Mac OSX myths

[dpopiz]

I got a mac mini and I thought it would be really cool...
yeah, there are some cool things about osx, but if you're used to Windows, stick with it: switching to OSX just requires you to learn new stuff and isn't on a whole "better" than windows.

myth #1: iLife is easy to use
(I know this isn't osx, but most people would lump the two together I think) iLife is easy to use if you like doing the same 3 things with your files every time.

myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free
I've actually had more fatal errors as well as minor bugs where UI components don't respond correctly and stuff like that than in typical Windows apps

myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

myth #4: widgets are fast and useful
basically no. Even some of the most popular ones work, but in a very unintelligent un-automatic way. The main problem though is that when you first switch to the dashboard, it takes literally 15 seconds on my mac mini for them to start responding to user input


on the other hand, some things where osx clearly beats windows: wireless is completely automatic and just works period, if you change the name of a folder apps that reference it know about the change, and the file dialogs are very nicely designed

 

[kpb]

Can't comment on 1 or 2 largely because I haven't used the iLife products really.

#3 Macs can be very productive and you can do lots of things but it does take a little bit to learn how things work on a mac and things don't always work the way you want them to coming from windows.

#4 is likely related to memory. Did you max out the mini at 1gb? if not that would probably help that out quite a bit.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: kpb
on the other hand, some things where osx clearly beats windows: wireless is completely automatic and just works period

Easier than windows, yes. But not perfect. Coworker of mine wireless if fubar. He can connect, but he can't get an IP. Any ideas on what the problem is?

 

[SophalotJack]

What the hell is a macintosh?

Wait, aren't these the computers we give to third world countries. Just like the slightly under par medicine batches that our medical companies give away to charity for tax write-offs?

I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

 

[Don66]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
What the hell is a macintosh?

Wait, aren't these the computers we give to third world countries. Just like the slightly under par medicine batches that our medical companies give away to charity for tax write-offs?

I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

Nice threadcrap!:|

I for one find it interesting.
I'm thinking about buying a mac and would like some useful info.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
What the hell is a macintosh?

Wait, aren't these the computers we give to third world countries. Just like the slightly under par medicine batches that our medical companies give away to charity for tax write-offs?

I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

you simply pwned yourself right here, period.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
What the hell is a macintosh?

Wait, aren't these the computers we give to third world countries. Just like the slightly under par medicine batches that our medical companies give away to charity for tax write-offs?

I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

stupidass. But referring to the OP, this probably belongs more in the OS area. Referring to the mini itself, I'm with the other posters, get some more memory and max it to 1 GB. Probably will run a lot better.

 

[jteow]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
I got a mac mini and I thought it would be really cool...
yeah, there are some cool things about osx, but if you're used to Windows, stick with it: switching to OSX just requires you to learn new stuff and isn't on a whole "better" than windows.

Agreed. To me, they're good in their own ways. I think OS X is just perfect for casual computer users, as it mixes a good deal of eyecandy, functionality, and very smart design. Windows is perfect for those who are really particular about their system and want wider versatility. In essence, one isn't better than another. It's just a matter of preference.

Originally posted by: dpopiz
myth #1: iLife is easy to use
(I know this isn't osx, but most people would lump the two together I think) iLife is easy to use if you like doing the same 3 things with your files every time.

iLife is actually very versatile. I primarily work with programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, etc, and I honestly thought that iPhoto was a nice and intuitive way for people to organize and import photos. GarageBand is pretty sweet for musicians, in fact while I never used it, my friend showed me how he ported his guitar to play different sounds for his guitar. I sometimes use iMovie for a quick and simple way of importing DV content, especially on computers without a lot of power and which wouldn't be able to support a hungry program like Final Cut Pro. iDvD is nice for those who want to just sample a bit of DVD authoring, though honestly, I enjoy DVD Studio Pro because of its wider customizations.

Originally posted by: dpopiz
myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free
I've actually had more fatal errors as well as minor bugs where UI components don't respond correctly and stuff like that than in typical Windows apps

Misleading. There's no way any rational Mac enthusiast would say "OS X is 100% bug free." Moreover, some people will find OSX very buggy, while others will find XP very buggy. My personal experience has found far less fatal errors and anomolies occuring with my Mac than on my PC. Again though, that's a personal experience.

