[seymorrats]

THIS PAST WEEK I PURCHASED A NEW APPLE COMPUTER AND I LOVE IT...I GREW UP WITH WINDOWS, AND OVER THE YEARS I HAD ALWAYS HEARD THAT APPLES WERE VERY HARD TO USE AND THAT THEY WERE UNRELIABLE...I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THIS IS AN OLD WIVES TALE...I LOVE MY MAC! IT IS A GREAT MACHINE THE EASY OF USE IN UNPARAMOUNT, IN MY LINE OF WORK ALL WE HAVE ARE WINDOWS BASED PC'S AND THE MORE AND MORE I USE MY MAC AT HOME THE MORE AND MORE I HATE THE PC'S WE HAVE AT WORK. THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH MY MAC IS THERE IS NO BACK CLICK BUTTON ON THE MOUSE...THAT IS EASLY SOLVED WITH THE USE OF THE CNRL KEY. IF YOU ARE UNDECIDE AND LEARY ABOUT THE SWITCH DONT BE, APPLES ARE GREAT

[KellieCM]

Hi seymorrats -- glad to hear you like your mac.What type of Mac did you get? The iMacs and Mac Pros come with a Mighty Mouse, which doesn't look like it has a left and a right mouse button, but the function is there. Just tap the mouse on the right side to get the contextual menu you are used to. If you got a laptop though, then yes -- no right click there. But you are right, you can use the keyboard to simulate it.

[damien191]

o.k. so all through my seventh and eight grade years i used both mac and windows for everything (i lived in Maine, thank you technology initiative), and switching between osx and i think it was XP i hardly noticed a difference except for right click though. mac was seamless, and the whole time i had that computer i don't think i had it crash once, not once! (this was running it a week straight and only powering off on weekends) recently i got a new PC but i'm wishing i had saved the extra money for a mac.

[daveh1]

In my opinion the mac interface looks like it was designed for kids. The new mouse is really hard to get use to. I am in the music industry and was considering to buy one because id heard the top artists use them. Was disappointed when i went to the apple store.

[KellieCM]

Hi Dave,That's interesting feedback about the interface. What about it says "kids" to you?I also am not crazy about the Mighty Mouse. Luckily, the Macs accept nearly every USB mouse, so you can most likely just plug your current mouse into it. I actually use a thumb-style trackball mouse made by Microsoft with my PowerBook.

[stephenlambeth]

[quote name='daveh1']In my opinion the mac interface looks like it was designed for kids. The new mouse is really hard to get use to. I am in the music industry and was considering to buy one because id heard the top artists use them. Was disappointed when i went to the apple store.The mac interface may be a bit on the trendy side for most folks, however as far as exteriors go, macs themselves look like they were designed by... ohhhh I don't know.... DESIGNERS! I know, it's a new concept that many may need to adjust to, but I wouldn't be ashamed at all to put my 24" iMac in my living room. My 30" Cinema Display would also make a great looking TV replacement. What PC owner can say that? Have you seen the PC version of the iMac? Hideous is all I can say about it. As for the mouse, I agreed at first because I have a MacBook Pro and it doesn't come with a mouse. But I went and bought the mighty mouse and apple keyboard, and have had no complaints with expose or the "right click" function (had to set "right click" up in system prefs). I didn't like the fact that I had to turn on tabed browsing in Safari or that I had to set up my pictures to display in thumbnail mode. I also didn't like the fact that the "save as" function didn't open up in finder by default... I had to figure that one out on my own. Also, it should be a little more easy to make Safari download the PDF rather than view it within the browser. I had to find a script for that function and it would be easier if Safari had a built in function instead.Once I got everything set up the way I prefered to use OS X, it has been a blast. I am a web designer, but appreciate the ease of use that iWeb gives me. I would rather spend time on websites that I am getting paid to design rather than my own. Also, there is a great program called "RapidWeaver" only available for the Mac for those who would like to incorporate some Adobe Flash into their site. Also, RapidWeaver has more templates then iWeb. I use GarageBand to record lectures of my professors through the built in microphone. I prefer Office for Mac over Office for PC. Also connecting to AirPort couldn't be easier on a Mac or a PC. Linksys should take notes!I wish MS would continue to put out IE for Mac. Some websites require a new version of IE. I also wish that MS would come out with Access for Mac. There are other programs out there for Databases, but they don't help me open an Access document. For those reasons, I installed BootCamp and XP on my wife's iMac. I have only needed XP once (for IE) since I got my CPU's in August and October respecitively. Why buy a box limited to running XP when you can have a beautiful piece of art that runs XP and OS X for just about the same price? My best friend just bought a Dell against my advice, now he wants me to design his website using iWeb. I told him to go buy Dreamweaver and then tell me how much he saved on his PC. It would have been cheaper for him to buy a MacBook than his Dell (and he would have had a built in web-cam and microphone at no extra charge).If you haven't switched, just do it already.

