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I think your point are well taken, but I disagree with them to some extent. While I think a UNIX based system (like MAC OS or LINUX) is inherently less susceptible to viruses/malware than Windows, you're most likely right that if they had majority market share they would be heavily targeted (after all, these people are typically after money, and Windows is the low hanging fruit due to its market share). However, in making the decision individually or for a corporation this is really irrelevant. If you get Mac or LINUX, you essentially don't have to worry about viruses/malware.
I agree Apple hardware isn't necessarily more reliable than PC hardware (at least anymore), but when people play the price card it's usually in comparing it to the junkers, not a Thinkpad or something. From an individual perspective Apple's service is also MUCH MUCH better than any PC manufacturers though, especially if you have access to an Apple Store. This is significant enough to be a deciding reason for some individual owners, I think.
An experienced and informed computer user can certainly get by no problem with Windows, but the average individual or corporate user is neither of these things. They're not going to be careful what sites they go to, they will fall for phising, they don't know about antivirus and malware and firwalls, and they will have significant downtime due to these issues, at least in my experience. With more companies issuing laptops, more employees using them as their primary computer, and more companies with off site/home office employees, these are major issues in my opinion. The "it just works" thing has a strong appeal to people and companies - just witness the success of the iphone over other phones that are as technically capable.
I don't think most companies will move away from Windows for a long time for many reasons, but I think more and more will. I've also seen small facilities with the need for high uptime and without the budget for full time IT like doctor's offices make the switch very successfully. Microsoft seems to be offering very little to counteract this trend, so it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few years.
Craig
posted by 72.83.74...
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