I can just as easily use Windows for most the stuff I do. As an editor I work mostly in a word processor, web browser, and email client. Sure, I can do all that on Windows or via web apps, and both do a reasonable job at those tasks, but it just isn’t the same as doing it on a Mac, where I have grown acquainted to just about every nuance, quirk, and cool feature that the OS offers.

For my part, I wouldn’t dream of switching to Windows having finally found the OS that delivers the promise of Unix goodness with a decent UI. I still frequently rejoice at the flexibility it gives me and I am utterly bemused why this Mike chap is throwing the baby out with the bath water: you don’t like Mail and iPhoto etc … great, don’t use ‘em!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve my share of gripes with Apple. However, I constantly weigh and balance those and for now it keeps coming down on the Apple side. Reading Mike’s post, he didn’t express one single issue which would make Windows the better choice, only what would make other apps that run on OS X anyway better for him … it’s heavily laden melodramatic overreaction imo.

I would include all those excellent Mac OS qualities you list under the “elegance” canopy collectively.

Michael Logue, I agree with you too. Speaking as one who has only had home/office access to broadband for three months after 12 years on slow (26,400 bps on good days) dialup. I empathize, and your points are well-taken.

CM

Ultimately the cloud makes sense, even if you are a self-professed geek. A well managed enterprise IT infrastructure will always run rings around a home setup in terms of speed, reliability and security – not to mention costing less!

A good Cloud provider allows allows you to adopt a hybrid approach – I can use the Apple Mail client in 10.6 instead / alongside Outlook 2007 if I wish – giving me all of the benefits of the Cloud model of computing + choice of desktop applications, desktop OS and the ability to work offline (if in a limited fashion).

I use OS X because it helps me to be more productive for day to day activities than I am with any version of any other operating system (including Windows 7).

Using Windows, often it is a struggle to do a basic job that is easy in OS X.

For example:

o Move/Copy files with Drag and Drop that works consistently esp with Spring Loaded folders
o Quick access to files and applications (Stacks – no equivalent in Windows)
o Quicklook – saving enormous time with emailed attachements (especially)
o Automator – making it easy to automate repetitive tasks
o Services – So powerful and easy to share data between apps
o Built in, flexible, search tools (W7 search is terrible in comparison to Command-F in the Finder!).
o Mail/iCal thrash Outlook
o One version of the OS that does everything I need including built in Active Directory and Exchange Support (my Mac works anywhere).
o UNIX security no need to run CPU intensive anti virus etc.

Windows 7 is pretty at some levels, has gained part of the Dock functionality, and has an interesting feature in the form of “Libraries”.

Google stuff is useful, portable and accessible anywhere. However, without a network connection, you are stuffed. Functionality is limited.

For those who choose to live in the cloud, I merely mention the sidekick fiasco.

As an addenda I might ask, who has had not had a problem when gmail has gone down, or mobileme self destructs, or the cell phone towers are out, or a widespread power outage takes everything down. What about a serious earthquake in California which destroys acres of server farms. Or your data is stored in Bangladesh and a revolution breaks out. Or you happen to live or be in an area that offers only dialup. Yes there are such places, I live in one. Cloud computing has its advantages, but as an adjunct, not the whole solution.

A last word. You mean you would rather trust Google?

IMAP, CalDAV, BusySync, Address Book syncing with iPhone and Gmail… When I was reading that article by Doyle, I was wondering whether he has already heard about the possibility to use Google for searching information on the internet…

For me, it’s mainly about the whole OS X philosophy of the desktop. What if all apps I use were available for Windows? Wouldn’t even think about switching.