Mac or PC for your mum ?

[4little1s]

Following on from the Radio 2 talk show earlier today and the question 'If your mum needed a computer, would recommend a Mac or a PC'

I was wondering what people on the forum would say ? Mac or PC ?

There always seems to be some kind of 'are you a Mac or a PC person' debate going on and from what I gather PC's are better right >?

 

[MartCactus]

I suspect you'll get varying replies based on people's experience with each.

Mac users will say they are great, PC users will recommend them. I'm sure some people will even suggest various flavours of Linux too.

PCs (especially with the arrival of Windows 7) are now very stable and easy to use. They tend to be much cheaper than Macs as there are many hardware manufacturers competing to produce them.

If your mum is largely going to use email and the web (as mine does) then I don't see the point of paying a premium for a Mac. Though I'm sure you'll have numerous Mac fans here who will disagree.

 

[cjd]

Whatever you can help her with

 

[Spock]

Whatever you can help her with

Exactly. I got my dad to buy my mum a Mac laptop as I use Macs so can help her out with anything she needs. I think that's the main consideration.

 

[KM-Tiger]

then I don't see the point of paying a premium for a Mac.

I don't see the point of paying a premium for any proprietary OS, when Open Source is free.

But cjd has it right. If you are going to be first line support, then support what you know.

 

[edmondscommerce]

I gave my mum Ubuntu and she loves it

its got everything they need preinstalled (web browser, office, cd burning, photo management)

 

[Edthenewb]

What you know, as said and what she is familiar with.

If coming from no previous computer experience, Id say mac. If she uses windows at work or wherever then she probably wont like having to learn something again.

 

[extremedistro]

PC............................

 

[crossdaz]

Following on from the Radio 2 talk show earlier today and the question 'If your mum needed a computer, would recommend a Mac or a PC'

I was wondering what people on the forum would say ? Mac or PC ?

There always seems to be some kind of 'are you a Mac or a PC person' debate going on and from what I gather PC's are better right >?

Well she aint alive so I guess she wouldn't be bothered? But to answer the question - PC.
Those MAC people really annoy me, they all have a superior attitude like they've found a new religion or something?

Windows was made to run on any computer and mac was made to run on a mac - so obviously on a mac it's going to be great isn't it?
However, virtually every school, college, government and business uses PC's so I think it makes sense to leave it that way?

 

[KM-Tiger]

However, virtually every school, college, government and business uses PC's so I think it makes sense to leave it that way?

Yes, it'll make the upgrade to Ubuntu so much easier.

 

[crossdaz]

Yes, it'll make the upgrade to Ubuntu so much easier.

I wish you luck in convincing the government that they should adopt a free software system?

 

[amonta]

I don't like the fact that Macs cost so much more than PCs, but if it's a present, and if you can afford the extra few quid, I'd go for a Mac. First of all, they look great. And, in my opinion, the operating system is much better - it's generally faster to start up and faster at most tasks; and it's easier to learn to use than PCs. I got no problems with PCs, but Macs were built from the start to be easy to use, so they suit non-experts. But now they use UNIX as the operating system and Intel processors, so they're more compatible with open source applications. And I think Apple would have gone out of business a long time ago if the Mac wasn't a good product, as it is more expensive than comparable PCs. Macs were the platform for the desktop publishing industry, as they are now the platform for the desktop video editing and indeed the web industry. Proportionately more media work is done on Macs. They tend to pioneer things. On the other hand, PCs, as is the nature of large operations, are reluctant to innovate. All slightly off-topic, but anyway... I suggest a Mac. I've got both mind you.

 

[Edthenewb]

Well she aint alive so I guess she wouldn't be bothered? But to answer the question - PC.
Those MAC people really annoy me, they all have a superior attitude like they've found a new religion or something?

Windows was made to run on any computer and mac was made to run on a mac - so obviously on a mac it's going to be great isn't it?
However, virtually every school, college, government and business uses PC's so I think it makes sense to leave it that way?

