Blog posts across the internet are starting to emerge discussing Apple’s decision to add a MobileMe Preference option to the Windows XP and Windows Vista Control Panels.  Most stories are reminiscent of the debate on Apple’s previous decision to “sneak” it’s Safari web browser to Windows machines running Apple’s Software Update.

While I personally don’t think Apple is doing anything malicious here, I’m sure the debate will rage on as to whether this option is Apple trying to push it’s way into the Windows world and whether it’s tactics of installing software on users machines is right way to do things.  They did take steps to improve the Apple Software Update after the Safari mess to make it more clear to the user that it’s offering New Software if they choose to install it.

Apple does clearly state in the MobileMe requirements that iTunes 7.7 is required for both Macs and Windows PCs.  Apple also states on it’s MobileMe on your PC Features page that:

“Easy setup with the Windows Control Panel. Setting up MobileMe to sync with your PC is simple. Just install the latest version of iTunes, and a MobileMe Preferences application is added to your Windows Control Panel. Sign in with your MobileMe member name and password and all of your settings are right there.”

However, the issue isn’t as much of the requirements, but as to why it’s being installed without the users knowledge.

I personally just upgraded to iTunes 7.7 on my Windows XP machine and sure enough, in the Control Panel are the MobileMe preferences.  Now, being a MobileMe subscriber, I think this integration with Windows is kind of cool on Apple’s part, however, I do see where some people might be upset that it was “slipped” into the Control Panel without their knowledge.

However after glancing through my Control Panel on my XP machine, I noticed the following items that where installed by 3rd Party software without my knowledge that they were adding a Control Panel item:

• Adobe Gamma (from Photoshop)
• Java (from Sun Microsystems)
• NVIDIA Control Panel (from NVIDIA)
• NVIDIA nView Desktop Manager (from NVIDIA)
• Sound Effect Manager (from ASUS)

I think Apple is just trying to make it easy for those that are MobileMe members to access the new features and preferences for the service, and clearly other vendors are using the same technique to install their own Control Panel items.

Personally I would have preferred that Apple only install the MobileMe Control Panel item if I was a MobileMe member and if I told iTunes to do so, otherwise, keep the item bundled within iTunes until needed.  Maybe they should have offered the option from within iTunes to install/uninstall the Control Panel item.  Who knows, much like the fuss from the Safari updates, maybe at some point enough people will complain and that’s just what Apple will do.  For me this doesn’t go just for Apple, but all 3rd party developers.  Give the option to the user as to what you put on my machine.

What are your thoughts?

I purchased my first Mac, the Mac Pro in March 2007, however this was not the first time I had given serious thought to switching to Macs. I first became serious about switching back in 2005 when Apple released the Mac Mini.  It is the most affordable computer to get into the Mac OS X experience, however I decided at the time to pass and wait.  While it was the lowest priced Mac, it was still expensive for a system that may or may not get used on a daily basis, depending on whether or not I liked OS X.

Fast forward to 2007, and I really started to get the Mac bug after talking extensively with a good friend on the benefits of Macs, as well as reading and getting involved in online communities centered around Macs and Apple in general.  It seems that with the bad press Microsoft Vista was continuing to receive, Apple was taking full advantage of this and going after PC users like myself with their advertising campaigns.  The final straw for me was the fact that after installing and running the Vista Upgrade Advisor, suddenly my fully capable Windows XP machine that was only a few years old was not able to upgrade to Windows Vista because of the lack of motherboard chipset drivers.  The gave me the push to again look into Macs.

So I again revisited the Mac Mini, however I found that for it’s specifications and upgrade options it lacked the power that I needed in my everyday life.  I looked into the iMac however I didn’t like the thought on an all-in-one type system with an integrated display.  This led me to the Mac Pro and it’s expensive price tag, however, I knew by looking at the specs and reading forum posts that this was the computer that I wanted and one that would serve me well.  A quick trip to my local Apple store, and I was walking out with a new Mac Pro… well, not really walking as it comes in a huge box and is quite heavy to lug through a mall all by yourself.

Read the rest of this entry »

Never before has Mac market share been so high.  What is the reason for the increase?  Is it the Mac Hardware?  OS X and Apple software?  Is it because of Windows Vista and the problems Microsoft has had with it’s launch, driver compatibility issues and bad press?

Welcome to my series Switching to Mac. In this set of articles, I want to document my experiences on switching from using a PC running Windows XP to using a Mac Pro running OS X Tiger, then later upgrading to OS X Leopard. I’m going to be exploring some of the differences between using a Mac and a Windows PC both on the hardware side, as well as the software side.  I’ll explore the pros and cons of using each from my point of view being a web developer who uses both systems on a day to day basis for my work, as well as an avid computer user in my personal life using it for everything from surfing the internet to creating movies, editing photos, and more.  The topics I will cover and discuss will include:

• My Switch to the Mac
• A look at Apple Hardware
• Apple Hardware… meet Apple Software – OS X, iLife, Pro Apps
• Updates, Patches, and Point Releases
• AppleCare Support Services
• Applications for the Mac
• Running Windows on your Mac
• Online resources for recent switchers

I hope you’ll enjoy this series and be able to use some of my experiences in helping you make the decision as to whether switching to the Mac is best for you.  I will be updating this post adding direct links to the articles as I post them.  Of course subscribing to the RSS feed will also ensure you get the articles as they are posted.  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.