What DONT you like about your mac?

[Dane D.]

Are you serious?

How often does it crash? My two Macs (G3/300 OS 10.2.8 and eMac 1.25 OS 10.3.9) system never, programs once a month if at all.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system? Never.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X? With ease.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why? Never had one.

What annoys you the most? people asking dumb questions

Would you ever switch back? Never switched in the first place.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back? If I had to use PCs, yes.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ? None, that's why I use a Mac

What is your profession; or area of study if a student? Commercial graphic artist/commercial photographer.

I hope these answers make sense to you.

 

[galstaph]

As to the question set:
My mac has never crashed (bogged down yes, beachball yes, but I've always gotten out of it alive and running).
My wife can use OSX, the few times she's touched it anyways. My bro has a powerbook, but he's jealous because my ports are all on the same side
I have a winbox (win2k), It has good programs that I haven't aquired/are not yet available on my mac
I've used windows 3 - xp (3.11 was by far and wide the BEST they had to date )
I'm glad I switched and can't forsee going to vista (or xp), done trying to fix broken windows..... now I just stroke my ibook... (touchpad you perverts)

On a sidenote the only thing about my ibook I would like to see addressed is the built in cup warmer on the palm rest, sometimes it gets too hot

 

[hoyboy9]

We can't wait for you to make the jump! The grass is much greener on this side.

How often does it crash?

The last crash I had was related to a bug in lookupd, a UNIX component. This bug hopefully will get fixed for 10.4.3. This is the only crash I can think of in my one year of having my powerbook.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?

I did a clean install for Tiger, and don't feel compelled at all to do it again anytime soon. The system runs nice and quick.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?

They are consistently impressed with what I can do with my computer compared to what they can do with XP. The comment I get the most is "dang, [Expose, Dashboard, etc..] is so cool, I wish I had that on XP." I think they secretly want on board the OS X bandwagon, but want me to test the waters first.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?

Windows free for one year! The only time I ever need Windows is for HYSYS simulations (a chemical engineering program). The program is Windows-only, and the seat license is $10K+, so I wouldn't have it on my personal computer anyways.

What annoys you the most?

The GUI is definitely lickable, but it is not as responsive (snappy) as Windows. Application windows resize much faster in Windows and can be manipulated more quickly without re-rendering delays. Supposedly, Quartz 2D Extreme is going to fix this, but Apple hasn't enabled it system-wide yet for some unknown reason.

Would you ever switch back?

If I ever made another switch, it would be from OS X to Linux. But I don't forsee that happening for a LONG time. If I had the parts to cobble together a desktop, I would slap Linux on it. So basically, there is nothing I can't do on OS X that I need Windows for.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?

As a chemical engineer, Windows is a necessary evil. All of our necessary simulation software is Windows-only. No chemical engineering position will have anything other than Windows.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs)?

Windows XP Pro

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?

Chemical Engineer, senior year at Rice University

 

[DaveP]

I'll throw in a few answers:

My iBook crashes about once every other week.

I still have a Windows desktop. I'm sorry, I totally disagree with Apple's business model of having to pay $2,000 for expandability beyond a USB port. So the main reason I use my PC is for watching and recording TV. Plus I do Windows software development so having a Windows machine is sort of necessary.

What annoys me most is that the general gui design (individual windows, lots of panels, etc) can be a pain on a small 12" laptop screen.

I would possibly switch back. The only reason would be price. Right now I think Apple is significantly overpriced. Though I would imagine I'll always have some sort of an Apple system around.

I am a graduate Computer Engineering student.

 

[MacInTO]

I've got a 1.67 15" PowerBook. I got it in April shortly after Tiger was released.

How often does it crash? It's never crashed.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system? I'm on 10.3.7. It works fine. I haven't even installed minor revisions since I got it. I still have the Tiger in the envelope that it was mailed to me in.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X? They love it! I may convert them soon!

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why? No

What annoys you the most? That I have only one!

