PC to Apple?

[Paul]

Right, this is something I had serious trouble over deciding the last time I did a major upgrade. Ultimately I chose to stay with PC but I've realised that what I've got isn't what I need, or want.

So, I'm considering making a full convert to Apple, what I get will depend on how much money I have over the next two months but it will happen I think.

Just for your information - I only use my PC for video, music, internet, downloading, photo editing and instant messaging.

I just want to know the opinions on them and if anyone has any upto date experience of them then I'd also like to know. I'll most likely be getting an iBook or a Powerbook, the portablilty is also something I've missed since going from laptop to desktop.

Anyway, thoughts?

[FlyingPaul_83]

you can get a Mac mini. let me get some info on it.

My friend has a mac, and it looks a little confusing to me, but it has some awesome little extra coool stuff.

[Paul]

I'd only get a mac mini if I was seriously desperate and didn't have alot of money. Although I've heard they're well worth the price.

[Crapdragoon]

Ill never leave pc, has way more software titles, and much more support and what not

[Cybergasm]

I use mac's everyday at school... I don't like them. It feels as if the system was designed for soccer moms. No versitillity and overall not much to do with them, but it sounds like it would be decent for a low level user; it does beat PC in image editing.

[RyMac59]

I use mac's everyday at school... I don't like them. It feels as if the system was designed for soccer moms. No versitillity and overall not much to do with them, but it sounds like it would be decent for a low level user; it does beat PC in image editing.
I disagree with the image editing comment. Last year in computer art application class we had macs(G4's) with PS6 on them. At home I have a PC(dell) with PS6 on it. I liked the PC a lot more. It was faster and didnt crash as much.

[Cybergasm]

I disagree with the image editing comment. Last year in computer art application class we had macs(G4's) with PS6 on them. At home I have a PC(dell) with PS6 on it. I liked the PC a lot more. It was faster and didnt crash as much.
Yeah they do crash often, I just find that working with images is easier... maybe because the actual system is preetier.

[maxiscool]

The Mac beating pc in image editing doesnt exist anymore.

[g°®†]

I <3 my PC and all pc's in general...


actually ... scratch that. Just my PC. Every other PC I've worked on sucked balls ... hence why I got some top-of-the-line ****. mmhmmm

[Mr.Shankly]

In my opinion Mac's are all around better computers. They are more stable, smooth, and look better. The only reason I have a PC over a Mac is that I use mine to play games, which it has become useless for.

[RyMac59]

In my opinion Mac's are all around better computers. They are more stable, smooth, and look better. The only reason I have a PC over a Mac is that I use mine to play games, which it has become useless for.
But the one click mouse pisses me off. I find they crash at least the same amount if not more while running compelx programs.

[uncle_musicman]

I use a G5 Mac at work (I'm on it now - don't tell anyone), I'm a Graphic Designer and I've been using Macs since 1999 and I wouldn't go to a PC unless I was playing games. Everything is a breeze on my Mac, I have had it just over a year and it hasn't crashed yet. Macs are superior to PCs in the way that they are a more suited to Designers. Also the Main Adobe programs kick a$$ on Mac (In Design, Illustrator & Photoshop).
Also, Macs can read PC formatted disks & files, PCs can't read Macs...

[Paul]

I might have a friend interested in buying my current system, if he does actually buy it I'll have enough for an ibook or powerbook like I intend.

From what I read a few months ago apple's are still better at multitasking than most pc's processors allow. Anyway, thanks for the opinions guys.

[theredwonder]

Macs are definately more stable and whatnot, but i'd make your decision on what you use your PC for in general. If you play games, don't switch to Mac. They're a pain in the arse to get titles for. But if it's for work usage and just surfing the net you're probably better off with a Mac.

[JohnXDoe]

Funny how many believe Mac/Apple is more stable then PC based on the processor when Apple is phasing in Intel processors across it's entire model line over the next year and a half, with the first ones appearing by mid '06. And in fact for the past five years with every OS upgrade/tweak, Mac has made sure that it's systems were also compatible with Intel in case they had to make a quick switch because of problems with the Power PC platform.

So far as the OS is concerned, Windows is just as stable as anything Apple has to offer, IMO, and is much more versatile when it comes to available software. As much as people love their Macs, I can't think of many good reasons to go with one instead of PC. And with Apple switching to Intel across the board, those reasons are becoming fewer still.

