Of the Mac Persuasion Epidemic

Ahh, Macs. We hear about their benefits all the time. ALL THE TIME. But don't worry; I'm not here today to bash the Macintosh computer; I refuse to be pulled into the Mac vs. PC debate. Rather, I am here to discuss Mac Users.

First, let me say I am well acquainted with Macs. Being a graphic design major, I use them more than the average person. In highschool, I took a year and a half of journalism, a year of yearbook, and a year of scriptwriting, three heavily-based computer classes, all of which I used Macs for. I know all about them, how they work, what they do, etc. I am not ill-informed. And I still don't like them.

Again, I'm not here to discuss why I do or don't, but my opinion is relevant to the rest of my plea. I hate telling people that I do indeed prefer PCs, for my own personal reasons, because I inevitably get to hear, again, the reason why I am incorrect in my preference.

I've heard it all: they don't get viruses (false: http://blog.parametersecurity.com/2009/05/19/the-myth-of-the-virus-free-mac/) , adobe programs like Photoshop or InDesign are only available to Macs (also false; I have both, and they are also cheaper for PCs), they run less applications (remember, folks, that applications are different from processes; my PC is currently running two), they never die, they are God's gift to man, etc. My all-time favorite quotes, however, are these: "I didn't like them, either, until I got one, and now I do!" and "People who have them love them."

Allow me to combat with simple logic here. Just because something applies to you does not mean it automatically applies to me. You'd think this is a given, but it is not. Just because I prefer brunette men does not mean you do, and just because I hated heavy metal until I went to a concert (not a true story, just an example) does not mean the same would be true for you. Secondly, "people who have them love them." My thought is, well, yeah, otherwise they wouldn't have them, right? Who buys a major electronic device that they hate, and then, after finding they still hate it, keep it?

So basically, my complaint is this: people who have Macs or love Macs seem to think that it is impossible to dislike them. It is a simple disjunctive argument: "People either love Macs or are ill-informed about them, but not both." This is clearly faulty, and I will serve as the counter-example. I find that, if I tell people of my preference for PCs (which I usually don't do in order to avoid the following situation) they begin to spout off facts about Mac computers, thinking that if I only knew more about them, I couldn't possibly hate them as I do.

Can I just say to you, my friends, that you are not and probably will not tell me anything I don't already know, and the fact that "you hated them until you got one" does not change my mind?

Now, it would be a different story if I entered into a discussion about Macs and PCs with someone, asked their opinion, or just generally made a statement which invited or encouraged talk about the benefits of a Mac. But I didn't and I don't.

So here's the deal, world. I know about Macs. I know how they work, what they do, and what they don't do. I know the same things about PCs. I have used both extensively. I am well-educated, and you are only embarrassing yourself by thinking you can further inform me with your weak facts. And, though I don't flaunt it and am not out to persuade anyone to join me, I strongly prefer PCs.

And finally, if you understand nothing more, understand this: I neither want nor need someone to change my opinion, and I am sick of people trying. If I bring it up, feel free, but know that I won't. Computers are not morals; there is no correct or incorrect choice. So please, just let me run my anti-virus and loathe Macs in peace.