Considering buying a Mac

Idiophreak

Now, I hate Apple as much as the next guy, but even setting that aside, I can't see the point in getting any kinda mac...

They're more expensive, firstly to buy, secondly to upgrade.

(depending on your job) you're more likely to use PCs in the workplace etc so you need to keep up with how to use them anyway.

You'd become one of those whining Apple fanboys that you get on forums..."when's this software going to be released for Mac? When will someone release this for mac?..." on and on and on...

Whatever the reasons, Macs always seem to be running behind PCs and I really don't see any benefits as such...people say they're easier to use, but I really don't see it. PCs work just fine...Short of the Mac actually guessing what I want to do and doing it for me, I don't see how it's going to be easier to use...

I should point out, in fairness, I haven't used a Mac for a couple of years (I tend to stay away from evil ), so can someone explain *specifically* what it is about them that's supposed to be better?

(NB: They always used to have a performance edge for music/film/graphical editing - is that still the case?)

JoeyG

isofa wrote: »

Find a comparable all in one PC made by a quality manufacturer to compare with the iMac, firstly you'll be unlikely to find one, even the Sony's look a bit ropey, and secondly they'll be at least as expensive, but lack some of the additional features of the iMac.

I have a Sony Vaio and its anything but ropey... but I would never go back to a budget laptop now, its false economy.

I agree Macs are great machines, but being the only PC user in an office full of Macs I am constantly being requested to open/print/re-save files which simply cannot be opened on a Mac... I think they have their place as professional graphics/multimedia workstations, but for everyday home use in a world of Windows I think you would soon notice restrictions.

geekgirl

To save some dosh you can get your mac from the refurb store http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=AA9C1547&nclm=Certified
We have had no problems with any of ours that we have bought from there.

isofa

I agree, always better to buy something decent. Buying cheap is a false economy.

I have an office full of cross platform systems, many PCs and Macs, networked in harmony. Never have to convert any files we work on, we use Office, FileMaker, All apps from Adobe CS2 and 3 and various other high end packages.

I use both, and couldn't managed without both, although a MBP with parallels running OS X and Windows on the desktop together does reduce the need to carry two laptops about!

There are some great packages available on the Mac that aren't available on Windows too. There is something for everyone on both platforms, my only caveat is, if you are a serious gamer, get a PC, as there are many more games on the PC platform.

But I can see no restrictions on using a Mac for home nor work. In fact so many factors make the Mac a great home purchase. iLife is a fantastic suite of tools, the ability to easily create DVD, movies and various other media (nothing compares on Windows) of your films and photos, and the upgrade routes from this to professional movie editing software (much Mac only) make this a real draw.

Zazen999

Idiophreak wrote: »

PCs work just fine...

Yes they do - they are just that - fine, I am on one now...but my Mac downstairs is a lush honey waiting for me to play all day.

BillScarab

Zazen999 wrote: »

Yes they do - they are just that - fine, I am on one now...but my Mac downstairs is a lush honey waiting for me to play all day.

You need to get out more!

Zazen999

BillScarab wrote: »

You need to get out more!

I work from home!!!

pulliptears

Another vote for Mac.

Im on a network at home with 2 desktop and 1 laptop PC's and I have no problems opening files on any of them.

And for the record, I have never had a problem opening any file on a Mac!

randomtask_2

I bought a mac primarily because I didn't like the look of Vista and knew it would be riddled with bugs upon launch.

Plus, you had to pay a premium for the full complement of features in the Ultimate version, which made little sense compared with the Mac Leopard OS, where you get everything in the box and, apart from small bugs (now corrected in 10.5.2 update), worked out of the box without a problem.

HelzBelz

Idiophreak wrote: »

Now, I hate Apple as much as the next guy, but even setting that aside, I can't see the point in getting any kinda mac...

They're more expensive, firstly to buy, secondly to upgrade.

(depending on your job) you're more likely to use PCs in the workplace etc so you need to keep up with how to use them anyway.

You'd become one of those whining Apple fanboys that you get on forums..."when's this software going to be released for Mac? When will someone release this for mac?..." on and on and on...

Whatever the reasons, Macs always seem to be running behind PCs and I really don't see any benefits as such...people say they're easier to use, but I really don't see it. PCs work just fine...Short of the Mac actually guessing what I want to do and doing it for me, I don't see how it's going to be easier to use...

I should point out, in fairness, I haven't used a Mac for a couple of years (I tend to stay away from evil ), so can someone explain *specifically* what it is about them that's supposed to be better?

(NB: They always used to have a performance edge for music/film/graphical editing - is that still the case?)

You're not in IT by any chance are you? you sound just like one of my friends who works in IT and pretty much thinks I'm in league with the devil because I wok on a mac.:rotfl:

I use macs and I prefer them but that's because I'm a freelance designer and they are better for that, but unless you are going to use it for something like that I'd say to stick with a PC because as Idiophreak says there are quite a few softwares that don't get upgraded or don't work on macs, for example you can't use microsoft instant messenger as it isn't supported, so unless you really want one you're probably better with the devil you know