To Mac or not to Mac?

Hello everyone,
I'm seriously considering purchasing the latest Mac desktop.  I walked into an Apple store today to get my son's itouch looked at (ear jack not working) and started looking around. I was totally impressed by the latest desktop.  I've been a PC person but, lately, I've been very frustrated with the multi media aspect of my computer (won't print photo files to a CD, among other things).  Is it true that the Mac's don't really require anit-virus software? Has anyone ever regretted purchasing a Mac?  BTW, the staff at the store were super nice and fixed my son's itouch.  I like the one on one aspect of support at the store.
THanks.

I wouldn't say that Mac's don't benefit from a Anti-Virus, but most viruses are targeted at the windows operating system these days. For a while though Macs have been based on Intel processors, so I think it might be possible some might make "cross-platform" viruses. Personally if I had a mac I wouldn't install an AV on it.

I don't have a Mac myself but I haven't heard any "regret" stories (well, not counting perhaps maybe if they really couldn't afford it, macs are generally more expensive then PCs).


Our resident Mac Guru Socrates will hopefully be able to flesh out anything I miss or correct me if I give any false information. I'm not 100% on their policies, but I believe they have excellent support policies with their products, so if you do have a problem with the mac they'll be glad to help.

I have to agree with the agree-ability of the personnel in mac stores, they actually try to sell you what you need, from what I hear, rather then, say, best buy, where I've heard people getting coerced into buying printers because the "computer won't work without one".

Personally I'm a PC person, I haven't had any issues with them that I couldn't resolve. But unlike many other PC users I'm quite open-minded to the Macintosh. it's definitely an elegant system. Personally I simply don't have a deep enough wallet  for it and  really like to tinker with the insides of my PCs to add and remove functionality.

I wouldn't say that Mac's don't benefit from a Anti-Virus, but most viruses are targeted at the windows operating system these days. For a while though Macs have been based on Intel processors, so I think it might be possible some might make "cross-platform" viruses. Personally if I had a mac I wouldn't install an AV on it.

I don't have a Mac myself but I haven't heard any "regret" stories (well, not counting perhaps maybe if they really couldn't afford it, macs are generally more expensive then PCs).


Our resident Mac Guru Socrates will hopefully be able to flesh out anything I miss or correct me if I give any false information. I'm not 100% on their policies, but I believe they have excellent support policies with their products, so if you do have a problem with the mac they'll be glad to help.

I have to agree with the agree-ability of the personnel in mac stores, they actually try to sell you what you need, from what I hear, rather then, say, best buy, where I've heard people getting coerced into buying printers because the "computer won't work without one".

Personally I'm a PC person, I haven't had any issues with them that I couldn't resolve. But unlike many other PC users I'm quite open-minded to the Macintosh. it's definitely an elegant system. Personally I simply don't have a deep enough wallet  for it and  really like to tinker with the insides of my PCs to add and remove functionality.

Thanks, BC.

BC makes a good comment about antivirus- it's not that macs can't get a virus, it's just really rare.

I've been using macs now for 5 years and I haven't used antivirus at all.  I also have had no problems with spyware or malware.

I think the bottom line is that in the future antivirus may be necessary, but for 99% of mac users, you don't have to worry about a virus today.

That being said, I used to work at an Apple Store doing the "one-to-one" training, and it is definitely worth it's money.  For $99 (you have to buy it when you get a mac, now) they give you one hour training sessions every week for a year.  It beats the heck outta any class or other training you can get, quality and price wise.

Apple has been rated #1 in customer support as well, and I can tell you from being a PC guy switching to Mac, it's a very enjoyable and easy switch.

Another plus is that the Apple Employees do not get paid on commission, so if you go into the store and ask them what to buy, they will help you find something that best suits your needs.

Macs now can even run windows, so if you have an odd program here or there that needs to be run on windows, you can install windows on your mac and run that application (though you need to purchase or have a copy of Windows to install).

If you have any more questions I'd be glad to answer them.  Being a switcher myself I can tell you with full honesty that the leap to Mac is worth it.  I used to hate macs up until 5 years ago (when I finally caved and decided to give OS X a try).

Cheers!

