“InfoWorld’s ‘Save XP’ petition asking Microsoft to keep Windows XP available indefinitely, not end most sales on June 30 as currently planned, has prompted many readers to suggest that maybe the best answer for those who don’t like Vista is to switch to another operating system completely,” Galen Gruman reports for InfoWorld.
“‘Windows Vista was the reason I bought a Mac mini. I didn’t want my only choices to be an operating system that would soon be obsolete (XP) or one that was buggy and would break much existing hardware (Vista), and I’m not enough of a geek to use Linux (do things from the command line? Puhleeze…),’ wrote ‘Jack,'” Gruman reports.
MacDailyNews Take: Linux on the desktop is a fantasy; simply a non-starter. In January 2008, Net Applications’ measure of operating system usage share online put Linux at 0.67%. Apple’s Mac OS X was 7.57%. In fact, Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch already hold 0.17%. Apple’s Wi-Fi mobile devices will likely surpass Linux on the desktop this year. After years and years of availability, Linux has no significant, meaningful user base. And, it has nothing to do with being geeky or using the command line. It has everything to do with a mature user interface and access to the world’s best applications. Only Apple Macintosh can run all the world’s applications. Most Linux on the desktop “geeks” we know switched to Mac OS X long ago. You want Unix on the desktop, you want Mac OS X. That said, Linux is a perfectly acceptable (and maybe even the best) choice for the server room.
Gruman reports, “Of the plausible alternatives to Windows, Apple’s Mac OS X has the largest market share and history. InfoWorld chief technologist Tom Yager has written that the latest version of the Mac OS, Leopard (10.5), is simply the best operating system available. And Macs are indeed popping up more frequently even within IT circles — I’ve seen more MacBook Pros in the hands of CTOs and IT execs at conferences in the past year more than I’ve seen Mac notebooks in such venues ever. Although there are no real numbers on just the business adoption of Macs, it’s clear that Apple is in growth mode, gaining an increasing proportion of all new computer sales for more than a year now.
“InfoWorld’s Yager has chronicled the adventures of one PC user who switched to the Mac OS, showing that for an individual, the conversion was ultimately a rewarding one. The TechWeb site has also provided a good guide on how to make the switch to Mac OS X,” Gruman reports. “A key tool for any Mac OS X switcher is a virtual machine to run Windows for those apps and Web sites that require it. Both Parallels Desktop 3.0 and EMC VMware’s Fusion software will do the trick, as InfoWorld’s comparative review has shown.”
More in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Shawn” for the heads up.]
Interestingly, the rise of Macs has also resulted in an increase in the number of post-it notes attached to computers on TV shows when they attempt to hide the logo. The iMac in the counsellor’s office on the Sarah Connor Chronicles last week being one of the most recent examples. There has also been an increase in penholders and other desktop furniture positioned behind laptops.
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700, they won’t need those “Get a Mac” or “I’m a Mac, you’re a PC” stupid ads!!! They worldwide market share will tripe in 2 years… believe me.
Really, with close to 20 billions in cash, and an extremely profitable business running, they can give us a good quality and more affordable entry-level computer. And please guys, don’t mention this stupid Mac Mini. It’s a joke !!!
here is the plan
Big brother has been sticking it to you forever
now lets stick it ti them
buy AAPL now while wall street has “uptick rule” to print money for itself
switch to Apple, have you friends switch to apple, have your business switch to Apple
by the time you are 30 you will retire just as oh so many Mr softie jerk did
got it ??
now do it
its all a game the fat kats are play people with billions THEY PRINT THEIR MONEY WITH STOCK MANIPULATION IT IS A FACT
SEC KNOW EVERYONE KNOWS NOW LETS KICK THEIR ASS!!!!
I meant: “THEIR worldwide market share will TRIPLE in 2 years… believe me.”
@Mac+
The reason why Apple is the computer it is, is because it is NOT cheap. Cheap is Dell
I have used more OSs than anyone I know. But you will never hear me whine about the deficiencies of one OS over another. I like them all for what they are and use them where appropriate.
Of all the consumer OSs, Leopard is by far the best. There is just so much that you can do with it in your day to day life. It is rock solid stable, fast, and fun to use.
