Choosing the right computer platform is a personal and institutional decision. The machine and its software has to work for you, as well as integrate into the network of hardware and software applications of your department and institution.
I cannot tell you what is right for your particular circumstance. I will, however, share with you my personal experience.
I was forced to switch from Mac to Windows when I took my first job in the academy. And over the last ten years, I navigated the minefield of Windows software and hardware with some success, as well as much frustration. I have also watched my students struggle with similar issues.
A couple of years ago I began writing about my disappointments with Windows software and hardware. I grew tired of crashes, hangs, bad design and endless clicks. The recent comments of Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s Chief Executive, that people buying the Vista OS can downgrade to XP ‘for free’ underscores my point.
So I recently made a switch back to Apple and bought a MacBook Pro with OS X Leopard. I’m extremely pleased I did. I chose a 15″ screen, a 1/2 terabyte time capsule. I supplemented this with a widescreen monitor, as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse. I also had 4 GB of memory installed.
The current iteration of OS X is vastly superior to XP — from the GUI, to the program architecture, to the interoperability with the web. Indeed, I am a bit astonished at the difference. I have not used Vista, but what I hear and see from my students (and Ballmer) does not reassure me. Indeed even Microsofts’ flagship software — Office — works better on a Mac.
[Edit: Since I first wrote this post, Windows 7 has come out. It is far superior to XP and Vista, but rather clunky next to the latest releases of OS X.]
If you are or will be a university student or professor, you may be thinking about switching from Windows to Apple. If you do, here are a few resources that may be of help along the way.
Apple’s overview on moving from Windows to OS X. Great place to start.
www.apple.com/getamac/movetomac
Even better, Apple’s Switch 101
www.apple.com/support/switch101
Little Machine’s O2M (Outlook to Mac) software. Before you give it a whirl, make sure you set your dates and times to American standard. World time and Canadian date formats gum up the works.
www.littlemachines.com
Once you’ve accomplished the basics, ThinkMac has a switching guide that takes you to the next step.
ThinkMac.net
For a list of the best open source Mac software, try:
OpenSourceMac.org.
For a complementary list of the best Mac software (open source or not), try:
BestMacSoftware.org.
For a list of portable applications you can use on a usb key with your mac, try:
FreewareOSX.com.
Version Tracker and MacUpdates will help you find other applications, plugins, scripts, etc.
VersionTracker.com
MacUpdate.com
And if you like to keep up with Apple innovations and gossip, look to Apple Insider.
Finally, if you prefer a paper guide, try David Pogue’s Switching to Mac (2008).
If you will be studying in a windows environment, you can install Parallels desktop or use Apple’s BootCamp to run XP and windows programs. Since OS X is built on an open source core, many open source programs made for Unix or Linux will also work on the Apple through the use of the X11 emulator that comes with your Apple. Both Parallels and X11 are easy to use.
If it is of help to you, here’s a taste of what I’m running on my MacBookPro today. I’ve tried to build on a bundle of native Apple software, supplemented with other open source and proprietary software.
OS X Leopard
Coda (Dreamweaver alternative)
Cyberduck (ftp client)
Firefox and Safari (browsers & IE alternatives)
Address Book, iCal and Mail (Outlook alternative)
Google Earth
Inkscape (photoshop alternative)
iPhoto (Picassa alternative)
iTunes (of courese)
KeePassX
Kompozer (Dreamweaver alternative)
MarsEdit (blog editor)
NeoOffice (Microsoft Office alternative)
iWork (Microsoft Office alternative)
Sente (Endnote alternative)
Skype and iChat
SyncDifferent (usb syncronization)
UnArchiver (WinZip alternative)
VLC (Windows Media Player alternative)
Xee (image browser)
I hope my experience is of some help to you, and good luck with your computer purchase
cheers, Bill
