Do I need a Mac computer?

you do not need a mac to use the iphone 4

 

Not necessarily. I was the opposite- have a MacBook Pro and other Apple products, but no iPhone and owning the Apple products already are what made me ultimately decide to get an iPhone 4. Kind of complete the circle, you know?

I wouldn't say a Mac is required, but it streamlines everything. Hardly any hardware/software conflict, but nearly everything you can do with a Mac and iPhone you can do with a PC and iPhone. Just may take some extra messing around with.

 

You do not need a mac computer, but it would enhance your iphone experience a little (not enought that you need a mac though).

That said, you should strongly consider getting a mac when your computer gets older. I own both os and i love osx alot more than windows.

 

Agree

 

You will not need a new Mac computer but having one definitely does enhance having an iPhone for with it's great intergration using Mobile me which syncs your phones contacts, notes etc with the Mac. If you could afford it, buy one. Besides that You can utilize all of the iPhones features with your current computer using iTunes.

 

Whilst you do NOT need a mac to use the iPhone I would say this, Calendars (iCal) Contacts (AddressBook) and indeed Photos (iPhoto) ar synced effortlessly through iTunes and your iPhone I used an iPhone with a PC for about a year and found putting these extras on was a difficulty. Microsoft Office Exhange is the program for contacts syncing on PC and I know no one who uses that and as for calendars there isn't anything like iCal for the PC. on iOS 4 you can also see Events, Places and Categories of Contacts if syncing with a mac and it's software. So up to you, forget the iphone it's worth getting a mac anyway. Yu'll never look back!

 

You do need a Mac if you want to develop for the iPhone, as Xcode, the development tool, only works on Mac OS X.

 

Awesome- I was just about to post this question as I was just wondering the same thing. Looks like I'll be getting an iMac to develop iPhone apps.

 

Don't buy a Mac just because of the gimmicks. I have Macs and I have an iPhone, but now I don't use them together. It's better to keep things simple.

 

Yes you need a Mac.

ITunes runs sluggish on anything other than a supercomputer on windows. It's designed to actually. On purpose. To get you to switch.

Synching happens three times faster on iTunes on a Mac vs a regular windows.

 

YES!!!

It's a great combination. They were designed to interface seamlessly. I have a new 2010 core i7 MacBook Pro that I use with my fourth (got a few defective ones) iPhone 4. The way they compliment each other is quite significant. I used to use a PC and iPhone 3Gs. It works but is dull by comparison.

 

It's not necessary but for certain things it works like a charm. I had a few online charges on my cards and using the 1Password app on my phone and Mac have really helped me protect my information and build better online security for my information. I think there's better reasons to buy a Mac than to match with the iPhone 4 the experience alone is worth it. The iPhone syncing just becomes an extra bonus If you are happy with Windows I would say that should suffice.

 

Excellent points which I've experienced prior to buying my new MacBook Pro at the suggestion of the top ranked Genius at my local Apple store. He was right on. The combo of these two is fantastic. Worth the premium price for the MBP.

In addition I use MobileMe. That's a great way to have over the air, wireless real time sync so that my calendar, contacts & notes stay current on my phone & computer. Since they are syncing to the same apps (which cannot be done on a PC) it's just that much nicer. The list of advantages goes on & on.

 

Do you NEED a Mac computer?

No. But I bet you'd like it.

 

If you do get a Mac, you will not want to go back. I tell you that from first hand experience!

 

+1 for this

 

You don't need a Mac to use an iPhone. You will need one however if you decide to develop for the iPhone.

 

I run iTunes on Windows 7, and it's just as quick as it is on my brother's Mac.

 

I know this is a Mac forum but there is so much misinformation here I don't know where to begin. The fact is that the iPhone works beautifully with Windows 7. iTunes runs just fine and syncs with Outlook and Exchange server. Outlook is as full featured an email, calender and contact management program as you will ever find. It's number one for a reason. Nothing against Macs but this thread is a little too one sided.

 

So true. On Windows, all you have to do is check a box to sync email, calendar, contacts, photos, notes, etc. You can't get any easier than that. The 'it's more difficult' response is completely wrong.

 

Do you like how easy it is to use your iPhone? Try a Mac out. It’s just as easy to use!

 

If you have the means then go for it.

My first Apple product was the 3G. Then the GS.

After that in February of this year I bought the white MacBook.
Now I have the iphone 4.

My ONLY regret is not getting the MacBook Pro. My local MacMan store offered me $650 to trade in for a MBP, but I am considering going straight to Apple to take advantage of the education pricing/free iPod touch. I'd like to support my local MacMan people (they're all superb humans) since $650 seems like a legit quote. We'll see.

Blonde Buddhist