None. I've had far more moments when I wanted to toss my MBP out a window that when I wanted to toss my PC out the window, and if someone offered me a direct trade of my MBP for a Thinkpad T60p now, it'd be a hard choice, but I'd probably take it. I just wanted to try something different, I guess. Or maybe I should say "see what current Macs are like" because I used a pre-OS X mac for a long time before I ever seriously started using PCs. I have had my Macbook Pro since March, and while it's not a bad system (OS and hardware), I don't really understand the hype. It's doing most of what I want, but I suspect when it's time for a new computer, it'll be a Windows machine again. Maybe in 3-4 years though when it's that time Macs will have gained enough market share to yield increased software availability, or something like WINE will be available, and I'll consider getting another one.
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Worst Windows Experience that forced YOU to switch?
- Thread starter FF_productions
- Start date
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Well, as we speak I am re-installing OS X for the 3rd time this week-and I have no idea why. My Mac needs to be perfect"
Anywho, there isnt a single definative moment when I thought I should get a Mac-its just the need to reinstall XP every few weeks (sometimes every few days), constant updates (OK, updates are in OS X to but they arnt always "critical"-XP practically forces you to install them), internet simply deciding not to work every few days, spyware, malware, adware, viruses, NORTON, "helpful" ballon-alert things (which are crappy attempts at infecting yet more error messages across the system-like there isnt enough already!), the speed (even with my fairly new 3GHz P4, its not blazingly fast).
But the main thing is does it work. This is exactly what Apple is saying-a computer is ment to make your life easier, not bombarding you with error messages, "You need to update your system", ect.
P.S. I once found a file in Windows XP called "getmac.exe". Seriously!
Anywho, there isnt a single definative moment when I thought I should get a Mac-its just the need to reinstall XP every few weeks (sometimes every few days), constant updates (OK, updates are in OS X to but they arnt always "critical"-XP practically forces you to install them), internet simply deciding not to work every few days, spyware, malware, adware, viruses, NORTON, "helpful" ballon-alert things (which are crappy attempts at infecting yet more error messages across the system-like there isnt enough already!), the speed (even with my fairly new 3GHz P4, its not blazingly fast).
But the main thing is does it work. This is exactly what Apple is saying-a computer is ment to make your life easier, not bombarding you with error messages, "You need to update your system", ect.
P.S. I once found a file in Windows XP called "getmac.exe". Seriously!
I've been using WindowsXP since about a year after it came out. For some reason, it has worked extremely well on all the machines I've had and maintained during the past few years. I actually can't remember the last time I had the OS crash due to something not related to overclocking or hardware problems. During this time I have had XP installed on atleast four of my own machines and a few other machines in the house, plus four machines at work.
Reading the posts in this thread, it is obvious that many of the problems come from faulty hardware. For example, a machine crashing repeatedly during Photoshop is almost guaranteed to be a hardware problem, if the PC isn't infected with some funky malware. It's been my experience that a Windows machine that's free from malware and running bug free drivers and programs is very stable. Some might say that keeping it virus free is impossible, but I seem to be able to do it even without any antivirus program, so it can't be that hard.
Due to these things, I haven't actually switched yet. I'm reading this site and debating whether I should go for a Mac the next time I buy a computer. There are basically three things that might keep me from going the Mac route:
- Expensive hardware
- Limited ability to upgrade
- No reasonably priced mid-tower
There's simply no way that I'm paying a grand extra (or even more) for a Mac when I can get a PC that does the job just as well. I would like to have OSX, but from a pure productivity standpoint, Windows will serve me just as well. Unlike what most switchers here have experienced, I can actually keep a Windows install fresh and virus free for years. And with next to no effort. So, even though I'd rather have OSX (because it still is the better OS), I am not going to shell out all those extra dollars for that.
So, as you can see, I'm in a bit of a dilemma.
Reading the posts in this thread, it is obvious that many of the problems come from faulty hardware. For example, a machine crashing repeatedly during Photoshop is almost guaranteed to be a hardware problem, if the PC isn't infected with some funky malware. It's been my experience that a Windows machine that's free from malware and running bug free drivers and programs is very stable. Some might say that keeping it virus free is impossible, but I seem to be able to do it even without any antivirus program, so it can't be that hard.
