What do I need to know about a Mac computer?

[PigletsPal2]

DD#2 says the lack of a keyboard is a major drawback to her buying an IPad, and she's a diehard Mac user (she's an editor by profession and most publishing is done on Macs).

You can buy an auxiliary keyboard but i think that might boost to cost to that of a MacBook. I think you can also buy a stylus to use with the on-screen keyboard, but knowing me, I'd lose it!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Queen Colleen

 

[mr.bungle]

DD#2 says the lack of a keyboard is a major drawback to her buying an IPad, and she's a diehard Mac user (she's an editor by profession and most publishing is done on Macs).

You can buy an auxiliary keyboard but i think that might boost to cost to that of a MacBook. I think you can also buy a stylus to use with the on-screen keyboard, but knowing me, I'd lose it!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Queen Colleen

An ipad specific auxiliary keyboard can be had for $60-$90. However, any bluetooth keyboard should work. Regardless, the cost is still half the cost of purchasing a macbook pro, etc.

The on screen keyboard takes a little while to get used to but as with anything, practice makes perfect - or near perfect I think it's a cop out for people to dismiss something simply because of hearsay.

 

[Albort]

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

I also turned into a mac person and turned my family into apple. I love the 3 way syncing, i sync on ipad, it shows up on my macbook and iPhone.

It does take awhile to figure things out on the macbook though. Not much of a swiping person so i was suck on welcome screen for a good 10 mins, lol. Other than that, i havent hit any issues on website not accepting mac. Most programs work just fine and if there is something i dont know, i have a windows backup on there and with parallel or VMware, u can run both windows and mountain lion at the same time...

 

[tvguy]

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.

I am well above my area of expertise on this, I just know that Mac users call all the time asking when we are going to upgrade our websites to make them Mac compatible. Our Apps don't seem to be an issue.

 

[ChrisFL]

I've used Windows (all versions up to 7) and used Mac OSX 10 Snow Leopard.

I still prefer Windows honestly.

Mac has some nice features yes, but it has a lot of other things that just don't make sense at all.

Honestly unless you're using major graphics, design or something like that, there's not much that's different on a Mac.

 

[PigletsPal2]

An ipad specific auxiliary keyboard can be had for $60-$90. However, any bluetooth keyboard should work. Regardless, the cost is still half the cost of purchasing a macbook pro, etc.

The on screen keyboard takes a little while to get used to but as with anything, practice makes perfect - or near perfect I think it's a cop out for people to dismiss something simply because of hearsay.

I wasn't dismissing anything. I was merely pointing out what a Mac user perceived to be a drawback to an IPad. I admit I haven't a clue what any kind of auxiliary keyboard might cost; it was an (un)educated guess. I do know lost styluses (styli?) could be a problem - I've lost two from my Nintendo DS since Christmas!

 

[DMickey28]

I had and iPhone and iPad for a year and then just ought a 27" iMac this past March. There was a big learning curve and at first I was doubting the purchase but I love it now and will never go back.

 

[arthuruscg]

What are you looking to do with the laptop?

 

[pampam]

What are you looking to do with the laptop?

OP here.

Like I said, I don't do a lot with computers, just google, dis and games. There are a few sites I check each day, or radio stations I listen to, but I just putter. I was thinking of getting something and taking it on our next trip to WDW in Jan. I got a smartphone but it is a PITA because of the small screen, so for me it is just a phone. I like the idea of a keyboard too.

 

[ChrisFL]

OP here.

Like I said, I don't do a lot with computers, just google, dis and games. There are a few sites I check each day, or radio stations I listen to, but I just putter. I was thinking of getting something and taking it on our next trip to WDW in Jan. I got a smartphone but it is a PITA because of the small screen, so for me it is just a phone. I like the idea of a keyboard too.

IMO learning how to use a modern mac isn't that difficult...it still will feel a bit familiar. Once you know how to access your favorite programs, its pretty much the same as a PC.

The problems I've had are trying to navigate the file system, its much more cumbersome than Windows Explorer and I still don't really understand how it works.

Also, seemingly very odd, the mouse movement feels VERY strange compared to a PC. I had to download a program to make it move more like a PC does, since I often switch back and forth while doing programming.

 

[mrsklamc]

It's been a long while (years) since I had any compatibility issues with a website on a mac.

We have a 1 gen ipad, so it may be different now, but typing on it is insanely slow, so OP I would go with an air over an ipad.

 

[timmac]

Let me rephrase the OP, with slight exaggeration added for emphasis to make a point:

"Hi, I have money saved up to buy a Mac. I've never used one, and don't know much about them. But I want to buy one. I hear they're great."

Am I the only one who thinks this is just a bit silly?

