As for the OS being made by the same entity as the hardware manufacturer, I’d prefer it that way. It accounts for the stability you see with Mac OS as well as the backwards compatibility you get with each release of Mac OS’s.

I would rather pay $99 for the updates to Mac OS which has REAL improvements and works with my older machine than Microsoft’s $149 and up to upgrade to an OS which is less stable than the previous and doesn’t support my hardware.

If Dvorak changed his mind concerning Mac’s everyone should at least try them for 30 days. Trust me, you won’t go back.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the Mac while I had it. I made some nice movies and some pretty web pages. But for getting down and dirty and getting things done, nothing compared to my trusty ol’ home built PC. Try updating a Mac’s hardware or keeping it current with the times. For a fraction of the cost and none of the headaches most Mac users complain about with their Windows experiences, I’m able to get the job done in less time and for less money than any of my Mac using counterparts. No blue screens of death and no major viruses. There’s no incrimental update for a Mac. There’s just a loyal community of Mac diehards plopping down another couple grand for an entirely new machine. Again, there pretty. I get that. I’m hoping there’s more to it for most of you but let’s be real about it.

Vista works well but is admittedly new. It’s no wonder there are so many compatibility issues with a new OS where the OS designer doesn’t hold a monopoly on the hardware. I’ve upgraded four machines so far with little effort. There are endless possible combinations with the PC and only a few select configurations with a Mac, all of which are controlled by Apple. That is a good thing from a stability standpoint but it is stiffling to say the least from a cost and creativity standpoint.

Also, I can’t figure out why Mac users are down on Microsoft so much for releasing a new OS when Apple does it every other year. Vista works well and Office is a refreshing update to an old standard. Even at Apple’s price for a new OS, it costs more to keep a Mac current with its OS than it does a Windows machine. You can pay $99 every other year for OS X “update” or $149 every other fourth year (or more by some calculations) for true innovative advancement. Again, I just can’t understand the mindset.

Finally, with all the talk about the different versions of Vista I find it funny that people complain. Sure, we’d all like the top of the line version, but most of us don’t need all the bells and whistles. Otherwise we’d all be driving around in the most expensive cars with all the options no matter what the cost. The choice would be between an expensive car with options we may not need or ever use and hoofing it Fred Flinstone style. Why not have the option to buy only what you need? Aren’t we a nation geared towards the notion of freedom of choice? Well, one size certainly does not fit all when it comes to technology. Microsoft has figured this out, why hasn’t Apple?

I realize they try to address this with their hardware offerings, but come on. Do you ever wonder why Apple doesn’t sell its OS to builders or hobbyists? The Vista v. OS X battle is far from a fair fight. Apple has the luxury of designing its OS around a single system set. Microsoft just gives us what we need and allows us the freedom to choose our system. In my opinion, they do a decent job of appealing to the true “needs” of the masses.

If your system is current enough, go ahead and get the new OS. You’ll need it eventually. As with all things technology, as soon as you’re current, you’ve fallen behind.