Thank you BC and Socrates for your responses.  I was also impressed that Apple offers $100 off per current college student at home; and I have 2! The starting price for an iMac is very reasonable - $1200 for a4GB Memory, 500 GB hard drive, and Core 2 Duo.
I also like the fact that you can bring in your PC and they'll transfer all your data into your new computer.  Can you tell I'm getting closer to purchasing one?
I'll let you know when I do; probably after Christmas.
Thanks 

only thing left I see is ... make sure you got a mac version of the windows program you usually use that you're comfortable with! 

Thank you BC and Socrates for your responses.  I was also impressed that Apple offers $100 off per current college student at home; and I have 2! The starting price for an iMac is very reasonable - $1200 for a4GB Memory, 500 GB hard drive, and Core 2 Duo.
I also like the fact that you can bring in your PC and they'll transfer all your data into your new computer.  Can you tell I'm getting closer to purchasing one?
I'll let you know when I do; probably after Christmas.
Thanks 

Marlene,

I think there was a bit of a miscommunication about the student discount. The discount itself you can only use for one student (for example, if you had 5 students at home, you can't have 5X the discount on one machine, but you could buy 5 machines with the same discount).

As for iMacs, the student discount is $100 off, and applecare is greatly reduced as well (which I highly recommend).  Another plus is that any apple software you want to purchase is 50% off if you buy it on Apple's website.

Let me know if you come up with any other questions.

Thanks for clearing that up Socrates.  I was probably too surprised to hear clearly.  I do have a question about Microsoft Office.  I was told at the store that I had to purchase Apple's version of Microsoft office in order to open excel or word documents (maybe I misunderstood that as well). My friend says she was able to open up word and excel documents with iWorks on her iMac.  Is it possible to use microsoft outlook on an iMac?
I'll probably have a lot more questions later.
Thanks

Thanks for clearing that up Socrates.  I was probably too surprised to hear clearly.  I do have a question about Microsoft Office.  I was told at the store that I had to purchase Apple's version of Microsoft office in order to open excel or word documents (maybe I misunderstood that as well). My friend says she was able to open up word and excel documents with iWorks on her iMac.  Is it possible to use microsoft outlook on an iMac?
I'll probably have a lot more questions later.
Thanks

Marlene,

The problem isn't whether it's "Apple's" version or not... the problem is that Microsoft wants to charge you for a Windows version AND an a Mac version of Office.  Back in the day, a lot of games and software was made on one disc to work on Mac or Windows.... unfortunately... that's not the case.

However,  you do have a few options.  iWork comes for free now (normally $79) on macs, and can read and edit microsoft word and excel documents. 

As far as Microsoft Outlook goes, right now they make an email client called "Entourage" which is basically Microsoft's "Outlook for Mac."  However,  Microsoft is going to be releasing Microsoft Office 2010 sometime soon which will be a brand new version of Microsoft Outlook for Mac.

However, if you're like me and hate microsoft outlook, Apple includes a free (and IMHO a much better) Mail client, simply called "Mail."

You also get a program called "iCal" with your mac that functions similarly to the calendar in Microsoft Outlook on Windows.

Again, thanks for your input Socrates.  So, if I want to use the mail client that iMac comes with, will I be able to easily transfer my addresss book (Outlook)?
Thanks

NO, NO, NO
If you buy a MAC and use it you will:
1. Lose interest in all other PCs
2. Have fewer friends because fewer people have Macs.
3. Have lees to do, because Mass are very maintainable.
4. You will  come to this forum only once a year.

NO, NO, NO
If you buy a MAC and use it you will:
1. Lose interest in all other PCs
2. Have fewer friends because fewer people have Macs.
3. Have lees to do, because Mass are very maintainable.
4. You will  come to this forum only once a year.

haha. 

Again, thanks for your input Socrates.  So, if I want to use the mail client that iMac comes with, will I be able to easily transfer my addresss book (Outlook)?
Thanks

Your address book is easy to transfer.  All you have to do is export it in outlook.  It should give you an option to export as a "comma seperated value" file (.csv)

Once you have that file, your address book on the Mac will import it beautifully.  If the Apple store is transferring your data for you, I believe they'll do that as well (as long as you ask).

Actually Geek, most of my friends have Macs; I'm one of the last holdouts.  Unfortunately, we have PC's at work; so I will still have to deal with them
Socrates, I will of course ask for help at the Apple store in transfering all of my data.
I'm so excited about purchasing an iMac!
Thanks all.

Actually Geek, most of my friends have Macs; I'm one of the last holdouts.  Unfortunately, we have PC's at work; so I will still have to deal with them
Socrates, I will of course ask for help at the Apple store in transfering all of my data.
I'm so excited about purchasing an iMac!
Thanks all.

