Moving to Mac: Why Now?
In my last post I gave you some background on my decision to move to Mac after 20 years using PCs. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, with three major areas of concern that I needed to address before I could feel comfortable considering the switch: support, software and usability.
Support
I’m a naturally inquisitive person; this is especially true when it comes to computers and technology. Over the course of my PC lifetime, I’ve been fine-tuning my knowledge, learning how to take advantage of everything that a PC can offer. While I thought it likely that some of this knowledge would be transferable to Mac it was a concern of mine that, as a new Mac user, I would be starting over from scratch. I’ve always been the support person; rarely have I needed one.
I wanted to make sure that I had a support system in case I needed it. Fortunately, my new employer has a team consisting almost entirely of Mac users, so I knew those folks were only a Skype call away. As I’ve started working more with other independent folks, the number of my colleagues who use Mac has also increased. With Twitter, Google and other resources also available, I felt confident that I could find answers to my questions.
Software
I started out by making a list of all the programs that I most rely on and made sure that there were either Mac versions available or suitable replacements. The fact that a lot of my work is done in my browser means that the software issue was much less of a barrier than it might have been in the past.
The software choices are overwhelming. Even in instances where there are cross-platform versions available, often times there are also Mac-specific options that I’ve never been able to evaluate. Finding the right software is going to be an ongoing process, but I needed to be sure that I had an viable option in each category from day one.
Usability
To persuade me that this could be resolved, I took advantage of the personal shopping experience that Apple offers and made an appointment to meet with an Apple Expert who could answer all my questions and address my concerns. I had a very specific list of topics I needed to address. I didn’t want a canned demo of how cool iPhoto is — I wanted to know how the touchpad works, how the menus work, and the differences between Ctrl and Cmd. I wanted to make sure that I could replicate all the processes that I was used to on the PC. Magali from my local Orland Square store did a wonderful job of answering all of my questions and demonstrating what I needed to see. She was also able to show me some of the benefits that the Mac platform could bring me when I described my workflow.
I’m still early in my transition, but following a clear and logical process of defining my requirements made me feel confident that I would have the support I need, access to all of the right tool, and the ability retrain myself to make the necessary adjustments. When it was time to really pull the trigger, I found that the Mac wasn’t nearly as scary a choice as it had been in the past.
What made it possible for you to switch? What is holding you back?
Photo by Flickr user sciondriver, licensed under CC
I love using my MacBook, although by now it is over 4 years old and it has a bunch of problems. It’s a first generation Intel MacBook, which means it has a 32-bit Core Duo, not a 64-bit Core Duo 2. As a result, there’s no Apple support for Java 6. The plastic has cracked in a few places.
But nonetheless, I love using my MacBook much more than I enjoy using my Linux and Windows desktops or (much worse) a Windows laptop.
Now that I’m considering getting a replacement, though, I really want to get a MacBook Pro, but I’m not sure if I can justify spending $1000 more to get a notebook with a weaker CPU. And the new MacBook Pro notebooks also have their problems: heat, problems switching GPUs, sharp edges.
sigh
But when it comes to pleasure of use, it’s hard to beat my MacBook. I can understand your move.
The sharp edges on the front really surprised and bugged me. I bought a shell case just to soften them.
thanks
sb
There’s actually a post somewhere by a guy who filed the edges off his. Ah, here it is: http://onemansblog.com/2010/03/11/video-rant-taking-the-sharp-edge-off-the-macbook-pro/filing-the-edge-off-a-macbook-pro/
Welcome to the world of speak-n’-spell-meets-etch-a-sketch computing. Make sure to get the lightest, most expensive version of the latest gear: it’s always great for starting fires.
Thanks ;-)
sb
Welcome to the world of Mac. I made the transition from Windows after being a developer for 25 years on the platform. You will be amazed at the difference in everything, hardware, software and quality. Incredible.
I have not had to reboot my Mac since I owned it! I would never consider going back to the world of Windows, ever! Unfortunately I still have to keep a Windows session available so I can modify and maintain previous projects, I use VMWare for that, works fantastic – better the Parallels IMO. There are some things that will frustrate you fr a time, at least until you get use to it.
Good luck and welcome to the world of a solid, truly user friendly computer – that just works!
I’ve had 3 crashes in under two weeks but generally find that things are working well.
Trying to find suitable software replacements still but I knew it was going to be an ongoing process.
I never really found my Windows PCs to not be solid or user friendly honestly – but am enjoying the change in scenery.
I’m curious as to what is crashing on you. I have a newer MacBook Pro and have never crashed (Other than bad flash/scripts in the web browser)
“I have not had to reboot my Mac since I owned it!”
Bullshit. OS X requires a reboot after updating Safari. At least try and make yourself sound vaguely believable.
y, I’ve had a couple of required reboots after updates as well.
sb
You do realize OS X doesn’t force you to update Safari, right? It’s completely plausible to go quite some time without rebooting.
