The Learning Curve

Just about everyone who has used Windows 8 so far has complained that the learning curve required to master the operating system is too steep. That’s a problem. When users spend cash on a product, they want to be able to use it effectively from the start. They might not be able to do that with Windows 8. But they can with Mountain Lion.

Looking at the products available for Windows 8 buyers, it’s hard to find anything that would beat Apple’s Mac line. Dell, HP, Lenovo and Acer just can’t deliver Mac-like products. Apple should continue to benefit because of that.

Security is extremely important in the software world. However, Apple products are typically more secure than Microsoft. Windows 8 is supposedly more secure than previous versions of the operating system, but talk of it being totally secure without the need for third-party software sounds ridiculous. Apple’s OS X, meanwhile, actually delivers on the security front without needing additional software.

Microsoft is trying something very new with Windows 8. As history has shown, when the company does that, Microsoft can get into trouble. Remember Windows Vista and the first version of Windows Phone? Microsoft takes awhile to deliver the right new experience to customers. Apple, meanwhile, doesn’t.

The corporate world is not yet willing to deploy Windows 8. In fact, some studies have shown that the enterprise won’t even consider deploying the operating system until 2014. Why? The enterprise wants to wait to see what issues arise. With OS X Mountain Lion, most issues are already known, making the operating system a better choice for companies that want to buy new computers now and are willing to address shortcomings.

The app situation on Windows 8 is not good. According to reports, Microsoft is offering less than 8,000 apps in Windows 8 right now. Apple’s marketplace is easily beating that figure. Until Microsoft’s app store matches Apple’s, it’ll be best to go with a Mac.

As noted, Windows 8 comes with a steep learning curve, indicating that the operating system just isn’t as intuitive as certain customers would like. Mountain Lion, however, is quite intuitive, making it very easy to use right out of the box. Even its multi-touch features are useful in creating an appealing experience. Intuitive design is everything. And Apple knows it.

Microsoft’s Surface is running Windows 8 RT, a version of Windows 8 that can run on ARM processors. Early next year, a Windows 8 Pro version will be running on the Surface. However, there’s currently no indication that a desktop operating system will really succeed on tablets. If that were the case, don’t you think Apple would have brought OS X to its iPad? Microsoft just doesn’t get the tablet space yet.

One of the nice things about OS X is that Apple updates it nearly every year. Microsoft, meanwhile, only offers incremental updates from time to time, and launches a major upgrade every few years. Customers looking for the latest and greatest operating systems should stick with OS X; they’re more likely to find them on a regular basis.

Although Microsoft wants to make the discussion about Windows 8 a forward-looking one, it’s impossible to not look back at the past. Microsoft’s Windows platforms have been hit with odd design quirks, security issues and other problems that can’t be overlooked. Apple’s software, however, is only getting better. That should help Apple in its battle against Microsoft.