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General discussion

Help me decide: PC or Apple laptop?

Aug 23, 2013 9:33AM PDT
Question:

Help me decide: PC or Apple laptop?


I read all your submissions and I really rely greatly on your answers so thank you!

I am in need of a new laptop. I've always had PCs but lately I have been increasingly unhappy with all the problems with errors. Inevitably a little Microsoft window pops up at the most inopportune times. It makes me crazy.

We have an iPad 2, and 4th-gen iPods. I only had one problem with my iPad in three years. I took it to Apple and they took care of it. It was as easy as pie. With my PC, it's like pulling teeth. I am good with computers and can usually work around problems, but it has gotten annoying to see little windows pop up saying my program is being closed for no reason.

So, my big question...PC or Apple for a laptop that I want to use for everyday home non-gaming use. I want to use it for e-mail, general word processing, pictures, and video. That's it. It has to be fast and work. That's all I ask. Can you help me decide?

Thanks very much!

--Submitted by Mary S. of Illinois

[NOTE to all participating members: Please keep this a civil discussion and respect each other recommendations and suggestions. Let's help this member make an informed buying decision. Thanks! -Lee ]


Note: This post was edited by its original author on 08/24/2013 at 1:31 PM PT

Discussion is locked

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To PC or Apple thats the question
Aug 31, 2013 1:57PM PDT

Personally if price is not an issue, based on your familiarity with the Apple brand I would advise to go with Apple. Stable OS and reasonably safe for viruses, however I would still recommend installing an Internet Security Software, since a couple of my friends have got Viruses and Trojans on their unprotected Apple laptops.

If you feel like trying out something new go with one of the Linux Distributions on your old laptop before you retire it. It won't do any harm and perhaps you will like it better than the other two OS's.

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Maybe hardware isn't what you need to solve the problems
Sep 1, 2013 12:23AM PDT

The computer industry has made a ton of money selling hardware to people who just need a software fix. It's possible those pop ups could be fixed with some anti-malware download. It will likely improve your speed.

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PC or Apple laptop?
Sep 1, 2013 4:29AM PDT

You're labouring under a misapprehension...

Just because you've had some luck with an Apple product, don't be mislead into the so-called idea that Apple computers are trouble free...

I've been doing computer servicing for a long time and have seen just as many problems with them as with so-called PC's...

Certainly, Apple computers have been used successfully as graphics engines for people doing high-order gaming or other graphics, but those are the high-end Apples, G3 and up, designed for just such things... I even have a customer who uses one to edit commercial films...

But those are prohibitively expensive, especially for the purposes that you want to use them for...

Everything that you buy for Apple will cost you about two times the equivalent in a PC...

Plus, Microsoft makes all the Apple operating systems since quite some time ago...

Even if you went to Linux, you would have problems...

Your best bet, for what you want, is to have a good, reliable PC, made by a good company, and keep it's upgrades up to speed...

The biggest problem with Windows seems to be that they change everything with each new version, so you have to re-learn all the stuff you need to know to make it work...

Also, a lot of people don't keep their upgrades up-to-date...

Use ONE good virus protection program, DON'T overload your system with twenty virus programs!

Stay away from NORTON, they used to be good when Mr. Norton himself was in control, but has long since sold it to another company and they cause more problems than they solve...

J.P.

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Help Me Decide...
Sep 1, 2013 6:02AM PDT

223 posts on this subject? REALLY?
Here's my experience in as short a response as I can give:
1985, Montreal, I'm at a teacher's conference at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. I peek into the "other" conference and see a demo of LISA. I am hooked forever. But I can't afford the 5000$ price tag.
I bought a Mac SE (with 2 slots) a year later and never looked back. You cannot go wrong in having a MacBook or iMac. No problems with viruses for 29 years. Minimal servicing : one CPU died and one internal hard drive died in 29 years on 6 different Macs. The experience has been just smooth as silk for all these years; however, I fear that you need to be of a special mind-set to be attracted to the Apple philosophy. It does not appeal to everyone, and that's okay. I am right-brained dominant and perhaps that's why I'm attracted to the Mac experience. Figure out if you're right or left brained and then decide...

