It seems as if Mac is only good for video/sound processing and web design

[bowecho]

For all those of you who think so - no, I'm not a troll, just waiting to read a few replies before I make one myself.

From what I've read so far, most of you say that Mac is indeed superior to PC, but still there are few who agree with me that for a computer users like myself a PC is the right choice...

I guess there isn't a full Consensus...

Like you, I primarily use my mac for email, web browsing, movies, music. I switched to mac a few years ago when my PC at the time died. I took a risk and switched, was skeptical at first, but now I wouldn't own anything else. If you have a perfectly working PC, then there's no reason to really switch when you are so unsure, just stick to what's familiar. But if you want to know for sure, spend a good chunk of time with one at an apple store and go through your daily computer routine, maybe with one of their employees. If you see no benefit, you know you are good with what you have. If you like it much more, then maybe its for you. This is what I did, and I found even just the first 5 minutes with the mac in front of me helped with my decision much more than hours of reading Mac vs PC discussions online.

You mention you don't do any of the "creative" stuff the mac is known for. I never did any of that stuff before I had a mac either. It was too confusing on a PC and just not worth the time. But, I've found myself actually editing video I've taken in imovie and arranging and editing my photos in iphoto. I may even give garageband a shot next. Never would have even though to try any of this on a PC. But hard to resist on a mac. Hope this helps.

 

[OllyW]

Macs are used by
Business leaders, such as Nintendo CEO.
Political leaders
Athletes
Doctors
Hacker
Developers
Artist
Scientists
Celebrities
and more

These type of people also use PCs.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Generally PCs are for viewing content and Macs are for creating it. Not that you can't create content with a PC.

 

[nefan65]

The only media I do on my Mac is photo's from a camera/iPhone, or iTunes [Music/Movies]. The rest of the time I do a significant amount of:

• IT Work [Supporting Windows Systems, Cisco Networks, VoIP phone systems, etc.].
• Budgets with Excel and/or Numbers.
• Presentations with Keynote
• Web Updates
• email
• Web Browsing
• Research

You get the idea...

 

[ChrisA]

Hello everyone

I'm considering to switch from PC to Mac, but Mac seems to be good only for people who mostly deal with graphic design, sound/video processing, picture post-processing and web design/development. Despite all the feedback about the benefits of Mac hardware and software that are perfectly integrated, I, as a normal computer user who needs a computer just for web browsing, checking email, watching movies and listening to music like most people, still wonder whether it is really worth all the time to learn a completely new operating system .

Kind of like asking "Why buy a BMW or Lexus when a used 1980's Honda will get me to work in the morning just as quickly?" Answer: If you are asking that question buy the Honda and save 30 grand.

I agree most computer users now days are simply consumers who want media players and have no real need for a complete computer, they don't even have any productive work that needs to be done. I think this is what the iPod touch and the upcoming tablet are for -- passive users like the OP here.

About "learn a completely new operating system". There is nothing to learn. Anyone can use a Mac without need to study. Both kids and adults pretty much are able to figure it out just by looking. Don't worry about it. None issue

The big difference is price. Apple simply ignores the entire low and market. In other words they don't even offer a product to the largest market segment. Where they do compete Apple is priced like the competition or even lower after you add in the software and re-sale value.

The true cost of ownership is the buy price minus the sell price. Figured this way Apple may be cheapers

Personally I'd like for Apple to ignore the masses of passive media consumers and get back to work making computers for a more sophisticated professional user. I don't want Apple to sell more computers, I want them to sell even better computers

 

[g3jedi]

PC's cheaper? Yes and no.

My parents always used to say that all they needed a computer was e-mail and surfing the web. Whey went through 3 "low cost" PC's. The money they spent on them and keeping them running added up to more than the cost of a new iMac. They have since bought an iMac and a MacBook pro. So yes, one cheap PC is less than one Mac. But the number of cheap PC's most people go through during the lifetime of one Mac can be quite expensive.

And as for only needing a bare bones computer to surf the web and watch video, many low cost computers won't do even that. My father-in-law bought the rock bottom dell that he could and even on a high speed connection it is slow. It needs a lot more RAM, a much better hard drive, and way better graphics hardware. Adding everything he needed would have made the computer cost as much as a new iMac.

These things run forever. I have a beige G3 Powermac in the garage that I finally retired but it still works. I have a powerbook I bought in 2004 that I spilled coffee in while it was running and it still works great (after swapping out the hard drive). I also have a G5 quad I bought in 2005. I use the powerbook and G5 all day, every day. Well worth the extra expense. Get a Mac.