It depends on how long he’s owned his Mac. I’ve gone over a hundred days on several occasions between reboots and could have gone longer if I hadn’t updated system software.
Wow/Neil:
Right. Just as you could with a Windows or Linux box.
And seriously, are you recommending that people don’t install updates?
I just recently made the same move. I went through the same process as you did. In addition, I made a few extra trips to my local Apple Store to ‘test’/'play’ with the Macs on display, just to get a very basic feel for things.
Now after making the switch and becoming a Mac person for the last 5 months, I’m kicking myself why I didn’t do this much earlier.
Good luck with your venture!
Yes – the time at the Apple store was crucial to just be sure that I thought I could get comfortable. I had tremendous concerns about the keyboard – especially when compared to the wonderful IBM keyboards that I’ve gotten used to.
The lack of end / home / and a distinction between delete and backspace has probably led to the most frustration.
thanks
sb
If your keyboard is USB, then just plug it into your Mac.
With Intel processors on board and the ability to easily run Windows apps if needed via Boot Camp or virtualization (Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion), moving to a Mac is a no-brainer. You’re giving nothing up but gaining a whole new computing platform. The only downside? A few hundred more bucks up front for the hardware. Negligible in the grand scheme of things.
My bet is, like most of us, once you move to Mac you’ll never look back.
Right now I’m looking back at Excel – and it’s mocking me ;-)
but otherwise I’m having fun with all of this.
thanks
sb
I was a Mac Fan and I switched to PC. My GF is still on Mac (Home + work).
When I see the situation at her work, the major issue with Mac environnement is :
- to find a company reliable enough and with a top notch expertise to manage your Mac infrastructure (soft/hard and system). Most companies seems to be “converted artists”.
- (depending of your business) you will still have to use VMWARE (slow) because some companies (Fortune 500) only support IE (web) or windows environnments (binaries) for their products (Asset management, banking, finance, insurance, etc.).
To be noticed:
- Apple glossy screens have to be avoided for work
- the hardware quality is not perfect
- the OS stability is no more an exclusive advantage compared to Windows.
Er. what? I’ve yet to run across a site that will not work in Firefox or Chrome. I don’t have to use VMware or any other Windows environment. If you DO have a requirement for something that only runs in Windows then you should consider whether Mac is the right OS for you – if you’re spending 90% of your time using that program, perhaps it isn’t. If you use it once a week for an hour, it may well be.
I’m not sure of your point about support – I don’t see a lot of need for actual support with Macs but this too will depends on specifics. For example if you need to us Exchange under Mac you’ll have issues that those of us who don’t will not. In general, though, I never shut my Mac down and have had a handful of kernel panics in 4 years (the Mac equivalent of the Windows BSOD). I sleep my Macbook and, as of this moment, it’s been 20 days, 18 hours since I rebooted. That’s typical. One thing I do like is that I don’t need to run virus scanners and malware scanners – for whatever reason there’s simply not those in the wild for Mac OS (they CAN be done, they just aren’t).
In short, the OS is a tool – If you require a specific tool, use that. If you don’t, I think the Mac is an excellent choice of OS.
Actually I was speaking about the situation of a small company (+10 employees): you need support for hardware/software/network/security/etc.
About the web: I am more speaking about a web access to some “partner” application/intranet. My GF is always complaining about the compatibility issues (Applets/javascripts/css). Safari/chrome is never supported. FF is ok but buggy. IE is 100% supported.
I agree – as a small business it’s much easier to find folks who can support your PC environment, at least in my experience.
Scott, your readers will be happy to offer suggestions for some of those obscure-but-insanely-great applications that may suit some of your more specialized needs. The myth of the Macintosh software deficit has never been less true…. the range and quality of software for the platform is astounding. I practically live at VersionTracker.com (which also has Windows and other software listings).
I’m hoping to get suggestions from everyone once I dig in to the actual review articles (coming soon – I promise)
The only app that I can’t really find a decent number of choices for is music management.
sb
I myself just switched (yesterday!) from PC to Mac after fourteen years as a PC user. My husband has always been a Mac guy and had been talking to me about it for YEARS. My concerns were (at that time) there wasn’t a version of ACT on the Mac, and that I would have to invest in a Mac version of Quickbooks.
Well my ACT died and I went to Outlook, (which I can get for Mac if I have to), and I began producing and editing more video for my business, so I finally switched to Mac. (iMovie is amazing!) So far so good. I’m sure I’ll spend the next year really settling into the interface — the learning curve feels substantial in some ways (like no delete key!) but in time I’m sure I’ll figure out all the little things that Mac users are so smug about. ;-)
folks here make the point that there is a delete key – it just doesn’t work like we think it is supposed to.
Semantics for sure – but it’s just something we have to get used to I guess.
I haven’t even opened iMovie or iPhoto yet – maybe someday.
thanks
sb
I don’t notice the “sharp edges” everyone keeps mentioning (this isn’t the first place I’ve read that) but maybe I have thick skin. :)
Anyway, I’ve used both PC and Mac desktops and laptops over the years depending on the work environment I was in and I’ve never been happier than with my Mac Book Pro. This is my second actually and since my wife and I were in a small apartment when I bought my first, it was a desktop replacement and I stuck with the MBP for my 2-3 yearly “upgrade”.
