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What is it about some Mac users?

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Originally posted by: SZLiao214
Fanboyism.
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That's exactly it. It's just like an AMD or ATi fanboy, nothing different. Personally I am a Mac nut; I love them, I love the design, I love the OS, I even love getting sucked into their marketing. But just because I love Macs doesn't mean I have to go around snobbishly pushing my newfound joy into everyone's faces. Yes, they are great machines; yes, they are more stable than Windows; and yes, they're neato. But they're not for everyone.

After living with a Mac for nearly a year now, I would not recommend one to a normal user. There are 3 groups of people that I see: basic users, normal users, and power users. Basic users are the technophobe grandparents, moms, and dads of the world who just use a computer for email, Word, and the Internet. Normal users are those who do that plus use more apps like games, business apps, and so on. Power users are your standard AT geek who understands how the Windows structure works and is comfortable installing operating systems and programs on a regular basis. I would recommend a Mac to a basic user because you can get Microsoft Office for Mac to be compatible with the rest of the world and still use email and the Internet like normal. I would also recommend a Mac to power users who know how to use google to search for replacement applications and don't mind being bothered learning new installation techniques, operating system shortcuts, and so on. I would not recommend one to a normal user because it is just so much easier for them to coast on Windows. They don't have to learn anything new or find replacement software, which could potentially be a struggle for them. If they had a Mac person in the house, it would be fine, but otherwise, no.

I think that's where the problem with overzealous Mac users happens. Most people fall into the "normal user" category and don't really have a want/need to switch. Therefore, most people that Mac zealots talk to don't really have a want/need to switch. Thus Mac users bug most people.
 
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
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I have been a PC person for years and never have had a virus or spyware. Your point?
 
Originally posted by: Parrotheader
The fact that my boss is now wavering toward wanting us all to get them is the only thing that really has me concerned.

But I have a feeling once the renewal time comes around and they start adding up the costs (~$3,000 each for the MacBook Pros with a Windows license, Parallels, etc V/S ~$1,500 for very nice Thinkpads or Toshibas) the end result will likely take care of itself.
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QFT!! Just make sure they understand that mac productivity costs 1.5 - 2.5 times what PC productivity costs.
 
Originally posted by: homercles337
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

I have been a PC person for years and never have had a virus or spyware. Your point?
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His point is that dealing with Virus' and Spyware are an every day thing for many PC users. They are non-existent problems for mac users.
 
Originally posted by: Parrotheader
The fact that my boss is now wavering toward wanting us all to get them is the only thing that really has me concerned.
Click to expand...

Just bring up the productivity concern. During my second postdoc at Penn, i was forced to us a mac. My productivity dropped by ~20% and my 3500+ was noticably faster than that G5 with dual processors and 2G of memory. I really tried to like macs back then, really, but they have no redeeming qualities (save for the freeBSD kernel).
 
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

That is one of the main reasons I wish there a few dedicated 'groups' of people out there targeting Macs. The reason why Macs basically don't have a virus or spyware problem is because most computers in the world are PCs and hackers and spammers will go after the most common platform.

BTW, I've owned PCs for years and I've never had a virus.
 
I work with a bunch of them and it sucks.

If you get spyware/viruses on your pc, most likely you are stupid and should just use a mac.
 
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: SZLiao214
Fanboyism.
Click to expand...

That's exactly it. It's just like an AMD or ATi fanboy, nothing different. Personally I am a Mac nut; I love them, I love the design, I love the OS, I even love getting sucked into their marketing. But just because I love Macs doesn't mean I have to go around snobbishly pushing my newfound joy into everyone's faces. Yes, they are great machines; yes, they are more stable than Windows; and yes, they're neato. But they're not for everyone.

After living with a Mac for nearly a year now, I would not recommend one to a normal user. There are 3 groups of people that I see: basic users, normal users, and power users. Basic users are the technophobe grandparents, moms, and dads of the world who just use a computer for email, Word, and the Internet. Normal users are those who do that plus use more apps like games, business apps, and so on. Power users are your standard AT geek who understands how the Windows structure works and is comfortable installing operating systems and programs on a regular basis. I would recommend a Mac to a basic user because you can get Microsoft Office for Mac to be compatible with the rest of the world and still use email and the Internet like normal. I would also recommend a Mac to power users who know how to use google to search for replacement applications and don't mind being bothered learning new installation techniques, operating system shortcuts, and so on. I would not recommend one to a normal user because it is just so much easier for them to coast on Windows. They don't have to learn anything new or find replacement software, which could potentially be a struggle for them. If they had a Mac person in the house, it would be fine, but otherwise, no.

