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Lifehacker's Top 10 Things You Forgot Your Mac Can Do

lifehacker.com — Macs may be more expensive, and Mac users more elitist (ahem), but blind Apple loyalty aside, there are a number of neat features bundled into your Mac which make it super useful and fun. We've covered dozens of Mac tips over the years in these pages, but today we're highlighting ten lesser-known Mac tricks that come baked into Leopard.

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  • rlray216, on 05/14/2008, -55/+20Another Mac post that my wife will be interested in - forwarding it to her right now.
    • dyranios2, on 05/14/2008, -2/+71tell her I said hello!
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/14/2008, -2/+35Why did we need to know this?
    • TritonVision, on 05/14/2008, -2/+27dugg for the personal bond that was just established between us. Thank you for sharing.
    • xsquirrel378x, on 05/14/2008, -1/+37post pics of her
    • robthom, on 05/14/2008, -5/+7Oops, that seemed like a pretty harmless quip to me but apparently you've awoken the mac fanboy tiger.
      Lol, I'm gettin off this thread while the gettins good.
    • FlyingSpaghetti, on 05/14/2008, -1/+15Too late. I already told her this morning as we were rolling out of bed.
      • edwartica, on 05/14/2008, -0/+2Wow, that's interesting - I was with her yesterday afternoon!
      • punkcat, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2are you the type of guy who leaves your drawers in her hamper?
        • richardiscool, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1In her hamper? That will surprise the family at christmas!
        • punkcat, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1its from ll cool jay, he had a lot of surprises.
    • Chompy, on 05/14/2008, -15/+8All right, I'm jumping in like a sane person in a Ron Paul thread.

      1. doorstop
      2. boat anchor
      3. coaster
      4. theft decoy
      5. nutcracker
      6. weapon
      7. vegetable chopper (thinbook)
      8. paperweight
      9. flyswatter/bug squisher
      10. uneven couch leg leveler
    • JaredXM, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4***** or GTFO. Your ***** that is.
    • AlanSim, on 05/14/2008, -17/+4say hi to the missus for me. BTW Macs are for elitist wankers who like wasting money to support Steve Jobs's antichrist agenda. What's Steve given back to the world lately? Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation forever!.
  • ani625, on 05/14/2008, -43/+36Yes, but I cannot forget things it cannot do..
    • clak, on 05/14/2008, -21/+38Actually, we do a lot more than PC users, because Boot Camp gets us access to every piece of software on the market, that is, if you use PC software, which I don't.
      • Ocelot13, on 05/14/2008, -15/+25so then youre reverting back to windows... i thought windows was the reason why everyone was switching to osx in the first place?
        • aeiou, on 05/14/2008, -13/+32his point is that even for the very few types of software that isn't on a Mac, you can still run windows if you have to. So there really isn't anything a mac can't do.
          • lordtyros, on 05/14/2008, -12/+7Can it cook me a steak?
          • insertAliasHere, on 05/14/2008, -10/+20I have OSX86 in a VM, so there really isn't anything I can't do either. Big ***** deal. No reason to be smug about it.
          • Ocelot13, on 05/14/2008, -11/+6ok, awesome. but what proprietary software do macs have that isnt available on windows? the only thing i can think of is osx itself.
            and for that... you can dual boot on a pc. for awhile i was dual booting vista and leopard on my hp but i ended up deleting that partition because i never found myself booting into it. everything a mac can do, a pc can also do.... for alot less too.
          • merwin, on 05/14/2008, -10/+9So you buy an overpriced machine to run OSX, then are forced to buy a second overpriced operating system to run Windows? Good idea.
          • hamdogger, on 05/14/2008, -4/+12@ocelot13

            "but what proprietary software do macs have that isnt available on windows? the only thing i can think of is osx itself."

            logic studio. i use it every day and it is one of the industry standards. thanks.
          • adolfojp, on 05/14/2008, -6/+4"So there really isn't anything a mac can't do."

            Can you get a budget consumer priced Mac with open expansion slots and drive bays? Can you build one yourself without breaking the license agreements?
          • DaffyDuck, on 05/15/2008, -1/+5"forced to buy a second overpriced operating system to run Windows? "

            Many new Mac users already had a machine with Windows on it and just use that for free (myself included).
          • sexybobo, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2"So there really isn't anything a mac can't do."
            I can install a nvidia 9800 GX2 in my computer can you?
            I can also set group policies on my network.
        • AlanSim, on 05/14/2008, -1/+0Huh? I do not think I don't understand what you have or have not possibly forgotten.
      • bbqsalad, on 05/14/2008, -17/+3STFU. GOD. You dont do ***** but write blogs on your mac.
      • edwartica, on 05/14/2008, -4/+3Can it run VT4? My guess is no. :D
        • edwartica, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Hmm, does anyone who dugg me down even know what a VT4 is? To be fair, it is a hardware and software bundle. Its what those of us who are in television use instead of that toy you guys like to call "Final Cut Pro."
    • bdude, on 05/14/2008, -16/+33What, crash? Yes I cannot forget it can't do that.
      • renegadeafk, on 05/14/2008, -11/+16I beg to differ.
        • ClevelandBrown, on 05/14/2008, -22/+8Macs crash and get viruses all the time, don't try and play the ***** card.
          • bigbadgoat, on 05/14/2008, -3/+9Not too sure about the virii part. I ran a virus scan on os x for the first 6 months and never picked up so much as a piece of spyware. I figured what was the point of using my resources so needlessly and deleted, still havent run into a problem.

            It does, however lock up every now and then, more so than my old windows xp laptop, so while OS X is great, it's not exactly the be-all end-all of OS's. It does have it's flaws and there are many of them.
          • Teej, on 05/14/2008, -7/+5Wrong about viruses, right about crashing. The OS X installation on my mac crashes more than my Windows XP installation, and I use the latter way more often.
          • AlanSim, on 05/14/2008, -6/+3no one would waste their time deving a Mac virus. too few victims
          • Teej, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Hahaha, digging me down, it's like they can't handle the truth. I have a mac, I like my mac, but it crashes more than my Windows XP installation, and that's a fact. And the original post was directed at ClevelandBrown, not bigbaggoat...that might have been a bit ambiguous due to the comment system running out of levels.
        • jimfeet, on 05/14/2008, -1/+17@ClevelandBrown: Macs crash and get viruses all the time...

          Get viruses all the time? Really? I've run Macs of virtually every flavor since 1984 (yep, really) and *never* had a virus on a Mac - ever. I won't deny it's certainly possible but, get viruses all the time? I suggest rarely. I'm not sure if this isn't more a testament to the fact that Mac is not as big a target as it is the resilience of OS X.

          Crash? Yep. No argument. More than WinXP? I don't think it's more but in my experience the differences in this area are slight. I suggest if there are differences, it might be in how each is used.

          BTW, I use both Macs and PC's in my business. My business is developing custom software. For Fortune 500 companies. I like XP. I like OS X.
      • Pyehole, on 05/14/2008, -13/+15I became a Mac user this year for the first time after the MacBook Air came out. I can report that my Air has crashed. I can't remember the last time my PC crashed.

        I call shenanigans.
        • bigbadgoat, on 05/14/2008, -12/+8I call shenanigans on you being an air owner. People actually bought those? I mean its only smaller in the least important dimension for most users (a macbook pro is less than a 1/4" inch thicker than the air is at it's thickest point, so you have more room to carry what? a notepad? The thing is ***** crippled, (battery, wireless, no CD rom, poor port access, limited ports, the list goes on....) and it costs a ***** arm and a leg! Why would anyone in their right mind want to own one? What makes this as good (because it certainly isn't better) as the alternatives out there, apple or otherwise?

          If you actually have one, don't brag about it, it's not something to gloat about.
          • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -4/+4People buy the EeePC too, yet that makes no sense either.
          • Pyehole, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3It makes perfect sense for how I use it. It is perfect for the job it does. If I needed a laptop with a built in optical drive, I would have bought one. Same story for the USB ports.
      • anubis2night, on 05/14/2008, -9/+2I always loved this video, just goes to show that all the hype in the world doesn't make one product better than another.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No4GzXzNIY8

      • uhhNo, on 05/14/2008, -9/+4My computer hasn't crashed in years, probably longer than you've had your Mac... And guess what? My computer costed a reasonable amount...

        http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/c ...
        (lol @ a phone number being in the URL)
        Regular MacBook (the cheapest one apple have)
        * 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
        * 13" screen
        * 1GB memory
        * 120GB hard drive
        * Combo drive
        $1,149.00

        http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29407&v ...
        ASUS F8P-C1B
        * Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83GHz
        * 14" WXGA
        * 3GB DDR2
        * 250GB hard drive
        * DVD Super Multi
        $1,149.99

        So... I think I know which one I would buy
        • Haydio, on 05/14/2008, -3/+3The one with the ***** cpu?
        • sp1keNARF, on 05/14/2008, -3/+5your needing an program that be fixing you grammar.
        • uhhNo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Regular MacBook (the cheapest one apple have)

          that was obviously a typo caused by changing things and not rereading them, dumbass
      • HolyChimp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4My MacBook crashed just yesterday although it's only the second time in the 18 months that I've owned it so I'll let it off.
    • oreo2123, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1so, after removing your double negative you said, "Yes, but I can forget things it can do.."