 

[rfe777]

Kind of like asking "Why buy a BMW or Lexus when a used 1980's Honda will get me to work in the morning just as quickly?" Answer: If you are asking that question buy the Honda and save 30 grand.

I agree most computer users now days are simply consumers who want media players and have no real need for a complete computer, they don't even have any productive work that needs to be done. I think this is what the iPod touch and the upcoming tablet are for -- passive users like the OP here.

About "learn a completely new operating system". There is nothing to learn. Anyone can use a Mac without need to study. Both kids and adults pretty much are able to figure it out just by looking. Don't worry about it. None issue

The big difference is price. Apple simply ignores the entire low and market. In other words they don't even offer a product to the largest market segment. Where they do compete Apple is priced like the competition or even lower after you add in the software and re-sale value.

The true cost of ownership is the buy price minus the sell price. Figured this way Apple may be cheapers

Personally I'd like for Apple to ignore the masses of passive media consumers and get back to work making computers for a more sophisticated professional user. I don't want Apple to sell more computers, I want them to sell even better computers

So according to you users like me don't count? I hope you are just a minority among Mac users an all forum members.

 

[martynmc7]

Brian Cox, while he might type up his books and schedule his TV interviews on his Mac, has little choice on what platform he uses for the real science he's involved in (if any, at this point). That platform is CERN Scientific Linux.

So? He still uses a Mac, the point stands. He may well use Linux at CERN, but he obviously doesn't believe Linux is a good platform for his day-to-day work. Also, the UNIX base of OS X makes it very useful from a science point-of-view.

 

[sailor720]

Im going to be the dissenter here, I have had a macbook at home for 2 years now, its great for the internet, music and movies, but when i want to actually work on it doing basics like word and spreadsheets its a PIA, i find the window management and the handling of dual screens far superior on my windows (XP)machine at work. I also feel like the computer I have is of very low quality for the price I paid, the screen is poor, the keyboard is ok but not great, I have some plastic cracking issues and find the ergonomics of the machine to be lacking (sharp edge of keyboard, insufficient screen range of motion). the pro models seem to be better in a number of these areas but are very expensive for basic use. My next machine will be back to windows

 

[arctier]

I work in corporate IT, which means I get a lot of people asking me for "advice" on purchasing a new computer. This also means that I'm the first person people ask for help if they have computer problems, as though I don't get enough of that at work. My advice that I always give out is to buy a mac. Not necessarily due to the many perceived superiorities and advantages, but because IF the machine (or user) has a problem I can just tell them to take it up with the Genius bar at the apple store. Ah peace and quiet...

 

[nefan65]

Im going to be the dissenter here, I have had a macbook at home for 2 years now, its great for the internet, music and movies, but when i want to actually work on it doing basics like word and spreadsheets its a PIA, i find the window management and the handling of dual screens far superior on my windows (XP)machine at work. I also feel like the computer I have is of very low quality for the price I paid, the screen is poor, the keyboard is ok but not great, I have some plastic cracking issues and find the ergonomics of the machine to be lacking (sharp edge of keyboard, insufficient screen range of motion). the pro models seem to be better in a number of these areas but are very expensive for basic use. My next machine will be back to windows

Wow...that's a first. I find the exact opposite. I've been a convert for almost 2 years now, and find that using ANY Windows machine is laborious. Even the simple things are so convoluted.

I work in corporate IT, which means I get a lot of people asking me for "advice" on purchasing a new computer. This also means that I'm the first person people ask for help if they have computer problems, as though I don't get enough of that at work. My advice that I always give out is to buy a mac. Not necessarily due to the many perceived superiorities and advantages, but because IF the machine (or user) has a problem I can just tell them to take it up with the Genius bar at the apple store. Ah peace and quiet...

I'm with you! Anyone who asks, I ask them 2 questions; 1. Do you need portability?, 2. Do you do a lot of video/photo stuff. Depending on the answer I point them to a MB Pro, or iMac. To date, ZERO questions. I usually get "Wow, I didn't realize how easy they are to use. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner"...or "Why don't we use them at work here?".

 

[Cinematographer]

So according to you users like me don't count? I hope you are just a minority among Mac users an all forum members.

You could at least try to give everyone the impression you're interested in the answers to your post. Re-read the "trolling for newbies guide", please.