[Solar]

^The hardware for macs is by no means more stable than that of PCs. It's just most viruses are manufactured for PCs which means Macs generally dont have to put up with the virus related crashes most PC users have to tolerate.

It's like two guys who have the same immune system and one exposed to chicken pox. The guy who stays healthy isn't more "stable", he just has a safer environment around him.

[JohnXDoe]

^The hardware for macs is by no means more stable than that of PCs. It's just most viruses are manufactured for PCs which means Macs generally dont have to put up with the virus related crashes most PC users have to tolerate.

It's like two guys who have the same immune system and one exposed to chicken pox. The guy who stays healthy isn't more "stable", he just has a safer environment around him.

The virus issue is a concern. But in my short experiance with computers it's a bit overstated, IMO. Although a very real threat, nonetheless.

I have no trouble keeping viruses off my computer. Among other pests. But it does take some effort at times. And just the uncertainty causes some concern. But I'm willing to live with those things for the flexibilty and expansive choices the PC/Windows offers in terms of software and third party hardware/developmant for it.

Although I must admit it would be nice to come on the internet without as much concern about it as I sometimes have now..:(

[Paul]

hardware out of the equation, got opinions on Tiger OS?

[Solar]

But you most likely have a lot more experience with the internet than most (hello, you're on a forum) the majority of internet users just click away- half the older generation has never even heard of anti-virus software. Most of these people are PC users, can you see where i'm going with this?

[Solar]

hardware out of the equation, got opinions on Tiger OS?
I haven't switched to Tiger yet. I've got a friend who works with Macintosh who said there were a lot of bugs to clean out with the intial Tiger that was released. I figure to save myself the grief I'm just gonna wait until it's all patched before I convert.

[Paul]

I haven't switched to Tiger yet. I've got a friend who works with Macintosh who said there were a lot of bugs to clean out with the intial Tiger that was released. I figure to save myself the grief I'm just gonna wait until it's all patched before I convert.
what apple hardware are you runnin'?

[Solar]

MacOSX10.4.2

[Paul]

and uh...hardware??

[Solar]

and uh...hardware??
Oh, sorry, lol, I'll take a photo for you:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Nath015/compt.jpg

...Yeah, that's a 20inch screen.

[Paul]

Oh, sorry, lol, I'll take a photo for you:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Nath015/compt.jpg

...Yeah, that's a 20inch screen.
an imac right?

[Solar]

an imac right?
you bet your shoes.

EDIT: Oh, and in a few months i'll be upgrading to the new 30inch G5 with built in iSight :smoke:

[Paul]

you bet your shoes.

EDIT: Oh, and in a few months i'll be upgrading to the new 30inch G5 with built in iSight :smoke:
woah, find alot of cash lying around?? O.o

That a dual G5?

[Solar]

woah, find alot of cash lying around?? O.o

That a dual G5?
you bet your shoe laces it is!

[Paul]

you bet your shoe laces it is!
*envy* :upset:

[Ramsey]

Okay, well, i've been in the same situation as you.

First off, everything you listed, you will be able to do. Instand Msging? Check. Music? Check? Photos? Check. EXCEPT for games, macs are not gaming machines. They are preformence machines yes, but they aren't made for games.

If you play alot of videogames and you don't really think of stopping, a mac isn't for you, simply beause the mac doesn't get enough exclusives (despite it being easier to develop for).


So say you don't care that much about videogames. Macs are great in general. They are very user friendly, easy to learn and generally easier to use than a conventional pc. Macs are also built like tanks. I garuntee you throughout your life with a mac you'll never get a pop up or a virus simply because the macs wiring withstands the most brutal of downloads and sites. Very powerful machines.

You'll never get errors too, which is a good thing. There are no such things as "mac errors" just as there are windows errors so you pretty much have perfect preformence. Speed is also an advantage, macs are very fast and most programs take a couple of seconds to open up, always error free

The macs interface is incredible as well, it allows you to multi-task much more efficiently rather than on a pc. The taskbar in windows is just no good.


All in all, Macs are great if you want a regular computer that is very good and not a gaming machine. However I will admit that macs are really pricey.


