MacOS X

Could people who were long time PC/WIndows users and made the switch to MacOSX astheir primary(only?) OS tell me how they feel about their experience..

do you regret the switch? what are the main advantages/disadvantages?

thanks

 

it just feels.. great..


the first time you use it's a little strange cause is another world, but is very easy a little time after.. it's great. i love it. just remember you can't play all the games on macosx.

 

I was a PC user for about 15 years. I recently transitioned to OSX in April of 2006 with my MBP. Absolutely love it. The learning curve was about 1.5 months. I had to learn the ins and outs of the system, how to install programs, how to delete programs, the handy applications, all the functionality of OSX, etc.

 

I love OS X and will never go back to Windows as my primary OS. The speed reliability, and low maintenance requirements of OS X have sold me.

Transition was pretty easy. There are lots of "switching" FAQ's and books out there to hasten your transition. Most is easy to figure out on your own, the the few things that may stump you for a while you can think out easily if you keep in mind "if I can't find a menu item or command to do it, there must be a visual way to do it"

I was able to find substitute applications for all of the things I did in windows without a week or two of going to OS X. Most were the OS X version of the same application, a number offered data compatability but a different application, and a few were start from scratch. One is still XP only and I use it in a VM when I need it.

Good luck. You won't regret your switch unless you want to use some unique pieces of hardware that do not offer Mac drivers.

Good Luck

 

Yeah, I share their sentiments as well. I've been using windows since 3.11 and I LOVE OS X. Sure, it doesn't run all my games and all my apps, but I only use windows... oh 10% of the time now.

It feels like I'm half way between Linux (which I use as well) and Windows. It's generally easier and less problematic than Windows, easier to use than Linux, with a nice balance of power and customization to the OS.

 

If Apple came out with a cheaper Mac Pro, I'd completely switch, but until then, I will use OS X on my Macbook and Vista on my desktop.

 

I use XP when I have to. Using parallels, I use XP to run MS Money and my CPA Exam Prep software. I haven't found a suitable OSX program that does what MS Money does as efficient and fluid.

 

Oh dude, check out.. uh.. i think it was piggy bank. or was it called cha-ching? Something like that. It's really simple and easy to use. Not sure if it would be too simple for you, but it's as easy as balancing your check book.

 

I switched almost a year ago now, and have not looked back. My Windows machine acts as a glorified print, mouse, and keyboard server now. The only hesitation I would say is if you have a windows-specific program that you cannot live without. Most have an equivalent but I am sure there are some that don't. Other than that OS X is an excellent alternative to Windows.

 

I recommend you try Mac OSX before you buy an Apple product. I thought about buying a MacBook Pro, so I went to my school Mac lab. I prefer Windows. However, you might like Mac OSX, so I recommend you find some Mac computers and give them a test drive.

 

Homer: Why you don't like MacOS X?

 

I switched from Windows several months ago and love OS X. As far as difficulty goes, The UI of most modern OSes are generally fairly similar so that shouldn't be a huge issue, just little differences here and there. The thing that is really confusing about OS X, at first, is installing programs. The other thing that I really found annoying when first switching to OS X having to use the Command key instead of Control.

 

Just a personal preference. I like my start menu and having everything pop up with one click. However, I heard of a Start button that can be installed on the Mac Dock. I am not sure how well it works because no one seemed that interested in it. I prefer the way Windows opens screens to full size automatically and you can manually change them after that. Mac OSX always seems to want to stack screens only using part of the total monitor space. I am sure this feature can be changed, but it annoyed me. Finally, I do not like the top bar that never goes away. It has the File, Edit, History and other buttons associated with programs. I prefer these buttons only come up when I am using a particular program and disappear when not in use. On the plus side. I really like the Dock. Unlike Windows, it slides away when not in use and its size varies depending on the user. I prefer the smallest dock with the largest amount of magnification. This is like having a Windows start menu that disappears when it is not needed and only takes up a small portion of the screen when in use. Another plus is Mac OSX does not need a Virus scanner and it comes with a good firewall. Mac OSX also does not crash as often. I have not completely ruled out a MacBook Pro, but I prefer Windows OS. I know Boot Camp can run Windows XP and it might soon run Vista, but if I buy an Apple computer, I want to stick with Mac OSX.

