Windows 7 is actually pretty nice, now worried about Mac

[futbalguy]

So I just purchased a 12in Asus laptop with Windows 7 since I spend a lot of time out of my apartment studying and I use Microsoft Office almost exclusively.

I have been using a Mac for about 5 years. When I switched I was moving from XP and the difference was night and day. At the time, OS X just looked and acted sooo much better than Windows.

This laptop is my first real experience with Windows 7 and I have to say that I am mighty impressed so far. Its pretty simple to use, non-intrusive, stable. The laptop is not even comparable to anything in Apple's lineup but im sure the Mac equivalent would cost at least $300 more.

All of this has made me wonder if Apple is in trouble with their computer lineup. Vista was a big opportunity for Apple and they capitalized with increased market share. Is this going to continue if Windows 7 impresses? I am questioning my own need to spend the premium on a Mac now that I have found Windows 7 comparable for less money.

Does anyone else feel this way? I have been such a fan of my Mac that I this is actually bothering me.

 

[maflynn]

Windows 7 is indeed a good OS but in of itself does not spell doom for OSX, nor does it mean OSX is a lessor OS because of that.

OSX has some clear advantages over win7 but when the dust settles and the arguments cease the biggest reason is personal preference. Many people like macs over windows. Simple as that.

 

[clevin]

I don't think apple has any capability, nor are they really focused on, expanding mac marketshare anymore.

I think mac market share is near the cap, not gonna change much. and Apple is making more $$$ from Jesus Phone. I think thats a more important field for apple now.

 

[futbalguy]

Jesus Phone.

Haha. I am impatiently awaiting the fourth coming of Jesus Phone myself.

 

[*LTD*]

Apple's YOY Mac sales are actually up from the same time last year.

Not sure what there is to worry about. Windows 7 is still a Vista that tries to be OS X (only took em 8 years this time), and is just as vulnerable as ever. You still can't enjoy the interwebs without the usual gamut of virus protection software, spyware-blasters, etc. Windows will always be Windows unless MS does a complete rewrite from the ground-up and locks it to specific hardware.

Windows 7 has nothing to do with Macs, anyway. Apple's got the Premium end of the market locked up. The bottom end of the market, however, has expanded substantially. Cheap netbooks have flooded the market and everyone is in a race for the bottom. It's all about moving as many units as possible with ever-shrinking profits. Margins? Margins are almost non-existent unless you're Apple.

The future is the iPad. Macs will look more like the iPad, and the iPad will steadily increase in power, capability, and developer base. Apple's got the next decade of "computing" covered, rest assured.

So have a cookie and enjoy the ride!

 

[TSE]

I love Windows 7. I went from Mac OS X Leopard on a souped up Penryn MacBook Pro to Windows 7 laptop with worse specs but it was $500 (specs in the sig). I absolutely love Windows 7. Unless Apple starts focusing on it's computers more and catches up, I'm definitely sticking with Windows.

 

[MisterMe]

I love Windows 7. ...

Congratulations. I hope that you two are happy together.

 

[KingYaba]

I wish Microsoft would copy Apple's keyboard shortcut system. That would make Windows 7 a lot better.

 

[flopticalcube]

I have been using 7 as my daily OS for about 6 months now after selling my MacBook and buying a netbook. While very good, its not OSX-good to me. The only thing that makes me stay is the thought of switching to a Rev B iPad in the future. Its definitely an improvement over previous MS OS's, however, and will provide Apple with some excellent competition for those that are trying to choose.

 

[roadbloc]

I've used Windows 7 a bit, came on my brother's new laptop, and some of my hardcore gaming friends have upgraded up to it.

I think it is very nice. Works well. Control Panel is a little confusing now, and they have obviously ripped off plenty of Mac OS X features, but still, it is actually stable and doesn't crash.

Saying that tho, it's still "HEY YOU! INSTALL AN ANTIVIRUS!" and "UAC RULES" which I just can't stand to be honest.

But fair play to them, Microsoft have finally caught up. It has certainly put pressure on Apple to make OS X 10.7 mind blowing.

 

[ozreth]

Youll change your mind when your keys start falling off, the corners chip, and the machine starts to slow down : p

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I've used Windows 7 a bit, came on my brother's new laptop, and some of my hardcore gaming friends have upgraded up to it.

I think it is very nice. Works well. Control Panel is a little confusing now, and they have obviously ripped off plenty of Mac OS X features, but still, it is actually stable and doesn't crash.