Would you ever switch back? Why?

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back? ?

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ? I use MS @ work.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student? Corporate-type guy (I fake it).

 

[KC Dragonfly]

Here comes a ""real"" - don't know much about technic - "USER" !

I'm a musician who saw the advantage by working with "Logic". A professional program for musicians to work with. I heard about Apple having bought "Emagic", the company who invented "Logic" here in germany. So there I went to an apple store.
Know alot about logic, never knew much about installing anything and never really cared too. (got a apple freak buddy who did it for me)

I really like the apple "look", and the easier way for me to get used to it. I did my office stuff earlier on a pc, but switched to Mac mini for my daily bizz. The studio is still equiped with a G4 800 Ghz single. But due to better plug ins I need MORE performence. I'll switch to a G5 soon, just wanna wait for the new system to be ready (intel I guess).

BUT: What is really becoming a drag is the video-audio chatting between mac and pc. A dear friend of mine just moved to New York (he got merried there). So now it's video conference time. Eversince, all I felt was: "What a pain in the ass"!! Either the picture is to small, or no audio or bla......
Finaly we got my iChat to work with the AIM for pc. That works great for me, but now he can't enlargen his picture. So-little things like that really make you wonder if one should return to pc at least for "video chatting" and unimportant things like "google earth" etc......
This was a massege from a non technical "just wanna be able to do it"- user.

 

[mikeyredk]

What i don't like hmm its too perfect

 

[Mac Me Up]

I have a powerbook G4, that I bought a few months back:

How often does it crash? It hasn't crashed yet...but every now and again the keyboard and mouse don't work when I awake it from sleep, so i have to close and reopen the lid.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system? Never...so far it doesn't seem like windows (eg: the longer you go, the slower you go).

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X? They love iPhoto and iDVD. I don't think they really care much about which OS is running - though all the old people I constantly help out with issues have PCs - and their number 1 issue is viruses on those PCs.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why? Yep. Desktop for gaming and the occasional only windows type apps.

What annoys you the most? The fact that I can't put my lap-top on my lap. Sure I could fry some bacon on the back while it does it's movie editting thing, but I'd prefer something that I could just sit on my lap without scalding myself.

Would you ever switch back? I think I'll always have a mac laptop and windows desktop - so I doubt it.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back? Not if they paid me enough

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ? Win 3.1 all the way through to XP (all except ME).

What is your profession; or area of study if a student? Programmer

 

[caveman_uk]

I currently have a previous model 1.67GHz 15" powerbook and an MDD dual g4 powermac. I've also owned a G3 ibook. Let the questions begin...

How often does it crash?

Apps not that often. The powerbook is a lot more reliable generally. I occasionaly get kernal panics on boot on the MDD. I've never had one on the PB.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?

Generally never except when there's a huge update like 10.3->10.4.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?

The wife's a techno-ludite but apart from a few things she's OK. Just show her the differences and she's fine. She has more of a problem with Word as she uses that all day in her work and some things are in different places.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?

No, but I use one at work.. and hate it.

What annoys you the most?

Not much really. I'm genuinely very happy. It'd be nice to be able to use the latest and greatest video cards without paying twice as much for them. Software-wise there's a good 'mac ecosystem' and we're under the radar of the virus writers at the mo.

Would you ever switch back?

Not unless windows suddenly got less ****

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?

No. I have to use windows at work. I've used loads of OS's...Windows, BSD, Linux, Mac...so I'm not bothered what I use at work. The viruses and all that crap is not my problem at work...

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?

Immediately before it was Gentoo Linux. Before that SuSE Linux and FreeBSD. Before that Windows.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?

I'm a PhD qualified medicinal chemist working for a small UK Biotech.

