T
topshot
Guest
So to dispell the myths:
1) Macs are incompatible - Macs can read any file format and no longer has the problem of saving files in a format that PC's cannot read. The only incompatibilities now are websites that are written to check for Internet Explorer or for a Windows platform - a fault of the website developer not the Mac. You can open your word, excel and powerpoint files easily and they will look the same on the Mac as the PC version. You can even transfer your emails over and you won't lose any.
2) Macs are expensive - they used to be about 40% more expensive, but now they are only about 10-15%. A small price to pay for a more robust and well rounded product. Some would argue that it is actually cheaper in the long run as you will save on: Anti-virus software, spyware software (yes you can get free ones but lots of people still buy them when they get a new PC. General users tend not to know that they can get free versions), support, suitable software packages (yes you can use Windows Movie Maker, the software that came with your DVD player, printer and webcam for the same stuff as iLife, but do they work together and are they any good?), virus definition subscriptions, support and more support.
3) There's no software - Actually, their's about 12,000 registered software products for OS X let alone all the other add ons and tools you can get for free. Every type of software is available from graphics to business. In fact, some of the more advanced programs for design, print and film can only be found on the Mac much like some apps can only be found on Windows. Just check out www.apple.com store and see for yourself what you can get. You won't be missing out.
If it's games you want to play, their are loads of those too. If you need the latest games then you should have a console to play it on. The PC is not the ideal platform for games, Consoles are. Only uber-geeks spend $1000's on the latest hardware to play the latest games at the highest frame rates.
4) I'm comfortable using Windows. It's taken me years to get to know how to use it and I don't want to have to go through the whole process again. - It took you years most probably because first they changed from Windows 3.1 to '95, then XP (all big changes to the average user) and in the last few years you've had to learn how to use Anti-virus and Spyware software. But don't worry, the Mac is a point and click environment that really does work as 'point and click'. Their is a book called 'Easy Mac OS X' that will get you up and running in a few hours.
5) I'm a techno-geek and Mac's are too simplistic for me - Actually, if you spend some time to look into it, you'll find that the Unix underpinnings are far more powerful than any Windows Shell. It has a much bigger history than windows or DOS and has so many cool commands to do just about anything that you'll be discovering new ones for years. You'll also find that the Mac OS has many advanced features for using programs. Did you know that you can control an applications window even if it isn't in the foreground? Just keep digging and more comes out.
6) PC's rule! They've inheritted the earth and Microsoft will be King forever. Infact, I think they are the new world order. - They may have the business market cornered for the moment, but home users have no allegiance when it comes to consumer products. People buy on a compromise of price, quality and word of mouth of product. If price is less of a concern, you'll tend to go for a better product. If price is you're only concern, you'll always get the cheapest and if a product has been recommended to you by a friend, you'll consider it in a much better light.
7) Someone told me that Macs crash as often as PC's and that they aren't immune to viruses like most people think. - I've had my Mac for about 1 year now and I've never had it hard crash on me - that is when it has to be fixed or reinstalled to get it working again. I have had Safari(the web browser) crash on me from time to time but that's usually because of a mal-formed website, but the Operating system never has. Their are stories of the OS crashing, but it tends to be because of a more serious reason such as hardware failure. As for viruses, Mac's probably aren't immune but someone is yet to prove it. When it does happen, it'll be big news.
8) Someone said that you can't get many periferals for the Mac. - Most cameras, printers, mobile phones, keyboards, mice, joysticks, external harddrives etc... work with macs. Just check the box. Some device manufacturers have agreements with MS to employ cheaper driver systems so that the hardware can be made cheaper, but the result is that it works only with windows. You should stay away from these products anyway as they tend to be buggy and troublesome. You get what you pay for!
9) I tried to use a mac and I am a heavy keyboard tasker. It just didn't work like windows. I kept having to use the mouse. Basically, it sucks. Actually, if you are this type of user(like me) first you need to turn on keyboard access in system preferences as most people prefer only to use the mouse. Then you can use the TAB key to switch focus of controls etc... Look it all up in the Mac help to learn how to use the keyboard for navigation. Also, the F1 key for help in windows is the HELP key on the Mac.
10) I won't know what to do with my computer if I'm not endlessly fixing it, running defrag or some way or another optimixing it - maybe you'll start using it how it was intended to be used!
11)Copying all my stuff from my PC to a Mac is going to be a pain. I can't be bothered with it. - Check this app out then - Move 2 Mac - Not the best but will probably do most of the job for you. Their are other apps out their.
12)What's the difference? A PC's a PC right? - same argument could be used for a car or any number of products. Just say to someone who has a decent car 'A car's a car right?' and see what they say. In your mind replace their car with Mac and other cars with PC.
13) You'll never see me on a Mac! Never, I tell you! I don't know why I even read this far! I'm just bored, that's all. I'm just reasuring myself that my PC purchase was the right decision that's all! Right? - Resistance is futile my friend! The mac was made for you in mind. Sell the PC on ebay and get a Mac. You'll be able to actually create stuff!
14) Will you hold my hand? I'm scared about getting a Mac - No! You're priority should be getting a girlfriend, not a Mac.
