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01/21/2005 09:32:30 PM · #1 |
I am considering buying a MAC computer (I am becoming disenchanted with windows). I have never owned (or even used) a MAC before and I am wondering if anybody here can give me any advice. I figure a site such as this probably has a higher-than average percentage of MAC users. The MACs seem to be somewhat more expensive than windows PC's, but if this translates into improved reliability, security, and ease-of-use, then it would be money well spent.
I have gone to Apple's web site and looked at Power-macs and I-macs. I'm kind of leaning toward the power-mac, although the I-mac with the 20-inch built in LCD-screen looks intriguing. I am a little leery of all-in-ones at this time, however. Right now I have a Gateway all-in-one and it mostly works OK, but gives me hardware problems form time to time. I wonder if all-in-ones are inherently less durable than towers.
Is backward hardware compatibility a problem with Mac computers? For example, if I bought a power mac would I be able to hook it up to my 3-year old Samsung LCD monitor? Also, I have seen software for sale (and not cheaply!) which supposedly lets you run windows applications on a Mac computer. Does this software work?
One last question; would I have a problem copying my data files from my current windows computer to an external hard drive, and from there to a Mac computer?
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
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01/21/2005 09:34:14 PM · #2 |
dont consider it, just do it lol. I wish I could afford a mac
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01/21/2005 09:52:12 PM · #3 |
I have a mac been using them for years and yes you can use your old monitor with the macs there are adapters. Also if you want the mini mac is a awesome machine and only 500 bucks, the new imac is really nice but if you were going to spend that amount of money for it you can just get the powermac(tower) and use your old monitor. I know the mini mac comes with an adapter for the old monitors but I am not sure about the powermacs. I cant remember if my powermac came wih one.
For your last question no that would not be a problem....... but the powermacs only have usb/firewire connections so if that external hard drive is not usb/firewire you will have to get a card put into your new powermac.
That windows software you mentioned I have used its called virtual windows it runs ok..... it runs windows but not as smoothly as a pc of course.
Also from my experience as long as you have the same programs as you do in your pc in the mac it should open pc documents pretty good.
Hope that helps I kind of got carried away here
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01/21/2005 09:58:09 PM · #4 |
the mac should be more secure only because fewer are trying to hack it.
Consider: do you want to be in that much of a minority? There are more LINUX users surfing the web than Mac users! (3.2% LINUX< 2.7% Mac...the rest is Windows.)
I would think the cost of new software would make the conversion costs expensive (for me anyway)
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01/21/2005 10:05:32 PM · #5 |
If you don't need the most super-duper speed you can probably buy a used slightly older G3 or G4 PowerMac for a few hundred bucks too. My local store usually has a few which they've checked to see that they are in basically OK condition ... usually can get a 30-90 warranty with that.
An older Mac may have the advantage of running both System 9 and OS X, and "really" old ones may come with native SCSI as well. At my job (a print shop) we still are getting significant use out of Macs we've been running slmost continuously since at least 1995; we have machines running a variety of operating systems: 7.5 / 8.6 / 9.2 / 10.3 -- all working together (along with a Windows 2000 PC) on the same network, and I run several of those machines remotely from my PC at home. |
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01/21/2005 10:26:11 PM · #6 |
digitalpins beat me to it. I also wanted to suggest you investigate a Mini for your purposes. There is more than one software which allows you to run Windows on a Mac. I have no idea why anyone would want to do this, unless, of course, he needs to. Windows feels abolutely clunky and ugly when used to OS X. All Macs are VGA compliant.
There are no compatibility issues between Windows and Mac OS files anymore that I am aware of. All-in-ones are are extremely reliable. eMacs (talking of reliability!), iMacs are of excellent build. Mini are too new for me to comment on. I imagine they're as solid like the other two. If reliability is your primary consideration there may be no need to invest in a tower.
In this house, we use an eMac, an iMac and a G4 PowerBook. I do all of of my photo-editing on an all-in-one eMac with a built-in 17 inch CRT.
The most painless way to move all your Windows files over to a Mac is to do it via a little programme called Move2Mac (about US $ 50) or make the transfer a condition of sale.
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01/21/2005 10:34:38 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
the mac should be more secure only because fewer are trying to hack it.
Consider: do you want to be in that much of a minority? There are more LINUX users surfing the web than Mac users! (3.2% LINUX< 2.7% Mac...the rest is Windows.)
I would think the cost of new software would make the conversion costs expensive (for me anyway) |
What's wrong with minorities? Does BMW worry about selling less cars than Ford? What cost for new software? All of what I need came with my Mac.