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Depends on how much money you're willing to spend
Sep 1, 2013 8:24AM PDT

Apple or PC is the question of the ages. For me, the answer was easy. I use a PC and put Linux on as my operating system.

Since you're just using it for everyday tasks, I would suggest the same. Buy a good PC laptop from the store of your choice. I always suggest Toshiba Satellites since they are durable, but a stock ASUS will do just fine. If you can get it without the operating system, it'll save time in the long run. Download Ubuntu Linux, I use Ultimate Edition but I have enjoyed Mandriva as well. Both offer the least upkeep and run "out of the box" so to speak.

I like Apple, but the price is more than I'm willing to spend on a proprietary product that won't work with everything. Windows works with nearly everything but I hate Microsoft's bloatware. If you want something that will give you all the functionality that you're asking for and will scream on a minimum of RAM, give Linux a try.

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Go with a Mac if you can afford it
Sep 1, 2013 12:34PM PDT

I teach in PC lab that was once an all Mac lab in a high school. At first I was upset at the change, but learned it was easier to teach on the PC because students were more familiar with the Windoze OS. And, I actually liked quite a few things, like more keyboard shortcuts that I could test a student on, and the way windows filled the whole screen.

But, it has been more complicated in other ways. IN 2004, students just produced videos with iMovie with very little instruction from me after getting them started. It was crazy how easy it was. Now, with Premiere, it is much more difficult.

We have new PCs this year that are much more capable, but the last few years, the PCs were so lame, that I finally asked for a few Macs to do video processing, and it was simply amazing. It was also amazing to see the students gravitate to the Macs in the room. Partly because they worked and were fast, but also because they just liked them better.

Currently, at my desk at school, I have both a PC and a Mac at my finger tips. I use them both. Somethings are easier on both systems.

Outside of school, I use PC and Mac. I am on a Macbook Air now. I have 2 PC Desktops (one for me, one for wife), two PC laptops, the Macbook Air, and three iPads. The iPads are ONLY for consumption, despite a lot of effort to make them work as a laptop replacement. That's why I bought the MBA. I also wanted to try my hand at iAuthor and App development. So, I talked myself into spending the extra money for the Mac. But, it has turned out to be a great decision.

The point I want to make, having stated that I use both, every day. The MBA is amazing. Finger light, runs all day, and does everything really well. I have used it for video editing, as well as just about everything else, and it is perfect. It is more than other similar PC laptops, and I think if you don't really need iOS software, you can probably get by spending less money. But, you won't get as smooth and well designed package deal.

Bottom line? If you can afford the Mac, do it!! It is worth it.

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Tried both. Cost favors PC, reliability Mac
Sep 1, 2013 12:43PM PDT

I had been a PC user for about 15 years. I had a period in which I spent a good deal of time updating or replacing the Windows system. I switched to an iMac for my main computer, and have not regretted it. I recently replaced my iMac with a new system after 5 years of use, and gave the old machine to my son.
My portable is a PC-Windows HP, and I have been pleased with the results, until last night, when I was attempting to write an e-mail and was prevented by the quirky response from my Chrome browser.
The Mac portable is about twice the price of a good PC portable. If it is your main computer, I recommend you give consideration to the MAC Pro. If not, in spite of my fondness of the Mac system, I would recommend buying a Windows system.

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I dunno, somthing seems weird to me
Sep 1, 2013 1:18PM PDT

If Mac's are such a superior product and the operating system so infallible, why do a lot these Mac users want to put Windows or other Microsoft products on them? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of owning a Mac? Confused

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Nor really
Sep 1, 2013 4:07PM PDT

I've used Macs at home and Windows at work for a long time. If i needed to do work at home I was able to install the proprietary software on the Windows VM and not waste money or desk space on a second system. These days I just need to run a couple programs to program radios. These aren't available on the Mac so I just run Windows, get the frequency lists updated and quit Windows. Also I've been a Windows user since v2.0 and like to keep up, just for old times' sake, though I won't be installing Windows 8 any time soon. My first experience with Win 8 had me searching online to find out how to properly shut down the computer!

