In this thread, you persuade me to buy a Mac
 

So I think my PC's finally had it. Won't boot properly and unless I can fix it myself over the next few days, I'm going to be computer shopping (my PC is too old to warrant the cost of expensive repairs). I haven't decided on a laptop or a desktop.

I've only owned PCs and have had limited experience with Macs. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a Mac? I'm going to be doing some research online, but I'm interested in hearing personal stories as well.

had a Mac for 2 years...not ONE problem....literally

My other PCs I have had...I am repairing almost monthly.

not too much a difference between navigating a Mac or a PC if you are PC literate...

My small complaint is that some websites you cant navigate fully because u have to have IE to do it with but it's rare.

Also if u need windows productivity tools there are some manufactured for Mac

Like Microsoft Office...

Only minus I can think of is that they tend to be more pricey...but I think in the long run it's worth it.

convince me too! i have a really crappy laptop and its slow as molasses. plus the buttons are falling off and... well its a bad example of what a PC should be.

see my link above....LOL...heck the next laptop I am thinking about getting is a Mac.....

My home right now we have 2 desktop PCs, 1 Mac (my gf is a graphic designer for the govt) and one Tablet PC.....

I have a MacBook and it's fast as hell as opposed to my PC which takes a good five minutes for Windows to start up. Also, the new Mac OS is coming out this fall, which should knock Vista out of the water. Don't worry about not knowing Mac very well, because its a lot easier to get around on than a PC.

dude BUY A MAC!!!!!

We have two PC's at home, but had several Macs before.

I like both.

Macs are in high favor by graphics folks (like daughter number one).

Macs are highly resistant to virus -- if not immune.

It doesn't seem to me that Macs are constantly issuing patches for their OS -- although as I said above, it's been a while since I've had one.

At least it used to be easier to load programs on a Mac.

Finally, remember that Windows began as a reaction to Macs. You couldn't drag and drop in DOS -- you had to type all of those silly codes. And there wasn't a little trash can.

I work with both...

As for a MAC...
Pros:
* The majority of viruses are written for Windows so if you don't have Windows, you don't have anything for viruses to feed on.
* Everyone tells me they are a thousand times better for creating graphics or music. I create graphics on both my PC and the MAC at work and other than the fact that I am too poor to afford the Adobe Creative Suite I don't see a lot of difference. And I don't create music so.......
* They don't freeze up nearly as much.

Cons:
* When they do freeze up Force Quit (i.e. CTRL+Alt+delete on a PC) is a lot harder to access and doesn't always work. Of course that is the case on a PC too...basically that's a computer thing.
* While a lot of things are being made to be compatible with OSX, there are still a lot of software and hardware out there that aren't.
* As software becomes dual compatible, so will viruses, nulifying the first Pro I offered.

Basically, I used to hate MACs but they have improved on them a lot from when I used them in high school and really there isn't a lot of difference in the two anymore. That I can see. How is that for convincing?:cool:

Apples run in a more secure environment than Windows. It's not simply because there are less users of Apple software and thus less viruses. And they run all Windows programs if you install Windows on your Apple computer, because they also function as PCs. I don't understand what you mean by Force Close, since that's the same as CTRL-ALT-DEL and works just as, if not more, often than on Windows.

-Rudey

My first ibook was the computer from hell, but under applecare, Apple replaced it for me when the third major thing went wrong with it. Since then, I haven't had a complaint about the new one they sent. The MacBook is SEXY. So sexy.

Built-in webcam
Photobooth is addictively fun
Dashboard is great
Lots of cool freeware for Macs (I've got, amongst other things, a GCal widget, a Checkoff list, a program that lets me fill in PDFs, and a program that lets me highlight PDFs)
Better security
Easy to figure out and get around once you get the hang of things (though if you're used to the complexity of finding files on a PC, a Mac may take some getting used to just because it's so simple)
The MacBook is dual platform thanks to the Intel processor
Fewer problems

Go Mac!

Another vote here for getting a Mac. I have a G4 Powerbook and didn't like it at first for the sole reason that it was slightly unfamiliar to me...but three years later, I've never had a single problem with it - and, I bought it second hand off some random dude on Craigslist. Once you figure out the little tricks (ie, there's no "right click," you have to use "Ctrl & click") then you'll definitely end up preferring it!

Ok...finally...
 

Ok..I am thinking about purchasing a used Powerbook G 4 (sorry my pockets aren't deep enough to get a new MacBook Pro) for just kicking around the house and some light travel...suggestion on what I should get or look for?

I used the 12-inch Powerbook G4 for 5 years before getting a new MacBook a couple of months ago. I think my husband was most excited - he inherited the Powerbook. Honestly, if he hadn't wanted it so badly, I probably would have kept it and just put in a bigger hard drive. It was only 40 GB, so you can imagine the limitations on songs, photos, etc. Plus I'm in publishing, so I have some awfully large files on my computer from time to time with scanned images, etc. I just needed more space.

I loved the small size of the 12-inch - which is no longer made. And the husband uses it for exactly what you mention - kicking around the house and light travel. My new one has 250GB so we could empty the old one considerably - making it even faster. Really - my only complaint was the small hard drive. Everything else worked as perfectly as the day I got it.

There are some reputable resellers out there with good warranties and guarantees.

If one is looking for a new computer (Desk top or Lap top) may I suggest the following sites for reviews:
http://www.consumersearch.com/laptops
http://www.consumersearch.com/desktop-computers
http://www.consumersearch.com/apple-laptops

As for virsus' on Mac's, I just had this conversation with one of my cousins as well as a close friend both who changed to Mac's from PC's and did not have any kind of security program on their new systems:
"Internet security for Mac and Linux:
Computers running Macintosh or Linux operating systems are less susceptible to viruses than those running Windows, because most viruses specifically target Windows computers. However, the alternative operating systems are vulnerable to other types of malware, especially spyware and adware embedded in cookies. Non-Windows computers are also capable of sending viruses to Windows computers via e-mail. For those reasons, experts say that even Mac and Linux users should consider security software.
We found far fewer reviews for Mac and Linux software than for Windows software. Macworld is a good source for Mac software reviews, and has reviewed some Mac antivirus software. Intego's VirusBarrier is noted as "best for its scanning speed and its well-integrated Mac features." Macworld's Rob Griffiths says, "Norton AntiVirus is a close second, thanks to its extensive virus information and its strong handling of Windows viruses." Intego also offers several Internet security suites in its Internet Security Barrier X4 product family, and Symantec makes a version of Norton Internet Security for Macintosh. PC World's Scott Spanbauer asserts that Linux is the safest operating system. He recommends supplementing with free software."

http://www.consumersearch.com/intern...urity-software

and this link:
Macintosh Viruses and Mac Virus Resources:
http://antivirus.about.com/od/macint..._Resources.htm

Will do....also I am seeing that if I reach a lil deeper (about 1 to 2 hundredd dollars more, I may be able to afford a Macbook...

Pros and cons?