Is it worth it switching to OSX after 30+ years of Windows??

it is, the retina models can hold steady at about 90%sRGB calibrated but wind up with whitepoint shift depending on the current temp of the system. non retina models hang around the 68-78%sRGB. Many of us video/photo editors dropped the MBP/rMBP's because we can get MUCH better accuracy on portable workstations ( full aRGB @ 1.1billion colors )

as for the fan ... depends on how hard you push them, I have personally burned up 11 motherboards doing video work in the last 18 mos that Apple will not warranty due to " excessive use " also take a peek on how the fan not running as much has been faulted for most 2011 models with dGPU committing GPU suicide. they certainly have their issues as well

hang out at Apple.com and creativecow.com .... 2013 models as well

 

Dunno. Is that similar to a Mod?

ON a serious note, the thread is about the merits of switching to OS X. So it necessarily involves the input of Apple only users, Windows only users, and users of both. And since OS X is tied to its hardware, the full gamut of discussion is required to answer the question.

The answer to the question is simple. It is neither worth it nor not worth it. It's really not a question of worth. It's really a question of utility. The OP knows he can find Windows notebooks that are as well made as Apple notebooks.

This is the real question:

He's right there is nothing to gain... though without giving up something else. It's an opportunity cost. The advantage in software availability rests squarely with Windows. But that advantage comes at a cost (in $ terms) and time spent trying out as many as one can even the free ones.

The best question to explore is "what is the job you're look to accomplish?"

Then it's merely matching the best tool for the job.

Otherwise, you get posts about the merits of OS X's Spotlight search capability which really mean nothing to the organized person who segregates their files in an orderly way in folders.

Or you get comparisons of a Toughbook to a Macbook which of course makes no sense at all.

Or you get gushing remarks about Macbook's touchpads which while great are no match in ergonomics to a multi-button mouse with scroll wheels.

Jarhead's first post in the thread was the rational focusing point of the thread.

The feeling I get reading the thread about the OP (Marc515) is that he's got friends, family or associates around him that use Apple products and they are making him feel "undressed" and subconscious about him not switching over yet. He's looking for justification to join their ranks. If that weren't so, a "thank you" after reading Jarhead's post would have appeared and an exit of the thread would have ensued.

Because after decades of Windows use, one would have become extremely proficient in its use and maintenance such that there wouldn't be a material need to switch unless they required a specific software package that was not only OS X exclusive, but had no comparable Windows equivalent. That's not to say that there aren't any compelling hardware reasons to switch (such as the 27" iMac - there's really nothing precisely comparable at the price point in the Windows PC world) but a touchpad's functionality or a MagSafe* plug is not one of them.


*If you're that clumsy or have kids, OK. That would be a strong selling point.

Mac users, don't even try defending that. I've been using computers before Microsoft and Apple even existed. And have never, ever in my entire life tripped over or seen anyone trip over a computer's power cord. If I had, I probably wouldn't be here today due to the brain aneurism that would have ensued from literally laughing me head off as the computer gets pulled off the table and crashes to the floor exploding in bits of plastic with sparks and smoke coming out of the remaining technological carcass. Or less dramatically... "dude! My book report!" as the power feed ceases immediately upon some clumsy fool coming along and trips over the power cord pulling it out of either socket. LOL. Seriously, that Apple invented such a plug speaks to the low regard it has for its intended demographic.

 

Hopefully, if and when my 2011 takes a dump, it'll still be covered by AppleCare. At that point, I'll use it as an excuse to upgrade. I have my fingers crossed it will last until Broadwell is available (my AppleCare is good until July 2015), but I would probably be content with a straight Iris Pro machine. I wish the 750M systems weren't so much more costly.

 

So off the mark. I have used Windows products for many many years, and after getting an iPad, Mini iPad, and iPhone, I was impressed with the quality of Apple products, so I decided to look into a MacBook Pro. In doing so, I found two of my relatives and a few other folks that have one, and all they talked about was how nice it was to use. I also read many reviews on various high quality computer, and comparisons between Mavericks and Windows 8, in which they noted that Windows OS's have come a long way, and were just about on par with OSX.

