Thanks to Apple’s multi-million dollar advertising campaign, a record number of small businesses are tossing their Windows PCs and switching to Macs. According to Jason R. Rich, the author of Mac Migration: The Small Business Guide to Switching to the Mac, the reasons to make the move can be credited to more than just advertising.
“For years, Apple was known for offering computers useful to students and to creative people who dealt with graphics, animation, music and images. But now, due to their ever-growing lineup of popular business-oriented applications and their focus on compatibility, Apple’s Mac computers are now in high demand by business people working in all jobs and industries,” Rich commented in the press release.
Hot, business-friendly applications and compatibility are just two of the many reasons small to mid-sized businesses are considering the Mac. Rich identifies a few more deal breakers for those who’ve decided to part ways with their PC. entrepreneurpress.com
1. Free, Fast File Transfer From Apple
If you buy your Mac from an Apple Store, you can bring your PC into the store and have a certified Apple Genius (a Mac Specialist) transfer all of your files and data from your old PC to your Mac. In most situations, this is a free service and can be completed within one business day (providing an appointment is scheduled).
2. Mac OS X Leopard-More Intuitive, Crashes Less, Runs Faster
Unlike Windows Vista (which has four separate editions: Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate), there is only one current edition of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system, and it comes preloaded with all new Mac computers. When you combine the capabilities of this operating system with the other software applications you ultimately install onto your Mac, chances are, all of your computing needs will be met.
3. Unlike PCs, Macs Aren’t Plagued By Viruses and Spyware Downloads
The likelihood of a Mac user getting a virus is slim to none. Here’s why:
• Newer Mac operating systems, such as the Mac OS X, are built on UNIX kernel, one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.
• Microsoft Windows has a larger share of the market. Because more users use Microsoft Windows, it is a more attractive target for hackers.
• Most virus writers are familiar with the IBM platform and Microsoft Windows, and therefore are only going to be able to create a virus for that platform.
• Many of the tools and scripts used to help hackers create viruses or other malware are designed specifically for Microsoft Windows.
4. Hundreds of Business Applications to Choose From
There are a variety of applications that come bundled with a new Mac such as Address Book and iCal. The iLife, iWork, and Microsoft Office suites of software are all useful to business professionals for handling common tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and editing and view graphics. In addition to these popular applications, Rich identifies 14 more “must-have” business-oriented applications in his book, Mac Migration (http://www.entrepreneurpress.com/cgi-bin/books/00373.html). Mac users can access a variety of applications, most available for free 30-day trials, at Apple.com.
5. Apple Support-Accessible, Knowledgeable and, Actually, Helpful
After the initial 90 day’s worth of free technical support (plus one-year hardware warranty), regardless of where you buy your Mac or which system you buy, you can purchase one of several support plans. All support plans offer access to English-speaking, friendly, and knowledgeable Mac experts. This is something that PC manufacturers don’t offer.
Jason R. Rich is the bestselling author of more than 37 books that cover a wide range of topics, including computers, eCommerce, personal finance, career-related topics, travel and entertainment. He also contributes regularly to major daily newspapers, including the New York Daily News, as well as national magazines and popular websites.
Mac Migration: The Small Business Guide to Switching to the Mac explains how current PC users can easily migrate to a Mac-based computer, transfer their data, and stay fully compatible with their office network. Written primarily for business people and entrepreneurs, this new book is easy-to-understand and walks non-technologically savvy people through the process of buying a Mac, setting it up, installing software, and transferring data from their old PC.
This book is available at all major bookstores and online booksellers and via Amazon.com here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Chuckles the Microsoft CEO” for the heads up.]
#6 – Apple is not run by a monkey.
#7 – Bill Gates is not used in their ads. as the ‘cool guy’!
#7 – NO per seat tax server is client unlimited!!!
#9 Apple never shipped a brown device
this is a crappy list. Everything on it is subjective and debatable.
More than 1 out of 4 of the USA college graduates use Mac laptops and are being hired by companies. When the next big virus takes out 3 out of 4 computers leaving only the Macs working, do you think even the clueless management will see the problem and solution?
Two ladies in this area, one a “switcher” and the other merely upgrading, were offered the “free” “file transfer” service … for $99. I did it for them for $50 – they pushed the money on me, My offer was “free”. OK, the “switcher” got some free tutoring along with the transfer, so that may have been worth the payment. Still, I don’t see how $99 translates to “free”.
#10 It makes it easy to get rid of those annoying IT guys for people that actually earn their paycheck.
