Is Windows 7 finally halting the Mac migration?

jimbo45 · 25 Apr 2010

Hi there
I supect the current state of most economies might be driving this.

Nobody can deny that Apple Products often embody the sheer essence of "Coolness" but if you are wondering about whether it's "Roast Hind Leg of Dog" for your Sunday Dinner this weekend or something equally "appetising" then - a decent cheap PC or Laptop compared with an incredibly expensive (albeit really "cool looking" macbook pro) would probably end up in your shopping basket even if you wanted the Apple product.

A surprise however for confirmed Apple users and Mac fanboys is usually when they actually load up and run Windows 7 they quite enjoy it in spite of all those previous horror stories they've heard about Windows OS'es in the past.

Cheers
jimbo

pparks1 · 25 Apr 2010

I honestly don't think there was really any mass migration of people from Windows to Apple products. For the people who were moving, they moved because of fundamental differences with the product...and the perhaps untrue assumption that they would no longer have problems with viruses, malware, spyware, etc. I don't think these people are really going to be swung back to the Windows camp with Windows 7. It doesn't solve any of these fundamental issues that they are concerned with.

not so gray matter · 25 Apr 2010

pparks1 said:

I honestly don't think there was really any mass migration of people from Windows to Apple products. For the people who were moving, they moved because of fundamental differences with the product...and the perhaps untrue assumption that they would no longer have problems with viruses, malware, spyware, etc. I don't think these people are really going to be swung back to the Windows camp with Windows 7. It doesn't solve any of these fundamental issues that they are concerned with.

Well, it's not as if you won't have issues with viruses and malware but if install AV and Anti-Malware on your mac just as you would your PC you'll end up having way less to worry about. This is simply because there are so many more viruses written for Windows due to the fact that the vast majority of people use Windows. I agree with the first assumption, that people aren't likely to buy Apple computers at the moment because they are just too expensive compared to a Windows platform with the same hardware.

smarteyeball · 25 Apr 2010

To echo sentiment /statements already mentioned:

Seven has done a lot to redress the image/usability 'issues' that truthful and/or sheer fallacy, went with the tired old virus ridden XP and that nasty Vista image most MAC users heard about.

To that end and with relatively few 'horror' stories and generally favourable perception and reception of Seven - has also done wonders for MS sales and re-adoption.

It will be interesting to see what happens when/if Apple do go with AMD chips in the future. The 'cost' argument may become close to a moot point with apple potentially reducing prices and bridging the gap to it's PC counterparts.

However, as it currently stands cost is undoubtedly a factor for a lot of people.

Article said:

Apple seems to have given up on pushing the Mac like it used to. There hasn’t been a fresh ”I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” ad since Windows 7 was launched. Maybe Apple needs to bring back Justin Long …

There hasn't been a fresh 'Mac vs PC' ad because it was a campaign that not only got old fast, but also backfired somewhat on Apple by people suddenly declaring themselves 'PC'. They inadvertently created a viable 'rival' image.

The lack of substance to those 'Mac vs PC' ads is also testament to the fact that the Apple marketing Machine were already grasping at straws.

pparks1 · 25 Apr 2010

notsograymatter said:

I agree with the first assumption, that people aren't likely to buy Apple computers at the moment because they are just too expensive compared to a Windows platform with the same hardware.

Have you walked past an Apple display at a store like Best Buy or the Apple store itself in the mall? These places are all packed out. Lots of people see the price premium and are convinced it costs more because it's better. The Apple marketing machine has worked wonderfully.

I honestly don't think the majority of the consumers see the hardware as being the same as a PC.

pparks1 · 25 Apr 2010

notsograymatter said:

I agree with the first assumption, that people aren't likely to buy Apple computers at the moment because they are just too expensive compared to a Windows platform with the same hardware.

Have you walked past an Apple display at a store like Best Buy or the Apple store itself in the mall? These places are all packed out. Lots of people see the price premium and are convinced it costs more because it's better. The Apple marketing machine has worked wonderfully. But I don't think of the people in these stores that many are saying, "Well, Windows 7 is much nicer than Vista...so maybe the MAC isn't for me".

I honestly don't think the majority of the consumers see the hardware as being the same as a PC.

HJA · 25 Apr 2010

[QUOTE]Well, it's not as if you won't have issues with viruses and malware but if install AV and Anti-Malware on your mac just as you would your PC you'll end up having way less to worry about. This is simply because there are so many more viruses written for Windows due to the fact that the vast majority of people use Windows. I agree with the first assumption, that people aren't likely to buy Apple computers at the moment because they are just too expensive compared to a Windows platform with the same hardware.[QUOTE]

I looked at Mac's before I built my current system. For the price of a Mac I have something with much better specs and has been pretty smooth. Few problems, nothing major. The speed is amazing and I feel it is more suited to my needs than a Mac would be.

wee · 25 Apr 2010

I have never used Apple products, but a operating system that is set up from the beginning to not be in root is inherently safer then one that isn't. As another post suggests the amount of MS used makes it a target, but it also defaults to a root admin account basically. So if MS really cared they would educate the users on limited accounts, but I suspect this would not fit in their bottom line of making a profit. I do like W7 as far as being able to most root activities from the limited account with the password, I know this can be done in XP, but is a little more limited, never used vista.

Catbodi · 25 Apr 2010

I do not use Apple products I find there computers extremely overpriced for what you actually get. Although I do have an iPod Touch for my Entertainment.