Apple v PC

[sheddy]

As our PC motherboard has gone phut, Swmbo wants a new PC, and is talking about getting an Apple. I'm assuming we can use our existing monitor.

Apart from the cost, are there any downsides ?

 

[gaz]

Mac's are great for home computers, the speed and ease of use of them is just perfect. the lack of hassel for setting it up with other devices is simple and pain less (something i found visa versa with Windows). General maintaines is easy, and the lack of Virus's is also a bonus (although future proofing your mac for dangers is always a good idea)

I say if you can afford it, then go for it.. over the years you will see that your purchase has lasted you a long time with little maintenance.

But don't forget their is a learning curve for getting to grips with a new OS and playing with them at PC world isn't the best way to learn.

as for the screen, any DVI or VGA connector will plug into any Mac Mini or Mac Pro.

 

[marinyork]

I say if you can afford it, then go for it.. over the years you will see that your purchase has lasted you a long time with little maintenance.

I think whatever bought new thesedays should last a long time. The apples thesedays are using a lot of the same hardware. Since the Core architecture came along, so much stuff has run so damn cool and under little load relative to predecessors. It's only vista that has managed to screw up this happy state of affairs.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

depending on the old monitor, it should work with a mac mini (which can also use a tv). there are no downsides to macs these days as you can also get them to dual boot in windows (or run it within the mac os) should you wish to.

 

[jack the lad]

You need to check that any devices you use (or want to use) that connect to your computer will work with a Mac - for example I have my diary on my mobile phone that synchronises with MS Outlook, but only works on a Windows PC.

On my wife's Mac laptop I find the lack of a right mouse click option irritating, but that's just habit and you would get used to it. Battery life is way better than any PC though.

She has problems with some websites not working properly in Safari or Firefox, internet banking seems the most iffy. Document management is not terribly intuitive either. Some of the included software is pretty poor - iPhoto is very frustrating. On the other hand, viruses are not a problem.

I used to be a big fan of Macs, it used to be a no-brainer, but Windows has improved so much that there's very little in it now.

If you want the style of a Mac but want to use MS Windows you can now, but you have to factor in the cost of buying Windows separately, whereas it is usually included in the cost of a PC.

Personally I would buy a 9" or 10" Windows netbook, with the best possible battery life, for between £200 & £300 and use it at home with a universal USB docking station (around £50) connected to a big screen, mouse & keyboard (salvaged from the now defunct computer).

 

[gaz]

On my wife's Mac laptop I find the lack of a right mouse click option irritating, but that's just habit and you would get used to it..

Thats down to it not being set up correctly. Any Mac Laptop or computer can have right clicked enabled. and it's very easy to do so.

She has problems with some websites not working properly in Safari or Firefox, internet banking seems the most iffy.

Thats down to the website not being up to web standards and forcing it's users to use a certain browser. No fault on the Mac and some banking websites are improving (HSBC for example)

Document management is not terribly intuitive either. Some of the included software is pretty poor - iPhoto is very frustrating.

Thats all personal opinon, i prefer the OS X's Office allternative, and find them very simple to use. iPhoto on the other hand is amazing, much better than any of the budled software with vista or XP for similar tasks. But it does help to have some photographic software knowledge, jumping into an application like lightroom is always going to be a struggle. so why any different with iphoto?

 

[jack the lad]

Any Mac Laptop or computer can have right clicked enabled. and it's very easy to do so.

Hijack - That would be great, but how do you do it when there's only one button on the trackpad. She's got a two button mouse to use at home.

 

[gaz]

Have a gander in the settings for keyboard and mouse, you can deffinatly do it if you use an external mouse, and i'm pretty sure you can do it on the track pad as well.

 

[jack the lad]

Strewth - So your defence of how superior the Mac is and how it is all my wife's and other people fault that some things don't work as well as on a PC may not be entirely supported by the evidence then...

 

[allen-uk]

I have an iMac, which consists of a screen and a keyboard (no 'lump', no tower, as all the gear is contained in the back of the screen which weighs about 5kg).

Brilliant machine.

Apple service is excellent. I'd had the iMac a week and couldn't get internet, so they sent out a second brand-new iMac to replace it (and as it turned out, it was ntl who were at fault, not the Mac).

In two years, it's gone wrong once. They picked it up next day, fixed it, delivered it back to me on day three. (I do have a maintenance contract with Apple).

I haven't found a website that doesn't work with Mac OSX. The only program I've found that doesn't go is Internet Explorer (+Outlook), and that's because Microsoft stopped making OSX compatible versions. But Firefox/Safari/etc work perfectly, and the built-in Mail program on OSX is problem-free.

Yes, more expensive to buy, but maybe not in the long term. (Sorry to ignore your question re. using existing screen).

Allen, London.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Hijack - That would be great, but how do you do it when there's only one button on the trackpad. She's got a two button mouse to use at home.

use a two button usb mouse. apple make one, or you can use any with a usb interface.

 

[gaz]

Strewth - So your defence of how superior the Mac is and how it is all my wife's and other people fault that some things don't work as well as on a PC may not be entirely supported by the evidence then...

Some things don't work as well? the right click has been possible for a good 10 years now.. it's just due to apple's history that it comes standard as no right click. you just have to change the settings. who's fault is that bar yourselfs?

 

[jack the lad]

use a two button usb mouse. apple make one, or you can use any with a usb interface.

Try reading the quote that you have used. SHE HAS A 2 BUTTON MOUSE, we know that works. Gaz implied that you could make the laptop work with a right click. The laptop has only one mouse button so if you don't carry a mouse with you or you don't want to sit at a desk to use your laptop with a mouse, can you make it right click or not. If you can how, if you can't, just admit it. If you are not sure you can and don't know how to don't make the claim.

 

[jack the lad]

Some things don't work as well? the right click has been possible for a good 10 years now.. it's just due to apple's history that it comes standard as no right click. you just have to change the settings. who's fault is that bar yourselfs?

You are making this up. You don't have to just change the settings, you also have to buy a different mouse. The standard apple mouse only has one button. The right click enabling is in the software drivers that come with the aftermarket mouse. If you don't know what you are talking about - shut up.

 

[jack the lad]

When I connect to a Windows VPN using a Mac laptop and need a right click, I either plug a two button USB mouse into it as alecs and gaz say, or just use <Ctrl Shift> Click on the laptop. It's very easy.

Thank you Mort at last someone who knows what they are talking about. This is very helpful.