Help With New PC - Should I go Mac?
Discussion
Hi
I have a really nice Elonex Exentia all in one PC that is only a year and a half old but has some weird problem in that the screen keeps going blank when I move the mouse, minimize a window etc etc. Unfortunately Elonex have gone bust and can't help. So... I need something reliable and have decided to buy a new PC.
I was going to get another all in one PC (Sony Vaio) but have started looking at the new slimline Apple Mac's where the screen is the PC and have some lovely large wide screen displays. They also can run Win XP so I can keep all my existing software.
The question therefore is this. What's the transition like from PC to Mac and are Macs really as good as Apple lovers will have you believe?
I have a really nice Elonex Exentia all in one PC that is only a year and a half old but has some weird problem in that the screen keeps going blank when I move the mouse, minimize a window etc etc. Unfortunately Elonex have gone bust and can't help. So... I need something reliable and have decided to buy a new PC.
I was going to get another all in one PC (Sony Vaio) but have started looking at the new slimline Apple Mac's where the screen is the PC and have some lovely large wide screen displays. They also can run Win XP so I can keep all my existing software.
The question therefore is this. What's the transition like from PC to Mac and are Macs really as good as Apple lovers will have you believe?
It's very easy for me to say go with the Mac, you won't regret it etc etc etc as I've been using them for years and years. However, I don't have an unbiased opinion as I hate the very ground a PC takes up.
Pop along to an Apple store and have a play with one (or a PC World but do not engage the shaven monkey sales people in conversation) and see what you think.
I have a mate who moved from a PC to a 17" iMac, the jump made easier by Bootcamp. He now rarely uses Windoze. He is now a Mac convert.
Kelvin
Pop along to an Apple store and have a play with one (or a PC World but do not engage the shaven monkey sales people in conversation) and see what you think.
I have a mate who moved from a PC to a 17" iMac, the jump made easier by Bootcamp. He now rarely uses Windoze. He is now a Mac convert.
Kelvin
Edited by Mr Beckerman on Monday 25th September 12:28
Mr Beckerman said:
It's very easy for me to say go with the Mac, you won't regret it etc etc etc as I've been using them for years and years. However, I don't have an unbiased opinion as I hate the very ground a PC takes up.
Pop along to an Apple store and have a play with one (or a PC World but do not engage the shaven monkey sales people in conversation) and see what you think.
I have a mate who moved from a PC to a 17" iMac, the jump made easier by Bootcamp. He now rarely uses Windoze. He is now a Mac convert.
Kelvin
Pop along to an Apple store and have a play with one (or a PC World but do not engage the shaven monkey sales people in conversation) and see what you think.
I have a mate who moved from a PC to a 17" iMac, the jump made easier by Bootcamp. He now rarely uses Windoze. He is now a Mac convert.
Kelvin
Edited by Mr Beckerman on Monday 25th September 12:28
Thanks Kelvin. I do not have an Apple store near me but there is a PC World so will go for a play. I also want to use the "computer" for music too and believe iMacs are great for this type of application!!!
Cheers.. Gary
I've got a Mac mini that I bought to play with and test websites and it's a great piece of kit, enjoyable to use, never seems to fail and it just works. Very different to maintaining a Windows system that after 18 months gets clogged up and needs rebuilding.
If it wasn't for the fact I make my living designing software then I'd probably have a Mac laptop too.
The one thing I'd say is there are (from what I'm told by arty designer-types friends) still problems with the PC emulators, so check whether the software you really need to run will be OK before taking the step.
If it wasn't for the fact I make my living designing software then I'd probably have a Mac laptop too.
The one thing I'd say is there are (from what I'm told by arty designer-types friends) still problems with the PC emulators, so check whether the software you really need to run will be OK before taking the step.
Tripps said:
I've got a Mac mini that I bought to play with and test websites and it's a great piece of kit, enjoyable to use, never seems to fail and it just works. Very different to maintaining a Windows system that after 18 months gets clogged up and needs rebuilding.
If it wasn't for the fact I make my living designing software then I'd probably have a Mac laptop too.
