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NFR: Let's try again....Mac or Windows PC??? Don't know which to buy. Thanks!
- Thread starter kpinky
- Start date
As much as I would LOVE a Mac, the reason I always go for a Windows PC
is because I find that is what is used in most businesses, what my accountant uses, what schools/universities use, etc. This always me to interact with them (send files back and forth, etc.) But to be fair - I think it basically has to do with I need it to interact with the corporation I work with.
Debra
is because I find that is what is used in most businesses, what my accountant uses, what schools/universities use, etc. This always me to interact with them (send files back and forth, etc.) But to be fair - I think it basically has to do with I need it to interact with the corporation I work with.
Debra
It matters very much what you plan to do with it...
If you're using it for business...a PC.
If you're using it for professional graphic design, publishing and multimedia...a Mac.
If your kids are big-time in to gaming...a PC.
If you're using it for fun at home, surfing the net and using lightweight programs for occasional word processing and working with the pictures you take with your digital camera...then it doesn't matter, get what you like best.
I have both, actually, they sit side by side on my desk.
If you're using it for business...a PC.
If you're using it for professional graphic design, publishing and multimedia...a Mac.
If your kids are big-time in to gaming...a PC.
If you're using it for fun at home, surfing the net and using lightweight programs for occasional word processing and working with the pictures you take with your digital camera...then it doesn't matter, get what you like best.
I have both, actually, they sit side by side on my desk.
Same reasons we started with a PC...but my son owns a MAC and he swears...
that it's so much better. Also waaaaaay more secure apparently. Hackers can't get into MACs nearly as easily as PC. I have used a MAC and found it to be more user friendly, but I'm used the the PC now 'cause that's what we bought for my son who was then in junior high. (Our computer is about 9 years old)! So I need more input. Thanks.
that it's so much better. Also waaaaaay more secure apparently. Hackers can't get into MACs nearly as easily as PC. I have used a MAC and found it to be more user friendly, but I'm used the the PC now 'cause that's what we bought for my son who was then in junior high. (Our computer is about 9 years old)! So I need more input. Thanks.
Good thought. I have lots of work stuff that I could store at home...
and that is from a PC. If I got a MAC it would not be so good....but then again I don't really do my day-job work at home and I plan on quitting in a couple years. So it wouldn't be that big a deal. But it's something I should think about. If I bought a MAC, I would have to save my home PC desktop stuff on it. I wonder how that would work...
and that is from a PC. If I got a MAC it would not be so good....but then again I don't really do my day-job work at home and I plan on quitting in a couple years. So it wouldn't be that big a deal. But it's something I should think about. If I bought a MAC, I would have to save my home PC desktop stuff on it. I wonder how that would work...
Have only used PCs.Macs will always cost more, if that is of any
import. If I were buying a new computer I'd get a laptop--take it to the kitchen to read recipes, etc. They are SO cheap now, with all sorts of stuff bundled. When we go to the beach we take DH's laptop--we have a regular keyboard and mouse to use with it.
import. If I were buying a new computer I'd get a laptop--take it to the kitchen to read recipes, etc. They are SO cheap now, with all sorts of stuff bundled. When we go to the beach we take DH's laptop--we have a regular keyboard and mouse to use with it.
shaun-in-to
Well-known member
Re: As much as I would LOVE a Mac, the reason I always go for a Windows PC
In this day and age there should be NO issues with cross-platform files if you have an up-to-date operating system and up-to-date programs. I have always used a Mac and in my business I am always working with people who use PCs (and, for the record, they spend considerably more time complaining about them and trying to fix them), and we have had no problems opening each other's files since about 1990.
One file the Mac OS cannot open is the .exe, or executable file, which is also the one that houses worms, trojans and other beasts that infect PCs so easily.
In this day and age there should be NO issues with cross-platform files if you have an up-to-date operating system and up-to-date programs. I have always used a Mac and in my business I am always working with people who use PCs (and, for the record, they spend considerably more time complaining about them and trying to fix them), and we have had no problems opening each other's files since about 1990.
One file the Mac OS cannot open is the .exe, or executable file, which is also the one that houses worms, trojans and other beasts that infect PCs so easily.
shaun-in-to
Well-known member
Re: Good thought. I have lots of work stuff that I could store at home...
This should not be a problem if you are using common programs such as Word for text documents. I get sent Word files from authors who use PCs and I open and work on them on my Mac and then send them back for review, no problems at all.
More specialized desktopping or graphics programs may present some cross-platform difficulties, but I have not heard of any specific problems for years.
This should not be a problem if you are using common programs such as Word for text documents. I get sent Word files from authors who use PCs and I open and work on them on my Mac and then send them back for review, no problems at all.
More specialized desktopping or graphics programs may present some cross-platform difficulties, but I have not heard of any specific problems for years.
I agree with this. Earlier Macs had more problems with cross-platform issues but...
in this day and age, it's not much of a problem.
There is still the issue of purchasing the Mac version of the software you're used to using on your PC. So if you're using MS Office on your PC now, you can't install that on your Mac, you have to buy Office for the Mac.
There is anothe way that I'm going to post in a separate post...
in this day and age, it's not much of a problem.
There is still the issue of purchasing the Mac version of the software you're used to using on your PC. So if you're using MS Office on your PC now, you can't install that on your Mac, you have to buy Office for the Mac.
There is anothe way that I'm going to post in a separate post...
kpinky, there is a way to have the best of both worlds...