My only complaint is I went from a 15″ to a 17″ and even with the aluminum construction, it is still fairly heavy. Not as heavy as some laptops out there of course but heavy enough that lugging it around when I’m running around all day gets tiring. Since I mostly am doing web-based work currently am getting an iPad for daily use when out of the house (I work from home) but will still have the MBP for “heavy-duty” work, client demos and games.
I think the edges depend on how you sit and hold the machine. I noticed them the first day – not really sharp like a razor but a bit of rounding on that front edge would make me a lot more comfortable.
I can’t really speak for the weight of the others but I’m perfectly happy with the 13 in both size and weight. I was shopping the same size in the PC as well.
thanks
sb
Scott – I’m still curious as to WHY you switched. I’m a Mac fan, but given the positive reception Windows 7 has gotten I’m surprised you didn’t simply grab a new laptop with that loaded.
BTW, you mention elsewhere you’ve seen three crashes. If you mean kernel panics, you should NOT be seeing that. If you are, take the thing back to the Apple store and make them run a hardware test. The one time I got kernel panics was when I added new RAM… it was bad and caused them. Crucial replaced the memory and they went away. In any event, kernel panics should be VERY rare, especially on a new machine so if you’re seeing them, something’s wrong.
Thanks Rick,
Yes, I seem to have not been as clear on that as I had hoped. Essentially, all of the barriers that have been keeping me from trying a Mac have been lessened to the point where I felt comfortable that I could still be productive.
Really – it wasn’t a question of why – but really more of why not?
The crashes weren’t total – one was an endless beachball (or pizza, or pinwheel – or whatever) and the other 2 seemed to be just Finder. I hadn’t considered a hardware issue though – thanks for the tip.
sb
Did you use “Force Quit” to get rid of the offending beach ball?
Hi Neil,
None of the force quit options I tried would work, I had to hard cycle the power down and restart.
sb
Most of us call it: SBOD, aka the Spinning Beachball of Death.
For me the move is not yet to be made. The pricing still keeps me away from it. I just bought an HP Pavilion with 560 USD. A MacBook that would do the same thing (with same specs) would cost me almost 4 times more. I cannot yet afford to pay this much for it, especially since my new laptop is doing its job perfectly.
Anyway, since you were fortunate to afford the change, enjoy the “toy”. May it work flawlessly and bring you a lot of money :)
I always love the I can get the same computer for 4 times cheaper love to know where this mythical stock is. Example here in australia latest Dell about as cheap as a brand as you can get the prices for the equivalent 13 inch are about the same the dell gets you a creaky plastic body, little software win 7 is very skimpy on software compared to the al 13 inch apple system. Once you start adding the options to bring the dell up to the specs of the mac the price difference is minimal.
The current iMac 27in i5 and i7 are brilliant high power and amazing screen and value for money.
Thanks for the comments. Yes, the Mac does come at a higher price point. By the time I specced out the ThinkPad I wanted though it was closer than I had thought it was going to be.
Honestly, it is a bit of a toy – I opted for it over the Red Corvette though so comparatively it’s not that bad.
sb
Once you start looking into the software options, it does get overwhelming. It seems like every day I stumble across a Mac-only app.
Great advice for someone looking to switch. Really liked how you broke the thinking process down and made an educated decision.
Looking forward to reading more about it!
I have been using both Mac & PC for almost 20 years as a writer, designer and information architect.
Apart from maybe video edition, music production and iPhone development is no longer see any reason to own a Mac.
I prefer reading / working on the PC, because the ClearType anti-aliasing is far better what the Macs has to offer.
Otherwise Photoshop is simply Photoshop, Word is Word etc.
I love the new unibody MacBook Pros – the best Windows 7 notebooks I ever owned! ;-)
I haven’t loaded Win 7 on it yet but I imagine I will eventually – just because I can.
I’m finding the display to be just wonderful but I imagine it is more with the resolution and it just being so bright and clear compared to the dull mess my laptop had become.
thanks for the comment,
sb
On the Ctrl vs Cmd thing, and why they were switched, this should be sensical to a Unix guy such as yourself….
Ctrl x, c, v, z, etc are real characters, in a terminal they denote a different ASCII value. They have purposes. When the Mac came out, they were still heavily used, and macs and other computers were being used with terminal emulators to connect to enterprise mainframes (remember WRQ?). Apple chose to not step on these characters when designing their OS, and chose a modifier key that changed their behavior – not one that changed the actual character!!!
