Should I buy a MAC...???

[Ira]

I can't believe this thread became alive again.

Yep--Apple's done done it again. Intel's duo chip wil now run Windows using the beta Boot Camp. When the next OS is released, around January, it'll be "native" to the system.

If you look at the big picture, I don't know what it means. As a long-time Mac user, while it would be nice to have Windows, I really don't need it. For my kids and their gaming…because we have so much invested in Mac versions already but there's so much more for Windows…that's a different story.

However, if the idea is to open up Apple sales to PC users, I don't see how it's going to make that big an impact. Not only don't Windows users really care about Mac, but Apple machine prices are ridiculously high. Why pay $1500 for an Apple laptop when you can get a Dell for $600?

BUT...

Apple is INCREDIBLY creative, and I'm sure they have some tricks up their sleeve that are gonna make a big splash,

[Finntec]

OK.
I have been working with computers since 1984. Both Macs and PCs, and others. I have been a Technology Education teacher since 1993 and use both major platforms. The only reason we use PCs in my Department are for our CAD programs. With the new Bootcamp and the Intel chips, the only real reason for getting a PC is cost. Everything else has been negated with the release of Bootcamp and the new OS. (We tried Bootcamp this week.) We have thousands of Mac desktops in our district for years. We have very little trouble with them. We also have thousands of Mac iBooks in our district and have very little trouble with them. (A few had bad video cards.) The PCs, towers and IBM laptops allways have some type of trouble. (Viruses, blue screen of death, etc.) I have three Macs at home, one Mac ibook, and two PC's. This fall I am replacing all my other home computers (except the ibook) with a new Intell Mac. With iLife, Word, Excell on a Mac platform, theres not much left to ask for the average user. Its like this: A Ford Mustang is a cool car, but if we could, we would be driving something much more exotic____________ fill in the blank(Mac). I always tell people to do the research and choose what will work for them.

[Ira]

Ray (or is it Debby?), I LOVE talking Macs!

One of the reasons we've both always found Macs more "dependable" is because before System X, all of our system elements were always so transparent. In other words, we could find the offending culprit files and fix the problems. This wasn't the case for the "average" user, but I've always contended that before OS X, the Mac user was more "into" his machine and knew more about doing software repairs if there was a problem.

Apple was set up to allow you that. Windows was this big invisible monster.

However, now with OSX, the Mac is SUPER stable--but has become more invisible, like Windows, with all of its invisible files.

But I do agree with you on just about everything when all is really said and done. You GOTTA love this company, and the products.

[Finntec]

"I haven't made one mistake building my TD that Photoshop couldn't fix."
I love the quote. Why didn't I think of that sooner. Photoshop my mistakes. -Ray

[mikeschn]

If the Mac truely becomes dual booting, then they'll kill Microsoft's Virtual PC. But that's okay, they'll still have to buy a Windows license...

My biggest problem is the length of time it takes to shutdown the Mac side and boot to the Wintel side.

And it makes cutting and pasting between platforms difficult to say the least.

Also, all those Mac programs you have on your shelf... they won't run on an Intel Mac. So plan on spending big bucks to re-buy Photoshop, and all those other Mac programs you use...

Mike...

[angib]

And if it's all sweetness-and-light between the Mac and the PC, answer me this: which is better, Ford or Chevy?

Andrew

[bennelson]

I should never have gotten rid of that old Amiga computer.

Sure, you had to have a valid video signal running into the genlock to make it book, but if you know what I am talking about, you probably had a Video Toaster...

[Ira]

If the Mac truely becomes dual booting, then they'll kill Microsoft's Virtual PC. But that's okay, they'll still have to buy a Windows license...

My biggest problem is the length of time it takes to shutdown the Mac side and boot to the Wintel side.

And it makes cutting and pasting between platforms difficult to say the least.

Also, all those Mac programs you have on your shelf... they won't run on an Intel Mac. So plan on spending big bucks to re-buy Photoshop, and all those other Mac programs you use...

Mike...

Virtual PC sucks anyway. But I didn't know that the programs won't run on an Intel Mac. Are you SURE about that?

And how do you know about the boot-up thing? Do you have an Intel duo already?

[Nitetimes]

Virtual PC sucks anyway. But I didn't know that the programs won't run on an Intel Mac. Are you SURE about that?

And how do you know about the boot-up thing? Do you have an Intel duo already?

I just read a report that said the same thing yesterday. I was real impressed with all the stuff it can't do. Sounded to me like it isn't all that impressive. Now your stuck with a MAC that will do less than it did before.

[BufordT]

Apple is including Boot Camp in there new operating system in August.

Almost all the programs being written now for the Mac are Universal Binary. They will run on either system. Apple's old Microprocessors or the new intel Micro processor. Won't matter.

As for as programs to run on the Apple software. I've found tons of Free software for the mac and more each day. Matter of fact. I don't have it but one of the very best software packages out there for cad is written on the mac.

Bufordt

[Ira]

Apple is including Boot Camp in there new operating system in August.

Almost all the programs being written now for the Mac are Universal Binary. They will run on either system. Apple's old Microprocessors or the new intel Micro processor. Won't matter.

As for as programs to run on the Apple software. I've found tons of Free software for the mac and more each day. Matter of fact. I don't have it but one of the very best software packages out there for cad is written on the mac.

Bufordt

From what I understand, the new OS won't be out until January. And that Boot Camp is just the temporary beta prior to that.

I'm not sure about any of this, but I do know that this will bring the prices of the non-Intel units down real soon, which is a GOOD thing.

[BufordT]

Get answers to any questions here. http://www.123macmini.com/

Bufordt

P. S. You may be right about the next version of the operating system. Won't want to give Bill Gates any ideas.

[ssrjim]

OK.
I have been working with computers since 1984. Both Macs and PCs, and others. I have been a Technology Education teacher since 1993 and use both major platforms. The only reason we use PCs in my Department are for our CAD programs. With the new Bootcamp and the Intel chips, the only real reason for getting a PC is cost. Everything else has been negated with the release of Bootcamp and the new OS. (We tried Bootcamp this week.) We have thousands of Mac desktops in our district for years. We have very little trouble with them. We also have thousands of Mac iBooks in our district and have very little trouble with them. (A few had bad video cards.) The PCs, towers and IBM laptops allways have some type of trouble. (Viruses, blue screen of death, etc.) I have three Macs at home, one Mac ibook, and two PC's. This fall I am replacing all my other home computers (except the ibook) with a new Intell Mac. With iLife, Word, Excell on a Mac platform, theres not much left to ask for the average user. Its like this: A Ford Mustang is a cool car, but if we could, we would be driving something much more exotic____________ fill in the blank(Mac). I always tell people to do the research and choose what will work for them.

Technology Teacher, me too.