How do I convince a PC user to get a Mac?
Okay, I have a friend in my dorm who wants to get a new computer. She can spend a maximum of $1200 for everything (computer, monitor, printer). I talked to her earlier about getting a Mac but she said she hated Macs and that she had one a while ago that was terrible. She also talks about really liking her Compaq at home.
Anyway, we went to the Apple Store today and I showed her the eMac. She's narrowed her choice down to the educationally priced CD-RW eMac (she doesn't care about watching DVDs on her computer) and a Compaq with an Athlon XP1800+ processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB HD, 17" monitor, GeForce 2MX, DVD-ROM + CD-RW, and speakers. The Compaq costs $999 for the equipment listed above, while the eMac is $1028 for the computer plus tilt-swivel stand. She also needs a printer. The Compaq has a printer available with it for $79, while the eMac has the $99 Epson printer with $99 mail in rebate until mid October. She also would probably want to get an extra 256MB of RAM for the eMac as well as a two-button scroll mouse.
After I told her about the issue with having to get extra memory, she said she would be concerned about adding, to which I said it was really easy and that I could do it for her if she wanted. She was a bit concerned about all the stuff adding up ($30-$50 for the RAM, $20-$30 for the mouse, etc), but she still seems open minded about the eMac.
So how do I convince her that the eMac is worth spending the money for? She seems to like the Compaq more because it can be expanded, has a larger HD, and requires less configuration after purchase. She also has a Compaq at home and likes it. But she's majoring in graphic design, which is probably the only reason why she would consider a Mac in the first place.
Anyway, she seems like she's leaning a bit towards the Compaq, but I can't really tell. She's definitely not totally put off by Macs anymore.
Anyway, we went to the Apple Store today and I showed her the eMac. She's narrowed her choice down to the educationally priced CD-RW eMac (she doesn't care about watching DVDs on her computer) and a Compaq with an Athlon XP1800+ processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB HD, 17" monitor, GeForce 2MX, DVD-ROM + CD-RW, and speakers. The Compaq costs $999 for the equipment listed above, while the eMac is $1028 for the computer plus tilt-swivel stand. She also needs a printer. The Compaq has a printer available with it for $79, while the eMac has the $99 Epson printer with $99 mail in rebate until mid October. She also would probably want to get an extra 256MB of RAM for the eMac as well as a two-button scroll mouse.
After I told her about the issue with having to get extra memory, she said she would be concerned about adding, to which I said it was really easy and that I could do it for her if she wanted. She was a bit concerned about all the stuff adding up ($30-$50 for the RAM, $20-$30 for the mouse, etc), but she still seems open minded about the eMac.
So how do I convince her that the eMac is worth spending the money for? She seems to like the Compaq more because it can be expanded, has a larger HD, and requires less configuration after purchase. She also has a Compaq at home and likes it. But she's majoring in graphic design, which is probably the only reason why she would consider a Mac in the first place.
Anyway, she seems like she's leaning a bit towards the Compaq, but I can't really tell. She's definitely not totally put off by Macs anymore.
Comments
Tell her how often i used to format when i used winzoz.
And there are worse than that.. i know people who format once a week.
Tell her you are not gonna format her pc.
And macs dont need to be cleaned more than for lets say xmas ans summer clean (intall)...
<strong>And macs dont need to be cleaned more than for lets say xmas ans summer clean (intall)...</strong><hr></blockquote>
thats ridiculously excessive. i never clean install. the only time my macs get a `clean' install is when apple builds it.
the best way to convince her is to field all of her concerns. ask her what specifically is problesm. like the potential added cost. sum it up, get an exact figure. then explain the longer life, and less maintenance required on the mac (which more than offsets the added initial cost).
plus u can ridicule her for wanteing to do graphix work on a peecee if she ever tries to bring that up.
-According to scott kelby, editor of NAPP (national association of photoshop professionals) macs are better because the interface just gets out of your way.
If she just plans on doing photoshop work, then although I would prefer a mac, PS is basically exactly the same on mac and PC. I can't imagine it going bad if she is just doing PS work...and imean JUST doing that, no internet or anything. Sounds like money is the problem. If she is doign graphical stuff, a mac with FCP might be useful depending again on what type of design.
-So basically just show the good and the bad...i've never had to clean install since I used my first mac. (I have mind you but never had to, just because I like a clean system, mostly just a way to get rid of pref i didn't need)
<strong>Color management on Macintosh is far superior.</strong><hr></blockquote>
This might not matter if its web/video design. People have their monitors and tv's so horribly off that somtimes its better to not be accurate so it looks normal to the public. As for printing, then yes this would be a big advantage.