I guess MSFT already used ALT for other purposes, but for whatever reason they opted to use the Ctrl keys (initially, MSFT did not use those characters for cut copy, paste, etc. but instead had weird things like “Shift-Ins”, etc – and they were inconsistent between apps). When the Command shortcuts (back then, Apple shortcuts due to the Apple symbol) became so widespread, MSFT decided to adopt them for Windows. Lacking a new key on the keyboard, they adopted the Ctrl key. Unfortunately, that made it difficult for terminal emulation products, but that I guess was not important to them by then, and terminal emulators often did not support things like copy and paste anyway so it did not matter.
So was that Newline character or New file/folder? If you ask me, choosing a modifier like Cmd and not something like Ctrl (which to me is no different than a Shift key – it actually changes the character) was the right thing to do.
Thanks – that does make perfect sense. I still need to retrain these old fingers though ;-)
sb
I believe you can go into the control panel/keyboard preference pane and change the modifier key from cmd to ctr if you so desire. That should change it system wide.
The Apple key, that “Command” key, with the “clover leaf” pattern printed on it, precedes the Mac and was on the Apple II. If you look at a Mac keyboard, sometimes the “Command” key has an outlined apple (open-apple) also printed on it. The Apple II had an open-apple and a closed-apple key, but in pre-graphical days these were somewhat less powerful keys.
And interestingly, the two Apple keys on the Apple //s were connected to that game controller, and as indicated, were modifier keys and not keys that changed the character delivered (like shift and control do). I know they modify keys as well in reality, but there is something about the way control and shift modify that is unique.
@Angry Zebra, I don’t think he wants to use the different key on the keyboard – as in, I think he still wants to use control as a control key and command as a command key – he’s just saying he has to get used to using the command key for the specific modifiers he had in mind.
I switched to an MBP about 6 months ago. I have to say I’m not that impressed.
(Hate the sharp edges on the front edge too.)
I use macs at home – and they are great for what I do at home – video, photos, browsing, etc.
Thought it would be awesome for work too – but have been disappointed.
The crux of the problem is the Microsoft Office applications that are all MUCH better in windows than on the mac. I could probably live with these – but using Entourage rather that Outlook is just painful. I have tried the Mac Equivalent (Numbers, Pages, Keynote, etc) and find them very frustrating compared to Excel, Word, etc. Also – I am in a windows-centric environment – so interoperability is an issue. And these documents don’t just go across platforms in a seamless way – even PDF docs don’t look the same on mac and windows in many cases.
So I am running windows all the time on the mac so I can use Outlook and Excel which kind of defeats the point of having a mac!
Also, over the last couple of years I think Apple’s OS has become less stable – and could they have a few more software updates?? Seems like there are multiple software updates every week. (I don’t feel like it is much more stable than windows at this point.)
OK, Rant off.
Summary – I expected the MBP to change my life and it just made it more complicated. Oh well, one can dream.
TO’B
“Seems like there are multiple software updates every week.”
Huh?? Yes there are updates of various software components, particularly the software you don’t get on Windows, like the iPhoto app or Garageband, but the core OS? Multiple updates of the core OS per week?? It’s more like every three to six months. Snow Leopard is up to 10.6.3. That’s three updates. Apple has been sending 10.6.4 to developers, so far three iterations of that with still no sign of consumer release. I don’t think you understand the Apple software version numbering system and you need to bone up on that.
“The crux of the problem is the Microsoft Office applications that are all MUCH better in windows than on the mac.”
That’s a Microsoft problem, isn’t it, not a Mac problem? Just because MS and Adobe treat Apple badly isn’t Apple’s problem. MS and Adobe have long not followed normal developer guidelines, not used Cocoa development until the last minute, menu layouts that come out of left field, poor integration with core OS API hooks and porting Windows code to Mac. Complain to the right party, let them known you use a Mac and don’t enjoy being treated as a second class citizen.
I held off purchasing a MacBook, also for a couple of years. Then I started to shop the Apple stores asking questions each time I went in to look around. I finally made the decision to buy my first MacBook when I realized I could have my cake and eat it too. By that I mean that when I learned I could partition my hard drive and have Windows XP on one side and Mac on the other I decided it was time to buy. I can go back a forth to either by using Mac’s Bootcamp program. I can still do the things I like about Windows and still learn and become user friendly with the Mac side.
It’s not as scary when you can still go back to applications the features that either Mac does provide or that you just did not want to give up.
Since I only do mostly web browsing, Macs are way too expensive for that. I got a used XP machine 3 years ago for $300 and got a new netbook a year and half ago for about the same price- no problems, works for me.
Thanks Tim – absolutely it’s critical to use what works for you. Choice is a wonderful thing. I certainly hope I am not coming across as evangelical – I am trying to make this an objective examination of the experience.
sb
I have this weird feeling when people say they choose Mac or PCs, but isn’t an Apple computer a Personal Computer? If not, what is it? A supercomputer? A server? A network device?
Thanks John – I used to make that same distinction but at this point it seems that everyone is comfortable with the naming even if not technically accurate.
sb
“but isn’t an Apple computer a Personal Computer”
Yes that is exactly the point, A computer so personal that we actually like it and don’t feel trapped by doom, whether coming from the web, the hardware box or the OS, a computer we rarely if ever have to swear at.
