This article by Walter Mossberg, entitled <a href="http://ptech.wsj.com/ptech.html" target="_blank">"Apple Beckons Windows Users, But Doesn't Make Sense for All"</a> is actually a pretty fair-minded piece about the pros and cons of switching over to a Mac.
To summarize some of his cautionary but fair statements:
� Slightly higher prices
� Fewer games available
� Slower processor speed
� Less industry-specific and specialized software available
� Not as easy to access corporate networks
Before going on a flame, btw, he has a lot of very positive things to say as well -- he's a fair guy, and clearly appreciates Apple's work. I'm focusing on the drawbacks side because these are what remain in Apple's path to get people to switch.
OK. So. Higher prices are a given, you get what you pay for. Apple can only reduce it's mark-up so much w/o more sales. And slower processor speed we can only hope is being addressed currently, behind the scenes. Mossberg mentions, btw, that he thinks Macs are plenty fast, while conceding that PCs currently have the edge (as they do).
Fewer games is accurate, though the Mac games market has been booming lately. Never been better -- though if Apple could claim 10 of the top 20 best-selling games that would probably be a good thing. Corporate networks: Apple's working on this, and Jaguar should be better (Mossberg says this). As for specialized software, it's the old chicken-and-the-egg scenario. Apple tries its best to keep the most popular software on the Mac. Specialized software can only cross over if there's demand.
So what else can Apple do?
The answer, I think, is lessening the transition over from Windows to OS X, and that means the famous Apple ease of use -- via software. Currently Apple details how to 'switch' all of your E-mail and programs on their <a href="http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/" target="_blank">Switch page</a>. Which is decent start.
But it's not nearly enough.
What is needed is a CD *from* Apple that runs on Windows. It contains a flashy demo of OS X, sure. But it also has a simple, point-and-click software Assistant (or Wizard, if you like, to make Windows people feel at home) that guides the Windows user through the process of moving E-mail and files, perhaps even includes the software to help burn files onto a blank CD or, if the files are small enough, an Apple-provided iDisk.
So when people say to you "I'm thinking about switching" just smile, and say "it's easy." And hand them an Apple Switch CD.
Does anyone have any other ideas to aid potential switchees?
<small>[ 06-21-2002, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: lookmark ]</small>
Top