Today it is difficult to find a person who has not heard about Apple and the products it produces. They probably don't even exist anymore. The popularity of the company's products is growing by leaps and bounds. Smartphones And iPad tablets conquered most of the global gadget market, and the MacBook Pro and Macbook Air, like the iMac all-in-one, are rapidly gaining popularity. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford such an expensive "toy", especially in our country. Apple is also famous for its operating Mac system OS X, which is fundamentally different from Windows OS. I hasten to please you - almost every owner of a more or less powerful PC with a dual-core Intel processor can install this operating system and try it out on his personal computer. Others will have to enjoy their existing Windows or run Mac OS X with virtual machine.

The first thing that stands out Apple devices against the background of ordinary personal computers - their design. It is very simple, but always looks very solid, for which we can thank the chief designer of Apple, Englishman Jonathan Quince. Of course, the design of the system interface is also impressive and in many ways surpasses Windows or Linux. Apple always has everything thought out to the smallest detail, so understanding the OS is not difficult. Yes, the management process is indeed simplified to a minimum, because to install an application, you just need to drag the icon to the "Programs" folder, and to delete it, drag it to the "Trash". The Migration Assistant utility, created by Apple to simplify the transition from Windows to Mac OS X, will simplify the transfer of audio and video files, as well as other documents, to a minimum.

The desktop is somewhat reminiscent of Windows, although there are many serious features. Programs do not start from the Start menu or desktop icons. Programs are launched through the Finder interface, and the most frequently used ones are pinned to the bottom menu, also called "Dock". Finder is similar to Windows Explorer, and Top Menu Apple, albeit at a stretch, can be called an analogue of the Start menu in Windows. The system settings are in the menu " System settings"and differ little from Windows settings.

When it comes to software, almost everything necessary programs already built into Mac OS X, including a program for working with office applications. This program is called iWork and it is able to work with documents Microsoft Word, as well as tables (Excel) and presentations (PowerPoint). If iWork does not suit you, then Microsoft version Word for Mac OS X also exists, but is available for a fee. Most apps download from Mac App Store and Steam. By the way, Mac OS X is great for game lovers, because there are a lot of games on it (compared to Linux, of course).

To work on the Internet, your faithful companion will be Safari browser, which is also provided by default with the OS. All major browsers and email clients are also available for free download, including: , Thunderbird and others. I also want to note the presence of a client for instant messaging. The client is called iChat and supports almost all major messaging protocols, so you can always stay in touch with friends and family.

Apple computers are ideal for creative people. Cupertino computers are used by artists, musicians and filmmakers. Apple has taken care to provide such people with good software which will help them in their professions. Artists and photographers will love iPhoto, which comes with the operating system itself. iPhoto can be used to store, organize and process photos and graphic images. iPhoto can be safely called a very simple and flexible tool for hosting your entire photo collection. The program is able to analyze images and identify faces on them. Also carried out instant search for photos by several parameters. Graphic effects are also provided, although for photo editing it is better to use Adobe Photoshop or . If you are a musician, then GarageBand and Logic Studio are specially designed for you, and fans of video shooting or film editing will like iMovie and Final Cut X utilities. And these were only applications released by Apple itself, but in reality there are many more.

In addition, we can add that the current current version operating system is Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. Of course, there are no comrades for the taste and color, so it is difficult to give an objective assessment of this system. Try it yourself and draw the appropriate conclusions. In general, put it on conventional computers I strongly do not recommend it, because brakes cannot be avoided, as well as other problems that will have to be fought for a long time and painfully. Mac OS X will run great on its "native" computers. You can buy the operating system in the Mac App Store for a phenomenally low price - only $ 29.99 (approximately 877 Russian rubles). Like it or not, much cheaper than Windows.

Nowadays, users are not particularly surprised to hear such words as Mac or OS X - many people know the advantages of "macs", but unfortunately not everyone can switch to new platform. There can be many reasons for this: someone is afraid that they will not be able to find analogues of their favorite programs, and someone is worried about a new user interface. There are times when users, after buying a Mac, install the familiar Windows on their computer because of some little things. The publication offered a list useful tips for those who decide to move to OS X.

In case of unforeseen circumstances, back up your entire Windows system, preferably to an external HDD. To ensure your saved files are fully compatible with OS X, make sure the drive is formatted in FAT32. (The fact is that NTFS is a “native” file Windows system- works with "poppy" "out of the box" in read-only mode. In other words, on OS X you can open and copy files from a flash drive, but you won't be able to edit or delete them. The problem can be fixed by installing a third-party NTFS driver, paying about 600 rubles for it).

Directly transfer the contents of one computer to another will help you "Migration Assistant" - free utility that comes with every Mac. She copies literally everything: from background image and accounts Email to music, documents, contacts in address book and bookmarks in the browser. You will need to install the same utility on a Windows computer and connect both PCs to the same network (via Wi-Fi, a router or an Ethernet cable). Download "Migration Assistant" and familiarize yourself with complete guide You can set it up on the Apple website.

There are two ways to install applications on OS X: from the official Mac App Store (similar to the App Store for iPhones, which use the same Apple ID), or by downloading distributions from the Internet. If you want to resort to the second, less secure method, then keep in mind that the Mac is prohibited from downloading programs from third-party sources by default. To remove this restriction, go to “Settings” → “Security” → “General” and check the box next to “Any source” for “Allow the use of programs downloaded from”.

Most programs are very easy to install. As a rule, for this it is enough to “mount” the DMG image by double-clicking on it in the Finder (analogue of “Explorer” in Windows), and drag the .app file into the Applications folder. However, when installing “heavy” applications such as Microsoft office or Photoshop, the whole process will be about the same as in Windows.

To uninstall a program, open the Finder, find .app in Applications and right-click on it and choose Move to Trash. For complete cleaning system, it is recommended to use utilities such as CleanMyMac, which help to get rid of not only the program itself, but also all related settings and other elements.

On OS X, there is an alternative to almost every application that exists for Windows XP. However, if you need any specific software, or you often play games (very few of them are available on Apple's operating system), you can use the free Boot Camp utility. It will allow you to install XP, Vista, Windows 7 or 8 on your Mac by creating a new partition on your hard drive. To select one or another OS, hold down the Option (Alt) key while the computer boots. If you want Windows (as well as Ubuntu, Android, Chrome OS, etc.) to run side-by-side with OS X, and you can freely drag and drop files between applications, one of the virtualization solutions is your choice - for example, Parallels Desktop .