Originally posted by: dpopiz
myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

Again, misleading. So your basically saying that if I don't personalize my computer, I won't be productive? I have no idea how that logic works. First off, productivity is subjective. Personally, I found a lot of the features of OSX, such as the bottom dock and Expose pretty solid in helping me work with a variety of applications and windows at one time. Spotlight can also much more efficient and effective in finding specific things than the engine XP offers.

Originally posted by: dpopiz
myth #4: widgets are fast and useful
basically no. Even some of the most popular ones work, but in a very unintelligent un-automatic way. The main problem though is that when you first switch to the dashboard, it takes literally 15 seconds on my mac mini for them to start responding to user input

Debatable. I personally have no use for Widgets, but if your good with shortcuts, there's a ton of interesting stuff you can do with them. One example is using the dictionary, which is much faster than having to alt-tab to go to your browser or have to open a program in a menu from the Start Menu (or even a shortcut).

I like both systems and I think there's a market for them too.


On another note:

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

Get over yourself. Users bought Apple's way before MTV and the mainstream media got wind of them.

 

[Sonikku]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
What the hell is a macintosh?

Wait, aren't these the computers we give to third world countries. Just like the slightly under par medicine batches that our medical companies give away to charity for tax write-offs?

I thought that what macintoshs were. Simply crap fabrications of real computers.... unless you live by every word mtv says.

^ This post has to be one of the greatest examples of self-pwnage I have ever seen...

Rather impressive, all things considered.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
I got a mac mini and I thought it would be really cool...
yeah, there are some cool things about osx, but if you're used to Windows, stick with it: switching to OSX just requires you to learn new stuff and isn't on a whole "better" than windows.

Bullcrap. The learning curve between being productive on a Mac and a PC is like night and day.

myth #1: iLife is easy to use
(I know this isn't osx, but most people would lump the two together I think) iLife is easy to use if you like doing the same 3 things with your files every time.

It's an application made for simplicity. To do the basic things as simple and efficient as possible. No Windows applications touches that.

myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free
I've actually had more fatal errors as well as minor bugs where UI components don't respond correctly and stuff like that than in typical Windows apps

Either you're doing something wrong or you're making things up. I've never had OS X give me 'fatal errors.' 'Minor' bugs are much better than huge gaping security holes typically found in most PCs. You've got to be joking me if Windows typically 'responds correctly.' In fact almost every Windows application (including Windows itself) behaves inconsistently and inefficient.

myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

Why waste your time tweaking when you can get work done NOW?

myth #4: widgets are fast and useful
basically no. Even some of the most popular ones work, but in a very unintelligent un-automatic way. The main problem though is that when you first switch to the dashboard, it takes literally 15 seconds on my mac mini for them to start responding to user input

Do advanced tasks on a Windows PC and it'll take 15 minutes, not 15 seconds.

on the other hand, some things where osx clearly beats windows: wireless is completely automatic and just works period, if you change the name of a folder apps that reference it know about the change, and the file dialogs are very nicely designed

When things are designed right and tightly controlled, you produce quality goods that just plain works. It's a no brainer.

 

[LethalWolfe]

I find the OS X interface to typically be more intuitive, but it still took a bit of getting used to because I was so used the less intuitive Windows UI. It probably took me about 2-3wks to stop "thinking Windows" when working on my Mac, but after that it was smooth sailing. I've found the iLife apps to be on the better end of consumer apps. I've probably used iDVD the most and it's pretty powerful for a consumer app.

As other poster mentioned, the OP might need to pick up some more RAM.


Lethal

 

[ForumMaster]

well the thing is that for all the cool effects that mac os x has and that Vista will copy, it requires a lot of ram. minimum now is like 512mb but recomended is 1gig. also, the mac mini uses the G4 cpu which is slightly slower then most cpus today on the market. they couldn't squeeze a G5 in thier because of thermal issues. that's y they r changing to intel. but go to an apple store and try and work on thier good computers, and u'll see that everything u said is false. and besides, about the learning curve, every new os has it. u don't want to have it, then don't try a new os. but OS X is very very ez to use after a couple of times. and every annoyance u said about Mac OS X is also true on XP.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
myth #1: iLife is easy to use

myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free

myth #3: osx will make you more productive

myth #4: widgets are fast and useful

As anyone can see from my .sig I'm very familiar with the Windows side of things, but most of the points you've raised here are wrong or silly. iLife *is* easy to use - it has the easiest, best, and now, with iLife'06, fastest photo management software out there. iDVD makes making your own DVDs, with menus and your own movies and such a breeze - far easier (but not faster) than any software I've seen on the Windows side. iMovie is the easiest (but not fastest) consumer movie making software I've used - and the integration with these products and the rest of iLife (i.e. dead-simple access to all pictures, movies, sounds, MP3s, etc. from within the applications) makes it even easier and even more of a pleasure to use. Speed for me is an issue, but I've got a fairly old G4/1.33 powerbook, and so it's behind the times compared to the new Intel Macs.

