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argon091076
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Ok now, I think I am going to get myself a MAC now…never had one and never really tried one…but now I want one LOL!
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Boso
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If the Mac is good enough for Peter it’s good enough for me:
smarandayal.com/2007/02/23/the-vatican-uses-macintosh/
smarandayal.com/2007/02/23/the-vatican-uses-macintosh/
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Tech_Admin
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I use everything but prefer Mac OS X primarily. Unless you are a hard-core gamer, Macs are the way to go as it is hands-down the most well-rounded system in terms of security, reliability, quality, ease of use, aesthetics, and software availability.
Mac OS X isn’t made of magic and isn’t the solution to everything, but its a much better desktop solution than Vista (With all the problems Vista has been having, more software probably is availible for Macs than for Vista. I wouldn’t want to be sending money to ‘planned’ parenthood’s major sponsor either.)
If you need to keep some of your legacy windows-only apps around, you can run Windows simultaneously under Mac OS X with “Parallels Desktop”.
Since Vista has practically changed everything, you’ll have to learn a new system anyway.
I’d still only recommend Linux if you want to save money, are proficient computer-wise, and don’t mind spending a bit more time to learn things. Linux is not a bad option, but Mac OS X is better for most people.
Mac OS X isn’t made of magic and isn’t the solution to everything, but its a much better desktop solution than Vista (With all the problems Vista has been having, more software probably is availible for Macs than for Vista. I wouldn’t want to be sending money to ‘planned’ parenthood’s major sponsor either.)
If you need to keep some of your legacy windows-only apps around, you can run Windows simultaneously under Mac OS X with “Parallels Desktop”.
Since Vista has practically changed everything, you’ll have to learn a new system anyway.
I’d still only recommend Linux if you want to save money, are proficient computer-wise, and don’t mind spending a bit more time to learn things. Linux is not a bad option, but Mac OS X is better for most people.
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Rob_s_Wife
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I’m looking for something very reliable and user friendly. I’m not technology challenged, just a bit over-whelmed. In fact, I like to learn programming. (Way, way back in the day - I used to be a programmer geek. I’ve since become obsolete!
)Think commerical use in the home. There’s 9 of us able and ready to use 1 computer. For everything from writing, graphics, learning a foreign language, downloads of any and all sorts, research, internet (YIKES! can’t have anything happen to my connection for a CAF fix!), power point, excel, DVD’s or livefeed casting.
**Basicly anything a kid/teen/mom/teacher/centrifical casting drafter/NASD certified trainer and curriculum developer for a Fortune 300 company/dad/international traveler/desperate housewife would need or want to do - I want to be able to do it!
It would be nice if it could change diapers, but it’s not required. ****LOL:thumbsup: **
I’m going to a store that carries Apple this weekend to check it all out in person.I use everything but prefer Mac OS X primarily. Unless you are a hard-core gamer
None of us are hard-core gamers. The very occassional educational game happens about twice a year. Rob has his playstation for his gaming fix when he’s had a hard day at work and wants to hit something.
, Macs are the way to go as it is hands-down the most well-rounded system in terms of security, reliability, quality, ease of use, aesthetics, and software availability.
That sounds awesome! One of my major frustrations is that I don’t think I’m doing anything all that amazing or difficult with my computers, yet they constantly freeze, crash, or give me an endless complaint of errors and unables and they appear to have serious auto-immune health issues as every sniffle out there turns into ebola on my PC. The patches take forever and upgrades aren’t any better. I’m ready to try something new, but only if it’s better. Sounds like MAC may be the answer!
I wouldn’t want to be sending money to ‘planned’ parenthood’s major sponsor either.
ohh, that is a nice little plus!
If you need to keep some of your legacy windows-only apps around, you can run Windows simultaneously under Mac OS X with “Parallels Desktop”.
Yes, I know I need/want a dual processor and parallels.
Since Vista has practically changed everything, you’ll have to learn a new system anyway.
I plan to avoid Vista like the plague for as long as possible.