Apple's UNIX-like operating system is very close to Windows - you can easily find analogues of familiar programs in it. For example, File Explorer corresponds to Finder, Control Panel → System Preferences, Flip 3D (on the Windows 7 desktop) → Mission Control (press F3 to access it), Gadgets (on Windows 7) → Dashboard (press F12 to open the panel), office Office package→ iWork, Notepad → TextEdit, Start menu → Launchpad (you will find it in the Dock), system tray → menu bar in the upper right corner, “Task Manager” → “System Monitor”, taskbar → Dock (row of icons at the very bottom of the screen), Windows Live → “Messages”, etc.

Everything related to OS X settings is located in the System Preferences app. From here you can connect Google Accounts, Microsoft Exchange and Twitter, configure firewall, sound, mouse and keyboard settings, change network and power settings, connect printers and scanners, and more.

To enable the firewall, go to Settings → Security & Privacy → select the Firewall tab and click on the Enable Firewall button. From now on, OS X will block incoming connections that you have not authorized. Firewall, which would monitor outgoing connections, the “poppies” do not. However, this problem can be solved by installing special utility- for example, Little Snitch.

OS X (since version 10.5 - Leopard) includes an excellent Time Machine application for Reserve copy systems. This function works very simply: if the computer “sees” the drive connected to it, it will independently offer to use it as a place for backups. Duplicates of photos, documents, applications are made automatically every hour. In the event of an emergency, the “time machine” allows you to “return to the past” and restore the file in the form in which it was at a certain point in time. Copies are made until the disc is full. If there is no more space left, TM will automatically delete the old files and write new ones.

The keyboard layout on Macs is pretty much similar to Windows, but it will take some getting used to. Most commands that are executed by holding down the CTRL (Control) button in Microsoft OS begin with Command (the key with the ⌘ icon) in OS X. For example, to copy text, press ⌘ + C, and to paste - ⌘ + V. Also, keep in mind that Macs do not have Alt buttons - Option (⌥) serves as their replacement.

In general, any keyboard can be connected to a Mac computer, even with a Windows layout. For convenience, the functions of the keys can be reassigned: go to “Settings” → “Keyboard” → “Keyboard” tab → “Modification keys…” and change, for example, pressing CTRL for your Windows keyboard to Command.

The Delete button on a Mac keyboard, unlike Del on Windows, deletes "back". To delete "forward" on MacBook laptops or Apple's compact wireless keyboards, hold down the FN button and press Delete. Alternatively, you can buy a “large” Apple Pro keyboard with a numeric keypad, where there is such a key.

Finally, Mac keyboards have dedicated F-keys for adjusting audio volume, screen brightness, controlling iTunes music playback, and more. However, by connecting a Windows keyboard, you will not be able to use them without installing special software. So we recommend that you master the powerful KeyRemap4MacBook utility, which allows you to remap absolutely any button on any device, or the simpler Keyboard Maestro.

In Windows, scrolling a window with the mouse wheel corresponds to moving your finger, but in OS X (as of version 10.7) it's exactly the opposite. If you don't like Apple's "Natural Scrolling" approach, go to Settings → Mouse and uncheck "Scroll Direction: Normal". With other peripherals, there should be no problems: your printers, scanners and audio systems will most likely be compatible with the Mac. However, in some cases, in order for OS X to “recognize” the device, you will need to install special drivers. You can download them from the manufacturer's website.

Mac is able to read and write to hard disks and "flash drives" formatted under FAT 32 (but not NTFS) for Windows. This applies to all types of connections - via USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt. But even in this case, not all information (for example, metadata) can be transferred. Thus, if you no longer plan to use an external drive with a Windows computer, it is recommended that you format it under OS X. You can do this using the Disk Utility that comes with your Mac.

Today we are starting a series of articles dedicated to people who have decided to leave the traditional Windows system and try their hand at Apple's OS X Yosemite.

Most people first encounter Apple technology with friends, classmates, colleagues, or just an unfamiliar passerby. The specific apple design involuntarily attracts the eye and lingers in the mind for a long time.

Then, as they walk past Apple products in chain stores, most potential buyers willy-nilly glance at the luxurious displays and mysterious Mac OC desktops. Still would! The Windows splash screen for most Russians has already become something ordinary and boring, we don't even pay attention to it when choosing the next PC components. And here is a real mysterious land: iMac widescreen flat-panel monitors, weightless aluminum Macbook Air and fundamental MacBook Pro.

At the last stage, an internal struggle arises: is it worth risking finances and a familiar interface for the sake of unknown beauty? In order to answer these difficult questions, we suggest you read an article on the benefits of Mac OC.

And today we will talk about what difficulties we will face when moving from one operating system to another. The topic of transition from one system to another will be of interest not only to those who plan to do this, but also to those who have already crossed over to the other side of the barricades.

APPEARANCE AND FILLING

Apple computers and laptops have a single design set by the company - this is what distinguishes them from the gray mass of PCs and laptops that use the Windows platform. The buyer can only decide on the required power and technical specifications.

When choosing a "box" for Windows, the user has to study tons of information beforehand - in the literal sense, it is necessary to select each component separately: video-audio cards, processor, memory chips and much, much more. A computer for windows is a constructor cooler than Lego. Of course, many will now want to argue with me, they say, there are a lot of ready-made kits in stores. But if you give the issue a little more time, you understand that manufacturers save a lot on components, sacrificing one or two parameters in favor of an attractive price. And the result is most often very sad: the given production capacity is not used even by half. Consequently, literally in the first year of using the technology, the user is faced with the need to upgrade: the video card stops “pulling” the graphics, the cheap cooler starts to make a menacing noise, or from the first days there is an acute shortage of memory. We have to admit that buying a Windows PC is a task for people who are enthusiastic, ready to devote themselves to a series of updates and modifications.

PRICE POLICY

Reading the subtitle, Windows fans rub their hands in glee: here it is! Yabloko, they say, went crazy with their expensive gadgets. Let's do a little marketing research and find out how much you have to overpay to become a member of the apple club.

Monoblock

Monoblock - computer all-in-one: all the necessary filling of the computer is enclosed in the rear panel of the monitor. The main advantage of the monoblock is its compactness and the ability to work on a high-resolution display. The disadvantages of the gadget include possible problems with upgrading components.

We will compare according to the basic parameters: the size of the display (21 inches) and the power of the processor (for example, Intel core i5). In this segment, the Windows platform is represented by Lenovo and MSI. The price for the first ranges from 40,500 rubles to 53,990 rubles, depending on the narrow specifications and internal policies of online stores. For an MSI monoblock, you will have to pay about 60,000 rubles. Prices Apple iMac start from 78.000 rubles. The total difference ranges from 18,000 to 37,000 rubles.

