Mon, 20 Apr 2009 A Windows guru spends two weeks with a Mac

K said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

Bit of a fail if he doesn't realise there is a two finger tap equivelant for right click, and also configuring function key lock!

Kevin Nagurski said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

I was going to say the same thing. One of the first things I show new Mac users is the two finger tap. And Two finger scrolling always makes them very happy :-)

Paul Reading said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

I bet he plays with his MBA more than any of the other computers he owns.

Xhris2210 said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

Yes he's missed a few tricks, but that's not really surprising. Overall a very fair and balanced review and the proof of the pudding as they say...

I can undestand the lust for the Macbook Air and I too can well imagine it becoming his most oft-used machine. Strange though that he was so impressed by Apple's least powerful machine, especially when placing heavy demands like virtualisation on it and using the 'bargain basement' [you don't get more so than free do you?]. Testament indeed to just how capable the OS is and 'proof' [as if any were needed] that it is by far the superior OS. Just wait until he's had time to experience how reliable it is long term!

Dan Knight said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

One niggle - for the most part, Mac apps don't have an "application window"; they can generally have multiple open windows. For most Windows users, the tough thing to learn is that closing a window doesn't usually quit an application.

Other than that, an excellent comparison.

Nick said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

I would like to mention that all Macs have a "press and hold" option for the single mouse button that brings up the "right button" menu. There is no need to use the Option key.

fahirsch said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

Most applications are installed by just dragging to the applications folder or use an installer

Chris M said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

As a Macbook Air owner I can say that despite its lack of ports it is still a great machine. It copes well with anything i throw at it. It is a beautifully made machine, It was my first real Mac I bought and since then got a Macbook Pro which is a powerhouse and is perfect. I still use my Air a lot as it is so light and portable. I haven;t looked back since.

nads said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

" I haven't looked back since."

Neither have I. Until I go to work that is. Unfortunately I haven't managed to convert IT yet...

Binnie said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

I love my mac's but still go back to Windows for gaming, mac's have a long way to catch up on that side

RobM said on Mon, 20 Apr 2009

"Bit of a fail if he doesn't realise there is a two finger tap equivelant for right click, and also configuring function key lock!"

Bit of a fail on whose part? The writer's for not guessing, or Apple's for not making it more 'discoverable'?

I find interacting with the touchpad of my MBP much more intuitive than that on a Windows machine now, but it isn't that easy to figure out if you've already learned a different method and don't have someone or something to show you the mac's box of tricks.

Stuart said on Tue, 21 Apr 2009

Right clicking on a the new gesture trackpads is as easy as just tapping with two fingers.

RobUK said on Tue, 21 Apr 2009

This article can't be read on my iPhone using the mobile site. It doesn't give the option to view any of the pages other than the first one. Is this true of all muti-page articles?

Hide said on Tue, 21 Apr 2009

Use cmd + H (for Hide) to hide programs instead of minimizing them. Hiding is faster, and also switches focus to the app below.
Note though, that it hides whole applications and not single windows.

Tom said on Tue, 21 Apr 2009

Command-left cursor or Comand-right cursor have the same functionality as End and Home.

Using the option key instead has the same functionality as doing that with control on windows.

Not sure that Windows in much better (I actually spent ages trying to work out what 'Home' meant on my work keyboard) - but Macs have always had loads of 'secret' key combinations for us 'experts' (everyone else, I assume was supposed to use the mouse).

GDS said on Wed, 22 Apr 2009

Ok! No more comments please about 2 fingers = right click...

It's a good, fair, open and honest article.

One incredibly useful part of Tiger & Leopard is spotlight. But as he's finally been swayed to the light side he'll soon enough discover it and go on to shout out about it. Light years ahead of Windows/Google Desktop Search.

Windows built-in network map is pretty but not incredibly useful. Any old school network admins remember Visio before MS bought them?

GDS said on Wed, 22 Apr 2009

As for converting people over to Macs it's got a load harder with all the price increases (what happened to the 'specs go up every refresh and prices stay or go down'?). And NO it has nothing to do with the exchange rate, increases happened in the US too and don't forget to take off VAT before comparing!

My concern is that when we see the Mac NetBook we'll be saying goodbye to the white MacBook which is just about still in the reach of most people. As for the Mac Pro being the only real user upgradable desktop (Mac Pro Mini, anyone?) which is out of reach for all but most people and small businesses Apple will have to cut their margins sooner or later or their market share will erode severely.

Phil Cox said on Thu, 23 Apr 2009

I'm a PC expert too, run my own PC Support Business and have had PCs since 8086 days. I now have two macs and will not buy another PC unless I have to. Macs are great and the higher price is worth it for the reliability it brings compared to PCs which always corrupt in 3-5 years (sooner with Vista). Go Mac, I'm a fan, I just use PCs for work, and I now use a macbook to run Windows Virtual Machines so no more PCs. Sorry Bill, they're just better all round.

Andy Rawlins said on Fri, 01 May 2009

Also, I find that my Windows Pcs discover and browse my Macs much quicker snd more reliably than the Macs browse the Pcs. Also, Windows Explorer is far better (in my view) than the rather basic Finder. Also the software - Office is far better than iWork, Windows Live Photogallery far better than iPhoto etc.

What I do like about my Macs is, firstly, their reliability and stability and second that is is very simple and enjoyable to do everyday things on them - web, email etc.

Windows is far more powerful and adaptable but lacks stability. Windows 7 may change that.

Its largely personal preference in my view.

Andy Rawlins said on Fri, 01 May 2009

The first half of my comments above got truncated. It should start...

I use PCs at work (I'm in IT) and Macs and Pcs at home. I love my MBP and but wouldn't do without my PC.

What surprised me about the article - written by a long time Windows user - was that many of the things the writer liked about Macs are available and just as easy on a PC - system information, quick launch, printers, networking etc......

I also have the opposite experience on some things - for example I find that my Windows Pcs discover and browse my Macs much quicker