Why do so many people hate Mac computers?

[tootall]

hater now loves MAC

I used to be a hater, but now I am a lover.

I used to hate Mac because every time I would go to a computer store, I would stop by a gorgeous 27" iMac and would try to play with it and could not figure out how the windows sizing work (particularly the green button to maximise a window). The fact that the three coloured buttons would not work like MS Windows would frustrate me and I would skip to the PC next to it.

Then I got fed up of "run32.dll" type of errors and gave Macs a real try. I just regret that I have not done it before!

 

[notjustjay]

I used to be a hater, but now I am a lover.

I used to hate Mac because every time I would go to a computer store, I would stop by a gorgeous 27" iMac and would try to play with it and could not figure out how the windows sizing work (particularly the green button to maximise a window). The fact that the three coloured buttons would not work like MS Windows would frustrate me and I would skip to the PC next to it.

Hahaha, yes, this is one of the things that PC users would ask Mac users and get trounced on for.

PC guy new to Mac: "How do I maximize a window in OS X? The green button doesn't do it."
Entire Mac community: "Well, DUH, it's a MAC! We don't do full-screen windows on a Mac! So much white space! How dumb is that! Learn to work with multiple windows, you'll love it, so much more productive."

*fast-forward a few years*

Apple: "New OS X Mavericks! Check out how much more productive we can be in the new FULL SCREEN mode!"

Me:

 

[Tsuchiya]

I used to be a hater, but now I am a lover.

I used to hate Mac because every time I would go to a computer store, I would stop by a gorgeous 27" iMac and would try to play with it and could not figure out how the windows sizing work (particularly the green button to maximise a window). The fact that the three coloured buttons would not work like MS Windows would frustrate me and I would skip to the PC next to it.

Then I got fed up of "run32.dll" type of errors and gave Macs a real try. I just regret that I have not done it before!

Ah yes, the windows were super weird at first for me too. I was in a PC store with my dad once trying to convince him to switch from his Dell to a 20" iMac (first white one, cutting edge stuff ) and he was in stitches because I couldn't figure the thing out.

As for why people "hate" on Macs. I guess some just are a bit weird like that. Theres always a reason, none of which I've ever agreed with. The usual one is cost related. Like "you could have got this laptop for much cheaper, same specs".

Meh.

 

[jayducharme]

In my experience, many of the people who claim to hate Macs use the same tired old excuses: Macs can't open Windows files. Macs need special printers. Macs don't have any software available. Macs aren't compatible with anything.

They're viewing Macs through the lens of OS 9, when much of that was true. So I think a lot of the criticism I hear is from a lack of education.

 

[GKDAIR]

I've wanted a mac for the longest time, and a few years ago when my gaming laptop I spent 1000+ dollars on flat out died, I became so enraged and fed up I went out almost immediately and purchased a macbook air.

It was the best decision of my life. I seriously cannot go back to Windows after using a mac. I'm still learning how to do everything, but I save up money now just to be able to afford Apple products.

In my case, the reason for people hating apple purely comes down to jealousy and ignorance.

Before I got a mac, I was extremely jealous of my friends and random strangers I would see with a macbook in hand. Now that I have one, I am the target of that Envy.

 

[Technarchy]

i think most people find Macs unnecessary.

 

[The Doctor11]

Some people just don't want to have awesome hardware and software that's powerful and fast.

 

[decksnap]

Psychologically speaking, they are invested in a platform other than Mac and feel threatened by having their choice questioned or somehow invalidated. Goes BOTH ways.

However, Apple's philosophy of simplicity, both in ease of use and in product line offerings, will not work for thousands of possible niche needs, and these people will always see Macs as too limited. For the millions on the spectrum that do fit in their target though, the experience is unmatched.

 

[G51989]

Some people just don't want to have awesome hardware and software that's powerful and fast.

If you need super high performance machines, Macs do not cut it. You'll be on a super high performance Windows/Linux or UNIX box.

 

[r.harris1]

I used to be a big PC enthusiast, building my machines all the time, and consequently, supporting the machines I built for my parents and for my own family. I made the full-on switch at home back in 2008, having used Macs for work since the mid 90s. My support time has dropped to a negligible amount and because at work I use a mixture of windows, linux and os x ecosystems, it's the best platform for me hands down.