      ...which brings us back to the reason for the article, thanks.
  • ScottyF311, on 05/14/2008, -36/+20Huh. I didn't know it did anything besides make you a snob.
    • Shiftgood, on 05/14/2008, -1/+22you dont see the irony in your statement?
      • michaelb323, on 05/14/2008, -0/+6AHHH sweet irony!
      • HypocriteDigg, on 05/14/2008, -1/+11I'm pretty sure he doesn't know what 'irony' means. He probably thinks 'it's like rain on your wedding day'.
        • edwartica, on 05/14/2008, -1/+6or good advice that you just can't take.
          We used to joke in my theory of etymology class about "Morresettian irony."
        • skyroket, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Well he obviously can't look up the meaning of words with A SINGLE CLICK!
        • oreo2123, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1or 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife?
  • clak, on 05/14/2008, -32/+15Microsoft Fanboys seem to FORGET, conveniently, that Macs have Boot Camp, which gives us access to all Mac and PC software. Now personally, I don't use any PC software, except for Steam, so that I can play Counter-Stirke: Source every once and a while. I'll also be playing Grand Theft Auto IV when it comes out for PC, but that it.

    And there is also this program called CrossOver Games from CodeWeavers. It allows you to play PC games natively in OS X without even having Windows.

    And to all you guys calling Mac users elitist. Doesn't elite mean "Good?"
    • slowmotiony, on 05/14/2008, -5/+21Yes, but elitist means "Douchebag.".
      • HypocriteDigg, on 05/14/2008, -7/+2And 'Douchebag' means dumbass diggiot kids like yourself.
    • DeFex, on 05/14/2008, -8/+5Not elitist. smug.
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/14/2008, -1/+10Because everyone wants to boot up to another OS just to play games... right? Crossover doesn't work with everything, and it never will.
      • aeiou, on 05/14/2008, -3/+3Well when you're booting from OSX, its well worth it.
    • insertAliasHere, on 05/14/2008, -3/+7I like OS X and all, but YOU of all people have no place calling anyone else a fanboy. You're also on Engadget, preaching the wonders of owning a Mac, right?

      I don't know why you bother. You're not going to convert anyone.
      • clak, on 05/14/2008, -4/+4Actually, I convert people all the time. I converted my sister and niece to an iMac. I converted my roommate after showing him Expose and Spaces and a few other things in OS X. My best friend is getting my old G5.

        And by the way, who said I was ashamed of being a Fanboy. I admit freely on Engadget that I'm a fanboy. I just dispute the notion that there aren't Microsoft Fanboys. They're everywhere.
        • dacheetah, on 05/15/2008, -3/+1That's ok, for every person you convert to mac, I convert someone to PC. (Dual boot Linux/XP for those who want a good OS, just XP for those that just want compatibility)
      • edwartica, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2Thank you. I am so fed up with fanboys saying there way is better. Its a personal choice what OS one uses.
        • paradox2222, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Someone who talks sense on a Windows/Mac thread? Its inconceivable!!!
          • edwartica, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Well, this is digg. People don't care about a) common sense, and b) other people's opinions.
  • innovaciones, on 05/14/2008, -4/+6810. Say anything. (text to speech from terminal)
    9. Show off Stacks and Expose in slow motion.
    8. Activate screen corners.
    7. Display custom hard drive icons.
    6. Look up words in the dictionary with a keystroke.
    5. Launch applications from Spotlight.
    4. Tab between all controls.
    3. Zoom WAY in on a page.
    2. Show the date on the menubar.
    1. Double as an external drive.
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/14/2008, -17/+2411. *Yawn*
      • techprophet, on 05/14/2008, -5/+8linux can do those things too. So can windows for that matter (except for the Double as external hdd part)
        • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -3/+6Yes, Linux can do all those things, but the problem is that when the work situation demands it, Linux cannot run Photoshop, Word, InDesign, Excel, etc.

          And before you say "But you can substitute the GIMP, OpenOffice, etc)" I am talking about 100% file and feature compatibility with Office and Adobe colleagues beyond just "the words came across."

          That's why I use a Mac with (only occasionally used) Parallels running Windows in virtualization. You can use mainstream apps, Unix apps through OS X Terminal, Windows apps through virtualization. There's almost nothing that you can't run on this laptop.
        • ikkefc3, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Photoshop CS2 and MS Office run just fine on linux.
      • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -2/+1211. Control + Option + Command + 8 = awesome :)
        • stalefries, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Where "awesome" means "inverted screen colors"

          It's a nice feature though, especially at night when the screen can get too bright, even if I turn down the brightness.
        • BossKey, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4Formally, it's one of the Universal Access features. It's intended for those who have a particular visual disorder where reading black text in a primarily white window is as painful as when those with normal vision try to read the lettering on a light bulb that's on. Uses with that visual disorder need a white-on-black display for a computer display to be usable.
          • BossKey, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3How the hell did I get buried for stating a fact that a feature was put there for the disabled? The juvenile 12-year-olds of Digg strike again...
    • SpacePirate, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4***** screen corners. Number two is somewhat interesting, at least.
      • ChromaVita, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5Screen Corners are extremely useful. I never really forgot they existed, but they're still awesome. It sucks using a computer that doesn't have them and trying to use them. Or being on a mac that has different settings than mine.
  • fuxjoey, on 05/14/2008, -11/+6wow... the turn on your speak and say hello world thing, blew me away... i didn't know it existed...
    • clak, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4The only problem with the their mention of the speaking thing is the fact that you can do the same thing by opening TextEdit and right clicking. You will see an option for Speak>Start Speaking.
      • ludwik, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4Yes, but this way you can also use it while working in the terminal (you can redirect output of any text command to "say" script, for example "ls|say" will read to you all files in the current folder) and you can also easily use it in scripts.
    • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -1/+5Spoken text can go beyond being just a fancy trick. I added a script to the Apple Mail client so that it vocally announces the arrival of an email from a short list of favored addresses.

      So where every science-fiction show tries to imply a gee-whiz future feature when the com system says "You have a new message from [sender name]" to the character who is across the room from the computer, that happens today on my Mac.
      • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3wow, want a cookie? Why the ***** is a text to speech program news?
        • bluntphallus, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Can I have a cookie? I feel crushingly depressed.
    • SickofSects, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0I just tried: say ***** thing sucks! worked pretty well..
  • Koush, on 05/14/2008, -14/+8aside from 1, that list is pretty useless and best forgotten....well 6 may be handy.
    • bigkm, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3I use almost every one of those during a whole week. (except Target Disk Mode).
      I though i was going o learn something new when i seen the title.
    • RudeTurnip, on 05/14/2008, -3/+9I came here to say This. Number 6 and Number 1 remind me why I love using my Mac (although I'm booted into XP right now at work under BootCamp). The "Mac experience" is that you're using a device, a piece of hardware. You never really think of the software as something separate and rightfully so. That's why you don't have nonsense like "My Computer" or a Start button. You have "Hard Drive," because that's where your stuff is really located. Your applications are actually located in an "Applications" folder.
      Windows insists upon the software experience, because that's all Microsoft produces. A Mac is about the device, because Apple is a hardware company. I'm not saying one is better than another, but I do have my preference.
      • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2"You never really think of the software as something separate and rightfully so."
        Why? Are you saying that mac users don't want a computer, but just a device that "goes".
      • turbodiesel, on 05/15/2008, -3/+2Nonsense Like My Computer or Start? WTF.The word Finder is so damn intuitive? Is it search? No thats Spotlight. And Applications is better than Programs? How? And GO? Go where?
        Hardware experience? There's 2 damn buttons on a Macbook, how the hell do you interface with the hardware. And tell me if the hard drive is being accessed.

        No, It's all about the software. And they all have strengths and weaknesses.

