Posted on August 14, 2008
PC to Mac - Does Anyone Look Back?
BY JASON CORMIER
Last week, my wife conspired with my business partner to crush my Verizon phone, literally. Her text messages weren't getting through to me. Before long, James had my phone in one hand and a hammer in the other.
The new iphone was its replacement, happening the same week of giving my Dell to Stepan as part of forcing my use of the new MacBook Pro that had been sitting on my desk unopened for two weeks. BTW, Stepan has his own MacBook Pro, and is only keeping the Dell until somebody here needs a better PC.
Supposedly, I have been thrust into "the brave new world." Each day is getting easier, but there is still pain (enough for me to blog about it here). I'd like to think I'm somebody who embraces change. But as I look at this ultra small type on my new higher screen resolution, and consider how my old cell reception in my house was better than I have now -- I'm not so sure.
I can't help but wonder if anyone who converts from PC to Mac looks back... or more importantly, actually goes back. All comments graciously welcomed.
I switched from Windows abuout 3 years ago and I would never "go back" to Microsoft... but I'm getting pretty sick of Apple, too... it's becoming just like Microsoft, or worse in some ways.
I think Apple has jumped the shark since it released the iPhone and Leopard last year - and started to morph into a music and movie provider. iTunes is pure corporate evil - makes Internet Exporder look tame - iPhone is symbolic of conspirational lock-in - locked into AT&T, locked into iTunes, locked into DRM and proprietary formats. Thousands of hackers must hustle around the clock to make iPhones and AppleTV's fully functional.
Apple is becoming "evil" - a shiner, hipper, greedier Microsoft.
I'm looking to go forward to a open-source operating system that doesn't have all the proprietary shackles and lock-in engineer. It's not ready quite yet, but I will jump ship the moment there is a viable Apple alternative.
Wow, I appreciate the comments. It is interesting to consider where Apple is right now in terms of being evil. Microsoft has definitely picked up on this vibe, counting on companies like Crispin Porter to help them convey that they are not the bad guys anymore. And yes, iTunes is one helluva locked in system.
I haven't gotten an iphone yet, but HiveLive has many ardent Mac supporters and is moving Sales and Marketing to the MacBook Pro. I was one of the early adopters. After 20 years on a Windows machine, it's been a little challenging. The things the Mac excels at aren't wildly important to me, but all the little things I've had to re-learn have been a pain. We also fight application compatibility battles daily, particularly PowerPoint and Keynote. Time will tell how this shakes out ...
Tracey, I was talking about your comment with James and we were agreeing about one of the main challenges relating to half the company being on a mac while the other half is on a pc. I have been doing my powerpoints on a mac, then emailing to Wendy who has a pc. I do this to make sure everything opens and looks right on her machine -- since it is closer to what most of our clients and prospects will see. In the meantime, James is saying, "dude, we can be collaborating with Keynote now. What the hell are you doing?"
I've been very tempted to get an iPhone, especially now that the 3G version is out but after playing around with one at my local Mac store and comparing it to my HTC TyTN running Windows Mobile I just couldn't justify making the move to what is in my view a jumped-up (albeit sexy) media player.
I have already say "good bye" to Windows a long time ago because I hate those dlls which can be hacked easily to destroy all your windows. Windows can't be compared with MAC.
Since the say I have switched to MAC, I even can't think about to use Windows System. I think Windows is a cheap thing for novice so that was not my choice since very first day. Anyhow MAC is an OS for the world who has tech savvies as their inhabitants.
I took the leap 5 months ago and switched to an IPhone and was not sure what to expect, but now, I can't imagine ever going back to Verizon. At the same time, I was considering getting an Apple MAC, as well, but friends who have them talked me out of it. I am still hesitant about getting a MAC. Keep us posted on how it goes, Jason.