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01/21/2005 10:34:38 PM · #8 |
If it's your first mac and you really just want to take it for a spin, I would consider either a used G4 or the new Mac Mini. Minimal investment and a decent machine, to boot. I wouldn't bother with anything slower than 1-1.4ghz G4 (i.e. no G3, no G4/450). No need for OS9 capability, either (that's like making sure your PC can run Windows98 - no need!).
VirtualPC is fine if you've got apps that you absolutely MUST run but that only exist for Windows. It's expensive, but it works well enough. I wouldn't use it for my main programs - photoshop, etc. If you were planning that, I'd say just get a new PC :) If you hold valid licenses for your main apps, most vendors will allow you to switch the platform of that app for a minimal fee. If your camera came with Elements, for example, the CD is likely PC and Mac, as would be your camera-specific software. The software included on the iMac or Mac Mini should provide compatibility with all your existing files.
The Mac's security isn't a factor of the number of people trying to hack it. It's a matter of the system being locked down pretty tight unless you choose to open it up. Windows seems to be the opposite - wide open unless you choose to lock it down. There have yet to be more than a handful of virii (if any), worms, trojan horses or exploits for OSX. Partly due to low installed user base, but also due to the more secure nature of the system.
As far as being a web-browsing minority, I don't see how that factors into much of anything. Firefox runs great on OSX, as does Safari (the standard pre-installed browser). The net is pushing every day towards standards and complete browser independence. The included Mail app works great and the built-in spam filtering does a GREAT job.
It'll take some getting used to, but it's a great OS for beginners or experienced users. It just works. The systems I've worked on for the past two years (multiple boxes) have crashed fewer than 5 times. I regularly experience uptime on this machine in the weeks and months. A power glitch or manual restart is more likely to cause it to go down than anything else.
So, to reiterate my position... I think trying one out would be a great idea. Start with something affordable and easy like a Mac Mini or used G4 if you can find one. If you have the money to burn, go for the iMac G5 with the 20" LCD. They're beautiful, work well and take up SO little space. The LCD is beautiful. I've installed two for home users and they love them.
Just don't buy your RAM from Apple (EXPENSIVE). Get it from a good RAM vendor online. You'll want to bump it up to 512MB-1GB for optimum performance (as with any computer).
Good luck! |
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01/21/2005 10:46:09 PM · #9 |
Thoughts in no particular order... the current PowerMac models have both standard VGA and DVI connectors for any monitor, but you're paying for expandability that you may never use. Unless you have a very good Samsung monitor, I'd lean towards the 20" iMac (get the Superdrive model). You can sometimes find them a few hundred dollars cheaper in the Special Deals section of the Apple Store online (these refurbs carry the same warranty as a new machine).
The Mac Mini is an option, but I believe you must order from Apple to get more than 256MB of RAM. 256 is not enough, and there's only one RAM slot that's not user accessible. Mac OS X runs much more smoothly with 512MB+.
VirtualPC works OK, but then you're back to the instability and viruses that you ware trying to avoid. Transferring info is easy with an external drive, and the PC files are usually seamlessly compatible with their MAC brethren.
Once you switch you won't go back. ;-) |
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01/21/2005 11:02:28 PM · #10 |
I'm considering a Mini to replace my PC. I'd get the 80GB HD and the 1.4GHz processior for another $100, up the RAM to 512MB, the super drive and using my existing keyboard/monitor/mouse then hooking up the wireless network so I can keep my PC as a big 320GB file storage unit.
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01/21/2005 11:06:09 PM · #11 |
you will love it. do it, you will make up any money spent with considerable time, energy and money spent on viruses, crashes, etc.
I have a power book and love it when I travel, can upload my shots on the go, I have been a mac user for years, would never go back to pc |
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01/21/2005 11:14:00 PM · #12 |
I should add that I had never used a PC until I went to engineering school and that's all they had. I asked about Macs and was told that I could get one, but I'd likely be the only one in the college.
My first computer was a Mac SE30. My dad and my sister both have G5's, but they don't have little mouths to feed either.
Message edited by author 2005-01-21 23:15:30.
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01/22/2005 01:30:07 AM · #13 |
To speak to Apple's All-In-One systems reliability...
The Mac Plus, introduced January, 1986.
Mine, originally used in a corporate office environment, still runs.
I sometimes dust it off and play some old-school Putt Putt or other fun games.
It's nearly 20 years old. Wow.
