Is your new Mac an OS X or Windows machine?

My question is going to the people that are calling themselves "switchers". When I switched to the Mac I actually "switched" to OS X full time and for me my computing life has changed for the better.

My question is how are you using your new Mac? If you are using both OS's what percentage of use is each?

 

I use OS X for everything but gaming. I use Windows 3-4 nights a week for gaming. In percentages, I'd say 80% of computer time is OS X, and 20% is XP Pro.

 

Let's see...
I set boot camp up 50/50 w/ Vista Business.

My original plan was to have Parallels as well, and just make use of whichever OS and their respective software was more suited to the task at hand.

A few things made me reevaluate that plan however:

1. I no longer need to use specific proprietary Windows-only software for work. So now, as long as I can produce comparable or better results, the software I use doesn't matter.

2. For basic stuff I use, there is at least one Mac equivalent of every type of Windows software. Even though there may not be as many competing for the same niche as Windows software, they're not only very refreshing to use, but usually of quite high quality too. There was simply no need to boot or mount Windows.

3. I like to game, but hate console games. Vista would be a front end for games. However, these days, I no longer have time to game at all.

Because of those 3 reasons, I've actually never booted up into Windows since I first installed Boot Camp, and I ended up not buying Parallels. I'll still probably buy MacDrive however.

I'll still keep it around, since I do anticipate being able to game in the future when I have more time, and it's always good to have a backup for the day my boss comes in and says, hey guess what, our firm just bought some odd program that'll only work in Windows and you HAVE to use it...

After Leopard comes out and I rewipe everything, I'll just make the partition smaller.

 

90% OS X, 10% Vista Ultimate

 

That was my situation. I found out I simply did not use Windows anymore. When I first got my MBP that was the first thing I did. However, after using the MBP for a couple of months I found that I never used that partition. I ended deleting it off. That said, you are right about the programs for Macs, there is something out there for whatever it is you are doing and more then likely better than what you are used to.

 

Can you please explain how your computing life has changed for the better?

I'm genuinely trying to understand how & why the Mac is better than Windows. Comments from "switchers" (like yourself) would really help.

Thanks.

 

Sometimes I have to use windows because some software is not available on mac

 

OS X helped me lose 50 LBS. I get stuff done so quickly; its like a computer marathon!

Seriously though, I like OSX and will only use Windows when I have to use it, so, for gaming and certain apps.

 

So it's a weight loss product too?

Interesting....

 

Well a few things about the Macintosh platform that has made my computing life better is that I spend less time on maintenance. When I was using Windows I got used to installing the latest anti-virus software and maintaining it but as time passed I realized that I was neglecting it and mainly because I was tired of dealing with it.

Although not everyone will pay for Dot Mac (.mac) having everything integrated has helped me with my storage of files, my address book entries and using the iLife suite for weddings has greatly been a pleasure with Dot Mac. When I need to re-format my hard disk I can freely do so because my address book and emails will all restore back to my Mac thanks to Dot Mac.

I never have driver issues anymore. When I used Windows the biggest issue for me was getting drivers for my peripherals. The Windows platform is great because there is so much hardware and software written for it but still my HP and Compaq needed specific drivers to function and that was a pain.

Using an  Macintosh made it really easy for me because whichever peripheral I bought that had Mac drivers it would work because there was only one brand of hardware that my peripherals needed drivers for.

A lot of the same software designed for the Mac OS and Windows had a lot of Mac only features and the graphics were better which made it more of a delight.
Lastly we are basically living an "iLife". The iPod, iMac, iPhone and these products are all Apple. Compatibility will always be better on the Macintosh so my comfort level with the switch just keeps getting better.

 

Yea that's true. My MBP recognized the new printer I installed to the network instantly. I had to actually set it up in Windows and do the whole network setup thing on my PC. It was quite annoying.

 

When I first "switched" I chose new apps that worked in both OS's and used Parallels for a few apps I did not have suitable mac replacements for.

After about a month I was down to two programs in Windows (Outlook and Neat Receipts). Those are still the only programs I use regularly over on the Windows side (other than Visio to export an occasional diagram to XML format for use on the Mac side).

Since then I've converted most apps to "pure mac" apps cause I know I'm not going back to Windows and they have a much better look and feel.

So I'd say I use Windows about 10% of the time. I expect Leopard will fix my current issue with MAIL and Exchange 2003 or I may (doubtful) splurge on Office 2008.

So far I have no substitute for Neat Receipts but I have no doubt that will happen at some point.

I am much, much happier in Mac land. It's not perfect but for me its definitely better.

 

I don't even use Windows anymore. On what were strictly Windows machines, I installed Linux (Ubuntu and PCLinOS 2007); I Dbanned (a verb?? ) Windows off the now Ubuntu-only machine.

Truthfully, I don't really hate Windows, but I really dislike having to take so many security precautions in order to go online without worry. Linux and OSX preclude that problem . . . at least for the time being. Also, as previously mentioned, maintenance on Macs is minimal.