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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

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NO WAY!
Nov 21, 2007 6:52PM PST

Windows has been and will remain the centralized best overal operating system as you can see from my other rated polls. I will not ever support or accept anything Apple, PERIOD.

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Again this.
Nov 21, 2007 7:03PM PST

A personal computer can be of any given CPU architecture if it is used for non-commercial reasons.
The PPC architecture was adapted after the 68k for older Macintosh enabled boxes. Now that the choice is the x86, there is no difference in hardware.
If you are talking about operating systems, then the OS?/series is based on neXtStep and the Mach kernel while Windows ?? is based on DOS and Windows NT.

Strip down the machine of the OS and install a Unix variant, then run a series of stress tests.
This will tell you the real capabilities of each architecture under similar environments.

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You miss the issue with mac hardware
Nov 21, 2007 7:43PM PST

The issue is not what IS installed, rather what CAN be installed. There is very limited expansion on a mac.
PC: Infinite choices
Mac: Limited supported (usable) choices

PC: Update/upgrade through two or three generations on most hardware
Mac: Update/upgrade through one generation of hardware, then pay for new system

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Wrong on all counts!
Nov 21, 2007 9:14PM PST

First of all, Macs CAN be useful for years. I sold a seven year old PowerMac earlier this year; the new owner is extremely happy with it. I've known a good number of people who hang on to Macs for years and keep them as media servers, backup computers, etc.

Regarding upgradability of Mac vs. PC: I think you have it completely the other way around. Isn't that the main complaint for most people of Vista, that you need a better machine just to run it? I've run across statistics that say the significant majority of PC's cannot run Vista in its full "eye candy" mode without at least a system upgrade, if not a new computer. Macs, on the other hand: OS 10.5 requires an 867mhz processor and a DVD drive (among other things). A PowerMac "Quicksilver", which is a 5 year old machine and 3 generations back (PowerMac, G5, Intel) qualifies nicely for the latest OS.

As far as your earlier comment: of course you can legally get a copy of OS X without the hardware. It retails for $129 (and there's only one version -- no "home" or "ultimate" editions). The only caveat is that you can't legally run OS X on a PC, per the licensing agreements.

You should do a little basic research before you shoot yourself in the foot.

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And this is why there is no cross-co-op
Nov 22, 2007 2:10AM PST

I have an old 386 that still runs fine too. I didn't state the hardware stops working. Windows 3.11 and Windows 95 still works well for many people, as does DOS, just like the old Power Mac systems still work. My comment had nothing to do with software nor the usability of older hardware. What I stated was you have a set, limited, upgradability HARDWARE wise in each specific unit. Your G5 may handle later software, but not the latest hardware. For Example, you'll be hard pressed to get 7.1 sound on your Mac or Mac II. I have a soundblaster Gold sound card in my 386 producing wonderful spatial 3d 7.1. That's what, a dozen generations later?!

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What the heck are you talking about?
Nov 22, 2007 3:24AM PST

Of course you can upgrade hardware on older Macs; why wouldn't you be able to? Granted, that depends on whether a 3rd party has produced upgrades, but it's almost a surefire guarantee that if you have an add-on and it fits in the slots, it'll work with no hassle. Macs have far fewer issues with drivers than PC's do - that reliability comes in spite of having switched platforms several times over the years.

Blu-Ray drives are available... I know people with old G4's that have been refitted with faster processors and better graphics cards than what I have in my G5... etc, etc. Were you implying that you can't upgrade a sound card on a G5--? Of course you can. All you have to do is Google it! And you're confusing the issue to boot... you say "G5", then "Mac II" in the next sentence. Not only are they on entirely different platforms, but those machines were built almost 20 years apart.

As far as "a dozen generations"... would that be implying that generation = how old your computer is? That's hardly the case... 386 is basically the same Wintel architecture as the most current processors, and the same x86 platform as it has been for years. So in your case, not a dozen generations: just a much older processor of the same variant.

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No way, Jose!
Nov 21, 2007 7:58PM PST

If I was a gamer I would consider a Mac.....but since I usually use the computer for more serious things I'll give up my PC when you pry the keyboard from my cold, dead hands.