PS Even if I buy a MacBook Pro, I am definitely buying a secondary mouse because one click touch pads and mice suck.

 

I switched a couple of months ago, after using Windows PCs since the beginning, and DOS-based PCs before that. I love my MacBook and OSX.

I thought I might have trouble with the windows not opening full size as Homer mentioned in the previous post. I once tried a Windows program that did that (on purpose, I found) and hated it. But I've gotten used to it on the Mac, and am happy with that feature.

I also love the speed at which it boots up. I sometimes have to reboot my husband's PC, and it takes forever!

I still use Windows at work, unfortunately.

 

TheDeepThought42: what do you find confusing when installing programs? I thought it would be simple on MacOSX...

Homer: thanks for your explanation...about the mouse, you make me remember that when I saw a macbook I think it had a touchpad with just one large button...are you talking about that? If yes, how does left/right click work on a mac?

 

Yep. MacBooks and MacBook Pros have a one button touch pad. The touch pad is really nice, but the one button design makes it worthless. I bought a really nice Kensington laptop mouse with 2 buttons and a scroll wheel that doubles as a third button.

 

You'd be pretty hard-pressed to find an honest person who does not appreciate OSX's intuitive design and functionality.

In the end, though, it's personal preference.

 

(Not Homer )

Yes, the MacBook and MacBook Pro's large touchpad button is left-click only, but there are many ways to do a 'right click' on a Mac now. You can hold Ctrl and click the touchpad button, you can put two fingers on the touchpad and click the touchpad button and you can you can tap the touchpad with two fingers. All these are ways to do right click.

 

I never plan to use a touch pad anyways. I always intend to use a mouse.

 

I'm a bit confused about why you don't like the way the task/menu bar is setup. You say the program options don't go away when the program is not in use, but it does. The bar always stays there yes, but it takes up very little space. Do you mean you would like the bar to disapear when all programs are closed?

The windows start menu has the same disappear option that the dock has. I find it more annoying to have it disapper imho.

But I agree with the app sizes. It takes a bit getting used to. Now though, I use windows, I often wonder why some apps need to maxamize to full screen. I never feel a browser needs to be full screen now. Some apps automatically do go to full screen, such as photoshop, flash, logic...

I'm nt tryign to rag on your opinion at all Homer, I respect that you're bringing a good, "mac isn't perfect for everyone" points up. There are definitely things you would have to get used to, and may seem alien for a while. But yeah, try some out first. What made me switch was playing with a friends MBP.

I think the trackpad is the best around. Once you get used to the large size, two finger right click, and two finger scrolling, anything else seems very sub par (minus normal mice).

 

Yep. In Windows the top menu that has File, Edit, History and other menu buttons only opens with each program. Each program seems to have its own menu in Windows and not one generic bar.
The MacBook and MacBook Pro track pad is great. It is wide and responsive unlike many other laptops I tried. I also like the two finger scroll feature, but dedicated scroll zones are not unlikable. But, it lacks a right mouse click and I am not sure why Apple chose that one giant button.

 

You know..for people who like the dock in OS X..you can try RocketDock. It's developed by an Apple user. You can still use Windows and have this Mac like feature.

http://www.rocketdock.com/

 

Ah. Hrm.. I actually really like the fact that apps share that bar. Saves a lot of space to me.
I thought the same thing about the lack of right mouse button (a physical one). But now... It's rarely really ever needed (except for some 3d manipulation tools). maybe gaming too, but it works fine for WoW. After using this for a few months, trying to use a track pad with a right button is just... awkward.

Hrm, rocket dock was interesting. I tried it before switching over to mac... but it never... felt right in a windows environment.
I would probably dig using it in linux though, since Gnome's layout is similar to OS X (while KDE being more like windows).

