Marc's Mac Mission - Could a Mac be the gap in my life?

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Hello all!

I am asking for a bit of non bias help on weather I should switch to a Mac.

Let me tell you a bit about my background....

I don't know why, but some people say, "if it aint broke don't fix it" or "you don't miss what you don't have", but I totally ignore that. I like to think of it more as "You don't know what your missing".

I have tried various Linux OS's, I have also tried XP, Vista and 2000, and I am satisfied with XP for my needs, surfing the internet, downloading "illegal files" and instant messaging.

I am wondering what OSX or Leopard will improve over Vista.

I'm not bothered about
  • Price
  • The fact that Vista blantently copied off OSX

Is there something in OSX that just can't be beaten or copied in Vista?

Thanks all!
 
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I just recently switched from using a XP PC to a macbook with OS X, and all i can say is why didnt I do it sooner?
The OS X is very well laid out, easy to use and configure. Coming from a previous windows guy, you will kick yourself in the butt trying to find the 'hard way' to do something (such as adjust the volume, or in my case set up a network) and then realize how easy apple has made it.
There are so many great programs and applications and neat little features that makes the switch so enjoyable. I never intend on going back.

Youll never have to worry about running virus scans ever again, which is quite conveinient. Also the package of software that comes with the mac itself, iLife (which includes itunes and garageband) as well as a few others are amazing programs. Easy to use and enjoyable!

I hope that helped!
 
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There are so many differences between windows and OSX that it's too hard to tell which one you will prefer over the other. All the things you mentioned that you like to do on your computer can be done on a Mac, and I feel that OSX is better then windows. There are a ton of reasons to swtich to Mac from windows, and I did it in January. I plan on never going back to windows, because I have found all I need and more on the mac. The first thing that comes to mind is that you don't have to worry about viruses and spyware, and for the average computer user that is worth alot.

I also like that most software you need is from apple so they support your hardware and software. Also I have found so many free versions of software out there I haven't had to buy any software for my Mac (except my kids Dora game).

There are reason not to use a Mac, but you didn't mention them as something you use (CAD, hardcore gaming, or windows only apps you may need for work). I would still buy a low end Mac to surf the web and e-mail to help keep a windows box from getting viruses.

And the final reason to get a Mac...QUICKSILVER. The greatest app ever
 
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If you're looking for an unbiased opinion on why a maco is better than a pc or visa versa, you're not going to find one on a mac board or a computer board...
 
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I just recently switched from using a XP PC to a macbook with OS X, and all i can say is why didnt I do it sooner?
The OS X is very well laid out, easy to use and configure. Coming from a previous windows guy, you will kick yourself in the butt trying to find the 'hard way' to do something (such as adjust the volume, or in my case set up a network) and then realize how easy apple has made it.
There are so many great programs and applications and neat little features that makes the switch so enjoyable. I never intend on going back.

Youll never have to worry about running virus scans ever again, which is quite conveinient. Also the package of software that comes with the mac itself, iLife (which includes itunes and garageband) as well as a few others are amazing programs. Easy to use and enjoyable!

I hope that helped!

I couldn't have said this better myself, Its all the little things the Mac OS does that make it surpass Windows by far. The interface is very very very user friendly, some people think switching from Mac to PC is hard to do but they have a lot of similarities its just the interface like turning on airport to easily connect to the internet is something the PC doesn't have down. Sure I or anyone can eventually do it but Mac its just point click no menus, Macs are truly plug and play machines.
 
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It seems although I am not a computer noob, its still nice to have things easier.

I already have a moniter and webcam etc so looks like I will start off with a mac mini and get education discount and that.

Thanks for all the help!
 
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It seems although I am not a computer noob, its still nice to have things easier.

I already have a moniter and webcam etc so looks like I will start off with a mac mini and get education discount and that.

Thanks for all the help!

Have you ever used a Mac or used the OS? If not go to an apple store and try out the OS. that would be the best way to see if there is something you can't live without.
 
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My advice:

I was as die hard PC user. 20 years. Switched last October, hated the thing initially,.. then thought maybe I will get used to it,... NOW ?
I never switch my PC on (except to access old files).

Like Apple states: The Mac just works. No thrashing hard drive. No antivirus problems. Starts up real fast. Never had a system crash. No dreaded blue screen. And the Mac OS is just fabulous,.. and I do have Vista on the PC and it still looks crude compared to my lovely Imac. It IS a VERY steep learning curve but if you persist it is DEFINITELY worth it!
 
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It seems although I am not a computer noob, its still nice to have things easier.