-haha this is kinda like a less direct why macs are better thread
Also, she told me today at dinner that she talked to a friend of hers who apparently also knows a lot about computers (but is really a gamer type because she said he plays games all day). He told her that the Compaq (which looked like a good all-around package) was bad and that she should get an HP 761n. He probably said the Compaq was bad because it uses an AMD processor and you know how brainwashed some PC users are WRT Pentium 4 vs. AMD. He also told her that the Mac was terrible and that he hates Macs, but again, that's just lack of knowledge, not an educated opinion and certainly not backed up with any kinds of facts.
I have taken her to the Apple store, I showed her the eMac, and I will ask her a little bit about what her graphic design class is like (what platform, etc). If everyone is using Macs in her class, then that would be a big thing to consider. But I'm sure she'll be perfectly happy with her Compaq, for now. She is a freshman so she hasn't gotten into the heavy stuff yet, and once she does, neither an eMac nor that Compaq or HP would do the job.
But if she's going into graphic design, the best thing you can probably do is make her watch the Seybold keynote, which explains exactly why the Mac is the ONLY acceptable platform these days for graphics work.
[ 09-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon Rubinstein ]</p>
<strong>Okay, I have a friend in my dorm who wants to get a new computer. She can spend a maximum of $1200 for everything (computer, monitor, printer). I talked to her earlier about getting a Mac but she said she hated Macs and that she had one a while ago that was terrible. She also talks about really liking her Compaq at home.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Could you please explain to me why it is you are trying to convince her to buy a Mac? She hates the Mac because of previous bad experience with it. The Mac ranks are full of people who feel the same about PCs for similar reasons. Apple?s switch ads make it look like they are still competing with Windows 3.1. In a since, they are. They want people who are still struggling with older versions of windows running on even older PCs. My point is if a bad PC experience is a valid reason to hate PCs, then why is a poor experience with a Mac not a valid reason to hate Macs?
You also mentioned that she is happy with Compaq. Why should she switch? She is happy with the PC platform. Why treat her like an infidel who needs her computing soul saved by a vigilant Mac evangelist? Would it offend you if she bought a PC? Perhaps there is more to the story that I am missing. Did she ask for your help in evaluating platforms? Did she express dissatisfaction with what she had? Help me understand this desire to tell people they are using the wrong platform and need to switch to yours. It is a concept that is totally foreign to me.
Okay, as many mentioned, it would be better for me to just say "look, this eMac is a possibility" than to say "get an eMac! Macs are so much better than PCs!" So all I did was show her what an eMac was like. I really don't think she'll go for it. She seemed put off by the one button mouse that was too clicky, the keyboard that was too soft, and the fact that she'd have to buy RAM for it. And how the hard drive was rather small and not easily upgradeable.
Anyway, I'll probably see her tomorrow, and I'll make sure she knows my stance is thoroughly neutral. Really, I'm not trying to help her get the best thing that I'd like, I'm trying to help her get the best thing that she'd like.
And, to explain a little bit more about the exact situation, she seems to know a little bit more about computers than average people, but she also seems quite confused when looking at her options because there are so many variables (processor type and speed, hard drive size, standard RAM, optical drives, included accessories like monitors and printers, etc).
EDIT: Also note that in my previous post, I agreed that I should just show her the pros and cons and I also said that she would probably be just as happy with a Windows machine as with a Mac. So I think your outburst was a bit uncalled-for.
[ 09-16-2002: Message edited by: Luca Rescigno ]</p>
This might not matter if its web/video design. People have their monitors and tv's so horribly off that somtimes its better to not be accurate so it looks normal to the public. As for printing, then yes this would be a big advantage.
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It's more than just accuracy-it's a question of color harmonies-and actually there is no such thing as accurate color-there are only self-consistent harmonic structures and mappings between color spaces-which to me are extremely precise -like an equation-actually they are equations -check out the work of Grassmann - great mathematician and color theorist.Color matters-it irks me that people don't take color as seriously as they do equations and spelling-one of the main reason I hate PC's.
Normally the people that have bad ideas DON'T have bad previous experioences about macs, they SOMPLY have not used macs before.
You could ask her if she REALLY wants to do graphics with a PC ...
Simply take them through an entire demonstration of Mac OS X and all the digital hub applications. Sure, it'll take about two hours, but they'll walk away a changed individual. The most important thing you must do is to use "Steveisms." Yes, right down to saying "boom" when a progress bar finishes. Words like "incredible" also help. Talk with your hands and get his speech patterns down perfectly, and you can sell anyone. Believe me, I've made Mac users out of quite a few people this way.<hr></blockquote>
Are you an AAPL stock holder or what?
One thing in favor: tell them macs are beautiful.