I've found Macs to be easier to configure, easer to maintain and just plain easier to use. I love that have 3 complete backups on line, and on the extremely rare occasion something does wrong, I can boot into a backup and have all the utility software I need to make repairs on my internal drive. If the HDD is actually bad I can keep running off the backup until the new drive comes in. Then I can restore from the backup and not miss a beat.

Macs are really easer on the constitution. I firmly believe that Mac users live longer and happier lives.

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Why I use a Windows program on the Mac.
Sep 2, 2013 8:10AM PDT

I have been using some programs in Windows that do not readily translate to the Mac. One of them is a database I've used for 10+ years. Transporting to the Mac will require 20+ hours of work. I will eventually do it, but in the meantime I run it in Windows on my Mac. Other programs are available only in Windows. There are a number of programs related to my work that do not have a Mac version.
The time saved in working on the Mac has made that tradeoff a minor issue.

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I switched
Sep 1, 2013 11:10PM PDT

I started with DOS 3 and have used Win OS's 95 thru Vista. I switched a couple of years ago to an iMac and I regret that I didn't do it sooner. If you switch you need to buy a manual or take a class on the OS, because it is quite different and you need to learn where all the parts and pieces are.

I have read the PC vs Mac debates over the years and have previously supported the PC argument. I have to admit that I was wrong the Mac is the superior package. I have read many instances of people who switched to a Mac from a PC and prefer the Mac. I have never read a post of someone who switched from a Mac to a PC and prefer the PC.

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Macintosh IS cheaper and far more friendly to use.
Sep 2, 2013 3:17AM PDT
First: Macintosh IS a different OS, and you will have some frustrations using it early on, and that NO computer and OS is perfect.
Second: My first computer was home built 486 running DOS 5.22 w/ Win 3.1, and still build and use Windows (Win7 current), but it is not my primary computer.

That said, you will find the Mac computers are actually cheaper to use over long term them Windows.

"Low cost", em, CHEAP PC's have hardware that is barely adequate to the task and frustrating to use.
Apple uses better hardware that will deliver on performance, you hardly see a Mac struggle.
A comparable PC with same hardware specs is only about 10% less expensive, nowhere near what a lot of people claim.

Over the long term, Apple is a cheaper platform.
While Microsoft release gargantuan very different OS updates every 2~3 years that cost around $200 and offer 5 different versions,
Apple released a new OS about every 1 to 1.5 years that looks and works mostly like the previous one.
Apple only releases one version, costs $20 ($30 each for 2 previous),
you hardly skip a step.

I routinely use my MacBooks (previously PowerBook) for 6 years. I am typing this on one I purchased January 1, 2007.
I added more memory and a upgraded the hard drive myself (as I did with previous PowerBooks).

I am not completely happy with some of the hardware decisions Apple has done, but that is not what you are looking for.

Since you have an iPad, i recommend an iMac of Mac Mini.

(on a side note, new PC sales have been declining over last year, while Mac sales have been increasing more often then not).
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Too Much Is Just Wrong
Sep 2, 2013 11:41AM PDT

I would like to support you since you make some valid points.

First off, Win 8 is a large update that is NOT substantially different to the average user with one exception: the absence of a Start Button that produces a Start Menu. The Start Menu absence is easily rectified by using Classic Shell, a freeware that is super easy to install and totally fixes the problem. (Note: Yes, MS should not have created the problem, I agree, and blah blah blah, but it's just not a big deal.)

Second, Win 8 cost under $30 for anyone who wanted it at the start. The offer lasted through Christmas, and even now there are ways to get cheap upgrades.

Third, Apple's recent upgrades are becoming notorious for dropping major, important components that users have taken for granted. Mountain Lion discarded iMovie unless you want to buy it. And try looking for a way to play DVD's or to work with them.

