Let's Get Switched

In the end of March, we arranged a special contest in order to celebrate Apple's 30th anniversary. All visitors were asked to contribute their advice on how to convert a "die-hard" PC user to the Mac.

We received more than 300 brilliant ideas. Check out the best of them and maybe one will encourage you to start your own switcher career.

Also we are happy to announce that Angus Malcolm, James Caplice and Wesley D. Radcliffe became the winners of the contest. Each will receive one year subscription to either MacWorld or MacAddict magazines. Congratulations!

What's your proven switching advice?

Angus Malcolm

I ask my friends to remember the last time they had flu or a bad cold, and how nice it would have been if someone had been there to cook for them, keep the house clean, even take care of their commitments, maybe read them the odd book. I then guarantee that if they get a mac, I'll do all that for them the next time they get a virus. And I'll do it all naked. Oh, as long as the virus is on the computer...

James Caplice

To get anyone to switch to a Mac all you need to do is give that person a cookie. Whenever you eat a cookie you can't help but be happy, and happy people love Macs, thus anyone who eats a cookie will love Macs and will switch instantly to OS X. I believe that if Apple teams up with Nabisco and gives everyone in the world a cookie we will see Apples market share jump all the way to 100% crushing Microsoft and Linux.

Wesley D. Radcliffe

Being a Mac Specalist (part time, im also a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology) i've been TRAINED in how to convert people to the mac platform. But thats easy. If they walk in the brick and mortar store, they're already interested. Its the ones who wouldnt dare touch an apple, or think they're over priced, or think they're 'girly' computers that are the problems. The solution? Let them play. Sit your powerbook in your lap and use expose. Wait for them to ask how you're printing files, playing music, and using the internet at the same time, with not one cable touching it. Explain to them how you've used your mac sans anti-virus software on a college campus with 40,000 other (mostly infected) computers for years without as much as a hiccup. Show them how the mac community writes programs (most free or cheap) that make using a computer like an extension of your body, not a cold metal logic box (pauses, uses quicksilver to open itunes and then uses sizzling keys to jump forward a few songs till he finds a bjork song he likes). Then after they start to argue about the incompatibility and the price, you tell them that it isn't 1993 anymore. Let them know your operating system is 5 years NEWER than what they can get with the other company, the support is amazing (mac geniuses DESERVE their title) and the fact that they have to drop 1500 bucks now means nothing, because their mac will retain its value for years. And besides, microsoft office, they wont really need a darn thing else anyway. 

Keep the argument simple. Then the best point of all will just suddenly sink in. They'll realize you actually have reasons for being the crazy evangelist you are. And then they'll want to join the club.

Number of people converted using this tactic: (not counting the ones i converted while working) 26.

Björn Andersson

The most significant difference between macs and pcs lies in your head: A mac offloads your brains cpu while a pc makes your brain-fans speed up to a maximum.

Wesley Konrad

I married one.

When we were still dating, my wife just about broke up with my because I was a Mac User. She is a Statistician and didn't see Mac's as "real" computers. Well, she married me anyway. Five years of her seing how infrequently I have issues with my computer and her Gateway is holding up books on the bookshelf and we have joint custody of my powerbook. We even bought a mini to run our TV.

Kevin Smith

I personally find that the religious approach is the only way to hook 'em.

So, in a world where new churches seem to emerge all over the place, I think that the very best approach to convert the PC world to the more fulfilling Mac world is through the development of IChurch. Yes that's right, one more I_ _ _ _...this is the only way to convert; one must lead by example. In IChurch all members will be outfitted with their very own Ipod, in which they can tune into sermons about the need for conversion through, of course, Apple's Podcasting. There will be "the world's biggest" Apple Cinema displays. Through this amazing media experiences the world won't even see it coming but there will be revival that spreads like wild fire. This is the best switching advice that I can give; this not only reaches those close to home but spreads in large numbers producing not only great results in sales for Apple, but also a generally happier public who are finally satisfied with their computers.

