PC or Mac

SpaceInvader

OK, think this may be a long one and may cause some debate as I've realised from asking the IT guys at work so anyway:

I have always had PCs, mostly built by myself and am now looking to replace my current PC which runs XP which has lasted me about 6/7 years. It freezes up and I've run out of storage space. It hasn't been upgraded recently as I just no longer have the interest or the time. I use it for web surfing, email, office stuff, itunes and editing my photos. I would also like to watch DVDs/ use iPlayer but I get so many errors trying to do this, and spend so long trying to fix them that my options now are to reformat or (given the lack of storage space), get a new one.

Personally, I am tired of having to wade through Google every time I get some generic error, I don't need asking several times if I'm sure every time I do something - I just want to work with a finished front end without having to dabble behind the scenes.

So, I've been looking more and more at replacing my PC with a Mac. I love my ipod and I've been told that Macs are better built and they're smoother to use. This could be just good marketing though as I've noticed that a Mac Mini starts at £391 which, for the same price, could get me a full PC, with better spec at Dell. I don't want to upgrade every few years so I want something future proof. I would ideally like a new monitor as I fancy a widescreen one for watching DVDs but this could come in the future. Or, if I were to get a Mac, am I better getting an iMac first rather than a Mac Mini?

What do the knowledgeable experts on here think?
Thanks, in advance.

Bob63

I'm a Mac fan since November 2007, we now have three Macs at home, so I'm not well placed to give you unbiased advice - even though I have worked in IT and used everything from PC's to multi-million dollar servers since 1984.

The best advice that I can give you is to go online to apple.com, find your nearest Apple Store and book a personal shopper session. They will give you 30 minutes or so dedicated 1:1 time showing you the Mac, its operating system, programs etc. At least then you'll understand at bit about what makes the computers so attractive and realise that it isn't simply about deciding which one offers the best value for money in a hardware-only comparison.

Sput2001

SpaceInvader:

You're NOT going to get a definitive answer. The Mac evangelists will say Macs are best, the PC fans will argue their own corner.

thescouselander

I've been using a Mac now since 2004 after previously owning Windows Based PC's. I still use a PC at work though.

I decided to go with a Mac as, in my opinion, they are easier to keep running properly. IMHO This is mostly down to the fact OS X does not use a registry (something that seems to go wrong regularly on Windows). Also, most of the time, installing a program is simply a case of dragging and dropping an icon from one screen to another - to uninstall, just delete the icon, no rubbishy install shield to go wrong (although there are some exceptions to this).

Also I find on a PC you have to run so many security programs (anti virus, anti spyware etc etc) it takes up resources and can slow the computer down. Although it is controversial, many mac owners do not run security software (apart from that built into OS X) and suffer no problems.

On the other hand Macs can still go wrong. I've had a few occasions where things OS X has stopped working properly. Sometimes the fix is not straight forward either - there is plenty of help on the net though.

Macs are expensive compared with a PC of similar spec. Also, you may find yourself dual-booting your Mac with Windows as sometimes there are useful programs that are not available on OS X - (I run at least 2 or 3 programs on Windows) - you may not escape windows al together.

It might be that you could run a PC with a Linux operating system and find you have the same advantages as I find running OS X.

SpaceInvader

Thanks everyone for your answers.
NickMidgley - I know I'm not going to get a definitive answer but just wanted people's opinions as I am leaning towards a Mac but wanted to hear of other people's experiences, hopefully unbiased ones! I have an ipod but I can also see that the Creative Zen is great for example.

cheesy.mike - Thanks for suggesting the 1:1 however my nearest store is about 120 miles away! I might see if I can find someone at work who has one. I realise that it isn't simply about a hardware comparison as it is the software that is causing my many frustrations with my PC! The need for extra HDD has caused the rethink and also that an upgrade would possibly means Vista which is a pig.

thescouselander - you've hit the nail on the head really with all the little extra apps needed these days just to keep things ticking along. As I am mostly on itunes or photo editing I am looking at better software but, having been a PC user all my life, seem to look more at the specs, can't help myself. I don't expect a mac to never go wrong but I am looking for something that is better built in terms of it's hardware and it's software.

Thanks again for all your help!

prowla

Choose the applications you need and see what they're available on.
If it's both, then flip a coin.
(I recently bought a Dell WIndows laptop; the deciding factors were (a) I already had windows versions of my applications, (b) the Dell had a better screen resolution, and (c) the Mac was about £500 more expensive).

[Deleted User]

OP, your problems could be sorted with two hours of your time and a new hard drive.

spud17

+ 1 for above post, my "best" is older than yours and does all that you require, IMO XP is still O.K for most things.
You've fitted things in the past, so £40 for a big new HD, perhaps up the RAM, a day to do everything.

Sput2001

anewhope wrote: »

OP, your problems could be sorted with two hours of your time and a new hard drive.

That also crossed my mind. A new hard drive (maybe a second "slave" drive rather than a replacement of the main one), maybe a little extra RAM, backup the important stuff and a clean install of Windows and that should see you OK - for a while at least.

I've used PCs and Macs for a while, and I'm (apparently) a complete freak in that using a Mac hasn't turned me against Windows.


p.s. And even most Mac owners would now concede that not running antivirus or anti-malware software is now somewhere between complacent and daft.

Millionaire

NickMidgley wrote: »

p.s. And even most Mac owners would now concede that not running antivirus or anti-malware software is now somewhere between complacent and daft.

Not really. I don't run either and I bet you most Mac users don't. Maybe sometime in the future it "may" be required but currently its a waste of resources running that crap.

OP, I have used Windows for years as my main OS in the past and have run Linux and Mac OS also in the past but currenty use a Mac as my main OS. I find the Mac the best, easiest and virtually no hassle OS to use for my needs. which, mainly includes internet usage, photos, video editing, Music etc.

I think it may suit you perfectly for what you want and if not you could always stick windows on it.

M4RKM

is there even anti malware software for a mac?

or is it for the people who just type their password in at anything!!!

anyway.. i'm a mac user, i have a 24" iMac right now as my main computer, and the screen is just delightful for watching movies on, and doing photo work... i can't ask for anything better.

and, if you only really do itunes, and photo stuff, well, you have itunes and iphoto built into a new mac, which might do everything for you, so you don't have to spend money there...

i still have to use windows for work, and also for cross browser compatibility when it comes to my web design work, but other than that, i'm mac all the way..

Marky