PC to Mac: My Not-So-Genius Switch

[LostPhil]

I don't seem familiar with the "Vista problems" mentioned, been running it for nearly a year and a half and would take it over XP any day of the week - Navigating windows explorer is much nicer for me (although it has to cache every time for some reason...) and still running pretty much like it was on day 1 (well, plus service pack benefits!). If I was running XP I'd have had to re-install it at least once by now.

Sorry to hear about those hardware problems! I don't think I'll ever make the switch to a Mac, although it's mainly down to knowing the Windows way of doing things and I'd get frustrated Apple's control-everything attitude (only using certain kind of connections etc, as you've found out).

They do seem like nice, relatively solid products but far too expensive for me.

[kansei]

This is why I buy used equipment and used cars. My expectations for new stuff is to be perfect. When I pay a premium for something and it fails it makes my blood boil. What makes it worse is bad customer service, iffy engineering and warranties that don't cover what they should. Buying used and out of warranty lessens my expectations and doesn't drive me as crazy.

I also like PCs and would not pay a premium for a Mac. Then again, I'm an IT professional and can fix all PC problems easily.

[noremedy]

Yeah, this sounds like a freak and unlucky incident. - I made the switch recently from PC to Mac - hiccup free. However, i purposely bought an old MBP 15" when the MATTE screen was standard, I knew all i was likely to miss out on was DDR3 ram, which i hear is buggy anyway? Anyway I am glad you got it solved, and am glad to hear you kept your cool with that arrogant sounding p**** in the store.

[Raez]

Originally Posted by jude

Again, if you had a matte option, then you're obviously not referring to the unibody MacBooks (as they have no matte options). My Dell Inspiron 9300 has a glossy screen, and I used it without problem for about three years. I've seen the glossy version MacBook screens offered in past MacBooks, and still offered with the 17" MacBook Pro, which is the same type of glossy screen surface I had with the Inspiron 9300. As I stated in my big post above, those glossy screens simply aren't the same as the unibody MacBooks' screens. The unibody has a perfectly flat glass overlay, and so couldn't be glossier without mirror-coating it. Again, the flat glass screen surface simply redefines glossy.

LOL. No matter the forum or site, whenever a post or article mentions both Mac and PC, some will always find the battle for the single answer for which is better for everyone. I say neither suits everyone's needs, and each serves some needs better than the other. I called a couple of my Head-Fi friends leading up to my initial decision to switch or not, and received nice, well-reasoned arguments for both sides.

Again, I currently prefer Mac OSX to any current Windows version available (for my needs), but Windows 7 looks like it might end up being very compelling.

Hahaha I know, I just wanted to throw that out there to start a massive fanboy war. I'd say Windows > Mac for coding/gaming but I'd go Mac for basic using/media. Actually I take that back because I hate iTunes with a fiery passion.

[RYCeT]

Congrats for your Mac switch Jude, it's unfortunate it give you some bad taste early on. I don't really like the concept of Genius Bar either, no on the spot problem solving and has to made an appointment just to get your problem seen is annoying. I never dealt with Apple customer service since my macbook work from day one so can't comment on it. The only problem I have is to access my files on osx from my desktop pc. I'm not an apple fanboy however I loved my macbook. OSX is so much better than windows. I still have a pc desktop. At first, I thought of using my macbook to run xp and I did install xp pro on bootcamp and fusion. I rarely open my xp on bootcamp or use fusion. OSX handles my needs just fine, for everything else, I just use my pc desktop. For laptop purposes, I'll buy another macbook in a heart beat.
So Jude, the next thing you should do is check this thread What Apps Do You Use? (OS X)
Enjoy your OSX experience.

[FrederikS|TPU]

Damn that is a horrible story. A lot of the new laptops from other manufacturers have issues too. I got a HP 8530W and it has problems with on of the buttons. That I have to note is the only problem. Apples lack of warranty is a bit annoying I was actually able to get on-site support for the HP for only $125! which is really neat (only on the business models).

BTW how is that HP LP2475w treating you? Got one too and I use it both with my laptop and big PC. I had a little problems getting the colors to be true but after that it has been smooth.

[woof37]

Wow. You really have me second-guessing my very-near-future unibody MBP purchase. I like glossy screens, personally, and the LED-backlit screens I've seen in the past (notably the Dell XPS models) were phenomenal.

As to the rude "genius", you should have spoken to the manager off-line or arranged for a mystery shopper to be sent to him. All that person can do is cost Apple business, and any good manager would relieve him of his duties after witnessing what befell you.

[chesebert]

SIPS matte screen is the only way to go for prolonged viewing. TN+glossy is a bad combination.

[krmathis]

Congratulations on the switch Jude!
I am closing in on my 5 year anniversary of my own switch (FreeBSD on Dell -> Mac OS X on PowerBook G4), and have never looked back.

[mark_h]

I keep switching back and forth, currently have a 13" Macbook, black, they just don't make two of my most used programs for OS X hence the swapping. I prefer macs by a long way!

[MusicallySilent]

Jude, you have now witnessed the difference between Rev A and Rev (much later letter) which has almost been perfected

I had a debate for a few days between lower unibody 15 or lower previous gen 15 (could get it for 1400 at microcenter pre tax) I have decided on the previous for basically what you have discussed, 100s of people are having problems with such a new product so I would much rather get something that has been perfected for 2 years. In reality the only things that make me want unibody are chassis strength and h.264 chip, also my urge to have the newest technology. But that mini display port and glass screen deter me every time.

I am making the jump to mac (with bootcamp for inventor and a few games) later this week, and I hope I have good luck.

[woof37]

Originally Posted by MusicallySilent

Jude, you have now witnessed the difference between Rev A and Rev (much later letter) which has almost been perfected

I had a debate for a few days between lower unibody 15 or lower previous gen 15 (could get it for 1400 at microcenter pre tax) I have decided on the previous for basically what you have discussed, 100s of people are having problems with such a new product so I would much rather get something that has been perfected for 2 years. In reality the only things that make me want unibody are chassis strength and h.264 chip, also my urge to have the newest technology. But that mini display port and glass screen deter me every time.

I am making the jump to mac (with bootcamp for inventor and a few games) later this week, and I hope I have good luck.

So when is Rev B of the new MBP due? You folks have given me a lot to ponder.

(pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?)

[Brighten]

Yeah, those "Geniuses" piss me off.

[ozz]

Still enjoying my MBP 15 since I switched from a Dell PC a little over 2
years ago so congratulations and maybe all the bad luck is behind you.

[Edwood]

LOL, sorry I couldn't better talk you out of getting a Mac, Jude.

Contrary to popular belief, LED backlighting is not superior to cold cathode tube lighting. LED's have their benefits, but superior lighting is not one of them. LED's offer more light for less energy, but they are single spot light sources, so lighting is often uneven. It requires a larger diffuser and more LED's, which negates the space saving and energy saving benefits. Also, the part that is hard on the eyes, is the process in which most LED's are dimmed. PWM. Pulse Width Modulation. Basically, the LED's are flickered on and off to reduce the appearance of their brightness. But some people can actually see this effect. The best way to check for it, is to wave your hand in front of the screen. So, for LED bases displays, they look the best with the screen brightness cranked all the way up.

My Fujitsu P1610 has LED lighting, and the dimming circuit is not done with poorly executed PWM, but the inverter makes an annoying high pitched whine when I dim the screen. But I'd rather have the high pitched whine I can only hear when it's in a very quiet room, vs. eye strain inducing PWM.

Anyways, glad to hear you like your new 17" Macbook. Are you bringing it to CES?

-Ed