Saying that tho, it's still "HEY YOU! INSTALL AN ANTIVIRUS!" and "UAC RULES" which I just can't stand to be honest.

But fair play to them, Microsoft have finally caught up. It has certainly put pressure on Apple to make OS X 10.7 mind blowing.

I don't think they are fair things to complain about though, as you can turn off the anti-virus notifications, but realistically it's good that it's there. It's a pity Apple doesn't offer something similar to protect OS X.

And OS X has a UAC, it just doesn't dim the rest of the screen.

@ ozreth: Are you talking about his PC, or the mac he got rid of? Those issues are just as common on OS X as with any generic PC vendor...

 

[MisterMe]

...

@ ozreth: Are you talking about his PC, or the mac he got rid of? Those issues are just as common on OS X as with any generic PC vendor...

No, they are not.

 

[Jason Beck]

It's still Windows though.

 

[IntelliUser]

Does it still have a registry? Are there still millions of pieces of malware and exploits for Windows out there, and are the built-in protection easily bypassed by them? Can it still suffer from driver conflicts? Does it still rely mainly on NTFS?

Then it will inexorably fail, or at least slowdown gradually (because of the registry, this is an undeniable fact that Windows experts can admit openly) in the long run and require a reinstallation, (besides constant and annoying maintenance) just like any other previous version of Windows before. Windows 7 is hugely overestimated, with PC users being glad to finally be able to use an OS which is at least usable (and isn't 9 years old of course) and fanboys taking advantage of the public approval because of the aforementioned reason to make it look like it was even comparable to OS X.

Remember, it may look good first. But so do Vista, and Xp. It's in the long run that the differences start to appear.

Besides, it still lacks in usability, multitasking, stability and of course looks (you're forced to disable all the effects and bear with the archaic, terrible Classic Theme unless you want to bear with the appreciable performance degrade they cause anyway).

So no, Macs are not at risk. Not by a long shot.

 

[futbalguy]

Does it still have a registry? Are there still millions of pieces of malware and exploits for Windows out there, and are the built-in protection easily bypassed by them? Can it still suffer from driver conflicts? Does it still rely mainly on NTFS?

Then it will inexorably fail, or at least slowdown gradually (because of the registry, this is an undeniable fact that Windows experts can admit openly) in the long run and require a reinstallation, (besides constant and annoying maintenance) just like any other previous version of Windows before. Windows 7 is hugely overestimated, with PC users being glad to finally be able to use an OS which is at least usable (and isn't 9 years old of course) and fanboys taking advantage of the public approval because of the aforementioned reason to make it look like it was even comparable to OS X.

Remember, it may look good first. But so do Vista, and Xp. It's in the long run that the differences start to appear.

Besides, it still lacks in usability, multitasking, stability and of course looks (you're forced to disable all the effects and bear with the archaic, terrible Classic Theme unless you want to bear with the appreciable performance degrade they cause anyway).

So no, Macs are not at risk. Not by a long shot.

I think you are reaching here. Aero does not require much to run and I havent noticed any slow down (which is what matters to me). OS X randomly crashes on me, every system does from time to time. Maybe its not perfect in all the areas you mentioned but I think its getting close enough that most people (consumers) wont care.

How does it suck for multitasking?

 

[alphaod]

The interface and general usability in Windows 7 is very good. In fact if I didn't have a million things I'm used to doing on a Mac, I'd go exclusive with Windows 7.

 

[ValSalva]

The future is the iPad.

If Apple really believes this then it's the end of Apple as a serious computer company sadly. They've already removed the word computer from their name. There are plenty of people who want to know more about this technology that is more and more a part of our lives, not less. iPad insulates us from knowing and learning about computing.

If iPad is the future Windows will really take over when everyone realizes Microsoft is the only company left that still cares about computing.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I wish Microsoft would copy Apple's keyboard shortcut system. That would make Windows 7 a lot better.

Windows (even 7) have plenty of shortcuts on their own - you just have to learn them.

Windows7 is definately an improvement and to Microsoft's credit really helps their image. Win7 balances the desktop premium features and power to coincide with WinServer2008, Office2007/2010, and soon Exchange Server2010! The greatest feature is the built-in VPN like system (which unfortunately is hard for corporations to take advantage off as it requires WinServer2008, and them to cancel major contracts with: Cisco/AT&T/iPass/etc along with RSA for specific secure environments.

