Buy Mac? Why? PC user, ignorant to Apple.

cmdrspidey · January 2, 2003 10:39AM

I am looking at the possibility of purchasing a new computer. I am a PC user and have done some research on Macs based on friend's recommendations. I usually use my PC for internet, and digital photography. I would like to do some video editing from the video tape of my kids and burn them to DVD. I am not one who thinks a 3.0 Mhz PC is three times faster than a 1 Mhz Mac. I am just looking for some insight as to why Macs are THAT much better than PCs. Is OS X that much more stable than windows? Is the Mac that much better to justify the extra cost? Just wondering. Thanks to anyone who pitches in with their thoughts.

ghost_user_name · January 2, 2003 10:43AM

Before the debates begin, I'd like to start by suggesting you find an Apple store and actually *try out* the Macs before taking to heart whatever these folks tell you. CompUSA, Fry's, etc don't count. The official Apple stores will have far better setups and much better informed sales people.

Welcome aboard.

[ 01-02-2003: Message edited by: Brad ]

scott · January 2, 2003 10:46AM

I find Windows painful to use. Often, when using it I'm thinking, "Who the **** made it work this way?"

It seems for you the Mac would do fine. Get G4 one with a superdrive. The 17inch iMac is nice. It's a good price too.

alcimedes · January 2, 2003 10:59AM

i'd second the recommendation of trying them. people can, and will, tell you anything. getting your hands on one, and actually playing around with what they can do is an entirely different experience. all i can say is that i was an exclusive PC user for years, and was forced to start using Macs at a job. after a few months when i'd actually gotten used to them, i found that when i really wanted to get work done, i'd be doing it on a Mac.

i still use both platforms to this day, but i probably spend about 85% of my time on my Mac.

cmdrspidey · January 2, 2003 12:18PM

Thanks. Sounds like a good idea to go to an Apple store and try one...there is one near my home.

scott · January 2, 2003 12:24PM

Bring your video camera and try out iMovie and iDVD.

ghost_user_name · January 2, 2003 2:04PM

Actually, Scott, the Apple stores already have an ample supply of digital video and still cameras to use. There is usually at least one kiosk set up specifically for video and another for stills.

scott · January 2, 2003 2:11PM

Yea but they may not have his camera with his movies.

eman · January 2, 2003 2:26PM

What does he need his movies for if he's just trying out the hardware and software?

cmdrspidey · January 2, 2003 2:48PM

This is true, but if I want to convice the wife to get a new computer, it might be nice to use our movies. Thanks for the info however.

jamil · January 2, 2003 2:59PM

I use Windows XP at Work and bought an imac for home this past July. I do digital photography, Convert and edit videos of my home movies and surf the web. Here are my observations, maybe they will be enough to help you decide..

1. I have had to restart my mac only three times since I purchased it. That too only when I have upgraded OSX to various versions. It is always on and has not crached once. Some applications like IE or Chimera (a browser for the mac) has crashed but never the OS. My XP pro based IBM Thinkpad T23 crashes regularly once a week.

2. You do not need to install any camera specific drivers or software to import digital pictures. plug in the camera through the usb port on the keyboard and voila the computer recognises your camera and with one click your pictures are imported.

3. With Mac OSX you receive free software to edit your movies (imovies), design and burn DVDs (iDVD) and manage your photos (iPhoto). With Windows these are costly extras and no guarantee that they will work seamlessly without upsetting the OS.

4. Installing and uninstalling new software is much easier and painless than the windows world. Just drag the software icon to the applications folder (equivalent to program files on Windows) to install and drag to the trash (recycle bin on windows) to uninstall. It's that easy and there are no conflicts!!

5. Till date I have added a digital camera, a digital video converter, a photo printer and DSL Braodband modem to my arsenal. I have not had to install any software or drivers for any of the new hardware. OSX has all necessary options to handle DSL built in, including a robust firewall.

One thing to note though, the Mac hardware are legacy free. Meaning they do not have any serial or paralel connectors. They use USB. So if you are using a paralel cable to connect your printer to your PC and plan to use the same printer, make sure your printer has a USB port or you will need to get a new printer.

Hope your visit tot he apple store is fruitfull and we can bring you out from the dark side.

