Should I buy a MAC...???

[Larwyn]

It's time for a new laptop computer.

I've been using Windows for years but am considering changing over to a Power Book.

Just wondering if any of you MAC users could clue me in on what I may be giving up or gaining by making the switch. I've never used a mac before so any comments are welcome.

[TonyCooper]

MACs are great machines...

But... before you purchase please consider...

Buying a Thinkpad laptop from Lenovo! I can get you a pretty good price through the family and friends sales program.

And **Yes** I work for Lenovo Intl so I do have a vested interest in selling the product!

If anyone else is interested, let me know and we can talk offline about details.

Here is an example:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ThinkPad T42 Express with Integrated Fingerprint Reader
Model# 2379RFU
ThinkPad T43 Express
Magnesium embedded case (very rigid)
ThinkVantage Active Protection System (The Thinkpad senses it is being moved / dropped and power downs and locks the HD to prevent damage/data loss)

Sensational price
$1,124.25 Your price*
$1,499.00 Web price


Highlights
* Intel Pentium M processor 745 (1.80GHz)
* Microsoft Windows XP Professional
* ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless
* 14.1" XGA TFT display; 32MB ATI™ Mobility® RADEON 9000 graphics
* 512MB DDR SDRAM; 60GB hard drive
* Ultrabay™ Slim CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
* 3 year system/1 year battery limited warranty8
* 4.9 lbs / 1.2" thick
* 5.1 hours battery life - up to 9.5 hours with optional battery

Free standard shipping

[mikeschn]

What about that Thinkpad that you can buy for $699? According to an articl I read on cNet...

You should be able to get the ThinkPad Z60t widescreen or a ThinkPad T43 with biometric fingerprint reader starting Sunday. The laptops will retail starting at $699-- a 50 percent price drop from their usual $1399 price tag online.

Larywn,

Are you a power user or a casual user. Do you use any specialized software?

A MAC is a nice machine, and my wife is a service manager for a Mac store. I've had a chance to play with them many times, and I like them... However, I use CAD software that is not available for the Mac, so I am stuck in windows.

You, on the other hand, might be happy with a Mac. You could load up Microsoft Office, Entourage, Internet Explorer & Photoshop and never even realize that you are on a Mac.

But without knowing more about how you use your computer, I would say, get a hands on demo first.

Mike...

[BufordT]

It's time for a new laptop computer.

I've been using Windows for years but am considering changing over to a Power Book.

Just wondering if any of you MAC users could clue me in on what I may be giving up or gaining by making the switch. I've never used a mac before so any comments are welcome.

Back in January I bought the min-mac for 599.00 I use it right now with my old monitor so I didn't have to buy a new monitor. I've switched and I would never go back. I like the mac software. Took a little getting used to and I still have not figured it all out.

There are some things that you can't run on the mac software that we get on e-mail like power point extensions and some others but for the most part the mac software is great.

It will take a little getting used to but I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting or needing a new computer.

There are cad programs out there that run on the mac but I don't do cad so I don't need them.

Everything else comes pretty much standard on the mac. Safari web browser is one of the best when you get used to it.

What ever you do forget all you have ever learned about windows as it don't relate to a mac.

Bufordt

[asianflava]

I've been weaned on Microshaft software so I'm knida partial to it, I can navigate fairly easily. When I used Macs at work it used to drive me nuts. It was mainly because I didn't use them often enough to get used to them (we only had a few). A friend who has similar experiences as I bought an iBook for homework, he sold it a year later and bought a Dell Laptop.

At one time there was a plan at work to replace all our Dell boxes with Macs. I guess they thought it would be a good gesture since we make the Apple processors. It met resistance from all levels and didn't happen. It's a good thing we didn't, we eventually lost the Apple contract and started concentrating on automotive chips.

As far as a reccomendation, I tend to stay with the familiar. I've tried Macs and didn't find them any more intuitive than any other PC (except for Windows 3.1).

[Jiminsav]

Just get Vector Linux SoHo edition for free on-line and put it on a older Intel machine and you'll be like you was using a mac, mac

[GeorgeTelford]

Strange that people say that about the software, all the great MS programs were Mac first. Pretty much everything MS ever did is licenced or ripped off from Macs. Cad, Design, Word, Excel All office suite is on the MAC (back I should say as they all started there!) MS never tried porting their database program to mac mainly because the MAC database program is unbeatable

I have both Mac and PC, I only stuck with PC for a payroll Program, pretty much everything else is better version for MAC.

