Has anyone switched from a PC to an imac?

[hallie]

I'm looking into getting a new puter to replace the dinosaur I have now and need some advice please.

If you've switched from a pc to an imac how do you like it? Is it easier? what are the major differences? pros and cons? How much was your mac?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I did!

I bought the first run iMac in 1998. It cost about $799. It was different at first, but now it's a lot easier to find files & things.

My dad just switched from a PC to an Apple laptop & he's still getting a little used to it, but he was so fed up with all the viruses he got on the PC. He's also getting Virtual PC so he can run his Windows programs if he needs to.

My suggestion is to go to an Apple Store, Microcenter, Fry's or any Apple retailer to play around with one. Some even offer free classes to learn how to use the Mac.

 

[HorizonsFan]

In the interest of equal time (and because Jeff and I love to debate PC vs. Mac ) I think you should go to several stores (including the ones on Jeff's list) and play with BOTH the Mac and a WinXP PC. See which one you like best. If it offers the software you need, buy it. Don't buy the hype; a PC with Windows XP is every bit as easy to use as a Mac. It's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Ah, but with a Mac you can run Windows XP & Mac programs.

 

[Otimon]

We have always had an iMac and loved it. Just updated to a new iMac. Sorry, can't compare it with anything else. Can only tell you when we updated we had no reason to go with anything else.

 

[RitaZ.]

Ah, but with a Mac you can run Windows XP & Mac programs.

I was going to say the same thing....

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know CompUSA is a large vendor of Macs, as well as PC's, and I know they are national, so you should be ale to find one or more near you.

 

[HorizonsFan]

Ah, but with a Mac you can run Windows XP & Mac programs.

Yes you can. Have you ever run a Windows program on a Mac?
Can you say SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW?
It's really not a practical option for most software packages...

 

[EROS]

Why would ANYONE want to do anything foolish like that????

 

[ripleysmom]

One recommendation that I can make as far as viruses goes is to use Yahoo mail instead of Outlook on your PC.

Most of the viruses out there are written for MS mail which is why I never use Otlook.

Also I have NEVER gotten a virus through Yahoo. Even the one time there was an e-mail with a virus, Yahoo strained it out.

 

[Boo'sMom]

upside down and backwards.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I have to agree with Horizonsfan.... slooooooowwww is the word. There are a couple of factors to look at
1. Software availability, decide what you want to do with the computer! Macs and P.C.'s definitely excel at different things.
2. Are you using this on a school or work network... if you work at an all P.C. company and have a mac, it makes it harder to take work home, plus having to learn 2 different systems etc. etc. You also won't get any meaningful support.
3. If you are in school what kind of a job do you want to get when you graduate? The VAST majority of company's are all P.C and if you only have Mac experience you will be at a serious disadvantage if your day to day job activities require the use of a computer.
4. Compatibility with other stuff.. for example the company that makes our chat software has lousy mac support, a lot of our members have a hard time chatting if they are on a Mac.

There are good reasons to buy either one, PC's are cheaper, more upgradable and the software if far more available and cheaper.
Macs are a lot easier to use and far more stable
There is no really good answer
Well maybe one... Linux is way faster and more stable than either macs or P.C's!

 

[HorizonsFan]

Linux is way faster and more stable than either macs or P.C's!

Amen, Brother!
If it's "mission critical", run it on a Linux box.
Of course, KDE and Gnome are not exactly in the same class as either the Mac or WinXP GUI, but what do you want for nothing?

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Originally posted by HorizonsFan
Yes you can. Have you ever run a Windows program on a Mac?
Can you say SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW?
It's really not a practical option for most software packages...

True it does run slower, but in the normal course of things there are Mac versions of Microsoft office products, as well as similar programs made by Apple.

She referred to her PC as a dinosaur, so I'd actually guess that there won't be a bog drop off for her. I'm trying to think of a program that the everyday John Q user needs that isn't available in Mac platform or that speed is an issue if running Virtual PC.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Originally posted by EROS
Why would ANYONE want to do anything foolish like that????