It is like driving a Lexus (Mac) vs driving a Chevy (Windows). If you have to drive all day, which would you choose?
Thanks John – I don’t see it that way at all actually but I appreciate the comment.
sb
Actually it’s like driving a sports car which operates well but only within strict parameters (i.e. on a highway with nice smooth tarmac) or a proper SUV (not the toy ones) which can take you anywhere and over anything.
And since you can buy extremely powerful SUVs that are bigger, faster and more powerful than most sports cars then it really comes down to what brand you buy doesn’t it?
That doesn’t really answer the question “why”, it answers the question “how”. You didn’t address the reasons you chose a Mac over a PC.
Good Point Chuck – these were the barriers that have kept me from considering the choice in the past.
This may sound odd but honestly the choice came down ultimately not to why – but why not? I saw it as an opportunity to try something new and learn new skills. Some folks learn a new language or take a new hobby. For me, I see this as a comparable move.
sb
I probably have more Mac experience than any of my Mac-owning friends – I’ve worked with Macs from time to time (and once taught a course in how to use Macs) since 1993. I admire the Apple design vision (and the OSX kernel), but frankly, the user interface pisses me off. I dislike being told that something can only be done one way. I dislike being locked in. And I really dislike that Apple never says “We won’t/can’t do that” just “This solution IS best for you”.
The Mac experience, for me, is shelling out at least double the amount of money for the hardware, and then being told that I’m wrong when I want to do something that isn’t allowed by Apple’s design. No, Windows does not always do things the way I want to, but at least it doesn’t pat me on the head. =)
Thanks for the comments. My struggle w/ Apple’s vision is something that I need a bit more time to work through.
My own feelings about them as an entity and as a company were certainly something I considered though.
sb
100% agree. I drool at the sight of Apple hardware as much as the next guy. I appreciate their great ability to intersect technology and design… but dammit if the feel of the OS doesn’t just piss me off. I’ve noticed most mac users tend to have a particular behavior when using an OS – it has to do with how they navigate, use windows, etc… And I think OS X really caters a particular kind of use and it’s great that people who like to work a certain way have an OS that caters to their needs. I just happen to find Windows does a great job catering to my needs.
This is why i get so pissed every time people start ranting about which is better, Mac or PC, and invariably someone will say “OS X is so much more intuitive and easy to use” Well, sure… for YOU. Then someone says “No, windows is so much easier and intuitive” and again, it’s like, sure, for YOU. They are two different interface experiences and people are entitled to their preferences. Just stop being so arrogant!
By biggest problem is an addiction to the ThinkPad’s nubby-mouse. :)
I thought I was the only one who used a TrackPoint. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it but that was a huge factor I needed to overcome.
I’m finding though that they are becoming a bit of a rarity though so had somewhat reconciled that it was likely that a new machine would be without one – that opened up the possibility list a lot as well.
I agree 100% with your take on the debate. For me this seemed like the right time to actually see which one does work best for me. Is it Mac? I dunno yet – ask me in a year and I’ll let you know.
thanks
sb
OK we don’t now of any specifics of your complaint but, having used Macs since 1995, I know that there are multiple options to approach almost any usage scenario. I will try to point some out, here:
Application and file access options:
Click on the Dock (an the Dock can be easily configured to contain any application, folder or file you like). Intuitive, explicit and direct. Hint: you can drag your Applications and Documents folders to the right side of the Dock for pop-up access. Right-clicking (or Control-click… or two-finger-click) will bring up behaviour options.
Dbl-click the hard drive and dbl-click down into sub-folders (the slowest and most typical approach)
Pollute your Desktop with application aliases.
Launch an app, then open a file (pointless, as opening a file launches the appropriate app — but some or even many people still trudge along like this)
Spotlight (hit the command+spacebar to drop down the Spotlight search field, type the first few letters of the desired item’s name or content therein, hit the Enter key to launch the top hit or cursor-arrow down to your desired hit — so no mousing involved at all)
Access items off a Finder window’s (again, user configurable like the Dock) sidebar of items
So, that’s six different ways to access items, the best IMO being a tweaked Dock and Spotlight.
Another scenario: open window management. Frankly, I’m not going to go through all the options for this and just cite the best one, period: EXPOSE! It is without doubt the best window management interface there is — way better than Windows Flip and WAY better than the ridiculous, LINEAR “Rolodex” that is Flip 3D (looks cool though, don’t it?). The ability to drag and drop between windows using Expose is a powerful enhancement to one’s workflow — and Windows Flip can’t do that (the first thing I tested when Vista came out because I knew MS would miss it).
Also, how the Mac portable’s trackpad allows you to invoke Expose’s various modes is incredibly fast for the user. Check out the sample videos for each type of trackpad gesture in OS X’s Trackpad system preference.
By the way, in file open/save dialog and print command windows you will see a blue button with a black triangle. If this window appears too simplistic, click this button and a more flexible interface (or more print command options) will appear.
