Resolved Help me justify buying a Mac :(

[LorenK]

all i want from my computer is to be able to surf the web and watch youtube and stream movies, basic stuff and i can't justify buying a mac for that
can someone give me his perspective on that ?

What's the matter with your current computer? None of these activities are materially improved through a Mac, and if your current computer is old, the only reason to invest in a Mac is because it is an investment, which means you have to be prepared to pay more to have the computer longer.

I bought an Asus desktop a few years ago and it is sitting dormant, the power source went out, it had gotten buggy from malware, so it awaits a time when I can replace the power supply.

My Mac Pro, which I had bought a few years earlier, is still running strong, albeit, I've upgraded the processor, the graphics card, added an SSD, USB3 ports, and a ton of internal and external storage.

My point is that if a Mac is going to serve your needs, you need to forget about comparing cost and think longer term. If you can't afford the investment now, save. If you have to get a new computer now, for what you need, you can reuse your old keyboard and monitor with a MacMini. You can get an iPad and use your existing Wintel box as the network hub.

Any way you look at though, be prepared to pay more money to go the Apple route.

 

[BenTrovato]

OP - what you are feeling is not weird. I use both Windows and OS X and the user experience on a Mac is just a little nicer than Windows. It wasn't always like this but Apple has done a better job than Microsoft especially in the last 5 years and now they are a bit ahead in user experience. I'm not saying which product is better, only the user experience.

Hackintoshes are easy if you follow the guides. No need to blaze a new trail, just copy what works and what someone else has done. You can probably build one with used parts for really cheap. In my opinion, what makes Apple products nice is also the appearance. The keys on the laptops are pretty nice, the iMacs are pleasant to look at. It's all part of the experience.

If you live in a country where Apple products are expensive I personally wouldn't buy one. Wait until you travel and pick one up for far less. You will never justify the cost of owning an Apple device, especially for browsing. It's like buying a nice car, it's never justified. You buy it because you want something nice, but it is a total waste of money.

 

[egy195]

For what you want to do buying USED is the best idea even if its against your habits.
In daily life your use would not excel email and some Internet leisure stuff? Thats is not much to justify a new PC or Mac if you ask me. You have a working machine that handles everything OK stick to it for another year.

If not:

You need a reliable machine? Then Mac is your best choice, even a used one.

You probably get a reliable (non core2duo) MBP of Ebay from "nearby" Italy, France, Spain or Israel (if theirs no customs problem) or other countries that want to do business with you. The international shipping fee is not that huge and your customs should be OK with used electronics from europe.


But then again - stick to whatever you have until its not bare able anymore. And then buy a used mac ;-)

that's a pretty good advice man thank you, i'll stick with my hp tower for the
foreseeable future till it can't do anything then i think i'll go mac with either a mac mini or an imac and i think they will last me for a good few years as my needs aren't that demanding.

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What's the matter with your current computer? None of these activities are materially improved through a Mac, and if your current computer is old, the only reason to invest in a Mac is because it is an investment, which means you have to be prepared to pay more to have the computer longer.

I bought an Asus desktop a few years ago and it is sitting dormant, the power source went out, it had gotten buggy from malware, so it awaits a time when I can replace the power supply.

My Mac Pro, which I had bought a few years earlier, is still running strong, albeit, I've upgraded the processor, the graphics card, added an SSD, USB3 ports, and a ton of internal and external storage.

My point is that if a Mac is going to serve your needs, you need to forget about comparing cost and think longer term. If you can't afford the investment now, save. If you have to get a new computer now, for what you need, you can reuse your old keyboard and monitor with a MacMini. You can get an iPad and use your existing Wintel box as the network hub.

