Apple Culture vs. Microsoft Culture
The OS wars of the late 90s are over, companies once out to kill each other are now friends, and nothing is ever beige; we’ve gone through quite a transition, Windows 95 to Vista, System 7 to Mac OS X Leopard. But we still carried a uniqueness that is present today, even in new users for each platform. Every Mac user and every Window user has a little bit of something in them that makes them identifiable as a whole.
Being an Apple user myself, this part is easy. Whichever Apple user you ask, the casual, the fanboy, or the aged, you’ll get different responses depending on how they use a Mac; Apple means something different to everyone. I really became a Mac user in 2005, and it took a while for the initial shock to wear off. Compared to using Macs in 2000, when I didn’t even know that I was using one! Anyway, Steve’s Reality Distortion Field took a hold of me for a few months. I bragged to my dad and friends that the Mac way was the only way. For about 6 months I was the biggest Apple fanboy you’d ever meet. I eagerly awaited every keynote, following various live blogging events, and was quick to submit each new story to Digg only to be shadowed by the previous 20 or so before me. If Apple introduced something new I would’ve thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and Apple was the first to do it.
Boy was I dead wrong. I even thought Apple was the first to put a Dual Core processor in a laptop. There is no definite answer why we all think Apple is the greatest company ever and Microsoft is Satan reincarnated (if we do), but my guess is it’s due to the hardware and software each company utilizes. Because of our small (but rising) market share we tend not to get some of the cooler things Windows users enjoy, such as games. But one thing we are accustomed to is a lot of things just working. Since we have very few products and options to accomplish something, whether it be designing a billboard or sending an e-mail, we’re used to having things work the way we need them to; the amount (or lack) of software/hardware to aid us in this doesn’t matter, everything just works, no need to have too many options.
With this we get a very limited view of things. Only certain technologies are introduced to us and we all rely on Apple to give us the really mind blowing stuff, which is something we’ve never seen before yet has been available for quite some time. It’s through what’s available that our basis of technology is formed, the Apple way of technology, that whatever Apple introduces must be the best. But as time goes on we eventually expand our views to embrace other realms of technology. The giddyness we get during a keynote eventually subsides, the joy we get in waiting for the Apple store to come back online and the happiness we get when we convert new users eventually wear off. Essentially we come off as snobby, selfish, and arrogant, only because some of our views are limited to what hardware and software is available in the Apple world, which gives us a closed perspective.
The Microsoft culture is different, but also similar, to the culture of Apple users. Most aren’t too savvy on how computers work running Windows, because it’s the only option they ever grew up with, even though simpler and more full-featured options exist. In a way it’s more simple than a Mac, and any other operating system for that matter. It all comes down to a user standpoint; if someone only ever grew up with a Windows-based platform, how hard do you think it’d be for someone who is technologically illiterate to switch. Yeah, it’d be easier to stick with Windows. These people, who know what Microsoft is and what it offers, are quite content with their computer configuration and are less likely to upgrade unless it’s done for them, such as their business doing it.
I’ve also noticed of Microsoft users that the more tech savvy ones tend to be more laid back and use their computer for what they need it to do, while enjoying simplicity and flexibility. They aren’t like some Mac users who herald CEOs as demigods and insist their operating system is superior. They don’t need to, because Windows is used by a vast majority of people, most of whom have no intention of switching. As mentioned earlier, the limited view of some Mac users comes from what hardware/software options are available. I believe the exact opposite is true with Windows users.
Microsoft has created a simpler and more friendly environment than Apple, while both attempt to create some sort of monopoly in the markets they try to enter. It’s easier for us if either of these companies make a monopoly but aggressively defend it. Electronics manufacturers will support the larger corporation or one who has more control over a market. This is evident in Apple’s stronghold on the mobile music/video player market and with Microsoft’s massive command of the operating system market. Since Microsoft is the more influential company in many areas, manufacturers will want to go with Microsoft. Because of this, tons of devices and software will just work and many options will be available.
There will be those who do not match up with this description as it’s incredibly hard to describe every aspect of an audience accurately. Nonetheless, this is only my observation of how users interact.
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Comments
Microsoft has created a simpler and more friendly environment than Apple
I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about in most of this article.
I mean, you make points but without any examples I have only the vaguest idea what sorts of things you’re referring to.
I’m sorry - this isn’t aimed specifically at Tanner - but either the quality of writing on these opinion pieces improves dramatically or you’re going to lose a lot of readers.
For gossip and rumours we can cope with sloppy English (we shouldn’t have to but we do) but on long-form pieces that aren’t time sensitive, there really is no excuse.
Is it about time that some editorial controls were put into place?
You’re right it’s pointless to rehash old history but the main difference is that MS is a CONVICTED monopolist. There’s nothing wrong with being dominant (like the ipod), having a large marlet share is not in itself illegal - it’s when you leverage that monopoly to make other gains. That is the main difference between MS & Apple. One’s been convicted by dozens of countries and states of committing illegal acts.
Whatever…
I agree with jbelkin, there are multiple reasons to dislike M$, but the main reason is their criminal behaviour.
Tanner…
‘For about 6 months I was the biggest Apple fanboy you’d ever meet. I eagerly awaited every keynote...’
So you experienced one keynote...and then lost interest. Fanboy...not really - the sun never sets in RDFland ;->>
I really have no idea what you are talking about, particularly the last but one para..
