Conclusions:

The most significant problem with this debate is that in order to examine the MacOS X, a potential user must make the commitment to an expensive piece of hardware to go with it. This is a significant obstacle to many users. After looking at the prices candidly, I believe that the reason that 'Cost' is so often the first complaint is really, a reaction to the fact that, unlike Linux, they can't try it out on existing hardware. That is certainly a concern, but with the average life expectancy of a Windows computer being just a little over 3 years, most computer users will want to replace a computer in the next 2-3 years. So the decision of what they want to buy is going to face them. Microsoft will have Windows XP on the shelves until at least 2005. In that time, Apple will release at least one, probably two, and perhaps even three major upgrades to it's operating system. At the same time, Apple's hardware appears to be catching up to the Windows x86 world in performance numbers that the general public can understand. During this time, both companies will continue to innovate, and push new devices to embrace a 'Digital Lifestyle' which brings computer like devices off our desks and into other aspects of our lives, all connecting back to our 'Digital Hubs'. Apple appears to be pushing into not computer like devices, with the iPod, and the long rumored Tivo like device, while Microsoft is pushing the XBox, Media Center PC, and TabletPC as additional computers in our homes. Both strategies have merit, but when it comes to the desktop, and laptop computers, it is my opinion that for the next 2 years, Apple and the MacOS X have taken the technological, and usability lead. At the same time, I believe that the overall value of the Mac platform is superior to that of the Windows platform.

I do not know, nor will I say that the Mac will overcome the Windows dominance of the current marketplace. Microsoft has proven throughout it's history, that technical superiority cannot beat the marketing might combined with a product that is just good enough. Until you sit down and use a MacOS X machine for more than a cursory glance, you cannot appreciate the significant differences. If I were shopping for a computer today, and when asked what I suggest, my choice today is a PowerMac running MacOS X. The only compelling reason against this would be a user that has a significant investment in the latest software for Windows. Considering that Windows XP, Windows 2003 and the upcoming 'Longhorn' all break quite a bit of existing software, someone upgrading from Windows 98 or ME is facing a significant cost in software upgrades regardless, so that is not a limiting factor in my view, and for those that cannot give up that copy of some classic piece of software, let me recommend that you also buy a copy of Virtual PC with Windows 98SE for just that purpose, to use those classic pieces of software that wouldn't follow you to Windows XP anyways. I made the switch unintentionally, I do not see any reason for me to go back to using a Windows machine as my primary machine again, and I write Windows software for a living.

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