A Mac Computer

[Jim]

Does anyone have one of these? I have been interested in one for quite a while but not 100% sure what the pro's and cons are ..

 

[wm460]

One advantage is when someone rings up from microsoft because they have detected a problem with your computer.
You ask them why microsoft is looking after Apple computers, the rude bastards hang up.

 

[billyb_imp]

I have come very close to moving over to apple mac's over the years especially when I was doing a lot of photography but the expense of the changeover always put me off.

Also now a days I am not a great fan of Apple, I see them holding their customers to ransom over apps / software that must be authorised by them , power leads that must be made by them or authorised by them, connection leads again authorised by them. Once authorised they often make changes to operating systems then you find out your authorised connection lead doesnt work anymore so another new one needed. This has happened several times on Margarets iphones & ipads but she keeps buying these apple gadgets, must be something in that I suppose.

But I will stick with Windows, Microsoft & Android

 

[paulm]

The build quality is superb Jim and is truely a computer that will last years and years with speed to match. the downside is the price compared to a similar spec laptop and having to re-buy all your software. You can emulate a pc with mac but if you're going to do that you might as well buy a pc.

I bought my son a macbook several years ago and it runs as good now as when it was new. In comparison, I've had two laptops. If you do buy one then let me know as I've bought software which I'm sure Microsoft Office has 3 licences for and I've only used one. I would just have to find it

 

[Grump]

Unsurpassed build quality with mac.
It ends there I am afraid Jim.
Based on Unix os you may as well install Unix or Linux on any lappy or desktop.

 

[Jimjam66]

I switched from Windows to Mac in 2007 under the influence of a mate who did tech support at University of Wisconsin. (I was an IT pro back in those heady days!). I was apprehensive at the time, but have never regretted the decision. In 2013 I decided to go back to Windows for budgetary reasons (my '07 MacBook was finally showing its age) but lasted about four months before biting the bullet and buying my current MacBook Air.

PROS:
- it works, every time.
- it's actually cheap considering the spec of the machine
- it works with my iPad and iPhone, every time
- I don't even bother with anti-virus software as no virus has ever infected a Mac
- the useful life of a Mac is approximately twice that of a PC
- battery life is awesome
- my MB Air boots up from cold in less than ten seconds (thanks to the SSD - I think some current PCs can do that too)
- it looks like a million bucks

CONS:
- you can buy much cheaper Windows machines( with much lower spec and build quality)
- software is readily available but not usually free ( and not always cheap either)
- it won't work very well with Android phones and tablets (duh!)
- Apple are as customer-centric as Microsoft (so not at all) and are sometimes a bit high-handed in their approach to product and feature rollouts.

APPROACH:
Microsoft 'own' the software layer but any Tom, Dick or Harry can tack on any of the other layers of the technology stack (RAM, graphics card, motherboard, etc etc). This allows for speedy innovation and cheap assembly, but leads to component conflicts on a regular basis. apple 'own' the entire technology stack (hardware and software). This leads to legendary reliability and ease/speed of use but means that their machines are rarely at the bleeding edge of technology, and leads to higher prices.

In the end you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

[donwatson]

Jim, I have never had a Mac so I can't say how efficient they are but a couple of years ago I started using Linux.
I purchased a laptop from Novatech with the bits and pieces installed that I wanted eg. HD, Video Card, maximum memory etc. but no Operating System.
I installed Linux (Peppermint 5) which was free and have added any programs I needed as I went along (all free).
I joined a Linux forum (like this one) and any problem I encountered I asked the forum and it was always answered (like this one).
There are some programmes that only work on MS Windross, I think PSP and Photoshop are the main ones I miss, but that is because I must improve the quality of my pictures and will now resort to using a light tent and setting the camera and stop using these image manipulation programmes.
Sorry about this rant but I love the simplicity of Linux with no advertising popups and continual updating.
PS Being a frugal Scotsman I like the idea of free. Some may even say I am a cheapskate and around Stevenage 'a miserable Scots git' but I like Linux

 

[Grump]

I use them all because I want to not because of any need.
I compile Unix / Linux and have been a developer since 1992 working with a worldwide community to bring you the things you love.
I use android on my tablets and phone, I have 4 laptops running various flavours / Distros of Unix / Linux.
My shed network runs 2 linux servers and cnclinux.
My desktop is currently running beta testing versions of Windows 8-9 release 9.6 which will become windows 10 or windows blue whichever M$ decide on.

