Apple "follower" Josh Hilliard: Apple is easy to use

The extent of my knowledge of Apple products like Macs and iPhones consists of me checking Facebook or calling from those devices for, at the most, five minutes. So in order to argue fairly for Apple, I knew I needed to talk to someone who actually owned those products.

Meet Josh Hilliard, one of my fellow journalism and mass communication majors. When I asked him if he considered himself an Apple follower, he replied, "Yeah, I am." He owns not only a Mac, but also an iPhone and an iPad mini.

Josh wasn't always hooked on Apple, though. He actually grew up using Windows. I asked him what made him switch, and he said it was because at home, they used an old Windows desktop, and he was always frustrated with it. He had never really tried the Apple operating system, but figured it had to be better than Windows. So when it was time to go to college, he decided to make the switch to Apple.

He started off with the Macbook, and then got the iPhone for his music and iPad mini to put books on it. Josh said one of the best things about it is that they're all connected wirelessly, so he can sync his files, music, etc. if each device is connected to WiFi.

And for the past two or three years, Josh has continued to stick with Apple products mainly because it's so easy to go back and forth between his iPad mini, iPhone and Mac. He has "pages" or Google docs where he takes notes on his iPad in class, and then transfers the notes to his other Apple devices later.

Also, Josh likes his Mac more than other PCs because the interface  seems easier to use. He especially likes the trackpad and its multi-touch gestures, which you use to tap open apps and swipe to different desktop screens. "It was intuitive for me to learn (it)." he said.

According to Josh, since Macs are easier to use, they save you lots of time and stress that Windows wouldn't. For Josh, this is what makes the Mac worth the higher price-tag.

His summary: "In general, Apple seems easier to use."

What's so appealing about Apple?

I admit. I came extremely close to titling this post with a very cheesy play-on-words..."Apple-ealing"...or something like that. So close, in fact, that I had to include it in my opening paragraph. "You're welcome" or "I'm sorry." Whichever applies.

Anyway, on to the real point of this post. As I mentioned in my last post, more than 55 million homes in America use Apple products, and they must have a pretty good reason for doing so, especially since Apple products come with such a high price tag. Following are just a few of the reasons people love Apple products:

1) Simplicity--"Macs are easy to use" is the general consensus by most. And since Mac's operating system hides most of the "unnecessary" stuff (for us non-tech savvy people) and provides nice little apps to click on instead of making users search through hidden files, many people prefer it.

2) Safety--i.e. Minimal viruses. Though there is always a possibility for your computer to get a virus, Computer Hope says, "the likelihood of an Apple Macintosh user getting a virus when compared to a Microsoft Windows user is very little to none."  Why is this? One site said the reason for the security of Apple products is because not many viruses have been designed for Macs yet, and also, because most of the viruses that have been created are designed not to penetrate Mac's operating system (OS), but for gullible users. Many Apple users don't even have antivirus software and can ultimately save money in the long run because just removing one virus can cost several hundred dollars. Computer savvy people advise that the best way to keep viruses out of your Mac is to keep your computer's system updated. That and don't click on things that look even remotely suspicious.

3) Consistency and Predictability--This site says, "OS X's (Macs operating system) logical, minimalist interface simply involves fewer things that must be learned and relearned." And Mac users typically have less trouble with their computers crashing or slowing down. This consistency can be very helpful at crunch-time for that English paper or project.

4) Compatibility--One of the coolest features of Apple is that all of it's products can be synced to one another. Also, according to this site, Apple products are more compatible with Microsoft Office than people realize, and Apple products continue to grow in compatibility with other "peripheral" products.

There are other reasons people choose Apple products, but these are some of the most appealing ones.

Week 7: Mac vs. PC

I know. I know. Mac is a PC (personal computer). For all you computer geniuses--I did it on purpose for the rest of the us because that's how everyone differentiates between Apple and anything with Windows, Linux or other operating system.

I'm taking a big risk choosing this topic. My brother would probably joke that I'm crossing some sort of line. He's one of those computer geniuses, and ever since I can remember he's disliked Mac/Apple. Hence, to this day, when someone asks one of those top 10 make-or-break relationship question, "Mac or PC?" I always answer, "PC."

This week, however, I'll lay aside my familial bias toward PC and argue for Mac.

No one doubts the fact that Apple has become a great company. Not when half of American households own an Apple product. "More than 55 million homes," USAToday and CNBC reported last year.

So this week, bring on the iWorld.

P.S.--Please forgive me for typing these posts on a non-Mac PC. It would take me twice as long if I tried to learn how to operate a Mac just for one week of blogging.