I also think that the MacBook Pro is the best all around computer that Apple makes. It may be expensive, but there is almost nothing consumer oriented that it cannot do.
@ The Rev.
Man, I bet you it’s possible for Apple to deliver a $700 computer that is absolutely NOT CHEAP. They could lower a bit some technical specifications, like the scree size who could be 15 inch, like the Ram that could be 1Gig, etc. You could have a cool all-in-one iMac Mini…
To Mac+
“Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700…” And please guys, don’t mention this stupid Mac Mini. It’s a joke”
Ok The lowest price Imac – is what $1200? So difference is price of $500 between a $700 Chainstore PC and an Imac gets you …
Anybody looking for a $700 computer should just wait a month or two more save the extra $500 and get an Imac…
Oh and if you looking at a $700 PC, then the mini is probably about right in terms of simply surfing the net, e-mail, paying bills, doing school projects, managing your photos, skyping, … gee about 95% of what individuals use computers for!!!
@Mac+
What they need to do is place an expandable system between the iMac and the Mac Pro. Something that you can customize yourself, with your own hardware choices; nVidia or ATI, matte or glossy, dual or quad core, etc.
Apparently Apple’s not that interested in that market.
The time to dump windows was years ago – talk about late!
No one needs windows these days, especially as the future of software is web apps that can be used on any OS in just a browser window.
It never fails and it never ceases to amaze me (one of the comments ftfa):
“Windows will be around for a long time. The switch campaign is all well and good, but so what. Apple can only so far with their current business model. Vista may be perceived to be a dud, but it is no different in adoption than any other Windows software. I’ve used Apple once in the 90s and switched back. I’m tired of some frustrations that Apple bring to the table like the cost and lack of flexibility and when Apple fails, it is no different than Windows.”
He’s obviously the expert. </sarcasm>
Okay, so here’s a question, and I ask because it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Why do people, including MDN, frequently say “Apple Mac”. Example from this story:
“Only Apple Mac can run all the world’s applications.”
Last I checked, Apple was the only company that makes them so it’s a bit redundant. Additionally, the ads on this page don’t say Apple MacBook or Apple iPod nano. And I don’t run Apple Mac OS X Leopard on my MacBook. I know it’s not a big deal as the world turns, but it does bug me a bit.
One of my friends who introduced me to the Mac switched to Winblows about 2 years after I bought my Mac. (I wasn’t really a switcher because my Mac was the first computer I ever bought and I always hated Windoze but never knew why) I told him he was stupid and on the wrong side of history. He thought the OS X transition would ruin Apple – it didn’t. He then thought the Intel transition would do it – it didn’t. Now, he is fed up with XP, hates Fista, and is too proud to switch back to the Mac platform (won’t admit he was wrong), so, he is going with Ubuntu. I think he will be a Mac user again in a year or so.
A wayward sheep trying to find his way back to the flock!
@M.X.N.T.4.1,
Me and my PowerBook were shown on the local CBS news here in Philly after the Grammy’s for a segment on digital downloads. No covering of my Apple logo! Actually, at the coffee shop that day there were 6 laptops – all Macs.
@Mr. OS
Apple’s never really had the viewpoint of having an “custom build” machine. They prefer to have one main build and you can choose a few things here or there. It makes their life easier, and in my opinion it makes my job of picking out hardware easier. I don’t have to worry that this part will work with this config, but won’t work with another.
I do agree that there are people that want Apple to have that as an option at a level lower than the Pro’s.
Also there isn’t much room between the iMac and Pro as far as pricing goes… top end iMac starts at 2,200ish and the low end Pro is $2,299.00. With the Pro you get your choice of ATi / nVidia, and you get to pick your own monitor too!
Apple’s product line has historically had this tiered setup that makes you think about the next level up. It works, but I don’t think you can wedge another computer between the iMac and the Pro… Also their hardware tends to buck trends, no floppy drives, no on/off switch on the iPod, no DVD drive on the Air, and so on. Most of the time they make a good decision with their hardware choices, it just wouldn’t work as well with a ton of custom builds.
