Linked by Jim Vanaria on Fri 4th Oct 2002 21:25 UTC
When it comes to using computers, it used to be (and still rings true today) that most people find the Mac platform to be either loathsome or lovable with few spectators taking middle ground on the issue. 
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I like the Mac. But I don't own one (well I own two, but they're old - IICX, Performa 6220 so they don't count) and even though I'd have no problem with moving to Mac, here's why I don't.
I have *way* too much money invested in software for my current Windows system. Most of it is also available on mac - the entire Adobe Design Collection (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Indesign), Premiere, Macromedia Director, Strata 3D, Hash Animation Master. Some of it not available, but equivalents are: Homesite, Vegas Video, Acid Pro, Sound Forge.
So while I think it would be fun to work on a system with a nice UI strapped on top of a sturdy BSD ... it's just not going to happen for me. The cost of cross-grading my licenses is way too much. It's not the cost of the hardware - that I don't mind, as PC hardware from a quality vendor costs more too (though I've had pretty decent luck with cheap equipment). The cost of transferring my software investment would just be too much - especially since my system now basically 'just works' too.
If I was starting clean - I'd consider a Mac ... but I just don't see paying the cross-platform penalty when my existing system works fine. I realize that I'm different from a lot of people who don't really have much software beyond a browser, email, and some games - but I'm one of those creative types that's "supposed" to be a guaranteed sale for Apple.
Not that anyone cares ... but just figured I'd share my 'why I don't switch' story.
BTW ... I don't see why so many people give a crap what computer system other people run. If it does what they need it to do, good for them. Aside from the needing enough people to run your platform so that you get commercial development (unlike poor Be) - I don't see why I would care if you run Windows, Mac, Linux, or SomeWankyOS. It's a *machine* people - I also don't really give a crap what TV or VCR you own ... I do care that the industry has its act together to make sure they're all interoperable. I think that's what the real focus should be. Not in getting everyone on the same platform, but getting all the platforms to be able to work and share data relatively effectively.