“Please don’t take this post as an all-out lovefest for Apple (and it’s definitely not a hatefest for Microsoft, either). The two can co-exist peacefully if you let them, and if your routine supports it. I wasn’t ready to switch before now for a lot of reasons. This has been a long time coming.,” Chris Pirillo blogs.
Pirillo writes, “And before anybody jumps in and claims that you can achieve the same level of ‘happiness’ after installing 50+ third-party add-ons, plugins, extensions, and utilities to Windows… you simply don’t get it, and you probably never will. I can’t be alone, and I’m predicting that by the end of next year, even more people will choose (and use) Mac OS X over Windows Vista. I can’t open up the phone lines anymore without being inundated with calls that suggest such a tipping point.”
Pirillo writes, “As a power user, Mac OS X has far more to offer me in terms of tweak-ability and modularity. I learned that by trying it, not by guessing that it wasn’t possible.”
Pirillo writes, “And now, I’d like to challenge any Windows enthusiast to publish 50 Reasons to switch from Mac OS X to Microsoft Windows. ;)”
Full article, “50 Reasons to switch from Microsoft Windows to Apple’s Mac OS X,” here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Too Hot!” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
InfoWorld: Time to dump Microsoft’s Windows and ‘Get a Mac?’ – February 18, 2008
PC Mag: Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard is strongest case yet for Windows PC users to switch to Mac – February 15, 2008
Microsoft’s Windows Vista one year later: ‘the chrome has worn off the turd’ – January 30, 2008
Laptop Magazine offers online Windows to Mac Switcher’s Guide – January 30, 2008
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: Your Frustration. Our Fault. – January 30, 2008
ExtremeTech: Microsoft’s Windows Vista simply can’t compete with Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard – November 12, 2007
Computerworld: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard spanks Microsoft’s Windows Vista – November 07, 2007
Salon: It’s time to buy an Apple Mac; Macs cost less to own than PCs – November 06, 2007
Chicago Tribune reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: Further proof that computing needn’t be stressful – November 03, 2007
Fast Company: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard handily outshines all other computing interfaces – November 02, 2007
Houston Chronicle reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: A winner for Mac users and Windows switchers – November 01, 2007
MSNBC reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘An even better experience with an already excellent OS’ – November 01, 2007
PC Magazine reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘By far the best operating system ever written…’ – October 30, 2007
Apple sells two million copies of Mac OS X Leopard in first weekend – October 30, 2007
CNET’s Reisinger: Apple’s Leopard will open the Mac OS X floodgates and embarrass Microsoft – October 29, 2007
ZDNet’s Kingsley-Hughes: Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine ‘brilliant, fantastic, an absolute winner’ – October 29, 2007
Ars Technica reviews Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: ‘Absolutely packed with improvements’ – October 29, 2007
BBC: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine and Quick Look alone worth upgrading – October 29, 2007
CNET’s Reisinger: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard’s Time Machine interface is perfect – October 27, 2007
IT Business: US$129 for Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is money well spent – October 27, 2007
Guardian Unlimited reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘a very solid platform for the future’ – October 26, 2007
CNET reviews Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: ‘Excellent’ – October 26, 2007
Dallas Morning News: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is a leap forward – October 26, 2007
Apple pulls wireless backup from initial Mac OS X Leopard release – October 26, 2007
Wired: Mac OS X Leopard may be Apple’s most revolutionary product release of 2007 – October 25, 2007
Technology Review: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard is ‘visually stunning, fast and stable’ – October 25, 2007
USA Today: With Leopard, Apple’s already superior Mac OS X widens lead over Microsoft’s Windows – October 25, 2007
New York Times’ Pogue reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘Powerful and polished’ – October 25, 2007
Mossberg reviews Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard: ‘better and faster than Windows Vista’ – October 25, 2007
Mac OS X Leopard’s new Time Machine – October 12, 2007
Microsoft must abandon the Windows Vista albatross – September 26, 2007
Forbes: Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Office ‘Blunder 2007’ will drive a lot of users to Apple – September 17, 2007
NPD: Windows Vista retail sales down down 60-percent vs. XP – September 11, 2007
Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard shames Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 31, 2007
Pioneer Press reviews Apple iMac: ‘An ideal family computer; Mac OS X puts Vista to shame’ – August 17, 2007
2008 Olympic Games dump unstable, unreliable Windows Vista – August 16, 2007
Vista Nightmare: The ‘Oww!’ Starts Now – July 28, 2007
Ballmer: ‘Vista doesn’t get done by three people in a garage in three days’ – July 27, 2007
Acer chief slams Microsoft: ‘The entire industry is disappointed by Windows Vista’ – July 23, 2007
Mercury News: Mac OS X already beats Windows Vista, Leopard will widen the gap – June 12, 2007
Apple ought to send Microsoft flowers and nice ‘Thank You’ note for Windows Vista – May 21, 2007
U.S. News & World Report: Apple Macs are attractive, stable, secure, and more fun than Windows – May 16, 2007
The full horror of Windows Vista – May 14, 2007
Apple need not rush Mac OS X Leopard to market; Tiger already superior to Windows Vista – May 03, 2007
IDC: Apple Mac shows market share gains despite launch of Windows Vista – April 30, 2007
Windows Vista: Emperor Microsoft’s new clothes – April 29, 2007
Forget VIsta: Beleaguered Dell brings back Windows XP, people also asking for Mac OS X – April 19, 2007
Windows user spends 30 Days with Windows Vista: ‘It’s a lemon, an unstable operating system’ – April 04, 2007
Network World: Need a new PC for Vista? Switching to Mac may cost less and give you more – March 16, 2007
Analyst: Microsoft’s Windows Vista is very good for Apple Mac – March 13, 2007
The Register reviews Microsoft’s Windows Vista: ‘Don’t buy it’ – February 20, 2007
Forbes: ‘Windows Vista utterly unimaginative, internally discordant and woefully out of tune’ – February 09, 2007
Windows sufferer spends six hours trying to ‘upgrade’ to Vista, says: ‘I should’ve bought a Mac’ – February 07, 2007
Windows Vista woes push BBC News editor to regret never having ‘defected’ to Apple Mac – February 06, 2007
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: Five years for a chrome-plated turd – January 30, 2007
Digit: ‘Microsoft’s Windows Vista may be the best reason yet to buy an Apple Mac’ – January 29, 2007
Pioneer Press: Windows Vista shows ‘Apple is an innovation engine; Microsoft, not so much’ – January 29, 2007
Windows Vista disappoints, so get a Mac – January 29, 2007
Analyst: Microsoft’s Windows Vista could be an opportunity for Apple – January 26, 2007
CNET Reviews Windows Vista: Is that all? Clunky and not very intuitive vs. Mac OS X; warmed-over XP – January 24, 2007
InformationWeek Review: Apple’s Mac OS X shines in comparison with Microsoft’s Windows Vista – January 06, 2007
Computerworld: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard’s ‘Time Machine’ is truly remarkable – October 05, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista: If you can’t innovate… try to impersonate Apple’s Mac OS X – August 10, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
eWeek: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard with 3-D Time Machine is amazing – August 08, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Moving train wreck that is Windows Vista to leave the station in late 2006/early 2007 – June 01, 2006
How to delete a shortcut in Windows Vista in just 7 steps – June 01, 2006
Pirillo critiques Windows Vista with long lists of mistakes – May 30, 2006
Video of Microsoft’s Windows Vista beta 2 release in action – May 23, 2006
Report: Microsoft Windows Vista could drive users even more nuts than usual – May 16, 2006
Yankee Group: Windows Vista to alienate business with disruptive security features – May 09, 2006
Windows Vista to be Microsoft’s last operating system? – April 21, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft collapsing under its own weight, Gates has driven Windows Vista into the ground – April 20, 2006
Microsoft employees call for heads to roll over continual Vista slips – March 27, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Albatross, er Vista could slip even more – March 27, 2006
Microsoft Vista fumble could lead to score for Apple Mac; Mac OS X Leopard may beat Vista to market – March 23, 2006
What’s the difference between Mac OS X and Vista? Microsoft employees are excited about Mac OS X – March 22, 2006
Microsoft delays Windows Vista again – this time until January 2007 – March 21, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft going to get eaten alive over Windows Vista’s resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – March 09, 2006
Episode 2 of Microsoft Windows Vista, Bill Gates CES keynote video spoof now online – January 07, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista, Bill Gates keynote video spoof debuts online – January 06, 2006
NY Times’ Pogue on Gates’ CES demo: Most of Vista features unadulterated ripoffs from Apple Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Analyst: Windows Vista may still impress many consumers because they have not seen Apple’s Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista compared to Apple Mac OS X – December 05, 2005
