I have used DOS and then Windows computers since the 1980s, but throughout my career, I’ve had to work with a variety of operating systems and hardware platforms, including several versions of Unix, Linux, and Macintosh.

In my office, the majority of development servers run Linux and Unix, but the primary graphic design and web development tools I use daily are only available for Windows or Mac OS. When my expensive, new, state-of-the-art Windows system suffered its fifth registry-scrambling crash in three months, I decided it was time to “think differently.” This was especially true after the only suggestion from manufacturer support was to wipe the drive and buy the newest version of Windows—which they claimed might help, though I’d also have to buy all new peripherals.

My graphics and multimedia developer friends had teased me about my Windows bias for years. One in particular stopped me mid-rant and said, “If you’d just try a Mac, you’d feel differently.”

Initially, I resisted. Beyond the higher price of Mac hardware and the perceived arrogance of the Apple community, the cost of replacing my software and peripherals was prohibitive. Plus, I didn’t want to buy a computer whose primary selling point seemed to be its “cool factor.” My computers are workhorses, not fashion accessories.

But in pure frustration, I finally replaced that Windows machine with a Mac. It was a new, older-model G3 tower on clearance. It was the first Mac I had ever bought. It will not be the last. I have more than made up for the additional cost of replacing software with greater, more consistent daily productivity.

I was also able to salvage a number of my peripherals from my Windows system to use with the Mac. Those items I did replace (such as my digitizing tablet) would have required new drivers or hardware replacements under a Windows OS upgrade anyway.

The Mac system has had occasional freezes, but I have never lost a file or suffered a non-recoverable system failure. My maximum down time has been a few hours, compared to losing entire days to system recovery on my previous machine.

For projects requiring Microsoft Office compatibility, the Mac versions are fully compatible. And while I was using Windows for heavy-duty graphics production, video capture, and audio editing, I have to eat crow and admit that these workflows are much smoother on the Mac.

Performance vs. Benchmarks

Some buyers equate raw processor clock speed with actual performance. I have yet to run into any performance limitations. In actual graphics and web production, my 350MHz G3 tower regularly outperforms the 500MHz Intel system I sold, particularly when you factor in the cognitive stress of waiting for the next blue screen of death.

Forget the synthetic benchmarks; the reality of performance is about how quickly and easily you can do your job, how much time you lose to system downtime, and how much energy you waste troubleshooting files.

A computer is only as good as its reliability and its appropriateness for the task at hand. USB and FireWire interfaces have also made connecting peripherals incredibly simple, proving infinitely better than the early Windows “plug-and-play” experience.

The Right Tool for the Job

When people ask me what computer they should buy, I always start by asking them what they plan to do with it. If you have a specific industry application that is only built for one operating system, your decision is already made.

But if you are looking for a reliable, solid system with good price-to-performance value, I strongly recommend a Mac.

For general business workflows, email, and web design, the iMac offers excellent value. For those needing internal expansion, a discounted G4 tower represents a great buy, though with USB hubs and FireWire daisy-chaining, I’ve yet to actually open my expansion bays. (I do recommend adding extra RAM if you’re running memory-heavy graphics or layout applications).

While I won’t call myself a “Macvangelist,” I will admit I was wrong. My Mac has performed efficiently, dependably, and comfortably.

So if you’re considering a new workstation, I urge you to look closely at your actual needs. Consider the time lost to operating system upgrades, virus scans, registry repairs, and technical support. Then take the time to try a Mac. You may find yourself, like me, delightfully surprised.