I'm glad to hear you're excited.  It's a lot of fun learning some of the software that comes with it for free too (iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand are great applications).

I have not found a single movie editing application on Windows that's as good as iMovie, and it comes free with every mac.

 the  Mac's don't really require anit-virus software?it is impossible.it is just another way that they use to attract the comsumers.

the  Mac's don't really require anit-virus software?it is impossible.it is just another way that they use to attract the comsumers.

That's not what Socrates and BC are saying.  Please re-read the posts and post any questions that you may have on the subject.  Just because you misunderstood doesn't mean we don't want you to learn.

That's not what Socrates and BC are saying.  Please re-read the posts and post any questions that you may have on the subject.  Just because you misunderstood doesn't mean we don't want you to learn.

Thanks, Quantos.

Cottery, you may want to re-read my post.  As I stated, I personally have had no need for antivirus in the 5+ years that I've had a mac.  However, I'm not saying that macs don't get viruses.  The bottom line is that right now, with this low of a market share, there's no driving force for people to create viruses for the mac.  That will change if the market share continues to rise.

heh, I don't think apple wants it to rise much more, since if they do, they will no longer be the "chique" thing!

heh, I don't think apple wants it to rise much more, since if they do, they will no longer be the "chique" thing!

Pass it on to Steve Jobs!

the  Mac's don't really require anit-virus software?it is impossible.it is just another way that they use to attract the comsumers.

you're a windows user which probably haven't tried any other OS, right?
the Unix kernel of OS-X provides a really great security, and linux doesn't even have viruses
I have a mac, and the only thing I'd want more out of it would be games, I can't install windows because my hard drive is too fragmented to partition.

and linux doesn't even have viruses

Actually, it does.

oh and macs getting viruses is happening more and more

oh and makes getting viruses is happening more and more

i'm not sure what you're trying to say.  That sentence doesn't even make sense.

I don't think there are operating systems that are NOT vulnerable to viruses or don't have viruses.

Mac user population is significantly less than windows user population, therefore majority of viruses go to windows not mac or something else.

I don't think there are operating systems that are NOT vulnerable to viruses or don't have viruses.

Mac user population is significantly less than windows user population, therefore majority of viruses go to windows not mac or something else.

Agreed that there aren't any OS's that aren't vulnerable to viruses or have them.

However, unix (thereby Linux and Mac OS X) are much more secure than Windows, regardless of user population.

That being said, if Linux or Mac OS X held the majority of user base like Windows does, there would be more incentive for hackers to find security holes and we'd definitely see more viruses on those OS's.

What specifically makes the Mac/Linux/Unix operating system more secure than windows? Never knew really.

What specifically makes the Mac/Linux/Unix operating system more secure than windows? Never knew really.

the majority of a-holes that make viruses are still using PCs. LOL

the majority of a-holes that make viruses are still using PCs. LOL

So those virus makers are making stuff that may come up and screw their systems over eventually? LOL

What specifically makes the Mac/Linux/Unix operating system more secure than windows? Never knew really.

Here's a website that includes links to a number of articles explaining why:

http://forums.serverwatch.com/showthread.php?t=18220

What specifically makes the Mac/Linux/Unix operating system more secure than windows? Never knew really.

if apple finds a security hole they fix it themselves, microsoft relies on third parties

if apple finds a security hole they fix it themselves, microsoft relies on third parties

umm... no. Microsoft Fixes security holes in windows.

they DON'T fix security holes in other applications.

Oh, and the update is free. when apple fixes it, you have to buy a completely new version of the OS. And of course, since apple doesn't give a flying penguin wether older apps work, you need to get all new programs too. oddly, everybody in this instance rightly looks at the program vendor, and not Apple as the cause. And yet the same scenario after a windows upgrade and the stare goes straight at windows and MS.

umm... no. Microsoft Fixes security holes in windows.

they DON'T fix security holes in other applications.

Oh, and the update is free. when apple fixes it, you have to buy a completely new version of the OS. And of course, since apple doesn't give a flying penguin wether older apps work, you need to get all new programs too. oddly, everybody in this instance rightly looks at the program vendor, and not Apple as the cause. And yet the same scenario after a windows upgrade and the stare goes straight at windows and MS.

BC Programmer is right that Microsoft does fix their own security holes, just not ones in 3rd party apps (just like apple).

