Why do you love your Mac list!

After all the posts of people constantly asking "why are macs so expensive"
I thought that perhaps a thread where people list their favorite things, be they tangible or not, that make spending that "arguably" little bit extra on a Mac worthwhile.

So here is my top 10 !

1) The foldout flaps and little clip on the power adaptor, that makes wrapping up the cable easy, fun, and super compact.

2) Magsafe, after ~2 years this is still fun to play with.. oh and its saved my laptop from a nasty fall more then a few times too.

3) Simplicity. Some people see this as a negative, but I like the fact that there is not much going on. eg one mouse button, no dedicated buttons for "special functions".

4) No curiosity. I'm like a cat, and with windows I was my biggest enemy, the temptation to fiddle is huge and as a result I stuffed up the machine more often and worse then a virus infestation. With OSX alot is hidden away, removing "me", resulting in a much more stable machine.

5) Its good lookin'. I stare at my macbook everyday, so it needs to be a pleasant experience. Don't believe me that looks are important, try staring a over weight workman's butt crack vs Monica Belluci, and see which one makes you feel good, vs rip your eyes out.

6) Software integration. I use mail, iphoto, iweb, safari, address book, itunes, ical every day. Are they the best? I don't care, they get the job done, they all work well together and are super easy to use.

7) Networking. I use my mb at work and at home. Setting up two different network profiles is super easy.. and it works... this was something I had huge problems with on my old XP lappie.

8) Sleep. Close the lip laptop sleeps, open it up and your ready to go, no issues. Again something that never worked well for me under XP.

9) Native PDF support. I use PDF's everyday. The ability to search pdf text from spotlight/preview, and print to pdf without needing acrobat is just a huge huge timesaver.

10) Spaces and expose. Just started getting into spaces, and it really does help reduce screen clutter, and speed up multi-program navigation, which on a 13" screen is a huge help.

The list could go on but I think 10 is enough, and while individually none of those above may seem like much, its the collective that make the Mac a worth while purchase for me. When I switched ~2 years ago, I was skeptical that I Mac would be a good fit, but now I can honestly say that it was and it will be a long time till I go back.
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p.s lets try and keep it to a positive post, its not about bashing Pc/windows, just list what makes you like your mac.

 

Although they're certainly not cheap, I love my Mac because it just works, all the time, with no exception.

Whereas everyday I recommend budget Windows PCs to friends and fellow NBR users, some of which are of pretty good quality, I know that my heart and mind won't waver from the product which has really captured my affection over the past year and a half.

It's a little difficult to explain in words, but Macs, both hardware- and software-wise, are just so far ahead of the competition it's a joke. Build quality, simplicity, elegance, and protection matter for a notebook for me and my MacBook Pro offers all of those.

While the features illustrated above certainly add to the user experience longevity is key to satisfaction and brand loyalty and after nearly two years of the same MacBook Pro there's barely a scratch - and this is a machine used in six classes a day at high school.

Macs are truly wonderful, wonderful packages and I couldn't consider not having one.

--Tom

 

I'll just mention the things that come to the top of my head.

1) Expose, works so well. I have it bounded to the right alt key and when working on the go (with no mouse) multi tasking is a breeze.

2) Terminal, has in built ssh which makes it very easy for me to connect to work or university when needing to work on my thesis/hypothesis papers for the courses I'm teaching.

3) Installing programs, just a drag and drop into the Application folder and removing programs is just as easy.

4) Task bar, in Windows each window has it's own menu bar (file, edit, etc.) but on the Mac OS it just has the one bar on top which makes it easier and larger windows.

5) Recycle Bin, it's good how it's on the Dock which is an 'always on top' feature and makes deleting things very easy, drag and drop basically. Works for all different programs.

6) Utilizing Ram, I only have 3GB of ram in my Macbook but it is used so well. I can have a Terminal window through a secure proxy and multi tasking, preview, photoshop cs3, firefox, textedit and powerpoint all open at one time and not have a problem at all.

7) Finder, much much better than Windows Explorer in my honest opinion, the different views make it very handy to go through tedious amounts of folders.

8) Magsafe, very handy it has saved my Macbook a few times now.

9) Battery, has the little light meter which shows you roughly how much juice it has left.

10) Spotlight, makes searching for anything on the computer so much easier.

 

i second everything above!!!