Fourth, third part software and peripherals do not usually match the quality of their counterparts on PC's. To avoid the grief of crawling through hours of installation issues, you need to buy almost all new peripherals (printers, especially) that are designated Mac compatible. And, of these, even some won't make the cut into the next upgrade. With two exceptions, I have found that every single peripheral I have used from 1995 on still works with Win 8. That is impressive.

Fifth, there are two versions of Win 8 available, not 5. Whatever MS might have done in the past (and much of it was to provide lower priced versions for home and student users), it does not pertain to the present. On the other, Apple, which used to be highly supportive of education, appears to have completely dropped the ball in that arena.

Sixth, as for tinkering with the innards of an Apple product, consider the battery or memory on an iPhone. Then think again. Apple does not want you inside their box; and they won't do much to help you.

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Uninformed
Sep 7, 2013 4:57AM PDT

You don't have to finagle cheap updates of OS X, you can download them from the Mac App store for $20.

Apple dropping major components like iMovie? Really? iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand make up the iLife Suite which is included free with every Mac. It is not, and never has been, part f the OS. That would be like complaining that Office isn't included with Windows.

Never had a problem with quality of third party software, most looks and works absolutely fine. The few instances where I use the same software under OS X and Windows, the main differences lie in the UI. As for hardware, I've used routers, all-in-one printers, hard drives, memory card readers, and other assorted peripherals from various manufacturers without problems and only really paid close attention to the printer because I wanted to be sure I'd be able to print wirelessly from my iPhone and iPad.

Still only 1 version of the OS. Apple doesn't sell crippled versions at a discount. And I don't know where you got the idea that Apple is dropping support of education but that couldn't be further from the truth, especially since they introduced the iPad.

Tinkering inside new Macs may not be as easy as it once was on certain models but it's not impossible. I upgraded the SSD in my MacBook Air with no difficulties. As for battery swapping, I see Apple's reasoning behind making the battery non replaceable. The extra hardware required to have an easily removable battery reduces the available room for the battery. Contrast the somewhat larger Dell XPS 15 with the retina MacBook Pro: the Dell has a 65 W/Hr battery while the rMBP can fit a 95 W/Hr battery.

As for tinkering with the OS, OS X is a UNIX and full access to the CLI is available through Terminal. In fact many utilities are simply GUI front ends for UNIX commands.

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Mac is cheaper
Sep 2, 2013 2:00PM PDT

Maybe in the States sales are up but in Canada PC sales are up because the Mac is very expensive.

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More choices...
Sep 2, 2013 7:27AM PDT

G'Day Mary.
I've been involved with computers since 1979, and currently have a house full of 6 Windows PC's (many different versions from XP to Win8), 1 x iPhone 3GS, 1 x Android phone, 1 x Android Tablet (new at just $89) plus a myriad of networking gear. There are no Mac's here (yet) - but there may be soon...

My wife (who works for a large software company) is constantly asking what this or that Windows message is (probably much like what you are experiencing) so I can understand where you are coming from.

What I haven't seen mentioned is a THIRD option to Windows & Macs, and that is a CHROME BOOK. If you haven't got any specific software you 'need' to run Windows for, then you could maybe examine this other option.

There's also this to consider... There are free alternatives to MS Word out there (look at SourceForge.net) so you 'need' to buy Word for either the Windows or Mac.

If you do decide on a Mac, and you absolutely 'must' run a Windows app, is possible to install Windows ON your Mac using a type of emulator/enabler software (sorry, I don't remember the name). The same is NOT true if you buy another Windows laptop - i.e. you are again stuck with Windows.

Another thing to thinks about, is any new PC is probably going to come with Windows 8. Which, if you haven't tried it, could be quite daunting (as it was for me at first).

So, have a look at all THREE options, before purchasing - which could save you a bucket load of money.

Regards, Greg.

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There is no substitute for MS Office.
Sep 2, 2013 11:45AM PDT

I have heard this myth for years: Just find one of the free or cheap substitutes for MS Office.