Your points are a matter of opinion, naturally, but I question what you have - is it a Mini with 512MB of RAM and 10.4? Do you have iLife 05 or iLife 06? What differences do you notice between wireless on the two platforms (I'd call it a draw).

 

[SophalotJack]

I figured my post would get some attention.

Self-pwnage? Come on... my post was funny.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Originally posted by: dpopiz
I got a mac mini and I thought it would be really cool...
yeah, there are some cool things about osx, but if you're used to Windows, stick with it: switching to OSX just requires you to learn new stuff and isn't on a whole "better" than windows.

Bullcrap. The learning curve between being productive on a Mac and a PC is like night and day.

myth #1: iLife is easy to use
(I know this isn't osx, but most people would lump the two together I think) iLife is easy to use if you like doing the same 3 things with your files every time.

It's an application made for simplicity. To do the basic things as simple and efficient as possible. No Windows applications touches that.

myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free
I've actually had more fatal errors as well as minor bugs where UI components don't respond correctly and stuff like that than in typical Windows apps

Either you're doing something wrong or you're making things up. I've never had OS X give me 'fatal errors.' 'Minor' bugs are much better than huge gaping security holes typically found in most PCs. You've got to be joking me if Windows typically 'responds correctly.' In fact almost every Windows application (including Windows itself) behaves inconsistently and inefficient.

myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

Why waste your time tweaking when you can get work done NOW?

myth #4: widgets are fast and useful
basically no. Even some of the most popular ones work, but in a very unintelligent un-automatic way. The main problem though is that when you first switch to the dashboard, it takes literally 15 seconds on my mac mini for them to start responding to user input

Do advanced tasks on a Windows PC and it'll take 15 minutes, not 15 seconds.

on the other hand, some things where osx clearly beats windows: wireless is completely automatic and just works period, if you change the name of a folder apps that reference it know about the change, and the file dialogs are very nicely designed

When things are designed right and tightly controlled, you produce quality goods that just plain works. It's a no brainer.

Just because you've never had OSX screw up doesn't mean it doesn't. I've had it crash repeatedly, but repairing permissions fixed that. Also once the sound totally wigged out and about blew my eardrums out with a high pitched squeal at maximum volume while I was wearing headphones.

I love macs, and am in the process of getting rid of all of my PCs, but trolling pro-mac is no better than the typical anti-mac person here. At least try to be objective, which I know has been a problem in the past for you.

What everyone else has said here about ilife etc is very true; it's an awesome suite of programs for the price and is fantastic to use, if a bit un-intuitivie (exporting photos in iphoto is weird).

OSX, after repairing the permissions, has proven to me to be extremely stable. But then again, so was my Xeon PC with Windows 2000. The main problem with windows PCs now is spyware, which is almost nonexistent when using a mac.

The iBook I've recently purchased has been absolutely a joy to use, and the size, battery life, and power is fantastic for the price that I paid, and it fits my needs. Just weigh your purchases like anything else.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: remagavon

Just because you've never had OSX screw up doesn't mean it doesn't. I've had it crash repeatedly, but repairing permissions fixed that. Also once the sound totally wigged out and about blew my eardrums out with a high pitched squeal at maximum volume while I was wearing headphones.

I love macs, and am in the process of getting rid of all of my PCs, but trolling pro-mac is no better than the typical anti-mac person here. At least try to be objective, which I know has been a problem in the past for you. SNIP

removed

 

[Sonikku]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack
I figured my post would get some attention.

Self-pwnage? Come on... my post was funny.

Stop posting. Nothing personal, but your post count has hit the sweet spot...

 

[remagavon]

I'm actually going to edit this, I can't believe it.

 

[Asthmaboy]

My system can get buggy every once in awhile(a program such as Firefox or iMovie getting overloaded), but that's about it.
I so far have not seen anything out of the ordinary, and have been on Panther for about a year and a half now.

The myth of being more productive is just outright wrong. It all depends on what you want to make your computer do for you. I'd see Macs as being better for the new computer user and professional, although anything having to do with this is based on opinion.