But for the rest, I've truly stopped discussing this kind of Mac vs. PC arguements. People who are badly informed or convinced otherwise, you will not change their mind, just as they won't change yours (ever thought of that?). You will just get all sore. And there'll be hell to pay for when something goes wrong. <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
[ 09-16-2002: Message edited by: BrianMacOS ]</p>
Luca,
My apologies. I intended no outburst. Although I do admit that the whole ?convert the PC infidels? idea is somewhat offensive to me. I come from a religious background. The denomination I grew up in believed they were the only true church and everyone else was going to Hell. It was their job to get all the members of other denominations to switch to the one true church. It didn?t matter how right others were about some things (though we never acknowledged that they were right about anything), or how wrong we were about some things (though we never acknowledged we were wrong about anything), we were the one true church and they were false religions. That is all that mattered.
I am no longer ruled by that way of thinking, but I am very familiar with it. It is the same mindset I see in many sectors of the Mac community. That is what I saw in your post and that is what I responded to.
Perhaps you are just a proud Mac owner. Pride of ownership might lead you to say to your friend, ?Have you considered a Mac? They have worked very well for me. And there are some models in your price range you might wish to consider.? She told you, in no uncertain terms that she was not interest. Yet like a commissioned sales person, you persisted. You then posted a request for help in converting her to the Mac platform. That goes way beyond pride of ownership. That smacks of zealotry to me.
Some of the replies suggest that she must be stupid or unknowledgeable if she buys a PC for graphics work. Or that she must be a simpleton to be happy with Compaq. That is arrogance at its worst. I do not mean to come down on you so harshly. If I misjudged your post, I apologize. If I have not misjudged you post, then consider this. No product is worthy of that brand of zealotry... except, or course... for my Microwave by Sharp! A PRODUCT WHICH HAS NO EQUAL AND THE WHOLE WORLD SHOULD BE USING. LONG LIVE SHARP!!!
<strong>
I am no longer ruled by that way of thinking, but I am very familiar with it. It is the same mindset I see in many sectors of the Mac community. That is what I saw in your post and that is what I responded to.
Perhaps you are just a proud Mac owner. Pride of ownership might lead you to say to your friend, ?Have you considered a Mac? They have worked very well for me. And there are some models in your price range you might wish to consider.? She told you, in no uncertain terms that she was not interest. Yet like a commissioned sales person, you persisted. You then posted a request for help in converting her to the Mac platform. That goes way beyond pride of ownership. That smacks of zealotry to me.</strong><hr></blockquote>
It can be zealotry, but it can also be battling upstream against the zealotry of the other side. I've heard "Macs SUCK!" a lot more than "PCs SUCK!", even adjusting for the greater number of PC users. Also, there's a lot of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt around the Mac. And maybe some (justifiably!) bad memories about System 7.5 as well.
It's not uncommon for Mac users to ask for assistance from other Mac users, not to "convert" people to our "religion" but to find an effective way to make the Mac appear as viable as it actually is.
Especially if the person in question is going into graphic design!
But for graphic design... this is really a hard decision? Macs are the standard in graphic design.
If she wants to be a graphic design major, she'll get more out of using a Mac.
It's just a smart, worthwhile investment.
[ 09-16-2002: Message edited by: Hobbes ]</p>
"OmG Windoze crashes all teh tyme and Macs r cool."
Because they'll realize that since Win2k the platform is stable and relatively fast and your opinion will be worth nothing.
If your only reason for convincing someone else to get a Mac is because you like them then that's an inherent problem.
Since she's in graphic design just say that Macs are tailor-made for that and PCs are definitely not.
<strong>
It's not uncommon for Mac users to ask for assistance from other Mac users, not to "convert" people to our "religion" but to find an effective way to make the Mac appear as viable as it actually is.
Especially if the person in question is going into graphic design!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Amorph,
I appreciate your response, but it doesn?t really get at the heart of my confusion. In religion, there is a compelling reason to try and convert as many as possible. If you believe that souls will be lost, or that God has ordered you to do so, then by all means, contend for your faith. When it comes to computers, what?s the point?
So what if some people believe that Macs suck. There are those who think my computer sucks. But I don?t care. Why do care what people think about the Mac, or Apple in general? You said something about proving it to be a viable option. Why? Are you a sales person for Apple? It is not your job to show the Mac to be a viable option. It is not your job to educate the public about the virtues of the Mac platform. What do you stand to gain if a person buys a Mac? What do you stand to lose if they buy a PC?
I love Deer Stags shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I would buy them even if they were more expensive. I wish everyone knew about them and felt the same as I do about them. But they don?t. And I don?t care. If a person asks me for shoe buying advice, I will gladly give it. I might even give even if they don?t ask. But that is as far as it goes. It is Deer Stags? job to advertise and educate and dispel myths about their product. What I don?t understand is what compels Mac users to take on this responsibility for themselves. I am not alone in this. Many people are turned off by this behavior. Help me see this from your perspective.