Mac OS X: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac?
- 8/15/08 3:00 PM
....On Dual-booting...
by vizsla - 8/16/08 6:18 AM In reply to: No need for a MAC, I use linux by bcw142Dual-booting is always an option, but it's cumbersome at best. All The Macs can dual boot, but using Parallels is far easier and quicker than booting down and booting up.
Linux is there as a glittering possibility *but* I'm not an IT professional despite being reasonably conversant. That trabsklates to my not being especially motivated to learn yet another OS and deal with more conversion issues. All that takes time, and, at least IMHO, has little financial pay-off. Mac machines are virtually the same cost as other Intel-based boxes, so I'm not sure I understand the financial benefits. Granted, I was able to afford buying a new box.
If I were in the position of not being able to do that, Linux would be a much more attractive option, but even then the hours invested in learning and dealing with do have an economic cost attached approaching that of buying a new machine.
Please Don't use Parallels!
by maciasd - 8/17/08 2:07 PM In reply to: ....On Dual-booting... by vizslaI agree that a virtual machine is a get way to run the very few programs that are proprietarily whinedoze, but Parallels is not the way to do it. For the best experience, I would recommend VMWare Fusion. It is far more stable, easier to install and the overall better software. Hope this helps!
//Dave
Mac OS is NOT based on Linux
by mrmacfixit - 8/16/08 6:51 AM
In reply to: No need for a MAC, I use linux by bcw142
It IS Unix
MAC = Media Access Control
Mac = A computer made by Apple
Worth knowing
P
FYI. . . .
by maciasd - 8/17/08 2:03 PM In reply to: No need for a MAC, I use linux by bcw142Mac is actually UNIX based, not Linux. While the differences are slight, that is the formal fact.
//Dave
About a Year Ago...
by vizsla - 8/16/08 5:38 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I cut my PC teeth on a Wang PC running Wang DOS (as opposed to PC Dos as opposed to MS DOS). Up until last year I never had any reason to switch. In fact, it was more a case of the Mac world simply not having the same breadth or quality of application software.
Then I moved to Vista.........
My experience was so horrible (from dealing with "User Accounts, driver issues, crashes, stalls, latency....) I bought a Macbook Pro and switched. (This wasn't as simple as it may seem. I'm running about 8 TB of data using 3 separate machines and loads of outboard storage)
I desperately missed a few applications at first, but then began running Parallels. After a while, I no longer used Parallels, but instead began using Mac aps that did the same thing but in different ways.
I tried going back to Vista, but in the end I've simply given up. It is a *terrible* OS, overly complex, loaded with problems, never fully tested and I doubt it will ever be right.
My current setup includes a big Vista Box running quad core with 4 MB and basically used as a a data server. My main machine is a Mac Pro running 16 GB and 8 cores. The third machine is a Macbook Pro. The Macs are *so* much more reliable.
They do crash, but when they do, it's a much simpler restore, and they crash far less often. I miss my Newsbin and MP3 Tag (the Mac equivalents aren't nearly as good....in fact, there is *no* tagging programs anywhere on the Mac side that even approximates MP3 Tag) and so I either go on the Vista machine for that purpose or occasionally run Paralells, but the Mac Pro is my main machine. I can't ever see going back.
Switchover problems
by hagewoodg - 8/16/08 5:51 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My wife fell in love with the 24" iMac which we purchased from a huge online retailer due to a rebate, no shipping charges, and no tax. Setup was extremely easy, instant connectivity with my wireless network, and extremely intuitive interface. Downside: infant mortality of the hard drive in less than 24 hours! Fortunately I had only installed one application. We returned it to the Apple store and they replaced the drive. Returned home and reinstalled Mac Office 2008. Found several programs missing drivers. Called the help line and, as I expected, had to reinstall the original software. No problems since then and ALL the Apple representatives were extremely pleasant and helpful. Have I had this problem with PCs? You betcha -- more than once over the last 7 or 8 years so this is not an Apple specific problem. Would I personally switch to a Mac? Absolutely when I'm not chained to work applications.
