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General discussion

Thinking of Apple

Sep 6, 2005 10:04AM PDT

Hello everyone, I've been a Windows XP user for about a year and a half now. I've had to do alot of reformats to save my computer every now and then, and let me tell you, I'm fed up. Windows has so many stability issues, and I'm really wanting to switch to mac. I've had my eyes on the Powerbook 15", however, I want to research more on the Apple computers. Are there any clubs, or forums specific to Apple? If so, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

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Don't look now
Sep 6, 2005 11:01AM PDT

But you are already in one of three Mac Forums on CNET

Happy


P

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Lol
Sep 6, 2005 1:58PM PDT

lol, well, I meant other than this forum, too. Something that may be more dedicated and active? I want to know people's experiences on the macs, I just want to know by word of mouth(or keyboard)

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This is a Mac
Sep 6, 2005 9:50PM PDT

forum. Just ask the questions and you will get loads of replies. There is probably nobody here that will try to talk you out of it.
Go ahead and get one, you will not be sorry.

P

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Internet
Sep 7, 2005 8:15AM PDT

How does the internet work on a mac? Is it pretty much the same? Or better?

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Internet
Sep 7, 2005 10:28AM PDT

It works exactly the same.
The standard browser for the Mac is Safari or Firefox, both of which are more secure than Internet Explorer. IE is available for OS X but is an OLD version. MS are no longer producing it for OS X.
Apart from that wonderful news, everything that you do with your PC, you can do with the Mac, only better.
There is also a distinct shortage of Virus's, spyware, adware and malware for OS X.

next question

P

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Games?
Sep 7, 2005 12:17PM PDT

Is there a pretty good selection of games? Such as the Sims 2, and other EA games?

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Yes, you can
Sep 7, 2005 9:50PM PDT

Check out the EA site. Aspyr also have a decent selection of games. Bear in mind that as we move toward the Intel processor, it will be easier for developers to program for both platforms. Often with the flick of a switch. We should be seeing more decent games for both platforms. Not all games, available for the PC, are worth the effort of porting to the Mac. Deer Hunter springs to mind.

How about you get all your questions in a row and then ask them? One question at a time will take forever.
Yes, it will go on the Internet, it will do Email, it will store photo's, make HD Movies, Make DVD's, store-catalog and play all formats of audio (except protectedf wma) run Office (excel, word, powerpoint), has it's own version of those too, runs Instant Messenger and generally does everything you want.
It does NOT run any of the 97,568, and counting, forms of virus currently available for the PC.

P

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Intel
Sep 8, 2005 12:11AM PDT

Hm, I've been hearing about the Intel switch, and I'm a little worried. I don't want to get a Mac and then find out that I'm going to have to get a new one. Should I just wait for the new Intel based Macs?
Also, how well do Powerbooks perform editing with Final Cut Pro? I'm in a tv production class at school and my teacher recommended that program to me if I were to get a Mac.

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Final Cut Pro
Sep 8, 2005 4:21AM PDT

They perform wonderfully.
The machine and software of choice to the discerning professional.
Whenever you buy your Mac, there will be a new one down the road. If you need on now, get it. All the software that currently runs on it, will still run on it when the Intel Mac's are released. Support for both procecessor types will be included in all high end software, like FCP, for quite a few years. It is easy to do that now with the tools Apple has made available to developers

P

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:)
Sep 8, 2005 7:48AM PDT

Well, I decided on the Powerbook 15" and I will be getting that in October! I can't wait! Thanks to all of you answering my questions, and I can't wait to get started in the Mac world!

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(NT) (NT) Way to go! Enjoy it
Sep 8, 2005 9:04AM PDT
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Buy the Mac
Sep 12, 2005 3:32AM PDT

I have a 15inch powermac G4 and all I can say is buy one, buy one now!! you woill not be sorry. Trust us. We will not lead you astray

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Thinking of you?
Sep 15, 2005 4:03PM PDT

No matter what other outside Forums you post to; About.com or such, Peter, our Moderator, really is Mr. Mac Fixit!
Just take it from me. I do like the About Forums concerning the Mac. I also learn a lot from that forum. About.com has a newsletter that is good also. Really nice.

Are there any Apple stores near you to try out the Mac?
Any friends that can show you the Mac?

Bottom Line?
No one knows better about a Mac than mrmacfixit. Right here in the Mac CNET Forum. Two other foruns also if you are interested. Peter is the Moderator also. Lots of other members willing to help you also with the three forums devoted to the Mac.

However, many of the CNET forums carry over to the Mac or PC operating system and visa/versa.
Try out Computer Help and the Newbies Forum. If that is not enough, try out all three Mac forums.

Want to know hundreds of Mac issues? Go to CNET Archives and list Mac.
Do you have a lot of time on your hands to read these??
Thousands to read about and to learn from!
Hope this helps you out. It did for me!

-Kevin

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You'll be mad at yourself...
Sep 18, 2005 1:56AM PDT

...that you didn't think of **** this sooner. It looks like you plan on using your computer for media work. From the typical user point of view, the Mac is a superior media machine. FCP is built for the Mac. You might also look at Final Cut Express, a slightly slimmed-down version of FCP. Also, everything is plug-and-play. No mysterious issues (mostly) with plugging a camcorder or external drive in and it not working. You will need to get used to the fact that a Mac will only recognize Firewire to download streaming DV video, whereas the PC will also allow the "wrong" way of doing it by USB. Read the camcorder forum here and you will see that it is filled with frustrated PC people trying to connect and download video from a camcorder because of the USB confusion. Ever try to plug-in a USB media stick in a PC? You need to maneuver your way to "My Computer" to see the drives and devices and try to figure out how to see the images on the stick. On a Mac, there is an application called Image Caputure, and when you plug in a digital camera (not camcorder) or a image stick, it opens automatically and you can see all the images. The same if you plug-in an external HD or insert a data CD. On a Mac, an icon appears on the desktop and you can simply double-click on that icon to see what's on it. The one thing I found out about a PC is that the internet seems to work faster on it vs. the Mac. Internet Explorer is a dog on the Mac. Safari works much better since it is optomized for the Mac. Also, there are still many websites that use WMP for their streaming programming, and I still have some issues with that on my Mac. Oh, the other main forum you should check out is at www.apple.com, click on "Support" then click on "Discussions" and you will see many discussion groups.