Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Are you considering switching from a Windows PC to a Mac?

Mar 30, 2007 2:25AM PDT

-- Yes. (Why?)
-- Maybe. (Why?)
-- No. (Why not?)
-- Not switching, but using a Mac and using both OSes.
-- I'm already a Mac user! (Are you happy?)
-- I'm thinking about it. (What's the hold up?)
-- I'm not using either. (What are you using?)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Windows all the way!
Mar 30, 2007 3:28PM PDT

I would never switch to Apple. They say their products "just work," well it turns out they don't. OSX is probably the most useless OS out there. I have a network that includes my Compaq V6000Z (Vista Home Basic), and my neighbors eMac G3. We got a 1.5 mb DSL connection, and set up a wireless network with a Linksys router. After the lengthy set up process (had to upgrade router firmware and took the tech support dude a while to figure out the router and modem were using the same IP Address...) both of the computers recognized and could access the internet. Well, a few days later his eMac couldn't use the net for no apparent reason, while my laptop "just worked." We have yet to figure out what is wrong, and OSX doesn't tell us what is wrong. It says that it is connected to the router, and can access the router setup page, but Safari can't see anything past that, while IE7 takes the torch and just works. Vista (and XP) can diagnose and repair (or at least tell you what is wrong) network connections, while OSX sits all pretty and pretends nothing's wrong. I'll be the first to say I know little to nothing on how to use Macs, and his eMac isn't the newest, so that could be a problem, but given the way Apple and its followers portray Macs as systems that just work, I'd expect better. I guess there's a reason Bill Gates is one of (if not the) richest men in the world.

Anyway, I have no reason to switch to a Mac, idk about you guys, but I've been using Windows since Windows 95 came out (on a IBM Aptiva with a 1GB HDD, lol) all the way through Vista, and I have NEVER EVER EVER had a blue screen, or a crash, or a virus (on my computers. Wink Windows never gives me any problems, and from my vantage point, Apple has positioned the iMac as a wanna be PC (Intel chips, Bootcamp) whats the point of owning a Mac, when you're always going to be using Windows anyways? I guess Mac users don't like having fast computers. As far as hardware goes, as long as you don't buy the $300 eMachine at Walmart, you're going to be fine. There is nothing that Apple offers that is any different than what MS offers. Another reason NOT to switch to a Mac is the fact you can't build one yourself! Half the fun of a computer is building it. As for photo editing, the computer arts teacher at my school (go Viewmont!!!) uses a variety of different Macs, and would like to switch to Windows. When we came through the school in freshman year (here in Utah high school starts in sophomore year) the teacher spent half his time trying to find videos/pictures that his Mac could use, so obviously PC's are the way to go there. The school had some Macs in the video editing lab last year, but switched to Dell XPS Pentium D's over the summer. In my engineering class we use XP Dells with PD's also. Windows is the most versatile OS available, as you can do almost anything on them.

I think if it wasn't for the iPod, Apple would be pretty close to dead. I'd bet a good chunk of the new Mac users were "converted," for a lack of a better term, by their iPod. Apple is really showing weakness by adopting the processor they dissed on for 10 years, and then officially supported putting Windows on their computers. It made me laugh the first time I saw the "Mac vs. PC" commercial, with the PC guy getting surgery, as it is so one sided. If you knew the other side, you'd think that Apple was advertising for Microsoft. Upgrading my XP release era (late 2001) desktop to Vista standards was simple. All I had to do was switch out the graphics card and add more RAM costing me around a 100 bucks. For my neighbor, he'd have to buy a whole new Mac to upgrade to Leopard costing over 1000.

Anyway, Apple doesn't bring anything that is different or better to the table for me, and Microsoft has done well at keeping me at the table, which is an overall summary of why I'm never going to switch to a Mac.

- Collapse -
Not until...
Mar 30, 2007 3:33PM PDT

Not until I can use MY computer to run the OS of MY choice!

Also, not to mention, it needs to be upgradeable. Macs just can't do that the way I can with my massive Alienware Area-51. I'll tell you what though. If Apple would let me install OS X on MY machine, I would indeed do it and run a tri-boot system (XP, Vista and OS X). After all, this thing would be one hell of a Mac if they weren't so greedy.

PS - I'm already kicking myself for marrying myself to the Apple empire with the iTunes music store.