Laptop

Laptop – portable Personal Computer, which, unlike a monoblock, combines not only a monitor and system components, but also a keyboard and mouse (trackpad). Laptops are compact devices that are preferred by people whose activities require constant mobility. These same characteristics become their advantages: light weight, size and versatility. The disadvantages of this type of technology include a small time battery life and rapid heating of the device.

In this case, you will have to reduce the sample and select models as close as possible to the characteristics of the MacBook Air 13. For comparison, we again take the display diagonal (13), processor (intel core i5), weight (up to 1.5 kg) and battery life (up to 12 hours). ). Such a set can boast Lenovo laptops(from 39.990 - 44.990 rubles), HP (38.290 rubles), Panasonic (from 103.000 rubles), Fujitsu (from 37.590 - 125.100 steering wheels). Against the background of such a huge price analysis Apple cost MacBook Air (from 57,000 rubles) fades and we understand that the pricing policy is not something to reproach Cupertino with.

WORK IN OC

So, with the costs and external characteristics figured out, let's move on to the issues that most scare potential buyers of Apple computers - work in the Mac operating system.

Desktop

Microsoft has been experimenting with the Windows desktop for the past two years. The most unpredictable - and as experience has shown unsuccessful - was the decision to remove the "start" button in win 8. Then there were incomprehensible castling with the name of the operating system and Windows 10 was born (release date October 1, 2014). We will compare it with Mac OS Yosemite, which was also released in the fall of 2014.

In Windows 10, an interesting design feature appeared - the color of the start menu adjusts to the desktop background. Apple uses translucent textures and blurred backgrounds to create a unified atmosphere.

At Windows users there was little choice in determining the style of work. You can use the start screen as the main control, or return to the classic form of using the desktop. This choice determines the overall design concept of the latest Windows versions. The start screen is a set of colorful tiles that creates a festive atmosphere on the desktop. It is difficult to judge how much such a color scheme contributes to work and concentration, how much eyes get tired from a bright set of colors - only owners of the latest Windows OS can answer this question.

The most striking detail of Mac OS are the icons in the DOCK-panel, which is hidden from the desktop while working with the system. At the same time, it is worth noting that Apple relied on minimalism - along with OS X Yosemite, flat screen elements based on three colors came: blue, white and gray.

Another feature of Windows 10 is virtual desktops. It is understood that the user will be able to customize each of the tables to suit their needs and, if necessary, interact with several zones at the same time. The idea is not bad, but so far it looks raw in terms of usability of controls.

Fortunately, OS X has long been using a similar parallel program management system - Spaces, which intuitively responds to user needs and provides efficient work on multiple desktops.

For quick access To system folders, as well as to quickly obtain information about the state and operation of the system, it is usually used apple menu"", which is located in the upper left corner of the screen.

The program menu displays the operation of the current program and provides quick access to its functionality. It is constantly in the top bar, while Microsoft chose to leave this element in the windows, periodically hiding it from the user's view ( windows example seven).

The status menu contains information about current date and time, as well as the selected language, sound settings, wireless Internet connection (wi-fi) and status icons of some programs. The difference between Windows 10 and Yosemite is the location of this element. In addition, the OS X bar contains two additional links that are actually extremely useful: the user menu and Spotlight search. The first allows you to quickly navigate between user desktops, the second is responsible for searching for information on all files, folders, programs and other elements of the Apple computer system.

Separately, I would like to talk about fine-tuning the desktop in Apple computers. As mentioned above, every element of OS X has a program menu. The desktop is represented Finder. By selecting the “show view options” item, the user can configure the visual viewing of folders and shortcuts, and not only the size of icons, grids and labels, but also the display of object properties and sorting options.

Usually working Windows table turns into a set of icons and labels. At the same time, the main control element was and remains "Start". But you have to give Microsoft credit for a few years they have moved away from the folder-letter style and introduced visualization(so-called "live tiles") as recently open programs(central column) and windows with universal applications.

On Mac OS, the desktop field usually remains empty: shortcuts and folders appear there randomly and for a short time. Although, of course, this is a matter of taste, but the Mac OS environment provides for convenient navigation through programs, files, and documents. At the bottom of the desktop, there is a Quick Access Dock that is customizable based on user preferences.

Let's talk more about Dock panel in fact, this is the main element that a beginner will have to work with immediately after switching from windows to mac os. This is where the most commonly used software shortcuts are located.

The user can customize its content and size at his discretion, but at the first stage it is worth understanding the features and basic elements of the OS. Over time, each poppy driver forms it to suit their working and creative needs. By default, the Dock contains Finder, Dashboard, Launchpad, Safari, iMovie, iPhoto, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, iMessage, Facetime, iTunes, MacStore, Trash, and Settings.

In the following articles, we will take a closer look at these elements.

Today I will talk in an accessible form about the pros and cons of moving from a computer running Windows to Mac computer with the OS X operating system. At the very least, our site has been coping with putting people on the iPad for several years, let's see if I can shake the blind faith in Windows at least one of our readers.

In the article I will talk about buying my MacBook Pro, upgrading, and my impressions of work.

Attention! The article has an increased level of love for MacBooks and OS X. Please be understanding. :)

My history

Until 2011, I used Windows exclusively at home. Through his studies and work, he was able to deal with various varieties of Linux at a fairly deep level. Several generations of computers have passed through me, from the first Pentium to a modern laptop with a Touch-screen. In 2011, on a hot March day, my friends and I spent 2 days on the beautiful island of Penang (Malaysia) in order to obtain another Thai visa.

For about half a year I was burning with the idea of ​​​​buying a Macbook. And Malaysia is the perfect country for this:

• firstly, the price there goes excluding taxes, that is, initially almost the lowest for Apple technology in the world,
• secondly, laptops come with an English layout.

We bought the latest early 2011 MacBook Pro at the time. First impressions were: Wow! Nothing ever slows down. What a beautiful and pleasant touch he is.

Do you know how long I did not restart it after purchase? Six months. I'm not kidding - for about 6 months I did not even think about such a thing as a reboot. Now I reboot once a month, but usually these are some updates to the beta versions of the system ...

Speaking of brakes, I embellished a little above. Still, if you try, it was really possible to boot the computer. Therefore, I decided to make a working computer without weak points out of my Mac. During these 4 years, I have carried out 4 small upgrades:

a) I bought an SSD drive and installed it instead of the default DVD-RW. I ordered from the USA - in the region of 6000 rubles it turned out to be 128 gigabytes. For 2011 it's ok. This is enough for the system and programs.

c) changed second hard disk for data: instead of 320 gigabytes, I installed a 1 terabyte screw. 3000 rubles.

d) I bought a new battery for 1500 rubles on e-bay. The original battery got damp in Bali and died after a couple of years of operation.

