why do people still use macs?

[aedipuss]

well everything i play is pretty much a solid mahogany brick anyway. and i'm let's say over 10 stone...

[ffooky]

Ha Johnny, my whole post was a ruse to get you to link to an OS X program and it worked beautifully. Feel dirty now ?

Had a '59 Junior; tone to die for but a neck like a baseball bat. Never liked LP seniors very much.

Quorn's some sort of fungus, nowt to do wi'soy. Hippie ? Ryan Giggs used to advertise it for God's sake !

[Video Head]

God, I love my Les Paul

how do you like the new self-tuning les pauls? tried one out yet? i can't decide if i like'm or not.

God, I love Heinz Baked Beans...

prefer their ketchup and B&M's for my beans.

I like Martin guitars and Libby's Baked Beans (if I don't make them myself).

[edDV]

But (and i know this happens more than you think) if you don't like it because the Price is too high for you. Then may I suggest looking to kiva.org and applying for one of their loans that will apparently change you life. Maybe that loan could be for a new Apple Computer. Think of the possibilities, you too could change your life with the simple act of borrowing money you don't have and paying more for that great computer deal later....

Man you missed on that one. I own a MacMini and bought it for specific "needs". I needed a wireless networkable machine for guest unattended internet use that could also handle capture of consumer camcorder video/photos and make Quicktime conversions + test websites for MacOS. I had an extra Samsung LCD monitor so an iMac wasn't needed. So I bought the Mini (incl. Tiger and Leopard CD). It filled my needs.

I currently own more Apple stock than Microsoft so I come at this with investor growth "needs" as well. IMO Apple needs an entry iMac with display for under $599. I'm not a happy camper that AAPL dropped from $211 to ~$117 Dec to February. At least my AAPL stock gained back several MacMini equiv today.

[iMacMan]

But (and i know this happens more than you think) if you don't like it because the Price is too high for you. Then may I suggest looking to kiva.org and applying for one of their loans that will apparently change you life. Maybe that loan could be for a new Apple Computer. Think of the possibilities, you too could change your life with the simple act of borrowing money you don't have and paying more for that great computer deal later....

Man you missed on that one. I own a MacMini and bought it for specific "needs". I needed a wireless networkable machine for guest unattended internet use that could also handle capture of consumer camcorder video/photos and make Quicktime conversions + test websites for MacOS. I had an extra Samsung LCD monitor so an iMac wasn't needed. So I bought the Mini (incl. Tiger and Leopard CD). It filled my needs.

I currently own more Apple stock than Microsoft so I come at this with investor growth "needs" as well. IMO Apple needs an entry iMac with display for under $599. I'm not a happy camper that AAPL dropped from $211 to ~$117 Dec to February. At least my AAPL stock gained back several MacMini equiv today.

Wish I had money to fart around with like you. I remember when Apple was at $16. Now it's $168.94. Looks like they are doing something right!

[guns1inger]

As with most (all ?) tech stocks, the share value bears little to no relationship the actual value of the company or it's product.

[MacDSL]

So a needs assessment is not part of your consultation process? Maybe that is why I see so few Mac's on the corporate desktop...oh wait, I never see any Mac's on the corporate desktop other than those Airbooks but they are never powered on, just a desktop toy. I would gather that Mac integrators sell on the "isn't it cool?" factor rather than assessing needs and selling to the needs. Graphics arts aside, I never see them anymore, even in educational accounts where they used to dominate. Mac seems to be more of a lifestyle rather than a hardcore computer.

The "isn't it cool?" relates to need, not plans, so you are counter-representing yourself. And how does the argument work of "I don't see Macs outside of work anymore either." So? I happen to have been able to spend 95% of my working adult life working on Macs. The other 5% I hated. I make enough, I'm happy enough. I have wayy more time than my PC counterparts I associate with. Macs are not a lifestyle, but they do allow me to have a life, there's a big difference... Macs are not a hardcore computer? Excellent, Perfect, Right on the mark; Because 99.9% computers are not "hardcore". So, since you are in the .001% that ned a "hardcore" computer excellent, get what you need. But for the 99.9% of the rest of us, I'll stick with accessing peoples "plans" instead of "needs".