Due to these things, I haven't actually switched yet. I'm reading this site and debating whether I should go for a Mac the next time I buy a computer. There are basically three things that might keep me from going the Mac route:
- Expensive hardware
- Limited ability to upgrade
- No reasonably priced mid-tower
There's simply no way that I'm paying a grand extra (or even more) for a Mac when I can get a PC that does the job just as well. I would like to have OSX, but from a pure productivity standpoint, Windows will serve me just as well. Unlike what most switchers here have experienced, I can actually keep a Windows install fresh and virus free for years. And with next to no effort. So, even though I'd rather have OSX (because it still is the better OS), I am not going to shell out all those extra dollars for that.
So, as you can see, I'm in a bit of a dilemma.
There were quite a few things that made me move to Mac, and it wasn't JUST the Windows Operating system.
Firstly, I used my PC as a studio computer, and it popped and crackled when recording, which is pretty damn useless. I later found out it was because I was running two hard drives on the same IDE channel. Windows doesn't like that apparently....
I had to reinstall XP numerous times over the 2 years I used the PC (it's in storage for the time being).
I lost all my data 5 times. Never due to a hardware failure.
I couldn't install Cubase and games on the same machine. The Windows registry didn't allow for such things. I used to get loads of conflicts...
The fact that my PC was HUGE, looked fugly, and was as noisy as having a 5 year old in a box under my desk also helped me switch to Mac.
I also don't like giving money to M$, they get up to far too many really childish and dirty tricks IMO...
Firstly, I used my PC as a studio computer, and it popped and crackled when recording, which is pretty damn useless. I later found out it was because I was running two hard drives on the same IDE channel. Windows doesn't like that apparently....
I had to reinstall XP numerous times over the 2 years I used the PC (it's in storage for the time being).
I lost all my data 5 times. Never due to a hardware failure.
I couldn't install Cubase and games on the same machine. The Windows registry didn't allow for such things. I used to get loads of conflicts...
The fact that my PC was HUGE, looked fugly, and was as noisy as having a 5 year old in a box under my desk also helped me switch to Mac.
I also don't like giving money to M$, they get up to far too many really childish and dirty tricks IMO...
"Windows has just recovered from a fatal error" . Wondered when it was actually going to DIE!!!!! . My old system did that and started smoking and Dell replaced it with a nice Dimension E310 and even though it may be a PC, it runs smoothly and I'm ready to mod it !
. My old system did that and started smoking and Dell replaced it with a nice Dimension E310 and even though it may be a PC, it runs smoothly and I'm ready to mod it !
Nothing too serious...I would have to say Spyware...slowed my Dell Dimension 8100...after checking out the new Tiger OSX at the Apple Store...I was sold...then again I wanted to try Apple...!!!
I switched/picked up the 1.42GHz Power PC Mac Mini last year...I recently sold it because I'm hooked on Mac's...upgraded to the Intel Core Duo's...!!!
Student Discounts
20" iMac with 1.5GB RAM, 250GB HD
13.3 Mac Book "Ultimate" Yorkdale (Apple Store) Student Special with 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD...got the 2GB White Nano and Apple Care...!!!
I switched/picked up the 1.42GHz Power PC Mac Mini last year...I recently sold it because I'm hooked on Mac's...upgraded to the Intel Core Duo's...!!!
Student Discounts
20" iMac with 1.5GB RAM, 250GB HD
13.3 Mac Book "Ultimate" Yorkdale (Apple Store) Student Special with 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD...got the 2GB White Nano and Apple Care...!!!
Apart from pressing the power button?
Well, apart from pressing the on button, probably the time that I got my HP back from BestBuy's 'platinum' service. After a month of them not even looking at it (despite the 1 week guarantee) and another month of waiting for the thing to get fixed (as fixed as they get anyways) I got a computer back wiped without the backup i'd PAID for. They naturally only installed XP SP1 on it, and left it up to me to do SP2. Well I got home, hooked in to my 'net, and after a while managed to get that much running (i'd say a solid hour to get it stable and online).
