I fixed up a decent used computer for him. I dual boots XP and Ubuntu. After a month or so I checked up on him and he's using Ubuntu full time. He say's XP just "looks wrong" and is confusing. He's installed WINE on the ubuntu machine and is successfully running Windows programs using WINE that I personally wouldn't have even attempted to install.

I'd say he's a pretty fair test of Ubuntu's useability.

I fixed up a decent used computer for him. I dual boots XP and Ubuntu. After a month or so I checked up on him and he’s using Ubuntu full time. He say’s XP just “looks wrong” and is confusing. He’s installed WINE on the ubuntu machine and is successfully running Windows programs using WINE that I personally wouldn’t have even attempted to install.

I’d say he’s a pretty fair test of Ubuntu’s useability.

I cautioned one before buying his macbook but he decided to because he could run XP anyway. He later complained to me; 'never again'

On the other hand, a lot of people seem to like their mac machines. I guess it depends how much you like OSX.

The three reasons I dislike macs

* Smug fans who try to convert the world. There are some like the author who are level headed and I respect their decision. However, when fans start to preach to me, I lose interest.

* Advertising. Apple constantly bash windows which damages my respect for them. Often their ads do not talk about technical qualities, rather they focus on style.

* Repairs/parts. Having to book to see someone at the genius bar is arrogant.

The fourth is an advantage and disadvantage. Macs are a very closed environment. This allows for serious optimisation of programs for the mac platform. PCs need to deal with CPUs made by Intel, AMD, Via … while macs can avoid this restriction.

It comes down to personal taste in the end, I guess. The same way some people like coke, some like pepsi. A little teasing banter between the two is fine but an aggressive war is not.

I cautioned one before buying his macbook but he decided to because he could run XP anyway. He later complained to me; ‘never again’

On the other hand, a lot of people seem to like their mac machines. I guess it depends how much you like OSX.

The three reasons I dislike macs
* Smug fans who try to convert the world. There are some like the author who are level headed and I respect their decision. However, when fans start to preach to me, I lose interest.
* Advertising. Apple constantly bash windows which damages my respect for them. Often their ads do not talk about technical qualities, rather they focus on style.
* Repairs/parts. Having to book to see someone at the genius bar is arrogant.

The fourth is an advantage and disadvantage. Macs are a very closed environment. This allows for serious optimisation of programs for the mac platform. PCs need to deal with CPUs made by Intel, AMD, Via … while macs can avoid this restriction.

It comes down to personal taste in the end, I guess. The same way some people like coke, some like pepsi. A little teasing banter between the two is fine but an aggressive war is not.

I think what turns me off about Macs is the self-righteousness of those who use them. If you're going to try to make me feel badly because I don't use a Mac, get away from me…I will never take you seriously. (It doesn't help that, with their clever marketing, Apple actually encourages this behavior.) Along with this are some of the crazy-a$$ claims like "Macs are totally secure". I have worked in information security for 11 years. I know that EVERY system is insecure, because EVERY system is written by humans, and humans are flawed, lazy creatures. So don't give me any garbage about how secure Mac is compared to everything else; even OpenBSD, with layers and layers of intelligent, secure design and rounds and rounds of code review for every piece, still has vulnerabilities discovered from time to time.

Since I can do everything I need to do on my two current platforms, and since learning a new platform is something I just really don't have time for, and since I do not now nor do I plan to work anywhere that has Macs for me to directly support, I have no incentive to go drop a bunch of precious dough-re-mi for one. Ditto iPods and iPhones. I have a Palm Pre, which does great for what I need. I use either the Pre or my Archos PMP for my mobile media needs. I have never owned an Apple device of any kind, and have no current plans to do so.

I think what turns me off about Macs is the self-righteousness of those who use them. If you’re going to try to make me feel badly because I don’t use a Mac, get away from me…I will never take you seriously. (It doesn’t help that, with their clever marketing, Apple actually encourages this behavior.) Along with this are some of the crazy-a$$ claims like “Macs are totally secure”. I have worked in information security for 11 years. I know that EVERY system is insecure, because EVERY system is written by humans, and humans are flawed, lazy creatures. So don’t give me any garbage about how secure Mac is compared to everything else; even OpenBSD, with layers and layers of intelligent, secure design and rounds and rounds of code review for every piece, still has vulnerabilities discovered from time to time.

Since I can do everything I need to do on my two current platforms, and since learning a new platform is something I just really don’t have time for, and since I do not now nor do I plan to work anywhere that has Macs for me to directly support, I have no incentive to go drop a bunch of precious dough-re-mi for one. Ditto iPods and iPhones. I have a Palm Pre, which does great for what I need. I use either the Pre or my Archos PMP for my mobile media needs. I have never owned an Apple device of any kind, and have no current plans to do so.

Never heard of Mac users going back to PCs, but it's good to know!

The thing is that I might get a better PC for the same amount of money though Macs are very attractive too…

I still didn't decide which one I'm getting, but every comment I read helps.

Thanks!!

The thing is that I might get a better PC for the same amount of money though Macs are very attractive too…
I still didn’t decide which one I’m getting, but every comment I read helps.
Thanks!!

The rest of my family are still mac users, and they've gone through about five dead macs with various problems that needed replacing. The two PCs I've had over the same period are still going strong. Just avoid big brands, get a trusted boutique computer store to build you a PC (or build it yourself for extra pride!) and it will last you a long time.

I don't hate macs, I think they'll work well for some people, but I the "amazing hardware" and "once you go mac you never go back" are two myths I strongly disagree with.

The rest of my family are still mac users, and they’ve gone through about five dead macs with various problems that needed replacing. The two PCs I’ve had over the same period are still going strong. Just avoid big brands, get a trusted boutique computer store to build you a PC (or build it yourself for extra pride!) and it will last you a long time.

I don’t hate macs, I think they’ll work well for some people, but I the “amazing hardware” and “once you go mac you never go back” are two myths I strongly disagree with.