The reason I posted here was to get insight from folks who used/use both and what they liked/did not like.

So, it's got nothing to do about being "undressed" etc. It's got more to do with gaining the insight necessary to help me make a decision about going from a known OS to an unknown OS. I don't need a Mac, I just like to quality of Apple so much that I thought I'd give the MacBook a try.

I can find my way around Windows very very well, but in looking at OSX, I found out that OSX reads NTFS, but doesn't write to it; I have no file sharing issues, but in switching to OSX I need to find the best way to share files; so far it's down to Paragon FTSF for Mac, or formatting a portable drive Exfat; and formatting another portable drive in HFS+ for Time Machine . Another thing I found out was iTunes for Windows can import WMA files, whereas iTunes for Mac cannot, so I have 3000+ songs I had to convert to MP3.

So, considering I have to do some extra, I just need to decide to either stay with Windows or go to OSX.

I do appreciate all the dialog guys; thank you!

 

@OP, there's also the possibility of using a Samba share if you happen to operate a server at your home. That way, you could just have a network drive that can be read/written both by Windows and OSX.

Anyway, I still don't see a reason to switch over to OSX if you have no pressing need to. Personally, for the tech I've bought, I've forced myself to think of only objective, measurable reasons to buy or not to buy them. I've always liked to try a tablet, for example, but I have no real reason to get one, even though several Internet articles praise about how awesome tablets are for college students (and personally, I've only ever seen 1-2 peers use them on campus). Point is, I wouldn't recommend switching over if the only reason, or even major reason, is "because I hear it's nice".

IF you really want to try out OSX, I'd recommend setting up a virtual machine with OSX installed onto it and have at it for a few days or weeks. I've personally had a decent experience using OSX that way (as in, it operates more or less the same as it does on native Apple hardware), so it'd mimic the "real deal" and give you a decent idea about how actually owning a (r)MBP/MBA/etc. would be like. Sure, there's the 14-30 day return period if you go out and buy the laptop, though honestly it'd be easier to buy a copy of OSX (which is cheap, btw) and just set it up on your own computer to try it out. IMO, buying the hardware to try it out doesn't bring anything new to the table (as in, it's just a laptop-shaped piece of metal with a keyboard, mouse, and display), so I personally don't see the point in buying as a trial.

Personally, I'd trust KCETech1's words on the subject of displays since, I don't kow, she's been working in an industry that absolutely requires high-end displays (and other hardware).

Or, I suppose AnandTech's graphs could shed some light on the subject: MacBook Pro's Retina Display Has an Inferior Color Gamut, 72% NTSC Color Gamut vs 95% - MacRumors Forums

 

and Macrumors / Anand compares to other consumer models ... not even the REALLY good stuff

 

Fuse 3G for NTFS works just as good but it's free. I'm sure someone already suggested it but you could always build a hackintosh for cheaper and install OSX. If you end up not liking OS X, you could always install a different OS,

Building a CustoMac: Buyer's Guide January 2014

There's a 2014 builders guide to build a hackintosh.

Some food for thought & I'm just giving you other options to consider.

 

I’m not going to dwell on this much longer. It’s extraordinary to me to see a Mac forum populated by people deluding themselves in favor of Windows.

@KCETech1:

> it is, the retina models can hold steady at about 90%sRGB calibrated but wind up with whitepoint shift depending on the current temp of the system. non retina models hang around the 68-78%sRGB. Many of us video/photo editors dropped the MBP/rMBP's because we can get MUCH better accuracy on portable workstations ( full aRGB @ 1.1billion colors )

Sorry, no. It’s 100% sRGB calibrated to the native white point of the device, which is around 6500K. That’s ideal for any content destined for a digital medium. If you’re printing, you might have an excuse for an Adobe RGB panel that’d give you the leeway to set the WB to 5000K and create a few colors that only exist with certain inks. Otherwise you’re just editing colors no one will ever see. Anecdotally, this panel calibrates with my i1 Display Pro better than any LCD I’ve ever used.