Well, during my excursion to the WINDOWS UPDATE site I managed to pick up more than a few viruses and spyware apps. I was puzzled by my inability to install SP2. By the time I installed ZoneAlarm Security Suite and the various antispyware apps I also used, I had no less than 200 of each, according to the counts. Among the ones that showed up just from the outing to Windows Update were ones that...you guessed it...prevented the computer from recognizing the SP2 update.
It took me almost 3 weeks DURING the school year ( I was supposed to have it back over a month before school started) to get the thing stable enough for proper use.
After that my course was clear: start saving for my switch. About that time Stevie announces the Intel switch, so I prioritized and got a new camera and lens or two, and started counting my pennies for an intel mac. Things were not going well there until my HP broke and I was finally able to convince my higher-ups (read: parents) to let me get my mac.
Well, apart from pressing the on button, probably the time that I got my HP back from BestBuy's 'platinum' service. After a month of them not even looking at it (despite the 1 week guarantee) and another month of waiting for the thing to get fixed (as fixed as they get anyways) I got a computer back wiped without the backup i'd PAID for. They naturally only installed XP SP1 on it, and left it up to me to do SP2. Well I got home, hooked in to my 'net, and after a while managed to get that much running (i'd say a solid hour to get it stable and online).
Well, during my excursion to the WINDOWS UPDATE site I managed to pick up more than a few viruses and spyware apps. I was puzzled by my inability to install SP2. By the time I installed ZoneAlarm Security Suite and the various antispyware apps I also used, I had no less than 200 of each, according to the counts. Among the ones that showed up just from the outing to Windows Update were ones that...you guessed it...prevented the computer from recognizing the SP2 update.
It took me almost 3 weeks DURING the school year ( I was supposed to have it back over a month before school started) to get the thing stable enough for proper use.
After that my course was clear: start saving for my switch. About that time Stevie announces the Intel switch, so I prioritized and got a new camera and lens or two, and started counting my pennies for an intel mac. Things were not going well there until my HP broke and I was finally able to convince my higher-ups (read: parents) to let me get my mac.
I must have the midas touch because I don't get viruses or spyware or bluescreens ...
Maybe because Mac's require so little common sense to use that's why they're popular.
I mean Windows is more complicated in the sense that it requires you to think about what you're doing because you can mess up the system pretty bad in only 5 minutes if you're a retard.
I'm eagerly awaiting 10.5 to see if I want to switch back to Mac, but right now I think I'm just going to wait for 10.5 and Vista to come out. Someone will do a mega comparison I'm sure.
Maybe because Mac's require so little common sense to use that's why they're popular.
I mean Windows is more complicated in the sense that it requires you to think about what you're doing because you can mess up the system pretty bad in only 5 minutes if you're a retard.
I'm eagerly awaiting 10.5 to see if I want to switch back to Mac, but right now I think I'm just going to wait for 10.5 and Vista to come out. Someone will do a mega comparison I'm sure.
windows specific experiences have been the constant blue screens for no apparent reasons, the viruses and malware on my computer
dell specific was that as my laptop came out of its warranty everything went to hell. my fans stopped working so the computer would overheat and then shut down (had to get an app to keep them on all the time). Then my screen went blank so I figured that had to do with the video card so replaced that and it worked fine for a week before my power button started to give me trouble --- it wouldn't turn on!!!
so i said screw dell and switched to apple and I have been quite happy since I have had it.
dell specific was that as my laptop came out of its warranty everything went to hell. my fans stopped working so the computer would overheat and then shut down (had to get an app to keep them on all the time). Then my screen went blank so I figured that had to do with the video card so replaced that and it worked fine for a week before my power button started to give me trouble --- it wouldn't turn on!!!
so i said screw dell and switched to apple and I have been quite happy since I have had it.
Man, some peeps have so many problems with their pcs.
It's not only WIndows, it's the hardware they run it on too, and it's not watchin out what they do and don't install.
