New to Mac

[pl1984]

I do maintenance my PC's. I actually take really good care of them. But I am getting tired of replacing a PC every 2-3 years.

I AM a power user. Currently I have 2 windows of Chrome open with about 10 tabs each. I normally would have Thunderbird (6 email accounts - back up was 1.5 gb), PS is open most of the time. I have OneNote open at all times, sometimes a calendar or some other program.

BTW - I have the same email accounts and all of the emails in folders open on my iPP and it is fast.

I did more research on PC alternatives to the MBP. I found the comparable specs and good graphics cards etc then went to BB to see in person the ones I had picked out. Only 1 had a comparable display - the XPS, I did not like it at all - just not for me. The others just did not match up to what I was looking for.

SO now, I am waiting another week or so (I can get some good educational discounts thru Apple), to see if they might release a new iMac. For the same price as the 15" MBP, I could get an iMac with some upgrades. iMac is not conveniently portable, but I have the iPad Pro. But you could take it somewhere if you really needed, since it is an all in one.

Since mac's tend to last a lot longer, I am trying to think of where I see myself 6 years from now....

Specifically what issues are you having with your Windows system?
[doublepost=1536519948][/doublepost]

Because it's true?

No, it's not. OP said he just reinstalled the OS. That kills any argument that "Windows slows down over time". I user Windows, OS X, and Linux (typing this response on it right now). I do not experience any more or fewer problems with any of them. They're all good operating systems. Availability of software, hardware, and personal preference should drive a buying decision.

 

[Momof9]

Until I did the clean install (from hybrid) to my ssd, it would crash multiple times a day. Updates were current. Now, Thunderbird is extremely slow. I have not been using it very much this week, other than multiple browser with multiple tabs. Yesterday i was copying my photos from my 3TB hdd to an sd card and it would not respond every once in awhile. It could have just been issues with some files.

But i have seen where a web page is loading weird, not internet type issues....

My graphics card scored kind of low when i tested it last week.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I would just get the best used iMac you can for your pricepoint. Unfortunately macs hold their value quite well, but it's the same reason I feel comfortable recommending a used machine.

You're not going to get anything near what you want with a new or even refurbished machine.

 

[pl1984]

Until I did the clean install (from hybrid) to my ssd, it would crash multiple times a day. Updates were current. Now, Thunderbird is extremely slow. I have not been using it very much this week, other than multiple browser with multiple tabs. Yesterday i was copying my photos from my 3TB hdd to an sd card and it would not respond every once in awhile. It could have just been issues with some files.

But i have seen where a web page is loading weird, not internet type issues....

My graphics card scored kind of low when i tested it last week.

I've experienced the copying issue you mentioned. The SD card is unable to keep up with the transfer rate and thus slows down considerably. Microsoft really needs to work on Explorer as it does experience performance issues up when something like that crops up.

I can't speak to your Thunderbird issue without further information. What do you mean by slow?

 

[Momof9]

I actually updated the 1st thread about being willing to spend more money. I am also wondering about the older Mac Pro or iMac Pro. Still want to spend no more than $3000 (with tax and everything I would need).

I am finding some smags with using the 12.9” iPad Pro as my computer. Mainly how to view jpg, png, tif files on iCloud. Unless I have already used them (dl?) all I see is the generic icon. That won’t work with what I need to do.

Also, will I have any problems with transfering these type of files from a Windows PC to Mac? Can I use the W10 HDD in a dock and access via a usb drive on a Mac?

 

[cwanja]

I actually updated the 1st thread about being willing to spend more money. I am also wondering about the older Mac Pro or iMac Pro. Still want to spend no more than $3000 (with tax and everything I would need).

If you find an iMac Pro under $3000 you better steal that, turn around and never look back. The stock price starts at $5000.

Also, will I have any problems with transfering these type of files from a Windows PC to Mac? Can I use the W10 HDD in a dock and access via a usb drive on a Mac?

