Help!!!! ...PC or MAC?

If you switch from a PC to a Mac, most of your software will not work on a Mac.

If you don’t know what a motherboard is, odds are you don’t like to tinker and just want a computer that works. Get the iMac.

It comes preinstalled with most all software you’ll need; Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, & Excel) or Apple’s iWork equivalent suite (Pages, Keynote, Numbers) can be purchased separately.

First off battery life is pretty much the same for both mac and PC. If money is not an issue then I would go Mac. I love mine. Otherwise stick with a PC it’s cheaper.

I would also say wait til tomorrow. New MacBooks are coming out tomorrow.

Apple is announcing a new line of laptop computers tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008. So watch for that.

Further, if you wanted the cheapest in initial outlay possible, go with a PC. If you want a machine with higher quality components, consider both more expensive PCs and Macs (Apple doesn’t make cheap. They make price-competitive nice stuff.)

Finally, realize that an Apple computer can run both Windows and Mac OS X (and Linux, too). There is no other legitimate PC that can do that.

So, if you’re worried about leaving your security blanket Windows OS behind, you don’t need to. Your new Apple computer can run it. But once you’re ensconced in the awesomeness of Mac OS X, you probably won’t ever want to go back.

Apple charges a huge premium over any pc maker. I just bought the components to build an amazing pc for around $1300. I configured this machine as a comparable mac pro and I would have been charged around $3500.

Some people love the mac os and ui. I use it daily, and hate it. If you aren’t a graphic designer, web designer, artist or other creative professional, i feel that macs are certainly not worth the price.

Mac for video and photo editing

pc for everything else.

Mac, without a doubt. Using a PC is like driving an old Ford compared to a Mac, which is like driving a new Mercedes.

Get a Mac.

Get a Mac Frequently Asked Questions.

Can a Mac run Windows and Microsoft Office?

Yes. Microsoft Office is available for the Mac, and Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files created on a Mac are fully compatible with Windows. Most other popular applications are available for the Mac, too. But if you need to use a particular Windows-only application, you have a few options: Boot Camp comes with every new Mac, and it lets you run Windows natively — as if your Mac were a PC. If you want to run Mac OS X and Windows side by side, you can purchase Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion. Install one of these applications, along with the Windows Installation CDs, and you can run the occasional Windows program right next to your Mac applications, without having to restart.

Will my PC devices (cameras, printers, hard drives) work with a Mac?

A Mac has hundreds of drivers for peripherals preinstalled. Just connect your device and, in most cases, you’re good to go. And a Mac is smart enough to know what to do when you plug in your digital camera: It opens iPhoto and asks if you want to import your recent photos.

Can I join Windows networks?

Yes. If you have a network at home or at work, whether wired or wireless, a Mac will fit right in. You can share files with any computer on your network, browse the web, and get your work or home email.

What about Wi-Fi?

All new Mac computers are Wi-Fi capable. Available wireless networks automatically show up. Just select the network you want to join, enter a password if necessary, and you’re connected.

Is a Mac reliable?

When you buy a PC, you’re buying hardware from one company and an operating system and software from other companies. Not so with a Mac. Because Apple builds both the computer and the software that comes with it, they’re literally made for each other. This means that a Mac rarely freezes or crashes. Occasionally an application might quit, but it won’t affect the rest of your system. And Mac OS X resists most viruses, so you can do anything — without worrying about losing everything.

What kind of support can I expect?

Every Mac comes with service and support that’s consistently voted the best in the business. If you have a problem in the first year of owning your new Mac, you can take it to an Apple Retail Store to get it fixed or figured out. And if you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, you extend your service and support to up to three years. The Apple Retail Store also offers services like ProCare, which gives you priority support, and One to One, which provides personal training on your Mac. Each service costs $99 a year.

Are Mac computers secure?

