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06/25/2009 04:34:41 PM · #26 |
Never thought I'd care ever researching Mac, I've been looking at youtube for some review videos and so far I like allot what I saw.
I'd hate to invest in chaning my machine to Mac to find out latter on that it doesn't do anything extra, or that it simply didn't worth to move on.
A question to the mac Guros in here, I have a Dell laptop XPS M1710, still a wrok horse. Is it doable to install mac on it and see if its going to work out for me?
Please let me know.
Cheers, |
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06/25/2009 04:40:41 PM · #27 |
Anders - I just moved over to Mac about a month ago. I got a MacBook pro. My first experience with a mac after after 20 yrs on PC. Here's my observations for what they are worth.
Easier to use ? Not really - just different. I still had to learn how to use it and went through the usual pulling out hair because I didn't know.
They are very robust - probably the strongest laptop I have ever owned or worked with. The power lead is magnetic - there fore can't break off inside the computer (this happened to my last laptop - took three weeks to get it fixed).
Power up and off is very quick.
Finds everything (like shared files, printers etc) automatically. I share a PC, printer etc - no problems.
The new track pad - drove me mad at first - but I am now learning to keep it under control ( and like it).
I also needed Office -got Office 08 for Mac. I am very impressed with it and think it is better than Windows Office 07 (yes, it is different). You can save all files in Office 03 format which can be read on both platforms.
I also run Bootcamp and have a windows partition on my hard drive. Therefore if I need windows (and I do sometimes) I can boot into this and use any windows program I need. You can get programs (Fusion & Parallels) which will run the windows format at the same time as the mac OSX. Personally - I couldn't see the point. You do have a slight performance drop and I would rather keep the windows partition separate on the few occassions I need to use it.
The other thing that might influence you - 3 weeks after I bought mine - a new range came out - $500 cheaper. I assume this price drop was world wide. |
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06/25/2009 04:42:56 PM · #28 |
Basically no, you can't just install the Mac OS on a PC, unless you're a real hacker-type.
If you have a Windows license, however, you can run that on an Intel-based Mac; by some methods even side-by-side with the Mac OS.
Supposedly those Macs run Windows as fast (or faster) than comparable PC boxes ...
It may be cheaper to buy a copy of Windows to run on a Mac than to get new licenses for a lot of software; just shut down Windows before you connect to the internet and you'll enjoy the better security of surfing with Safari or Firefox. |
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06/25/2009 05:12:48 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Basically no, you can't just install the Mac OS on a PC, unless you're a real hacker-type. |
Thanks, I think this means it is possible to build my self a Hackintosh and try it first before buying, If I like it, my next hardware purchase would be Mac Laptop. If I don't then I simply restore my previous Vista.
Will research how to do it, thanks once again, |
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06/25/2009 05:30:55 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by AmeedEl-Ghoul:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Basically no, you can't just install the Mac OS on a PC, unless you're a real hacker-type. |
Thanks, I think this means it is possible to build my self a Hackintosh and try it first before buying, If I like it, my next hardware purchase would be Mac Laptop. If I don't then I simply restore my previous Vista.
Will research how to do it, thanks once again, |
Well, buying the Mac OS alone is not cheap -- and "testing" it on a hacked PC box is not at all like trying out a Mac ... I don't know if Apple has any retail locations where you are, but you can usually go into a retailer and try out a variety of models before you buy anything. If you don't have a local Mac retailer, check with schools or libraries ... |
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06/25/2009 06:34:13 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
[quote=AmeedEl-Ghoul] [quote=GeneralE] Well, buying the Mac OS alone is not cheap -- and "testing" it on a hacked PC box is not at all like trying out a Mac ... I don't know if Apple has any retail locations where you are, but you can usually go into a retailer and try out a variety of models before you buy anything. If you don't have a local Mac retailer, check with schools or libraries ... |
Thanks  GeneralE appreciate your help, |
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06/25/2009 06:51:17 PM · #32 |
I like the Mac OS, but there are also some things I like about Windows. One thing I don't like is being locked by my OS into a limited selection of pricier hardware. I also prefer to build my own.
