New to Mac, any suggestions?

[ZJMentality]

I've never owned a Mac before, but hopefully I will be getting one sooner than later. I have been a PC owner all my life, honestly, I have become very irritated with the way my PC runs. It freezes a lot, and the virus software drives me nuts! I have been looking at Macs and I'm thinking about getting an iMac. I hear you don't have to pay for virus protection because it is already installed in it, and you get free updates. I would also enjoy the faster speed and increased space. Any suggestions? Information?

 

[Tomorrow]

Virus protection isn't installed as a program, it's more or less inherent with the nature of the OS. I think you'll find most Mac users don't run virus protection programs, and infections are pretty much zero.

As for updates, Apple does offer updates to its software, but this isn't really any more significant than the service packs Microsoft offers for download on its software. When the next version of the Mac OS comes out, it won't be a free download.

But I do think you'll find a better experience with a Mac, especially if malware and instability are two things you hate in PC's.

 

[Little HZ]

I'd suggest that you browse around the forums here at Mac Rumors. Read discussions about which Mac to buy (look at who is buying what for what reason--you are bound to find users similar to you), look for threads about Macs that address the kinds of things you use a computer for, etc. etc. There is already LOADS of useful info here. Once you have browsed for a while, you can start asking more specific questions that could be useful to you, and easier for folks to answer.

I have (and do) use both platforms daily, but when I get to choose, I use Mac, for the very reasons you list!

Good luck! 🙂

 

[niuniu]

Whole new world over here but you won't be disappointed 🙂

You really have to get hands-on with a Mac to appreciate how fluid they are.. good times ahead!

 

[ZJMentality]

Thanks guys 🙂
I will look into a Mac! No PC until I have loved and felt the warm embrace of a Mac!😀

 

[jsyingling]

Best recommendation: go into an Apple store, pick one up, close your eyes. Not really a Mac fanatic anymore, but I'm convinced there's not a friendlier piece of hardware anywhere.

 

[chrono1081]

I switched a little over a year ago and I freaking LOVE it.

I program for windows, I also make a living fixing windows, I have nothing against windows but Mac OS is much more stable and speedy. Here are some things I love about mac. You may or may not benefit from these but here they are:

-Everything I need I have right on the dock and I open in one click, verses "start, menu, etc". On mac, if I have shortcuts to a program they are in the dock not cluttered all over the desktop.

-No need to run antivirus. I think there is one virus known for mac OS at the moment and its downloaded through a fake codec for porn sites or something like that.

-Frequent updates and fixes. No waiting for security patches or sludging through Microsofts site when your automatic updates doesnt find a patch. With mac, if a problem is known a patch seems to come out instantly. (I also have yet to see a problem which I would need a patch for but they come out)

-BUILT IN ISO SUPPORT!!!! No downloading damon tools or anything special. Its all built into the OS.

-Speed. My mac is much faster then my windows machine (and my windows machine has better hardware).

-Ability to run windows if need be. (and programming for windows I need to)

-Ease of use. (Everything is just more logically placed on a mac it seems. No wading through endless menus to get to things.

After I fell in love with mac I bought my parents and sister one and other relatives saw them and now own macs as well. Its addicting 🙂

 

[emptyCup]

I've never owned a Mac before, ... I have been a PC owner all my life. Any suggestions? Information?

Most PC owners who ask this are afraid of going from being an expect to being lost. It is not difficult and there is much free in formation here and at Apple. Many former PC people have found Pogue's Switching to the Mac helpful. Best wishes.

 

[EmperorDarius]

My only suggestion is:

Have fun!

 

[Consultant]

Have you checked out:
http://www.apple.com/getamac/

 

[macrumorsMaster]

I program for windows, I also make a living fixing windows, I have nothing against windows but Mac OS is much more stable and speedy. Here are some things I love about mac. You may or may not benefit from these but here they are:
-Everything I need I have right on the dock and I open in one click, verses "start, menu, etc". On mac, if I have shortcuts to a program they are in the dock not cluttered all over the desktop.

--There is a doc on Windows too. It's called the 'quicklaunch' toolbar.

-No need to run antivirus. I think there is one virus known for mac OS at the moment and its downloaded through a fake codec for porn sites or something like that.

--I think most people who get viruses on Windows are ones who d/l files using bittorrent....you know who you are 😀 Of course, you can get virus doing innocent stuff, but I think the majority headaches are from people doing the not so innocent stuff 😎

-Ability to run windows if need be. (and programming for windows I need to)

--Ever hear of Hackintosh? Psystar, and also some people are even selling systems on Ebay 😀

-Frequent updates and fixes. No waiting for security patches or sludging through Microsofts site when your automatic updates doesnt find a patch. With mac, if a problem is known a patch seems to come out instantly. (I also have yet to see a problem which I would need a patch for but they come out)

--Looks like you put your foot in your mouth now:
Programmer and former Apple engineer Landon Fuller has released a proof-of-concept exploit demonstrating vulnerabilities in Apple's current implementation of Java that allow arbitrary code execution in Java-enabled Web browsers. While the vulnerabilities, first discovered last August, were disclosed and patched by Sun last December, Apple has yet to roll out a fix for its own implementation of Java.