Die-hard IT misconceptions

I've been listening to misconceptions throughout the course of my IT career, and I'm sick and tired of having to read this stuff all over the place in forums and (supposed) expert websites:

1. Windows is for computer experts who know how to tweak their settings, Macs are for basic user: A bunch of hot air. Windows simply doesn't work (or doesn't work the way we want) and the "tweaking" is often due to mere troubleshooting. I've supported Windows computers for 12 years and going through all this "tweaking" didn't make me happy at all. Windows users think Mac users aren't advanced because they don't have to do any of that. Untrue. OS X can experience problems, too (though less commonly than Windows). Moreover, for you to solve very complicated situations, you need to use Terminal. If you're not an expert, UNIX shell commands can ruin your system beyond recovery because, unlike Windows, you're supposed to know what you're doing. In UNIX/Linux systems you won't normally get any alerts when running a command (don't be chatty principle). Therefore, the truth is just the opposite of the common misconception. The latest Windows versions have made progress as to reliability, but they raise big privacy issues (with specific regard to Windows 10, see my post Windows 10 A free update paid for by your data).
2. Linux isn't user-friendly and is only for programmers: Untrue.  Mainstream distros such Ubuntu, Mint, or Fedora, have a user-friendly GUI and, by using it, you can do most things you could accomplish with Windows, in a very similar way. Linux can be more intimidating if you want to install it manually, or you need to customize your distro by switching graphic environments, adding drivers, etc., but this is not (or shouldn't be) for novice users. Switching to Linux may also present some disadvantages. Hardware support can be a problem, especially for legacy peripherals, because not all manufacturers develop for Linux, not getting any revenue from it. Linux community has often been able to develop open-source drivers, but not for any devices. However, the argument itself is a lie and the blame for this should go to manufacturers, more than to the operating system per se. Some distros (e.g. Zorin) may also have an XP feeling. There are distros for any purposes (science, education, video games, forensics, hacking, etc.), so this conception is very outdated. By the way, you might be using Linux without knowing it. Linux can be found in Android (the most common mobile OS) and in the management software of numerous appliances (dish washers, washing machines, ovens, microwaves, etc.).
   
3. Macs are too expensive and are only for rich people or graphic designers: You can get a Mac Mini starting at $499, or a refurbished Mac for yet less. Yes, you can find cheaper computers around, but how long are they gonna last?
   With Windows, due to the increasing hardware requirements, you need to switch computers every 2-3 years, which adds up to the same amount of money you'd pay once for a Mac.
   For example, if you have an older computer (2008-2010 and earlier) and you'd like to upgrade it to Windows 10, even though you technically could (i.e. it has at least Windows 7, the processor is supported, etc.), it would mostly perform poorly, unless it features top-notch hardware. If this isn't the case, you'd likely have to upgrade RAM, storage, or maybe buy a new computer. I upgraded my Mac four times so far (I will again when El Capitan gets officially released). I had a big performance improvement after each upgrade and, starting from 2013, I didn't have to pay a dime for it.
   When people talk about costs, they only consider short-term costs, which leads to wrong conclusions. If you add things up, you pay the same, or even more for a Windows computer, in the long run. If you buy three $250 laptops in three-five years, this makes approximately for the same amount you'd pay once for a Mac, not considering the pain of having to move files between different computers. 

Wrap-up 

Misconceptions can be found in any human activity, but they're dangerous in IT, especially when shared by professionals. It would be about time for people to start analyzing facts, instead of igniting religious-like debates that don't belong in IT.