Why Are You A Mac User? That’s A Good Question.

Why are you a Mac user? What makes a Mac a ‘Mac’ and why is it better, in general, than a Windows PC?

What’s the reason you went Mac and why doesn’t everyone else? Good questions. Got a good answer?

In general, I get asked this question more than any other (except something to do with my name): ‘Why are you a Mac user?’ Or, the nearly as popular, ‘What’s so special about Macs?’

If you’ve been a Mac user for six months or more, you probably have a story to tell. If you switched from the Windows PC world, you probably have more stories to tell. Horror stories.

My experience on computers goes back to CP/M machines, pre-Microsoft DOS, pre-Apple Macintosh, so I’m comfortable with a command line (it’s sometimes faster) and have seen all the trends of the past 25 years.

I remember when WordStar was the ultimate PC word processor and didn’t even run on a PC. I also remember SuperCalc, VisiCalc, and dBase II (anybody remember the ‘green dot?’).

All of those worked just fine before Bill Gates bought DOS and shoved a Microsoft name on it. The Mac didn’t hit the streets until years later and didn’t do much for another year or two.

Once I saw MacWrite and MacPaint, and pull-down menus, I was certain that Apple knew the future of personal computers and nobody else did.

The basic reasons most of us are Mac users (based on our recent poll results) is that we got hooked on it a few years ago and stuck by Mac and Apple through the lean years and into prosperity.

Basically, the Mac did its job, even in Classic (from 1.0x to 9.x) and got out of the way of the user. That’s still true today even though OS X is a much different beast.

So, tops on the list is, ‘It just works.’ I like most good Mac applications, and OS X, because they allow me, the user, to accomplish what I want without screwing with my head. Mostly.

Windows users can’t say that with a straight face. Mostly.

Just looking over OS X these days and there’s a healthy list of reasons why it’s caught on, why the media loves it, and why Microsoft is working hard to copy and catch up again.

The basics in OS X deserve mention; iCal, AddressBook, Mail, Safari. While not necessarily the best apps ever, they play nice-nice together and don’t cause much grief.

Oh, there’s that security and dependability thing, too. Secure in that there’s no viruses or spyware or trojan horses. Dependable in that OS X 10.4.3 may be the most stable OS Apple has ever produced.

Windows users often drool over iLife. Photos with iPhoto, real editing with iMovie HD, real easy DVDs with i DVD, even making music is relatively easy with GarageBand.

Though Windows users have iTunes, they don’t have a comparable iLife ‘05 package even if you’re willing to spend money.

Back to the question. Why are you a Mac user?

Is the hardware? If you’ve been a Mac user for a number of years, you’ve likely had a hardware problem or two. I’ve had more Macs than almost anyone I know but all the actuall Apple Mac problems can be counted on one hand. Five fingers.

Consumer Reports oftens shows Apple’s Macs as rating higher than any other PC. Few PC users of any length of time report problems in the same low numbers as Mac users.

So, is it the hardware? Is it how the hardware is designed and works well with the operating system and applications that gives you a Mac smile?

Have you tried to set up an iSight camera on iChat AV? Basically, it’s ‘plug in the camera, and double-click iChat’. Then add your account and you’re good to go.

Do you know anyone who’s tried the same thing with AOL’s AIM to get audio and video? How many clicks?

See what I mean?

Have you ever bought a product or software that runs both Mac and PC? Note the instructions. Windows instructions often run three or four pages for hardware installation and software setup.

Mac users are blessed with instructions that seldom take up a full page. What’s that say?

Is it the hardware or the software that makes up a ‘Mac?’ Or, is there something else? Is there another quality about being a Mac owner (besides the facts that we’re more intelligent, more well educated, have more discretional income, and sport better sex lives) thats’ ultimately and inherently different than a Windows PC user?

What about you? Why are you a Mac user?

Jack D. Miller
I’m a Mac user (now) after having put up with so many problems on Windows machines for so many years. My switch is less than two years old, but I have to admit there’s something much different about owning a Mac; even when applications, such as Photoshop, are similar on both.

Carol Mary Milleer
It took years to get Jack to switch. I’ve been on Macs since before Steve Jobs came back in early 1997 and before ‘platinum’ graced Mac OS. I think it’s a simple, ‘it just works better.’

Alexis Kayhill
I know some Mac users still using Mac OS 8.x and don’t plan on upgrading. They say they’ll just wait until the Mac dies, then get a new one. Of course, that’s what PC users do-- just five years earlier.

Bambi Hambi
I come from the creative industry and Macs have always ruled there. The only real issue for me was the switch to OS X (because Tera said I should) back a few years ago. I used an iBook then and OS X was a bit slow but never crashed. That was 2001. I gave the iBook away and it’s running Panther. And still running.

Check out the daily list of our 9 Word mini-Reviews at NoodleMac, and Kate's daily in-depth Mac software reviews at PixoBebo.

Off Topic #6 - The MacHeist is back. In case you missed it a few months ago, MacHeist is a great way for Mac users to get 12 top Mac applications and utilities for $49. Many of these have been reviewed on Mac360, so we highly recommend that you take a look. The value, what you get for what you pay, is remarkable. Click Here to look, buy, download.

Off Topic #58 - Do politicians use personal computers? Of course. We’ve heard Barack Obama prefers a Mac, while Hillary Clinton uses a Dell, though, apparently neither of the candidates can bowl. Does Obama’s potential vice president use a Mac? Even Clinton acknowledges Apple’s brand power but says she can’t afford a Mac. Maybe she’d win if she used a Mac.