Also, bear in mind that, beside almost every menu command there is a corresponding key command shown (like WIndows does)
Scott, page navigation (lack of dedicated Home, End keys etc.) can all be done using variations of Command, Option, Control keys plus cursor arrows. Add the shift key to turn any navigation moves into data selection.
And then, because OS X runs on UNIX, there is also the command Terminal.
Scott, I have been lurking your blog on the move you made but might offer more suggestions if they arise… but I HAD TO make a rebuttal to the notion posted by some that Apple MAKES you do things “their way”. That’s a very broad and inaccurate generalization that needed correction.
Awesome Bob – That’s the sort of specific info I need. I know all of this must be possible – it’s just learning it all, hopefully without skipping too much of a beat in productivity during the process.
sb
On the Mac, there are often (usually?) at least three ways to do something. I use the keyboard for most-frequently-performed operations. If you don’t like the default key combinations, you can change them.
On my MacBook: command up-arrow for home, command down-arrow for end. Also, I set the Appearance preference pane:Click in the scroll bar to “Jump to here,” which accomplishes the same thing, depending on where I click. Spacebar in a browser window takes you down a page at a time (add shift and it goes in reverse), as does option down-arrow. As Bob said, check out the command, control, option keys as arrow modifiers. Check out all the preference panes and application preferences.
Command-tab cycles between open apps; command-tilde cycles between open windows in the front app. (Add shift to go in reverse.)
Delete key deletes backward; fn plus delete key deletes forward. Backspace is left arrow.
If you hold down the shift key while performing Expose, you can see it happen in slow motion.
I use Spotlight as an app launcher and to use the Dictionary (which you can set to include Wikipedia): type in a word, down-arrow to Dictionary, hit return, and it opens on that word.
Once you’ve configured things, you shouldn’t need much IT support.
“useability”
???????????
how hard is it to find the little icon for your web browser and click it?
even apple is destaffing their desktop os teams…because no one cares about the desktop and there isn’t anything left to roll out but performance and security updates (i.e. snow leopard)
Even with the number of web apps that I use there is still plenty of work being done with the OS and via the keyboard. The interface is markedly different beyond just the scope of the browser.
thanks
sb
I made the switch a few years back. I discovered that my work flow first was real slow because I couldn’t figure out all the keyboard shortcuts. It was after a few weeks that I started working really fast again. I think the learning curve coming from Windows takes a bit but now it is much faster. I really like Quicksilver to gain access to apps faster then using finder.
I’m getting the hang of the keyboard shortcuts – I try to learn a new one each day and that seems to work for me.
thanks
sb
I’ve compiled a list of the best of the best (IMHO) Mac software (along with keywords and proper descriptions) here: http://delicious.com/nikachu/software+mac – this should help any new switcher. Just make sure you add LaunchBar, PathFinder, DragThing and MailPlane, and you’ll wonder how you ever worked without them!
It all comes down to personal choice although, frankly, there’s a fair chance you’ll switch back.
I bought a late 2008 unibody Macbook in early 2009. It’s a nice piece of kit and if you can stand the transition away from software that’s familiar to you then fine. Trouble is you’re probably going to run into situations where there isn’t an alternative to the program you want or if there is it simply isn’t as good or as supported. Which is kind of what happened to me.
Of course, you could run Windows as a dual boot or a VM but then you’re really just disguising the fact that you made a poor choice of tool for the job because, unless you’re doing a lot of OS dependent cross platform developing, an operating system is there to act as a platform for applications and if you have to run an entirely different OS to do this on a regular basis then, to paraphrase Steve, you blew it.
So my Macbook now runs Windows 7 because, frankly, it’s a better choice for me. I still love the hardware though even if I’m lucky to get 2.5 hours charge out the battery thanks to Apple’s woeful power management for Windows.
Bottom line is caveat emptor. Despite what the faithful would tell you it isn’t any better.
Better would be great but I’ll live for the same. It’s an adventure.
Hopefully not worse – but hopefully my preparations will have prevented that.
Thanks
sb
Scott – enjoying the series, and reading all of the comments, so far. Bought a 15″ Macbook Pro once they updated with the Core i7. Every time I configured a Dell the way I liked, it was close to the same as the Macbook, so also wanted to see what the fuss is about. So far, not thrilled with OS X, it’s different, but that’s about it. I’m running Windows 7 via Boot Camp because I was used to dual external displays, and the DisplayLink adapters I bought that are working for other Mac users aren’t working for me in OS X. They work perfectly in Windows 7. If I could get that working I might make more of an effort to run OS X. I was impressed that OS X easily found and installed my printers that always seem to be a challenge for Windows. The sharp front edge is very annoying though – will have to look into the shell for it. Could be good for work, too, to disguise that glowing apple on the lid.
Andy – thanks for following along. I am loving all the comments – this has been tremendous.
I opted for the Speck SeeThru for the case. It does round the edges a little bit on that front – at least until the plastic gets ragged. It doesn’t completely hide the apple – but it mutes it quite a bit. And makes the machine look much more like my old IBM.
