1 Million Windows to Mac Converts So Far in 2005 891
UltimaGuy writes to tell us AppleInsider is reporting that according to one Wall Street analyst over one million Windows users have switched to Mac in the first three quarters of 2005. It is speculated that these numbers are a direct result of the popularity gained through the iPod and related technologies in addition to security concerns from Microsoft. From the article: "According to checks with Apple Store Specialists, Wolf also said a larger than expected percentage of Windows to Mac converts appear to be purchasing Apple's higher-end systems and that their transition is fueled by the epidemic of viruses and malware on the Windows platform."
Analyze this! (Score:5, Interesting)
As a young man that works for a family owned and quite large computer business I've over the years seen people generally not ask very many questions, to now every day hearing people wanting details on Macs, and how they compare to standard white boxes.
Now bundle this in with the fact that our local, and only Apple store is constantly flourishing with business as compared to a few years ago when it was rare to see more then 1 person at a time in there, you'll understand why it's possible Apple have converted so many users.
Just in my direct experience over the last few years, it's converted myself, my brother, my mother and a few friends of mine - (2 to be exact).
It's also at the point, and while I am growing up and establishing my future that me owning and operating a Apple franchise is highly possible.
I've also seen the websites I manage, which are local to our area, sky rocket from 5-10 hits per week from Mac users, to now over 250-300 unique Mac users per week and raising.
Apple are on to something here, and Steve Jobs knows it!
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Interesting)
My personal situation is that I have bought 2 Mac machines in the past 6 months (does that make me 2 'converts'?) because the underlying system suits my needs better.
I spend ~45% of my time using PuTTY on a Windows machine connected to a linux server doing things that I can't do on a windows laptop without a net connection. When you have this capability locally via the OSX terminal, I can do whatever I need to on the move and not be tied to an internet connection and SSH session.
The other benefits I get is that the OS is very solid, I get all the unix tools I need, and it 'just works'.
why don't you.. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:why don't you.. (Score:4, Insightful)
I was waiting for someone to ask this - and the reason is very simple. As a desktop OS, Linux sucks. If you look at what Windows and OSX has going for it, you'll quickly note that it's simple and easy to do just about anything.
I think WiFi on my Dell notebook is about the best example that I can come up with off the top of my head. it's a dual band 802.11a/b/g card for which Linux drivers just don't exist. So I have to wrap them in an NDIS wrapper, and hope that they work that way. Then there's the annoyance of having X not like using 1920x1200 straight away as a desktop res (the LCD's native res). Then I have issues with sound (alsa isn't the be all and end all), then there's always something else to fix.
Bottom line? You spend more time getting things to work than using the actual system. This might be fine if you want to do this kind of stuff as a technical challenge, but personally, I just want to be able to use my system for what I need to get done, and not have to worry about half of the crap I mentioned above.
I did some work quite a while ago getting newer ALSA drivers working on the xbox-linux project, and it's not as pretty as it could be. I'm no newbie to linux, but damn, I wish sometimes I didn't have to do half the crap I had to just to get a decent, working system. Enter OSX.
Re:why don't you.. (Score:5, Insightful)
I agree totally.
Re:why don't you.. (Score:5, Interesting)
I also can apply patches and updates without worrying about breaking anything, and I can continue to get fully supported OS and application updates for years (yes, even with the Intels coming.)
Don't get me wrong; I love Linux. It definitely has its place (i.e. my servers.) I just don't have the time to play Russian Roulette with compatibility.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:4, Interesting)
It only "just works" when you use hardware that is compatible. When I got my mac I had many devices hooked up my windows machine that didn't "just work" because the Mac did not support them. For example my hp-3100 printer won't work at all, not even a little bit. I had to go and buy another printer to hook up to the Mac. Of course the reason for that is that it's a windows only printer and CUPS has no support for it.
Macs (just like linux) "just work" when you stick with supported hardware.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Interesting)
I could go on, but the point is there's a big difference between a green X in a linux hardware compatibility list, and actually having a stable, working driver that supports all the features. And you never really know until *after* you shell out the cash. Macs have limited hardware support too, but from what I've seen if it is supported, it actually works. I stick with Linux because I like its principles, and after you get stuff going it's great. But when my parents asked what to buy for my grandpa it was a no-brainer: iMac.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Insightful)
I.e., draft the requirements for certification of a product (i.e., 'it works when called from csh, GNOME, and KDE!), get Mandrake, Redhat, Novell/SuSE, and a couple of the other big names in the distro world to each contribute the use of their names by the licensing organization, and get hardware vendors interested in certification.
