Is Apple Mac the Answer? - Business Comp

[MQ57]

Hi everyone... gosh, it really feels like a Monday today doesn't it!!

Anyway, sorry:

Okay - For the first time in a while I have enough to spend on a decent computer.

One of my issues seems to be that I no sooner have a comp and i need more space, it lags, or something... I live in total fear that i am going to lose everything, as more than once computers have just 'died' on me!
I work from home and reliability is very important.


I keep being told to look at Mac as an option...

Upon my searching I am struggling to really discover just how massive the change would be from Windows to Mac. I would keep my Windows comp anyway but i want 1 comp that is 'reliable'

Programmes i use mainly:

Another issue for me is that apart from internet, i use Outlook / MSN / Word / Dreamweaver / Photoshop / Excel / .... and many of the typical Microsoft programmes that could mean i spend a lot more time reverting back to my current PC than I would want to...

But i feel that there are many aspects of mac that would be great.

Are they SO very different ?
How compatible are they with word docs, msn etc etc ???

I have no idea how to compare them...

Any help would be so appreciated

Thank you
Fiona x

 

[Spock]

Hi Fiona

These days you can run Windows on Macs, either alongside OSX or booted into Windows. However, you may not need to as most of the popular PC apps can run on Macs such as MS Office - although you will have to buy the Mac version.

You can import your Outlook emails in the Mac Mail program which is a great piece of software.

The Mac also comes with some great software such as the iLife package. The iMacs are great and have just been refreshed, along with the MacBooks so you would be buying up to date kit right now

I run a Mac and it crashes about once a year and has never had a virus. It's also 8 years old and still does everything well.

A PC fiend will no doubt come along to rock the boat in a second

 

[R1chard]

I think its down to the individual. Clearly Apple's marketing is far superior to Microsofts

In recent tests Windows 7 showed it was better at handling graphics than Macs, but Macs had better sound. So these days I think you'll probably find the numbers crunch in about the same for the average user.

It'll probably come down to expense, Macs (if Im not mistaken) tend to be more expensive for the hardware than PCs. PCs dont come with as much "quality" software. So you need to take a look and see what you want.

Why not find an internet cafe with Macs in that you can play with it first. That way you get to try before you buy?

 

[garyk]

Its quite a mindshift change, I think as a windoze user you tend to overcomplicate things when you come to use a mac. I got my first one over five years ago, installed a program then spent two hours trying to find an uninstaller like I would do on windows.

There isn't one, you simply drag the application to the trash, uninstalled simple as that! Everything gets installed alot cleaner than windows which is pretty poor, external file dependancies for everything scattered across your hard drive.

There isn't as much choice apps wise in either the paid or shareware arena on OS X but its alot better than it was and for your requirements it will be fine.

Gary

 

[JoyDivision]

Macs have better sound? I would love to connect one up to my amp and see it out performs the sound on my PC.

It is fitted with a two channel audiophile sound card....

And that is the point, comparing a Mac to PC is very difficult as there are endless specs of PCs.

 

[MQ57]

I must admit I am losing more and more respect for anything 'windows' to be honest.

IE8 is a nightmare for me and most of the sites I visit I need to use the compatibility button for. However, I have no idea if I'd have issues on mac - so i should check that out next too.

The only thing that is worrying me is not being able to run a website (use d/weaver / photoshop / live support / mail / and so on properly.

Thanks for your help...
Fiona

 

[Spock]

I'm a website developer and graphic designer and I use a Mac

 

[JoyDivision]

I must admit I am losing more and more respect for anything 'windows' to be honest.

IE8 is a nightmare for me and most of the sites I visit I need to use the compatibility button for. However, I have no idea if I'd have issues on mac - so i should check that out next too.

The only thing that is worrying me is not being able to run a website (use d/weaver / photoshop / live support / mail / and so on properly.

Thanks for your help...
Fiona

What has IE8 got to with this, nobody forces you to use it. I am a PC fanboy (a motherboard costs £30 to replace, on a MAC its £100s) and I haven't used IE for 8 years now.

