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I was rooting for Apple when they released MacOSX. Their old operating system had its share of problems, and switching to a UNIX-based operating system seemed like a great idea. I even advocated that Apple release a PC-version of MacOSX so I can install it on a REAL machine (AMD Athlon) and see what she could do.
But then Apple started their "Switch" campaign. They started bashing Windows, using arguments that were possibly valid back in 1996, but no longer stand. In fact, where Microsoft used to copy the MacOS, it seems that MacOS is now stealing a lot of ideas from Windows. Then I read today's Penny Arcade comic (click here, and beware of harsh language), and realized that I was not the only one outraged by these annoying advertisements.
Therefore, I decided to visit Apple's website for their "Switch" campaign, and I stumbled upon a list of ten reasons to switch to Apple.
Here is my counter-argument for each reason given:
- The Mac . . . it just works
This is partly due to the fact that Apple controls both the hardware and software for Macs. It seems to me that if Microsoft tried to do the same people would accuse them of being a monopoly. Imagine a PC built by Microsoft running Windows. Personally, it reminds me of an X-Box. I mean, the X-Box "just works," but you don't see me buying one, do you? I also remember that Windows XP supported all of my hardware out of the box. I had to update my video card driver, but I have to do that on a weekly basis anyway, due to nVidia's frequent driver updates.
- It doesn't crash
Apple says that MacOSX does not have Blue Screens of Death. Just because it doesn't have BSODs doesn't mean it will never crash. Apple says that the OS and programs are completely protected from each other. Does this sound like Windows NT to anyone else? This isn't a new idea. Microsoft has been doing this since the early 1990s with Windows NT, and it has continued into Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
- Simply the best in digital music
Apparently MacOSX supports MP3s, CD burning, and FireWire for connecting to digital music players. I'm pretty sure Windows XP supports all of these out-of-the-box. I have not personally tried the FireWire support, but I know it is there.
- The missing link in digital photography
MacOSX lets you plug your digital camera into your computer and easily download the photographs. Let me run through the complicated process I use to get photos off my camera. First, I plug in my camera. Second, I select which photos I want to download. Third, I...well...there isn't a third step. Was that so complicated that it takes a Computer Science student to perform correctly?
- Your own digital entertainment center
The MacOSX operating system comes with software that lets you make your own movies. Three words: Windows Movie Maker. Besides, who really wants to use the QuickTime format for their movies? Besides, with a few free downloads anyone can use DivX to encode their videos, and this is far superior to both Windows WMV and Apple Quicktime formats. The only thing that some Macs have going for them is the integrated DVD burner. If I ever find the need to burn that much data, then I'll buy one for my PC.
- Goes everywhere you go
Now Apple makes a dumb argument. I should switch to Apple because they also have Apple laptops? Well, Dell has laptops too, but you will never catch me buying a Dell. I fail to see Apple's point.
- It's built for the Internet
Wow! MacOSX comes with Internet Explorer! I sure wish Windows had that! Oh, wait. This has been in Windows since one of the later versions of Windows 95, has it not? I'm sorry, but Microsoft jumped on the Internet bandwagon long before Apple did. This was a process that started back when Al Gore invented the Internet, I believe.
- Office is Office, and then some
So MacOSX comes with Microsoft Office. So you have to pay for Microsoft Office even if you prefer Corel WordPerfect? And I seriously doubt that Office for MacOSX does anything that Office XP does not.
- Works effortlessly with PCs
So do PCs. That was easy.
- It's beautiful
Not as beautiful as John's custom PC (pictured here). Sure, building the system into the monitor may seem like a great idea at first, but what about when you want a bigger monitor? Actually, the more I look at the dome-shape, the more I think it looks ugly.
Well, nice try with MacOSX, Apple, but I think I'll stick with my AMD-powered PCs. If I want a BSD Unix-based operating system on my computer, I'll download FreeBSD. At least it's FREE. Besides, you don't get people to switch brands by telling them they're stupid.
I would be very interested to hear what Apple/Mac users think about this new "Switch" campaign.
Beware the Muuj
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