6+ Month Update
So far my overall opinion of the MAC OS X is very high - so much so that I am already planning to replace one of my home servers with a new MAC. The system is very stable, I really enjoy the UI and having a Unix kernel under the covers is simply excellent. I was able to find native equivalents for just about all of the applications I used on Windows to the point where I no longer use my Windows XP home system any more.
As far as using the MacBook for Windows development, I must admit that It has also been excellent. I actually think that XP (running under VMware Fusion) is faster, more reliable and stable.
Now I am sure there are many of you out there shaking your heads in disgust saying that it is just not possible - but hear me out. In my earlier posts I stated that my plan was to install only Microsoft Visual Studio (and any other required development tools) into the VM - everything else is native MAC (Mail, Calendar, Office Suite, VPN, Web Browsing, Video Production, etc.) which I have managed to do. I also uninstalled every optional component under my Windows XP VM that had a corresponding native MAC component.
I attribute this phenomenon simply to the fact that the more software you install on Windows the slower it becomes - even if the software is not running. In my mind the registry and active-x are two of Microsoft's biggest blunders. If you never ran a registry monitor and watched what is going on with not applications loaded you should as you would be amazed. So simply by the fact that I am installing almost nothing under Windows keeps it running lean and mean.
Is my MacBook and MAC OS X perfect - no. But then again neither is Windows or any software I have ever used for that matter. Read any forum for any OS or application software and you will find people that claim it to be perfect and others that can stand it. It is all a matter of personal taste and requirements.
I am not sure if my new found enjoyment is simply my natural desire to keep learning new technologies, or that I really am just tried of Windows. What ever the reason I am very happy and have no plans to return to a pure native Windows environment any time soon.
DAJ
Windows Development
As far as using the MacBook for Windows development, I must admit that It has also been excellent. I actually think that XP (running under VMware Fusion) is faster, more reliable and stable.
Now I am sure there are many of you out there shaking your heads in disgust saying that it is just not possible - but hear me out. In my earlier posts I stated that my plan was to install only Microsoft Visual Studio (and any other required development tools) into the VM - everything else is native MAC (Mail, Calendar, Office Suite, VPN, Web Browsing, Video Production, etc.) which I have managed to do. I also uninstalled every optional component under my Windows XP VM that had a corresponding native MAC component.
I attribute this phenomenon simply to the fact that the more software you install on Windows the slower it becomes - even if the software is not running. In my mind the registry and active-x are two of Microsoft's biggest blunders. If you never ran a registry monitor and watched what is going on with not applications loaded you should as you would be amazed. So simply by the fact that I am installing almost nothing under Windows keeps it running lean and mean.
Summary
Is my MacBook and MAC OS X perfect - no. But then again neither is Windows or any software I have ever used for that matter. Read any forum for any OS or application software and you will find people that claim it to be perfect and others that can stand it. It is all a matter of personal taste and requirements.
I am not sure if my new found enjoyment is simply my natural desire to keep learning new technologies, or that I really am just tried of Windows. What ever the reason I am very happy and have no plans to return to a pure native Windows environment any time soon.
DAJ
I too have purchased a Mac recently and am walking the fence between Win and Mac. One thing I miss on the Mac, and which my Win/Thinkpad excelled, is "portability" - the Thinkpad is small enough to want to carry (the Mac is a Beast), and the Thinkpad has a battery life that was practical (must be at least twice or more the battery lifetime as the Mac, especially in wifi mode).
I don't miss the grinding slowness of Windows booting, launching, and various and sundry other everyday tasks.
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Have you ever used Linux Ubuntu Server? I use the Desktop Edition and it's works VERY well.
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