Paul Murphy writes for LinuxInsider, “What differentiates a Mac user from a PC user, assuming the usage decision is uncoerced by an employer? My wife, a reformed PC user (always the most merciless of evangelists), answered that question with a list straight from Jeff Foxworthy:
– You think virus protection is what you get a flu shot for.
– You actually make a conscious choice in selecting your Web browser and presentation software.
– You have suppressed a smile at the sound of another user rebooting their computer for the fifth time that day.
– You dress up in a black turtleneck and jeans to go out at Halloween.
– You’ve never sworn about a service pack.
– You have a Bush-Cheney sticker on your Volvo.
“OK, one of those is a ringer — but the question itself is interesting: what individual characteristics differentiate the two communities? Listen to the people who made the PC versus Macintosh decision for themselves and it’s pretty clear that the PC people get heavily vested in their knowledge of the machine and whatever Windows variant they have or aspire to, while the Mac people tend to assume the machine and talk about what they do with it,” Murphy writes. “That’s a very big difference, but what’s behind it?”
“One idea is that the Mac user’s focus on the applications is reasonable, and that the PC people whose focus is on the machine or the OS are really suffering Stockholm Syndrome — investing in the machine and emotionally bonding with the PC community rather than the professional one defined by the application as a survival strategy for the persona,” Murphy writes.
MacDailyNews Note: See SteveJack’s seminal article “Defending Windows over Mac a sign of mental illness” for more on how Windows users suffer from Stockholm Syndrome and the related Cognitive Dissonance.
Murphy continues, “Another idea comes from A. H. Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation (Psychology Review, 1943). His idea was that people act to satisfy the highest unmet need in a hierarchy of needs with the basic physiological needs at the bottom and self-actualization at the top. Thus, his way of looking at the difference in behavior would be to say that the Mac user’s basic physiological needs have been met — after all they can assume that the thing works — and so their focus can move to meeting self-actualization and other higher level needs more closely tied to the person’s professional interests.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Mac OS X stays out of your way, unobtrusively allowing users to get work done, while Windows XP is constantly in your face demanding things, impeding productivity. Users who use both know this is so. Mac-only users surmise it. Windows-only users will scream bloody hell, but that doesn’t alter the truth. And Windows-to-Mac switchers will swear to this as fact in a court of law.
To “NoMacForYou”
I too would build my own XP Pro system. I too knew enough to keep it running clean. This meant playing the Windows equivalent of “Whack-a-Mole” on an almost weekly basis – because I *knew* what I was doing and could recognize a new and unwanted system process when it was introduced. I *knew* how to edit registry to customize my XP box. And I knew how to choose the best components to build my bleeding edge power box… and you know what? I sold it and bought a 1.8 iMac G5!
Sure, my XP box was a screamer – more power and speed than I probably could ever want – but it also sounded like a refridgerator sitting in my living room. The case had no less than 6 fans (if you include them all – including the one on the video card) and the CD drives would make their share of noise too as they spin up and wind down during use.
By contrast, my iMac G5 purrs on my desktop – barely audible. The DVD burner makes an almost silent whooshing sound while being used and I can honestly say I’ve never heard audible evidence that this computer even has a hard drive – no clicking, no ticking… nothing! No, I didn’t build my iMac – but I *did* have Apple build one with my configuration. I didn’t (have to) install the operating system from scratch – but it didn’t come with a ton of useless software like my sister-in-law’s Dell did. There’s no mistaking the quality of components in that 2″ thick wafer of a computer.
You wanna compare computers to cars? Well, while your hot rod of a Camaro is loudly rumbling through the streets and you’re feeling every bump in the road, my vehicle of choice has a pleasant “thump” when you close the doors, starts and runs like a quiet dream, and gives me a smooth ride that beats anything else on the market in its price range.
well, NoMacForYou has proven one thing…. he is able to use the word “shit” in more than one sentence. he’s a literary genius!
NoMac, it would be criminal, just criminal, for me to have a battle of wits with someone so ill prepared for the task such as yourself so i shall bid you adeiu.
but do take this heartfelt advice;
before you attempt critisism on a given subject it would be in your best interest to have some knowlege on the subject you are critizing. not having sufficient information can make you look like an ass.
and in case you didn’t understand, “adeiu” is fancy French talk for
GOODBYE.
twilightmoon: I second everything you’ve written in this thread! I too find that republicans are much more open-minded today about changing the way the government operates in this country. democrats may have been that way back in the 60’s. I was a democrat through 1991, and there are still issues where I identify more with the democrats but I have been severely turned off during these last 6 years as their public representatives and key speakers have become less and less open-minded and more and more intolerant and disrespectful towards those who differ in thought from them.
but back to macs, it’s clear that both conservatives and liberals use macs, so it’s a point of commonality. can we celebrate that instead?