The one thing I'd say is there are (from what I'm told by arty designer-types friends) still problems with the PC emulators, so check whether the software you really need to run will be OK before taking the step.
If it wasn't for the fact I make my living designing software then I'd probably have a Mac laptop too.
The one thing I'd say is there are (from what I'm told by arty designer-types friends) still problems with the PC emulators, so check whether the software you really need to run will be OK before taking the step.
Thanks Tripps! I think I have already decided on the iMac as I, like you, seem to re-build my PC on a half yearly basis!! I am lucky in that I have nothing crucial on the PC that I need to run apart from Microsoft Office (which is available for osx), Photoshop (which I have for osx) and Microsoft Money which I will have to run under bootcamp!!
Big question now is 20" or 24"
Ps. Anyone know when Leopard is due to be released?
Edited to add... looks like early 2007 for Leopard. Maybe I'll wait to get an iMac pre-loaded!!!
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 25th September 13:48
magic torch said:
Go for it.
Runs Windows natively, as said before most people don't bother to use Windows in the end.
Plus you'll get free support from a qualified Apple technician.
Runs Windows natively, as said before most people don't bother to use Windows in the end.
Plus you'll get free support from a qualified Apple technician.
Just looking at all this I really only have MS Money that is a Windows only app. Do you know of a Home Finance mac application that can import Money files?
Also... what are OSx upgrades like typically. Will there be a chargeable upgrade from Tiger to Leopard for example. Would love to get the iMac now but am happy to wait if it means I get Leopard without any large costs?
garyhun said:
Just looking at all this I really only have MS Money that is a Windows only app. Do you know of a Home Finance mac application that can import Money files?
Also... what are OSx upgrades like typically. Will there be a chargeable upgrade from Tiger to Leopard for example. Would love to get the iMac now but am happy to wait if it means I get Leopard without any large costs?
Also... what are OSx upgrades like typically. Will there be a chargeable upgrade from Tiger to Leopard for example. Would love to get the iMac now but am happy to wait if it means I get Leopard without any large costs?
Nothing really I'd recommend. Your best bet is probably to use one of the applications that lets you runs Windows apps within OS X. Might be possible without them in X.5 Leopard.
You'll pay for each upgrade after the decimal point, ie 10.3 to 10.4, but not the following number, ie 10.4.5 to 10.4.7. At a gues you'll be looking at about £80ish for the upgrade.
Upgrades are normally very worth while, Apple tend to add a lot of new features.
magic torch said:
garyhun said:
Just looking at all this I really only have MS Money that is a Windows only app. Do you know of a Home Finance mac application that can import Money files?
Also... what are OSx upgrades like typically. Will there be a chargeable upgrade from Tiger to Leopard for example. Would love to get the iMac now but am happy to wait if it means I get Leopard without any large costs?
Also... what are OSx upgrades like typically. Will there be a chargeable upgrade from Tiger to Leopard for example. Would love to get the iMac now but am happy to wait if it means I get Leopard without any large costs?
Nothing really I'd recommend. Your best bet is probably to use one of the applications that lets you runs Windows apps within OS X. Might be possible without them in X.5 Leopard.
You'll pay for each upgrade after the decimal point, ie 10.3 to 10.4, but not the following number, ie 10.4.5 to 10.4.7. At a gues you'll be looking at about £80ish for the upgrade.
Upgrades are normally very worth while, Apple tend to add a lot of new features.
Cheers. I'd ask the man in PC World if I thought I'd get a decent answer!!! Online shopping with Apple direct seems the best bet!!
garyhun said:
Just looking at all this I really only have MS Money that is a Windows only app. Do you know of a Home Finance mac application that can import Money files?
Quicken is available for Macs now, and having had a look around it will also import from MS Money. Quicken for Mac FAQ said:
Q: Can I convert my data from Microsoft Money to use with Quicken 2007?
A: Yes. Your Microsoft Money 2003 and later data files can be converted to Quicken 2004 for Windows and later using the automatic data converter. If you want to convert data from Microsoft Money 2002 or earlier to Quicken for Windows, complete information is available. Technical support for all installation and data conversion issues is free of charge. Our support team is standing by to assist you.
