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Dave Murphy, a university teacher and the founder of ITrain.org, shares his observations on our culture.
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I was an avid fan of PCs for 25 years. I was an ardent supporter of Microsoft Windows, even during the dark Me years. However, when Vista came to my desk last fall, I lost my passion for PCs. I bought one of the most capable notebooks available, spending ten times more than I did for my the eight-person 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 that I drove while I was in college. Yet, Vista ruined this fine piece of computing hardware. Yet, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and for the last two weeks, I have been in computing heaven.
I was on spring break with my family; we were sharing space at my wife’s sister’s beach house. On the fourth day of the vacation, while I was preparing discussion questions for my online classes, my Sony Vaio, running Windows Vista Business Edition, crashed for the umpteenth time. This time it was serious, requiring me to restore the entire system partition from a backup image.
After a few minutes of grumbling, I got to work recreating the partition and hoping that the master boot record was not corrupted, as that would complicate my restoration efforts. My wife, a computer engineer, overheard my under-the-breath comments and suggested that I finally give up on Vista, as it seemed to require more time to maintain that to productively use. She suggested that I call Apple and order a MacBook; she was sure that they could deliver it within a day to the beach house, and I would lose only one day’s work. Every man needs a woman as supportive as my wife is to me!
Using our youngest daughter’s notebook, I visted Apple’s website and evaluated the current line of MacBook notebook computers. I narrowed my options down to three models, and I called the Apple sales line. Sure enough, in less than 10 minutes and dozens of specific technical questions, I was confident that a MacBook would meet all of my needs. The Apple salesperson offered to deliver the computer to our vacation spot within 24 hours for as many dollars. I promised to call back, after talking to my wife.
After talking to Peg, I decided to drive two hours to the nearest Apple store to touch the machine that I had selected, just to be sure it was exactly what I was expecting. I grabbed our oldest daughter, who, as a teenager, loves road trips, and we struck off.
The Apple Genius with whom we spoke at the Apple store was patient and friendly. For an hour, I peppered him with questions and comments about each MacBook model. He remained calm and actually seemed to enjoy helping me. Finally, he said, “You seem to be very particular about your computers.” My daughter nearly passed out from laughing. I have been called many things, but particular is the most polite of them all.
My daughter suggested that I would be most happy with the MacBook Pro, as it had a separate video card and the keyboard was most comfortable for me. I agreed with her evaluation, and we bought the computer, an extra power adapter, a case, and a copy of Microsoft Office. Even though the Apple Genius promised that I would not need Office, I thought it would be a safe bet, as I need to be fully compatible with my student’s documents.
While ringing up our purchase, I noticed that the Apple Genius granted me over $200 in educator discounts. Everything about Apple, from the employees, to the store, to the computer, has been a pleasure. I love great customer service, and I feel right at home with everything Apple.
Today, it has been two weeks since my Vista computer last crashed. I don’t care; I am in heaven with my MacBook Pro. I have been more productive on this machine than I ever was on a DOS or Windows machine. The system automatically backs itself up to my Time Machine drive, and my data is automatically backed up to Amazon’s S3 servers, using JungleDisk.
I cannot imagine ever buying another Windows notebook.
Responses to “Finding Digital Heaven – A Windows User Switches to a Mac”
March 31st, 2008 at 1457
Welcome to Macintosh. I had much the same experience back in 1989 and have never looked back. 
March 31st, 2008 at 1615
Now if he can discover all of the little tricks we have come to know so well, like using Quicksilver to launch programs in two or three key stokes, and all of the gems like “Menu Meters” to be able to see how effortless your dual processors are working, I think this man will be hooked for life. Don’t forget the much needed little gem for iWeb 2.0 http://mistergregg.com/cocoadrillosoftware/iWebSites/
The little application that let’s you switch between your websites before you launch iWeb. Someday Apple will fix this…
Apple rocks, and still we are virus free and screaming along at 64 bits!
