Every switcher story is somewhat interesting, just to hear real people talk about how much better computing can be. But every now and again we get a switcher of some visibility, which is exactly what Mark Cuban is.
What’s interesting about Windows –> Mac switchers is that they typically feel a need to vocalize their experience in one way or another. That’s pretty remarkable, because it means that somehow Apple knows how to make evangelists out of users. I’m not sure any other company on earth does it as effectively. Apple’s installed base isn’t just an installed base: it’s a field marketing department.
People switch brands and allegiances every day, but I can’t think of another product that carries the consumer word-of-mouth momentum as Apple.
Anyhoo, Cuban’s money quote:
I had gotten to the point where I was embarrassed to be a PC owner. The thought of someone calling me and asking me to go to my computer to find something was paralyzing (ok, not that bad, but it sounded cool writing it).
This wasnt just a problem on my Desktop, it was a problem on my laptop with Vista as well.
So a few months ago I made the executive decision to buy a MacBook to replace my laptop.
I haven’t looked back.
Everyone I know who has moved to the Mac has not looked back. As I’ve said countless times before, if you need Windows, then run Boot Camp and/or Parallels/Fusion to get the best of both worlds. No need to strand yourself on Windows exclusively unless you have a good reason.
Aside from very specialized computing tasks, there is literally very little reason to own a dedicated Windows machine anymore. I’d proffer that for the great majority of users, a Mac would work just fine if they do a modicum of research and go into the move with an open mind and the understanding that the Mac != Windows and there will be a learning curve. After that, it’s all good.
18 responses so far ↓
Daniel Brusilovsky // September 19, 2007 at 1:14 am
Now that is a sign that people want macs! I am one of them!
Jan // September 19, 2007 at 3:28 am
That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking before switching recently. Mac got it’s downsides, too, but it just feels right. That’s Apple’s strong part, I guess.
dbtodd // September 19, 2007 at 6:02 am
I love my Mac, and for a long time. However, if we are the “field marketing department” then we have not done a very good job over the years increasing the use of Macs. The persistent question is, “What slows the adoption of Macs?”
Khurt // September 19, 2007 at 7:17 am
This article rings true. As a long time Windows and Linux user I switched to OS-X in 2005 and I have never regretted it. I have stuff that “Just works” and I spend more time creating.
Jeff Davis // September 19, 2007 at 8:50 am
I switched to an iMac (running a small business, mind you) as my primary computer and wish I had done it sooner. I was fed up with rebooting my Windows machine due to freezes, endless virus updates and Windows’ overall “ckunkiness.”
The Mac gives me so much more flexibility and is easier for creating my own basic marketing mateials, etc. There was a short learning curve and some data conversion needed, but relatively minimal and worth the time.
Three months after buying the iMac, I purchased an iBook for travel.
drewgum // September 19, 2007 at 10:49 am
I’ve had my Mac since last Christmas and as the saying goes - Once you’d had a Mac, you never look back.
I’m a writer and recently I had to use a PC to do some editing my editor requested me to do. It just felt wrong…….!!!!
Gary // September 19, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Uh, Cuban bought a MacBook? Really? A MacBook?
To be clear, I and my family own 5 Macs including 2 MacBooks and they’re great. But if I had the cash I’d by MacBook Pros, every time. Last time I checked Cuban was worth, what, over a billion dollars? Either he’s “frugal” or he must have misspoken.
As far as being a switcher goes I’ve personally helped 8-10 friends or extended family members become Mac users. Every one of them has now helped others switch as well. They almost all had two hurdles to get over.
First, they thought Macs were very expensive. Once they compared feature by feature they realized that the cheap PC cost more once you added all the missing features.
Second, they were all worried that they wouldn’t have anyone to help them if they had problems. I’ve always told them I’d help any time they need assistance, but the great thing is that once they switched, I rarely got calls asking for help (unlike when they used Windoze).
I do get lots of calls now along these lines…”Hey, check out my new web site”, or “I’ll send you a copy of the cool movie I just put together”, or “how come your not online in iChat more”. It’s a rare day when one of them actually says “how do I do this?”
twps // September 19, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Sorry, I’m a die-hard PC guy.
