the same with the Mac, but only because it doesn't have the cutting-edge games of the Windows world. And no, Boot Camp doesn't count; I don't want to have to reboot my entire machine just to go between my system-intensive games and everything else I do. The time/money thing vis a vis security is negligible, as I've already covered. And expandability remains a Mac Achilles heel. Unless you're willing to pony up the real bucks for a Mac Pro, you're limited to, what, memory expansion and external drives via Firewire? A comparable Windows box you can easily fill up with whatever extra niceties you may want, adding BTW to the system's "life expectancy." Toss in the lower number of apps, especially in the game department and in vertical markets (e.g. real estate), and your alleged "great value" ain't so great anymore. Perhaps it works out if you're not a geek or demanding of your computer, but I am and I do.

[john55440]

With Windows, you can buy personal computers from HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba,... or you can assemble your own computer.

With MacOSX, your only personal computer choices are Apple, Apple, and Apple. No thanks.

In addition, Windows has a bigger and better library of available applications.

It's ironic that the writer of Open Road is a fan of the most closed and proprietary computer on the market.

[jezmondo]

I've never understood this, because the OS comes from Microsoft, Microsoft and Microsoft! Who cares who screwed the parts together - isn't it the OS that defines the experience?

[viivincent]

So mass production makes for better products? What about compatibility issues from all the different manufactures?

[mediocrates--2008]

The real alternative to Bill Gates' proprietary OS is NOT Steve Jobs' proprietary OS. It's open source Linux, as I suspect Matt already knows. :-)

[Rdk400]

What the heck does Lunix have to do with this article. Take your fanboyism somewhere else. Don't bring it to Cnet!!

[solitare_pax]

Actually, Mac OS X uses a UNIX base - from which Linux is derived. Mr. Gates should be taking notes.

[bousozoku]

Linux is an alternative but it's hardly an answer for most people. I know it well, after using Ubuntu from 7.04 through 8.04. Still, it could work for most offices, if they stick to the basics of e-mail, web browsing, and office documents.

[Ringthane]

Hmmmmm..... Lets see if this makes sense. PC: Lots of choices for hardware, software, cases, and peripherals. With a large selection of vendors creating a value conscious market.
Apple/Mac: Uses much of the technology developed for the PC. Apples tight grip on vendors/manufactures creates a market with premium pricing, limited styling and expensive repair bills.
........ I'll stick with my PC.

[thinkthenspeak]

Hmnnn. I'm learning. (Don't know WHAT). Precisely WHAT hardware "choices" come even within a country mile of Mac? WHAT is being smoked? Cases? Peripherals? Anybody want to buy a ThinkPad, loaded?

[chronoex]

Even with all that choice in your PC, you miss out on one very important thing: Mac OS X. After a few days with this operating system, it's hard not to be a believer.

[coccolli]

Confirmed! I knew there was an addictive substance in Apples. Just like Colonel Sanders' chicken.

[PACSferret]

.... and next comes iSoma - the foundation for a brave new world.


PS can someone get cnet to fix the emoticon server - having a firefox thread waiting for 3 minutes for a response from a non-existent server means I have to wait to get to Dave R's blog!!

[PACSferret]

.... and next comes iSoma - the foundation for a brave new world.

[solitare_pax]

Got it the first two times, thanks - And SOMA is what Cheney has been feeding Bush the last eight years.

[nicketty nick]

I'm Webmaster/Graphic Designer in a 400 strong and growing research institution. I've just started here and the institution started less than 2 years ago. We get 40 new researchers every month and 10% of those according to IT are asking for mac's. Unthinkable a few years ago.
Even the Director General is getting a MacBook Air. I think the option of being able to booot into windows for those who aren't comfortable or don't want the learning curve is a major factor. And then as they get into the using the mac start to explore OS X.

[DarkHawke]

It is interesting that a gent who writes a blog ostensibly oriented towards open-source software solutions would take time to promote THE most locked-up computer platform on the planet. Macs have never "done it" for me, I'll admit. Sure they always looked neat and are no doubt effective computers, but when I had to make the hard decision between 'Doze and Mac, I went Windows and haven't looked back. For me, it's simply an easier interface to get things done and allows far more flexibility in terms of approach, available software, and available hardware and hardware configurations.

Coming from the Amiga world, I wasn't looking to jump to yet another niche computer, no matter how much larger that niche was. Admittedly the Mac does get a lot more right "under the hood" than Windows, but these days I spent far more time using my 'puter than tweaking it. So long as the S.O.B. works, doesn't matter what directory everything is in or how easy it is to uninstall a program, and I dare say I'm by no means alone in that attitude.

But hey, enjoy your computer of choice...and/or cult. Just remember: when The Jobs tells you to drink the iKool-Aid--dont! ;)

[ferretboy88]

I am never going to buy a mac sorry.

[jolysmoke]

Famous last words. Unless you're a Linux fan, when it's understandable.