By having a meta-organization certify a device as compliant with the major distros and the most popular desktop(s), and being completely inflexible on the certification requirements (so that the cert org can acquire a decent reputation), we'd be able to enforce standards on hardware vendors who want to do business with us-- and just as importantly, we'd avoid the balkanization of hardware certifications that might otherwise occur, as each distro vendor offers its own sticker ("It works with distro!" slapped all over the box.. bleagh!)
On a side note, wasn't that a beautiful run-on sentence?
Re:Analyze this! (Score:4, Funny)
Excel? Access? Exchange? Visual Studio? Windows? Outlook? PowerPoint? Visio? Xbox?
Re:Analyze this! (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes it did take a few hours to get it perfect (followed the ubuntu forums/guide for basic stuff) but I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 running perfectly. Every piece of hardware I have works. Even the blue function keys, the multimedia controls on the front of the laptop, the 1920x1200 resolution, the graphics accelerat
Time Value of Money (Score:5, Interesting)
It all depends if you'd rather have two-four hours for yourself or a little cash in your pocket...
My point on the Apple vs. Dell... any time I took an Apple machine, then went to Dell and priced an "equivalent" purchase, the price was +/- $50... however, if you start with the Dell, and then price out the equivalent Apple, it is usually a bit more... but you get stuff you may not need, but that is because Apple has limited models...
The Mac Mini is a GREAT office desktop (we have 8, probably going to get 4-5 more)... and its dirt cheap... Once you price out the equivalent Dell and add in XP Pro (home is worthless for a business workstation), and a few other minor upgrades, the mini tends to be $25-$50 less, which is a great deal.
Dell vs Apple pricing (Score:4, Funny)
The scenario goes down something like this. Customer receives Dell, is confounded by how slow it is, and is pissed that they received a CRT, not the flat panel pictured (a la asterisk "for just $179 more..."). Customer calls me, I come out and explain that 256 MB of RAM is no way to run Windows XP, show them the task manager with pagefile usage of 415 MB, they do the math (415 MB > 256 MB). Customer pays me $75/hr to install marked up RAM and a flat panel monitor since they won't talk to Dell anymore.
Michael Dell, we salute you!
PS - Posted from my 20" iMac.
I'm confused? (Score:4, Funny)
Furthermore, I donate my time and money to recondition my wealthy customer's old systems for families who cannot afford a system. The last three systems I gave away were faster than 1 GHz and all went out with 512 MB of RAM or more. I sleep just fine at night.
Re:Time Value of Money (Score:5, Informative)
You're deluding yourself if you think MacOS X doesn't require just as much tinkering. I'm a long suffering Mac user who has recently spent a few weeks with Tiger. I've easily spent 20 hours in the past month installing third party software like VLC because Tiger won't play DivX, finding various tweaks on macosxhints (eg, disable dashboard which is a memory sucking vampire), hunting down a crashing issue with ARD (had to replace it with OSX VNC), mucking about with configuration settings that have retarded defaults, and so on and so forth.
It's amusing that the GP commented on the multimedia keys, because attached to this Mac I have a Logitech keyboard and the multimedia keys don't work. Not even with the official Logitech drivers. Yet they work perfectly on Linux and Windows.
So don't give me any crap about Macs saving you "time and money". I use all three of the holy trinity quite heavily - Windows, Linux and Mac - and they are all about as sucky as each other.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Interesting)
Most of this is working on CVS stuff (do a checkout when you have a net connection, edit away, then commit when you get back). I know it can be done on Windows, but it's damn ugly.
I personally don't see the point of running cygwin when you can have it native to the OS.
All the apps I used on Windows I found replacements for OSX.
Windows -> OSX
MS Office -> MS Office
Outlook Calendar -> iCal
Trillian -> AdiumX
Outlook Express -> Mail
Firefox -> Safari (yes I know you can run Firefox on OSX, but it's DAMN slow)
ActiveSync -> Missing Sync (to sync my Windows Mobile devices)
Canon photo capture -> Image Capture (to bring photos of my digital camera)
Then of course there's all the unix tools, which are mostly there (the only one I had to source and install was wget and ncftp from memory). It takes a while to find all the replacements, but when you do, it's pretty easy to not look back.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Informative)
Not really.
http://www.tortoisecvs.org/ [tortoisecvs.org]
Re:Analyze this! (Score:3, Funny)
As a Mac user (Score:4, Insightful)
As a Mac user myself, I'll just say this. I don't want an Apple monopoly dominating computing; I would just like an Apple marketshare at around 35%-45% again. It would make for a much healthier market and would mean a lot more applications for Mac, instead of waiting a year later for a third-party port.
