Are Prius owners just like Mac users?

ok lets see next friday

 

It's funny you should post this now. I have this issue very much on my mind recently. I use all three major computing OSs (Windows, Linux, MacOS) regularly and will probably continue to do so in the future. However, I've recently decided to get a Mac laptop to replace my existing Windows/Linux laptop. In the course of doing my research, I've been reading posts at Mac forum (macrumors.com) and I'm struck by the level of discussion that happens there. It seems to me that there is a similar level of discussion, but also a fair amount of zealotry. There definitely are level-headed, reasonable people there, but there are also a good number of people that think Steve Jobs is God. To me, the zealot to non-zealot ratio is significantly higher there than here, but I sometimes wonder if that comes from being an insider here and somewhat of an outsider there.

(BTW, if anyone's interested, the key rumor that I heard there there is that Apple is supposed to be releasing a new line of laptops on October 14. So, if you're thinking about buying, it may be advisable to wait. )

 

I completed the survey, I also drive a Prius and use a Mac.

 

I think the association is justified. I'm a computer consultant and work with Macs and PCs both. As Prius owners, we're interested in advanced technology, simplicity of operation, and performance (not 0-60 but MPG). I find Macs to be all of the above and, in fact, XP runs faster on my MacBook that it does on a comparable PC Laptop. I'm safer with a Mac (from viruses) just as we're the proud owners of good crash test ratings.

Any comments from PC Users?:couch2:

 

I would say it's more true of the early adopters than it is from those buying their first Prius today. Early Prius adopters were willing to go against the majority (much like Mac users are) in going after the best performance they could find... Today, the Prius practically is the majority

 

Well, I'm a Prius owner, and a PC user. I've used Macs, and a lot of my friends have switched, but I just can't get used to them. My advisor uses one and every time she asks me to help her with something I pull my hair out.

One of the programs I routinely use for work doesn't run on a Mac, although I know I can get around this. I've just used PCs all my life, have really never had any problems with them, and don't see any reason to switch. I'm pretty technology savvy (i.e. I am fascinated by my Prius, I use oceanographic instrumentation all the time, I can rattle on about composite construction techniques) but I don't use a lot of it in my personal life, I have a basic cell phone and that's it, no iPod, smart phone, nothin'....

 

Well, let's see. My association on personal computers goes back to TRSDOS (a test if anyone remembers <grin>), and I've got over 30 years experience in everything from mainframes to Xenix (er Linux), Unix, NetWare, Windows, well, name a platform.

I know there are staunch Mac users (my first experience was with the SE30), but I've used Windows as my platform of choice...

I have 2 Prius because I like them....

 

Really glad I took this picture. Used it many times. lol. :0)

 

I purchased my Prius and imac the same month and I love them both. They both take some getting used to but it's fun to learn all these new things.

 

Many similarities - use of both is intuitive. A lot of information is built into every aspect of both Prius and Macintosh. Both are very efficient and enable higher productivity. Both nurture a high level of passion and loyalty.

 

Mac and Linux in my house these days. My first computer in the 1980's was a DOS PC I liked a lot. I bought an expensive windows notebook computer in the 'windows 95' era and was appalled.

As for MacRumors, I left after being relegated to troll when I criticized Apple, Inc.

 

That's pretty funny. How much do I spend on coffee? (I notice it didn't say Lattés or Starbucks) And my answer was $0.

I was also amused by the "do you own an iPhone."

 

PC user here too, build my own, can't do that with a Mac. Well you could, the hardware is the same on the newer Macs, but Jobs says he will only allow Mac OS to be run on Macs.

Never spent any time at MacRumors, but a lot of Mac users sure get defensive about their choice of platforms.

 

Yeah. Some of them are pretty hard core. There was one thread I was reading about someone who wanted to buy an LCD monitor and was incredibly annoyed that someone pointed out that it makes a lot more sense to buy a screen from someone other than Apple.

I work in a field that it fairly computer-intensive and people have really swung towards Apple in recent years. Part of it is because most of the software we run can be ran and compiled under MacOS (it works under Windows, too, but is much slower). Linux is best for work, but the Apple machines sure have a slick UI and make nice looking presentations. I spent the better part of the afternoon arguing with a Linux-promoting colleague who was arguing that I can do everything I want in Linux; probably true (and I have a Linux desktop at work), but I still have flashbacks to when I tried to get wireless encryption working on a Linux laptop.

I guess my point of the digression is that their are zealots in every part of the computer industry (although the Windows zealots are few and far between). However, the Mac people seem to take it to an extreme. And you certainly don't endear yourself to me by calling your tech support people "Geniuses."

 

One thing I have noted, as a Mac and Prius owner - there seem to be a lot of trolls and haters for both products. I think that both Mac and Prius owners somehow feel the need to defend their choice of computer / automobile. I'm growing weary of defending both, to the point that I no longer feel compelled to correct those who spout misinformation about either product. Use what you want and get on with your life. Its just a computer / car.

I'm still anti Microsoft though. I hold grudges for a long time, and they still owe me for Windows 3.0, 3.1 DOS 5.0, 6.0, 6.1 etc. I have enough exposure to their newer OS(s) at work to know that XP is only marginally better. Its like a retarded version of the Mac. I'm not thrilled about Toshiba products either after owning one of their laptops. They will never get any of my money again after selling me that Piece of Crapâ„¢.

 

I agree. I got burned by a dell about 6 years ago. I spend so much on that laptop and it never worked. The CD drive stopped working and then the screen would only work when it wanted to. I called the tech people at dell and they pretty much said that it was my fault. Its much different with the iMac and Powerbook I have now. If something happened with my powerbook, I would just call the applecare number and they would help me out, never blame me. Now that my powerbook is 4 and a half years old, I pray that it doesn't break on me. Knock on wood...