iPod Halo effect one of 'top obstacles' facing Microsoft

I will put Windows on my MacTel box IF Apple makes the hardware fast enough and/or expandable enough. I do use Mac OSX for my work all day long, and I run Windows for games. Buying just one computer to do both could be cool, but the requirements of a gaming machine are much higher than those of an office machine. I'm willing to by an expensive piece of hardware for a very fast machine for my work and play. Unfortunately, all Apple has done for the past several years is make them expensive. I'm not talking about the phoney Intel vs. G5 Megahertz arguments. I mean giving me a fast video card, PCI express, SATA, etc. As for the interface issues, I agree that Apple really makes switching harder for Windows users because of their odd keyboard/mouse choices. Why can't they just make it an option? Old Mac users who can no longer learn new key sequences can stay the way they are, and the switchers can set up the keyboard to work the way they have grown to work. It isn't impossible for Apple todo this, they just don't seem to be motivated to making switchers happy.

Thanks, Maxim. BUT... Whether the Apple way or Windows Way is the "correct" way, for people to switch from Windows to Mac, little tiny things like this are really annoying. The example you gave still uses two hands (or one hand stretched out), as opposed to what is just second nature for every windows user - one key stroke. And since we are trying to lure as many people as possible to the Light Side of the Force, adding the one-keystroke-function should be a pretty easy thing to do. It's not like hitting "Enter" does anything on Mac, so you don't have to undo any functionality. Just add more :) And what about all of those poor one-armed people out there? Is it "Hold down the Apple key with your nose and click the mouse?" Ok, that's a bit ridiculous, but you get my point.. Thanks for the tips though, Sean

To Sean: 1. Command-O can open a program. The return key easily allows you to edit names of files and applications. This was done to prevent accidentally opening a large program and causing frustration. 2. To move something to the trash, use Command-Delete. This was done for the same reason as above. 3. PageUp/PageDown, Home, and End are never used on a Mac cause the software was designed to be much easier to use. Command-Up/Down arrow keys are used for Home and End for the exact reason mentioned in the previous 2 sections. PageUp/PageDown can be used in most readers by using the space bar to go a view length down or up depending on whether you press the shift key. 4. 2 button mice does not have to be default, but it should be optional. Except for gaming, programs shouldn't need another mouse button. Better software design can negate any reason for needing a second button mouse. The interface I'm designing right now is much much easier since I thought it out using just one mouse button. If the program is simple enough to only need one button, then it will allow a user to be more productive. These ideals were drafted intentionally based on advanced interface design work done at Xerox's PARC over 25 years ago. They studied the reactions of users who had never seen a computer before and based their tests on how well they worked with each interface. As a result, it's much easier to use a Mac regardless of how much you know about computers.

It's interesting to me that the very existence of the "halo effect" has been questioned in the media until now, but suddenly, it's one of Microsoft's top 3 problems! FreeiPodGuy

sean, you can perform launching and deleting using a keyboard. launch = apple-down delete = apple-delete these were not obvious to me when i first switched either, but are now second nature...

I am one of the Switchers. Bought an iPod 6 months ago, fell in love with it, really got into Apple, bought a 15" PowerBook G4, started buying Apple stock, and plan on buying a Desktop when they make the Intel switch. I really do love OSX, but as a former expertWindows user ( programmer for 12 years ), there are a few things that would make it easier for people to switch: 1. Allow "Enter/Return" key to run a program. Don't make me double-click. 2. Allow "Delete" key to act like I dragged it to the trash. Especially on a laptop mousepad, dragging isn't as natural or fast as hitting a button. 3. Not sure about full-sized keyboards, but put PageUp/PageDown, Home, End keys more visible. 4. Make 2-button mice the default. Right-clicking on things has become very common for 90% of the computer users out there. Having to use 2-hands to do something is kind of annoying. Again, these are SMALL things to fix, but by fixing them you make the Switch so much easier for Windows people. Everything else makes me smile, these 4 things make me grit my teeth. Sean

As long as Apple maintains their price premium, MS will stay in the driver's seat, by a huge margin, iPod Halo effect or no. I'm a long time windows user, lusting to Switch. (Not for viruses, or spyware, or crashes, which I have never had any problem with, but for how shiney and cool OS X is.) But when I can go to Dell and, for the same $500 that gets me a relatively underpowered mini, buy an absurdly nice, 3.xGHz XP box (which, I will freely admit, has NONE of the shine of even the Mini), I just can't justify it. Please, Apple, use the switch to Intel to make your prices more reasonable. I think there are 100s of thousands of people (if not more) just like me, waiting to Switch, but comparing prices with dismay.

Yeah, I agree that running Windows along side OSX will be something more and more common, but, depending on how much it improves, I think that the majority of those people will be doing the Virtual PC thing rather than duel-booting (although Duel-boot will still be common enough, esp. if Apple doesn't make it a weekend science project to do...). In fact, Apple could license Windows Vista and make that an option (i.e. Virtual/duel-boot) when you order your Mac online. I think that would intice even more people to "switch". After all, it's really about the hardware (as far as making money). So, the chain of events must look something like this: iTunes -> iPod -> Mac Mini -> iMac -> Duel monitor, Duel Processor PowerMac G5. (Okay, so that last part probably hasn't happened....)

Nr3:games... If i can have a secure OS for working (OSX) and a OS for gaming with every game there is (Windows) and in the same machine... You can rest assure I will use them both...

I am interested to see if Apple can continue the momentum with the iPod. The product has expanded and diversified (see Shuffle and Mini) away from the original concept. What will Apple do next, what will they do to continue to keep the iPod cool?