 

[beatle888]

5. I TURNED DOWN a job making 100K a year BECAUSE it had all PC's
6. Lots
7. I am a Director of Technology

Bravo!

wow, that sounds so cool, not necessarily that you turned it down because they didnt have macs but because you were in a position to turn it down in at all.

good going

 

[Fender2112]

My home office is about 11'x11'. In it I have an eMac for the wife and kids and Dual G5 with 17" Studio monitor. My only complaints over the past few years:

1. the eMac's fan is bit load. Not obnoxiously loud but enough to be annoying when I sit at it. I don't notice it when I'm on my G5.

2. the office is always about 5 degrees warmer than the the rest of the house. The G5 puts out alot of heat as does the eMac. I keep the ceiling fan running 24/7 and make sure the door stays open. With the fan off and the door closed, its really warm really fast.

 

[Crikey]

. . .

Lets hear the dirty laundry =)

How often does it crash?
How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
What annoys you the most?
Would you ever switch back?
Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
What is your profession; or area of study if a student?

My 2001 G4 tower has crashed once or twice since I've owned it. I've never reinstalled the OS, just installed each upgrade (four of them) over the top of the earlier system. My friends who use MacOS X like it.

I do keep a Windows system around, "just in case". I last booted it about 7 months ago, to get some files off. Before that it had been about a year. I guess I keep it around because there is no other pressing need for the space it occupies; it certainly doesn't provide me any practical benefit.

I would switch back if for some reason Windows PCs began to meet my needs better than Macs.

I use a PC at work, because that's what they give me. I was a PC enthusiast for years, using MS-DOS, Windows 3.11, OS/2, Linux, and Windows 95/NT/98/2000/XP at work and at home. I've played with Silicon Graphics IRIX, SunOS, NeXTstep, older Macs, Ataris, and Amigas, and various antique minicomputer architectures like Wang and DEC VMS.

I am a professional systems administrator at a university.

I've recently bought both an iMac G5 and a G4 iBook. Neither of these has crashed yet. I've installed MacOS X 10.4 over the top of 10.3 on both.

What bothers me about the Macs I've used? My dual-CPU G4 tower is kind of loud; there are a lot of fans in it. It's a big box, but there are only three places to bolt in a hard disk, and I've filled them all. There is only one front-accessible optical drive bay.

My iMac has room for only one internal hard disk. I might like to install a second, but the iMac is popular in part because it's so small and self-contained. It's a trade-off.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a two-pane heiarchy view like Windows Explorer has. It would be nice if the ftp download functionality built into the Finder worked for uploads as well. Occasionally, I find things that don't work the way I'd like, which reminds me that nothing is perfect. Minor details, though.

Cheers,


Crikey

 

[alien]

I don't like the price (performance per dollar), the lack of games, bad performing games, expensive upgrades (videocard, soundcard etc.). And the mac is addictive! The knowledge of it's existence makes me feel bad when working on a wintel machine!

I must say that my list of positives is a billion times longer.

Wow... did you read my mind?

(Ya, I know the reply is a little late...)

 

[solaris]

How often does it crash?
Its 1 1/2 year since I had my last kernel panic.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
Each time Apple release a major OS update. Like the Mac OS 10.3 to 10.4 update...

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
Closest family member live 200km away...

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
Nope!

What annoys you the most?
That the 30" ACD cant be powered by my current PowerBook (15" rev. b).

Would you ever switch back?
Hope not!

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
No. But I will have a hard time to say yes to job where I have to use non-Apple branded computers!

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs)?
FreeBSD 4.x

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

1. Crash? whahdatbe.....
2. Re-install: 2x since 10.1 (currently running 10.4.3)
3. They just dont get it
4. Windows machine? whahdatbe....
5. People who bitch & complain about windblows, but refuse to see da lite
6. Switch? to what
7. N/A
8. OS 8.6/9, windblows b4 dat

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

haha Mitthrawnuruodo is unemployed

And this is amusing...?

 

[mikes63737]

I have a 1.25 GHz Mac mini with a 40 GB Hard drive, 512 MB ram, and a superdrive.

How often does it crash?
--Only once, when I plugged in an external CD-RW Drive.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
--Never, you just need to run "Repair Permissions" and it's good as new!

