Thinking about making the leap to Mac...

[happybratpack]

Any words of wisdom? Should I? I hate making a decision like this, I'm always afraid I'm going to screw up and regret it.

I'm specifically looking at a MacBook. It's just for my personal use which is mostly photo editing and heavy internet/blogging. I would need to buy Office as well. I'm low budget right now so it would be the plain MB, not the Pro or Air. Also, has anyone bought a refurb from Apple?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I made the move in June and the ONLY thing I regret is not doing it sooner. I LOVE my Mac.

It's so easy to use, everything I used to do is easier-AND there are so many more cool things that I can do now that I couldn't do with windows.

 

[dcentity2000]

You won't regret the move



Rich::

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Once you go mac, you'll never go back. But if you have any second thoughts, you can run Windows in boot camp.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I was hesitant on making the switch myself a couple of years ago when the MacBook first came out. Let's just say I'm eagerly awaiting the refresh of the MacBook Pro to be released so I can pick up my second Mac

Are you a student? Apple offers discounts to students and a lot of Fortune 500 corporations, so you might want to take look into that.

 

[crcormier]

Go to an Apple Store. Once you try it I can almost guarantee you will want to get it.

What do you need Office for? I ask because the Mac has a great Mail program included. If you need Word and Excel, then yes, you can either get office, or iWork 08, which is pretty good as far as intercompatability, and a little less expensive than office. There's also a product called OpenOffice that is free.

If you do need Office, see if you can qualify for the Student/Teacher version, it's MUCH cheaper.

I haven't heard any bad stories about refurbs through Apple.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Best advice is to try it for yourself. Honestly, I have both at work and I use my PC a lot more because it has less problems, easier to use and better performance, IMO. Obviously many feel differently. So what I tell you might not be consistent with your experience. Try things out for yourself

 

[luv2laugh]

DO IT!

 

[piglet too]

We bought our first Mac right after Christmas. I love our Mac Mini, and doubt I will ever buy a PC again.

 

[luv2laugh]

Mac has software now that allows you to operate the PC desktop alongside the Mac's. Why choose a PC if you can have both?!

(can you tell I love mine? )

 

[stevenpensacola]

My wife recently was given a MacBook (she is on a Technology committee at the school where she teaches)....and we both love it.

There is a learning curve involved in trying to find where certain things are, but the thing is so user friendly....I've found it to be very intuitive to use.....

I'd say DO IT! There is a lot of common sense built into the MacBook, IMO.

 

[rotlex]

Do it. I "switched" nearly 4 years ago and have not looked back since. (And I'm a Windows Systems Admin by day, LOL).

Seriously, OS X is a dream to use. Fast, stable and well, it just works very very well. There is of course a learning curve if you are used to Windows, but many things are similar, and the curve is not that large. Besides, there are a ton of good books on the OS, which is really what is different anyway, and if you have a local Apple store in your area, you can even take classes.

We are now an Mac only family with the only Windows\MS machine being my work laptop. (Now if I could talk mgt. into a Macbook Pro for me, I'd be set)!

 

[rotlex]

Mac has software now that allows you to operate the PC desktop alongside the Mac's. Why choose a PC if you can have both?!

(can you tell I love mine? )

Yep. There are a few options available, including Vmware Fusion and Parallel's. You can also boot directly into Windows if needed via the built in boot camp, but frankly, you can do so much with the virtualization software these days, I don't see the need.

 

[crcormier]

Do it. I "switched" nearly 4 years ago and have not looked back since. (And I'm a Windows Systems Admin by day, LOL).

Seriously, OS X is a dream to use. Fast, stable and well, it just works very very well. There is of course a learning curve if you are used to Windows, but many things are similar, and the curve is not that large. Besides, there are a ton of good books on the OS, which is really what is different anyway, and if you have a local Apple store in your area, you can even take classes.

We are now an Mac only family with the only Windows\MS machine being my work laptop. (Now if I could talk mgt. into a Macbook Pro for me, I'd be set)!

Same scenario here, Windows IT Manager/Programmer/DBA by day, though I've had a Mac at home since 1991. Bought myself a MacBookPro as soon as the Intel chip and BootCamp came out so I could have my Mac with me all the time. And with Parallels now it's even better. I just haven't been able to convert my wife yet. (She doesn't like change.) But when her laptop dies one of these days...

 

[cinmell]

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

So true!

 

[schmitty]

If you are worried about money don't get a mac.

 

[dcentity2000]

Yep. There are a few options available, including Vmware Fusion and Parallel's. You can also boot directly into Windows if needed via the built in boot camp, but frankly, you can do so much with the virtualization software these days, I don't see the need.

I have Parallels and a copy of Vista and have NEVER used it.

The only edge Windows has over Mac is in the gaming department and even that is becoming less of an issue.

As for Office, I have no real need for it - I use iWork which is, in my opinion, vastly superior and at the same time cheaper!



Rich::

 

[piglet too]

If you are worried about money don't get a mac.

For us it was cheaper to get the mac than to go buy a PC.

 

[happybratpack]

For us it was cheaper to get the mac than to go buy a PC.

It's looking like a minimal difference for me too once I price it all out. I was more concerned about spending the money and being happy with the switch. I have the same budget for either, I just can't buy the upper end of the MacBook in that budget.

schmitty - Is there a specific reason besides the initial purchase?

crcormier - Good point about Office, I need to research that.

Thank you everyone for the advice, it really helps!

 

[kaseyC]

DH is trying to get me to cross on over to the "Mac" side. He has an iMac which he absolutely loves. I'm very interested but I'm addicted to the Sims 2 Games and I just don't like the way it looks or plays on the Mac. We are looking at possibly getting a Mac book that we both can share.