Someone with half a brain might respond to this list…
Top 5 reasons people stay with Windows
(This is just an example of how easily such a list is defeated)
1. Apple is capable of moving files in only the simplest of situations. I.e. home users with a few pictures, songs, and word processing docs. If your small business has 20+ computers using highly specific software, moving those files won’t help. The software doesn’t run on a Mac. You’re going to require a very costly consultant to come in and assist. You can’t do it, you obviously don’t know much about computers. If you’re just going to install virtualization software, why bother moving?
2. Sit down in front of VISTA, the newest version of Windows. Contrary to what Mac dorks will tell you, he UI of VISTA is gorgeous. In deference to the brilliant ad campaign run by Apple, is more like a tall, good looking, well put together business person in a $3000 suit than the podgy John Hodgeman. Stand that next to the Mac hippy and see how smug he looks. In all honesty, VISTA has been maligned in the press. It has been wrongfully vilified. The big issue with VISTA for MOST Windows users is that it is different and they don’t like different. VISTA is nowhere near as different as you will get with the Mac.
3. Macs are not plauged because they still represent a single digit percentage of the entire installed base of computers while Windows represents over 90%. In addition the security steps taken in Windows VISTA provide an equally secure environment. In particular 64-bit Windows. The new built in Windows firewall and a bit of common sense are all that most people need to exist virus and spyware free. Indeed, you need to exercise the same level of common sense when using a Mac so now what’s the difference?
4. Hundreds of Business applications to choose from? Seriously? This is a selling point? Try TENS OF THOUSANDS of business applications to choose from. Most Mac dorks will immediately offer subjective crap like “Oh an they all suck” as if they’ve used them all.
5. Oh really? Apple helpful? Let’s go visit the Official Apple Forums and read through the litany of problems people are begging for support with and receiving no response from Apple whatsoever on. In fact for most serious problems Apple’s response is usually silence. When the complaints reach a deafening roar, Apple will usually issue a statement saying they’re looking into a problem.
6. Business have huge investments in Windows hardware, software, and expertise. Unless you’re a very, very, very small business, you don’t toss that out over night. To toss out say 20 Windows machines and switch to Mac will cost you just as much as switching to VISTA.
> Free, Fast File Transfer From Apple
That’s a good idea from Apple, and another way Apple is turning Apple Stores into more of a service center rather than just a sales center. “Service” means reasons regular and repeat visits, instead of only when the customer is looking to buy something.
I would never trust my personal and business data to a tech support guy at the local Apple Store. But I suppose a “small business” owner without an IT Department (who is not technically inclined him or herself) would find it to be a worthwhile service.
However, I don’t think it’s TOP 5. How about, lower cost of ownership, instead.
@ok,
This is totally the reason we switched. We bought unlimited license server, put it on a Mac mini and hosted it with Macminicolo. This alone has saved us thousands every year.
In general, it seems to me that the basic Mode of Operation when it comes to new devices and new Operating Systems as of late, has been to release as soon as possible, then gradually fix the bugs. The main difference here is whether or not there is an actual roadmap in place or is it more a situation of looking over your should at your marketmate’s roadmap and using that as a guideline for your own products. Everyone who has been watching the personal computer market since the days of DOS knows the answer to this debate. Sure, when it came time for Apple to ditch it’s legacy OS, it was a matter of bringing the heart of Apple back. Microsoft brought in experts from Digital to do the same for Windows. Now with Snow Leopard on the cliff about to pounce, it seems that Microsoft through the pressure brought on by it’s more of the same, but with a little more fluff, Vista interim OS, the real work is through starting from scratch with minwin and Windows 7. The next two years should be really interesting. Maybe it’s a little too late for Microsoft to start attempting to be innovative while people are already jumping ship.
@ theloniousMac
Nice list of Windows marketing campaign talking points. How much of the $300M are you getting? You’re better than the TV commercials (but that’s not saying much).
I could counterpoint your points, but why bother. Macs and Mac OS X are steadily gaining market share, and the trend (momentum) is in Apple’s favor. That’s all the really matters.
I actually believe Windows Vista is now “good enough” for most people. That’s fine… As long as Apple keeps outpacing the growth (or “negative” growth) of its OS-challenged Microsoft-dependent competition, Apple will continue to be hugely successful.
Mac OS X does not need to have a higher market share than Windows before Apple becomes the #1 PC maker. Apple’s competitors are other hardware makers, not Microsoft. In fact, Microsoft is Apple’s biggest ally, because it makes the OS that no one wants (unless it’s the default choice with a new PC),
@ken1w
My read on Vista is that only about 1/3 of the people that have it actually like it. The others grump about it and use it because…’well, what else can you do?”
