What do I need to know about a Mac computer?

[pampam]

I know very little about computers. I have a Windows Vista desk model that I play games on, google and Dis. I've recently recieved a sum of money that I think I would like to buy Mac notebook or computer with. I've never used a Mac. Is there much difference? Will I get much support from Apple with my questions? I'm told they are a supperior computer, lightweight, and not so prone to viruses, but I'm sure there are other things I need to know. I tried surfing on my cell phone, but the screen is so small, I get frustrated, and I think I would like something more portable.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Depending on what you need, I would start with an IPad. We are mac people and have several. I got my Dad to switch over and he started with an IPad, moved to a desktop mini mac, and are now looking at Laptops. An IPad would give you that mobility and also get you used to the differences in how Mac's operate. If you wanted to go straight to a laptop, I don't think you would have any problems, but it will take some getting used to.

I personally believe they are a superior product, but YMMV. My husband works in video production and for sure Mac is a more stable platform. Most viruses are built for the Windows platform because more people have windows and the purpose is to infect as many computers as possible. Macs CAN get viruses, they are just less likely to. IMHO, they are more user friendly. I have a really hard time operating PC's now, it seems like too many steps to get to where I want to go.

As far as support, IMHO Apple is the tops.... period. I have used support several times on many many different levels and have always been impressed. The retail stores also have classes and one on one help available.

Good luck deciding!!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Agree on getting an IPad to start, then seeing where it goes from there. My wife is a long time Apple aficionado and she swears by them, but I grew up on PCs, do zero graphic design work (where Apple flourishes) and have no interest in learning the nuances of a working on a Mac.

I just don't have the time, energy or interest to make the switch, and tbh, I don't think converting would make my computer experience better or worse, so what's the point?

 

[mr.bungle]

I'm pro Mac and pro Apple but I have to say, if you're only toodling around on the net and playing some games, you may not want to spend the money on a Mac. You can get good deals on refurbished mac's. I agree with the others who say to start with an ipad. Then progress to a used macbook air or something.

You can put microsoft office on a Mac and you can also run a program that allows you to run windows on your mac. Probably more than what you need, though.

If you do get an ipad, make it easier on yourself and grab one of these:
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/ipad/ultrathin-keyboard-cover

 

[mowatm]

The only thing you need to know is that once you buy one, you will never go back to PC!!! I love mine!

 

[Terapin]

I switched over years ago and love it. No problems and adjusted quickly. I primarily use mine to surf the net and usual stuff. Love the durability and the Mac support for the few problems I have had.

I switched my mom over and she is hooked. She was very worried about the learning curve but found it no problem at all and is super impressed that she doesn't have to go through another crappy PC.

My DH is in IT and network support for PCs, and teaches computer stuff at the college level, and switched over to Mac for his personal stuff for the most part, though still uses a PC running Linux. He won't touch Windows with a 10-foot pole if he can avoid it.

It isn't that Mac is so good, it is just that the PCs are so bad. They are built better, and suffer fewer problems. They sync particularly well with other Apple products. Even my cameras sync effortlessly with Mac, where with the PC it was clunky.

When I have photos on Facebook that I want to copy to my computer, I just click on the photo and drag it over my iPhoto icon at the bottom of the screen, and voila! It launches and saves my photo in seconds. No fuss.

 

[clarkshel]

I also love macs, and everything Apple. I do disagree with the other posters on saying to get an iPad first. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad. I just think that it will not really help you to transition to a Mac. The best way is to go to an Apple store and talk with somewhere there. Explain to them what you want to use it for and they will help you pick one that would be suitable. As another poster pointe out, Apple has workshops on how to use macs, along with their other products. The best thing is all of these workshops are free. When you purchase a new Mac, you can also pay a little extra for one on one service. I think it is $99. This is an excellent value. IMO, Apple has the best support out there. You really won't be sorry you bought one.

 

[monkeybug]

The only thing you need to know is that once you buy one, you will never go back to PC!!! I love mine!

Yes!
I got a laptop over 2 years ago and it has never once had a problem. This, despite the fact that my three children abuse it on a regular basis. It has been spilled on, dropped, slammed shut, and even jumped up and down on by a 2 year old, and it still works perfectly every time.
In my experience the best thing about Macs is that they are very straight forward and easy to learn. My mom, who has always shunned technology and has to ask my dad for help just to turn on the tv, played with my iphone and macbook when she was visiting and caught on very quickly. This annoyed the heck out of my dad who is a professor at the local college (teaches computer classes) and has tried for years to teach her how to use a pc. She now owns an ipad and an iphone and knows her way around both! She thinks she's a technology guru now. (which just annoys my poor dad even more)

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We got the desktop first and then this year I bought the macbook air and we love them both. I see saving the money and buy the IPAD first but I don't see myself doing the same thing on the IPAD as I need to do on my macbook air.
Go play with the macs at best buy.

 

[sunshine1178]

The only thing you need to know is that once you buy one, you will never go back to PC!!! I love mine!

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back.