> as for the fan ... depends on how hard you push them, I have personally burned up 11 motherboards doing video work

Do you live in a sauna? Are you Pixar? No one reports a failure rate like that. I have friends in the video community that have been editing on 2012 rMBP 15s since they came out with no hardware issues. I’m with Apple: you’re doing something wrong.

@2.0TM:

You win the award for self-delusion.

> Otherwise, you get posts about the merits of OS X's Spotlight search capability which really mean nothing to the organized person who segregates their files in an orderly way in folders.

Keep telling yourself that. I can launch a dozen things by the time you navigate to one folder. Windows, Mac, and Google have been moving away from your method for over a decade. There’s a reason.

> Or you get gushing remarks about Macbook's touchpads which while great are no match in ergonomics to a multi-button mouse with scroll wheels.

Does it ever pierce your veil of certainty that every single professional reviewer, bar none, talks about the superiority of Mac’s touchpads? Since we’re talking about mobile machines, exactly where on your lap are you putting that multi-button scroll mouse?

> That's not to say that there aren't any compelling hardware reasons … but a touchpad's functionality or a MagSafe* plug is not one of them.

You are not the world. I’ve tripped over or had my power cord tripped over probably a dozen times. It doesn’t happen often, but often enough that there’s room for a better solution.

@Jarhead:

> IF you really want to try out OSX, I'd recommend setting up a virtual machine with OSX installed onto it and have at it for a few days or weeks.

No. I’ve done this. It’s not the same. A VM isn’t as fluid and you end up using it like Windows with the same input hardware. Compared like that, Macs aren’t that special. It’s the combination of hardware and software that makes them great, not just one side.

@marc515:

Buy a system and try it out. You've got a couple weeks to play with it, it won't cost you anything to take it back. There's a sizable contingent in this world that ignores the dilemma of choice by pretending every choice is equal. Computers, politics, whatever. It's not so and it's worth finding out precisely why for yourself.

Tuxera NTFS will solve the write problem for around $40.

 

At least in my personal experience, I can be pretty quick with Start -> (type in first 2-3 letters of program/file) -> click (or enter). Works well for me on 7 and Linux Mint at least. Tried out Spotlight myself whenever I use OSX and it's nice, though personally I'd need more reasons other than the superficial. And what can be implemented in OSX, can be in Linux just as well (hence my reason for using that as my main OS). Just my two cents though.

It was on my W520 and desktop. Being on a college campus, I have more than a few friends with MBPs and the like. I've used their laptops. I (of course) use my computers. The OSX experience on native hardware and on my VMs were virtually identical. Only real difference was that I lacked touchpad gestures on the desktop VM (because I used mouse/keyboard for that). I can't think of any other problem I had using a VM, and even then I'm of the "gestures are a stupid gimmick" camp anyway

Now, if you're trying to install on native hardware, you have to be careful what you're installing it on since OSX lacks drivers for a few things (officially it lacks a lot, though thanks to the Hackintosh community it's less of a problem).

What do you mean by "using it like Windows"?

Anyway, I just suggested that as an option since, to some, tying up $1000-$2200 (depending on model) for two weeks isn't exactly a favorable option.

 

The Windows Start Menu search is pretty decent, though not quite as well-organized as Spotlight. The search bar in Explorer is truly terrible. It's slow, it doesn't find things, and there's no GUI flag support like the old XP search used to have. The first thing I do on any Windows machine is install Everything Search. Linux, I don't care to talk about. It's a 95% OS. The last 5% of the time, you'll be compiling your own drivers based on the advice on page 57 in some arcane forum thread or writing custom scripts in a terminal prompt.