That said .... there are so many great shortcuts on Mac OS X that I'm still learning, and core features that just blow away WinXP/Win7 - I know I've used both for over 6yrs/1yr respectively. If you work in a deskside support technical role you have no idea how minimized windows of the same app is STILL lacking in Win7 and OS X's solution with Expose is still that much more powerful.

My MAIN gripe with ANY OS (lessor on OS X yet still present) is this:
I'm already working, typing in 1 application. I launch another as I'll be using it shortly and just preparing it to load. The splash screen loads directly in FRONT of me. This is completely STUPID! I don't need to have the company advertise the application to me -> I installed it intentionally & I've manually launched it so I'm FULLY aware of what application is being executed! Even more annoying is this boot up splash screen has taking my focus off the application that I'm typing in (I need to return to it manually). What's worse is that when the second application is completed its loading - it TOO takes my cursor away from the application that I've originally and returned to type in (after the splash screen). This is very annoying. And not to mention NON-Productive. Windows doesn't have SPACES so the launched application is so EASY to find in the taskbar; while OS X has the DOCK where its visually presented as a running application.

Hands down switching between open windows, and running application is much faster on OS X than in Mac.

The bonus for me is owning Mac - finally - and running XP on the mini for the family to get used to, and Win7 on my MB - allows me and the kids get the 1 hand up on the average person to learn how virtualization works and take that knowledge to future tasks/endeavors and skillset in the corporate environment. I've already used MetaFrame/Farm; and this is by far much more powerful solution.

 

[*LTD*]

If Apple really believes this then it's the end of Apple as a serious computer company sadly.

Except that the iPad is being developed into a "serious computer." If it's in any way impressive now, just wait and see what it'll become. The time will come when you'll forget all about what those old Macs were like.

If iPad is the future Windows will never take over when everyone realizes Microsoft is the only company left in the dark ages of computing.

Fixed.

MS is way, way behind the curve. Apple is about to run away with the very market everyone is supposed to build on.

 

[ValSalva]

Except that the iPad is being developed into a "serious computer." If it's in any way impressive now, just wait and see what it'll become. The time will come when you'll forget all about what those old Macs were like.

Why? Why when we already have serious computers do we need to take 10 steps backward and wait for iPad to develop? What's the point?

I doubt the iPad will ever be as capable as today's Macs. A keyboard that takes up more than half the screen. An awkward and heavy screen that has to be held and balanced - or you have to buy a dock that doesn't hold the screen at a precise angle like a laptop. One could go on and on about the form factor being a dead end. It's Steve's pet project. He's not going to be right all the time.

 

[QCassidy352]

But fair play to them, Microsoft have finally caught up. It has certainly put pressure on Apple to make OS X 10.7 mind blowing.

I dunno, I'm not sure Apple can really sustain a huge advantage forever. Their ability to do that was more based on windows XP and vista sucking. There's a point where an OS is good enough (fast, stable, intuitive), and honestly, it can only get incrementally better from there. I haven't used windows 7, but if it's to that point, apple pretty much has to differentiate based on design, hardware-software integration, "coolness," ipod/iphone halo effect, etc.

I think Windows getting better just moves the competition to where it is in most industries - marketing. How many car companies all put out products that aren't really that different and are all pretty much good enough? And yet their market share can go up and down quite a lot based on factors other than just the product.

could go on and on about the form factor being a dead end. It's Steve's pet project. He's not going to be right all the time.

this post makes me think you a) haven't seen the sales numbers, and b) haven't used one.

 

[MisterMe]

.... Aero does not require much to run ...

And you know this how?

 

[roadbloc]

The future is the iPad.

*LTD*, id like you to read this post off another forum, about the iPad. This will hopefully realise that not everyone likes the iPad at all. The iPad is not popular among most computer users, and I have found it to be them that avoid computers are attracted to the iPad. Which is great, well done Apple, you have captured a good market, but to go and say it is the future of computing is too far.

The iPad is not the future at all. If Mac's slowly become more iPad like, Apple will be just isolating themselves from pretty much every professional and creative industry. They will become a popular easy to use tablet PC for them who have no need for a computer, but certainly will not take of computers.

 

[djellison]

Then it will inexorably fail, or at least slowdown gradually in the long run and require a reinstallation, just like...

OSX. I've never had an OSX installation that's lasted more than 6 months before getting slower and slower and requiring a reinstall.