ON THE LURE OF MACS AND WINDOWS

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

I've been a multi-decade user of both Windows and Mac computers, appreciating them both for their respective charms.  (Yes, Windows computers do have their charms, believe it or not).

But for the last four weeks, I've been using just my 17" Apple MacBook Pro as my primary computer, mostly because I've been on the road for about that long, and decided to take the Mac with me instead of my usual Windows laptop.

And I can attest to what so many recent Switchers wax poetic after discovering the Cult of Jobs.  It is a joy, nay, a "Thriller" experience, to use the Mac most of the time.

And yes, I can get used to JUST a Mac fairly easily.

Especially with programs like Parallels and Bootcamp, that promise ever-easier  co-existence of Windows and Mac OS X operating systems on the same Intel-based Macs for years to come.

But yesterday, I picked up my two-year old Thinkpad/Lenovo T43  laptop for a little bit, and the Mac spell was broken (see this PC Magazine Editor's Choice review for more). 

I've re-discovered the joys of Windows XP Pro, especially on a computer as well-designed as a Thinkpad.  The Thinkpad is as much of a "Thriller" product as many Macs, as controversial as that statement may be to some. 

Just their keyboards, and the combination of a pointer stick and a touchpad for cursor-control are cases in point.

Steve Jobs is right.  Technology is often best experienced as combination of hardware and software.  ButI do believe one can have cool experiences along those lines even when the same company doesn't do both.

Using a Thinkpad is not unlike the feeling one gets when one gets behind the wheel of a BMW or a Mercedes.  And they cost a lot less than they used to, just like Macs.

Thinkpads make me sometimes wish I could run Apple's OS X on a Thinkpad, which of course is not likely to happen any time soon.

So, yes, even though Walt Mossberg says Windows Vista is OK and unexciting, I've put in my Amazon pre-order for Windows Vista Ultimate Limited Signature Edition Upgrade,  signed by Bill Gates of course (not kidding, it exists, as documented by Endgadget).

Because I think Vista on a Thinkpad will likely be pretty exciting.

So I can't wait for my relationship with Windows and Mac to continue in 2007 with Vista and Leopard, not to mention Microsoft Office 2007. 

I've got my eye on a Thinkpad T60 Widescreen with Windows Ultimate in particular.

Comments

[apseek]

I'm generally unsatisfied with the Windows start menu. They need to get rid of it and design a new interface. Microsoft will release an upgrade version to Vista in 2008--that will be similar to Vista. From what I hear, however, in 2010, there will be another (maybe web based?) form of Windows that will eliminate the start menu altogether.

[Metlin]

I believe Steve Jobs was referring to Alan Kay's statement on usability.

While Thinkpads are wonderful machines, they cannot customize their hardware to match their software and vice-versa.

At the end of the day, one can have cool experiences even on a cheap Dell running Redhat 5.2, but the ability to have an integrated, seamless experience is part of what makes Apple special.

And a disclaimer - I'm not an Apple fanboy, but I do understand where the Mac-fanatics are coming from.