Apple matters articles have been getting from bad to worse lately. What are the writers doing? Have you all started paying primary school kids to write your articles for you?
What is the point of this article? I’m not sure I understand what the poster is trying to present…
Microsoft has created a simpler and more friendly environment than Apple
I don’t understand. Where has Microsoft created this environment? How has Microsoft created this environment? Are you talking about on the Internet (certainly, not that I’ve witnessed)? In user groups? What are you trying to say?
I’ve also noticed of Microsoft users that the more tech savvy ones tend to be more laid back
I’ve noticed that savvy Mac users tend to be more laid back. Your statement is hugely subjective and generalized.
Apple is the greatest company ever and Microsoft is Satan reincarnated (if we do), but my guess is it’s due to the hardware and software
Most people’s opinion appear to be forms by the business tactics of the company. Microsoft practices predatory business practices to maintain its Windows monopoly—threatening OEMs who want to install Linux, (or Netscape instead IE back in the ‘90s). Most people who hate Microsoft don’t do it because they like Apple… They do it because Microsoft has proven itself to be unscrupulous. This opinion of Microsoft’s “evil” (to borrow a turn of phrase) is not just held by Mac users, but also Linux users AND Windows users.
Apple, conversely, has gained the majority of the MP3 market by creating and marketing an excellent product, not by using anti-competitive business practices to keep OEM partners in line.
Since we have very few products and options to accomplish something,[...] we’re used to having things work the way we need them to...
And this is bad because....?
You seem to be implying that Windows users are used to things not working, so they are more satisfied with lesser products… I’m not sure I follow what you’re getting at.
In a way it’s more simple than a Mac [...] if someone only ever grew up with a Windows-based platform, how hard do you think it’d be for someone who is technologically illiterate to switch.
You seem to contradict yourself. First you say the Mac is a simpler option, and then you say Windows is simpler. If I get the gist, I think you’re really saying is that people stick with what they know or are used to.
But that doesn’t demonstrate that either Windows is harder or simpler to use—just differnt. That’s like saying “Esperanto is a simpler language than English, but it’s harder because I only know English.”
That said, I don’t think that either one is so far different from the other that a switcher couldn’t adapt fairly quickly.
Only certain technologies are introduced to us
Could you cite some examples? This statement has no basis in fact that I can find. Do you mean only certain software? Software != technologies in this context.
rely on Apple to give us the really mind blowing stuff, which is something we’ve never seen before yet has been available for quite some time.
This paragraph makes almost no sense.
They aren’t like some Mac users who herald CEOs as demigods and insist their operating system is superior.
This is a myth perpetuated by Windows fan boys. The majority of Mac users I have met (and there have been many) respect the job Steve Jobs has done of creating a viable, profitable company from one that was sliding rapidly down hill, but I’ve rarely met such rabid Mac users that “herald [Steve Jobs] as a demigod”. That’s what Windows users say to hurl insults at Mac users.
Reguarding this whole article, as the caveman in a recent commercial said- “Huhhhhhhh”.....
I’ve also noticed of Microsoft users that the more tech savvy ones tend to be more laid back and use their computer for what they need it to do, while enjoying simplicity and flexibility.
Not sure what you mean here. I’d say that someone tech-savvy may have the ability to “make it work” but doesn’t mean the “it” is simple or flexible.
Microsoft has created a simpler and more friendly environment than Apple.
Are you talking about Windows? Each OS is different but I’d have to say Apple gets the nod for ease of use. OS X doesn’t bog you down with a Start menu, software uninstall, or daily virus updates.
Because of this, tons of devices and software will just work and many options will be available.
My father recently updated to Vista and had to ditch a number of older PCI cards and other devices that don’t have Vista drivers. That might not be Microsoft’s fault directly but Vista turns its back on some legacy equipment (probably not a bad idea but irritating if it impacts you).
So you used a Mac in the year 2000 but you were not aware of it. In 2005 you became a MacUser because mom wanted an iPod. Interesting curriculum and drive to have an opinion on computers.
It’s now 2007 and yes, you actually got your opinion in AppleMatters! An article about Mac and Microsoft and how they became friends, and how Windows created the user friendly environment.
Aging Mac users just sit there mailing something to themselves, occasionally creating a new folder, while window users have the cool stuff like games.
You don’t have much to say, don’t you, however you can get very excited about that emptiness, and are fascinated in morfing that emptiness in your writing style.
My dear boring friend, it is a wonder you got your opinion on a site. The site is AppleMatters, but nevertheless. Do mom a favour, don’t give up your day-job. She only wears the earbuds when you’re in sight.
It is now official. Applematters is a social experiment to see if one can make switchers out of Mac users by using a fine choice of writers.
Tanner, Tanner, Tanner.
Have you not realized by now that a lack of effusive praise for Apple or a lack of adequate vitriol against Microsoft will only confuse and anger these people, like throwing an iPod into a cave of Neanderthals?
Another article full of B.S. from Applematters.
You really are an arse Beeblebrox.
People aren’t complaining because of a lack of “effusive praise” or “adequate vitriol”. They’re complaining because the article - and too many others these days on AM - is poorly written, has little to no point and is a complete waste of HTML and bandwidth.
Your continued comments on the theme of “Apple users dislike people who are not members of the Church of Jobs” are getting really dull and repetitive.
Don’t get me wrong, every now and again (though increasingly rarely) your comments cut through the BS but you don’t seem to be able to filter yourself and throw the same comment at every story.