WHY I HAVE TO LEAVE APPLE
Well, I've been using Macs now for about 10 years, on and off, with a small gap at one point when I moved to PCs.
Well, I'm afraid to say that I may be about to make that move again, for many reasons. I'll outline them below. I, would, however, be very grateful for some objective advice. I know that in terms of build Apple is right up there and certainly in terms of style I can't find anything that surpasses Apple, and for that reason I'm very sad about the prospect of moving. However, if any of you can make this easier by suggesting stylish desktop PCs which won't make the move so hard I'd be grateful. Put another way, if you had to abandon your 17" iMac for a PC what would you replace it with?
OK, the reasons I have to move on:
1. I'm just about to start university, a little late, and will be living in halls. The networks there don't work with Macs, or at least if they do it will be very complicated and I could do without that complication.
2. I have friends already at uni hailing the joys of playing games on networks and the such - none of which i can play, network or no network. While I feel I've been very controlled about the fact that some software i want isn't available for Macs my desire to play games such as 'Grand Prix World' and 'Grand Prix 4' is beginning to get the better of me.
In some ways I'm not as sad about the potential move as I could be. I realise what I'm about to say could be controversial, but please remember that I'm not an 'expert' like many, so I'm simply speaking from my 'laymens' view. This evening I window shopped at PC World, and while I didn't find any system as attractive as my iMac, I was really surprised by the excitement I felt at all the software I would suddenly be able to run again. All those games, and then software such as MSN 8 ... Also, while I love Mac OS X, I became concerned when Safari was released. Why was Apple releasing their own browser? I know its better than IE5 but it suggests to me that we could be about to rely on Apple for yet another product, while our PC counterparts have a much wider choice.
Anyway, any help in choosing a system nearly as attractive as my iMac would be much appreciated.
Well, I'm afraid to say that I may be about to make that move again, for many reasons. I'll outline them below. I, would, however, be very grateful for some objective advice. I know that in terms of build Apple is right up there and certainly in terms of style I can't find anything that surpasses Apple, and for that reason I'm very sad about the prospect of moving. However, if any of you can make this easier by suggesting stylish desktop PCs which won't make the move so hard I'd be grateful. Put another way, if you had to abandon your 17" iMac for a PC what would you replace it with?
OK, the reasons I have to move on:
1. I'm just about to start university, a little late, and will be living in halls. The networks there don't work with Macs, or at least if they do it will be very complicated and I could do without that complication.
2. I have friends already at uni hailing the joys of playing games on networks and the such - none of which i can play, network or no network. While I feel I've been very controlled about the fact that some software i want isn't available for Macs my desire to play games such as 'Grand Prix World' and 'Grand Prix 4' is beginning to get the better of me.
In some ways I'm not as sad about the potential move as I could be. I realise what I'm about to say could be controversial, but please remember that I'm not an 'expert' like many, so I'm simply speaking from my 'laymens' view. This evening I window shopped at PC World, and while I didn't find any system as attractive as my iMac, I was really surprised by the excitement I felt at all the software I would suddenly be able to run again. All those games, and then software such as MSN 8 ... Also, while I love Mac OS X, I became concerned when Safari was released. Why was Apple releasing their own browser? I know its better than IE5 but it suggests to me that we could be about to rely on Apple for yet another product, while our PC counterparts have a much wider choice.
Anyway, any help in choosing a system nearly as attractive as my iMac would be much appreciated.
Comments
as for quotes like
[quote] I was really surprised by the excitement I felt at all the software I would suddenly be able to run again. All those games, and then software such as MSN 8 <hr></blockquote>
HA HA HA HA.
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
*whew*
um, yeah. if you're really excited to be able to run MSN 8 and get that butterfly, i'd say switch now and donate your Mac to someone you know who might be interested.
MSN 8 <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[oyvey]" />
toodle-loo!
In a non- derogatory way!
.
[ 03-03-2003: Message edited by: drewprops ]</p>
the only real advantage that i think peecees still have today is games. they are full of em. but, making a game machine is expensive. its cheaper and probably more efficient to get a console (preferably for idealogical reasons: not a microsoft console). and, there are plenty of mac games, and lot's of them are really great. i'm not much of a gamer myself, so i aint too hip on whats new in that arena.
<strong>Why was Apple releasing their own browser? I know its better than IE5 but it suggests to me that we could be about to rely on Apple for yet another product, while our PC counterparts have a much wider choice.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That must be why 99% of Windows users use IE on Windows.
There are more Mac browsers than there are Windows browsers.
<strong>yea but I think hes talking about late night PC multiplayer matches with all his neighbors in different rooms.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, you're right. As for the comment about American students, I'm actually in the UK.
Also, on MSN 8, I've never used the program and I can fully understand that it might be restrictive, in the way that AOL is. However, as I have lots of friends on MSN Messenger it would be great to have an application in which MSN messages appeared whilst I was browsing and any new email too, all in the one app - rather than 3 as now. I know its a small thing, but there it is.
I suppose really its all about compatibility. In that, with going to uni the difference between me (with a Mac) and all my friends (with PCs) will be even greater. Even now it can be a pain, being sent attatchments which i can't open and friends being able to chat on the internet in rooms that i can't because the software doesn't work on a Mac. I'm sure there are ways around much of this, but I don't want to get into something oh-so-complicated when I could just have a PC.
As for those of you who were derogatory, I was hoping for something a little better. I totally understand the advantages of having a Mac, for heaven sake I've bought so many over the years, but I feel that as things stand I'm necessitated to move and as fellow fans of the Mac form-factor and design I couldn't think who better to ask what came close in the PC world.
