5 Reasons Macs Can't Claim They're Better than Windows 7 — plus rebuttal...

Network World and Pixobebo | 8/19/2009 and 8/21/2009 | By Mitchell Ashley - Pro, Kate MacKenzie - Con

[Swordmaker]

5 Reasons Macs Can't Claim They're Better than Windows 7

By Mitchell Ashley

Apple's heyday of picking on Windows is over

August 19, 2009

I regularly use both Windows and Mac PCs, so any comments that I've never used a Mac are bunk. I've been using Windows 7 since before its public beta release at the first of this year. I use my Mac for video editing, iPhone development, etc. I love all of my computers equally -- my Windows PC, my Mac and my Linux servers. They all do what I ask them to do very well, and I have things about each that I like and things I don't.

But frankly, the differences in the Windows 7 and Mac OS X platforms from a usability standpoint are pretty much nil. Windows 7 has simplified much of the complexity introduced in Vista and made Windows a very clean and easy-to-use OS. I would even go so far as to predict that the days of Apple trampling all over Windows in the "I'm a Mac" commercials are pretty much over. Not to say Apple won't go after Windows 7 as soon as Windows 7 has some vulnerability or issue Apple can exploit in a TV commercial. I'll grant, too, that Apple still has its "cool" factor and Windows isn't like to encroach on that. But Windows 7 is not only a "good enough" operating system, it is so much better an OS and user experience that Apple will have to think hard before using the same advertising tactics that worked so well on Vista.

Here are the five reasons Apple fears Windows 7:

Clean and Simple User Experience. There is now very little difference between the easy user experience on Windows 7 and Mac OS X. Gone from Windows 7 are Vista's loads of unnecessary bloatware applications, confusing and poorly designed configuration dialog boxes, and moronic UAC popups that impeded a user's productivity at every turn. The new task bar is more simple and straightforward than Mac OS X's crowded icon bar. Windows also has very good screen configuration settings that make switching between monitor configurations extremely easy. And the Control Panel has been redesigned to the basics of what end users need to manage Windows 7. Like it or not, we're now down to personal preference when it comes to usability and ease of use.

Mac Crashes More. Fact is, my Windows 7 systems don't crash... ever. Those days of frequent Windows Explorer crashes went away when I installed the Windows 7 RC. My Mac now crashes more often (about once a month or so) than Windows 7, and my Mac isn't over laden with junk on it.

Flexibility and Lower Cost. Microsoft has updated its "PC hunter" commercials but they still show how easy it is to find a better value when buying a Windows PC over a Mac. You have to use some pretty convoluted math to come to the conclusion Macs don't cost more than PCs for the equivalent devices. If you buy a Mac it's going to be because you consciously have decided you want a Mac instead of a PC, you hate Microsoft, you prefer the Mac user interface, etc.

Performance. We may not have side-by-side Windows 7 and Mac OS X performance comparisons yet (I'm sure we will soon) but Windows 7 isn't the performance hog Vista was. The experience is great. Windows 7 tools are fast, applications don't freeze up waiting for resources, disk I/O performance is great, memory utilization is much more efficient. Startup, shutdown and sleep are fast. Outlook still has its issues with not responding but overall we're talking a speedy experience on Windows 7. Now add that to the fact that Windows has access to the latest hardware advances -- you can crack the core on the latest Intel i7 or other hardware advances.

Mac Security Is NOT Better Than Windows 7. Many still live with the myth that Mac OS X doesn't have any security issues while Windows does. That myth ignores the facts. For example, Apple just released 18 security patches (the smallest collection of patches this year) for Mac OS X on August 5th. Many try to argue that not all the fixes are for Mac OS X, but rather for other software that might be included with it. To compare apples-to-apples (pun intended) you have to stack up the software each vendor ships with their products, not selective parts of it. While it is true that Windows is still a much larger security target because of it's market share, it isn't true that the Mac doesn't have plenty of security issues of its own.

Okay, when you comment... please disclose if you use both Windows 7 and Mac OS X?

[WVKayaker]

... who seems to think his affinity for Apple products makes him morally superior.

He's right, of course!

We Mac users are all superior to MS drones, don'tcha know?

Seriously, though, a computer (for most of us) is just an appliance. I use a Mac today, because when I bought my first one in 1984, I was looking for simplicity. The graphic environment appealed to me. I had used basic (and a tape recorder)f with my Timex 1000, but really didn't want to remember all of those c> commands. I loved my Mac from day one. It has ALWAYS been plug-n-play.

Since then, I have owned most iterations of the Macintosh, up to my current Intel MacBook (still have and use my 17' G4 PB). I have 4 running on my 8 ft desk, as I type. One on them is a server, and runs the house X-10 system (since 1994).

I have used Microsoft products sparingly. I have always known intuitively how to use the Macs, but Windoze machines are NOT the same. They are a poor emulation of the Mac environment, at best. I am sure the Mac environment would be an initial challenge to MS users, but it isn't nearly as clunky. Win7 can only be an improvement.

