How do you deal with Mac "weaknesses"

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broken1

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I have been a Mac convert for quite sometime - but I am starting to favour my Windows machines more and more.

The main reason is because of a number of weaknesses that Mac has.

Firstly, Excel. I use it a lot, and I am very used to the Windows Excel. I have never been comfortable in Numbers or any of the open office variants and even Excel for Mac is a completely different program. Tried using Excel for windows in Parallels, which is just a pain to have to open the virtual machine to do anything and in cross over, which was a little unstable and had a couple of issues.

Secondly, MSN. I use it to chat quite a bit to colluegues and friends. I tried MSN for Mac, Adium and a few others...but couldn't replicate the smooth, no hassle interface (including the video chat features) of Windows Live Messenger.

Thirdly, Vodacom 3G. I was having issues with my 3G card. First I was told to check the usage tab for approximate bandwidth usage. Oops can't. Mac doesnt have the dashboard. Then I was told to sms MM to 31050...Oops. Can't. Mac doesnt have the SMS program.

What can I do on a Mac that I can't do on Windows? My acer has been running Vista trouble free for 6 months. Instal a printer, no problem...just plug it in. Wireless network, no issue...click and connect. Why am I struggling with my Mac (at double the price) when Windows "just works" these days.

I am going through a quarter life crisis here.
 
Can I also just mention that 4 hours later...the only way I can partition the HDD to run Bootcamp is to back up, format and reinstal OSX. *irritated*
 
broken1 said:
Can I also just mention that 4 hours later...the only way I can partition the HDD to run Bootcamp is to back up, format and reinstal OSX. *irritated*
Click to expand...
OsX has a great partitioner built in - why wouldnt that one work for you?

BTW - OsX is Osx and Windows is windows. If you really want your mac to be windows so badly then wipe it and install windows on it. ;)
 
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broken1, have you complained to either Microsoft or Vodacom about the quality of their applications on Mac? You do realise that the application vendors are responsible for the disparities between their Windows and Mac versions? Microsoft, especially, is known for making sure their applications don't work anywhere as well on other platforms as on theirs.

Write to Microsoft (if you have Excel I assume you're a paying customer) and state your disappointment.
Write to Vodacom too. My 3.co.uk 3G card's software does show me my totals, so there's no excuse.
 
i don't use msn or v3g, but i have office 2008 and find it very workable.
Alternately try iWork - numbers is a very good app that can handle excel files, you just need to get used to it! Give it a chance at least.
I like both osx and windows, my main gripe with osx is the finder, it's terrible, i really hope snow leopard addresses the evils of the finder!
 
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Yes, I can contact Microsoft and Vodacom to fix their software - but it's easier to use Windows to be honest.

I was posing the question out there if anyone else has issues or problems and how you get around them.

At the moment, I use both platforms for different reasons, I find myself favoring Windows as thus far it has been as stable in almost all circumstances, and there is nothing that only works on mac in day to day use.
 
broken1 : I fail to see what the whole problem is. To me it seems like you really dont want to use OSX. I also used Office but found that iWorks is WAY BETTER and faster. I use NUMBERS instead of EXCEL and export my Quotes and invoices as PDF.

I also use ADIUM but for video chat I use skype, I know you use MSN but thats a problem with MS who hasnt released a video capable version of MSN yet - i think. And the fact that with MSN u can only have msn contacts, whereas with ADIUM i have Gtalk, MSN, Facebook and jabber contacts all in one app.

Vodacom had released new drivers for thier modems, try them. But i know it is a pain with no dashboard to check usages etc ect ... maybe use vodacom4me.co.za and u can check you usage and send MMS and sms;s via the website - FREE.

I really think that these are small issues you are having. Weigh the pro's and cons between OSX and Xp/vista, like no virus hassles, no need for Daemon or Alcohol for mounted images, better drag and drop capability with OSX between Apps, etc etc... only you will know.

I use ONLY OSX and dropped XP completely, I even had to learn illustrator and dropped Corel, learnt Cinema 4D and dropped 3DStudioMAX. So you see I think its how you also approach a problem.

Good Luck

PS: checkout allaboutmac.co.za for tips etc
 
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broken1 said:
I have been a Mac convert for quite sometime - but I am starting to favour my Windows machines more and more.