- Collapse -
yes i am considering the switch
Mar 30, 2007 3:33PM PDT

why? that can be answered in 1 word....Vista. After using MS since 91 and have been fairly happy with it.. was unable to find a new laptop with xp on it.. after 1 month and haveing to restore it 3 times i've loaded linux on it and it works perfect. since this appears to be the direction MS is going my next computer will probably be a mac or linux.

- Collapse -
Linux FTW
Mar 30, 2007 3:43PM PDT

I'm running Linux, and i've been running it almost exclusively once i realized i really didn't need any of the features that Windows has and Linux does not, for instance, i no longer play video games. I like it because there's just so much customization avalible, and you can customise it yourself if you want. I also love being able to actually learn how computers and programs work, as a lot of stuff needs to be done manually.

- Collapse -
I don't want to use a wench and a screwdriver
Mar 30, 2007 5:55PM PDT

That's what a Mac user told me as he switched to Windows PC: He felt as if he where forced to carry a whole box of tools just to get the darn thing working.

I work as a support analyst 8hours a day. I love computers and I like my job wich basicaly consists on fixing peoples computers, PC with both Linux and Windows.

My wife also makes heavy use of our computers. A year ago or so I had plenty of time and space as we lived in Spain in our 140 sq. meters home. I had build whole network of 4 PCs with distributed compilation, files server... all based on Gentoo Linux. I had plenty of time and my work had nothing to do with computers, thus I was eager to work on my network and my wife was quite happy using a nice fast PC with all configured exactly to her wishes and with her own dedicated technical service guy sitting just a meter behind her.

That changed. My work changed, we returned to the Netherlands, our flat is quite small... and when I return home after a hard day of work the last thing I wish to do is having to get down and dirty to fix a frozen Windows or to recompile a Gentoo kernel and half of the software...

And there is where the Mac fits: It just works, switch it on and you have it running. You don't need to learn how to get into your register if you don't want (there is no such thing, anyway) nor do you need to recompile the kernel. You don't even need to worry about malware or depend on resource hogs like antiviruses and "personal firewalls". And that is exactly what fits our needs.

OK I also have my old WinXP laptop, that is going to switch again to Linux as soon as I get the eMac.

- Collapse -
Had enough
Mar 30, 2007 8:54PM PDT

Tired of the Gates ********.

- Collapse -
Prefer a Mac
Mar 30, 2007 9:52PM PDT

I use Mac at home-both an older iMac and a fairly new MacBook. Great machines, few problems, intuitive, and fun to use for a variety of home and professional uses. At work/school I use both an older G4 Mac (running OS 10.4) and a variety of IBM PCs. Truth is, I use the PCs only on a "must" basis - it is the only one available or for one special software package required for work. Virtually everything else is easier, faster, and more reliable on the Mac. Even our new tech guy is getting sold on Macs. He was 100% PC when he got there, but has a shiny new iMac on his desk along side an IBM. Got curious and started exploring it. Says the iMac runs the PC software faster than the PC! Also is finding out how intuitive and easy the Mac is by comparison. The former tech guys had a problem with my Mac playing nice with the network.... always blamed my Mac and I found a work-around that solved the "problem." Our new techie actually found a defective router on the ethernet and was amazed when my Mac virtually set itself up to play nicely - something he says PCs just don't do.

- Collapse -
I'm about to switch
Mar 30, 2007 10:04PM PDT

I am just plain fed-up with Microsoft and technical problems with my laptop and desk top.

I am skeptical about whether Apple will be any better, although everyone tells me so.

At the end of the day it cannot possibly be worse can it?

So I guess by monday you'll be able to count me as a mac user

- Collapse -
Mac :D
Mar 30, 2007 10:25PM PDT

I have been using Macs primarily for 5 months and love it!

I first got an old iMac G3 to use in conjuction with my Windows laptop about 11 months ago to try out OS X and was very happy with it. I then upgraded to a G4 Cube and then a G4 PowerBook to replace my Windows laptop.

I will be buying a MacBook Pro once Leopard has been launched.

My sister has also switched and uses my old G3 iMac with Tiger and is very happy with it. My dad will also be buying a Mac Mini once the range has been refreshed.