So I ask again - if you couldn't have a 17" iMac, what would you buy from the PC market that you felt came closest in terms of superb style?
...you'll regret it. Maybe not today, but someday...
Trust me.
I did.
Lemon Bon Bon
Pending his Mac return.
bad post=bad response
check a little before you post this type of thing and you'll understand why people are not falling all over themselves in sympathy.
in your post you make a few points.
#1 is just plain wrong.
#2 good point, excellent reason to get a PC. computer gaming over networks is way better on a PC, i don't think anyone will argue that.
MSN on macs?
try looking for it.
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/msn/default.asp?navindex=s18"; target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/mac/msn/default.asp?navindex=s18</a>;
or
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/mac/messenger/messenger_default.asp?navindex=s15"; target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/mac/messenger/messenger_default.asp?navindex=s15</a>;
when you say that something does work, have you actually tried it?
[quote]As for those of you who were derogatory, I was hoping for something a little better.<hr></blockquote>
as i mentioned above, you get better responses with better posts. it took me two seconds to check on MSN for the Mac. another 1/2 second to find MSN messanger for Macs, which works just fine with the PC version. do a bit of legwork then come back when you really know what you want on a PC that you can't get on a Mac.
at this point it sounds like only games. if that's enough of a reason, buy a PC.
As for answering your question, I doubt you'll get too much response in a Mac forum. I'll make an attempt to be helpful, but I need more information... attractive in what way? Just looks, included programs, or what? Is price a concern? etc... you've left an extremely open-ended question.
A) the network won't work with your Mac.
Either the network admin is less competent in network than the U.S. president is in sports, or you just don't know better. IP networks were never designed for any particular operating system.
Get a gaming PC, seriously. With a good graphics card and so on. It's not that expensive if you just use it for gaming.
C) You're missing the lack of Usability of Windows
Come on already!
"Also, on MSN 8, I've never used the program and I can fully understand that it might be restrictive, in the way that AOL is. However, as I have lots of friends on MSN Messenger it would be great to have an application in which MSN messages appeared whilst I was browsing and any new email too, all in the one app - rather than 3 as now. I know its a small thing, but there it is."
You get what multitasking and window management were supposed to be all about? To have multiple windows open *and visible* at the same time! Why do you insist on getting rid of that, essentially returning to Windows' typical "let's just maximize the damn window" thing?
<strong>another 1/2 second to find MSN messanger for Macs, which works just fine with the PC version. do a bit of legwork then come back when you really know what you want on a PC that you can't get on a Mac.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
In amherst's defense, I think he was aware of MSN Messenger for Mac (since he did mention not wanting to deal with 3 separate programs for e-mail, browsing and messaging)... or possibly one of the multi-im programs, whatever they are (Fire I'm assuming).
Edit: Oh yeah... amherst, when you put the thread title in caps, what kind of a response did you expect? The first impression I got just from the title was "Apple's done something horribly wrong to me, so I must switch to whatever."
[ 03-03-2003: Message edited by: MCQ ]</p>
Barto
<strong>
In amherst's defense, I think he was aware of MSN Messenger for Mac (since he did mention not wanting to deal with 3 separate programs for e-mail, browsing and messaging)... or possibly one of the multi-im programs, whatever they are (Fire I'm assuming).
Edit: Oh yeah... amherst, when you put the thread title in caps, what kind of a response did you expect? The first impression I got just from the title was "Apple's done something horribly wrong to me, so I must switch to whatever."
[ 03-03-2003: Message edited by: MCQ ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
I take your point about the title in caps...
Yes, I do already use MSN Messenger, but would just appreciate having all my internet apps 'wrapped up' in the one program...
As for the comment about linking my system to networks, I take your point. What I'm talking about however is accessing university essays, assignments, documents and the such from the network and wondering whether my Mac is rendering it in the same way as those with PCs. Similarly, if I need to submit essays to my professor then I just want to do it rather than wondering what format I need to send it. I'll admit, its much more a matter of convenience and laziness than a REAL compatibility issue, but I want my computer to work as a seamless tool rather than one I have to adapt all the time to the environment around me. Up until now that has not been an issue.
As for what I mean by 'stylish', I'd like a desktop PC with as small a form factor as my iMac - or at least, getting that way. A PC with an LCD, a very small body for the actual computer and preferably a CD-RW and DVD-R and definitely DVD/CD-RW.
Finally, thanks for the link for MSN on the Mac. Sad I know, but I've been keeping a look out for it for ages. I'm guessing that's new to Microsoft Mac as I only checked a week ago and it wasn't there. Many thanks.
i dont even know where to begin
first: honeslty dude, it almost sounds like you SHOULD be using a PC
second: get a PC for gaming with two ethernet cards...run ur mac into the PC and teh PC to the rooms network. use the PC as a router and ur problems are solved
and i'm spent
...good luck with the PC thing though, i'm on one now due to i have to save up money for a car and its either this for couple months to a year or a 200MHz 604e...the pc was free i'll take the faster that is free
seriously, u like MSN 8? <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[oyvey]" />
Think..it's last minute rush time for your paper and you've got to rely on an OS. What's it going to be..OS X or windows?
Viruses and the like. Mac wins hands down.
You're going get a whole lot more attention with a new Mac, and a whole lot of wows if you have the superdrive capabilities (good source of money backing peoples stuff up to DVD-R and charging them to edit their movies etc)
But if you really want networked gaming than the wintel road it is. Let us know how you get on.