For me personally, Apple hasn't kicked my professional puppy the way other people seem to feel. In fact, I've not ever been more productive than I am currently (mobile and backend software development, web/media). I've had to reconsider a few work flow options over the years, but nothing major. I don't miss optical drives one iota, nor not having an ethernet port. I can get down to the nitty-gritty at the command line just like I always could and I'm one of the two or three people who actually like Launchpad .

I no longer have a burning desire to muck about with my machines either. Too much time and money wasted over the years replacing CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, RAM, hard-drives, power supplies, cases, when I could have been enjoying life instead . Now I just get work done, very little overhead.

As to why (or if) so many others hate macs, all I can say is there must be a bunch of people with too much time on their hands. My advice is: Use what you like and don't obsess about what others choose to use. It's a tool, for chrissake.

 

[Renzatic]

...and I'm one of the two or three people who actually like Launchpad .

Yeah, I'm the other guy. The Launchpad hate is something I flat out do not understand. I think it's a pretty solid way to access all your applications without having them tied to the dock. It's easy to navigate, and easy to organize.

...but because it got its start on iOS, the moment some people lay eyes on it, they immediately go into "TOUCH UI'S DON'T BELONG ON A DESKTOP OS" kneejerk mode, and spend hours griping about it on the internet.

 

[Michael Goff]

Yeah, I'm the other guy. The Launchpad hate is something I flat out do not understand. I think it's a pretty solid way to access all your applications without having them tied to the dock. It's easy to navigate, and easy to organize.

...but because it got its start on iOS, the moment some people lay eyes on it, they immediately go into "TOUCH UI'S DON'T BELONG ON A DESKTOP OS" kneejerk mode, and spend hours griping about it on the internet.

Wow, do you know you just about summed up about 85% of Windows 8 hate? Well, not the iOS part, but the mobile part...

 

[Renzatic]

Wow, do you know you just about summed up about 85% of Windows 8 hate? Well, not the iOS part, but the mobile part...

Yup. One of the most common complaints you see about Windows 8 is "it's a tablet OS forced onto a computer". It's not. The desktop is 99.5% the same as it was in Windows 7, and much like Win7, it's where you'll be spending 99.5% of your time. You only go to the Start screen to launch more programs, or do a quick search for something, and the only difference between then and now is that the place you do these two things are considerably bigger.

That's not to say that Windows 8 isn't without its flaws. MS did some goofy things that make it a little harder to come to terms with. And even with 8.1 fixing a goodly amount of these problem, there's some some goofiness remaining. But it's not really all that terrible.

It could be better, yeah. But it's not bad.

 

[SMDBill]

Yeah, i know that its a waste of time, but i just wonder what makes people hate mac so much.

Because Apple tries to make a more closed system where you get all your apps from one location and Apple profits from it. People see only the negatives and fail to realize the built-in safety of repositories of software that are (or should be) verified safe before permitting them to be downloaded.

Apple also closes off much of the customization that is more available in Linux and Windows, viewed as an OS that "hand holds" its users.

There are countless reasons people have listed that I've read about why they hate them. What they don't say is how seldom they have issues printing, never blue screen, seldom crash, install apps easily, update easily, connect to routers easy, are built with quality parts in a durable shell, etc. They're expensive and that's a hot button one with many haters. But when they're worth over half their sale price years later, they neglect to acknowledge that either as they just throw away a Windows PC 5 years down the road (if it lasts that long).

I bought Macs because I got sick of being a Windows IT guy on my home computers (4 kids, 2 adults and one desktop). Now I run Linux and OSX and my free time is mine again.

 

[Michael Goff]

Yup. One of the most common complaints you see about Windows 8 is "it's a tablet OS forced onto a computer". It's not. The desktop is 99.5% the same as it was in Windows 7, and much like Win7, it's where you'll be spending 99.5% of your time. You only go to the Start screen to launch more programs, or do a quick search for something, and the only difference between then and now is that the place you do these two things are considerably bigger.

That's not to say that Windows 8 isn't without its flaws. MS did some goofy things that make it a little harder to come to terms with. And even with 8.1 fixing a goodly amount of these problem, there's some some goofiness remaining. But it's not really all that terrible.

It could be better, yeah. But it's not bad.

Wasn't saying it's perfect, just kind of found it funny when I read that and wanted to point out my thoughts.

 

[Beachguy]

Yup. One of the most common complaints you see about Windows 8 is "it's a tablet OS forced onto a computer". It's not. The desktop is 99.5% the same as it was in Windows 7, and much like Win7, it's where you'll be spending 99.5% of your time. You only go to the Start screen to launch more programs, or do a quick search for something, and the only difference between then and now is that the place you do these two things are considerably bigger.