So before you Mac-hating Linux kids start flaming another Apple article, most of us just want less Windows domination. That wretched pile of crap has wasted more time and money on reboots, endless "configuration wizards," registry cleanings, spyware cleanings, resource-sucking antivirus software, and so on. It's so bad that a lot of normal people are afraid of computers and their difficulty--they don't realize it's Windows that is difficult. Computers don't have to be.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:As a Mac user (Score:5, Insightful)
It's just that spyware and trojans just don't have anywhere to go on OS X, due mostly to built-in UNIX security measures. You can't even install something or have an app modify system settings without a quick password prompt.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:5, Insightful)
Most spyware comes from one of two places: renegade ActiveX or piggyback installations.
While the mac and *nix platforms don't have activeX to worry about, nothing's preventing people from bundling mac spyware with otherwise useful apps, and if the app brings something that people want, they'll ignore the stuff that comes with it. How do you think Gator operates?
It's just that nobody's decided to go after the mac market trying to turn shareware into adware or negotiating bundle deals, or even learning to write mac malware yet. Maybe that's the "excellence" you're talking about. But there's a big emphasis to be put on the "yet" part of that.
The mac platform is not without its security holes, and those things that compromise a high privilege process don't NEED to prompt you to install themselves everywhere.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:4, Insightful)
(Emphasis mine.)
This is the main problem on the Windows platform. Not that the system is inherently less secure (which it is), but that the market consists of a ton of users who are willing to tolerate having their machine infected with crap just to get some worthless "goodies". Of course it isn't impossible to make spyware/adware/malware for OS X (or Linux), but here is what happens in those communities, as opposed to the glutted-with-crapware Windows community: If there is any inkling of spyware, adware or any sort of malware in a piece of software, either it never appears for download on the sites where people go to download new software or it gets removed very quickly due to the huge community outcry, and that software author will never be trusted again. If a Mac software site consistently allows bad software to be listed and available for download, the users will quickly go elsewhere, permanently. Until the Mac community gets much larger and contains a lot more of the braindead general population, they simply will not tolerate their expensive and wonderful machines getting hijacked by bad software.
Secondly, and perhaps even more important, if you do get infected with something it is ABSURDLY easy to do a clean reinstallation of Mac OS X WITHOUT hosing all of your preferences and important installed software. In comparison in the Windows world it is an absolute nightmare to have to reinstall the OS because you know you will have to reinstall every piece of software that uses the Registry, which is darn near everything. So your average Windows user limps along trying to fix things piece by piece, maintaining a broken, infected system that just keeps getting slower and more broken. The Mac user, on the other hand, does a quick backup of Home and Applications and nukes the thing and starts over. An experienced Mac user can be back up and running as if nothing happened within a couple of hours.
So, wake me up when Apple has 25%+ market share and the malware/spyware writers are "targetting" the Mac platform as enthusiastically as they target Windows. My bet is that even with that much market share the malware will have little effect on Macs as a whole because the community they spring from is just too different and won't put up with it. Even the idiots among them will have their hands held and be constantly led away from doing what they might have done had they still been using Windows and downloading crap from just anywhere without thinking about it.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:5, Insightful)
It's a lot easier to have high growth on a smaller base.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:3, Insightful)
I do think a good chunk of us are worried that marketing is taking over their design, rather than technical excellence, but by and large, I think Apple has very good geek cred right now.
I wouldn't, however, get all stuffy about 'no viruses on the Mac'... an awful lot of their code is closed, so it's hard to know how good it is. They were still doing some pretty dumb security-relate
Re:As a Mac user (Score:5, Interesting)
There are still quite a few, though. I'm thinking those are the people who haven't yet pulled their heads out and realized that OS X isn't the same thing as OS 9.
Being a Mac hater for most of my life, I can attest to the difficulty of pulling one's head out when it comes to the Mac. But with all the raving of fans (and $$$ pouring into the market) it became hard for me to ignore.
All I can say is, once you go Mac OS X, everything else seems inferior. And I mean EVERYTHING.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:4, Informative)
But after hearing all the fan-boys on this and other sites, and doing a fair bit of research into Mac OSX, I figured it was time to try out a powerbook.
After a few months of using it exclusively, I can't stand working with Windows or even KDE/Gnome now. A stock OSX Tiger install is incredibly useful (Exposé, Spotlight, iLife, Dashboard, and all that BSD goodness through Terminal.app). But after installing a few amazing (and free) utilities, it's the closest to desktop utopia I've ever been:
Never thought I'd say it, but I guess I'm one of the fan-boys now.