Craig
Springfield, MO/Sacramento, CA
March 31st, 2008 at 1633
Dave:
I’ve been an enthusiastic Mac user since 1994, so when friends ask me purchase advice, my first sentence requires me to state my OS bias. Those who have chosen to take me up on my advice have never looked back. I fancy myself a tinkerer, so it seems paradoxical to some people that my computer of choice does not reflect a strong desire to fully understand its arcane inner workings. When asked, I state simply “I don’t have to understand how to make a hammer to use a hammer”. My computer is a tool that allows them to do other things; having to constantly maintain the tool itself sucks the joy out of using it. I’m sure you feel like several former Windows users feel. The marginal amount of pleasure/pride you felt being able to “master” your Wintel box pales in comparison to the joy you feel using a truly productivity focused machine. Welcome!
March 31st, 2008 at 1633
Welcome to the world of Mac. The best thing about the Mac is the ability to run many types of OS. Since I have to work on occasion in Windows, Parallels is the best thing to have dual OS running at the same time. One computer to run them all is what I say.
March 31st, 2008 at 1633
I can totally relate to the experience you talked about and I to have left the Windows world behind and have never regretted it one bit.
March 31st, 2008 at 1643
Nice story, Dave. What took you so long? 
Welcome to the bright side…
check out the Mac websites… we have a great forum over at MacMinute.com/cafe.
Regards,
David (DLC)
March 31st, 2008 at 1654
welcome to the mac world. i’ve been a mac guy since 1985, and if you think the ME days were dark…
enjoy your new found bliss. remember you may encounter occasional glitches, nothing is perfect. but as someone who is also particular about his machines, you will truly enjoy digging into the mac system. there is a logic, and symmetry to the the mac world that is sorely missing on the other side.
March 31st, 2008 at 1702
Welcome to the revolution (the computer revolution that is. ) I have been using PCs (at work supported by IT) and Macs (on the road, supported by ME. ) And since ME has less technical computer knowledge than IT, the Macs have been a welcome tool.
I totally agree with your comments about Apple support people too.
Enjoy. (and take some time to try some of the fun stuff like the camera software, putting yourself in Paris on iChat while you video chat, etc)
en
March 31st, 2008 at 1704
Haha ! Welcome to the Apple World, and yes Mac OS X is a very productive system !
March 31st, 2008 at 1704
Dave,
You now know why so many Mac developers like me have doggedly continued working on our Mac software in the face of everyone and his dog telling us to write for Windows instead.
It’s just plain fun and even a one-man show like me can write decent software for the Mac.
Dan
March 31st, 2008 at 1705
Congratulations Dave! Welcome to the wonderful world of Apple. I used to work at a local Apple Retail store and can verify your claim that it is one of the most wonderful places to visit (and work). Every person I worked with were passionate about their Macs, loved answering peoples questions, and were all extremely knowledgable. Glad you had such a wonderful experience!
March 31st, 2008 at 1710
You did the right thing. I am forced to use a Windows XP machine at work, while at home I revel in the delights of my MacBook Pro with Leopard. The Windows machine feels like I am using one of those old style telephones with the dials, whereas with the Mac I am using the best and most stable technology that just works. The Mac isn’t perfect, but it is significantly more perfect than the PC with windows. The biggest problem I have with the Mac is stopping others in my household from borrowing it!
March 31st, 2008 at 1723
Welcome to the other side. I, like yourself, had been a long time PC user but the experience of running Vista on my home machine and general dissatisfaction with Windows and Microsoft in general led to completely re-evaluate what it was I wanted out of my personal computing equipment.
I’m long past the point now where I tinker with things endlessly to find out how they work, I just want it to work when I need it. I’ve been using a MacBook Pro since October 2007 and it’s been a revelation for me personally. It’s made Apple a fortune as well, because since buying the MacBook I’ve also purchased an Airport Extreme, 500GB Time Capsule, Aperture, iWorks, a couple of external drives for Time Machine (while I’m out and about) and a few of other third party applications to boot.
I’ve found that I’ve become so much more productive with my photographic hobby as a result of switching to the Mac, on top of that I’ve had time to create my own personal website which doesn’t look like it was created by a child.
I’m so damn happy with m MacBook Pro that I’m hoping to replace the Windows PC with a top of the range iMac in a couple of months time as well.
As many have said already, welcome to the fold and it’s great to hear that you’re enjoying your time with the Mac.
