Ten Reasons Why…
by Ian “isnoop” Anthony
Ten Reasons Why I Hate My MacBook Pro
With the release of Apple’s Boot Camp I decided that now was the time to upgrade my laptop. My old machine was a very sturdy Dell Inspiron 5150 with a 3.06 GHz processor that turns three years old in a couple months. While the old computer was still very capable, it was time for me to upgrade.
Now that I've had my MacBook Pro for a week, I have accumulated a healthy list of gripes presented here in no particular order. Please note that I refer to Windows XP several times in this list. This is not to say that one or the other is a superior OS. This list is simply ten reasons why I hate my very shiny, fancy, and sexy new MacBook Pro.
#10 Stripped Down Keyboard
The MacBook Pro has a 78 key keyboard. The Eject button is the only one that doesn't appear on my laptop keyboard (CD eject is handled by a fn-key combo).
Compared to the Dell, it is missing the following keys: Delete (the delete key is backspace), insert, home, end, page up, page down, and pause.
Granted that the functionality of these keys can be emulated with key-combos from within OSX, but they require special handling if I am going to dual boot into any other OS (which is a main reason why I bought this laptop).
#9 Function Keys are not System Level
On a PC laptop, most of the function keys are system level. When I press the key combination to change screen brightness, toggle wireless, or turn on numlock, it just works no matter what OS I'm running or where I am at in the boot process.
For that matter, I sure do wish the backlit keyboard was system level as well, but I'll cut them some slack on that one (even though, again, this is a main reason why I bought this laptop).
#8 Minimize vs. Hide
When I click the yellow minimize button on any given window, it shrinks to the tray (with a fancy ”genie” effect) just as I would expect. However, if I have minimized the last visible window for an app such as TextEdit, I also expect focus to leave that application and move to the next window in Command+Tab.
The problem of not moving to the next app upon minimize is compounded by the fact that when you Command+Tab back to the program, the windows are still hidden in the tray.
Hiding windows with Command+H accomplishes almost exactly what I'd like, but I've noticed that a few apps don't behave like they should with this action. I'd probably be able to ignore this if they'd just make the minimize button perform this action and make the key combination hide windows away so they don't return when you cycle back to the app.
#7 It Does Too Crash
Au contraire! I'm very familiar with Windows crashes, but I've been keeping track and this new laptop has crashed requiring a hard restart five out of seven days since I got it. My Dell laptop, whether running XP or FreeBSD would crash on a bi-weekly basis. Tops.
I'll grant you that I am a power user and that I may do more demanding things with my computers, but I don't feel that resuming a computer from sleep or losing network connectivity during various actions should warrant a full-on hang.
#6 The Title Bar Hates Me
In Windows, double-clicking the title bar toggles the window between maximized and a smaller state. In other window systems, this same action rolls the window up into the title bar. It is still under your mouse and able to be double-clicked again as soon as you realize what you did.
In OSX, double-clicking the title bar triggers the dreaded minimize feature where the only sure-fire way I've seen of bringing it back requires mousing down to the taskbar and fetching it. For a Windows user, it’s like shock therapy to perform the exact opposite of the expected action when a user double-clicks the title bar.
While I'm on the topic of the title bar, I sure do wish that I could define more visual distinction between the window in focus and all of the others. There are several subtle clues if you take time to look for them, but the average switcher is used to a complete shift in the title bar appearance for any out of focus window.
The close/minimize/resize buttons on each window aren't visible in all circumstances, so I can't reliably tell at a glance which window will respond if I start mashing my fingers on the keyboard.
#5 Backwards Compatibility
To be honest, I am ignorant about a lot of Mac software history. I haven't had an Apple since my Apple IIc and a Mac Classic or two. All I know is that when I want to run an application I found on the Internet, I can't always do it because it’s not Intel compatible.
It just doesn't work.
Most of the software worth installing is written by developers who have revisited their apps and built a universal binary over the past few months, but there are some apps that I've found that don't have any competitors and haven't seen any updates in nearly a year.
One of Microsoft’s biggest boons and limitations is their backwards compatibility. I can make good arguments on both sides all day long, but the net for this topic is that non-backwards compatibility is a pain point for early adopters.
#4 No Reinventing the Wheel
My early impression of finding and installing Mac software is that not many people have taken to re-inventing the wheel yet. I realize this has a lot to do with the size of the userbase, but I'm disappointed by the lack of programs that try to beat what Apple ships by default.
For example, I can name a handful of different Windows SSH clients. Because OSX has a client built in, I believe developers are disinclined to write better versions.
#3 Installing Apps
Windows installers may have their flaws, but at least the typical install process is fairly simple: • Download the .exe • Execute it • Answer a few questions • Delete the installer • You're done!
When I entered the widget loving phase of the switch, I downloaded over two dozen of the little buggers. Some arrived in .dmg format, others arrived in some compressed form. A couple arrived as .dmg.tar.gz. The install process went like this: • Download the .dmg.tar.gz • Double-click the file to un-gzip it • Double-click the new .dmg.tar file to un-tar it • Double-click the new .dmg file to mount the image • If the file inside the image is an app, drag it into your Applications menu • If it is an installer, execute it and answer a few questions • Drag all four of the files and mount points created into the trash. • You're done!
There are several advantages to the OSX way of installing apps, but you can see how an install can get out of hand pretty quickly.
#2 Only One Window Resize Region
In most window managers, any resizable window has eight regions to grab; each of the sides and corners. OSX only allows the lower-right corner to resize a window. If you have a small window in the lower-right area of your screen and you want to make it bigger, you must first drag it out of the corner. This obvious omission is quite surprising to me, coming from a company who so emphasizes ease of use and a smooth user experience.
