So help me... I'm on the verge of buying a Mac!

[bluemax]

You know... I've been a computer user for +20 years now... 17 of those have been with the IBM-PC compatibles, every version of DOS and Windows...

After a few years of also doing IT work, I've become sick of it. Totally sick of the stupidness of Windows. Noone should ever have to wipe out the OS every 6 months just to keep things from self-destructing!

Linux is not an option for me. I have one crucial music application that's PC and Mac in the same box and will not run on ANY version of Linux.

Besides the amazing stability and security of the Mac OS X (and I hear Tiger is even better!) I consider it a good thing that my entire game library will be rendered useless!
Seriously! I waste too much time on games when I should be writing music. If I had good self control, maybe this wouldn't be a factor, but I'd rather play games than work - even though I enjoy music creation! Best to get rid of them and reduce the ability to get games easily.

If I need a moment of fun, Popcap.com should still work fine.

So.... sensible?

(The inevitable "Mac Sucks!" comments are best ignored as it'll come from people who have NO idea what they're talking about.)

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: bluemax
You know... I've been a computer user for +20 years now... 17 of those have been with the IBM-PC compatibles, every version of DOS and Windows...

After a few years of also doing IT work, I've become sick of it. Totally sick of the stupidness of Windows. Noone should ever have to wipe out the OS every 6 months just to keep things from self-destructing!

Linux is not an option for me. I have one crucial music application that's PC and Mac in the same box and will not run on ANY version of Linux.

Besides the amazing stability and security of the Mac OS X (and I hear Tiger is even better!) I consider it a good thing that my entire game library will be rendered useless!
Seriously! I waste too much time on games when I should be writing music. If I had good self control, maybe this wouldn't be a factor, but I'd rather play games than work - even though I enjoy music creation! Best to get rid of them and reduce the ability to get games easily.

If I need a moment of fun, Popcap.com should still work fine.

So.... sensible?

(The inevitable "Mac Sucks!" comments are best ignored as it'll come from people who have NO idea what they're talking about.)

Honestly, if i wasnt going to be gaming with my computer, i would have went the MAC route all the way.
My brother had a Laptop (forget the model, 2 years ago) and i loved it, just loved it.
But since im a gamer, MAC wasnt a sensoble option, but if i didnt game, i would have been all over them

 

[suicidalpigeon]

i like mac mini's....

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
i like mac mini's....

there sexy, and just screaming to be modified
(what can i say, im an xbox modder, so if i see the potential, i go for it )



O and waffles, just so you know i got the Tagan and it arrived today. Boy, let me tell you, its one sexy beast :beer:

 

[Unkno]

yea, if i don't game, i would also get a mac. I would like a change for once and macs look more "stylish" and better security, no more virus scanners every week. Only thing i hate about macs are that they are expensive....you should go for one of the mac mini. You just have to make sure most of your applications would work for a mac. If only i had more cash...i would get an ibook

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: BigCoolJesus

Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
i like mac mini's....

there sexy, and just screaming to be modified
(what can i say, im an xbox modder, so if i see the potential, i go for it )

O and waffles, just so you know i got the Tagan and it arrived today. Boy, let me tell you, its one sexy beast :beer:

Some people have played with overclocking it... up to about 1.6GHz on average. Not bad, but I need the power of the G5 so I'm looking at the new iMac. Love the zero-form-factor of the computer being built into the monitor like that.

Yes, PC clones have done that too (a few years ago) but they looked like crap.

But it's not about looks, it's all about function. They work. Very well. It'll do what I want it to do.

...but after being a PC guy for so many years, it's like changing to the Dark Side!

 

[Robor]

"Mac Sucks!"

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

The big things going against Macs are gaming and price - keep in mind price includes not only the PC itself, but all those programs you have to re-buy for the Mac's OS and all those expensive programs to do stuff which Windows / Linux freeware does. If you don't game and are rich & lazy, I don't see any reason not to spend $2000+ on a rig to check your email & surf the web... caveat emptor, they say

 

[pibb]

Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
i like mac mini's....

you know what they call a mini mac in france?

 

[Unkno]

nope i don't....anyways the main selling point in macs is that you don't have to install anything...it's done for you, no security issues, and the STYLE!!!

 

[MangoTBG]

Originally posted by: pibb

Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
i like mac mini's....

you know what they call a mini mac in france?

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay
The big things going against Macs are gaming and price - keep in mind price includes not only the PC itself, but all those programs you have to re-buy for the Mac's OS and all those expensive programs to do stuff which Windows / Linux freeware does. If you don't game and are rich & lazy, I don't see any reason not to spend $2000+ on a rig to check your email & surf the web... caveat emptor, they say

Funny... the iMac G5 is only $1000US and I'll be doing a whole lot more than surfing and email.
And perhaps you missed the fact my mission-critical music applications are both Mac and PC. In the same box = no re-buying anything.