I already have a moniter and webcam etc so looks like I will start off with a mac mini and get education discount and that.

Thanks for all the help!

The webcam might be difficult to get to work. And keyboards and mice have to be USB or Bluetooth.
 
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I am wondering what OSX or Leopard will improve over Vista.
.....Is there something in OSX that just can't be beaten or copied in Vista?
You are the only person who can answer that question.
What operating system a person uses should be based on their own personal needs, wants, and other requirements.
No operating system is blindly and indisputably better than another. No operating system "beats" another. All computers can do the same tasks, no matter what their operating system is. The only difference is the steps needed to complete the task.... which is why the only thing that makes one "better" for a person is one's unique personal preference.
If you're looking for an unbiased opinion on why a maco is better than a pc or visa versa, you're not going to find one on a mac board or a computer board...
I would beg to differ. I for one, am not biased either way with computers. I can also say that from all of my years of experience with Macs and Windows, you are more likely to get an unbiased opinion from a Mac user than you are from a Windows user.
This is because most Mac users have used Windows for years prior or continue to use Windows in conjunction with their Macs. Therefore, Mac users have seen it from "both sides of the fence" and can speak from valid experience on both operating systems.
Most diehard Windows users have never seen or touched a "real live" Mac, let alone used one for any extended or extensive purpose. It is the viewpoint of these type of users that is uneducated, irrational, and biased as they cannot speak with any athourity on the "other side" of things.
:)
 
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I would beg to differ.

I just recently switched from using a XP PC to a macbook with OS X, and all i can say is why didnt I do it sooner?
The OS X is very well laid out, easy to use and configure. Coming from a previous windows guy, you will kick yourself in the butt trying to find the 'hard way' to do something (such as adjust the volume, or in my case set up a network) and then realize how easy apple has made it.
There are so many great programs and applications and neat little features that makes the switch so enjoyable. I never intend on going back.

Youll never have to worry about running virus scans ever again, which is quite conveinient. Also the package of software that comes with the mac itself, iLife (which includes itunes and garageband) as well as a few others are amazing programs. Easy to use and enjoyable!

I hope that helped!

I couldn't have said this better myself, Its all the little things the Mac OS does that make it surpass Windows by far. The interface is very very very user friendly, some people think switching from Mac to PC is hard to do but they have a lot of similarities its just the interface like turning on airport to easily connect to the internet is something the PC doesn't have down. Sure I or anyone can eventually do it but Mac its just point click no menus, Macs are truly plug and play machines.

Have you ever used a Mac or used the OS? If not go to an apple store and try out the OS. that would be the best way to see if there is something you can't live without.

My advice:

I was as die hard PC user. 20 years. Switched last October, hated the thing initially,.. then thought maybe I will get used to it,... NOW ?
I never switch my PC on (except to access old files).

Like Apple states: The Mac just works. No thrashing hard drive. No antivirus problems. Starts up real fast. Never had a system crash. No dreaded blue screen. And the Mac OS is just fabulous,.. and I do have Vista on the PC and it still looks crude compared to my lovely Imac. It IS a VERY steep learning curve but if you persist it is DEFINITELY worth it!

I would classify one of these opinions as totally unbiased and I've left a clue...

Some contain heavy opinion that are not facts.

The hard way to setup a network or turn up the volume? To setup a wired network on a pc is as easy as plugging it in. Turning up the volume? Most new notebooks have keys to accomplish this and desktop keyboard sometimes come with a volume knob. Macbooks have the two f-keys that do this and the desktop keyboard probably works the same way as well. To setup a wired network on a mac, you plug it in.

Wireless? Select the network to connect to and then enter the wireless key on both platforms. Why is this harder on one system than the next?

My biggest peeve "They just work" as there was a 5 page long thread of some one that couldn't get his wireless to stay connected with the mac, but his PC's would...Eventually he said he moved the router up higher and it worked, insinuating that it didn't just work.

Every system will have it's share of problems, regardless of if it's a mac or pc. You could get a new macbook that's doa because of a logic board or something as well as a Dell that's doa because the processor wasn't manufactured correctly.

Just stating that if you want an unbiased opinion, don't go to a forum for that specific product. Like me going to a chevy board and asking them whether or not I should buy a camaro or a mustang.

my 2 cents

edit: And I can't type.
 
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I have never ever used OSX.

Oh and It looks like there is little difference between the top mac mini and a fairly decent spec imac so it looks like I am getting a iMac, if I get any.

And I agree with D3v1L80Y opinion.

I've told you my main "requirements" and what I do with a PC, so I'm not sure that a Mac would particular benfit me from switching to.