I've had my windows machine for a year, and have never had a virus, but have had Spyware once, but I have my own backup scheme so I was alrite, I jus loaded up my backup drive, and I was off, then jus reinstalled Windows on my other drive, and when this drive gets messed up, I go to that one. I'm using my Windows machine now, it's faster than any Mac.
But I had to get a Macbook. We use OSX at school, and I just wanted to make it easier on myself, and I won't want to have to use their slow slow slow iMacs, overloaded with software and underloaded with ram.
But I am very open minded, I still like windows xp (and I use Vista regularly) and I like OSX< tho I like OSX better!
It's not only WIndows, it's the hardware they run it on too, and it's not watchin out what they do and don't install.
I've had my windows machine for a year, and have never had a virus, but have had Spyware once, but I have my own backup scheme so I was alrite, I jus loaded up my backup drive, and I was off, then jus reinstalled Windows on my other drive, and when this drive gets messed up, I go to that one. I'm using my Windows machine now, it's faster than any Mac.
But I had to get a Macbook. We use OSX at school, and I just wanted to make it easier on myself, and I won't want to have to use their slow slow slow iMacs, overloaded with software and underloaded with ram.
But I am very open minded, I still like windows xp (and I use Vista regularly) and I like OSX< tho I like OSX better!
i have been a windows user all my life.still am. i want to swich, but i have little money.i LOVE the mac experience... i have had to wipe TWO computers before just because of the viruses. they suck. i don't like them. solution? get a mac.
I never liked the Windows registry. Plus I never believed in anti-virus. Buying anti-virus for a computer is like buying a car without locks and then these shady looking guys would come up trying to sell me locks. I prefer to buy my cars and computers with locks.
Plus Premiere didn't like antivirus back then P3 800Mhz. So yeah...
Plus Premiere didn't like antivirus back then P3 800Mhz. So yeah...
It sounds like quite a few of the Windows problems come from buying cheap, crappy computers from HP, Dell, etc. What do you expect when your Dell computers have problems, or you HPs? They come loaded down with so much crap on them its ridiculous. There are plenty of good Windows computers out there, that probably have fewer issues then Mac computers.
And yes, you do occasionally have to upgrade drivers on PCs, but usually only for games. And I don't necessarily think that it is a problem. One of the big things holding me back from buying a Mac is the lack of hardware choice. If I could upgrade to newer video cards more frequently on the Mac, or cheaper, it'd be a big win.
OS X is a fantastic operating system. It gives you a lot more out of the box then Windows. iLife, and the built in OS X apps are great. That said, a Windows machine on nice hardware, is pretty stable as well.
And yes, you do occasionally have to upgrade drivers on PCs, but usually only for games. And I don't necessarily think that it is a problem. One of the big things holding me back from buying a Mac is the lack of hardware choice. If I could upgrade to newer video cards more frequently on the Mac, or cheaper, it'd be a big win.
OS X is a fantastic operating system. It gives you a lot more out of the box then Windows. iLife, and the built in OS X apps are great. That said, a Windows machine on nice hardware, is pretty stable as well.
It was about 9pm.. I was playing world of warcraft (I do that alot...) (sad but true...) and was in a tight spot in an instance...
Then the disconnect came... and then the crash to the desktop.. and then the blue screen of death....
Power off... Power on...
BSOD....
Troubleshoot, the usual.....
And reinstall....
25 minutes later, I'm having to call microsoft to authorize my reinstall.. AGAIN.... I felt like a criminal as I can't enter the key and have it work over the internet... its about my 30th install of my Windows XP CD..... THEN.. the person on the phone asks me AGAIN... Sir, is this windows XP key installed on 1 or multiple computers? I say..just one... He says "Sir we are showing you have installed this version at least once a week for the last 5 months."... My reply? If your software actually worked and didn't crash or catch viruses or loose data or just decide out of the blue to take a day off, I would never reinstall it."...
At that moment, I realized that I was entirely sick of installing windows all the time.......
The next day, Apple announced the Mac Pro...