Gesture support is everything for mobile machines. That's where OSX is leaps and bounds ahead. Windows gets by just fine on desktop platforms with room for extra screens, your surplus IBM keyboard, and a mouse with 9 buttons. Get on the road and it falls downs. Using it 'like Windows' means a lot of clicking on UI elements for basic navigation (tabs, scrollbars, etc.) and using fixed-function keyboard shortcuts like Page Up/Down on the web. All that stuff is gesture-based on OSX. The amount of actual clicking is down by probably a factor of five and it doesn't require memorizing piles of app-specific shortcuts. Gestures are faster and don't require nearly as much precision; the effect is, you can reserve your focus for the things you want to do rather than playing hand-eye coordination games.

There are still times an external mouse is useful. I spend a lot of my day in Photoshop and I prefer an external device for precision editing. Even there, though, the ability to shove Photoshop on a different desktop and rapidly swipe between different workspaces makes Windows feel very confined.

 

I've never compiled drivers on the distros I've used (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora). Compiling drivers on Linux is about as old and wrong a myth as "All graphic designers and other 'creative type' *must* use OSX" or "All gamers *must* use Windows". Maybe you were using Gentoo or Arch Linux, where you have to do everything yourself? Or maybe Slackware... As for the rest of the distros (and especially the "mainstream" ones), the generic drivers provided by the OS work just fine for the most part, but you can install device-specific drivers if you like (in the same way you do it in Windows).

Personally, and this is my two cents so I'm not expecting agreement, I think that the only useful place for gestures is on phones and tablets because the finger and display combination is their primary input. But for a laptop or desktop, I'd rather use a point stick or a mouse, and if I'm forced to, I'll sometimes use a touchpad. Personally, I find it quicker just to type in the program I'm looking for (Windows Search, Spotlight, whatever) and to keep my fingers on the keyboard instead of moving back and forward between the keyboard and touchpad (that's where the point stick has its advantages). Tough I'm also a touch typist and have no need to look at the keyboard in order to position my fingers properly.

 

...

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I DO send to print via WEBB, Digital presses and photo imagers as a matter of fact . but the majority nowadays is working in 4K / 5K full aRGB @ full 10/12 bit color and then downsampling to 709 for HDTV and cinematography work.

no Sauna, ambient temp is about 22 degrees Celcius, however YES I actually do contract work for Pixar, WETA and a few others . and Apple themselves admit that they aren't made to try to do long render work while editing onsite at all ( even got the e-mail and snail mail from the engineering department ), however I need that advantage now as the whole take everything back to the office and do it on the desktops is so last decade.

 

You're in the land of the extreme minority. If I had that sort of requirement, I'd ditch laptops entirely and build myself a custom box to take onsight.

 

And so it appears then that I wasn't far off the mark after all. To be "undressed" simply means to be to be unprepared or unfamiliar. As in when people seem to be enjoying something that you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing yourself, you feel "undressed" or not familiar with it and since they are enjoying it, it's only natural to want to enjoy it yourself also. And thus, that you're not enjoying it presently, it makes you feel subconscious in the sense that you may have been missing out.

As you said and as you implied, you don't need OS X. Absent need there leaves only desire. And so here we are with you filling in the blanks that were guessed given what was left unsaid but easy to see from what you posted. What other possible reason could there be when you stated and implied that you don't need OS X and that you are keenly aware that the two competing OS's are virtually on par with one another?

You see, nothing derogatory was said. It's OK to want to switch to OS X for any reason at all. Contrary to some of the opinions you may have seen. You just needed justification for doing so since you don't need to. And so you came here to seek it. Nothing wrong with that. That's actually a good way to go about things before making expenditures. It's those who may not have realized this simple thing which made it into a hostile environment.

Happy endings.

Does it come with a clearer mirror so I can better gaze at my own awesome handsomeness? How did I end up so blessed with such perfectly flawed features that count for heart-throbbery these days? Better not look a gifted horse in the mouth hmm?

Anyway, to the duel...