I think that's where the problem with overzealous Mac users happens. Most people fall into the "normal user" category and don't really have a want/need to switch. Therefore, most people that Mac zealots talk to don't really have a want/need to switch. Thus Mac users bug most people.
Click to expand...

I see your point, but at the same time I'd have to say that even the "basic users" should be wary of choosing the mac... for one... the macs are way too expensive for a person that uses the computer only a couple hours a week. Two, those are the people that are most likely to have to pay someone for support, and they are the least likely to understand why the people at your average computer store can't service their computer, or why their nephew/grandson/neighbor kid can't show them how to do thisAndThat or whatHaveYou.

For the most part, I agree with your statements.

I work in the design department of a large-scale printing company... the design people work entirely on mac and the other people work on PC. I'm a PC person, but I'm versed enough in mac to be an advanced user.

I don't mind working on an OSX machine, but they are really akward about some things.

I see both sides, but I definately don't see ANY purpose for an entire office to go mac. It's just not cost-efficient, and finding someone to do your tech support that knows mac in and out is going to be an issue. Contrary to popular belief, I think the learning curve for macs is actually pretty steep.
 
I just can't imagine myself spending the extra money to buy a mac. They use the same Intel chips, so they don't even have an excuse there anymore. You seriously pay for the "sleakness" of the computer when I just want the most power/$.
 
Originally posted by: Tizyler
Originally posted by: homercles337
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

I have been a PC person for years and never have had a virus or spyware. Your point?
Click to expand...

His point is that dealing with Virus' and Spyware are an every day thing for many PC users. They are non-existent problems for mac users.
Click to expand...

I know what he was parroting and just like the link between Iraq and 9/11 its not true.
 
Originally posted by: Tizyler
Originally posted by: homercles337
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

I have been a PC person for years and never have had a virus or spyware. Your point?
Click to expand...

His point is that dealing with Virus' and Spyware are an every day thing for many PC users. They are non-existent problems for mac users.
Click to expand...

That's not true. If Macs didn't get viruses and spyware, why do they make AV programs for it?

Everytime someone brings up this argument, somehow they also fail to bring up the argument of how software and tech support is not as prevelent for the mac.
 
Originally posted by: kmrivers
... Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch...
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Well why don't they? Last market statistics show Windows at 96% market share.

 
Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

That is one of the main reasons I wish there a few dedicated 'groups' of people out there targeting Macs. The reason why Macs basically don't have a virus or spyware problem is because most computers in the world are PCs and hackers and spammers will go after the most common platform.

BTW, I've owned PCs for years and I've never had a virus.
Click to expand...

This comic sums it up beautifully! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Injury
Contrary to popular belief, I think the learning curve for macs is actually pretty steep.
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Contrary to popular misinformation a steep learning curve means something is EASY to learn.
 
Originally posted by: ryan256
Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

That is one of the main reasons I wish there a few dedicated 'groups' of people out there targeting Macs. The reason why Macs basically don't have a virus or spyware problem is because most computers in the world are PCs and hackers and spammers will go after the most common platform.

BTW, I've owned PCs for years and I've never had a virus.
Click to expand...

This comic sums it up beautifully! 🙂
Click to expand...
:thumbsup:
 
1. viruses and spyware are so rare for macs that virus software is not particularly necessary. If you do most of your work on a non-admin profile, virus software is absolutely unnecessary.

2. Converting an entire large office to macs would be pretty silly.
 
Originally posted by: BlameCanada
Originally posted by: kmrivers
I am a "Mac person". People usually just see me on my computer and are wowed. Then you add in the no virus and spyware factor and lots of people want to switch. I don't go out of my way to tell people they should switch though.
Click to expand...

If you think your Mac turns heads, you should see the reaction I get from people when they see my laptop running Ubuntu/Edgy with Beryl WM. The cube never fails to impress. Then you add in the it's free factor.....
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Dude, that is awesome. I've GOT to set that up!

Ubuntu Edgy with Beryl in action!
 
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