Steve // September 19, 2007 at 3:17 pm
With no disrespect to Mark Cuban, who cares? Really, I fail to understand why this type of story is interesting. It’s no more interesting than Apple’s switcher ad campaign.
There are many people who just don’t know enough about Macs. It doesn’t matter if they are high profile or not.
BTW, I’m saying this as a Mac user and I feel the same way as when I see an article like this for someone who switches away from the Mac to something like Linux. Again, who cares? This type of thing does nothing to validate one platform over another. It merely advertises whether a particular individual “gets it” or not.
fifthdecade // September 19, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Who’s Mark Cuban? One more Switcher to join the many. But - at this rate MS will still be the dominant player for another 20 years or so! Sure, it’s doing well, but that’s compared to where it was, which was nearly non-existent.
I’ve done my bit though. Since I switched I’ve bought four minis, two laptops, one PowerMac and an iMac. Oh yes, and three iPods. I only switched two years ago too - and now the office is moving over to Macs, and we’re a Finance business, not creative (unless you are talking creative accounting!). I’ve also caused at least half a dozen other people to switch.
But Microsoft aren’t the ones who will miss meand other Switchers using their Operating System because I’ve spent more with Microsoft since switching than I did in the same period of time beforehand. I’ll still be using MS Office: ironic.
The companies that will suffer though are the Dells and HPs of this world. I’ll still be buying MS stuff, but I’ll not be buying a PC again…
clarkbattle // September 19, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I bought a macbook and then sold it a few months later and returned to windows. Ahhh… sweet relief.
Yong Hwee // September 19, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Switching to the mac was probably one of the best decision I’ve made in 19 years.
Bill // September 19, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Yo 5th, I use MS office as well on my Pro Tower. I like it better than the new iWork suite as well. Entourage replaced Palm desktop, and I just did not like iCal and the Mail app. I even use Firefox more than Safari. But nothing beats iLife, and Toast is better than anything I’ve used on my PC. There are many other apps that just work better on a Mac, than what you can find on a PC. Sure a PC has many more apps, it is just that most of them don’t actually work, or are useless. Bakup software, DVD ripping, MP3 conversion and just about every video conversion works better on a Mac. I have tried most of them, especially the most popular ones at download.com. You just can’t live any easier than with a Mac, no matter who writes the software.
fifthdecade // September 20, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Yeah Bill, you’re dead right. There’s a certain “Je ne sais quoi” about OS X that just makes things rather less hassle. For some reason, things really do “just work” as the cliche goes…
Bill // September 20, 2007 at 8:04 pm
It’s funny, I though of that after I hit submit. When I download software on my Mac, It just works, and just the opposite on my PC. When I am experimenting, I usually try it out on both the Mac and PC, so not to find the “perfect solution”. It almost never fails that the Mac prevails, including more numerous trials/ trialware on the ‘millions’ of useless, non- or poorly functioning PC apps. What hurts is that most of the PC shareware that I have tried [on multiple PC's] does not do what it is supposed to do, or just does it so poorly that it is useless.
Fred // September 21, 2007 at 2:25 pm
What slows the adoption of Macs? Are you really so dense as to have to ask the question? Price. Macs are more expensive. And yes, you probably do get more for the money, so in an abstract sense they may not be more expensive, but in a “how much do I have to put on my credit card to get one” sense, they’re too pricey for many. I’d love to switch to a Mac, but I don’t have that kind of cash.
Bill // September 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
When comparing similar components and software, we all know, as do all the PC sites that the Mac costs the same as a PC. However, except for the MacMini, there just aren’t any low end Macs. I kinda think that the iMac is affordable, but every one has a different idea of what ‘affordable’ means to them. Many of the low end PC’s don’t last very long, and getting a replacement will cost the same as an iMac, if you started with it first. You should try one. It will last longer than a PC. My G4 runs fine and fast and was purchased in 1999. I did upgrade the CPU once for $269, so it will create DVD’s of the kids faster. iWork is cheaper than MS Office, and NeoOffice is free. But, OpenOffice for PC’s [and Macs] is also free.
vermilk // September 26, 2007 at 8:58 pm
I think I will be getting a new MacBook Pro 17″ in the next month. It will belong to work but I’m looking forward to the change. I will be running Parallels with Vista as well. Why wouldn’t you buy a Mac?