Comments to Apple's Request for Switcher Experiences

Apple recently invited switchers to tell their story on the Apple web site. I couldn't resist. Thoughts on my Mac Mini to come. Below is the story I shared.

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I've been a serious PC user for a long, long time. I used to be a Microsoft Certified Trainer and I hold my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (plus Internet) certifications NT and 2000. Many moons ago I had an Apple iie and then in the very early 90s I had, from I remember, an 80 meg hard drive in a MacClassic. After 94 I never really touched or looked at an Apple again.

I remember seeing the switch ads and hearing the Windows Admin guy talk about how he had switched, but that still wasn't enough to make me take notice. Early versions of X were not very impressive and Windows XP was overall a very good product as far as Microsoft goes and did everything I needed (XP has not crashed on me once in over a year of owning it).

It wasn't until the Apple store opened on Michigan Ave in Chicago that I really took notice for the following reasons.
1. The Apple staff. Really nice and down to earth guys. No pressure staff. Awesome free classes in their theater.
2. Really cool looking products. I loved the design of the iMac. The PowerMac also had a really cool look and finally started showing performance compared to intel/amd. Apple makes conversation pieces.
3. Realizing what Mac people already know. I love Tivo and over three years ago I was telling everyone about mine. Apple people tend to be the same way. I started thinking about how I was with Tivo compared to the Apple obsessed. I started thinking, "what could those Apple folks have that makes them so excited? If I'm as excited about the Tivo because I think it's so great then maybe there's something about Apple that's worth checking out. It is interesting how you have Mac users who are in love with the product, but you don't see that on the Microsoft side. No one brags about Windows. Users never chose Windows – it was handed to them.
4. OS X. I find it so much easier to get to what I need on a Mac. When Microsoft talks about XP being an "experience" they really have nothing to stand up against compared to OS X. The OS is just fun and great to look at. I never said that about any Windows product. Of course stable and secure are important traits.
5. iLife. I brag about iLife. Good software that keeps getting better. All included. All integrated. This is hard to sell to customers. They need to see and use it to understand the value and power.
6. Spyware/viruses. I always feel nervous on my Windows workstation with the amount of risk there.
7. The Apple Store. Having the Genius Bar is just Genius. The stores are just fun.

A little more history on my path to Apple. In Dec 03 I was making a big computer purchase. I was deciding between a PowerMac and a Dell 4600. The Powermac was incredibly expensive for less CPU power (I conducted my own tests of converting MP3 files to AAC - that was enough benchmarking for me). At the time I had special software for my PC and Virtual PC was not out for the G5 at that time. I ended up with a Dell. About six months later I was offered a great deal on a 766Mhz Quicksilver PowerMac, but after using it for a month it was just way too slow. The rest of the Mac product line was just too expensive and the Emac had zero appeal. Then came the Mini Mac. The Mini was perfect. The price was low enough to justify a second computer. I already had a 19 inch monitor I could use. My Logitech keyboard was already Mac ready. I was ready to go.

I've slowly moved over just about everything I do on my PC on to the Mac Mini. I use my PC to host all my data files including my iTunes music. If I need to use my Windows XP Professional I just connect with the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection tool (better than Virtual PC!). There's nothing I need for my day-to-day needs that include streaming music, browsing, mail, contacts, calendar, chat, stream ripping, etc... The interface just makes it a pleasure to work on. I just look at the Mac Mini on my desk and just think "how cool!".