Windows 7 - Apple Macs...

I just don't get it. I really don't. My dad has just bought a brand new iMac 21 inch with Apple's latest OS - Snow Leopard. And while it admittedly looks the business; it's sleek, smooth and refined and takes up little space on the desktop (unlike my big tower) - I just cannot get on with the Apple operating system.

And the thing is everyone keeps telling me that Apple systems are so much easier to use! Someone explain it to me please!

I am giving this Apple Mac thing a go. I realise to some extent I’m conditioned to Windows but I am approaching it with an open mind!

Here are my complaints about Leopard compared with Windows 7 so far. I'm not a computer professional, I realise that Apple computers do have certain advantages in specific fields but I'm writing this as a regular user.

Having to drag and drop all the time.

As if this is easier than using the 'right click' options that a Windows system gives you. And before you say 'But you can right click on an Apple system - you just don't realise it!'. It is clear that Apple's obsession with taking a minimalist approach means that they clearly don't want users to use the right click option. Not only is it not even enabled by default but there are so little options available anyway. It's a pain in the ass to drag and drop when I can simply 'send to desktop' or 'create a new Word document' by right clicking.

The Dock.

Maybe it's just a case of getting used it but I find the damn thing frustrating. While it's nice to have a desktop free from cluttering icons it looks ugly and awkward sitting of the screen. Again you can set it to 'auto hide' so it only appears when you mouse over it but this is a pain as I like to see what applications are running and switch between them without searching through all the icons in the dock that I'm not currently using are having them all crammed to one side. In my opinion the taskbar or 'superbar' in Windows is much easier to use and looks better to boot!

Left behind?

A lot of the applications I use like Fire Fox and Skype seem out dated on the Mac. FireFox for example looks more like a Windows build from a few years ago! Many of the features aren't available and there aren't even bookmark icons like you get on a Windows machine. Is this a 'look' they've deliberately chosen? I know Safari doesn't have those icons but why haven't the developers at Mozilla used them in FireFox for Mac? Again yes, I know that you can still get the icons using an add-on but why should I have to bother? They are just there already on my PC.

Too much grey.

All that brushed aluminium looks cold and sterile and not warm and inviting like the Windows Aero thing.

Anyway, just a little rant. Anyone love Apple Macs? What am I missing out on using Windows 7 instead of OS X? Anyone got any suggestions or fixes for the things I’ve mentioned? Am I being an ‘Apple Mac Newb’? What’s better about an Apple Mac? (please don’t bring up the whole virus thing! – I’ve never spent money on anti-virus software only used free stuff and never had a single virus on my computer)! And there ARE viruses out there which effect Apple Macs too!

Anyway – ‘flame me’ or agree with me as you will.


Sparky

One suggestion on how to improve things is set up a dual boot with windows 7

Mac OS X is only Linux plus a designer badge... and a price tag to match... LOL...

Dont you mean UNIX?

Err, yup, it's very late where I am and I am engrossed in a movie...

I don't know what all the fuss is about either. I guess some people actually believe that you always get what you pay for :P

and pay for, and pay for, and pay for ....

And if you smoke, your Mac warranty is null and void...

How long have you used it? I mean OS X, I felt that way when i first tried it. I still don't use it often, I guess I could say I bought the laptop for its looks and firmness. Anyways you could see http://www.youtube.com/user/SoldierKnowsBest. He shows you some cool things to do and use, if you let it get into you. So there is more of a option for things.

I like it mostly because of its iphoto (avg person such as yourself) is way better then windows photo er thing. and garage band. I like the stacks also, but i still go into windows 7 now. I hate not being able to maximize at times. It just takes time to get used if your coming from a different side. like manual transmission (windows) auto trans (mac). One just has more options like you said. (no offense to everyone who drives a auto trans*)

My perfect computer - a Mac Case, all cool and white looking, windows hardware, windows 7 OS ... We have Mac's at school, impossible to program in, and really annoying to use, i just hate that the (close)(minimize)(exit) buttons are alllllllll the way to the left... instead of the right. I mean really? Theres a certain point at which being "different" simply becomes annoying...