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Pc to Mac, does any one wish they HADN'T made the switch
- Thread starter evanrousso
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Actually I switched and then switched back, the main reason was bad hardware not OSX. I bought a 12" powerbook 1.4GHz (if I recall corecctly) with 1.25GB RAM. The screen was way to bad for my needs, low resolution and poor backlight. The overall system performance was also not satisfying.
I kept it for little more than half a year before I sold it and bought a PC laptop.
I am thinking about switching again to a Mac Pro or maybe an iMac (if they will upgraded with some better/faster components). That's why I am hanging around here.
I kept it for little more than half a year before I sold it and bought a PC laptop.
I am thinking about switching again to a Mac Pro or maybe an iMac (if they will upgraded with some better/faster components). That's why I am hanging around here.
Chrispy
macrumors 68020
XyliX said:
I'm in a similar boat. I am using a Latitude D620 right now with no desire to purchaes a mac due to concerns with hardware issues. A large manority of what I do for my job requires a PC and the IT department will not install any of the VPN software or other admin-install only software on anything but the computer supplied to me by my employer. I spend so much time doing work at home during the week that getting a mac would be pointless. If I knew the hardware would be reliable I would consider getting one anyways but I'm not going to put myself through a headache for no real reason.
Sure I like OSX better, but Windows XP has been just fine as well. I have had my roommate and a friend of mine both get bad Apple lappies and I had a bad macbook a few months back... that was enough for me. I'm holding out until Apple gets more of a grasp on things with the Intel chips and logicboards.
For all those who have great working Apple hardware, that is awesome to hear and I hope there are many more like you out there. I really do think OSX is the way of progress in computing. I mean.. come on.. XP has been around for 5 years and it is still the primary OS for many PC users 😱
I think it was really more of a sidestep to me. I've not been blown away by anything from the mac world yet. I never had many problems with XP either (win98 sucked though)
I don't subscribe to the "macs are easier, macs change the way you work, you have to spend hours and hours maintaining a pc" arguments. I think those are a bunch of cliché expressions.
I was in the market for a new computer. I'd built my last several but didn't want to do another. I opted for the mini with the knowledge that I could also run XP if I wanted. The ONLY thing that I truely love about it is the small size and its completely silent.
Someone else mentioned something I really miss from windows. Dvd shrink. There is NOTHING like it for mac. Don't even offer other apps that are sorta like it, there is nothing like it. When I need it I go into my sons room, where my last pc is now residing, and use it.
I don't subscribe to the "macs are easier, macs change the way you work, you have to spend hours and hours maintaining a pc" arguments. I think those are a bunch of cliché expressions.
I was in the market for a new computer. I'd built my last several but didn't want to do another. I opted for the mini with the knowledge that I could also run XP if I wanted. The ONLY thing that I truely love about it is the small size and its completely silent.
Someone else mentioned something I really miss from windows. Dvd shrink. There is NOTHING like it for mac. Don't even offer other apps that are sorta like it, there is nothing like it. When I need it I go into my sons room, where my last pc is now residing, and use it.
FFTT
macrumors 68030
I can't think of anything worse than building up your expectations only to find disappointment.
There have been a few rotten Apples and some people just have the worst luck.
Most of us never have serious issues other than those created by pilot error.
The value of these forums is to help people make the best informed decision they can.
We constantly warn people to think very hard about buying Rev " A " models
We try our damndest to give constructive advice and food for thought so you know what you're getting into before you plunk down that plastic.
I can't wait through 2008 to buy what's coming so I have to do my homework and make a decision on the best information available.
Somertimes WE REALLY DON'T FREEKING KNOW, but we try to make an educated guess.
No one can please all the people all of the time.
There have been a few rotten Apples and some people just have the worst luck.
Most of us never have serious issues other than those created by pilot error.
The value of these forums is to help people make the best informed decision they can.
We constantly warn people to think very hard about buying Rev " A " models
We try our damndest to give constructive advice and food for thought so you know what you're getting into before you plunk down that plastic.
I can't wait through 2008 to buy what's coming so I have to do my homework and make a decision on the best information available.
Somertimes WE REALLY DON'T FREEKING KNOW, but we try to make an educated guess.
No one can please all the people all of the time.
generik
macrumors 601
clevin said:
I'd say it is fair, Microsoft's Vista Premium (with extra bonus WGA and DRM no less) costs $320, and it doesn't even have features like search over network working.. for that same money I could jump to Leopard, or heck, even jump 2 hoops through Tiger to Leopard, and get more advanced features for less.
