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Post by jo on Apr 18, 2008 11:11:58 GMT -6
Our computer is almost 5 years old and I'm itching to buy a new one. I've always thought I'd like to get a mac because I've heard/read there are a lot fewer issues with macs than pcs.
I'm also thinking of going to a laptop for the first time instead of a desktop.
What do you guys think of macs? Will it be easy for a pc user to adapt? Any thoughts on the new airbooks or should I stick to the regular macbook?
I'm such a novice with this stuff that any imput is appreciated. We mostly use our pc to access the internet, store and send pictures and do our taxes once a year. I would want my internet to download as fast as it does now (I have high speed cable, guess I'd have to get a wireless router to use it anywhere in the house?)
Thanks for any help, guys...............................JO
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 11:20:19 GMT -6
The learning curve should be reasonably minimal, but I would suggest trying to get a model on which you can run Boot Camp (this is what allows you to switch between the Mac and Windows OS on the new Intel - based Macs). Boot Camp might be useful in case you need to switch over to a Win OS for some reason (e.g., some program you need to run which isn't available in a Mac version).
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 11:30:36 GMT -6
I have an ancient (5 - 7 year old) iMac, and I love it. I've also enjoyed the MacBook Pros I have used, but I wasn't overly impressed with the MacBook Air. It didn't seem any better than a plain MacBook to me, and yet you are paying an additional $500 or so for it to be outrageously light. I'm just not weak enough to be willing to pay that much for the removal of a pound or two  In my very biased opinion, once Mac went with an OSX architecture they became the best player in the field. Admittedly, I was a mac user at the start of my computing career and then moved to windows and then linux, so I am not a good basis on how things compare when you are accustomed to windows. Windows seems so counter-intuitive to me that I never *liked* it, I just tolerated it. What I like about the Macs is that there are rarely any problems with them, and the script-kiddies haven't been working overtime coming up with viruses and trojans for them (but that will ch-ch-change as more people get them, so I'm waiting on the day I can no longer say that). What I dislike about the Macs is that when it does go down, it tends to go down HARD. My recommend would be to go to an Apple store (of they have them in Canada, I'm guessing they do) during a weekday when they aren't super busy and ask to play with the laptops. The MacGeeks there tend to be happy to show you what the computers can do. Make a list of anything that is essential to you in a computer so if it isn't a Mac-compatible software/feature they can tell you so. Zilla (who is still happy on the linux box, but likes the GUI on my Mac better) |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Apr 18, 2008 11:30:48 GMT -6
The worst thing about a Mac is that it cuts down your support network among friends and acquaintances by about a ten-to-one margin. But people who own them uniformly seem to love them.......Jake
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 11:42:58 GMT -6
(I have high speed cable, guess I'd have to get a wireless router to use it anywhere in the house?) I'm too paranoid to go wireless. If you do decide to go WiFi, however, password protect your router at home so no one outside can attach to your home network; also, if you piggyback onto a wireless connection away from home, only do the most casual of surfing. You don't want to be accessing your bank account while sipping a latte at Starbucks while the kid at the table across from you is running a packet sniffer to capture your login info. |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Apr 18, 2008 11:47:42 GMT -6
I like my wireless router. Half the time, I find that I'm inadvertently logged into one of my neighbor's networks instead of my own. It's the modern version of that old-time neighborhood feel.
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Post by jo on Apr 18, 2008 12:50:20 GMT -6
Great info, thanks y'all! I'm doing my own reading of reviews, it seems the macAir is nice to look at but not worth the extra money (like Zilla basically said!).
Jake, what do you mean about a support network? Do you mean I can't send e-mails or pictures to PC users from a mac (I know, I am a dummy when it comes to this stuff)?
There is an Apple store in Montreal, I will try to go soon and bug them with all my silly questions.
Jo (Go Habs Go)
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 12:53:28 GMT -6
I think he means that if you are having a problem, you can't just call up your buddy to help you solve it, because most people are not Mac-saavy. Zilla (who is now going to let Jake speak for himself ) |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 13:06:06 GMT -6
I hate Macs.