I hadn’t thought about dual externals. Actually I had forgotten about my single external and am still waiting for my adapter to get that thing connected.
I’m really hard pressed when people ask me if I like it better – for one it’s been less than two weeks so I’ve got a lot of adjusting to do before I think I can make a real evaluation.
Seeing what the fuss was about is a great way to explain why I did this. I know it’s sort of silly but my natural curiosity got the best of me once I could get past the objections that have kept me away for so long.
sb
I switched about 4 years ago, having watched what my kids were doing. I took my son’s MacBook to the office while he was in school, and sure enough, it made sense.
Welcome to the other side:)
Thanks Alan. I’ve heard enough dark side jokes, love “Other Side”
sb
I am a graphic designer that started on a PC in 1991 as head of a small design group. I became aware that most graphic work was done on a Mac and in 1995 I started moonlighting at a place with PCs and Macs. Before three months where up I didn’t know why anyone used a PC. Just after Win 95 took off I took off for the Mac. I was going the opposite direction of every one else.
As I continually worked as the lead of smallish design teams through 2000, I supported Macs and PC every day for years. So every day I got to see how much worse PCs were when you really worked them hard. For the kind of hardware needed for graphic work PCs didn’t even offer a cost savings and often cost more.
In the offices of some of the companies I worked at PCs made some sense. If you were only doing the same light office work over and over you could buy cheap PCs and get them to work fairly reliably.
Well I was a big Windows and Linux fans for more than 10 years. I have both Macs and PCs with loaded Windows 7. I found those were great machines.
I am not a designer, and just using iMovie and iPhoto to encode demo of my products.
And, I am not a designer, artist, I can’t even use Photoshop right. :D I am a programmer, not a web one but a more hardcore-near-the-metal one. Yap, I am embedded system developers and my target system is Linux.
The real joy of using Macs is that, it is POSIX compliant, so it’s easier when you work on similar system rather than forcing windows to cross-compile your Linux Kernel. And much of the GNU software runs flawlessly on Mac except my cross-toolchain that I used to compile embedded linux kernel that I must do a little patch on them to work on Macs.
And, I use TextMate to code Linux Kernel Extensions and Modules.
That was all fun about macs used in embedded device.
When I first switched to Mac when starting my Virtual Assistant business over five years ago, I had the advantage of being surrounded by Mac users. My husband was always a Mac guy. The immediate transition was a bit different, but in a matter of weeks, it became instinct, for example, to use the Ctrl key + Click, instead of “right click”. A Mac is so thoughtfully and beautifully designed, that many things quickly become part of your instinct. As far as programs, these days there is a great Mac OS X program to rival most PC programs. I specialize in helping my clients switch from PC to MAC and so far not one of them has wanted to return to the PC world. Having a good support system and the right “how to” advice can make all the difference.
There’s only one reason to use a PC: Excel.
Err… you can get Excel for Mac.
There are lots of other reasons though.
I’ve lived in both worlds for 8 years. My desktop is a PC and my lap is a Mac. My main reasons for not switching completely (to mac) are:
I believe that generally you can find better (more functionalities and better UX) software for Mac than for PC (nowadays).
But I enjoy more working on my Mac, than I do working on my PC, OSX is just reliable no more BlueScreensOfDead. The awesome stuff is that you can get windows in your Mac too (with BootCamp), so if you ever need a quick fix you have your dual boot.
After 2.5 years of owning and loving my black Macbook, I finally gifted it last month to dad, with the thought that a company issue Compaq is better than torturing my poor Mac with huge BI tools like Alteryx.
The fact that I could easily sync my Symbian phone with my Windows Mobile phone was a big win.
And the fact that I don’t have to clean my dad’s system of viruses and temporary memory rubbish is another bonus.
Not much open source software support for non windows platform.
as long I am stuck with that, I am stuck with windows…
I’ve been a Mac user since 1984 and a Windows user since 1998. For me the decision to use a particular OS (now that the hardware is equivalent)is based on the software required for the task.
When I was was strictly in web development, my PCs were used strictly for browser testing and small Access database projects. The rest of my development could use open source tools and programs like Dreamweaver and GoLive (when it was still German). Mac OS X appeared just when I needed it for this. I was able to explore many many things that just weren’t available for Mac OS 9. (System 6 was always my favorite.)
My current client for example uses an access database to feed an authorware stack. Now these tools wouldn’t have been my first choice, but turning down $15 million to develop content and Flash interactions for a legacy training system wasn’t something we as a company could pass on once we won the bid. That meant using Windows for Access. An while I have no passion for Windows, it was an easy choice since I could boot into Windows on my Macs and remain there as long as necessary.
I find Windows 7 to be the best work MS has done to date. When I’m asked for advice by people on a budget I almost always recommend a Windows 7 laptop. It is, quite simply, good enough. Add to that the stellar support for gaming and many are happy.
