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General discussion

PC users: Have you contemplated switching to Mac?

Jun 17, 2011 9:15AM PDT

PC users: Have you contemplated switching to Mac?

-- Yes, but I decided not to. (What are the reasons?)
-- Yes, but I'm still still on the fence. (What's holding you back?)
-- No, it's never crossed my mind. (Why not?)
-- I have already switched. (How are things going?)

Discussion is locked

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Windows on Mac
Jun 19, 2011 12:47PM PDT
I run Parallels on my Mac w/Windows XP to run some PC software. I don't run a virus program because I have the virtual PC disconnected from the internet 99 percent of the time.
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Mac's are like Trivits
Jun 18, 2011 12:23AM PDT

My daughter has a Mackbook Pro and she looks with envy every time she uses my 17" HP laptop with 1 terabyte of disk space and 64bit Windows 7. By the way, it cost me 1 third the price of her underpowered 13" Macbook Pro, and lest we forget the virulent Mac Defender Virus going around the Mac community, that Apple ignored for so long and their fix only lasted 8 hours Happy The Mac is like the Trivit of Startrek fame , warm and cuddly but soooooo boring after a short time, my $700 i7 950 water cooled 12 gig rocking 4 terabyte Windows 7 PC absolutely embarrasses a Mac at two or three times the price and runs the entire Adobe CS5 suite with blazing speed. I like the fact that Microsoft is on the ball with updates and fixes that work, at least they don't give you a free phone case to fix a faulty antenna or tell people that Mac's never get viruses ie: Mac Defender version 1 and 2 and the botnet that plagued the Mac's last year Happy Also Gates is a programers programer and Jobs is a salesman.

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How to Get Rid of the Mac Defender
Jun 18, 2011 3:34AM PDT

The Mac Defender is a Trojan, not a virus. The only time you get into trouble with it, is if you fall for the scam, order the "virus remover", and give the crooks your credit card number.

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Switch to Mac - Absolutely YES
Jun 18, 2011 2:05AM PDT

After years of Windows PC and slow-as-sludge performance , security breaches , blue screen breakdowns , frozen programs, Registry complications , and viruses even Symantec could not cope with I switched to Mac OS two years ago . In the last two years I have experienced blazing fast performance with NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER . I left my old PC at the Apple Store at the time of purchase , they transferred all existing programs ( except financials ) from the PC to my new Apple Desktop , and it has been smooth sailing ever since . I employ many former and newly added programs , especially photography : would I ever go back to Windows PC - NEVER .

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I have already switched
Jun 18, 2011 2:40AM PDT

I switched to Mac at home in 2006 and I did not ever regret it.
Last year I started a firm of my own and then switched to Mac totally and I feel comfortable with my choice. There has been some difficulties but most of them I have been able to solve in a new way. <div>
So what I would like to say is that if you are willing to learn new things - go for it - if you want everything to be exactly as before - stick to your Windows PC.
</div>

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Switching to a Mac
Jun 18, 2011 5:21AM PDT

I almost did, it just wasn't cost effective for what I do...streaming and some gaming.

My Xbox integrates with WMC, all is good.

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Switched to iMac 27" when it came out in Nov 2009 - GREAT
Jun 18, 2011 5:40AM PDT

My HP PC's kept dying from heat problems and finally Apple introduced their 27" iMac in Nov 2009.
What a bright screen and lots of space for many spreadsheets. Started using Parallels to permit joint operation of Mac OS and Windows 7 simultaneously. Needed W7 to work on Fidelity's Active Trader Pro which would not operate on Mac. Parallels permitted W7 and Kaspersky Anti Virus worked on the W7 platform. However both Parallels and Kaspersky had significant problems as they offered various updates. That was the worst part of switching.
Now - Fidelity finally offers a web based Active Trader Pro so I don't have to open Parallels and W7.
What a relief.
Mac's Time Machine backup on an external 1TB drive from Western Digital is the best backup system I have ever experienced. Entourage e-mail with Mac was a terrible experience - forced me to go to gmail - after adjusting to how it works, very pleased with it. Gmail syncs great with Droid X and with iPad2. Also like gmail instant messaging.
Bottom line - the 27" iMac is beautiful and functional - very glad I switched from PCs.
Keep Smiling

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Never got into it
Jun 18, 2011 9:28AM PDT

My first PC was an Amiga and I could not understand why MAC was black and white. Besides that, they were always way more expensive. Unfortunately, Amiga was way ahead of its time but I guess I got hooked on MS software.