I still have a Windows box for gaming (although I have to admit there are far more games available for OSX than I imagined), and a few Linux boxes for serving, development, routing, etc. Although I now have all my development stuff running locally on my powerbook, so the linux boxes are less useful these days.
My message to people on the fence about switiching: give it a shot. It's not perfect, but it's leaps and bounds ahead of anything else.
Re:As a Mac user (Score:4, Informative)
My first Linux box was before TCP/IP worked reliably on it... before X Window worked. ST-506 drive (hundreds of MB!) and 256KB memory modules.
My first Mac box was a Mac Plus (well, I also had an Atari ST that had the Mac emulator running on it).
I've always liked the Mac software, but got drawn in (and still am drawn in) to the Open Source / freeware / "All Software Has To Be Free" mantra.
For fourteen years, I did my damnedest to make my Linux desktop experience as good as it could be.
Then, I decided to go Mac again. Mac Mini... 512MB.
It's not the fastest platform, nor is it the most programmable. However, it is the most consistent one that I've found. I'm back with a Mac, and use Linux as a server O/S and firewall.
I wonder what would happen if I got a G5 system, or, peraps, should I wait until the Intel Macs arrive?
If I have to design my own system (motherboard, case, RAM, etc.) then it's a no-brainer... Linux wins. If I have to purchase a complete system (or one for a non-computer person), it would almost definitely be a Mac.
I'm really happy that the state of the art has gotten us here!
Re:As a Mac user (Score:4, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Everyone loves dishonestly, but analyst is a fool (Score:5, Insightful)
Anyways, none of you are being honest about the situation. Yes, apple has had growing revenues over the last few years which have really helped it grow its stock price. But the major run up in prices has nothing to do with the Personal computer market that the arguments seem to center on. almost every analyst attributes the run-up to record profits due mainly to the Ipod, not sales of computers. It has seen over the last two years an increase from 6.2 to 13.9 billion in revenue.
Needed in any honest discussion is where apple is coming from. 4 years ago they posted a net loss. Since then, they have seen incredible earnings grown, especially in the past year(from 276 million to 1.335 billion).
Dell has increased it's revenues from 35 to 49 billion in just 2 years. That is phenomenal growth for a company of its type and size. unlike apple, it does not try to sell goods that are priced at an incredible premium based on name and popularity. It also is not riding a wave of a new comsumer product so it has not seen a windfall in profits(and it probably never will). It sits at just over 3 billion in earnings.
Yes, the ggp was incredibly dishonest trying to say apple is dying and is frankly, an idiot. Every analyst in the world thinks they are looking at financial health for a long while to come.
Of course, I claim this analyst is an idiot. He gives these headline predictions assuming all macs that are selling this year beyond last year are windows converts. He is completely ignoring the highly probably activity of many mac users of holding off on mac purchases in expectance of the G5 and lower prices for it. This would imply that many users would not buy last year and buy this year to get access to a modern CPU.
Now, I'm not arguing there weren't a lot of windows to mac switches, but this analyst lacks a basic control over logic.
Re:Analyze this! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Analyze this! (Score:5, Interesting)
I also think that current Apple software is very top notch. Apple Mail, Preview, Terminal, Soundtrack, and Keynote are all excellent. And there are others that I'm interested in trying Logic Pro. I've heard good stuff about Final Cut, and Aperture really looks nice.
Apple hardware is pretty top notch as well. Just about any notebook or desktop system looks dated or junky compared to a comparable Apple product. The same goes with software. When I see a Windows desktop or Linux one or UNIX one, it looks dated like a picture of people from the 50s or 60s with those funny glasses or a picture of a parking lot from the 70s.
I don't have too much insightful or informative to say, I don't think, but I think Apple has done wonders for computers in the past 5 years. I know they did innovate before that timeframe, but I simply did not like the pre-OS X operating system. I liked my Apple
I guess I could be considered a "fanboy" or whatever, but in my opinion, they have earned it. Apple is not perfect, but for many things they are the leader of how computing should be.
I bought one, but I'm no convert (Score:4, Interesting)
We feel exactly the same! (Score:5, Funny)
"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Informative)
TFA:
TFA seems to be using "switched to" and "converted" interchangably with "purchased", implying that every Windows user who bought a Mac was turning his or her back on PCs. I don't think that has to be the case at all. If we assume that TFA is right about the reason for such good Mac sales (derriving from the strength of the ipod), then isn't it reasonable to assume that a fair number of those are people who are buying Macs not as their exclusive computer, but possibly in addition or in complement to their PCs?
