Should I make the switch? PC to Mac

[blue_maffu_202]

Well last night my laptop crashed for the millionth time, and then I switch to my desktop PC which then also proceded to crash. I have seen those Mac vs PC commercials so once I got the computer working again, I looked up Mac's.

It seems that mac's are the best bet, because i can even run my windows specific programs on them, thats if I still need them. Mac seems to have enough programs to cover all the bases and eliminate the need for some of my Windows programs.


The problem, I'm used to a PC and the Windows platform. If something goes wrong, I know how to fix it in most cases. Switching to a mac would be like starting from square one.

Anybody here make the switch? Are mac's really as good as they say? (no viruses, no crashing, faster all round) Is it hard to adjust to using a Mac?

I wouldn't be upgrading my computers until next year at least, so I have some time to consider things.

 

[bdb]

Maybe you should consider why your Windows systems are crashing so much? I use a few different systems an average of ~10 hours a day, and I get a blue screen maybe once a year. Things were much different before XP, of course.

If this is the best you can get Windows to do, a switch might be a good idea.

 

[Aceon6]

Yes, it's hard to adjust. Finder and I didn't get along for a while until I really understood it. Also, my muscle memory really missed having two buttons to click. That said, I've had my iBook for a little over a year and love it. It's nice that it updates itself when necessary, and the battery life is very good in comparison to my old Dell.

I still use a Wintel desktop quite a bit, but am starting to use the iBook more and more. Fortunately, I was able to get Office with an educational discount, so I'm not handicapped by using new software.

If you can, spend some time at the Apple store and take advantage of some of their free classes. That will give you an idea of the differences so you'll be able to make an informed choice.

 

[Sypher]

It is a bit weird at first.. but I feel quite comfortable with my Mac now. And it's only been 2 days . Not sure if I'm even going to bother putting Windows on it.

 

[mrdantownsend]

I am also considering this, but fear that I would not know how to troubleshoot a mac as well as I do a PC

 

[blue_maffu_202]

With XP it kinda eliminates the blue screen, but it still freezes and locks up to the point it needs a hard restart. Thats what I mean by crashing.

I'm just wondering will Aplle truly be more stable and run smoother than Windows?

I'm also worried about troubleshooting. Right now, if something goes wrong, I can fix it. All my friends and family rely on me to fix their PC's when something goes arye. With a mac, I'd be learning from scratch, but I am a fast learner. All my PC skills are self taught, so I could do the same with a Mac.


With a mac, is system maitanance still the same? Do you have disk cleanup's and defrags?

And isn't their a 2 button mouse for mac? What does the right click do? Open a menu like windows?

Thanks for your help

 

[Kristiano]

With a mac, is system maitanance still the same? Do you have disk cleanup's and defrags?

And isn't their a 2 button mouse for mac? What does the right click do? Open a menu like windows?

Thanks for your help

You don't need to defrag a Macintosh. It does it automatiically.

There is a 2 button mouse for Mac (the Mighty Mouse), which actually has 4 buttons. Right click works similar to windows.

Btw, congrats Sypher

 

[zapod]

We have three Macs - an old iMac DV, the iBook and the iMac G5. None of them require any maintenance. They rarely require troubleshooting. With the systems set to sleep after 15 minutes, we just leave 'em on. Walk away and return to them when we need them again. All Macs wake from sleep in a matter of seconds. The iBook gets closed. It sleeps. I open it and carry on from where I left off.

 

[blue_maffu_202]

I don't have to run defrags, I don't need anti-virus stuff, and I won't have the computer lock up on me every few minutes. This sounds pretty apealing.

What about file formats. I have lots of MPEG-2 videos and stuff, are they supported on Mac?

I also have photoshop and a few other programs that I downloaded from limewire. (I know, illegal, but i can't afford the $600+ for photoshop) Can i use that to install on the mac, or do i have to buy or download a different version?

Do *.exe files work on mac's?

I'm really thinking this is a good idea, but I would wait to buy one until the new OS is out and pre-loaded.

 

[Aceon6]

To allay your concerns, Blue, Apple's made great strides in making sure that data file formats are recognized. The only thing I've heard that doesn't work is copy protected Windows Media, but there are ways around that.

As a rule .exe files compiled for Windows only work on Windows. Most will be looking for DLLs that don't exist in Mac land. With the new Intel chips, you can run Windows on your Mac if you needed to.

The only other downside is an occasional hiccup with printer and other device drivers. Even that is getting better, but if you have an older device that you MUST have, check around before trying to install it.

 

[porieux]

You will be much happier with a Mac, no question. And if you change your mind or still want to run Windows, you can install it on a second partition. You can't lose.

 

[blue_maffu_202]

The more I look into the mac, the more i want to go to the apple store and buy one NOW!

But I don't have enough money to do that, need to save. And its probably best to get it when Leopard is released, then i don't need to buy the new OS, right?

When is Leopard out anyway?

 

[JMG]

Macs are easy. If you are not too technically savvy and don't mind the relative loss of control then get a mac. I've only crashed a few times this year on my new macbook pro.

 

[Bonk]

If you have the money, get a Mac. I use things at school all the time and I would gladly dump my PC for a Mac if I had the money.

 

[Kristiano]

The more I look into the mac, the more i want to go to the apple store and buy one NOW!

But I don't have enough money to do that, need to save. And its probably best to get it when Leopard is released, then i don't need to buy the new OS, right?

When is Leopard out anyway?

Spring 2007. Very ambigious date but start saving.

 

[baggss]

Don't get a Mac, Macs suck........

 

[blue_maffu_202]

I'm pretty tech savvy, but loss of control? how so?

I think i can deal with not having to do things manually and just sit back and let apple do it.

I don't worry it will be hard to use, more that it may be hard to adjust. Its like writing with your non-dominant hand, lol

 

[Kristiano]

Don't get a Mac, Macs suck........

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the blue button...

 

[Bonk]

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the blue button...

It's a blue face isn't it? lol

 

[mjmoonwalker]

Not the emoticon, iOnMac!