My sister is a PC user. She has bought a new computer every year for the past 4. Why? She bought a new one when her old one refused to work any more. They constantly fill up with hitch-hikers and slow to a crawl. She is a Nurse using big spreadsheets in a study. When she bought her last one, A Vista computer, she called me to complain. It seems none of her peripherals worked with Vista. She had to buy a new printer, scanner, and even then had difficulty in getting things to work.

My Mac works. All of my peripherals work when I plug them in, even with loading no driver, nor selecting anything. I did have to introduce my HP OfficeJet 5610 to OSX, but only for the scanner part. The printer worked from day one, and so did the fax.

Does any of that make me morally superior? No, but I do have a lot of time to use my computer, rather than spend time wondering how or why something is broke!

I have Windows XP on my MacBook. It allows me to run the only MS program I want, Flight Sim X. But, I wish that MS was smart enought to support the Mac platform. Operating systems aren't everything we want.

[al_c]

Mac v. PC

England v. France

North v. South

Good grief ... just use the computer that works best for you.

[Spktyr]

Seeing open windows in an app is already in Mac OS X - all the way back to 10.3. It’s F10 on the keyboard.

Guess that means that Windows 7 is now just six years behind.

[normanpubbie]

I have used just about every Microsoft operating system: DOS3, DOS4, DOS6, Win 3.1, 95B, 98, 98SE, ME, 2K, XP, and Win7. Except for ME (buggy) and 2K (not appreciably better than 98SE), all of these op systems were an improvement over their predecessors, IMHO. I don't dread XP, I like it.

Probably 99 percent of Windows criticism is due to Vista, which almost nobody liked and caused the uptick in Mac use. I'm glad Microsoft got rid of that dog.

Although I have never owned a Mac, someone gave my friend a Mac and he asked me to figure out how to use it. After using it for a couple of weeks, I got used to it; the Mac was a good, solid computer. But I never did see the claimed superiority over the PC.

Swordmaker, if you think Mackies are mildly smug (mildly?), meet the Linuxites. I have to admit I don't understand the rationale of these folks. Linux, there are dozens of slightly-different renditions of your operating system out there. Rather than developing yet another, why not stick to one and make installing it, configuring it, and using it more user-friendly? (Normal folks don't want to write a driver for a brand-new wireless card). Until you do, you'll never touch the Macs and PCs because they are are already easy to set up and use.

Let's do a cost comparison between the three hardwares and operating systems. Clearly, Mac is the loser here because because you'll have to pay $500 to $1000 more for an equivalent Mac over PC. For businesses, no big deal. For home users, this could be a real problem. And saving $100 on the free Linux OS doesn't make up for its operational shortcomings.

[palmer]

In 2+ years of use, my Macbook as never crashed. Not a single time. Have to wonder what the writer is doing to make his crash once a month.

I inferred from the article that his was a desktop on 24x7. The macbook you are using is presumably rebooted at least once a day.

[TheStickman]

Sometimes I go 5 to 8 days in a row without rebooting. Have multiple HD’s connected via firewire and USB. Use my mac primarily as a DAW and for internet. It just works for me everytime I use it with no crashes at all.

[palmer]

Sometimes I go 5 to 8 days in a row without rebooting

Then you can't really say it will run for a month without crashing. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but crashing is more and more of an individual phenomenon which varies by usage, applications, memory, and everything else.

[dennisw]

Buying a Mac also means you have bought a PC. You can load Win 7 on Bootcamp or virtually on a mac. You have the best of both worlds. You can’t do the same on a PC.

That's just a wise guy claim and irrelevant
Plenty of PC users would install the Apple OS for a dual boot and buy a legal copy thus increasing Apple's profits
But Apple has made that unlawful and if you want to hack it and install the OS it is dicey

IOW it is lawful to install Windows on any darn computer you want
But it is unlawful to install the Mac OS on anything but a Mac

[TheStickman]

Agreed that everyone uses their machine differently their mileage will vary.

I don’t reboot mine out of any “need” to do so. I forget to shut it down sometimes for days and never have any problems. Sometimes I remember to shut it down before I go to bed. Either way, when I need to have 80 to 100 mono audio tracks running in Logic Express 8 from an external drive, it just works, flawlessly. No crashes, no lock-ups. Ever.

If I had to leave it on for a month at a time to complete a project I wouldn’t have the slightest concern the Macbook couldn’t do the job. Built and used PC’s for years as DAW’s prior to getting the Mac and no matter how nice the hardware, I always had to reinstall winders every few weeks after recording several projects. Just don’t have those issues with the Mac.

[DollyCali]

bumpity bump

[normanpubbie]

As I understand your comment, you are asking for a comparison between Win7 and previous versions.

All Windows versions between 95 and XP were organized essentially alike.