Until XP came along I would only use PC for Payroll program, everything else I did on my Mac.

I used PC right from the beginning and only switched to mac in 99

Macs in general are far easier to use, my sister used to be ringing us up constantly with PC problems,evenetually I persuaded her to try a MAC, from having at least once a week calls to help with computing I have not had 1 computing related call in last 4 years, nuff said.

My daughter used an old Mac from age three no problems, my elder 2 lads had win PC, constant probs with win PC, daughter only ever called me in to show her drawing, Numbers, words etc.

Mac as always been the way computers should be, XP makes windows far better to use than it used to be.

Asian, its no use saying its not intuitive when comparing adults, who have got used to windows, place kids on computers and they pick up mac without thinking, windows still as to be explained. Having said that I changed after 15 years of wintel.

Have you seen the reports from US schools they changed from Mac to PC cos its "cheaper" but then found they need to spend a fortune on service were one guy did the whole schoolm now there's 3 people (ie the cheap wintel as cost them dear)

Hope the aboves not to rambling I have had a log day and its 1 in morning.

[toypusher]

George,

That's called Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)! Have figure the costs for the long term and not just the upfront cost!

[Boodro]

I work for a school district in the Computer Dept. We swithced from Macs to PC's for several reasons. I work on PC's & Mac's .
1- 95 % of the working world is PC,kids need to learn whats out there.

2 - The cost of Mac's verses PC is a no brainer. Macs are very over priced.

3- Apple has always tended to change OS's & hardware & leave the legacy machines on there own. No support.

4 - Maint. on Mac's were just as bad if not worse than PC's Hardware broke on Macs too.

5- Granted Mac's are not as prone to virus attacks, but why would a person write a virus for something with so little chance of spreading, no fun there!

6- A lot of software out in the wrold is not for Mac's ,again a lot of developers don't waste thier time writing software for such a small market.

7- Mac's are easy to learn , but are not very adaptable or versatile, hardware wise. Not easy to upgrade .

8- Apple seems to think that if it's CUTE it is good, not always so!!

OF course this is just my humble opinion as we all have one EH!

Know what MAC stands for -- -- - My Apple Crashed


Know what IBM stands for ? _----- I Buy Macs!

Know what Macintosh stands for ???


Most Applications Crash , If Not The Operating Sytem Hangs !


Ya'll keep cool

[Arne]

I've only used a mac once in a photoshop class.... I assume they are okay, but I was not used to them..

What keeps me from even thinking about them is I have several old financial programs I have to run in DOS.... all my experience has been on generic pc's so really don't much of a choice.......

Seems like if you want to run most available software, it has to be a pc....

I guess I look at mac's like I look at AOL. Lots of neat little bells and whistles, but for everyday use in the real world (not schools), pc's seem to be the computers of choice.

[dacrazyrn]

I have been using Apple/Macs since 1982 (the IIE-my first machine) and have never EVER considered a PC (by teh way that stands for Pieca Crap)
I am not going to get into the mine is better than yours thing...that has been done over and over and over
Depending on what and how you use the puter is the way to look at it. If you want cheap (parts and all) definitely a PC. I have always liked quality and not quantity. I have a Macintosh SE that still runs (late 80's-early 90's) and never been serviced. It still works, albiet that it only has like 2-4MB of RAM, sooo.... I have never had to service any of my machines.
I am running a G5 now (use Photoshop for photography) for over a year and a half and it has NEVER crashed or frozen up. Certain programs have, but not the OS.
There are LOTS of programs out there for the Mac that are just as good, and in alot of cases, better, than what is on PC. Look at VersionTracker I will not allow MS products on my computer. Not even IE (hate that browser). But, that is me.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Boodro

Virtually every program out there is available for MAC, Word, Excel, powerpoint, Explorer, Messenger, Outlook. Virtually any program you can name is available (and generally works and rund better on the MAC)

The macs are not overpriced, they cost more than basic pc because they are made better, thats like saying a nissan micra is better than a Ferrari, you always pay for quality.


Leaving software behind, now this is outright rubbish, I had a really old MAC and the programs right from earliest OS right through to now still run on new macs, Windows is definately the one that Orphans software not the MAC,I got really fed up of having to re buy the basics because the windows OS had changed, XP as been the worst in this respect.