The day after that, I ordered one....
And now, I am simply waiting for it to arrive.....
And hopefully, I will set it up ONCE, and never worry about reinstalles or data loss again
Then the disconnect came... and then the crash to the desktop.. and then the blue screen of death....
Power off... Power on...
BSOD....
Troubleshoot, the usual.....
And reinstall....
25 minutes later, I'm having to call microsoft to authorize my reinstall.. AGAIN.... I felt like a criminal as I can't enter the key and have it work over the internet... its about my 30th install of my Windows XP CD..... THEN.. the person on the phone asks me AGAIN... Sir, is this windows XP key installed on 1 or multiple computers? I say..just one... He says "Sir we are showing you have installed this version at least once a week for the last 5 months."... My reply? If your software actually worked and didn't crash or catch viruses or loose data or just decide out of the blue to take a day off, I would never reinstall it."...
At that moment, I realized that I was entirely sick of installing windows all the time.......
The next day, Apple announced the Mac Pro...
The day after that, I ordered one....
And now, I am simply waiting for it to arrive.....
And hopefully, I will set it up ONCE, and never worry about reinstalles or data loss again
Imagine a computer with $400 of iTunes stuff, digital pictures from every trip for the past three years, and everything else, school papers, thesis papers, saved images, etc, and by chance you happen to go on a cruise. You decide, hey, there's a wireless network nearby (playing Halo! ), so you go and play Halo with two other people that brought their comps on the cruise too. Then one day, one of the other blokes decides to network in Cozumel, and then, while on said cruise, accidentally transfers a virus that he caught while in Cozumel (his virus blocker prevented it, but stupid ****ing Norton didn't). You can't boot up, repair disk doesn't work, and then finally when you get it to boot, it shows a message saying "Operating System not found". I'm like, fine, so I restart, again, that message (it struck me then that the Operating System really wasn't found. .) So I reboot again, and when my Dell laptop gets to that screen with that damn blue bar, you hit CTRL+F11, and you go back to factory settings, and relax in knowing you're operating system is now there.
You then immediately get as pissed off as I do to know that idiot had a virus on his computer. Fortunately, someone else had Norton and we were able to get my computer updated safely and back to playing Halo. But that incident, and the knowledge of that Macbook Pro in my mind, I finally gave in in May.
Let's just say, I got what I wanted.
That Windows laptop is now on loan.
), so you go and play Halo with two other people that brought their comps on the cruise too. Then one day, one of the other blokes decides to network in Cozumel, and then, while on said cruise, accidentally transfers a virus that he caught while in Cozumel (his virus blocker prevented it, but stupid ****ing Norton didn't). You can't boot up, repair disk doesn't work, and then finally when you get it to boot, it shows a message saying "Operating System not found". I'm like, fine, so I restart, again, that message (it struck me then that the Operating System really wasn't found. .) So I reboot again, and when my Dell laptop gets to that screen with that damn blue bar, you hit CTRL+F11, and you go back to factory settings, and relax in knowing you're operating system is now there.You then immediately get as pissed off as I do to know that idiot had a virus on his computer.
Fortunately, someone else had Norton and we were able to get my computer updated safely and back to playing Halo. But that incident, and the knowledge of that Macbook Pro in my mind, I finally gave in in May.Let's just say, I got what I wanted.
That Windows laptop is now on loan.
I think my final decision to switch (the backwards way) was when OS X 10.3.9 decided to format my 60GB ipod, deleting over 35GB music in one fell swoop...
Fortunately I had a Windows data recovery application that restored at least some of my music; the rest I had to re-rip.
Yeah. I think that did it for me.
I've found good uses for OS X, Windows XP, and Linux (Fedora Core 5, Knoppix, and Suse)...so I still haven't been "forced" to switch to anything.
Fortunately I had a Windows data recovery application that restored at least some of my music; the rest I had to re-rip.
Yeah. I think that did it for me.
I've found good uses for OS X, Windows XP, and Linux (Fedora Core 5, Knoppix, and Suse)...so I still haven't been "forced" to switch to anything.