I’d still only recommend Linux if you want to save money, are proficient computer-wise, and don’t mind spending a bit more time to learn things. Linux is not a bad option, but Mac OS X is better for most people.
**Hmmm, how computer proficient and how much more time? How much money would be saved? I’ve found it’s amazing how much I can learn to do myself when it puts more food on the table.
And may be a moot point anyways. We may have to use every available dollar to purchase a new home and wait on the computer. We should know by the end of the week.
Thank you everyone for the great replies!
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nova147
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Can someone define “hard core gamer” for me? We are considering a Mac next time we need a computer (should be a year or so). I like my computer games, but I have no idea what to look for to decide if my gaming would be too much for a Mac to handle. Advice?
(Thanks for the thread, BTW . . . it’s been helpful!)
MJ
(Thanks for the thread, BTW . . . it’s been helpful!)
MJ
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Timidity
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Go to an online Mac store and look at the selection of games, and you’ll be able to answer the questions yourself.
There’s Halo and WoW and Civ and Sims 2, and a few more. I know that Halo has an Intel-binary (called a Universal Binary). Not all of the old Gx programs are compatible with Rosetta, so I’ve been hesitant to lay out cash for something that might not work.
I was thinking proprietary as in someone might need to do work for a company that writes its own software. But as had been mentioned, you can run Windows on some MACs now.
There’s no problem with a laptop being on all day and moving it around unless you need a gazillion peripherals attached to it. (Printers, scanners, external drives,…) But there are always docking stations or you use an older computer for peripherals and just network to it.
My biggest concern would be protecting the screen with lots of little ones around. (OK, I’m paranoid because the screen developed cracks on my husband’s brand new core two dual laptop. Just don’t set the laptop on the floor, even with the lid closed. We think it might have been stepped on.)
Since you evidently have other computers you might do what we did with our old Windows ME computer. We made it a dual boot machine running Ubuntu and WinME.Originally Posted by **Tech Admin:**I’d still only recommend Linux if you want to save money, are proficient computer-wise, and don’t mind spending a bit more time to learn things. Linux is not a bad option, but Mac OS X is better for most people.
**Hmmm, how computer proficient and how much more time? How much money would be saved? I’ve found it’s amazing how much I can learn to do myself when it puts more food on the table.
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didymus
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Mac vs. PC is more a difference of attitude than anything else:
youtube.com/watch?v=hrpS9m2VF1c
youtube.com/watch?v=Jg1-ywndVNc
youtube.com/watch?v=hrpS9m2VF1c
youtube.com/watch?v=Jg1-ywndVNc
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Rob_s_Wife
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I was thinking proprietary as in someone might need to do work for a company that writes its own software. But as had been mentioned, you can run Windows on some MACs now.
ah-ha. yes very different and my hubby has his for work only laptop for those things. (NO touchy on MY computer!
My biggest concern would be protecting the screen with lots of little ones around.
**Understandable, but not an issue here. **
Um, no I don’t? Just this one I’m typing on right now and there are times when it’s serious work to get it to where it works. Much rigging and digging and thumping and time are needed on a daily basis to get anything done with it.
If we can afford to salvage it after purchasing a new one - we will. Otherwise though, I doubt I coudl find anyone who would want it.
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Timidity
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“Some Macs” being defined as every new Mac being sold.
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KGM06
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As for the computer games,…
There are a few game development companies that code for MAC. Think about it (just tossing around numbers here) if 10% of the computer owning population has MAC and the other 90% has PC, what would you code your games for?
There are a few (like Blizzard) that codes for MAC and PC, but they are the exception other than the rule.
Some have had some sucess by running a PC emmulator to get a PC game to play on a MAC.
Just go to a Game Stop at your local Mall and see what I mean.
Of course you can always just get a MAC and a Playstation
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wynd
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At its heart, Linux is an OS by nerds for nerds. This has been changing, with several distributions such as Ubuntu that are very newbie-friendly. Since you mentioned you have a programming background, it may not be all that strange to you
Again, I’ve never used these personally, but from what I’ve seen, if you download one of the “user-friendly” Linux distributions they pretty much take care of everything for you. That said, it never hurts to learn how to use the command line as it is still the underlying core of Linux and you may need to use it in case the graphical tools don’t work 100% for some reason, and it is the “common denominator” across all Linux distributions where graphical environments may look very different. (Also, some tasks are actually easier with the command line.)