 

I understand where Homer is coming from. That is why if you are going to try OS X you need to give it a lot of time. If you decide to try it in a store try it for an extended period, like 30-45 minutes at a time, or more. My first week with OS X was somewhat painful, but after that things started to feel normal. Now I hate things like maximized windows and the start menu. And with little apps like Quicksilver, I don't think I could ever go back.

 

I know I'm the odd man out, but I've had a Macbook for a little bit now, and I'm not sitting in stunned admiration.

My relationship is one of love and hatred. I love Quicksilver, and I hate the mouse-centric interface, especially given that damn acceleration curve (which I've gotten a little bit used to, but can't control with half the speed of Windows). I love Expose, and hate the way you can't maximize windows. I love the sleekness of the hardware, but hate the way the optical drive decided to eat a CD of mine once (point being, if it were less sexy, and more... not slot-loaded... that wouldn't have been a problem). I like Front Row, but dislike the general lesser support for video codecs. A lot of the OS X programs are great (forget great-- utterly fantastic), but I miss some of my Windows programs (or would, if I didn't have a Windows box).

Were I only able to run one OS, it'd be Windows, on a Windows PC. Luckily, I can run many.

 

You can maximize screens on Mac OSX. I spent a week using Mac OSX and I would have quit using it if I could not maximize screens. I forget which color button you press to set the screen size to manual mode. You click that button and manually make it maximized. It works if you do not have a maximize button.

 

I know you can drag the window to fill the screen. Is that what you mean?

 

Yep

Homer Jay Thompson

 

how do you full maximize?

 

You don't. You can drag the window's edges to the edges of the screen though, not counting the menubar at the top.

 

Not to be rude, but are you sure you spent a week using OS X?

You can right click in OS X simply by tapping two fingers on the touch pad. Single tap is left click, tap with two fingers is right click. You can also hold control and press the big button to right click.

Maximizing windows is also achieved by pressing the green plus button in the top left corner of the screen. Some apps, like iChat's buddy list window, won't go fullscreen. But once you get the hang of Expose and set it to a hotkey or hot corner, you'll never need alt+tab and fullscreen applications again.

With all that said, I switched to OS X almost 2 months ago. It was the best decision I have ever made. It took me all of 2 days to get "used" to OS X. I was right at home in the operating system. It was nice to finally be using something I didn't have to spend as much time maintaining as I did using it.

Installing applications is a snap. All you do for most is drag and drop the file into the Applications folder. Some have Windows-style installers. But using a Windows-style installer now is more of a hassle than a welcome sight.

I have yet to come across anything I can't do in OS X that I could in Windows. And in just about every case so far, the OS X way of doing things has been faster, more efficient, and just all around better.

Honestly, when I use XP now I feel like I'm going back in time 10 years. OS X is just that much better.

 

I spent a week with a Mac Desktop with a 2 button and scroll wheel mouse. I only spent a few minutes with a MacBook and MacBook Pro. However, I prefer 2 button touch pads. It is a personal preference of mine.

 

no matter which one you like more or less, you will always find all these little things you wish one had that the other has.

I have worked with OSX and Windows so much now, that I really like both.

I am almost positive my next computer purchase will be with Apple though, I am just starting to really like there philosophy of completely changing the film/post production industry, really bringing it out of the retarded amount of money being spent etc. etc.

there are things I don't like about both I have found, I consider myself a pretty high-end user, and both OS's kind of suit my tastes.

for someone not super interested in technology and computers, I think I would definitely recommend OSX without question, my girlfriend, who immediately dismissed Mac the first few times she used it, decided to get a Mac on her own and even though she may have to relearn a few things, she is really loving it so far.

I know about all this technology and prices etc. I know when I buy a Mac Pro, or Mac Book Pro, or whatever, I am paying more for hardware I could get cheaper somewhere else, but after really thinking about it I feel like I am paying more money not for the hardware, but for the overall package of service, etc. Because it is a smaller community of people the people that are involved or more knowledgeable overall.

being in a Studio full of people using Apple computer, and people learning new software, etc. The biggest problem with all of it is usually user's lack of motivation to actually learn what they are doing.