Any way you look at though, be prepared to pay more money to go the Apple route.

nothing is wrong with my current computer but it's a C2D and sometimes it gets pretty slow even if i'm only using chrome.
i'll continue using it for the next few months/year(s) while saving to get a mac when it goes bad, thank you for your advice

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OP - what you are feeling is not weird. I use both Windows and OS X and the user experience on a Mac is just a little nicer than Windows. It wasn't always like this but Apple has done a better job than Microsoft especially in the last 5 years and now they are a bit ahead in user experience. I'm not saying which product is better, only the user experience.

Hackintoshes are easy if you follow the guides. No need to blaze a new trail, just copy what works and what someone else has done. You can probably build one with used parts for really cheap. In my opinion, what makes Apple products nice is also the appearance. The keys on the laptops are pretty nice, the iMacs are pleasant to look at. It's all part of the experience.

If you live in a country where Apple products are expensive I personally wouldn't buy one. Wait until you travel and pick one up for far less. You will never justify the cost of owning an Apple device, especially for browsing. It's like buying a nice car, it's never justified. You buy it because you want something nice, but it is a total waste of money.

that's why i'm reluctant to build a hackintosh, admittedly i don't know much about them but part of my desire to go mac is that apple controls the hardware and software and if something goes wrong i know where to look.
i'll wait+save for sometime and see what happens next but for now i'll continue using my pc.

 

[294307]

egy195, if you are having doubts in justifying the cost of buying a Mac, then stop right now. Please just ask yourself one simple question: do you need a Mac rather than a Windows PC? If your answer is not a 100% yes without "but"s and "if"s, just forget about it and move on. You are, essentially, asking for someone else to convince you to buy a Mac. You have implied in your posts on multiple occasions that you don't need one and I think your gut feeling is not to buy one.

I hope this helps you make your decision.

 

[egy195]

egy195, if you are having doubts in justifying the cost of buying a Mac, then stop right now. Please just ask yourself one simple question: do you need a Mac rather than a Windows PC? If your answer is not a 100% yes without "but"s and "if"s, just forget about it and move on. You are, essentially, asking for someone else to convince you to buy a Mac. You have implied in your posts on multiple occasions that you don't need one and I think your gut feeling is not to buy one.

I hope this helps you make your decision.

yes that really helped, i always liked apple computers but always used windows computers as they're everywhere here so i want to convert but can't bring myself to do it .. at least not yet

 

[Kryckter]

yes that really helped, i always liked apple computers but always used windows computers as they're everywhere here so i want to convert but can't bring myself to do it .. at least not yet

I can gladly help convince you to get a Mac. I have no problem spending other peoples money

But really, you wont regret it. I still have both a Windows PC and a Mac. I like my Mac better.

 

[egy195]

I can gladly help convince you to get a Mac. I have no problem spending other peoples money

But really, you wont regret it. I still have both a Windows PC and a Mac. I like my Mac better.

haha i only need a small push and i'll throw my money at apple

 

[294307]

haha i only need a small push and i'll throw my money at apple

What other things can you buy with $899 U.S.? That's the lowest priced Mac notebook there is. I am sure you can think of a lot of things - perhaps more important things to you - if you didn't spend it on an expensive computer you do not need to buy.

 

[DotV]

Justification?

Had almost finished my remark regarding my IMAC but it was gobbled up. IPad mini and iphone. Miss my IBM computer til a worm developed when server was trying to correct password. I bought mine as daughter wanted to go in halves with me at birthday. For mobiles I was told by Verizon that their net.mail is no longer. That about a month ago They switched mine to FIOS although I don't have it. So for me the simpler and a dependable hook up to the Internet are my most important things.

 

[imaccooper]

I have your answer

I think it is obvious you do not "need" a mac based on your computing needs. Also obvious is the fact that you are perfectly willing to do some work yourself to save money. Another obvious point is your hesitation to buy used products whether based on personal conviction or inability to resell easily. Your struggle seems to be that you want to build yourself a PC but you desire to have a mac. Your solution is simple, build a PC with a solid outer shell. Paint the outer shell in a brushed aluminum color like almost all macs are then place a brand new apple sticker right on the side. I think it is the only logical option you have.