WSJ: Why Windows Users Won’t Switch To The Mac.

Thursday, February 17, 2005 | Opinion | Read or Post a Comment

It’s long, ugly, and full of what most of will probably call “human nature” excuses (reasons?).

Let me list Walt’s major reasons why Windows PC users may not switch to a Mac (as summarized by The Mac Observer), then look at each reason, one by one. You’ll be disappointed, but not surprised.

As I’ve said more than once, there’s a lot of mis-information available in the information age.

Who Won’t Switch To Mac:

1 - People who are resistant to learning new ways of.... (excerpted).

1 Reader Comments

Craig said:

This article by Walt Mossberg is over 4 years old now and STILL very much accurate. As a Windows (I don’t know why people say PC; we all are!) and a Mac user, I find Tera Patricks’ rebuttal to be arrogant and very misinformed. You make comments that indicate you have no clue about where Windows users are at. Walt’s article doesn’t even snub Mac users or the platform; he’s just pointing out some of the reasons why Windows users won’t switch and I have to agree with most of them!
Some comments on your rebuttal:
In point #2, you say, ” PC users on a tight budget probably aren’t using Office.” What is your source on this??? I don’t know a single ‘Windows’ user that doesn’t have Office or use at least on of its applications!
You also say, “Most PC users, honestly, don’t know there’s a “right click” that does anything.” Well, have you asked around? I don’t think you have; you’d find that most people do know there is a right click. And along this vein of conversation; I think you misunderstand what Walt is implying by raising the multi-button issue. Yes, I’m sure you and many other Mac users have a third party mouse in which you can right click, but ask around - with Mac and all of its proprietary and uniform accessories, how many users do you think are aware that one can use “Windows type looking devices” for a Mac???
Points 3 and 8 - I can certainly say that it’s not a non issue in regards to financial software. In fact, it is how I found this article! Money matters to some people; its frustrating to know you can never completely give up Windows if that is how you track your finances.
I’m sensing a common theme here and I mentioned it earlier; you’re not very in touch with what’s important to computer users are you? Or at least not when it comes to Windows users!
#6: I use Outlook and I love it! Yes, it’s a bit of a pain to set up and configure but once you’ve passed that life is good. Outlook and OneNote together changes your outlook on life (no pun intended). What does Mac have? Entourage? As you said, not a substitute. I’m looking at iMail and iCal now and will only completely switch once I take the time to figure out how to synchronize them together.
#7: How is this a NON-ISSUE??? This is your largest market of Windows users!!!
#9: I think this is the only point that in four years, may no longer be true with the introduction of Macbook Air. And you nailed it: it won’t sell in big numbers.

That’s my two cents! I’ve made the change and I’m happy with both and convinced that I will never leave Windows for Mac. Finding the balance between the two is key for me. It has nothing to do with pain!

Talk Back to the Mac360 writers

Post your own comment to this article. Or, post in the Mac360 Forums. It's mostly anonymous, there's no obligation, and no cost. Posting is free, fun, low in calories, low in carbs, non-fat, and mildly addictive. It's like chocolate and blondes.