Walt Mossberg Offers "To Switch Or Not To Switch" Advice To Windows Users

by , 3:45 PM EDT, June 20th, 2002

Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal has a new column for that paper dealing with the "Switch" question. Sparked by Apple's own "Switch" ad campaign, as well as increased reader mail from Mr. Mossberg's own readers concerning the issue, Mr. Mossberg is offering a rational look at which Windows users can easily make the Switch. From the article"

Most home Windows users tempted to switch to a Mac could do so without losing anything, and might well gain. Macintosh computers are the best-designed computers on the market, and handle every common computing task as well as, or better than, a Windows PC.

I don't say that lightly. In 1997, before Mr. Jobs took over the company again, I was so disillusioned with Apple and its products that I wrote a column advising consumers to shun the Mac. Today, Apple and the Mac are far better.

Switching to the Mac might make sense if you're tired of Windows or Microsoft; if you spend much of your time working with digital photos, videos or music; or if you just love the look and feel of the Mac hardware and software. It might appeal if you prefer a carefully designed machine over a commodity box, or tight integration between software and hardware instead of a generic operating system crammed into a generic PC.

Switching probably doesn't make sense if your computing needs fall into certain categories, such as remote access to Windows corporate networks or heavy game playing.

He also lists some pros and cons for each platform (comparing a G4 iMac to a system from Dell). The cons for Windows seem particularly to the point:

• Weaker software/hardware integration
• Boring, me-too design
• Inferior software for photos, video editing, DVDs
• Rampant virus and security problems
• Microsoft "activation" requirements

Check out the full article for a lot more information; it's a very good read.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Mr. Mossberg largely follows our own position with this piece. If you are doing corporate accounting or are keen on the latest-greatest games, the boring world of Windows is for you. Otherwise, buy a Mac. While not as clear-cut as our own buying advice, Mr. Mossberg's is pretty close, and it makes for some outstanding exposure for Apple and the Mac platform.