There's a tiny thrill when you hear about the "Macpiphany" moment from a long-time Windows user; that cognitive gear shift where suddenly, out of the blue, they get it. Erica Jonietz, writing for MIT's Technology Review magazine, had her moment while doing something that, for a self-confessed 20-year "Microsoft apologist... not just a fan, but a champion," should have been a big Windows shiver of delight: reviewing Windows Vista. Instead, the anticipation turned sour, and a light began to dawn... as she puts it:
Ironically, playing around with Vista for more than a month has done what years of experience and exhortations from Mac-loving friends could not: it has converted me into a Mac fan.
Ouch. Hey, if it's good enough for Jim Allchin... Although Jonietz was reviewing Vista RC1, most of her criticisms stick with the release, and her feelings for Mac OS X are undiluted. Check out the complete article for a sincere and thoughtful take on Redmond bloatware versus Cupertino cool.
[via Apple Hot News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-19-2007 @ 4:20PM
Matt M. said...
Though I'm a bit biased (she didn't come off as such, even with her years of Windows experience), it was a great article.
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1-19-2007 @ 4:31PM
Solar said...
Windows XP drove me to the Macintosh.
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1-19-2007 @ 5:44PM
Mr. Krinkle said...
It was the same for me, been a Windows guy since 89. I got so fed up with XP I bought a Mac mini to try it out as a secondary machine. I also tested Vista RC1 and RC2. The verdict was delivered and I bought a 20" Core Duo iMac. To be fair, I also gave Vista RTM a try in bootcamp... hideous.
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1-19-2007 @ 5:58PM
Tammy said...
I had one of those paradigm-shifting moments a month or so ago. After 20 years as a PC owner, I was ready to throw my newest Dell laptop out the window (maybe I should say Windows?) only 8 months after buying it. It was already showing all the ugly symptoms of PC sluggishness after the constant stream of Windows patches and updates and I could see I was going to have to wipe things clean and re-install to get a fast-functioning machine again. I got in my car, drove two hours to my closest Apple store, pointed to one of the new dual-core Macbooks, and said, just give me one of those. I love it so much I didn't even bother to put Windows on it...didn't want to ruin something so good. The Windows option made it feel like a safe choice for me, but once I had it I understood it really was time to let Windows go for good.
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1-19-2007 @ 8:40PM
Mr Lizard said...
I think the most interesting point in that article is around processors.
Erica comments that Apple doesn't ship any Macs with low end processors, making their entry level computers more expensive than the cheap PC's Dell & Co ship.
She then hits the nail firmly on the head: When the public are 'allowed' to buy Vista, these low end PC's are probably going to have a hard time running it.
PC's featuring cheap low end processors are often coupled with cheap, low end memory.
People may be tempted to look further towards the middle end of the market (£700-£900 range). Apple makes a particular line of notebooks and desktops that fits that price bracket perfectly! ;-)
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1-20-2007 @ 4:44PM
Des said...
Right now 10.4.8 on my Core2 Duo 20" iMac is making me use my Dell more often for web access...I had a Mini which despite being underpowered was a decent performer when browsing but this iMac is like a dog..
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1-20-2007 @ 11:39PM
mike said...
Okay, that's great ... I guess.
I've never understood the religion. I started out programing an Apple II, purchased one of the first Macs (remember the take it home and try it promo?), and finally ended up working for NeXT for 2 years (Mach kernal anyone?).
Now, although I still love the Mac, I use a PC with XP; It's not as elegant as a Mac, but it's cheaper and has a heck of a lot better selection of software.
PCs get the job done ... for less money and without the attitude.
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1-21-2007 @ 9:54AM
Mac said...
Agree with comment above. PCs get the job done with a fraction of the price. Saying that Vista is so bad that it drove her to Mac is unbalanced and needlessly dramatic.
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