Mac users help please
Discussion
Hello
I'm thinking of a new computer and yes thinking along the lines of a mac.
I'm fed up of microsoft and all it problems! freezing crashing etc..
Are macs any better?
What are the advantages/disadvantages?
what are they like with windows compatable programs?
Is internet surfing any diferent? i.e can you access all the same sites?
Are they attacted with viruses like windows!?
and Why do they look so dam good!!!
Thanks
I'm thinking of a new computer and yes thinking along the lines of a mac.
I'm fed up of microsoft and all it problems! freezing crashing etc..
Are macs any better?
What are the advantages/disadvantages?
what are they like with windows compatable programs?
Is internet surfing any diferent? i.e can you access all the same sites?
Are they attacted with viruses like windows!?
and Why do they look so dam good!!!
Thanks
Samol said:
Hello
I'm thinking of a new computer and yes thinking along the lines of a mac.
I'm fed up of microsoft and all it problems! freezing crashing etc..
Are macs any better?
What are the advantages/disadvantages?
what are they like with windows compatable programs?
Is internet surfing any diferent? i.e can you access all the same sites?
Are they attacted with viruses like windows!?
and Why do they look so dam good!!!
Thanks
You'll probably find there a strong advocates for and against the Mac. I've used both and am firmly in the Mac camp.
They are generally more expensive than PCs but to my mind worth it. If you use the latest version of the operating system OSX10.3 (Panther) you'll find it is rock solid. I work in graphics using power hungry applications and I can honestly say it never crashes.
Surfing the web is pretty much the same except OSX has it's own built-in browser called Safari, which I find faster than IE, Mozilla, Opera etc.
If you get Office X for Mac you can access all your PC Word, Excel, PowerPoint files and it also has a good email client called Entourage.
So far, Macs are virtually free of viruses, but it is still essential to have some anti-virus software - Virex seems to be the most popular on the Mac, under OSX. It is still possible for you to pass on a virus in an attachment to a PC although it shouldn't attack the Mac.
Finally, don't be misled by the megahertz war - all current Macs are equal to or will outperform most current PCs in terms of speed (runs for cover from the PC advocates!).
I know others will disagree with me, but the Mac rules - all IMHO of course.
Treat yourself to the 20inch iMac and whack a bit of extra Ram in it - go on, you know you want to.
Cheers, Paul
Think most of it was covered here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=67879&f=95&h=0
And before some PC guys tell you it's style over substance and macs are just pretty play things have a look at.....
www.apple.com/hardware/video/virginiatech/
.......the worlds third fastest super computer built with 1100 G5s. Only third you say? Well, the interesting bit is the price $5.2m. The second place machine is only thirteen percent faster but cost....... $215m!
Who said macs were expensive?
So how come you don't apply this philosophy to your cars mate?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=67879&f=95&h=0
And before some PC guys tell you it's style over substance and macs are just pretty play things have a look at.....
www.apple.com/hardware/video/virginiatech/
.......the worlds third fastest super computer built with 1100 G5s. Only third you say? Well, the interesting bit is the price $5.2m. The second place machine is only thirteen percent faster but cost....... $215m!
Who said macs were expensive?
simpo two said:
PCs may be boring but they are like Ford Fiestas to run!
So how come you don't apply this philosophy to your cars mate?
Bacardi said:
PCs may be boring but they are like Ford Fiestas to run!
So how come you don't apply this philosophy to your cars mate?
Heh, trust you to turn up on your white charger with 'Sponsored by Mac' written on its arse!
The answer to your Q is 'Cos I can't afford a TVR *and a Mac.' Plus, I don't drive my computer around the roads posing
So the interesting thing about this thread is that all Mac users are jumping up and down boasting about their Macs, whilst the PC users are, shall we say, more neutral...? Still, that's the nature of minorities I guess!
Mine cost £500 and it's done everything I've thrown at it. And if I need to upgrade it I can get the bits for 4p and fit them.
simpo two said:
Heh, trust you to turn up on your white charger with 'Sponsored by Mac' written on its arse!
simpo two said:
So the interesting thing about this thread is that all Mac users are jumping up and down boasting about their Macs, whilst the PC users are, shall we say, more neutral...? Still, that's the nature of minorities I guess!
I think mac users are more passionate about their machines, that's all. Most mac users I know 'love their macs', until they, as all computers do, go wrong, from time to time.
simpo two said:
Mine cost £500 and it's done everything I've thrown at it. And if I need to upgrade it I can get the bits for 4p and fit them.
