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Gamoe · Jan 10, 2005, 02:12 AM

So, how do I explain to my friend why the Mac is a better choice for her. She's used computers before, but posses little understanding about computers. She did not know what an operating system is, she didn't know what "Windows" is (which surprised me) or what a Mac is. I tried explaining them. She now wants a computer for herself, mostly so she can type things and access the Internet.

Considering how little she understands about computers, it has been very difficult for me to explain to her why a Mac is a better choice. Her argument always comes down to: I just want it for this and that. Why would I pay more if the cheaper $400 [Windoze machine] one can do the same?

And, I have a very tough time answering that, really. I tell her that using a Mac is a better, more pleasant and grander experience, and that it will last longer (though that's another complaint: why buy something more expensive when it'll be outdated in five years, and why does it get outdated?), and that it has a superior design. But somehow this does not seem like enough to convince her. I told her that she will experience less problems with a Mac, such as crashing, and virtually no malicious code problems, but then she mentions programs she's heard about from her friends which are Windows only.

Anyway, I suppose my question is as follows: How do I make a good case for going Mac to her when she is not knowledgeable in computers, has only basic computing needs and is looking more at price tags now?

Randman · Jan 10, 2005, 02:21 AM

Plenty of solid choices in affordable price ranges now. Maybe even moreso after tomorrow's announcement.
Basically, I'd push the fact that Macs have less problems, in general, than peecees. No need for virus protection or spyware. Pop-ups can be blocked, the ease of use with the iPod, etc.

Drakino · Jan 10, 2005, 02:31 AM

Go to your local PC shop and ask how much they charge for spyware removal. Ask them how often they end up reloading a box due to such problems. Then ask them how much they charge normally to back up data before doing such a restore.

Then present her with the cost of maintaining a PC, and explain that cost is mostly due to malware and rarley due to actual hardware failure. Add that to the $400 price of the PC, and she may think more about a Mac. Explain that such malware does not exist on the Mac, and even of the platform does get targeted, it will have a much harder time of doing serious damage.

Sure, software exists on the PC to clean it all up, but not one product fixes it all. And sadly some do more damage then good. The Microsoft Spyware tool frequently recommends zapping winsock.dll, but doesn't offer to restore the file from the XP cd. When that file is zapped, all internet and network traffic stops. Reason it zaps it? Spyware replaces it frequently with modified versions to do nasty things when an internet connection is active.

demograph68 · Jan 10, 2005, 02:32 AM

Originally posted by Gabriel Morales:
mostly so she can type things and access the Internet.

She won't have worry about viruses and spyware, that's a plus.

she mentions programs she's heard about from her friends which are Windows only.

Like what?

Gamoe · Jan 10, 2005, 02:40 AM

Originally posted by demograph68:
She won't have worry about viruses and spyware, that's a plus.

Like what?

She's studing for nursing, and she mentioned some medical software they're studing/using in class (MedSoft?... Not sure).

demograph68 · Jan 10, 2005, 02:46 AM

Originally posted by Gabriel Morales:
She's studing for nursing, and she mentioned some medical software they're studing/using in class (MedSoft?... Not sure).

Huh... well, she could use Virtual PC, though that would probably be redundant. I guess a mac can't fit everyones needs then... Bummer.

CharlesS · Jan 10, 2005, 02:53 AM

Ask us again on Tuesday. If the rumors are true (which they may be, or maybe not), there may be a new, much cheaper Mac available soon which will compete better with that $400 PC she's looking at.

Of course, the rumors could be false, in which case, move along...

Randman · Jan 10, 2005, 02:55 AM

Take her to go look at a Mac in a person. An iBook or possibly the new headliness iMac are pretty compelling in person.

Big Mac · Jan 10, 2005, 03:08 AM

One problem is that people who don't actually understand computers are impressed by the sheer immensity of the super-store PC software aisles, and they quickly realize that Macs don't run 95% of the software available. The thing that they don't understand is that they really won't be purchasing that much software, and they will usually be using a core set of four or five applications (one being a web browser, of course). The problem is, until they know more about computing, they won't grasp that fact. They will dislike the idea that their computer won't have access to that wider world of software, and adding the Mac price premium into the equation makes matters even worse.

If your friend isn't very receptive to the Mac, it may not be worth it to twist her arm - even though you're doing it for her own good. She just wants an entry-level PC, one of those craptastic $499 Dell/HP/Gateway TV bundles. The cost to Mac-ify her may be too high - to you and to her. For whenever she has a user issue or a problem, it will be you playing tech support rep. She believes she will be happier with a PC, and we all know that preconceived notions can be highly influential. Sorry to be a downer here, but sometimes a PC is the more appropriate, albeit inferior choice. I do agree with a previous poster who recommended delaying purchase until the keynote, however.

TheIceMan · Jan 10, 2005, 05:43 AM

Big Mac: Very well said. She wants a PC, don't convince her and then end up playing tech-support or be blamed if things don't work out the way she wants.

Randman · Jan 10, 2005, 05:49 AM

Actually sounds like she wants a COMPUTER and doesn't know the difference between the two platforms so she leans toward the majority, right or wrong.

Jens Peter · Jan 10, 2005, 05:59 AM

If she uses software at school that are Windows only, I'd say it would be stupid to get her a mac.
Then she had to learn how the mac works, and also what VirtualPC is and how windows works. Imagine all those questions...

