A diehard Mac user switches to PC

Business Insider ^ | 07/11/2018 | Steve Kovach and Clancy Morgan

[SeekAndFind]

The Mac used to have numerous advantages over the PC, but with Windows 10 the PC has now closed the gap.

These days buying a PC gives you many more options compared to the Mac, which continues to stagnate. Business Insider's senior tech correspondent, Steve Kovach, switched his Mac for a PC to see what Windows 10 really has to offer.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Steve Kovach: I've been a Mac user for over 15 years. I hated PCs. They came loaded with a bunch of software that slowed down my machine, and they caught viruses way too easily.

Ad: Last year there were 114 thousand known viruses for PCs.

PCs, but not Macs.

Steve: Then I discovered the Mac. And it had everything the PC didn't. But lately, I've grown frustrated with the Mac lineup. And while Apple has let its Mac lineup stagnate, Windows 10 computers have gotten really good. So I decided to make the switch back for a few days and tested Huawei's new MateBook X Pro. Which runs Windows 10 and starts at about $1200. Some have called it the best laptop you can buy. And guess what, Windows is actually really great. And I may even like it better than my Mac.

Windows 8 tried to be two operating systems in one. One for desktop and one for mobile. And it failed at both. It even got rid of Windows' iconic Start menu. But Windows 10 reversed a lot of those mistakes. The Start menu's back and it works great on the desktop. Windows 10 comes with Cortana. The Microsoft Digital Assistant. It can dig through files on your computer and even search the web. It's almost as good as Google Search.

Windows 10 also has a lot more hardware options.

[Rurudyne]

Now PCs just slurp up your data.

If y’all have given up on Mac (I’m Suspicious of Apple just because, but my old computer still does what I need it to) then choose Linux.

Unless you simply like a good slurping....

[entropy12]

Operating System (OS) which is what Windows is, matters very little in my use of computers. So long as I can write my own programs to manage my personal data bases using a 2004 era data base software, I am happy.

As for surfing the net, the faster the better, which is why I do not use any virus or other blockers. They all slowdown the computer. Used computers are cheaper than a pair of new sneakers. So I use one dedicated to only 4 web sites such my broker and bank. The other computer I use to surf the net. If it picks up a virus, no biggie. I just format the hard drive and re-install the OS.

[gr8eman]

Hated Windows...got a Mac...got so frustrated with it I dropped it off my balcony. Back to Windows. They all suck!

[Skywise]

Don’t trust anything out of business insider now.

Windows 10 is many things but it is NOT better than Mac OS. Period.

You can argue better/cheaper hardware on PCs over Macs (true) but Windows 10 is subpar (and steadily growing worse)

[Red Badger]

Ping!.................

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Better suit up! This is almost as contentious as iPhone vs Samsung.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Hated Windows...got a Mac...got so frustrated with it I dropped it off my balcony. Back to Windows. They all suck!

Try LINUX instead. LOL

[cuban leaf]

I’ve said for years that if aliens came here and only knew about the US what they saw on tv fiction and in movies they would think that our presidents were either black or female and that everyone used an apple computer.

It’s kinda funny.

[dhs12345]

Cortana. Yuck! Don’t use it at all.

[McGruff]

Linux users, you are next.

[pepsi_junkie]

I’ve said for years that if aliens came here and only knew about the US what they saw on tv fiction and in movies they would think that our presidents were either black or female and that everyone used an apple computer.

They would also assume that 50% of people are gay but only the smart, witty ones.

[cuban leaf]

Ha!

At the end of the day, I really do sort of see this as a “ford vs chevy” debate.

I’ve never owned a Mac for two reasons: Price and only one mouse button. A friend of mine, a graphic artist, has used both for a couple of decades. He sees them both as having their strengths and weaknesses.

I went for the windows 10 upgrade a couple of years ago on my four year old machine. It did have a problem with my internal wi fi modem regarding the last major upgrade, but other than that, I love it (even though I’m not supposed to). And my work computer was just replaced with a Windows 10 carrying laptop. I love it too.

I’m sure I’d learn to love a Mac if I had one.

I tried Ubuntu (Linux) a while back and dumped it. Even though I’m in IT for my profession and used to build my own computers, I am as interested in loading Linux on my box as a middle aged housewife that only uses her computer to hit facebook and amazon would be. My computer is a commodity. I bought it. I use it. If it breaks I buy a new one.

[dhs12345]

What is the market share for PCs vs Macs? Not including iPads, iPhones. Just laptop to laptop, desktop to desktop.

No one would do cad work or software on an iPhone or ipad. Businesses don’t use Mac products because they are very expensive when compared to a PC.

Apple has always been unaffordable for me. Too rich for my tastes. And yes, I have used Macs many times. My dad is a fan.

[PreciousLiberty]

macOS and Windows certainly both have their issues. Windows is still terrible for many things, and has an unappealing development story. Macs have sub-par hardware at the moment, except for the $5000+ iMac Pro. Also, Apple doesn’t seem too focused on really improving macOS going forward.

Linux is great (I’m using it as I type this) but has been unable to attract much in the way of commercial software. Also, it’s the opposite of innovative, it typically takes ideas from the commercial operating systems. It is very nice having a stable Unix-like OS though!

The world is ripe for a new commercial computer (note: not phone) OS that takes the lessons learned over the last 50 years to produce a open, fast, lean, secure and elegant OS. Untold billions await...

[TomGuy]

I briefly tried Win10 on an extra hard drive a couple of years ago. It was a frustrating experience.

Recently, I bought a Win10 tablet, as it seems the only real alternative when my Win7 laptop and desktop bite the dust. Every time I try to do anything, weird stuff happens. I don’t know whether it is just the tablet or Win10. After a few minutes of playing with it, I get frustrated and revert to a Win7 machine.

I also have a Linux Mint laptop. Linux just doesn’t compete. I have tried nearly everything to get FoxSportsGo to work. Even WINE doesn’t do it. The only remaining alternative seems to be installing a VM. Then does that mean Win7 or Win10? Utttt! I back a Windows, so that negates the reason for Linux.

[Bob434]

[[If it picks up a virus, no biggie. I just format the hard drive and re-install the OS.]]

No need to do that- buy RollBackRx and if you get a virus- do a rollback to a time before you got the virus- Takes about 2 minutes- virus is completely gone-

[libertylover]

These days buying a PC gives you many more options compared to the Mac

That's why I gave up my MAC in the 1990s.

I have the problem in reverse now. I have a Windows phone, but there are very few apps for it. Luckily, I think I have all I need for now.

[Bob434]

[[I am as interested in loading Linux on my box as a middle aged housewife that only uses her computer to hit facebook and amazon would be.]]

Try Linux Mint Cinnamon edition- very nice mostly easy OS- it’s absolutely fine for using Internet- email etc- infact it’s much safer online than windows- even Mac- almost all viruses are written for windows- some for Mac- and only a few for linux- Most linux users don’t even run anti-virus it’s considered so safe- You really won’t notice hardly any difference with windows if all you use your comp for it mostly online browsing- email- IF however you need windows only programs, then you’re out of luck mostly- but many programs can be run under wine- but it’s an extra step or two-

90% of my computer time is online with linux- I dual boot- and when i need windows programs (like for gaming or photoshop or whatever) I simply just boot into windows 7 and do what i need to do- save everything to second hard-drive- then boot back into linux- easy peasy-

Love the security of linux for online browsing

[Bob434]

I know oyu’ve had that prob with linux for awhile- I just went to the site=- and although i am not a member- looking at the free videos, I can view them fine with linux/firefox- Can you view the free vids ok?