windows guy going to macs

[Sr Mike]

Your new Mac should have you covered. Learn the programs that come with the computer before going out and spending.

Internet, your Mac will come with Safari, personally I do not care for it and use Firefox and Opera. You will also have a lot less problems with viruses and such. Microsoft has so many ways of getting into the systems that hackers go for those far more readily than Macs. It is also better known that Microsoft is a system that has out a lot of money and hardware into businesses, as such hackers really want to get into those systems. Having extra virus protection for the Mac is a good idea anyway.

Your Mac will most likely have Appleworks, when I worked in a printshop, this was called ClarisWorks at the time, it covered many areas. This will give you great options for your papers. The program is similar to Microsoft office all in one. Do not expect Photoshop quality, but it is really user friendly and one can pull some great work off of it, one of my favorite programs I can always rely on.

Music, well you have iTunes pre-installed too. I do not have any outside programs as all my music is done on the Microsoft.

Photos, you will get iPhoto, this is a really good program, take the time to learn how to use it, you can create all your albums, crop, and etc. If you are of a creative mind, you can use Appleworks and do a lot of playing around with your photos.

Gaming, prepare for some disappointment. Microsoft has good control in the gaming department and Mac is more into the toys and graphic programs. A bit of a paradox, but remember, it is Apple.

For gaming there isn't too much native to the mac. But you can always use something like boot camp to have a little slice of windows for gaming.

[Seanohue]

Originally Posted by fuubar

For gaming there isn't too much native to the mac. But you can always use something like boot camp to have a little slice of windows for gaming.

But you still have to pay the nasty prices for Apple's hardware, which will get you far less for the money.

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by Seanohue

But you still have to pay the nasty prices for Apple's hardware, which will get you far less for the money.

It's higher but not as bad as it used to be. The 24" imacs have an option for the an nvidia 8800 card now too. Can configure a a decent system for under 2k, and the premium nets you OSX

[Seanohue]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

It's higher but not as bad as it used to be. The 24" imacs have an option for the an nvidia 8800 card now too. Can configure a a decent system for under 2k, and the premium nets you OSX

Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.

Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs

[King James]

Originally Posted by Seanohue

Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs

You are not worthy!

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by Seanohue

Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.

Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs

Have you ever tried installing OSX on a pc? It's freaking painful!

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by Seanohue

Yea I saw that; base price is $1.8K though, and $150 for that upgrade, when the card is only $120 from Newegg. You can get a system of greater specs, including OSX and a 24" monitor for under $1K still.

Guess I'm just not cool enough to see the value of Macs

I guess pricing has changed some since I last looked. Just a couple of years ago to get a PC that was comparable to the Mac I was using would have cost a couple of hundred more because most PCs weren't built as higher end computers.

What you do with the computer also makes a difference and frankly, if someone isn't doing anything more than internet, writing a few papers and playing games then I don't see why they would switch from PC to Mac.

I've worked in publication design, photography and graphic design for over 20 years and Mac was way ahead of PCs for most of that time. It has become somewhat more equal, but I stick with Macs because I find the software I use works better than the PC versions - and I have used both versions.

[Sandman]

Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?

I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?

I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.

I can't see why you would. Sounds like your rig suits your needs just fine. You would probably be fine with a netbook for under $400 going by what you use your current lappie for.

[Swampper]

WOW. Lots of mac guys here at CA! I was told long ago that I was a 'mac bigot'.

IIsi>G3 [got one the first week they were out]> Powermac G5 [current machine(Dual PowerPC)].

With a Mac, just turn in on and use it. Macintouch is my go-to site if I have any problems. Download Firefox and VLC.

Enjoy!

[macpappy]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?

I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.

Which would you rather drive? A 2001 Honda Civic or a 2009 Porsche Boxster? In the end they both do the same basic thing - get you from point A to point B - but they do it with different style.

[loki]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Here's a question in all honesty. I still use my gateway PC from 2001 with no problems at all. I mainly use my Gateway laptop that I bought last year for $400. 2Gigs of Ram, 160 Gigs of hard drive, no problems, works like a champ. Just wondering why someone like myself would spend over a grand more for an Apple laptop or PC?

I only use my computers for internet, word processing, gaming and Quickbooks.

there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years. pcs are one of them. its the difference between a swisher and a partagas de partagas #1... they do the same thing but one is a hell of a lot more fun to use

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by loki

there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years.

I tried that one on my wife.

She said no freaking way to letting me spoil myself with an updated, more modern, faster, tall, young blonde.

[loki]

Originally Posted by Blueface

I tried that one on my wife.

She said no freaking way to letting me spoil myself with an updated, more modern, faster, tall, young blonde.

should have gone with a red head

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by loki

there are certain things i like to spoil myself with every few years. pcs are one of them. its the difference between a swisher and a partagas de partagas #1... they do the same thing but one is a hell of a lot more fun to use

Depends how you look at it. For gaming Macs aren't a helluva lot more fun to use. And for the same amount of money any mac sells for you can get a pc with much better internal specs.

I have an imac that was a Christmas gift. It's a nice computer, I like OSX more than windows, but it still isn't my favorite machine or OS. I wouldn't go out and buy one myself honestly.

I think that it comes down more so to personal taste and what one's definition of fun is.

[loki]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

Depends how you look at it. For gaming Macs aren't a helluva lot more fun to use. And for the same amount of money any mac sells for you can get a pc with much better internal specs.

I have an imac that was a Christmas gift. It's a nice computer, I like OSX more than windows, but it still isn't my favorite machine or OS. I wouldn't go out and buy one myself honestly.

I think that it comes down more so to personal taste and what one's definition of fun is.

I was more speaking to the "why go out and spend a ton on a pc" question then the mac vs pc question

[loki]

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

Your new Mac should have you covered. Learn the programs that come with the computer before going out and spending.

Internet, your Mac will come with Safari, personally I do not care for it and use Firefox and Opera. You will also have a lot less problems with viruses and such. Microsoft has so many ways of getting into the systems that hackers go for those far more readily than Macs. It is also better known that Microsoft is a system that has out a lot of money and hardware into businesses, as such hackers really want to get into those systems. Having extra virus protection for the Mac is a good idea anyway.

Your Mac will most likely have Appleworks, when I worked in a printshop, this was called ClarisWorks at the time, it covered many areas. This will give you great options for your papers. The program is similar to Microsoft office all in one. Do not expect Photoshop quality, but it is really user friendly and one can pull some great work off of it, one of my favorite programs I can always rely on.

Music, well you have iTunes pre-installed too. I do not have any outside programs as all my music is done on the Microsoft.

Photos, you will get iPhoto, this is a really good program, take the time to learn how to use it, you can create all your albums, crop, and etc. If you are of a creative mind, you can use Appleworks and do a lot of playing around with your photos.

Gaming, prepare for some disappointment. Microsoft has good control in the gaming department and Mac is more into the toys and graphic programs. A bit of a paradox, but remember, it is Apple.

the two games I play *WoW and Americas army) both have mac versions so I'm set there. I also plan to run vmwear. For "must haves" I didn't know if there were any free programs that macs can benefit from. On my xp box I have powertools/tweakui, and others. Didn't know if macs had stuff like that. I know it comes with konfabulator which is cool and i'm looking forward to messing with that