Money-wise, it is free, period. You can download it for free, install for free, use all the programs for free, etc. Of course, since you don’t pay anyone, this usually means your tech support consists of searching Google or asking on a forum instead of having a 1-800 number to call.
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AngelRose81
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I have both and I LOVE MY MAC!!! It is a much more reliable machine and it just runs smoother. Plus its prettier! 
I do have the Parallels program on my MacBook Pro where I can run windows on there as well without having to reboot. I love it especially when I need to run a windows program. For example, I use my smartphone to connect to the internet and it is windows mobile so it will only run through windows, but with Parallels, I can connect through windows and get on the internet, iTunes or whatever with the Mac OS. Its awesome. I do know that some of the new Macs that are coming out in the next few months or years (I can’t remember), will have a program that will run windows already installed and some will even have Windows XP or Vista preinstalled on them.
So I will cast my vote for a Mac all the way!!
I do have the Parallels program on my MacBook Pro where I can run windows on there as well without having to reboot. I love it especially when I need to run a windows program. For example, I use my smartphone to connect to the internet and it is windows mobile so it will only run through windows, but with Parallels, I can connect through windows and get on the internet, iTunes or whatever with the Mac OS. Its awesome. I do know that some of the new Macs that are coming out in the next few months or years (I can’t remember), will have a program that will run windows already installed and some will even have Windows XP or Vista preinstalled on them.
So I will cast my vote for a Mac all the way!!
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jmcrae
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I’ve actually had no trouble finding software, because I know someone who gets the “bundle packs” with both Mac and PC versions - he uses a PC, and sells me the Mac versions at a steep discount from what I would normally have to pay for them. I have an entire graphics, multimedia development, and web development suite, along with desktop publishing and office software. I can do absolutely anything, and it didn’t cost me that much. I bought the computer used, so it was also a steal.I’m surprised at the strong pro-Mac preference stated on this thread.
I’ll certainly defer to current Mac users, as I have not used one regularly in about 6 years, but I found them far more likely to crash and harder to find software for than PCs.
I’ve never had any problems with crashing - they do need periodic maintenance, but as long as you do the maintenance (Norton Utilities has a suite of maintenance products for the Mac) and do periodic backups, you’ll always be just fine.
I once accidentally erased an external hard drive, but that was my own fault - I forgot to set the terminator correctly.
(Reading and following the directions is always a key factor in success, with this sort of thing.
)
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dulcissima
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I haven’t been able to get on my iMac all day since my sons seem to have a monopoly on it today. So, here I am typing this on a first generation bondi blue iMac running OS-X. My sister gave it to us as a spare since we always seem to have numerous family members who want to use the computer at the same time. Does anyone have any idea how old these original iMacs are?
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jmcrae
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I think they came out as a replacement for the Performa series in the early 2000s.
My Performa 6400 still works just fine, by the way - it’s only problem is that it can’t take anything later than OS 8.5, which takes up half of the one gigabyte of hard drive space (which was considered to be quite a lot, in its time.)
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RachelB
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As far as desktop vs. laptop, may I just put in a word - laptops are very breakable compared to a nice solid desktop. I have broken two of them and am now not allowed anywhere near my husbands new Mac laptop.
And just for the record, Vista is AWFUL. Crashes constantly and poor driver support.
And just for the record, Vista is AWFUL. Crashes constantly and poor driver support.
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jmcrae
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This reminds me of the words of one of our tech support guys when we were being given laptops from the company to use - he said, “Now, keep in mind, ladies and gentlemen - these laptops are capable of many things - but they cannot swim, and they cannot fly. Please treat them with care.”
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dulcissima
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I just looked it up, and this computer goes back to 1998. I’d say that says a lot about longevity. This computer is almost 9 years old and still has totally original everything.
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