Well, the US military uses the same chips as Apple, so I guess they're doing something right.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
One recommendation that I can make as far as viruses goes is to use Yahoo mail instead of Outlook on your PC.

Most of the viruses out there are written for MS mail which is why I never use Otlook.

Also I have NEVER gotten a virus through Yahoo. Even the one time there was an e-mail with a virus, Yahoo strained it out.

Outlook also works on a Mac, but the viruses are written for PCs, so it won't effect your Mac, plus you won't have to deal with size limitations on your inbox & emails you send as you would with Yahoo.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Originally posted by WebmasterAlex
I have to agree with Horizonsfan.... slooooooowwww is the word. There are a couple of factors to look at
1. Software availability, decide what you want to do with the computer! Macs and P.C.'s definitely excel at different things.

True, but all MS office applications (Word, Excel, etc) are available on the Mac & there are other substitute programs as well.

2. Are you using this on a school or work network... if you work at an all P.C. company and have a mac, it makes it harder to take work home, plus having to learn 2 different systems etc. etc. You also won't get any meaningful support.

Actually as long as the disk is formatted for PC the Mac will read it fine & going back & forth shouldn't be a big deal. The problems might show up if you're bouncing from version to version (ie: you use Flash 5 at work & Flash 4 at home)

3. If you are in school what kind of a job do you want to get when you graduate? The VAST majority of company's are all P.C and if you only have Mac experience you will be at a serious disadvantage if your day to day job activities require the use of a computer.

I've yet to meet a Mac user that doesn't know anything about PCs. Granted if she's looking to get a job doing desktop support, IT, CAD or C++ coding, then being knee deep in MS is probably the way to go, but if you've used a PC before it won't be hard to remember it.

4. Compatibility with other stuff.. for example the company that makes our chat software has lousy mac support, a lot of our members have a hard time chatting if they are on a Mac.

I should be getting Virtual PC in a little bit & I'll let you guys know how the chat works on it.

There are good reasons to buy either one, PC's are cheaper, more upgradable and the software if far more available and cheaper.
Macs are a lot easier to use and far more stable
There is no really good answer
Well maybe one... Linux is way faster and more stable than either macs or P.C's!

Yeah, but does Linux look pretty?

 

[HorizonsFan]

Yeah, but does Linux look pretty?

Actually... Yeah!
Have you seen KDE or Gnome lately? MS and Mac still have user friendliness in their favor, but the Linux GUIs look great.

 

[hallie]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!!!

2. Are you using this on a school or work network... if you work at an all P.C. company and have a mac, it makes it harder to take work home, plus having to learn 2 different systems etc. etc. You also won't get any meaningful support.

I'm a stay at home mom and use my pc for fun, paying bills and stuff like that. I just got a digital camera so I'm going to use it for that too, plus I want to be able to burn my own CD's. I don't really go to any chats so that's not really a factor.

Thank you very much for all your help!! I really appreciate it.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

True, but all MS office applications (Word, Excel, etc) are available on the Mac & there are other substitute programs as well.

True for a simple document but don't kid yourself, they really aren't that compatible, especially excel and access

Actually as long as the disk is formatted for PC the Mac will read it fine & going back & forth shouldn't be a big deal. The problems might show up if you're bouncing from version to version (ie: you use Flash 5 at work & Flash 4 at home)

True, that will get the data there but see above..what are you going to do with it?

I've yet to meet a Mac user that doesn't know anything about PCs. Granted if she's looking to get a job doing desktop support, IT, CAD or C++ coding, then being knee deep in MS is probably the way to go, but if you've used a PC before it won't be hard to remember it.

I have..oh trust me I have.. it's a real hoot when someone says "where is the chooser" or "why does this mouse have so many buttons"


When your uptime can be measured in months....it's pretty to me!!!