I use photoshop a lot on my PC and there is never any issues, dosn't crash etc. Also I have never ever had a virus on my computer on any of my windows PCs. It is called common sense.

 

[dal]

I'm all for Mac.
I think that they are a little easier to understand than PC's. It'll take you a small bit of time to adjust (not long at all). But they are stronger than mac's I think.
Software is far superior on Mac (More expensive but superior). If you are doing repetitive things then "automator" which comes with mac can do amazing things. Far more efficient; like having a few people working for you. Search on this.
I just built my website on my mac and there are lots you can do with it. Personally I think graphics are better on a mac (They certainly were a few years ago but others here say pc's better now).
Macs are very expensive, I'm not rich but if mine was to break I wouldn't consider a PC. I'd save and get another mac. I bought a powerbook 17" and was tempted to go for a cheaper 15" so glad I didn't. I do a lot of graphics and the 17" is needed. I think it's about 8 years old and it's still excellent.
New ones have intel processors I think and if you go for a G4 processor (I'm probably wrong here but this will give you an idea) and the G4 can't handle the new Snow Leopard (Not well anyway) so you'll be able to get a bargain on ebay. Snow Leopard is like windows operating system for mac.
You'll have to get programs that are a little older maybe but the programs are so powerful unless you're really hardcore high-tec programmer it will be fine .
Go Mac.

 

[Eagle]

Are they SO very different ?

No. They're far more expensive though.

These days you can run Windows on Macs...

PCs could run MacOS (easily) if it were not for Apple's aggressively restrictive licencing.

I run a Mac and it crashes about once a year and has never had a virus. It's also 8 years old and still does everything well.

I've owned about half a dozen PCs (for personal/business use), several laptops, admin'd several dozen XP machines (in a corporate environment with many hundreds of users, all with differing computer experience) and none have ever crashed on me. Never had a virus either. None of them.

I truly wonder what people do to their machines.

A PC fiend will no doubt come along to rock the boat in a second

Happy to oblige and dispel the Mac hype.

I think its down to the individual. Clearly Apple's marketing is far superior to Microsofts

Or Mac users are far more gullible and/or have more money than sense?

Seriously; it's all down to what you like using - if MacOS floats yer boat, like 'pretty' boxes - and you have the financial resources to spare (waste?) on first purchase then the inevitable ridiculously-priced hardware upgrades - then go for it. Don't, however, listen to the ever-perpetuated hype that says they're 'better', 'faster' or more reliable than PCs. Clearly, they are not. Bear in mind too, that Mac users tend to compare the latest MacOS with their dim and distant experience of Windows98 - which we all know was truly awful - with hindsight.

 

[stacks]

Once you try mac you never go back

Seriously, I've had Macs now for about 8 years and I just cant stand using Windows and all the problems that come with it. The Mac is just so simple.

 

[Eagle]

I hate mine. G5. Sluggish as hell in comparison. Locks up every day.

 

[Mpg]

are their any benchmark programs that we could run on either to compare.

I have a win7 pc with an i7 920 processor, and an SSD.

My pc is usable within 27 secs of pressing the button and runs everything without a glitch. If i want it to look like a mac i could just set a white background and turn the brightness up so the screen shouts at me and hurts my eyes.

 

[JoyDivision]

Macs are a lot more expensive so they will always be a lot slower compared with a PC at the same price. There is a reason why 9/10 people use PCs .

I have what is now a basic system, AMD X2 4200, 500GB HD, tv card, audiophile sound card, FSP PSU, 8600GT graphics, 22" monitor, Windows Vista Home Premium and the last time it crashed was when my PC was a P166 MMX running 64MB RAM and Windows 98.

 

[gessoandgold]

No comparison. I had a PC for years, then got a Mac.

The PC had a mind of it's own, hid stuff from me, crashed, refused to do stuff, was difficult to clean out, sometimes I wouldn't do stuff just so I didn't have to deal with the darn thing.

Now I have a Mac. It lives to serve. Anything I want to do is pretty easily worked out, I have no worries finding stuff and - I think it likes me.

I'm in love.

