Will Windows 7 create more Mac users?
On December 8th, 2009 by Duane Jackson
The first thing I do when I first log in to Windows XP is right click the “Start” button go to Properties and set it to Classic mode. It’s what I like, it’s what I’m used to.
So when I recently had a play with Windows 7 it was the first thing I looked for. The option wasn’t there. And rightly so. The Microsoft guy I was talking to convinced me I need to embrace all the new changes and the new way of working with the operating system.
Considering I’ve clung on to a lot of the ways of doing things from Windows NT and ignored lots of the new stuff in XP, it’s quite a big change for me to adapt to Windows 7 what is fundamentally an entirely different OS.
So I’d decided I do indeed need to make a conscious effort to learn to use a new OS.
I ordered a lovely new Dell laptop with solid state drives and Windows 7. After numerous changes to the delivery date and unreturned phonecalls I’ve now given up and cancelled the order.
I asked on Twitter for recommendations for a similar laptop with solid state drives and got deluged with the usual “buy a mac!” responses.
I know lots of people who have moved over from PC to Macs and not regretted it. In fact, I’m not aware of anyone that has done it and regretted it. What has put me off in the past is the big change in how you work with the OS.
But as I’d already made the decision to make the step change from XP to Windows 7, the step straight from XP to the Mac OS looked less daunting than it had.
So I warned everyone in the office that I was going to Regent Street and when I got back I’d look much cooler as I would be a Mac user.
I returned an hour later, no cooler but slightly damper thanks to the great weather. The Mac store doesn’t have the Mac book Pro in store with solid state drives.
So I’m now going to order it online (although perhaps wait until January in case it saves a couple of quid).
I wonder if others, faced with a similar big change in their OS will also consider moving to a Mac?
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December 8th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Luddite!
December 8th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
The only advice I’ll give you is to buy a decent two button mouse.
Although, I have not used the new apple mouse with the touch sensitive surface, I found that I just couldn’t use the right click on the mighty mouse – lifting my left finger to right click just doesn’t work for me!
I love my logitech mx518 – you can program the thumb buttons for dashboard, spaces or exposé without any problems (installing drivers! whats all that about then!?!?)
Enjoy, and welcome! :-)
December 8th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Or, you do what I did with Vista which is buy a new laptop (a Dell actually), format the drive and install XP. Which is what I’ll be doing with my next laptop next month.
If I was braver I’d install Linux….
John Paterson
http://www.reallysimplesystems.com
December 9th, 2009 at 2:01 am
One of the best decisions you’ll ever make Duane!
I have personally known over 20 people who have switched over the years and not one has ever regretted it.
Once you get your Mac, these are some of the essential/useful apps you might want to look into, mostly free/cheap:
1Password (can’t live without it)
MarsEdit (if you blog)
OmniGraffle
Growl
VLC
MobileMe (Apple’s paid service, use for MaciPhone air sync!)
Things (especially when integrated with iPhone)
VMWare Fusion (if you need access to Windows)
iWork
TextMate
Transmit (if you use FTP at all)
ClickToFlash (plugin for Safari)
December 9th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Not personally. I suspect running Visual Studio is a bit of a mission on MacOS ;)
It all depends on what you want to do and what you’re comfortable using really.. though I am a bit curious to hear about how you get on as a newly inducted Mac User..!
December 10th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Nah, I’ve supported a number of MAC users, used the latest MAC OS and used Windows 7 since RC and can’t say I’ve any inclination to spend extra money on going for one, seems incredibly little benefit. Having said that, like yourself had always stuck to XP layout in Vista, but am very pleased they took it away for 7 as the XP layout and way of getting to things seems positively backward now.
I know plenty of people who have never made the change and never regretted it as well as people who have and also never regretted it. I think both OS’s are at the stage now where most users are happy with them… so why plump the actual cash.
Most home users, of course, can never really justify the extra cost of a MAC – they’re likely to do 3/4 things:
1. Web browse
2. Email
3. Upload photos
4. Watch videos/dvds
You don’t need a more expensive OS/Computer to do any of those.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’m a PC because I can’t afford a Mac.
No in all seriousness I suppose it comes down to the very simple choice of fashion v function. Unless Microsoft get more fashionable or Apple get more functional then this will always be the case.
January 27th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Hi
I have recently made the move from xp to osx. I also have experience with windows 7 and to be honest windows 7 is just as good if not better than osx. I dont regret getting a mac but will seriously consider boot camp or buying another pc. Though at the moment I am happy with my “cool” mac and my old reliable pc.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Once you Mac you don’t go back! or so I’m told.
I too would love to make the switch to the infinitely more elegant mac but current market forces dictate otherwise :)
I have however given in to the urge to indulge Apple and have embraced the iphone in all it’s glory. While this has brought me much joy it has also left me wanting more…
All in good time. To be fair it’s probably not the tool you use, its how you use the tool that counts!