 

[Buzz Bumble]

Actually all you have to do is look at the instructions for Downloading a Digital Copy of BluRay. The Difference between Mac and PC should say enough

Also take a look at the instructions sheet for installing things like a printer - the Mac side is always much shorter than the Windows side. The last printer I installed had something like 5 steps for the Mac and 15 for Windows.

 

[gorjan]

So according to you users like me don't count? I hope you are just a minority among Mac users an all forum members.

Well, in a way, no you don't count. If you want a Mac, buy it, if not, don't. It's as simple as that. Macs and PCs do the same things, it's just a matter of taste. I prefer my Mac, and nothing anybody says will make me switch to Windows/Linux/whatever.

 

[Tomorrow]

...Mac seems to be good only for people who mostly deal with graphic design, sound/video processing, picture post-processing and web design/development.

Your assertion is an interesting one.

On what observations or facts are you basing your claim?

The reason I ask is this - I am an engineer by profession. I do not use a Mac at the office, I use a company-issued PC laptop. Both of my home computers are Macs. I do engage my Macs in a bit of each of those items you listed. I also use them for web browsing, listening to music, gaming - just about anything else someone uses a computer for.

I don't use AutoCAD on my Macs. Otherwise, I do the same things on both the Macs and my work PC.

I'd like to know what you might do with a Mac that you're afraid it can't do as well as a PC.

 

[andiwm2003]

.............................

I'll appreciate any help and opinion because on second thought, I see no advantage of a Mac over a PC...

a year ago I would have said the stability and speed of OS X makes it always worth to switch.

Now with Windows 7 being quite good I would say it makes only sense to switch if you do a lot of graphics/video/audio work on a mac.

Or if you have a digital lifestyle and use your computer very often and do stuff like pictures for your family, itunes, websites and such. In this case the ease of OS X, no viruses and the very consistent user interface together with the solid hardware makes it worth as well.

If you use your computer only a little and do nothing complicated then it's definitely better to get a $600 dell notebook with Windows 7 compared to a $999 notebook from apple.

i use my mac every day and do many fun things with it. but even I could do with my PC notebook if I had to. It's just more fun with a mac and I'm invested in the platform already.

my 2 cents.

 

[snberk103]

So according to you users like me don't count? I hope you are just a minority among Mac users an all forum members.

My suggestion is to buy a PC. You won't like the Mac. Either you know you want it, and you will find the experience positive. Or you don't really want it, and will only see it's faults, and complain constantly.

I think you are the latter.

I think you want us to fall down all over ourselves proclaiming the greatness of Macs, and how owning one will solve all your problems.

Macs are like any other tool. Either they will make your life easier, or they won't. Those of us who own and like our Macs tend to really like them. Part of the appeal is the attention to detail in the whole user experience, which is part of the price. Apple doesn't sell low-cost budget systems because then they would have to cut corners and compromise on the whole user experience.

Either the Apple experience is worth the price to you, or it isn't.

Buy a PC - you'll be happier.

 

[rfe777]

My suggestion is to buy a PC. You won't like the Mac. Either you know you want it, and you will find the experience positive. Or you don't really want it, and will only see it's faults, and complain constantly.

I think you are the latter.

I think you want us to fall down all over ourselves proclaiming the greatness of Macs, and how owning one will solve all your problems.

Macs are like any other tool. Either they will make your life easier, or they won't. Those of us who own and like our Macs tend to really like them. Part of the appeal is the attention to detail in the whole user experience, which is part of the price. Apple doesn't sell low-cost budget systems because then they would have to cut corners and compromise on the whole user experience.

Either the Apple experience is worth the price to you, or it isn't.

Buy a PC - you'll be happier.

It has been a while since I've heard such an arrogant tone... who are you to judge me? looks like this place is full of people who are full of themselves, thinking they can look down upon a new member who just ask for their help in deciding whether to switch to a Mac or not. If you don't like the topic of this thread, then just don't reply, and please, keep your personal "knowledge" of human nature to yourselves, because nobody cares.

 

[snberk103]

It has been a while since I've heard such an arrogant tone... who are you to judge me? looks like this place is full of people who are full of themselves, thinking they can look down upon a new member who just ask for their help in deciding whether to switch to a Mac or not. If you don't like the topic of this thread, then just don't reply, and please, keep your personal "knowledge" of human nature to yourselves, because nobody cares.

I'm not judging, and I'm sorry I came over that way. I don't think being a Mac or a PC makes anyone better, or not. I'm trying to make your life easier, actually. I have had some experience helping former PC users transition to Macs. Despite some claims that doing things the Mac way is "totally intuitive" and that anyone can learn Macs in a day, its not that easy. I will just as likely suggest someone not switch, as much I will encourage them to switch.