Yes the whole point of OSX being hardware specific is that it means driver issues and different incompatibility problems are basically non existent, making the system more reliable, this is not a coincidence that's the entire reason why apple do not license OSX to be installed on non apple labeled hardware.

Your last statement is incorrect most collages and schools now have macs, especially art and design colleges where most of the computers used are Apple products.

And before you start pigeon holing me as a Mac fanboy think again. I have 4 computers that belong to me in my household. The first is an old IBM T42 for chucking around, the second is a custom watercooled very high end machine running windows 7. The third is a small desktop running Fedora and the last is a Macbook Pro.

The macbook is used by far the most for browsing, emailing, entertainment and even a bit of gaming. Why you might ask, well because you can just pick it up and use it. No antivirus, no defragging every week, no constant stream of updates to install and its a very well designed piece of hardware.

 

[trendy kid]

Interestingly I actually had this last year for my dad. He was just about to retire at 65 and wanted a pooter.
So I got him to go to the apple shop and get lessons thrown in.
He is now quite confident and is managing to book holidays and do e commerce. I think he has only called on me once and that was about a printer.
We run macs and they are an easier interface I would say. Maybe different I have no problems with a pc but I just got bored with the tinkering in the end.
And virus definitions and defragging the hd. What's all that about.
I think in 6 years I've seen one virus maybe in the ms office suite !
My dad hasn't managed to get a virus yet and I can bet a pound to a pinch I would have had to sort his p.c

 

[crossdaz]

And virus definitions and defragging the hd. What's all that about.
I think in 6 years I've seen one virus maybe in the ms office suite !

Been using same dell pc I bought 3 years ago with xp for £600.

Never had a virus and haven't defragged yet - so that's that myth dealt with.

 

[amonta]

I don't think I'd necessarily blame an operating system for being a target for malware/spam. If something is successful, it's bound to attract all kinds of unwanted attention. And given that OSX has only about 5% of the OS market, it's likely to have fewer problems like that. Having said that, I've never actually known or heard of a Mac getting a virus, possibly because the OS wasn't distributed to outside companies, so nobody really knew enough about it. Viruses/malware aside, I've been using both types of machines at work since the late 80s - not from an IT point of view, but for word processing, design and so on... in all that time, I've used many machines, and I would say that I've had far, far fewer technical problems with Macs. And it used to be the case at workplaces I've been in that most Mac users would be able to fix any issues they have by themselves, which in my opinion is evidence of the intuitiveness of the operating system.

 

[MartCactus]

Yes, it'll make the upgrade to Ubuntu so much easier.

And then your mum can have continuous arguments with her bingo pals about why Ubuntu isn't as good/is better than Redhat, SUSE, Xandros, Debian, etc, etc.

Fact is that most PCs come with Windows installed, and for 99% of PC buyers, it does the job just fine.

Of course I could argue my mother should ditch her Nissan Micra too, take it apart and build a kit car instead. But the Micra does what she wants, and its relatively cheap - so why bother? She's not worried about impressing her mates with a homemade car - she's just worried about getting from A to B.

 

[Eagle]

I love this quote:

...eliciting positive quotes about Apple products is a bit like asking children for their view on Christmas; whatever you hear is going to be predictable and pretty much devoid of insight.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/09/iphone_sdk/

 

[KM-Tiger]

I wish you luck in convincing the government that they should adopt a free software system?

It's being worked on, though do feel free to write to your MP.

As usual the UK is lagging behind the rest of Europe on this.

 

I gotta give you one thing KM-Tiger... I have tried Linux lately on a couple of old machines in the office, and Linux Mint is something I will be supplying pre-loaded in the very near future. Excellent and so quick I was shocked. Very easy to use, and can run on almost anything.

The PC v Mac argument is not really something that matters in this thread, so I'll leave it alone.

The question the OP asked was whether to get a Pc or a Mac for her mum.... and I'd have to say a PC. If the OP has a Mac, or has someone in the family well versed on Macs, then the maintenance of the thing would be easier, but why go to all the added expense if your mum is just needing a basic office-type laptop.