Maintenance, again experience as shown that they are far far more reliable than wintel, in the sister example above my two brothers and I were forever having to upgrade (most due to failure) and reinstall op sys. My sister is still running my first new mac a 1999 iMac it as had to be opened up once due to the heatsink needing to be reattached.

The really old Mac I was given which had been a business machine from the early 90's is still in use, the only thing that as gone wrong with it is that the CD packed up, easily replaceable but we never bothered. All the PC's I have had from that era are so much junk by now.

Virus's interesting, last time I checked there were over 50,000 virii for Wintel and around 50 for Mac. Its the way that the mac works that makes it difficult to write destructive virii. But regardless of the reasons MAC's are safer.

On upgrade's it really depends on which mac you buy, The power Mac's can have all the usual cards upgraded, I have never known it be an issue. I know that coming from Wintel that will sound strange, but its true, I worried about it but like I say its never been an issue not even once.

On the cute thing, Yes Mac's Look good, I cant see why you have added that to your list of reasons.

By the way my Brother was a PC engineer and he said he was glad Macs were not the Market leader because many people would have been out of work.

The biggest thing that I found when I changed was, switch it on, do whatever you needed to do, then switch it off. None of the Virus problems, no software glitches, no having to set the printer for each program, almost every single thing is plug and play on the MAC

My Uncle still uses Wintel, he had a whole new system with a camera, I dont think they ever got the camera situation fully resolved, I went over with my Mac laptop he was struggling to get the pictures onto the PC. I asked him to let me try on the Mac, He said he had not got time to set it all up and then when he checked he said he had no software for the MAC? anyway plugged camera in, iPhoto opens up, shows the make and model of camera, uploaded the photo's then burned them to a cd.

[Boodro]

Georgetelfod

I was stating my opinion from many years of expierence(20 yrs.) working with several thousand units I work on , pc & mac( my district has over 4000 computers plus several hundred printer,scanners,camera's , in 14 buildings with a fully managed network) ,not just a few here & there. Obviuosly when you deal with a large volume of anything you get to see a broader picture of failures . Same as you dealing with your personal car issues verses & fleet of cars that say a car leasing company would have to deal with .

I am consantly asked what is the best computer to buy , & my answer is always " What ever fits your needs & budget . Then go find a reputable dealer to buy from & look at the repair & support you will get from them. " regardless if its a PC or Mac. I won't even try & discuss which is "made" better, again it's whatever you want, need , & can afford .
Its all personal choice , like a car is.
So with that said

Ya'lll be cool

[Larwyn]

Thanks for all the opinions folks. I'm surprised not to hear more positive comments from the MAC fans out there.

This is just to be a personal computer for when I am working out of town. The desktop running XP and AutoCad will still be at home when I get there...... Just need somthing to keep up with what you guys are saying when I am out of town and actually have time to sit and catch up on the posts. As it's chief purpose will be surffing the internet, I was not sure that a MAC might not be a better choice.

Still undecided but have plenty of time yet.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Boodro

You stated 8 points as though they were facts, the reality is that your "anti" points are all untrue

1. Lack of Programs, not true for any major pce of software there is a mac Equivilent, All of the biggies are there and exactly the same Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Explorer etc (well actually they run better on the mac)

2. Mac Price, I have bought several of each in every case the Mac is more expensive on initial purchase and in every case the PC is more expensive long term, this is bourne out by every college in America that as changed from Mac to PC in the end they have seen the long term costs spiral way over that initial extra cost to buy quality (and thats on every write up I have ever seen), I have seen several of these reports and they always show the wintel is way more expensive long term.

3. Wintel is far far worse for leaving hardware and programs behind, I have very early programs that still run on latest machines no problem, and the OS's definately wortk further back than any wintel machine.

4. Wintel is always going to be a bigger prob for maintenance, with a MAC its all put togethor in house so they know allcomponents will work well togethor and we all know that wintel are forever having compatability issues, with parts coming from far and wide its no wonder.

5. This is the only fact you have right Macs are less llikely to be attacked as they have superoir security and a less susceptable OS

6. is pretty much same as point one and still wrong, there is more than emnough software out there

7. Easy to learn is actually apoint in their favour, Really the upgrade ything is not a problem with powermac and even with iMacs is a problem of perception not really an issue.

8. Saying they are better looking again not a problem really.

The above is my opinion, but its backed by facts too.

There is only one program and its an highley specialised Payroll program and that is the only reason I still have a wintel machine.

If there are any points you disagree on, shall we produce evidence?