Simon
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 13:11:41 GMT -6
And I hate Micks, Hebes, Dagos, Niggers, and Honkeys. What's your point? ;D Zilla (who doesn't actually hate any of those groups, although I do occaisionally hate individuals) |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Apr 18, 2008 13:14:06 GMT -6
I think he means that if you are having a problem, you can't just call up your buddy to help you solve it, because most people are not Mac-savvy. Yes, that's exactly what I meant. You'll have no problem sharing emails, photos, songs, etc. over the internet, as the internet is designed to work with many versions of hardware and software. It's just harder to get informed advice because so many fewer people use Macs, and even fewer of them understand Macs! |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 13:25:03 GMT -6
I own four of them in my business and once had one myself. I find Windows to be much more user friendly, I dislike only having one button on the mouse, and most of I hate the smugness that is common with many Mac users in my industry (and especially in the three I employ) as they sneer at us PC users from behind their 'superior' computers  Simon |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 13:29:14 GMT -6
I find Windows to be much more user friendly ... There's always one troublemaker in the bunch. As far as the uni-button issue, when I used to use Macs ( at various places I used to work -- never actually owned one myself), I used to use a Kensington trackball which had oodles of buttons -- however, you had to install their driver in order for the system to be able to recognize the other buttons. |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 13:33:22 GMT -6
I find Windows to be much more user friendly ... There's always one troublemaker in the bunch I felt it was a question of what you're used to. I was familiar with Windows and really didn't get on with, or like, the Mac. I stuck with it for a year or so but finally couldn't stand it any longer and got myself a PC again at the first opportunity. Simon |
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 13:33:44 GMT -6
You can get dual button mouses for Macs (or you can learn the keyboard commands for it). In what ways do you find Windows more user friendly? I think if you blame the pompous attitude of some Mac users on the product you fall into the same category as they do, after all they are judging your intelligence on the product you are choosing to use Zilla (really, if you have specific issues about Mac unhappiness you should mention them in detail so that Jo has a more informed platform to base her purchase on. Just saying "I hates them" isn't overly useful to her) |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 18, 2008 13:34:06 GMT -6
I am pretty sure that the Mac people would say that you dont need the support group near as much... BUT, I have read/heard that the current version of the MacOS (version 10.5, also known as Leopard), is much like Vista, in that the Mac world regards it as one of their worst efforts ever and broke a lot of things that had worked quite well in the past.
I dont know how true that is, but it might be worth checking out and if true, maybe waiting until the bugs are fixed
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 13:35:56 GMT -6
I felt it was a question of what you're used to. I was familiar with Windows and really didn't get on with, or like, the Mac. I stuck with it for a year or so but finally couldn't stand it any longer and got myself a PC again at the first opportunity. Simon I can totally relate to this since it was what I did in reverse. Zilla (who thinks it is a very valid point that some people will not find Macs to be intuitive because they have been trained to think in Windows terms) |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 13:44:57 GMT -6
You can get dual button mouses for Macs (or you can learn the keyboard commands for it). In what ways do you find Windows more user friendly? Much as I said in my previous reply, I was used to Windows, I like Windows, I didn't get on with the Mac and was glad to get rid of it. I don't blame the product for the attitude of some Mac users, but I don't have to like being sneered at for preferring a different product. I wasn't trying to offer useful advice, I was just making a simple point that *I* hate Macs, which wasn't intended to be any more relevant than comments like "I like meatballs" where they occasionally appear Simon |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 18, 2008 13:50:15 GMT -6
I like meatballs
Edited: sorry, I had to do it, BB has been way to useful around here lately, and I am trying to bring up the 'irrelevance' slack that has developed, I am just not sure how the squabbulator is handling the useful information overload
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 13:56:27 GMT -6
Bravo Gordon for putting so much planning and forethought into being irrelevant.
Simon
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 13:57:21 GMT -6
I wasn't trying to offer useful advice, I was just making a simple point that *I* hate Macs, which wasn't intended to be any more relevant than comments like "I like meatballs" where they occasionally appear Perhaps the next time ProBoards does an upgrade of their software, they'll add a "Report Post" button. It would come in handy at times. Like now, for example. |
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Post by Kawaii Kaiju on Apr 18, 2008 13:58:50 GMT -6
I don't blame the product for the attitude of some Mac users, but I don't have to like being sneered at for preferring a different product. but...but...but... you listed it as one of the *points* about why you hate Macs. I understand the feeling though. I am frequently sneered at because of my use of a Mac in a mainly Unix based IT world. Everybody needs a whipping boy, I guess. I wasn't trying to offer useful advice, I was just making a simple point that *I* hate Macs, which wasn't intended to be any more relevant than comments like "I like meatballs" where they occasionally appear Simon Ooops, sorry! The comment seemed relevant enough that I didn't recognize it as the non sequitur you meant it to be. Zilla (who must be trying to get my post count up) |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Apr 18, 2008 14:02:13 GMT -6
Zilla ( who must be trying to get my post count up) To much personal information! |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 14:03:11 GMT -6
Zilla (who must be trying to get my post count up) I'd suggest posting something about meatballs, but ... |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 14:04:48 GMT -6
I wasn't trying to offer useful advice, I was just making a simple point that *I* hate Macs, which wasn't intended to be any more relevant than comments like "I like meatballs" where they occasionally appear Perhaps the next time ProBoards does an upgrade of their software, they'll add a "Report Post" button. It would come in handy at times. Like now, for example. And now too? Simon |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 14:05:11 GMT -6
Zilla (who must be trying to get my post count up) I'd suggest posting something about meatballs, but ... I like meatballs. Simon |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 14:06:42 GMT -6
Perhaps the next time ProBoards does an upgrade of their software, they'll add a "Report Post" button. It would come in handy at times. Like now, for example. ... But *especially* now ... |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 14:08:19 GMT -6
I'd suggest posting something about meatballs, but ... Your pathetic attempts to suck up to me after your rather callous insult is particularly unappreciated. |
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Post by Irish Stu on Apr 18, 2008 14:09:08 GMT -6
... But *especially* now ... How about now? Simon |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 18, 2008 14:09:53 GMT -6
Mmm ... maybe not so much ...
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