The main reason is because of a number of weaknesses that Mac has.

Firstly, Excel. I use it a lot, and I am very used to the Windows Excel. I have never been comfortable in Numbers or any of the open office variants and even Excel for Mac is a completely different program. Tried using Excel for windows in Parallels, which is just a pain to have to open the virtual machine to do anything and in cross over, which was a little unstable and had a couple of issues.

Secondly, MSN. I use it to chat quite a bit to colluegues and friends. I tried MSN for Mac, Adium and a few others...but couldn't replicate the smooth, no hassle interface (including the video chat features) of Windows Live Messenger.

Thirdly, Vodacom 3G. I was having issues with my 3G card. First I was told to check the usage tab for approximate bandwidth usage. Oops can't. Mac doesnt have the dashboard. Then I was told to sms MM to 31050...Oops. Can't. Mac doesnt have the SMS program.

What can I do on a Mac that I can't do on Windows? My acer has been running Vista trouble free for 6 months. Instal a printer, no problem...just plug it in. Wireless network, no issue...click and connect. Why am I struggling with my Mac (at double the price) when Windows "just works" these days.

I am going through a quarter life crisis here.
Click to expand...

You are just making things worse, use iWork, or Office for mac if you really have to, its the same thing :) Use the web based traffic management, you have issues installing printers on mac, pretty simple my side..
 
I feel like everyone is attacking me for not being all fanboi about the OSX experience.

I will give some background to the situation:

About 2 years ago, I gave up everything PC and went Macbook 13.3" White and Mac Mini 2.0Ghz. No windows anywhere in sight. In October last year, I bought a Macbook Air for travel and was happy. I used my macs very happily, finding ways around my issues and making a plan when things didnt work.

This year, I sold the Macbook white as it was getting aged, and needed to replace it with something quite powerful. I wanted a new 15" Macbook Pro but for the R28k it was going to cost me, my budget preferred the Acer 6930G, 16" Full HD Screen, Dedicated Graphics, 4GB Memory and Vista.

What I have realised using the Vista machine these past few months is that the work arounds for things that work so well on Windows, like Outlook 2007, Excel 2007, MSN, V3G Dashboard etc etc dont work as they should on Mac. I am questioning whether it's worth the sacrifice?

So I have to load MCAfee. It doesnt slow the machine down at all - and it doesn't annoy me either, so that point is moot. I do agree with you on the drag and drop capability being better in OSX.

Yes, Keynote, being able to mount disc images, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, DVD Maker all work better in Mac - but I use those 10% of the time and the others 90% of the time.

Perhaps there is a better work around than I am using, perhaps not (that's what I was asking).

At the moment, I am running OSX on my Air and Mini, Vista on my Acer and Windows 7 through bootcamp on my Mini.

Hows about we start a real positve vs negative in the real world, fanboi **** aside.
 
semaphore said:
You are just making things worse, use iWork, or Office for mac if you really have to, its the same thing :) Use the web based traffic management, you have issues installing printers on mac, pretty simple my side..
Click to expand...

No issues installing printers on a mac. The comment is usually that there are driver problems on windows and that is why mac is better. I am just saying that windows is as trouble free to install a printer these days.
 
broken1 said:
Yes, I can contact Microsoft and Vodacom to fix their software - but it's easier to use Windows to be honest.

I was posing the question out there if anyone else has issues or problems and how you get around them.

At the moment, I use both platforms for different reasons, I find myself favoring Windows as thus far it has been as stable in almost all circumstances, and there is nothing that only works on mac in day to day use.
Click to expand...
What you are experiencing is only natural and is largely based on the fact that the majority of people use Windows and companies therefore favour that market. At least you have a choice of either OS using bootcamp, which is more than the windows users have. It was my understanding that Office was slightly better on a Mac. Which version are you using?
 
Not to hi-jack the post but dam! and here I am trying to get rid of my Windows PC's after three months with my MBP. But like others have pointed out all these issues do have a work around.

I thought I would have a nightmare getting my HP C7283 to work in a wireless environment turns out I was wrong, one problem I DO have is wireless files transfer PC- Mac is a no go so far (maybe someone can help) and wired file transfer is a little buggy and does not always work according to plan.
 