Yes you are able to transfer them, as long as the drive is formatted NTFS. If it is FAT32, you are going to have issues writing to the harddrive.
Correction, it must be in FAT32, NOT NTFS as I stated originally. Although if you have it in NTFS, you there are tools out there that will let you read NTFS drives. Though with FAT32 drives, there are some file size limitations you should be aware of.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I actually updated the 1st thread about being willing to spend more money. I am also wondering about the older Mac Pro or iMac Pro. Still want to spend no more than $3000 (with tax and everything I would need).

I am finding some smags with using the 12.9” iPad Pro as my computer. Mainly how to view jpg, png, tif files on iCloud. Unless I have already used them (dl?) all I see is the generic icon. That won’t work with what I need to do.

Also, will I have any problems with transfering these type of files from a Windows PC to Mac? Can I use the W10 HDD in a dock and access via a usb drive on a Mac?

You’ll find a way to do it.

At $3k budget, look into a nice refurb, or buy from bhphoto or adorama: no tax (if you can get the configuration you want).

If I were buying an iMac right now and I had $3k I’d get the top of the line spec with the 1TB SSD... if it were enough for my purposes, which I just noticed isn’t.

I’d get the top of the line model then pay some guy to put a 2TB nvme SSD in and upgrade the RAM to 16GB myself. (Apple’s SSD prices are ludicrous). That should put me right at $3k, and I can sell the apple OEM SSD in the Fusion drive on ebay, and retain the 2TB HDD for a total of 4TB of storage.

 

[theluggage]

Yes you are able to transfer them, as long as the drive is formatted NTFS. If it is FAT32, you are going to have issues writing to the harddrive.

Er, are you sure that’s the right way around?
Last time I tried it was NTFS that was read-only on Mac.

 

[cwanja]

Er, are you sure that’s the right way around?
Last time I tried it was NTFS that was read-only on Mac.

You are absolutely correct, thank you for the correction. I have updated that quoted post for clarity. Although, in a bit of research there are some tools now that will allow NTFS reading on a Mac.

 

[theluggage]

Also, will I have any problems with transfering these type of files from a Windows PC to Mac? Can I use the W10 HDD in a dock and access via a usb drive on a Mac?

Correction, it must be in FAT32, NOT NTFS as I stated originally. Although if you have it in NTFS, you there are tools out there that will let you read NTFS drives. Though with FAT32 drives, there are some file size limitations you should be aware of.

Let's try and untangle this.

NTFS is the default format for Windows hard drives, although people tend to use Fat32 or ExFAT on USB sticks and removables, but if you're transferring the main hard drive from a Windows machine to a Mac, it will probably be NTFS.

Without extra software, Mac OS can read NTFS disks but not write to them - but if you're "migrating" and just need to transfer your files from the PC drive to your Mac then that is not going to be an issue.

There are ways of getting the Mac to read and write NTFS discs - the safest & easiest being to buy Paragon NTFS for Mac - with various more hack-y/caveat-ridden but free alternatives if you want to save 20 bucks - but unless you're using Bootcamp to dual boot windows & MacOS on the same machine, the need does not normally arise. Once you've migrated, if you need a removable drive to shuttle between Windows and Mac, wipe it and re-format as ExFAT which works on both and doesn't have the restrictions of FAT32.

Or... enable file sharing on your Mac, connect to it from Windows and copy the files over the network - that makes disc formats irrelevant. Not as fast, but you're only going to have to copy the lot once...

 

[cwanja]

Let's try and untangle this.

NTFS is the default format for Windows hard drives, although people tend to use Fat32 or ExFAT on USB sticks and removables, but if you're transferring the main hard drive from a Windows machine to a Mac, it will probably be NTFS.

Without extra software, Mac OS can read NTFS disks but not write to them - but if you're "migrating" and just need to transfer your files from the PC drive to your Mac then that is not going to be an issue.

There are ways of getting the Mac to read and write NTFS discs - the safest & easiest being to buy Paragon NTFS for Mac - with various more hack-y/caveat-ridden but free alternatives if you want to save 20 bucks - but unless you're using Bootcamp to dual boot windows & MacOS on the same machine, the need does not normally arise. Once you've migrated, if you need a removable drive to shuttle between Windows and Mac, wipe it and re-format as ExFAT which works on both and doesn't have the restrictions of FAT32.

