Monday
Dec172007
I've Given Up Arguing with Windows Users Too!
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 4:02PM A nice article over on Apple Matters about the futility of arguing the case for Windows vs Mac.
I too have given up trying to argue the case on the reasons behind getting a Mac over a PC. I really don't force the issue, I just say:
- I enjoy using a computer again
- I don't worry too much about virus and malware attacks (without being too blase)
- I don't have any performance issues
- Mac software is plentiful, beautiful, well designed and incredibly inexpensive.
- There's no problems sharing files with Windows users.
- I can run Windows if I really want too (but don't)
The main barrier to most people I believe is now the price premium of getting a Mac i.e. there is no entry level machine at a bargain basement price.
Yes, I know there's the Mac mini but PC users still don't believe that such a small package can function as a really good desktop machine and it's still really not that cheap when you do a cursory comparison with a typical entry level machine from PC World. Yes, I know we're not comparing like for like but your average punter just sees a computer as a computer.
The second barrier to your average joe is still the low penetration of Macs and the relatively low number of people who have them. Many (most?) people still rely on friends or family to support them in the vent a machine goes wrong. If they're the only one they know with a Mac, who can they turn to? This will hopefully become less of an issue as the power users start to turn to the Mac and word starts to spread.
So should Apple introduce a cut down Mac to compete with the PC entry level machines....
No!
When people eventually realise the benefits of a Mac and the fact the price premium is really a case of getting what you pay for, they'll see that the difference is worth it and they might just find that they actually start enjoying using a computer again.
And yes, I too no longer support families and friends Windows machines - Been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. It feels great!
OK - If someone is really hurting I'll try to help, if only to remind myself just how better things are now that I'm out of that environment.
Reader Comments (5)
As an individual that just made the switch from PC to the Mac all I keep trying to figure out what took me so long.
I do enjoy using vmware on my mac which makes Windows run faster than I've ever seen it. And for my old legacy applications I can run win xp in a window and drag and drop files from my new mac world into my old pc world.
I agree, there is no reason to fight the pc users, just smile and nod knowingly because those that made the switch aren't going back.
Steve
I think the price thing is a factor. I have good friends about to buy their daughters their first laptop. They've seen my enthusiasm for the MacBook, but they can walk into PC World and get a basic windows lappy for under £400. When I tell them the MacBook starts at £700 its just too much of a leap.
[...] 17, 2007 · No Comments I’ve Given Up Arguing with Windows Users Too! at My OwnReality [...]
The price will always be a factor. When a family is not very reach, they understand very well they are getting what they are paying for, but all they really need is something basic.
Power users, as you name then, can make good use no matter what machine is in front of them. Used both Windows and Mac. Mac looks pretty, Windows doesn't, big deal. Both work well in good hands.
I thought about this and I just can't remember the last time I even faced this problem. Then I realised that I actually no longer have any Windows-using friends or family. They've all converted to Macs and a lot of them have converted their families to Macs too.
I think if market share figures concentrated on personal ownership of Macs, it would be quite surprising. Apple's laptop sales figures alone are striking.