Windows 8.1 "working on features 100% complete don't turn off your computer"

12 hours to uninstall...  

20 Minutes to install...

There-in lies the common misconception for those of us who were brainwashed, sent to the MS reeducation camps for too many years, that "(A)pple ... (presents) an entirely different set of problems in terms of support." Having been groomed for many years in the corporate environment that MS is a necessity, that it is the only route, I too was "brainwashed" into believing that Apple doesn't offer adequate support ...

... until I started thinking rationally. Microsoft has absolutely NO support, even when you by an MS machined new with a warranty, NONE. Beyond Apples one year warranty, there's an additional 2-year warranty available. However, Apple, or any OS/application vendor, support is not the most efficient, reliable solution especially for Apple issues. The hardest thing to grasp, to relate to, after years of self-inflicted abuse from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is that a user community could be so organized, so knowledgeable as to offer accurate, correct solutions to any issues that might occur.

That was until we began accessing the Apple user groups and forums. It then dawned on me the same principle that applied in the business world, applied in the desktop, OS sector, that the best, most timely, up-to-date problems and solutions reside with the end-users. Any issues we may have had with all the OS Xs we maintain, could easily, reliably and quickly (VERY quickly) resolved simply by accessing the various highly knowledgeable Apple community forums. The knowledge of many long-time Apple users (many former MS victims or escapees from the MS world) have been found to be far more knowledgeable than the most "knowledgeable", confused end-users found in the confusing, contradictory MS world.

We, my partner and I as well as our most experienced end-users, can't think of one issue that would justify your posit that "apple ... present(s) an entirely different set of problems in terms of support." Like with us, especially me, a former die-hard, thick-headed, long-time MS business user and support, non-Apple users cannot even remotely relate to the efficiency, organization, reliability and superior (personal view) knowledge of the Apple user community until you actually invest (and it truly is an investment, a very wise investment) in Apple's OS. As an aside, a majority of the issues have been related to 3rd party errors (network connection issues, printer applications, etc). In fact, all printers installed on all networks were picked up so quickly by the Apple OS's, initially we thought we had done something wrong, overlooked a feature, etc.

But, in hindsight, with all that being said, that hindsight probably tells me that I should not be promoting Apple so heavily. The more diehard MS converting to Apple, the more the inherent problems and "excess MS baggage" including, but not limited to, wrong attitudes, woefully wrong suggested solutions and even the increase in being the focus of the dreaded spammers, hackers, viruses.

Oh, one last word. The Multiple Sclerosis updates? One word: pitiful. Well, maybe two: pitiful and pathetic. Best wishes on your most recent update efforts and all future, multitude of MS updates. I mean that in all sincerity.

I definitely agree with you that comparing the two is not that easy to do.  In my experience, though has been different.  Until the last few months, I was on the verge of taking the plunge and switching all the way over.  I already had an iPad, iPhone and apple tv.  Then Steve Jobs died.  Since then I have had 4 iPhone 5s, all of them replaced by apple for defective product.  Then they started stealing my music and ripped me off from my itunes match with the release of Apple Music.  Also, they made me wait for two hours to get my non-functioning iphone replaced the last time it broke when I was out of town on a business trip.  They intentionally spread their stores out so they are always full.  I have seen cattle on their way to the slaughter and that is exactly how apple made me feel.

I've cancelled all my accounts with apple and I'm now microsoft independent.  Open sourcing from here on out for me...

Cheers!  I've enjoyed the discussion.

I definitely agree with you that comparing the two is not that easy to do.  In my experience, though has been different.  Until the last few months, I was on the verge of taking the plunge and switching all the way over.  I already had an iPad, iPhone and apple tv.  Then Steve Jobs died.  Since then I have had 4 iPhone 5s, all of them replaced by apple for defective product.  Then they started stealing my music and ripped me off from my itunes match with the release of Apple Music.  Also, they made me wait for two hours to get my non-functioning iphone replaced the last time it broke when I was out of town on a business trip.  They intentionally spread their stores out so they are always full.  I have seen cattle on their way to the slaughter and that is exactly how apple made me feel.

I've cancelled all my accounts with apple and I'm now microsoft independent.  Open sourcing from here on out for me...

Cheers!  I've enjoyed the discussion.

Hate to use the old, possibly too familiar sounding response to your Apple issues, but from our extensive experience in dealing with numerous Apple desktops, user groups, business and personal desktop users in general, your issues are the exception. Regarding the theory that Apple "intentionally spreads their stores out so they are always full," well, from a business perspective that really isn't accurate at all.

Apple stores are extremely expensive to set-up. When Apple attempted setting up kiosks at malls in select markets to meet demand, it was disastrous, the kind of disaster that most businesses dream about. The kiosks couldn't keep up with the demand and customers new to Apple got upset. Apple at one point seriously considered opening up more, smaller stores but determined they could not properly or adequately staff and manage a market flooded with Apple stores (which include on-site technicians, troubleshooting and analysis, etc) with qualified, dependable personnel. Of course, Microsoft has no stores, period.

Regarding handhelds, first, we gave up handhelds in general several years ago because they became an unneeded, annoying, frustrating accessory. Proper planning and scheduling eliminated those little unnecessary nuisances. Sorry to hear your rare, negative experiences with Apple handhelds though. We still know and deal with a large number of Apple handheld (iPads, iPhones, etc) users, most of whom are business users and senior management. Issues with those Apple handheld owners are rare, very rare, under heavy use (many issues with Apple handhelds, in fact all handhelds, have been found to be due to user installed applications). All handhelds are rife with issues and problematic but, again, we've found Apple handhelds to have the least issues and problems.

Lastly, you're comparing handhelds to desktops which, from our perspective, is like comparing Apples (no pun intended ... really!) and oranges. We're addressing desktop (or notebook/"laptop") use only. Even so, a fair comparison between scant exposure to Apple through handheld usage and Apple desktop OS's won't provide an accurate assessment of the reliability, upkeep, maintenance, etc of Apple desktop OS (including Apple notebook/"laptop" products).

To be honest, I recently considered transitioning back to the agony of MS, over some trivial, forgotten Apple issue which I can't even recall, and actually did so with a small desktop. Even with the infrequent use of the new MS desktop, it's enough to drive me crazy, to fits of rage (almost fits of rage!). I probably spend more time maintaining and correcting issues with the curse of Microsoft on this one little, seldom-used desktop in one week, than I do with any form of routine maintenance on 26 Apple desktops over a 3-4 month period.

Again, best wishes on continuing to endure the agony, frustration, anger and nuisance of dealing with Multiple Sclerosis. I still hold that this forum is one of the best things Microsoft has managed to create since purchasing Excel and Word but, just another example of MS attempting to emulate and plagiarize a successful, highly effective Apple format.