Sippan

(This entry *may* or may not fall under harming the PC users, I think there are court cases about that going on as I speak.)

How to make Windows users switch to Mac OS in 7 simple steps:

Step 1: Create secret company which makes Windows computers.

Step 2: Develop killer app which runs only on this company brand of PCs. Release for free.

Step 3: Roll thumbs as Windows users start purchasing our PCs.

Step 4: Introduce new computer model, made entirely out of candy. Discontinue all other company models.

Step 5: Roll thumbs as users get obese and unhealthy. Rake in heaps of cash as users must buy a new computer every day because they keep eating the circuits.

Step 6: Use all the money to pay off Dr Atkins to market new amazing three-in-one dieting method called "lose weight and save money by switching to a better operating system!"

Step 7: Roll thumbs as fat Winows users switch to Mac and become slim, fit, rich and happy.

Step 8: World domination.

Mathias Løkke Madsen

- My seven step guide to switching -

If you want to get those lost windows users to listen to you, here is what you do:

1. Be careful not to irritate them. Never say that they are stupid for using Windows. If you do that, they will never listen to you again, and you've lost the game.

2. Instead og "Mac", say "Apple". It sounds more cool, and maybe they will even think, that it's a whole other company, and nothing bad of what they have heard from their Windows-friends, will be used against you.

3. Make little comments, when one of your lost friends have problems with Windows. Something like: "c'mon, why should that even be a problem? On an Apple, that would never have happened... Although you have to find a balance, we don't want step 1 to happen.

4. Say that a lot of other Windows users, are switching right now. They will either feel that they are missing out, or at least be pushed a bit closer to Apple.

5. Never miss an oppertunity to (completely objective) mention that Microsoft screwed up. "Windows Vista delayed" for example.

6. Never promise something about an Apple computer that isn't true.

7. This is the most important of these seven advices. The benchmarks! allways mention if a mac has beaten a windows-based pc in speed. Often Windows users aren't too smart when it comes to hardware. All they care about, is how big the harddisk drive is, and what clockspeed the CPU is running on. At least many of the people we want to switch think like this.

notes...

This is all experince I have gathered through about six years of public school in Denmark. In Denmark Apple is just a minority of people, who thinks better of them selves. Microsoft, Office, and internet explorer owns about 98% of the danish market, and that needs to change!

Jon T

Vanity: "I think you would look fantastic using a Mac."
Resistance to Change: "In two hours your emails, documents and photos could be running beautifully on a Mac."
Fear: "Have you Googled yourself to check your details haven't been stolen today?"
Good Sense: "Switch to Mac and kiss good-bye to computer befuddlement."

Judy Watt

It Takes A Lot of *Red Wine.
1) Have some wine. Show them iTunes on your iBook. While playing a song, switch from computer speakers to family room speakers. After they say "WOW, how did you do that?", show them how. Give them your iBook and let them play while you go and fill wine glasses. Tell them to download iTunes (it's free) and look into an Airport Express.
2) A week later you get an e-mail saying that they love iTunes and had no trouble hooking up the Airport Express. They ask you a few simple questions about sharing and play lists.
3) Two weeks later you are invited to their place for dinner. You bring a couple bottles of a wine you know they like. When you walk in the door they have music playing all over the house. They tell you how great iTunes is and how good it felt to pack up their CD player and CDs and take them to the basement. They say that they should have listened to you sooner. (I stared this as soon and Apple came out with iTunes for Windows) During dinner you ask them if they have a digital camera and listen as they tell you that they do but (insert Windows problem here). After dinner, and a couple glasses of wine, get out your iBook and show them how iPhoto is similar to iTunes. Be sure to show them the slider at the bottom that adjusts the size of the pictures. They seem to like that. (timing is critical. I think I waited too long for this step. They may not have remembered this the next morning. I may have to repeat it.) Next, explain how a Mac mini and a KMV switch can easily be hid!
den so that their friend won't eve know it's there.
4) You get an e-mail from their mother say her son is over and they are having a glass of wine and installing this tune thing on her computer so she can play her "records" (CDs) on her stereo.
This is a very long process. As you can see, I'm still not there yet. Maybe some day I can get him to look at OS X.

