Marc Andreessen switches (back) to Mac
June 10th, 2007
Marc Andreessen muses on his blog about switching to Mac after using a PC for the last 13 years. What does Andreessen, creator of the first browser – Mosaic – and a co-founder of Netscape, like best?
The most wonderful thing about the Mac in 2007 is that it has what Bill Joy refers to as the “it works” feature.
I’ve followed a similar path. After many years of using Windows, I finally got a Mac PowerBook Pro in February. Like Andreessen, who wanted ‘…to experience what most of the rest of the world was using…’ I felt pretty strongly about having a user experience that was similar to most Clients when surfing the Web.
Things finally came to a head for me, though, when: it took too long for my Windows XP machine to start up in the morning (10 minutes would be generous) ; it’s memory ran low (it happens to the best); and I realized I could run Windows apps on my Mac (that was the kicker – I use Parallels).
Not to mention the fact that I was planning on attending South By Southwest Interactive and would look like a total dweeb if I was the only one with a Dell (My fears were well-founded; I could count on one hand the number of PC laptops at the entire SXSW convention).
After a few months, it’s the little things about my Mac that mean a lot. I can’t explain it b/c I’ve never had the time to thoroughly investigate, but it seems like it’s easier/faster to do things like check my email. I’m betting that one fewer click for this or that activity is the reason, and after a while all those clicks I don’t have to make add up to a significant increase in productive time.
I’m trying really hard not to be a Mac snob, but that’s just it – I find myself trying really hard.