 

[Snowrider]

Yes it about what you like USING - but if you haven't tried keynote you wouldn't know the difference to MSOFfice powerpoint. Try it and you will see!
It's about using programs that works (Mac programs do have problems too) and it's about finding the environment that will make it accessible. If you are using word and excel then stick to a pc - if you are looking for more "out of the box" then consider a Mac.
I would be very cautious with Windows 7.... the past is not a good example for windows OS. Hope they have at long last solved their problem of pushing people to upgrade to non-working OS (from XP to Vista was not very successful or (?) )
I would suggest you go to a Mac shop and play with the machine and do the same with PCs - if you use one of these machine (PC or Mac) try to replicate your work on the other and see how you feel about it!

 

[MQ57]

Macs are a lot more expensive so they will always be a lot slower compared with a PC at the same price. There is a reason why 9/10 people use PCs .

I have to say that I think the reason 9 out of 10 people use PC's is because over 99% of people are mere 'users' with little or no technical knowledge and Microsoft Windows PCs rules the workplaces of local government, universities and most offices in general - and that is fair enough. Maybe if I'd been popped in front of a mac in work I'd have some knowledge, but i wasn't and so I need to hear these points of view, they are really important to me.


I am now only one step up from a mere user but still with little technical knowledge and need to evaluate this. I must say that I have been all over the internet looking at comparisons and Mac appears to be winning the argument for me... but the limitations caused by my life on windows PC's creates a fear... and i do believe thats why most people stick to what they know. Or maybe I am wrong.

However, I am seeing that when people tend to move from pc to mac they rarely return... so that must be saying something?

I have NEVER had a pc that has lasted 8 years... my current laptop isn't 2 years old and I want to throw it at the wall at the moment, and my desktop PC is fine but I fear it is only because I will only allow work stuff on it - and protect it like a child!

Macs are a lot more expensive so they will always be a lot slower compared with a PC at the same price.

Not sure i understand the logic of this .... does this mean a £1000 pc WILL ALWAYS be far superior and faster than a £1000 mac? Is that what you mean?
So - are Macs a lot slower? Mac users?

Joy - can you explain this to me please as this is one thing I would like to avoid...

Thank you all for your input.
This is just such an important decision, as although I have the money at the end of the month to make a decision toi spend say £1300 or so, its a lot to me and I do not want to make a mistake ... but i have to say that the very thought that i could run a comp for 8 years and it still could be going strong, alone, is appealing.

TY again
Fiona

 

[JoyDivision]

Check the specs out compare a Mac and a Dell and see the price difference.

This is one of the cheapest Macs I could find

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=767110&category_oid=

Not only is it more than twice the price of a PC of the same spec it will also cost more than twice the price to repair if any of that hardware goes wrong.

Its actually a very low spec in terms of modern PC standards. For those that say PCs always crash they don't unless you buy some cheap crap in a computer shop or market.

 

[DotNetWebs]

...I just built my website on my mac ....

Does it only work on Macs because it is down for me!

Regards

Dotty

 

[MQ57]

If you are using word and excel then stick to a pc - if you are looking for more "out of the box" then consider a Mac.

I need it for all sorts... At the moment on my PC...

internet, say 25%+
word, excel, etc 25%
email, outlook, MSN 25%
Dreamweaver / photoshop 25%

What also concerns me is the prospect of perhaps having to buy a load of new programmes for all the applications i need.

I would suggest you go to a Mac shop and play with the machine and do the same with PCs - if you use one of these machine (PC or Mac) try to replicate your work on the other and see how you feel about it!

- I think that's a good idea Snowrider, I will look to see if we have one close by.

Thank you
Fiona

 

[gessoandgold]

It did take me awhile to get used to my Mac, I ended up buying Office for Mac too, but I still wouldn't dream of going back to a PC. It is absolutely worth all the bother of changing.

However, what you need to do is stop by the Apple shop. The people there are really helpful, no obligation, and they will address your concerns, you can have a go on the machines, talk to other users there (there are always some) who will have experience of your specialities.

