Reverse Switch! OSX > W7

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The time has come - after around 7 years of being a happy Mac user, I'm having to switch back to Windows.

My most recent Mac, a 20in iMac 2.66/4GB/320GB, is going to be sold and I'm replacing it with a Windows 7 laptop - an Asus UL30 (a nice little machine, a macbook air copycat with similar specs).

So I'm taking a hit on Screen size, Overall power, and I'm losing the optical drive, but I'm still going to have a nice little machine that will easily cope with itunes, Chrome, Open Office, Picasa and Photoshop Elements. And it has to be said, I'm, not using the Mac to it full potential anyway.

What am I gaining? Well the main thing is I'm getting a room back - I wont need a 'computer room' anymore, I'll be able to use the space for something else, and I'll also get more use of the laptop - I wont have to go an sit 'upstairs' just to upload some photos for example.
I also stand to be £250 better off once I sell the imac.

What will I miss? The large screen (although I can plug the lappy in to the TV if needed), iPhoto (although Picasa is a capable replacement) and OSX in general.

I'm not worried about malware, I already run an XP machine, and I know how to keep it secure - keeping the OS up to date and using Chrome instead of IE, and a decent free AV package will help, but mainly not being an idiot will keep me just as safe on Windows as I was on my Mac. I know not to open unsafe attachments, or download keygens, or install bogus video codecs etc etc.

I also don't think Windows 7 is *that bad* - I've used it under Parallels, and, once you turn of the ugly Aero effects and giant icons it actually ok to use.

So my reasons are entirely pratical - save money, save space, and whilst I expect there to be some compromises, I'm pretty sure I'm making the right choice.

Anyone got any reasons to convince me otherwise? Things that I might regret?
Thanks!

(No silly rants about viruses please!)
 

dtravis7


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Nope. If it will make you happy, get your Windows machine.

Since you DID SAY you would miss OSX, why not get the low end Air? It really sounds like you WANT Windows 7 and if that is the case, sell off that Mac and get your Windows 7 thin laptop.
 
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I would love to get the Air, which would have all the advantages of being a lappy AND OSX, but its just the cost.

The W7 machine is only £349 - the Air starts at £999
 

dtravis7


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Well that makes sense. I did not know the Asus was so low in cost. I hope it's not a netbook. A lot of them are not very good. Whatever you do, don't get an Acer Netbook! I have one and it's falling apart on me and I have treated it like a new born baby!

Is it this one?

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/product/302500/review/ul30.html
 

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So my reasons are entirely pratical - save money, save space, and whilst I expect there to be some compromises, I'm pretty sure I'm making the right choice.

Sounds to me you don't want to switch back to a Windows computer...and you're looking for someone to convince you otherwise.

You seem to be switching from a desktop to a notebook...you never mentioned portability as a concern. You also didn't mention (from a computing task standpoint) why you are switching. There really is nothing wrong with a 2.66ghz iMac. It's neither really old or really slow.

Your "practical reasons" are really not all that compelling. "Save money"...well you would save more money if you just continued to use your iMac. "Save space"...well maybe. But a 20" iMac isn't that large.

But if you feel you need to switch...then go for it. It's a personal choice...so you gotta do what you gotta do.

- Nick
 
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That's the one - some of the other reviews are more positive about the performance though - I mean I know its no good for 3D gaming or HD video editting, but I don't do that anyway.

pigoo3 - you probably have it right there - I'm looking for the killer blow that will put me off switching back. If money were no object I'd get a 13in MBP but I cant afford that.

So this is a compromise rather than a choice I want to make.
 
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It's kind of a strange move backwards but hey, it takes all sorts and if we were all the same life would be very boring. My guess is you'll be back. In any event do come back here and tell us in a few months whether you are happy with your choice.
 
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I'm viewing this forum with both my Macbook Pro and my new Dell laptop, the look is so much different. The Mac looks so bright compared to the Dell. You have to remember the iMac screen is brighter than the Windows laptop. The fonts, the fonts are all jagged, the Mac fonts are nice and smooth. I still use Safari and Opera on my Dell because safari fonts are smooth on Windows or Mac, I have a program called GDI, it makes the fonts smooth and pleasant to view in Opera, not so much FF and not at all in Chrome. To me appearance is important, how websites look, OS X wins hands down. I do like Windows 7, they have come along way, the new task bar is like our dock, might even be as good or better. After the newness of using the Windows laptop wears off, you will be back here saying " I'm using my iMac again " You will fire up the laptop every once in awhile, laptops are great, you can go where you want. In fact the New MacBook Pro can beat most other laptops gaming. I like both my Dell and MBP, use the mac 90% of the time. Good luck with your laptop.
 