Good luck.

They don't exist. After trying Open Office, which is considered one of the best competitors, and actually convincing some clients to try it, I was left humbled and contrite. The integration of components in MS Office and the power of those components is beyond anything you can hope to get for free. Trying to save money by avoiding MS Office is false ecomonmy. It's like buying an icebox instead of a refrigerator.

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There is no substitute for MS Office - if ...
Sep 2, 2013 5:52PM PDT

... you need complete compatibility. I agree with you. If your work runs MS Office and you need to take documents home, there is no substitute!

Try bringing a Word Document home with some special fonts and load it onto your Apple. Make some changes in one of these and try and bring it back to work. Wow, it now looks different -- it may be rejected because it is no longer a Word Document.

And Excel -- bring home a sheet with some of the newer functions. The don't all work in the so called compatible programs. Macros which are common in Excel may not exist in these compatible programs -- if they develop a Macro language, they are almost guaranteed to be a little different.. Make a simple change, bring it back to work and you find the Macros missing. Won't you be popular. Not to mention that Excel can handle over a million lines in a single sheet.

I was a consultant for the last 15 years before I retired. I was hoping to be able to use one of the alternatives like Open Office. I tried it and found it was changing my spreadsheets so stuff would not work and some formulas now were errors. I quickly decided I needed to bite the bullet and continue to use Office.

You can't beat its across the board integration. Maybe someday, but not now.

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I mispoke in the above
Sep 2, 2013 5:55PM PDT

The second sentence, instead of "Apple", I meant to say "machine running a MS Office equivalent".

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re: Open Office
Sep 3, 2013 9:12PM PDT

Hello,

I agree with you if you're trying to integrate documents you made at home with documents you made at work. I use open office and abi word for documents I use only at home for myself. (i.e. copies of the receipts from my bank when I do online banking, maybe a simple letter I'm going to send, or note about something for myself, etc.) In fact, because of office and it's cost, if I have anything to do at home now, I bring my work issued laptop. It's just easier (and cheaper) than trying to go back and forth, plus I'm doing company work on their equipment, not mine.

I also agree that open office or kingsoft office isn't a direct competitor with MS, but then again MS used to supply MS Works with their computers and in some cases, for general home use, they do the trick. Maybe not as well or with a lot of variations and abilities as office, but in a lot of cases, for just simple documents, it's fine.

One of the issues I've always had about Word and Excel is that if you're a power user, or making up some extremely complex spreadsheet or enhanced document, they're great programs, but if you just wanted the absolute basics, sometimes it's like bringing in a tank to go rabbit hunting....

Best Regards,

Joe

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Defiantly go with Apple
Sep 2, 2013 9:15PM PDT

You sound like you don't really want a PC and prefer Apple, so follow your gut instinct and get the Apple.

Try each system before you buy to see if its right for you. But from what you want to use it for GO WITH APPLE. You can always run a Windows emulator with your Apple if you REALLY want to run those Windows programs.

Apple is the better all-round PC at the moment, don't even THINK about Widows anymore. Windows 8 is HORRIBLE .


Windows 8 is absolutely pathetic for a laptop or desktop. Many of us are dumping Microsoft in favor of Apple including my company which will be replacing our aging PCs with Apples or Linux computers.

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Urban Myth
Sep 3, 2013 6:45AM PDT

This is beginning to sound an urban myth: Windows 8 is "absolutely pathetic" etc, etc.

Windows 8 is hardly absolutely pathetic. There is a growing body of users that wouldn't use anything else.

Yes, there is always the one point that MS didn't include a start menu. This is easily fixed.

Beyond that, most users won't notice much -- if any difference -- between win 8 and win 7 except for one thing: win 8 really flies.

Win 8 boots twice as fast as our pricey desktop Mac. And this is on a Dell that is two years older than the Mac. From power-on to loaded spreadsheet, win 8 simply knocks the most up-to-date Apple OS out of the water.