Accessing needs is short-sighted. Accessing plans builds a responsible IT Structure.
And not seeing Macs in an office is a dishonest argument also. I see wayyyyy more Hondas than Ferrari's in my travels. Both, cars, Both have 4 wheels, and i've seen Hondas that can rip a Ferrari all day long in the twisties. I've never wanted to drive a Honda in my life. If that makes me bad, than so be it.....I can live with that...

[MacDSL]

Man you missed on that one. I own a MacMini and bought it for specific "needs". I needed a wireless networkable machine for guest unattended internet use that could also handle capture of consumer camcorder video/photos and make Quicktime conversions + test websites for MacOS. I had an extra Samsung LCD monitor so an iMac wasn't needed. So I bought the Mini (incl. Tiger and Leopard CD). It filled my needs.

I currently own more Apple stock than Microsoft so I come at this with investor growth "needs" as well. IMO Apple needs an entry iMac with display for under $599. I'm not a happy camper that AAPL dropped from $211 to ~$117 Dec to February. At least my AAPL stock gained back several MacMini equiv today.

Where exactly did I miss the mark? Sounds like you are making my argument for me? Thanks!

[aedipuss]

the mac-mini is spawning clones -

[ffooky]

Cute. What are the specs ?

Edit: OK, here they are.

[aedipuss]

the one i was looking at had a blu-ray drive.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&stor...6316&langId=-1

[ffooky]

If you spring for an EyeTV Hybrid and wireless keyboard & mouse which brings the prices much closer together, the definite advantages over the (soon to be upgraded) top end Mini are the much, much better HD and wider range of outputs at the expense of an inferior CPU.

All told it's much closer to what the Mini should be but still not much grunt for your shekels.

[thecoalman]

I usually don't get into these Mac vs. Windows squabbles, i only read them because them they're so damn funny. Anyhow...

This is kind of funny -- perhaps you should ask all of my friends running Windows why they've been transitioning to Macs in the past few years?

Whom do you speak of? Really, here's some real numbers from my site which has very active forum with large makeup of your "average Joe" leaning towards the educated side. Maybe slighlty older.



videohelp.com which is going to have a lot of techies using it shows similar numbers, its 94% instead of 96%. https://www.videohelp.com/stats#os

Mac gained a little foothold over last year of .6% but Windows gained almost 1.5%

1. Software:

You discussed the OS and certainly people are comfortable with what they have used in the past. However software is and will always be the achilles heel of a Mac. You only need to browse through the tools section of this site to figure that out. I can walk into almost any sore and but what I need, usually very cheap from from huge selection.. Gaming...won't go there. :P

2. Brand-loyalty:

Can't say I disagree with anyhting you said.

3. Performance:

No idea how well they perfom side by side and i don't have two machines to compare. My question is are comparing what should be equivalent machines or machines that cost the same. I think the second comparison would be better.

4. Reliability:

I have HP 233ghz in my attic that was used heavily for about 5 or 6 years that was on 24/7/365. When I put it there it still worked. There was absolutely nothing replaced on that except the case fan and CPU fan. The machine sitting next to me know has been used heavily since Nov. of '03, again on 24/7/365 and used a lot every day. I had to replace the PS and a few case fans but nothing else. Everything in this machine was the "good stuff" when it was purchased.

5. Vista's a disaster:

I only used it briefly but from my short experience it was quite nice. I don't have it because I don't need it . I'll be be upgrading my current machine at some point so I guess I'll have to bite the bullet one of these days

The standard Windows user is an anybody who may or may not have a college education, likely works in a very generic field as far as computers go, or majors in a discipline related to such a field, and really doesn't need a lot of processing power unless said user is a gamer in which case they need as much as they can get and heavily customized machines. Mac users on the other hand are usually college students or college educated-post-graduate degree holding individuals who work in either a professional field (e.g. Doctors, Lawyers etc.,etc.) and can afford a high-end computer, and if we look at psychographics, they're generally a little bit to the left of the political spectrum and modestly wealthy, but not filthy rich..