My first reaction is this is very cart-before-horse. Might be a fun and worthwhile experience to actually try using one for a while before committing to a purchasing decision. As for all the great things you hear about them... from whom did you hear that? Are we talking knowledgeable friends that you trust, random strangers on the internet, or TV advertising?

Though not an Apple fan myself (several reasons), I would still agree that they are pretty nice products. That said, I can't understand how we're already at a point of a purchasing decision here.

 

[Handbag Lady]

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.

This is exactly what I was going to write.

 

[halfmonkey]

So we're a switcher to Apple after many years of using Windows based machines. I too was worried about compatibility issues but it has turned out to be a non-issue as you can always download flash on the iMac. As for iphone and such, I don't think you can there so that might be an issue.

A couple of things worth pointing out if you didn't already know...

1. Apple makes the hardware and operating system and the benefit of this is that you know the computer system will work together. Keep in mind that Microsoft doesn't make any computers. They make the operating system and is stuck into a Dell or HP or Sony, etc.

2. Apple is not natrually resistant to viruses. It's just that programers and hackers don't necessariy hate Apple enough (just yet) to make viruses for Apple so although Apple computers can get infected, you're not as likely to. Also, since it's a closed system (refer to 1), Apple may issue patches and fixes if any breaches are detected on a large scale as was recently the case.

3. You can go to an Apple store and mess around with the products and also ask them for help. The after sales support is great and you can also buy an extended after sales support.

4. Some software is not fully compatible with Apple and others are but always get updated after Windows based machines get the updates. I've just learned to live with this. It's not a deal breaker.

5. iMac comes with a lot of useful software and again, because it's a closed system (refer to 1), if you have an ipad, iphone, or Apple devices, they all "talk" to each other and make the whole computer experience much more convenient and cool. e.g. having and ipad and iphone with iMac, you can sync your calendars across all devices via iCloud. Awesome.

6. There are many other benefits and of course disadvantages but the best thing about Apple and the pre-purchase process is they have Apple stores for you to test drive as many times as you want. I would highly recommend you get to a store and mess around with the machines.

 

[arthuruscg]

OP here.

Like I said, I don't do a lot with computers, just google, dis and games. There are a few sites I check each day, or radio stations I listen to, but I just putter. I was thinking of getting something and taking it on our next trip to WDW in Jan. I got a smartphone but it is a PITA because of the small screen, so for me it is just a phone. I like the idea of a keyboard too.

Well, it sounds like a tablet might be more what you are looking for and since you said you have a smartphone and not an Iphone, I am guessing you have an Android phone.
If you want something really portable look at the Nexus7 for $200.
http://usa.asus.com/Tablet/Nexus/Nexus_7/

If you want something a little bigger and with a keyboard, Asus makes the Transformer series tablets.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

OP here.

Like I said, I don't do a lot with computers, just google, dis and games. There are a few sites I check each day, or radio stations I listen to, but I just putter. I was thinking of getting something and taking it on our next trip to WDW in Jan. I got a smartphone but it is a PITA because of the small screen, so for me it is just a phone. I like the idea of a keyboard too.

Honestly, I think you're better off getting a PC-based laptop (or even a netbook) for what you're wanting to do. It will be less expensive and certainly do what you need. I know there are people committed to their Macs, but really not needed for surfing the web and games.

 

[136368]

As PC Magazine said, “Once again, OS X takes the prize as the world’s best consumer operating system.”

 

[disneyred]

I am a PC user... and was interested in the Apple products ..but what shyed me away was , how about using word/excel documents.. if these docs were created by someone on their PC and sent it to me ... an Apple user (I would love to buy an IPAD)... could I easily open these documents and edit them on my IPAD ?? that is what I am doing with my PC now . editing word/excel documents .. can i easly do this on an IPAD/macdbook ?

 

[Albort]

I am a PC user... and was interested in the Apple products ..but what shyed me away was , how about using word/excel documents.. if these docs were created by someone on their PC and sent it to me ... an Apple user (I would love to buy an IPAD)... could I easily open these documents and edit them on my IPAD ?? that is what I am doing with my PC now . editing word/excel documents .. can i easly do this on an IPAD/macdbook ?

There is Microsoft Office for mac...

 

[Lynne M]

I am a PC user... and was interested in the Apple products ..but what shyed me away was , how about using word/excel documents.. if these docs were created by someone on their PC and sent it to me ... an Apple user (I would love to buy an IPAD)... could I easily open these documents and edit them on my IPAD ?? that is what I am doing with my PC now . editing word/excel documents .. can i easly do this on an IPAD/macdbook ?

Sure. Microsoft also makes Office for the Mac and the iPad.