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Think Different

 MacOS

I am a huge proponent of the Apple Macintosh. Why? Because it is easier to use and works better than the Windows. I've kept my powerbook running for weeks without rebooting -- can Windows even run for a couple of days (of serious use) without needing to be rebooted? Also, I spend much less time upgrading my computer, troubleshooting, and installing software than anyone I know who uses a PC. And lets not get into the inability of WIndows laptops to hot swap CD-ROM, floppy, Zip drive, or battery without rebooting.

Here are my answers to common anti-mac questions & statements:

Apple is going out of business.

Naysayers have been saying that since the Mac was introduced in 1984. There are over 50 million Macintosh users -- even if no new Macs were ever sold, there would still be a huge Mac market that companies would be stupid to ignore. And with Apple's new resurgance from the iMac and the Think Different marketing campaign, there's a bright road ahead for Apple.

The Mac has too small of a market share.

Apple has more marketshare in the computer industry than any automaker except the big three has in the auto industry. Are Nissian, Saab, Volvo, and BMW going to go out of business because they don't have enough market share? Marketshare is irrelevant. What's important is the number of users. As long as there are enough Mac users, there is a market for hardware, software, and services. That's all that matters.

There's no software for the Mac.

Why do I care if there are 20 different Web browsers and 40 different word processors? As long as a piece of software exists that meets my need, then there's all the software I need. The Mac has software in every category anyone needs, and most often it's the exact same piece of software that's available for Windows. Microsoft Word & Wordperfect are both available for the Mac. What other word processor do you need?

The main reason people make this arguement is the small selection of Macintosh software at most software stores. The reason for this is that most Macintosh software is purchased through mail-order catalogs. You get a larger selection than any store can offer, overnight delivery for $3, and often-times a cheaper price. Just buy a copy of MacWorld and look at all the ads in the back for mail-order shops.

Everyone else is using Windows, so I should too.

If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you too? Just because others use an inferior product doesn't mean you should. I can use pretty much any file that someone creates with Windows on my Mac. All Macs ship with software to read PC disks, and now all Macs come with software to read most major PC file formats.

Macs are more expensive.

Only if you look at the original base cost. All Macs come with builtin stereo sound, Ethernet networking, CD-ROM, and modems (on most consumer models). Then add on the time you waste configuring a PC, adding new hardware, and figuring out what you're doing. I've never heard of a PC that works straight out-of-the-box. All Macs do. To install new software, you just double click an installer. No .INI files, no config.sys or autoexec.bat to mess with. Adding hardware is a snap. No IRQ settings to worry about. Mac users don't jokingly refer to Plug-n-Play as Plug-n-Pray like Windows users do.

Add in the time you waste setting up a PC, and the Mac is cheaper if you put any value on your time. Also consider the fact that most PC are outdated in mere months. That Pentium 200 MHz you bought 6 months ago looks pretty weak now that the Pentium III has just been announced. Compare that with my father who is doing digital photography work on a 7100 he bought six years ago. $500 upgraded it to a G3 processor and he's still cruising fine. My mom was using a 10+ year old Mac until I gave her a 7-year old one for Chirstmas this year. She can write letters, play games with my niece, and surf the Internet from her machine. Find a 5-year old Windows machine you'd want your mother to do that with.

For lots more reasons why the Macintosh is best, check out the EvangeList Website.

For Macintosh links and information, try MacInTouch (daily Mac news), MacCentral, and Apple's Home Page.

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