I'm torn...
My fiancee's parents need a new computer. (Yes, you know where this thread is going...) They have some pretty basic requirements and they want me to get them a Dell. They do digital photo stuff and some internet stuff. They want to get a CD burner (they've been using a Jaz drive for backups!) That's pretty much it.
In terms of software they use, they've got paint shop pro as something they use often, but other than that, they pretty much use out of the box stuff.
Here's my dilemma: I want to tell them to get a Mac but they're not too computer literate and it might be too much of a shock to them. They can use Windows ok because that's all they've ever used, but I think that if I can just get them to try iPhoto and it's archiving feature, they'll be sold. I'm just worried that they'll regret getting a Mac when they run into problems.
They also want an LCD, so the eMac is out. I'm looking around for some older 17" iMacs (pre-bumps so it's cheaper). Any suggestions for how to convince them - or should I even try?
BTW, what's Asian language support like on OS X? I've not tried it, but if it can do chinese easily, that'll be a huge plus for them. TIA.
In terms of software they use, they've got paint shop pro as something they use often, but other than that, they pretty much use out of the box stuff.
Here's my dilemma: I want to tell them to get a Mac but they're not too computer literate and it might be too much of a shock to them. They can use Windows ok because that's all they've ever used, but I think that if I can just get them to try iPhoto and it's archiving feature, they'll be sold. I'm just worried that they'll regret getting a Mac when they run into problems.
They also want an LCD, so the eMac is out. I'm looking around for some older 17" iMacs (pre-bumps so it's cheaper). Any suggestions for how to convince them - or should I even try?
BTW, what's Asian language support like on OS X? I've not tried it, but if it can do chinese easily, that'll be a huge plus for them. TIA.
Comments
and the fonts are very nice
try looking for the prebump 17 inch imac....or possibly a refurbished one.
sucks that it costs so much.
Link
Originally posted by starland
This website has a lot of information about using Chinese on Mac, they may take a look.
Link
Thanks! That's really helpful. a-nut, do you know of any good places to look for a pre-bump iMac? I'm thinking of meeting them in ATL some time this week and taking them to the Apple Store and letting them look around. Thing is, I KNOW that the Mac would be good for them, I just don't want them to feel "bullied" into getting it. If I pushed hard enough I know I could get them to get one but that's not what I want. Decisions, decisions....
The way I do it is simple. You have to be upfront that there will be some problems, but all computers have some problems. Then you explain that all computers do some things exactly the same, like email, the web and Word. What you then have to sell is that this particular Apple machine does functions X,Y and Z that the Windows machine doesn't do very well.
Then you say to these people "Well, if you would like good support for Chinese, the Mac can do it. Also, iPhoto is better for photos and .Mac has the best backup system around." Then they weigh the options. How important are these features to them? They'll make the decision knowing that there will be some changes, but these few specific features are head and shoulders about what they're used to doing.
But again, I just focus on a few key points that are better, push the fact that most things are identical, and that there will be a few problems that aren't a big hurdle compared to the extra features X,Y and Z that the Mac offers.
In the end, the switchers run into few problems. And usually they're not as bad as Windows problems, they're just different problems.
My has to use a PC because of work and I tell you whether it's patching her computer to avoid the latest virus or just general PC flakiness caused by third parties, I feel like a Mac would have been a better choice for her minute needs.
That really is a tough decision because if anything goes wrong with a Mac...the blame could fall on you.
Originally posted by hmurchison
That really is a tough decision because if anything goes wrong with a Mac...the blame could fall on you.
This is true. That's why personally I downplay most of the benefits of a Mac and try to sell the machine as something that's basically identical to a Windows machine. Then I say, there are these few things (X,Y, and Z) it definitely does better, but mostly it's the same. So, if you the purchaser needs to do X,Y or Z then the Mac is your choice for those reasons.
It's a touchy subject.