Now is the time

Given yesterday's Apple media event, I think it's high time for me to talk about why anyone buying a new computer should buy a Mac. Yesterday, Apple announced brand new iMacs with built-in high quality webcams for videoconferencing and integrated media center software with a remote control, a new iPod that does video AND is 30% thinner with 50% more capacity and a larger screen, and a new version of iTunes that lets you buy music videos and TV shows (I wonder where this is going). While some people may yawn at this, I think the excitement should come from where all this might lead. It could lead to a whole new experience for home entertainment. I think that is plenty exciting.

Before getting started, I have to mention how strange the landscape becomes when discussing PC and Mac. The world morphs to become Dali-esque and rational thought leaves the room. It's quite fascinating to me because I've always thought that you could reason with smart people. But not so, when it comes to computers. Even my most knowledgable computer geek friends use irrational arguments when defending their choice to stick with PCs and Windows. I do realize at some point, there is the matter of personal preference. But how can you have a preference when you haven't tried the competition? It's like saying, "I prefer vanilla ice cream, and I will only eat vanilla ice cream." when you haven't tried any other flavors.

To be fair, I have to acknowledge that Mac users are often considered cultish and also defend their platform with emotion rather than reason. However, consider that I became a Mac user only 2 years ago. I hated Macs up until the current generation of hardware and software. I think Macs have finally made a turnaround since Steve Jobs returned to the helm.

So without further delay, reasons why a Mac makes sense®:

• NO VIRUSES. NO SPYWARE. NO ADWARE. That's right. Zippo. Is it impossible? Any scientist will tell you there is scant little that is impossible. But as of right now, 0.00000000 viruses, spyware, adware. It just simply doesn't exist. The bad guys for Windows won't work on Macs, so rest assured. In general, the Mac system is more secure. It's much harder for bad software to install itself. In fact, the Mac will ask you before anything tries to install itself if it's OK. Nothing can install itself without your go-ahead. Don't believe me? Here's a programmer's opinion.


• Not as expensive as you think. Everyone thinks Macs are too expensive. Sure, you can't get a Mac for $300 like you can get a PC sometimes at Wal-mart. But that PC is crap and you know it. Plus, no monitor. You can get a good Mac for $499 now, in the Mac mini. Not only do you get a decent computer, but it looks good and doesn't take up a ton of space. iMacs now come with more memory, more hard drive space, built-in DVD burners, the works. Starting at $1299. You take any Dell and match specs, I guarantee the Mac will not be more expensive, and if so, not by much. Macs last longer. It's true - with a PC, you usually feel the need to upgrade every 2-3 years. Macs? You could probably use it for 5+ years without feeling like you were behind the times. That, plus less effort it takes to keep your Mac going probably saves you money.


• Macs are just as powerful as PCs. Yes, they are. Gone are the days when you felt like you were working on a kid's computer. New Macs are fast. And they are getting faster - Apple is moving toward the next gen of Intel processors which should allow four and more processors per system and faster processors in notebooks.


• There are tons of software titles. There is nothing you can do on a PC that you can't do on a Mac. Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Quark, Dreamweaver, it's all there. True, it will be harder to pirate stuff since Mac users pirate much less. And true, popular games take a little longer to make it to Mac. But they get there. I know the ones you want. Command & Conquer, World of Warcraft. No Problem.


• Best-in-class software Don't forget the software that is Mac-only and is best-in-class. How about iLife? Free with every Mac, it includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand etc. All considered the best for what they do. You can make some pretty amazing movies with iMovie. And it's easy. More best-in-class software includes Final Cut (video editing), Motion (effects) among other pro applications.


• Most software you need is free. You might pay for a few of the software packages that you use, notable, Microsoft Office. But there are lots of free alternatives out there. Just a download away. If you have the gumption, you can write simple applications for yourself in AppleScript, or even code using included development tools. But I've rarely had to, everything that you can think of is available for download.


• New hardware and software is easy to install (and uninstall). Installing new hardware is as easy as plugging it in. Usually that's it. It just starts working. Almost all modern add-ons work with Macs. Installing software? Just as easy. Just click install, and it's done. Uninstall? Drag the application to the trash. No messy uninstallation. No hidden registry keys. No hidden directories.


• Secure out of the box. The Mac operating system is built on a variant of Unix, widely known to be the most difficult type of OS to hack into. That's because the code is open-source, which means over the last 30-40 years, millions of eyes have looked through the code, plugging holes (are there no holes? of course not. but there are very few bad ones like the ones Windows tries to patch each week). For this reason alone, I would expect my computer geek friends to flock to it. But somehow, the fact that it is built on the most secure and bug-free platform is not a consideration. Upon hearing how great Linux and Unix were I always thought that it would be great if there was a great graphical interface to go with them. You know, a good interface like Windows. Guess what? That's Mac.


• Cool features you can't live without Remember TiVo? Remember how you were like "what's that? I don't need it" but then you tried it - and now you can't live without it. That's how the Mac is. I can't even enumerate all the cool features, but you can look for yourself. Side note: the features that are available now on Mac are the ones that Microsoft is trying to copy and get into their new "Windows Vista" by 2008.

I could go on, but I think you are all tired of this by now (thanks, if you're still reading). In general, Macs = easier, cooler, smaller, just as compatible and powerful, last longer, just as affordable, and gives you some useful functionality that you will not have a chance of getting on PCs until 2008. I just don't get why people wouldn't give it a shot.

Some further reading:
In-depth comparison of Mac OS X and Windows XP

Another comparison by NYT's tech columnist

WSJ's tech columnist recommends Mac to people shopping for new computers