For Office-style apps, there's always OpenOffice if I need it. And of course, presentation software that makes Powerpoint look like a DOS text box.

I don't WANT to be a gamer, much as I may like them. Too much wasted time. The fact that few games exist for the Mac is actually a PLUS for me!

If there's any other legitimate reasons not to make the move, let's hear 'em.

 

[Matt2]

I'll support you by buying some parts out of your PC. As long as you don't gouge me.

 

[Bateluer]

Meh, its your money.

I would be hesitant to buy any Mac right now, given their upcoming transition to Intel chips.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Matt2
I'll support you by buying some parts out of your PC. As long as you don't gouge me.

Hee hee! Thanks, but this complete 2-month-old Dell 4700 system is going to be sold off as a complete unit.

Maybe I can find someone who bought an iMac who wants Windows and gaming?
[tempting someone:] Hey! I even added a Radeon X600Pro in there! Good gaming! Mmmmmm.....

 

[RGN]

So do it already. Back in March I bought a refurb G5 1.6. The crappiest G5 you can buy. It has faaarrrr excieced my expectations. Its rock solid and really very fast. I use it for my daily PC while my water cooled P4 3.2@3.8 sits off most of the time. No spyware, no viruses and iLife seriously kicks the crap out of windows apps. (iPhoto is totally killer)

I play UT2K4, Q3 and a few other games on it. They are fast, but not like the h2o rig. But I guess a 64Bit 1.6 with a GeForce 5200U isn't going to be as fast in games now is it?

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Originally posted by: bluemax

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay
The big things going against Macs are gaming and price - keep in mind price includes not only the PC itself, but all those programs you have to re-buy for the Mac's OS and all those expensive programs to do stuff which Windows / Linux freeware does. If you don't game and are rich & lazy, I don't see any reason not to spend $2000+ on a rig to check your email & surf the web... caveat emptor, they say

Funny... the iMac G5 is only $1000US and I'll be doing a whole lot more than surfing and email.
And perhaps you missed the fact my mission-critical music applications are both Mac and PC. In the same box = no re-buying anything.

For Office-style apps, there's always OpenOffice if I need it. And of course, presentation software that makes Powerpoint look like a DOS text box.

I don't WANT to be a gamer, much as I may like them. Too much wasted time. The fact that few games exist for the Mac is actually a PLUS for me!

If there's any other legitimate reasons not to make the move, let's hear 'em.

$1,000 or $2,000, you're still getting half the computer for the money vs. a PC.

Aside from your uberleet music player, there really aren't any other things you do in windows either with freeware or previously purchased software, which you'll have to (re)purchase in order to do with the mac? If I were to make the switch I'd probably be looking at hundreds, possibly thousands in software, though I realize we all use our PCs differently for different things. Maybe this wouldn't hold true for you. Or maybe the rose-tinted glasses you're wearing are hiding them from view

 

[RGN]

iPhoto seriously rules. It is almost worth the price of a mini.

The cool thing about the platform is the little stuff. Ever gotten pissed at that *^%#&*ing popup that windows xp does in the lower right side? "Your desktop is messy" "Your drive is full" "Java lubs you long time" "Activate me or j00r phucked"

Yeah, OSX doesn't ever do that. No spyware. No viruses. No headaches. No doo-doo sound when plugging in a USB device. You have a powerful command line. If you are a *nix geek, you will be at home. No drive letters to run out of. Multi-tasking that actually works.

Yeah, its pricey. So are BMW's and Porsche's Both are good to look at and have tweaked the same basic idea of 4-wheels and a steering wheel to be the next level of driver interaction.

Please take your rose tinted glasses off long enough to actually evaluate and learn.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Originally posted by: RGN
Ever gotten pissed at that *^%#&*ing popup that windows xp does in the lower right side? "Your desktop is messy" "Your drive is full" "Java lubs you long time" "Activate me or j00r phucked"

Once, then I disabled it.

No spyware. No viruses.

Only the "OMG FREE EMAIL SMILEYZ!!1!!1" types have to worry about those. I've never had a spyware or virus problem.

You have a powerful command line. If you are a *nix geek, you will be at home.

The whole point of Macs is ease of use and you're touting a command line?

Yeah, its pricey. So are BMW's and Porsche's Both are good to look at and have tweaked the same basic idea of 4-wheels and a steering wheel to be the next level of driver interaction.

Please take your rose tinted glasses off long enough to actually evaluate and learn.

You realize there are options other than windows, and they're free? You're advocating spending, essentially, $500-$1,000 or more for an OS.

Lest I come off as a windows fan, I should mention that I'm not at all - you just made claims so absurd I felt I had to comment on them.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Robor
"Mac Sucks!"