That one poor marketing decision (to eliminate the start menu) created this entire myth about Win 8 and it definitely hurt sales. But once users begin to find out how the product actually works, and how easy it is to pop in a useful Start Button/Start Menu that are pleased.

Which is why Win 8 has been increasing its sales steadily:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/09/02/windows-8-jumps-past-os-x-for-74-market-share.

In April, the predictions were that Win 8 was dead-in-the-water. In September, it appears that Win 8 is actually starting to surf the waves.

So much for myths.

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why Win 8 has been increasing its sales steadily:?
Sep 3, 2013 6:54AM PDT

My answer is by force. You have no choice but to get this and even Dell reports Windows 7 sales as 8 sales (you get the downgrade rights.)

I have no bone to pick here as we install CLASSIC SHELL and ignore Metro. Shame MSFT was so pushy about that.
Bob

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Agreed
Sep 3, 2013 2:43PM PDT

Totally.

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Why?
Sep 8, 2013 8:08PM PDT

Why should people have to immediately go in search of a third-party app just to regain vitally important functionality? There are a lot of non-technically inclined people who wouldn't have a clue that such an app exists.

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PC vs Mac
Sep 3, 2013 1:16AM PDT

Howdy, I've been thorugh this argument for years and having a few older macs around the house (laptop and desktop) and several PC's both laptop and desktop / tower, I've noticed a few things;

a) I can take a computer from XP to windows 8 and get on the net with it with relatively recent software outside of the supplied stuff (i.e. Windows Explorer). I've used several browsers on older PC's (i.e. Firefox, Google Chrome, etc) whereas with my older Mac's it's Safari or nothing because the older macs running os 10.4 or 10.5 won't run some of the latest upgrades from Firefox, etc. and there's limited offerings otherwise.

b) The PC hardware / software is cheaper than a Mac, but then again I don't feel bad if I have a catastrophic failure on a laptop other than the hard drive, I can remove the hard drive and use it as a USB drive (since normally all files are intact) and get my data from there. I've replaced batteries, displays, keyboards, memory on a PC laptop very easily, but I've found it almost impossible to figure out how to open a Mac laptop without destroying it. I never buy new computers no matter what they are, I depend on refurbs or returns. So I don't feel bad if a windows PC bites the dust, I just strip it and either sell it on ebay for parts or toss it. In a lot of cases, it's not worth fixing because you can buy another laptop a lot cheaper than the repair. Mac, once they break it's back to the repair shop because outside of putting it in the box, there's nothing else you can do but cringe until you get the repair bill.

c) I found it very interesting that the latest versions of iTunes doesn't work with on my older Mac's. I can't upgrade the software to what the device needs (read demands). Though I can plug my new ipod or new iphone into itunes on a 10 year old XP machine and bingo it works just fine... Hmm....

d) Apple forces you to buy extras these days because they have ceased to offer standard ports / optical drives with their machines. Except for the iBook you can't get a optical drive on any of their latest hardware, so you are now a slave to Apple through their online store. I think the Air doesn't even offer USB ports. So how does that work for me when I have a 2 year old grand daughter that I just want to keep occupied with a DVD for a few minutes when I don't have a DVD drive on the computer (and don't give me this stuff about plugging in an external drive. For $1500, that should be part of the computer, not purchased slavery to Apple for everything including software I want to put on this thing). Another stupid thing, a card reader for your camera. Every Dell I have has a SD card reader. Now maybe not the exact size I may need which depends on the camera, but it's there none the less. With Mac, sorry, that's another 'extra' for you to buy unless you want to hook up the camera to the computer and download it that way...

One other thing that's been bugging me about Apple is the fact that they haven't come out with anything 'really new' since Jobs died. Sure, they've upgraded the iPad, made a iPad mini, and upgraded the phone, but as it's been said here time and time again, a lot of other products on the market are or have either caught or surpassed Apple. They used to be technology leaders, but I just don't see this 'leadership' any longer.