Instead of saying something is wrong with a program or OS, they don't take the time to see how that task IS actually possible, it may just be slightly different than what they are used to, and that is just how it is.

Most people's complaints about OSX are usually coming from, I know how to do this in windows so easily, why is it so different in OSX? well it just is, and all it takes to learn the difference is to go to the help or go online and figure it out, probably won't take more than 1/2 hour.

 

Its a personal preference, not really a reason to speak badly about something.

I personally find myself hating using a button now at all. It's a lot easier to just tap. It's a lot faster and more efficient.

On to the other subjects discussed in this thread...

Such as learning.

I think the issue of "learning" how to use a Mac is very overblown. During my first few days with OS X everything just came to me naturally. The way things worked just made sense. Going back to Windows really is like going back in time. Doing certain things makes you wonder why Windows is so backwards in how it operates.

 

You know I used to harp on not having fullscreen windows at first. Then I realized that most apps don't need the whole screen. And the ones that do usually get it in OS X. I now much prefer making the windows the size I want instead of the must have fullscreen mentality.

 

"I think the issue of "learning" how to use a Mac is very overblown. During my first few days with OS X everything just came to me naturally. The way things worked just made sense."

My experience was quite similar. I've used Windows for a long time, and am very comfortable performing "advanced" tasks in that environment, but in January I was looking for a laptop and found a sweet deal on a black MacBook which I just couldn't resist. So, I've been using OSX since January and I'm already far more efficient in working on my mac than I ever was working on a windows machine (note, I'm an academic, so by efficient I mean that I read, write, take notes on, and search documents much faster than I could before).

If you're used to using windows and you wish to transition to using OSX, I would suggest that you approach it not with an attitude like "Well, this is how I would accomplish this task in Windows, so let's see if a similar procedure works in OSX" but, rather, an attitude like "I want to accomplish such and such a task; what would be a sensible way to do it?" I found that, approached in this way, the OSX ui is extremely intuitive and, if you get stuck, the help file is actually... helpful.

Finally, there are a lot of really nice programs that you can use in OSX--after all, no one gets an OS *just* for the OS--the programs that it can run make a big difference. The programs that I use a lot are:
1. Quicksilver (free download): This is simply an amazing tool--it's a near-perfect mix of a GUI with keyboard based controls. On the surface, it appears to be just a "launcher" for programs and stuff, but it can so much more than that. Let me put it this way--with quicksilver I basically only need to use my touchpad for scrolling and selecting text.
2. Firefox (free download): Safari is nice too, but I can't live without some of the plugins in FF (most notably Zotero, a bibliography tool).
3. Mail.app: Apple's mail program is really sweet, especially if you use the quicksilver plugin for it. One of the coolest features? With mail+quicksilver I can find a file (or group of files), find someone in my address book, and then automatically attach the file to an email to this person. This process takes me about 15-20 seconds usually. Very cool.
4. Skim (free download): It's a really nice lightweight PDF reader which allows you to highlight, underline, and take notes on PDF files. Its text recognition is also pretty good, so you can often successfully copy/paste text out of scanned documents as well.
5. Adium: A really nice chat program--similar to gaim for windows/*nix.

Well, that was an epic: Long story short, OSX is sweet because (1) the OS itself is easy to learn to use and (2) you can run a lot of really useful programs on it.

 

Personally I think Windows is more intuitive and easier to use. Windows 95 only took me a few days to learn. I grew up with Windows 3.1 and the Folder system. Who remembers that nightmare? Anyways, ever since Windows 95 I preferred Windows OS to Mac OS.

 

I agree with the fact that it's just normal that tasks are not performed the same way...after all, most people think that Windows = the only and good way to do things but in fact if everyone would have just started to use a computer with macosx they would say that performing task Z in Windows is weird...