Spent almost the entire weekend on the phone with Apple Care all the way up to the most senior problem solvers and am still stuck with a failed, non operating system on 4 robust Mac Pros trying to run Final Cut Pro.
The real world experience is that it’s more Windows-like problems than it used to be.
Fix it before people start believing it is better then concluding it’s not. Or, you’ve lost them forever. They will be called ‘former switchers’.
Apple needs to secure a big fish company – AT&T;, IBM, Intel, etc… someone with massive clout, that announces it is switching their entire desktop operations – and some server storage – to OS X. Sure, some will run a VM program to keep legacy programs going, but overall, this “big fish” company looks to be OS X only within 3 years (again, on the desktop).
This would send shivers through Redmond’s backbone and legitimize Apple in the work-place big time.
IT HATES to make mistakes – they fear it big time – so they are very relucant to make such huge changes. But a big fish doing just that gives these IT depts. all over the world the freedom to explore what they are tempted to do, but never pull the trigger out of fear.
can you explain the issue a little FCP is the best editor I have ever used
is it a 3rd party card issue or what
just give us a little detail not just Macs dont work because it is just not true
The Microsoft brand is synonymous with just one thing! You are purchasing bloatware crap! It matters not whom the hardware manufacturer is, if a Microsoft OS (especially Vista) is installed, you are the proud owner of CRAP!
Yes Apple you do need to make two more computers…
a cheaper Mac mini… like drop the price to $399 without a mouse and keyboard… they could do this if they made it a little bigger and put in a full size drive..
and they could use the same platform for the gaming mac.. god forbid…
the imac is cool and all, I am on one right now.
but I want better price, more upgradability and flexibility.
I shouldnt have to spend $2000 to get the same performance that a $500 pc will give me.
open OSX!
Once you get past this OS argument, what else is there? !!!!!
Windows won the battle of ubiquity, I get that, but a war for the hearts and minds of the world still rages on.
My Mac does everything I ask it to and the same can be said by every PC user, so WTF is the matter here?
OS X is superior to Windows but far from perfect and can only grow in market share by earning new customers.
Ballmer already has 95 percent of the computer-using public and all he has to do is keep them happy but it seems he really screwed the pooch with their latest version of the “modern” OS.
As long as Apple continues to take the argument beyond the OS with their “Hello, I’m a Mac” advertising campaign, winning converts is like shooting fish in a barrel.
It’s fscking genius.
“Apple needs to secure a big fish company – AT&T;, IBM, Intel, etc… someone with massive clout”
@ Steven – Getting A Big Fish
It’s like asking those “big fish” to triple their IT costs!!! Remember, those are running on cheap Dell PCs and HP’s. For them, it’s work just good enough. Why bother.
The OS war’s been over for a long time with MS victory. Apple can only increase their market share to 10% top worldwide. And that would be extremely impressive. Apple doesn’t even care of MS today. I think Apple has another agenda today: The living room, the portable devices and the wireless connectivity of all pieces of hardware.
It’s obviously complex, otherwise it wouldn’t – at this very hour – be in the hands of the elite tech support guys at Cupertino.
And, it is way more involved than just a FCP user with his or her one machine doing the usual FCP stuff. BTW, I agree that FCP is the best there is for what it does – that’s why I’ve been using it since its inception!
The point is: it doesn’t work consistently, it is not reliable, and my business suffers when it fails – especially when I can’t get the support I need to fix it now.
Windows is not only not as good, it’s terrible. But, for potential switchers becoming believers, they won’t if they do some basic research and find all the problems – like the ones I am having.
Mac+ “And please guys, don’t mention this stupid Mac Mini. It’s a joke !!!”
Beg to differ on that. The Mini is a marvel of technology. So much packed into such a tiny space. Nobody else even comes close to making a micro PC equivalent to the Mini. And as a media center it blows the doors off all Microsoft-running abominations.
My Mini is hooked up to a 42″ LCD HDTV via HDMI/DVI. It has 2GB Ram, 250GB HD, 2Ghz CoreDuo2, with winXP via Paralles. It’s connected to a Gigabit Hub with a HDhomeRun network TV tuner. There is nothing my Mini can’t do. In fact it’s so great that I regret that I hardly have an hour a day to spend enjoying it!