It might come as a surprise, but I'm I user of both OSs (in addition to others) so I'm quite agnostic about OSs. I just use the right tool for whatever particular job is to be done. I accept your challenge. But you can't suddenly elect to handicap me when you see one of my Windows 7 setups and know by looking at it that I'll win. You should know, one doesn't need to navigate to a folder in Windows to launch something. The folders were just for organizing data files like documents, pictures and music. And after that victory, be a good sport and let's tango again. Only this time, I'll use Linux Mint with MATE. Yes, it'll trounce you again. But don't let two consecutive loses discourage you. The lesson to be learned here is that one can customize their setup to maximize efficiency and ease of use. In the end, armed with that knowledge that you just gained, you'll be a winner going forward.

Oh yes, it has pierced my veil of certainty before you came along and thought it hadn't. That's why it wasn't denied. Did you see what I did there then? Instead, knowing that notebooks spend most of their life on a desk and not a lap, external input devices are still as ever relevant as they have been since they were first invented. And one of the reasons why Logitech is one of the best sellers of mice that are used with Macs apart from Apple. They've done an excellent job of integrating their SetPoint software into OS X. It takes an already efficient OS and puts it on steroids of ergonomic efficiency.

Wait there! Surely you must realize that I am indeed the world. Alright, only as much as most of the time I'm to be found in the median of the bell curve where the overwhelming majority of people don't trip over power cords because instinctively, they know to place them out of the path of foot traffic.

Indeed, there is room for an even better solution. It's called inductive charging. No cords necessary. I've had a few devices that use it and it's wow factor doesn't get old. Kind of like the wow factor of the MagSafe connector only better.

I know. I know. You feel like you're under attack because you think your preferred manufacturer is being disrespected somehow. You just have to realize that there are those that are as, if not more, experienced in these things that they've learned not to pledge allegiance to any manufacturer. They simply buy what suits them best.

You thought I was a Windows only person didn't you? Come on, come clean. But you missed one small clue in the post you quoted that would have tipped you off that I used a lot of different platforms. Ready for this?

Yes, granted in was in small font and it doesn't explicitly state that I use multiple platforms (but did you see my prior post about having almost the best of both worlds by using a VM and paying homage to the 27" iMac?). So no worries about demerits for missing it. But you do get one little demerit... you missed that the rest that came after was tongue in cheek. Well, no, now that I think about it. You don't deserve a demerit for that. You picked up that I would be laughing at the thought of you tripping over power cords. I can't apologize for that. Slapstick, physical humour gets me every time.

BTW, I like you. So full of angst and ready for a fight.

 

I gave special attention to that sentence. It implies that you're probably set in your ways, having found 'the way' back in 1980 (hello, folder hierarchies) and haven't cared to change since. Just because you can tweak a system until it's functional with OCD organization or master a series of obscure key commands doesn't mean you've shown it's the better implementation. Plenty of people can wind me in circles with a unix terminal. They're welcome to to it.

Inductive charging doesn't work with any appreciable current over long distance. As-implemented, it wouldn't look any different than the MagSafe system, unless you think it'd be better to have the laptop sit on a hardwired charging pad. Is it so hard to give them credit for an innovation that you don't personally use? You're not so agnostic. Your posts smell like contempt.

I *was* a Windows-only user until this Mac. I know the platform backwards and forwards, I've been the 'fix-it-guy' since 1994. And I'll maintain until I'm blue in the face that Macs are the better mobile platform. You don't need to mess with them. You don't need external hardware. They work, and they work the best.

 

You're awesome. Like I said, I like you. Faults and all. When you have time, if you care, go back and read some of my posts. And some of the other's posts too, to which you replied. No, no, not today though. Or even this weekend. Maybe midweek or towards next weekend.