Linux, in terms of usability and available software is miles behind OSX or even Windows. Yes, there is eye candy now, or at least soon. But the available software... mostly free software, likes to be terrible and unusable, as if the developers stop working when it works for them. It's great that it's free, but Gimp for example is terrible when compared to Photoshop (sure, there is this price difference, but you don't have any choice. If you want to use some professional software, you'll need to use Windows or OSX.clevin said:
And about the safety of Windows... yes... after you have just installed it you really have to be careful, or else it takes 2 minutes until your system is infected by dozens of viruses etc. Best thing is to stay offline, have SP2 on a CD or so and install it... then only go only, with the first site you visit being Windows update. But if you take care a bit, update once in a while, and most of all don't do stupid things, then it will be quite safe. And if you choose good hardware and don't install every crap, you will have a reliable system too.
clevin
macrumors G3
miles behind? you need seriously retry linux before you make these statements. other than big commercial software such as MS Office, there ain't such thing called "miles behind". "freeware likes to be terrible and unusable?" these blindly over confident statement will not be helpful. don't forget OSX is derived from a bunch of freewares. Just can't believe Mac users are so over confident.kadajawi said:
Sorry, but for the past maybe 2 years I've been a Linux user, with some periods of Linux usage before. It has improved greatly, but I still find Linux pretty bad, and eventhough I learned to hate Windows (which I've used for like 9 to 10 years before my switch to Linux), during the time I used Linux I've started to think Windows isn't as bad as everyone said it is. My Linux broke quite often too, although that might have been because I'm a Gentoo user, and Gentoo just loves to break. I really like OSX (most parts of it at least), even though I started using it maybe a week ago or so. I'm using Expose and the Dashboard all the time 🙂clevin said:
One thing I hated about Linux, besides the lack of any good graphics software (Gimp is slow, the layout makes little sense (it took me several minutes to resize a picture, or to add a border, and each time I use it I'm searching again because the position didn't make any sense), quite a few good features are missing, and it was impossible for me to get Photoshop running on Wine), was or is the lack of a good audio player. There was a WinAMP clone... I don't like WinAMP, then there are a few usable players, like amaroK (quite good user interface, liked it alot, but slow, has (or at least had) a tendency to crash, and several very important features are missing, the sound quality wasn't very good to, IMHO. I think the only thing they cared about was the UI), but nothing even coming close to foobar2000 (Windows, freeware developed by a single person (if you don't count the plugins), and yet all those Linux programmers can't get it right. Strange...). I must say though that it did run pretty good with Wine, and OSX has the same problem, though iTunes looks promising (still missing convolution and gapless playback).
OpenOffice is decent, Firefox of course too (though it tends to love RAM... e.g. never gives it back).
A lot of software for Linux is configured through configuration files... tvtime (Linux) is a great application, but so is DScaler (Windows). DScaler is (most of the time) easier to use and to set up though, and it offers slightly superior quality. And the configuration has to be done via a configuration file. Anoying. Then there is a convolution software, which offers things I could only dream of under Windows. The programmer has put quite an efford in stressing how great his little program is, how fast etc. There is a tiny problem though... it took me many days of work, day and night, trying to figure out how to get the program working, reading the manual over and over again (which, in parts, said "read the source code to figure out how you use this feature"). At the end I just gave up. Very frustrating, if you compare it with one download and a hand full of clicks to get the same thing (in a smaller dimension) working under Windows.
I like Linux, I like the concept behind it, and respect the work (all the drivers for example... hardware companies tend to ignore Linux developers). But I think they still have a very long way to go, to be truly usable for an average user who wants to do more than surfing in the internet.
net26 said:
Have you tried the latest Vectorworks (ver. 12)? It's cross-platform and easy-to-use. Plus, you can import/export .dxf and .dwg.
epicwelshman
macrumors 6502a
net26 said:
My father is an architect and has used macs for years, and he uses a program called VectorWorks which is 100% compatable with AutoCad.
Edit: Oh wait, Rend It beat me to it
The easy depends on the system you have... there are some where it is rather easy. Legally... yeah, but quite a few buy a Mac after they tried it on their system... people who wouldn't have switched without OSx86. And OSx86 has quite a few problems, so it's rather a trial version than the real thing.GFLPraxis said:
clevin
macrumors G3
well, Like I said, unless u are have to use some big commercial software.... then you have no choice, and please be aware that most people are not in need of those. unfortunately your daily work fall in that big commercial software user directory.
Audio player? xmms isn't that bad, is it? and even under mac, how many choices do you have? to be honest, even less than under linux. I don't see anything promising in iTunes, bloated as under windows, even realplayer under mac consumes less system resources than iTunes.