- Collapse -
Use both...
Mar 30, 2007 10:40PM PDT

I use both Windows and Mac OSes, depending on where I am (two laptops at home - one of each; four computer labs at my college - two Win-based, two Mac-based; Win and Mac at work - one is actually OS 8!). It pays to be versatile and know both systems. I liken it to working in different offices: each has its own way of storing and using information. Each has its pros and cons and sometimes it doesn't make sense. But that's the way the boss wants it set up, and you just have to work within those confines. If you know both systems, you can work anywhere. And once you're in the application(s) that you commonly use, the steps to completing your tasks are virtually identical. :o)

- Collapse -
PC and Mac user.
Mar 31, 2007 2:09AM PDT

I have been a PC and Mac user for many years (more than ten). If you want a stable system go for the Mac. Tha PCs with different flavors of Windows have been very vulnerable to spyware and virus. In contrast, Macs are very stable and almost inmune to virus and spyware.
I have always been a user of Linux (Xandros, Suse, etc.) but the Macs are by far the best machines with a very integrated and powerfull OS.
The majority of the people do not really know the Macs and the price issue is a myth. You really get more with a Mac.
There is something good about Microsoft, however: it generates a lot of jobs wordlwide because of the eXtra Problems the Window OSes create.
Luis E. Perez
panda@ieee.org
IT consultant
Santiago, Chile.

- Collapse -
No, I am not considering switching from a PC to a MAC
Mar 31, 2007 2:21AM PDT

No. (1) Number or application providers. (2) cost.
P.S. I hate Microsoft as a retired systems software designer.
I believe that MAC is the superior machine.

- Collapse -
I already have but I'm going back to a PC
Mar 31, 2007 3:25AM PDT

First and foremost let me state that I am definitely not a computer geek. My Daughter and Wife are both artsy types and have Macs, so they thought I should also. So I got a new intel based 20" Apple imac in January.
I have tried very hard to learn about my new toy. But everyday there is something I want to do, that I know how to do on a PC but it is different on a Mac. I then spend all my alloted time trying to figure out how to do it, often not figuring out how.
My Daughter says I should install a DOS operating system. She thinks that will make a big difference in using my Office programs and in general.
What does everyone think?

- Collapse -
I shared your pain, here's my solution
Mar 31, 2007 4:35AM PDT

I've been a pc user for many years at work and home. My DH has been a Mac user in the same circumstances.

Recently he purchased a loaded 24" iMac dual core and I've been trying to learn to love it cause my pc with XP Home freezes every day, sometimes more than once. What helps? I've loaded DH's iMac with Parallels, XP Home, and my pc programs for my use and experimentation. So far, it works great (about 6 months now.)

To combat the strangeness of the iMac OS I did two things. First, I joined a Mac Users' Group. In my small town this consists of retired tech types who love their Macs. As a result, the OS started getting less strange and the pc freezes more annoying.

Second, I purchased "Mac OS X Tiger Edition; The Missing Manual (the book that should have been in the box.)" Lightbulb! If you are able to learn from books, this book is a must.

Now, I'm mentally debating between a 20" iMac and the Mac Book (Mac Book Pro if I can find the $$$.)

- Collapse -
staying with PC but going to Linux
Mar 31, 2007 4:18AM PDT

eventually i think i will use Linux exclusively

when? that is the question, Linux still requires a lot of manipulation to run some things (online games for instance)

i put Linux on my in-laws computer (an emachine and the hard drive went south, could not reuse the 'restore' disk image) since they only use it for internet and email, they don't even notice the difference from M$ XP, hah.

- Collapse -
Mac of course
Mar 31, 2007 4:27AM PDT

I read through this and found a lot of people seem to go to the Church of Bill Gates. Hello, find reality. Will you admit your machines CRASH. oops, I mean, have an unexpected experience. With the Mac, I have NOT had a crash, or lockups for the last two years I owned THIS computer. I go back to 1985 on the Mac. I had a minor glitch on upgrading the last system. The CD (10.4.7 to 4.9) would not work; but I could download the upgrade from 10.4.7 to 10.4.9. So what. It was FREE from Apples site.

As for virii, the last time I EVER had any, I installed them myself to verify my software was working properly to detect it (and it did!). There are new Malware out for Windows EVERY WEEK. New trojans and other software to attack your [windows] computers through holes in IE (what was the count, 39 holes?) Excel, Power Point, Word. Now VISTA has been BANNED from Government computers due to the problems. And I hear you PRAISING Windows?

A good friend was thinking she would have to "learn" how to use the Mac. If you can use windows you already know the GUI enough to use the Mac. Just adapt to the single button mouse.

