Anybody running a MAC ????

[hammersley]

I'm sure fed up (almost) with PC's... . running MS..... I'm almost talked into going over to a MAC... . I know some of the issues... . BUT I'd like some expertise from some of you that may be doing this... ... .

 

[SBall]

I've switched

Yup, my last Norton Internet Security update for my Windows XP box brought my system to it's knees. I had to download an uninstall program from Norton just to remove it. My frustration with anti-virus software and anti-spyware software finally led me to look at the MAC.

My new MacBook Pro boots much faster than my XP machine did, and much faster than any Windows Vista box ever could hope to. Speaking of Vista, you don't have to look far to hear about all the issues with Microsoft's new flagship Vista operating system. Microsoft wants to stop selling XP in June but there is a lot of resistance to this by the IT guys out there who want to stay with XP Pro.

Much of my work dictated that I use Windows and I finally bought the MacBook Pro knowing that I could load a version of Windows and dual-boot to run both operating systems, but I'm so pleased at this point with Leopard that I don't think I'll ever have to. I did install Microsoft Office for the Mac to have cross-platform compatibility with those that still use Word and Excel and that works great.

I'm keeping my Windows XP box for use with my requisite Microsoft applications and my CAD software, but other that that, it doesn't see much use lately.

That's my $. 02.

 

[ParsonsDRW]

I have a MAC have had one an long time and would never go back.



Just look at it like this :-laf



PC = 6. 0 POWERSTROKE

MAC = Cummins



Ben

 

[TJarecke]

MAC user here too. MacBook Pro X operating system. Windows is an option but Why?
Wouldn't go back, but the wife wants too.

 

[bnbrown]

I do IT Support... I love Mac... a lot fewer issues.
a nifty trick is if you still need windows on the new intel macs you can run windows as a virtual machine (means you are booted into OSX, but running windows in a window like a browser) so you dont have to shut down and reboot to run one app in windows. Program is called Parallels.
Mac OSX is a heck of a lot more stable, just remember to actually restart the machine atleast once a month The difference is night and day.
A suggestion if you are serious, sometimes college bookstores have better pricing on the machines and software, just check with them that you wont need a student ID

 

[fest3er]

I'm sure fed up (almost) with PC's... . running MS..... I'm almost talked into going over to a MAC... . I know some of the issues... . BUT I'd like some expertise from some of you that may be doing this... ... .

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I'll do so anyway.



What do you do with the computer? Web browsing, email, occasional document or spreadsheet? Personal finances? Image processing? Digitized music?



I've been using FOSS/Linux for 7-8 years as my primary system. Before that, I was using BeOS (defunct for some years; a bunch of people are 'recreating' it in an open-source project: haiku.org). About the *only* thing I have to use Win for is Adobe Illustrator (vector graphics); there are no other vector graphics programs mature enough for production use. Yet. OpenOffice is very capable; I formatted the first five versions of the DHRA rule book using OO.



Unless you *must* use certain Windows software or certain Mac software, you might just be better off installing FOSS/Linux:

web browsing: Firefox/Konqueror/Opera and others

email: Evolution, Kmail, Mozilla's current offerings, web-based email

office suite: OpenOffice (text, spreadsheets, presentation, et al)

personal finances: GNU Cash

image processing: GIMP

music: JuK

CAD: Qcad and others

scanner: SANE (for many scanners; it's even possible to get the front

panel buttons to work to copy, scan, print, email



Is it different? Yes. Is there a usable GUI interface (point-n-click)? Yes. Will you have to learn new ways of doing things? Yes, but it's more akin to learning to speak 'Southern' when you've lived in the Wisconsin north woods all your life (Oh ya, you betcha by golly!) Does it cost much? Only the time to learn something new. Ubuntu and Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE desktop) are free to download.



And if you *really* cannot stand to dump Windows entirely, most recent computers have hardware virtualization support built in, and they have multiple CPUs. This means you can install FOSS/Linux as your primary OS and install Windows in a virtual system; should you need to use Windows, you can fire up an instance of Windows. However, this is still an emerging technology; even I am still learning how to configure it and make it fly. And you might be surprised at how much software is supported by Wine (a windows emulator).



FOSS/Linux does have its drawbacks. The software ain't perfect. It doesn't run most computer video games. There's 'no one to call' if you have a problem (with the computer); but I'd bet you could find an answer here! The Linux kernel and the GNU&FOSS system are in a constant state of flux; they're always changing. But that's also the good part. If a program is misbehaving, there's a good chance it's been fixed already.