Wouldn’t give up my Mini for any configuration of Frankenstein PC box. Period.
@Not Yet – Apple may have stumbled on the latest version of FCP and I can understand the knock to your productivity and business, but what other company would have their “elite tech support guys” working on your problem like this. Certainly not Microsoft.
When you think of the enormous breadth and complexity of Apple’s coding, from the OS to the professional aps to iLife to iWork to the iPhone, etc., there are going to be glitches.
Some of these glitches don’t show up until they are in the hands of the user. Some problems they never get around to addressing such as minor annoyances or bugs in the way the Finder works.
But all-in-all, Apple has shown that they are the best in the business for creating rock solid, highly integrated software that just works.
They are producing way more hits than misses and I don’t think that their misses are going to reverse the tide of users switching to the Mac.
As long as HOUSE keeps using Macs, I’m happy
Mac+,
The mini is running same Intel processor as the MacBook, has more USB ports, Firewire, the same hard drive size, DVI port, is just as quiet, and extremely portable. It’s just a desktop version of a laptop. Would you tell me not to buy the MacBook because it’s a “joke”?
The mini fits perfectly into the price range you’re after ($700) and satisfies the needs of many people that I know. I’m about to buy another one for my office to replace the aging (and noisy) G4. Just waiting for some rumors that it’ll be upgraded, as it’s been a while now.
jonklein61 writes, “there isn’t much room between the iMac and Pro as far as pricing goes.” This is a false comparison. The iMac is an all-in-one design; the Pro is a big ass desktop.
Those of us arguing for a pro-sumer Mac are looking at the gap between the Mini and the Pro. Give us something like a Shuttle xPC with room for two standard drives and a full panoply of I/O and it will be “just right” for many of us. Heck, it could be even smaller than the Shuttle given Apple’s use of slot-drive opticals. Price it at $999 and try to keep up with demand.
Why is this about the only site that doesn’t recognise the up/down arrow keys for navigating?
Hey there Mr. Web-marine guy,
Fix a bug for me…
They work on my Macs.
Oh, and while you’ve got me in this mood – why the hell are you accepting ad revenue from “cursor mania” or whatever that only one mouse click away announces that “WE DON’T DO MACS”?
Hey Mister web-marine man,
Fix an ad for me …
Holy cow! That was fast! My navigatin’ arrows are working! If only I’da bitched sooner…
Hey Mister web-marine man,
Fixed a bug for me…
Anyone who needs a $700 Mac and thinks the Mini is garbage needs to look at Apple’s Refurb Store. There are iMacs and MBs there in the $700 to $800 range, from time2time.
> Windows Vista was the reason I bought a Mac mini…
Windows Vista is the best thing to happen to Apple since the return of Steve Jobs. And unless Microsoft decides to repackage and release WIndows XP SP3 as “Windows 7,” it’s likely Microsoft will have no answer for at least 4 or 5 years. Momentum is the only thing Microsoft has going.
@ Ken C – “Anyone who needs a $700 Mac and thinks the Mini is garbage needs to look at Apple’s Refurb Store. There are iMacs and MBs there in the $700 to $800 range, from time2time.”
And the specs fir the mini are a joke. Apple could build a Mac in a Mini ATX case with a 250 Gig HDD (thats easily accessed), 1 Gig of Ram (thats easily accessed and expanded), a real video card (that can easily be changed and upgraded), PCI slots, APG Slots, a keyboard and mouse, and all for less than they sell the mini for.
And don’t give me that BMW and higher quality stuff. It’s the same damned components assembled in the same Korean plants. Apple charges a massive surplus for “sexy”, “delicious”, and “gorgeous” hardware and the “honor” of running their OS….. That may have worked well for the fanboys who would gladly overpay for style over substance but as the Mac moves into the mainstream that won’t sell with people who need functionality.
@ mdn
market share is not an indicator of the viability of an operating system… you are the last people I should have to say that to
@Me
Look, Most folks don’t need extra slots, better graphics etc. etc.
