8 Reasons Windows Users Don’t Switch - Both sides weighed

alsiladka · 04-10-2007, 12:32 AM

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Let me say it right off the bat: Macs running OS X give the best computing experience on the planet. It’s not that Macs are perfect, but compared to everything else, there is nothing like the Mac experience. With that in mind, it’s difficult for many Mac users to comprehend why there are so many Windows users suffering needlessly by running a Windows system. That’s where I come in.

I have been a die-hard Windows user since I started computing. If you had told me I would switch to Mac at any point in the future, I would have laughed at you. There was nothing that could ever make me switch! Well, that didn’t exactly last forever, but as a recent Mac “switcher,” I have a unique perspective on both worlds. Experienced Mac users may not have the perspective that it takes to see what makes Windows users stay with Microsoft, and let’s face it, some Mac users (not you or me, of course) are just downright zealots who think that anyone using Windows should be cast into the fiery pits of Mount Doom and forgotten for all eternity. (Nerd alert!)
So allow me to take an objective look at what keeps some Windows users from switching, from the perspective of someone who has resisted switching to Mac for a long time and was looking for any excuse to stay with Windows. And once you’ve read this article, check out “8 Reasons Windows Users DO Switch” (coming soon) to learn what is working.

1. Ignorance
Ignorance is merely a lack of knowledge, and when it comes to Macs, most Windows users, myself included, are extremely uninformed. My experiences with Macs were mostly pre-OS X, before the really good stuff began to happen, and I made a decision that Macs were not for me and never looked back. Many Windows users think they’ll have to “re-learn everything” and that nothing will be familiar. While this is partly true, Macs are so much easier to use; many beginners find it easier to do most tasks intuitively, without having to be taught or open a manual. As someone who has spent long hours teaching family and friends how to do simple tasks like email attachments, I can you tell that the same cannot be said about Windows.

2. The Office
No, I’m not blaming Steve Carell, I’m talking about where you work. Most office environments run Windows, period. While this is beginning to change, the reality is that the majority of people are using Windows at the office. If you need to bring your work home and get things done, it makes sense that you should run Windows at home, right? Not really, but the average Windows user doesn’t know about Office for Macs, or that their files will still be compatible. They don’t realize how easy it is to work across both platforms, or that they can even run Windows on their Mac when all else fails. Even if they do know these things, they figure that it will be more difficult to work on two platforms than it is worth. Apple is doing a great job lately of educating people on these misunderstandings, but it is still the prevailing thought among Windows users. Even if the Mac doesn’t get a strong hold on the business market, it’s important that people know they’re capable of it.

3. Hardware
I have always been a bit of a hardware geek, and used to enjoy building my own machines. Every few years, I would upgrade the motherboard and processor, and re-use the case, the hard drives, and power supply, and could make a significant upgrade for $400-500. I can never do this with a Mac. Hardware geeks are hard to convince for this very reason, and even average Windows users may scoff at something like an iMac because they don’t want to pay for a new monitor every time they upgrade their computer. Mac Minis are popular with Windows switchers because they can use their current monitor, mouse, and keyboard and not have them bundled as with an iMac. This is becoming less of an issue as the price of Macs have come down considerably, and technology moves so fast nowadays, you’ll likely to want to upgrade almost every component every few years anyway. As a former system-builder, I’m now at a point in my life where I would rather pay a little extra for a system that works right out of the box and has great support than save a few hundred dollars at the cost of countless hours of being my own tech support.

4. Price
The perception by Windows users is that Macs are more expensive than Windows PCs. This may have been true in the past, but the new Macs are very comparably priced to similarly equipped PCs. Unfortunately, the perception remains. Budget PCs may undercut Mac prices, but budget PCs sacrifice quality parts and support. Apple has shown that they are not interested in competing in the budget computer market, and it’s a smart move, as the margins in this area are extremely small. Windows users should consider what they’re getting for the extra money. Apple’s support is top-notch, the included software, such as iLife, is stellar, and the quality and design of the machines is always first-class.

5. Lies
Let’s face it: Apple tends to bend the truth once in a while, especially about Microsoft and Windows. One of the “Get a Mac” ads states that Windows is for spreadsheets and pie-charts, while Macs are for “fun stuff” like photos, movies, etc. To Mac users, this seems both funny and true. Windows users, however, are thinking of the aisles and aisles of games that are available for Windows, while there is a half-shelf devoted to games for the Mac. I don’t know about you, but I can only have so much fun playing with photos. Things like this just sound like lies, and they sometimes present Apple as a company that has to lie about its competitors to get business. Other ads point out flaws in Windows that are so true it hurts, especially letting people know that Macs don’t get viruses, or that Macs include a lot more useful software and less bloat than Windows. Don’t get me wrong, I take the commercials as a light-hearted jab, as they are intended, but some of them bend the truth so much that it creates mistrust.

