The elephant in my technology room is whether I am going to make the switch to Apple. I am convinced that Apple’s operating system is vastly more stable than Windows. That alone, warrants a switch. I have become increasingly frustrated with nagging Windows issues over the years. It’s particularly unnerving when think you have your computer humming along, only to discover that it decided to throw a little tantrum, usually in the form of a failed task accompanied by an error code. Just a few posts back, I briefly lamented that a ghost has apparently taken over my Zune. Forget Sarah Palin. If you want to truly find a road to nowhere, wander around in Microsoft help/troubleshooting website for a while. You’re sure to get lost.
As these problems with my (and my wife’s) computer persist, I am more urgently looking at my options. Windows 7 or Apple’s Snow Leopard-run computers. I am attempting to be emotionally detached, because I’m, admittedly, am naturally drawn to Apple. There is sheer beauty in the design if their products. The approach the company takes to crafting products and laboring over the right materials is nothing short of brilliant.
[suspend objectivity]
An indicator has a value when it’s indicating something. But if it’s not indicating something, it shouldn’t be there.
I love minimalist design stuff!
[ resume objectivity]
In spite of all my industrial design slurping (hey…I was wrapped up watching a documentary on the Helvitica font), I am capable of being rather objective and pragmatic about the comparison of these two systems. For one, Microsoft doesn’t make computers/hardware. Given the less-than-stellar reliability of the Zune, I’d say that’s a smart move. Apple, on the other hand, does produce hardware as well as software. There’s some inherent benefits to the vertical integration. Apple’s core software pretty much mimics the hardware. It’s clean, straightforward, and intuitive. Put all these together and you’re left wondering, “Why am I even debating this?” Well, can we say Apple sticker shock! Beyond that (and that’s a big beyond), there’s no good reason to be foot-dragging on making a switch…right?
Not…so…fast.
So I’m in Chicago this past weekend, visiting my close friend of nearly 20 years. He’s been an Apple devotee since we were in college together. He’s what they call an early adopter. While in Chicago, I used his iMac and MacBook to check some email, send a few tweets, and even write the blog installment about wanting to read more books. It didn’t take long for my blood pressure to rise as I discovered that I was making typos over and over again. What the…??! I am a fairly good typist. I used to push out 100+ wpm with less than 2 errors per page, but I’m sure that number is somewhere in the sub-70s with a few more errors. Nevertheless, the frequency of mistakes was alarming. It was the same on the iMac and the Macbook. What is going on?
Let’s look at the keyboards.
Apple
My Toshiba Satellite Laptop
One of the first things that threw me off was the Command or “apple key.” It performs some of the same functions as the “Control” key on a Windows-system keyboard, but it’s in a different place. Cut-and-paste was a nightmare. I kept hitting the option key. I was about to scream every time I hit the wrong key.
Oh…where the hell is home and end? I learned from my boy that you hit the command key and the arrow keys, but I like a designated button. Perhaps it’s because I am a touch typist, and I need the keys to be where my muscle memory takes my fingers. I’m pretty open to technology change, but this could potentially be a deal-breaker.
I know what you’re thinking. What’s the big deal? Would I seriously think about staying with a Windows-based computer solely for the keyboard layout? Probably not, but I would be lying if it didn’t make me pause and wonder if it’s a barrier to entry. As I mentioned above, I get all googly eyed over Apple designs, but the keyboard really me stumped. I don’t really see an inherent design flaw with the 104-key keyboard. Sure, drop the number pad. I like it, but don’t need it. That shrinks the keyboard a bit. I must say, though, that I have come to be particularly wed to my home, end, delete and page up/page down keys. Much like most of Apple’s design, these keys make sense. They serve a purpose. They just work.
There are similar nit-picky things about Apples that would take some time, and likely a good dose of cursing, before I got used to them. A few friends have shared that it typically takes about three months to convert fully to the Apple system structure, nomenclature, keys and shortcuts. In the scheme of things, that’s not too bad, but I may have to type on some Apple keyboards for a while before I toss in the towel on my trusty 104-key.
To be fair, a number of 13″ or 15.4″ laptops don’t have dedicated keys for home, end, page up/page down.
So, I can’t completely lean in on Apple for a design flaw when it’s shared with some others. I still don’t like it, though.
I’d like to hear from you. In my mind, there are two, maybe three, camps out there. Those that who have used Macs for as long as they can remember. Those who use both, and frequently switch back and forth. And, finally, those who recently made the switch to Apple. Naturally, I suspect, unless you work in graphic arts, photography, or a pretty progressive office that only uses Apples, most users switch back-and-forth between Apples and Windows PCs. Please share your experiences, conversion tales, and general accounts of being a Mac or PC person.
