“Apple’s Macintosh computers claim only a tiny share of the overall PC market, but they are getting more consideration from Windows users thinking of switching than at any time in many years,” Walter S. Mossberg writes.
Mossberg writes, “The daunting security problems that have plagued Windows have also prompted many of its users to take a serious look at the Mac. This trend has been further reinforced by the ‘iPod halo effect,’ in which Windows users who own and love Apple’s iPod music players are willing to consider the company’s other products. As a result, Mac sales, while still relatively small, have been growing much faster than overall personal computer sales. Are you among the PC majority considering a switch to the Mac? Then you probably have some important questions.”
In his full article, Mossberg answers the following questions (we summarize his answers below each):
• How do Macs compare in quality with Windows PCs?
(Macs are better. Apple’s iMac G5 consumer desktop is, in my opinion, the single best home computer on the market. Its PowerBook laptops are among the top portables.)
• Do Macs run Windows and Windows software?
(No, but you probably won’t need to anyway)
• How does Mac software compare with Windows?
(Macintosh’s operating system, Mac OS X, and Mac software are far better)
• Are Macs more secure than Windows PCs?
(Yes – since the OS X operating system came out in 2001, there has never been a report of a successful virus for it)
• Are Mac files compatible with Windows files?
(Yes)
• Is there anyone who shouldn’t consider a Mac?
(Serious game players and if your home computer choices are dictated by your company’s IT department and the IT department is ignorant of or hostile to the Mac, as so many are)
Full article here.
[Walt Mossberg is the author and creator of the weekly Personal Technology column in The Wall Street Journal, which has appeared every Thursday since 1991. Newsweek magazine calls Mr. Mossberg “the most powerful arbiter of consumer tastes in the computer world today.” Time magazine calls him “the most influential computer journalist.” And Rolling Stone calls him “the most powerful columnist in technology.” The Washington Post declared Mr. Mossberg “one of the most powerful men in the high-tech world” and “a one-man media empire whose prose can launch a new product.” And the New York Times calls him a “protean critic of the new economy’s tools and toys.” Mr. Mossberg was awarded the 1999 Loeb award for Commentary, the only technology writer to be so honored.]
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Back-to-back Mossberg!
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Windows PC retailers face tough holiday season, meanwhile Apple stores are packed as Mac sales surge – November 09, 2005
Analyst estimates over a million Windows to Mac switchers during 2005’s first three quarters – November 07, 2005
Windows sufferers: It’s not your fault, but it is your problem – switch to Mac – November 07, 2005
Tech writer: Windows PCs highly vulnerable to zombie hijacking; get an Apple Mac instead – November 06, 2005
Windows switchers, now’s your chance: Apple Mac mini with Mac OS X Tiger for $379 – November 03, 2005
Computer columnist: anti-virus software purely optional for Apple Macs, not so for Windows – November 01, 2005
Microsoft apologists and why Apple’s Mac OS X has zero viruses – October 24, 2005
Mossberg: Every mainstream consumer doing typical tasks should consider Apple Mac – October 13, 2005
Mossberg: ‘I’ll turn on Apple Computer in a New York minute if I think they’re going south again’ – October 09, 2005
Mossberg: Switching from Windows to Mac – software not an expensive proposition – September 30, 2005
$500 bounty offered for proof of first Apple Mac OS X virus – September 27, 2005
Symantec: 10,866 new Microsoft Windows virus and worm variants in first half 2005 – September 19, 2005
Hackers already targeting viruses for Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 04, 2005
16-percent of computer users are unaffected by viruses, malware because they use Apple Macs – June 15, 2005
Mossberg offers resources for Windows users interested in switching to Apple Mac – August 18, 2005
ZDNet: How many Mac OS X users affected by the last 100 viruses? None, zero, not one, not ever – August 18, 2005
Intel CEO Otellini: If you want security now, buy a Macintosh instead of a Wintel PC – May 25, 2005
Mossberg: Apple’s Tiger ‘the best, most advanced personal computer operating system on the market’ – April 28, 2005
97,467 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac’s OS X – April 05, 2005
“Macintosh’s operating system, Mac OS X, and Mac software are far better”
Prediction: Steve will use this quote at MacWorld 2006.
Wow……..
Way to go, Walt
Mossberg Rules
I agree, WOW!
This is cool… OS X rocks and I like for everybody to know it so this is very good
beware opinion’ists bearing good press.
how very nice of Mossberg. but didn’t he declare that he would turn on mac any second? hummm
Yes, if Apple screws up and puts out crappy products. Mossberg sings praises where praise is due, but will berate that which deserves berating.
was hopin’ he’d mention GarageBand, Macs not only make collecting and playing music easy but also creating it… out of the box.
As I said earlier, why can’t all journalist be more like Mossberg? He just works®
MDN Magic Word: income – as in with reviews like this, Monkey Boy covers bald head and yells incoming!
and it’s NOT all zealoty!
MDN should learn from this man. You CAN promote Macs without sounding like a 12-year old.
See how effective it is to sound grown-up?:
I Love you Macberg, you can fulfill my yearnings anytime
Wow! You don’t get endorsements any stronger than that one!
he writes:
The Mac isn’t invulnerable, but it has better built-in security than Windows, and such a small market share that virus and spyware writers haven’t targeted it yet. As a result, most Mac users have been able to dispense with running the morass of security software that Windows users must employ.
As usual, anything MDN puts on the screen is both FUD and eaten up readily by many a zealot.
Great article, btw though…
but MDN = FUD
Obviously Apple is giving this guy free stuff. Windows XP can be good if you use your head. What a crock. MDN, I’m out’a here!
Apples are better and smarter then Lemons.
so far no one has mentioned that mossberg said “Are you among the PC MAJORITY considering a switch to the Mac?”
wow! even if they don’t all switch, that is a lot! he doesn’t say stuff like this lightly. wonder what background info made him say this?
mw: and the “answer” is: ____
Now that IS concise.
Even I couldn’t have put all that into fewer words! Good on you Mossy.
(And to classify him as ‘in the pocket of’ like Enderle and Thurrot is so monumentally idiotic that it doesn’t warrant a response).