Hi - I've been a PC user since they came out and run on the techy side. I used to use a mac years ago at work and always liked it (you know - the really tiny one). Anyway, I went to a mac store and kind of looking around - very cool stuff all over..... The reason I'm thinking of a mac is that I really am needing an update and don't want to go to Vista. I am a power user, MS Office instructor (but decided on a full-time job instead of teaching adult ed - not busy enough), and am very familiar with in-depth file structure of PCs (although I don't like to touch the registry). I see that Mac has Office for Mac so that works. I also know there's 'fusion' but now sure if it would create registries and how it actually installs on the hard drive.
Anyway, I have 2 laptops and a Desktop - all running XP with 512 Ram. My husband's laptop finally died and have considered going mac. What I was thinking was to get 2 laptops, (dump my desktop) Time Machine (to back up my drives) and wireless printer. My husband needs little, except to get on the internet, maybe chat, and access his school on-line site so seems like the 13" $999 white model will do him well (I think).
As for me, I was looking at the one up from that - the $1299 book with a HD of 250 gig, 2 gigs ram (do I need 4?). I am used to PC specs and how PCs work - however there are some differences with Macs. I am gadgety - like toys and don't want to have to expand all the time.
I know I will have to relearn an OS but have some questions.. - am I able to create file folders (like in window to organize pictures into events?) Do I need to defrag the drive?.. how about disk cleanup? Supposedly no viruses - however, if you access a virus, you can send it to other PC machines - so.... I probably should get an antivirus?? What would happen if I wanted to download a game from yahoo? Would it run?
Money aside, I'm looking for a portable, good computer - I'm not a gamer (but play yahoo on-line games once in a while). While configuring Mac 13", 2.4 processor - against a Dell PC 13" (350 HD, it's own video card, with some other bells & whistles), the Mac ends up being about $400 more. Is it worth it? I really do need some guidance here because I'm torturing myself. Any advice or ideas would really be appreciated.
Anyway, I have 2 laptops and a Desktop - all running XP with 512 Ram. My husband's laptop finally died and have considered going mac. What I was thinking was to get 2 laptops, (dump my desktop) Time Machine (to back up my drives) and wireless printer. My husband needs little, except to get on the internet, maybe chat, and access his school on-line site so seems like the 13" $999 white model will do him well (I think).
As for me, I was looking at the one up from that - the $1299 book with a HD of 250 gig, 2 gigs ram (do I need 4?). I am used to PC specs and how PCs work - however there are some differences with Macs. I am gadgety - like toys and don't want to have to expand all the time.
I know I will have to relearn an OS but have some questions.. - am I able to create file folders (like in window to organize pictures into events?) Do I need to defrag the drive?.. how about disk cleanup? Supposedly no viruses - however, if you access a virus, you can send it to other PC machines - so.... I probably should get an antivirus?? What would happen if I wanted to download a game from yahoo? Would it run?
Money aside, I'm looking for a portable, good computer - I'm not a gamer (but play yahoo on-line games once in a while). While configuring Mac 13", 2.4 processor - against a Dell PC 13" (350 HD, it's own video card, with some other bells & whistles), the Mac ends up being about $400 more. Is it worth it? I really do need some guidance here because I'm torturing myself. Any advice or ideas would really be appreciated.