If you want a pc then thats fine too. Getting a souped up PC is nearly the same as macs, they usually don't breakdown if you take decent enough care of it. That, and games are there. You'll have to deal with a few windows errors here and there, and windows OS isn't that great (its crap really) but hey, what the hell, its not that bad to be honest.

Anyways, if you've got the cash and you're willing to sacrifice videogames, then macs the way. If you've got cash and you still want videogames, then pc is the way (i'm talking a monster pc, like really powerful).


Good luck.

Edit: I forgot to add, I ended up getting a PC because I couldn't afford a mac and I liked games. :p
^The hardware for macs is by no means more stable than that of PCs. It's just most viruses are manufactured for PCs which means Macs generally dont have to put up with the virus related crashes most PC users have to tolerate. Its not macs hardwars, but the OS is like an armory. Nothing will be able to get through there and theres actually been competitions for people to hack through a mac (lol) and put a virus in. To this day no one has been able to. Its just a powerful system.

[Paul]

Cheers Ramsey

I'm pretty dead set on converting to Apple now :)

[Cybergasm]

Its not macs hardwars, but the OS is like an armory. Nothing will be able to get through there and theres actually been competitions for people to hack through a mac (lol) and put a virus in. To this day no one has been able to. Its just a powerful system.
Ugh... thats so not true. The original OSX was comprimised the first week of release by a hacker going under the name of "N3w @g3 Brn"... TigerOS's run-time code thingy has made for alot of built in cracks that users blindly run that crashes mac's. My school had a problem with kids constantly doing that and finally removed the feature. Also, when people say the Mac dosen't have that many virsuses because people don't code them for Macs; they aren't lying. Whatever challange you're refering to was probably under Mac guidelines and not many able people would have even cared to attempt it.

[Bad Blood]

Cheers Ramsey

I'm pretty dead set on converting to Apple now :)

Good choice. So much more safer and better to use. Especially for music.

I have used Macs for as long as I can remember, and I have never thought about changing to Windows. I use Windows computers at school and when I compare it to my iBook or imac, it's nothing.

[Klander Brigade]

I use mac's everyday at school... I don't like them. It feels as if the system was designed for soccer moms. No versitillity and overall not much to do with them, but it sounds like it would be decent for a low level user.

My thoughts exactly.

[Mr.Shankly]

But the one click mouse pisses me off. I find they crash at least the same amount if not more while running compelx programs.

not anymore...now they have 5 button mice, all seamless...like, there arent any breaks in the surface.

[pest55]

whoops sorry guys i didnt realise how old this thread was....sorry

hey guys, sorry for kinda hijacking (think of it more as a side question)
it seems all of the mac experts are in the one place so i didnt wanna make another thread (again sorry TS)

ive got a g4 laptop and i have lost the dvd i was giving with it, i need a copy of x11 for tiger for matlab but i can find it anywhere.
everywhere i look it just tells me to use my tiger dvd which i cant find.

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance

[Kif]

I have just switched from PC to Apple about 2 weeks ago, and I have to say there isn't much difference. It's easier to navigate and search if you ask me, the Spotlight feature being quite useful (Although I use a program called Quicksilver, which is much better). MSN is nice on there now all the crap has disappeared sinccne Microsoft don't care about Apple users, and Firefox works almost the same.

I use Bits On Wheels for torrents, and Ircle for IRC. My only gripe is that iTunes is the devil's media player and hates organising my music.

[Ephemeral]

Get BootCamp!

(If it's an intel mac)

[Kif]

Mine is an Intel Mac. But I don't have the boot disc for Windows.

[Ephemeral]

Oh, I see.

[Kif]

I wonder if I could download a copy of Windows XP, burn it to a disc, then use that with Boot Camp.

[Ephemeral]

I wonder if I could download a copy of Windows XP, burn it to a disc, then use that with Boot Camp.
It's a possibility, but I honestly wouldn't risk it.

1) Boot Camp is still in Beta
2) If it doesn't recognize the Win XP disc that you burnt, who knows what it could do to your system.

[Kif]

Hmmm good point. I'll get a legit copy of XP from a friend or something.

Are you using it now, and if so, is it awesome?

[Ephemeral]

No. I'm not really into Macs.

I prefer PCs. Even after using Macs for about 2 years.