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Are you considering switching from a Windows PC to a Mac?
Nov 21, 2007 8:08PM PST

Yes. Why? Because it is more secure, has tons of features, and is completely stable. I currently use Windows XP and Gentoo Linux. I partition my HDD's in my two laptops and my desktop and install Gentoo Linux on the first partition and Windows XP on the 4th partition and then boot either using Grub. I want to go with Mac because it is built off the Linux platform and has everything installed that works easily with the OS where are with installing Gentoo Linux, RedHat, etc you have to buy the right network card, video card, etc to get everything to run right and still today wireless networking in Gentoo linux doesn't work right. Almost all laptops have the broadcom wireless card and the only way to get it to work and connect to a network is to load the Windows drivers.

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Not switching to a mac
Nov 21, 2007 8:09PM PST

I'm computer literate, to say the least Happy

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Why move from one proprietary OS to another?
Nov 21, 2007 8:52PM PST

When I finally dump Windows, it will be for Linux. I actually use both right now. Macs are pretty and seductive. And, yes, I know the OS is Unix under the skin. But it's still Apple and Apple is every bit as protective of its brands as Microsoft.

Being a long-time Windows user and having friends with Macs, I know that Linux is more reliable than either. I still use Windows out of business necessity. But I'm within 5 years of retirement and when I no longer have to have Windows, it will be history!

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Switching to a Mac
Nov 21, 2007 9:46PM PST

I am intending to purchase the new imac desktop because I think microsoft is in a terrible mess with Vista, and the current wave of spam hitting windows.
Here in Australia many new resellers are now featuring macs for sale, and they are selling like hot cakes. Everywhere I here people condemning microsoft for not perfecting a new product before release to the public.
I am with XP and if there wasn't any macs available I would never buy Vista.

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Why bother?
Nov 21, 2007 11:49PM PST

While I am not a PC expert or anything, I am quite happy with my PC, I have no problems with anything really. Why change something that is working just fine and I am happy with.

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when hell freezes over
Nov 21, 2007 11:49PM PST

Firs of all, let me say that it is very possible that I do not know what I am talking about. I do not want anything to do with Mac. I am sold in pc, windows, Microsoft and Bill Gates. I think Bill Gates is a Go and deserves respect. Yes we have viruses to deal with, and Microsoft software is well knowwn to have bugs from time to time. I still prefer Microsoft over anything else. I am sure a Mac is great for simple tasks, but there is so much more that can be done on a pc. There are many more peripherals and software made for pc as well. As far as I am concerned, if anyone can top Bill Gates, then go ahead and do so, otherwise they should shut up and deal with it.

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Why Mac?
Nov 22, 2007 12:22AM PST

I've just switched after 20 years of dedication to the PC world. Bought both laptop and desktop. Why? Better software, better reputation for dependability, lower virus incidents, MOre stable platform, like its applicability to photography and video.

The adjustment has not been easy...I keep finding little bumps along the way...like learning I had to have an adaptor in order to use the Mac on lcd projector. Also, I'm having to change my thinking around file protocols and photo management. Neither better nor worse, just different.

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Linux seems a better choice
Nov 22, 2007 12:40AM PST

I'm running Linux on all my PCs, dual-booting with XP on my laptop for work reasons. I primarily run Kubuntu 7.10, although I have one machine running Debian 4.0 and dual boot a couple of other distros (Freespire, Puppy) just for research. Linux runs on all the machines I currently use without a hitch and I didn't have to spend any money to upgrade. I have two HP printers, one a PSC, and they are all shared happily on my 5 computer home network. I'll save my $$ for other things.

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Yep!
Nov 22, 2007 1:08AM PST

Mac is the best thing since poached eggs (if you like them). Mac's OSX multimedia operating system is better than what is currently being offered by Linux distro's and tons better than Windows Vista. I'm currently running XP Professional and saving for a new iMac next year, then I'll ditch my PC. I have been anxiously awaiting the day that Mac can run some Windows programs and the day is here.

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Outlook 2007
Nov 22, 2007 1:42AM PST

I am literally being driven to craziness by Outlook 2007. My computer is Sony Viao VGN-S570P, about 3 years old with XP. For three months after installing it, I have spent a total of 10 hours on the phone with Microsoft but they cannot solve the issue. Instead they blame my data files even though they worked fully well with Outlook 2003.

Whenever I switch the Outlook 2007, I get the notice that the data file did not close properly etc. Then for five minutes at least the entire computer is slowed down and not a single message can be read. Only after 15 minutes or so, it says that the file check is complete.

Is there any remedy for it? I will be really grateful for advice.