        Macs have lots of things going for them, but you haven't mentioned any.
        • clith, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1"C:Program Files" sounds like a place where programs keep some data files. If it actually was "C:Programs" it would be a *bit* better.

          And the complete disconnect between "C:Program Files" and the contents of "Start->All Programs" is an area where the Mac's "Applications" is clearly superior.

          It *could* be argued that the Dock has a similar disconnect, but the much smaller number of applications in the Dock than in the /Applications folder would be a strong counter-indicator.
  • clak, on 05/14/2008, -4/+22I couple of things I want to point out about this article.

    First of all, you don't need to go into Terminal to get your Mac to speak. Just open a file in Text Edit, highlight what you want the computer to read and right click. You will see an option that says "Speech."

    And the thing about the hot corners. I've been using hot corners for Expose from the very beginning. It's the most intuitive way to use Expose. I don't even have to look at the corners to activate Expose. I will hit the corners using my muscle memory. I have the upper corners to show all Windows and the bottom corners to show the Desktop. It really works out very cool in the end.
    • digitallysick, on 05/14/2008, -0/+7I configured my mouse wheel when pressed in, shows all windows. You can setup these short cuts with your mouse buttons, its really productive.
      • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3Exposé is probably the best UI innovation in 10 years.
    • sudowrestler, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2One further little point I noticed was about the dictionary lookup functionality in Cocoa apps. You don't actually need to highlight the word, the cursor just has to be over it.
    • Lemon, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1All windows and desktop corners short cuts are just fantastic. I always get caught dragging my mouse into corners at work (XP) and then take a deep breath as I go pecking around on the task bar again.
  • benmakesmovies, on 05/14/2008, -4/+65Whoa... dugg for the craziness of the "Ctrl+Cmd+Opt+8." command! If you're on a Mac, try it!
    • woofers07, on 05/14/2008, -1/+13you just blew my mind
    • FredFredrickson, on 05/14/2008, -5/+10Inverted colors? Whoa man, you've gone way too far this time!
      • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3You're a terrible troll.
        • FredFredrickson, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Troll? The colors are inverted by this keystroke. Big ***** deal.
    • bigbadgoat, on 05/14/2008, -3/+2this is ***** awesome!!
    • marksands07, on 05/14/2008, -2/+22I now know what I'll be doing the next time I'm in an apple store... :)
      • rogeriogal, on 05/14/2008, -3/+1Been there, done that.
      • stalefries, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Invert the colors, and then hold down Shift and hammer the Expose button. You'll have people thinking that the computer is slowly dying.
    • MsAntiSunshine, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1BenMakesMovies,
      You've changed my life.
    • patho, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Watch porn with it on. Talk about nuts.
    • Firehed, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Last time I trust someone on the internet.
    • oreo2123, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2NICE! I support an entire office on macs and I never once came across this commend...

      is it bad that my first thought was that I could score points by "fixing" this problem on the CEO's computer? --"why I have no idea what's wrong with your display let me have a look."
  • sputza, on 05/14/2008, -26/+12A Mac can be a really attractive paperweight.
  • Totz83, on 05/14/2008, -19/+7No.11 - You can sell your Mac to help pay for the bills for continuously fixing said block of misfortune.
    • pitlord, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You are confused, this article was about Macs, not PCs.
      >.>
  • MonumentMan, on 05/14/2008, -13/+32
    when did macs, which are favored by the nerd-o-rati and the college crowd, become elitist?

    when did pc's, the preferred platform of plutocrats planetwide, become the platform of the puny people?
    • plainOldFool, on 05/14/2008, -18/+13When Mac owners became smug and pompus.
    • dwray82, on 05/14/2008, -2/+14That was the best use of alliteration I've heard in many years.
    • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -14/+12When mac owners embraced the Apple ads as much needed affirmation.
    • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -11/+6When they pay twice as much for a computer that has a mac logo on it.
    • Urkel, on 05/15/2008, -10/+10When Digg gave Mac users something to do while the PC users were busy playing games.

      [Digg me down to prove my point]
      • mGARANDEUR1, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Ha Ha. You know, I haven't seen a Windows article for quite some time now. Crysis must be a really awesome game.
    • emblemparade, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Macs are PCs (Personal Computers), too. Especially now that they conform to the standard "PC" architecture. Don't let Apple marketing affect your use of this term! They branded other vendors' products as "PC" to bring up an association (in America, at least) with "political correctness," to give the sense that they're boring and mainstream, unlike the cool and edgy Macs.
  • dukeochutney, on 05/14/2008, -25/+44run Crysis...o wait.....
    • chesscat, on 05/14/2008, -9/+4499 percent of windows pcs in the world can't run it either.
    • muller, on 05/14/2008, -5/+22Well, to be fair, PCs can't run it either :)
      • fxu1989, on 05/14/2008, -4/+7Correction: Windows can run it. Hardware can't.
        • chesscat, on 05/14/2008, -3/+4WIthout cutting edge hardware windows can't run it.
    • clak, on 05/14/2008, -3/+14Actually there's a YouTube video of someone playing Crysis on an iMac. I'll post the link, but Digg will probably truncate it. If it doesn't work, do a search.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlwmP9kp7m0
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qzglpcMBKk
      • nebkiwi, on 05/14/2008, -4/+5using bootcamp = windows ;)
      • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Wow OS X looks really different in thos.... wait a sec
    • mk2ja, on 05/14/2008, -8/+11What's that? Sounds like its a game, yes? Psh... buy a friggin PS3 if you want to play a game: its basically a computer designed completely around the idea of playing games on it. Makes more sense to use that than a Mac/PC anyway.

      Plus its HD... go BluRay!
      • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -3/+7No console will ever out perform a PC.
        • Pulch, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Why is he dug down? As technologies for the next gen gaming systems advance, so does PC hardware. A console may have the edge over a PC, but for a window of months, if even weeks. The ability to continually upgrade will always keep PCs ahead of consoles in the performance realm. Besides, ever since the xbox, new consoles have effectively become PCs with specialized OSes
        • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2Ever heard about the Nintendo Wii?
          • Pulch, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Good point, because that doesn't have a processor, hard drive, cd drive, etc.
            And if only there was some way to use those controllers on the PC....
    • colincornaby, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1Of course, you can run Crysis on a Mac, making your comment all the more lame...
  • Ocelot13, on 05/14/2008, -40/+46Now for 10 thing you forgot your mac can't do...

    #10 - Play games
    • Asheis, on 05/14/2008, -14/+13Seriously? maybe an original post would warrent an original answer from me.. but since you're totally being stereotypical, i'll give you the same. Macs CAN play games. Just as well as equally equipped PCs. It's called Bootcamp.
      Now tell me you didn't see that coming with that comment of yours.
      • bluntphallus, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2That's not running the games on OS X though, is it? You still need to buy a Windows license.
        • Firehed, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Crossover does a half-decent job of things, but yeah, I agree. However, "your mac" tends to mean the system, not the OS (at least to me it does). At least Macs have the option of going into Windows to play games, since no such option exists for PCs to run the OS X-only software I use to make money.
    • rings035, on 05/14/2008, -11/+25BREAKING: Macs can run Windows now
      • Ocelot13, on 05/14/2008, -13/+9BREAKING: You can install OSX onto pc's now
      • SSCrow, on 05/14/2008, -7/+5So then you are running windows and you are only on MAc hardware.
        The OS still has a limited set of game titles.
        • Asheis, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3That's the wrong argument to make. Windows and OSX are generally used for two different things. He's saying that Macs (I.E. hardware) can't play games. I'm saying that they can, and very easily. You have the functionality of both windows and OSX.. there's alot to love.
        • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -4/+3So, you are buying overpriced hardware just for OS X?
    • SeekerDarksteel, on 05/14/2008, -12/+7#9 - Have a sane alt-tab system.
      • macattacks10, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3Even though it stays more consistent that Command+tab switches apps, while Command+` switches windows in that app, meanwhile windows sometimes does both depending on the app. Solidworks for example only will show one open window with alt-tab...
    • metaboman, on 05/14/2008, -6/+1that should be number 1...
    • dwray82, on 05/14/2008, -12/+7Now for 10 things you forgot Windows can't do...
      #10 - Update
      • Ocelot13, on 05/14/2008, -2/+6um... no? i get updates regularly and everything goes fine..
    • fxu1989, on 05/14/2008, -15/+13#8: Right-click (without having to press some other button)
      • nascarnate326, on 05/14/2008, -4/+13way to be stupid, its an option in leopard. all mac mice for the last couple years have right click built in.
        • bolthead88, on 05/15/2008, -4/+1mac user here... saying he has a point since the right click is a sensor we can't right click and left click at the same time... or with our left finger on the trakpad or mouse.... windows has us on that.... damn.... you can't win em all...
        • twistymcgee, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1First thing I did was throw away the mighty mouse and bought a cheap logitech. Works great and now I'm not infuriated by accidentally clicking the wrong part of the mouse.
      • Asheis, on 05/14/2008, -2/+12I'm suprised by how ignorant some PC users can still be about the functioning of macs. New mac mouses have two buttons, and you can even *GASP* plug in a normal usb mouse to a mac and have it right click... scary, I know..
      • Virgule, on 05/14/2008, -1/+6You'd have a point if only you were not like a decade late ;P
      • gswarriorfan, on 05/14/2008, -2/+6check the option for 2 fingers on trackpad + click if you're using just the trackpad. if u didnt know that u probably didnt know about 2 finger scrolling, which is awesome!
        • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2Two-finger scrolling is great when I don't have my TWO-BUTTON MOUSE with me.
      • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -1/+5The generic mouse on my Mac right-clicks the same as it does on any PC, no extra drivers needed.
    • ihate2regist, on 05/14/2008, -6/+10#7 Maximize a window
      • cjvino, on 05/14/2008, -3/+4I love my Mac but you are spot on. Sometimes I love the maximize window button and other times I wish it would act like it does in Windows.
      • michaelnojutsu, on 05/14/2008, -4/+13Real mac users dont have to "maximize."
        • Acolyte357, on 05/15/2008, -8/+6cus they like the *****?

