| Home > Technology > A PC user enters the world of Macintosh: Will he be happy? |
| A PC user enters the world of Macintosh: Will he be happy? | | Date Created: 12 Oct, 2004, 08:15 PM |
 Every so often I get a chance to introduce a PC user to the world of Apple's Macintosh. Whether it be via listening to my iPod or watching me edit a video on my Powerbook, lately more people have been asking about life in the Apple orchard.
Today I had lunch with a psychologist colleague and friend who enquired about how easy it might be for him to make the transfer from using his IBM laptop to using a desktop Mac. Not that he wanted to do without his laptop completely- it still had time to run on its lease.
But he had become both displeased enough with how his laptop was not working for him, and curious about Apple, to seriously ask about Mac pros and cons.
Now I'm always honest when asked to make comparisons nowadays. No false praise, no false condemnation. Just how I use it, how I perceive the differences, and my firing questions back about how he intended to use his computer, and with which applications.
In Rod's case, he wanted to be sure Office for Mac was compatible, and that Mail would accept inline jpgs and html. I assured him both were possible. But his special sharemarket software from his stockbroker might be a dealbreaker.
Nonetheless, at lunch in Port Melbourne, I suggested we go to Computers Now on the edge of Melbourne's CBD to investigate. He seemed happy enough, and after a few minutes drive, we found parking and entered the store. I secretly hoped a 20" iMac G5 would be present, but alas, not yet in stock, but an iMac 17" was there to play with, which I duly did.
Rod walked up to it and seemed to like its form factor, and remarked it would look good in his inner-urban apartment. Then, looking around the back of the iMac, he asked a question that Steve Jobs and co. would have loved to have heard:
"Hey Les, where's the rest of the computer?"
"Er, Rod, there is no rest of... this IS the computer."
From there I demonstrated how the Dock worked, how Excel and Word looked and felt similar to their Windows brethren, and how Quicktime movies kept playing in the Dock. He asked where the speakers were, and why we could hear no sound. The Quicktime volume control was muted, so I advanced it and he was duly impressed with the sound reflecting from the benchtop. He also spotted some JBL kits nearby.
I explained Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports on the keyboard and rear, and accidentally hit a hot spot on the top right corner where ExposeŽ drew back the open windows. He was taken aback by all this, and seemed a little overwhelmed. He was also intrigued by the Apple mouse.
|
"Where's the buttons?"
Er, Rod, the mouse is the button!"
(For some time I've been wondering if principle should give way to pragmatism in order to help Windows users make the transition. I did say to Rod that multi-button mice are perfectly compatible with the Mac.)
But he persevered and enjoyed the demonstration. He asked especially about the ease with which his Bigpond ADSL service could be connected, and about transferring email settings.
Here I must share a criticism of this and other Apple stores I have visited here in Melbourne. Maybe I've been spoilt by the very hands-on experiences in Apple stores in the US. Yet ...do take it to heart guys - it's intended for your benefit.
Listen up: Despite your thoughts that iMacs and Powerbooks are so beautiful they sell themselves, you're wrong. Very wrong.
The iMac 17" we played with was not set up sufficiently for demonstration purposes. Yes, OS X was installed and the Mac could be operated in basic terms.
I tried to enter email settings to assure Rod of its ease of use, but without a connection I could not enter my details or even show him the look and feel of Mail. Mac users know that out of the box, Macs require restarting with its install DVD so as to personalise it and register with Apple and include email settings. Takes about 10 - 20 minutes depending on what extras you need to install.
But this hadn't been done. I couldn't show him message threading, or spam filtering, or its fast search function which kills Outlook's. Or how Mail displays inline html as well as Safari can. Such a pity, and I have seen this occur in other Apple stores in Melbourne. A nearby Powerbook connected to the Internet had the same Mail problems. Nor had iChat been setup to demonstrate iSight.
Really, have an iMac setup as if you're expecting hoards of Windows refugees coming in seeking a better PC experience, and have something to show them. Especially how Macs come with excellent mail filters, and pop-up blockers, and do have some websites prepared so these Mac advantages can be seen in action.
Most stores seem to do well with demos of PowerMacs, hooking them up to Cinema Displays, Final Cut Pro loaded, speakers attached, and even music keyboards. But the iMac is the one for the PC convert seeking a seachange. Make the task of their switching a little easier for them instore, which is the dealbreaking time.
Don't accept the myth that Windows users will see the wonders of OS X and be blown over because it's obviously better. These people are giving up a lot to come to the Mac - equipment, software and the comfort of belonging with 95% of desktop users.
It's not easy, and generates anxiety. Believe me, I've seen it often. The minimise, and close buttons are no longer on the right, but on the left. The START menu has no obvious equivalent. Nor are My Documents or My Music folders easily visible on the Desktop. It can feel strange to Windows' users even of great experience.
Indeed for them and moderately experienced Windows users, there can be more anxiety because their muscle memory patterns are more ingrained. The obvious beauty and superiority of the OS X GUI is not apparent at first glance for anxious Windows users, habituated to the "as good as it gets - live with it " mentality imbued in Microsoft's organisational DNA. And if new computer users have never used anything other than Windows, as is the case for many older folk getting their children's hand me-ups, they are scared enough already. The ease and friendliness of the Mac is not self-evident to this group.
So take them by the figurative hand and gently guide them to the Mac's advantages. You remember the floppies that came with the Mac Plus, which taught how to do drag and drop, and double-click when people were still using the command line interface? I couldn't sleep the first time I played with a Plus.
Same principles at work - show and let them play, but have the Mac set up so play is fun, not anxiety-building. Fun with serious applications - what a killer combo.
...do this and then wait for them to say, "Why didn't I switch earlier?"
That's what I like to hear.
Update: Many thanks to Robert Scoble, Microsoft Geek Blogger, who alerted his reader to an Applestore (Singapore) employee's blog, Adrianna Tan. She seems to have the Right Stuff to sell Apple products. Wonder if it's the same store where I bought my Griffin iMate "just a knob?" two years ago? |
|
|
|