The Mac-10 doesn't

 

[BigfootKevin]

Buy a Mac mini for work, use a Windows PC for play

 

[RGN]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay

Once, then I disabled it.

Only the "OMG FREE EMAIL SMILEYZ!!1!!1" types have to worry about those. I've never had a spyware or virus problem.

The whole point of Macs is ease of use and you're touting a command line?

You realize there are options other than windows, and they're free? You're advocating spending, essentially, $500-$1,000 or more for an OS.

Lest I come off as a windows fan, I should mention that I'm not at all - you just made claims so absurd I felt I had to comment on them.

Why should the user be burdened to learn how to disable the windows pop-ups? If you a are power user its easy, but still irritating. I don't want to see them so I disable it. I don't want to have to.

I'm glad you have never had a spyware problem. I'm glad you have never had a virus problem. I just a got a tablet PC (sorta cool) and it was on the unprotected internet for 5 mins. It has a virus, and RPC exploit and a few other nasty little bugs. My powerbook sits on the same internet everyday and there are no issues. Yes it can be prevented, but again, why should I have to care?

The point of teh command line comment was that the OS scales. Your grandma can use it, but so can you, t3h g33k.

Yeah there are other OS's that can be had for free. Some of us use them on a daily basis.
It would be nice to have ou of the box optical audio support though. Oh, wait, the SB live Audigy that you have isn't fully supported. Oh, your hardware is supported by 3rd parties? Cool. Now re-compile that kernal and get it installed. I'm sure that I want to spend 2 hours doing that after work so I can get tunes to play. If I even did, explain the process you your grandmother will you? I jsut can't get her past the make part.

Anyone can buy a cheap PC and think its great. Some of us build better machines than the cheap ones and they are better. Some of us spend untold amounts of money on PC's and they do perform better. Why is it different for the Mac?

Oh, and one other thing, you can suspend a mac and wake it back up in seconds. like 3-5. It happens instantly and they don't eff it up like windows does. Network connections? Right back without issue.

 

[Matt2]

I have fun with the Macs at Fry's

 

[scottrico]

don't worry in a few years they will all be pc's.

Or you can just load the intel version of the tiger os on your pc.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Originally posted by: RGN
Why should the user be burdened to learn how to disable the windows pop-ups? If you a are power user its easy, but still irritating. I don't want to see them so I disable it. I don't want to have to.

I'm glad you have never had a spyware problem. I'm glad you have never had a virus problem. I just a got a tablet PC (sorta cool) and it was on the unprotected internet for 5 mins. It has a virus, and RPC exploit and a few other nasty little bugs. My powerbook sits on the same internet everyday and there are no issues. Yes it can be prevented, but again, why should I have to care?

The point of teh command line comment was that the OS scales. Your grandma can use it, but so can you, t3h g33k.

Yeah there are other OS's that can be had for free. Some of us use them on a daily basis.
It would be nice to have ou of the box optical audio support though. Oh, wait, the SB live Audigy that you have isn't fully supported. Oh, your hardware is supported by 3rd parties? Cool. Now re-compile that kernal and get it installed. I'm sure that I want to spend 2 hours doing that after work so I can get tunes to play. If I even did, explain the process you your grandmother will you? I jsut can't get her past the make part.

Anyone can buy a cheap PC and think its great. Some of us build better machines than the cheap ones and they are better. Some of us spend untold amounts of money on PC's and they do perform better. Why is it different for the Mac?

Oh, and one other thing, you can suspend a mac and wake it back up in seconds. like 3-5. It happens instantly and they don't eff it up like windows does. Network connections? Right back without issue.

I don't find menial windows tasks, such as disabling certain things, irritating. Actually, the more options I have, the better. I want to be able to tailor something to the way I use it, not to adapt to someone else's vision of how things should work, no matter how different it is from my own. An example of this is my ipod (I wouldn't actually buy one, but this was free). I sort music on my PC by artist -> album -> year. I've done it this way as far back as I can remember, the mid-90s or so. The ipod doesn't allow me to. It also doesn't allow me to use a file manager to load music onto it. If I were a good iProduct iUser, I'd realize my way of doing something was wrong, because Mr. Jobs said so. I know the ipod isn't a computer, but I'm demonstrating the mentality of the company and their target demographic.

Sorry to hear about your tablet PC problem, you may indeed have a case for non-windows based tablet PCs. You also have a case for non-windows PCs (specifically Macs) for older folks and/or the computer-illiterate. However, neither is on-topic for this thread. This is a tech forum, and the OP is discussing a personal computer for himself, an experienced user.

The setup involved with Linux can go either way; on the one hand, for the uninitiated, it can be difficult to do. On the other, however, it allows for a more optimized OS. A few minutes or hours of setup leads to long & troublefree computing.