[edited for spelling]

[ 01-02-2003: Message edited by: Jamil ]

cmdrspidey · January 2, 2003 3:54PM

That is exactly some of the info I was looking for. All of the info today has been great. I have posted questions on PC boards and I get alot of "newbie leave us alone" comments. Thanks for all of the answers so far. I am tired of having to reboot from crashes or intsalling software. I do not have anything that is serial or parallel port anymore, so If I decide on Mac, that will not be a problem.

torifile · January 2, 2003 4:20PM

Others have given you very good advice/feedback, but I'd suggest one more thing (just for safety's sake): Wait until after next Tuesday!!. That's when MacWorld San Francisco is going to happen and the most likely time in the next month or so when things will be released.

Of course, there's no guarantee that anything will be updated/released then, but with it so close, why risk it?

BTW, for your needs, it sounds like a mac would be perfect. It does all that you described as well as a PC (and many people say better) but it's a nicer system to use. And many things are way easier.

Another thing about the mac is the lack of the draconian digital rights management that MS has been implementing and others have been pushing. No activation, mp3 is a native format, dvd playing doesn't require other software. Your computer really is your own and you don't need to worry about Apple changing licensing terms to get a critical security patch for some vulnerability.

ghost_user_name · January 2, 2003 4:36PM

Normally I would post a bunch of personal experiences and observations too but...

(well, it's taking me a couple minutes just to eek out short messages like this - see the link in my sig for why.)

Hopefully everyone else isn't too wrapped up in the MacWorld frenzy to give their own stories here.

scott · January 2, 2003 4:40PM

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:

What does he need his movies for if he's just trying out the hardware and software?<hr></blockquote>

'cause it's cool to see your own shit from you're own camera

andrewr · January 2, 2003 4:45PM

Hi,

I am in a similar situation to the original poster, I am an IT specialist with lots of UNIX experience. I have always owned PCs. I am about to upgrade as my current PC is way under spec but do not want to use MS products and although I like linux, find it a little too much hassle at times.

I don't want to spend a fortune so have been looking at the second hand machines on Ebay. Is this a good idea? PCs are so cheap these days I would always buy new but the macs are that bit more expensive.

I would want to use the new machine for email, web, java development, databases etc. and office software. What will I get away with? I was very tempted by a G4 box on ebay with the following spec: APPLE G4 TOWER, 400MHZ, DVD/CD, 128RAM, 20HARD DRIVE, IMB CACHE, 56K V90 MODEM, ETHERNET, 2XUSB, 2X FIREWALL, 4PCI SLOTS, 16MB GRAPHICS,MAC OS 9.2

I realise I have to upgrade the OS. Is this underpowered? Will I need a new mac after only a year or so?

Sorry for the long message.

macluv · January 2, 2003 5:08PM

I would hold off until Apple gets it's hardware in order.

ghost_user_name · January 2, 2003 5:42PM

[quote]Originally posted by andrewr:

APPLE G4 TOWER, 400MHZ<hr></blockquote>That is a three and a half year old computer. It is already pretty dated. I wouldn't recommend it.

[ 01-02-2003: Message edited by: Brad ]

jamil · January 2, 2003 6:09PM

Andrew,

Instead of used I would look refurbished. I bought my iMac refurbished and saved a good $400 compared to a new one. The advantage of a refurb is that it carries the same warranty as a new one from Apple. If you get the applecare plan for $170, you're covered fully for three years.

A good source is Powermax.com.

also I think for the work you describe, an Imac would be sufficient. I might be wrong as I do not do development work. Someone else please correct me. I say this because a tower with the additional cost of an apple display might price you out of range. (although the displays are worth every penny).

Another advantage is OSX is based on Unix, so ready to develop out of the box.

andrewr · January 2, 2003 6:36PM

Thanks for the info! I am going to look at the Apple refurb store. (I am UK based).

stunned · January 2, 2003 9:41PM

Just a caution: Do not buy a Mac jus becos its hardware is beautiful.

U must like the OS and understand that it is not very windows comptaible and many software are not available on the MAc.

If u really like OS X, welcome to the MAc community.

Buy Mac? Why? PC user, ignorant to Apple.

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