Maybe the real signficance of this (assuming the numbers are correct) is that it's no longer uncool to own more than one computer!
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Insightful)
If Apple wants to call them all "switched", well, that's fine for marketing. But just having their foot in one million more doors, that's huge no matter what. And unless Apple pulls a huge boner, I would suspect most of those million will actually switch and stay switched. (At least until they get tired of Super Breakout. :-)
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Insightful)
We're well past the era where having a couple of systems at your disposal is a novelty, and this whole notion that an OS requires a pledge of allegiance is ridiculous. But I guess the Mac press would wither and die without endless self congratulation, and the PC trolls would do likewise if there was noone to hear their cries of why Macs are Teh Sux.
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:3, Funny)
Certainly NOT the case with me.
I use a Mac at home, where I stay virus and malware free, and use my free time for games, web surfing, etc, and I make my living working fixing and making fucked up Windows machines useable. So I wouldn't say that I turned my back on PC's entirely. They fund my Mac addiction.
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:5, Insightful)
I sat here trying to think of counter examples, and failed. I haven't been in a house that *hasn't* had multiple operating systems in memory... but every single one of those falls in to your "dedicated for work or geek circle" categories.
would you say its fair to say that the number (or relative percentage of the peoplation) of people who travel in "geek circles" is significantly higher than it was 5 or 10 years ago?
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:"switched" or "also bought"? (Score:4, Funny)
Think about it, on average it takes 1,000 geek girls not shaving for a week to equal one RMS. I'm almost certain it's been 1,000 weeks since he last shaved.
In other news, (Score:3, Funny)
No Suprise Here (Score:5, Insightful)
Then what, the masses start switching to BSD or Linux?
Re:No Suprise Here (Score:4, Informative)
Of course, you may counter that we have yet to see what nefarious powers OSX malware one day may have. And I'll concede the point that even though there has been no malware, spyware, adware, or viruses for OSX in the five years it's been around that doesn't mean there won't ever be those sort of apps gunning for OSX security. However, my experience on both platforms has shown me that Apple's OS is fairly robust, their attitude about security exploits is very aggressive, and there aren't the same available vectors for attack in OSX that make Windows so attractive to phishers, crackers, and other binary scum...
Re:No Suprise Here (Score:5, Insightful)
If you consider two house that both have a full concrete cellar, where one built a very secure retail shop (BSD server) on top, while the other built a very nice reisdential house (OS X desktop), then your analogy is correct!
Re:No Surprise Here (Score:5, Informative)
Onlly reason I haven't... (Score:5, Interesting)
I get to play with a Mac a little at work for some of my app testing, and I have serious envy of the guy whose desk it sits on...
Re:Onlly reason I haven't... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Onlly reason I haven't... (Score:3, Insightful)
Cost was $3918 including GST.
It came with a DVD burner, 1 Gig Ram on a 15" jobbie.
But the bonus is that I salary sacrifised the entire laptop and was able to reclaim $2000 in one single months salary rotation.
A highly recommend this option if you earn a highish salary.
This essentially meant I got the laptop for half price with no further tax penalities.
Talk to your employer, they may be able to salary package at no to little cost.
Remember we p
Re:Onlly reason I haven't... (Score:3, Funny)
Mac mini (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Mac mini (Score:5, Interesting)
For me it was the ipod that made me seriously consider the switch, and the mac mini that drove my decision. The mini was priced at a point where I could try it out and abandon it if it didn't work for me. The plan was that if I didn't like a mac as my main desktop machine, I would use it as a server, running linux, and buy a cheapo windows system. I never did end up buying that cheapo windows system.
I'm just mad at myself for not having made the switch sooner.
Re:Mac mini (Score:5, Interesting)
Just last week, I recommended a Mac mini to a small business owner whose PC got infected by viruses and spyware. I told them that it would be a lot easier to support a Mac, and wouldn't require all the anti-malware software. The owner ended up buying one for his receptionist as well.
I wasn't really interested in the iPods at all. In fact, I'm more interested in an iPod nano now, BECAUSE of my Mac. I'm more interested in the NeXT-based OS, because I used NeXTs in college; and the ease of use combined with UNIX underpinnings. For other people, I recommend the Mac mini because of the ease of use, reduced maintenance requirements, and lack of security issues that Windows has.
Certified A.S.S. (Score:5, Funny)
Do you suppose these specialists abbreviate their title on their business cards?
Re:Certified A.S.S. (Score:5, Funny)
Do you suppose these specialists abbreviate their title on their business cards?