Thanks for reading!
1) Macs are incompatible - Macs can read any file format and no longer has the problem of saving files in a format that PC's cannot read. The only incompatibilities now are websites that are written to check for Internet Explorer or for a Windows platform - a fault of the website developer not the Mac. You can open your word, excel and powerpoint files easily and they will look the same on the Mac as the PC version. You can even transfer your emails over and you won't lose any.
2) Macs are expensive - they used to be about 40% more expensive, but now they are only about 10-15%. A small price to pay for a more robust and well rounded product. Some would argue that it is actually cheaper in the long run as you will save on: Anti-virus software, spyware software (yes you can get free ones but lots of people still buy them when they get a new PC. General users tend not to know that they can get free versions), support, suitable software packages (yes you can use Windows Movie Maker, the software that came with your DVD player, printer and webcam for the same stuff as iLife, but do they work together and are they any good?), virus definition subscriptions, support and more support.
3) There's no software - Actually, their's about 12,000 registered software products for OS X let alone all the other add ons and tools you can get for free. Every type of software is available from graphics to business. In fact, some of the more advanced programs for design, print and film can only be found on the Mac much like some apps can only be found on Windows. Just check out www.apple.com store and see for yourself what you can get. You won't be missing out.
If it's games you want to play, their are loads of those too. If you need the latest games then you should have a console to play it on. The PC is not the ideal platform for games, Consoles are. Only uber-geeks spend $1000's on the latest hardware to play the latest games at the highest frame rates.
4) I'm comfortable using Windows. It's taken me years to get to know how to use it and I don't want to have to go through the whole process again. - It took you years most probably because first they changed from Windows 3.1 to '95, then XP (all big changes to the average user) and in the last few years you've had to learn how to use Anti-virus and Spyware software. But don't worry, the Mac is a point and click environment that really does work as 'point and click'. Their is a book called 'Easy Mac OS X' that will get you up and running in a few hours.
5) I'm a techno-geek and Mac's are too simplistic for me - Actually, if you spend some time to look into it, you'll find that the Unix underpinnings are far more powerful than any Windows Shell. It has a much bigger history than windows or DOS and has so many cool commands to do just about anything that you'll be discovering new ones for years. You'll also find that the Mac OS has many advanced features for using programs. Did you know that you can control an applications window even if it isn't in the foreground? Just keep digging and more comes out.
6) PC's rule! They've inheritted the earth and Microsoft will be King forever. Infact, I think they are the new world order. - They may have the business market cornered for the moment, but home users have no allegiance when it comes to consumer products. People buy on a compromise of price, quality and word of mouth of product. If price is less of a concern, you'll tend to go for a better product. If price is you're only concern, you'll always get the cheapest and if a product has been recommended to you by a friend, you'll consider it in a much better light.
7) Someone told me that Macs crash as often as PC's and that they aren't immune to viruses like most people think. - I've had my Mac for about 1 year now and I've never had it hard crash on me - that is when it has to be fixed or reinstalled to get it working again. I have had Safari(the web browser) crash on me from time to time but that's usually because of a mal-formed website, but the Operating system never has. Their are stories of the OS crashing, but it tends to be because of a more serious reason such as hardware failure. As for viruses, Mac's probably aren't immune but someone is yet to prove it. When it does happen, it'll be big news.
8) Someone said that you can't get many periferals for the Mac. - Most cameras, printers, mobile phones, keyboards, mice, joysticks, external harddrives etc... work with macs. Just check the box. Some device manufacturers have agreements with MS to employ cheaper driver systems so that the hardware can be made cheaper, but the result is that it works only with windows. You should stay away from these products anyway as they tend to be buggy and troublesome. You get what you pay for!
9) I tried to use a mac and I am a heavy keyboard tasker. It just didn't work like windows. I kept having to use the mouse. Basically, it sucks. Actually, if you are this type of user(like me) first you need to turn on keyboard access in system preferences as most people prefer only to use the mouse. Then you can use the TAB key to switch focus of controls etc... Look it all up in the Mac help to learn how to use the keyboard for navigation. Also, the F1 key for help in windows is the HELP key on the Mac.
10) I won't know what to do with my computer if I'm not endlessly fixing it, running defrag or some way or another optimixing it - maybe you'll start using it how it was intended to be used!
11)Copying all my stuff from my PC to a Mac is going to be a pain. I can't be bothered with it. - Check this app out then - Move 2 Mac - Not the best but will probably do most of the job for you. Their are other apps out their.
12)What's the difference? A PC's a PC right? - same argument could be used for a car or any number of products. Just say to someone who has a decent car 'A car's a car right?' and see what they say. In your mind replace their car with Mac and other cars with PC.
13) You'll never see me on a Mac! Never, I tell you! I don't know why I even read this far! I'm just bored, that's all. I'm just reasuring myself that my PC purchase was the right decision that's all! Right? - Resistance is futile my friend! The mac was made for you in mind. Sell the PC on ebay and get a Mac. You'll be able to actually create stuff!
14) Will you hold my hand? I'm scared about getting a Mac - No! You're priority should be getting a girlfriend, not a Mac.
Thanks for reading!