Yes. While no computer connected to the Internet is 100 percent immune to viruses and spyware, the Mac is built on a solid UNIX foundation and designed with security in mind. The Mac web browser, Safari, alerts you whenever you’re downloading an application — even if it’s disguised as a picture or movie file. And Apple continually makes free security updates available for Mac owners. You can even have them download automatically.

Is it easy to learn how to use a Mac?

Every Mac is created with the guiding principle that computers should be easy to use, so you can spend more time doing what you love and less time figuring out how your computer works. If you’ve never owned a Mac, you may need a little time to get used to it. But within a week or two, chances are you’ll get along like old friends. And because all Mac applications are designed to work in the same, intuitive way, once you learn one application — iTunes, for example — you’ll quickly pick up iPhoto, Mail, or any of the other software that comes with your Mac.

Why should I spend more money on a Mac?

When you compare the cost of a PC and factor in the additional software, memory, and other extras you have to buy to go along with it, the difference in price between a Mac and PC isn’t as great as most people believe. And because the Mac comes with so many built-in applications that you’ll enjoy using for both work and play (rather than useless freebies you’ll want to uninstall), a Mac makes good financial sense. Finally, a Mac is built with the most cutting-edge technology by some of the smartest hardware engineers, software developers, and product designers on the planet. So you’re getting the latest technological advances and a computer that isn’t in danger of becoming obsolete anytime soon.

How do I move my files to a Mac?

The easiest way is to let us do it. If you buy a Mac at an Apple Retail Store and bring in your old Mac or PC, a Genius can move all your files for you. Or you can use a USB or FireWire hard drive or a local network to transfer photos, music, documents, and more. For detailed information on moving your files to a Mac, visit our support site.
quoted from Get A Mac

@Eambos: It’s not exactly true that Apple charges a huge premium over other PC makers. Technologizer recently did a series comparing the price of various apple lines to comparable PCs. As I recall, some Apple computers were actually cheaper than, some were yes more expensive than, and some were just about the same price as comparable Windows machines.

I was an early supporter of Mac’s and upgraded as newer/better came out, but I did reach a time when there was virtually no 3d party software available and my youngest daughter’s hs teachers were handing out Windows cd’s as teaching aids and we couldn’t run them.

Switch to Windows. They do the job, but they are no where near as elegant to use, lot’s of crashes, harder to self diagnose, but they are cheaper.

When this one dies, I’ll probably go back to Mac.

If my livelihood was related to graphic arts or music production in any way, Mac is the only way to go.

I would suggest you look into the possibility of a pre-configured Ubuntu machine. I know Dell offers some and I believe some other manufacturers are offering it as well.

reasons:

1:No need to ever pay for an updated OS, the updates are free and regular. No buying a new osx version every year or a new windows every five-ish.

2:Just as secure of a computer as OSX.

3:Free software, and on top of that Ubuntu has a built in application that lets you search for, download, and install just about anything you will ever want, heck of a lot easier than on a mac or windows machine.

4:Smug satisfaction when you say you use Linux.

Reasons not to use Ubuntu:

1:If you need to be able t take files from work to home and back(say spreadsheets) sometimes(and truly only sometimes) Open Office files won’t appear right in Microsoft Office applications.

2:A strong attachment to specific programs. Ubuntu has everything you need, but it will usually be a slightly different looking and working program.

3:I don’t know if this is the case with the preconfigured Ubuntu that Dell is shipping, and I hope it isn’t, but Flash support for Linux is trailing behind that for OSX and Windows, so say full screen videos off of Hulu can be wonky.

Any other questions feel free to ask.

p.s. We have two machines running Linux, one with XP and one with OSX. We came from using only Windows and OSX to having those two machines sitting in a closet with shoes on top of them. Two outright converts in this house.

Here are the sources for my earlier response:
MacBooks are comparable to other PCs, cheaper than Vaio
MacBooks are more expensive than the cheap PCs on the Best Buy floor
iMacs are less than $100 more expensive than comparable all-in-one PCs
Mac Minis are comparable to other PCs, cheaper than Shuttle XPC X200H

Mac’s are better for art type things. and if you have an Iphone.