Sizewell, don’t show your ignorance. Sheesh. Across state lines. The funeral home prepared the body, placed it in a body bag, included the necessary paperwork, placed it all on a gurney and loaded it in my truck. In the next state, I pulled up to the garage at the other funeral home and they unloaded it. It is the exact same process used when a funeral home delivers a body from one location to the next. It’s really not that big a deal, you just have to know something, which you apparently don’t.
Republicans are hypocrites if they uses Macs. How can you support governmental policies which would strengthen the Microsoft monopoly when it would make your computer useless? If I was a Republican, I would use PCs with the hope that my retarded economic ideas would become mainstream.
Microsoft is A REASON to vote Democrat. If you are against monopolies, then the Republican party is not for you. Apple is very liberal as a company, always have been. Steve is a Democrat, why do you think he put Al Gore on the board of directors?
I’m not saying that Macs are an exclusively liberal thing, but I’d feel safe making the assumption that the vast majority of Mac users are liberals. Macs mainly used for music, video, and graphic design. Artistic, or “differnt thinking” people tend to be liberal. Educated people tend to be liberal. Upper middle class people tend to be liberal. Apple users tend to be creative, educated, uppermiddle class people.
I’m an IT consultant who defends Windows networks from malware attacks. I can’t bad-mouth Windows in front of clients, so I keep silent and let folks come to their own conclusions when I connect a Mac to an infection-ravaged Windows network to bring it back under control.
“Peter ‘Apple wanted $800 to replace the motherboard’
My Point exactly”
I think I missed this. You’re saying that Dell/HP/Compaq/Gateway/Lenovo wouldn’t charge $800 to replace the motherboard of an out-of-warranty computer? I’ll admit that I don’t know what any of them would charge for a new motherboard. Are you saying that you could go get a brand new motherboard from Joe’s Vinyl Siding & Motherboards for less than $800? If that’s the case, I agree wholeheartedly. A quick and ignorant look at TigerDirect showed motherboards running from $39 to around $250.
But, again, I’m a bit lost. In my example, most of which you chopped (possibly because it made you look bad), I pointed out that I didn’t need to send my motherboard to Apple to get the ethernet adapter replaced. A PC user could probably do the same thing I did–go buy another ethernet adapter (and battle with Windows to get it to work). Or they could go out and buy a new motherboard for less than sending it to Apple. But the new motherboard will probably cost more than the $50 we were talking about, and the motherboard doesn’t come with a CPU (so you’ll have the move the CPU over yourself).
If your complaint is that Apple doesn’t let you build the computer yourself (which is likely, since you seem to like to build computers), I guess I missed your point. I agree with you that it’s kind of sad that Apple won’t sell the motherboards and let you build your own computer. But considering how many people buy computers rather than build them, this seems like a pretty smart business strategy.
By the way, if you want to build your own Mac, check out Hard Core Mac. Pick yourself up a motherboard ($495), an ATI Video Card ($266), a Tower ($85), and an ATA hard drive ($113), and a combo drive ($20) and go to town.
You can have a dual 1GHz G4 for $979.
“[…] why do you think he put Al Gore on the board of directors?”
Well, if he put Al Gore on the board of directors because he’s a democrat, I think Apple shareholders should be offended.
It’s more likely that he put Al Gore on the board of directors because one of his “accomplishments” (I put it in quotes only because I’m sure the Republicans would debate it) was to streamline and improve the way the government purchases items such as computers. Since he came up with the system, he would know how Apple should use it if they want to sell computers to the federal government.
A dieu means literally, “To God”.. so it’s likely something you say before you kill someone.. LOL
Mac users remind me of rich people who have really nice fast cars (V8, V12..etc) yet drive 10km/h under the speed limit. Firstly they don’t know what makes their own car go brrroooom, secondly they don’t even know how to utilise their car to its maximum potential. They might as well go drive a 4 cyl car.
I’ve asked many mac users if they know or use fbsd. Most of the response I hear is, “WHAT? I don’t like Windows.”
Don’t get me wrong, osx is an advanced os, but it sure does attract alot of rich foolish spoon fed users. I mean come on, some people even make their baby after Apple. God help them!
mke wrote:
“…it’s likely something you say before you kill someone.. LOL”
ah! someone who appreciates fancy French talk! i salute you!
C ya.
I’ve asked many mac users if they know or use fbsd. Most of the response I hear is, “WHAT? I don’t like Windows.”
Don’t get me wrong, osx is an advanced os, but it sure does attract alot of rich foolish spoon fed users.