          /sorry I just thought one random comment deserved another.
      • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -4/+2Using the whole screen for 1 app is so 1990.
    • PueSi, on 05/15/2008, -6/+4#6 Speech Recognition
      • PueSi, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Digg me down all you want but it's true. Vista's speech recognition is good enough for a media center or something like that.
    • loudawgucr, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Strike #10...
      1. Restart Mac
      2. Boot Windows partition
      3. Play game!
  • B345T, on 05/14/2008, -3/+28Hold the phone; you can actually display custom hard drive icons on your Mac?!
    • skyroket, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Crazy business. They stole that feature from Windows 95.
    • clith, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Copy icon and paste it into the "Get Info" window, the same as a folder or indeed any file. Unless the volume/folder/file is read-only.
  • mrinsanity, on 05/14/2008, -29/+5yea but whut about gaemes? lulz, macs suck i'd like to see a mac beat my pc any day it's the frikki'n best.

    "Hi I'm a Ma-"
    "STFU MAC!" *Pops a cap in Mac's ASS*
    • Shiftgood, on 05/14/2008, -1/+8What an intelligent being you are. If people arent persuaded by your rhetoric, then i guess there really is no hope for conversion.
      • mrinsanity, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1wtf is rhetoric? sounds liek something I caught from the girl at school. plz don't try to convert me! DARWINIST! NOOOOOOOO!
    • shondell, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3i bet you are 13 years old
      • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Probably. MrInsanity, There's more to life than games, young n00b.
  • matt.rubin, on 05/14/2008, -2/+30doubling as an external hard drive has always impressed me as a PC user
    • Chunken, on 05/14/2008, -1/+8I'm trying to figure out why this is better than just networking. Is firewire faster than LAN?
      • Winckle, on 05/14/2008, -2/+6Very yes, no network overhead you see.
        • Firehed, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I've had network transfers with GbE over 50MB/s, which is the theoertical maximum of FW400. And it's not as if Firewire has no overhead.
      • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -0/+5I'm a lifelong Mac user but I have used Target Disk Mode a lot less since all my Macs started coming with Gigabit Ethernet ports. I now prefer plugging in an Ethernet cable and enjoying blinding fast transfers even compared to Target Disk Mode. But it's not just that, it's that I don't have to completely close all apps and windows and shut down one Mac just to put it into Target Disk Mode. File transfers with Gigabit Ethernet allow both machines to continue doing whatever they are doing with no interruption or mandatory shutdown, and both get to stay on the regular Ethernet network.

        Sure, I'll still use Target Disk Mode for diagnostics or other emergency recovery, but for day to day use it is much more useful to have both machines fully operational AND enjoying superfast transfers thanks to Gigabit Ethernet.

        Gigabit Ethernet = 1000 megabits/sec
        Target Disk Mode FireWire 800 = 800 megabits/sec
        Target Disk Mode FireWire 400 = 400 megabits/sec

        So even with network overhead, Gigabit is competitive or faster.
        Target Disk Mode was a lot more useful when Gigabit ports were not so common. But most Macs come with Gigabit now.
        • jwdav, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4I think the remaining advantages are booting one machine off another machines HD, and doing file transfers without configuring any network settings, or where there is no network.
          • BossKey, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3You're right about the first two. As for the last, you don't need a network. All you need to do a Gigabit transfer is a good Ethernet cable plugged into both Macs, no other hardware needed. You could also use IP over FireWire with nothing more than a FireWire cable between the two Macs. Target Disk Mode, while cool, is no longer the first or easiest option for a high-speed transfer.
    • matt.rubin, on 05/14/2008, -0/+9also if you are at a friends house and you don't have a router and don't want o go though the pain in the ass known as windows file sharing
      • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -0/+4I have an honest question...does Windows or most PC network cards still require a router or crossover cable?

        Macs come with auto-sensing Ethernet ports so that you can IP file share with any Ethernet cable lying around, no crossover or router needed.

        If Windows PCs also support auto-sensing ports, maybe you don't need that router to get it done in Windows.
        • matt.rubin, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1i actually don't know i have recently taken a normal cable and plugged them into each of the computers and it just worked. I was surprised i didn't need a crossover cable. (i was on vacation and it was all i had)
      • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Sadly, you still need a crossover cable or router with most network cards. Thanks for reminding me that Macs don't need crossovers... I'd forgotten that little factoid. :D
      • matt.rubin, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1one was xp one was vista btw
      • clith, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1My understanding is that *all* ethernet chipsets 100 Mbps or higher can do this, not just the Mac.

        Older, 10 Mbps ("10baseT") chipsets can't do this. Even Macs with these older interfaces can't do it.
  • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -22/+16Macs are for people that would be Linux snobs if they were smarter.

    • isaactwito, on 05/14/2008, -6/+12How is having a nice interface and a fluid os a bad thing?
      • MrPig, on 05/14/2008, -3/+5Have you seen linux? There are so many GUI's you can make your linux computer look exactly like Mac in every way... if... for some reason that's what you want.... or you could go for something completely new that's fluid and animated and usable just like mac. It just requires a little bit of know-how.
        • bigandy, on 05/15/2008, -3/+2hahahahahahaahahahahahaha.

          congratulations, you're a *****.
      • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -3/+5As opposed to having a multitude of completely customizable interfaces including full customizable transparancy and 3D that trumps Vista, and an OS more secure, more powerful and more complete for free?

        You're kidding right?
        • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -3/+4Sure, if all we wanted to do is run internet apps and mess with terminal, spending endless hours tweaking little settings and searching/building drivers.
        • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2Well said.
      • MrPig, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2*****
    • sudowrestler, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Quite a few switchers to the Mac since OS X came out are Unix professionals. Your little snark about "smarter" is pretty clueless.
  • TmlMatus, on 05/14/2008, -16/+8... what happened? ... the list of things a mac CAN'T do was too long?
    • instrumentality, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1well, you can run xp and vista on a mac.... so im thinking the list is pretty short
  • batmanz, on 05/14/2008, -18/+13Please stop...Apple is taking over Digg...I can't stand Diggers always fapping to Apple any more.
    • bratterscain, on 05/14/2008, -0/+6You missed the bus. It was more so years ago on digg than it is now.
    • kitsua, on 05/14/2008, -3/+10Can't you set it in your preferences to ignore Apple stories? Why not just do that?