I'd say overall that Apple products are very slick and very good and they work well for what 'average' people want to do. But if you want to do anything outside the locked in route that Apple forces upon you, then I'd say go to a PC. Be aware though I have PC's that are well over 10 years old and do everything (and I mean everything) very well, whereas Apple products may work but as time goes on they will start to drop support for them and you will be forced to upgrade to connect your apple devices to their computers and/or systems whether you like it or not.

I honestly do like Apple and their products, but again it's the forced upgrades and everything has to be approved or stamped Apple that really bugs me. Their Olympic TV ad about the woman running up to set the masses free, now in my humble opinion, you are one of the masses if you buy a Apple product because they control almost everything you do with it whether you like it or not.

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There are two questions, not one...
Sep 3, 2013 1:31AM PDT

Your question is whether to stick with MS or migrate to Apple. If you migrate to Apple, all your decisions follow accordingly. Apple decides for the most part your hardware and OS obviously. If you stick with MS, it's not just MS but also choosing from among the host of vendors. Not all MS PC/laptop vendors are created equal.

To the extent you're willing to stay with MS, you should be talking to those who repair them. Geek Squad, etc., can be very helpful in identifying the characteristics you like or don't like. For example, which units have long-lasting heat sinks and fans, which tend to have monitor issues, etc. Our current annoyance is that every time we boot up the HP laptop, it ejects the CD/DVD tray. Whereas the last Apple we purchased (for a grandson) had a CD tray that would not open. (Seems weird that problems like this would persist, eh?) Some laptops save space by shrinking one or both SHIFT keys--maddening if you're productive on a word processor.

If money is no object, and you want rapid data transfer, be sure to consider the Dell Alienware series. These are high-powered laptops for gamers--assembled according to your preferences. But if you're in a heavy duty video/graphics environment and/or dealing with massive programs, you'll quickly appreciate what these machines are capable of.

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KISS
Sep 3, 2013 7:12AM PDT

For the same reasons people don't retire to the North; Mac users don't switch to PC's

Go to the various boards where the age old discussion of PC vs Mac is going on. Read only posts of people who have switched from a Mac to a PC or from a PC to a Mac. This is the only way you can get a true user evaluation.

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Strangely Enough,
Sep 3, 2013 2:56PM PDT

You may be right about switching from Mac to PC.

I don't know the statistics, but I will admit to seeing few posts from those who've made that switch.

But one possibility is that many of those who use a Mac have found the exact level of involvement they want.

I have no high-powered Mac clients, but my guess is that they are technically savvy and no system, OS X or Windows or Unix is going to slow them down.

I have a few mid-level Mac users, however, and they are constantly frustrated. They don't have the savvy to solve their problems themselves, but they are constantly reaching beyond the bare minimum and really would do better on PC's. They have however invested too much ego (especially in terms of putting their money where their mouth is) to back down from their investment.

I have very few low-level Mac users, because (based on the few I have had) I believe Mac does do everything they want -- which just happens to be not very much.

And perhaps that should be the criteria for making the choice:

If your needs are truly basic and you want the sense of a constant, safe environment, get a Mac. It will cost a lot extra, but the feeling of security may be worth it. [Which why many people invest in a car they will never drive to its capabilities.]

If your skills are advanced and Operating Systems actually interest you rather than threaten you, get any darn thing you want that matches your other needs. You'll find a way to meet them and have fun on the journey getting there.

If your skills are medium, but your needs are medium or higher, and especially if the challenge of beating an operating system isn't your cup of tea, then get a PC. You will make faster progress with less frustration ... and never look back.

Michael

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Mary, Did anyone ever ask you ...
Sep 3, 2013 4:43PM PDT

... if you will have any occasion to bring a spreadsheet or other file home from work so you can make some changes at home?

If this is true, your choice is pretty much dictated by what they use at your workplace and much of this discussion is irrelevant.

If this is not a consideration, and you do not need to bring any of your current stuff to the new machine, then it does not matter. You can use either one and much of this discussion is still irrelevant.

Try them both in a store and see which you like the best.