Thread: Switching to an Apple Computer

Hello Friends:

A lot of people tell me that Apple computers are better than PCs saying that Macs are built with better quality, are easier to use in some ways, and have more stable and secure operating systems. I understand that I can run Windows on a Mac so I won't be out of luck if I want to run software that has no Mac-OS version.

I've been using DOS/Windows-based PCs since 1993, and I'm getting fed up with Windows. Recently my $3,300 PC running Windows 7 starting shutting down mysteriously. The tech who serviced it isn't certain what the problem was although he suspects it was Windows. I'm wondering that if I used a Mac, then I would have a computer that's a lot less troublesome that this PC.

Anyway, I'd appreciate some feedback on how I might make this decision. Are Macs good enough to go through the trouble of changing to them?

Jagella

Macs are better looking and overpriced. I have to work on Macs, but I prefer to have PCs at home.

Your best bet with a PC is to build your own and not buy a pre-made system.

I'd go for an orange, they produce more electricity.

Originally Posted by Flick Montana

Macs are better looking and overpriced. I have to work on Macs, but I prefer to have PCs at home.

Your best bet with a PC is to build your own and not buy a pre-made system.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have the room or physical ability to build my own PC, otherwise, I'd take your advice. Based on what you've said, it doesn't sound like Macs are worth it, but I'll wait to see what other members here have to say.

Jagella

My experience. I prefer Apple for just about everything....except word processing. I like the PC double button mouse.'In general' my Mac, IPad are trouble free. My two cents...if you are tech savy, a PC is the way to go...if want to turn on a button and forget about anything else then Mac.

Originally Posted by Fossilborealis

My experience. I prefer Apple for just about everything....except word processing. I like the PC double button mouse.'In general' my Mac, IPad are trouble free. My two cents...if you are tech savy, a PC is the way to go...if want to turn on a button and forget about anything else then Mac.

Magicperfs is a simple configurable workaround and enhancer to deal with that limitation.

You can change your operating system for free. I use Ubuntu (a Linux distribution), and it works quite well. I'm using the 12.04 LTS version. The only drawback is that most commercial software (especially games) is not designed Linux compatible. There however is a huge selection of free open source software that is exclusive to Linux. Google has a free Chrome distribution that is Linux compatible. Firefox (free as well) is Linux compatible. Did I mention the free part?
I am running Ubuntu on an HP laptop designed for Vista, there are no Linux compatible factory drivers available for any of my devices. All my devices are running fine on the generic drivers that came with Ubuntu.
The world's most popular free OS | Ubuntu
Linux.org

Originally Posted by Fossilborealis

...if you are tech savy, a PC is the way to go...if want to turn on a button and forget about anything else then Mac.

I suppose it depends on what you mean by "tech savvy." I probably know more about PCs than most people do.

I should mention that I like to play games, and I've heard that PCs are better for gaming than Macs are. I'd be willing to sacrifice some gaming ability if a Mac is much better at other chores.

Jagella

Originally Posted by Jagella

... if a Mac is much better at other chores.

It may be helpful to know what you use your home computer mainly for besides playing games. What sort of chores do you have in mind?

Short of intensive video processing, extensive CAD or running a server I don't understand why anyone needs to spend $3000 dollar for a computer now days. You can probably get 90% of maximum possible available PC performance for half that.

Originally Posted by Jagella

A lot of people tell me that Apple computers are better than PCs saying that Macs are built with better quality, are easier to use in some ways, and have more stable and secure operating systems. I understand that I can run Windows on a Mac so I won't be out of luck if I want to run software that has no Mac-OS version.

I've been using DOS/Windows-based PCs since 1993, and I'm getting fed up with Windows. Recently my $3,300 PC running Windows 7 starting shutting down mysteriously. The tech who serviced it isn't certain what the problem was although he suspects it was Windows. I'm wondering that if I used a Mac, then I would have a computer that's a lot less troublesome that this PC.

Anyway, I'd appreciate some feedback on how I might make this decision. Are Macs good enough to go through the trouble of changing to them?