Or... enable file sharing on your Mac, connect to it from Windows and copy the files over the network - that makes disc formats irrelevant. Not as fast, but you're only going to have to copy the lot once...

Thanks again for the correction on that one. I am not going to go back and correct it at this point because I am sure I will end up typing something wrong.

 

[theluggage]

Thanks again for the correction on that one. I am not going to go back and correct it at this point because I am sure I will end up typing something wrong.

Don't worry - I could tell you were just having a bad finger day...

 

[Momof9]

I ended up getting a good deal on a 2015 Macbook Pro 15", used with 1 Year warranty.

 

[droog]

You really can't make this stuff up. Nice downgrade lady. I'm sure you'll power use it for the next six years.

 

[Momof9]

well I hope it will work good for at least a year or two (for $ 600) Since we ended up needing to replace our central air unit. At least it gets me a Mac. The other day, I almost bought an Air, but decided the screen resolution was not what I wanted. In a perfect world, I would have gotten a 2018 MBP, but at this point I did not want to spend the money. But I kept seeing The problems people were having with them.

I also have been primarily using my 2015 iPad Pro & loving it. I can't wait to get the next one when it is released, it should be a nice upgrade. On this one I can do a lot of my graphic design , but there was a few things that I would need a computer for.

 

[Momof9]

well I had to send back the MBP, some deceiving advertising (or lack of), it was a late 2008, upgraded a bit... well it would heat up very hot, very quickly.

So with problems I had with trying to print the return label without a computer hooked up to my printer. I bought the iMac 2017 21", 3.5 ghz from Best Buy. It is kind of slow. I know I need some more ram & a SSD... I put the trial of photoshop on. I will continue to play for a few days, but I am sure I will be returning it for the 27", so I can upgrade the Ram.

 

[Grohowiak]

well I had to send back the MBP, some deceiving advertising (or lack of), it was a late 2008, upgraded a bit... well it would heat up very hot, very quickly.

So with problems I had with trying to print the return label without a computer hooked up to my printer. I bought the iMac 2017 21", 3.5 ghz from Best Buy. It is kind of slow. I know I need some more ram & a SSD... I put the trial of photoshop on. I will continue to play for a few days, but I am sure I will be returning it for the 27", so I can upgrade the Ram.

Return it ASAP before you mess it up and are stuck with it.
Go to apple refurbished store now and browse what they have. You have to think on the faster side cause they don’t stay in stock for too long.

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac/27

Full apple warranty. Add Applecare+ During checkout, then go to Newegg and purchase RAM (Mac specific) and you will be good for few years.

 

[cwanja]

well I had to send back the MBP, some deceiving advertising (or lack of), it was a late 2008, upgraded a bit... well it would heat up very hot, very quickly.

So with problems I had with trying to print the return label without a computer hooked up to my printer. I bought the iMac 2017 21", 3.5 ghz from Best Buy. It is kind of slow. I know I need some more ram & a SSD... I put the trial of photoshop on. I will continue to play for a few days, but I am sure I will be returning it for the 27", so I can upgrade the Ram.

Why did you buy the stock iMac model knowing you need more RAM? It is not able to be upgraded easily. In fact, I am not sure if the RAM is soldered on or not - meaning it could never be upgraded potentially. And you are already complaining it is slow.

Follow @Grohowiak advice - go refurbished. There is some rumors that they are offloading new iMac inventory into the refurbished stores for a rumored iMac update in October. All total speculation.

 

[Momof9]

Return it ASAP before you mess it up and are stuck with it.
Go to apple refurbished store now and browse what they have. You have to think on the faster side cause they don’t stay in stock for too long.

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac/27

Full apple warranty. Add Applecare+ During checkout, then go to Newegg and purchase RAM (Mac specific) and you will be good for few years.

I have returned it - waiting for the refund...

Why did you buy the stock iMac model knowing you need more RAM? It is not able to be upgraded easily. In fact, I am not sure if the RAM is soldered on or not - meaning it could never be upgraded potentially. And you are already complaining it is slow.