I think the main questions would be if the Mac versions of particular software are better in any way. Or maybe if a Mac has better performance then Windows under the same spec or maybe there is some Mac only software which I could benefit from.

Thanks for all the help so far, I'm still undecided.
 

dtravis7


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DB, VERY well said. I agree completely.
 
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I would beg to differ. I for one, am not biased either way with computers. I can also say that from all of my years of experience with Macs and Windows, you are more likely to get an unbiased opinion from a Mac user than you are from a Windows user.
This is because most Mac users have used Windows for years prior or continue to use Windows in conjunction with their Macs. Therefore, Mac users have seen it from "both sides of the fence" and can speak from valid experience on both operating systems.
Most diehard Windows users have never seen or touched a "real live" Mac, let alone used one for any extended or extensive purpose. It is the viewpoint of these type of users that is uneducated, irrational, and biased as they cannot speak with any athourity on the "other side" of things.
:)

Excellent point with which I could not agree more.

Personally, I've used all of the various Mac operating systems since my college years during the early 90s along with Windows during my entire working life.

I can say with absolute certainty that 95% of all the things one does on a computer is easier, more efficient, and infinitely more intuitive on Mac OS's.

On the other hand, most of my PC colleagues collectively point out how inferior a Mac is compared to a PC without ever having used one.
 
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20" iMac Core 2 Duo 2.16Ghz, 500GB HDD, 1GB RAM, 128MB ATI Radeon X1600
i switched April 20.

Pros
Bluetooth, wireless internet as standard
You don't have to pick between something they're calling 'Home Basic' and 'Home Premium', whatever that is..., you just have to pick what Mac model you want
iMacs are built right into the monitor - no tower
Native widescreen
You can install windows or run it at the same time as OS X
Mac is gaining software support
Apple Remote is simpler than Media Center remote and is much simpler with just six buttons
Set up is REALLY easy
Networks and internet are automatically set up, all you have to do it plug in the network cable
Since hardware and software is made by Apple, there won't be any compatibility problems
I've had no crashes since I bought my iMac

Cons
Most MSN clients are pretty crappy - I'd recommend Adium, by the way...
Takes about a minute longer to find a program youre looking for.
 

dtravis7


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I'll give you my 2 cents worth - I use both XP and OSX all the time, and with all respect to other posters, haven't felt that either of them stand head and shoulders above the other.

You'll find as a long time Windows user that OSX will both please and irritate you. For the first moth it'll be mostly irratation, as you try to find out how to do things you're used to doing on Windows. You have to persevere.

From a purely functional point of view they're pretty much the same. If you're a typical PC user, you'll get the same out of the machine. The myth that there's no software for Macs is long out of date, if it was ever true. I haven't found anything except very specialised apps that you can't find an equivalent for, if not a Mac version of. Same goes for Windows of course.

OSX has a big upside - although if you're carefull, viruses and spyware shouldn't be an issue with Windows (I run a Windows network, we haven`t had a virus for 5 years), with OSX you simply know it isn't an issue. There aren't any, other than a few macro viruses etc that can do dumb things with office apps. You can relax.

You'll hear people saying Windows needs constant patching, but in fact OSX does too. It might not be for the same reasons, but don't expect it to never happen.

So what's the draw?

For me it's simple. It's the reason Apple has gone in the last 10 years from being a virtually bust curiosity with effectively no market share to a real contender - they make nice kit. OSX is as good as Windows, in my opinion. It doesn't do much that Windows can't, but the hardware is just very satisfying. A Mac is beatifully engineered (which you pay for), and they look good. Same goes for stuff like the Ipod. It's the biggest selling MP3 player by miles because it's simply better than anything else.

Do it. You won't be unhappy.
 
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I don't think you have done enough convincing johnny

You say they are pratically the same.

Then you say the only good side of a Mac is the little viruses (not fussed about that) and the look (not fussed either.

Then you say iPods sell the best because they are better then everything else, yes they may look better but they certaintly not the best.

I am thankful for all your advice but from my point of view, macs just seem "the same but different" if you kno what i mean.

I think I will be keeping this version of XP for a while, and later on seeing what Dell do with Ubuntu.

I just don't think Macs are made for the same target audience as I want.

Vista has closed the gap too close as well.

Mods of the forum, my "mission" is complete ;) please delete me from the forum.

Perhaps I may visit again if apple widen the gap between Windows.
 

dtravis7


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I think you made the right decision. It's what will make you happy so go with it!
 
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I think I am going to get one, just for the fact that I can run Vista on it as well.

I'll give it a shot, I'll be back...
 

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