Just be glad you didn't work as a Student Assistant (studentassistent) here in Norway. The abbriviation was stud.ass., I kid you not.
Kjella
Re:Certified A.S.S. (Score:3, Funny)
A few years ago, the Canadian Reform Party (which later renamed themselves to the Alliance Party) were in talks to merge with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. After days of public discussions as to what to call the new party, they decided to call themselves the Canadian Reform Alliance Party. It wasn't until after the final vote for this name passsed that someone stood up to inform everyone that the abbreviation was CRAP.
Of course, the oblig. Red Dwarf quote comes to mind here:
Actually... (Score:3, Funny)
Slashdot OS X Typo award winner! (Score:5, Funny)
You see, in every Apple article on Slashdot, someone always makes a typo when writing three simple letters: OS X. Scientists are divided as to why it's so difficult for Slashdotters to correctly spell this very simple combination of letters (pronounced "Oh Ess Ten," the tenth version of Mac OS).
Common typo variations are:
1.) OS-X
2.) OS/X
3.) OSx
4.) OSX
5.) OSX86
Related typos include:
6.) MAC (instead of Mac)
Yours, sir, is the first insane typo of many in the comments to come when it comes to typing three simple letters: OS X. Be grateful in your glorious splendor! You are a scholar and a gentleman. Good day.
Malware huh? (Score:5, Funny)
Startup School (Score:5, Interesting)
Ah, but how many Linux to MacOS converts? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Ah, but how many Linux to MacOS converts? (Score:5, Insightful)
I first was exposed to OSX from the leak to x86. After that, I loved it so much I got a Mac Mini (the first mac I've seen which I could actually afford).
Re:Ah, but how many Linux to MacOS converts? (Score:4, Insightful)
their transition is fueled by the epidemic of viruses and malware on the Windows platform.
In other words, these are people who are finding that maintaining an internet-connected Windows computer properly requires too high a level of geekdom -- geekdom being defined as technical skill plus interest in spending time applying that skill. The level of geekdom (skill+time) required to use Linux is still much higher than the level required to use Windows or MacOS X, so we should expect Linux's share of the desktop to suffer for the same reason that MacOS's is apparently increasing.
(Of course, the reasons why Linux requires high geekdom are different from the reasons why Windows requires it. On Windows, you're using a system that's designed to be insecure, and lots of your geek points are spent on fighting that. On Linux, it's issues like not being able to install it successfully on a laptop, or not being able to figure out how to get a printer working, or not understanding that X-Windows cut and paste doesn't work the same way as control-X/control-V cut and paste. But it doesn't matter that geekdom is required for different reasons -- Linux still requires higher geekdom.)
I'm a statistic. (Score:5, Interesting)
good for your computer (Score:3, Funny)
And is anyone keeping track... (Score:5, Insightful)
Minimal issue now... (Score:3, Informative)
Now what do those people do? Hmmm. Word processing maybe, Internet (probably AOL), listen to music / watch movies (covered), etc. Years ago I think you'd be right about this. If you wanted a simple calculator program or even wanted to play a CD you had to buy
No because it's not an issue (Score:3, Informative)
And software that doesn't let you convert either is replaced with software that ships free with consumer Macs (like iLife with iPhoto and iTunes and iMovie), or is easily replaced by other low cost or free Mac versions.
What software to casual computers have that would prevetn a switch? It's not like the whole world is running AutoCAD.
Re:And is anyone keeping track... (Score:3, Insightful)
Right...
Not to belittle the very substantial cost of software for switching, but I have to give people just a little more credit than that. Meanwhile, for Mom and Pop and "average" people. how much are they buying beyond standard fare like MS Office, Quicken, P
apples and oranges (Score:4, Interesting)
The lifecycle of a PC is about 2 years. A mac is about 5 years. Its probable that this is just a turnover of pre-existing mac users.
Nobody I know or has met who has a Mac bought one because of an iPod.
One one person I've met has bought a Mac because of Windows issues... and they were also a frustrated Linux user.
However, I've met a few people who have bought Macs just because they look cool, fit in with their Ikea furniture, and are trendy.
(I'm a former Mac user. Now I use Windows, mostly for games. Not that I want to... I had the choice between starving MacOS developer, average Wintel developer, or corpulent enterprise Java developer. After starving for a number of years, I chose the corpulent route.)
Re:apples and oranges (Score:3, Insightful)
Part of that coolness and trendyness, I think, isn't just the look of the machines. It is because "coolness" is spilling over from the iPod to the entire Apple brand. It has also helped tremendeously with the brand awareness.