6. Windows Bashing
Apple and Steve Jobs are constantly making jabs at Vista and Microsoft, and Mac users follow suit. That’s understandable, but when Steve Jobs is constantly berating Vista and Microsoft instead of touting the features and advantages of Apple’s own products, it makes Windows users think that Macs don’t have much going for them. I remember watching the 20 or 30 minute Vista-bashing session at the WWDC conference and wondering why Steve Jobs is so insecure that he has to berate the opposition. Can you imagine shopping for a car and having the salesman only talk about what’s wrong with the competition’s cars? This always reminds me of John Kerry, whose entire campaign was about bashing Bush instead of telling you why he was a good candidate himself. It didn’t work for him either. Apple, your products are the best in the industry. Act like it.

7. Vista
I’m going to let you in on a dirty little secret, but you need to sit down first. Windows Vista is actually a good operating system! There. I said it. The ugly truth is that Vista is the best operating system Microsoft has ever released, and for many users, it is good enough. That’s right, good enough. I really like Vista. It fixes so many of the little issues that have plagued me for years, and if I had to use Windows, it’s the version I would use. But now that I have spent time with OS X, I could never go back. For Windows users who have never touched OS X, or are resisting Macs for any of the reasons listed here, Vista is the best operating system they have ever used. I know, I pity them too, but all we can do is hope that they see the light eventually.

8. Mac Users
Okay, I’m not talking about you or me here, but there are some Mac users out there who have just a little too much love for Apple. When they are shouting (or typing in all caps) about how much better Macs are, they’re not convincing anyone to switch, they are scaring them away. Even well-intentioned Mac users can sometimes get a little carried away. I’ve had many friends lecture me for hours on end that I was stupid not to switch, and all it did was push me further away. In contrast, when I got a chance to sit down and quietly use a Mac, I began to enjoy the experience, and luckily, a friend was smart enough to answer my questions and just let me play for a while, and it made all the difference.

Conclusion:
Apple is doing so much right these days. I am sometimes awestruck by their constant stream of good decisions, but there are still so many Windows users unwilling to take the bait. I think it helps to know what we’re up against when we’re trying to convince Windows users to join the Mac side, and I hope I have provided some insight

I read the full interview. I must say all the points are excellently put down. All and one must read it word by word. Its true to the core.

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 02:55 AM

Niiiiiice....

The Outsider · 04-10-2007, 03:16 AM

fyi, its not both sides weighed, its mac pwns windows

mehulved · 04-10-2007, 04:01 AM

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4. Price
The perception by Windows users is that Macs are more expensive than Windows PCs. This may have been true in the past, but the new Macs are very comparably priced to similarly equipped PCs. Unfortunately, the perception remains. Budget PCs may undercut Mac prices, but budget PCs sacrifice quality parts and support. Apple has shown that they are not interested in competing in the budget computer market, and it’s a smart move, as the margins in this area are extremely small. Windows users should consider what they’re getting for the extra money. Apple’s support is top-notch, the included software, such as iLife, is stellar, and the quality and design of the machines is always first-class.

This matters in developing countries, where people have lower budgets. Thus, apple is loosing out on many potential customers. This is the segment that's growing at a good rate. It's an untapped market, thus it would be rather easier to get them to use any OS much more easily than rest. Though my point is going a bit away from the topic but IMHO it's a place where the industry should be placing it's focus.

praka123 · 04-10-2007, 04:24 AM

developing countries:
neither Vista is helping getting down the price and the new hardware needed for it(2GB RAM!!!)

kumarmohit · 04-10-2007, 06:56 AM

The fun stuff anf games being availble for windoes is great point. Wonder how el jobso forgot that!

NucleusKore · 04-10-2007, 07:23 AM

The real point here is Microsoft "soft pedalling" the home user piracy issue. Let them do what Apple did to iPhone, they'll be nowhere.........IF they have the guts too

Help~Is~Here · 04-10-2007, 07:53 AM

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Originally Posted by kumarmohit

The fun stuff anf games being availble for windoes is great point. Wonder how el jobso forgot that!

That's changing fast with the help of softwares like Cider&Cedega. It helps you play almost all the latest games on a MAC or Linux Machine.

Cider for MAC info

Cedega for Linux info

mehulved · 04-10-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by praka123

developing countries:
neither Vista is helping getting down the price and the new hardware needed for it(2GB RAM!!!)

It's still under what macs cost, I believe. Can someone please post the price of macs in Rs.? I believe it would be around Rs. 30K with a monitor. For that budget you can get a C2D + 2GB RAM machine quite easily. It's not difficult to find Vista capable machines for around Rs. 20K these days. And there are countries worse off then ours. No one in these places cares for quality part. Getting a computer is good enough for these people.

sakumar79 · 04-10-2007, 09:59 AM

Has someone forgot software variety? In the Structural Engineering field, I cant seem to find decent alternatives to Engineering Design software such as STAAD, NISA and SAP in Linux or Mac... For drafting atleast there are some decent alternatives, but not design...

