Q:Why did you switch to a Mac and OS X?
A:To be honest, I didn't really want to switch to OS X. I had to because they came as standard on MacBooks and I knew that I wanted a MacBook as my next laptop (no BootCamp yet). I've owned an IBM Thinkpad, Compaq laptop, and an Asus W7M. Why did I decide to get a Mac? It's simple: it's hard to find a PC laptop that matches the overall quality of this product.
While I had always liked the overall aesthetic of Mac computers, I wasn't too thrilled about OS X. I've been using PCs for years, and learning a new OS would take some time. Still, with my background as a computer programmer, I knew that it wouldn't be too difficult. There are many different reasons why I didn't relish switching to OS X, most of which have to do with misconceptions, but I have to say that in the last few weeks, I've grown to like the initial simplicity of OS X.
MacBook Pros are very well made, especially when I compare it to my plastic-feeling Asus. On my MacBook Pro 17, the aluminum unibody rarely gets warm. This wasn't the case on my PC laptop. It would heat up very quickly. The MacBook Pro is quiet and dissipates heat fairly well. I like numeric keypads and you can usually find one on 17-inch laptops. This isn't the case for the MacBook Pro 17, but it hasn't been an issue. The backlit keyboard is a very nice addition. Typing late at night is no problem with this thing.
By my estimate, the '10 17-inch MacBook Pro is only a pound or so heavier than my Asus 13.3-inch laptop from 2008. That's a lot more computing power for a little gain in weight. The bigger MacBook Pros comes with two graphic cards, which is a neat feature.
One of the most important reasons why I did get a MacBook Pro 17 is the battery life. At the most, with my other laptops, I've had about 4 hours of battery life. My wife, with her '09 MacBook Pro, has got about 4-5 hours at the most. She hasn't calibrated her battery much. With the MacBook Pro 17, I get about 8 hours when I'm constantly working on it. I've tested this by switching off the Energy Saver Preferences. During these 8 hours, it doesn't go to sleep. I timed it a few times when I first got it. First to test the battery and to calibrate it. This is with the brightness almost maxed out. When I do enable the Energy Saver Preferences and allow it to go to sleep, it can go between 10 and 12 hours on a single recharge. That would probably go up to 14-16 hours by lowering the brightness of the screen. That's almost as long as some netbooks last, if not longer. If you're careful with your MacBook's battery, it will last you a long time. Apple says that it will retain at least 80% of its charge for at least 1,000 cycles. I've had mine since Christmas Day and have gone through 4 cycles.
Lastly, the glass trackpad that now comes standard with all MacBooks blows PC trackpads away. I've never liked trackpads. I always use a mouse when I'm using a laptop. With the MacBook Pro, this has barely even been an issue. This is because the Apple trackpad can recognize gestures, multi-touch, and can be customized to respond to various inputs. This can have a steep learning curve, but once you get down to it, they become intuitive. Power users will enjoy the Better Touch Tool to further program the trackpad.
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You're comparing your experiences with bargain bin PCs to a MacBook Pro, and basing it largely on battery and trackpads? Wow, that's almost useful information...
I switched because I got a pretty solid deal thanks to my student discount. It's about equal to the price for a PC laptop with a few more bells and whistles.
If your machine never gets hot, I know for sure you're never gaming! My mac gets so hot I had to install a program to make the fans go faster.
I used to have the amazing battery life too, but it quickly went downhill, even with reconditioning. :( Which is weird, because usually Apple products have great batteries, so maybe I just got a lemon.
I switched, but then switched back. I still carry my desktop around, just because there are times when my Mac can't handle all that crazy media I throw at it (plus RAM upgrades are kinda pricey through Apple).
Articles like this are really starting to bother me. The question presented was "Why did I switch to OSX." You spend the majority of the article speaking to the hardware of the MacBook. OSX isnt hardware its software. Talk about the software.
the hardware is the sole reason he switched to OSX...
The title of the article is "why I switched to OSX." The "Q" is "why did you switch to a Mac and OSX." The title is misleading.
@ekoshyun - You don't have to buy RAM directly from Apple to upgrade... I've replaced my Macbook's RAM with Kingston components from Best Buy -- saved me SO much money!
Build quality? As much as it pains me to say it - my $1400 Macbook has had two major failures in the year and half I've owned it (wireless card and fan) yet my bargain-bin Dell is still working years later (two failures as well in 4 years - hard drive, which could happen to any system, and a key came off the keyboard in the first 30 days, so covered by warranty.)
I love OS X, and I think my Macbook is the best looking machine I've ever owned, but quality? - I haven't experienced it.
another quality post from the new staff *sarcasm*
you switched to a MBP just because of the build quality? If you really wanted to, you could find similar build quality in a PC. Like others said, you're comparing a cheap PC to a top of the line Mac laptop.