Get her a low cost laptop, around the £400 mark, and it'll do probably everything she'd ever want it to do. The deals at the moment are being advertised everywhere as the retailers try to get the new Windows 7 into the mainstream.

 

[edmondscommerce]

love these kinds of threads

its like a predictable but satisfying action movie....

I'll be back!

 

[edmondscommerce]

I love this quote:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/09/iphone_sdk/

this among other reasons is why iphone, like the mac, will remain on the sidelines and something like android will quickly establish a majority..

apparently you can develop for iphone on linux but it requires a load of messing around and access to an unlocked iphone or mac for compiling.

I quite like macs though, but I wouldn't buy one simply on price - for the same price as a fancy macbook, i could buy a powerful laptop, a powerful desktop and a 32inch monitor all running fast and stable software.

plus i get a proper UK keyboard and a two button mouse!!

 

get a mac very easy to use very stable and last forever and dont get full of internet virus ext

 

[Dominic Taylor]

Interesting thread - I've just recommended the new iMac to my parents as they're looking for a new PC and don't mind if it's a PC or mac. They've always used PCs but only light usage so switching to a mac would be no problem. In terms of aesthetics the iMac is all-in-one and very compact which will leave more room on the desk for paperwork - it's a large desk but looks more crowded every day!

 

[amonta]

I would agree that Android is likely to be taken up by the development community and lots of apps will be developed for it. But the iPhone hasn't done badly in this department either – there's loads of apps for the iPhone.

The iPhone has proved popular with consumers as well as developers, and other companies are busy copying the product's styling and functionality. I don't believe it will stay on the sidelines because the iPhone is more a minicomputer than a phone. Which means that as mobile computing grows, so the iPhone's market share will grow.

I think Apple have turned the phone market on its head. For years, phone makers have talked about giving people the ability to browse the web through their hand-held phones without actually delivering, and along comes Apple and offers people the ability to make phone calls through what is essentially a hand-held computer.

 

[edmondscommerce]

thing is thats all well and good, but when cheaper and more powerful android handsets start to appear with more and better quality apps available, many of which will be free open source - I think android will gain ground rapidly...

the fact that android is open source will mean mean much more competition between manufacturers which ultimately should mean a better quality product.

the only obstacle i can see is that apple have copyrighted certain key features like that 2 finger zoom in slide thing (can't remember what its called)

 

[mattbetts]

Ah this is easy - APPLE MAC! My mum has been using a PC for ever - she is now 65, and is getting fed up with windows. I however have always been a mac lover - so i let her use my new macbookpro for a month. She absolutely LOVES it and doesnt look back. I recommend MAC all the way.

Its simpler, Clearer, Faster and only reboot once a month!

Ta ta!

 

[MarkH]

PC with Windows 7

 

[amonta]

Maybe I've come across as an Apple fan, but I try to be fair in my assessment of things.

In my opinion, Mac is better because it specialised early on, and it stayed close to its initial aim of making computers powerful and yet easy to use.

I think PCs started out being a bit closed, didn't foresee the market developing outside accounting and tech sectors, and then when it saw that there was a huge market out there, tried to be all things to all people.

Specialisation is the reason for Google's success as well. Even today, their general home page is the simplest page on the web – because the company traditionally specialised in search and didn't try to get into whatever market it saw other companies doing well in. The simplicity of their idea was not thought to have commercial potential at first.

It has since diversified, of course, and will continue to do so, but my guess is that they'll do it a lot better than most because they prioritise functionality over marketing prowess.

I think many people would prefer to see Google do well in the phone OS market as the company itself is innovative and does not have a history of stifling competition through perceived unfair means.

I think it's lucky for consumers in general that companies like Apple and Google survive because the whole technology/web industry is built on innovation and they have proved over the years that their ideas function well and are popular.

 

[strikingedge]

PC's are generally less reliable than Macs - prone to virus, software and hardware snaffus.