      It amuses me that the majority of comments to an Apple story are usually from Mac-haters. Don't you have better things to do?
    • jgerry, on 05/14/2008, -3/+3Dude, just shut up, click "Customize" at the top of any Digg page, and turn off Apple stories if you don't want them.
  • ctf2006, on 05/14/2008, -15/+9**YAWN** - And how many viruses have Windows PC's got??? I think ill stick with the Mac thanks, And who cares about gaming when you have PhotoBooth!!
    • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -9/+4Viruses are determined by how popular a given OS is, since that affects the total footprint of the virus. If that's your definition of a best in class OS, you should be running MS-DOS, BeOS or VAX VMS. Nobody writes viruses for them.
      • vibrokatana, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4Security trough obscurity has been proven false time and again. If anything people would target the platforms because an infection would lead to a greater chance of success because they are not running virus scanners. Rather it is that their architecture is such that it is too hard to exploit that people don't want to target them. (ex. Linux has a HUUUGE market share in the server market, yet remains much more secure then any windows box will be)
        • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -1/+1Not according to Gartner Group, or, say, anyone that implements both types of servers in a secure environment for a living
      • nebkiwi, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4UNIX is generally more secure than windows. and in case you hadn't realized Mac OS X is basically a distribution of UNIX with a fancy interface.
        • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2It's about time someone said that. UNIX/Linux are the #1 OSes for servers, as I'm sure I don't need to point out, and *nix has been proven to be superior securirty-wise to Windows.
      • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -1/+3Your argument fails.
        If your argument was true, and virus footprint is tied to popularity, Macs would have somewhere around 4 to 8 percent of all viruses. Proportionally, that would have to translate to thousands, or at least hundreds, of viruses, compared to the volume on Windows.

        Where are they?

        Answer: When compared to Windows, Mac virus numbers are WELL below that which can be explained by market share. Another explanation is needed...such as...the basic security design of this Unix-based Mac OS X, perhaps?
        • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2Mac = UNIX with a pretty interface! Tell me UNIX isn't a very popular OS...
          • BossKey, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Not sure what you're getting at. If we say that Unix is more popular than I implied it was in my earlier post, well...mathematically, that just reinforces my point even more. If we're going to consider Unix market share as a whole, including OS X, then the number of viruses for Unix/Mac is even smaller per capita compared to Windows than if you counted OS X alone. It really does boost the argument that the number of viruses indexed to market share is too low on Unix/OS X for OS popularity to be a viable explanation for virus numbers.
  • digitallysick, on 05/14/2008, -1/+3This was on lifehacker a while back and i can't live without it, i suggest everyone use it
    http://lifehacker.com/software/remote-control/add- ...
  • ZephyrNinety, on 05/14/2008, -11/+6"OH BOY! A play games on my computer! LOL, Macs don't have a lot of games! TEH SUX0RS!"
    Go outside once in awhile
    • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -5/+1If your Mac made up for its inability to play games by doing something my Vista box can't do, then we'd have a real conversation on priorities. Until then you bought an inferior product because of effective marketing.
      • rogeriogal, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2My Mac can stay on for a month serving files and for design/administration and I don't have to reboot. Does Vista do that?
        • nascarnate326, on 05/14/2008, -2/+1nope :)
        • ohplease, on 05/14/2008, -2/+1Your sentence doesn't even make sense.
        • Akairenn, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2A month? Wow - that's some awesome uptime.

          Oh, wait, my XP Pro x86_64 system has been up for six months without a reboot.
  • bbqsalad, on 05/14/2008, -8/+12Bleh. Knew about all those. None are fun. Buried as lame.
    • DaffyDuck, on 05/15/2008, -4/+2So you bury everything that you don't consider to be fun? Are you 6?
      • xXMetalJesusXx, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3I didn't find you fun, so I buried...bbq is onto something here
        • ChromaVita, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Riding Bikes. Squirt Gun fights. Flashlight tag. Looking at really old pictures. Flying a kite. Playing Air Guitar.
          Go ahead. TRY to digg that down. You know it's all fun.
        • skyroket, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Huh maybe he's onto something like HOW THE ***** DIGG WORKS... you bury something you think is lame.
  • saikyan, on 05/14/2008, -5/+16Is anyone else getting really tired of "elitist" being thrown around? It seems like ever since it was levied against Barack Obama every other thing is "elitist".
    • plainOldFool, on 05/14/2008, -4/+7Mac fanboys have been labeled "elitist" for quite sometime, well before Barack.
      • saikyan, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4I thought "smug" was the word of choice previously.
      • MarkusDee, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3Yes, this new trend really bugs me. I like Jon Stewart's take on it, he said something to the effect of shouldn't we want those who lead us to be better than the rest, hence elite?
    • tschau, on 05/14/2008, -0/+6On the thread about bicycling on the L.A freeway earlier someone referred to people who ride bikes as "elitist." I was dumbfounded.
    • BossKey, on 05/14/2008, -0/+4It's so interesting how the right likes to label the Democratic candidates as "elitist," implying that Bush isn't...as if coming from a Connecticut family with a Maine vacation home, and going to an Ivy League school, somehow makes you not elitist...WTF.
    • skyroket, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1It's interesting how anyone who accuses someone else of being elitest gets accused of being elitest for judging them.
  • iakor, on 05/14/2008, -3/+2I wonder using this features on a daily basis .... this means I'm a geek or not ...
  • samuraix98, on 05/14/2008, -5/+9Macs are extremely versatile and you shall never utilize all of their capabilities, they rule...
    • bbqsalad, on 05/14/2008, -6/+7You don't know anything about computers.
      • scoffey, on 05/14/2008, -5/+4no, you don't know anything about computers
    • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2Yeah, they forgot this one: Macs make a a great doorstop.
  • isaactwito, on 05/14/2008, -6/+35I love my mac. It's everything I need in a computer. It has a good set of tools for occasional scripting and coding. The interface is much better than windows or other operating systems I've used. Plus I don't game on computers. So shut up.
    • bbqsalad, on 05/14/2008, -12/+9Your mac hates you for being a smug anus.
      • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -3/+8You don't know when to stop do you?
      • DaffyDuck, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3The world hates you for being a hateful prick.
      • bbqsalad, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Macs suck. So do your mothers!
    • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -5/+2You OBVIOUSLY have very small needs when it comes to computers, very small indeed.
      • bluntphallus, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0Please don't use the word "small." It makes me feel insecure...
  • Cimlite, on 05/14/2008, -8/+4This is ridicules... I buried this as lame because it's nothing more than an attempt to sell Mac OSX. It's one thing if it's something actual useful for the Mac people but...

    If you have one, you already know this stuff... and if you don't...you most likely don't care about it anyway.
  • Shiftgood, on 05/14/2008, -6/+64LISTEN UP: This is the post you wanna read.

    Everyone goes around calling Mac users 'snobs' because they like their computers. But its not just that, they tell people they like them. and thats what irritates people.

    BUT.. I tell people about stuff i like all the time. like... "Dude, i know this place that has the best sandwiches." or "Dude, i found the most awesome free porn site... but dont go on it.. because its weired if were wackin to the same thing"

    SO... it seems that people that dont use macs are imposing an overblown sense of "snobish" on mac users. Which really just exacerbates the problem...

    And Mac users... geez dont fuel the fire. If you like your cpu, great tell your friends about making the switch, i know i did. But people dont like being told what to do and it makes them defensive and then we get this whole stupid war between the two and its just pointless. So dont push it! just let it go.

    Its usually the people that attack the other side that feel insecure about their own team.

    The End.
    • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -3/+23Can't tell you how true this is.

      Me: "I love my MacBook Pro."
      Random troll: "Shut the ***** up you elitist prick! Some of us blah blah blah bitch moan whine bitch blah blah blah, God damn your such a ***** *****!"
      Me: "???"
    • digitallysick, on 05/14/2008, -2/+5cpu = processor , not the whole computer/brand
      • stevealford, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Most Mac users don't know the difference.