We have both. I tend to be more comfortable with my Dell, but the Mac does more things.

I think I might just invest and go with the Mac! I was thinking about getting Photoshop because I love taking pictures and from the looks of all your advice it sounds like Macs are better for more artsy things.

Thanks for all the help!!!!!!

@Summer

Smart choice

Yeah I would also just fork over the money for a Mac. Chances are it will get you into creative stuff and you’ll have lots of fun with the built in Applications.

-If your looking to save money get a Pc.

-If your looking for a fun computer get a Mac.

-If your looking for a computer that really does just work get a Mac.

Just spend the money. I really love how Apple just never lets something stay. They must update and make it better all the time. They have 5 times more major updates than Microsoft and 15 times more minor updates.

All I can tell you is, once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.

I used to be afraid of Macs and wasn’t sure I’d be able to work them, but once I got one, I kicked myself for putting up with PCs for so long. Mac has saved me so much time and effort, not to mention made everything prettier and easier. I’ve had Macs for several years now and I have yet to find software that I need that I can’t run on a Mac, or find an equivalent of with a Mac version.

I can’t express my loatheing of Apple in words, so I will not. I know how to use a mac better than most, yet I still dislike it. I will always be a PC man for one reason or another, and it will take a lot more than what apple has now to sway my opinions at all.

Everyone should buy Macs, iPods, iPhones, and everything else Apple sells. My stock needs a big boost.

if you can afford a mac, get a mac and save yourself some headaches.

Can someone please explain to me all these AMAZING things a Mac can do that a PC cant, because im sorry but ive yet to see it. Im on boat with Eambos, Macs are overpriced POS.

@lapilofu im pretty sure Eambos was talking about custom built PCs not prebuilt ones. Thats where you save your money. Your not going to have anywhere near that kind of savings with a Mac.

First of all the Mac is just a joy to use for lots of people. The look and feel just makes you feel happy and the applications are such a joy to use.

Making a hard cover book is a snap! Remixing a song is loads of fun. Editing pictures are so simple. Now I think we can all agree iMovie is way better than Windows Movie Maker. Sure you can say this all can be done on a Pc too but does the average user know how to do these things which such ease? I think not. Does the average user know how to use Photoshop, Adobe Sound booth and many others for doing the very same task? No. Its not just that. It really just works. I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal but it really is true.

It’s very secure. I don’t want to hear they don’t have viruses because of their market share. They run a very secure operating system which makes it very hard to infect a Mac. It’s got 5 times more major updates than Microsoft and 15 times more minor updates.

If your on a tight budget a Mac might not be the best right now but just remember the Mac has 90% satisfaction and you might even end up spending more on a Pc. (Viruses, Spyware, Technical problems)

Update: Why do you think Mac users are so smug? Because Apple gets people to love their computers! Do you think they’re just hypnotists or paying people to be the way they are?

You didnt mention a single thing in there that a Mac could do and a PC couldnt. Im not really sure what your saying about the “average user” because i would consider PS a more advanced prog, but thats not to say there isnt a myriad of other progs PC users can choose from. I will agree with WMM being a POS, but thats again not to say there isnt a million other progs i can use on a PC.

As far as the security thing LOLLLLLL. I take it youve never heard of the PWN 2 OWN contest. Mac was hacked with-in the first day. (it took something like an hour) where as Vista(which i hate) took until the final day. Linux wasnt hacked at all (no real surprises there)

So i go back to my first question. What makes them so great? Ive yet to hear anything.

Of course I was talking about custom built. Why would anyone want to use a computer that they didn’t make themself? Every computer maker out there charges a premium for pre-builts, especially apple.

@uberbatman I guess I’m not so good at explaining the pros and cons. Have you heard of Chris Pirillo. Just listen to him. He explains why Macs are the better choice better than me. Check only if you want to but I doubt it.

