Hi folks, I thought for my first post I'd jump on here.
I'm in the process of switching from Windows to Mac and I have a few reasons why which I'll explain in a minute.
First I have industry experience, I have a BS in computer science from 2000. I worked in IT from 2000 to September of this year when I was laid off. Myself and other network techs maintained a Windows based company, including 2000, XP, and Vista, Microsoft Exchange - the whole shabang of Microsoft.
We were hit by klez and almost hit by Cornficker.
While I was going for my MBA (Master in Business Admin) the company I worked for sent me and several others on a trip to Poerto Rico for training on one of the products we were selling. The German manufacturer sponsored the trip. While I was there I figured I would finish up a paper on my new Sony Vaio. It was a 10" ultraportable, running XP Pro. I liked it alot. I did my reading on the plane ride to the island and decided to write the small paper the first night - since it was due in two days and I didn't know what my schedule would be like there.
I boot the machine, start writing halfway done - blue screen. I figure it happens. I reboot, start working again, blue screen again. And again and again. I ran all the checks I could think of - no hardware problems. I turn it off for an hour thinking it overheated - reboot, get into Word - blue screen.
So I head down to the hotel business office, write the report email it to the prof and that was that.
When I get home, I reformat the machine and its fine, stable and normal. I used it for six months before I eBayed it - Centrino was coming out and I wanted to get a decent price.
This was a failure in the Operating System - nothing was wrong with the machine. That was strike one. Instead of spending time out drinking in Puerto Rico - I had to diagnose my laptop.
Strike Two - Cornficker. The fact that a hole like that even existed should have been enough. Once Symantec saw it on one machine, I unplugged the company network preventing it from spreading. Only ten machines were hit.
That's when I got my first refurbished Macbook 13" just to check it out. I loved it, but the screen was too small. I used it for a year until I got my MBP 15."
Strike Three- Vista. I rushed to upgrade my parents machine that i build - slow. I couldn't believe how dog slow that machine is now. I'm almost going back to XP 64. Core 2 Duo @ 2.8Ghz with 4GB of ram shouldn't take 45 seconds to boot and log in.
So yeah, I'll get that machine to Windows 7 - off ebay and that will be the last PC in inflict on my family.
It just isn't worth it.
Then there's the fact these brand new machines from the factory come with all sorts of useless junk, and Symantec which extorts money from ignorant users "Your definitions are about to expire! Pay $50 or you won't be protected!" I like how Geek Squad as Best Buy charges PC buyers to clear off that crapware.
So yeah, there's method to my madness.
Another note on my qualifications, I was in the process of getting MCSE certification, but quit because the people I was taking classes with were unbearable. Then the fact aftet two classes in Windows 2000, XP came out.