—-
rich foolish spoon fed users? Perhaps you’ve forgotten who’s supposed to wear the pants in the technology-user relationship..
windows pushes its users around like hapless slaves.. is that a good thing? why users have to be geniuses in computing? why can they just go about their lives.. props to those who use a mac without knowing what fbsd is (an arrogant question to ask anyone, if not downright elitist, not to mention geeky)..
don’t get where the rich thing comes in.. my mac cost me a grand.. pfft im a student here..
Actually mine was just the W ’04 sticker on the back of my S60 R. Likewise for my friend’s XC 70.
Kmark
<i>twilightmoon: I second everything you’ve written in this thread! I too find that republicans are much more open-minded today about changing the way the government operates in this country. democrats may have been that way back in the 60’s. I was a democrat through 1991, and there are still issues where I identify more with the democrats but I have been severely turned off during these last 6 years as their public representatives and key speakers have become less and less open-minded and more and more intolerant and disrespectful towards those who differ in thought from them.
but back to macs, it’s clear that both conservatives and liberals use macs, so it’s a point of commonality. can we celebrate that instead?<i>
Wow.. words well spoken of wisdom, brought a tear to my eye… *sniff*
1. Democrats on a national level held far too much power for far too long, holding both houses of congress for over 30 years. That will corrupt any party. The republicans held the white house during most of that period, but the president can only hold office for 2 terms or 8 years, so there is far less of an opportunity for corruption in that amount of time than a 30 year congressman.
2. I appreciate some of what Democrats try to do, for example keeping privacy rights. Corporations are selling our medical, financial, and other personal histories behind our backs without our consent. Republicans are too tied to corporate interests to intervene here. Unfortunately there are a variety of reasons I cannot stand the Democratic party so I have to cede this issue, sadly. I’m not claiming the Republicans are perfect, but they don’t tend to upset or offend me as badly or as often.
3. Macs are owned by Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, libertarians, neo cons, whacko liberals, bible thumpers, athiests, right wing nutjobs, tree hugging hippie libs, and all manner of suit and tie wearing, and tshirt and jeans types of persons, both young and old, male and female. Macs are like a comfortable pair of shoes: when you have to be on your feet all day, you want them to fit right and support your feet. PCs are like a bargain pair you got for cheap but you pay more for them in the end. Anyone can appreciate good shoes.
Vince
I’m not saying that Macs are an exclusively liberal thing, but I’d feel safe making the assumption that the vast majority of Mac users are liberals. Macs mainly used for music, video, and graphic design. Artistic, or “differnt thinking” people tend to be liberal. Educated people tend to be liberal. Upper middle class people tend to be liberal. Apple users tend to be creative, educated, uppermiddle class people.
1. Assuming what you say is true, and I’m not certain that it is, you’re talking like maybe at most 45% to 55% skew, not quite what I’d call “vast” difference from conservative to liberal.
2. I also think it matters how you define “conservative” versus “liberal.” Are you talking about taxation? Economic policies? Policies towards gays, or animal rights or the environment? I think you’d find that few people are monolithically conservative or liberal. I don’t have a problem with those that are, as long as they respect the views of people who disagree with them.
3. Voting for a political party because of your views of Mac or PC is childish. First, Democrats are not monolithically in favor of Apple or opposed to MS, and Republicans don’t all love MS or hate Apple. As has been stated earlier you can find people on both sides. I go back to my shoes analogy.
Peter
Since he came up with the system, he would know how Apple should use it if they want to sell computers to the federal government.
I actually don’t have a problem with Apple putting Gore on their board. I think it was a smart move, even tho I’m not a big fan of him personally. I just don’t like how they use him (a liberal democrat) and not Rush Limbaugh (a conservative republican). I think Apple should use every tool at their disposal to sell more Macs. I think ideology cost them marketshare here.
The problem is Apple Computer hasn’t evangelized enough to get the message across to zillions of PC users that there is a much better computing environment.
Oh, how I wish Apple wouldn’t be too modest about it. Many PC users need to be rescued from Windoze grasps.
“I just don’t like how they use him (a liberal democrat) and not Rush Limbaugh (a conservative republican).”
Well, if Rush does more than pontificate (ie, rewrites government purchasing rules), I’m sure they would. I’m not trying to belittle Rush Limbaugh, but other than being a famous commentator, what has he done?
Tom Cruise is also a huge Mac fan, as are Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jennifer Jason-Leigh. Should Apple “use” them? Apple dropped AppleMasters (which I think was a shame–it made WWDC even better!) and I do think that they should have included Rush Limbaugh, though they did include Tom Clancy…
The other comment I’ve heard, regarding Rush Limbaugh and Apple, asked why they never did a Rush Limbaugh “Think Different” poster. But keep in mind that the people on the posters were chosen by Apple employees so if none of them chose Rush, he wouldn’t be there. Considering Apple’s location, I’m not surprised if no one voted for him.
