The Mac Lawyer Using Macs in Law Firms | Attorney Ben Stevens

Guest Post :: Why Choose Apple?

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in Switching to Macs

It’s a war of sorts, one that is fought on the field of technology. And from the look of things, Apple seems to be emerging the clear winner in the battle for supremacy between Mac and Windows. But opinions differ, and there are those who would swear by Microsoft because the company’s reach is far and wide. So why would you want to go with a Mac from Apple if you’re buying a PC? Because:

  • Apple is a pioneer in technology. It is arguably the first to come out with innovative and revolutionary products, and you don’t have to look beyond the iPod to prove the veracity of this statement.
  • Apple products are less likely to be hit by viruses. The software is good no doubt, but what’s more important is that the hackers are after the larger target, the population that uses Windows, and so are not too inclined to write virus code for the Mac.
  • According to the official Apple website, the best reason to buy a Mac is because “the hardware and software are made by the same company”. So in essence, everything is compatible and works like a charm. If you’ve ever used Windows and been faced with error messages that tell you that XYZ device needs a driver, you’ll appreciate this advantage in Apple.
  • Brand Apple stands for quality today; when you buy an Apple, you know you don’t have to be worried about slipshod quality or haphazard software that is riddled with bugs.
  • Apple’s revolutionary GUI is a work of art to be admired – the design is clean and stylish and conducive to efficient usage.
  • Apple now offers you the ability to dual boot with both Windows and its innovative Unix based operating system OS X.
  • Yes, the products are slightly more expensive than those offered by the competition, but Apple more than makes up for this disadvantage in the form of reliability and quality.
  • OS X is reliable and does not crash like its Windows counterparts do. Just ask anyone who’s torn their hair out in frustration after dealing with the BSD (blue screen of death) or Windows Vista.
  • Once an Apple fan, always an Apple fan – you’ll never go back to Windows after the great functionality that the Mac offers.
  • And to end on a less serious and more frivolous note – if you want style and penance and substance as well, an Apple product is your best bet; the snazzy colors and funky designs should be proof enough of this.

By-line:  Laura A. Wright is a guest author, who contributed this post. Laura writes on the topic of online paralegal degrees. She can be reached at her email laura.wright@radiffmail.com.

  • Roger

    Apple has all the positive and negative attributes akin to a government with no opposition. If such a monopolistic government makes good decisions, then all is well, but if they happen to make bad decisions – there is literally nowhere you can turn to for respite. This is because Apple is the sole source of computer hardware, if you wish to take advantages of the benefits of OSX operating system.
    For instance, if you are like the not insubstantial minority of people who want matte, non-reflective, non-glossy screens on your desktop computer – then, tough, you have no options. The petition website http://macmatte.wordpress.com shows how Apple has chosen to ignore the cries of people who need matte screens, such as graphic designers, photographers, and those people who are more prone to eye-strain as a result of the harsh reflections from glossy screens.
    Therefore, if you choose to live under the monopolistic control of a benevolent dictatorship – sure, things can be comfortable – but be aware that, if they go wrong, you have no one to help you.

  • Charlize

    What about putting a screen filter on your screen to take away the glossy effect ? Not exactly the thing I wanted when I bought an Imac but it’s helping my eyes.

  • Michael Rosenthal

    Addressing your second point regarding OS X’s security and the lack of viruses written to penetrate it: The “security through obscurity” argument has been made by PC advocates for years, but that doesn’t make it valid. PC supporters have been reduced to one argument in support of their platform, it’s cheaper, in spite of the fact that numerous published comparisons have shown that when components are matched there is price parity.
    Apple’s OS is found on a growing number of computers and there is no hint of virus writing activity directed toward it. Virus writers do their work primarily for bragging rights, because there’s no money in it. They would have done it by now, if they could have.
    The platform is as close to impenetrable as any has ever been because it is Unix, designed by Bell Labs 40 years ago as an in-house OS that had to be rock solid and 24/7/365 reliable, multiuser and networkable. None of these was a feature of the very simple DOS* basis of the Microsoft OSes through ME or the poorly cobbled together NT kernel that underlies their OS since 2K. Unix is a virus writer’s nightmare, Microsoft’s OSes have been their playground.
    Check out this recent essay on OS X’s virus immunity. (http://macamour.com/blog/2009/07/02/why-there-are-no-viruses-for-os-x/)
    *DOS was written by a Seattle area computer club and purchased by Microsoft for a song. Yet, they were able to build an empire on its feeble structure, because of MIcrosoft’s single greatest idea, licensing their product, rather than selling it.

  • http://www.boothfamilylaw.com Joe Booth

    I tell people there are three reasons for Mac/Apple:
    1) Apple care: whatever you have breaks, apple care is world class support a dial tone away and saves thousands on tech support that often has no clue.
    2) The products are superior: They work better, you can do more, and if they break see #1.
    3) Time machine: In other formats I was always a slave to my last platform, feared changing computers, and kept plastic boxes of software and license keys next to each computer. With Time Machine, I buy the newest best computer, plug in TM and I am flying right away. So when apple care can’t help, and newer is better, off I go!