Message edited by author 2005-01-22 01:30:39. |
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01/22/2005 02:25:05 AM · #14 |
I run both systems. I like my PCs. I like building them and fixing them and working on them. But when I do my graphics I know I can't rely on them. I'm typing on a PC right now. It hooks to the internet. I will not allow my graphics computer online. I have enough computers that I don't have to. Anyway the point is the Mac is far more reliable then any PCs I have ever owned or worked on and I trust my G5 not to crash in the middle of a photoshop editing, or print job. I bought the G5 last year, work it 2 to 6 hours a day and have not had 1 crash. Does anyone know anyone who can make that claim about a PC?
Get the model Mac that you can afford. You will not regret it.
Also, I would check the Minimac very closely before making any serious consideration about getting one. They may not be suited for heavy graphics editing. I don't think they are being marketed as graphics machines.
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01/22/2005 02:29:33 AM · #15 |
Having said that I rarely crash my PC, which is saying a lot considering all the stuff I do on it. I am running Window XP, which is the first version of Windows that I donĂ¢€™t crash on an hourly basis.
For the kind of work I do I simply can not use a MAC. |
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01/22/2005 02:51:43 AM · #16 |
| I have been using a PC since Win 95 came out, so I am used to it. I now used Win XP Pro Service Pack 2 and it works really well. I have used a Mac before but find XP to be fine with Photoshop, Dreamweaver,etc. Now, I just downloaded Mozilla Firefox as my browser to get away from Microsoft and feel much safer having had done that. Time will tell but other friends swear by this. |
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01/22/2005 03:56:58 AM · #17 |
I am considering buying a Mac Mini and have a few questions:
can I upgrade RAM bought from a retailer instead of Apple [since Apple sell RAM for too high a price]. It doesnt seem like you can open up the Mac Mini but I never know..
RAM vs. Processor speed. Which is more important for computer speed and which is more important for graphics? |
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01/22/2005 04:07:38 AM · #18 |
I think you need an authorized tech to install RAM in the MacMini.
Increased RAM is more important than processor speed, especially for things like Photoshop.
Message edited by author 2005-01-22 04:07:59. |
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01/22/2005 04:26:08 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I think you need an authorized tech to install RAM in the MacMini.
Increased RAM is more important than processor speed, especially for things like Photoshop. |
The Mini is certainly a possiblity. I run a PowerMac and still have two external drives with a total of 750Gig space for photo backup and some video, so for me the Mini just doesn't offer enough hard drive space, and it not having FW800 is an issue. If you can afford the PowerMac, you won't be disapointed, but forget virtual PC why have the beauty of OSX and mess it up with Windoze? If you must though, use 98 rather than XP, XP is wicked slow. |
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01/22/2005 04:32:11 AM · #20 |
One other to think about is waiting just a bit longer, because TIGER! is coming out. The new UPGRADED (again...wehre's Longhorn?) OS X. That way your new puter will come with it already installed. Wanna look at the cool stuff with it....Tiger...especially the Automator!! that is going to be handy and not try to write scripts for stuff.
Not to mention having iLife installed.
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01/22/2005 09:45:34 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by zeuszen:
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
the mac should be more secure only because fewer are trying to hack it.
Consider: do you want to be in that much of a minority? There are more LINUX users surfing the web than Mac users! (3.2% LINUX< 2.7% Mac...the rest is Windows.)
I would think the cost of new software would make the conversion costs expensive (for me anyway) |
What's wrong with minorities? Does BMW worry about selling less cars than Ford? What cost for new software? All of what I need came with my Mac. |
Hmmm...i have a Taurus and Chrysler minivan. Easy to fix, parts are plentiful and cheap, and the knowledge to fix them is widespread. I have a 79 lincoln. Parts are a nightmare to find if thay can be found at all. I had an RX-7. Parts are expensive and hard to find, knowledge to fix it is rare and much of it wrong.
It is great to be unique. It just sucks to need service.
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01/22/2005 10:11:07 AM · #22 |
| im going mac too. Waiting for the G5 to get here. Does anyone have a suggestion for the best monitor calibration technique on a mac??? |
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01/22/2005 10:14:45 AM · #23 |
"switching to mac is like saying 'I got tired of walking with two legs, so I cut one off"
: ) |
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01/22/2005 10:18:31 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by xtabintun:
"switching to mac is like saying 'I got tired of walking with two legs, so I cut one off" |
That doesn't even make sense. It's more like, "I got tired of viruses, crashing, incompatibilities, and poorly designed software, so I cut Microsoft off." |
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01/22/2005 10:22:01 AM · #25 |
I just got a mac G5 all-in-one 17" 1.8ghz blah blah blah and since owning it i have edited 3 pics for DPC .. all 3 placed on my front profile (will place) and 2 of those broke my highest ever score.
I been using windows for years and think windows is a good tool but for graphic work i think mac is better. I still have my windows comp because im a devoted Championship Manager Guru and macs are no good for gaming.
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