Arun

shady_inc · 04-10-2007, 10:14 AM

Never set my eyes on a mac till now.But I wanna try it out now after reading this....

kumarmohit · 04-10-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Help~Is~Here

That's changing fast with the help of softwares like Cider&Cedega. It helps you play almost all the latest games on a MAC or Linux Machine.

Cider for MAC info

Cedega for Linux info

Ugh Application Compatibilty layers!

BTW do you know that EA and a number of other companies have annouced that they would be porting games to Mac OS so that they run natively.

Unless and until there are enuf Native games for Mac OS X, the game is going to be in the favour of Windows.

casanova · 04-10-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chester

fyi, its not both sides weighed, its mac pwns windows

Its not Mac and Windows weighed. But switchers and non-switchers. However, switchers are yet to be written about.

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 02:12 PM

The first reason is one that makes most sense. Ignorance. While buying a new computer, who ever thinks of a Mac?

"Macs? Those are for desiging right?". The story ends there...

And there's a lot of myths that go around about macs...especially about software.

shantanu · 04-10-2007, 02:12 PM

@praka ; 512 mb is needed for vista, 1 gb for a good experience and Microsoft never said you to buy another Gb.. and what RAm costa today 2Gb 3K ?

infra_red_dude · 04-10-2007, 02:13 PM

The only thing that bothers me is Point No.3, Hardware! But I can see that with laptops/notebooks becoming so common these dayz, this point will soon become obsolete.

Regarding Vista's RAM and GPU requirements, it may not bother desktop users much but it surely bothers laptop users; esp those who've laptops at least an year old.

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 02:13 PM

One dude came to my place the other day. He's a computer hardware geek.

"What what kind of hardware does the Mac use? Does it have PC stuff like RAM/HDD and CPU or...?"

iMav · 04-10-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shantanu

@praka ; 512 mb is needed for vista, 1 gb for a good experience and Microsoft never said you to buy another Gb.. and what RAm costa today 2Gb 3K ?

he wants ram also to be open source

free free free

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 02:18 PM

Open source is not equal to Free...

The_Devil_Himself · 04-10-2007, 02:20 PM

lols.yea that would be nice.

shantanu · 04-10-2007, 02:20 PM

free is explained many times and by many people.. and on many sites and on many occasions, please dont try to explain it once again

.

Free doesnt means free of cost,...................

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 03:46 PM

Free in iMav's statement meant free of cost....

ax3 · 04-10-2007, 04:28 PM

nice post .......

macs r superior than win pc`s ...... performance vise et all ........

i work on both bt macs exp r the best ......

Zeeshan Quireshi · 04-10-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shantanu

@praka ; 512 mb is needed for vista, 1 gb for a good experience and Microsoft never said you to buy another Gb.. and what RAm costa today 2Gb 3K ?

Dell is Acutally Giving 19 Inch Widescreen TFT Monitor + 1 GB RAM C2D PC for 27k , how much cheaper can that get !

Ankur Gupta · 04-10-2007, 06:06 PM

I too think that price is what defers most people from buying a Mac here in India...
Had it been at par with what it is in US then Mac sales would have been much more here...
BTW I think that Ashwin(drgrudge) too wudn't have bought a Mac if he had to buy a lappy from Dubai/India...

goobimama · 04-10-2007, 06:15 PM

My friend bought an HP lappy in India. He paid 53k for it (1.83Ghz C2D, 1GB RAM, 14" screen, 80GB HDD). The Macbook costs 60k (2Ghz C2D with 4MB cache, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD). It's quite there if you look at it. Of course, there are those really cheap laptops which are very hard to compete with, but they are of poor build quality and such.

Thing is people don't realise that you pay a little more, but get some world class software, hardware and support.

aryayush · 04-10-2007, 07:31 PM

The main thing is the software and the sad situation is that people don't pay any attention whatsoever to software. A Mac is all about Mac OS X and the applications but whenever a potential buyer is asked to consider a Mac, he'll put a Mac and a HP notebook side-by-side and look at which one has more powerful hardware at a lower price. In such a stupid comparison, Macs are never going to win. If all a customer is looking for the cheapest **** he can find, he'll never be interested in a Mac - and, IMHO, it is better that way.

It's like Jobs said, "There’s some stuff in our industry that we wouldn’t be proud to ship. And we just can’t do it. We can’t ship junk. There are thresholds we can’t cross because of who we are."

Spot on.

~Lil JinX~ · 04-10-2007, 07:33 PM

The first reason is what makes the most sense to me as well. >_< I knew little about Mac , so I obviously went in for a PC like everyone else. The thing is, everything on Windows isn't as pathetic as some people make it to be. As far as I know, anyway. I've never used a Mac. I can do everything that I want on my PC, and more. Why would I think of switching?
*drumroll* Yeah, I AM satisfied with my windows PC. Why? Simply because it fulfills all my (admittedly, few) requirements. Why would someone like me bother switching then?

PS: Maybe I should steal my dad's Mac for a day and see what its like