Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Switchers, Open Source, Leopard
Chris Pirillo on why Vista will only help increase Apple's market share
Chris Pirillo is the quintessential Windows fanboy. Why then does he make such a strong case that Apple will only be aided by Microsoft's Vista? In the current issue of Computer Power User, Chris nails Microsoft on all the reasons Microsoft's current and upcoming offerings are simply too little, too late. From Firefox making inroads on Internet Explorer's turf and Google toppling MSN Search to Vista's exorbitant pricing scheme and release candidates failing to impress, Chris says he's finally almost ready to leave Microsoft behind and make the switch with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. On Leopard, he says "it looks clean and elegant. It comes with all the software and services the average user could ever want. It runs on the same hardware. A system will be able to dual-boot between OS X and Windows, and pricing is no longer astronomical. But most importantly? With its UI inconsistencies, Vista feels completely schizophrenic, and that's enough of a reason for anybody to leave Windows in the dust-just like they left MSN Search and IE."
Welcome to the table, Chris. We've been saving a seat for you.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Macobyte said 9:23AM on 10-16-2006
If he's really that concerned about "UI inconsistencies," maybe he shouldn't switch... iTunes 7, anyone?
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Gandhi said 9:27AM on 10-16-2006
Not a good sign when a Microshaft fanboi disses Vista on the eve of its launch
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Bert Goethals said 9:52AM on 10-16-2006
personaly i find the entire OS out of sync with iTunes7... I like the look a lot more then the aqua or brushed metal.
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Alex said 10:13AM on 10-16-2006
I'm not certain that this is anything more than a rumor, but there's another reason that Vista can only possible help.
From experience if you upgrade hardware components on your system Windows XP frequently requires you to contact Microsoft before you are allowed to use Windows. From what I've heard, with Vista you're allowed to do this only once...
So much for Mac's being less configurable :)
Gamers will go insane.
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DrWho said 10:19AM on 10-16-2006
I can only assume that the iTunes UI 'inconsistencies' pale in comparison to Vista's.
(Though personally I like the new iTunes UI a lot and hope to see more of it)
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GadgetGav said 10:48AM on 10-16-2006
"Google toppling MSN Search"...? Didn't Google topple AltaVista as the search engine of choice? I've certainly never used MSN Search and I think only the people who didn't know how to change the functionality of IE did.
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Sleestack said 10:51AM on 10-16-2006
I ran Vista RC1 via Parallels on my Macbook. After a couple of days I threw it out. The UI is a total mess. The OS is too intrusive with requests for permission to do anything from installing programs to inserting discs. I regularly use XP at work and have no bones to pick with Microsoft. But, Vista is going to be a huge flop with consumers. It is just a confusing mess. I'm not sure if Apple will pick up market share, but people will not move off XP as quickly as Microsoft is predicting.
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Laurie said 10:58AM on 10-16-2006
GadgetGav - "I think only the people who didn't know how to change the functionality of IE did" -- isn't that /most/ of your average users?
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icerabbit said 11:03AM on 10-16-2006
Having used Vista a few times, I'm not impressed either. To me it is XP SP3 with a new skin. Just like Windows ME & Windows 98 - 98SE.
My first look at new office beta? Unless there is a switch / preference to revert to the 'old school' menu & button bars ... it is a productivity nightmare! If you've used Office for nearly 15 years professionally, you suddenly have to relearn where everything is placed.
To a degree OS X has a more uniform look, but I hope Leopard will solve all the inconsistencies between the Apple applications. I'm not as deeprooted as some are about the issue, but I still find it disturbing. When OS X came out, everything was the same. Since then it just has gotten gradually worse. Some things are still aqua, some are brushed metal, now we have shades of gray.
I can understand certain apps have been updated, while others have not, but the more I think about it, the more I wish there was a preference where you could make your choice: aqua/metal/.../gray for all. Period.
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Macskeeball said 11:54AM on 10-16-2006
The thing is, most people (at least on the Windows side) don't make much effort to update their software. They don't run out and buy new OSes, but rather just use what came with their computer until they get a new computer. Vista won't necessarily be a flop, simply because people will still be buying new computers. They may complain, but they already paid for it when they bought their new computer.
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Gandhi said 12:09PM on 10-16-2006
icerabbit - "I wish there was a preference where you could make your choice: aqua/metal/.../gray for all. Period. "
I use this and am quite happy. Price is great too.
http://gui.interacto.net/
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tim said 12:10PM on 10-16-2006
i know this is a topic of vista, and not os x, but i HAVE to say it; THE NEW LOOK OF ITUNES ISNT A MISTAKE!!!
there, i said it. it is a preview of what is to come, just as they have often done with their software, mainly itunes. and to call all these programs inconsistant? if youve ever used xcode, it gives you 2 main style options, brushed or not. even with this new 'metal' look, that is 3 standard choices. that doesnt seem very inconsistant to me.
eventually everything WILL look like 'metal' and we can all go back to thinking anything else is evil other than metal
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shirster said 12:20PM on 10-16-2006
Is it just a dummy user or are we actually accessing MICK HAMBLEN's account at CPU? 'Coz it seems like I'm able to change Micky's email address, view his personal information (like phone number and address) and subscription details???
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B said 1:38PM on 10-16-2006
UI inconsistencies?!
Well, if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!
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lakiolen said 2:06PM on 10-16-2006
"It runs on the same hardware."
That's only true if 'it' refers to Vista, not if 'it' refers to Leopard. It's true that Windows can run on all mac hardware, but not true that OS X can run on all hardware that Windows can be installed on.
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josh said 6:42PM on 10-16-2006
good golly i get sick of constantly reading about mac users who hate itunes 7 & the fact that its UI is "inconsistent". i really dont understand why everyone seems to want every program on the mac to look the same. they all do different things, its makes no sense for them to look the same.
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