Is anyone sorry that they switched?

[rcronin]

Quick tip for a Start bar replacement. Drag and drop your Applications folder onto the right side of the dock (near the trash can). Now, when you right-click on it, it comes up just like a Start bar.

AWESOME!!!!

 

[Prise]

I really can't understand it when people call the layout of OS X "illogical". What exactly is logical? A carbon copy of Windows? Mac OS X follows many of the laws which make up a great interface and have always done so with all of their products to make them more user-friendly. The only thing I do miss about Windows is going between the programs on the Start Bar. It is a bit awkward switching between programs in Mac.

I couldn't agree with you more.

My first ever computer was the old (really betraying my age here) Mac SE with a whopping 16 MB of Ram! I've always found the Mac OS to be infinitely superior to any other versions of icon-based GUI interfaces. Of course, after college once I started working, I had to acclimate to PCs in the corporate world.

There was a span of several years where I used exclusively PCs. One, it was the only efficient way to work given everything was PC based. And, games were better on the PC.

The one area where PCs shine is for the computer enthusiast. There's a certain exhilaration and adventure when journeying to build a "game" machine with the "best" parts. Choosing the ram, video card, sli or crossfire, state of the art motherboards, and finally over-clocking a machine to run faster than virtually anything else has it's own inherent rewards. To the quintessential "power gamer," there isn't a more rewarding experience than firing up self-put together PC running Doom 3 with all it's graphics options maxed out on 1600 by 1200 @ over 100 fps!

Even now, I will always build a PC for games. Actually, it's the only the thing I use them for now.

Everything else, I use the Mac. The moment Apple announced they were going to use Intel, I knew my next notebook would be a Macbook Pro running whatever XP applications necessary.

In my view, aside from games, the Mac offers a much greater computer user experience.

 

[iWish]

I also think Microsoft and others got it right having the window gadgets on the right hand side of the window. Since you do often scroll up and down on the right side of the window, but then have to move the mouse over to the left to close the window.

Try Command+w. Why use the mouse for everything?

 

[iWish]

The only thing I do miss about Windows is going between the programs on the Start Bar. It is a bit awkward switching between programs in Mac.

I'm sort of confused by the last statement. I've found the total opposite using the Mac's Expose feature, configurable in System Preferences. I've set the scroll-bar button of my mouse to show "All windows", meaning that within two clicks I've switched from one app to another. Of course, you could also simply click your program of choice on the Dock or use Command+tab.

Perhaps you're referring to programs that aren't currently open and therefore not in the Dock, in which case the Applications-folder-next-to-the-Trash-can idea is brilliant. Of course, you could also click on Finder, then on Applications, then select an app, couldn't you?

 

[iWish]

Wow, here I go again - another post! This thread has got me thinking about a lot.

Anyhow, I just want to comment about people who complain about their Macs on this forum not doing what they want then whining about it with no intention to learn, but just to whine and make their experience (or lack thereof) the benchmark for all Macs. I've found that if ANY computer - Mac or Windows - is frequently doing things like crash, hang up, etc. no matter what you try, then you have some kind of serious hardware/software (or personal?) issue. Especially with a Mac; problems like these are much more common on PCs (I base this upon extensive personal experience AND other peoples' stories).

In this case, contact Apple support and make sure it's not a problem with YOU before crying the blues here. Maybe you should have spent a few extra dollars (or pounds) on RAM instead of cheaping out, or maybe you should close some apps if things are slowing down, etc.

And concerning the "you" part, don't just buy a Mac because some Mac ad convinced you that computer use would be trouble-free if you get one. DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST!!! Spend a few weeks, even months, on forums like this. Buy magazines. Do whatever it takes to be fully informed about what it is you wish to do with a computer, what applications (programs) you'll need, and even which system - Mac or Windows - will serve your needs the best.

If you really want your Mac to perform a certain task/function but only know of a Windows program to do it, RESEARCH to find if there's a Mac equivalent - there almost always is. Don't just buy the Mac then b*tch about why it isn't doing what you wanted because you were too lazy and impulsive to take the time to do your homework. The two months I spent on this forum and doing other research before I even decided to buy a Mac saved me some headaches by the time I got it - I knew what and what not to expect, and realized that any decision I had made to switch was MY responsibility and not the fault of Apple or anyone else.

