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OT: shopping for new computer, considering switching to iMac

Kari

Veteran

Ok, here's the quick and dirty version: my pc is an old Dell desktop from 2004. With the help of hardware/memory upgrades it's chugged along (mostly for web surfing, photo editing, watching movies, occasional word processing projects.) I'm not a gamer; b. is, but he builds his own pcs for his use.

B. has reminded me that my computer is on its last legs. It's quite slow and my monitor is stating to fade too. B. can custom build me a pc easily; he does this himself every few years.

However, more and more since purchasing my iPhone last October, I've toyed with the idea of switching to an iMac. My sister loves hers (she's a graphic designer and needs it, but still) and my aunt, who is by her own admission NOT tech savvy, can't rave highly enough about her MacBook. I've grown to love the user interface - what can I say, I drank the kool-aid? - and I need to replace my monitor anyway. I even don't mind iTunes, which seems much more user friendly than when I first tried it in college.

But, there's the cost, and B. CAN build a good pc for me for less money-no question.

So I'd love to hear experiences of those who have a Mac, or who have made the switch, both good and bad.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Sylvie

Veteran

I just made the switch to Mac a few months ago. The reason I got a Mac is because it was the only sub 3 pound, 11 inch screen laptop I could find

I suspect I am coming from a different place than you *grin* as I am a control freak about my computer. I configure my browser to not store history or cookies. I reinstall a clean version of Windows. I try to use free (and open source if possible) software if available - Mediamonkey instead of Itunes, Picasa for photos, Gimp instead of Photoshop. I manage my files in my file system myself. I don't let other people mess around with my computer and therefore I very very rarely get viruses.

Macs are not meant for people who want to control their computer. The Mac environment/user interface controls everything for you to give you a seamless experience. Your Iphone, Itunes and Iphoto will all play nicely together. However, you will have very little control of your files - ex: photos in iphoto are just stored in a gigantic file and you cannot browse through the folders outside of the program.

Here are the issues I ran into when moving to Mac:

The key shortcuts are all different and the control key is in a different place (now I am used to it)

If you buy a book from iBooks, you can't read it on your Mac, only on a portable device like an iphone or ipad.

When you copy a directory on top of another directory with the same name, instead of merging the contents of the two directories, you lose the contents of the target directory.

I had an external hard drive where I stored a lot of my data in NTFS format that I couldn't read/write to reliably with my Mac. I needed to be able to read/write to my external drive from both Windows and Mac computers. I ended up reformatting my drive in exFAT format and then putting the data back on to achieve this.

Things that are nice about the Mac:

Being able to do whatever I want from a unix prompt - run perl scripts to automate tasks such as renaming files.

Trackpad gestures

Installing/uninstalling applications is MUCH nicer than Windows as you just drag/drop.

If you already love the user interface, I think you will love having a Mac. I would recommend a Mac to anyone who doesn't want to spend time "maintaining" their computer, which is really about 99% of the population. I'm neutral on my Mac - in the end I (and you) can get work done on any modern computer - it's just a matter of your priorities re: interface, specs and form factor.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We are an Apple household. I vote get a Mac and it's as simple as that

Gaylene

Veteran

Well, my first "home" computer that I bought off the shelf was an Apple II+, but, for work reasons, I had to switch to the DOS/Windows environment in the mid 80s. That is what I worked on and taught for the next twenty odd years, ending up with Microsoft certifications in networking and the Office applications. That is why everyone that knew me back then is astonished to learn that I migrated totally to an Apple environment once I stopped teaching in the computer area.

Like Sylvie, it bothered me at first that I couldn't control and manage everything the way I was accustomed to doing with Windows. My biggest learning hurdle was to get over my assumption that I HAD to do something more than just click a button and let the computer do its thing, especially when installing software or configuring a new piece of equipment. It seemed so easy, I was always suspicious.

And like Sylvie, I think the Mac is perfect for people who don't want to do anything except use the computer in their daily life. If you like, and use, other Apple products like a Mac Book, an iPod, an iPhone, or the iPad, you'll love how seamlessly they all work together. As a matter of fact, all of these items now reside in our household.

I'm reaching the point that I can't imagine any reason why I'd want to migrate back to the Microsoft/WIndows environment.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm with Angie - get the Mac. We switched from PC to Mac in our household about a year and half ago and will never go back to PC. I am NOT a techie person by any means and it was so incredibly easy to use.

celia

Veteran

YES! I changed from PC to Mac and am totally in love with it.It's faster, uncomplicated and user friendly.
The trackpad is very different than a pc but once you get use to it you won't want to go back to pc.
And you can manage your digital life in totally fab ways from sharing files easily between Macs, bringing in apple tv, remote access to other mac you have access to and so on.

Kari

Veteran

Okay - I actually pulled the trigger this weekend as there was a good deal on an iMac from Apple's refurbished program. I'm excited and nervous!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Late to the discussion, but I think you'll be happy. I've been a Mac user for 20 years and have been very happy with my experience, and my husband (who owns an IT consulting firm) switched from PC to Mac a couple of years ago and is an avowed convert!

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I think you'll be happy, too, Kari. We became a completely Apple house a few years ago, and I had never used anything but the DOS/Windows environment. It was a quick and easy transition, and I needed virtually no help, even though, like Janet's husband, my SO owns and runs an IT consulting business. My sister switched to a iMac about eight months ago; her husband gifted her with a bunch of the training courses at the Apple store which she loved, but aren't necessary to get going. Using a Mac is a ton of fun and very, very intuitive, which is why I like it so much. Enjoy!

Inge

(website)

Yay, congratulations, Kari:-)
I've been working on Macs exclusively for fifteen years now and couldn't be more happier. Perhaps I'm prejudiced, but I find them much more user-friendly than pcs and I'm sure you'll have yours up and running in no time. (and of course we're here should you need any help).

Enjoy your new toy!!

ElleH

Veteran

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I'm late, too, but Sylvie's account of using a Mac just reinforced why we are a mainly Linux household! I hate not having control of what my files are called and where they are stored. I have an iPad and an iPod and they both drive me bonkers because I can't just plug them in and add files from the file manager -- I have to reboot into Windows, wait for it to start, fire up iTunes, wait for it to stop thinking, and *then* I can sync stuff to them.

I have been seriously considering selling them both and buying an Android tablet and a cheap mp3 player instead.

And no wonder Rae lost so many files -- I had no idea that Macs overwrite a directory rather than merging them! Crazy.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

My husband worked for Apple and has always been a Mac user since the early 90s. When he told me that a Mac was the way to go, I didn't believe him. Of course, once I got one I never looked back at a PC again (although I have to use one at work). Frankly, you rarely get viruses or pop ups or crashes and on top of that those Macs are just plain cool. I say get one ASAP!! They will last longer than a PC. At least mine has.

ElleH

Veteran

With a Mac & iCloud you don't have to plug in iPad or iPhone it syncs automatically to all devices, including contacts & calendars.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have been a Mac user for 20 years. We're now a Mac family. Yup. Drunk the koolaid.