        Just kidding, guys. I have a Mac Pro and an XPMC rig with no bias toward either OS... I use each for different things and enjoy both for their own qualities.
    • shondell, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4i love my PS3
      • ChromaVita, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4I love my Xbox 360, but also respect your decision in gaming platforms.
        • Firehed, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Get your sanity and reason off the internet! It doesn't belong here.
      • walkerdarin2003, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1You mean you love you cell processors that does wonders displaying a blu ray movie?
    • Chunken, on 05/14/2008, -6/+8I don't have a problem with people saying they like their macs. The problem for me starts with Steve Jobs. Often times he says things that are just straight up lies to get mac users fired up. Implementing features that have been in windows or other apps for years and claiming apple invented it. Hearing mac users repeat those lies really ticks me off. I know it's not their fault, they probably don't know its a lie, but it's really annoying. The other thing is lots of mac users have a "us vs. them" mentality. When I was in highschool my best friend owned a mac and his computer room was full of anti "Wintel" posters. As a PC user I had never even heard of wintel before but I guess that was part of the anti windows/intel propaganda. What's the point? Why can't mac users live side by side with windows users without taking shots at them or trying to convert them?
      The last thing that I don't understand is: how in the hell can mac users claim their os is better when it doesn't support 5 button mice for web browsing??? It's like windows and linux users have been using tivo for the last 10 years and mac users have been watching regular tv and don't know what the big deal is. Please someone tell me there is a way to enable 5 button mice that I just don't know about.
      • tian2992, on 05/14/2008, -2/+12I don't agree, Although there were many things Apple didn't innovated, in many cases, they made them usable to the Public.
        For example GUI was invented by Xerox, but Apple changed it, from a lab experiment, to a full abstraction layer for a computer, they didn't invented MP3 Players, but made them easy to use, and made an accompanying online music store (which was not the first, but revolutionary none the less), and a bunch of other great things to the Computer world. That is why Apple fans are so passionate, because Apple sells experiences, interfaces, not plain tech… (you might say they brain wash them…)
        That is why, I disagree
        Yet I will answer your questions,
        Apple desktops include a 5 button mouse, called Mighty Mouse, It comes standard with Mac desktops, also you can plug in any USB Mouse or keyboard.
        Also, you don't really need 5 buttons… it is matter of adjusting, the whole mac interface is designed to be used with 1 button (in some cases 2). On laptops you use 2-finger scroll, and it is not THAT difficut to drag a little bar through the screen…
        • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -8/+3One could say that Apple caters to the dumber portion of the population, by simplifying the things PC users already know how to do.
        • DanMiller, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3You might consider that this "dumb" portion of the population probably makes up 95% of users. While you may know alot about computers as well as many on this site the vast majority of computer users don't. To insinuate that because someone wants a product that removes the tinkering or trouble shooting that MAY be inherent in a windows box versus a mac box is dumb and beyond unfair. There is a reason most people don't mess with Linux and that is because there is simply to much effort and understanding involved in doing simple tasks that most people want to do with no effort. Apple has gone to great lengths to provide powerful software that at the same time embraces those users that know very little about the equipment that they are actually using. I own a windows computer and have no real problem with it, however, I do prefer my Mac for the exact reasons I have stated above. Mac users are accused of being snobs or elitist but the above comment you have made is just that. One of the major goals of technology is to simplify tasks, I guess it's your business if you want to keep things complicated to prove your intellegence...
        • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Apple also reinvented the atomatic backup with leopard.
      • sq2shooter, on 05/15/2008, -2/+9Part of the problem is there are so many uninformed people spewing their lack of knowledge about Macs. Can't use a 5 button mouse? Are you serious? Have you ever even seen a Mac in the last 5 years?

        using a Logitech mouse with 5 buttons as I write this.
        • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -5/+3How do you type using your mouse? You must be a Mac genius!
        • Chunken, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1I was at my friends house yesterday. He owns two macs and one of them is about 2 weeks old. He has a 5 button mouse hooked up to one and he says "the only program that the extra buttons work with is World of Warcraft." I want to be able to use the thumb buttons for forward and back in FF/Safari. When I tried Safari on my windows machine those buttons didn't work either so I figured apple is just retarded and doesn't support them. I'll ask my friend about mighty mouse though.
          Those mouse buttons have a huge effect on the web browsing experience. Once you use them its pretty hard to go back to the old way.
      • hmcook87, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2"how in the hell can mac users claim their os is better when it doesn't support 5 button mice for web browsing???" - There are things more important in a computer than how many buttons you can squeeze onto a mouse.
    • Lososaurus, on 05/14/2008, -4/+5It usually goes like, "My Mac is so much faster than your PC, I don't even know why you use a PC" and other praises of glory about why Macs are God's gift to man and I'm a sinner and heathen for using a PC; This goes on for 2 hours, after which I get charged with assault.
    • lerorina, on 05/15/2008, -2/+8Quote: "Its usually the people that attack the other side that feel insecure about their own team."
      Mac ads attack Windows all the times!!
      • KMartSheriff, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3Even us Mac users hate those stupid ads.
      • rebotfc, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2People only watch those ads for PC anyway John Hodgman is the best.
    • macslut, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Good post.

      Another reason why Apple fans can be fanatical (at least my biggest reason personally) is that we came very close to losing the computing environment that we very much prefer. The more we can get the Mac platform to be accepted, the less likely we are to have to have IT at our next job telling us that we have to use PCs. Likewise, it's infuriating as hell to have to support someone with a PC when you know it's just so much easier and/or better on the Mac side. I always start my computer advice/support with, "Get a Mac..." and end it with "this would be so much easier with a Mac because...". However lately I'm starting to phase out support for PC users altogether.

      Also, it should be noted that for some people their computer is not such a big deal. For others, it's what they'll be interfacing with 12-16 hours a day. So the differences, however minor, really add up to be a big deal.
    • mizike, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0"Its usually the people that attack the other side that feel insecure about their own team."

      That perfectly describes every linux user I've ever known; extremely quick to point out faults in other operating systems, endless excuses to explain away any shortcomings their OS (ask any of them about wireless drivers and you'll see what I mean).
      • lerorina, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0True. And they'd reply "ndiswrapper" to you for sure ;-)
    • badtz, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I think the problem comes down to people being insecure about their own preferences. Research what you want, make the best decision, stand up (but keep an open ear) for your decision. No need to put others down to stroke your inner ego or lack thereof.
    • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Well, it is SO obvious that Macs a way superior to PCs that we actually want to HELP our friends, and stop their frustration with their PCs.
    • sato, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I've eaten at that sandwich place. I don't like it. Thank you for the suggestion. Please stop trying to get me to like your favorite sandwich place. Your taste is not somehow better because you like it and I don't.
      • DanMiller, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1What if I'm a famous sandwich critic that happens to be married to a supermodel, the you will HAVE to listen to me!
  • gimmeslack12, on 05/14/2008, -12/+6Whoever dugg this should be slapped.
    • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I know you Dugg it too...
    • bigandy, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1well i punched your mother several times, but she wouldn't remove it.

      maybe i'll have to tie her up and rape her repeatedly.
  • Pyehole, on 05/14/2008, -3/+24I love my MacBook Air. It's my first Mac and it's possibly the finest piece of computing hardware I've ever owned.

    But what the *****? When will Apple ship the equivalent of MS paint functionality?!?!?! I use MS paint for work all the time (screenshots that I need to highlight things on and add text to)
    • farkninja, on 05/14/2008, -1/+11I think Skitch is what you're looking for.
      http://skitch.com/
    • digitallysick, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3I agree, I use some free program like paint on my mac you have to google it. I forget what its called
    • saintwillsher, on 05/14/2008, -1/+2Have you tried Skitch (I know it doesn't come with OS X but it's free and is really quite good)
      http://skitch.com/
    • clak, on 05/14/2008, -1/+4You can also download Seashore. It's free.
      http://seashore.sourceforge.net/
    • rogeriogal, on 05/14/2008, -8/+1Have you tried cmd + shft + 3 or cmd + shft + 4 (optional space bar)? Didn't think so, n00b.
      • Pyehole, on 05/14/2008, -0/+4Yeah, I can take a screenshot Mr. Reading comprehension. The problem is that Apple doesn't ship anything with the OS that has an equivalent level of functionality to MS paint.
      • rogeriogal, on 06/07/2008, -0/+0Errr, Preview.app? The reason of the complaint about Paint on Windows like app for the Mac is that when you press the prnt-scrn the image goes to the clipboard and you need paint to turn it to a JPEG or whatever. In Mac the screenshot is saved as a file. Even if Mac did it the dumb Windows way, Preview.app can use any clipboard image and create a "New from clipboard..." document which you can save, just like M$ Pain-t.
    • instrumentality, on 05/14/2008, -0/+3even though you can do screen shots and all that i still wish apple included a ***** image editor with their comps... i find a lot of people miss that feature despite macs coming with garage band iphoto imovie and so on. as a designer i use photoshop but it would still be convenient if apple included that... more convenient than finding free soft.
      • jeriqo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Screenshots are managed in a way better way under Mac OS X, though.
        Can save to file, or to clipboard, full screen, part of screen or 1 window.
    • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Use Skitch if you need to do simple paint-ish stuff, otherwise get Photoshop (elements, at least.).
    • vault, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2They used to actually, it was called MacPaint. But there's always this http://paintbrush.sourceforge.net/
    • macslut, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I'm Apple Fanboi #1, but I have to agree with you. MS Paint is a pretty darn low bar, but somehow Apple has missed this. Hopefully, they'll do something with iLife in this regard. The really funny thing is that there are a lot of things in Core Graphics and Core Animation that Apple could whip up an interface around and easily create something that would be PhotoShop Elements competitive.
    • pitlord, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4You can paint all you like in Keynote.
      (8^D
      And it exports to a bunch of file formats.
    • rebotfc, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Although you can't paint in Preview , it still kicks the pants off anything that comes with XP or Vista.