So that means your Mum would probably see more of you as you pop by for lunch and to sort out the computer's latest issues.

So...she'd probably prefer a PC then!

 

PC's are generally less reliable than Macs - prone to virus, software and hardware snaffus.

So that means your Mum would probably see more of you as you pop by for lunch and to sort out the computer's latest issues.

So...she'd probably prefer a PC then!

What a load of horse manure

Q. How many 'mothers' do I get in with PC viruses on a weekly basis ??

A. None... unless they have daughters

Q. How much are parts for broken MAC's (physical damage is still no.1 on most lappies btw)

A. Scary, bloomin scary

Q. What does someone need to spend the dosh on a MAC for?

A. Either for design, video/audio editing, or because they like to waste their dosh to look 'cool' NOT

 

[DotNetWebs]

One thing to consider is any peripherals and other devices she might buy.

Most people have quite a few devices that they might need, or want, to connect to a computer.

Generally speaking you are more likely to find these devices come with PC [Windows] drivers and software than you will with Macs or Linux-based machines.

Regards

Dotty

 

[bcmedia]

First thing I would consider is budget. Macs a sweet to look at and use, but for the premium you pay you could have two top pc's.

 

[strikingedge]

What a load of horse manure

Well, I've got a Mac and two PC's and used to have a windows laptop before it broke. The Mac has been consistently reliable, while the PC's have had repeated problems.

My girlfriend's HP laptop has been consistently infected with viruses despite paid protection and she now uses a clip to hold the screen together....cost was £1200 two years ago.

My girlfriend's parents see a lot more of their sons as they are constantly popping up to fix problems with the PC....so my comment was based on experience.

My mum's PC has had repeated problems....right now they refuse to turn it off because they are worried it won't start up again...yes...I know that's not great...but mum's eh ;-)

I've lost count of the number of times I've had to reinstall windows, fix broken windows software, remove viruses from PC's, sort out peripherals and repeatedly..for some reason...replace wireless network cards in PC's.

My Mac is about 3 years old now and hasn't had any of the problems I normally encounter on a PC.

I'm sure there are people out there with problem free PC's and people with Macs who have had no end of trouble...but speaking from experience....Macs seem more reliable and better built.

....although mine is making a funny noise right now...so better touch some wood ;-)

 

[bcmedia]

Well, I've got a Mac and two PC's and used to have a windows laptop before it broke. The Mac has been consistently reliable, while the PC's have had repeated problems.

My girlfriend's HP laptop has been consistently infected with viruses despite paid protection and she now uses a clip to hold the screen together....cost was £1200 two years ago.

My girlfriend's parents see a lot more of their sons as they are constantly popping up to fix problems with the PC....so my comment was based on experience.

My mum's PC has had repeated problems....right now they refuse to turn it off because they are worried it won't start up again...yes...I know that's not great...but mum's eh ;-)

I've lost count of the number of times I've had to reinstall windows, fix broken windows software, remove viruses from PC's, sort out peripherals and repeatedly..for some reason...replace wireless network cards in PC's.

My Mac is about 3 years old now and hasn't had any of the problems I normally encounter on a PC.

I'm sure there are people out there with problem free PC's and people with Macs who have had no end of trouble...but speaking from experience....Macs seem more reliable and better built.

....although mine is making a funny noise right now...so better touch some wood ;-)

I think that's fair comments however for good comparisson you really need a few macs to compare with. I've handled hundreds of PC's in the past few years and in general I would say I have had a low percentage of PC's needing repairs. That said I have dealt with all the list of issues you've encountered!

On the other hand, I now look after a suite of 10 ten macs & 5 books. In the past year I've had 1 book with CD ROM failure and one mac die from a faulty motherboard. The option to repair is often too expensive with the Mac.

If the budget exists then a Mac is probably the easiest option as your paying for good build quality, just don't be blinded by the notion that its totally bullet proof.