That is, the total cost of a laptop + 4 years of service I got: 35000 + 6000 + 3000 + 2000 + 1500 = 47500.

On this moment I have a decent working laptop, on which you can edit videos, download programs, and download movies for years to come. That is, after 4 years, my MacBook is not only not outdated, but it suits me completely and I am not looking for a replacement for it.

The only “weak” link for me in it is the lack of a retina screen, but there’s nothing to be done about it.

Now let's get back to Windows computers. I changed them every 2-3 years (or more often). There was always something that didn't suit me. Either you need a fresher video card to run the game, or the incompatibility of the purchased components. That broke something. If you count, then Windows computers from 2007 to 2011 cost me 1.5 times more. :)

Pros of Switching to Mac

Let's take a look at the pros that I would highlight based on my experience. I will not list everything, but I will tell you what I use Apple computers for and I am not going to jump off them.

For my taste, OS X is more understandable, friendly, advanced, and secure than Windows. Let me explain with a simple example:

How are applications installed?

In Windows - you need to run the installer, click "Next" 150 times. Turn off the checkboxes along the way so that unnecessary components are not installed.

On OS X, either you install an application from the Mac App Store (similar to the App Store) and the entire installation (and updates) comes down to pressing a button. Or run the installer and drag the program or game to the application folder. ALL! It is rare that a program asks unnecessary questions ...

OS X made it so that any dummies could figure it out ...

How is it with viruses?

If you want to win an argument about which system is better, then immediately remember the argument about viruses. In Windows, without an antivirus, it is not safe to go online. Give an ordinary housewife a Windows computer and in a couple of hours she will bring you a whole hotbed of Trojans.

I judge by my parents. They have a 2011 Windows laptop at home, plus a gift from us Mac Mini(also 2011). It so happened that they use these two devices 50 to 50 times. I'm tired of listening to complaints on a laptop and constantly clean something there. Viruses somehow get there even with antiviruses turned on. :)

On the Mac Mini, the biggest complaint I can remember is "Why doesn't my Safari tab close after updating to Yosemite?". Naturally, there can be no talk of any viruses in OS X. Kaspersky has been sleeping for 15 years already and sees that viruses finally appear on the Mac ... I do not rule out that they have a whole department unsuccessfully developing these viruses. "It's business, baby!" Skeptics predict that analysts and the media will occasionally hysteria, but things are still there. There are no viruses or trojans in OS X! You can sleep peacefully.

How friendly is OS X?

I have argued and continue to argue that OS X is easier to master than Windows. There are many useful standard programs in the system. The principles of operation lie on the surface, the application menus are standardized. And switching from Windows to Mac is one of the easiest tasks to be afraid of. It's like switching from an old Zhiguli to a brand new foreign car.

Apple computer design

Looking at Macbooks, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro there is no doubt: this is the best thing that is happening with computers at the moment. There is an almost perfect design and materials that are pleasant to the touch ... A standard inexpensive Windows laptop is a piece of plastic that you don’t want to take in your hands after a Mac. Well, the best in terms of design representatives on Windows are as expensive as Macs. Why pay the same when you can buy a Mac?

The ingenious and responsive Touchpad on the MacBook completely weaned me off the mouse. I doubt very much that I could do it on a normal computer.

Operating system update

Well, an important plus of the Mac is that Apple in one person sells the user not just a computer with an operating system, but also all future updates that are made in a couple of clicks. With a regular PC, you get a computer and a Windows load, which becomes obsolete after three years and you have to pay again for the upgrade to a new version. There is now a lot of confusion with Windows 10 - someone will get it for free, someone will not ... Do you need this hemorrhoids?

Cons of switching to a Mac

Cons I also decided to highlight only the most obvious. Those arguments that I have heard more than once or twice from friends and acquaintances.

Price

The exorbitant price of Apple computers. The cheapest Mac Mini costs $35,000. Laptops now cost $80,000 or more. It is the high price that stops many from buying. We must state the fact that after the fall of the dollar and the jump in prices - Apple technology is again "the lot of the elite." For some, there is a dilemma at all: “Fly on vacation or buy a MacBook?” and the choice most often falls not in favor of technology.

Games?

OS X is not for gamers. No, there are plenty of games and expensive Mac models have decent graphics cards, but it’s still easier to play new games on a console or on a regular PC. Or get confused and buy a more expensive Mac with a powerful graphics card.

I solved the problem for myself a long time ago by buying a PS 3. After all, a laptop is a device for work and multimedia entertainment, and for games you need to take a prefix.

No usual programs

People are frightened by the lack of their usual Windows programs. And someone does not want to hear about analogues ... There are no irreplaceable programs. So much software has been released for OS X that almost all applications for Windows can be found an adequate replacement. It is unpleasant if your working tool is released exclusively for Windows. I simply sympathize with these people: their transition is the most painful. :)

But software developers are not stupid either: a large percentage of applications have a version for both Windows and Mac. Plus, for OS X, there is a lot of unique software written specifically for this system.

Pitfalls when moving from Windows to OS X. Impressions of using an iMac after long work for computers with Windows on board.

Introduction and purchase background

I have been thinking about changing my computer for a long time. The first thoughts began to appear after testing the budget nettop 3Q Sign. I immediately noticed that the room was suspiciously quiet. It turned out that my old "system unit" was very noisy, just the noise of coolers was so familiar that I stopped paying attention to it. However, you quickly get used to the good, and after the return of the nettop, the difference in noise level was audible to the “naked ear”. Then thoughts of an “upgrade” began to appear. My "system unit" is about four years old, at one time it was bought as a gaming PC, but since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and now I hardly play on the computer.

After testing the nettop, it became clear: small quiet boxes that do not take up much space and are productive enough for everyday activities are what I need.

As luck would have it, various information about OS X appeared on Twitter, then on the site, Alexander Zubkov published his huge “Mac Mini Operating Experience” at about the same time. I trust Sasha's opinion, in many ways our use cases from this article were similar, so I turned my gaze towards Apple technology.

It was clear that if you already take a Mac Mini, then it is necessary with an SSD, so as not to worry about the speed of work. But I did not see such models on any site (now, by the way, they have appeared). It became clear that most likely you would have to install the disk yourself. I adequately assessed my technical knowledge and decided that although I could install an SSD myself, it was better to turn to specialists.

