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Mac turns 30 in changing computer world

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It's already been 4 years since I've switched to Mac and I'm not planning to go back to Windows anytime soon. I hear people complaining about Windows 8, Mavericks is free and it works fine for me. Happy birthday mac!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I'm not planning to go back to Windows anytime soon

We won't miss you ~

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

I had one of the first Macs ever made. Even got a signed thank you letter from Jobs. I've had 3 different Macs since. Should have bought Apple stock instead. That aside, comparing the current Mac to an original is like comparing a new Porsche 911 to an original model from 1963. Today, a single iPod has more computing power than was available to all of NASA at the time of the first moon landing.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Can't help but think that that new cylindrical Mac Pro looks like a trash bin.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Happy Birthday Mac!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

When Jobs showed the Macintosh in January 1984, it marked the beginning of the paradigm shift in desktop computing from a text-based interface to a graphical user interface. That machine was why Microsoft went on a fast development program for Windows, and has continually updated Windows to this day. It was this paradigm shift that made it possible for one Tim Berners-Lee to develop the World Wide Web, the graphical interface to the Internet as we know it today.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

You know what they say: Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Been using Macs since OS8 in the late 90's and I'm typing this on my iPad. It's obvious that the Mac-bashers only use their computers for net-surfing, word processing, gaming and dodging viruses. I don't despise Windoze users for their naive and bigoted opinions. I pity them cos they have no idea what they are missing out on.

Here's a couple of questions for the Windoze users: How many times have you had to reinstall the OS on your Windoze machine in the last four years cos of a virus or 'the blue screen of death'? And, more importantly, how many Windoze computers have you had to replace or repair in the last four years?

Happy birthday Apple! I don't mind being in the 10% of elite computer users.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I, as most people, am forced to use windows (windows8 at my work)... it is a mess.

At leas, once in my home, I can relax and enjoy my mac.

Happy birthday Apple!!

13 ( +14 / -1 )

I develop PC software...on Macs. No one is happier than me that Mac is on Intel now. I can run multiple Microsoft OSes in Parallels for testing, it's a joy to use.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@Daniel Neagari

Hey, at least you're not forced to use some bargain-basement Linux POS (piece of you-know-what) at work! My shiny full-spec 27" iMac awaits me at home each day :) It's like going from a uni cycle to a Ferrari!

The two main areas where the Mac really dominates Windows are the trackpad (Seriously, not one Windows OEM can get this right) and the hardware / software integration. You get what you pay for, guys. Only recently have Microsoft & Google adopted the original Apple vision of seamless software & hardware integration.

The two areas where the Mac fails are games (still a tragic state of affairs in 2014) and the mouse. The Magic Mouse is aesthetically pleasing, but within 5 mins of use it gives you wrist pains! A perfect example of form over function! I've always opted for a Microsoft mouse, as I believe they're superior in both feel & performance (trust me, I've tried them all).

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I've been a long time Windows user until I finally moved over to Mac about a year ago. Now only using the PC for my job, I must say that Windows 7 compared to OSX is just bad, inconsistent, chaotic due to its backward compatibility needs, unnecessary complicated, buggy and glitchy. Microsoft just makes a bad OS. Apple makes computers for people who want to get important things done. Microsoft makes computers for people who want to tweak around all day long with software and hardware but they never get anything done other than satisfying their geeky desires.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Mac really dominates Windows are the trackpad

I am so used to using my MacBook trackpad that when I use a Windows laptop it is like going back to the States and driving a car.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

My 10 year old eMac,(not iMac), still works,it is slow but works.I have this 27 inch iMac 5 years and counting,still works. My husband has gone through 5 Toshibas and one Vaio in the same amount of time, some calculations and the macs come cheaper.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

My first Apple was a 2E, back in the days when color screens were an option. It was a big upgrade from my Tandy TRS80, with its monochrome screen and software which came on audio cassettes. I am still using Apple products now.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

12 year-old iBook G3 (now my kid's DVD player and photo album) still does what it was built to.

Mavericks makes interoperability and collaboration between IOS devices and MacBook a breeze; client presentations are by iPad mini (and their projector). Using their WiFi, my iPhone even becomes a remote - even less gadgets to carry.

Unfortunately I also have a ThinkPad for some clients. Newer but much heavier than MacBook Air despite same screen size; slow; full of superfluous "value added tools!"; takes forever to tether; keeps dropping the connection and then taking forever to re-tether; is butt ugly and needs a heavy lump of a power adaptor.

Life's too short for masochistic self-serving complexity and having to jump through hoops. Thanks, Apple!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

With the Mac, Apple popularized the windowed GUI interface that essentially made multi-tasking easier.

It's about time Apple brings over the multi-tasking windowed GUI interface to iOS.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It's about time Apple brings over the multi-tasking windowed GUI interface to iOS.

Hope this helps:

https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/#multitasking

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's about time Apple brings over the multi-tasking windowed GUI interface to iOS.