The underlined sentence... I remember something similar back in the early nineties. It was this group's seminar I went to with this girl I was chasing. I actually agreed with much of what they were saying. Whatever it was at the time. But because I wasn't ecstatic enough for them about what they were saying, they thought me a "non-believer" for all intents and purposes. It wasn't enough to simply acknowledge their.... whatever they were into. They wanted fervor. Needless to say, I didn't attend many of those meetings. I did, however get the girl. But the relationship fell apart because she felt that I wasn't ecstatic enough about her hotness and her superiority over other girls in that regard. I suppose I didn't brag enough about her. I dunno.

Anyway, go figure right?

 

Better and best is so subjective. What is better and best for you might not be better or best for me or others.

Still think OP should just go out and buy one to figure out if himself. Maybe it would end all the rambling on which one is better for him.

 

So CAD work is done faster and better on your Mac laptop than a Windows based laptop?

Don't spread lies now....

 

Seriously, What's next? You're going to tell us again how the MacBooks are poorly built compared to the Toughbooks used by the military?

If you have nothing of value to contribute in this thread why do you bother?

 

Well, Zero000's technically right, in that 6xxM and later GeForces are p*ss-poor for professional work, including CAD. And you're technically right in that MBPs are poorly-built when compared to Toughbooks.

Hyperboles, hyperboles everywhere..

Anyway, I think it's safe to say that OP's question has been answered at least a few times over, so now we're stuck with bickering about our favorite platforms.

 

People like to exaggerate what their Macs can do. I should correct them when they claim that their Mac laptop is better than a Windows based laptop. When you say better , you should say in what way. If you say it's just better , you aren't giving a proper explanation.

If Mac laptops were the best in all areas , everyone who could afford one would be using one including engineers , military personnel , etc.

Better , good , etc. are all relative terms but Mac laptops aren't optimized for CAD work and that's a fact.

 

The bold part of your statement is what's wrong here. Seriously, each platform has it's strengths and weaknesses. To some, like you, Windows is superior. To other OS X, Linux or whatever they are using is superior. All I've seen you do in this thread is defend the Windows platform which is not what this thread was about.

 

You forgot that I included a conditional statement. Windows itself is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the hardware as well.

Hardware + Software works together so you can't just ignore the hardware.
Modern Mac laptops do use some inferior hardware components compared to some Windows based laptops and you shouldn't ignore that.

A Mac laptop can be better than a Windows based laptop , but in what way(s)?
A Windows based laptop can be better than a Mac laptop , but in what way(s)?



The guy I was quoting was using shallow reasoning

The statement "they work the best" is an absolute statement if I'm not mistaken.
I'm quite sure everyone in the world who can afford a Mac laptop has one since they work the best in all situations.

 

To be honest. NBR should just close the apple section and be done. It is almost impossible to have anyone come here and ask about Macs or OS X and expect to received unbiased responses. The mods aren't helping the situation by getting involved in the discussions and brushing off posters who complain about this.



Just for the record, I use both windows and OS X daily and I have no problem with either platform.

 

You use Elitebooks , Precisions , ToughBooks , ToughPads , ThinkPads , etc. as well?

You must have a lot of money :thumbsup:

To just mention an OS alone is not a good idea. The OS must be mentioned with the corresponding hardware. Of course Macs go with Mac OS X and there is little variation but with Windows based systems , the variation is so great that the different Windows machines are split up into different categories such as: consumer , business , semi rugged , rugged , etc.

From what I've seen , Mac OS X does seem to be more secure overall than Windows 7/8 without doing anything else to it so, by default for most users , the Mac OS would be better. If Windows 7/8 could not be more secure , lots of people wouldn't be using it.

 

Just get a Mac laptop.

The 2nd reason isn't really true and the 1st reason has to do with the benefits of a more locked down system.

 

Apple simplifies things greatly so most users who switch from a Windows based laptop to a Mac are happy with the switch.

BTW Mac laptops can run Windows 7/8 as well.

The downsides have already been discussed in this thread but some don't apply to you since you probably don't do any special work or don't have particular hardware needs and just want something that works.

I'm used to upgrading things and doing things on my own so modern Mac laptops are kind of odd for me to get used to.