 

i suggest you dont play around with it. be gentle with this, and try to avoid pulling the magsafe from the cable, plug it out by holding the head.

haven't you heard about the melting magsafe adapter?

this is designed for occasional accidental trip up. they probably do not think that people play with it... apple has been reinforcing the cable throughout the year; but if people are playing with it like i saw on youtube, ill be expecting more and more people complaining about broken/melting cable.

incidentally similar to what happened with lenovo. lenovo makes what is claimed to be really tough notebook, so people just drop the notebook on purpose thinking that this is what its designed to do. NOT!!!

 

I don't really play with it, only when I actually need to plug in or out, I was just trying to make the point that the normally mundane and small task of plugging in the power is actually fun on my mac.

 

I love the touchpad. Now it feels so awkward when I use a non mac laptop as I instinctively try to use two fingers .

 

I second everything on this list. I missed the so-called "high cost" thread before it got closed. I would feel foolish if I forked out list price for 4 gig of Apple RAM, but I don't feel at all like I've been overcharged for base Apple systems. I also find Apple software like iWork to be a good value.

Here are ten items that are important to me, in no particular order. I'm sure I could think of more...

Parental Controls
iPhoto
iWeb
Terminal
Spotlight
Dashboard
Menu Bar
Time Machine
Spaces/Expose
Fast Boot/Shutdown/Standby times

 

In no particular order.
1. Fast boot and shutdown times
2. Plenty of great open source apps
3. Magsafe power adapter
4. 2 finger scrolling
5. Everything works, never any hang-ups or anything.
6. Design, Hardware and software
7. Optical in and out
8. You can open the screen of the laptop with one hand. You just lift up the screen and the bottom of the laptop stays down. Unlike other laptops where you lift the screen and the bottom comes up a little and then you have to shake it a little to get the bottom to fall back down by itself.
9. Dashboard/expose/spaces
10. Relatively small power adapter for macbook

 

Although i agree with everything else said, i have to say Expose is one of my favorite features. It's almost second nature now and it saves me so much time every day.

 

I enjoy using a Mac more than I did a PC and I am more productive.
1) Its design and ergonomics are great so its pleasureble to look at and use.
2) Its construction quality is great so I don't have reliability issues
3) Its OS and Software are great so I spend more time on productive tasks and less time on unproductive ones.

 

1) Its a sexy beast.
2) Its a pretty convenient desktop setup for non-intensive uses
3) Dual boot XPP and OS X! (I'm sorry - I spend most of my time in Windows...)

 

No AV, antispyware, antirootkits antithis, antithat to keep updated and worry about. Plus, I find OSX easier and more logical to use - it seems to make more sense to me than does Windows, especially Vista. However, I still own a desktop with XP, and ordered, a week or so ago, a new laptop from PNB with XP - my first Windows notebook in many years. I like both systems - AND Linux.

 

Don't tell me you have those on Windows, do you? I haven't run security software even on my Windows machines in 6 or 7 years.

 

Multitouch track pad
Quicksilver - no need for start menu or a cluttered dock
Minimalist GUI - Its just elegant
Spaces and Expose - its so intuitive now and just makes sense. Again i dislike clutter so Spaces helps in that sense too
Backlit keyboard
boot time and shut down time - its like 30 seconds :O

 

Rob...which one did you get from PNB? I'm looking for second laptop for gaming and work.

 

Two-finger tap for right-click. You know how many times I subconsciously do that on a windows PC? Nuff said.

 

I would have to say that it is little thing that Apple does. Like the low light sensor, the mag safe adapter, the build in cord wrapper, clean design, etc..

Just a little things put together made up a smooth machine. Above all, I love OS X.

 

I ordered a 15:3 (red) for myself a couple of weeks ago, and an 11:15 for my son yesterday. He started college this morning. We'll probably end up trading machines. LOL

 

And you've been **** lucky if you haven't been infested with malware of any sort. Sorry, but I don't buy that being careful will protect you. Congrats, though, on your good fortune; I hope it continues.

 

Actually he's right. I usually only install AV & Firewall when I know other people may be using my notebook or if I'm doing some torrenting. My first 3 years of college '03-'06 I didn't use any Anti-anything and my computer was fine. Of course you're going to get malware/viruses/trojans if you're downloading illegal content all the time or going to pornographic websites frequently.

A carefully user protected computer is better than any AV/Firewall combination typically.

 

I love my Mac because it's everything Windows ISN'T.

 

For me, the main reason would honestly be, it really just works. I may have bad luck at the same time, but when I'm working in Mac OS X, I forget I'm working in Mac OS X; there's really nothing I have to worry about, everything is so logical and fluid I can just concentrate on my work.

