Oscraps

Which computer????

taxed4ever

taxed4ever

Administrator Crazy about the "O"
I am looking at purchasing a new computer, really can't make up my mind which one I want. I have been eyeballing the new IMAC but then I don't want to have to change everything that I now use on my PC. Would love to hear some feedback as to which system you think is better!!
 
I was MADE to change to a Mac by my DH about 4 yrs ago. I had never even seen a Mac prior to this, much less used one. So I was rather resistant and not a very willing student. However, quite apart from it's beauty, which is not in dispute even from die hard PCers, I plugged it in and turned it on from scratch without an iota of help from (very techie) DH. OMGoodness - I couldn't believe it was so simple to use. And it's gone on being simple. And quick (until I permanently plugged in a Time Machine backup EHD). Software loads unbelievably simply. Things download into one really obvious place - the one and only folder called Downloads.

BUT: it's not true that Macs never crash. They can do, but hardly ever. The 3rd party software, however, can & does crash. I particularly have trouble with PSE V8 and MS Word & Excel. - I get the Microsoft stuff crashing - Mac being diametrically opposite to where Microsoft is coming from (spot the ex-MS employee!), but Adobe originally wrote their software for Macs so it really annoys me that this crashes so often. Having said that, my Adobe Lightroom has never crashed. However, as these are the only software products I use on a regular basis, I reckon I don't use other items enough to fairly test them. Another thing.....Macs are not a cheap option by any means. And yes, I did have to rebuy my software.


Bottom line - would I go back to a PC? No. I love my Mac - and I truly hate my DH's PC when I use it. I can never find anything on it - there are so many drives, and several folders with the same name and I just find it HUGE in terms of file structure, and indeed physical size. And it makes a horrible noise. My Mac is neat, quiet and very pretty! And as a result of being a Mac user, I now have an iPod & an iPad. Love, love, love them all.
 
Forgot to mention viruses. My Mac has NEVER been invaded by a virus, including those that have been attached to emails that other friends have received also and have infected their systems.

I have no virus protection fitted. This freaked me out at first. In fact, I'm not sure anything is actually available. But this was one of the main reasons my DH wanted me to have a Mac as apparently hackers can't be bothered to write viruses for Macs.
 
I am getting a Mac, a used one, in the VERY near future. I have no idea how to really use it but I cannot wait. I think the only people who don't like Macs are people who can't afford them and are trying to convince themselves that a PC is just fine and those who are jealous of Mac users and try and tear the Mac users down. I do say this in jest...But I do think that Macs have stealthily become the superior computer over the past few years. I say this while my dad works at Microsoft and could lose his job for bringing an ipad to work. Microsoft products are awesome but they have yet to build a computer themselves to withstand PC issues. Only accessories. I have a Dell desk top and an HP laptop. Both lost speed as soon as I started loading anything onto them. My desktop has lasted a long time. I've had it for 6-7 years, but my laptop I've had for 2.5 years and should not be nearly as slow as it is. It takes forever to load anything. I think I am the slowest scrapper ever but now I am starting to think I just have the slowest laptop ever. One day I will have a completely Mac household. My mom is one of those Mac haters...for no good reason. She tries to say that Macs have just as many issues as PCs, but I have yet to hear a single person say how much they hate their Mac.
 
clarabear said:
but I have yet to hear a single person say how much they hate their Mac.
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That's a really good point, Clara. Never thought of that.

Although I have to admit, I have a Mac laptop too, and it was the slowest thing on God's Earth - drove me nuts after the speed of my iMac, so I only ever scrap on it when I'm on holiday.
 
If it were legal to marry my mac, I probably would.

My dad has had PCs in the home since before I was born, and he almost disowned me over me getting a mac a few years ago. He was so set on how awful of a decision I was making, but when I told him that I can still use PC programs by setting up "BootCamp"... he was slightly better about it. I did set up Windows using Bootcamp, but I only ever used it for old PC games LOL

I totally agree with Laurie about all the ridiculousness with Microsoft Office programs, but I actually moved over to using Google Docs halfway through college. I only ever use Word to format my papers, since it was too hard to do the APA research paper format in Google Docs. There's also something else called Open Office or something... a lot of people used that in college bc they didn't want to pay for Microsoft Office. I'm a serious... whore for Google products and Google Docs... especially since in Google Docs, they save everything for you so you can work on them from other computers!!! I was a note taker for some other students during college, and with Google Docs I didn't have to worry about emailing the notes to them! I just set up a shared folder and they just had to go there!

When it comes to other things like Photoshop, it runs SO MUCH BETTER for me. And my mac hasn't slowed down AT ALL over time like my PCs have over the year. There was a brief period where there was some slowdown, because some of the free fonts I had downloaded were corrupted, but Font Book took care of that.

Viruses -- never ever have had one! But, that doesn't mean you can't still pass them on to others.

Crashing -- I *did* have a crash a few months after first getting my mac, it was a bad apple update, but the genius bar in the apple store was able to recover everything. Definitely spend the extra money to get Apple Care, it's saved my butt sooo much. I accidentally somehow tore my power cord... and they replaced it for free!

Scanners -- I have yet to manage to figure out how to get a scanner to work with my macbook, but everything else is seriously plug in and go! no drivers to install!

I think that's it... for now... I'm sure I'll think of more things until I convert you to mac!!!
 
Bush Girl said:
That's a really good point, Clara. Never thought of that.

Although I have to admit, I have a Mac laptop too, and it was the slowest thing on God's Earth - drove me nuts after the speed of my iMac, so I only ever scrap on it when I'm on holiday.
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Yeah, they don't really put that much RAM in the basic macbooks, but they make it SUPER easy to upgrade the RAM yourself. It would of cost me like $200 to have them put in the extra ram when I first purchased my macbook, but instead I ended up spending like $60 for the RAM on newegg and was able to put the RAM in myself!
 
I do the tech support for my school. My building is almost all Macs. I went from a building that was mixed Mac and PC to an all Mac building. I love my Macs. Sooooooo much easier from a tech standpoint. My main computer is a Macbook Pro laptop and I love it. I know it's a bit more expensive, but in terms of time troubleshooting, extras - like webcams and mics, and the built in iLife suite...it's worth it to me.

Viruses on Macs - Very minimal. Twice in all of the last ten years have I dealt with viruses on my work computers. That's it. Especially if you are careful, there is very little problem with it.

Plus, if you really wanted, you could put Windows on there too.

Adobe originally wrote their software for Macs so it really annoys me that this crashes so often
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Ha ha ha ha ha. Apple HATES Adobe. They will never play nice again I don't think. But Adobe has to conform a bit to Apple or they will lose their share.

Ok. I have too many things going on atm to really devote to this thread...so I will come back after my friend's job crisis is over, my cake is done, my laundry is switched out, and my email stops going off!! LOL
 
Wow thanks everyone...I think that you are convincing me to go with the Imac!! It might be more expensive, but sounds like it is definately worth it!! Now to just convince my hubby. Oh well too bad, its coming from my paycheck anyway, guess I will get what I want!! Thanks for all the input so far, but would still love to hear more from you all before I buy!
 
Grew up on PCs...well, not quite correct...didn't have PCs when I was growing up...but soon after working started using one. That PC had its OS on a soft floppy disk. How times have changed. :rofl:

In the old days, PCs had the reputation of being more appropriate for number crunching, etc. MACs were better for creative things.

Well...after having had my iPad for about 6 months...I'm thinking that my next PC purchase will be a MAC. How times change...
 
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