Your ‘average’ computer user now days uses a computer for e-mail, surfing the web, (paying bills, reservations, planning vacations, homework for the kids) downloading music or video for the ipod, and maybe write a letter or a termpaper and do some spreadsheet stuff (not high end). If you need an extra drive, do the time machine thing with an external
Thats what most people need a computer for. If the photos look good, and the computer can keep up with DSL or Cable Modem, 90% of computer users will never open their computer nor do they want to.
Yes the mini is simply a laptop in a desktop shell. But what’s with all the need for expandabiltiy? Why? What is so compelling about needing to expand?
LOL. I thought this headline was referring to Time Magazine at first.
Comment from: Mac+
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700,
…will be the day Micheal Dell buys Apple.
This is the simple fact: Apple is where it is because it is not interested in the race to the bottom where razor thin margins dictate your business model. There will be no long term strategy in making junk for the beige box market. It doesn’t matter to Apple that millions of junk PCs sit under desks, never doing anything more than processing appointments and displaying email. Apple is immensely successful because they are NOT following the advice of every idiot “tech” writer that suggested they ape Microsoft. As Apple’s recent quarter clearly and unequivocally demonstrates, market share on the desktop means absolutely nothing. Apple’s market share will grow at the pace dictated by consumer adoption, not by competing will Dell or HP as to who can lose the most money on hardware.
Comment from: Mac+
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700,
…will be the day Micheal Dell buys Apple.
This is the simple fact: Apple is where it is because it is not interested in the race to the bottom where razor thin margins dictate your business model. There will be no long term strategy in making junk for the beige box market. It doesn’t matter to Apple that millions of junk PCs sit under desks, never doing anything more than processing appointments and displaying email. Apple is immensely successful because they are NOT following the advice of every idiot “tech” writer that suggested they ape Microsoft. As Apple’s recent quarter clearly and unequivocally demonstrates, market share on the desktop means absolutely nothing. Apple’s market share will grow at the pace dictated by consumer adoption, not by competing will Dell or HP as to who can lose the most money on hardware.
Comment from: Mac+
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700,
…will be the day Micheal Dell buys Apple.
This is the simple fact: Apple is where it is because it is not interested in the race to the bottom where razor thin margins dictate your business model. There will be no long term strategy in making junk for the beige box market. It doesn’t matter to Apple that millions of junk PCs sit under desks, never doing anything more than processing appointments and displaying email. Apple is immensely successful because they are NOT following the advice of every idiot “tech” writer that suggested they ape Microsoft. As Apple’s recent quarter clearly and unequivocally demonstrates, market share on the desktop means absolutely nothing. Apple’s market share will grow at the pace dictated by consumer adoption, not by competing will Dell or HP as to who can lose the most money on hardware.
Comment from: Mac+
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700,
…will be the day Micheal Dell buys Apple.
This is the simple fact: Apple is where it is because it is not interested in the race to the bottom where razor thin margins dictate your business model. There will be no long term strategy in making junk for the beige box market. It doesn’t matter to Apple that millions of junk PCs sit under desks, never doing anything more than processing appointments and displaying email. Apple is immensely successful because they are NOT following the advice of every idiot “tech” writer that suggested they ape Microsoft. As Apple’s recent quarter clearly and unequivocally demonstrates, market share on the desktop means absolutely nothing. Apple’s market share will grow at the pace dictated by consumer adoption, not by competing will Dell or HP as to who can lose the most money on hardware.
Comment from: Mac+
“Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’”
Well, the day Apple will launch a decent computer (including keyboard and screen) for $700,
…will be the day Micheal Dell buys Apple.
This is the simple fact: Apple is where it is because it is not interested in the race to the bottom where razor thin margins dictate your business model. There will be no long term strategy in making junk for the beige box market. It doesn’t matter to Apple that millions of junk PCs sit under desks, never doing anything more than processing appointments and displaying email. Apple is immensely successful because they are NOT following the advice of every idiot “tech” writer that suggested they ape Microsoft. As Apple’s recent quarter clearly and unequivocally demonstrates, market share on the desktop means absolutely nothing. Apple’s market share will grow at the pace dictated by consumer adoption, not by competing will Dell or HP as to who can lose the most money on hardware.