I've not looked at Quicken for a number of years now, so I can't say how good it is, but they offer a 60 day money back guarantee, so you could always give it a go.
Tripps said:
garyhun said:
Just looking at all this I really only have MS Money that is a Windows only app. Do you know of a Home Finance mac application that can import Money files?
Quicken is available for Macs now, and having had a look around it will also import from MS Money. Quicken for Mac FAQ said:
Q: Can I convert my data from Microsoft Money to use with Quicken 2007?
A: Yes. Your Microsoft Money 2003 and later data files can be converted to Quicken 2004 for Windows and later using the automatic data converter. If you want to convert data from Microsoft Money 2002 or earlier to Quicken for Windows, complete information is available. Technical support for all installation and data conversion issues is free of charge. Our support team is standing by to assist you.
I've not looked at Quicken for a number of years now, so I can't say how good it is, but they offer a 60 day money back guarantee, so you could always give it a go.
Unfortunately Quicken have stopped selling in the UK
garyhun said:
Unfortunately Quicken have stopped selling in the UK
Jeez, I'd not heard about that. Guess I won't be going down that avenue in the future either... Their website requires a US or Canadian address to order it over the web too, if you've got a US-based friend you could get them to order it for you perhaps, but you might have to go without support and will lose all the UK-specific features.
Tripps said:
garyhun said:
Unfortunately Quicken have stopped selling in the UK
Jeez, I'd not heard about that. Guess I won't be going down that avenue in the future either... Their website requires a US or Canadian address to order it over the web too, if you've got a US-based friend you could get them to order it for you perhaps, but you might have to go without support and will lose all the UK-specific features.
Read it here www.quicken.co.uk/
Ive just made the step from windows to mac and its a revelation! Wish i had done it sooner. I bought a mini mac and a big hd tv which means I have a similar spec to the iMacs but with a bigger screen and a bit more versatility.
I used apples online store and although it took over a week for it to get here it was worth the wait. I chose the basic software package because i only use it for media stuff and web browsing but its more than adequate unless your doiung lots of office work.
I used apples online store and although it took over a week for it to get here it was worth the wait. I chose the basic software package because i only use it for media stuff and web browsing but its more than adequate unless your doiung lots of office work.
busta said:
I used apples online store and although it took over a week for it to get here it was worth the wait.
This is a long standing problem with the online Apple store. Its extremely rare they deliver anything quickly, like most other online stores are capable of doing these days.
As much as I rate Apple kit, I really can't recommend Apples own online store. At least not if you want your stuff delivered pronto.
Its been like this for years too..
Instead, either go to one of their 'real' stores (theres a few of them now, if there is one within 50 miles of you i'd still recommend the trek). Or buy online, but elsewhere. I've used Jigsaw a lot in the past ( www.jigsaw24.com ) and their service is great. I can recommend those guys. Also, John Lewis might be worth a shot. You get a good warranty with them, although they can be rather short on accessories you might want.
Still, seems rather irritating that the best place to buy a new Mac online is not from Apple themselves..
All the best, P
Cheers guys for your help and sharing experiences!
Going off to PC World in a min to look at the iMac 20 just to see if that's big enough but have a feeling I'll be ordering a 24". I'm actually excied about learning the Mac!!! (that's something coming from someone who worked for Microsoft for 10 years
)
Going to get it from Apple directly (don't mind the wait) as I want to spec it up with 2GB RAM, 256MB Graphics and wirless keyboard and mouse and seems easier speccing it with Apple directly!! I'm in Dorset so no Apple store within 120 miles!!!
Going off to PC World in a min to look at the iMac 20 just to see if that's big enough but have a feeling I'll be ordering a 24". I'm actually excied about learning the Mac!!! (that's something coming from someone who worked for Microsoft for 10 years
) Going to get it from Apple directly (don't mind the wait) as I want to spec it up with 2GB RAM, 256MB Graphics and wirless keyboard and mouse and seems easier speccing it with Apple directly!! I'm in Dorset so no Apple store within 120 miles!!!
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff