I always get this question: Why a mac? Why pay so much for that piece of gadget (or contraption as most feel it is)?
Many people around me mistake me for an Apple evangelist. Unfortunately, I don't go behind brands. Never. I just go behind the best that every brand has to offer! :)
Now I think it's high time I etched down the answer to that.
Firstly, I admit, it's almost impossible to convey certain emotions. (No kidding) You need to experience it to really understand that. Similar is my state with a mac. So, I'll try my best at it.
Before I even start, shall we clear the fog surrounding some 'Apple' 'terms'?
Mac: The hardware and software both are called Mac. There are a myriad of hardware designed and manufactured by Apple. Let me just list the computers.
iMac: A desktop computer with your CPU tower built into the monitor itself.
Mac Mini: A BYODKM computer. Display, Keyboard, Mouse separate.
MacBook: A notebook (laptop)
MacBook Pro: Notebook with extra cost ;-), extra cosmetic value, extra power
(nowadays macbooks are equally powerful)
Mac Pro: A BYODKM computer again but a very high end machine, with a form factor like the
usual CPU towers we get and very costly too.
(nowadays macbooks are equally powerful)
Mac Pro: A BYODKM computer again but a very high end machine, with a form factor like the
usual CPU towers we get and very costly too.
OS X: Jargon for mac OS version 10 which is the latest series of the OS
- Version 10.0: Cheetah
- Version 10.1: Puma
- Version 10.2: Jaguar
- Version 10.3: Panther
- Version 10.4: Tiger
- Version 10.5: Leopard
- Version 10.6: Snow Leopard ( The lastest as of Jul 24, 2010 )
PC: Apple Inc. has chosen to call the computers running windows as PCs and their products as Mac. But in common terms, you can always call any computer you use at home or office (if you alone use it) a Personal Computer :-). Blame Apple for that!
With that done, let me start with myth-breaking...
A mac is difficult to use. It's for the geeks.
Never. It can be used by anyone. Anyone who thinks can use a PC can use a mac. But yes, designers and developers use more of mac. That's because Mac is a blend of power and elegance. Power for geeks and elegance for noobs.
There isn't lotta software that is compatible with mac
That was true when Apple stuck to its in-house PPC processors. Now that they are using Intel's Processors, times have changed. Almost any software you run on a PC (grrr. See that's how Apple's vocabulary infects you. Results from prolonged Mac usage) err..., Windows machine has a Mac counterpart. Most times, a better alternative is available on a mac.
That was true when Apple stuck to its in-house PPC processors. Now that they are using Intel's Processors, times have changed. Almost any software you run on a PC (grrr. See that's how Apple's vocabulary infects you. Results from prolonged Mac usage) err..., Windows machine has a Mac counterpart. Most times, a better alternative is available on a mac.
A Mac can't run Windows
Similar the previous myth. Now you can either run it natively like on a PC ( Forgive me. Honestly, it's difficult to adapt to this new vocab. Hence, PC = Windows machine in this post). or on a Virtual Machine like VMWare. Dual boot is very simple too. You can have both OS with no restriction. Apple gives you all required drivers too. Although I'll bet, you wont use windows once you use a Mac.
A mac is costly
That's INITIALLY true. It IS costly compared to other hardware that's available in the market. But believe me, it's WORTH IT. For the performance, the productivity, the life style, the peace of mind you get, YOU CAN PAY IT, actually more too. That's the thing that helps Apple have the nerve to price it so high. People fall in love with the mac. It's not everyday you buy a computer, is it?
If you ask a mac user a question: One mac or 4 PCs? What do you want?
An easy to guess answer: ONE MAC!!!
Now some personal advantages from my vantage point:
1. No crashes: Yeah. No crashes. It just works!!! Of course nothing is perfect. Software on macs crash too. But not even once in a blue moon. Even more rarely. 'Crash' is off your dictionary => No every- month-format-and-OS-reinstall.
2. No Viruses: Since, Mac OS under the hood runs over a flavor of Unix, (For more info, read abt Darwin) windows viruses are petrified in it.
3. Stable everything: Since the hardware and software are from Apple, it's the perfect marriage. So no incompatibilities. Almost all external hardware available in the market - printers, etc work well too.
4. Developer's haven: For software people like me, it's like having a Linux installation inside my everyday OS. I don't need a separate installation of Linux. You have the BASH and everything a developer needs already in here. Apache server, PHP, SNMP daemon etc. are already in there. For other tools, you can CONFIGURE, MAKE AND MAKE INSTALL from sources! Now you know why almost almost all conference videos have glowing Mac logos on the podium. Google geeks love Macs too.
That's INITIALLY true. It IS costly compared to other hardware that's available in the market. But believe me, it's WORTH IT. For the performance, the productivity, the life style, the peace of mind you get, YOU CAN PAY IT, actually more too. That's the thing that helps Apple have the nerve to price it so high. People fall in love with the mac. It's not everyday you buy a computer, is it?
If you ask a mac user a question: One mac or 4 PCs? What do you want?
An easy to guess answer: ONE MAC!!!
Now some personal advantages from my vantage point:
1. No crashes: Yeah. No crashes. It just works!!! Of course nothing is perfect. Software on macs crash too. But not even once in a blue moon. Even more rarely. 'Crash' is off your dictionary => No every- month-format-and-OS-reinstall.
2. No Viruses: Since, Mac OS under the hood runs over a flavor of Unix, (For more info, read abt Darwin) windows viruses are petrified in it.
3. Stable everything: Since the hardware and software are from Apple, it's the perfect marriage. So no incompatibilities. Almost all external hardware available in the market - printers, etc work well too.
4. Developer's haven: For software people like me, it's like having a Linux installation inside my everyday OS. I don't need a separate installation of Linux. You have the BASH and everything a developer needs already in here. Apache server, PHP, SNMP daemon etc. are already in there. For other tools, you can CONFIGURE, MAKE AND MAKE INSTALL from sources! Now you know why almost almost all conference videos have glowing Mac logos on the podium. Google geeks love Macs too.
Buying a mac was one of the best choices of my life. Actually, I wouldn't hesitate to say, if you are intelligent, YOU WOULD BUY A MAC.
யாம் பெற்ற இன்பம் பெருக இவ்வையகம்!
No. No kidding. I don't hesitate to pester my friends into buying one because which good friend wouldn't want his mates to enjoy the same life he does - trouble free. It's not an exaggeration when I say, "A mac changes your LIFE STYLE!"
That is why, I call a mac, An Elixir! An elixir to all the viral infections you might expect. A real macintosh for the crap rain you are in!
