Mac Lists

12 More Good Reasons to Buy a Mac Computer

As promised in my earlier posting, I have 12 more reasons that you can use to persuade someone to buy you a Mac computer this holiday season.

1.  Compatible with Windows

Although Mac OS X 10.5 is a terrific operating system, there might, unfortunately, be times when you need to use Windows. This is no problem for a new Intel Mac - Apple even provides you with Bootcamp, software that lets you run Windows on a Mac. With Bootcamp, Mac OS X and Windows run separately, but at least three third-party companies have low-cost software that lets you run Mac OS X and Windows side-by-side. So, "I need to run Windows" is no longer an excuse for not owning a Mac computer.

2.  Versatile Text Editing

Mac OS X comes with its own text editing program, TextEdit. Although TextEdit cannot compete with a full-fledged word processor, you can create many different types of documents with it, including documents with formatted lists, tables and, of course, colorful, formatted text. In addition, you can add images and movies to TextEdit documents.

3.  Decent Adobe Reader Substitute

If you get tired of the slowness of Adobe Reader, Mac OS X has its own quick PDF reader called Preview. Although Preview doesn't have has many options as Adobe Reader, it does let you add annotations to PDF files, complete PDF forms and rearrange or delete pages in a PDF document. In addition, Preview can be used for low-level image editing with a wide range of image types, including JPEG, TIFF, GIF, and ICO.

4.  Easy Video Viewing

Mac OS X comes with two applications for viewing videos and DVDs. You can use the standalone DVD Player for DVDs or you can use Front Row with the included remote control to create a movie theater experience. With Front Row and your remote control, you can sit back on your couch and watch and control DVDs or videos or listen to your music as you relax after a long day at the office.

5.  Easy Formatting and Repairing

The Mac OS X Disk Utility program makes formatting, partitioning and repairing hard drives easy. You can even verify CDs and DVDs with Disk Utility and format and repair rewritable CDs and DVDs. Although there are more powerful third-party disk utility applications on the market, in over a year of using Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) on two computers and with 3 external hard drives, I've never had the need for anything more than Disk Utility.

6.  Great Free Software Options

Finding free software is easy for a Mac computer. Each day, MacUpdate and VersionTracker list hundreds of new and updated applications that can be downloaded and many of these programs are freeware or donationware. In addition, most open-source applications, such as Gimp and OpenOffice, are also available for Mac computers, so owning a Mac computer doesn't limit your software options.

7.  Extended System Support

New versions of Mac OS X usually come out every two years, but Apple continues to support the previous version with security updates, and sometimes bug fixes, long after the release of the new version. Also, Apple frequently updates its system software without extra charge to Mac users. For example, Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) went through 11 revisions before Apple closed the book on updating it (but security updates are still released). Many times the updates are more like upgrades because Apple often adds new or improved features to the update, with some updates having over 100 improvements.

8.  Great Apple Support

In addition to frequent updates to software, Apple provides other forms of support to users. They have a "Feedback" form users can send to Apple developers and, yes, these comments are read and Apple is responsive to users' suggestions. For example, prior to releasing MobileMe, Apple notified users that it was discontinuing its Homepage application. Users complained and the application was not removed for users who had been using it under the older .Mac service. Apple stores also provide extensive service to customers, including providing in-store classes and a "Genius" bar where customers can get help with using their Mac computers. For people who don't have access to an Apple store, Apple has extensive online support, including video tutorials and excellent, extensive and very active forums that cover all aspects of Mac computers and software.

9.  One-Step Programming

Automator is a Mac OS X application that lets non-programmers quickly and easily develop programs to control aspects of the operating system or Apple applications. For example, I took about a minute to develop a little program that launches my four favorite Internet applications with just the press of a mouse button. To help beginners get started with Automator, Apple has included a "Starting Points" pane that opens when Automator is launched. Programming is no longer reserved for "geeks."

10.  "Geek" Programming

For those who like to delve into programming, Apple has provided AppleScript, Dashcode and a more advanced developer's package, all for free. Anyone can join Apple's Developer program and gain access to the free xcode package of advanced programming tools and free tutorials, manuals and discussion groups. Once you've graduated from Automator, it's easy to enter the world of "geek" programming with Mac OS X.

11.  "Elite" Community

When you buy a Mac computer, you instantly become a member of an elite community, with a strong support network. Apple gives support to user groups all over the world and they even have a special web page where you can find a user group near you. In addition to local user groups, there are several online user groups, many helpful Mac-only forums and even some social networks just for Mac users (see, for example, World Wide Mac). Each January, there is an annual MacWorld conference, attended by thousands of Mac users, including Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs.

12.  Aesthetic Experience

Some people buy Mac computers just because they are so beautifully designed. I own a Mac Mini and whenever someone visits and asks to see my computer, they ooh and ahh over the size and beauty of it. And the Mini is nothing compared to the magnificent beauty of an iMac or MacBook Air. The Mac operating system, like a Mac computer, is a work of art, with its three-dimensional, glistening Dock, colorful coverflow Finder view and futuristic Time Machine environment.