The pros of an iMac???

DatabaseError

BackOnTrack wrote: »

Windows XP Sp1, 2 & 3
Vista SP 1 & 2
Windows 7 SP 1

As I recall there have been 7 or 8 version of OSX in the same period.

so....erm..about the same? I suppose the only difference is SP1, SP2 etc.. were free??

gonzo127

patman99 wrote: »

Macs are so pricey because they use high-spec kit. My son bought his iMac nearly 2 years ago, and it was fitted with an ATi Radeon HD4570 graphics card. At the time the same card for PC's was £275. Apple use the highest-spec LCD panels too, so when you add the costs up, a Mac is cheaper than building a PC to the same grade.

my god who told you a ati 4570 was £275 as they was serioulsy taking you for a fool, the ATI 4670 (at launch) was retailing for about £60 so a 4570 would have been about £40

really macs are not cheaper to build, in fact they have a heavy price premium on the base spec and so are generally of a much lower spec than the same priced PC, the thing with Mac's as has been pointed out is that the operating system has been optomised to only run on a very limited range of parts, which means they have been able to streamline the performance of the operating system so that it runs very fast on those systems

[Deleted User]

From the pro Mac comments in the thread, you could quite easily come to the conclusion that they attract those who don't know how to use computer properly but I won't be facetious.

Hammyman

I have a Macbook Pro, I've been using, building and repairing computers since the ZX81. I know how to use one properly.

My take on my Macbook Pro:
Build quality is extremely good. Better than most of the laptops that pass through my hand (I sell them for a living) other than mid and top end business class ones costing £1000+
Specs: Low for the price but business class Windows laptops are the same in this respect.
Screen: Very good.
Mac OS X: A bit disappointed in some respects as I've used Linux a fair bit and it looks and feels very similar. I would describe Mac OS X as like Ubuntu but with the annoying bits fixed. Pretty much every device I've plugged into it has not needed a driver installing. Very remote likelihood of getting a virus etc. They do exist but Mac OS X is less vulnerable than Windows.
Software: Not anywhere near the range of Windows.

POPPYOSCAR

anewhope wrote: »

From the pro Mac comments in the thread, you could quite easily come to the conclusion that they attract those who don't know how to use computer properly but I won't be facetious.

You are and you know it.

DatabaseError

I'm not a mac user, but I imagine your son is going to make the most of the machine, he has his own reasons for wanting one which I'm sure are valid, so try for the 10% off deal mentioned earlier in the thread and try ignore the fanbois on both sides, and be proud your son isn't one.

POPPYOSCAR

Cricri wrote: »

when someone says "this is better" when it is a mater of opinion, yes, it is biased. It's not an opinion, it is an observation.

So someone says "Mac are the best full stop", noone challenges it. I say "wow, hang on, mostly, personally, it's subjective", and everyone challenges me?

Everyone?

I only commented on your post because you said"the main reason people buy a mac is as a status symbol" and I disagreed with this.Sorry if you don't like the fact that I happen to prefer it over anything else I have used, and so do all the others that I know that have bought them(and only bought them after they had used one).

debitcardmayhem

Not trying to upset the thread , sorry Shegirl look after your son make your own decisions and good luck, Now the real for posting is Hiya Spud it's Friday.:D

I'll now get me coat and apologies again to shegirl

Lokolo

If he wants to play around with things, break things, fix things, make things. Get a PC. They make things.

If he wants something to have entertainment for music and video, pictures etc. Get a mac. They show things.

Especially if he is already programming, a PC would be ideal. Gives more options.

DatabaseError

Lokolo wrote: »

If he wants to play around with things, break things, fix things, make things. Get a PC. They make things.

If he wants something to have entertainment for music and video, pictures etc. Get a mac. They show things.

Especially if he is already programming, a PC would be ideal. Gives more options.

Did you actually read the thread..or just the title?

The family already has PCs. The kid already has, seemingly obsessive knowledge of windows and linux based systems, the only thing "missing" is a mac.
I'd never, under normal circumstances suggest £1k for a mac is justified ( i know it's a cut-down shiny PC with an idiot-proof OS), but I think this is a special case. The OPs question shouldn't evoke the usual "it's shiny" or "it doesn't get viruses" or *spit* "it just works" responses, followed by derision by the fanbois on the other side of the fence (which is where I try not to stand, but sometimes fail...but I do keep on trying). The OP has already made the decision, she just needs some positive strokes to help her justify it, and, as shown, there are many things to recommend a mac (I like the keyboards, and the displays).