Never
by midcow2 - 8/16/08 6:26 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mac is not used in the business world. My profession is in Information Technology. Back when IBM mainframes ran business , PCs were still DOS based and Apple had an innovative GUI and tried to influence the future direction of Apple by supplying schools with Apple II. It just didn't work! Whatever people fell or think about Bill Gates, Microsoft has been very innovative and forward thinking and has achieve a coporate business model, both software and harware, thta Apple will never be able to achieve. Steven Jobs was first with GUI, he just didn't take it forward into a business model> Wnag had the same proble with their GUI; younger reader probably aren't even awre that Wang was once a strong player in GUI and Office systems.
Well after using both for extended periods of time......
by Dannyag - 8/16/08 6:28 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go back to a "Windows" based system again. Mac/OSX is clearly a far superior OS in all aspects of computing. Vista might have a tad more speed (depending on configuration, memory, etc) but overall, OSX wins hands down. And I'm not talking about the fact that there aren't any viruses that can effect OS X because that's just a matter of market share. (Those who know both systems know what I'm talking about).
I'm referring to the trouble-free, reboot free, easy to install programs, nicer interface, ability to run Windows natively (so when it does poop itself, you can just close out of it and continue working), not to mention the thousands of features that make OSX a complete computing pleasure.
I'd rather spend the money I spent on my Apple/Mac and have the peace of mind knowing the above-mentioned then spend half of that on a system that continues to crash, have multiple, annoying bugs, reboot after every install, etc..etc...etc.
Is a Mac/Apple/OSX perfect? NO, it's not. It's a computer and it does have it's share of glitches. But that's about it. Just some glitches. Nothing that could ever aggravate me to the point of wanting to throw the machine thru a "WINDOW". No pun intended.
First Apple
by jimmcnab - 8/16/08 7:09 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My first Apple was the Apple Macintosh. I was hooked from then on. I've had an Apple ever since.
RE: When did you switch over to a Mac?
by queengeek44 - 8/16/08 7:22 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I understand why folks say they would "never" switch to a Mac. I've been a Windows administrator for more than 20+ years and we just considered the Mac's something for "those people" that really couldn't hack a "real" computer that required some brain power to operate. Well, never say never. I purchased a 20" Intel iMac in Nov 2006 and fell in love with it to the point that when my 70+ year old father needed to upgrade, I sold him the iMac and purchased a 17" Mac Book Pro (MBP). i looooooooooove my MBP and do all my Windows administration from it. I laugh at my Windows-only friends that are constantly running into issues with compatibility or functionality and dare we mention virus/spyware maintenance. When I need to run Windows, I use Vmware's Fusion to have various versions of non-Mac OS applications (Windows, Linux, etc). There believe folks just miss the boat about computers and why Mac's have become so popular.
The "average" user just wants to get email, print, surf the internet safely and probably share some pictures with family & friends. A Mac does that plus a whole lot more very, very easily and with style. Microsoft just missed with Vista (like they did with ME). Vista is a poor imitation of Mac OS X and I ran both.
Another reason for the switch, I believe users have become frustrated with getting their new computer home only to find that they need more memory, more disk space, a different cable or whatever. The options for PCs can be overwhelming to the "average" user. I emphasize average because that's the masses buy the computers. When you buy a Mac, it's a no-brainer. More than the minimum is the standard and you have everything you need to function. I have all the ports (usb, firewire 400, 800 & esata), webcam, memory & diskspace I need. There's no guess work and I, Jane-consumer, walk away very happy with my purchase.
If my 70+ year old dad can use it, then anyone can. He's amazed at how difficult things were on Windows and how easy they are on the Mac. He's favorite line is "that's all I have to do?" He was a long-time AOL user that fought with sending email attachments, updating his Address book and other routine tasks of installing software for real estate. He found he always needed something extra to produce flyers, share his pictures. Now, he uses the Apple's mail for accessing AOL's email but he easily drags-and-drops his attachments (or pictures) in email. He Address Book/Contacts are nice and clean and easy for him to use and the biggest bonus now he is creating his website of shared pictures/albums via iWeb and iPhoto with drag & drop methods.