I may build a hackintosh. I'm sure my wife will "appropriate" it once I get it working. I have seen some articles on putting OSX on a netbook. That would be ideal for her with her genealogy research. |
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06/26/2009 09:16:29 AM · #33 |
Originally posted by Tajhad:
...Power up and off is very quick... |
Now THAT I look forward to! I literally have to wait 5 minutes right now, and I can forget it if I don't do a complete shutdown- then squat happens when I try to wake it (either no screen, or only the desktop picture and no option to log in again)
It's not that I hate Windows or anything, I'm just ready to see if the Apple platform has less niggles for what I want to do with it. |
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06/26/2009 09:42:17 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by AmeedEl-Ghoul:
Thanks, I think this means it is possible to build my self a Hackintosh and try it first before buying, If I like it, my next hardware purchase would be Mac Laptop. If I don't then I simply restore my previous Vista. |
If you want to try the Mac OS before investing heavily in new machine, perhaps you can just buy an older Mac. I bought a 400Mhz G4 tower for $40 about a year ago. |
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06/26/2009 10:05:38 AM · #35 |
Haven't read all the reply's so your questions may have been answered already, but here was my experience when I switched. First point to note is that I work in IT as a Windows Admin, have done for over 10 years so I know Windows very well and all the little tips and tricks that go with it and save you time.
When I first moved over to the Mac my initial impression was that it was nice enough, easy to learn, and worked pretty much as you expect it to. After a few weeks of using it I had pretty much decided it wasn't for me, I was comfortable with Windows but it would make a nice second machine and at least I got to learn the OS.
Two months down the line I was finding that I was using the Mac just as easily as I used Windows. I was getting familiar with where everything was and had discovered some of the nice little features that made me think, "Hmm, would be nice if they had that in Windows".
Three months in I was pretty much in love. I was finding I was more productive on my Mac, I was just getting things done faster. When I wanted to do something it just worked. At this point I was really seeing how good the Mac OS is in that you don't notice it, it stays out of the way and lets you get on with stuff.
With the Mac the OS is great, it looks and feels great and is very responsive, I hardly ever find myself waiting for anything, which is exactly why I say that you don't notice it. I go from application to application, I always leave the ones I use running in the background because it doesn't slow it down , and I'm talking about on average, Mail, Safari, Aperture, Photoshop, Skype, iTunes, Terminal, Text Editing utility ALWAYS open, along side those I sometimes run a Windows 7 Virtual Machine ( I need that to log into my work) and some other bits and pieces such as Open Office etc. To be fair, I have the Macbook Pro with 4G RAM, but the performance is still WAY better than Windows trying to pull off a similar workload.
So now, three years since I bought my first iMac, we now have three of them, the same iMac, runs just as well as it ever did, I have my Macbook Pro and my wife has the Macbook, she adores them as much as I do. I'm at the stage now where at work when I'm using Windows I'm constantly wishing I was working on a Mac as I would get things done SO much easier!
So, if you do get one, there's a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get over that you'll love it! As for your hard disk thing, if it's NTFS you're right, you'll only be able to read from it, you'll need to find some sort of temporary storage so you can format it to Mac standards.
For files and stuff you'll be able to work with all the same files you do on the PC, you can get Microsoft Office if you need it, though I find Open Office (which is free) does just as well and can handle all the MS Office formats.
Any printers / scanners you have should work fine as soon as you plug them in, unless they have some weird propriety adaptor in which case you might have some trouble.
The only time I would advise against a Mac is if you play a lot of games on your PC. They do come out for the Mac, but usually later on, not all of them, and they don't tend to run quite as well as the PC version.
Hope that helps!
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06/26/2009 11:14:56 AM · #36 |
I became a switcher a couple of week ago, the first days it was hard but with the time I'm starting love my mac.
I had the exact same issue with an external hard drive and what I'm doing right now is using VMWare Fusion (XP virtual Machine) to manage the data in the NTFS external hard drive. It works smooth maybe a couple of extra steps.
In the near future what I want to get is an external hard drive with firewire 800 connector.
If you need any help with VMWare Fusion just let me know,
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06/26/2009 11:25:15 AM · #37 |
Switched just after the first of the year and is was a challenge because I was used to the way windows forced you to work. Once I got used to the more natural works of mac, I was in love! I'll never get another windows machine!
I have a networked backup on the old windows machine, but bought a portable HD to back up the Mac. I'm not an IT person (nor do I play one on TV) so I'm not sure what to do to share the Mac either. Don't want to run Boot camp. I'm simple, so can someone explain this in EASY terms? :) Watching with bated breath! |
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06/26/2009 12:10:20 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by bergiekat:
can someone explain this in EASY terms? :) Watching with bated breath! |
I would recommend it as easier to share out a folder from the PC and access it from the Mac. I have always had great difficulty in getting a PC to access a Mac's shared folders, even with proper login credentials. Give it a try though and let me know. |
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06/26/2009 12:12:17 PM · #39 |
| I had no problem just plugging my external HD over to the Mac. All the files worked just fine! |
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06/26/2009 12:14:11 PM · #40 |
you'll save yourself numerous re occurring headaches if you switch to mac.