"it is a wretched taste to be satisfied with mediocrity when the excellence lies before us". Benjamin Disraeli
Bacardi said:
I think mac users are more passionate about their machines, that's all. Most mac users I know 'love their macs', until they, as all computers do, go wrong, from time to time.
Rather like TVR owners then! Suddenly I can see your viewpoint...
Bacardi said:
"it is a wretched taste to be satisfied with mediocrity when the excellence lies before us". Benjamin Disraeli
Please make cheques payable to 'Simpo Mac Fund'....
Though of course you can justify the obscene cost of these shiny white monsters via your business, which to be fair does demand some grunt. Not to mention tax deductability and VAT recoverability
i-Mac? Big Mac please, with fries!
I'm absolutly neutral on this topic because I use Linux
Samol, buy a Mac if you can afford it. In a few words, Macintoshs have the advantage, that hardware and operating system are both adjusted to run together (without compromise), rather than being one of zillion unreproduceable combinations of random components.
This, of course, is as well the disadvantage: there is no competition for components, so you pay more than for a PC.
OS X Macintoshs are indeed Unix-machines with common easy-to-use desktops (Quartz), ready to play with out-of-the-box. Even if you don't appreciate the o/s core, you still get a nice shiny looking computer
If you're after bang for buck (gaming,
scientific applications), go for PC hardware from a reliable vendor (HP, Dell, etc.).
Samol, buy a Mac if you can afford it. In a few words, Macintoshs have the advantage, that hardware and operating system are both adjusted to run together (without compromise), rather than being one of zillion unreproduceable combinations of random components.
This, of course, is as well the disadvantage: there is no competition for components, so you pay more than for a PC.
OS X Macintoshs are indeed Unix-machines with common easy-to-use desktops (Quartz), ready to play with out-of-the-box. Even if you don't appreciate the o/s core, you still get a nice shiny looking computer
If you're after bang for buck (gaming,
scientific applications), go for PC hardware from a reliable vendor (HP, Dell, etc.).
simpo two said:
Rather like TVR owners then! Suddenly I can see your viewpoint...
Exactly! There's hope for you yet!
simpo two said:
Though of course you can justify the obscene cost of these shiny white monsters via your business, which to be fair does demand some grunt. Not to mention tax deductability and VAT recoverability
So can you!
simpo two said:
One downside of Macs is that you're less likely to have a network of mates with the same kit to swap software, get help with any problems etc. PCs may be boring but they are like Ford Fiestas to run!
The good thing about a Mac is that you (probably) won't have any problems - they just work straight out of the box
Didn't know my question would cause such a stir!!
Looks like mac users are pasionate about their machines, which is good.
From the arguments for and against it looks like the mac will suit me.
I've not upgraded my pc ever! so that's not an issue, I don't play games on my pc, all that stays on the PS2.
We can't get broadband here!! dhoo!
I've got no mates anway so the compatability thing is not a problem.
I just need reliability over every thing else, every pc i've had starts off fine, and then goes wrong and starts crashing/freezing at the worst moments.
Looks like mac users are pasionate about their machines, which is good.
From the arguments for and against it looks like the mac will suit me.
I've not upgraded my pc ever! so that's not an issue, I don't play games on my pc, all that stays on the PS2.
We can't get broadband here!! dhoo!
I've got no mates anway so the compatability thing is not a problem.
I just need reliability over every thing else, every pc i've had starts off fine, and then goes wrong and starts crashing/freezing at the worst moments.
I'll say one thing to Mac's credit. About 18 months ago a friend of mine upgraded his electric typewriter (I kid you not) to what was then the latest Mac G4. He knew nothing about computing whatsoever, yet within a week he was making his first faltering home video.
And he still doesn't understand copy and paste!
And he still doesn't understand copy and paste!
I use both pcs and macs at the minute for work. However when the lease finishes on the pcs they will be out of the window.
You can run windows on a mac using virtual pc. So basically you get a superb mac that does everything you could possibly dream off with speed and ease....... and if you really have the need to run microsoft rubbish then you can.
Problem solved!!
You can run windows on a mac using virtual pc. So basically you get a superb mac that does everything you could possibly dream off with speed and ease....... and if you really have the need to run microsoft rubbish then you can.
Problem solved!!
Samol,
Do take a look at the other thread that Bacardi mentions - amongst all the sniping, there are some good tips. In relation to your specific questions:
What are the advantages/disadvantages?