That's not to say that Windows 8 isn't without its flaws. MS did some goofy things that make it a little harder to come to terms with. And even with 8.1 fixing a goodly amount of these problem, there's some some goofiness remaining. But it's not really all that terrible.

It could be better, yeah. But it's not bad.

And why do I need to go to Metro/Modern/Dear God Get This Off Of Me to launch a program? My wife has Win 8.1 on her laptop and hates it. She is ALWAYS inadvertently ending up in that hideous Metro/Modern amalgam of bad taste and confusion. Not to mention, the desktop is screamingly dull and homely, and the newer Office and Visual Studio apps can cure insomnia with their blandness.

I was forced into Macs because my then-employers decided to drop Windows. A month later, I got my first developmental version of what would be Win 8, and I cancelled the Dell laptop I ordered for myself, and have bought 4 Macs since then. Not going back.

 

[roadbloc]

And why do I need to go to Metro/Modern/Dear God Get This Off Of Me to launch a program?

Because the Start Screen is the replacement for the Start Menu. It isn't hard. Pin only desktop apps upon your Start Screen and you'll only ever see the desktop interface. With a fullscreen and touch friendly start menu. A vast improvement over the teenie tiny bottom-left-hand-corner menu we had before.

If you find it hard to grasp the difference between tablet and desktop apps, I suggest you quit using computers all together.

 

[mfvisuals]

My support time has dropped to a negligible amount and because at work I use a mixture of windows, linux and os x ecosystems, it's the best platform for me hands down.
...
I no longer have a burning desire to muck about with my machines either. Too much time and money wasted over the years replacing CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, RAM, hard-drives, power supplies, cases, when I could have been enjoying life instead . Now I just get work done, very little overhead.

This completely hit home for me.

I used Windows PCs for the first 23-ish years of my life until I started using Macs in college.

When I was in high school, I couldn't afford a Mac and cobbled together a Windows PC with hand me down parts from my dad.

I spent so much time troubleshooting issues, tweaking system settings and installing graphical mods to deal with the glaring blandness that was Windows XP, I wasn't left time for much else.

After buying my first Mac about 5 or 6 years ago, I did and have only spent a fraction of that amount of time customizing or troubleshooting anything.

In fact, most of the time spent so far has been to get Windows to work under BootCamp, mostly for gaming-related reasons.

Overall, even though the cost of the Mac is a bit more, it has saved me many, many headaches and allowed me to enjoy life a bit more.

The experience may not be the same for everyone using Macs, but I always have to remind myself that the complaints I see on forums like this one are likely from the tiny minority who actually have something legit to complain about.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

If Apple made cheaper Macs that compete with the $450 -$600 mid range PCs, Apple would very quickly see around a 30%-40% increase in OSX users.

 

[G51989]

If Apple made cheaper Macs that compete with the $450 -$600 mid range PCs, Apple would very quickly see around a 30%-40% increase in OSX users.

That is debatable, the vast majority of software is made for Windows, which is one of its big selling points.

Apple will also never make a machine that cheap. They won't make money on low end hardware. Hardware is were Apple makes its money. Not software.

 

[Beachguy]

Because the Start Screen is the replacement for the Start Menu. It isn't hard. Pin only desktop apps upon your Start Screen and you'll only ever see the desktop interface. With a fullscreen and touch friendly start menu. A vast improvement over the teenie tiny bottom-left-hand-corner menu we had before.

If you find it hard to grasp the difference between tablet and desktop apps, I suggest you quit using computers all together.

After over 30 years in IT, I suspect I'll be continuing to use computers, but your snarky response is appreciated.

I know that it was a replacement- it simply is clunky and irritating to use. I've added third party tools to replace what I wish to use. But the system still insists on popping up the Metro screen regardless of my wish. And WHY do they need to be full screen?

Sorry, but I loathe the new interface. I'm used to change. I'm just not interested in irritating change.

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Apple will also never make a machine that cheap.

Mac Mini has an entry price of 599, and less if you go refurb. My first Mac was a mini, which led to 2 MacBook Pros, and a MacBook Air, not to mention a pair of iPads and two Apple TVs.

 

[G51989]

Mac Mini has an entry price of 599, and less if you go refurb. My first Mac was a mini, which led to 2 MacBook Pros, and a MacBook Air, not to mention a pair of iPads and two Apple TVs.