How do they “use” Al Gore?
in response to trippah’s arrogance, elitist style, your comments are well said, mike.
these peecee users go about “brandishing” their knowledge of their computers because knowing the innards of their machines is just about the only thing they can do to keep them sane.
we mac users spend more time doing our own things without having to worry about spywares, viruses and name it all..those junks that afflict peecees everywhere.
God help the helpless.
What’s a virus?
Back to my original question treadlightly….. which state(s)?
I hate showing my ignorance, so I’d like to educate myself on the respective states statutes.
I use both Apple and PC hardware, Mac OS X, WinXP and Linux.
I think the sugestion that PC Users focus on hardware while Mac Users focus on working is totaly untrue !
What about always thinking “Is this think can work on a Mac ?”
The way you say Mac is better than PC is the same way to say Fashism is better than Democracy. I assum that democracy is harder to maintain that fashism, but you have one think called CHOICE !
So, you can work on Mac, or PC, whatever you like, but don’t try to say one is better than the other, it’s just different.
The way people think “A PC crash 5 times per day” is the same untrue that other people think “With a Mac you can’t do everythink you want”.
And for the end, I drive an Alfa Romeo, without any stickers, and I’m proud of this !
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PS: Sorry for my poor English gramar…
But… I like working on Mac !
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Peter
Well, if Rush does more than pontificate (ie, rewrites government purchasing rules), I’m sure they would. I’m not trying to belittle Rush Limbaugh, but other than being a famous commentator, what has he done?
I gather from your post that you are not a fan of Rush, which is fine, and maybe you’re a fan of Gore, which is also fine. But Apple lost an opportunity to gain marketshare and sales. That is my point, not whether you or I or anyone at Apple likes Rush or Gore.
As to your question what Rush has done, if you were objective on the subject, you’d have to acknowledge that single handedly transforming AM talk radio, gathering a loyal 15-20 million listener base to a “dead medium” being the number one listened to talk radio host in American history, and challenging and ultimately transforming the way that a lot of America looks at the media is a pretty big deal. AM talk radio is often used as a punching bag by liberal Democrats who used to have a lock on the media (and still do on TV and many newspapers and national magazines). Being the voice of the forgotten conservative right is a big deal to some people. Maybe not to you, which is fine. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is Rush has a big audience and he can help sell things, and Apple did not take advantage of it for ideological reasons.
I think that was a big mistake.
Tom Cruise is also a huge Mac fan, as are Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jennifer Jason-Leigh. Should Apple “use” them? Apple dropped AppleMasters (which I think was a shame–it made WWDC even better!) and I do think that they should have included Rush Limbaugh, though they did include Tom Clancy…
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. Apple should happily use any and all comers. Apple should not shy away from anyone who can help get them more sales. I don’t know why they dropped Apple Masters, was that at the WWDC? If so that’s not exactly aimed at the mainstream, but I think they should have kept it if it helped get more developers to the platform or more people excited about developing Apps on the Mac, or going to the WWDC.
Apple can and should promote their wares any and every which way that they can. They have a very compelling product at a very fair price and the market is ripe for the picking. Many people are fed up with Windows PCs but are not properly educated as the the suitability of Mac OS X.
Celebrities are a fantastic way to get the message out.
The other comment I’ve heard, regarding Rush Limbaugh and Apple, asked why they never did a Rush Limbaugh “Think Different” poster. But keep in mind that the people on the posters were chosen by Apple employees so if none of them chose Rush, he wouldn’t be there. Considering Apple’s location, I’m not surprised if no one voted for him.
Personally, I don’t care if Rush was included in that campaign, although I seem to remember a lot of the people that were were either liberal or democrats, John Lennon (liberal), Martin Luther King Jr. (democrat), etc. I can’t help but think that the direction this was pushed was by liberal democrats who work for Apple or for their advertising company Chiat/Day. Honestly I don’t have a problem with this so much, it’s fine if Apple wants to target people who are more sympathetic to liberal or democratic figures, I just think that they should not shy away from people who are admired by republicans or conservatives.
Surely you don’t think that everyone working for Apple is a liberal democrat?
Even if they were, not all their customers are, and Apple should not be about itself, it should be about serving it’s customers’ needs and attracting more of them.
Totophe
PS: Sorry for my poor English gramar…
I always give a pass to those who learn English as a secondary language to their main language, Totophe. And thank you for your post.
Let me suggest, however, that you consider typing out your posts in TextEdit (to take advantage of it’s spelling checker)? Then you won’t misspell Fascism, assume, everything or grammar. It won’t help you with wrong word choices like “think” instead of “thing.” Copy and paste your results back into the window when you’re done. I do this myself most of the time.
Always feel free to contribute if you have something to say, and let the reader determine if what you’re saying is worth listening to, based on content rather than perfect English.