Mac is not just for Graphics and Music. A lot of companies have switched to steer clean from virus problems.

- Collapse -
Crash
Mar 31, 2007 1:33PM PDT

Just so we can all set the record straight, what is defined as a crash? A BSoD, a virus, hardware frying, or a simple problem solved by a restart? (you guys can expand on this, these are the few things I can think of off the top of my head...) I, for one, see a crash as something that makes your computer totally unusable without major repair. To me, a program freezing up ONCE is not a crash, as a restart will solve the problem, as with most problems in Windows.

As for Malware, it'd be interesting to see what ppl have on their computers before they get it. I have several friends that get spyware simply because they don't run a firewall, antivirus, and antispyware programs. They complain that their computers are slow, so I tell them to run Spybot and AdAware, which averages ~120 problems. After its clean, I have them install AVG Free, Spybot, AdAware, and ZoneAlarm all freeware... Wink and they have no more problems. On my laptop, task manager reports that my antimalware programs eat up a whopping total of 8.76 MB of RAM (Spybot S&D Teatimer, 6,600 KB, WinPatrol, 960 KB, Windows Defender, 948 KB, and AVG Free 264 KB) so thus, I really can't see the point of saying that security programs make a huge diffenrence in performance. (Well, unless you're using Norton Internet Security, or equivalent, which are bloated and use way too much...)

"I read through this and found a lot of people seem to go to the Church of Bill Gates."

I don't know where you've been all your life, but there are probably a higher concentration of Fanboys on the Apple side of computing. Wink

"Now VISTA has been BANNED from Government computers due to the problems. And I hear you PRAISING Windows?"

Its funny how people twist this little fact and add words that were never said. If you actually read the article you would have found that the DOT banned Vista, Office 2007, and IE7 because there is no reason to upgrade.(*1) Windows XP has proven to be an excellent OS that is very stable if treated properly. The difference between XP and Vista is pretty noticeable, but not enough to warrant rushing out and upgrading, between DOT and FAA, 60 THOUSAND computers the day after these new products come out. (*2) The situation would be exactly the same if the DOT had Macs because they'd ban Leopard just as easily until they're sure it'll all work. Theres also software that isn't for sure compatible yet with Vista, so they'd have to keep XP even if they wanted to go to Vista (*3) Now you can go and bash MS for incompatiblity all you want, but I'm pretty sure that Vista had a VERY long development run, and I'm VERY sure that if these companies really wanted to, their programs would be Vista compatible. If MS waited for everything to work, Vista would have been delayed many years. I would strongly recommend that next time you get your facts straight from the source, and not your local Apple fan club. Grin

"Just adapt to the single button mouse."

This makes me laugh alot. If you were to sell someone who ran windows a button with one mouse, half the OS would be useless. How much easier would it be to have another button instead of using the keyboard in sync with the mouse. Since humans have more than one finger, the ergonomics of multi button mice make much more sense. Another thing thats ridiculus is how Macs eject CD's. You could simply push a button on the drive to open it, or push a button on your keyboard or put the cd in the trash bin. Well, what happens if OSX decides it doesn't want to eject the cd, or even better, what happens if your keyboard stops working? Microsoft obviously has the upside here.

"A lot of companies have switched to steer clean from virus problems."

I would highly doubt that, unless you put forth evidence that this actually happens. It just makes no business sense to have something that only 5% of your customers use, and be incompatible with the OS that the VAST majority of businesses currently use.

(*1) In a memo to his staff, the DOT's CIO Daniel Mintz says he has placed "an indefinite moratorium" on the upgrades as "there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading to these new Microsoft software products. Furthermore, there appears to be specific reasons not to upgrade."

(*2) The DOT's ban on Vista, Internet Explorer 7, and Office 2007 applies to 15,000 computer users at DOT proper who are currently running the Windows XP Professional operating system. The memo indicates that a similar ban is in effect at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has 45,000 desktop users.

(*3) Compatibility with existing applications appears to be the Transportation Department's major concern. According to a separate memo, a number of key software applications and utilities in use in various branches of the department aren't Vista compatible. Among them are Aspen 2.8.1, ISS 2.11, ProVu 3.1.1, and Capri 6.5, according to a memo issued by staffers at the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=197700789

- Collapse -
Well...
Mar 31, 2007 6:27PM PDT

I kind of go along with 757addict.