Gartner: Ignore Microsoft Windows Vista until 2008 (why not just get Apple Mac OS X Tiger today?) – November 12, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Vista strives to deliver what Apple’s Mac OS X already offers – October 10, 2005
Thurrott: Microsoft’s Windows Vista Beta 1 vs. Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger – August 29, 2005
Apple to unleash Leopard on Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn; Mac OS X 10.5 due late 2006 – early 2007 – June 07, 2005
Thurrott: many of Windows Vista’s upcoming features appeared first in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 26, 2005
Microsoft’s Ballmer: It’s true, some of Windows Vista’s features are ‘kissing cousins’ to Mac OS X – September 19, 2005
Microsoft suffers from malaise, key defections, Windows Vista struggles, lack of towels – September 16, 2005
PC World: Microsoft innovation – an oxymoron – September 15, 2005
Microsoft debuts Dashboard Widgets, er, ‘Microsoft Gadgets’ – September 13, 2005
Apple to unleash Leopard on Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn; Mac OS X 10.5 due late 2006 – early 2007 – June 07, 2005
Windows tech writer Thurrott: ‘In many ways, Mac OS X Tiger is simply better than Windows’ – May 07, 2005
Thurrott: ‘Longhorn is in complete disarray and in danger of collapsing under its own weight’ – April 27, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn ‘has the makings of a train wreck’ – April 26, 2005
Thurrott: Longhorn demos ‘unimpressive, fall short of graphical excellence found today in Mac OS X’ – April 26, 2005
Microsoft employees leaving due to (and blogging about) malaise smothering company – April 25, 2005
eWEEK Editor Coursey: Longhorn so far ‘looks shockingly like a Macintosh’ – April 25, 2005
Due in late 2006, many of Windows Longhorn’s features have been in Mac OS X since 2001 – April 25, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn will bear more than just a passing resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – April 15, 2005
The Age: ‘Apple’s Mac OS X at least a generation ahead of Windows XP, iMac G5 clearly the best’ – December 15, 2004
Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Mac OS X Tiger ‘is going to drive the copycats crazy – June 28, 2004
Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs previews Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ to ship in the first half of 2005 – June 28, 2004
Apple takes dead aim at Microsoft, ‘Longhorn’ with WWDC Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ ads – June 28, 2004
PC Magazine: Microsoft ‘Longhorn’ preview shows ‘an Apple look’ – May 06, 2004
Windows ‘Longhorn’ to add translucent windows that ripple and shrink by 2005 – May 19, 2003
Apple leads; Wintel follows as usual – November 11, 2002
GOOD POINT: “I learned that by trying it, not by guessing that it wasn’t possible.”
As it has been said before: most mac user have used both OSX AND Windows, so they have a more grounded assesment of the advantages and disadvantages of each platform…not by “GUESSING”
I can think of only reason to switch from OS X to Winderz; If you think Viruses, Trojan Horses and and a crap fest OS is entertaining.
Experience is the best teacher.
I was the same way; I just assumed that market share equaled “better.” I wish that I had switched sooner.
Be sure to check out Chris’s live 24/7 feed at live.pirillo.com !!!
Just curious…when was the last time anyone saw an article giving 50 reasons to switch from a Mac to Windows? I mean besides the insecurity reports from Sophos?
Who needs 50? Here’s one – Vista.
51. It’s snappy!
Yes, very GOOD POINT: “I learned that by trying it, not by guessing that it wasn’t possible.”
I’ve found that many Windows users expect OSX to be just as bad as Windows. And they have learned, with great difficulty, a few little Window’s tricks and think that they will have the same learning curve on a MAC.
Only 50?
; )
This is a good article.
The list is pretty level-headed and not the usual shrill “I hate Microsoft” stuff that turns people off…. even thought that stuff may be true! (wink wink nudge nudge)
My brother just switched and he emails me with questions. I KNOW he expects things to be extremely complex.
Things like adding an iChat Buddy… click the PLUS (+) button. How could it be so simple?
I tell him to relax and think LESS about it. Poke around and you’ll find a way to make it work.
That’s how I learned.
He didn’t list spaces- to me, virtual desktops is a must.
On my Tiger machines- I use YouControl:Desktops
Not a bad article tho…
Number 13 > He’s already running the best anti- /virus/spy/malware program- OSX
I thought Chris Pirillo’s article was incredibly fair and balanced (not in a Fox News kinda way, but in reality). He bent over backwards not to slam Windows. And yet, in the end, he came to the same conclusion that many are reaching these days: MacOSX is simply a better personal computing environment.