With Windows, I have to go update my antivirus, restart when an application crashes (of course, applications crash in OS X too, but in my experience, usually less often), restart my computer because I just got new virus definitions, plug in a flash drive and having a pop up box telling me "New Hardware Detected" (just a minor annoyance for that, but when work gets frustrating I really don't need to notice that I plugged in a flash drive; I just plugged in a flash drive, of course I know I did), I have to go through a bunch of folders to install a new font...its a lot more "other" work, before I get to my "work" work.

 

I maintain my windows PC pretty well. I clean it, run commercial defrag progams, keep on top of virus/malware protection, clean restore points and the registry etc.... yet every 6-12 months I find the PC to become pretty sluggish overall in performance and after a reformat and fresh start it makes a world of difference.

On my MBP, I've ran the same usage (except without any AV software or any other protection running), installed and uninstalled numerous apps, my Aperture Library is just busting, my itunes library is getting bigger every day, yet my performance has not dropped at all since the last fresh OSX install (back in Feb).

This is yet another small thing that I really like about OSX. Its basic file management system seems way superior to the windows way of things and it really shows.

 

I like the ability to take my laptop to the Apple Store for repairs. I've already had to take it in once for a battery issue, and the service I got was awesome. It beats having to mail the laptop, wait 10 days, then get it back hoping they fixed it.

Other major things I liked were that Mac OSX is an awesome operating system. The pre-installed software is very well tailored (mail, itunes, etc.). As others have said, Expose and Spaces are very good. Also, when using OSX I can average about 3 to 4 hours of medium to heavy load, using Fusion to run XP while having iTunes and mail running as well. Furthermore, I like the ability to run both Windows and/or OSX (via Fusion or Boot Camp). I get the best of both worlds.

Now on to the hardware side of things. The MBP is thin, which makes it easy to put in a bag for transport. The screen is excellent, being bright and crisp. The speakers are pretty good as well. Also, the aluminum casing gives the MBP a cool look.

 

That's wrong, and very poor advice to give out on this or any other forum. You don't need to download anything illegal, or porno crap for you machine to become infested with garbage. Again, though, congrats to each of you for just being lucky.

FYI, there was a post here not too long ago by somebody who formerly held the same opinion you are sharing in this thread. When his machine became infected though, even though he had been so sure that careful unprotected surfing was just fine, his tune changed.

 

Yep, I once got a virus/trojan right after a fresh install of XP and I was merely downloading windows updates (hotfixes) when it happened. Before that day, I too thought AV was overrated.

 

Wrong. AV plus Firewall is more than enough to be safe. Three people can't be wrong in the same thread. When I use that combination I have ZERO problems. It actually boggles my mind that people cry about this all of the time and I simply just don't have any of these issues. At this point it's beyond luck and a proven fact in my book.

EDIT:
Back on Topic:
Hmmmm what do I like about my MBP?
- LOVE the extra functions on the touch pad. Lik the two finger right click and scroll. The three finger zoom (I believe) and the quick click for a sticky click. Thank god these features were enabled on the software end otherwise I would be cursing Apple every time I use my MBP.

- Expose has always been nice (especially F11).
- I'm very glad they incorporated the Apple + Tab function since I use it so much on both platforms.
- You just have to appreciate the power, battery life, size, and efficiency of it (17" here).
- I like slot loading drives.

There's more stuff but my main happiness about the MBP over a regular Apple and OS X is the touch pad options. Thank god they thought of that and thank god I got $1,000 off through my wifes work. Otherwise it would have been "HELL NO!"

 

Great, write a book. You are wrong if you're agreeing with the first poster who said he hadn't run security software at all for six or seven years - that's a lot different than running an AV and firewall, and there have been a hell of a lot more than three people who have posted here about having their machines become infected when they thought that they had all the answers about safe surfing. Even an NBR mod posted today about a trojan he had to clean with Superantispyware.

Thankfully, with my Mac (or Linux machines), I actually do NOT need to worry about the crap that can infect PC's - at least not yet. ANY PC can be infected no matter how safely and carefully a user surfs the Net, when the surfer is foolish enough not to use protection.

 

The best way to prevent any virus or malware on any PC/Mac/Linux machine is to never turn it on.

 

All the above advantages like Expose and Spaces and my 1 favourite of all time, Growl. I don't know where I would be without it. Its on its way to Windows but having it pop up iPhone sms-like notifications for everything from RSS, email, hardware, IP wifi confg etc is a major advantage for me. I couldn't live without it.

 

Hey Jurisprudence,

I'm always looking for cool new apps to try out. After reading your post I went to Growl's site but I still can't figure out exactly what it does or, more importantly, why one would want/need it. I guess I should just install it and see for myself. I'm too lazy this morning.