However, BC Programmer is wrong when saying that you need to buy a completely new version of the OS when apple fixes it.
When apple releases an OS, you automatically get free updates for that OS until updates are no longer made for it (they still make updates to OS 10.4, for instance, and that came out in April of 2005).

Also, the needing to buy new software when a new version of the OS comes out is not completely true for mac or for windows.  In both cases Microsoft and Apple try their best to make everything in the new OS work with everything that worked with the old OS (testing of major software applications, sending dev kits to all developers, etc.).  However, if there is some new jump (like Mac's jump to intel processors and OS, or Microsoft's jump from XP to Vista or 7), the 3rd party companies simply have to make updates to their applications in order for them to work.

To alleviate these issues, both companies give out the dev kits to all developers as far ahead of time as they can (and often this isn't far enough in advance).

Oh, thanks for the corrections there socrates. I always thought of  new minor versions of an OS as updates to it, like, say 10.5 as an update to 10.4. But, come to think of it, even MS Service packs don't change the minor version of windows, just the build number. And they did sell 3.0 and 3.1 separately, too.

I guess I just like to complain

Oh, thanks for the corrections there socrates. I always thought of  new minor versions of an OS as updates to it, like, say 10.5 as an update to 10.4. But, come to think of it, even MS Service packs don't change the minor version of windows, just the build number. And they did sell 3.0 and 3.1 separately, too.

I guess I just like to complain

haha.  We all love to complain, it's in our nature.

You're right though about the minor versions being easily confused as 10.4 to 10.5, etc.  I have been using windows my whole life and was used to thinking that big revisions were Windows 95 to 98, ME to XP, etc.

However, for a mac user who bought 10.4, they receive updates for 10.4.1, 10.4.2, etc. all the way until apple stops making updates for that version (in 10.4's case, that was 10.4.11).  The nice thing is apple continues to update everything else, so even if you have 10.4 which is in it's last version, the iLife suite and all of the other "Apple" made apps continue to update automatically and for free.

Mac offers better user experience after all, whether it is hardware or software. However, the mass of people working on a PC means the extensibility and popularity of PC are obviously greater than Mac. Mac makes a reputable figure in design area. That is why many designers would choose a Mac rather than a PC. Mac does offer more power and performance on design process. As for a PC, it is more affordable and suitable for general entertainment and daily routines. So think about what you are going to use with the computer, and your to be or not to be dilemma will be solved.

Mac offers better user experience after all, whether it is hardware or software. However, the mass of people working on a PC means the extensibility and popularity of PC are obviously greater than Mac. Mac makes a reputable figure in design area. That is why many designers would choose a Mac rather than a PC. Mac does offer more power and performance on design process. As for a PC, it is more affordable and suitable for general entertainment and daily routines. So think about what you are going to use with the computer, and your to be or not to be dilemma will be solved.

No platform is truly better then the other at anything. This is why such "Dilemmas" come to be.

Stop the press!
We still don't know if OP did PC or MAC!
Please, we need to know!
Which configuration was chosen?

Stop the press!
We still don't know if OP did PC or MAC!
Please, we need to know!
Which configuration was chosen?

great question.

She had said a while back "I'm so excited about purchasing an iMac!" so I'm guessing that's the direction she went, if she purchased it yet.

I'm curious to see exactly what she purchased (if she did) as well.

I'm glad to hear you're excited.  It's a lot of fun learning some of the software that comes with it for free too (iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand are great applications).

I have not found a single movie editing application on Windows that's as good as iMovie, and it comes free with every mac.

I'm a tad late, I know. I just wanted to point out that Avid, which is the movie/broadcast industry standard, is available on both Mac and PC. Look at the end of the credits on most movies and you'll see what they used to make it. Lots are done with Avid.

If you're looking for more hardware value for the price PCs are better.
http://techgeeks-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=436#p1588

Macs are just overpriced.

A MacBook Pro is close to the same price as Dell Latitude and Precision Laptops. Once you get into business class laptops, there's really not much of a price difference. I would still go with Windows, though, whatever the hardware.

Is the iPOD overpriced? I have a Sandisk Sansa Fuze and it's good...

Is the iPOD overpriced?