The new Intel-based Macs will allow you to install the Windows OS on them if you use Apple Boot Camp. This allows you to decide whether you want to work in Windows or OS X each time you boot up your computer. It's still in beta but I'm planning on going this route in about a year when they've got the kinks worked out. Check it out at the link below...
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
The new Intel-based Macs will allow you to install the Windows OS on them if you use Apple Boot Camp. This allows you to decide whether you want to work in Windows or OS X each time you boot up your computer. It's still in beta but I'm planning on going this route in about a year when they've got the kinks worked out. Check it out at the link below...
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
kpinky and all, Macs CAN run Windows and leap tall buildings at a single bound....
There is virtually NO issue with cross files now if you have a Mac with OS 10.4 and if you get the new intel chip models you can run Windows flawlessly and even open those nasty little .exe files if you want to. A limited version of Windows has been available to Mac users for several years and there is now so much more software available for Macs (the software companies are finally getting smarter.)
I ran two businesses on Macs-one since 1993. I still run my travel business on a Mac. I have had three databases built for it and for on-line sites. I can interact with PC-based businesses with no problem. The "if you need it for business get a PC and if you want to do graphics, etc, get a Mac" changed a few years ago.
There are so many wonderful things about Macs- because they don't license out their operating software they keep total control over the quality of their products and on the cutting edge with new stuff always. For me it is like owning my own Rolls Royce. "User friendly" is the key and always has been on Macs. Because they don't license out the OS they have a very small share of the computer market. Also because of that, 99% of the viruses are written for PCs. I personally have NEVER had a virus and I deal with about 300 e mail messages a day and send and receive many attachments.
I worked on PCs over the years- as recently as a few months ago. For me there is no comparison. I stress for ME. I love helping new computer users and do frequently if they get Macs. I enjoy seeing the trepidation of starting out on a computer dissolve when they see that everything in the hard drive is accessible by just one click of the mouse. Everything clearly in front of their eyes, very straightforward and easy to learn. For me, Windows seems clumsy and the Mac OS is streamlined like a race car. I know that those who have worked only on PCs might think just the opposite- and I appreciate that fully. There is plenty of room for both formats in our world.
There is virtually NO issue with cross files now if you have a Mac with OS 10.4 and if you get the new intel chip models you can run Windows flawlessly and even open those nasty little .exe files if you want to. A limited version of Windows has been available to Mac users for several years and there is now so much more software available for Macs (the software companies are finally getting smarter.)
I ran two businesses on Macs-one since 1993. I still run my travel business on a Mac. I have had three databases built for it and for on-line sites. I can interact with PC-based businesses with no problem. The "if you need it for business get a PC and if you want to do graphics, etc, get a Mac" changed a few years ago.
There are so many wonderful things about Macs- because they don't license out their operating software they keep total control over the quality of their products and on the cutting edge with new stuff always. For me it is like owning my own Rolls Royce. "User friendly" is the key and always has been on Macs. Because they don't license out the OS they have a very small share of the computer market. Also because of that, 99% of the viruses are written for PCs. I personally have NEVER had a virus and I deal with about 300 e mail messages a day and send and receive many attachments.
I worked on PCs over the years- as recently as a few months ago. For me there is no comparison. I stress for ME. I love helping new computer users and do frequently if they get Macs. I enjoy seeing the trepidation of starting out on a computer dissolve when they see that everything in the hard drive is accessible by just one click of the mouse. Everything clearly in front of their eyes, very straightforward and easy to learn. For me, Windows seems clumsy and the Mac OS is streamlined like a race car. I know that those who have worked only on PCs might think just the opposite- and I appreciate that fully. There is plenty of room for both formats in our world.
Cathy have you tried Boot Camp?
When you say "limited version of Windows has been available for years" I assume you're referring to Virtual PC - which is so slow I don't have the patience to use it, so for me it's been "virutally" useless and never been a viable option. Boot Camp is supposed to blow Virtual PC out of the water and it's brand new. You have a true dual boot instead of a Windows emulation.
I still maintain that until Boot Camp came around a couple months ago, PCs were better for business because so much business software is only available for the PC - examples are the library circulation software my mother uses, the membership management software that my local workout center uses, our website statistics software - all are worth several thousand dollars and only work on the PC. Many games the kids play only run on the PC, too. With Boot Camp, this becomes less of a problem, although it's still in the testing phase and I've read they have some bugs to work out before it's perfect. And you have to boot into either Windows or OS X, you can't run Mac-only software at the same time as Windows-only software, and have to reboot to switch from one to the other.
Anyway, I can't wait to try it.
When you say "limited version of Windows has been available for years" I assume you're referring to Virtual PC - which is so slow I don't have the patience to use it, so for me it's been "virutally" useless and never been a viable option. Boot Camp is supposed to blow Virtual PC out of the water and it's brand new. You have a true dual boot instead of a Windows emulation.
I still maintain that until Boot Camp came around a couple months ago, PCs were better for business because so much business software is only available for the PC - examples are the library circulation software my mother uses, the membership management software that my local workout center uses, our website statistics software - all are worth several thousand dollars and only work on the PC. Many games the kids play only run on the PC, too. With Boot Camp, this becomes less of a problem, although it's still in the testing phase and I've read they have some bugs to work out before it's perfect. And you have to boot into either Windows or OS X, you can't run Mac-only software at the same time as Windows-only software, and have to reboot to switch from one to the other.
Anyway, I can't wait to try it.