Re:apples and oranges (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes, and Mac users like their machines and use them a lot more hours per week.
Developers of mass market software who base their strategies on platform market share and not platform usage share are making a big mistake. About half the machines I see in coffeeshops are iBooks and PBooks these days.
What do they consider a "switch"? (Score:3, Interesting)
ipods success (Score:5, Insightful)
Mini (Score:5, Interesting)
Then you have an ever-growing application support for OSX. Large games like World of Warcraft coming with a Mac client at release surely can't hurt.
Plus, damn if the iBooks don't look a lot nicer than my drab, boring Thinkpad.
Mac Gaming (Score:5, Interesting)
SWG? No. . . EQ2? No. . .
Does anyone remember when Bungie was first and foremost a Mac developer? We were all talking about how Halo was going to sell Macs. So much for that plan.
Does anyone remember when Connectix Virtual Gamestation was going to make the Mac an attractive gaming platform, because it could run most Playstation games? Then Sony bought CVGS from Connectix and buried it.
I understand Civilization 4 and Call of Duty 2 were recently released for the PC. How many months will it be before they appear on Macintosh? How many features (like editors) will be left out of the Mac version, while we still have to pay full price?
So . . . I really don't see any upswing in Mac game development, much as I might wish for it. Computer gaming still completely revolves around Microsoft (and DirectX), Macs aren't on the radar screen of most game companies -- and if the Mac platform does accidentally get something good, there are always entities like Microsoft and Sony standing ready to buy and/or bury it.
I'm really not trying to rip on the Mac here at all. I'm just being realistic and telling what experience has shown. Games are the one big area where the Mac is weak, and I don't see anything in the works to change it. Apple could do some things to change it, but gaming just isn't in their corporate DNA.
Never ass/u/me anything... (Score:5, Insightful)
TFA: "If we assume that all of the growth in Mac shipments during the past three quarters resulted from Windows users purchasing a Mac, Or Mac users wanted a second PC, or their kids or parents needed their first or new immigrant H1B workers bought them. How can they assume these numbers are ex-Win users?
appear to be purchasing Apple's higher-end systems They appear to be? So they might not be? Huh?
fueled by the epidemic of viruses and malware on the Windows platform. Based on what figures? Last year it was "fueled by better video editing" and before that "fueled by better graphics editing" as sales people only mimicked their pitches.
the firm on Monday downgraded shares of the company's stock to "Hold," saying it believes Apple shares are now "fully valued." Because the 1 million Windows converts are all that will convert? Not only shit can be pulled from an analyst's ass.
"During the past year, in response to the introduction of breakthrough new iPods and Macs and outstanding financial results, we've doubled our price target." And even $61 is a worthless number, offering no real income (profit dividends, interest, commitment sales, etc). Take your stock money, start your own business, and stop gambling.
Still, the analyst hedges his bets, explaining Apple's "frenetic pace of innovation" could present new opportunities,"The ship is not sinking, but it might. It could also fly possibly." These people are worthless.
I have friends who are analysts, and they're worthless, too. My Costa Rican bookie gives me good advice based on the pros. These analysts either give neutral advice, or just enough so that mom's stock will go up.
Portable data Vs Portable programs (Score:5, Insightful)
iPod-induced OS switch (Score:3, Interesting)
i'm a contributor (Score:3, Interesting)
Why people switch? (Score:3, Interesting)
Sure, over 90 million computers world wide run Microsoft Windows. We run this OS because its not a choice, Windows is basically imposed in our daily lives, even our careers. As a computer engineer I know that. Go ahead and put in your resume, you only know Mac. You will never find a job... (at least on a computer oriented career), Windows rules all our lives and what do we get of it? More viruses, faulty hardware, lack of security and the same ol' beige box feeling we have had since we laid our hands on a PC for ever. I mean, anyone my age knows that the first PC they laid their hands on was a beige tower of some bulky size. And that was at least 15 years ago. Take a look how cars change in 15 years...
Then look at apple... everynow and then, they shove out a new computer design, always pushing technology to an edge, first with the flat panel imacs, then the ipods, and then OSX, which is basically what everyone has tried to do with Linux. OSX to me is the embodiment of Linux on the Desktop.
I just know that since i switched to apple, I dont worry anymore of viruses, nor i worry if my e-mail has some bundled adware into it, and like many other people have said in this post, it could eventually happen, but right now it hasn't happened for me.