 

[amonta]

My first computer was a DOS machine, and my second was an Apple. It's true you don't feel like going back to PCs even when they've introduced GUIs, but you have to because you see that hardly anyone is making peripherals and software that's compatible with Apple machines.

I've used more PCs than Macs, and would argue that most people who knock Macs are PC users who haven't really used Macs very much over a siginificant period, because if you do, you can't fail to notice which one gives you the most problems.

And yes, Apple things have a good image and are expensive. But I think the reasons for that is you're likely to enjoy owning and using an Apple much more than a PC and you'll likely spend a lot less time and money fixing its problems.

 

[Edthenewb]

One thing to consider is any peripherals and other devices she might buy.

Most people have quite a few devices that they might need, or want, to connect to a computer.

Generally speaking you are more likely to find these devices come with PC [Windows] drivers and software than you will with Macs or Linux-based machines.

Regards

Dotty

Wow so many misinformed people out there.

OSX pics up pretty much all camera's, printers, scanners etc.

Depending on the version of the OS it will either quickly download them upon detection and install them for you or will already have them built into the os and the peripheral will just work straight away.

Thats another win for OSX over Windows in 99% of cases.

First thing I would consider is budget. Macs a sweet to look at and use, but for the premium you pay you could have two top pc's.

Depends on what model you are looking at to be honest, most of the time you pay for what you get. For example you may think that an imac is an extortionate computer, but if you were to purchase an LED backlight IPS monitor separately of that quality then you begin to understand what you are paying for.

O and comspec, laptop parts are extortionate to purchase anyway regardless of if they are for an apple based machine or otherwise. Luckily if you are in higher education you get along with around 15% discount a free 3 year parts and labour warranty!

 

[gregs2769]

i am both a pc and mac user and use both on a daily basis, and i can say the best one for someone who is not computer savvy is a mac, they are incredible intuitive the whole package is simple yet powerful. you can get 90% of windows softwear on a mac plus theres nothing that can go wrong with a mac. i have had mine for 2 years now and i have not had to reinstall the OS or remove malwear or trojans, whilst on my pc im am having to do this ALL THE TIME.


in one word


MAC

 

[DotNetWebs]

Wow so many misinformed people out there.

OSX pics up pretty much all camera's, printers, scanners etc.
...

Not misinformed I am talking from experience.

I mentioned drivers and SOFTWARE. I have often had devices that come with extra software link photo editing, file backup, cd burning etc etc.

Occasionally this extra software is PC only. Just last week I had a friend ask to borrow my laptop to try to connect to his mobile because he couldn't do it from his Mac.

I have used Macs and can see their appeal, for some sectors it is the obvious choose. But when answering the question "would I recommend one to my mum" - as I said, GENERALLY SPEAKING there is more software available for a PC than for a Mac.

Regards

Dotty

 

[Edthenewb]

Not misinformed I am talking from experience.

I mentioned drivers and SOFTWARE. I have often had devices that come with extra software link photo editing, file backup, cd burning etc etc.

Occasionally this extra software is PC only. Just last week I had a friend ask to borrow my laptop to try to connect to his mobile because he couldn't do it from his Mac.

I have used Macs and can see their appeal, for some sectors it is the obvious choose. But when answering the question "would I recommend one to my mum" - as I said, GENERALLY SPEAKING there is more software available for a PC than for a Mac.

Regards

Dotty

Yes the software that comes with these peripherals is generally terrible so I dont understand what you point is. If the drivers work and they can use the same bit of software (iphoto for pictures) for there mobile and phone etc then surely thats a good thing?

Software wise you mentioned....
Cd burning: Disk Utility or Toast depending on your capabilities
File backup: Time Machine.
Photo editing: Gimp, Photoshop

Any free software that you can get on pc free with peripherals for doing day to day tasks there are equivalent if not better applications on free with OSX or online. FACT.

And has your friend ever heard of bluetooth?

Oh and for the overall discussion I wouldn't personally give my mum a mac as she is too used to windows XP anything else might scare her