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never switch
Nov 22, 2007 2:26AM PST

Are you kidding? the Mac OS sucks...! menu bar along the top - dumbest idea ever - still there... resize a window from only the bottom left corner? again are you kidding me? didn't have thumbnail view of images until version 10? for a media based PC again your joking. every accessory I have plugged into a Mac has made it crash... I have used Macs for years - they suck and no windows is not from Mac - xerox and atari figured it out before Mac, Steve just stole it from them. Steve has not donated a single dollar to any known charity. He admitted that the quicktime logo appears in my system tray for advertising reasons - what an ego!

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I was a long time PC supporter
Nov 22, 2007 3:11AM PST

Basically, for me to compete with what a Mac naturally had to offer, I had to at least be a windows power user (know all the tips and tricks and how to optimize everything for best performance)

I switched over when the Mactels came out over a year ago. I was initially drawn to "spotlight" which offered an instant search of everything on the hard drive (its new in Vista, but its nowhere near as refined), and Expose. Basically, these were organizational features that did not exist on Windows XP. I also liked the fact that I no longer needed to worry about running anti-spyware and anti virus software, giving me more time to concentrate on my own work, not PC maintenance. OS X has always been far superior to Windows XP even on Power PC processors (a 1.6 processors was about equivalent to a Pentium 4 3Ghz). Now that we have Intel processors of the same actual speed, it's just sick.

For the price we pay, Macs are far superior to PC's. We actually pay less, because we don't have to buy a new computer every 2 years. Seriously, until yesterday, I was using an 867 Mhz G4 12inch laptop with 640 Megs of ram, dating back to around the time the Ipod came out, 2002ish. I actually felt guilty about getting my 15 inch Macbook Pro, because I wasn't even sure I needed it that much.

I am now sitting in front of a brand new Macbook Pro with Leopard. I have never felt my computer could be so well refined. Basically, I like Mac because they simplify the computer, and in todays society where we are deluged with mindless amounts of information, its good to have the least amount of complexities as we can. As Apple rightly claims; "It just works". I'm tired of wasting time figuring stuff out, when I could be being productive. Vista is a jumble of un-organization and too much information. Furthermore, Apple laptops are pieces of art. =)

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Closed proprietary system. Arrogant design. Smug users.
Nov 22, 2007 3:43AM PST

No Thanks! I'll stick with my PC and move to Linux if anything.

I hate Apple's arrogance. I succumbed to an iPhone recently only because there is nothing else like it on the market. What bugs me is that the thing came with practically no user manual. Apparently they think it's so user friendly that you don't need one.

It took me weeks to figure out what the little silencer sliding button was - or that it was anything at all. I tried to take the thing back because I thought the external speaker was broken (it turns out it's supposed to be a microphone?? - even the bozos in the Mac store didn't know that and thought it was broken too).

I've tried an iPod and I never mastered the scrolling touch wheel. It always jumps one song past where you want it to stop. I took it back because it kept freezing up on me.

iTunes sucks. Where are my tracks that don't have perfect mp3 tags on them? Where are the 'watch folder' options. Playlists are dumb - you have to use a playlist to get any songs onto an iPhone!?! What's wrong with drag and drop?

And as for the computers... they still only have one mouse button. They claim they're so user friendly that you don't need more than one - but then they put about 3-4 'Alt' buttons on the keyboard that you have to use in combination with the mouse button! Ha!

So based on my experience with Apple products, I'll stay well away thanks.

Oh - and as for audio applications. Yeah - windows can crash and I make it by with SONAR. Other musician friends insist on MAC, but I know people who've spent $10,000 on a MAC / Pro Tools setup and it still crashes on them... and it has 1/2 the features of SONAR on a PC.

No Thanks.

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Mac is not practible
Nov 22, 2007 6:13AM PST

I am intrigued by Mac, and have been for awhile. However, none of the software I need for work is available on a Mac, and since I switch between the office and home I'm stuck with Windows for the foreseeable future.

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Switching from Windows To Mac
Nov 22, 2007 7:12AM PST

Definitely! I'm sick of Microsoft and Windows. Its the release of Vista that has finally pushed me to get a mac as my next machine which I am buying in January.

