Microsoft hits back at Apple with PC vs Mac page

26. Why all the fuss? I enjoy both worlds by running Windows on my Mac. When both OSs are running it is a seamless connection between them, and allows me to run whatever applications and peripherals that I might wish to use. Who says that you can't access an Xbox from a Mac?

Why fight when you can just enjoy?

25. mrchacha100, you do just that, you can pay to be behind in technology. Maybe one day you will see sense and actually realise your getting completely ripped off and have a lack of choice

24. @Lovlid What is elitist is that fact that mac users can still rile the heck out of pc users by the mere mention of money. Apple users get what they pay for...And if that's elitist (and why people choose such melodramatic words i'll never know) then i'll keep pouring money into the fruit! Happy days!

23. All OS's have vulnerabilities and need some TLC. That's a given. However, there is no denying that some OS's start out from a better position - a better foundation - than others. OSX's Unix roots help it come at security from a better model. While attacks can, do and will happen to Macs, the ability to reduce their damage to the system as a whole, be cheaper for the end user to fix and be sure that the problem is actually fixed is far greater on a Unix based system than Windows. The concept of limited permissions is a staple on Unix based OS's as opposed to Windows having to play catchup on this.

Having said all of that, the future of any successful OS will likely depend on sand boxing everything and opening resources only as needed. Adobe is moving Reader to this model very shortly. I believe this will be the trend going forward as it seems to be impossible to make any comprehensive application that doesn't have major security flaws - on any platform, even phones, tablets, you name it.

Windows 7 and OSX are both well positioned to take advantage of this technique when it starts to be prevalent. Windows execution protection tools will likely be expanded to work well with this model. OSX's permission model will likely accomplish the same thing.

One day, all these current security issues should be a thing of the past. I just hope it's during the remaining 20 years of my IT career.

22. @lovlid "I still think its funny that all these "ex" PC users couldn't figure out how to make 'em work properly."

It's too bad that so many non Mac users resort to this statement. I've been in the IT biz for 20 years and support many, many Windows boxes very successfully. I just don't want to have to do all the things needed to keep MY Windows machine running right when I get home from supporting others. I just want to use my machine. Macs give me that, full stop. Admittedly though, my Win7 box works well and Win7 is as good for modern day as Win2k was In it's day. That is a major nod to it.

However, the amount of time Windows requires of me to keep it happy and the number of zero day threats that make me feel vulnerable do make Windows less pleasurable to use. In other words, it may be a tinkerers delight, but that isn't always what I want. When I don't want that, I use my Mac.

21. @ duskrider.

"As for viruses on the Mac being more prevalent if there were more Macs, don't you think that Apple will improve the Mac as time marches on? They have already, with Snow Leopard, increased the security through malicious software tools that are now part of the OS."

Advice from apple on mac security

"The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box. However, since no system can be 100 percent immune from every threat, antivirus software may offer additional protection."

Its the same advice I would give to anybody buying "any" computer. Macs aren't immune, have a look at securemac.com.

I still think its funny that all these "ex" PC users couldn't figure out how to make 'em work properly.

And when some p!llock like mrchacha100 says something like "wow,if only they could afford a mac", it stinks of elitism and doesn't do the apple community any favours at all.

20. @ redstarriot: Yes, elitism to an exact. Of course MAC OS X is a very good OS but then so has Windows been for years too. Sure Microsoft have had their blips but then so have Apple.

@ stu531: Definitely.

19. I've got both a PC and a Mac. I think the Mac is great, but I can see why Microsoft are pushing this more than they have before - particularly in light of the old Mitchell & Webb ads.

Windows 7 is the OS that Microsoft had to create, and they have delivered. What mattered was that MS and Apple are continuously trying to outdo each other. It's got to be for the ultimate benefit of the customer. Just look at when IE had no competition: it stank.

Competition is healthy. Mac and PC rivalries drive the whole market forward.

18. bradavon

do you feel that its people who like to feel slightly elitist that purchase a mac, i just dont se the point of macs, you can purchase a more powerful pc for cheaper. also your right with regards to the virus situation, as more people jump on the apple bandwagon the more attacks there will be, simple as. i just prefer the openness that windows and linux offer. i dont want to be restricted to buying apple only. i recently had to sell my iphone as i was feeling locked into a brand so ive went android. i have to admit not quite as slick as apple os yet but getting there

17. This article isn't really about Windows or MAC OS at all but where the future of computing is probably going.

An area Apple currently have a stronger foothold in. Get people to use Windows 7 and they're more likely to wait for the Windows tablet. Windows users are much more known to look elsewhere on non-desktop devices (such as iPhones) but MAC users would never consider a product by "Microsoft". There is stronger fan loyalty.

16. @ Duskrider:

"As for viruses on the Mac being more prevalent if there were more Macs, don't you think that Apple will improve the Mac as time marches on? They have already, with Snow Leopard, increased the security through malicious software tools that are now part of the OS."