I think the tipping point is near. The question is, what market share does it lead to? I am thinking we are going to see 10% by the end of calendar 2008 in the US. Beyond that, I think 12-15% is realistic. Basically, that is double where it was in 2007, which is double where it was in 2005.
Ahh, could it be that Moore’s Law applies to Macs, too?
“50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”
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What’s up with this one?:
#47: Call me crazy, but I love the fact that in OS X, the keyboard shortcut for opening Preferences is always the same (Command + Comma). Convenient. Dependable. Quick.
Hey Pirillo, power users don’t need consistent key commands. This is the difference between typical namby-pamby sissy MAC users and real world Windows power users. I like that I have to learn a different keyboard shortcut for different software. That way each program has its own personality. Life must be miserable in the bland, everything just works and works similarly world of the MAC. Dorks.
Your potential. Our passion.™
One of my switchers recently said that the only barrier to a windows’ user going over to a mac was different terms used by macs. It took him a week to be up and running.
He has no viruses and no malware. When he was using windows he had over two hundred nasties that turned his system mush.
I used to think Chris Prillo was a tool (who has a cartoon version of themselves? Windows weirdos! The fact that he “gets it” about supposedly needing so many add-ons is an amazing turn of events. One things for sure. Windows users new to the Mac have to get used to the fact that “yes, it really is that easy”. For example, many people still do not get that basic networking is plug and play, no need to go to the network systems preferences. Relax!
Magic word: north, as in sales volumes heading….
Even though I love that a “respected” Windows user switched and publicized it I find his whole article about the switch self serving.
“I think Microsoft does amazing things. They’ve also been quite supportive of my own efforts over the years, if only because they understand the value of one user. ”
Which I take to mean he’s been a shill from the beginning, same old paid for “Windows Enthusiast”. Then it became clear at the end of his 50 reasons: A list in which he plugged just about every piece of software on his “sponsorship” list he could get.
“And, for whatever it’s worth, I’ve yet to hear from anybody at Apple in respect to marketing, sponsorship, endorsement, support – or otherwise”
Why should they? Are you some big gun that matters. Or are you just some bloated pompous windbag that thinks you are more important to the computer community because you know how to run a website? You decide it’s time to leave the sinking ship and now you want Apple and other OSX developers to pay you to do it?
“Microsoft does some amazing things – very amazing things.”
Apple doesn’t need you, especially as you parse your comments to make sure you don’t piss off your loyal Windows folks too much. I haven’t seen anything AMAZING from Redmond ever. Unless you count the amazing failures that continue to spew from that area onto the public landscape.
Of course he probably will get some amount of ‘attention’, but I hope not.
Article was a little too cutesy. Plus this guy thinks Surface is “amazing.” That alone makes him suspect.
@Driver
You really think Microsoft pays people to write articles about reasons to switch from Windows to Apple?????
I’ve got a reason to switch from OSX to anything else, their users aren’t completely insane.
Apple doesn’t need you Driver, you just make them look bad.
There’s at least 50 games, plus character-recognition software (VirtualDub) though you could run that in virtual windoze mode.
On the other hand, there’s at least 15,000 malware in wimpdose, plus 2,000 OS warnings per month you must dismiss:
You’ve just turned on your computer. Are you sure you want to do that?
[Cancel] [Allow]
[More Information]
“Microsoft does some amazing things – very amazing things.”
Putting a bozo like Ballmer in charge.
Longhorn/Vista. Then trying, again, with Windows 7.
Clippy. BOB.
Killing the Office cash cow with an “upgrade” nobody wants.
Thinking a costly trainwreck with Yahoo is their key to catching Google.
Yes, people. Very amazing indeed…
@Some Dude
It is Amazing– Amazing that some company would think that this preview of a cutting edge device would float! Humm I wonder if it had oarlocks?
You only need one reason… It’s not windows.
I love my MacBook Pro, but a huge shortcoming in the Mac software market is street map software. I have Route 66 2004. It does the job somewhat, but also it is 4 years old, is not a universal binary, and has a terrible interface (how could there be a map software without keyboard controls for zoom in & out?!).
Hence, I have a little bit of Windows Envy when it comes to this type of software. However, Exposé, Time Machine, Spaces, iLife, and about 10 dozen other must-have features keep me on the Mac.
@me
You are the idiot. Read his article, then my response. I essentially said on one hand he was complimenting MS products but that he looks to be jumping ship (a sinking Vista one) and whining because Apple won’t throw advertising $’s his way. What part of self-serving do you not understand?