Among my acquaintances, there was only one person working in this field - Alexey, known to some of you on Twitter as @androidioswp. Lesha and I had a long conversation about customizing the Mac Mini: initially I planned to take the cheapest version and just install a 128GB SSD + 1 or 2 TB hard drive into it. But it turned out that such an “upgrade” would be very expensive, and it was more profitable to take an older version of the Mac Mini (with a Core i5 Quad-Core + 1 TB HDD) and just install it in solid state drive. Thus, the price tag for the Mac Mini has gradually grown to 35 thousand for the configuration I need.

In addition to the nettop, I also wanted to replace the monitor. Artem Lutfullin rightly noted that this is the main tool for work, so there is no need to save money before your eyes. He even recommended that I pay attention to the same monitor as his, we are talking about the Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D model. Its main features are the PLS-matrix with soft colors and a high resolution(2560x1440 pixels), as well as support for MiniDisplayPort (and a compatible Thunderbolt connector is just in the Mac Mini).

Thus, the total cost of the computer approached 60 thousand rubles. Continuing the discussion, Alexey mentioned that people often come to iMac from talking about custom Mac Minis. And then it dawned on me: iMac really is the best option, but I didn't review it, assuming it's insanely expensive. However, it turned out that the configuration I needed would be no more expensive than a bunch of Mac Mini + monitor from Samsung.

In addition, iMac has a number of significant advantages over such a combination. Firstly, it is a single cable for connecting a computer and a monitor. Secondly, built-in speakers, which again has a positive effect on the number of wires. And thirdly, of course, cool appearance and materials. The only problem was the hard drive, no SSD versions were available.

Alexey said that they can pre-order the version with Fusion Drive, and as soon as she arrives at the warehouse, I will be immediately notified. It is important to note here that almost no one is engaged in iMac custom deliveries (didn’t do it at the time of writing, the Apple online store has already appeared): for example, I went to MVideo and White Wind, and they didn’t even hear about them . Didn't apply to Re:store due to high prices. In general, Lyosha advised me in some detail, so I purchased an iMac from www.max-up.ru.

It is important to note here that I pre-ordered in mid-February, and the iMac arrived at my place only at the end of April. This is due to a delay in deliveries from the official dealer. As far as I know, now custom iMacs are delivered much faster. In addition, with the opening of the official Apple online store, ordering custom configurations has become even easier.

I apologize to the reader for such a long introduction, I wanted to describe my purchase history and note that I came to the iMac through much thought, that is, it was not an impulsive purchase.

Appearance, materials

The monoblock comes in a large "trapezoidal" package. Interestingly, Apple's new shipments use a double box: cheap cardboard on top and quality packaging underneath. I will not describe in detail the unpacking, since nothing special can be said about it.

Taking the computer out of the package, you immediately notice how light the iMac is, especially if you have dealt with other monoblocks (its weight is just over five kilograms, while the weight of analogues starts from 8-9 kg).

Looking at a freshly bought computer, you can't help but notice that after all, designers at Apple don't eat their bread in vain. iMac looks very nice: stylish appearance, aluminum body, strict black frame around the screen. It is immediately clear that this is a computer that was made so that, among other things, it was simply pleasant to look at. I have had experience behind other all-in-ones, design and materials Apple leaves them far behind. After buying an iMac, you understand what “overpaying for design and materials” is and why it is justified.

In the iMac 2012 review, Sergey Kuzmin noted that reducing the thickness of the monoblock does not carry any functional advantages, but from the point of view of appearance, this solution looks very impressive.

Thanks to the small weight for monoblocks and the successful coating of the iMac support leg, it is very convenient to turn left / right, but you have to do this, because all the connectors are located on the back of the device.

While you have to move your iMac all the way to turn it left/right, you only need to slightly tilt the monitor to adjust its tilt. I note that initially the screen tilted very easily, however, as the device was overgrown with various cables, it became a little harder to raise / lower it.

Design iMac - it's something amazing, even after six months of use, it is still pleasing, the candy bar is just nice to look at. From functional features I liked the back leg, on which you can put some frequently used item, such as a notebook or phone.

Screen

Before describing the screen, I would like to note that before that I used an old ViewSonic with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels as the main monitor. Its characteristics seemed to me sufficient for comfortable work, and thanks to a convenient aspect ratio, I could manage the workplace as productively as possible (first of all, we are talking about Word and web surfing).

I had experience using a couple of all-in-ones on Windows, so I assumed I knew what quality monitors were. As it turned out, I was deeply mistaken.

When you turn on the iMac, you immediately notice how big the difference in picture quality is between it and everything that you had to test before. The image seems to float out of the screen, the picture is amazingly bright and clear. It was not in vain that I mentioned the computers and monitors that I used and tested before, an experienced reader will notice that there are no MBPs among them. Pro Retina 13/15, no iPad 3/4. In fairness, I note that I dealt with both devices, however, for a very short time. And the fleeting memory of “what amazing screens they have” quickly vanished from my mind.

Why all this long introduction? The fact is that to me, as a person who has not previously used Apple technology with Retina displays, iMac screen it seems wonderful: bright, clear, with juicy colors, however, for example, to Sergey Kuzmin it already seems not good enough, the use of iPad 4 and MBP Pro Retina 15 significantly affects the impressions.

As you remember, the previous generation had two significant problems with the screen: dust got under it and it glared a lot. This, by the way, was one of the reasons why I didn't consider iMac initially: my workplace located near the window, and the sun often hits the screen. In iMac 2012, they significantly worked on the display, the absence of an air gap removes the problem with dust under the glass, and a special anti-glare coating negates almost all glare and reflections. Even in strong sunlight, you can work comfortably at the computer (of course, the barely noticeable outlines of your face will be visible on the screen, but this is not at all what it was in the same monoblock from Acer, where the monitor turned into a mirror in sunny weather).

The screen brightness can be conveniently adjusted using the F1/F2 keyboard buttons. Interestingly, in third party keyboards this combination does not work, but more on that below. In everyday work, I used about 30% brightness, in sunny weather I increased it to 60-70%. To be honest, I have never had a situation where all 100% of the screen brightness would be needed, it is redundant.

I really liked the screen in iMac, I would love to buy a separate monitor from Apple with the same characteristics. Previously, I never understood why buying expensive monitors for 30-40 thousand, and even more so for 90 and above. However, after using an iMac, I see the validity of such decisions even for the average user.