Hope this helps:

https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/#multitasking

Helps but still don't see the windows

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Started with the 512 "Fat Mac" back when living in the Bay Area. Bought from a friend working at Apple on his employee discount. What a great and comfortable machine, keyboard, and even the mouse. Truly distressed as business went to the dark side of Windows. When I left the business world, was only too pleased to return to Apple via the iMac, iPad, iPod, laptop. The Magic Mouse was a disaster (screen tracking totally wonky) and I returned to the tethered mouse, but will consider again the MS mouse. MS ergonomic keyboard is still the best, but can't find the English version in Yodobashi.

As long as the technical age is with us, it's Apple.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We still have the 1985 Mac we bought in the US, and it's carrying case. Pretty nostalgic, just can't get rid of it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

the trackpad (Seriously, not one Windows OEM can get this right

Well they cant , even if they wanted to as Apple have patented the hell out of every aspect; they would be sued if they tried. Its disingenuous to complain about it. Shrewd move by apple - Get in first and then lock the door on the rest.

FWIW I have a win 7ultrabook, and yeah the track pad is not perfect, but it has the same specs and performance as the mac air and was half the price (previous years model) 60,000 yen more for a premium track pad wasn't work it! I use a bluetooth mouse with it most of the time, I will take a good mouse over any track pad any day.

As for Mac's I still have nightmare about typing up essays at my college dorm on a "mac classic", What a excruciating experience that was.!

You know what they say: Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

Not if it was an early 90's Mac Classic!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Been using macs since the Mac II, said that still got an Ollivetti M21 as well. Windows and Mac had their good and bad Versions.

These days I use Linux or Android.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am so used to using my MacBook trackpad that when I use a Windows laptop it is like going back to the States and driving a car.

I can't handle MS trackpads anymore! I keep trying mutli-finger gestures, and they don't do anything. It makes me want to pick up the computer and throw it at something.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Bought my first one in 1992... Never owned a Windows PC personally, god thankx :)... But working with both.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Carcharodon

FWIW I have a win 7ultrabook, and yeah the track pad is not perfect, but it has the same specs and performance as the mac air and was half the price (previous years model) 60,000 yen more for a premium track pad wasn't work it!

It's not just a specs thing. It's about the user experience. Win laptops are generally poorly made and come with tonnes of system-hogging 'bloatware'. Mac notebooks are aluminium and have a patented unibody design - so they're tough as nails and just feel premium. Plus, as any seasoned Mac user will tell you, half the reason you buy a Mac in the first place is for Apple Care!

I once had a 300,000 Macbook Pro (which I'd bought in Australia) and I wasn't happy with the keyboard, not to mention the case was starting to warp in places (this was pre-unibody). So, I called up Apple Japan and told them the story and they sent Kuroneko takkyubin to my doorstep - in the middle of Gunma. They completely replaced the keyboard and casing - which would've cost in excess of 100,000 yen - for free! It was delivered to my doorstep 3 days later! Amazing service.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

t's not just a specs thing. It's about the user experience. Win laptops are generally poorly made and come with tonnes of system-hogging 'bloatware'. Mac notebooks are aluminium and have a patented unibody design - so they're tough as nails and just feel premium

That's the point. People by cheap laptops and blame its suckiness on Windows. I have used Thinkpads for so long and I would never touch a lame Mac unless I have to.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It's a non-issue with macs though. You don't have to worry about whether or not the computer sucks.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I bought my first computer in I think 1994 or 5. I knew absolutely nothing about computers, but the company I did a lot of work for at the time advised me to get a mac so that I would be compatible with their all-mac office. I bought a Perfoma and have had nothing but macs since. I've seen friends, neighbours and mr cleo struggling with their Windows and have never been tempted to join them. In 20 years I've had 4 macs, and would probably still be using my round-bottomed white iMac if it hadn't been inundated on 3/11. I think they're great value for money.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

'bloatware'

Great word for it. Dozens of useless programs installed like 'YouTube Navigator' on a Toshiba laptop I got a few years ago (Macbooks are a bit pricey ,great for business application but overkill for use on weekends away from home. Now there are tablets but there weren't then).

I've used both and will never use Windows again. It's a matter of preference...I don't understand the vehemence with which people denounce the opposite systems. Use what you like. I much prefer Apple's movie making and photo software.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

My 1986 Mac Plus with the 20 Mb external hard drive still runs fine. I admit, it doesn't do much compared to today's computers, but it's still working. Hard to believe I used to do all my uni programming on that thing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Happy Birthday Mac, you've made work easier. And more beautiful too. MacBooks are the masterpieces of design and functionality.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As a music writer and bassist you can't beat Mac. The musical creative possibilities are over the top, mind boggling and endless! 20 years ago, I used to use Windows Pro Tools, which is a very good software, but Macs Logic Pro.... From sequencing to film scoring, it's beyond user friendly, even Final Cut Pro is a breeze to work with. Intuitive and fun. I would never switch, absolutely NOT. Waiting for the next upgrade to the Mac Pro (cylinder) so I can buy it. Happy Birthday Mac!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Linux user here, just dropping in to see what all the discussion is about.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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