In summary, it's a no brainer.....a mac has the power for higher-end geeks like myself who still need to use Windows (and Linux) but the average user like my dad can do all that the need too.
Love my iMac..blows the PC away...
by clawthonnie - 8/16/08 7:47 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you have any preconceived notions about Macs, just for fun, go to an Apple store and play with the computers. If things feel foreign at first, ask a Mac genius for help. People often close their minds to new things because they are afraid of change. I am so glad that I finally decided, after much deliberation, to get an iMac desktop. If it's Windows you want, you can download Windows software for Macs. The support available to you when you purchase a Mac is a huge benefit that you don't get when you buy a PC. You can sign up for ProCare...one on one assistance from a Mac specialist; there are weekly classes at the Apple stores; there's Apple tech support if you run into a snag; and there's on-line help as well. The operating systems are straight forward and fun. You don't have to buy a firewall for your computer with a Mac.
I kept an open mind, and so should you. I have never regretted purchasing my Mac, and I have to tell you, it blows my PC away.
Never switching.
by Qwerty Cake - 8/16/08 8:07 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Simply put,
1. The interface doesn't make as much sense to me. I like to be able to do things fast (like one key press to get to the search or one key press to delete a file).
2. At least 50% of the programs I use don't work on Mac AND their mac alternatives are either buggy or lacking important features.
Never switch to Macs
by JRNetwork - 8/16/08 9:13 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mac's are okay, but I like using PCs much more. There is a lot more [free] software for PCs than for Macs, and Macs are usually higher priced. At certain tasks I have found Macs to be noticeably better, but overall I prefer PCs. Some of the art classes on campus have Mac Labs. The first contact I had with a computer was with a Mac, that I easily learned how to use in second grade. In third grade however... I came in contact with Windows and I never looked back. I'm not a strictly PC guy... but PC > Mac for me.
I'll give Mac this though... They have unrivaled looks.
I'll stick to Windows
by Themisive - 8/16/08 9:18 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
OK, I know that Macs don't have the hacker and spam problems that Windows does, but remember Windows has a huge share of the market right now. As Macs start to dominate, they'll get their problems as well - in fact I saw just the other day, instances of spam and hacker activity on Mac systems, so no they're NOT foolproof.
In addition, most programmes are made to run on Windows, not Macs, though I hear that is changing slowly; in short I'll stick to Windows for all it's faults.
To Mac or not!
by david kurland - 8/16/08 9:25 AM In reply to: Poll: When did you switch over to a Mac? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have never liked, nor was ever comfortable with large, dominating things. (I even turned down a 4 year college scholarship at a prestigious university because they sent me IBM cards. I am a bit older than most readers I suspect.) So going with the PC is counter to core beliefs but we have from the beginning.
Today, we operate a small business using 24 PCs. Recently, our CFO, a woman of about 60 bought herself a laptop... a Mac no less. (We paid for it!)
There was concern it would not meld with "GoToMyPC" and our other machines. It has smoothly and efficiently.
While our IT consultant says that a switch ends our ten year association, he has a decent "real day job" so we will miss him, but Sandra's experience tells us we have been wrong.
While Fire Fox, Mozilla was one way to protest MS' arrogance always expressed or implied: "You are so lucky we'll even sell you anything" attitude will be but a nightmare of adolescence fairly soon. Though, Bill Gates' newly found generosity in the world is respected, commended and withdrawal now has some guilt associated with it.
I think it is costing Dell, Toshiba etc., a great deal of business. Why can't they sell their machines without operating systems? We'd sign a waiver. But that seems to be too late for us. "The Apple's are coming!" (The shot heard around the World.)
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