Operating system and firmware

In absentia, I was very loyal to OS X: a lot of positive feedback on the network, some of which were from very authoritative people. Morally, I was ready for changes, a different OS logic, as I assumed that this would be associated with some features that improve the usability of the computer. It is important to note here that I have never considered myself a conservative user: new is always interesting, especially if this new one will be even more convenient in the end.

Before moving on to describe my experience with OS X, I would like to briefly talk about my computer usage scenarios:

First of all, this is a tool for work - a typewriter and a simple photo editor (quickly rename files, correct something, nothing more). Of course, all this is combined with web surfing, twitter, checking mail and other routine activities. In addition, I use the computer as a video player along with a TV connected to it.

It would seem that with such simple actions OS X should handle it without any problems, but it didn't. Working for the "poppy" for the first couple of weeks, I directly felt how he did not want to fit into the environment I was used to. It all started with the fact that I didn’t want to get used to switching the language via Command + Space, on Twitter they immediately suggested a solution in the form of the KeyRemapforMacBook program, but as luck would have it, the Alt + Shift combination could not be configured normally there. It was the same with Alt+Tab. It's amazing how hard it is to retrain for other combinations: imagine that for ten years your right hand was raised at your mental command to raise your right hand, and now, with the same command, it rises left hand. These are the impressions I experienced from the change of the usual "hotkeys". But my misadventures did not end there. In addition to changing the language, I'm used to Enter opening a folder, Backspace takes you back a section, and F2 is responsible for renaming a file. On OS X, Enter is responsible for renaming, Cmd + down opens the folder, Cmd + up raises you to the section above, Backspace does not have any specified actions at all. And yes, I could do everything through KeyRemap4Macbook just like on Windows, but I liked it so much quick action, assigned to "efks" by default, that I did not do this. In addition, some users on Twitter logically noted that they should try to adapt to the system, and not try to “make a second Windows out of it”.

But the built-in photo viewer and iPhoto caused the most problems for me. I need very little from such programs: open a picture, rename it (in the same window), move on to the next one. However, when you open a photo in this viewer, you cannot quickly rename it or move to the next one. It's the same with iPhoto: you can only rename a photo if you click on its name. In general, there are a lot of unnecessary actions, and I could not find keyboard shortcuts that cause quick renaming (similar to F2 in Windows).

I will say in advance that I successfully solved both problems, but the first two weeks for the iMac were just a nightmare. I seriously considered either giving it back, or selling it, or putting Windows as my primary OS.

The main message of such a long introduction is that you need to get used to OS X, and even if you are mentally ready for changes, it is far from a fact that in your individual case the transition to Apple technology will be easy and painless (although there are many such cases) .

About the disadvantages of OS X, I have already said above, now it's time to move on to the merits.

Work tables

On OS X, you can create multiple desktops. In addition, each of them can host certain programs. That is, let's say for work I need Finder, Pages and CyberDuck, and for entertainment I need a browser and a video player. I can set up desktops so that when Pages is opened, a second desktop will open immediately. Thumbnails of all tables are called up by pressing F3 or by swiping up with four fingers (if you are using a touchpad).

In addition, there is a separate desktop with widgets. To get to it, you need to swipe four fingers on the touchpad from left to right. I use this table to post sticky notes and sometimes to check the weather.

Screenshots

I really liked how this feature is implemented in OS X. You can take a screenshot of the screen (Command+Shift+3), a screenshot of a part of the screen (Command+Shift+4) and a screenshot active window(Command+Shift+4 followed by a space). By default, all snapshots are on the desktop.

Active corners

A favorite feature of many OS X users. Its essence boils down to the fact that when you hover over a corner, some action is performed (for example, windows are minimized). Personally, I could not start using it, because with any chaotic movement of the cursor towards the corner, an unnecessary action is performed.

Installing and uninstalling applications

OS X has three installation methods third party programs. The first one is the simplest. You install an app from the App Store. After downloading, it automatically appears in the list of programs. A long press of the left button on an icon allows you to easily delete it (similar to iOS).

The second is installation using a pkg file. This method is somewhat reminiscent of installing with the help of "executables" in Windows.

The third method is to copy the app file of the program directly to the application folder. As a rule, such files are packed into a dmg archive, and you just need to move the file icon to a folder. If you copy the file to another folder, then the settings and permissions for the application may not be registered.

Finder

Already at the level file manager you begin to understand that in OS X the logic is completely different. There is no familiar to you hard drive, files are sorted by category. I really like this approach, I sorted them the same way on Windows ( separate folders for videos, music, photos).

The Finder (and all of OS X) has a handy preview option. You click on the file you need and press the spacebar, after that you will see a preview of the selected image, text (if we are talking about text file), or the video starts playing. Using the navigation arrows, you can quickly move to the next / previous files, the preview will also be updated in real time. For me it was just a lifesaver. It was possible to view pictures without any problems using previews and immediately rename them by pressing Enter. However, there was one more problem: when renaming the file I needed, it “went” to the top of the list, and I had to scroll through the entire list from the beginning. I tried to set sorting by creation date in the settings, but this sorting only applied to a specific folder, and I had to set it manually each time. I suspect there is a simple solution to this problem, however I couldn't find it.

iTunes

It's amazing how different the experience of the same program can be on different operating systems. For example, using iTunes on Windows is not very convenient: the program either slows down, then freezes, then crashes, in general, there is little pleasant.

But on OS X, none of these problems exist. The application "flies", fits perfectly into the OS interface and does not cause any complaints. I enjoy using iTunes as my main music media player. However, it is important to note here that iTunes has a different logic, and you most likely will not be able to use your usual folder sorting. Here they are replaced by playlists. Of course, it's inconvenient to re-create playlists from your favorite tracks, but after making them once, you can then synchronize them with another Mac or iPod / iPhone without any problems.

The purchase of audio and video content deserves special attention. I fully support the purchase of licensed music, another thing is that most of the tracks I need are most likely sold only in the Japanese section of iTunes (where you can’t figure it out without knowing the language). However, if we talk about Western or Russian performers, then the range is quite extensive. I liked the ease with which you can buy tracks in iTunes. In my opinion, this is how a good music store should be: ease of purchase and ease of listening.

In addition to music, you can also buy movies. I was pleased that among the available resolutions there are HD / FullHD, as well as subtitles and audio tracks in several languages.

I was almost ready to call the movie buying service ideal, if not for a number of “buts”. Firstly, all movies are DRM protected and you can't just copy a movie to your Android smartphone. Secondly, when viewing through iTunes, you cannot select the size of subtitles, for me this drawback turned out to be decisive, since I like to watch films with the original track and Russian subtitles. Thirdly, these same films cannot be played by a third-party player (MPlayerX could not), in which I could adjust the size of the subtitles. Fourth, I would really like to see movie premieres on iTunes at the same time as theaters or with a two-week delay. I think that many, like me, would prefer to watch a movie at home for the same money instead of going to the cinema.

update: In Mavericks, you can now adjust the size of subtitles.