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Not really switched.
Jun 18, 2011 11:25AM PDT

I use both- an iMac, a Powerbook, and an HP laptop. It's no big deal, they are just computers.

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Not really switched
Jun 19, 2011 9:36AM PDT

@lane102

What? You are talking about the woman I love!

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No, not after research
Jun 18, 2011 12:42PM PDT

The only apple product I own is an ipod touch, I wouldn't have owned it if I knew it's registration required too much personal information.

Apple products are simply inferior at every price point with the exception of the ipad2. It seems most of the people who own macs aren't very computer savvy and don't know that there are tons of free antivirus and antimalware programs out there for windows (for those in IT that posted here speaking about the cost and maintenance of their own machines, they must have their jobs based on nepotism instead of real skill). Most people who own macs live in a false sense of security not realizing that the main thing to worry about are exploits and apple is always the first os cracked on any security contest or conference. While I like the looks of most apple products, I can't justify buying it at those price points due to it's lack of performance.

I use Windows and Linux, but I have tried apple in the past due to relatives owning them. When I hear about people speaking about speed comparisons between the two platforms in most cases it's an apples to orange comparison, they buy a new mac which cost more than their old pc, would it be fair to use a mac for 7 years that was 2k in the past and compare it to a 1k windows machine now? Well why not compare a modern version of both at the same price, take both of them home, test them for a week, and bring back the loser. If you want real speed use some of the low footprint linux distros that resides in ram drive, windows and mac will both seem to lag compared to them.

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Apple, Linux and Windows
Jun 21, 2011 1:20AM PDT

Apple just seems to mean expensive- I just have a cheapish Nokia with an MP3 player. If I was going to switch from Windows it would be to Linux. I did consider that but decided againgst it for the now. I haven't ruled it out long term.

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yes but still on the fence
Jun 19, 2011 12:18PM PDT

I would love to have a Mac. My concern, besides waiting till I can afford one, is the programs I have for sewing and pattern drafting plus.......Also, beside the cost of the actual machine, the software to run my programs could add up to quite a lot.

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No
Jun 19, 2011 11:52PM PDT

I switched to Linux. Ubuntu 10.10 is working just fine thank you. And yes, I kept a copy of XP alive for my games.

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No, don't think I will ever switch to a Mac
Jun 20, 2011 2:36AM PDT

I like to be able to upgrade my PC myself and not be stuck with propriartry parts. Macs may be pretty but they do the same stuff that PCs do, compute. So why pay over the odds for something that does the same job but looks nicer.

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Windows Vs Mac
Jun 21, 2011 1:10AM PDT

As I need a computer compatible with what they are teaching my children at school Mac isn't really an option. I doubt Microsoft Word would run on a Mac for starters. Its not just a case of having a program that can create files in the right file type for the homework they have to email in as it would confuse my boys if they had to do things a different way- my children have special educational needs and having to learn how to do the same things two different ways would cause confusion.

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Use what the school teaches
Jun 21, 2011 5:48AM PDT

Microsoft Word is available in a Macintosh version, although some commands may be slightly different. Other software specified by the school might be Windows-only. Regardless, your children will find it easier working with just one type of computer, so you want them to have whatever the school uses. Switching back and forth between Mac and Windows may not be difficult, but it's something they just don't need to deal with right now.

Their next school may be all-Mac, but you can deal with that if-and-when the situation arises; the latest Mac available today may be long obsolete by then, although I suppose Wintel PCs evolve much faster and thus potentially become obsolete sooner than Macs.

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Yes, but I decided not to.
Jun 21, 2011 5:56AM PDT

Most freeware I know of/use only runs on Windows, plus Mac is just too damn expensive.

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Yes Mac's are GREAT!
Jul 4, 2011 10:55AM PDT

I must admit I could not wait until I bought my Macbook and I love it. I still have a PC desktop and a Linux mini but the computer I use all the time is my Mac. However because everyone has not changed there are times I need to do projects for people with adobe production and it is on my PC. But there are a lot fewer problems with the Mac then the PC. Would change all to MAC if it was in the budget. Best computer decision I've ever made. And there are so many apps in the apps store.