Friday, February 13, 2015

Microsoft vs. MacIntosh: Why Microsoft was preferred





In all fairness, the only Apple product that got any attempted use from me was the IPod Nano. It now resided at my mother’s house because of the difficulty in using it with my computer. When it came to whether one was better than the other, here were some facts one should consider:
The MacIntosh computers had a different type of operating system. Those that had to switch from Microsoft would have to learn a whole different set of rules and or commands. Unfortunately, this was my problem. All of the computers owned by me were completely Microsoft-based. Keeping this in mind, some Microsoft programs were not compatible with the Apple Mac computer. My printer/scanner might’ve become a casualty as it may not have been compatible either but it was replaceable.

Microsoft needed the internet to upgrade their programs and anti-virus software. It had an open door policy when it came to using their programs so there were always problems with malware, adware, and all types of computer viruses, and trojans. Apple Mac had a closed door policy, so online threats like this were avoided, leaving computer programs intact and minimal or no damage to the computer.
It still baffled me as to what went wrong the last day in January this year when starting up my mother’s laptop and getting a black screen. No one in my family knew how to fix this problem without being here. Most of the people known on the outside would have to have been here too. My sister’s friend had the ability to remotely enter the laptop and fix it that way, but they have not responded to my e mail at this time. My brother knew tech people at his job that were able to do this, but they would have to train him.

Getting three quotes from the Geek Squad didn’t make me feel any better. They compared this laptop to a 90 year old man. If they came to the house to fix this laptop, the cost started at $250 assuming it was a virus that was causing the start-up malfunction. At the $150 option, they could take it, fix the diagnosed problem, clean and upgrade it. At the $100 they could do what they needed and it would cost $10 a month on warranty. That would’ve made it healthy and still 90 years old. All of these options required the use of a credit card. Neither of these were affordable by me at this time. 
     
Older computers were less compatible with newer computer programs and their operating systems. It was well-known that a newer more powerful computer to do my job at Yoboogle was needed. Granted, unless there was remote support, reformatting my mother’s laptop was an option. Having an Apple Mac would’ve meant no family support. My brother knew nothing about these operating systems. If it went down, the Geek Squad would’ve been my only resource other then the Apple Store. The only good thing about them was there were no costs given until the diagnosis was made.

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