Perhaps that means ‘good enough’ in a windows world.
#3 on that list is deceptive. Mac faithfuls might not accept it, but when it comes to security it has been proven Windows Vista is MORE SECURE than OSX, as security tests have proven. In fact, it’s alot easier to hack into an OSX machine than it is into a Vista machine.
Vista is only more secure because you can’t find one to hack. Just like Zune you just don’t see it as companies are not upgrading to it.
@ ken1w
I can refute myself very easily also. That’s pretty much my point. The list in favor of Apple is a bunch of generic, subjective talking points. All it takes to refute them is generic, subjective, talking points.
As far as VISTA, I would bet that most Windows users so far haven’t touched it, but they all *think* there is something wrong with it. I run it in Bootcamp on my MacBook Pro, and MacPro, and on my Alienware laptop and it is by far better than XP.
In my humble opinion, VISTA’s UI is just as if not more attractive than the Mac UI. It just feels more grown up.
You still have all the same old nightmares with drivers and crap. It is nowhere near as elegant as the Mac is underneath the hood and I could explain that very easily, but the list in the article doesn’t come anywhere near explaining these things.
Two things:
Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times.
Don’t feed the trolls. Don’t make it easy on MS. Let them earn their money from the $300Mil.
What happened to number 8?
I’ll take on a couple of theloneousMac’s points. It certainly won’t change his mind since he is obviously a Microsoft fanboi and can’t recognize a good thing when he sees it. But others can think, so…
3. Macs are not plauged because they still represent a single digit percentage of the entire installed base of computers while Windows represents over 90%. In addition the security steps taken in Windows VISTA provide an equally secure environment. In particular 64-bit Windows. The new built in Windows firewall and a bit of common sense are all that most people need to exist virus and spyware free. Indeed, you need to exercise the same level of common sense when using a Mac so now what’s the difference?
Equally secure environment? Hardly. Show us ONE Unix-based Mac infected with a virus. Please, just one. I can show you TWO out of TWO (all that I know of) Windows Vista machines that are now practically unusable due to viruses, spyware, adware, and other malware. One is still down for the count and the other cost its owner $75 for a clean up, and in so doing lost everything they had on their computer. In another year or less they’ll no doubt be paying another $75 for a rerun. Equally secure, indeed.
6. Business have huge investments in Windows hardware, software, and expertise. Unless you’re a very, very, very small business, you don’t toss that out over night. To toss out say 20 Windows machines and switch to Mac will cost you just as much as switching to VISTA.
You have to replace those computers sooner or later, right? To replace them with a computer suitable to run Vista will cost you as much to switch to Mac, like you said. So what’s the point? Point is, your FUTURE cost in maintenance and overall cost of ownership will be lower with Macs, much lower. Just look at many many surveys of cost of ownership of Mac vs Windows. All of them have Macs saving the owner quite a bit over Windows. Tossing those 20 PCs out turns out to be a very good idea.
Not off-topic, but here’s my favorite Vista story. A friend of my fiancee tried & tried to send her a picture (common ole .jpg) via email from her Vista box. It refused to send. As it turned out, Vista would NOT LET HER SEND IT because the picture in question came from some clip-art package she had in her computer. Vista was protecting her from becoming a copyright criminal! Now ain’t that a kick in the head?
Gosh, theloneosMac. I go away to write for a couple of minutes and I come back and you’re wearing a different uniform.
theloniousMac “this is a crappy list. Everything on it is subjective and debatable.”
3. Unlike PCs, Macs Aren’t Plagued By Viruses and Spyware Downloads
#3 is subjective and debatable?
“3. Macs are not plauged because they still represent a single digit percentage of the entire installed base of computers while Windows represents over 90%. In addition the security steps taken in Windows VISTA provide an equally secure environment. In particular 64-bit Windows. The new built in Windows firewall and a bit of common sense are all that most people need to exist virus and spyware free. Indeed, you need to exercise the same level of common sense when using a Mac so now what’s the difference?”
Wow what a weak and pathetic argument.
I just wrote this 5022 character reply to thelonious’s post – and then Internet Explorer here at the office lost it when MDN said I reached the limit. Safari would have saved it for me.
So freaking ridiculous, it makes me laugh out loud….
For starters, theloniousMac, there were viruses out for VISTA while it was still in Beta, with a smaller installed base than Macs by far.
There are over 30 million Macs hooked up to the internet not running anti-virus software. The total number of windows machines that don’t run virus software is nowhere near the 10:1 ratio you are trying to indicate.
The security by obscurity myth has been debunked 5 ways from Sunday.