Thoof Blog » Blog Archive » Is there any truth to Mac versus Windows stereotypes?

Is there any truth to Mac versus Windows stereotypes?

September 17th, 2007 Thooftoids

We’ve all seen Apple’s “Mac versus PC” ads, but have you ever wondered how much truth there is to these stereotypes?

At the heart of Thoof is a sophisticated technology which looks for patterns in user behavior. This is how we are able to tailor the stories you see right from the very first moment you visit thoof.com.

So, we decided to ask Thoof about the real differences are between Mac and Windows users, the results are rather surprising to say the least!

It seems that Windows users are 20% more interested in stories about religion than Mac users. Could it be that the occasional brush with a “blue screen of death” gives the Windows user a greater sense of their own mortality?

Windows users are 39% more likely to read a story about personal savings than their Mac using friends

Mac users are 6% more interested in intellectual property law, and 5% more interested in fitness

Mac users are 20% more interested in stories about Biology

Windows users are 11% less likely to be Pittsburgh Steelers fans

Mac users are 6% less likely to read a story involving New York

So what are your theories as to the reasons behind these patterns in user behavior? We look forward to reading your comments.

30 Responses to “Is there any truth to Mac versus Windows stereotypes?

September 18th, 2007 at 9:50 am

Shawn Coons

I am a Presbyterian Minister, Steelers Fan, actively avoid stories about New York, and am very interested in IP law.

I use Windows. Historically, because I’m a gamer and gaming on the Mac was second class for so many years. In the past year I’ve bought a new laptop and desktop, and both times I would have preferred to buy an Intel Mac, but they are just too damn expensive!

The statistic (which may be small enough to be statistically insignificant) is that Mac users are more interested in IP law. Apple seems to be the need Microsoft in locking down the IPod, ITunes and the IPhone, and generally using their market dominance in those areas to act rather monopolistic.

September 18th, 2007 at 11:01 am

Brother Young

*Go Stillers!

*mac user

September 18th, 2007 at 11:20 am

相比 Mac 用户而言，Windows 用户要多出 20%的上帝信徒 - 小波波

[…] 链接 [ permalink & via ] No Comments» […]

September 18th, 2007 at 11:24 am

A indows User

Go read Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slapstick.”

(P. S. I’m an atheist, oops.)

September 18th, 2007 at 11:33 am

mercdragon

Thoof as with all poll takers oversimplified the poll. I use Windows, Mac, Linux. I am interested in getting the job done. IP is a widely abused term in certain circles. Once the product is purchased, broadcast, or openly circulated in print, the IP is in the public domain, with minor restrictions.

Religion? I have my faith, interest in others was satisfied long ago, before PC’s and the Internet existed.

New York? That suburb of the Bronx?

Fitness? riiiight.

Steelers, professional sports, a waste of time. Why would I wish to spend my money giving some one a multi million dollar salary to play a game?

Biology? Sure, she needs to be …

Take care and be safe
pfb

September 18th, 2007 at 11:40 am

anna

Mac users are way more often left handed. Living in a house of 6 Mac users, we had once ONE right handed person among us (now 2 out of 6, still compare to average population).

September 18th, 2007 at 11:47 am

Jared Townsend

As a Biochemist, semi-religious, fitness-maniacal, PC user, I don’t really fit into these statistics. However, I agree wholeheartedly that these types of behaviors can be differentiated statistically by use of PC or Mac. The reason? One simple word, “politics”. The battle between PC and Mac, at least so far as the consumer is concerned, is less product quality, and more a political statement. The “enlightened” Apple users want to differentiate themselves from the greedy capitalist super-producer known as Microsoft while the PC users feel they have no choice but to resist indoctrination from the left…so they stick with and swear by PC. The ironic part is Apple represents a company that has emerged as one of the most capitalist, money hungry companies out there what with the advent of the iPod and iPhone. This is something “capitalists” on the right should admire and “progressives” on the left should detest. Working in a lab where I am in charge for the maintenance of both Apple’s and PC’s I can honestly say in my experience both systems have their caveats and downfalls depending on what you are trying to do with them. If you truly do like Apple over PC or visa versa you should be able to define it by what you are using the OS for. If you can’t do that, it’s probably just politics.

September 18th, 2007 at 11:50 am

ian

anna, good idea! One of the questions Thoof will now ask is whether you are left-handed or right-handed. It will be interesting to see the correlation between this and users interests…

September 18th, 2007 at 11:54 am

blacksundae » Blog Archive » I’ll bet John Hodgman feels the same way.

[…] Apparently Windows users are 20% more interested in religion, whereas Mac users are 6% more interested in intellectual property law. Huh. I hate feeling typical. [via Boing Boing] […]

September 18th, 2007 at 12:42 pm

Danny Ronen

Can’t we all just get along? I primarily use a PC, but also have 2 Macs, plus write in UNIX. Then again, I’m a Jew who loves shellfish and Greek mythology, so there’s probably some amount of confusion up in here.

Danny Ronen
Productive Procrastination

September 18th, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Lame

Being someone who doesnt care what religion you are, nor fitness level, or biology interest ask that people that read stats not immediately point to themselves and say “well that contradicts me!” It’s not about you, it’s about percentages.