If I sum up, except the two things that come up frequently from previous posts (right click/maximizing windows), what are the other main "problems" I would face starting using MacOSX? (consider the fact that I don't play games on my laptop and the software I use frequently is MS Word+Firefox...and rarely Photoshop, aMSN, limewire,etc.)

 

Also consider that I sometimes use Linux so it may help in some ways...

 

Wow, I'm surprised. It took a long time to really learn windows when 95 came out. And I'm STILL learning things about it (such as different shortcuts to other parts of systems).

OS X was like, a few days and I knew a ton. Granted there are a few things here and there I don't know, but they're relatively minor. Less so than stuff I'm still learning in Windows.

 

Mac OS X only took me a few hours to learn, despite using Windows since the Windows 3.0 days Anybody remember DOS shell? I certainly do!

I couldn't disagree more about Windows being more intuitive and easier to use. Let's do a quick comparison, shall we?

Let's say I have 10 windows open. In Windows, to go through those windows, I will have to alt+tab through all of them or click around on the task bar to find what I want. If I'm in Vista I can Windows key + tab through all of them.

In Mac OS X I can hit F9 or if I have hot corners enabled I flick my mouse over to that corner real quick and all of my windows are on screen and I can click what I want.

Installing and removing software.

To install most software in OS X you simply double click the .dmg file, then drag and drop the icon to the application folder. To uninstall software you right click and send to trash. Occasionally a .plist file will be in the Library folder. You delete it.

In Windows you run an installer to install every piece of software. Nero, for example, decompresses more than 500MB of temporary files and then writes almost another 2GB of files to it's installation folder. After the installation is done you have to manually delete the temporary files yourself. When you uninstall an application you have to run an uninstaller. Quite often you have to restart your computer after uninstalling software. On top of that, many folders and files are left behind. Most registry entries are never deleted either. So to truly uninstall the software you have hunt down and delete every registry entry.

Multi-tasking.

Windows had the advantage with pre-emptive multi-tasking until OS X was released. Windows, even Vista, can easily be bogged down by any task. Encoding a DVD even on a dual-core system? Good luck doing anything else.

On OS X, even if you are encoding a DVD in a multi-threaded app, you can still do whatever else you want on the system.

Then there are a million other things too.

My HP OfficeJet all-in-one and Photosmart printers. In Windows they require 2GB worth of drivers that install countless applications that run at startup and bloat the registry and eat up tons of RAM and hurt overall system performance. In OS X I simply connect them with no driver installations.

Let's not forget the fact that you are plagued with system maintenance, running virus scanners, anti-spyware, having to worry about your security settings, etc.

And my favorite Windows problem: USB support. Every time you plug in a new USB flash drive or something, you have to go through the "New Hardware Found" routine by waiting. If Windows doesn't properly install it you have to go through all kinds of fun getting Windows to delete all records of the problematic install and reinstall it properly. Admittedly XP and Vista aren't as bad as Windows 98 was.. where if the install didn't go right you basically had to reinstall Windows to get the device working. But the USB support is still very flaky.

In OS X devices simply work. You connect a new flash drive and it shows up. No "new hardware" found. No new hardware found if I decide to change the USB port I plug my gamepad into. No new hardware found if I decide to change the port I plug my IR receiver for a remote control into.

I could go on and on and on about how much I disagree and bring up many points to back up my argument.

 

I do not think Mac OSX users are wrong. If you are faster and more efficient with Mac OSX, I recommend you use it. However, I am faster and more efficient with Windows OS. Why would I choose an operating system that bogs me down? Remember, competition is good .

Edit: Do you plan to upgrade to Mac OS Leopard?

 

I'm relatively new to OSX, and I absolutely love it (see my post earlier in this thread), but Homer is right on here. An operating system (as part of a computer) is a tool, and a tool is only good insofar as it helps you accomplish the tasks that you use it for. Further, people differ with respect to what kinds of tools they can effectively use to accomplish various tasks. Hence, one cannot truthfully say (e.g.) "OSX is a more efficient operating system than windows" unless by that one simply means that "with respect to my work habits, and the tasks for which I use my computer, OSX is a more efficient operating system." The latter is the only claim that I make in my previous post and, indeed, I think it is the strongest claim of this type that can make on behalf of a tool such as an operating system.