And looking around, how many softwares does apple have to develop by themselves just for basic use? coz no other developer is doing the job, the bundle of iLife is not because apple want to give user a candy, is because its difficult for normal user to find them from 3-rd party by themselves for free.
To compare software availability, there is no doubt windows has the edge, for mac, it isn't much better than linux. Although OSX's switch to Unix base might help. But right now, none of these too can catch up with windows, thats just a fact.
Audio player? xmms isn't that bad, is it? and even under mac, how many choices do you have? to be honest, even less than under linux. I don't see anything promising in iTunes, bloated as under windows, even realplayer under mac consumes less system resources than iTunes.
And looking around, how many softwares does apple have to develop by themselves just for basic use? coz no other developer is doing the job, the bundle of iLife is not because apple want to give user a candy, is because its difficult for normal user to find them from 3-rd party by themselves for free.
To compare software availability, there is no doubt windows has the edge, for mac, it isn't much better than linux. Although OSX's switch to Unix base might help. But right now, none of these too can catch up with windows, thats just a fact.
It's not that it's really neccessary to use professional software, but in some cases it's just much more pleasant, and gives more possibilities. The advantage of Macs is that they have support from commercial companies. Linux doesn't. And I suppose that with some effort most Linux programs will run on OSX.clevin said:
iTunes is rather easy to use, has a good playlist and album management, album art, replay gain (though not on album level?)... . xmms tries to be a WinAMP clone... and I don't like WinAMP. Maybe I didn't give it a fair chance, but I just don't like that sort of user interface. IIRC the developer of foobar2000 was a WinAMP dev once. amaroK lacks all features in terms of audio, but album art, musicbrainz integration, automatically searches for the lyrics, use of MySQL for the music database, ... awesome.
Or compare Gaim with AdiumX. AdiumX is IIRC based on Gaim, but somehow more pleasant to use (and better looking!) than Gaim.
Why Apple has created iLife I don't know, but the apps are pretty good as far as I have used them (mostly iPhoto).
Linux, as I have said, has a great choice of programs, but the quality is a bit lacking. With OSX it's somehow different... less quantity, better quality.
Passante
macrumors 6502a
You certainly spent less cash on your Macs. My my Mac Plus was brand spankin' NEW when I got it. Spent something like $1500 to $2000 for a computer with 1 meg of ram. 😱
Planning to get a mini for under the TV after the next revision. Almost bought a G4 mini (1.42 gig display model) at Comp USA this weekend. Marked down to $499 but they would negotiate price.
I think my first ram upgrade for my Mac Plus was $200 now that will by half of a very capable computer sans monitor.
Planning to get a mini for under the TV after the next revision. Almost bought a G4 mini (1.42 gig display model) at Comp USA this weekend. Marked down to $499 but they would negotiate price.
I think my first ram upgrade for my Mac Plus was $200 now that will by half of a very capable computer sans monitor.
gonyr said:
jamesi
macrumors 6502a
upon switching from windows to mac, i would have to say i never regreted it, but then again i always felt like i used both even tho my pc hasnt been turned on in a year. i have always felt like i didnt have as many options with things in os x as i did have with windows. i really feel as tho i do not need to know as much to do what i want with os x. honestly, when there was a problem with windows it seems as tho there are so many different ways to remedy it. in os x, it feels almost too easy to fix things. and when they are complicated i find myself asking for help on here, and each time i ask i feel as tho my problem is very textbook but im just so used to thinking in the windows world. tho i did switch in the first place to mac so that i wouldnt need to know so much to fix my computer. been thinking that maybe that isnt such a selling point
clevin
macrumors G3
well, anyway, we are not talking about linux, and I do understand linux's software generally not very polished and not easy to setup.kadajawi said:
back to windows, the choice of softwares on mac is less than windows, although I would say after the switching to Unix based OSX, there are more softwares around, but still not enough now. sometimes its not about quality, but about ideas and choice and option. Mac Image viewer, lets say, "preview", yeah, good quality, very polished, but way too few operation you can do. "FFview" buggy and less function. Its just feel very restricted.
Killyp
macrumors 68040
I've actually found that I can get more decent software free for OS X than I can for Windows. I mean sure, there was tonnes of freeware for Windows, but there was less variety and it was gennerally crap. I have all the software I could want (except Cubase) on my MBP right now.
I could never DREAM of switching back!!!
I could never DREAM of switching back!!!
Mac owner day 15.
