If you’re a regular at this site, you probably already know that the usability of Mac’s OS is second to none, but it’s always nice to get verification from outside sources, is it not? It’s especially nice to hear about the greatness of Mac OS from a former Windows power user, as is the case in Smashing Magazine’s recent article that lists the “Top 10 Usability Highs of Mac OS”.
Number one on the list is “Consistency”, which is credited to Apple’s stringent Human Interface guidelines. Indeed, most Mac programs have the same intuitive, easy-to-use feel that we come to expect, and this has always been one of my favorite elements of the Mac OS. Even programs that you’ve never used before feel familiar.
The intuitive reliance on drag-and-drop is also praised, as is the effective use of unambiguous metaphors like Exposé and Cover Flow. These handy tools add a welcome touch of eye candy while also lending to the overall intuitiveness and ease of use at which OS X is just so damn good.
Praise also goes out to the OS X’s informative error reporting, superior user input feedback (no need to constantly click “Apply” or “OK” buttons every time you change a preference), and its adherence to Fitts’s Law (like how all app menu bars are at the top of the screen instead of at the top of their respective windows).
The final usability high for Mac OS? Even the kernal panic looks nice! A kernal panic is never fun, but while Windows users are greeted with the fugly and intimidating blue screen of death, at least we get a semi-elegant, Mac-like response.
Feels good reading about Macs being so awesome doesn't it!
That's supposed to be "kernel", not "kernal"
I like the use of the Kernel panic in the picture. OS X is so stable!
2.5 years after purchasing my first Mac and I have never seen a kernel panic. I can BSOD Windows XP once a month.
With all due respect to the infamous Blue Screen Of Death, at least it provides the user with information about what caused the event. The Mac kernel panic tells the user absolutely nothing and you need to make a trip to the Console after the restart to start your problem diagnosis. The way that the Mac OS does things tends to be functional but with elegance but the kernel panic alert screen is definitely just elegance.
I do love my Macbook with OSX Leopard, but I would hardly call the UI consistent.
ENTER renames a file in Finder, yet plays a song in iTunes... making you push CMD+ENTER to rename a song.
Selecting 8 files in Finder and hitting APPLE+I brings up 8 file-info windows, yet selecting 100 files brings up a single window with total size, etc.
Not consistent, but looks good and very usable despite the occasional blunder.