PC or Mac laptop?

libra10

I have some John Lewis vouchers and would like to spend on upgrading my laptop, running Windows 7, Internet Explorer 10.

Would normally choose a new laptop, running Windows 8, but as this operating system would need lots of re-learning, wondered whether to opt for a Mac.

From reading various discussions on the techie board regarding various merits of each type of computer, it seems that Macs are much faster than PCs. Looking at them earlier today, they seem much lighter and slimmer too.

However, wondered whether any Mac users could advise whether you can install a Mail programme in a Mac, similar to Windows Live in a PC.

I find the Favourites bar positioned to the left of the screen, useful, and wondered whether you have this facility with a Mac.

There are probably other functions which I would like to ask about, but basically would I find a Mac as easy to use as a PC?

I know Macs are expensive, but the vouchers will help towards the cost.

Thanks for any help you can give.

macman

Macs are not 'a lot faster than PC's'. The hardware is near enough identical these days, with Macs moving to Intel processors several years ago.
All Macs come with Apple Mail pre-installed (email program).
The basic difference between the two is the build quality and the OS.
By all means buy a Mac, but bear in mind that most of your existing Windows software will not run on it.
Windows 8 is hardly any different to W7-far less so than W7 to Mac OSX. if you don't like the W8 Fisher-Price tiles effect then just bung Classic Shell on it and it will look like W7.
There are many reasons for buying a Mac over a PC, but not ones that you've given.

RobTang

libra10 wrote: »

However, wondered whether any Mac users could advise whether you can install a Mail programme in a Mac, similar to Windows Live in a PC.

I find the Favourites bar positioned to the left of the screen, useful, and wondered whether you have this facility with a Mac.

There are probably other functions which I would like to ask about, but basically would I find a Mac as easy to use as a PC?

Mac comes with a build in mail program, cat say how good it is personally because I just switched it out for outlook.

for files finder (file explorer) has a favourites bar on the left. Although I've found its a bit more annoying to manage then in windows.

Ease of use, they are about the same really. Although it really depends what you do

vulcanpilot

Been an 'Apple denier' for years, but got so fed up with MS Windoze getting the dreaded 'rot' that seems to set in after a few updates and the never ending security patches that happen each month, I jumped ship and bought a Macbook Pro. Best move I ever made.

Was going to install MS Office to get Outlook and Excel/Word 'back' but haven't done so yet and haven't really fount the need.

The Apple mail, whilst not quite as fully featured as the full-blown Outlook is still pretty good, and the rules etc. are as good, if not better than Outlook.

Overall, I'm pretty happy I took the plunge, and the machine is as fast today as the day I got it out of the box. Unlike my other 'work' machine that is a very high-end HP which gets slower to boot each time I switch it on for some reason.

Mac's are'n for everyone, but I was pretty impressed with the level of support you get from Apple, and even to the point that you can get free training in the Apple store - My Mrs wasn't too keen on the Mac to start with, but she took advantage of three training sessions (all free) and is now quite happy using it.

libra10

Thanks everyone for replying.

I mainly use my laptop for general browsing, surfing and email, use Office Professional 2007 for word processing and spreadsheets. Presumably I would need to buy a new office programme suitable for a Mac? Could my existing spreadsheet data be copied to a new Office programme?

Would my USB stick work in a Mac or need to be replaced?

Haven't seen any Mac laptops with numerical keyboards, do Apple not do them?

Also, I believe that at one time Apple wouldn't allow 'flash' software, which restricted access to some websites? Is this a problem these days?

Sorry about all the questions, but I want to be certain I'm making the right decision.

Unfortunately our nearest Apple store is around 30 miles away - too far to take advantage of their training.

I currently use a Sony Vaio F Series (my fourth Vaio), and it's very good, but you become cheesed off with all the Microsoft updates and junk that builds up on PCs.

People seem to rave about Macs and having the vouchers it seemed a good time to switch to a Mac.

RobTang

MS does have a version of office for mac, its not the same thing as it is on windows.
Most office packages are compatible with office formats, Libre or Open Office should do you fine.

USB sticks are fine.

You need a buy a separate numeric keypad, not even the old 17" ones have them, tbh I personally think having them on a laptop offsets where your hands rest on the keyboard a bit too much.

Flash is ok, its just iOS devices its not allowed on.

OSX still has system updates every now and again, you cant get away from updating these days.
Junk can build up on the system, its just much better at hiding it. I think I spent the best part of an afternoon just trying to where my hdd space had got to because the various used spaces measurements didn't tally by about 50gb.

fishybusiness

The old debate PC or Mac :rotfl:

Bottom line is that a Mac will do everything you want, Office files are compatible with Mac Office, mail etc etc works, and there are programs for just about everything.

Are Mac's any better? Personally as an ex tech, and a tinkerer I think they have the edge, and you will soon find yourself happy and content using one.

libra10

Thanks very much for replying.

It looks like Macs have the edge over PCs, everything sounds positive.

Looks like I'll be looking at the models available at JL, they had MacBook Air and Pro, mostly 13.3 size. My current PC is size 17", which is larger than I need.

Thanks very much for help, much appreciated.

closed

users make machines slower

securityguy

fishybusiness wrote: »

The old debate PC or Mac :rotfl:

Bottom line is that a Mac will do everything you want, Office files are compatible with Mac Office, mail etc etc works, and there are programs for just about everything..

And in fact for most mainstream users, iWork is a very good substitute for Microsoft Office for Mac, and interacts very nicely with iCloud. You can find the incompatibilities fairly easily, but on the other hand there are some things about iWork that are better (Keynote vs PowerPoint) or interestingly different (Numbers vs Excel). Pages is definitely less fully featured than Word (for example, it doesn't have any inbuilt support for referencing) but for many users the stuff that's missing they never used anyway.

Font snobs will appreciate that Macs ship with a complete, well-hinted, high-quality copy of Helvetica Neue, while of course Windows users are stuck with the cheap knock-off that is Arial.

libra10

closed wrote: »

users make machines slower

Totally agree.

Have been using PCs for many years and do regular maintenance, 'housekeeping', cookie clearing, defrag etc. However, not brave enough to carry out other more advanced techniques

I have 88 processes running, and too many programmes at 'Start Up', everyone says to disable those not used. But it's not always clear to a non-techie which are/not being used!

I have a PC mirror image backed up to A ClickFree disc and occasionally go back to this, which clears some of the rubbish, but the junk inevitably clogs up the engine again.

That's one of the reasons was considering a Mac, even though it will be a totally new 'learning experience'.

Thanks once again.