[acheron5]

All the so-called variety in the Windows world doesn't amount to much if these various products don't work well with one another or even work well with Windows. Software is similar- What difference does it make if there are dozens of minor applications designed to do a minor task if none of them do it well? And interestingly the greatest diversity in software on Windoes isn't in productivity, a category where products are frequently available not only for Windows but also for Mac's, but in either games or anti-virus applications, the two largest sections in most computer stores for Windows software.

Additionally, with Windows computers it is frequently the case that business deals and not hardware performance or customer software needs are what determine the configuration of a machine, in large degree regardless of Windows ability to deal with the hardware requirements of the software/spyware that comes preinstalled. Which is probably why that most PC's come preloaded with crapware up the cache.

The truth that Microsoft apologists will have you believe is that Microsoft is a monopoly that purposely sought out to limit choice in the market, not increase it. Intentions and lawsuits, both criminal and civil, aside it has been consistently the case that empirical evaluations of productivity on computers favor the Mac platform over Windows. Microsoft has been in business for largely one purpose, to make the best business deals possible. Whether this means making a good product has been largely irrelevant and occassionatly coincidental if it can muscle manufacturers to include its OS. It's technical bar has long been set far lower than Apple's and other competitors who were less business saavy than MS has been. Mediocrity with Microsoft products is acceptable so long as it can keep OEM's from releasing competitors products at any cost and by any means possible, an activity that is documented in Microsofts legal history. At the end of the day it isn't about the product at Microsoft, it's about cutting a deal to make sure that consumers don't have other choices to realize how deficient the Microsoft products truly are. With Steve Balmer at the reins expect more of the same.

[u_ser_name]

Let's not fool ourselves... I have a Mac and love it but for work you need much more than a nice computer and user interface. You need productivity which means falwless MS Office. As much as I lie Mac's Office version, which I agree it looks much nicer tha thw Windows version (much to my surprise when I first installed Office on Mac) it is nowhere near as fast and effective as the Windows version, and I'm not the only one to have noticed that.
Worst must be PowerPoint... terrible to the point where it's almost unusable.
Apple needs it's own versionof Office badly if it wants to enter corporate market. MS will nevel have an Mac Office that runs as good as it does on a Windows PC.
However, if productivity is not a concern, by all means, Mac is so much more fun!

[Rick Cavaretti]

The 'office' suite you talk about is seeing it's last days. Open office and other 'on the fly apps' will be the future. So if that's the only reason anchoring you to the old rotting barge, it's a poor one.

[darcydj]

When you take into account all of the fully functional software and features on any MAC the prices are just about the same. I used to have the same understanding until I actually made a feature-for-feature comparison. Also, remember that the "low end" macbook is only 800.

[kylebuttermore]

the reason they all want macs is because they want to be "cool" lol, its pathetic!

[jolysmoke]

If by cool you mean they don't want to get hot and bothered by Vista not working properly and end up axing their machine to death in a burning rage, you know, you might just be right!

[jpmccloud01]

Mac's are interesting systems, but I have to say that I am not that impressed. The mouse, a primare interface for any computer these day's, on the Mac's feels just plan awful. That little tiny ball thing on the Mac's I've played with at the Mac store just feels like torcher and never seems to respond properly. Then there's the fact that many computer users wil want to make some upgrades down the road that really can't be done on any Mac that is less than $2500 dollars. I have a dell that I've upgraded the video, sound, and DVD drive for just less than 200 dollars on a comp that is 4 yr's old. My comp at time of purchase was 1300 dollars and I can run a lot of programs. 4yrs $1500, I can still up my ram, and have plenty of expansion still in my box. Oh and I can learn some comp skills a plus.
On the other side I can relate to those who buy Macs. It's a comp for those who are computer navs and want to stay that way. The design professional want's to create not worry about how a drive works or what goes where. Mac's are for those who don't care about buzz words, getting there hands dirty and that's fine unless you see one infront of you and scream that they can't get there computer to work only to find out they accidently pulled out the power cord, I've had that happen, or when they have ram installed and can't figure out why there mac isn't working all because it was installed incorrectly, again I had this happen. Mac's are in some case over designed and it's operating system is fun to use. on the final front, The Mac Mini is a comp I may soon buy because I like it's size and the experience it gives bye being the only affordable Mac out there. Oh and I can buy a better mouse thank god

[PiddlyD]

The allure of Macintosh is primarily pretentious status symbol.

There is so much water under this bridge. In the late 80s, all the affluent e30 class BMW 3 series had a little Apple sticker in the window, and Mac was going to upset the status quo and make inroads into areas that were not its niche.

Clever marketing and susceptible consumers are Apples strongest cards. Granted, tighter control over manufacturing and gee-whiz bleeding edge adoption of new technologies, coupled with a certain philosophy of ease-of-use (in NORMAL operations) have always made Mac a decent alternative in certain niches. And Mac has achieved more for *nix in half a decade than Linux was able to do in the preceding 15 years - but this "massive wave of Macintosh adoption" based on iPhone and iPod sales isn't going to ever materialize.