*You may substitute the red wine with your victims favorite drink.

Oliver Sprecher

Why eating boring Golden, Idared or Grannys? Taste the difference - bite into a MAC, the king of Apple(s)!

Matt

There is a difference between the PC and the Mac. The PC is about the computer. The Mac is about what you can do with the computer.

If your goal is to tweak your system, add memory, over-clock the processor, and do all sorts of geeky things then you should probably buy a PC.

If you want to share pictures, make home movies, surf the internet, and have all of these things work without any additional purchases then you should at least consider a Mac. Because every Mac comes with iLife '06, which is worth at least $1000 of software on the PC side, if you can find something that works as well.

I switched about a year ago. It was frustrating for about a week. The key commands were a little different and things were in a different place. Once I learned 'the way', I now realize that using Windows is equivalent to living with a raging alcoholic. Once I realized that I didn't have to live by logic that wasn't logical, I truely became free.

Gerald Kielpinski

Patience and Persistence and Information. Every time a friend is talking about their Windows problems, (and it's guaranteed to happen from time to time) mention how sweet it is to be running a machine with OS X. Take the time to debunk the Security through Obscurity myth. Next time they are over make sure you accidentally show off the widgets on your computer. When you get in a conversation about music, mention how awesome it was when Jobs outed the music exec's for being greedy. Then when you pique their interest - tell them that if they get a Mac you will be their PERSONAL TECH SUPPORT. This one is great because it means a lot to them, but almost nothing to you, because with a Mac you don't need tech support. I've converted about 8 of my friends, and I think I've received 2 calls (both problems were that the Mac makes things so simple, PC people sometimes have difficulty realizing it). The best part of the process is 3 months after they buy one you're guaranteed!
one big "Thank YOU!!!" Then you can use that person as a reference to convert the next.

Stig Håkansso

With MacOS in your Mac
and Windows
it feels like Amors arrows.
You can do it all
even phonecall.

Jonathan Fielding

Step 1
Ask them to proof read a document for you
Step 2
As they read through it point out the way track changes works on the mac, improvements over windows version
Step 3
Show them relevant data to go with the document they have proof read in another program. When switching program minimize word processor and point out how it shrinks into a mini preview.
Step 4
let them switch back themselves, showing them how easy, and how cool the animations look
Step 5,
use expose to show the 2 prorams windows next to each other, show them how they could use this for checking data
Step 6
Offer to let them play with the operating system
Step 8
Ask them what they thinks bad about the system and then demonstrate to them how they are wrong and the benifits the operating system offers
Step 9
Show them how easy it is to search for all related files on the computer
Step 10
Drop the powerbook (shows durability)

Bengtsson Jonas

One new PC and one new Mac.

Connect it to internet width standard configuration and normal updates.
No extrenal security programs.
Register one account, send ten e-mails a day, register to five forums.

Compare prestandard, amount of spam, for day by day during for exampel two weeks.

Christian Bolander

Because the computer design apple logo reminds you to stay healthy and look posh. While the PC makes you look like too many burgers and soda's. Apple computers saves peoples lives.

Henrik Söderqvist

Instead of re-formatting your C:-drive every now and then - re-format yourself and have a fresh start on a Mac. Computing should be fun!

Carl Ruopp Jr.

