I'm not 100% convinced

davebradford · Jul 26, 2007

hello, I’m been a member of these forums for a while mainly just looking around and asking small questions, my craving for Mac began about a year ago, I had my heart set on a MacBook pro, I’ve always been a windows user producing audio in my spare time and I’m a full time IT technician for the health service in England, I’m quite an advanced windows user so I though it will be hard to move over to Mac, so I bought an old PowerMac G4, nothing fancy just had it to play with Tiger to see if I could set used to it. I love it! However the only thing holding my back is the hardware. I look on these forums quite frequently and all I see mainly is problems, if I got a Mac I would completely replace my windows desktop, however I don't want a machine that I’m going to have to take back all the time because of problems. I need it to last. Has anybody else though this before they took the plunge? I never see many success stories around for Mac laptop users, which is what worries me the most.

Can anybody offer me any advice?

coach_z · Jul 26, 2007

long story short: people dont come to forums and review sites to post how great and perfect their computer is working

-chris

fleurya · Jul 26, 2007

Right, you'll see a concentration of troubleshooting and problems because that's what people are looking for info on when they get started with these forums. People don't track down a help forum and sign up just to say, "hey, I"m happy, have a nice day". Worst case scenario is that Macs have the same minor issues as Windows-based computers. They're not problem boxes by any means, but nothing is perfect.

Being an advanced Windows user, you're going to feel limited and maybe even a little frustrated trying to do what you want like you did with Windows. It's like moving to a new location. You just have to take some time to become familiar with your surroundings, but you're definitely "movin' on up" in my opinion.

bobtomay · Jul 26, 2007

Problems... that will be the primary focus of any forum. But not everyone is here for solving their own problems. Having been a member of a number of forums: hardware, software and OS related; I don't believe I've ever seen another forum where people do come and proclaim how much they enjoy xyz. This does happen quite often around here. A couple of the Linux forums get a few posts like that, but nothing to compare with the number I've seen here over the last few months. And the few hardware forums I spent time on, never saw a single post of someone coming in and talking bout how much they liked that piece of hardware.

In my own background; was a hardcare gamer, hardware enthusiast, built all my own rigs since Win '95 hit the street, had my A+ and MCSE certifications (I'm sure both are probably expired now), and spent a couple of years doing tech support for Dell and MS a few years back.

Considering all the computers I've had dating back to the TI-99, have to say, this MBP has definitely been the most fun I've had with a computer. Right now I would also put it in the #2 spot as far as the best computers I've owned.

I have no problem whatsoever in recommending a MBP to anyone considering this machine. Whether the MBP is worthy as a desktop replacement depends on your individual requirements for a desktop machine. While my current desktop beats the MBP in every speed test I've thrown at them, the MBP is the machine I use for over 95% of my computing time.
Thank you OS X.

And on being 100% convinced - you're in the business - what is there about Vista to convince you that is the way to go?

christm · Jul 27, 2007

people on this forum MAINLY post questions or problems not sucess stories and if you think how many people are on the forum and how many questions or problems people have then the amount of users outweighs problems. so i believe you will be succesful in your buy. Dont forget if you realllyyy miss windows you can run it on ANY intel mac.

cwa107 · Jul 27, 2007

Agreed with the other posters. Any forum you go to will have the majority of its users posting about their troubles, not their successes. Toyotas and Hondas tend to be pretty reliable, but if you go to a community forum about them, you might not get that impression.

You can't go wrong with an Intel Mac. It's the best of all worlds - want to run Windows? Check. Want to run Linux? Check. Want to run Mac OS? Check.

As a network administrator professionally, I can tell you that there is very little that you'll miss about Windows. After a day of supporting a whole bunch of Windows servers and users, I just want my machine to work and not have to fuss with it. That is the blessing of a Mac.

davebradford · Jul 27, 2007

thats true, i take it then you guys know a lot of people who have never had macbook pro problems? I don't think i'll miss windows at all, there is one application that i may need to use over boot camp, it's called adobe audition which only runs on windows, i've looked at other audio production tools, but adobe audition does the job i want it too, with regards to portablilty, i'd like to completely repleace my windows desktop and live off my laptop, i really can't wait!

just a small question as well, which case do people tend to go for with the macbook pro? i'll be wanting to take it with me everywhere i go so i'll need something tuff! but not too hard!

fleurya · Jul 27, 2007

I you need to install Windows, I recommend not using it for at least a few weeks so you can really get into using and familiar with OS X. Of course if you have to use some Windows-only program, that's different.

There's a thread on here where people are listing their favorite cases. You can do a search and check that out.

Edit: Found it! Just a couple pages back. http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47018

cwa107 · Jul 27, 2007

I take mine to work with me every day. I've been using a Wenger notebook bag that I bought at Staples. It's neoprene outside and nicely padded inside with plenty of compartments for accessories and other junk, while still being very light and slim. I'm not sure if they still sell it (I couldn't find it on their website), but I highly recommend it.

I also tried the Speck snap on covers, but didn't care for the way they fit. Because my MBP is mostly used on my desk or on my lap at home, I haven't really felt the need to have some sort of shell. The bag works just fine for transport, where it would most likely be scratched or dinged.

cwa107 · Jul 27, 2007

I found the case I have out on Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LJU28A/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Awesome case. Highly recommended.

geneilie · Jul 28, 2007

I used a MacBook for a while and I can't tell you how much I hate when I need to deal with Microsoft Applications. I can't even look at the Vista OS. That one annoys me the most.
The hardware on the Macs in my opinion is one of the best. I kind of like the fact that you need to pay more for your computer and you don't have a "cheap" option. That will make you enjoy more the computer.
- I used 2 MacBooks so far and no problems