I just saw the latest Mac commercial where they're talking about how Mac is the most popular computer on college campuses. I mean, College kids are notorious for choosing the practical solution over the impractical, right?

Yes, niave, uneducated, idealistic young adults who are still primarily preoccupied with establishing their personal identity are drawn to this product like bees to honey.

The same group who is easily influenced to vote for a Presidential candidate because he did drugs and didn't inhale and played a sax on late night TV.

I'm thinking that this isn't your best example of the rational and logical thought process of your fastest growing user base.

'nuff said.

[Lantern42]

Wow, talking about things you're clueless about is no way to prove a point.

My personality is established, I'm not naive, and I'm not uneducated. I'm in college and I run a Mac because it just works. (Unlike a Dell 600m that ate its hard drive every other month.)

How on Earth do you manage to draw a link between Mac computers and Bill Clinton?? For your information, he only got 43% of the youth vote in '92. If you're don't know what you're talking about, don't talk.

[RenoDavid]

So you're saying Bush (Who used to be a drunk, by the way) is a better president than Clinton? And, by your logic, all those college kids with Macs are going to dump their Macs and buy PCs as soon as they get out of college and mature, right? Amazing. This has got to be the most ludicrous anti-Mac post I've ever seen. Congratulations!!

[hutchitl]

Why I like Mac's compared to Windows. I'd rather pay more for a laptop where I don't have bloatware slowing it down, or have a really fat, overweight laptop making it a pain to move around. I like how apple makes all of their hardtware, at least I know where everything comes from. My belief is that because Apple has more control is also a reason why you do not have the problems that windows and microsoft have. I almost miss constantly using ctrl+alt+delete because ie or some other program would freeze up daily. I like how I only need 1 gb of RAM to run my OS, but I have two because I like the speed. I like the dock and the 3rd party apps available. And I like how easy it is to find a network, unlike vista which require going through control panel and opening a network panel. Personally I think all that work defeats the purpose of having a laptop, where I am changing networks when I am somewhere else besides my home.

[katodenstra]

I don't own a mac (saving money to get one though) and yes, PC's have way more applications, however I'm tired of rebooting my PC almost every time I install one, I'm tired my PC crashes when I push it a little hard, I'm tired of the same last-century-looking visuals and when there seemed to be a refreshing solution to the visuals, performance and everything, a horrible user experienced arrived with vista, I'm tired of feeling I'm still working with an upgraded version of MS-DOS, I'm tired of viruses!! Damn I know OS X as a computer system can have security failures and that few of them are being discovered and miss used, but i don't need to spend more than 100 bucks in antivirus, antispyware, etc. I don't want six different version of an OS and realizing the most expensive doesn't meet my expectations.
I look for simplicity, ease of use, something my 64 year old mom that has never in touch with technology can use to listen to her brand new pink iPod, something I enjoy looking at, something doesn't bother me with rebooting my system when I'm enjoying my music or my pics because it downloaded an update "solving" a security issue, I want my computer to be fast. For all of this and much more I'm one of those who is turning their heads to Apple

[jolysmoke]

Now here is a man with a good dose of common sense, something rare in a US macho culture where men tend to beat their chests like Tarzan, screaming:" I'm a real man because I prefer the dangerous world of MS, the jungle, fighting viruses and tweaking my Vista all the time, learning to live without drivers. I would never join those sissy Mac users. Rednecks for MS for ever!"

[PFreak]

Macs cost more because quality is more expensive. You want an ugly, cheap Dell or HP you can get one. You want one of the most stylish, easy to use and problem free compurters on the market, you buy Apple.

[jolysmoke]

Yeah, you don't buy a Maserati or a Porsche for the same price as a Chevrolet. But the Mac should last you a lot longer than your PC, and then the investment will be more than worth it. You Vista users, know ye that your machines will only last you as long as it takes MS to produce the next OS that the mighty Gates has promised for 2010 (2013 perhaps if you are lucky enough and MS as usual fails to meet deadlines!) to replace the abortion Vista, then you will buy a new machine with the new Shista on it, (with of course no guarantee that there will be any improvement).

[htoole318]

Mac's are nice computers, but they are not designed for the work place in a large business environment. The company I work for has offices all over the world and thousands of clients, and lets be real, we cant deal with an os, that only 8% of the world is using. Thats right, apple has only 8% of the market......same as vista...lol. This article is a joke, is the office a mom and pop landscaping company, heck the iphone needs updates just to be secure in an office environment, and how many business have banned mp3 players due to virus and productivity problems.....

[jolysmoke]

You sure put your finger on the problem, chum, when you said that Mac OS has the same share of the market as Vista. So they are now running neck and neck! And when business managers, like home users, ask which is the better system, faster, safer and more reliable, then the race is over for MS. At least as an OS, for they will still be able to sell Office 2008 for Mac for a while so they can read their old correspondence on Word etc.