The only reason Windows users get virii (nice word I learned today Wink), trojan horses and spyware is because they are not taking enough precaution against them. Or are visiting inappropriate sites and then blaming it on Microsoft for allowing Windows to be exposed to those risks. I haven't had any form of virii, trojan horses or spyware in over three years - and I run Windows XP. I keep everything updated and my computer kept behind two firewalls. It doesn't slow down my PC much either. Like they say, its better to be safe than sorry.

Besides, you gotta be honest with yourself. The reality is nobody ever bothers making virii, trojan or spyware for Macs - you know why? Because Macs represent only 4-5% of worldwide Personal Computer use. (PC is such a misleading word...Mac is a PC too! Isn't it a home personal computer? Or is it used for "serious video conferencing"? [see Mac ads])

Now, in my book, crash is something that simply renders your computer unusuable. A minor "freeze" may describe what Windows users encounter once in a while - third party programs locking up due to user fault, overloading of the motherboard, misconfiguration, etc, etc. Now I believe you can't blame Microsoft for crashes caused by third party programs right...its like blaming Joe for car accident in which you were responsible for rear-ending another car. I've seen a lot of this in recent Vista bash - its the job of Microsoft to develop the OS. Its the job of third party makers to make sure its compatible.

Anyways, Mac OS X seems to lock up with its own tasks, built into OS X by default. Programs such as Safari, Finder, QuickTime, iTunes and the Dock have frozen quite a few times during my user of the Macs. This is the Operating System freezing due to poorly written codes. Contrast this to Windows freeze, which is usually caused by third party programs - meaning the programs are poorly written. I have yet to see Internet Explorer render my computer unusable (other than by means of malware, which I have never had, again because I take the precautions). I'm still waiting for Windows Explorer to render my PC useless. Sure, there are the occasional lockup, but they're usually solved by a reboot. Just recently I wrongly blamed Windows Exploer for a crash that occured because of Ad-Aware 2007 Beta.

Oh and government banned Vista because you have to first test the new softwares. It happens in my school too, they didn't upgrade to IE7 yet because they are currently testing. It doesn't mean that Vista is received poorly in the government. For this, I suggest you read over articles carefully, not just the title.

If they ban Excel, Word and PowerPoint, how would they create documents, spreadsheets and presentations? I don't hear the AppleWorks suite becoming the global benchmark. Neither is .cwk extension for AppleWorks a global standard. Therefore I do not believe your claim that "...Excel, Power Point, Word...has been BANNED from Government computers due to the problems."

- Collapse -
Error in question
Mar 31, 2007 4:47AM PDT

Some of you have probably already pointed this out, but due to the wording of the question ("Are you considering..."), the replies "yes", and "maybe" are the exact same thing.

- Collapse -
PC technician mac user.
Mar 31, 2007 5:13AM PDT

I have been a computer technician for the past 8 years and have seen almost every problem imaginable with windows machines especially since most of the work is school computers and big company computers i see lots and lots of dells and hp's. Then about 4 years ago given a lime green ibook by a friend, now 4 years later its still the same notebook i use everyday i have maxed it out and am running 10.4.9 and it has never crashed once. I cant tell you how much i love comming home after a hard day of working on crappy pc's to come home and ding turn on my apple and it just works. All my personal pc's collect dust. I am looking foward to a new macbook pro 17.

- Collapse -
No way, Jose'
Mar 31, 2007 5:26AM PDT

Been there; done that; got the T-shirt. (Really! I have an "Educator's Advantage" T-shirt!)
I started with Apple computers MANY years ago. My first was an Apple IIe! For a long time, Macs were SO much more user-friendly; then, Windows came along!
Since the school district where I was teaching decided to go with PCs instead of Macs, I had to re-learn everything I knew about computers.
I have been able to watch PCs evolve from Win 3.1, through 95, 98, ME, and XP, to Vista, and I like each one more than those that have preceded it.

- Collapse -
Mac - the No's are filled with truly outdated mistakes
Mar 31, 2007 10:47AM PDT

It is amazing to read the ignorant mistaken beliefs that are keeping many Windows users from getting a better computer. Let me briefly (do your own research if you really want to know what's going on) point out the major false statements made here:

1. Macs cannot run Windows. FALSE. All of the Macs currently sold can run Windows, including Windows Vista. That's not true of many Dell/HP/whoever machines currently for sale. If you buy a Mac you can run ALL Windows software, along with the nothing-like-it-for-Windows Mac-only programs Apple and others make.