March 31st, 2008 at 1728
Congratulations! May the joy never wear off… although it of course will will diminish a bit to a mild, ongoing calm as you work through your tasks.
A couple of quick tips — some of which you may already know — to kick your productivity into high gear:
1) The Dock is highly configurable, both in its display preferences AND content. You can drag any file, folder or even a disk to the (right side) of the Dock for easy, universal access (applications can be placed on the left side of the Dock). Like the Windows Taskbar and Start menu, the Dock is always available no matter what window clutter you may be facing. The Dock can be hidden, popping up when needed by firing the cursor to the Dock’s position.
2) Expose is a fantastic window management technique and is deeper than meets the eye. You can invoke the three Expose modes using Function keys, dead corners of the display (handy if you just use the laptop’s trackpad), or use multi buttons on a mouse. A valuable, undocumented feature of Expose is that you can DRAG-AND-DROP between windows or off the Desktop. This is a fast, intuitive way to grab text, images or documents to be placed into other documents or folders. In fact, if you use a multi-button mouse to trigger Expose, you can immediately TURN OFF Expose once you’re hovering some item you grabbed to drop in that exposed Window. So, grab with mouse, expose all windows with other mouse button, hover over your exposed destination window, hit that same secondary mouse button to deactivate Expose, the desired window pops up immediately and you drop your items in. WICKED-FAST!
3) Mac OS X Leopard’s “Quicklook” feature. The fact that you can preview files — even some non-Apple ones like multipage Office documents — by simply hitting the spacebar in the Finder makes the act of perusing files fast and dare I say a joy.
You already are using Time Machine. ‘Nuff said.
Hope these help.
Oh, one more little helper: if you have several windows open in an application or Finder windows open, if you hold the Option key while closing ONE window then ALL windows of that application will close at once. Handy to get out of a busy, just-completed Finder process or something.
And then, there’s system-wide spell checking (key: shift+Command+ the ; key) and system-wide dictionary (place cursor over word and key: Control+Command+D (the Command key is the one with the Apple and “cloverleaf” icons, ether side of the spacebar).
Enjoy!
March 31st, 2008 at 1731
A poster mentioned Quicksilver. While it is indeed worthy of checking out, you can also launch applications — and find just about anything — using OS X’s Spotlight. Key Command-spacebar, type the first few letters and the app should appear in he list very quickly.
March 31st, 2008 at 1746
Just a couple of suggestions:
1) Although I don’t suggest it for towers, I urge you to consider getting AppleCare for your laptop. Moving them around and the ultraminiaturization of components is likely to cause problems for any laptop. If something goes wrong with your screen it could cost half the price or more of the laptop to replace it once it’s out of warrantee.
2) If you open lots of applications, you may find that your computer isn’t as fast as you’d like. Add more RAM, but don’t get it through Apple. For some reason they charge way too much for RAM.
3) The Mac OS is UNIX, and UNIX performs various tasks at 2:00 am. Most people I know, however, either put their computers to sleep or turn them off. To make up for this, get an application (such as the freeware Onyx) to run these housekeeping tasks once every couple of weeks.
March 31st, 2008 at 1751
Dave:
Welcome to what computing can and should be!
I decided to switch in 2004 when I realized that adware/spyware and other malignancies had totally hijacked my machine and were, in effect, trying to blackmail me (want these pop-ups to stop? just buy our software!). Since reformatting meant starting over, I decided to REALLY start over. My dual 1.8 G5 is still humming along as I write this, listening to iTunes, and sharing the screen with my MacBook so I can write test questions for a national certifying exam without moving files between machines.
It is such a pleasure to use machines that work as advertised. I can’t imagine ever returning to the absolute mess that is windows. I think I’d quit using computers rather than do that.
Again, Welcome!
March 31st, 2008 at 1913
Hi Dave,
Welcome to the Apple Revolution!
I got my first Mac in 1997 (an original iMac) and haven’t looked back.
A few people have mentioned some nice Apps, I have a few gems I love:
• Adium – Instant Messaging, multi-protocol (free).
• Audio Hijack – Record Streaming Media to your HD (shareware).
• Backdrop – provides a plain background (ideal for recording your desktop).
• BatChmod – Apply specific Permissions to entire folders (free).