Follow @Grohowiak advice - go refurbished. There is some rumors that they are offloading new iMac inventory into the refurbished stores for a rumored iMac update in October. All total speculation.

I did not know that about the ram when I got it. Everything says for PS requirements 2gb min - 8 gb recommended. I will say that is kind of way off. Now I am reading that everyone is recommending 16gb or more. To get something, I will have to return this iMac. I was kind of trying it out, not sure I like it at all....

I need to find out how to do some things easier, because it is NOT anything like the PC.

ie how to see ALL your files at once at a larger size (jpgs, pngs etc)
how to save to a folder I want rather than what it says in PS....

Any really good tutorials or sites that would help me get acclimated to Mac from Windows. I really love iOS, but this is quite a bit different.

One thought I keep having is getting a really cheap Mac (can be older) to use as my desktop - for my hard drives, printer etc. And use my iPad Pro 12.9 as my computer. I am really looking forward to the new ones. My 2015 works great for doing graphic design etc. But my hard drive access, printer etc needs to be there too. I also really like Affinity Photo.

I would then put the money into the new iPP and a great monitor etc

 

[cwanja]

This is a great guide and starting point:
https://support.apple.com/explore/new-to-mac

Forums like this are great, just consolidated all of your help into one thread and request it. Would not suggest creating a new thread for each and every change.

To view your images in "large size", look into quick look (select a file, hit space bar. To close that, click space bar again. You can click through your files using the arrow keys). Also consider using a different view in Finder as well.

Not sure what you mean by "how to save a folder I want rather than what it says in PS"? You can change Save As folders in Mac just like you would in Windows. It just looks different. Seems like you need a finder tutorial.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201732

 

[Fried Chicken]

Return the 21.5" iMac. It's an embarrassment.

I dunno; just use it. It's intuitive.

 

[Momof9]

This is a great guide and starting point:
https://support.apple.com/explore/new-to-mac

Forums like this are great, just consolidated all of your help into one thread and request it. Would not suggest creating a new thread for each and every change.

To view your images in "large size", look into quick look (select a file, hit space bar. To close that, click space bar again. You can click through your files using the arrow keys). Also consider using a different view in Finder as well.

Not sure what you mean by "how to save a folder I want rather than what it says in PS"? You can change Save As folders in Mac just like you would in Windows. It just looks different. Seems like you need a finder tutorial.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201732

Thank you! I have been some places where they DON'T want you to keep adding to the thread... . I will check these out. One issue, is if you don't know the terminology for Mac stuff.... I really struggled with "complications" on the watch - I guess thats the name since it is so complicated... LOL

Oh YES - playing with spacebar and images - if it is open bigger, you can use the arrow keys to see them all big one at a time. At least that makes it a bit easier. In the mode (Finder) where you see multiple smaller sizes of the images - can you make them all bigger? Or is there another app that is better at viewing images.... I will take a look in the App Store.

 

[cwanja]

Thank you! I have been some places where they DON'T want you to keep adding to the thread... . I will check these out. One issue, is if you don't know the terminology for Mac stuff.... I really struggled with "complications" on the watch - I guess thats the name since it is so complicated... LOL

Oh YES - playing with spacebar and images - if it is open bigger, you can use the arrow keys to see them all big one at a time. At least that makes it a bit easier. In the mode (Finder) where you see multiple smaller sizes of the images - can you make them all bigger? Or is there another app that is better at viewing images.... I will take a look in the App Store.

There is a bar that allows you to drag the preview box to enlargen the preview.

 

[Momof9]

oh wow that is fantastic! Thank you cwanja!!!

 

[Momof9]

As I am reading things, is there something wrong with my iMac?

I have the 21.5" 3.4 ghz, 1tb fusion drive, i5 , 2017....

I have been watching the ram usage. It was in the yellow zone yesterday.... So I am using 6.72 gb of the 8gb. Swap is at 4.84 g2g. This is having apps open, even if I am not doing anything.... Finder, safari, mail, Photoshop are open. I did not notice much different before opening PS. Is this normal for the ram usage?

I have seen the spinning ball a lot.