If she only need to use her new machine to browse the web, email, word-processing etc. then a mac would be just fine.

Sometimes a Windows machine is the best choise.

roberto blanco · Jan 10, 2005, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by Jens Peter:
If she uses software at school that are Windows only, I'd say it would be stupid to get her a mac.

i have to agree. usually people who require a special kind of software are bummed, when they find out their machine can't run whatever they need.

i'd check though, wether the software isn't available for the mac as well. if it is, there is really no reason to go for a pc anymore, imo.

ManOfSteal · Jan 10, 2005, 07:10 AM

Show her:

http://www.sarc.com

Enough said.

Let us know what Mac she ended up getting.

voodoo · Jan 10, 2005, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Big Mac:
One problem is that people who don't actually understand computers are impressed by the sheer immensity of the super-store PC software aisles, and they quickly realize that Macs don't run 95% of the software available. The thing that they don't understand is that they really won't be purchasing that much software, and they will usually be using a core set of four or five applications (one being a web browser, of course). The problem is, until they know more about computing, they won't grasp that fact. They will dislike the idea that their computer won't have access to that wider world of software, and adding the Mac price premium into the equation makes matters even worse.

If your friend isn't very receptive to the Mac, it may not be worth it to twist her arm - even though you're doing it for her own good. She just wants an entry-level PC, one of those craptastic $499 Dell/HP/Gateway TV bundles. The cost to Mac-ify her may be too high - to you and to her. For whenever she has a user issue or a problem, it will be you playing tech support rep. She believes she will be happier with a PC, and we all know that preconceived notions can be highly influential. Sorry to be a downer here, but sometimes a PC is the more appropriate, albeit inferior choice. I do agree with a previous poster who recommended delaying purchase until the keynote, however.

Very good points as usual Big Mac. Buying a Mac isn't as natural to all people like it may be to us, especially those who are novice regarding computers. That's the big irony of course - since Macs are so incredibly much better to have if you are a computer novice. Heh.

This girls sees a need for her own computer but she doesn't discern any need to make it a Mac rather than anything else. Just 'a computer' that can run the Med software she needs and surf the Web etc. An el cheapo PeeCee fits (on paper) exactly into that mold. What she doesn't realize is that there is a different experience between the Mac and the PeeCee. This is something that manifests itself in a feeling of elegance with the Mac, simple ways to do powerful things, user-friendliness, no computer-viruses, extremely powerful networking abilities and stability you come to expect and admire. OS X is rediculously stable.

This is in contrast with the PeeCee where a certain amount of time and frustration involves seemingly random errors, viruses and spyware. The hardware usually isn't the weak side of the PeeCees, it is the OS. Windows namely. This is basically a choice between the stable, rather isolated, powerful and user-friendly world of Apple Macinstosh and the unpredictable, rather unstable, virus-prone, confusing but compatible and standard world of Windows. You'll pay more for the Apple intitally but you'll spend more time wondering why your PeeCee doesn't really work as it should. Time or money I suppose.

Then again it may not even come to this choice if the software is a crucial one and can't be run on the Mac or doesn't have a Mac compatible app which is a shame but not that unlikely. Specialized apps rarely come on many platforms.

Finally, doing tech support for her is a fine, if an extremely nerdy way

to get to ah know a girl.

willed · Jan 10, 2005, 09:47 AM

Maybe she'd be better off with a PC?

mitchell_pgh · Jan 10, 2005, 10:04 AM

Don't try to force a Mac down her throat. I've tried in the past and it just doesn't work... no matter how logical it seems.

Some people are perfectly happy with a $400 computer. They are happy knowing that they got a "great deal" on their system and that the "cheap" Mac costs twice as much. Some people don't mind the headaches of Windows. They are content in running the "most popular" OS.

I, on the other hand, enjoy a computer that permits me to be more productive. I feel the GUI is much more intuitive and user friendly. I have also found Mac users more then happy to assist with problems. That compounded with the fact that I have VERY few problems with my computer seals the deal for me.

mitchell_pgh · Jan 10, 2005, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by voodoo:
The hardware usually isn't the weak side of the PeeCees, it is the OS. Windows namely. This is basically a choice between the stable, rather isolated, powerful and user-friendly world of Apple Macinstosh and the unpredictable, rather unstable, virus-prone, confusing but compatible and standard world of Windows.

But when you do have a hardware issue with a PeeCee... good luck trying to figure out if it's hardware or software related.

Big Mac · 11:20 AM

Originally posted by voodoo:
Very good points as usual Big Mac.

Thank you so much for the compliment, voodoo; right back at you. Your post was actually stronger than mine, I believe. I thought in passing along the same lines concerning playing tech support representative to the OP's friend. Yet, my original assessment was that such a strategy could end up backfiring - she may end up holding him in the same low esteem that most people hold real tech support reps in.

It is certainly true that most any person new to computers would be better served by the Mac. Unfortunately, although the OP's friend does not know much about computers, she has already been swayed toward PCs. Perhaps getting her in front of a Mac would change her mind, although she probably wouldn't appreciate the Mac's superiority after only cursory usage. The security angle is obviously a potent weapon. Let's just hope she makes the best choice. There's always the possibility that she will fall in love with something that SJ introduces tomorrow.