The pros of an iMac???

zagubov

A mate once pointed out the difference between macs and PCs by reminding me I’ve crossed the Midlands by expensive toll road after using the free motorways or other roads road, and once you’ve used the toll road you’ll not want to switch back. For a lot of people using a mac is like discovering the toll road.- sure you pay extra, but it’s less hassle and better for the blood pressure. I know what he means and I think OP’s son is going to enjoy the mac.

Only gripe is with the price. Any reason not using a second-hand retail site like macbookmart.com etc – does it need to be bang-up-to-date? Older models keep their usability quite well and could save tons of cash (what with this being a money-saving site)

welshdent

Lokolo wrote: »

The OP has already said her son likes to mess around and program, so suggesting a mac, which has limited development features, its silly.

and yet when I watch the online harvard computer science course lectures online they use a mac and advice programming on linux and mac systems. Bizarre suggestions for such limited systems.

Lokolo

welshdent wrote: »

and yet when I watch the online harvard computer science course lectures online they use a mac and advice programming on linux and mac systems. Bizarre suggestions for such limited systems.

Linux yes. Mac no.

You say you watch online harvard course lectures, are you a computer scientist?

(edit- obv this isn't the case if you are in particular wanting to program in just obj c for iPhone, iPad etc.!)

welshdent

Lokolo wrote: »

But surely the crashes are because of the user?

Totally disagree. How can the same user use 3 different systems for exactly the same tasks yet the windows system crash randomly and repeatedly?? What are they doing so differently to crash a system doing pretty routine tasks??? In 3 years I have had 1 crash on a now aging macbook. I gave up counting the crashes on old windows systems and my work system I use now.

The problem is there is a lot of snobbery ... probably from both sides. Sneering comments about apple fan boys or totally unnecessary and inflammatory. Apple users LIKE apple tech. SO what?!?!? Seriously ... we are ONLY brainwashed by the PR machine?? Is that the best people can come up with???? Mac OS DOES just work. The vast majority of people couldnt care less which system is easiest to develop on and which is open or closed. Most average users want to a) have something nice to look at and b) have something that turns on, starts up quickly and is easy to use.
Sneer all you want but by and large thats what an Apple product does. Sure they have frustrating features and yes they charge more ... but if people are prepared to pay it whats the big deal?? Is it affecting you?? NO! I think my macbook was worth every single penny I paid for it. The experience has been positive from the minute I switched it on. Do I care that a windows ecosystem has more software available for it? No not really. Everything I need for my use is available on my mac. Do I care it cost more?? No I dont. Because despite its apparently inferior spec it just keeps on going and apparently better windows based systems gave up way sooner. Thats my experience. Is it wrong? No its not. Is someone who has the same experiences with windows wrong? No thats not either. Get over it folks. Macs are very attractive and the OS means the user experience is very positive is many users opinion.

welshdent

Lokolo wrote: »

Linux yes. Mac no.

You say you watch online harvard course lectures, are you a computer scientist?

(edit- obv this isn't the case if you are in particular wanting to program in just obj c for iPhone, iPad etc.!)

No judging by the screen name I am a dentist but I am about to start an OU course and like watching the lectures for some extra info.

Lokolo

welshdent wrote: »

Totally disagree. How can the same user use 3 different systems for exactly the same tasks yet the windows system crash randomly and repeatedly?? What are they doing so differently to crash a system doing pretty routine tasks??? In 3 years I have had 1 crash on a now aging macbook. I gave up counting the crashes on old windows systems and my work system I use now.

Simple. It won't.

Lokolo

welshdent wrote: »

No judging by the screen name I am a dentist but I am about to start an OU course and like watching the lectures for some extra info.

If you come into the industry, and especially Software Engineering, macs are pretty much non-existent.

welshdent

Lokolo wrote: »

If you come into the industry, and especially Software Engineering, macs are pretty much non-existent.

You are missing my point. Its about what people like using! SO what if the industry dont like them?? This hostility is pointless. You can sit there in an ivory tower being smug all you like. Believe me, I know many people that do the same thing in dentistry. The point is if you get fed up of the windows experience then there is an alternative that many people do like. It IS a simple experience and they do not crash as much as windows systems do according to pretty much every mac user I have spoken to ... anecdotal evidence of course!. I am not telling you that YOUR windows experience is rubbish. I am telling you mine is. I am also telling you I like my alternative Mac and linux experiences. I am not blinded by the apple PR machine. Sure I like the look of all the gear. They have achieved some lovely designs. But believe me, if the the experience was the same as I got from a windows machine or if in general the gear didnt work, I would be the first person saying dont bother and I certainly wouldnt be parting with my money.

Lokolo

welshdent wrote: »

You are missing my point. Its about what people like using! SO what if the industry dont like them?? This hostility is pointless. You can sit there in an ivory tower being smug all you like. Believe me, I know many people that do the same thing in dentistry. The point is if you get fed up of the windows experience then there is an alternative that many people do like. It IS a simple experience and they do not crash as much as windows systems do according to pretty much every mac user I have spoken to ... anecdotal evidence of course!. I am not telling you that YOUR windows experience is rubbish. I am telling you mine is. I am also telling you I like my alternative Mac and linux experiences. I am not blinded by the apple PR machine. Sure I like the look of all the gear. They have achieved some lovely designs. But believe me, if the the experience was the same as I got from a windows machine or if in general the gear didnt work, I would be the first person saying dont bother and I certainly wouldnt be parting with my money.

You don't get it.

Different machines are good for different things.

The OP has said that her son wants to use a mac for development purposes. Nothing to do with "Windows keeps crashing on me, I don't like it and want something different" as your experience has been.

Do you use your mac for development?

I am not saying Windows is the be all and end all and macs are crap. I know many people with macs and yes, they have their uses. But the OP's son wants to develop, the mac offers very limited uses for this.

Would you suggest buying a porsche for someone who wants inter-city travel? No.

Entertainment, ease of use, music and art - mac - IDEAL.

Programming - no. not ideal.

welshdent

No the OP said "the pros of an iMac???"

The pros are IMHO

They are easy to use, apparently stable, less prone to viruses and crash less.