I recently dug myself deeper into apple. I bought a G5 Dual 2.0ghz and have it running with 4gb ram, and the works. Sure i admit i miss my games on the PC... although i play World of Warcraft, without any problems on my powermac, and any other games I play, i play'em on my Xbox, and eventually my 360. My GF who is also an Engineer uses windows because of her daily work, but she uses my mac everynow and often and she likes it a lot... im sure she will want one once we move in toghether.
Finally, i don't know what future Vista will offer anyone. Everything Vista does, OSX does for me. Plus OSX is far more secure than Vista will ever be. The Software part, well its coming around... At least anything i need to use or do I can do it on my mac... no biggy there. Just think other companies should try to develpe more ingenuity and true innovation like Apple does. Instead of stealing ideas only to develop them shittierly than they are originally developed. OSX has brought apple out of the dark ages into the light. I just wish we could all enjoy of the benefits this brings forward.
Now let me go back to my GF and keep raising those GF Points up... I want a video ipod... :)
Re:Why people switch? (Score:4, Insightful)
I have had a PowerMac for almost two years now. I have done nothing special in regards to security other than the Security Updates. I have never had a single problem, nor have I see any reported. Until shown otherwise, the belief that OS X is susceptible to viruses is a matter of faith, not fact.
Reminds Me of the Song.... (Score:3, Insightful)
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/cany
While I agree that there are more Mac users, (I converted my neighbor)I think this is writing for eyeballs at best. The writer has wisely weaved together hot-topics to sell his story.
Right now and until there is a release to stores on MS's Longwait, there will be plenty of extra Macs sold. In fact, it will likely BE the second-coming of the apple desktop.
Once the available for retail date gets close on Longwait it all goes quiet and MS collects on their monopoly. Cha-Ching! The the media onslaught will include
Right now, Apple is getting some desktop face-time. Enjoy it while it lasts. Sad too, because the mac is superior in so many ways.
The word is on the street (Score:3, Interesting)
What's not reported in TFA... (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, for those rare types who read TFA, this is one of those nice sites that doesn't let you return to
Re:Is it because I bought a Mac? (Score:5, Funny)
According to the article, you were the 137,565th person to switch, sorry.
The Mac Demographic (Re:Is it because I bough...?) (Score:5, Funny)
In summary, unattractive squares should stick to Linux [atspace.com] and Windows [atspace.com]. Macs are for different thinkers. [atspace.com]
* * * gallery updated 5 Nov. 2005 * * *
Re:to be fair (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm not debating the reasons why. I'm refuting the article's author's assumption that because someone buys a Mac or an iPod they are instantly a "convert".
No zealotry implied.... (Score:3, Funny)
Zealotry comes later. For now you are a mere convert.
Soon will come the "Quicktime-ning" and once you reach that stage you will begin gaining power from every Windows user you decapitate...
Re:Is it because I bought a Mac? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Scanned (Score:5, Insightful)
Like many analysts, he pulled it straight from his butt. Or, more specifically, he gathered a few anecdotes from Apple salesmen and extrapolated them to cover the entire universe.
Re:Time to sell Apple Stock (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The Mac Experience - not all its cracked up to (Score:5, Informative)
Re:The Mac Experience - not all its cracked up to (Score:5, Informative)
This is very interesting. I was going to mod you down, but you are already at -1. Then I thought to myself: "I actually use and LOVE Keynote, but I don't really use Pages, so modding this comment without first hand experience would be unfair."
So I fired up Pages, opened the Three Panel Brochure template (I guess that's what you meant), and noticed that if I replaced the template text, the program would be dog slow. Not as slow as you say: after typing a very, very long sentence, the last character would appear around six seconds after I typed it, which is anyway too annoying.
So I was going to mod you up. But then I saw all the comments saying that they don't experience such a long lag... WTF? So I closed the document and started a new one using the Club Newsletter template, which looks fairly complex. To make things fair, I inserted five different pages all with several columns, pictures, side texts (or however they are called). By the way, everything looks very cool, and far more complex than the Three Panel Brochure. I started editing all over the place, with *absolutely* no delay.
So the problem is actually with the specific template! Apparently it's much more complex than it seems, or the author screwed up, or it uses a particular "feature" that kills Pages. In any case, you can make documents that look much more complex using other templates (although I only tested those two).
Someone please mod parent as "Underrated". I personally thought that describing my findings would contribute more to the discussion.
Oh, by the way: Pages - Just say yes only if you have already tested the template you want to use.
Keynote, that's a totally different story. Keynote rocks!
Re:Security is a poor reason to switch... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, we call those people "average users," and they are legion.
Re:iTunes, not iPod (Score:5, Funny)
They did, and called it Windows Media Player. It sucks.