Pages

In Pages, I immediately liked the synchronization with iCloud. Every time I create a document in Pages and make any changes to it, a copy of it is automatically saved to the cloud. It is very comfortable. For example, I can turn off the computer, and the system itself will save last changes in the copy. Or here's another example for you: somehow I was finishing the next review, and our lights were suddenly turned off. To say that I was upset is to say nothing. Five minutes later, the lights were turned on again, I launched the iMac without much hope ... And what do you think? My entire document was there, the iMac even graciously opened the programs I was using before shutting down. What would happen on Windows? He would most likely restore the last saved copy and 2-3 hours could go down the drain.

But I didn’t like the spell check in Pages at all. It does not correct even the simplest errors, and this, of course, is frustrating. With grief, I installed MS Office for Mac 2011. However, I could not use it, because I experienced noticeable delays when entering text. That is, I enter "check", and the word appears only after a couple of seconds.

And one more thing: the cost of Pages is 600 rubles. You pay for the program once and receive all future updates for free. The $20 price tag favorably distinguishes Pages from MS Office, which is constantly updated and asks for some wild sums (5,000 rubles) for its license.

By the way, I left MS Office anyway, since it works much better with tablets than Apple's Numbers.

safari

Before installation Google Chrome I decided to give Apple's built-in browser a chance as well. At first glance, everything was great - well-drawn fonts, a nice interface, convenient mode reading and more. I adjusted the scaling for myself and started using Safari. After some time, it became clear that the browser does not save the scaling settings, that is, each time you need to scale the site manually. A partial solution could be to set the font size in the settings, but in this situation, the formatting got lost, that is, you saw large letters with tiny pictures. Frustrated, I went to download Google Chrome.

Some time later, I still forced myself to switch to Safari, and all because the rendering of fonts in it is much better than in the same Chrome.

iPhoto

At the beginning of the section, I noted that iPhoto did not suit my tasks, but, nevertheless, I cannot help but talk about the capabilities of this program. If you're a complete photography nerd but want to tweak a particular image a little, then iPhoto is perfect for you. By using simple interface and clear settings, you can easily change the brightness or other parameters of the photo.

Notification Center

As in iOS, in OS X all notifications come through the notification center. In the settings you can change their appearance, I liked the notifications in the form of pop-up windows the most. Unfortunately, for me, the font used in these "clouds" is very small, so I could not fully enjoy the twitter client, which is praised by every Apple user without exception.

Mail & Sparrow

Two wonderful mail clients for OS X, one built-in, the second third-party. I will not describe their functionality in detail, I will simply note that this is exactly what a “mailer” should be like: beautiful, convenient, functional. Personally, I settled on Sparrow, since in Mail the font size in the inbox column cannot be adjusted.

iMessage

Own messenger for Apple devices. Very simple, but no less convenient. You can also connect the same Google Talk to it. For me, its main advantage is the ability to immediately put images into the chat. It is very comfortable

original accessories

Apple Wireless Keyboard. One of the most beautiful wireless keyboards and one of the few that work with via Bluetooth. Before that, I worked on a simple Genius SlimStar i220 White keyboard and got very used to it. Initially, I assumed that the transition to Apple's solution would not cause any problems, the keyboard seemed beautiful and comfortable. But it was not there. Fingers literally "ache" from how unusually the keys on the Apple Wireless Keyboard are located after the solution from Genius. I got used to this keyboard for almost three weeks, and the only argument in its favor was: "Well, it's so beautiful and fits the iMac's appearance so well." Now I lack only full-fledged navigation arrows and a separate digital panel. And of course, it's a shame that the keyboard, which has both arrows and a separate panel... is wired!

Apple Magic Mouse. I was biased towards the Apple mouse even before I got to know it. I fully supported people who criticized its flat appearance, it was immediately clear that holding and using such a mouse would be uncomfortable.

However, at first glance, everything was in order. Yes, the mouse is flatter, but it did not cause any particular inconvenience. However, after half an hour I realized that this was not so. Due to the fact that the index and middle fingers are on the weight, and not leaning on the mouse, after a while, fatigue appears in them, which was not the case with a conventional mouse.

However, there are Magic Mouse and indisputable pluses. For example, horizontal gestures, with their help it is convenient to scroll through the same photos or scroll through some large picture in the browser. In addition, the mouse also supports two-finger gestures, horizontal “swipes” allow you to switch between desktops.

Magic Trackpad. At one of the presentations, I complained to my colleague about the uncomfortable Magic Mouse, as well as the lack of comfortable mice that fit the design of the iMac. He suggested that I take a look at the Magic Trackpad and spoke highly of it. In addition to this recommendation, I had my own interest in getting to know this accessory. To be honest, I have not used Apple laptops for a long time and have long wanted to understand what their touchpads are praising for.

Its main advantage is, of course, multi-touch gestures.

Swipe up and down with two fingers allows you to flip through a web page or any other page.

Swipe with three fingers emulates the selection of an area on the screen.

Swipe with four fingers allows you to switch between desktops.

And yet, despite the amazing convenience and functionality for touchpads, do not forget that these devices act as a replacement for a mouse, so even the simplest mouse can be more convenient than the most sophisticated touchpad. Personally, it’s easier for me to scroll through articles in the browser using the touchpad, but it’s more convenient for me to select objects with the mouse. As a result, I still have Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad lying next to me.

Time Capsule. One of my friends once told me that any of the OS X devices can also act as a router. I got curious and decided to test this feature after taking speed measurements on my previous router. The difference between my router performance and iMac performance as an access point just amazed me. It turned out that the router cut the speed almost twice, while the iMac reduced it by no more than 10%.

After such sad (for my router) tests, it was decided to replace it with an AirPort Time Capsule. A regular Apple router costs about 5-6 thousand rubles, but the “capsule” is only five thousand more expensive, but it has a built-in 2 TB hard drive (there are also modifications with 3 TB). The $5,000 extra seemed appropriate, and I picked up the recently announced updated Time Capsule model.

According to many Apple users, the whole process of setting up the capsule came down to connecting an ethernet cable to it and two or three clicks "Next" in the settings menu. In the worst case, you will have to enter the IP address and DNS servers manually. I, of course, "lucky" most of all. Neither automatic nor manual settings helped. Perhaps this was the only call of the master to the house for the entire time of working with my provider. By the way, he easily managed to set up the capsule, however, he clarified something and asked the adjusters from the office to change it.

