“Mac sales grew 43 percent in the first quarter of 2005 and 35 percent in the second quarter, much higher than the PC industry average of 14 percent during the first half of 2005. Analysts are now wondering aloud whether the spyware problem that bedevils Windows-based PCs–but not Macs or Linux machines–is a contributing factor to Apple’s sudden success with the Mac. Some suggest it’s the single biggest factor–far more relevant to new users than the iPod halo effect,” Paul Thurrott writes for Windows IT Pro.
“The evidence is compelling. For the first time, PC users are simply throwing out computers that are infested with spyware, rather than trying to fix them. The problem is that spyware-infested PCs are often impossible to fix. Instead, you need to wipe out the system and start over again. In managed environments, this isn’t a huge problem beyond backing up crucial data, but for individuals, it’s a nightmare. With PC prices now starting at less than $300–or about $500 for an entry-level Mac mini–consumers are just starting over. It’s simpler,” Thurrott writes.
“When the personal computing market first kicked into high gear in the early 1980s, computer enthusiasts were responsible for getting big business excited about the technology. First, VisiCalc-equipped Apple II computers began appearing in businesses, followed by IBM PCs running Lotus 1-2-3. Today, Mac laptops–called PowerBooks–are beginning to appear more and more often in the planes, Internet cafes, and press rooms I frequent around the country. Tech enthusiasts–what we might call tech influencers–are turning, increasingly, to the Mac,” Thurrott writes.
“For Microsoft and its Windows-using customers, this change could be a problem. Or, if you’re interested in a safer computing experience, it could be a solution. Although many business users require Windows-specific applications that won’t run on the Mac, a good percentage of Windows users today require only very basic services, including word processing, email, and Web browsing. These needs are well served by a Mac or even by a Linux-based PC, both of which are arguably safer today than Windows machines,” Thurrott writes. “Questions emerge, of course. Is a more heterogeneous environment really safer, or is that just an added layer of complexity? And are Windows alternatives more secure because they’re better designed or because so few hackers attempt to infiltrate those machines? These are questions for the ages, I suppose. But in a world where spyware is only the most recent attempt at tearing down the House of Windows, I’m beginning to wonder whether the alternatives don’t make some sense.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If your business has locked itself into some Windows-only apps, why not get yourself a copy of Xcode or hire someone to help free your business from Microsoft’s shackles by writing a Mac OS X version? Or find a Mac equivalent and put an end to the limiting and short-sighted platform-specific apps? Your business will most likely end up saving money in the long run by ending the dependence on the security-challenged Windows platform. Mac software for business can be found here
If you’re just an average computer user who’d like to be able to surf the Web with impunity, send and receive emails without fear, do some word processing, spreadsheets, and organize and share your digital photos, movies, and music, the choice to switch from Windows to Mac will be the best decision you’ve made in a long time. Apple’s Mac is simply better than Windows.
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