 

Hey man. Its a really cool application that notifies you on screen (you can use all 4 corners for differnet apps) of anything on your system. For instance I was just informed of your post on NBR through Mail.app. Mail.app is hidden so not onscreen but a little iPhone-like popup just told me you replied. On the other side my twitter notfications just came up telling me what people are saying in full and above my RSS just came in. If I connect my airport to a network it tells me my IP address and other info so I know I have internet access and nothing is blocking. If I connect/disconnect a USB/HDD/DMG or anything I get a notification. I also get info from iTunes growler on the artist and track etc.

All this stuff can use different skins which can be downloaded free of charge. If your lazy as you say (I know I am) just getting all the info on your screen without having to always go checking manually is brilliant. Try it out. Any bothers gimme a shout here or feel free to PM.

 

There is a Windows equivalent for Growl, called Snarl. It works the same and is a great asset for those that Boot Camp into Windows.

Edit: Link for snarl = http://www.fullphat.net/

 

Thanks dbam987 I have just installed the Windows Snarl program and will tesst it out. It doesn't feel quite as complete as Growl yet but I'll see if it can be modded. Cheers.

 

Agree to disagree I suppose. Obviously it's a good idea to use AV & FW just in case, but I still believe most people who get infected had it coming. At least all of the people I know in person who have gotten that kind of stuff were doing activities they shouldn't have - clicking on unknown attachments, allowing .exe's to run with their permission, visiting sketchy warez type sites, etc.

I just think there's too many people that are paranoid about getting infected, when just being a smart user will prevent 90% of those problems.

Anyway, I don't want to clog up this thread. Continue on..

 

A few weeks ago when I installed vista, when I logged into my account for the first time, the first thing that happened was that Internet explorer launched and spammed me with a bunch of pop ups. You don't have do anything to get malware on the Windows platform. Also, people are getting quite good at attacking windows. Two months ago, I gave one of my old computer's to a friend of my mom's, and made sure it had all the security updates, a decent anti virus, and a firewall. There is an app out there called Antivirus 2009. Windows XP will bug you about turning its firewall off. This app displays the same popup and brings up a popup window 99% identical to that of the Windows XP firewall preference panel. Turn your firewall back on and congrats, you just gave permission for a nasty piece of malware to install it self on your system and it was a ***** to get it off when I was called back a month later . In OSX, you don't have to worry about any of this.

 

No problem, the only thing is finding Windows applications that utilize Snarl. I think Gmail Notifier uses it if it is installed but I'm not sure.

 

EDIT: Got you mixed up with Khris...sorry about that.

Still interested in how exactly you managed to get malware on initial boot....I understand Windows is more of a security risk, but that just sounds over the top. Maybe MS is trying to spite you for buying a Mac

 

I attacked a forum member?

 

Yeah that Antivirus 2009 and its offshoots are a complete pain in my *** when I'm trying to troubleshoot with a ferociously angry customer who's claiming his DSL connection is running slow. Generally if my customers have downloaded an AV or anti-spyware/malware program without checking its origin/authenticity (they rarely know its name) they don't have sufficient knowledge to know what is really going on and battle you all the way = 1 hour+ call and a painful ear before they agree that its not my companies fault. They suddenly realize they have just paid for a scam product causing the issue and given away their creditcard details at the same time. With my Mac customers thats just not a problem and makes for a much more pleasurable and speedier experience, for both sides.

Unfortunately I can see a day, probably not too far away, when OSX users really really should have AV/malware/anti-phishing software to be safe. Larger market share = larger target and OSX users represent an undefended and largely oblivious target as they have been told they are safe and secure. If I was an army that is just the kind of target I would want before me, so do virus and malware producers. It doesn't matter if only a few people get scammed out of thousands, it matters if YOU get hit and Ivan and Yuri have just bought 40 iPhones using 'your' CC in Moscow. or worse.

I can see Apple being about as ready to admit a large-scale threat to OSX as Hitler was to admitting he might have a slight problem on the eastern front (sorry watching war documentary ) as one of their greatest weapons in the 'War on Windows' (I sound like Bush ) is the lack of virus threats on OSX.

I use Avast antivirus on my pc and find it really great (and free). Avast stalled their OSX project a while ago but if they ever restart it I'll install straight away. I don't plan on getting caught out in the open if something comes OSX's way. They say if you see the flash its already too late. I'll stay behind my firewall thanks.

We can love OSX's lack of viruses for now but everyone should keep their eyes open in the future.

P.S: Don't worry Chris27, I think d4nz0r was talking about Khris attacking me with PM's. Your all good man, enjoy.