That's usually where the Mac crowd goes wrong and what really pisses a windows user off, the high and mighty attitude. Frankly I could care less and you're wrong. Simply put all of those people don't make up 2% or 3% of the people visiting this site or my site. The number of Mac users visiting here even surprised me, I though it would have been higher. The numbers don't add up even if you compare Mac sales to Windows. They don't sell enough Mac's to even begin to fill the needs of these people. As far as my site goes I know for fact I have Lawyers, pilots and few engineers and I'm only aware of one of them that uses a MAC. I wouldn't doubt that that you'll get the same stats from any webmaster you ask other than ones geared specifically towards the mac crowd.

[aedipuss]

i have to agree with the coalman. of all the doctors, lawyers, professors, their offices and and hospitals i know and have visited i have yet to see a single mac anywhere. are they all ashamed to be caught with one and hiding them? the computers i see in use are all pcs.

[MacDSL]

Really? Is surprises anyone that those of us that support the 2% of the Market choice of anything have an "attitude"?
Porsche Owners don't have an attitude?
Ferrari Owners don't have an attitude?
Wearers of Rolex Presidentials don't have an attitude?
Those that "date" Playmates don't have attitudes?

I mean come on. Really? This "attitude" thing only applies to Mac owners? Who are you kidding? It's not hard to make an argument that "attitude" applies to any individual that supports the 2% or less choice of a 5-product Market.

Really? The top 2% of Wealth in this planet does not have an "attitude"?

I can't believe anyone would be surprised by Mac owners/supporters having an attitude. I would be surprised if we didn't; considering the nature of supporting the 2% choice of just about ANYTHING......

[Video Head]

So a needs assessment is not part of your consultation process? Maybe that is why I see so few Mac's on the corporate desktop...oh wait, I never see any Mac's on the corporate desktop other than those Airbooks but they are never powered on, just a desktop toy. I would gather that Mac integrators sell on the "isn't it cool?" factor rather than assessing needs and selling to the needs. Graphics arts aside, I never see them anymore, even in educational accounts where they used to dominate. Mac seems to be more of a lifestyle rather than a hardcore computer.

The "isn't it cool?" relates to need, not plans, so you are counter-representing yourself. And how does the argument work of "I don't see Macs outside of work anymore either." So? I happen to have been able to spend 95% of my working adult life working on Macs. The other 5% I hated. I make enough, I'm happy enough. I have wayy more time than my PC counterparts I associate with. Macs are not a lifestyle, but they do allow me to have a life, there's a big difference... Macs are not a hardcore computer? Excellent, Perfect, Right on the mark; Because 99.9% computers are not "hardcore". So, since you are in the .001% that ned a "hardcore" computer excellent, get what you need. But for the 99.9% of the rest of us, I'll stick with accessing peoples "plans" instead of "needs".

Accessing needs is short-sighted. Accessing plans builds a responsible IT Structure.
And not seeing Macs in an office is a dishonest argument also. I see wayyyyy more Hondas than Ferrari's in my travels. Both, cars, Both have 4 wheels, and i've seen Hondas that can rip a Ferrari all day long in the twisties. I've never wanted to drive a Honda in my life. If that makes me bad, than so be it.....I can live with that...

Spoken like a true Mac professional...do all Mac'rs think that a Honda can "rip" a Ferrari? That's like the guys with riced Neons who think they have something for my Mustang GT. How much horsepower do clear turnsignal covers add anyways?

[thecoalman]

MacDSL I can really care less, just pointing it out. I see it in all these threads, the thpost i quoted almost implies Windows users are stupid and all Mac users are intellectual gods.

BTW, you're not driving a Ferrari, you're driving a corvette with a Ferrari replica body on it. :P Personally I'll just take the corvette. No point in having all that glitz if there's nothing in it.

[Frobozz]

i have to agree with the coalman. of all the doctors, lawyers, professors, their offices and and hospitals i know and have visited i have yet to see a single mac anywhere. are they all ashamed to be caught with one and hiding them? the computers i see in use are all pcs.

