主题：【注意】苹果用户对PC用户的“招安书”！ -- Highway

我们中间似乎没有人对苹果机感兴趣，至少没有人感兴趣到要买一台来用的地步。为什么呢？我们不加考虑就可以给出一串理由。但这些理由真的成立吗？你不妨看看下面这个文章。当然了，那些程序为生的人不必考虑这个问题。因为计算机主要是我们谋生的手段，而不是仅仅是闲暇娱乐消遣的工具。

我的看法是，Apple虽然有不俗之处，但价格偏高，软件，游戏以及外设的支持和更新上和PC还没法相比。更别说作为程序开发和运行的平台了。所以在今后一段时间内，它还是属于“另类”东西。

Up until last year, I despised Apple and all its products. I'm not sure why I decided to switch. I posted on a few threads at SpyMac.com and I decided that I would give a Mac a shot. I needed a new laptop, and the Powerbook 12" had everything I was looking for. To my surprise, this was the best computer decision I've ever made. Many people are very misinformed about the Mac hardware and software. Hopefully, I'll be able to help distinguish between truth and fiction in this article. 

Most people eliminate Mac from the picture when buying a new system because of a basic misconception. They believe that all their Windows files (such as documents, music, etc.) will not work on a PC. This is utter rubbish. Not only does the Mac OS have Microsoft Office, but it also has a slew of other programs to let you use your PC files on Mac. Most files don't need any special software. Music can be played in iTunes, videos can be played in VLC, mPlayer, or QuickTime, and photos can be viewed in iPhoto. Most other file types will also work. I haven't come across a file that I could not get to work in the Mac OS, with the exception of some advanced programs, such as CAD applications. Another misconception is that applications don't exist for Mac. Now I don't want to sound like a mini Steve Jobs, but over 10,000 programs exist for OS X. Virtually anything you would need to use, exists on the Mac platform. 

People also think that the Mac OS will be too hard to learn after always using Windows but it really isn't. The OS X operating system is much easier then any other operating system, and most switchers would probably agree. Of course, the initial switch may feel awkward because it is an entirely different operating system. However, within a week, you should feel comfortable enough to do virtually anything you'd need to do in OS X. I have to be honest, the Mac is not a speed-demon. In fact, the G4 chip is quite slow compared to the latest AMD and Intel offerings, both mobile and desktop. The G5 is a different story, but the G4 is not fast. It's not slow, but it's hard to compare the PC and the Mac speed-wise. 

What makes the experience so enjoyable on the Mac is the operating system. Probably most of you have had a virus. I know I've been infected a couple times on my PC, even with active anti-virus program. There are over 500 viruses created each month for the PC, so the chances of you accidentally getting a virus on your PC are pretty high. Spy ware has also become a huge issue that is growing into a bigger and bigger problem everyday. Here is where the Mac is different; there are virtually no viruses created for the Mac platform. Acouple do exist, but they are so rare, most Mac users don't even use an anti-virus program. Neither Norton nor McAfee make an OS X virus scan program, because they have not seen any need to do so. It is the same for spyware ; there is virtually no spyware made for OS X. Certainly spyware detection programs DO exist for the Mac, but there is no spyware made for Mac, so it's a useless program! 

The ease-of-use and lack of problems on the Mac compared to a PC is readily apparent. How many of you have gotten a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) on your PC? No doubt at least half of you have. Mac's do not have these problems. They simply work. I haven't had a single problem with any of my three Mac systems in the past year. All three of my systems have been 100% flawless. Only once during this entire year period has my Mac locked up on me. I wish I could say the same about my PC's. Unfortunately, I cannot. 

If you're a creative person that uses graphic and video software on your PC, you should also take a look at the Mac. Apple's have long been considered the "creative user computer." The software on the Mac also backs up this claim. The Mac has Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Soundtrack, Shake 3 (which is used in most recent movies for visual effects and compositing, such as the Matrix and Lord of the Rings), Motion, DVD Studio Pro; the list just goes on. The Mac is the best system for creative purposes. 

I've been going on and on about the benefits of the Mac. Yes, I know, I admit to my bias. But honestly, the Mac is really like what I've described. Yes, there are shortcomings on the Mac. The lack of games, the speed, and their price all are big negatives of Apple. While some people would see these as major issues, most switchers can easily overlook them, because of the excellent and trouble free operating system used on Macs. 
So, why does Apple have such a small market share, under 5%? I suspect it is because people are not aware of the benefits and capabilities of the Mac. Most people (including myself a year ago) don't think Macs are capable of the many tasks that in reality they excel at. 

Macs, however, are not completely perfect. Price and Hardware are an issue. The cheapest Mac at the time is the eMac, at a $800 base price. The specs are decent, but still, they aren't quite good enough for an $800 system. You can easily find PC's under $500. Think about it. An average American is in CompUSA, and on their left is the eMac at $800, and to the right is an eMachines for $400. Which will they pick? Mac's are simply too expensive for the hardware you are getting. The $800 eMac features a 1.25GHz G4, which isn't slow, but it is not exactly fast either. The 256MB included in the system is minimal for OS X (and for XP as well), and Apple should use a 512MB standard on ALL systems, in my opinion. When you factor in the RAM upgrade that will be inevitable, you're looking at a $900-$1000 system, more then double the price of a super-cheap PC. Now, 99% of Mac users will agree that the price premium is worth it, but most don't realize that what they will get with a eMachines doesn't compare with what they will get with a Mac. 

What Apple needs to do is launch a massive advertising campaign. Not a horrible one like that awful "Switch" campaign, but, say, a few 30 second commercials about the ease and versatilty of Mac OS X. Not only will this educate the mass majority of TV watchers, but it's sure to improve Mac sales. However, it just seems that Apple wants to keep this minimal market share. 

My PC to Mac switch was flawless and very enjoyable. I've loved all of my Mac systems; the 12" Powerbook, the 1.6GHz G5, and the 15" Powerbook. They simply work for me. If you are considering a new computer purchase, whether you are a hardcore PC user, or just a computer beginner, I'd highly recommend visiting your local Apple store (there are more then 80 of them nationwide), and checking out some of their systems. Enjoy! 

我要是摆脱 M$ 的话，会去用 Linux, 喜欢那种掌握一切的感觉。

从内核到驱动，都自己编译，感觉很有意思很新鲜。

单从漂亮上来说，苹果真的是一流。可我总觉得，当我深入研究研究的

时候，它会对我说“您不需要了解那么多”。不知道

现在是不是还是这样？

现代的个人电脑，关键已经不是硬件，而是应用程序的数量和质量以及市场占有率和使用成本。Apple的机器硬件太贵了，软件质量虽然不错，数量就差得太远了，市场占有率太低，因此使用成本很高。这几个问题不解决，Apple指能够在几个局部市场争一争，大块市场段基本没希望。