PAYBACK said:
one problem I DO have is wireless files transfer PC- Mac is a no go so far (maybe someone can help) and wired file transfer is a little buggy and does not always work according to plan.
Click to expand...

ur using tcp/ip... as long as u have proper file sharing and permissions it should be no different windows/windows than windows/mac.
 
re: office apps - are these apps crashing on osx, or are you just having trouble getting used to new shortcuts/aesthetics? So far i have found office 2008 to be very solid on my mac. There are always going to be niggles after switching an os, one gets used to doing things a certain way and then has to unlearn them. Even if you only run vista on your macs at least you know you have a fairly solid piece of hardware :)
 
broken1 said:
I have been a Mac convert for quite sometime - but I am starting to favour my Windows machines more and more.

The main reason is because of a number of weaknesses that Mac has.

Firstly, Excel. I use it a lot, and I am very used to the Windows Excel. I have never been comfortable in Numbers or any of the open office variants and even Excel for Mac is a completely different program. Tried using Excel for windows in Parallels, which is just a pain to have to open the virtual machine to do anything and in cross over, which was a little unstable and had a couple of issues.

Secondly, MSN. I use it to chat quite a bit to colluegues and friends. I tried MSN for Mac, Adium and a few others...but couldn't replicate the smooth, no hassle interface (including the video chat features) of Windows Live Messenger.

Thirdly, Vodacom 3G. I was having issues with my 3G card. First I was told to check the usage tab for approximate bandwidth usage. Oops can't. Mac doesnt have the dashboard. Then I was told to sms MM to 31050...Oops. Can't. Mac doesnt have the SMS program.

What can I do on a Mac that I can't do on Windows? My acer has been running Vista trouble free for 6 months. Instal a printer, no problem...just plug it in. Wireless network, no issue...click and connect. Why am I struggling with my Mac (at double the price) when Windows "just works" these days.

I am going through a quarter life crisis here.
Click to expand...

Then stop using your Mac and go back to PC... not sure why people feel the need to come on these forums and tell us this? its really annoying.
 
At least the support is friendlier on the ubuntu forums :D

"I have a problem, please help"
"Fk you! use windows!"

LOL!
 
VertigoZA said:
Then stop using your Mac and go back to PC... not sure why people feel the need to come on these forums and tell us this? its really annoying.
Click to expand...

Its a discussion forum to discuss. I dont know why poeple like you come onto discussion forums.
 
broken1 said:
Its a discussion forum to discuss. I dont know why poeple like you come onto discussion forums.
Click to expand...

Because your first post gives the undertones you dont want to use the mac alternatives, and if you already have that mind set, why not stick with it? You praise excel, i suggested use iWork or MacOffice. You suggested MSN, to start off with MSN is totally ****/slow/insecure (and i have in depth knowledge of MSN Protocol Stack, hence i say its crap.), Skype works fine on OS X (use it daily). The only issue is the 3G card thingie, perhaps ill sit down and write an application that will run in the menu? if there is a community requirement, ill slap one together.

Adium is a perfect client, and what about MSN for Mac? http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/email_chat/messengerformac.html no idea what it supports as i dont use it.
 
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semaphore said:
Because your first post gives the undertones you dont want to use the mac alternatives, and if you already have that mind set, why not stick with it? You praise excel, i suggested use iWork or MacOffice. You suggested MSN, to start off with MSN is totally ****/slow/insecure (and i have in depth knowledge of MSN Protocol Stack, hence i say its crap.), Skype works fine on OS X (use it daily). The only issue is the 3G card thingie, perhaps ill sit down and write an application that will run in the menu? if there is a community requirement, ill slap one together.

Adium is a perfect client, and what about MSN for Mac? http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/email_chat/messengerformac.html no idea what it supports as i dont use it.
Click to expand...

Good post, i agree with everything..
the problem i find is that ppl are so used to windows, when it comes to a mac they want it to work like windows.... why not embrace something different instead of buying a mac and saying "but my windows machine can do that". Its not only annoying, its short sighted and obtuse.

As for the wireless etc just working/printer just working, I guarantee you are doing something wrong. So instead of blaming the hardware/OS, try learn about it, you might realise its alot easier than you thought.

I would love to see an only mac user try use a windows machine and make the transition as easily as you would if you just bothered.
 
After this thread I would advise looking for an OS with decent support :D
 
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