But you don't get a keyboard, or a monitor, or a mouse.

And sure, the Mini is a nice little machine. But for the average home desktop user, you could get a AIO or basic desktop with monitor and keyboard and a bunch of random free software titles in the box for the same price.

Or, lots of people want to spend as little as possible, and might just go with a straight 350 dollar machine. I couldn't see Apple making much money in that market.

 

[MyMac1976]

After over 30 years in IT, I suspect I'll be continuing to use computers, but your snarky response is appreciated.

I know that it was a replacement- it simply is clunky and irritating to use. I've added third party tools to replace what I wish to use. But the system still insists on popping up the Metro screen regardless of my wish. And WHY do they need to be full screen?

Sorry, but I loathe the new interface. I'm used to change. I'm just not interested in irritating change.

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Mac Mini has an entry price of 599, and less if you go refurb. My first Mac was a mini, which led to 2 MacBook Pros, and a MacBook Air, not to mention a pair of iPads and two Apple TVs.

What kind of response did you expect? You made a subjective criticism then went into Apple as religion talk.

 

[DanClark]

If Apple made cheaper Macs that compete with the $450 -$600 mid range PCs, Apple would very quickly see around a 30%-40% increase in OSX users.

Hmmm... Sorta like the iPhone 5c? Yep, them customers just started buying that puppy in droves! LOL.

Apple makes premium products. A low-end Mac will simply lower the premium brand image with a very modest increase in sales and reduced profit margins. Not a good move, IMO.

Regarding Mac hate...

"Mac hate" comes mostly from Mac users, not PC users. Most PC users simply don't care about Macs.

I have lots of PCs, both at home and at the office. I just bought an rMBP 13". It's a nice 'puter and I like it. But it's still a 'puter. It 'putes. It's got pluses and minuses like all other 'puters. Even when I preferred PCs over Macs, I didn't hate Macs.

The issue is Mac users... It's the Mac users that many PC users don't like. While it's a lot better now, for years all I heard was Mac religion from many Mac users - Mac religious extremists who thought Macs were absolutely perfect and it was their role in life to "educate" us ignorant, unwashed PC users about the righteousness of the Mac philosophy. The vast majority of those Mac religious nuts were young squirts who knew nothing else but Macs, but were quite happy to lecture the rest of us.

Before Win7, Windows OS's had "issues". However, with Windows 7, Microsoft created a solid, reliable, relatively easy to use OS. It runs on cheap laptops and huge servers - essentially the same OS. A couple of years ago, one of my Windows servers was a tasty 36 core, 256GB memory, hot box with 25 TB of Raid 10 storage. The last time I looked, Apple didn't have anything even remotely approaching that server. That said... The new Mac Pro is upping the ante. That's a super-nice box (actually looks like a can) with an excellent future, IMO.

I bought my MacBook to create iOS apps. I like it and plan to use it as my personal and dev laptop. (I'm retiring my Lenovo PC laptop.) Although I have several years of .Net development experience and would have a much easier time developing apps for Microsoft's tablets, I've lost faith in Microsoft. Whether Apple can succeed against the Android competition is an open question. But I'd rather bet on Apple than the competition.

Bottom line - Apples are just 'puters. Don't hate them. Don't love them. Just use them. And definitely don't proselytize - it's a waste of time and irritates a lot of people, many of whom know a lot more about computers than you do.

Dan.

p.s. I've been a contract software developer for the last 23 years. I know a lot, but also know how much I don't know. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is to learn, and the more humble you become. Speaking of learning, I've enrolled in the "iOS & Mac Application Development" program at the University of Washington: http://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/ios-mac-development.html. The first class is next Wednesday. Should be fun.

 

[Steve121178]

Hey so, ive always been using a mac computer, my first one was a mac and i still do have a mac, but why does everyone on Facebook, youtube, twitter, 4chan, 9gag, tumblr, cheeseburger, yahoo, and pretty much any forum, hate macs?
Like people said, macs take 25,000 years to open safari, if you use mac you should kill yourself, like why cant i like a mac, and the os x if i want too? Personally i think its a lot better than windows and linux, except for gaming, which i can use bootcamp for. Im not kidding people gave me death threaths because i said mac was better lol.

Why do you even care what some idiots on the internet think? Just ignore them.

And people always bash something they haven't got. I don't know how old you are but if you haven't grasped this yet, grasp it now and move on.