I think a lot of it will come down to personal preference, which is highly subjective. Personally, I switched to Macs some years ago, and never looked back ( though I won't deny it took a period of getting used to ); having to use a Windows PC at work now feels like a step back into the stone age for me. But then again, I hear other people say the exact opposite. The best advise I can give you is play around on a Mac for an hour or two, and form your own opinion, before investing major money.

Yes, you will be paying a premium for Apple products - again, it will be up to yourself to decide whether or not you think that is justified. My personal experience is that I never had even the slightest issue with any Apple product I owned; I bought them second hand, and sold them off again some years later while still in perfect working order to upgrade to newer models. Also, bear in mind that all future versions of MacOS will be free of charge, as a simple online update. Again, the same cannot exactly be said about Windows.

Lynx_Fox's point about price vs computing power in Macs and PCs is a valid one, and a bone of major contention. I should say, though, that there is more to a computer than just raw power; the way that power is harnessed and utilised plays a major role too.

Originally Posted by scoobydoo1

It may be helpful to know what you use your home computer mainly for besides playing games. What sort of chores do you have in mind?

In addition to basics like email, internet, and productivity applications, I use my computer to edit graphics. Macs are supposed to be better for graphic design-purposes. Do you know if that's true?

I plan to install Mathematica soon, too. I study math as a hobby.

Finally, I use my computer for music and video.

Jagella

Originally Posted by Lynx_Fox

Short of intensive video processing, extensive CAD or running a server I don't understand why anyone needs to spend $3000 dollar for a computer now days. You can probably get 90% of maximum possible available PC performance for half that.

I spent a lot of dough for my PC because I use it for gaming, music, and video. All three purposes, especially gaming, require a lot of computer power. That power costs money.

Jagella

Originally Posted by Flick Montana

Macs are better looking and overpriced.

I'm not sure that is true. I looked around recently for a good, very portable notebook. Anything comparable to a Mac was a similar price. In that price range, there isn't much to choose in terms of performance, build quality, etc.

The biggest problem with buying a new PC is Windows 8, which is about as unusable as it is possible to make an OS.

The thing I dislike most about the Mac OS is the fact you can't make a window active simply by moving the mouse over it. This is a real pain.

Originally Posted by Strange

The thing I dislike most about the Mac OS is the fact you can't make a window active simply by moving the mouse over it.

It goes to show that perfection is hard to achieve; there will always be things that are overlooked by the software designers, or that some people don't like. Which is why it is good that all future updates to the OS are free...

Originally Posted by Strange

Originally Posted by Flick Montana

Macs are better looking and overpriced.

I'm not sure that is true. I looked around recently for a good, very portable notebook. Anything comparable to a Mac was a similar price. In that price range, there isn't much to choose in terms of performance, build quality, etc.

The biggest problem with buying a new PC is Windows 8, which is about as unusable as it is possible to make an OS.

The thing I dislike most about the Mac OS is the fact you can't make a window active simply by moving the mouse over it. This is a real pain.

I was unclear. I was referring to building a PC as opposed to buying a Mac (yes, I know some people have build their own "hackintosh", but I wasn't counting it). With a PC, you don't have to buy Windows 8. If you do, you're not shopping very well. Get W7 if you want Windows or go for Linux if you're a bit more savvy.

Funny thing is, my work computers are Macs with Windows 8. The worst of both worlds.

I'd never buy something that I can get the same thing for less. PC's ,to me, are just as good as Mac's. You can also put extra upgrades into a PC for allot less and more options. To me why pay more when yiu can get the same for less?

Windows 8 is horrible

Originally Posted by icewendigo

Windows 8 is horrible

I have no complaints about it, nor about Windows 8.1.

One of the issues I had with Mac was less availability and dependability of peripherals such as printers, software for our lab equipment, etc.This drawback is less than it was 5 years ago but still exists here and there. Anyways, I think this turned some off of Macs at one time but perhaps no longer a deal breaker. Re cost of computer...now I have a $300 PC notebook and a $400 Ipad. I barely scratch their capability.