• Camino – web browser (free).
• Carbon Copy Cloner – amazing system backup (bootable) (free).
• Cyberduck – amazing ftp client (free).
• EasyFind – old skool search App (free).
• Final Vinyl – Record your old records to mp3 (free).
• Firefox – another browser (free).
• Flip4Mac – WMV plugin for QuickTime (free)
• Perian – DivX plugin for QuickTime (free).
• Handbrake – DVD to m4v convertor (free).
• iPhoto Library Manager – Manage your libraries (shareware).
• iStumbler – browse available networks (free).
• LCDtest – test for dead pixels on your screen (free).
• LineIn – Pass your sound right through from mic to speakers (free).
• Little Snitch – my favourite App! Monitor outgoing connections (shareware).
• MacThe Ripper – DVD extractor.
• Mactracker – database of every Mac ever made (free).
• NetNewsWire – RSS App (free).
• Pac the Man X – need I explain? (free).
• Pixelmator – nice lightweight Photoshop style App (shareware).
• Quinn – Tetris game (free).
• Senuti – get music off your iPod onto your Mac (iTunes backwards – get it?) (free).
• Skim – Free PDF reader – fast (free).
• Skype – voIP client (free).
• Solitaire XL – Solitaire game (free).
• TextWrangler – amazing text editor (free).
• The Unarchiver – replacement for ZIP tool in OS X (free).
• TinkerTool – system tweaker (free).
• Transmission – my favourite torrent client (free).
• Transmit – ftp client, mega fast connection to iDisk (shareware).
• unpkg – pkg inspector (free).
• UnRarX – Rar viewer for OS X (free).
• Visual Hub – cool convertor for video (shareware).
• VLC – cool alternative to QuickTime Player.
• WhatSize – check the size of any file or folder (shareware).
Well that’s my favourite little Apps from my MacBook HD, I hope you find some of them useful.
Jamie.
March 31st, 2008 at 2012
Welcome to the Family, Dave. I began my relationship with Apple in 1994 and could not be happier. Just recently I gave my 2006 model Dell to my oldest son and replaced it with a 2003 model iMac. To my delight, the iMac runs faster and is more stable that the newer Dell ever was. And it will also run Leopard, whereas the Dell would not be able to run Vista, or at least not without serious restrictions and problems. Now with my MacBook, iMac and Airport it truly is a wonderful MAC world at my home. Heck, I have even managed to convert several away from the Darkness and into the light. Enjoy your liberation!
March 31st, 2008 at 2102
All well and good, but the ONLY reason a Mac is better at this moment is that XP is old and Vista sucks worse with every patch.
The whole game changes in a couple years when Microsoft replaces Vista with whatever new Windows they come up with. Isn’t that worth waiting for?
If you have to get a Mac, at least install Windows on it–it’s WAY too soon to give up on Windows. Microsoft has done great (or at least profitable) things in the past, and they will do great things again. Hang in there–you will see in a few years.
Resist temptation. If you’re going to learn a new system, let it be from Microsoft–not OS X, Linux, or any other flavor of UNIX.
And really, Vista may be a pain, but it’s starting to offer some of the features Macs have anyway
March 31st, 2008 at 2206
Great move, Dave! I switched last year and my Time Machine saved me a lot of time and effort. It would be great if you decided to publish your story on switchstories.com.
Paul
April 1st, 2008 at 436
To Allwell:
“Microsoft has done great (or at least profitable) things in the past”
… like what? Copy Apple and ride their coattails for innovation? Profitable? Yeah… all those anti-trust lawsuits are doing wonders for M$’s image and accounts.
“And really, Vista may be a pain, but it’s starting to offer some of the features Macs have anyway ” … so why not just buy a Mac… fastest Vista laptop right now is… a MacBook Pro… Vista is a really bad rip off of a Mac… the reviews… “worst tech of 2007-PC World” and “worst innovation of the last 25 years-CNET”
“it’s WAY too soon to give up on Windows” … actually people should of given up on Windows from day one and realized that buying cheap is not a good idea and and licensing an OS to every manufacturer of RAM, motherboards, etc. will probably do more harm than good.