#1 No Maximize
All of the Mac users I know will go on and on about screen real estate and how a properly designed app shouldn't take up the whole screen. However, when I want an application to take up the whole screen, I shouldn't be forced to drag the window to the top-left of the screen (see above) and then drag it to be full screen.
I choose full-screen because it blocks out all other applications and distractions. I choose it because if I wanted my apps to be smaller, I would have bought a smaller computer. I choose it because it makes me feel happy. Please don't make me hunt for it.
Conclusion
I spent well over two grand to join the cult. Now that I'm in, I see that the punch is all diet and they don't have any black Nikes in size 15.
Ten Reasons Why I Love My MacBook Pro
#10 Darwin
It cannot be understated how important this was to me. I envied every Mac user who had a FreeBSD system under the hood because I know how powerful it is. As it turns out, FreeBSD is also my server OS of choice, so I feel even more at home in the OSX terminal than I do in DOS.
#9 Intel
Making the Intel switch was a brilliant move on Apple’s part. I believe that this change has initiated an impressive wave of prior wafflers, hesitant switchers, and organizations who will finally feel comfortable buying hardware that will still run Windows if necessary.
For this reason, I think my Apple shares have a really bright future.
#8 Built-In Software
My Windows disc came with a calculator and WordPad. Oh, and MSpaint. Hmm, I can't think of anything else of use that shipped on the Windows CD. Wait, Explorer. Does that count?
I scrapped Safari for Firefox almost right away, but let’s see some of the goodies that Apple provided that I use each day: • Dashboard • iTunes • Calendar • OmniOutliner • Spotlight
Again, this is just the daily use apps. There are probably more, and there are at least a couple dozen more very thoughtful programs that I'll get around to using over time. I suppose Windows has Defrag. Yeah, I'll give them that.
#7 Backlit Keyboard
Two days after Boot Camp was released, I drove down to the Apple store and spent two hours of quality time with a MacBook Pro. Before this point, I had no idea the laptops were shipping with a backlit keyboard. As small as this may be to some people, this is one of the things that pushed me over the edge at decision time.
#6 OMG So Sexy
It’s hard to argue that the MacBook Pro isn't a well crafted and beautiful machine. With few exceptions, I believe that Apple manages to hit the sweet spot where form and function peak.
This machine manages to be brighter, longer lasting, faster, lighter, and thinner than my old Dell. In fact, it beats even the new Dell machine I was considering on every physical characteristic. Fully configured, it didn't cost much more, either.
The aluminum case is a stroke of genius. Of course laptops are going to run hot as long as they have today’s Intel processors in them. Only the smart laptop manufacturers make the entire laptop body a metal heatsink as opposed to a plastic insulator.
#5 Battery Life
The MacBook Pro users I interviewed before making my purchase indicated that I should expect 2.5 to 3 hours of battery life. Using the computer in a seminar, I made it through three hours of off-and-on note taking (with OmniOutliner Professional) and the system estimated I had another 2.5 left to go. This is proper power management. Heck, I left this computer sitting on the counter without power for three hours last night while we went to a movie. When I came back, the battery had only drained a few percent.
My old Dell machine would reliably gobble up a battery in 1.5 to 2.5 hours, no matter how much or little I was using it.
#4 Front Row
Where have you been all of my life?
The days of hunting for a site and selecting a player type and buffering and waiting and buffering just to watch a stinking movie preview are over. I've never used Windows Media Center, but I never imagined that having a remote and turning your computer into your personal theater could be so sweet.
I need to do now is plug my DVI cable into my TV and an audio cable to the sound system and I can show my wife movie previews just like they were on Tivo. I can play my iTunes library around the house without having to wear my iPod.
Now I just need to hang tight until the day Apple announces a version of the Mac Mini with a built in TV tuner and DVR software. That’s the day I'll kick my Tivo to the curb.
#3 Security
I really do appreciate that OSX hasn't had the virus exposure Windows has. I love that I can download and install any application I please with minimal concern for what it might do to harm my computer.
This isn't to say that I'm going commando with my MacBook Pro. I am pleased to see the Mac community at large slowly coming to terms with the fact that they aren't 100% immune to attacks. With increasing marketshare comes increasing scrutiny, and I for one have more clam in my system than Ivar himself!
#2 The Little Things
MagSafe power connector, ambient light-aware keyboard and screen brightness, dedicated CD eject key, and an audio out jack that glows red when it’s disabled. How about all of the tools you need to get started developing your own OSX apps right on the install DVD? These are a few of the little things that add up to a much greater experience.
I believe people have written entire books about the thoughtful little things that Apple includes in their products. Suffice it to say that they don't go unnoticed by me.
#1 The Big Picture
The bottom line is that you are not your OS. I'm dropping Windows on my personal laptop and my work desktop (for DesktopBSD, no less) simply because I can. The applications I need most are available online or are portable to other systems, so I'm cutting the strings.
My new MacBook pro allows me to do all that while still maintaining a bridge back to the old system if I ever need it.
Conclusion
Apparently my last article struck a nerve with several people. Enough so to warrant an inbox full of flames and a couple small DOS attacks. I'd like to thank those who saw it for what it was: a rant against the things I'm having a hard time adjusting to along with a few genuine issues that I hope will change over time. For the rest of you, please look forward to my next Apple post tentatively titled ”Jobs, save me from your followers!”
Several of the issues I mentioned in Ten Reasons Why I Hate My MacBook Pro are still concerns to me, but many people have correctly pointed out that several of these things may be remedied over time. A couple of them have already been solved by helpful commenters with solutions on hand. The rest are things that I will just have to get used to because my MacBook Pro is here to stay.
