Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Blogging, Snow Leopard
Uncle Walt says "Apple's built-in software still has the edge"
Walt Mossberg, the curmudgeonly, smooth-pated personal technology blogger at The Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital, has released his fall computer-buying guide. And when Walt talks, people listen.Mossberg is usually very kind to Apple products, which probably explains why he gets the latest and greatest equipment sent to him by the guys in Cupertino prior to release, and we don't. In his latest guide, he says some surprisingly nice things about Windows PCs. That's mostly due to the progress in usability and friendliness brought about by the recent release of Windows 7. But he also goes on to say some very interesting things in his lead-in post, titled "Operating Systems Provide New Choices in PC Shopping."
While Walt points out the obvious -- that Windows PCs are usually less expensive than Macs and that Windows 7 has closed the gap between the operating systems in terms of user-friendliness -- he also goes on to say some very nice things about Macs:
That's high praise again from the Prince of Personal Tech, and a list of good arguments for us "Apple Fanboys" to bring up when we're faced with Windows-lovers.But Apple's hardware is stylish and sturdy, and, in my tests, Macs usually boot faster than Windows machines. Plus, Apple's chain of retail stores offers a better buying experience and strong post-purchase support. Also, in my view, Apple's built-in software still has the edge. Snow Leopard is fast and reliable. And it comes with a full suite of excellent built-in programs, including email, photo and video software. Microsoft has stripped Windows 7 of such programs. Some PC makers have restored some or all of these in certain models, although I consider Apple's counterparts better. Another huge plus: The Mac isn't susceptible to the vast majority of viruses and spyware.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
me said 12:10AM on 10-29-2009
I understand this is an Apple blog, but are posts like this really necessary?
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doelcm said 2:12AM on 10-29-2009
Are comments like this really necessary?
Come on.... It's a blog. Posts like this one bring joy to dozens (if not scores) of TUAW readers, not to mention a sense of satisfaction to the poster.
If some people are annoyed, that's just a bonus.
Jordan said 12:29AM on 10-29-2009
"Microsoft has stripped Windows 7 of such programs"
Correct yet also very very wrong. Microsoft has removed the programs from coming with the OS, most likely due to monopolistic lawsuits and anti-trust law blah blah blah. BUT, they are very easily available as a free download.
Sure, you can use the argument that it's not available out of the box. But these are things Microsoft has to be cautious of and Apple does not due to market share size.
I also like how he doesn't tell us why he thinks Apple's counterparts are better. Just like Mac ads, they claim they're better, but beyond the ol' virus excuse, they don't tell you why.
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iammichaelshort said 1:57AM on 10-29-2009
So true.
Maybe Apple will get there wish and become bigger then MS.
Then they can take all the Anti-truss heat.
KarlW said 4:28AM on 10-29-2009
No. Microsoft didn't remove things like Windows Mail because of antitrust issues, they did it to try and build their "Windows Live" brand.
It was always easy to change your default email client. The problem competitors faced was not competing against built-in products like Windows Mail, but competing against Outlook. Obviously, Outlook is not bundled with Windows, so antitrust doesn't come in to it.
Jordan said 9:30AM on 10-29-2009
They could build up their live brand by leaving the programs bundled with the OS too.
It was just as easy to change from Outlook to a different mail client. It was also just as easy to change your default internet browser from IE to something different. Look what happened to Microsoft just for including those programs in their OS. Maybe this was a little more difficult to change pre-Vista era, but that's changed.
Microsoft is just being cautious. Do you really think they would remove basic simple programs from their OS (an OS that they NEED to be good, and it is) if they weren't worried about something else? Why would you remove your mail client? Think of all the average non-techie people out there who go to buy a computer...
"This computer can't receive email!?"
Microsoft is trying, and it's working, to make things easier for the average person. Removing a mail client and making them download one isn't a good way to help. They obviously have bigger motives for removing the mail client than live services. Anti-trust makes the most sense.
Dan Buckley said 3:38PM on 11-02-2009
Microsoft adds programs to the OS and it's anti competitive. Apple does it and it's innovative. True the programs Apple bundles are better. It's just interesting how both things are seen in different ways becasue of their respective market share.
Dan said 1:05AM on 10-29-2009
ROFL at the muppet Walt pic.
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Sean Flanagan said 9:26AM on 10-29-2009
I'm Walt Mossberg... shutup.
Luy T said 1:22AM on 10-29-2009
windows live essentials gives you email, movie, and much more for free. The new mail client even syncs calendar/contacts with hotmail for free. And paint is still included last I checked. Otherwise a great article by Walt! Thanks Steven.
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Rafe H. said 1:57AM on 10-29-2009
Syncing with hotmail and Paint are 2 features that wouldn't even fit into a book, much less an article. Hotmail?
doelcm said 2:06AM on 10-29-2009
Are you worried ENOUGH about your own safety and the safety of others around you to refrain from making phone calls while driving?
After all, if an accident occurs while you're doing this, the real liability, legally and morally, is yours.
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doelcm said 2:08AM on 10-29-2009
Sorry about the above. I didn't expect 1Password to include the message when it filled in my password.
doelcm said 2:15AM on 10-29-2009
Legally and morally, I accept responsibility, of course.
DistortedLoop said 8:53AM on 10-29-2009
It's happened to all of us. Edit your 1Password object for TUAW to remove the text, and as a safety feature, TUAW's a site that I've turned off autosubmit login for in 1Password.
Mike said 6:20AM on 10-29-2009
I don't see this blog as an Apple blog. I agree that apple is growing much more than Microsoft. http://cypruscar.org
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DistortedLoop said 8:56AM on 10-29-2009
The Unofficial APPLE Weblog (TUAW) isn't perceived to you to be "an Apple blog"? What else is it? Or do you require Apple itself to control the blog to make it an Apple blog?
Just curious.
Simo said 8:46AM on 10-29-2009
erm if anyone is thinking of rocking up to a Windows 7 user and telling them smugly that 'Uncle Walt' says Snow Leopard is more reliable. Make sure your Mac is locked away so they can't log in as 'Guest'.
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Markus said 4:42AM on 10-30-2009
Great what uncle Walt says, but on my systems, Windows 7 is more stable than Snow Leopard, and I say that as an Apple fanboy :(
DistortedLoop said 9:01AM on 10-29-2009
One of the silly things about Apple Fanboys is that they think to love Apple you have to hate Windows, and anyone who speaks anything but ill of Windows is somehow a traitor.
If all reports are true of Win7's vastly improved features and usability, then Mossberg would do ALL of his readers a disservice to not point it out; he would lose what credibility he has left with non-Apple fans if he didn't.
If I said that I find Windows 7 to be more stable, and easy to use, with some slick new features that are starting to rival OS X Snow Leopard's, it still wouldn't prevent me from recommending in the end that Apple is still a better way to go, would it? If not, then why hold Walt's feet to the fire for doing the same?
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