Here are the areas where there are significant differences in Win7:

1. Compared to Vista: Organization and operation are virtually identical. Performance is reportedly much better than Vista.
2. Visual and layout:Compared to pre-Vista, looks completely different but retains all of the former functions; has some new ones.
3. Online help: Quite limited in Win7 Beta and RC. Presumably more extensive in the final version.
4. Setting up home or work network: Completely different from prior versions. Took me a while to figure out how to do it. Microsoft claims it's easier. Wasn't for me.
5. Burning to disk:Can now burn one file at a time to DVDs and can burn .ISO files which are becoming more widespread.

The Start Menu and Computer are organized differently than in pre-Vista versions. I recommend that you go to the Start Menu and click on all of the links, exploring to see where everything is. That is how I learned to use Win7.

Is Win7 as frisky as previous versions? I think so -- and I'm using only 1GB of memory.

Win7 doesn't release until October 22. But every Vista version (except Basic) purchased between June 26th and October 22nd is eligible for an upgrade to Win7 -- definitely worthwhile. In most cases, the upgrade is free, although some vendors charge $10 for it.

[Mr. Blonde]

I’m not meaning Expose as a whole, but what they have advertised as a new feature of exposing the windows of one specific app by clicking and holding on its icon.

[Mr. Blonde]

Plenty of PC users would install the Apple OS for a dual boot and buy a legal copy thus increasing Apple's profits

Are you sure? Takes a lot of $129 OS X copies to equal selling one MacBook Pro. I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that selling OS X for install on any Intel computer would increase profits. Allowing Clones didn't help Apple's bottom line in the past.

[AFreeBird]

Yea, I've been known to run bare nekkid around my house (forgot to bring a fresh towel into the bathroom) but It was behind walls.

Are you telling us that you run your PC with no firewall, no ant-virus/malware software; directly connected to the net, and not behind a router/gateway?

[dennisw]

Plenty of PC users would install the Apple OS for a dual boot and buy a legal copy thus increasing Apple's profits

Are you sure? Takes a lot of $129 OS X copies to equal selling one MacBook Pro. I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that selling OS X for install on any Intel computer would increase profits. Allowing Clones didn't help Apple's bottom line in the past.

Dell (or HP Acer) would not be selling clones. Just dual boot machines. Dell would be happy to build a line of Windows/OSX machines with very nice hardware that Apple would approve of. Apple could even demand setting the price levels high so that Apple sales wouldn't be undercut

This would spread Apple brand name recognition same as iPods and iPhones did

[Swordmaker]

I inferred from the article that his was a desktop on 24x7. The macbook you are using is presumably rebooted at least once a day.

My desktop Mac is on 24/7 and has been for 14 days. In rebooted it two weeks ago because of the upgrade to OSX.5.8. Before that it had been on for about four months. Same situation for my Macbook Pro laptop. I just put it to sleep by closing the top. When I open it, and press a key, it's back on in three seconds. My daughter's OSX.4.11 Tiger G4 PowerPC Tower has been on 24/7 for about six months. No crashes since OSX.1 seven years ago.

[dennisw]

Do you ever worry about fans burning out and ruining your computer or is there an Apple auto-shutoff you have great confidence in? Or maybe your computers are going to sleep. Power management has been a problem with Windows and all the hardware it has to cover

I tend to leave computers on

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

I’d fall down in a faint if my Macbook Pro crashed once a month. What is this guy doing to cause that?

My own counter experience follows. Like him, I’ve been using Win7 for a while now. It’s okay. Merely tolerable. Unlike the author, I find Win7’s user interface to be clunky and occasionally quite strange. Delete a file, and you have to wait (wait!) for a little dialog-box to finish patting itself on the back for “recycling” the disk space. Deleting a 1kbyte file takes a couple of seconds. Why? Why? Why? And Win7 still uses an antique, fragmentation-prone file system. You still must defrag every now and then, unlike the Mac. It’s still a resource hog, though less so than Vista. I would definitely agree that it’s the best Windows I’ve used, but it’s still kinda ...well, disappointing. It’s what Vista should have been. Compared to the Mac: There’s no Spaces (multiple desktops), no Folder Actions, signing onto WiFi still takes much longer, adding a printer is still a long process, you still need to run an antivirus program (it nags you if you don’t), there’s still nothing to compare to Time Machine, and so on. I’d hoped for better, frankly.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"I inferred from the article that his was a desktop on 24x7. The macbook you are using is presumably rebooted at least once a day."

Who reboots their Macbook? Just shut the lid and go on your merry way. Pop the lid open, poof, there it is again. You can do this over and over and over and over for weeks and weeks and weeks, whereas every Windows laptop I've ever used has seemed to get its knickers in a twist after maybe four or six sleeps or hibernations.

[Swordmaker]

Do you ever worry about fans burning out and ruining your computer or is there an Apple auto-shutoff you have great confidence in? Or maybe your computers are going to sleep. Power management has been a problem with Windows and all the hardware it has to cover

Nope. Macs are excellent at power management.