02-11-2010, 12:15 PM

hI THERE. I am getting a macbook tomorrow and ive used pcs all my life. this is a new thing for me? is a mac really as good as people claim? is it virus free? where do i start to learn about mac os 10. What should i know about? What are good sites for mac users?

02-11-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by slingingshot15

is a mac really as good as people claim?

Not intending to sound rude, but shouldn't of you made this decision for yourself before buying a mac?

That's also to say, whether macs are good depends on your point of view, you personally may not enjoy using a mac and therefore brand them as useless,

my point of view is that they are simple and they do what they are designed to do, when i first switched over a little under a year ago, i found it hard, i had experience with mac os x, but i had never used it as a personal computer before, so i tried finding IM programs, Music mixing programs, Games, Video players, rar makers, browsers, paint programs, torrent programs, all of these i had to search for mac alternatives, test them, see if they were to my liking, stick with them or move on, eventually i found there was close to nothing that a mac can't do compared to a windows machine, and i became comfortable on my mac,

the most rewarding part is, it's never crashed, it's never froze, and i haven't re installed the OS due to a fault yet (i did reinstall after upgrading a hdd)

buying a mac, on the computer side of things was the best things i have done, and knowing that i have a 3 year applecare means my investment is insured for the most of it's life


only time i run windows on bootcamp, is so i can play games against my friends, and not because mac osx can't, but because they still use windows pcs,


some good sites are of course this one, and all i can say is go searching find what suits you,

good luck with the switch if you persevere and get used to the mac you'll never look back

02-11-2010, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by ~TheProxy~

Not intending to sound rude, but shouldn't of you made this decision for yourself before buying a mac?

This was my first thought when I read the Op's posting as well...but then I thought they may not yet have purchased their new MacBook.

Maybe the OP saying, "I'm getting a MacBook tomorrow."...they may be going to their nearest Apple Store tomorrow to purchase it.

Of course if the OP is expecting delivery of this MacBook tomorrow that they may have ordered via the internet...then I would definitely agree...the OP should have asked a couple of these questions earlier!

So a bit of confusion with the OP's wording.

- Nick

02-11-2010, 02:30 PM

Apple.com is a great source for switchers. They have a support page with lots of info, including "Switcher 101" tutorials and comparison charts to help you choose which Mac is for you. I'd say it's the best place to start. Then when you have more technical, hands-on questions, forums such as this one will help you even further.
Please post back with any questions or issues in the Switcher Forum and you will receive all the support and help you need.

02-11-2010, 03:33 PM

ok let me clarify that opening...lol. I bought the mac today from a teacher in my work and i will be getting it tomorrow. The truth is I always wanted a mac but price was always and issue cause a mac is very expensive in my country of trinidad and tobago. This teacher bought it recently for 999 and he is willing to sell it to me for 990 cause he does not understand how to use it...

I will still be using my primary pc which is an acer laptop to do most of my stuff while i begin to learn to use the macbook

I just really wanted to hear your opinion of a mac to find out what you guys thought about it even though I bought it already...

Thanks for the feedback

02-11-2010, 03:39 PM

I've had my Macbook Pro for about a month and prior to the transition to Mac, I've used a PC my entire life. The experience has been everything I expected AND MORE. Sure, it takes time to adjust to the keyboard shortcuts and overall interface, but it'll be well worth it in the end.

02-11-2010, 03:46 PM

one other question i would liketo know is concerning gaming. My cousin have fifa 10 for pc....that will not work on a mac? or will i need to use bootcamp and install windows 7 so i can run both things? Do pc games work on a mac? My acer laptop that I have has a poor graphics card so I was just wondering if a mac has better graphics and can handle gaming....this is not a big deal for me though....im just trying to find out all i can about the mac

02-11-2010, 03:49 PM

Up until seven months ago I was a pc user. It was on a whim that I bought my Macbook pro with little research and no prior experience. I did not go through buyers remorse. I have no regrets whatsoever.

02-11-2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by slingingshot15

one other question i would liketo know is concerning gaming. My cousin have fifa 10 for pc....that will not work on a mac? or will i need to use bootcamp and install windows 7 so i can run both things? Do pc games work on a mac? My acer laptop that I have has a poor graphics card so I was just wondering if a mac has better graphics and can handle gaming....this is not a big deal for me though....im just trying to find out all i can about the mac

You need to give the configuration and model of each for an honest answer.

02-11-2010, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by osxx

You need to give the configuration and model of each for an honest answer.

ok when i get it tomorrow i will let u know the configuration and model..one last question...the teacher i am buying it from has his name on it when he set it up for the first time...will it be possible for me to remove his name and put mine instead?

02-11-2010, 07:32 PM

Make sure you get the install disc from him, and yes, you will be able to set it up.
I also recommend an external HD for backups, esp while you are going to be tinkering around trying to learn your way around it.

02-11-2010, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by 6string

Make sure you get the install disc from him, and yes, you will be able to set it up.
I also recommend an external HD for backups, esp while you are going to be tinkering around trying to learn your way around it.

hey how do i go about changing his name and putting my name instead?

02-11-2010, 07:57 PM

Make sure you get the install disc/discs, admin name and password too!

User name (home folder name)
Mac OS X: How to change user short name or home directory name

What you will want to do is create a new admin user ccount by logging into the old one, and once done, logging out and into yours, and deleting the old one.

What I would be doing though is booting from the install disc/discs (holding the C key down when you hear the startup chime) and erasing the HD, and doing a clean install, setting up the new mac with your details as admin and following through the install process.
This will give you a fresh new system, and the joy of customizing everything the way one does when it comes out of the box.

02-11-2010, 08:46 PM

i think i will do a s u say 6 string and use the install discs and do a clean install.....that is easy to do right?

02-11-2010, 08:58 PM

It pretty much does it for you.
When you boot and choose the language, you will then have a menu bar at the top with Utilities.
Go in there and select disk utility.
Click on the startup volume (Macintosh HD) in the left column, which is under the HD with the name and size.
Make sure that it is formatted as mac OS extended (journaled), and then select erase tab on the bottom right of the window.
Once this is done, quit disk utility and proceed with install.