 

A few hours ago, my charger on my laptop decided that it didn't like electricity any more, and ceased to function. (I'm planning on doing something very destructive with it, I haven't decided what yet.)

However, not having my laptop (which usually dual boots winxp/ubuntu-linux) meant that I needed to use another computer for the weekend. I've sat down at an OS X G4/5 (don't remember) and been using it for about 4 hours now...

1. FINDER/FILE BROWSER: My absolute biggest complaint: The file browser/explorer/Finder thing. I don't like how its done. I can't possibly find the option to show hidden files (and had to dive and browse from the terminal). I don't like that I can't see th full path. I don't like that adding the path button to the toolbar, it gives me a drop down window. Make a bloody better browser.

2. DOCK/WINDOW MANAGEMENT: I like the dock. I really do. I don't like that I no longer have a window list, however. A window only appears there if I minimize it, and the whole arrangement bothers me more than a simple window list; which is why...

3. MENU BAR: I have some reservations about the menubar. Jury is still out; but on one hand, I like the slimmer profile that applications get, yet on the other hand, I don't think it's very effective. At the very least, I'd be swapping the spotlight and the apple icon. Based on this and the one before, I think I still like the Windows-type model. But it's only been 4 hours.

On the other hand, I have some great stuff to say about OS X as well.

1. APPLICATION INSTALLATION: I don't get it, guys. _Why_ does every other OS have to make this so difficult? Make your own folder. Put all your crap inside. Done deal, folks. You really have no need to be putting stuff in other places. Especially you Windows guys. You don't need to touch the Windows or System32 folder. And Linux people, don't think you're off the hook: I've yet to see you guys come up with a consistent set of rules for why I need /bin, /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin, /opt/bin, etc. My OS' filesystem is not your playground to create a scavenger hunt in.

2. UI THEMES: I'm sorry. Never before have I been on a system where every app looks uniform, and where every app looks uniformly good. The Mac themes are second to none, and other desktop environment makers should seriously start studying, because they're being schooled.

Anyways, I will likely continue my experiment throughout the weekend, so we will see if I can be persuaded. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions to alleviate my complaints, post 'em up...

 

Well for one, video chat on MSN as of yet does not work, Skype however does. MS Word has a different layout, but after some use I like it better than Word 2003, though Office 2007 is even better and the Mac is not getting the same UI as 2007. Firefox is exactly the same. Although you may consider switching to Camino; it's Firefox specifically tuned for the Mac. Photoshop is fine now with the emergence of CS3 and there are plenty of P2P programs. Other than that, I would say learn the keyboard shortcuts, they are invaluable, and just play with it. You are bound to have issues none of us had or thought of, so try it, and when you have a problem ask! Good luck!

 

It's cool, I didn't know that photoshop can run on macs...I'm used to Linux, on which most windows apps are different

About web browsers, if Camino is mac-specific edition, why do they offer a mac version of firefox?

 

Firefox Mac version != Camino.

Camino uses the same rendering engine as Firefox, but it's a more tweaked version of the browser.

Just like the Omega drivers for ATI are a heavier tweaked version than ATI's official mobility drivers. Well, thats not a great comparison, but you get the idea.

 

but if go here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
the download link for firefox for mac = http://www.mozilla.com/products/download.html?product=firefox-2.0.0.3&os=osx&lang=en-US

camino is at version 1.0...so it's not the same...

 

Camino is not the Mac version of Firefox. It's based off Firefox, but is Macified. Mozilla has its own OS X port of Firefox.

 

Sorry I should have explained better. Camino uses the Gecko engine just as Firefox does, but it is more geared towards the Mac then Firefox. Given the choice Camino is probably the way to go unless you are tied to some Firefox extensions that you cannot live without. Mozilla develops both Camino and Firefox.