Personally, I'd say so. There are lots of other players that are literally a quarter of the price and have the same size and features as the iPod; one I've used would be the Creative Zen player; but none of them Rival the iPod when it comes to "mind share" (or market share, either)

In fact, I have asked a few people before what the first MP3 player ever made was. Many of them purport that the apple ipod was the first. Imagine their surprise when I inform them of the Rio player from around 1996-1998 I think. I can't seem to find the original article that I read in the MSDN library from the Apr. 2000 collection; it was titled "MP3: leave it to rio" and was basically saying that the recording industry is going to have to change the way they do business because of MP3.

These same mind-share/market share battles have been occuring for ages. Consider netscape and Internet explorer; many people think netscape Lost; well, in a way, they lost the battle; but considering that firefox is growing more and more popular and is essentially a fork from the netscape code (albiet heavily modified) it's fair to assume that the code itself hasn't quite given up yet

I thought Netscape was a fork from Mozilla......

I thought Netscape was a fork from Mozilla......

Nope. netscape released the source code for Netscape communicator under the name "mozilla"; the "Mozilla" project eventually forked once again; the fork was called "Firebird" and then "Firefox" and was really designed to separate the browser itself from all the other crap, like the composer and so forth. the suite that contains all of that is known today as "seamonkey".

Has anyone ever regretted purchasing a Mac?

No. What is there to regret?

No. What is there to regret?

Apple’s blatant, unapologetic contempt for its employees, its suppliers, the media and  its customers? The fact that no matter which of their products you choose, it is a closed, barely upgradable component that they generally deprecate before your warranty is even up? There is plenty to regret, the question is wether it applies to any particular person. Not everybody cares that they can't upgrade everything or replace the motherboard and so forth. Of course the main reason I generally avoid Apple products is because it's impossible to tease apart what it really is from the grandiose announcements. everytime Steve Jobs announces a new product he goes on and on as if this new product is the freaking baby jesus in hardware form.

Apple’s blatant, unapologetic contempt for its employees, its suppliers, the media and  its customers? The fact that no matter which of their products you choose, it is a closed, barely upgradable component that they generally deprecate before your warranty is even up? There is plenty to regret, the question is wether it applies to any particular person. Not everybody cares that they can't upgrade everything or replace the motherboard and so forth. Of course the main reason I generally avoid Apple products is because it's impossible to tease apart what it really is from the grandiose announcements. everytime Steve Jobs announces a new product he goes on and on as if this new product is the freaking baby jesus in hardware form.

Are you referring to the products or the stock?
Great stock. 
Apple stock for past year

Are you referring to the products or the stock?

Purchasing a mac is not purchasing Apple stock. I fail to see how anybody can even accidentally infer otherwise.

Ok so who wants some apple pie?

I might as well throw that in before the lock gets slammed down on this topic.

Y'all are debating a topic that was started in Oct. 2009 then died in Jan 2010 and was just revived earlier today.

Ok so who wants some apple pie?

I might as well throw that in before the lock gets slammed down on this topic.

Y'all are debating a topic that was started in Oct. 2009 then died in Jan 2010 and was just revived earlier today.

Thank you for the information. I am fully aware and I was fully aware when I originally replied that the post was a necromance. But it is nice to have people assume otherwise.

Which has less viruses ... Linux or Mac?

Which has less viruses ... Linux or Mac?

To my understanding, there both pretty limited.

Hello everyone.  I finally purchased an iMac!  It was soooo easy to set up; just plug in and start - incredible.
I do have a question about my itunes library.  See my other post.  I'm glad I made the switch from a PC.  I'm still learning how to maneuver around, but so far, it's been pretty easy.  I've already signed up for my first one to one session in about a week.

oops, my other post is a question about .pst  files from Outlook. 

Hello everyone.  I finally purchased an iMac!  It was soooo easy to set up; just plug in and start - incredible.
I do have a question about my itunes library.  See my other post.  I'm glad I made the switch from a PC.  I'm still learning how to maneuver around, but so far, it's been pretty easy.  I've already signed up for my first one to one session in about a week.

I'm glad you like your new computer.  Mac 101[.url] is a nice place to help you out.

For some reason though, I somehow do not like apple's mighty mouse. But otherwise mac's are really beautiful 

Hello everyone.  I finally purchased an iMac!  It was soooo easy to set up; just plug in and start - incredible.
I do have a question about my itunes library.  See my other post.  I'm glad I made the switch from a PC.  I'm still learning how to maneuver around, but so far, it's been pretty easy.  I've already signed up for my first one to one session in about a week.

Great, we're glad to hear it, and from what I understand the learning curve is nice and gradual.