Switching to mac?? most likely!!

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by Roryta, Jan 28, 2008.

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  1. Roryta, Jan 28, 2008

    Roryta macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2008
    #1
    Hello all

    I am new here

    Alright, I have been a PC user for around 10 years... I learned how to use windows on my own as a little kid and I am now very competent (in my opinion) with PC, everyone I know who has a problem with their computers comes to me, because I always have the answer, if not, then I know where to find it..

    Never in my life did I ever think of getting a Mac, my reasoning was that my sister had it, and me and her, we are total opposites… I love her to death, but we just don’t agree on anything when it comes to stuff we like… so I always made fun of her Mac and she always made fun of my PC.. (We were kids) atleast we agreed on that


    For the past year, I have been checking out the new Macs, they just looked so cool… and I keep saying I’ll buy a Mac. A year ago, I went and bought an HP.. Loved it at 1st, but I got sick of it in 6 months, plus I had a virus scare around 2 months ago and it really bothered me even though I fixed it and got rid of the virus, somehow it seemed too late and I am just not able to forgive my PC.. and I need an upgrade, and I am Soooooo NOT getting the vista with the bugs out there for them to fix, and since there aren't any XP's OUt there; and so began my new search for something new.. All I know is that I want something new and different..

    Three weeks ago, I heard about the macbook air.. and as I thought it looked cool and the concept is NEAT, I just can't see myself with such a thing, I just feel like it is gonna fly off in the air if I leave it outside (which i wouldn't, it's just a figure of speach).. so anyway I decided to buy a macbook..

    So I have now been thinking about my macbook and I can’t wait to buy it.. but I am very hesitant.. because I don’t know where to buy it from.. here or Australia.. I am leaving the country on the 14th of Feb, so I have around 2 weeks here at home.. and I will be living in Australia for the next 2 years or so..

    So I want your advice.. what should I do.. the one I want is the macbook black with the 160 GB HD.. and I really want the bamboo tablet
    My questions are:

    *Does it come with iWorks? If not, should I buy it?
    *Can I have MS Office AND iWorks on it?
    *Should I get the .MAC?
    *What else do I need, as I am going to study abroad, and I need my office (word, powerpoint and all of that college stuff)?
    *I draw and paint, do photographs.. Can macs be fun for that?
    *Also I blog, so what does .MAC offer..? am very interested in signing up 4 that..!


    NOTE: if you’re all wondering what my sister has now? She has a PC..

    Thanks for reading all my ranting :p
     
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  2. MarlboroLite, Jan 28, 2008

    MarlboroLite macrumors 6502a

    MarlboroLite

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2007
    Location:
    the 13 colonies
    #2
    If you are in the US don't buy it in Australia, buy it here--you save a lot of money with the weak dollar. Just buy an Australian plug to add to the AC adapter and you're set.

    All Macs come with a trial of iWork for 30 or 60 days and you have to buy it if you like it. iLife is included in all Macs as well and for free. You can have Office in there as well, Microsoft just updated the mac version to 2008 so you can get that now. When you get your new computer it asks you if you want a trial of .mac and if you are interested in it then get it and see if it does anything for you, if it does buy the subscription.

    And yes Macs are fun for designing and photos and all that creative stuff! :)
     
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  3. psychofreak, Jan 28, 2008

    psychofreak Retired

    psychofreak

    Joined:
    May 16, 2006
    Location:
    London
    #3
    I recommend buying iWork. While you can have both Office and iWork, I don't think you should get Office unless you really need it - a combination of iWork and the free NeoOffice is great.

    I recommend AppleCare insurance. Macs are better for image stuff. Check out the .Mac site for details on what it does :)
     
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  4. superleccy, Jan 28, 2008

    superleccy macrumors 6502a

    superleccy

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2004
    Location:
    That there big London
    #4
    1. Should come with an 30 day trial of iWork. This should give you enough time to decide if you like it.
    2. Yes.
    3. IMO it's not worth it but there are plenty here who disgree. It comes with a free 60 day trial, so you can see for yourself.
    4. Get an external hard drive (or even a Time Capsule) for Time Machine, and a nice bag. The rest is up to you... you'll realise when you need stuff. :)
    5. Check out iPhoto for your photographs. Else there's Aperture (kinda like iPhoto for Pros) and the full set of Adobe products (apart from Photoshop Elements, which is only available in its old PowerPC version at the moment). Being a student you should be able to get a good deal there (pity the rest of us who just have to sucker-up and get fleeced).
    6. Don't know. But there's plenty on the Mac to keep Bloggers happy (iWeb, RapidWeaver, etc).

    SL
     
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  5. clevin, Jan 28, 2008

    clevin macrumors G3

    clevin

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2006
    #5
    iwork. depends on what you need to do, I generally don't recommend it, unless you love apple very much. lol

    Yes, You CAN have as many different office suites as you want :)

    .Mac? my suggestion is no, its mostly useless. I don't understand why people want it when there are freebies out there.

    Apple's products are focused on "easy to use (so to speak, which ... who knows)" than functionality. Since you sounds like a pretty advanced user, I doubt you will like them.
     