A good way to experiment is to run virtualbox within your current os, download and install your preferred distro and play init?
Here is a link to a howto for anyone wishing to do this.
Here is a link to M$ developer downloads where you can play init?

Robolinux will do all this for you from a nice gui for those who are kbd shy.
There are also Linux distro's with mac desktop so you can familiarize yourself before making a decision.

 

[Jim]

Thanks folks, very informative ..

 

[Buckeye]

I have used macs since just after 1980. You will be told that you can buy PCs cheaper and you can, but they won't be the same build quality. If you are a gamer then probably a PC would be better, but if you want to be productive then get a mac. I support loads of people on macs after I have recommended them, a fair few photographers and designers, family and friends and it's only when they first get them and there are some initial teething problems on how to do something that they do on a PC, pretty soon they have the swing of things and I go through certain housekeeping sequences that they can use to keep everything sweet. I am not saying you will never have problems, but the only mac I have come across that was problematic was one that had a faulty motherboard, once that was swapped out it was sweet as a nut. Like any machine if you don't look after it it will bite you on the wotsit. Depending on which mac you buy there are a few things you can do to ensure you can keep it working and sort out the problems, but it is better done before you set it up the first time. If you do get one let me know and I will talk to you about it. If you have Windows software that you really have to use then you can dual boot the mac and use the windows crap if you really want to.

Peter

 

[Jim]

Well i got myself the Apple Mac, so a long learning curve ahead me thinks ..

 

[Buckeye]

Which model and spec did you get, I hope you got it from John Lewis.

Peter

 

[billyb_imp]

Well i got myself the Apple Mac, so a long learning curve ahead me thinks ..

Well that'll improve your pen turning no end

 

[Jim]

Well with having no shed activity Billy, it will help with the learning for sure ..

No John Lewis, peter, Curry's is more local ..

Ended up buying this one Peter ..

 

[Buckeye]

Well with having no shed activity Billy, it will help with the learning for sure ..

No John Lewis, peter, Curry's is more local ..

Ended up buying this one Peter ..

It's not bad Jim, I can just imagine lots of misguided people saying "How much" you have got a cracker, now buy a 30" monitor to go with it If you have a suitable monitor you can attach it and it can be quite beneficial depending what you do.

The reason I said I hope you got it from John Lewis is that they give a minimum of 2 years and sometimes 3 years guarantee on Apple gear, they are a great Apple seller. I am sure you won't be disappointed. I advise you to download ClamXAV, it is a mac anti-virus and runs in the background and you won't know it is there unless there is a problem, under no circumstances get hold of norton or any of the other cons I mean anti-virus programs. I would also get hold of LittleSnitch it can block all attempts of different software to access the internet.

Peter

 

[Bill Mooney]

I've used computers since 1992, Dos6 through to windows7, including NT4 which was very stable. Bought a Mac in 2011 & wouldn't go back to windows, neither would 4 or5 friends who did the same. You should have AppleCare for a year which is only a phone call away if you need help & you can go to an Apple Store, ask someone how to do something & they'll go through it with you.
Best of luck Jim.

 

[paulm]

Nice one Jim, enjoy it.

 

[yorkshireman]

Looks good Jim. My lad Keiron who is a master of physics and just finishing his phd always told me they were expensive and overrated until I bought him one earlier this year and now he swears by them. He didn't realise the power and ease of use. He'll never go back to windows

 

[Grump]

Cor blimey dad you've been and gawn and dunnit now init?

 

[rayf6604]

The thing that worries me about moving from PC to Mac, is potentially having to replace all my software as well?