Why is this treated like some kind of contest? It's obvious that PCs dominate in most commercial, professional and gaming settings for good reason. It's obvious that Macs succeed in their niche for good reason. Apple's need to survive with a small market share has led to some necessary innovations that don't hurt anyone unless you think that Mac users are victims whose life would be much more rewarding were they using a PC instead.

Except for those making their living from Mac-only or PC-only hardware, software, peripherals and/or service, it is completely pointless to care what kind of computer anyone uses.

[JohnnyMalaria]

God, I love my Les Paul

how do you like the new self-tuning les pauls? tried one out yet? i can't decide if i like'm or not.

God, I love Heinz Baked Beans...

prefer their ketchup and B&M's for my beans.

I like Martin guitars and Libby's Baked Beans (if I don't make them myself).

God, I love my HD-28 Martin - HD even!

[RLT69]

@thecoalman, Are you capable of reading?

Cyrax9 wrote: "This is kind of funny -- perhaps you should ask all of my friends running Windows why they've been transitioning to Macs in the past few years?"

thecoalman wrote: "Whom do you speak of?"

HE SAID HIS FRIENDS! Are you blind. I mean honestly if he was pissing in the wind I could understand but he stated that his friends who were running Windows were switching to Macs.

It isn't surprising that businesses do not do a whole sale switch. Most business have specialized applications that run only on Windows. If these applications were available on the Mac or Linux many businesses would switch. There is no love of Microsoft in the corporate world.

Most businesses are not upgrading to Vista. Vista is a nightmare - Office 2007 is worse. With Windows 7 on the horizon businesses will wait. Meanwhile Microsoft continues to push back the kill date for XP.

XP is not going away anytime soon.

[thecoalman]

@thecoalman, Are you capable of reading?

Cyrax9 wrote: "This is kind of funny -- perhaps you should ask all of my friends running Windows why they've been transitioning to Macs in the past few years?"

thecoalman wrote: "Whom do you speak of?"

HE SAID HIS FRIENDS! Are you blind. I mean honestly if he was pissing in the wind I could understand but he stated that his friends who were running Windows were switching to Macs.

Ahh come on now... are we to expect that by some fluke he has a pocket of friends all switching to the Mac platform? Highly unlikely.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Wish I had money to fart around with like you. I remember when Apple was at $16. Now it's $168.94. Looks like they are doing something right!

They sure are - overcharging for products knowing that there are enough drooling people out there to be taken in by it all.

Thankfully, I'm not into form over function. Except for a few exceptions. And computers ain't one of 'em.

[JohnnyMalaria]

@thecoalman, Are you capable of reading?

Cyrax9 wrote: "This is kind of funny -- perhaps you should ask all of my friends running Windows why they've been transitioning to Macs in the past few years?"

thecoalman wrote: "Whom do you speak of?"

HE SAID HIS FRIENDS! Are you blind. I mean honestly if he was pissing in the wind I could understand but he stated that his friends who were running Windows were switching to Macs.

Ahh come on now... are we to expect that by some fluke he has a pocket of friends all switching to the Mac platform? Highly unlikely.

Well, it would shut him up

[MacDSL]

It's real and it's shiny.

[ffooky]

MacDSL you are really SCDVD taking the piss and I claim my $50.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Ah...the red penismobile

[MacDSL]

Yup, and i'll never apologize for having one..

[thecoalman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pxs-dWwxaE

[guns1inger]

Yup, and i'll never apologize for having one..

And neither you should. A man should never have to apologise for having a tiny penis and need to over-compensate for it.







So I am told

[iMacMan]

As with most (all ?) tech stocks, the share value bears little to no relationship the actual value of the company or it's product.

Then why is this?

Microsoft Corporation - $29.83

Apple Inc. - $169.73

Maybe it's because people actually invest in a company that makes great products? Last time I checked people don't invest money in a company that has a bad product unless they want to lose money? So you would invest in a company regardless of their products?