2. Macs cost more than comparable PCs. FALSE. True, Apple doesn't sell a dirt-cheap, piece-of-junk doorstop that runs poorly and is a pain to work with. They don't think their customers are dumb enough to save $100 and up with something almost worthless. The Mac mini is as little as US $599 - good luck buying a Dell or HP that includes wireless, Firewire, etc. at that price. You get an even better deal with Macs when you start comparing notebooks.

3. Quality is better with Macs. Of course Macs have problems. However, Consumer Reports (not a very Mac-friendly publication) consistently ranks Apple's customer service as better than everyone else.

4. No viruses. Not a few, not less than Windows, none. There have been a few weak proof-of-concept trojan horses or worms, but no Mac user has been hurt by anything. There are over 20 million Mac users - that's a lot of credit cards. The not-enough-to-be-worth-it argument is nonsense. It is theoretically possible to hack Macs though some of the security weaknesses found, but it is hard enough that no hacker has taken the significant amount of time and effort it would take to do it.

5. Macs have no software. See #1 - Macs can run ALL Windows software by running Windows full-speed (since they all use Intel chips now), and can run Linux natively. Oh, and they can run the highly-superior already (and about to pull farther ahead than the anemic Vista) Mac OS X.

6. A lot more, but go look it all up yourself - I'm not going to do your research for you.

Either inform yourself before you buy next time or don't give bad advice to others. Many people posting here clearly are factually incorrect. Not just have a different opinion, but have stated objective falsehoods.

- Collapse -
But why...
Mar 31, 2007 6:05PM PDT

1. But if you're switching from Windows to Mac, you're trying to get away from Windows for good. So why would you run the dreaded Windows with your Mac? Wink

2. A 17" MacBook Pro costs in excess of $2600 CDN. A 17" Dell XPS Dual-Core costs around $2300-$2400.

3. Customer service, I can't comment on. It just varies with different stores - some Apple stores are notorious, others friendly. Same can be said with PC Stores as well.

4. There are more than a few viruses identified for Macs. Perhaps in the range of a few hundred, actually. Same goes for spywares and trojan horses, they do exist for Macs as well.

5. See #1.

6. Same answer...a lot more good for PCs compared to Macs, but research yourself.

- Collapse -
PC's are just better.
Mar 31, 2007 10:53AM PDT

I can't see any reason you would want to use a Mac.

- Collapse -
Mac vs PC
Mar 31, 2007 12:49PM PDT

I've used both Macs and PCs for many years at home and work. At home I have a Dell desktop and PowerBook G4. Concerning viruses, spyware, etc., the Mac is far and away superior to the PC. I use ZoneAlarm, SpySweeper and AVG Anti-Virus on my PC with XP, and I still get spyware on my machine (especially when I use Internet Explorer -- Firefox is much safer). Plus, all this software slows down the machine. There may now be viruses created for OSX, but my PowerBook has NEVER had a spyware or virus problem, period, and I don't use anti-spyware software or a firewall. Both computers require regular OS & software updates, and both computers occasionally freeze up, although the Mac recovers more easily. Macs do have less software available than PCs, but that may not be an issue if you're using the computer primarily for graphics, photography or music. Also, there's no right-click on the Mac mouse. But OSX is a clean, elegant and quick OS. I haven't used Vista, so I can't comment on it, but it sounds like a lot of the features copy OSX. Neither machine is perfect, but using the Mac is more trouble-free.

- Collapse -
I Should Have Returned My eMac Straight Away
Mar 31, 2007 1:07PM PDT

Unless you want to spend hundreds of dollars upgrading all your software, you'll experience on a daily basis the quirks of Apple Computers software and operating system. And no, they're not cute or quaint quirks.
For example, try hitting Home or End or Esc and usually see ... nothing happen. Try importing your address book and then organizing it. Can't be done. Try finding a file you want to display or paste to a website. Good luck.
What Microsoft makes logical and simple, Macs don't seem to have a clue. Right click on something on a PC and 90% of the time the activity you want to do will be there. On a Mac, right click and there's little or often times, nothing. Think your mail appplication should have Next and Previous icons on the toolbar. Macs don't think you need these. Oh, and here's my favorite head banger. Try maximizing your window by clicking on the maximize button at the top of the screen and ... it doesn't! You have to grab the corner and drag it to enlarge it. I have to tell you, that gets old fast. And all the fancy icons (I hope Vista hasn't imitated this) may look real good when they're enlarged but view them at their proper 1/4 inch size and you often can't tell what the heck they are.
In their favor, Macs have better hardware aesthetic design than most PCs, my Mac sometimes doesn't want to wake up, just as sometimes my PC doesn't. The DVD drive on my Mac quit working after nine months where I've never had a problem with any PC I've owned.
If I hadn't exceeded Apple's return period, I'd have sent it back and used the money for a real computer. As it is I feel like I've wasted $1000 and the pain goes on every day.