It's great. I like it, and have no major complaints that some unfortunate people have had. Do I have as big a "hard on" for Apple as the rest of you do? No. Don't take this the wrong way but you all sound like you're in a cult. Don't get me wrong OS X is a great little OS and the ILIFE suite kicks butt(which is my primary reason for buying the macbook), but lets all take a step back and be a little more objective. You can't really compare the variety of legit and illegit wares out there for Apple as you can for Windows. If you're resourceful enough, you shouldn't really ever have to purchase anything on a Windows platform. I've been a windows user all my life and can say that with 100% certainty. That'd be just the legit wares btw 😉
I'm finding with a little more difficulty, that Apple wares may be on the same road, but it's not even comparible yet.
I'm still undecided if OSX is simpler to use then Windows XP. The concepts are a little different, not necessarily easier. The installing of an app for example. You have to mount your app, drag it to your app folder and then unmount it before deleting it. I've read a few posts where newbies didn't know they had to do this, or why they had to do this.. Perfectly understandable of course. Why the heck should I have to drag it to my apps folder? Didn't I just tell it to do that? I'm of course comparing this to the double clicking of an .exe file where ultimately all you'd have to do is click 'next' until the install is done and voila, a shortcut appears for you to use.
-The crashing aspect, well, no comment on that. Mac has Windows beat.
-The driver issue, Mac has it beat for ease with plug n play.
-The variety of wares out there, Windows definately has it beat, the cost of making a windows PC, again, price isn't comparible.
For me personally, I like the I LIFE suite. I'm able to justify the additional $500 for the macbook over a compaq just for that alone.. I've spent so many useless hours troubleshooting audio recording software. It's really awesome that i can plug n play with a guitar or mic and not worry about the fuss.
Any comments or opinions lemme have em.. I'd like to be convinced. I really do like the Macbook by the way, I bought one. The idea of being able to create my own movie or music is such a great thing. I'm just playing devils advocate over here.
Thx.
It's great. I like it, and have no major complaints that some unfortunate people have had. Do I have as big a "hard on" for Apple as the rest of you do? No. Don't take this the wrong way but you all sound like you're in a cult. Don't get me wrong OS X is a great little OS and the ILIFE suite kicks butt(which is my primary reason for buying the macbook), but lets all take a step back and be a little more objective. You can't really compare the variety of legit and illegit wares out there for Apple as you can for Windows. If you're resourceful enough, you shouldn't really ever have to purchase anything on a Windows platform. I've been a windows user all my life and can say that with 100% certainty. That'd be just the legit wares btw 😉
I'm finding with a little more difficulty, that Apple wares may be on the same road, but it's not even comparible yet.
I'm still undecided if OSX is simpler to use then Windows XP. The concepts are a little different, not necessarily easier. The installing of an app for example. You have to mount your app, drag it to your app folder and then unmount it before deleting it. I've read a few posts where newbies didn't know they had to do this, or why they had to do this.. Perfectly understandable of course. Why the heck should I have to drag it to my apps folder? Didn't I just tell it to do that? I'm of course comparing this to the double clicking of an .exe file where ultimately all you'd have to do is click 'next' until the install is done and voila, a shortcut appears for you to use.
-The crashing aspect, well, no comment on that. Mac has Windows beat.
-The driver issue, Mac has it beat for ease with plug n play.
-The variety of wares out there, Windows definately has it beat, the cost of making a windows PC, again, price isn't comparible.
For me personally, I like the I LIFE suite. I'm able to justify the additional $500 for the macbook over a compaq just for that alone.. I've spent so many useless hours troubleshooting audio recording software. It's really awesome that i can plug n play with a guitar or mic and not worry about the fuss.
Any comments or opinions lemme have em.. I'd like to be convinced. I really do like the Macbook by the way, I bought one. The idea of being able to create my own movie or music is such a great thing. I'm just playing devils advocate over here.
Thx.
It's all about control. On Windows, you have almost 0 control of the files that get installed. Almost EVERY app needs an installer, or people who aren't geeks have no idea what to do with them.fallacy said:
It's also about organization. 99% of Windows apps install bazillions of files onto your computer, and then the Program Files directory is filled with tons of unorganized crap. There is no way you can manage that stuff manually. Windows is entirely dependent on installers and uninstallers (Add/Remove Programs).
On Mac OS X, 99% of apps put all their resource files inside themselves, in the app bundle. So you can move that .app wherever you like, and it'll still function. It's beautiful 🙂
SpankyPenzaanz
macrumors 6502a
I switched 4 years ago. after 6months forced my sister to switch. my parents want to take my pb off my hands after i upgrade in the coming weeks. The switch i made was easily one of the best decisions EVER! I have never regretted it as it allowed me o give up on the endless cycle of pcgaming (you know you buy a new game 4 months later its time to upgrade so the next new game can work on it) However i still play xbox and think its probably the best product ms has put out after excel