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
--I don't know, they don't use my mac!

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
--Yes. It's my storage server.

What annoys you the most?
--Safari isn't supported by some sites, and Microsoft makes second-rate software for the mac.

Would you ever switch back?
--Never. I've had too many horrible experiences with my Windows machine.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
--Hell yeah.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
--Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home and Pro) Windows Server 2K3, SuSE Linux, Debian Linux, but not all at once.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
--Student, I'm a high school freshman, so I don't know my area of study.

 

[mpq]

Mac Mini 1.42GHz that I got in September.

How often does it crash?
So far the system hasn't crashed yet. Occasionally random programs will crash but not often, and I don't think Safari has once since I installed 10.4.3.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
Not yet so far.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
They don't use Macs. My mom doesn't even know the difference between Mac and Windows.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
My parents still use PCs but I don't use theirs.

What annoys you the most?
Not being able to use certain Windows apps that there's no Mac alternative for. Like when a website I frequent started an "Microsoft Comic Chat" fad that I couldn't participate in.

Would you ever switch back?
HELL NO.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
Depends on the job. It would have to be something really good to get me to stay.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
My parents don't know anything about computers so of course I was on crap PCs. I went from Windows 95 to Windows ME to Windows XP.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
I'm a student, but I'm not exactly sure what I want to do yet.

 

[colosodian]

How often does it crash?
Apps will crash every now and then, maybe once every three days. They are non-intrusive crashes, the system does not hang, and I can relaunch the app within 10 seconds after I detect the app is hung.
How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
Never
How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
Most of my familly members use computers professionaly, and those who dont dont use my mac.
Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
I have a custom PC that I use for games, windows only apps, and
What annoys you the most?
webpages that tell me they do not support macs.
Would you ever switch back?
I will always have both. My mac for general usage, and a PC for when I need it.
Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
Refer to previous question.
What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
Microsoft: 95,98,2000, XP(home and pro)
Linux: Red Hat 9, Suse, Mandrake, Fedora Core 3
What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
I work as a computer tech at a School District, and I plan to study computer science in college. Im a senior in high school right now.

 

[Seasought]

How often does it crash?
I've only had my Powerbook for about a week but so far it hasn't crashed once.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
I did a fresh install when I first bought my Powerbook. Since then, I see no need to reinstall the system (probably best answered later on).

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
My wife thinks it's interesting but just doesn't really see the difference between it and Windows. I am remedying that.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
Yes. I'm not going to throw out my previous desktop as my wife now uses it as her primary box. I tend to horde my old boxes turning them into storage servers.

What annoys you the most?
My battery. While it gets average time on use I really wish that it would last, without an adapter for something like 8-12 hours. That's something that's more of an issue with mobile computing in general though.

Would you ever switch back?
No. Because of my switch I am actually excited and happy to use a computer again. I have a long thread that illustrates this further.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
No, that's foolish. Money allowed me to get the Powerbook in the first place. If for some strange reason I had to use Windows exclusively at my job I could adapt for the sake of paying the bills. If my job became the sort of monster where those I worked for tried to dictate to me what I can and can't use to get the job done adequately I would highly consider employment elsewhere but I won't jump on a table and make some sort of declarative statement about the superiority of my beliefs over their inferior management methods or intellectual capacities.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
Windows, Redhat/Fedora/Mandrake Linux, BeOS.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
I am a Technical Writer and Graphic Designer.

 

[PowerMike G5]

I love my new Quad .. superfast and powerful.

Only thing I hate is the damn Mighty Mouse that came with it.

 

[generik]

What I like about MacOS is how easy it is to reinstall. Basically insert the DVD, agree to the license agreement, select the drive, and you can go off to take a shower for 30 minutes

Contrast this with windows where you have to babysit the whole damned installation.

