3 ms·

Just have to say, Apple has been working the usability angle a lot longer than Ubuntu and it doesn't seem to be upsetting Microsoft too much. Of course, this c

Just have to say, Apple has been working the usability angle a lot longer than Ubuntu and it doesn't seem to be upsetting Microsoft too much. Of course, this comes from a person who has never been able to rationalize spending his own money on a Mac.

itsboring 13y ago
That's true, but I do have to point out that I recently gave a mac mini to my mom before my dad started using the Ubuntu laptop. I went that direction rather than upgrading her PC from Vista, so it's cost them at least two sales. I realize that means nothing in the grand scheme, but I still feel it's a powerful anecdote given that my parents are "average" computer users.
- spencera 13y ago
  Interesting. I wonder if your father resorted to the Ubuntu laptop because your Mom refused to give up the mini :P
  - itsboring 13y ago
    Yeah, that's very possible. All I know is that neither of them have had to call me for help so far.
- stfu 13y ago
  Same here. A few years ago I got my mum a mac mini and no problems ever since. But I just can't get myself into buying one of those "things".
dubcanada 13y ago
I would actually disagree with that, as far as stats go Windows is losing market share. Not extremely fast, but they are.
nicolethenerd 13y ago
Exactly - Apple products are expensive - despite their usability, not all users are willing to pay a premium for that. On the other hand, if there was a highly-usable free alternative to Windows (which Linux seems like it's well on its way to becoming), that might be a different story. Of course, being free, Linux doesn't have the marketing budget that Apple does - so I don't see it stealing too much of Microsoft's market share any time soon. (And then of course there's the fact that Windows machines are actually subsidized by Microsoft, making Windows effectively cheaper than free. Plus all the other factors that make folks Windows users - the proprietary software, use in schools, etc.)

itsboring 13y ago

That's true, but I do have to point out that I recently gave a mac mini to my mom before my dad started using the Ubuntu laptop. I went that direction rather than upgrading her PC from Vista, so it's cost them at least two sales. I realize that means nothing in the grand scheme, but I still feel it's a powerful anecdote given that my parents are "average" computer users.

spencera 13y ago
Interesting. I wonder if your father resorted to the Ubuntu laptop because your Mom refused to give up the mini :P
- itsboring 13y ago
  Yeah, that's very possible. All I know is that neither of them have had to call me for help so far.
stfu 13y ago
Same here. A few years ago I got my mum a mac mini and no problems ever since. But I just can't get myself into buying one of those "things".

dubcanada 13y ago

I would actually disagree with that, as far as stats go Windows is losing market share. Not extremely fast, but they are.

nicolethenerd 13y ago

Exactly - Apple products are expensive - despite their usability, not all users are willing to pay a premium for that. On the other hand, if there was a highly-usable free alternative to Windows (which Linux seems like it's well on its way to becoming), that might be a different story. Of course, being free, Linux doesn't have the marketing budget that Apple does - so I don't see it stealing too much of Microsoft's market share any time soon. (And then of course there's the fact that Windows machines are actually subsidized by Microsoft, making Windows effectively cheaper than free. Plus all the other factors that make folks Windows users - the proprietary software, use in schools, etc.)