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My MBP 13 only started to crash, albeit once, after I installed and use Windows 7 on it. And it lag occasionally. For the OP, it seems like more of a switch from desktop to notebook than Apple to PC. I've been using notebooks for a long time, I don't see myself getting a desktop anytime soon. Having notebook is just too convenient and portable to stay on a desktop.

One comparison, with my Snow Leopard, startup from power button to desktop with Safari and Mail opened ready to go--40seconds. With Windows 7, startup from turn-on to desktop with Firefox and Windows Live Mail ready for use takes to 3-4 minutes. You may see the desktop but you can't do anything until Windows 7 stop being busy doing something else, so you sit there and wait... and wait...
 
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In my view, computers are basically tools. You use whatever tool does the job best, as you need it done. What works for one, may not work for another, even for the same tasks! Everyone uses their computer differently, and the best way to go, is the way that you feel suits all of your needs combined, better. Personally, I find nothing wrong with Windows at all. Vista, 7, XP, I used them all, a lot. NEVER had a problem with any of them. Nothing off-putting, at least. All the ads and negative hype are nonsense, in my experience, though there again, the way one person uses a tool, may offer a different experience entirely from someone else, even doing the same tasks. It's all relative to the user and how he/she uses it.

Looking after converting pounds to dollars, it seems you could even get an iPad cheaper than the laptop you mentioned. I know it can't do certain things like the Photoshop stuff, and there may be other limitations, I know nothing about them so I can't say, but, have you thought about going that route?

It sounds to me, like you are wanting reasons to stay with the Mac, but also reasons to move to Windows. In my opinion, a really easy way to tell, is which one do you find yourself trying to "convince" yourself of more? If you're literally digging for reasons to go with Windows, then chances are ultimately you'll regret the switch in the end. If you're digging for reasons to stay with your iMac, again, chances are in the end, you'll regret the choice.

Difficult thing to decide no doubt, but it's just one of those things where in my opinion, it's best to listen to the little voice inside, than reasoning it out over and over. Because like I said, if you have to keep convincing yourself of either choice, then it's probably not the right choice.
 
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It's quite funny really, because the ASUS UL30 was one of the main reasons I decided on the switch to Apple and the Mac's.

Last year, I bought the Asus UL30a after reading good reviews from dozens of sources. The only negative people mentioned was the screen and trackpad, but I thought really, how bad could these be.

And seriously, on this notebook, they are bad. If you tilt your head 3cm in any direction, the screen looses colour and contrast and takes on the "negative image" look. It is really a terrible screen. They even have a design fault that marks the screen when it is closed. I now have a permanent scratch crossing my screen from the keyboard!

But the trackpad. I have never used anything as bad as the trackpad on the UL30. It is so sensitive, just hovering past forced a click and opens a webpage or highlights text, or moves the cursor, anything that is which you don't want.

On the other hand, it works alright in most cases. I can't get HD video to work without skipping on it, and no chance for my 5DII videos which don't even move, but for video's, I mainly wanted to watch SD shows I record on my PVR when not at home. For this it works well (so long as I don't move my head)

Don't expect the short wakeup times like on a Macbook. If I am lucky, it will do a reasonable startup from sleep, but sometimes it can take a minute.

Then again, the battery life is actually quite good, which is another thing I wanted for the road.

But it was all the niggling things which made me decide the Apple world is the way to go. Whenever I played with a friends Macbook, it started up in a blink of the eye. The touchpads are amazing, and I'm not just referring to innovations like multitouch but also the accuracy and details in the design and build. And then of course, the screens are always great in MacBooks.

I got tired of these obvious design faults, and decided to move to Apple which seems to do a lot of things right in design. Yes, it costs more than and equivalent speced Windows laptop, but it works... well, right.

All that aside, Windows 7 is quite a good OS these days. Having just made the switch to OSX, I can see many improvements of Windows in general (especially the older ones), but Win7 has copied many of the things that OSX had like the dock (and done a pretty good job of it too) and maybe it's me, but OSX's file handling is not quite as good as windows (No cut and paste in finder etc) though I have to say I love to be able to drag common folders I use into the sidebar.