I find most Mac users are very computer-literate, having either worked with Macs for years or having been Windows users for years before getting annoyed and looking for an alternative like a Mac. It's no wonder, then, that most switchers HAVE been satisfied and reporting almost trouble-free experiences. Even when they have the odd problem with their Mac, they have extensive experience with computers to know how to find out how to solve it. And if they lack experience, the satisfied Mac user seems to have at least taken the time to ensure that a Mac would do what they wanted a computer to do for them before they bought one.

 

[xstep]

I also think Microsoft and others got it right having the window gadgets on the right hand side of the window. Since you do often scroll up and down on the right side of the window, but then have to move the mouse over to the left to close the window.

Actually that depends on if your mouse is on your right or left.

For reasons I'm not going into, I had to move my mouse to the left. I was at the time using NextStep which had the the scroll bar on the left and I immediately found that easier to use. The only button for a window out of place was the close button. It was on the top right corner.

One big reason the left side makes sense, is because users often use the menu, which is left to right based. Although, a right click under NextStep/OpenStep would bring the menu up right under your mouse cursor.

Anyway, I wish Apple had left the decision to the user rather than forcing everyone to expect the scroll bars on the right and the color buttons on the upper left.

 

[dtravis7]

I never had problems with the buttons on the left and scroll on the right till I started messing with Windows a lot, then it was confusing for a while. Now I can use either just as well. I see your point though but one can get used to it, at least I can and did.

 

[MaDDoG]

Sorry I switched...not likely.....although Bill Gates sent me a pm yesterday begging me to come back.....hahahaha

 

[Prise]

I've found that if ANY computer - Mac or Windows - is frequently doing things like crash, hang up, etc. no matter what you try, then you have some kind of serious hardware/software (or personal?) issue. Especially with a Mac; problems like these are much more common on PCs (I base this upon extensive personal experience AND other peoples' stories)

I would readily agree that all things being equal, Macs are much more problem free than PCs. Compared to potential PC issues and conflicts, running a Mac is essentially idiot-proof.

Hardware issues (namely hard-drive and optical drive erosion) would occur in any computer, not just Apples. That's just the nature of electronic components.

However, unlike PCs, an Apple will not have hardware conflicts.

As to the OS, it's hard to find Tiger unstable. A fresh install will resolve most freezes, frequent crashing, or sluggish performance.

 

[DRAGONGUY83]

if i could add one thing to osx is a home or top button to scroll to the top without the scroll. i just got my macbook so i may be missing something

 

[Amen-Moses]

if i could add one thing to osx is a home or top button to scroll to the top without the scroll. i just got my macbook so i may be missing something

Have you tried the home button?

(on the MacBook thats fn left-arrow)

Amen-Moses

 

[xstep]

However, unlike PCs, an Apple will not have hardware conflicts.

That is absolutely untrue. It is just less likely.

 

[xstep]

if i could add one thing to osx is a home or top button to scroll to the top without the scroll. i just got my macbook so i may be missing something

1) Place your cursor pointer over the top or bottom end of the scroll bar.
2) Press and hold the option key.
3) Click the mouse button, and release both.

You should have seen the window jump to the position of interest.

 

[Amen-Moses]

1) Place your cursor pointer over the top or bottom end of the scroll bar.
2) Press and hold the option key.
3) Click the mouse button, and release both.

You should have seen the window jump to the position of interest.

Even cooler is that with option pressed the arrow buttons below the scroll bar become page up and down, saves me having to press fn and down arrow (I like to leave one hand on the mouse whilst the other does the keyboard).

Amen-Moses

 

[captainmac]

I'm so glad I switched! I just wish I would have bought a macbook instead of a mac mini... I need it at school for taking notes and such. I'll be getting a macbook soon though.

 

[kilo15]

I haven't regret it for a minute

 

[Surreality]

Switching over has been one of the best decisions I've made in a while.

 

[andrebnu]

I couldn't agree more! My mac experience surprises me every day. I can't imagine myself owning a PC again! This is ****ing unbelievable!!

 

[Cherokee]

I make literally dozens and dozens, possibly even hundreds of horrible, horrible decisions every single day. Switching to Apple was not one of those decisions.

I switched in college and haven't looked back in six years. I still have a desktop PC at home for my wife to use (I'm working on converting her). It will be replaced by an iMac this year. At that point I will free from the chains of Windoze. Bill Gates doesn't own me. :black:

 

[knightlie]

D'oh, now I AM sorry I switched - I don't get the fun and excitement of installing the latest six critical security patches into all versions of Windows.