But FOSS/Linux also have their good points. You won't need invasive anti-virus/spyware/trojan/miscreant software stealing much of your computer's power and speed. ; a periodic scan of your hard drive will very nearly ensure that you don't pass any malware on to others.



FOSS/Linux is different, but at the same time, it's familiar. If you're using a computer just for web browsing and email, there's no reason at all not to use FOSS/Linux.



N





-- Windows Vista: when you absolutely need someone to blame.

 

[TJarecke]

I agree with going to a college for your computer. That is where I got mine at a great deal. That is where I tell people to go also.

 

[courierdog]

I Love the Mac have had a Mac since hard Drives were considered huge at 10 MB. Currently running an old MacBook Pro 1 GHz with 1 Gb of Ram running Mac 10. 5. 2.
Looking forward to moving up to the latest version.
Retired Engineer running as Hot Shot for a "Hobby" LOL

 

[bnbrown]

Old macbook pro? lol only been out two years... might mean a powerbook aluminum? I have a 4+ year old Powerbook 17", running tiger (well), I will say swapping hard drives on the mac laptops is not for the novice, but their support is quite good. In my opinion the apple hardware holds its value many times longer than any PC... I also have a Dell laptop that is half as old as the Powerbook and runs half as fast.
I also run Redhat Linux on the PC... one problem I have run into with Linux is wireless adapter drivers... everything works great except I cant use the wireless (bummer on a laptop) but I would not recommend Linux to a casual PC user as of yet...
The mac is great for supporting most things also... just plug in the digital camera, DV Cam... you name it. I have only run into a limited number of things that just dont work on the mac (old printers, or a select number of color laser printers)

 

[EArp]

Once you go "MAC" you never go back!!

I've been a PC guy my whole life. Bought a MAC about a year ago and will never own a PC again. No more defragging the hard drive, having to worry about having the latest version of Norton to avoid viruses, taking forever to boot up, or random lock-ups or crashes like I had with the PC. The mac just works, to put it simply. Not to mention, you can run windows too (not that you would want to, but i'm a realtor and have to have internet explorer for my work). I know it's been said that mac's can get viruses or spyware, but i've never had an issue with mine for the last year. I think it's only an issue if you have the windows installed and use internet explorer to surf the web. Plus I-Photo is really cool. Finally, on a cosmetic note, they look really cool.

 

[TJarecke]

The only problem I have had changing from pc is the printer compatability. I have 2 dell printers from previous dell purchases and they don't seem to work together. No big deal

 

[HAkers]

I'm lucky or fortunate to have never bought into PC deception.
Owned macs since 1990. Can't understand why most people tolerate unnecessary frustration.
One possible problem... I hear Smarty requires PC software!? ouch!
______________________________
hakers. 2004 QC HO
grape imac, G4 imac, Macbook pro... all perfect ... never a problem

 

[bnbrown]

I still have PCs for two reasons, they are cheap and I need to keep up on how to fix the latest windows oops (Vista).

Of course there are several options available depending on the budget...

Mac Mini, runs anything a PC can run only faster and cheaper... think they start at $500 but you have to supply your own USB keyboard, mouse & display.

Imac (my next will be a 24" Imac), does everything a PC can do, only a lot faster this would be the model that is a display and computer in one, comes with keyboard and mouse. start around $900

Macbook, laptop, great machine a little easier on the wallet than the macbook pro, but isn't as strong.

Macbook Pro, oh yeah... . make a dent in the wallet but you would never regret it, you will just :-laf

and there are a few others, but not really for the average user...



I would have to agree upgrading from PC to Mac is kinda like going from driving an old ford 6. 9L to a Cummins... you just wonder how you ever got by

 

[ronnyM]

You can go to the apple.com site and check prices on reconditioned units.

 

[Lurch]

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I'll do so anyway.



What do you do with the computer? Web browsing, email, occasional document or spreadsheet? Personal finances? Image processing? Digitized music?



I've been using FOSS/Linux for 7-8 years as my primary system. Before that, I was using BeOS (defunct for some years; a bunch of people are 'recreating' it in an open-source project: haiku.org). About the *only* thing I have to use Win for is Adobe Illustrator (vector graphics); there are no other vector graphics programs mature enough for production use. Yet. OpenOffice is very capable; I formatted the first five versions of the DHRA rule book using OO.