 

[Clix Pix]

How often does it crash?
Neither of my two Macs have crashed (yet). Both are fairly new, though.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
I haven't and I don't anticipate the need to so.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
Not an issue here; I live alone.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
Yes; still haven't finished clearing out files from the Windows machine. Even when I do I'll probably keep it around for the rare occasion something comes up that I can't do on a Mac.

What annoys you the most?
Not a darned thing! LOVE my Macs!

Would you ever switch back?
No. I'm hooked on Mac.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
No. That would be a bit excessive. If an employer has hired me and is paying me to do a particular job with the specific tools the organization provides, I'll do it. What I do at work is separate from what I do at home. If an employer tried to insist that I use Windows machines at home I would refuse, yes. If required to use a Windows laptop machine for connectivity to the office while traveling on work-related business I would dutifully do so, but otherwise I will use my PB for travel.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
Started out many years ago with DOS, went through all the various iterations of Windows starting with 3.1..... The Win XP Pro machine sitting in the other room while I'm happily typing away on my iMac is the last Windows machine I'll ever buy unless things change drastically.

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
Librarian. Library is using WIN XP Pro machines for both staff and public.


OTB

__________________

 

[yg17]

How often does it crash?
Various apps crash every now and then. The system, once in a blue moon.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
Major OSX updates (10.3->10.4, ect)

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
My computer illiterate parents switched to OSX about a month ago and love it. They learned very quickly.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
I have VPC installed with XP, but never use it. I have it just in case, and also to make me feel like I didn't waste my money by buying a huge hard drive I live in a college dorm with a Windows computer lab, so in the rare event I need to use Windows, I just go there.

What annoys you the most?
Some sites aren't fans of OSX. I tried to watch a video on AOL's site, but they said Macs aren't supported. Other sites do the same. Nothing about the OS itself annoys me, it's what others do. Plus, my idiot friends who are like "OMFG YOU USE A MAC UR COMPUTER SUXORS!!!!" That gets annoying too.

Would you ever switch back?
No

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
No job could force me to switch. Sure, I may be stuck using Windows for my work stuff, but they can't forbid me from using OSX at home for my personal stuff. So no. If it's a good job, I would tolerate Windows for 8 hours a day

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
Windows XP

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
I'm a student majoring in what my school called Information Science & Technology. Despite the fact that Windows dominates in computer labs and in classes, it doesn't have as big of a hold on the students. A lot of students use Linux or Unix, and there are several Mac users. I'm never the only one with a Mac when I take my Powerbook somewhere, there have been times when Mac laptops outnumbered Windows ones. And you can't walk 10 feet on campus without seeing white earbuds.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

How often does it crash?
Rarely, but usually due to something I've done (like disconnect a thumbdrive improperly). Nothing major, just an app crash. OS X has never crashed for me (knock on wood) in the 3 years I've been using it.

How often do you feel compelled to reinstall the system?
Whenever a new revision of OS X is released. I got 10.2 on my first Powerbook. Formatted for 10.3 and 10.4, but that's it. I didn't even *have* to format then, but I preferred to, due to my almost-ADD knack for keeping my hard drive relatively orderly.

How do your non-computer professional family members handle OS X?
The ones that have used it have bought iBooks as a result. The ones who haven't are starting to ask questions and show much curiosity. Three more may be buying iBooks between now and Christmas.

Do you still keep a Windows machine around and why?
Yes. For gaming and CS programming assignments, mostly. It spends 80% or more of its time powered off, though.

What annoys you the most?
I need a second power adapter for my Powerbook, so I can leave the one here on my desk and pack the other one in my laptop bag permanently.

Would you ever switch back?
If I found a reason to, sure.

Would you quit a job that wanted to make you switch back?
No way. That's one of the dumbest reasons to quit a job.

What OS did you use before OS X (non Apple OSs) ?
DOS (versions 3 thru 7), Win95/98/Me, Win2K/XP, Linux

What is your profession; or area of study if a student?
I'm a CS major @ UAH and a Java develpment intern (which I've done for three years now).