What sucks is that Widgets can now have Spyware.
>.<

 

[thirdlegstump]

I'm sorry that you have a problem with me but you should get all of the required information before passing judgement. I would not sell a system as overclocked if it was not rock solid, and the mini is the only system where I have encountered virtually 0 problems with an overclock, and the speed boost did provide a real world gain in my everyday usage of the machine.

Using bolt text and strong adjectives does not make what you are saying automatically correct, for what it's worth.

The iBook that I've also just purchased has to go back because it came direct from apple with a defect in the bezel. Quality control should have caught that, but they didn't. Apple is not perfect. No company is perfect; the sooner you recognize that, the sooner you'll stop yelling at people in forums.[/quote]

remagavon,

I've removed my reply and I apologize. I thought it was rather mean, childish and stupid. It was not only ridiculous and manipulative, it also could've jeopardized your sale item in a false and unfair manner. Please edit your quoted replies so that the bullcrap I wrote doesn't negatively affect your integrity. I'm very sorry.

 

[thirdlegstump]

I'm sorry that you have a problem with me but you should get all of the required information before passing judgement. I would not sell a system as overclocked if it was not rock solid, and the mini is the only system where I have encountered virtually 0 problems with an overclock, and the speed boost did provide a real world gain in my everyday usage of the machine.

Using bolt text and strong adjectives does not make what you are saying automatically correct, for what it's worth.

The iBook that I've also just purchased has to go back because it came direct from apple with a defect in the bezel. Quality control should have caught that, but they didn't. Apple is not perfect. No company is perfect; the sooner you recognize that, the sooner you'll stop yelling at people in forums.[/quote]

remagavon,

I've removed my reply and I apologize. I thought it was rather mean, childish and stupid. It was not only ridiculous and manipulative, it also could've jeopardized your sale item in a false and unfair manner. Please edit your quoted replies so that the bullcrap I wrote doesn't negatively affect your integrity. I'm very sorry.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
I'm very sorry.

I accept your apology and I hope that you just can try to take things a little bit less serious. I really do love apple's products, and I'm positive that you do as well. You really could help other people take a serious look at OSX, but it is good practice to try to do things objectively. Thanks for being reasonable.

 

[MeStinkBAD]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
I got a mac mini and I thought it would be really cool...
yeah, there are some cool things about osx, but if you're used to Windows, stick with it: switching to OSX just requires you to learn new stuff and isn't on a whole "better" than windows.

myth #1: iLife is easy to use
(I know this isn't osx, but most people would lump the two together I think) iLife is easy to use if you like doing the same 3 things with your files every time.

myth #2: osx apps and iLife are bug-free
I've actually had more fatal errors as well as minor bugs where UI components don't respond correctly and stuff like that than in typical Windows apps

myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

myth #4: widgets are fast and useful
basically no. Even some of the most popular ones work, but in a very unintelligent un-automatic way. The main problem though is that when you first switch to the dashboard, it takes literally 15 seconds on my mac mini for them to start responding to user input


on the other hand, some things where osx clearly beats windows: wireless is completely automatic and just works period, if you change the name of a folder apps that reference it know about the change, and the file dialogs are very nicely designed

Several months have passed since the original posting of this thread and I just would like to see if dpopiz's opinion has changed...

 

[erikistired]

i've only had 2 crashes with my powerbook so far. one was firefox taking a dump and the other was fire (IM client) crashing when i tried adding my icq account. i like proteus better anyhow, so that one doesn't really bother me, and firefox has decided to behave since then. otherwise i'm pretty happy with my mac. the only time i use my windows box anymore is to game (which makes me MUCH more productive). it's not like i can't type out papers on either machine with word, so i'm not sure why one would make you more productive than the other. i haven't found much use for iLife yet, i don't really do the things that it allows for.

i haven't really figured out the point with widgets yet either. there are some neat ones, but i just don't get it. i disabled/removed all of mine because i found myself not really using them (other than the dilbert one, which was killing my productivity). i'd probably disable the dashboard if i could easily without a hack.

 

[thorin]

myth #3: osx will make you more productive
Only if you only use your computer for simple things and don't try to customize it and do anything fancy, which is also true on Windows.

This is a pretty naive statement. A users ability to be productive, perform complicated tasks, and implement customizations is completely dependant on the user's comfort level with the OS and associated apps.