Why One Writer Chose Windows 7 Over Snow Leopard
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Over at Betanews I just finished reading an article by Joe Wilcox on why he dumped Snow Leopard for Windows 7. Joe describes himself as both a Mac and PC user, He also stated how he used a Mac Pro for most of the summer but recently returned to Windows 7 which he describes as, well here is what Joe says:
The Mac OS X user interface, once trendsetting, is now a tired motif overdue for overhaul. Worse, Apple hints at what the UI could and should be in a few places, with QuickTime being the most visible example. The QuickTime UI is refreshing and new — delightful. Something similar should skin much of Snow Leopard. Worse still, QuickTime’s more modern UI is jarring reminder when switching back to the Snow Leopard Finder about how old most of the rest of Mac OS X feels.
By comparison, Windows 7 feels surprisingly fresh. Microsoft is finally doing good user interface design. Around 2006, which coincidentally — or not — is about when Bill Buxton joined Microsoft Research as principal researcher, the company started making huge strides in UI and UX (user experience) design.
Ouch! That is a scathing take on the Mac OS X and Snow Leopard. Windows 7 according to Joe is actually new, plus improved and worth a look. For those of us who are using the RTM of Windows 7 I think we can agree with Joe’s assessment.
With that being said I believe Joe presented some valid arguments on why he chose to change. The only thing I disagree with is what Joe stated in the title of his article:
Why I chose Windows 7 over Snow Leopard (and you should, too)
I personally don’t believe you should switch if you are satisfied with your Mac, Snow Leopard or whatever OS you are using. Same with the PC. Whether it’s XP or Vista, who cares? I personally don’t and I don’t participate in the Windows vs Mac arguments.
Comments welcome.
3 Comments
Stef
September 18th, 2009
at 5:58am
While there’s plenty of problems with the Finder in OS X, I really don’t see the need to fix something that by and large isn’t broken.
I also don’t really see how Quicktime’s UI should have an effect on the rest of the OS. The UI in QT 7 was way outdated and wasteful, whilst the UI for QT X is as minimalist as possible. Neither would really fit well for a file browser or any other components of OS X.
The most important step for Apple with 10.6 was to finish the 64-bit transition and introduce several key technologies that would help developers get the most out of the machines at their disposal.
The most important thing for MS with Windows 7 was to fix what went wrong with Vista and finish making the changes to the UI which they started with Vista.
Neither was reinventing the wheel, and neither needed to do so. Both were polishing off rough edges to the UI. Neither were fixing what isn’t broken.
Ron Schenone
September 18th, 2009
at 7:37am
Stef,
Great points.
Richard
September 19th, 2009
at 7:35pm
I support several hundred Macs at work and a few Windows boxes. At home I use XP and Vista. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. I agree with stick with what you like. With my money I purchase Windows machines, because I get more for my money.