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Seriously thinking about it.
Nov 22, 2007 8:35AM PST

Three weeks ago I bought a Vista loaded Toshiba Satellite laptop. Bad, bad horrific decision. Not because of the hardware but because of VIsta which ranks as the worst software ever. Problems, crashes, malfunctions are illimited to ennumerate. Had to "upgrade" to XP, and I mean upgrade because in doing so I installed a better software. The whole experience left me thinking about MS OS. They are not doing things right any more. So I think it is time to go for an OS software that is more stable and reliable than Microsoft's. I still have not owned a Mac but have friends who have stopped using Microsoft's software and are very happy. I consider outrageous the harm they are doing to people in releasing such a horrible software as Vista which makes people lose a lot of time and energy. Some sort of class action should be considered by the consumers in general.

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Love what I have
Nov 22, 2007 9:25AM PST

I use a PC at home and Macs at the school where I work. I love both, but many times I wished my PC had many of the friendly features my Mac has. I have heard many PC users that they dislike or cannot get used to Macs, but I still think I have the best of both worlds!

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Linux is prefered
Nov 22, 2007 4:10PM PST

i am not into the Mac even though i know how to use it. To me the Mac is too expensive and the Linux OS is a great alternative, even though there are some things i still need from Windows. Linux is growing and i think can easily become the most preferred OS for the average user since most of them just want to use the internet and some word processing. Linux is growing and is free in most cases or at a very minimal cost.

randy

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No...
Nov 22, 2007 6:56PM PST

For me.. It's more expensive. y u 1 2 spent >$, cos u can get the better tech. with the same price.

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I dont like the apple's "hidden policy"
Nov 22, 2007 7:10PM PST

I dont like to read that Apple doing exactly the same things that have accused microsoft for. And probably even worst things,like the one with the iTunes and how collect crusial informations about the users (even credit card numbers) Probably, because Macs are used most in the US, apple choose to play a secret spy role for who knows who.....(For the same reason I dont use Google either)

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Don't believe the Mac commercials!!
Nov 22, 2007 10:22PM PST

I have been using Windows PC since they first came out and at this time still run 3 desktops and 1 laptop at home (thank god). I purchased the latest MacBook Pro in August based on the Apple hype and have regretted it ever since. It crashes regularly, the wifi sucks and as far as I am concerned, the Mac software is inferior (I use computers for engineering, photography and trip planning). The forums are full of the problems with the hardware and apparently, typical of Apple, they are not commenting and given the length of time the problems have been occurring, they must not be interested. Maybe the Apple commercials are correct... put nothing on your computer except what it came with and be happy with what you have!!

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Don't believe the FUD!!
Nov 22, 2007 10:49PM PST

Yeah, right. It's a given that no matter how good the quality of components are in a computer, you will occasionally run across a dud. Given your extensive experience with PC's, you should already know that. So if your laptop was faulty, it would have been as simple as walking into an Apple store or calling tech support about the "problem". Apple's customer service has been the highest rated in the industry for the past few years, so if there was a legitimate "issue" with your laptop it's your fault for not contacting them, not theirs for selling it to you.

Here is a fine example of how good their customer service is: just last week, one of the earpieces in my iPod's headphones quit working. I took the set back to the Apple store, explained the problem, and without even checking the serial number or asking for a receipt (they just asked me when I bought it), I walked out of there with a brand new $30 set of headphones. You'll never get that kind of service at another computer or electronics retailer.

Since you still have plenty of time on your warranty, I'd recommend that you get in touch with tech support for whatever "problem" you might be having instead of wasting time on Apple's forums.

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Switching?
Nov 22, 2007 11:22PM PST

Apple had a nice OS. Notice the "had". It was not unix. It was not a Gates-ripoff of a Windows environment. It was simple to use, an almost
pleasurable experience.

Then it became a GUI for a Unix-environment, BSD Unix.

What are the differences between OS/X and any of the GUI-overlays for Linux? Linux and OS/X BOTH are GUI-overlays for Unix.

And you want to use this WHY? Because it's easier than Windows?

Get a grip on your life. Windows NT was "inspired" (read-copied) by OpenVMS 4.x. Without all of the security. Had Gates & Co., done the job right, they should have ported OpenVMS to the small box and made it work for the different architecture. THAT would have made a significant contribution to the industry. THEN write or augment the existing DEC-windows overlay to accomadate the myriad of users to the equipment.

What a concept that would have been--a user friendly O/S that was simple to use, written for the average user, responding with an entire language for the "help" command.

Switching? From a PC to a Mac? Why? Why would I want to go from the complexities of Windows to the complexities of Unix? I don't think that would anything to my enjoyment of making software work correctly.