No. If MAC ever gets as big as Windows it will be as hacked. There are way more hackers finding holes in Windows than there are Microsoft employees trying to stop them. MAC is more possibly more secure (remember it too has a built-in firewall, why have one if it's so secure? ) and certainly has less need for Anti-Malware because it is less popular. Apple need Windows to be as big as it is, to stay secure.

Microsoft too patch their software and tighten security. Windows Vista/Windows 7 are considerably more secure than Windows XP.

Otherwise you raise some good points.

15. pc is much better for gaming and that is secure with direct x, open gl is terrible as half life series on steam proves

14. Oh woopee. Another set of endless, "My computer preference is better than yours..." comments. Does it work for you? Great. Just don't try and tell me which platform is better. It's personal.

13. so duskrider, steam works well on mac? the half life games run slower and apart from valve games there is hardly anything to actually shout about. upgrading i have a choice of parts and a range of different companys to choose from, i can enter my bios and tweek my system i can do REAL overclocking for REAL games. mac is closed and expensive for what you pay for and sales have only picked up because of the iphone and ipod. once people realise that you cant actually have that much fun with a mac the better. also mac is usually a little behind in tech aswell. have fun with your 5770's! your usb 2.0 and sata 2. ill have my usb 3 sata 6gbps and 5970 crossfire and my processor overclocked

12. Wow, if that's the best they can do... You can just buy a Blu Ray drive for your Mac, Steam works great as well as many popular game titles. I can't connect my Mac to my XBox? Dang! Funny, I never connect my PC to my XBox, nor does my brother or anyone else I know. Can't buy a Mac with a built-in TV Tuner. Darn, i had to pay $100 for an external one that has moved onto 3 different Macs since I bought it. Mac might not like my Windows software... like Norton Antivirus? Use Pages for a week and see how feeble Word is. And yes, it will open Word docs. Did I mention that it's part of a package that includes Pages, Numbers and Keynote, for $69 with a new Mac?

MS is scared of the uptake of Macs from people who own iPhones, iPods and iPads. They are naturally migrating away from Windows and MS doesn't have an answer to that. Apple may only have 10% of market share, but considering how few places they even sell their products and how rapidly they have come up to this 10%, MS is right to be worried.

As for viruses on the Mac being more prevalent if there were more Macs, don't you think that Apple will improve the Mac as time marches on? They have already, with Snow Leopard, increased the security through malicious software tools that are now part of the OS.

I love Windows 7 and I love my Macs, but as far as trouble-free computing goes, the Macs win hands-down. As far as freedom to tailor my machine the way I want, the Mac isn't behind Windows except if you want to change some specific hardware. Software-wise, my Mac is every bit as flexible as my Windows box. As far as printers and peripherals go, I use the same ones with both Windows and Macs, so that argument is a wash. And yes, that even includes little things like my Garmin Edge 705, my camera, etc. Many people who comment on this problem have never owned a Mac, or certainly not in recent years.

11. @ smokemonster: Windows 7 tablets are coming but the trouble is, Microsoft simply don't have a suitable tablet platform right now because Windows 7 sure isn't it. I suspect we'll see Windows Phone 7 on tablets eventually but it's going to be sometime after the launch of it on mobiles.

I wouldn't say Microsoft are worried. Apple MAC sales still dwarf those of Microsoft's software but MAC sales are higher than they used to be and that annoys Microsoft.

Apple had almost 3 years to get Apple MAC to seriously take on Windows, they had the perfect storm if you will. Vista was a commercial disaster and did everyone jump ship to MAC? No, they stuck it out with XP.

Whether that's right or wrong, it was the reality.

The learning curve argument is nonsense. Just because you're used to Windows, that doesn't make it a learning curve.

Otherwise some good points. Plenty of people use their PCs as media centers or watch DVDs on their laptops.

10. I don't have a crystal ball, but clearly the world is going for portable IT and it's Apple and Android that seem to be making the most of that shift.

I can't understand why MS don't have iPad devices on the shelves already, they are way behind where they should be with regard to portable computing.

I don't think they saw it coming, they have this belief that consumers will always want a desktop or a laptop. Steve Ballmer laughed at the iPhone and the iPad, then recently admitted Apple had sold far more iPads than he would have liked. Duh!

Wake up MS!! The world is moving on, we want to take our tech with us, not leave it at home, you're already late to the party and it won't be long before you can't get in at all.

9. "Shouldnt there primary focus be on tablets and heavily promoting the Windows Phone 7 Series?"

You mean the area where Apple dominates? I think your right, they should focus on bringing out one contending product.

8. No matter what's better, but isn't the market share the most important think to Microsoft? Last time i checked windows based pc's dominate over 90 % of the personal computer industry, why would Microsoft even bother paying attention to those who switch to a mac?

Shouldnt there primary focus be on tablets and heavily promoting the Windows Phone 7 Series?