Buying advice for church?

[iNick]

You could look into revamping those PC's with Linux. You could give it a test run to see how you like it and it won't cost you a cent. If the decision is that you don't like Linux then you can always go onto Macs or whatever. Linux can run on ten year old PC's like a champ.
I don't know anything about religions, or what a Lutheran is, but there is a really user friendly Linux distribution called Ubuntu, give this a go http://www.ubuntu.com/. Ubuntu also has an offshoot called Ubuntu Christian edition http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html

Like I said I don't have a clue what a Lutheran is, nor do I have much idea what a Christian is. So I don't know if this Christian edition is what you would want. I do know that it has all the Bible stuff installed though.

 

[Porphyro]

You could look into revamping those PC's with Linux. You could give it a test run to see how you like it and it won't cost you a cent. If the decision is that you don't like Linux then you can always go onto Macs or whatever. Linux can run on ten year old PC's like a champ.
I don't know anything about religions, or what a Lutheran is, but there is a really user friendly Linux distribution called Ubuntu, give this a go http://www.ubuntu.com/. Ubuntu also has an offshoot called Ubuntu Christian edition http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html

Like I said I don't have a clue what a Lutheran is, nor do I have much idea what a Christian is. So I don't know if this Christian edition is what you would want. I do know that it has all the Bible stuff installed though.

Good suggestion, though I don't think our pastors or office staff would take kindly to any flavor of Linux. I do like Ubuntu myself, though.

 

[Porphyro]

After sleeping on this and reading the thread again, I don't know that bringing up the idea of switching to Macs is a good idea.

To get back to basics, we were looking at making our budgeted amount for computers more effective. I assumed that buying Apple hardware would give us a longer lifespan and better ease of use. But, even without upgrade considerations and the idea of higher resale value on the Macs, our current platforms are a more cost-effective option.

It is possible that we do a lease option and have our machines replaced on a cycle.

 

[rman]

The question still stands. How are you using the current system? The most inportant cost in hardware upgrades and replace is the software. Will the existing software you are using work on new hardware or upgraded hardware. Will you have to replace or upgrade the software. If you cansider changing platform, it there a version of the software that will run on either platform?

To k=make a good sound decision you will need to look at your software and hardware needs.

 

[Sproit]

for a church, a Windows will do,

to mention that you can get some nice Windows for much less than the MacBook, just a fact (sorry guys)

But of course a MacBook is better, but churches are mostly basic askers, like lyrics on the beamer, PowerPoint can handle you don't need a MacBook for it

 

[Austin]

ok, i can obviously tell that you are defending your position on getting macs for your church...so why not go for it? take the plunge into macs .

 

[Sproit]

Oh,

1 very bad point:

Make sure your pastors, when they use PowerPoint presentation during sermons, like mine do, have Macs too, or install Windows XP on the Macs to get it all sorted out right,

might be an issue to deal with different files if they are compatible Make sure it works all

 

[xstep]

Buying a base model iMac at the student discount cost will set you back 1200 per unit.

That statement is incorrect. It should read; Buying a base model iMac WITHOUT A discount will set you back $1200 per unit.

As has been mentioned, the cost of the system is not simply the hardware. Software and other incidentals need to be considered. Porphyro has not answered his software requirements which can be a HUGE cost factor, but he'll be REQUIRED to add virus/malware protection on to the cost also. Yes there are freebie products, but there is still the cost of time to maintain them and the cost of CPU cycles stolen from your actual productivity applications.

Also support costs. Who does support for the group and how much time and possibly money is involved. Typically Macs require much less support. Search the net for stories about this.

If your needs turn out to be simple, then you should consider a 'freiendly' Linux, if one exists. If these users are just running a few applications, it should be simple enough to teach them what they need to know.

Porphyro, you need to put everything you can think of into a spreadsheet and see YOUR reality. You've received some reasonable opinions here, but you need to do your homework.

 

[Dominion]

That statement is incorrect. It should read; Buying a base model iMac WITHOUT A discount will set you back $1200 per unit.

As has been mentioned, the cost of the system is not simply the hardware. Software and other incidentals need to be considered. Porphyro has not answered his software requirements which can be a HUGE cost factor, but he'll be REQUIRED to add virus/malware protection on to the cost also. Yes there are freebie products, but there is still the cost of time to maintain them and the cost of CPU cycles stolen from your actual productivity applications.

Also support costs. Who does support for the group and how much time and possibly money is involved. Typically Macs require much less support. Search the net for stories about this.

If your needs turn out to be simple, then you should consider a 'freiendly' Linux, if one exists. If these users are just running a few applications, it should be simple enough to teach them what they need to know.

Porphyro, you need to put everything you can think of into a spreadsheet and see YOUR reality. You've received some reasonable opinions here, but you need to do your homework.

Ok I'm sorry, the cost of a Mac with student discount will set you back 1,149 not including shipping (if shipped) and tax (if apple doesn't accept tax free).

My bad.

 

[Porphyro]

ok, i can obviously tell that you are defending your position on getting macs for your church...so why not go for it? take the plunge into macs .

Actually, no, look at post 23.

 

[Porphyro]

That statement is incorrect. It should read; Buying a base model iMac WITHOUT A discount will set you back $1200 per unit.

As has been mentioned, the cost of the system is not simply the hardware. Software and other incidentals need to be considered. Porphyro has not answered his software requirements which can be a HUGE cost factor, but he'll be REQUIRED to add virus/malware protection on to the cost also. Yes there are freebie products, but there is still the cost of time to maintain them and the cost of CPU cycles stolen from your actual productivity applications.

Also support costs. Who does support for the group and how much time and possibly money is involved. Typically Macs require much less support. Search the net for stories about this.

If your needs turn out to be simple, then you should consider a 'freiendly' Linux, if one exists. If these users are just running a few applications, it should be simple enough to teach them what they need to know.

Porphyro, you need to put everything you can think of into a spreadsheet and see YOUR reality. You've received some reasonable opinions here, but you need to do your homework.

Right now I'm asking a simple general switching question. To my knowledge, our office secretary only does email, word processing, design (newsletters & bulletins), and bookkeeping. We're not talking about power users here. I've been out of the IT field for several years and could do all the support we need.

I don't know about specific software requirements because I'm tossing the idea around VERY unofficially...I don't want to start any talk of switching and having a congregational crisis (as tends to happen in churches).

I have indeed received reasonable opinions and will consider them in whatever discussion we might have about our technology needs. My instinct has been that our pastors would make the switch, as MacBooks seem to fit their use and lifestyle, but our office secretary has an almost-new PC and, from the looks of it, moving to a Mac would be a questionable decision in the near future.

 

[Porphyro]

Oh,

1 very bad point:

Make sure your pastors, when they use PowerPoint presentation during sermons, like mine do, have Macs too, or install Windows XP on the Macs to get it all sorted out right,

might be an issue to deal with different files if they are compatible Make sure it works all

A very good point, but we don't do the PowerPoint sermon things.