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The W - Internet & Computers - Considering switching to a Mac- what are your experiences?
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PaulKTF
Summer sausage








Since: 26.5.06

Since last post: 4614 days
Last activity: 94 days
#1 Posted on
I've been a Windows user since 1993 and I've never used a Mac before but over the last few years I've been more and more frustrated with Windows and the direction it's been going (not to mention the continued issue of viruses and malware). I'm using Windows XP so I'm due for a new OS pretty soon anyway.

This question is aimed mostly at people who have switched from Windows to Mac. Was it relativly easy to learn the Mac OS (as I assume it is)? Did you have any problems along the way adapting to how OS X works? Any major horror stories?

Like I said; I've never used a Mac but ever since OS 9 died and OS X really came into its own, I've been tempted to give it a try.

Thanks in advance for any opinions. :)

(Mods; If this is better suited for One Question, feel free to move it there).

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wmatistic
Andouille








Since: 2.2.04
From: Austin, TX

Since last post: 2552 days
Last activity: 1537 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.08
You're frustrated with the direction of Windows but still use XP? Could be part of the problem. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like Windows 7, so if you haven't at least tried it out I would give it a look.

As for Macs, it's a bit of an adjustment, but not terrible. Personally I'm not a fan, but it's not cause they are bad, just not my thing. Overpriced would be my biggest complaint.
PaulKTF
Summer sausage








Since: 26.5.06

Since last post: 4614 days
Last activity: 94 days
#3 Posted on
    Originally posted by wmatistic
    You're frustrated with the direction of Windows but still use XP? Could be part of the problem. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like Windows 7, so if you haven't at least tried it out I would give it a look.



Well, when I said "direction"; I mostly meant the UI changes with Vista and 7. I havn't had hands-on experience with 7 yet I admit.

(edited by PaulKTF on 8.11.10 1927)
El Nastio
Banger








Since: 14.1.02
From: Ottawa Ontario, by way of Walkerton

Since last post: 34 days
Last activity: 19 days
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#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.65
Contrary to popular belief, the hardware on a Mac isn't better than on a PC. And if you don't like your PC hardware you can just change it up. But don't expect to be able to upgrade your Mac at all, unless you get a Mac Pro (and even then, limited upgrading. Plus Apple won't support it. Plus you have to pay extra for the special parts).

You're essentially paying extra money for a logo and a Operating System. An Operating System which, despite Valve's best efforts, is still not a viable gaming platform. Which, if you decide to install Windows to play the games, essentially mean you're still using a PC.

My wife, who is a Mac user, has told me on several occasions that MS has been stealing OS design and layout from Apple, meaning that from a superficial standpoint there are many similarities, so you might not even escape that.

Basically, if you're a non-gamer and you demand to not use Windows you are fine. But then again, you could get the same affect with Linux.



After a (very) long hiatus, I have begun to write again. And this time, I'm not alone!

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tarnish
Landjager








Since: 13.2.02
From: Back in the Heart of Hali

Since last post: 569 days
Last activity: 6 hours
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.59

As someone who engages in the purchasing of laptops for my company I can say honestly that by the time you take a decent Windows-based laptop and spec it like a MacBook (Bluetooth, good wireless, webcam, etc.) there's not a whole lot of difference in the price, probably only about 5%, if that. Meanwhile, the build quality is much much better. Despite the aluminum case, they're lighter. The battery lasts longer. The screen is much nicer. The touchpad doesn't suck. Sleep and hibernate work. Consistently. I could go on. My wife has an iMac and although the price difference is probably more significant on the desktop, the all-in-one form factor and the ease of use more than make up for it.

I made the switch from a Windows 7 laptop to MacBook Pro a couple of months ago. I was raised in an Apple household that became a Mac household, but I abandoned Mac in the late nineties when MacOS started to suck, PC hardware was cheaper, and Linux became a legitimate option for those willing to put up with the learning curve. Linux is, I'm afraid, not an option for most people who just want a computer that works, unless they have access to someone who is able and willing to help. With MacOS you get all the benefits of being built on Unix without the baggage of having to understand how it works at a deeper than superficial level.

I will say I am not impressed with some of the things I've heard about OS X Lion with respect to the App Store for Mac idea, but I suspect that's not going to change too many things about how I use mine.

In terms of switching OSes, I can honestly say that you will probably like Windows 7 more than any other Windows OS you've ever used. It is light years beyond XP in my opinion. But I still think the average will probably like Mac more. So many things are so much easier.
Leroy
Boudin blanc








Since: 7.2.02

Since last post: 3 days
Last activity: 5 hours
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.21
    Originally posted by tarnish
    As someone who engages in the purchasing of laptops for my company I can say honestly that by the time you take a decent Windows-based laptop and spec it like a MacBook (Bluetooth, good wireless, webcam, etc.) there's not a whole lot of difference in the price, probably only about 5%, if that.


My new 13" MacBook Pro (with 3-year AppleCare) came in a little cheaper than a Sony Viao with similar specs. Apple just doesn't make a $450 laptop, so there's a misbelief that Mac hardware is more expensive. The one issue I have had with Macs is the occasional motherboard failure, so this is one of the few areas where I do recommend AppleCare if you need the computer to last a while.

    Originally posted by tarnish
    Linux is, I'm afraid, not an option for most people who just want a computer that works, unless they have access to someone who is able and willing to help.


Ubuntu is about as close as it gets to a consumer accessible distro, but I've even run into issues with that on older systems (although my 9-year old desktop running Gentoo gives me fewer headaches than my fiancé's Windows Vista laptop).
JayJayDean
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Seattle, WA

Since last post: 2975 days
Last activity: 2553 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.60
I <3 my MacBook Pro. I've been a Mac user for forever and I've never considered trying to go back to a PC. For the few issues I have ever had with my Mac, they PALE in comparison to the number of PC issues in my office, which has a contract with an IT company just do be on-call. (Note: My office has four PC-users and a server.)

I JUST ordered a new 17" MacBook Pro today. I couldn't be more excited.



Holy fuck shit motherfucker shit. Read comics. Fuck shit shit fuck shit I sold out when I did my job. Fuck fuck fuck shit fuck. Sorry had to do it....

*snip*

Revenge of the Sith = one thumb up from me. Fuck shit. I want to tittie fuck your ass.
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StaggerLee
Scrapple








Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 928 days
Last activity: 928 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.63
Or, you can save the cash, buy a copy of whatever OS version is the latest and install it onto your PC.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=installing+mac+os+x+snow+leopard+on+a+pc&aq=1
StingArmy
Andouille








Since: 3.5.03
From: Georgia bred, you can tell by my Hawk jersey

Since last post: 2948 days
Last activity: 540 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.45

Not the worst idea ever (I've done it and loved the results) but not wholly legal either I don't think.

- StingArmy
Merc
Potato korv








Since: 3.1.02
From: Brisbane, Australia

Since last post: 4723 days
Last activity: 4702 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.00
If you consider Linux - I have just installed Linux Mint on my desktop after XP crapped itself.
You can download and run it as a live cd/dvd if you like.
I only had a slight hiccup with the video card, but had it installed and online within a few hours from scratch.
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