Though Mac's have a tendency to break, and when the break, there's nothing. With PC's you'll get the blue screen of death. Mac's just die. |
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06/26/2009 12:16:38 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by Wildfire9:
you'll save yourself numerous re occurring headaches if you switch to mac. |
Both platforms have their fair share of headaches, IMO. I've lost track of how many time my wife has had something that she cannot get working right on her Mac and it works like a charm on my Windows machine. |
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06/26/2009 03:05:22 PM · #42 |
| Borrowed a copy of OS X from a friend, done some home work, will see how is it going to work on my pc, I'll post in hmm couple of days to let you know :) |
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06/26/2009 03:34:54 PM · #43 |
Originally posted by AmeedEl-Ghoul:
Borrowed a copy of OS X from a friend, done some home work, will see how is it going to work on my pc, I'll post in hmm couple of days to let you know :) |
It is unlikely to install as is. Apple has dickered it up so that you cannot just toss it on any old beige box. The installer is looking for genuine Apple hardware. You will need either a hacked copy of OSX or a hardware device that emulates the Apple EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface, like a BIOS on a PC)
Message edited by author 2009-06-26 15:35:44. |
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06/26/2009 03:49:53 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
You will need either a hacked copy of OSX or a hardware device that emulates the Apple EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface, like a BIOS on a PC) |
Neither is likely to provide a reasonable assessment of the Mac experience. |
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06/26/2009 03:55:18 PM · #45 |
| Well, full "experience" or not, he won't get far with only the standard OSX installer disks. |
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06/26/2009 03:58:00 PM · #46 |
| I have been extremely happy with my switch to Macs almost three years ago. I would however suggest you purchase the Apple protection plan as I have found them to be extremely helpful and extremely easy to talk to. I have only had a few minor issues and they have been wonderful. |
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06/26/2009 05:30:57 PM · #47 |
I don't get the need to switch. I can have a Ford and a Chevy in the driveway (well really its a Toyota and a Subaru) and no one thinks its odd.
We have Macs and PCs in the house, and each has their headaches.
Macs treat you like a child and keep your clumsy fingers out of the important controls because you are an idiot. They lock up and require regular trips to the genius bar.
PCs, well you know PCs, blue screen of death and virus magnets, more back doors than a screen door factory. But you can do whatever you want with them, pop in a new video board, or mess up and put in incompatible memory, almost like they belong to you, which Apple products never really do. Apples are owned by the folks in Cupertino and they will let you use them if you do as they say and install only their programs and devices.
So given the fact that they both are problems, isn't it more fun to have both, and double your potential headaches?
Or just make the switch to Apple and either repurchase all your software, or turn your Ibook pro into a windows emulation box. So many fun choices
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06/26/2009 06:02:53 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Macs treat you like a child and keep your clumsy fingers out of the important controls because you are an idiot. |
I switched to a Mac because I personally preferred it. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine, Physical Education and Health Education. I am certainly not a child and I am no idiot. Be careful what you post about others. |
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06/26/2009 06:11:13 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by FF112173:
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Macs treat you like a child and keep your clumsy fingers out of the important controls because you are an idiot. |
I switched to a Mac because I personally preferred it. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Medicine, Physical Education and Health Education. I am certainly not a child and I am no idiot. Be careful what you post about others. |
I did not mean to offend, you could have multiple PHds from elite universities, and Apple wont let you meddle in the registry files the way anyone can on a PC. They are fine machines, but the permissions to access files on an Apple are so high because they want to keep you from damaging their system. The average apple consumer is probably smarter that the average PC user, but they are treated as if they are not fit to tie their own shoes. |
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06/26/2009 06:16:42 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Apples... will let you use them if you do as they say and install only their programs and devices. |
You can use standard PC keyboards, mice, monitors, hard drives, etc., and Macs will run regular Windows software (reportedly faster than native PCs with the same specs), so I don't really see the point of this. It's sort of like complaining that Photoshop only works the way Adobe wants you to use it, and they won't let you write your own code. :-/
True, you can't really build your own Mac from PC parts, but despite the popular myth Macs are often comparable to or cheaper than PCs of equivalent specifications. Personally, I'd like to see a model with more expandability than the iMac, but below the high-end Mac Pro, yet the reality is that it's more of a personal preference than actual need. |
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