“charges a premium for pre-builts” == manufacturing & design costs.

Have fun with your generic beige box o’ bland… or spend your entire life constructing something liquid-cooled that runs on propane that you must constantly tinker with to keep it running.

I’ll be happy to cruise along with a new unibody, carved out of a single frickin’ block of Al-yoo-min-ium MacBook that is constructed using chipsets and manufacturing techniques you home builders don’t have access to.

@uber, I don’t think you’ll care and I’m sure you already know, but an Apple machine can legitimately run any desktop OS. That’s choice that no other manufacturer can offer.

@robmandu im well aware of this, but why in the hell would i pay wayyyyyyy more than necessary for a piece of hardware when Im just going to put a different OS on it. I could just buy all the parts on my own for a fraction of the price and come out with the same piece of hardware.

”I don’t think you’ll care and I’m sure you know, but an Apple machine can legitimately run any desktop OS.” That is what I’ve tried to explain to allot of people but their response are almost all “Running Windows on a Mac just turns it into a Pc so shut up.” or complain how they can’t afford it but what it really does is turn it into an all in one machine which I think is pretty great.

@uberbatman I expected a response like that. I did this because my computer became an all in one machine. I love this. I can do my real work on Leopard like my visual effects, graphic designing and spread sheets then turn over to Vista if I really feel like fooling around with a game or if there’s an important application I need that doesn’t run on Leopard and I kid you not but I still have yet to find a program I need that doesn’t run on Mac OS X.

@uber, yah… you can… many others cannot.

And if you wanted to throw away the Mac OS you could, and even then, while you might have paid more than absolutely necessary to get something that’ll run your chosen OS, with an Apple you’ll get quality comparable to the high-end offered by other manufacturers at a competitive price… all wrapped in a package designed & engineered to a level unmatched any where else.

Further, manys a time that folks will want to run Mac-based apps and Windows-based (or even Linux-based) at the same time on the same machine. Apple provides for that. Nothing else can at any price.

Ive built a hackintosh- the man I sold it to wanted a computer better than a 21 inch iMac, but for less. I made a computer with a total cost of $1400 that runs Windows, Linux and OSX with ease. It runs better than any iMac, on par with or better than a mac pro.

My main qualm with apple is that they made their OS only useable on their own hardware. That, along with the higher cost of software/hardware that isn’t that amazing, is why windows has majority share of the market.

@Eambos ”That, along with the lower cost, is why windows has the majority share of the market.” That is also why their computers have more problems. Apples hardware and software are made by the same people so you can expect much less problems.

@Pixel if mac is sooooooooo great why are you running vista? I run ubuntu on my computer and never have any needs to switch over to any other OS.

@robmandu “Nothing else can at any price.” uhhhh hackintosh

@Eambos, yah, I know it’s technically feasible… but running the Mac OS on non-Apple hardware violates the EULA.

I don’t think Apple minds not having the majority share. Nor do they care to own the basement in terms of pricing. Dell is losing its shirt these days trying to compete where margins are razor slim.

Also, while I’m sure your box works like a charm, is it environmentally as green as a Mac? Is it as efficient in power use? Does it do that neat convection cooling bit? Is it as sturdy and robust as a Mac? Does it look as cool?

Point is, it’s more than just processing power per dollar.

@uberbatman Reread my answers.

1. ”I don’t think you’ll care and I’m sure you know, but an Apple machine can legitimately run any desktop OS.” That is what I’ve tried to explain to allot of people but their response are almost all “Running Windows on a Mac just turns it into a Pc so shut up.” or complain how they can’t afford it but what it really does is turn it into an all in one machine which I think is pretty great.”

2. ”@uberbatman I expected a response like that. I did this because my computer became an all in one machine. I love this. I can do my real work on Leopard like my visual effects, graphic designing and spread sheets then turn over to Vista if I really feel like fooling around with a game or if there’s an important application I need that doesn’t run on Leopard and I kid you not but I still have yet to find a program I need that doesn’t run on Mac OS X.”