Unless you *must* use certain Windows software or certain Mac software, you might just be better off installing FOSS/Linux:

web browsing: Firefox/Konqueror/Opera and others

email: Evolution, Kmail, Mozilla's current offerings, web-based email

office suite: OpenOffice (text, spreadsheets, presentation, et al)

personal finances: GNU Cash

image processing: GIMP

music: JuK

CAD: Qcad and others

scanner: SANE (for many scanners; it's even possible to get the front

panel buttons to work to copy, scan, print, email



Is it different? Yes. Is there a usable GUI interface (point-n-click)? Yes. Will you have to learn new ways of doing things? Yes, but it's more akin to learning to speak 'Southern' when you've lived in the Wisconsin north woods all your life (Oh ya, you betcha by golly!) Does it cost much? Only the time to learn something new. Ubuntu and Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE desktop) are free to download.



And if you *really* cannot stand to dump Windows entirely, most recent computers have hardware virtualization support built in, and they have multiple CPUs. This means you can install FOSS/Linux as your primary OS and install Windows in a virtual system; should you need to use Windows, you can fire up an instance of Windows. However, this is still an emerging technology; even I am still learning how to configure it and make it fly. And you might be surprised at how much software is supported by Wine (a windows emulator).



FOSS/Linux does have its drawbacks. The software ain't perfect. It doesn't run most computer video games. There's 'no one to call' if you have a problem (with the computer); but I'd bet you could find an answer here! The Linux kernel and the GNU&FOSS system are in a constant state of flux; they're always changing. But that's also the good part. If a program is misbehaving, there's a good chance it's been fixed already.



But FOSS/Linux also have their good points. You won't need invasive anti-virus/spyware/trojan/miscreant software stealing much of your computer's power and speed. ; a periodic scan of your hard drive will very nearly ensure that you don't pass any malware on to others.



FOSS/Linux is different, but at the same time, it's familiar. If you're using a computer just for web browsing and email, there's no reason at all not to use FOSS/Linux.



N





-- Windows Vista: when you absolutely need someone to blame.

GEEK!!!!!!!!!



But seriously. Most people want to work with their puter not on it. How much time do you REALLY have in your system to make it stable and add the features you want?

 

[Partyat33]

Been running Macs since 1985. I don't want to work on my computer, just use it.

 

[fkovalski]

I have been using PC's for years. My old desktop at home was so out dated that it needed replacing. I bought a Mac and regretted it. I had so many problems with it that I would get writers cramp going into it here. I returned it.



I bought a more powerful PC laptop for less money, and guess waht... . It worked correctly Right out of the box!



I needed it to run a Windows based system and this whole BS of installing Windows on a Mac is a runaround. If you need to run Windows then get a PC. Why buy a non Windows based system just to install it.



I know that I am probably the only person who went from PC to Mac and then returned to a PC. It just was not a good fit for me.

 

[bnbrown]

When was the last time you tried running windows on a mac? You can run windows in a VM now, so you dont have to partition for dual boot the VM just grows as needed and you dont have to restart to open windows... you can just give it a click like you would a browser from within OSX... and it has emulation so all the hardware works also... really pretty cool, makes windows fully boot w/in maybe 30 seconds.

 

[surfbeetle]

Beware, Long Post...



I have worked in IT for 10 years and also was Graphic Artist before that. I have used both Macs and PCs for years. Currently, I use a Mac Book Pro laptop with a 200gb hard drive. I use this much space to run both mac os x and windows XP. I use VMWare's Fusion Software to run windows as well as ubuntu (linux). I previously use Parallels to run windows XP in virtual mode, but we got better support and performance from VMWare than Parallels.



If you are going to switch completely from PC to Mac, then none of the above matters to you. The problem is that often times, users have software that they have paid for and don't wish to re-buy it or it may not be available on Mac. Given the recent popularity of Mac in recent times, the list of software not available for it is shrinking.



As mentioned in previous posts, you have to look at the big picture, total cost of ownership. Do you have a compelling reason to switch over or are you contemplating the switch because it appears that the grass is greener on the other side? Mac have their share of issues as well, maybe not as many as the PCs, but they are out there. Where I work, I support 4000+ Macs and 5000+ PCs. We have had some users who don't have a clue and have been higher maintenance on both platforms because they just don't get it.



Before you rush out and buy a new computer, add up the costs of a new Mac, all of the needed software that you will need to do what you want. Then do the same for he PC. Then decide if the cost savings is enough to kill the idea of buying the mac. Chances are you list of software will be shorter on the PC as you already have some. Also try to keep in mind the repair costs you may have had on the PC for viruses, spyware etc (Macs don't typically incur these types of costs).



If you want to do video editing and audio editing, the mac makes it very easy to do that. They can also be done on a PC, but lately, its been easier for me on the Mac.



good luck!