Remember though, don't take your credit card or bank card with you. You want to take the info home and mull it over. (I had to wrestle my friend out of the Apple shop in Birmingham just two days ago). Macs are so nice you'll feel really tempted to buy one straight away.

Don't do it. Wait two or three days, calm down, think about it, reason it out.

Then do it.

 

[MQ57]

Thanks gessoandgold,

I think thats going to be the answer for me. Until i can address the specific issues then i am not going to be too sure.

It appears very obvious here that there are die-hards for PC and Mac, to the point of the arguments feeling almost political.... which is great I suppose to get our teeth into now and then

But I think your right, its about personal choice but the obvious answer is that Mac 'is' possible but I need to see the differences for myself.

I appear to need a PC but am starting to feel like I should give Mac a whirl

Thank you
Fiona

 

[JoyDivision]

Does it only work on Macs because it is down for me!

Regards

Dotty

Haha its built for the AppleOS only . Ita a shame as I was really looking forward to the differences between a Mac website and a PC website.....

 

[FireFleur]

A Mac should be able to run all the software you have mentioned, just ask them at the Apple Store.

A Mac is a quality computer with a premium price, care and attention is given to the hardware and the software to make it all very 'usable'.

BSD is at the core, so you are on a Unix system, which generally makes life simpler for more advanced tasks. And of course the eye candy is everywhere on the desktop.

Personally I wouldn't buy one, but then I enjoy building my own, I do recommend them though, if you are fed up with computing on Linux or Windows, then you are probably after a Mac, but you will pay that bit extra.

 

[JoyDivision]

That bit extra being enough to buy a second hand car.

 

[daveannels]

When I switched to Mac it took me about a week to feel comfortable (after being a PC user for ever before that) - but now there is no wayI would go back

The OS is stable, doesn't require hundreds of drivers for accessories, runs all the key Microsoft products like Excel and has better programs included. I also love Keynote - its way better than Powerpoint. The new OS - Snow Leopard is also compatible with Microsoft Exchange 07 - so company email works fine

All the key Adobe products like Photoshop CS4 are available for the Mac. With more and more applications going native - there are very few software issues that would require you to run Windows on a Mac (unless you wrote something yourself)

Hope you make the right choice!

 

[gessoandgold]

I just built my website on my mac.

I can't pull this up, getting 'can't find the server'. Something's awry - I'm on Mac OS.

 

[gessoandgold]

What did you use to build the site? I've been told Dreamweaver sites can occasionally be difficult if not fully tested out.

 

[Wiggy]

uh oh. how do you delete a duplicate post?

 

[Wiggy]

What also concerns me is the prospect of perhaps having to buy a load of new programmes for all the applications i need.

There's a suite of officelike apps that costs £54 if bought with the Mac. They will open and save as most MS versions.
As for DW and PS etc. . .
The £1k+ price tag on Adobe CS4 suite for Mac was making me think twice about changing to Mac but then the nice people at Adobe told me that they will be happy to change my existing PC license to a Mac one and mail me new discs. . .{now that's what I call customer care}

 

I changed from a PC to a Mac to run my business on about 5 months ago and have never looked back. Windows mail struggled every morning to boot up due to the amounts of emails I need to keep in my inbox. It was forever crashing and thankfully since converting I have had far fewer problems with the Mac.... that is until Snow Leopard came out.

Snow Leopard like any new software was full of bugs and my imac and Macbook we're crashing throughout the day. thankfully it seems as though a lot of the issues have been rectified but it still is not without it's problems.

IMO if you have the money, get a Mac. I was living in fears on my PC packing up the whole time with Windows. At least for the peace of mind.

 

[dal]

I can't pull this up, getting 'can't find the server'. Something's awry - I'm on Mac OS.