If you don't already have a good reason for switching, or at least have an open mind - and your first post gives evidence that you have already made up your mind - then all you are going to see during the transition are the ways that Macs are different, and that there are certain things you can do easier in Windows. Which is true.

I still stand by my comment that you were expecting a Mac forum to fall over themselves proclaiming the greatness of Macs. I'm sorry we weren't able to live up to your expectations.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

From what I've read so far, most of you say that Mac is indeed superior to PC, but still there are few who agree with me that for a computer users like myself a PC is the right choice...

You did come to a mac forum.... what did you expect?

Also take a look at the instructions sheet for installing things like a printer - the Mac side is always much shorter than the Windows side. The last printer I installed had something like 5 steps for the Mac and 15 for Windows.

Unless, of course, you want to do something that OS X doesn't support... then it becomes hell.

I switched to OS X about 5 years ago, and have since switched back to Windows for most of my computing usage. I keep my mac around for Final cut, and... I think that's about it. Ultimately, I found that OS X is impossible to troubleshoot, and even many forum members will tell you that an erase and install is easier then trying to fix the problem... I would rather mess with a registry then reinstall the OS.

 

[Habitus]

Hello everyone

I'm considering to switch from PC to Mac, but Mac seems to be good only for people who mostly deal with graphic design, sound/video processing, picture post-processing and web design/development. Despite all the feedback about the benefits of Mac hardware and software that are perfectly integrated, I, as a normal computer user who needs a computer just for web browsing, checking email, watching movies and listening to music like most people, still wonder whether it is really worth all the time to learn a completely new operating system and all the Mac in general, and, of course, a considerable expense since a Mac is significantly more expensive than a PC.

I'll appreciate any help and opinion because on second thought, I see no advantage of a Mac over a PC...

Honestly, you'll enjoy your Mac; even as a basic user. The intuitive UI makes having a Mac worth every penny. Also, they're quality machines. I had a black MacBook for a little less than 2 years. I never had to restore and I never had a single issue.

Go Mac.

Habitus

 

[Buzz Bumble]

Ultimately, I found that OS X is impossible to troubleshoot, and even many forum members will tell you that an erase and install is easier then trying to fix the problem... I would rather mess with a registry then reinstall the OS.

I've been using Apple computers since the Apple II days, before the Mac even existed, and I have never ever had to reinstall the OS on any of the computers I've used, at home and those at the various companies I work for ... with the obvious exceptions of when swapping the hard drive or when cleaning off a computer ready for re-sale / donating.

 

[eddiehaskell]

I, as a normal computer user who needs a computer just for web browsing, checking email, watching movies and listening to music

IMO, if you aren't someone that cares about how your computer looks and you don't have the urge to fiddle with something new - stick with a PC. You can pick up a pretty powerful (dual core/4gb ram/320+gb HDD, etc) PC laptop/desktop from one of the big box stores for $400 and it will easily do the things you listed.

I'm someone like you and buying a mac didn't inspire me to be creative or free up an obscene amount of time. I watch movies/youtube vids, go to forums, do some shopping/selling, email, etc. I was heavily influenced by the looks and novelty of owning a mac. I must admit that with so many people owning macs nowadays (especially snot nosed youngins and pretentious people like myself, lol) the novelty has mostly worn off.

 

[scottkifnw]

I Agree with you

A PC is perfect for you. Enjoy it, and post to PC threads, where you will find closed minded people just like yourself.
Enjoy.

For all those of you who think so - no, I'm not a troll, just waiting to read a few replies before I make one myself.

From what I've read so far, most of you say that Mac is indeed superior to PC, but still there are few who agree with me that for a computer users like myself a PC is the right choice...

I guess there isn't a full Consensus...

 

[ABG]

For all those of you who think so - no, I'm not a troll, just waiting to read a few replies before I make one myself.

From what I've read so far, most of you say that Mac is indeed superior to PC, but still there are few who agree with me that for a computer users like myself a PC is the right choice...

I guess there isn't a full Consensus...

Its simple. Both different, both fine.
Apple designs some good (if usually more basic) hardware and has a good OS.
Microsoft do a great job of designing a OS that generally works with billions of components, which gives people more choice and more flexibility.

IMO

Two final thoughts:

I wouldn't underestimate the frustrations of getting used to a new OS.
I wouldn't recommend a Mac to anyone into their computer gaming.