Most people who visit MacintoshOS.com are relatively faithful to the Macintosh platform. We use a MacOS system because it offers us the best available combination of power and useability, and it's cool at the same time. There are certainly a host of other reasons as well, but we won't go into that now. What would be interesting is to see just how much it would take for you to switch to something else.
Some of you are already considering a switch for one reason or another. Still others, myself included, would rather not use a computer than not use a Mac. Let's get hypothetical for a bit.
Suppose Apple was way overdue on System 8. Let's say it's a mere two years from now, and we're all still using System 7.6. The PowerPC's are going to be at least twice as fast at that point; but is the hardware enough to make you stay with the Mac? Is 7.6 good enough to last for another two years?
Suppose Microsoft creates a new OS that is both powerful and friendly - to the point that there is little difference between your MacOS system and a Wintel machine. Would that be enough for you to switch?
Let's say the BeOS gets off the ground, runs on PowerPC hardware, and offers the same charm with twice the power and functionality of the MacOS. If there was a way for it to run all of your System 7 applications too, would there be any reason to not switch?
How long will Apple's revolutionary Macintosh remain revolutionary? Perhaps it will always be a good, usable system; much like the ageless charm of a '63 Corvette. It certainly could get better, but not much.
The decision is really related to why you are using a Mac now. I use a Macintosh because there is still nothing better. More than I would like to admit, however, I like it's personality. It speaks to me, and I communicate well with it. Together we create. I have a relationship with my MacOS system that PC users can't understand. I'm not even considering a switch because there is nothing I want to do that I can't already do. I get the impression that other MacOS users feel the same way.
So what would it take for you to switch? Would you switch? Are you only using a MacOS system because of how well it serves you, or for other reasons? If you were to switch, would you really be any better off? What would it take?
- Omar Oddfellow