That sounds like the server (123 reg.co.uk) may have been having some problems (I hope lol). I'm quite surprised at this as I have Valid XHTML and CSS without a single error so there should not be problems. I'm also a member of mac-rumors.com and there are some great people on there and everyone has checked it out and no problems so far; so would be interesting to know if you're still having problems?
I have viewed my site on 5 computers (PC and mac) and a few mobile phones. I have noticed a few bugs/ CSS issues that I will remedy but if you keep checking it it's changing day by day lol. Still lots I'm going to do on it. Going to do a flash animation when I get some time lol.
I used dreamweaver and there are many problems if you design by the 'design' view in Dreamweaver but:
I hand-coded my website in XHTML Strict 4.01. What OS are you using buddy? I'm on 10.4.11.
Let me know if you're still having problems viewing the site please .

 

[DotNetWebs]

That sounds like the server (123 reg.co.uk)...

Or it could be simply that you mistyped the URL

Regards

Dotty

 

[KM-Tiger]

Or it could be simply that you mistyped the URL

Surely that can't be possible on a MAC?

 

[gessoandgold]

What OS are you using buddy? I'm on 10.4.11.
Let me know if you're still having problems viewing the site please . http://www.preciseformwork.co.uk

Yep, was the server. S'all right now.

Really like the site by the way, simple, to the point, informative and easy to navigate. Ideal.

I'm on 10.5.8. Thanks for the tip about Dreamweaver. I've recently decided to get a friend to put it up, it's bad enough having to write the blasted content. They're in the biz, will be giving me special mate rates. I can only learn so much so fast, and while HTML is interesting I just don't have the time to learn it properly...

 

[gessoandgold]

Surely that can't be possible on a MAC?

You're absolutely right! That's why I dismissed the possibility out of hand. These comfy keyboards are a dream to use. And it's so easy to knock up, say, a professional looking slideshow with music and great transitions ... ah, I think I'll just nip off and dream up a sonnet to my sweet sweet Mac ...

 

[DotNetWebs]

You're absolutely right! That's why I dismissed the possibility out of hand....

I didn't mean you mistyped it. I meant dal did!

There was nothing wrong with his server he just missed an 'e' out of the URL he posted.

Regards

Dotty

 

[trendy kid]

I am certain sure that all the applications you need are on mac. Especially dreamweaver mind you once you start using i web you will be smitten tbh. I have run macs for about 5 or so years and have never had a problem with them. Our first imac g5 is now the kids computer at home and its got a bit of a noisy fan. I was a pc kid though and worked for a parcels network who used them and was totally dissatisfied the whole day at work. And they kept going down and so did the server at the hub. Properly annoying. Macs are well stable though and once you get your head round them the os is really good. However if you like tinkering with pcs then get one. I have never had a virus and never lost any work. I think that is the crux of the issue. Remember back in the day the apple bods came up with the windows environment but wouldn't release it because they said it wasn't stable enough. Kinda says it all really. The reason they are more stable is to do with third party hardware mostly. Run windows on an ibm machine and it will be pretty stable too. Mind you an Ibm machine will also cost more than a third party machine.
The way i see it you spend all that money on a car and you shouldn't have to do open heart surgery on it every few months.
If you do switch though run parallels not boot camp. You can run them both at the same time.

 

[Interconnect IT]

Whatever new computer you buy, it will run better, faster and more smoothly than the old one.

Biggest problem on most PCs is the dreadful anti-virus software that some makers came up with. Causes more problems than the viruses on many machines. So stick with MS Security Essentials if you go for a PC - does the job for all but the most inept warez downloading teenager.

Mac, PC, Linux, OS/2... we're just talking about general purpose machines here. They all do more or less the same job, at more or less the same cost. But the really big thing to remember is that most people out there are giving biased information based on limited experience - listen to their feedback, then go and make your own decision. Do not let anyone's justification for their purchases sway you - do research, work out what your needs are, and take it from there. Some Adobe software (especially Fireworks) is absolutely dreadful on Windows, for example, but OK on a Mac.

Other things work much better on Windows than OSX. I don't know many games developers who use Macs at work, for example.

The Office Suite is available for both platforms (MS's support of OSX saved Apple, funny enough) and you have OpenOffice too, which is OK, kinda.

 

[gessoandgold]

Completely forgot that! It's a fact that most gamers don't like Mac. I'm not a gamer so I don't know why, If you do like online gaming the probability is that you won't want a Mac.