    • zongamin, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Skitch is excellent - just get it installed right now.
    • Firehed, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1FYI, for just screenshots, Cmd+Shift+4 will quickly grab any portion of the window and save it to your desktop, and if you hit space while in that capture mode it'll grab a full window.

      I would have also recommended ImageWell for quick little highlights and resizing and such, which up until recently had a free version. Still, it's only about ten bucks and worth it if you do that kind of stuff with any frequency.
    • justreallygood, on 05/19/2008, -0/+0OS X comes with built-in screen capture

      http://www.oreilly.com/pub/a/mac/2003/02/28/screen ...
  • redscofield, on 05/14/2008, -3/+4dugg for the clock thing... that's actually very useful
    • nelliedawg82, on 05/14/2008, -1/+1yep I was trying to get it to do that and was pissed I couldn't make it happen. Cool tip I knew it could be done, just too simple here to figure it out. lol
    • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2You sir, are a dumbass. Or just easily amused.
  • HypocriteDigg, on 05/14/2008, -10/+18"Blind Apple Loyalty" ? HAHAHA, that's funny because I have NEVER met an anti-Apple zealot who has actually used OSX for longer than 10 min, and I have NEVER met a mac user who hasn't used Windows for years. Seems to me you anti-Apple diggiots need to get a mind of your own.
    • plainOldFool, on 05/14/2008, -1/+5Funny, I have no issue with Mac or OSX and I think it's a fine product. I happen to use WinXp and am very happy with it and really don't have a motivation to switch. It's all a matter of preference about what each person likes. So I am not anti-apple. However, I do tire of Fanboys easily, so I am an anti-mac-fanboy guy.
    • fxu1989, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1I've used Mac at my previous jobs, but I keep XP at my house.

      Both are great. But since I do play games, I rather stay with XP.
    • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3I've used Windows XP since it came out, and Windows 98 before that. Before you bury this, note that I just bought my first MACBOOK a few weeks ago, and it's great. I'm into web development (I'm going into business as a designer, PHP Freak, and consultant), and I think it's safe to say that I know more about computers than most people...
      So there you have it. I've seen more than enough of Windows, and I've used the Mac OS for more than 10 minutes. I think I've passed your requirements, no?
      • flatlinebb, on 05/15/2008, -8/+4Are you saying that being into web development makes you knowledgeable in computers? LOL!!!
        I've never met anyone that knew less about computers than a web designer, followed maybe by a programmer.
        • bigandy, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2have you ever been out in the big wide world?

          thought not.
        • DanMiller, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1My brother does webdesign and is very knowledgeable with computers. I'm sure however you are much more adept, you have a digg account.
        • sudowrestler, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The statement that programmers are among the most ignorant about computers qualifies you for the most surrealistic Digg comment of the month. Congratulations.
    • sudowrestler, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Well, you're right, of course. Almost all Mac people know Windows, and few Windows people have any real experience with a Mac. If you wanted an objective comparison of two cities, would you be more inclined to listen to someone who's lived in both, or someone who's lived in just one and perhaps has never even visited the other?
      • ikkefc3, on 05/15/2008, -4/+2Like me?
        Down point of Mac OS X:
        - Maximizing windows doesn't always do what you expect it to do
        - Hasn't many apps out of the box (everything is in other software like egoLife)
        - Is huge in size
        - Universal Menu Bar + Dock take up too much space
        - You have to register (and give your creditcard information) to Apple to fetch cover art in egoTunes
        - Doesn't have NTFS Write support / EXT2/EXT3/ReiserFS support
        - Poor hardware support (e.g. webcam on a mac pro)
        - Design is not as beautiful as Vista's Design
        - DRM
        Down Points of Windows:
        - Driver issues on some systems that cause bad performance
        - Virus / Spyware scanners are almost necessary
        - Doesn't have scale
        - Hardware support out of the box isn't that great but there are manufactures supporting it.
        - Internet Explorer....
        - NTFS isn't journaled -> defragmenting
        - DRM
        • DanMiller, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2What are you even talking about? Doesn't have many apps out of the box? All new Macs come with "EgoLife" as you so cleverly called it. What applications are you wanting out of the box that are included on other systems? A trial of AOL?

          I don't understand what huge in size means. Windows Vista requires about 15gb to install while OS X requires about 9gb. Perhaps there is something about Mac OS X and size that I am not aware of.

          How does a single menu bar take up space, the fact that there is only one menu bar at the top letting you remove the excess ones from other windows I would argue saves space. The dock can be set to hide as well only appearing when you need it.

          If you honestly don't like giving your credit card info to set up an account then use Amazon for cover art. Or, better yet, you could use one of the many FREE programs that not only automatically fetch cover art but also add lyrics automatically. Not to mention iTunes isn't part of OS X so I don't really see how it's a downside.

          While I am not extremely familiar with webcam support for the Mac Pro, I have an iMac, it is to my understanding that many many webcams work with Mac OS X. Choices may be more limited than Windows but do you really consider a smaller choice of webcams a deal breaker problem for an OS?

          I'm not to sure what you are talking about when you are referring to design? Are you talking about the beauty of the icons, animation, color? Or are you talking about the layout or hierarchy of menus. Since I'm assuming that this list is your personal opinion and not an attempt at a statement of facts I suppose we will just let it stand for what it's worth but I would be curious to know exactly what part of Vista you feel is more beautiful.

          Apple just recently released it's newest OS completely DRM free! However, I really don't see any problem with any software maker wanting their work to be protected. As for music and movies this is a product of the studios and record companies. Do you really think Apple or Microsoft wants to sell DRM laden media, of course not. Until the studios get with the times DRM is going to be a necessary evil in both operating systems.


        • ikkefc3, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1But if you buy mac os x in a store, it doesn't come with "egoLife" (ego means "i" in Latin, and I hate the i for many Apple things).
          Applications that Mac OS X should include out-of-the-box:
          - An MPEG codec/WMV/FLV codec pack or something
          - A word processor, spreadsheet program and presentation program
          - A drawing program
          - An IM that supports MSN (has around 90% of the market share in my country, AOL around 0%)
          - A solitaire game
          - A photomanagement app

          Mac OS X takes up around 9GiB with iLife installed, Windows Vista Ultimate takes around 8GiB. That's pretty similar, but Xandros on my EEE pc takes up 0,95GiB.

          One menu bar at the top doesn't save space, because it's always there. In KDE, you can hide the menu bar with CTRL+M (and you can also choose to have a universal menu bar at the top). You also can't click on a menubar of an app where you don't have the focus on.
          If you hide the dock, you can't see all your running programs in one view (you first have to "activate" the dock).

          Also, iTunes is Mac OS X 'default music player, so most mac users would use it as their default player. They should include that FREE player where you're talking about instead of iTunes.

          And if I say design, I mean the look (so I think what you refer as the icons, animation and color). I really like the transparent windows with PixelShader blur.

          As for DRM: Apple could also stop with their iTunes store.
    • loudawgucr, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Good comment, you describe me exactly at various points in my computing career. Grew up using Windows. Got a taste of Apple in school with the old Powermacs and whatnot, and didn't like it, so I became a hater. Along came Linux, which I love and is now my primary OS. Then I started working at a place where my team lead is a big Apple fan and he introduced me to the new Mac stuff. I borrowed a Mac Mini for a while, really liked it, and now own a Macbook Pro. Bottom line is I was a hater without ever giving it a chance. Now I try to be open to everything. I recognize the advantages and shortcomings of all the OSes I use and don't hate any of them.
    • atticus8, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1I just want to back this concept up. This eternal Mac vs. PC war.... it's for the birds. I want no part of it. (Don't get me started on Nintendo vs. Sony vs. *****) However, it is true that every mac user I know well - there are no exceptions unless they are just acquaintances - used a PC for a very long time before switching to macs. I am 26 years old. I've always been, am, and will be a tech-nut. I used PCs exclusively until I was 21, but every computer I've bought since then has been a Mac. They fit me better, I enjoy "all the little things". I don't know what the war is about, because we should be celebrating the ability to have extra choices. *****, I wish there was a fourth "branch", beyond Linux / Mac / PC, just to have more options. I sure as ***** wish there were more ISP choices in my area, for instance. I'm sure that would help every consumer 'round here.
      Either way, my main "workstation" comp is what I consider a true best-of-all-worlds situation (and makes me happy both exist): Hackintosh tower, so it's infinitely modifiable, got OS X on there for the primary, and Parallels 3.0 with Windows XtremelyPirated for anything I need on the side. Sadly, no Windows on the Boot Camp (can't get the hacked Mac to recognize a native Win boot), but I WISH it were so. People have already told me to use a separate hard drive, for some reason it doesn't work.

