Via MacFixIt, we find that Walt Mossberg’s new column points out that the Mac isn’t for everybody. While I’d certainly grant that gamers and folks who use proprietary accounting or business software aren’t the most likely switchers, I’d argue that many of the groups Mossberg claims wouldn’t be happy with Macs actually might be if they were willing to make a few small compromises and learn a few new tricks.

I live without Microsoft Office for example, and I don’t miss Outlook for a minute. Instead, Neo Office, Aquamind’s Notetaker, and Apple’s built-in productivity tools take up the slack.

I’ve had to learn some new ways of doing things on the Mac—like using the Apple key instead of Ctrl, and understanding that closing a window doesn’t exit the program—but I’ve found that the Mac way actually makes more sense.

The only reasons I still have a PC are that a) there’s no cross-platform upgrade price for programs like Photoshop and Dreamweaver; and b) some websites, like the one my wife needs to use for her real estate business, absolutely refuse to work properly in any browser available for the Mac.

Still, I spend 90% of my time on my Powerbook, and I love it. The biggest benefit for me of the Mac over the PC is that I spend more time actually using my computer, and far less time fixing things. Wouldn’t you be willing to trade your need for an ultralight laptop or your addiction to Napster for more time to use and enjoy your computer?

• No Related Post

Saturday, February 19th, 2005 @ 6:44 pm Computer & Gadget Matters
RSS 2.0 Both comments and pings are currently closed.