TAP Series: Ask a Switcher! #1

If the Mac could be any country in the world, chances are it would be the United States of America. Most of us moved there from someplace else, and hardly anyone was raised on it.

So with all the recent talk o’er switchers to the platform of stability and home of iLife (pun definitely intended), we figured why not go out in the world and ask what these switchers have to say about their new home?

In no set interval, we will introduce you to some of these brave souls, that recently dared to make the switch and find out what they’ve grown to love and hate about the Macintosh.

First up: Sandie, from Los Angeles, CA, a 24 year old editor at Daemon’s TV Blog.

TLAB: In general, what do you primarily use your computer for?

Sandie: I pretty much use my computer for everything. It ranges from paying my bills, browsing the Internet, to editing short films, or creating websites.

That sounds like a perfect match for the Mac. When did you make the switch?

I bought my very first Mac, after a year of hesitation, in December 2006. So not that long ago.

Why did you hesitate for so long? What was it that made you switch from Windows to OSX?

Well, at first I didn’t know much about them. I started noticing them at my work, because everyone had one. I thought they looked cool, but they were also expensive and I didn’t have the money or the need for a Mac at that point. About a year later, as I was about to start school again, I decided that it was time for me to get a laptop. I hesitated for while between a PC and a Mac, mostly because of the price difference. The final moment when I decided to buy a Mac was probably after my friend showed me all the stuff that I could do with a Mac and not with a PC. I realized a Mac suited my needs much more than a PC. I still do!

What did your friend show you that impressed you so much?

How each application works together with the other ones. The drag and drop features. The software that comes with it, and just the overall look. I think a big thing that I love about Mac is just the way they look and work. I don’t spend hours trying to figure out how to do stuff. Most of the time you just need to drag and drop something. It’s just so much easier.

I agree. May I ask which Macintosh you bought?

I bought the MacBook Pro 15”.

So one of the new Intel machines. Do you think the fact that you can now run Windows on a Mac made a difference in your decision?

Yes, actually it did. It was one of my biggest fears, I think, when I bought the Mac. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do certain things. Turns out, I never even installed windows on my Mac. However, I do have a desktop at home that runs windows, so that’s enough for me.

In terms of your MacBook Pro’s physical design, what do you appreciate the most so far?

Everything. It just has a great look. Very slim, light enough to be carried around. The keyboard is very smooth. I even got a comment from one of my friends about how smooth it was. You actually want to show it off to people.

Look at you. Now let’s move on to the software. What do you value most about the actual operating system, OSX?

I like how it flows and the programs that come with it. It was created to make your life easier. There are so many shortcuts and ways to do things that, even if you are not a computer person, you are bound to figure it out. I also love the fact that people keep inventing software to improve the Mac and its software features. It feels like there’s nothing I can’t do.

Talking about applications; what is the #1 OSX application that you couldn’t live without anymore? Apple or 3rd party?

I really love the Widgets. And iTunes. And Mail.

How many widgets are currently installed on your dashboard?

14.

Wow. Your favorite?

Probably Flappie. It’s a little virtual animal that you have to feed and play with every day. I’m such a nerd, but I think it’s fun.

You mentioned shortcuts earlier. In comparison to Windows, do you find yourself using more keyboard shortcuts in OSX? If so, which one do you use the most?

The quicksilver shortcut. So useful. I use it everyday. I also use shortcuts to get my mail.

Is there ANYTHING that you liked better on Windows?

I have to think…[two minutes later]…So far I don’t think so. Everything that I did on windows I can pretty much do on my Mac.

So no Windows applications that you couldn’t find for a Mac?

Maybe SageTV? But I wouldn’t have installed it on my Mac anyway. [Editor’s note: SageTV, a PVR software, is currently under development for OSX. A public beta can be downloaded here.]

Ok. Enough windows talk. Back to the Mac: How long did it take you to get used to OSX? Did you encounter any frustrations along the way?

I was pretty used to the Mac because I had been using one at work for about a year, so it wasn’t too hard. I don’t think I had any frustrations.

That’s good to hear. So now that you are one of us, have you already transformed into an uncompromising Mac extremist? If so, rate yourself on a scale from 1-10. Ten being the most extreme.

Maybe like a 5.

So you’re not yet throwing your bra on stage whenever Steve Jobs holds his keynote?

[Uncomfortable Silence]

No, definitely not. Even though, I am excited about their new products, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get them. Like sleeping outside the store to get an iPhone, if you know what I mean?

I don’t…

[Another uncomfortable Silence]

Anyways…. what’s the next product you’ll get from Apple?

Probably the iPhone, or the next iPod video. But wait… Leopard is coming out soon too, so that might be it.

I think the rating you just gave yourself was an understatement… you’re much too well informed.

Well, not that much, I just know the big stuff, but I pretty much never go on any Mac Blog (except this one of course.)

[At this point a $10 bill exchanges hands.]

Ok. Last Question. What does your desktop look like? Take a snapshot right now. Don’t Cheat. Leave it exactly the way it is at this moment. [Editor’s note: Shift+Apple+3 creates a full screen snapshot of your screen.]

It’s not going to be pretty…

 

Click on image to see full size.

 
Okay. That concludes the interview. Thank you very much for your time!

No problem. It was my pleasure.

 
Do you have any questions you’d like to see for the following part of the series? Would you like to be featured on “Ask A Switcher” next? Let us know in the comments or write us an email to: philipp@theapplepress.com.