After connecting and configuring the capsule, its separate icon appears in the Finder, and you can easily copy and open the files stored on it. They just open with some delay, apparently due to the fact that the capsule works on wireless connection. As a result, I store almost nothing on the Time Capsule, except for backups.

Windows installation

You have two ways to use Windows on your iMac. The first is using Bootcamp, this utility allows you to install Windows on a separate part of your hard drive and run it as a full-fledged OS on your computer. However, there are two nuances here. First, if you use Windows, it will be installed on your hard drive and you will lose the benefits of Fusion Drive. Secondly, the built-in Intel graphics HD 4000, that is, the monoblock will make more noise.

Second option Windows usage- using the Parallels software. Parallels allows you to start Windows in two modes:

1. Complete emulator, meaning you have a separate window with Windows in it.
2. "window mode". Each program has its own separate window, in fact, you can work on OS X, and if you wish, switch to the window with the desired program. This is ideal for those who are happy with OS X, but lack a couple of programs from Windows.

Important Note: If you plan to use Parallels a lot, it's best to get an iMac with 16 GB of RAM.

Interestingly, when installing Parallels, the program automatically downloads a clean system image itself, which is very convenient. Parallels can also "hook" your installed through BootCamp Windows.

Performance

I deliberately ordered the simplest configuration available. I don't need a powerful graphics card, so I didn't see the point in paying extra for it, but I knew for sure that the Fusion Drive was something worth paying extra for. So my iMac has the following configuration:

1. Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 640M
2. Internal storage: Fusion Drive (128GB SSD+1TB HDD)
3. RAM: 8 GB
4. Processor: Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Ivy Bridge

The first thing I immediately liked was that the iMac turned on very quickly, as if I turned on the TV, not the computer. A little later, I noticed that Apple uses a clever trick: as soon as you turn on the device, a gray apple appears on a white background with the sound “Ta-dam”, and you subconsciously think that the computer is already on. However, this apple hangs for about three or four seconds, during which the system is still loading, but the user is sure that it has already loaded.

Second, Apple computers don't need to be turned off, they don't boot up with junk, and they don't slow down without long reboots. In the case of the iMac, this is of course not so impressive, but I am sure that all MacBook owners love this feature very much.

Third: almost complete absence noise if you're switching to an iMac from a regular desktop computer, it will be immediately noticeable.

Now I propose to talk about the features of Fusion Drive. Ideally, iMac will automatically move frequently accessed files to the SSD, and less frequently accessed files to the HDD. In fact, all new files are first written to the SSD by default, and then, when the threshold of 4 GB is reached during a one-time transfer, they are transferred to the HDD. To be honest, I don’t really like this approach, I prefer the HDD and SSD to be two separate drives, and I could independently set the folders that will definitely be on the SSD.

As far as performance is concerned, there are no complaints when performing my daily tasks (video, browser, twitter, mail, browsing and minimal photo processing). The only thing is that sometimes when quickly scrolling through the “previews” of iMac photos, it can think for a second or two. As other Mac owners have told me, if the photos were on the SSD, there would be no such problems.

I'm not afraid that the "stuffing" of my iMac will become outdated, given that new versions of OS X work stably even on devices with the last generation of processors and Intel HD 3000 graphics cards.

Webcam, microphone, speakers

As I said at the beginning of the article, the indisputable advantage of monoblocks is the minimum number of cables. So, you do not need to specifically connect the same webcam or external microphone. However, the convenience and quality of the built-in components do not always meet the user's requirements.

In my opinion, the iMac has excellent stereo speakers, they can perfectly replace the speakers for a couple of thousand rubles. The sound in them is clear and without wheezing, even at maximum volume.

I was very pleased with the built-in microphone, it has excellent sensitivity, they can hear you perfectly, even if you are sitting at a distance of two meters from the monoblock.

The quality of the webcam is also beyond praise, I would separately note the fact that it works better in FaceTime than in Skype.

Conclusion

I paid 67 thousand rubles for the iMac configuration I needed. Now it costs 62 thousand. Perhaps the key question I wanted to answer is: “How convenient are iMac and OS X for simple user? If we talk about the iMac itself, then there are no complaints about it: stunning design, high-quality display, nice body materials and fast work. But about OS X, I can’t speak so unambiguously. The impressions of it for each user will be individual, it all depends on how it fits your needs. It took me about a month to get used to, and I can’t say that the transition was “smooth and painless”. Now I enjoy using OS X, because everything desired programs found, and I'm used to all the features of the OS. Of course, OS X has many strengths: this is excellent synchronization of your documents with iCloud, and fast work speed, and a nice interface, and easy system backup. But some functions seem simply illogical, for example, why you need to use a combination of two keys to open folders, although this is a frequently used operation, why it was impossible to make a separate “hotkey” for cutting, etc. I don't like Apple's "we know what's best, do as we say" approach. On the other hand, they use a tricky trick: they make 80% of the actions in their OS very convenient, and the user is forced to put up with the remaining 20%, because in general he is satisfied with almost everything.

OS X seemed to me in many ways more convenient than Windows, but at the same time, I understand that both operating systems have their pros and cons. Another question is that I don’t like the direction in which Windows is currently developing (we are talking about the “tile eight”), but in OS X everything seems to be stable so far (and I really hope that the colorful trends from iOS7 will not affect "poppies").

Now I would like to talk about the possible configurations of Apple home computers and which one I think is the best.

In my opinion, it makes sense to take an iMac 2013 Late with a 256 GB SSD, and then buy an additional one for it external hard disk of the size you need. Now there are many models (starting from LaCie and ending with 3Q) that look great on Apple technology. An SSD model will run faster than a Fusion Drive, and all rarely used data can be stored on an external drive.

Also interesting option is a combination of Mac Mini and any external monitor. The ideal option is the Apple Thunderbolt Display, but it only makes sense to wait for an update built on the basis of the current iMac line.

A little more about the price: computers Apple dear, on average 30% more expensive than their counterparts on Windows. Yes, in some respects (appearance, materials) they win, but for everyday work, the capabilities of a laptop / monoblock on Windows will be enough for you. And the last piece of advice I'd like to give to prospective "switchers": don't jump right in, if you decide to switch to OS X, then you don't need to start with an expensive iMac or MacBook Pro Retina, choose something simpler, the same Mac Mini or Air of the previous generation. No one can tell in advance whether you will like this operating system or not.

Evgeny Vildiaev (