Friday Blog Question: Windows vs. Apple. Again?

Microsoft is now promoting Windows 7 as their next operating system. They’re doing this primarily because their last operating system, Vista, is less popular than the Mafia, death, or the last Adam Sandler movie.

If you use Windows XP or Vista now, are you going to switch to this next OS? Or will you switch over to Apple’s Mac OS X?

If you already own and use a Mac, would you care to gloat some more?

I don’t feel the need to gloat anymore.  You’ve suffered enough.

Joseph Jaramillo

If I had a home I could mortgage, I'd totally get a Mac.

In the meantime, however, I'm looking forward to seeing if Android does make for a good laptop OS - with Google Docs saving everything online, and Wi-fi being roughly everywhere, they could make a quality computer that is, for once, cheap. (For those of us who aren't John D. Rockefeller.)

Eric Reid

Once you go apple – you never go back to PC.  They are just easier – even my parents, who have had PCs forever, recently switch to MAC.  And my grandparents got a new computer that had Vista and returned it and bought an older used computer that did not have Vista on it due to their hatred of the system.  They can call it whatever name they want, the stigma of Vista will live on for many years to come.

Debby Hrach

You need to look at the history. Every other operating system from Windows works well. With the failed Vista, the next one will work. When Windows MX sucked the crap, then came XP, before that there was Windows 95 followed by Windows 97.

I am sticking to PC (for now) because I don’t want to wait an extra 6 months for software to get ported to Mac. And I like being able to break open my own computer to make my own updates without fearing a lawsuit from a fruit company.

Mac is gaining ground, but until the price drops and the software standard is no longer PC, I will continue to curse Bill Gates as opposed to cursing Steve Jobs.

Brian Alig

Honestly, Vista is stable now, and very usable. Where they screwed up is in making it bloated so that it does not run on well on most computers that were not produced within the last couple years, as well as the whole “Vista Capable”  fiasco. These things created a massive negative halo effect on the OS in it’s early days. Personally, I use both, I have a Vista computer that I use at home on occasion and a Mac Laptop that I use for work and most things out of preference for the UI. Besides the UI, I would like to see a Windows OS that is less bloated with apps that I will not use and made to be less annoying, but these things are not deal breakers for most consumers. 

Microsoft’s new promotion of Windows 7 is not unusual. This is what happens with all Operating Systems and applications when a new release is imminent. By all signs and what I have used of the new OS it is ready for primetime and will most likely be released in time for next Christmas at the latest. Microsoft screwed this up on Vista, by starting to market and then letting the release date slip for years, which is creating the perception that they have abandoned Vista. I would not expect them to make the same mistake twice.

With all of that said, I like my Mac, but I also think that Windows has its place in the world.

Justin Wilson

Where do I start? I am a recovering Windows operating system victim. After happily transitioning our home computers from Windows to Apple, I sealed the deal this Christmas with an iPhone. There is not enough time for me to gloat about the efficiencies, intelligence and downright goodness of Apple products. My only regret is not switching sooner.

Funny New Year’s story:  A friend of mine was in charge of music for a New Year’s party because of his extensive music collection. 2008 is a leap year and he owns a Zune. Need I say more? The party music was ultimately supplied by Cox digital cable. Contrary to the Microsoft’s declaration that “All Zunes are working as of New Year’s Day.”, my friend’s Zune is still not functional.

Judi Merrick

I’ve got Windows on my home computer and see no reason to upgrade right now.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Chris Sietsema

About the Author: Eric Reid

I am the Social Media Services Manager for Off Madison Ave. I've been with the company since 2006, when I was hired to do SEO, and link building in particular. When social networking sites started cropping up, at first I started using them to create backlinks - but they weren't the best for that, given all of the "nofollow" attributes. However, I did see the potential for all of the direct referral traffic they represent. Since then I've been actively pursuing both tactics for clients: Links that can help them for search, and social postings that get them involved in the conversation. It's about the coolest job you could ever get. ;)

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