But please keep in mind. There is a reason that Asus costs a lot less than a MacBook. It's build quality is a far cry. You would be better off buying a quality high end Sony Viao... then again, they are not cheaper than MacBooks.
 
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OSX's file handling is not quite as good as windows (No cut and paste in finder etc)

I dunno where you got that but I can cut, paste, duplicate, make aliases and many other things right in the OS X finder.
 
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Well you'll be getting a 1 year ADW warranty through ASUS which is nice as well as a 2 year global. Plus the Asus UL series have always been champs. Good luck in your new endeavors.
 

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The OP's post is very vague as to why he/she suddenly need to sell their iMac. Never stated if they needed the mobility of a notebook or not, and doesn't sound completely convinced if they should switch back to Windows.

In either case there is always bootcamp is you need to use Windows. If you need the portability + Windows then might as well get a Windows notebook if cost is an issue.

There is always the MB and the MBA which both cost around $999 USD. I checked your specs on your machine and you can sell it for ~£440. Just need to fund the other 300+ dollars somehow. >_>""
 
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It's a tool get what you think will get the job done but buyer beware cheap laptops make any OS experience less desirable once you have owned a well built fast unit, been there done that and with that said the cost of a Mac doesn't seem so high in the long run. I have
used Windows 7 and I must say they have made improvements but some of the things that I did not like are still there so until Apple lets me down its hard for me to like anything more than OSX currently. I also play with Ubuntu from time to time and it has its pros and cons in the end use what makes you happy and productive.
 
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Gotta love the Apple loyalty. It's like people here are waiting for Apple to screw up OS X so they can reverse switch. I really don't know what to comment on that so I wont.

And to the original poster just remember one thing.
Work out the total cost of your new windows netbook or whatever you want to get over 5 years. Add in all upgrades, software, service etc etc. And compare that figure to your Mac. And in my books they come up about even on the cost front in the 3-5 year ownership bracket of the computer.

I'm not going to tell you one is better then the other. But I will say if you only think about the initial cost of the computer and not all the other costs of ownership then you will be hit with a rude shock down the track.
 
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And to the original poster just remember one thing. Work out the total cost of your new windows netbook or whatever you want to get over 5 years. Add in all upgrades, software, service etc etc.
There isn't a real big difference in cost if you use the right software. Yea, Mac's can come with iLife / Adobe Suites and stuff like that but there are freeware programs that can serve most peoples needs. Open Office instead of Microsoft Office (or if you were lucky you could have gotten the beta of Office Pro '11, which I loved), a good free anti virus (avast, avira, malwarebytes, comodo firewall, superantispyware) instead of norton, or any other paid solution. Honestly, the only piece of software I would ever buy for my computer was games. There is so much freeware for Windows machines it's ridiculous. There is a whole 91 page thread on a different forum show casing all the free Windows software.

And as far as upgrades go, they cost the same. RAM is RAM while hard drives are hard drives. Plus all Asus laptops come with a 1 year Accidental Damage Warranty as well as a 2 year global warranty. Yes, there's no AppleCare (but that's an added expense to a Mac).

I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything just pointing out that Windows machines aren't that expensive.
 
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The time has come - after around 7 years of being a happy Mac user, I'm having to switch back to Windows.

Ok, good for you. Why do you need to post a big explanation? It's your choice and your money after-all...

(No cut and paste in finder etc)

Sort of. There is copy and paste and delete. It doesn't work the same as Windows, it wasn't designed to. Not wrong, just different.

In my view, computers are basically tools

In a way yes but for many, myself included, they have moved beyond that. It's a form of entertainment and in some ways a toy even.

It's a tool get what you think will get the job done but buyer beware cheap laptops make any OS experience less desirable once you have owned a well built fast unti

That.
 

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Hey OP...you still haven't told us why you want/need to switch back to a Windows computer. The only real reason you mentioned was to save space...which is a pretty "weak" reason.;) It's not like a 20" iMac is the size of an automobile or something.

You never mentioned ANYTHING related to computing such as something you need to do & can't do on the Mac you currently own.

- Nick
 

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Ok, good for you. Why do you need to post a big explanation? It's your choice and your money after-all...

Kind of what I was thinking as well.

To the OP...Don't explain why...JUST DO IT!

- Nick
 
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