How to Rid Your Computer of Microsoft Products: Get a Mac

First, this is not a philosophical article. It will not attempt to tell you why you "should" try to live your computing life without Microsoft products. For many people, corporate especially, Microsoft is essential to doing business. But for others... not so much.

Similarly, this article will not attempt to pigeonhole different types of people into groups who "should" or "should not" switch away from Microsoft.

This article, simply, will tell you how you CAN live your life without Microsoft, should that be your choice. It will focus on areas where Microsoft products are ubiquitous, what other options are available, and how a computer user can be freed from using Microsoft products should they choose.

The three main areas where Microsoft products are heavily used are:

1. Operating System - Microsoft Windows
2. Office Software - Microsoft Office
3. Web Browser - Microsoft Internet Explorer

Depending on your needs as a user, you may find that one or two of these areas are potential deal-breakers. If you just can't live without a program, for whatever reason, then by all means stay with what you have. Maybe the company you work for demands everything you submit be sent in using a particular format, or a certain Windows-only program is key to what you do. If that's the case, then sorry, this article is not for you.

But if not, and you're ready to make the jump, the most obvious alternative to Microsoft is to get a Mac. It's not the only option out there - many people (including myself), have selected Linux as a viable alternative to both Microsoft AND Apple, but that's a subject for another article.

The Apple Macintosh, since its introduction in 1984, has been viewed as Microsoft's biggest competitor. From the easy-to-use operating system to a good variety of software options, the Mac will truly do all most computer users need. Buying a Mac isn't the only option, but it's the one this article will choose as its focus.

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