“Hang in there–you will see in a few years.” yeah… life is short and I like to be productive with my tools or as one comment said… Use the hammer as a tool… not care about how it’s built.
Welcome to a world of creativity, productivity, innovation, and a future that is extremely overwhelming with even more good things to come!
April 1st, 2008 at 620
Allwell, you are trolling or what!? Apple too will be offering something new when msoft will… ??? What is the point!!? … Still years ahead of Redmond… Worth waiting for what? Chrome plated turd, vaporwares, the “next time will be the good one we promess believe us ’cause we are msoft”… What with the “hang in there” and the “resist temptation”? As if Apple was evil or something…
Where were you living all of these years
Boy! microsoft zombie…
April 1st, 2008 at 940
@Allwell,
“All well and good, but the ONLY reason a Mac is better at this moment is that XP is old and Vista sucks worse with every patch.”
That’s actually TWO reasons my friend. And there are numerous positive reasons why a Mac is 1,000,000 times better than a PC, but there’s not enough time in the day to explain.
Just get a Mac, and move away from Registries and DLL Hell.
April 1st, 2008 at 1210
Welcome. Now throw away your crutches. You can walk, brother, you can walk! Be healed in the name of Jobs!
Seriosly, enjoy. And don’t look back.
April 1st, 2008 at 1634
Some sites you may want to keep in your bookmarks:
macwindows.com for switchers.
macsurfer.com as all the news.
macintouch.com
macfixit.com
xlr8yourmac.com
macosxhints.com
all have troubleshooting & enhancement info.
And these (in addition to apple’s guide.apple.com) are searchable resources for software:
macupdate.com
versiontracker.com
tidbits.com is a Great online magazine (even if not printed).
I’ve yet to find anything in the windows world like what the Mac universe online has to offer. And, although OS X is essentially virus free, it only happens because we keep current with our updates (after waiting for guinea pigs to test the waters) and we stay informed. There’s a free (currently) antivirus product called ClamXav if you ever feel the need. I don’t use a product yet but can’t stand Symantec/Macafee on XP so I’d never let that touch my Mac. Symantec has caused problems in the past.
I’ve read that VMWare’s product is faster/better for running XP in a virtual machine. Parallels might have caught up. Running a VM and running PPC code in Rosetta requires TONS of RAM. 1G is just NOT enough. 2 is comfortable and more is always better.
Jamie Kelly isn’t quite right about the listed freeware. Quite a few are donationware so if you like/use them, you should donate to see them continue. As s/he mentioned, little snitch is an excellent outbound firewall according to what I’ve read. VLC plays a plethora of video that QT does not. Not sure the point of WhatSize as the Finder’s Get Info command should tell you as well.
Oh, be sure to turn on the context (”right”) click via two finger tap (if not already). It’s phenomenal — especially for a windows user. Drag and drop is excellent and functional on OS X.
Allwell, I feel sorry for you. M$ has you so brainwashed it’s sad.
Everyone, it’s Mac, not MAC. MAC = Media Access Control which is an Ethernet term.
I’ve been using Macs since ‘84 and owned my first (Mac II) in ‘87. I became a Windows power user over the last several years due to my company’s change to XP during the dark days of the latter 90s. I have had to develop a very thick skin as there’s so many annoyances with XP. Vista is lipstick on a pig (though reportedly intensely and impressively more secure than XP; it definitely shows that M$ is more security focused now than Apple). Vista’s just as annoying and more!
April 1st, 2008 at 2242
@Pecos Bill,
Sorry, my mistake. Some of the Apps are donationware. As a poor student I am using them now with the intention of paying them back when I start to earn money!
Warm Regards,
(Mr.) Jamie Kelly
September 4th, 2008 at 627
Found your site in google, and it has a lot of usefull information. Thanx.r
March 31st, 2008 at 1446
I started with an desktop unit in 2001, a laptop in 2006 and just recently an iMac and a iPhone.
My experience with the Apple Store and it’s employees was the same as yours. They even allowed me to “trade” my 3 week old 8GB iPhone for a 16GB model without charging me a restocking fee. They were so pleasant and eager to give me a great in-store experience. They even helped me with AT&T. No Windows reseller has ever given my PC using wife that type of customer service.