 

[pampam]

OP here. What can I do on a mac that I can't do on an Ipod?

 

[vicki_c]

OP here. What can I do on a mac that I can't do on an Ipod?

A lot. A Mac is a full computer so you can add word processing, presentation, financial software, etc.

 

[tvguy]

My daughter has had her Mac for 3 years and loves it. However, there are some things you need to be aware of. You can't access some websites, or at least use all the features on some, and especially in college, there may be some projects you have to do on a PC.

As for support and service, just one experience, and, well, it sucked. The final outcome was great, the process was the pits. Never had the issue with Dell, with is the only other computer company I have dealth with.

For my daughter it has worked out, but she always has had access to a PC too for those tasks the Mac could not handle.

 

[monkeybug]

My daughter has had her Mac for 3 years and loves it. However, there are some things you need to be aware of. You can't access some websites, or at least use all the features on some, and especially in college, there may be some projects you have to do on a PC.

As for support and service, just one experience, and, well, it sucked. The final outcome was great, the process was the pits. Never had the issue with Dell, with is the only other computer company I have dealth with.

For my daughter it has worked out, but she always has had access to a PC too for those tasks the Mac could not handle.

What websites can she not open with a Mac? I've never had that problem. Obviously college is a whole different ball game, but here our high school students are issued ipads to use for all 4 years. My friends son in Maine was issued a macbook. Even in elementary school all the computers are macs and the kids use ipods in class as well.

 

[tvguy]

What websites can she not open with a Mac? I've never had that problem. Obviously college is a whole different ball game, but here our high school students are issued ipads to use for all 4 years. My friends son in Maine was issued a macbook. Even in elementary school all the computers are macs and the kids use ipods in class as well.

I know she said when she was looking for work, that a lot of online applicantion forms were PC only. Within the the academic environment, I know some assignments used software she could only access on a PC.

And I know that the corporation I work for operates 400+ websites, and the video player is not Mac compatible.

I know when we upgraded our video editing, we got bids from Apple. Corporations are funny, when they are buying 1,000 computers and software, they expect a discount, Apple does not discount except to schools. They don't care they only have 8% of the market, they care that they make a ton of money on every computer they sell.

 

[clm10308]

What websites can she not open with a Mac? I've never had that problem. Obviously college is a whole different ball game, but here our high school students are issued ipads to use for all 4 years. My friends son in Maine was issued a macbook. Even in elementary school all the computers are macs and the kids use ipods in class as well.

I have found that some of the MMRPGs (on line role playing games) are not compatible with Macs. Also, when I was first doing online education, many of the platforms were not Mac compatible, but that is changing. Sometimes, online forms are messed up on a Mac, but often that can be fixed by using a different browser.

 

[RadioNate]

My daughter has had her Mac for 3 years and loves it. However, there are some things you need to be aware of. You can't access some websites, or at least use all the features on some, and especially in college, there may be some projects you have to do on a PC.

As for support and service, just one experience, and, well, it sucked. The final outcome was great, the process was the pits. Never had the issue with Dell, with is the only other computer company I have dealth with.

For my daughter it has worked out, but she always has had access to a PC too for those tasks the Mac could not handle.

I have worked in web design and support and I have only encountered 1 Mac incompatibility problem and that was the FAFSA in which you need to use Internet Explorer. That isn't a limited Mac issue, if you use Firefox or Chrome on a PC you'll have an issue with their site too.

There shouldn't be any video player incompatibility with a MacBook or iMac. There may be Flash incompatibility with iPads, iPods and iPhones. There may also be a Safari incompatibility which is easily fixed by using Firefox. However since Adobe is ending Flash support it is a dying platform anyway as everyone switches to HTML5.

The days of software and websites being Mac incompatible are largely over. For a general user there shouldn't be an issue. Obviously there are some industry specific programs that are only Windows based but now that Macs run on Intel processors and Universal programming formats that is quickly going away too.

 

[karen l]

We're a Mac family - oldest DS used his MacBook Pro through college & grad school. DD used her's through college & is planning on getting a news one for grad school. My youngest DS just got a news MacBook & will be using it in college next year. Awesome products - oldest DS spilled Guinness on his and it still worked after he dried it out. I have a desktop £ iPad - love them both.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have been a Mac user for a few years now. I really really like them. After using a Mac, I really don't like being anywhere near something Windows.

 

[Pipkin]

My daughter has had her Mac for 3 years and loves it. However, there are some things you need to be aware of. You can't access some websites, or at least use all the features on some, and especially in college, there may be some projects you have to do on a PC.

As for support and service, just one experience, and, well, it sucked. The final outcome was great, the process was the pits. Never had the issue with Dell, with is the only other computer company I have dealth with.

For my daughter it has worked out, but she always has had access to a PC too for those tasks the Mac could not handle.

There are some websites that aren't compatible with Safari, but its easy enough to download Firefox from the internet. There hasn't been a thing I couldn't do on my Mac.
Great support and service. If you can't figure it out on the phone, you can get 15 minutes for free, any time, at the Genius Bar.