 

It is impossible to get unbiased answers anywhere, as everyone has different uses and is drawn to different things for different reasons. Us mods tend to let the debates go on a lot more here since Apple went Intel and technically supports windows with bootcamp so as a somewhat cross platform system. and you are correct we do brush off a lot of complaints as many of us as well run 2 or more OS's. 2.0 and I especially and I am actually the newest one to use windows. but am fluent in MacOS OS-X, AIX, and Solaris.

heve you been to other forums where flamewars break out over GPU's, framerates, durability... it is no different anywhere else and as long as things are semi civil I see no need to go around editing posts and giving infractions. Everyone here does have something to contribute, everyone does have an opinion and hence why it can on occasion get lively. But for members to get very upset when other members find issue with a certain manufacturer is a bit silly, as many of us have said they are just a tool for a job, and you may be amazed how many here in this thread ( I can think of 5 ) have been using Apple products for a decade or longer but have come to dislike features, feature removals or even hardware issues that have been found or not addressed.... does that make their opinion any less valid?

I myself in my capacity have issue with almost every Apple only Professional tool being discontinued in favor of general consumer items ( Xserve, Shake, Color etc ) and for 5 years not addressing our concerns and needs over the average home user/consumer who is now going to tablets, chromebooks and convertible units.

Just my $0.02

all but toughpads my units pay my bills and keep me in business... so yes I do spend a lot annually on hardware and software.

 

What you're really asking for is a circle-jerk. Because well, there's peace, pleasure and bliss to be found in a circle-jerk. Or is there? Ever go over to Mac Rumors forums? What should be a blissful circle-jerk turns out to be filled with fights among realists, idealists, and purists. All among the Apple user spectrum. And why's that? Shouldn't they all just get along? They're all Apple users. Because there's no such thing as a universally best this or that. Everything is a compromise and opportunity cost.

If all anyone ever did was extol the virtues of everything, we'd never know what was wrong or missing and be stuck in stagnant state of decay. Apple makes great hardware. No doubt. But the more things you use the more you know where it is deficient. And have no illusions Apple hardware and OS X is deficient in many areas. Everything is. Why? As I said, everything is a compromise and opportunity cost.

So if someone says, "Apple hardware is expensive." Why bother arguing against it? What do you care? It's all relative anyway. Spending more for tech doesn't automatically make someone a bad person.

If someone says, "a ToughBook is better built than any Mac." Why bother arguing against it? It's better built than notebooks from any manufacturer. And that comes at a significant premium that someone who actually needs it is willing to pay. As soon as someone looks into it, they will likely be back to looking at Macs again since Macs are relatively cheaper yet better built than budget Windows notebooks. Or they will look at Windows based business notebooks. Some of which are Mil-Spec.

If someone says, "And I'll maintain until I'm blue in the face that Macs are the better mobile platform." Just tickle him in the belly so he's forced to breath and get oxygen back into his brain so he can think objectively again. So much passion over something that was built from what came out of the ground is just... adorable. But quite adolescent all the same. But it's just his opinion. No biggie.

The one wonderful thing about Apple corp is that while they like that there are enthusiasts and fans, they certainly don't require user defense. Their systems speak for themselves (with the help of one of the cleverest marketing campaigns in history).

So we're not brushing you off. You just don't need protection. You don't really want that anyway. It makes Apple users look like weak ideologues. Like the exact opposite of the famous "1984" commercial. Like Jobs is the one on the screen and you're the ones in the audience. You don't want to look like that. Apple has a LOT to offer. It's just not perfect. Nothing is.

If a "rabid" Window's fan comes along shouting, "Windows is better! Rah! Rah! Rah!" So? It doesn't mean Windows is better. It's just different. If they persuade someone then that person probably wasn't going to buy a Mac in the first place. Mac sales are still above their moving average. Stock is doing well enough.

So chin up. Give better than you get or not at all. And everything will be fine.