- Collapse -
No more Microsoft dysfunctional software of any kind.
Mar 31, 2007 3:58PM PDT

I certainly am going to switch from Windows PC to any Mac. Up to six years ago I used to have a little Performer Apple Macintosh. It only had had a hard disk of 1,5 GB storage and I upgraded its RUM to 64 MB. I never had had any problems with it. some years ago I made the mistake to buy a PC, only because my Performer could not work with OS X. I also wanted to try PCs with Microsoft software in a real work environment. This was my greatest mistake. I entered the trouble time of my life. A year ago I changed again to an all-powerful PC and the same great variety of problems kept on appearing.

Now I hear that Vista is the operating system to go for. But it only is a poor copy of Mac OS X. I can easily upgrade my PC to the Vista system, but I do not want any new problems. Enough is enough! No more Microsoft dysfunctional software of any kind. Let alone the spying over my clients' files that is endemic in my occupation. PCs may be fine for children and for businessmen concerned only about making money. But, they are not fit for serious service providers who have to be trusted and constantly available to their clients.

I need to work without haxters and unexpected computer break downs. For it, my next computer is going to be a hefty Apple Macintosh.

- Collapse -
Never...
Mar 31, 2007 5:56PM PDT

Not in my life. Even if I was threatened with death.

- Collapse -
Why does Cnets keeps talking about Mac?
Mar 31, 2007 6:58PM PDT

I have read poll after poll that shows windows based PC are used far more then any other computer! why is Cnet talking about Mac so much???

Even your own poll reflects this and Macs are not used but by few loyal users hmmmm what's that all about?
Linux is used even less then Macs and yet everyone seems to hate Microsoft across this board! hmmmm?

I thought Cnet was mostly for PC users seems like every time I log in here you are talking about Mac vs PC and Cnet knows good and well what the answer is going to be just take look at there own poll.

I have had both Macs and PCs they both crash and they both freeze up!!! speaking of crashing I just crashed my Brothers new quad G5 because he said it was crash proof that's what the sells person
told him its not!!!

Way back Macs where the only game in town for music,video,and graphics IBM could not see us doing that at Home!!!
then Bill Gates came along plus Intel and that all changed.
Boy I can remember some Mac heads saying they would never ever put Intel processor in there box, like the Wintell people did!
they are now that's how they can run both operating systems on one, making them more like a PC every day.
my Brother had lot trouble with his boot camp on his G5,so he is
full devoted Mac head now no windows for him! hmmm he don't talk about having both operating systems anymore.

I use windows XP PC with P4 and I do music,video and photos all the time with little or no problems.
I use photo shop with 8x10 graphics and it works for me just fine!

why I got PC its much less of expense, for my little home 4track recording studio with Adobe Audition and the PC works fine for what
I do with it.
I looked at pro.tools Mac system the pro.tools TM cost 10grand the
mac G5 about 3grand!
my PC WAS UNDER 1GRAND and works fine for what music and video I want record to make my own CDs and DVDs good enough to sell end of story.

- Collapse -
PC vs Mac
Nov 26, 2007 7:16AM PST

First let me say that a MAC is a PC by definition. i think what is meant hear is the difference between Windows and Mac and maybe Linux too. Windows unfortunately has too many design flaws and problems. It is very insecure and vulnerable. The Mac is not perfect, but it has much fewer security issues compared to those of Windows. Vista is even more of a problem as it is almost impossible for the novice to figure out let alone use. Linux on the other hand is quite stable in most of the major releases. It is quite secure. It has many fewer vulnerabilities. It does not have a REGISTRY to control your system. It can do most everything that the Windows environment does, and most of the programs are free, or open source. Of the three operating systems Windows is the least stable, but the best marketed of the three. Personally between Windows and the Mac i prefer windows environment. With that said though i prefer Linux over Windows. YES i still uses windows too.

randy