But if the persons resource’s aren’t the issue, the extra cash to buy a machine is well spent on a Mac. They can run Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X often at the same time. Like you I’m curious about other ways of doing things and the Mac satisfies that.
Good luck!
I was a mac user by choice at home and a PC user at work for about 20 years. Then a few years ago it hit me. I enjoy using PCs more. Sometimes I think that my staunch left-braindedness is the reason.
I don’t care about the open/closed politics of Mac vs PC, I don’t care about the price premium of apple products (I love my iPod). I acknowledge that OS X is more elegant, thoughtful, and visually appealing than any modern flavor of windows. However I find that those advantages distract me from getting my tasks done, and that’s what’s most important.
I am finding the experience quite distracting but am hoping that once I settle in to a more regular routine and establish a new process that will subside.
Thanks for the comment
sb
I use both Windows 7 systems and Macs– not quite 50/50 but close. Both environments are great for working, but I will say that I never have to think about system maintenance on the Macs. Windows still requires a lot of maintenance and occasionally that maintenance gets in my way when I need to get something done.
I’ve been contemplating on getting a Mac for around 3 years now. Initially, the price was my concern. But since Mac came out with more affordable versions and friends who are Mac users have explained to me how they got their money’s worth with their Macs because it doesn’t conk out that often and you can use it for a long time, I’ve been convinced that it’s a practical decision to get a Mac.
However, just when I’ve decided to go for a Mac, a friend would discourage me by saying that it would be difficult to exchange documents with people who are not Mac users.
Is this concern true? Are document formats affected when you send/receive docs from non-Mac users?
No.
I switched from the Mac to Windows in 1997 solely because of exchange issues.
I switched back to the Mac in 2005 and have never had a file exchange issue.
“it doesn’t conk out that often and you can use it for a long time”
This is the biggest myth about Macs. They last just as long as PCs (assuming you don’t buy a piece of crap). We have two Macs in the office that were bought 5 years ago that are on their death bed. Not just slow but barely work.
The other thing people seem to forget, too, is that technology advances pretty quickly in five years so if you want this next computer you’re going to buy to last longer than that it’s going to be a dinosaur (unless you can upgrade, which is a lot easier on a PC).
I hardly gave a thought to the cross OS doc formatting. I don’t think that’s been a real issue for the casual / general office user for a while. Obviously there may be application specific exceptions but I think generally that shouldn’t be a huge concern.
sb
I switched years ago, but I’ve recently gone back to Windows. The reason I originally switched to Mac is because I’d heard that Mac OS was more stable and that Macs were just made better. Three hard drive failures, a dead logic board (just out of warranty, of course), and a whole series of mechanical problems (hinges and so forth) later, I decided I was getting more done with less problems on my Windows machines. Plus, I really missed some of my Windows apps. So I bought a VAIO running the 64 bit version of Windows 7. Love the computer, love the OS, and I’m glad to be back. Macs are pretty, but my experience (after owning four of them) was that they’re not very dependable.
And now comes the inevitable deluge of: “It must have been something you did, because Macs are perfect” responses from the Mac-heads. Flame on…
Macs aren’t perfect, but they make mistakes slightly less often that Windows fails to. That’s just my experience, and the experience of past employers, and of clients whom I support, pretty consistently, but hey.
What I started out to say was “This isn’t the ’70s. Computers are commodity items now. Use what works for you, but don’t develop an emotional attachment to it… down that path lies Stockholm Syndrome.”
In fairness, I do fire up XP 3 or 4 times a week… safely snapshotted and sandboxed in a VM on my Macs. (VMWare Fusion is ‘dead-finger technology’ for those of us doing software/Web development and testing.) I like a lot of what I see in Win7, and recognise its lineage; had they shipped what is now 7 as Vista, or better yet, XP Service Pack 4, a lot of Switchers might well never have left the Collective. But I can count the number of same whom I know that have gone back on one hand, with fingers (plural) left over.
Products generally have to earn customer loyalty. Apple, far more than its competitors, have.
The equivalent of the Home key – hold down the fn key and press the left arrow. End key is replicated if you hold down the fn key and press the right arrow key.
Hope that helps!
My wifes Laptop just went nutz and we are thinking for at least the x-th time about switching to an Apple MacBook but once again, as I am a web developer and need to work with some expensive software like the whole Adobe range, video editors office packages and the lot, I am still very reluctant just because of the expense of it.. Our german Media Markt features a powerful Acer Laptop for 699€ while the MacBook would be 999€ plus the extra software! Everybody I know who made the switch tells me they do not regret it, and my wife now wants to change too, but I am still not convinced! Maybe when she comes around and I can play with the beasty, I see the “Light”. Lol. WHat is worse, I even have some friends working for Apple in Sales that offer private Mac courses for starters, but I still cannot make the switch in my head. Maybe I am also repulsed by beeing one of the “cool” guys with a MacBook? I do not know, but just maybe, I do not want to lose the ability to play the stack of games that I had installed but never played once out of lack of time? Well, I have a PS3 after all, so why do I still really bother???