Mac vs. PC Laptops

[crcormier]

I agree that Macs do keep running and running well. I have a desktop that I've had for 7 years or so and it still runs great. I got the laptop for work and home and because it has the Intel and newer hardware that is more powerful. The only reason I'd consider replacing either of them with new Macs is just to get new technology or power.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I have been using the same computer for 8 years- we have never had ONE problem. I also use pc's when I have no other choice, and I'm very familiar with them, but would never choose to buy one. The price of macs is so worth it. I've seen my entire family go through at least two computers to my one- some have had three. All have had to take their computers to a shop for de-bugging, new motherboards, whatever. Always problems of some sort.

Macs can do all the same things that pc's do, usually with fewer clicks to get there. Macs will even run windows if you really want them to, I've never had the need, so I don't.

I don't run any type of virus protection- I download from email, music, video, anything, without fear of viruses. I also don't get pop-ups.

For something like a computer, it's so worth it to spend the extra money, take a bit of time to get to know the mac OS. I would be livid if I spent the money on a computer, only to have to deal with viruses, and all the other problems that come with owning a pc.

Oh- I also spend more on cars, to avoid similar problems. It's just worth it to me to not have my car breaking down often.

This will be my third computer in about five years.

Your post made me think of something else. You mentioned pop-ups; what about spyware? Is that also eliminated with a Mac?

 

[crcormier]

This will be my third computer in about five years.

Your post made me think of something else. You mentioned pop-ups; what about spyware? Is that also eliminated with a Mac?

Have yet to be infected with spyware. Whenever a pop-up does manage to well, pop-up on my Mac I just laugh at it while it gets confused why it can't do it's thing.

 

[Carl]

I have never owned an IBM or Windows machine. I have always owned Macs. I love them, but now let me point out something. I don't know why no one has pointed this out to you yet, since you said that your business is Internet based. Safari, the Mac browser does not work with many websites, in fact many of them require that you be on a Windows machine. I used to belong to a survey company called Pinecone Research and they recently changed their survey program to one that will not work with a Mac and canceled my membership. Also, recently another survey company, MySurvey.com has also been sending surveys that will not work with a Mac.

 

[crcormier]

I have never owned an IBM or Windows machine. I have always owned Macs. I love them, but now let me point out something. I don't know why no one has pointed this out to you yet, since you said that your business is Internet based. Safari, the Mac browser does not work with many websites, in fact many of them require that you be on a Windows machine. I used to belong to a survey company called Pinecone Research and they recently changed their survey program to one that will not work with a Mac and canceled my membership. Also, recently another survey company, MySurvey.com has also been sending surveys that will not work with a Mac.

Yes, but I'd say only 2 or 3 percent of websites I wanted to go to didn't work properly with Safari. And if Safari doesn't work, Firefox or Netscape navigator (both available free) work.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into that. That wouldn't be good to find that out when I'm approaching a deadline.

 

[crcormier]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into that. That wouldn't be good to find that out when I'm approaching a deadline.

If there are any websites you want me to test, just let me know.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

If there are any websites you want me to test, just let me know.

I appreciate that!

I sent my daughter a text message earlier and asked her to check out the two that I depend on the most.

I've also posted a message on an industry-related support board. I don't recall seeing any Mac issues, but I have seen people post about Firefox issues.

What happens when they don't work properly? Will the site just not load?

 

[Laura]

Don't do it. My DH works in IT and spends more time fixing the very few Macs in the building than he does on the tons of PCs. They look nice, and I'm sure they're basically nice computers, but weird things happen to them and they're way too expensive for their features. He doesn't recommend them.

 

[crcormier]

Well, I work in IT as well and except for the fan issue, I haven't had any hardware problems with my MacBook Pro or my desktop, and very few software problems. My folks and my sister hardly ever have problems with theirs either. I disagree about them being too expensive for what you get, considering the software that is included with it and the features of the operating system.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Well, I work in IT as well and except for the fan issue, I haven't had any hardware problems with my MacBook Pro or my desktop, and very few software problems. My folks and my sister hardly ever have problems with theirs either. I disagree about them being too expensive for what you get, considering the software that is included with it and the features of the operating system.

My daughter did run into an issue with one website when she logged on for me. She told me that I can download IE for Mac? Is that true?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

We recently switched to Mac, and I am absolutely thrilled with my new computer! My dd has a Mac mini, and we have an iMac. I love it for so many reasons, especially the fact that the screen/computer are all one unit, so no annoying PC tower, and hardly any wires. Once you get over the learning curve (which isn't as difficult as people make it out to be) it's incredibly user friendly. I know the common thing to say is that Macs are worth it only if you're into graphics, but I don't agree with that. It has Microsoft office and everything else you regulary use on a PC. One thing that drew me to the Mac was the ease at which I can upload, organize and edit my thousands of photos. It is so much easier then the mess I had to deal with on my PC. It also has a tiny built-in camera at the top of the screen so that my dh can video conference with the kids when he's away from home, and it has all sorts of really cool programs you can play with, like photo booth and garageband. And Safari, the internet brower, beats internet explorer, hands down! I'm still learning all the neat stuff I can do with this thing, and I wish we had gotten one sooner! I think Macs are becoming more mainstream though. The Apple stores are always packed, and a few of my friends and family have recently made the switch too. I agree with the previous posters who said once you go Mac you'll never go back! I thought I'd never like Macs until I actually used one.

 

[RadioNate]

My daughter did run into an issue with one website when she logged on for me. She told me that I can download IE for Mac? Is that true?

Unfortunately no, Microsoft has stopped offering IE for Mac. You can download Firefox which might work.

ETA - I have also had very few problems with websites. I can only think of one tool I use (I'm in website design and content management) that doesn't work for Macs at all. It is an old (6+ years) site management tool, anything 'new' works fine.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Unfortunately no, Microsoft has stopped offering IE for Mac. You can download Firefox which might work.

ETA - I have also had very few problems with websites. I can only think of one tool I use (I'm in website design and content management) that doesn't work for Macs at all. It is an old (6+ years) site management tool, anything 'new' works fine.

Hmmm... okay. This could be my one major issue then, because I know Firefox has been an issue with this one particular site too.

 

[mandy200587]

You said this is for a business right? have you looked online at their store? They offer discounts to business. If you can't get one, if your daughter hasn't used hers you can get it through your daughter.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You said this is for a business right? have you looked online at their store? They offer discounts to business. If you can't get one, if your daughter hasn't used hers you can get it through your daughter.

I can get a discount through her, but I didn't even think of checking with the National Association of Realtors. I know we get a Dell discount.

Duh! Thanks!

 

[mandy200587]

I can get a discount through her, but I didn't even think of checking with the National Association of Realtors. I know we get a Dell discount.

Duh! Thanks!

Your welcome, I know they have it for business. I want a MAC so bad after having problems with my HP and I wouldn't ever touch a dell again with a 10 foot pole except the ones in our house.

 

[mandy200587]

That's odd I could of swore that they were discounted for businesses. I know they are for school for a fact and it's 200 dollars cheaper.

 

[RadioNate]

Another thought. All the machines at the Apple Store are connected to the internet so you could try the sites you need there.

I do have a friend who is a realtor and he uses a Mac exclusively. I'm sure he'd answer any questions you have.

 

[GoofyJeff]

That's odd I could of swore that they were discounted for businesses. I know they are for school for a fact and it's 200 dollars cheaper.

Apple does have arrangements with certain businesses for discounts. I worked at an Apple Store for about a year, and we often would discount items for people with the proper ID.

As for the website that has issues with Safari and Firefox, how often do you need it? That might be a good reason to use Parallels and Windows IE.