Making the Switch to Mac-Windows or PC-OS X?

Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:04PM EDT

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It's been over two weeks since the release of Boot Camp, and the question remains—Are Mac users switching to Windows or are PC users switching to Macs? USA Today's Andrew Kantor seems to think Mac users will most likely migrate to Windows. One obvious reason is the lack of software made for Macs. He also doubts that Boot Camp will propel the Mac into the mainstream. In his opinion, there just aren't any compelling arguments. Better graphics? Not since 1992 (his words). No viruses on Macs? Not true; and anti-virus software does a pretty good job on PCs. Being able to work in two environments? Sure, if you don't mind booting your system every time you want to switch operating systems. Third-party software titles like Parallels Workstation or Media Four's MacDrive are working on these issues, and so far their software enables users to work between these two platforms.

The folks at CNet have also tested a MacBook Pro against equally equipped PCs both running Windows, and they found that Macs provide a better gaming experience while running Windows XP not Mac OS X. They also think Macbook Pros running Windows XP "delivers performance power that's identical to the PC competition." Other gamers are just happy they can play PC games they couldn't play on their Mac before, and also report improvements in their gaming experience. Here are other comparisons by Macologist.

Apple, on the other hand, has the top ten reasons to make the switch and one of them is "It does Windows" (although that one doesn't really have anything to do with Boot Camp—at least not yet). While Mac users are loading Windows on their Macs, others are hacking their PCs to run a bastardized version of OS X. Wired reports that Mac-curious users are experimenting with OSx86, which is a tweaked Mac OS X version that bypasses a chip designed to prevent Mac OS from running on PCs. If you are wondering how this version came into existence, Wired says the copy was taken from an actual operating system being tested by the Apple Developer Connection. These guys are reporting that PCs with Intel and AMD processors are running OS X faster than it runs on Macs.So we've seen benchmark reports that say Windows runs faster on Macs and now we hear that OS X works faster on PCs. I think Apple just opened up a can of worms.

What do you think? Are you tempted to make the switch? 

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  • 1 Posted by justinleemoreau on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I find that this article made me think twice about buying another Mac-Windows. I am now considering buying an OS X. Thank you for your consumer help, Gina.

  • 2 Posted by tallcoolwon3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    ....I had a Mac, moved, then bought a PC because of a limited budget..., I miss my Mac....

  • 3 Posted by tallcoolwon3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    ...Justin,....Think THREE times ! , ...then buy another Mac..., I haven't heard of "PC Fanatics" , but We all have heard of "Mac Fanatics",...ask 'em why...,It's quality,and "user friendlyness" that made me a fan..., I MISS my old I-Mac now that I've got a new PC,...and all the viruses,and the steep learning curve it entails...,Those that STARTED on a Mac all LOVE them.., PC users that switched are less enthusiastic,kind of like a step-mother I guess..., but, if you..." let "her"(Mac) into your heart,then you can start to make it better..,better.., better.." ,Na..Na..Na..Na Na Na Naaa,...Na Na Na Na....Hey Jude..." ,Thanks Beatles,,,,And Mac...,hehehe,Sorry, got carried away there...

  • 4 Posted by quinn.ny.shanghai@verizon.net on Mon Aug 7, 2006 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have boot camp & windows on my macbook and i only use it for games windows is still very awkward and well not that good and games are gonna be available for the mac pretty soon because of WINE/cider

  • 5 Posted by rafaelde on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sorry Gina mac OSX is the best operating system in the world !!!! Windows seems so...prehistoric

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