I pretty much get asked a lot about what kind of computer to purchase being in the IT field...so when someone comes to me I ask them what they are planning on doing with the computer. Most of the people today use their computers for a few simple tasks (Web, Email, Digital Photos, Music, Bills). Then I ask them things about how tech savy they are - they usually arent too savy so I start in with the idea of a mac, very suttle as to not scare them off right away...I start to ask them about security and spyware/virus/trojans, etc....I ask them if they will be doing any online billing and of the sorts....then I go into the begining of the kill - I start saying things like "well I guess you could use a PC" and well if you arent worried about spyware causing performance and security issues then a PC is ok.... then I go into how much easier and how much more fun it is to do the same tasks on a mac I also let them know that with a mac because they are such nice looking machines that they dont have to hide it in their den and if they start to talk about price and how macs are more expensive I bring up the mac mini and follow up with the fact that macs have a longer shelf life then pcs... I then offer to allow them to take home my powerbook and test it out to see for themselves and I let them know if they need help with anything or trying to find software to do a specific job I will ALWAYS be there for them to help them out - that when you get a mac its not just a computer you are getting but also a community of friendly helpful people that are not trying to do anything but help and dont/arent looking for anything in return.

Using these tatics I have been able to convert 4 DIE HARD PC users to purchasing macs (powermac, imac, ibook, powermac). I have also been able to convince my place of employment to bring back macs into the office, an office that use to be comprised completely of macs, but hasnt been that way for many years now... I have also worked with Apple and my company about purchasing Xserves to replace expensive dell and sun servers and even Xserve RAID with XSan for SAN capabilities... which are still in the talking stages but I am still making progress.

Hoy Thompson

Kidnap them in the night, throw them into a locked basement with only an iBook (factory sealed). Once they unbox the iBook and get it up and running and find the basement's airport signal they can email for help. After the initial shock of being kidnapped, they will realize how easy it was to get the iBook up and running. Tough love, but worth it.

Jose Invencio

Offer friends, family and colleagues FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT for the life of their new Mac. If they ask how you can offer this, say, "because you will almost never need any technical support with a Mac."

Herbert Danziger

The quickest and easiest way to get a PC user to swith to Mac is to ban their use of iPods until they switch.

Roger Vass

(Window XP)= VW Bettle
(MacOS X) = Porsche

Now, can you compare the two cars of Porsche and VW Bettle? That's simple answer is pick MacOS X.

Jason Goncalves

Secretly hide a Mac Mini in their work area and connect it to their monitor and put it to sleep.
Have their mouse in a position that when they go to their desk it would automatically wake from sleep mode.

Once they see the beauty of the desktop with no question will they try it out.

And like the saying goes "Once you go MAC you'll never go Back!

Jr Aquino

Secretly switch the user's computer with a macintosh. Run Virtual PC in full screen with a clone setup of their previous PC in the office. Let the use it for a while, then let them know that they have been using a mac the whole time!

Or have it dual booted into XP on an Intel Mac.

Bob Smithson

Sometimes it's hard to switch someone who is such a die hard Windows user, but it can be done! With the exception of hard core gamers — who just flat out won't hear me, I was able to switch a handful of very skeptical people with some fairly simple tasks/tests.

I have the user set their PC up anyway they like, with whatever software they like and ask them to accomplish at least two of the following: 1.) see who can create a 4-page web site complete with their own pictures/graphics and navigation in the shortest time. 2.) set up and/or log on to a new, unprotected wireless network in the shortest time. 3.) hook up a digital camera (which is not owned by them) and download, view, and manipulate photos in the shortest time. 4.) do the same thing with a stranger's video camera and edit together a short video in the shortest time.

All it usually takes is the digital camera test to impress some people and sway them, but I did have to do all the tests for one individual — he now owns a G5 tower. Now keep in mind there was more to it than just the tests...showing off the bells and whistles of OS X like Expose, Spotlight, and the power of BSD (for the pro user) does a ton of the work.

It's unfortunate that there are a lot of Windows users that scoff when they are TOLD about a Mac — there's just so much misinformation still floating around out there (Macs are only good for artists?!?). In my experience it's a completely different scenario when that same user is actually properly INTRODUCED to a Mac. Like I mentioned before, gamers just don't want to hear it, but there are people that just don't know about what the Mac has to offer with OS X, iLife, iWork, etc. Once you show it to them and answer their questions and concerns, they become a lot more receptive to the idea of "switching". Happy Anniversary Apple!