And why did you switch to OSX? you didn't give a single reason other than 'because the MBP came with OSX'. So really, you bought a mac because you wanted to be trendy.
I've been using mac laptops for 8 years now (although I have PC laptops for work too). This article is ridiculous and pointless.
I love my MacBook Pro, but, yeah, you gotta expect to pay a premium for these babies. I found that out just the other night when my power cable died, and we needed one right away. So, I rushed to Best Buy and shelled out $80 for the proprietary cable (same as on-line @ the apple store).
While I agree that the article is fairly weak, I don't agree with many of the comments. Buying ram upgrades from Apple is foolish. That's the nicest way I could express that.
There are some premium Windows laptops that will run circles around a Macbook Pro when it comes to gaming. They overheat. Period.
I've been using my Macbook Pro since 2006. I've taken very good care of it, and use it mostly for creative content creation, (music, graphics, photography, video).
It's never let me down, and I've upgraded both the ram and the harddrive myself, using video guides on YouTube. Paying 5 bucks for a proprietary screwdriver was the hardest part.
For gaming, I wouldn't even consider a laptop. I'm not a hard core gamer, either. Sims 3 and World of Warcraft with all expansions. I built a Windows 7 gaming tower for this, because it was cheaper, and every part has at least a 3 year warranty.
If you use your laptop for surfing the web and email, than get the cheapest netbook on the market. If you do creative content creation, get the best you can afford. The perk about Mac OSX is the included software: Garageband, iMovie, etc.
While these will only annoy a professional, they are a great place to start for hobbyists, or amateurs who don't want to spend more time learning the software than actually using it.
Another perk about OSX is that if you subscribe to Mobile Me, have an iPhone/iPod/iPad, the integration between them using built in OSX features is quite simple and effective.
If you're tied to iTunes DRM, then it sucks being you. Head over to Amazon and start over. ;)
Personal preferences factor in more than costs, IMO. I've seen starving artists go into debt in order to get the latest Apple computer, rather than remain debt free and buy a similarly spec'd Windows machine.
I think Windows 7 is awesome, but I'm also an OSX user. I could never choose between them, they are both necessary in my lifestyle. Each has it's strong points. :)
@Kaz - I tried a non - OEM power cord for my Thinkpad. It still cost $80, (IBM version was $120), and then the computer refused to work with it. :/ Adapters are a ripoff for all of the manufacturers.
For each horror story for a car or computer, there's someone who's had no problems.
My last work PC had no problems - Fujitsu. My brand new Dell has been in the shop 27 days in the 3 months I've had it, with new motherboard, new HDD's, and even a mechanical problem with a latch.
What I find amazing is how some people find any apple discussion so offensive.
In my excitement I forgot to mention why I switched: Virtualization of a legacy pc. VM Ware works great, and lets me keep that system up and running even on new machines. I have a W2k box running ancient old programs and lotus scripts. Lets me run it in a sandbox amazingly well, and it transferred seamlessly between 3 different machines.
@VJ- "What I find amazing is how some people find any apple discussion so offensive."
Although it can go both ways, I think it's a self-esteem issue based on Apple's marketing, and how people identify themselves based on the stuff that they own. Pretty typical and sad, really...
@EVERYONE
I can't tell you how sick I am of people thinking that just because you buy an Apple product, it means you're trying to be cool or trendy. I especially hate being thrown into that crowd, being one of the few people who have actually been using a Mac long before it all of a sudden became the "bees knees". Believe it or not, there are people who work in creative fields where Macs have been the industry standard for years. I can understand if you have a problem with the $30,000 millionaire buying one just so he can sit at Starbucks and look cool typing an email.
I know Macs aren't perfect and they are prone to their own set of problems. Personally I like OSX because I think it has a nicer interface and it feels more intuitive. I've also NEVER come across a virus or malware (not that they don't exist). The first time I plugged in my scanner, camera and printer, OSX instantly recognized them and I didn't have to wait for any drivers to download and install. The thing I enjoy most is that all of Apple's products are designed and come from one source, meaning that they work seamlessly together...I can plug in an iphone and sync up all my contacts, calendar events, music, videos and photos all through just one program window.
If you want to talk about being trendy, look how one person bashes Apple in a comment, and see all the other people dogpile on top of that.
I forgot to add: Calling someone a trendy hipster for owning an Apple computer is *so* 2010. :)
@Cricket311: "I especially hate being thrown into that crowd, being one of the few people who have actually been using a Mac long before it all of a sudden became the 'bees knees'"
Ahhh... just ignore it. I just let them point and laugh and make snide little comments. It's not like I'm getting any money from what others think of me, so I don't see the point of getting bothered by what a bunch of nothings that I don't know think of me...