      However, that part about Windows people not having used OS X is not quite true. It might be mainly true, but there are significant exceptions. For instance, a heavy PC gamer doesn't have to use OS X for very long to realize that he simply won't feel right on an OS X-only comp. Jeez, does anyone remember Doom 3 pre-patched on the Mac? My machine is an absolute beast, and yet I think I could have had my old Tandy run Doom 3 faster than my comp could before the EXTENSIVE patching required to get it to run decently.
  • rdmaxx, on 05/14/2008, -11/+9Try this...
    R-Click!
    OMG its great fun..

    I will have to say, in a perfect Mac world... I would commit suicide. Enjoy your short walk down memory lane on the topic of your lama mac features that were forgotten for a reason.

    I know what your thinking... Hes one of those M$, Mac bashing guys, but your wrong.. the correct answer was Linux. GL with your custom hard drive icons, you just doubled the default features of your Mac with that one article *ROTFLMAO.. I crack me up.. *now to Bury this and ignore you all!
    • marksands07, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3I don't like how people think right clicking on a mac isn't there... Two finger trackpad + click
    • KMartSheriff, on 05/14/2008, -1/+2You anti-fanboys are 10x worse than the actual fanboys themselves.
    • clak, on 05/14/2008, -1/+2That's funny, cause I've been right clicking for five years. I used my old Microsoft optical mouse when I bought my G5. I plugged it into my Mac just for kicks and I was surprised when it "just worked." Macs work with any HID compliant mice.

      Of course, this was before Apple put out the Mighty Mouse, which also has the ability to right click.
    • rogeriogal, on 05/14/2008, -1/+2er, R-click works on my Mac…
    • binarybyron, on 05/14/2008, -1/+3jokes on you. If you're going to bash something you should probably try it first. Plug in your microsoft mouse and you can right click until you get wanker's cramp.
    • themrf, on 05/14/2008, -2/+0If you're really DYING for the whole right clicking experience on an iMac, you can just go buy a two button mouse. Not that hard... No cash? Just hold control while clicking with the one-button mouse.
    • instrumentality, on 05/14/2008, -1/+3imacs come with 4 button mice.

      http://www.apple.com/mightymouse/
      • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3In contrast to the PCs that come with cheap two-button mice, or no mice at all... Who's laughing now?
    • pitlord, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I'm r-clicking on my stock Apple mouse right now. It even has a trackball instead of a scroll wheel so I can scroll 360º with the tip of my finger.
      ^^
    • colincornaby, on 05/19/2008, -0/+2: right clicks on his Mac :

      Yep, seems to work.
  • Skelly11, on 05/14/2008, -8/+2let the fanboyism begin
    • alothrop, on 05/14/2008, -1/+0a little far down in the comments for this one :-/
  • wolfofwar, on 05/14/2008, -10/+5Play a large assortment of computer games on it?

    awww.... :(
    • AppleGeorge, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4Yeah, you can.
    • logandurand, on 05/14/2008, -2/+4To be fair, that's due to legal restrictions on the popular DirectX API, not because of any technical limitations.
  • jjpertusch, on 05/14/2008, -1/+3oh noice. tab between all controls. i dont run a mac, but i HATED how the tab only let me select input boxes and lists (and not radio buttons or checkboxes) on forms. not a big deal, but the frustration of things not working the way i expected it kept me from using macs in the computer labs at school.
    • pitlord, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2You can enable that setting in the browser's Preferences.
      (8^D
  • instrumentality, on 05/14/2008, -1/+5one helpful hint that could be added to this article is the 'check spelling as you type' feature. when enabled mac os automatically spellchecks any text written in a coach application. it gives suggested spellings for the unrecognized word (i am using it right now). a new feature to check grammar was added to leopard but i dont have it so i have been unable to test it out. to enable these features in mac os simply right (or control) click the text box area in the cocoa application then under the spelling menu, select the check spelling as you type. for those of you using firefox, this feature will not work because firefox is not a cocoa app.... : < i use it all the time in safari, adium, ichat and mail.

    http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/300.html#syst ...
  • Typhoon2009, on 05/14/2008, -6/+4I really would get a Mac. My house had almost all Macs (except for my dad's ***** office laptop) until I was 13 when I built my first computer. OS X is a very nice OS; but it's just so much cheaper for me to build my own PC. If Apple ever makes their stuff more affordable, with better specs (please don't tell me Macs aren't for gaming... ever thought that gaming hasn't thrived on Macs because of their hardware?) I'd buy one. The hardware and UI are very sexy indeed.
    • instrumentality, on 05/14/2008, -1/+6what is wrong with the hardware on macs? macs come with great hardware, you just cant upgrade it. independent gaming companies just dont do the level of developing for games on macs as they do for pc's because of a smaller market share. granted apple marks up the price on memory, displays and hard drives... but other than that apple computers are expensive because of the hardware they put into the machines. plus you get a good looking computer with free software and you dont need to worry about viruses and all that.
      • redwallhp, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2You can upgrade. I'd just make sure you're not under warranty...
        And you could do some serious damage if you're not careful.
      • Typhoon2009, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4A 20" iMac with 4GB RAM, 2.66GHz CPU, 500GB HDD, etc comes to $1800. I paid about $1200 for my PC, and it also has a superior graphics card and larger screen. An iMac with comparable specs starts at over $2,000. And the Mac Pros are just out of my financial league.
        • DanMiller, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3First rule, don't ever buy memory from Apple, just don't.
      • Pulch, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Who cares if the computer is pretty, it's about how it runs. And I'm not just against Macs because of price, I'm against any high end dells, gateways or any such brand. (the cheap ones I can forgive for those who just do email, web browsing, and image editing because they actually do make them cheaper than one can build on their own a lot of the time). Give me OSX that will run on anything, and I'll give it more than 10 minutes.
      • Jemo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1No, no... Build a PC with the same comparable specs of any company (Dell, Apple, HP etc...) and you're going to come off with a few extra dollars in your pocket. Apple just seems to run the price up a little extra high for that apple icon, and exclusive operating system. If i'm going to spend $1099 for a laptop, I better be getting something GOOD, not something with sub-par hardware.
    • Rigotlo, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Mac Mini = 600€
      MacBook = 1000€
      iMac = 1000€

      I'm 13 and have a MacBook, it's cheap compared to other computers + it has Mac OS X!
  • digiguy, on 05/14/2008, -2/+3geesh, the only difference between a Mac and a PC is the OS. I have both of them sitting in from of me and the PC I custom built. Same crap, just different OS
    • pitlord, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1That's the whole point. The only part of a computer you actually use is the OS, all the hardware is just there to make the pretty pictures on your screen move around.
      -_-
  • INDOAZZ, on 05/14/2008, -6/+4Clinton should Unite the party and join the Winner.
  • Pulch, on 05/14/2008, -5/+2OMG Customizable icons!!!!
  • electrofreak2k7, on 05/14/2008, -2/+2Yeah.... I knew my mac could do all these things :-/ Some of them I use all the time.
  • aelias, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Macs could talk just fine all the way back to OS 7. Target disk and dictionary are the most useful things in this article. Although nearly every computer has wifi these days and ad hoc mode gets the job done just fine.
  • latisha1903, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3I LOVE my Mac
  • inkswamp, on 05/15/2008, -1/+6I'm surprised they didn't show the say command line option to read from a text file (-f) and write the audio output to an AIF (-o). Great for a quick-and-dirty converting of text files to audio for your iPod or whatever. Try this out.

    say -f ~/Desktop/textfile.txt -o ~/Desktop/audio.aif

    • zongamin, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Yeah - all those text files that I have. What the ***** are you talking about?
  • MotokoKusanagi, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2I feel kinda nerdy for already knowing all of these features... but hey I've made several PC to Mac converts just by using my computer in front of people so it must be a good thing ;)

    I like gaming on my Xbox more than my PC nowadays (I guess I'm one of the lucky 33% that got a good unit)
  • peternl, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3It doesn't mention my favourite trick I keep forgetting, using Spotlight to do calculations. Command-Shift-0, 1+2*3.
  • dcolley, on 05/15/2008, -1/+8With the Mac, nearly every day I learn of new things that it can do. With my PC every day, I learn new things it can't do. You can fight the inevitable, but you will lose.
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