@Pixel i read your answer. I got it your “real work” on Leopard and then game on Vista. What i am saying is if mac was so amazing like all you mac users make it out to be, there would be no need for switching OS’

@uberbatman The reason I have Vista is really for no big reason. I have it incase I run into incompatibility problems and I still have not run into a compatibility problem. Sometimes I feel like playing a game which I agree is not very fun on Leopard. I honestly just have it because I can. There are other people who have better reasons for it but thats why I have it. I just think it’s great because the Mac can run all of these operating systems which can not be done on a Pc. You have everything. Vista (Or XP if you want), Mac OS X, and Linux.

@Pixel but i can run all of those OS’ on my Pc -_ -

I run Final Cut Studio (Bundle of Applications), Shake, Aperture, MobileMe and many more. The experience is much better on the Mac Operating Systems and most programs I use are Mac Only. I do creative stuff for a living. Also a little example of the experience of using those on a Mac is if the program ever does freeze which happens rarely it is very easy to get back to work and fix the problem. If something freezes on Windows why does the whole computer freeze and not just the program. Now this End Now thing on Windows never works. You have to wait minutes for it to terminate an App were on a Mac it takes seconds. 5 Seconds tops.

Oops you said OS’. Sorry.

Well you can run Leopard on a Pc but not legally. But whatever I’ll give you that one. Who doesn’t own a pirated copy of Photoshop these days?

@Pixel what are you talking about, windows doesnt completely freeze when a program crashes(cant speak for vista i hate that POS) there are occasions where it wont close right away, so you just have to close another file in the task manager( i cant remember what its called, ive been on ubuntu for over a year now). And ive seen my fair share of macs completely freezing up and having to fully reboot to get them working again.

as you can see im pretty partial to Linux over anything, i just really cant find the hype of Mac especially when linux out does mac(and windows for that matter) and its free.

Some things you do because you CAN, and not NEED to. Nerds like myself do things this way, always.

@uberbatman What am I talking about? I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this. If a program crashes the whole computer freezes up which makes very difficult to do anything. For example if an App on a Mac crashed I could browse in Safari until it gets back to normal. I was not capable of doing this with the Windows operating system.

@Pixel what im saying is you just go to your task manager and close it, end of problem.

Yes. End of problem ten minutes later.

Egh i really wish i had a windows comp so i could find remember the other thing you have to close in the task manager. Its some weird file name i forget what it is, but say firefox for instance froze and task manager wouldnt close it for some reason, you just close this file as and it will close immediately. (not saying this makes any of it right, but theres no reason to sit there for ten minutes)

AH HA! remembered what it was. If a program doesnt close in XP(again dont know about vista) instead of sitting there and waiting just end task on dumprep and the program will close immediately ^_^

tangent

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Task Manager replacement from Microsoft (nee Sysinternals): Process Explorer

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@uberbatman and eambos:
Here’s the thing though. I’m pretty sure Summer’s not going to build his or her own laptop until he or she figures out what a motherboard is.

So, in this situation, Macs and Windows machines really are comparably priced.

(The advice you’re giving then, is really more appropriate to computer nerds—and you may have a point in those situations, though I would debate it. And as far as installing Mac OS X on non-Apple machines, I have heard of this working, but never working well.)

Im a nerd now?

Not if you don’t like the term—you seem a little offended. In the circles I frequent it’s a rather positive term. All I meant to imply was that you’re very proficient with computers—nothing else.

Hi my name is uberbatman, and i am a nerd. :P

I am a nerd, and a geek. But I don’t look like the stereotype. :)

I am also a nerd and a geek who doesn’t look like the stereotype. Yay!

if you get a mac, it is a mac.
if you get a pc, it is computer/entertainment center/game console/everything you can think about.

@rosadrake If I could give you negative lurve I would.