3 ms·

So what has changed? You can buy a Mac today even if you are working at Microsoft.

speedgoose 5y ago
I had an iMac G4 in 2004 and I have a MacBook pro M1 in 2021. I used only PCs running Ubuntu, ArchLinux, and Windows between. When I got the M1, it felt like home. Not much did change over 17 years. If you think about windows only, between windows XP and a recent windows 10, it's very different and much better. It's possible to use the computer while an application is using all available resources now. You also have descent composting with GPU accelerated 3D effects and good windows management. Good touch screen support too. Also much better security, and a great Linux integration with WSL. I actually prefer a lot of things in Windows than Mac today. I think Mac OS is a bit behind windows on some features I use, like touchscreen support or the Linux integration. But the good hardware makes it worth it since the M1.
- sbuk 5y ago
  I'm interested in the ' touchscreen support or the Linux integration.' part of your comment. I don't think we'll see touch screen on a Mac in the short-to-middle term because Apple have very defined views on interaction models. Of more interest is the Linux integration part. What Linux 'features' are missing from macOS on the terminal that cannot be installed from either Homebrew, MacPorts or pkgsrc? Genuinely interested...
  - speedgoose 5y ago
    About Linux it's to have Docker with good performances, and a development environment more similar than the production environment. I'm almost not a fan of compilation to install standard tools, its a bit slow and it feels unnecessary. About the touchscreen support, it's simply that I like touchscreens. It think it's more convenient for some usages and I think Apple acknowledged that with their ridiculously small touch bar. I hope they will allow real professional usage on the iPad pro or bring touch screen support to the MacBook eventually. I could live without it but I still touch my MacBook screen by mistake once in a while.
    - sbuk 5y ago
      Thanks. That makes sence, although Docker on the M1 seems to have improved things. If it's any consolation, my 3 year old tries to touch things on computer and TV screens! It's clearly an natural interaction given the technology around today.
exegete 5y ago
The author of the email probably technically “could” buy a Mac but why would he do that? The negative press would have been detrimental to Microsoft. The same is true today. Imagine the headlines that would get re-tweeted - “Microsoft head of platforms uses a Mac at home”
- iamstupidsimple 5y ago
  Similar to Eric Schmidt using Blackberry and iPhones over an Android phone: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/21/eric-schmidt-blackberry-user https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/21/eric-schm...
wink 5y ago
There's a difference between "people at Microsoft Research giving a public presentation on a mac" and "one of the top 10 people at Microsoft runs around with a mac". But yes, it is a bit of a different time as well, but I think Allchin the person is a pretty important part of the statement.
rsynnott 5y ago
This was during the reign of noted loon Ballmer, so probably not a great idea. Remember this? https://www.cultofmac.com/501138/apple-history-steve-ballmer-iphone-freakout/ https://www.cultofmac.com/501138/apple-history-steve-ballmer...

I had an iMac G4 in 2004 and I have a MacBook pro M1 in 2021. I used only PCs running Ubuntu, ArchLinux, and Windows between. When I got the M1, it felt like home. Not much did change over 17 years. If you think about windows only, between windows XP and a recent windows 10, it's very different and much better. It's possible to use the computer while an application is using all available resources now. You also have descent composting with GPU accelerated 3D effects and good windows management. Good touch screen support too. Also much better security, and a great Linux integration with WSL. I actually prefer a lot of things in Windows than Mac today. I think Mac OS is a bit behind windows on some features I use, like touchscreen support or the Linux integration. But the good hardware makes it worth it since the M1.

sbuk 5y ago
I'm interested in the ' touchscreen support or the Linux integration.' part of your comment. I don't think we'll see touch screen on a Mac in the short-to-middle term because Apple have very defined views on interaction models. Of more interest is the Linux integration part. What Linux 'features' are missing from macOS on the terminal that cannot be installed from either Homebrew, MacPorts or pkgsrc? Genuinely interested...
- speedgoose 5y ago
  About Linux it's to have Docker with good performances, and a development environment more similar than the production environment. I'm almost not a fan of compilation to install standard tools, its a bit slow and it feels unnecessary. About the touchscreen support, it's simply that I like touchscreens. It think it's more convenient for some usages and I think Apple acknowledged that with their ridiculously small touch bar. I hope they will allow real professional usage on the iPad pro or bring touch screen support to the MacBook eventually. I could live without it but I still touch my MacBook screen by mistake once in a while.
  - sbuk 5y ago
    Thanks. That makes sence, although Docker on the M1 seems to have improved things. If it's any consolation, my 3 year old tries to touch things on computer and TV screens! It's clearly an natural interaction given the technology around today.

exegete 5y ago

The author of the email probably technically “could” buy a Mac but why would he do that? The negative press would have been detrimental to Microsoft. The same is true today. Imagine the headlines that would get re-tweeted - “Microsoft head of platforms uses a Mac at home”

iamstupidsimple 5y ago
Similar to Eric Schmidt using Blackberry and iPhones over an Android phone: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/21/eric-schmidt-blackberry-user https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/21/eric-schm...

wink 5y ago

There's a difference between "people at Microsoft Research giving a public presentation on a mac" and "one of the top 10 people at Microsoft runs around with a mac". But yes, it is a bit of a different time as well, but I think Allchin the person is a pretty important part of the statement.

rsynnott 5y ago

This was during the reign of noted loon Ballmer, so probably not a great idea. Remember this? https://www.cultofmac.com/501138/apple-history-steve-ballmer-iphone-freakout/ https://www.cultofmac.com/501138/apple-history-steve-ballmer...