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  6. GuntherS, Jan 28, 2008

    GuntherS macrumors member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2007
    Location:
    Belgium
    #6
    Welcome to MacRumors ;)

    - Every Mac comes with a trial version of iWork '08 so if you need it, you need to buy it ($79)
    - You can have both MS Office and iWork on your Mac. No problem.
    - I don't own .Mac so I can't tell you much about it. I think it's great when you have a lot of pictures or homemade movies. You can create a blog with iWeb and you can upload it right away to your .Mac. But it has a lot more to offer ;)
    - I don't think you need anything else. The MacBook is a very complete machine.
    - Drawing and painting sure can be fun on a Mac. There's a lot of software available for doing that. For photographs, you have iPhoto or you can also install Photoshop or something to edit your photos.
     
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  7. Roryta, Jan 28, 2008

    Roryta thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2008
    #7
    Wow.. thank you guyz 4 getting back to me so soon.. kiss kiss to everyone that commented back.. u r great..

    I was planning on buying everything tomorrow and just getting it over with.. as i leave in 2 weeks.. but i will give it a try as you all suggested.. (iworks and .mac).. I definetly think I need MS office,, I don't think I can let go of that.. maybe i'll even get the iWorks and/or .Mac in australia if I really really liked them..


    I am very excited.. am going tomorrow.. I am getting the black macbook, Parallels and the bamboo tablet..


    I really really hope I don't get disappointed.. I think I have an open mind about this.. after all, it took me no less than 10 years to finally cave in and consider a mac, let alone buying one..

    and btw, I do agree on the comment about .mac's features.. as I already have a few free blogs, and I think they're great.. I guess the whole deal is that it just looks cool :D
     
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  8. funkychunkz, Jan 28, 2008

    funkychunkz macrumors 6502a

    funkychunkz

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Location:
    Ottawa, Canada
    #8
    You might consider buying Apple's international power plug adapters, If you plan on going anywhere else.
     
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  9. Consultant, Jan 28, 2008

    Consultant macrumors G5

    Consultant

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2007
    #9
    Buy it in the states. You can also get a Refurb MBP (under "special deals" at store.apple.com)

    Comes with iLife, not iWork, but iWork is a very good price.

    Yes, you can install as many apps as you want if you have the HD space and it won't slow down like windows (well don't install apps from adult and questionable web sites).

    .Mac will depend on if you want integration of your web hosting/ blog hosting with iLife and other stuff.

    You can get NeoOffice (free).

    Macs are much better at graphics design and all the creative stuff.
    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=423044#18
     
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  10. marykay9507, Jan 28, 2008

    marykay9507 macrumors 6502a

    marykay9507

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2008
    #10
    buy in us and purchase the adapters--
     
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  11. stomer, Jan 28, 2008

    stomer macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Leeds, UK
    #11
    Concerning .Mac. It's great for keeping multiple Macs in sync. Otherwise you can find equivalents to the other services for less money (mostly likely for free) elsewhere.
     
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  12. Roryta, Jan 29, 2008

    Roryta thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2008
    #12
    Thanx you guyz for the comments.. you really did help.. Home is THe UAE (United Arab Emirates) not the US, I think most people know it as Dubai.. Anyway.. THE the DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival) is during this month and next month.

    I went to the apple store today, and I was very shocked by the prices of the total.. lol, I figured it would amount to 8000 or 9000 AED but it only amounted to 7200... Which is GOOD..
    am glad I waited until DSF started.. hehehe..

    So yeah, I went in and bought a Macbook Black, and I got Parallels for free.. and I also got the bamboo tablet and the green case for the laptop.. am so happy about my purchase and I hope I am not dissapointed with the mac, I am very open minded to it and I really think I'll enjoy it.. I didnt purchase iWorks or .Mac, I decided to give em a try before Committing to them and buying them..

    I told the lady in the store that I want the Mac Office 08, she asked for my details and so I am waiting for her call.. A friend of mine is gonna make sure I know when the Office is coming.. most likely In Feb or something..


    Other than that.. I am set.. (PS: I had to write this msg twice because my Windows xp is making my life harder) ain't I lucky :p


    so thank you all.. and I will go invade my apple now.. I will post back here telling u about my mac experience..

    Kiss Kiss.. thanx all..
     
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  13. AdeFowler, Jan 29, 2008

    AdeFowler macrumors 68020

    AdeFowler

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2004
    Location:
    England
    #13
    Congrats Roryta :D

    You made all the right choices. Office 2008 Home and Student edition is very reasonably priced and should provide all you need.

    Enjoy your mac ;)
     
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  14. superleccy, Jan 29, 2008

    superleccy macrumors 6502a

    superleccy

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2004
    Location:
    That there big London
    #14
    I am sure you have made the right choice. If you do run into any problems, 90% of them will have already been discussed on these forums, and you'll find that the community here will be happy to answer the remaining 10%. There's always a solution. :cool:

    Congrats, you have a great machine. :D

    SL
     
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  15. Roryta, Jan 29, 2008

    Roryta thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2008
    #15
    hehehehe,,


    Am typing this on my new macbook.. this is so cool.. I am very sleepy, but I want to at least get my basics on this machine, so am flipping from page to page figuring out what I need on this thing...


    I hope the transition is smooth.. :D


    PS: 1st thing am loving.. correcting spelling mistakes here on this page!! ON THIS PAGE.. lol...
     
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