Advice: Any Apple MAC users..

Millionaire

converted back to PC's? and if so what was your reasons?

The reason I ask is im seriously looking to convert to the MAC from my Windows PC and need to know if any MAC converters went back to Windows for whatever reason.

Ive really got annoyed with my windows PC over the last few weeks and MAC seems to offer what i want out of the box without me wasting time on things i dont want to be wasting my time on. its seems faster than the windows OS as well.

So "does it just work"? and is it relaible and anyone got Applecare and is it any good if required.

Thanks in advance.

superscaper

Well hypothetically, if I swapped to macs I can't see why I'd swap back again unless there was a very specific practical reason, presumably one that would pop up unexpectedly. The kinds of personal reasons people change to macs are mostly justified in my opinion for their circumstances (despite my anti macfanboy stance) and those things don't disappear. The only reason I think in general anyone would change back is not through dissatisfaction with the mac but because their priorities change in line with windows pcs' advantages. Must admit I haven't really heard of anyone changing back to windows.

Probably not much help as I'm not speaking with personal experience, just a few of my thoughts on the matter.

Millionaire

superscaper wrote: »

Well hypothetically, if I swapped to macs I can't see why I'd swap back again unless there was a very specific practical reason, presumably one that would pop up unexpectedly.

Its like with a pc manufacturer you can pick and choose one from many, some are good some are bad and you can change.

With Macs and OS X its just Apple and Im wondering if anyones that converted not found it being as they expected and the reasons why.

The reason im asking is ive seen dedicated MAC sites and I myself am not very fond and dont trust the Mac fanboy's. but I within a whisker of going over to the dark side.:D

Thus I was wondering if its not all as rosy as it seems from reading all the MAC fanboy propaganda amd if there are any issues i should be aware of? Like Customer Service, Warranty, Reliabilty, Compatabiltiy etc.

So can anyone give me some honest thoughts on the MAC from experince? and was it worth it from windows? as im going to be spending some hard earned cash converting.

superscaper

Well if you do end up getting one it'd be good to hear your experience from an objective viewpoint. It's so hard to filter out the genuine information from the fanboy propaganda.

Conor_3

It takes some getting used to - as does any new OS with a GUI. You have to train yourself not to try and do things the same as Windows or expect them in the same place.

At the end of the day, whether or not they're any good for you is down to whether they have the software you want/need to run.

They're not cheap and neither is the software.

seaweasel

Firstly they're Macs, not MACs (may seem pedantic but it's best to avoid confusion).

Secondly, since all of Apple's machines have moved to Intel CPUs you can run both OSX and Windows natively (in addition to Virtual Machines) which you might useful.

Thirdly, the price thing is an ongoing argument. It really depends on what type of machine you need and what you find valuable, e.g. you can pick up a cheap low-end PC for less than a Mac mini or an iMac, but it depends on how good the cheap PC is in comparison, also Apple's mid to high end laptops have traditionally compared very well with similarly specced Windows laptops.

As for software, the old "Macs don't have any programs" argument doesn't really fly anymore. Most major apps have an OSX version or equivalent and as mentioned, VMs and dual booting can be used for the odd custom or niche Windows or *nix app. The exception is still gaming, although there are some decent Mac games around and of course you can always dual boot.

Millionaire

seaweasel wrote: »

Firstly they're Macs, not MACs (may seem pedantic but it's best to avoid confusion).

Secondly, since all of Apple's machines have moved to Intel CPUs you can run both OSX and Windows natively (in addition to Virtual Machines) which you might useful.

Thirdly, the price thing is an ongoing argument. It really depends on what type of machine you need and what you find valuable, e.g. you can pick up a cheap low-end PC for less than a Mac mini or an iMac, but it depends on how good the cheap PC is in comparison, also Apple's mid to high end laptops have traditionally compared very well with similarly specced Windows laptops.

As for software, the old "Macs don't have any programs" argument doesn't really fly anymore. Most major apps have an OSX version or equivalent and as mentioned, VMs and dual booting can be used for the odd custom or niche Windows or *nix app. The exception is still gaming, although there are some decent Mac games around and of course you can always dual boot.

Sorry for the confusion. I hope people realise im talking about buying a Apple Mac and not a Apple MAC.:p

What you have outlined is actually some of the main reasons Ive decided to convert. As the reasons now for not getting a Mac don't seem to exist anymore or the argument has become increasingly weaker.

I think the price issue is getting addressed. Im interested in a new Macbook or an iMAc. I like the new iMac just released 2 days ago.

While you cannot buy one of these at low end like £300 for some Desktop/ laptops. I finally have to agree that price versus spec has become similiar and in some cases better than buying a PC of a similair spec.

Plus the software package (ilife) which is included and basically has some of the stuff that i want is included so i dont have to shell out on simliar programs on top of my pc purchase, which can be costly.

The move to Intel processors also is a bonus as the performance seems to have jumped hugely on the Mac.

Also as you mentioned I checked the software that i use and well they all are Mac compaitable so thats antoher excuse gone out the window

Do you know if the Applecare is any good? and is it worth it? and what about customer service if anything goes wrong? is it quick or will I lose my Mac for weeks? and finally what about realiability of the machines?

thanks

almillar

I've got a 17" Powerbook and use it in the living room, it's now my most used computer. I think the 'Macs are more expensive' thing is a bit of a myth sometimes. Mac laptops start at £699 and Dells at £400 ish.(new iMac from £799) But you have to make sure that you are comparing similar specs. Now that Apple use the same Intel Core Duo 2 chips that are in many PCs it's easier to compare. Macs usually have better graphics installed etc and come with better software- not a bunch of trial rubbish, actual useful stuff.
To directly answer your question I don't know anyone that's gone back, I do personally use both at home, but I actively try to find things to try on the Mac that I've done on the PC, and so far I haven't failed to find free software to do it. Mac software is not more expensive than PC software BTW. The only reason to keep a PC, or more specifically, Windows, is for games. But you'll have a much easoer and less expensive life buying a console for games instead of trying to keep up with the graphics requirements!
HTH
Alan

Idiophreak

Millionaire wrote: »

As the reasons now for not getting a Mac don't seem to exist anymore or the argument has become increasingly weaker.

Not sure about that...there are still good reasons I wouldn't buy a Mac...

1) I don't believe that mac's are ever well priced for most peoples needs. (the reason so many of us buy £300 laptops is because we don't need high-spec machines...)

2) I work with windows, everyone I know uses windows...why would I want to be different? Using 1 OS just makes life so much easier Yeah, I could put it on a dual boot...but why would I want to, given point 1 and the below:

3) I like being able to upgrade/modify my PC...

4) Apple's evil. (but we won't go into that..)

Millionaire

almillar wrote: »

The only reason to keep a PC, or more specifically, Windows, is for games.

Looks like I haven't got a reason then:D

Just not into gaming anymore, got better things to do.

richyrichuk

i have used macs a bit my self. and personally if u don't game.
then macs are 100% the way forward. with a mac u have ALL the software u need that runs on a windows pc.

via the mac os

or a program called wine.

more reliable. faster. neater. deffo the way to go