The killer question! Fundamentally, there are a lot of similarities between PC and Mac - the basic principles are the same. I would argue that PCs & Windows is designed by computer people. FOr the past twenty years, Macs have been designed for the rest of us. There are a lot of small differences in the look and feel - you will either 'get' them or you won't. I suggest a trip to an Apple Store or good independent (NOT PCWorld) for a demo and play. In a few minutes, you should see something that makes you think "that's so cool/so much easier!". If you don't, stick to PCs.
what are they like with windows compatable programs?
A lot of the core products are dual-platform (especially MS Office). In some cases there are Mac alternatives. Check the Apple website, which lists tons of software. As mentioned, you can run a Windows environment with MS VirtualPC if you have one or two must-have applications, though performance is apparently adequate rather than good. It is worth drawing up a list of the programmes you need, then determine whether you can use the Mac version, Mac-equivalent, or need VPC.
Is internet surfing any diferent? i.e can you access all the same sites?
Basically, yes. Apple's Safari browser follows WW3 guidelines most closely. There are some Windows features that Macs cannot emulate - like with MS's Java, Bill Gates has ignored the standards, and applied MS standards, believing it will drive users to MS products. If you think this is acceptable practice, go MS. If not, go Mac. I very rarely encounter this problem.
Are they attacted with viruses like windows!?
There are sixteen Mac viruses. Not per day, that's ever. Only a handful of these work on anything past System 7.5. Also, provided you don't work in the VirtualPC environment, Macs are not susceptible to the current fad for MS Outlook-based viruses that self-replicate through your address book.
Having said that, it is still worth buying Norton Anti-virus. In seven years of internet-based Mac use, I have caught two viruses - both caught before any damage was done.
Why do they look so dam good!!!
Jonathan Ives is one of the best industrial designers in the world, and convinced Steve Jobs that a policy of good looks and attention to detail allows owners to build an affinity to their product. If you are ever lucky enough to receive an iPod, don't rip away the packaging. Rather, sit down with the box on your knees, and carefully open it. You will find that it has been (deliberately) designed in the style of traditional sushi boxes, with all the items carefully placed and presented. If they take that much attention over the box, think how much they've put into the actual product (that's the theory).
And if this last point makes sense to you, you are a Mac type of person, and will adore your computer.
Do take a look at the other thread that Bacardi mentions - amongst all the sniping, there are some good tips. In relation to your specific questions:
What are the advantages/disadvantages?
The killer question! Fundamentally, there are a lot of similarities between PC and Mac - the basic principles are the same. I would argue that PCs & Windows is designed by computer people. FOr the past twenty years, Macs have been designed for the rest of us. There are a lot of small differences in the look and feel - you will either 'get' them or you won't. I suggest a trip to an Apple Store or good independent (NOT PCWorld) for a demo and play. In a few minutes, you should see something that makes you think "that's so cool/so much easier!". If you don't, stick to PCs.
what are they like with windows compatable programs?
A lot of the core products are dual-platform (especially MS Office). In some cases there are Mac alternatives. Check the Apple website, which lists tons of software. As mentioned, you can run a Windows environment with MS VirtualPC if you have one or two must-have applications, though performance is apparently adequate rather than good. It is worth drawing up a list of the programmes you need, then determine whether you can use the Mac version, Mac-equivalent, or need VPC.
Is internet surfing any diferent? i.e can you access all the same sites?
Basically, yes. Apple's Safari browser follows WW3 guidelines most closely. There are some Windows features that Macs cannot emulate - like with MS's Java, Bill Gates has ignored the standards, and applied MS standards, believing it will drive users to MS products. If you think this is acceptable practice, go MS. If not, go Mac. I very rarely encounter this problem.
Are they attacted with viruses like windows!?
There are sixteen Mac viruses. Not per day, that's ever. Only a handful of these work on anything past System 7.5. Also, provided you don't work in the VirtualPC environment, Macs are not susceptible to the current fad for MS Outlook-based viruses that self-replicate through your address book.
Having said that, it is still worth buying Norton Anti-virus. In seven years of internet-based Mac use, I have caught two viruses - both caught before any damage was done.
Why do they look so dam good!!!
Jonathan Ives is one of the best industrial designers in the world, and convinced Steve Jobs that a policy of good looks and attention to detail allows owners to build an affinity to their product. If you are ever lucky enough to receive an iPod, don't rip away the packaging. Rather, sit down with the box on your knees, and carefully open it. You will find that it has been (deliberately) designed in the style of traditional sushi boxes, with all the items carefully placed and presented. If they take that much attention over the box, think how much they've put into the actual product (that's the theory).
And if this last point makes sense to you, you are a Mac type of person, and will adore your computer.
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