[daveh1]

Oh I wasn't told that lolIt's the desktop and the colours. I.e you have 3 colours to click to max, min or close a window, and the menu at the bottom is strange. I guess im just use to windows.

[PersianDark]

For me, it is all about the games, thus I could never switch to a MAC. Though, if you are not doing games, they are wonderful machines and for general use I find alot more streamline, though a bit more money for getting the same thing on a PC spec wise(though, then you cant use the Mac OS, which is wonderful).But, alas, games.

[wallythander]

I am a windows user, however I have had to use macs for my entire life. I have used macs at school. I personally prefer Linux, however I use Windows to play games. Personally the Dock annoys me a lot, because it is like the start bar, except you can only choose which application you want to bring up, not which window. The switch to apple OS isnt that hard, and I tried once with a friends old G4 iLamp, all my friends are macophiles, and most of the apple bundled software i would definitely not use if I was a professional. The best way to buy a mac is to spend a huge amount of money, while getting as little ram from apple as possible, and then buying a lot of ram from 3rd party. Apple charges waaay too much for their ram. Also, the cost of buying a mac is more expensive, however not by enough that it should put off someone with a lot of money to spend. Greenpeace also says that Apple pollutes more than any computer company based in the U.S., and that their computers are full of carcinogens, so if that doesnt bother you go ahead and buy one then, because it is really a matter of personal preference, you wont know until you try.javascript:emoticon(':)')Smile

[davebarnes]

[quote name='themagain']Is the change really hard from Windows to Mac?It depends. Are you going to get angry and frustrated having to learn slightly different ways to perform actions? If yes, then don't switch.Let me give you an example. In Windows, the menu for the active application is at the top of that applications' window. In Mac OS X, it is in the main menu bar at the top of your monitor screen. So, when you switch you have to change where you look for a menu. Is it better or worse? Neither. It is just different.Another example. Macs have one-button mice by default. The new Mighty Mouse can be configured to be a 2-button mouse, but you have to take explicit action to configure it that way. As for me, I don't care as I always use a Logitech mouse with two buttons. You plug it in and it works just as it worked with Windows. I just don't care for Apple's mice and think they are weak.Another example. In Windows: Control-C to copy. In Mac OS X: Apple-C to copy. Same functionality, but you move your finger to a different key. And, if you use a Microsoft keyboard as I do (I like the MS Natural ergonomic thing), then you use: WindowsIcon-C which is between the Control and the Alt key.Now, about blue screens of death. In 6 years of using Windows 2000 Pro, I had the BSOD about 3 times. In 2 years of using Mac OS X, I have never had a "kernel panic". But, I have had to reboot when I had a "Spinning Beach Ball" that would not go away. I would say that Windows and Mac OS X are both stable systems. At least for me.Ah, the Dock. It is different than the Start bar in Windows. But, the functionality is similar. At first, I hated the dock and wanted the exact equivalent of the Start bar. Now, I think the Dock is great. Overflow is a great little app that really enhances teh Dock in my opinion.The Finder is much different from Windows Explorer. Much simpler to use and therefore less powerful. I think Windows Explorer is better so I purchased Path Finder for my Mac. Path Finder is very powerful (more than Windows Explorer) and I am happy.,daveP.S. Mac user from 1989-1996. Windows user from 1997-2005. Starting switching back to Macs in 2003 and sold my last Windows machine (thanks to Parallels and a 24-inch iMac) this Fall.P.P.S. Own: 24-inch iMac, MacBook (Core 2 Duo), Power Mac (G5), PowerBook (12-inch, G4)

[davebarnes]

[quote name='wallythander']Greenpeace also says that Apple pollutes more than any computer company based in the U.S., and that their computers are full of carcinogens, so if that doesn't bother you go ahead and buy oneThat statement is a lie.If you read the report from Greenpeace "Toxic Chemicals in Computers: Exposed" ( http://www.greenpeac...ic-tech-testing ) you will see that Apple is no worse than the others. The Conclusions on page 12 and 13 do not describe any one of the five manufacturers as being THE polluter.What Greenpeace did do was to title their web article about toxic computers "Rotten to the Core" ( http://www.greenpeac...ten-to-the-core ) because they knew that would generate more publicity. You can't blame them as the wording was clever.Greenpeace also has a web-based campaign ( http://members.green...pple/index.php) to get Apple to improve its manufacturing processes. They did this because Apple is "cool" and well known. After all, how far would a "How green is my Acer" campaign get?,dave

[cnickens]

As a recent switcher from a high-end gaming Dell XPS PC to the Mac Pro workstation, I like the mac--especially the keyboard (great feel to it). The only problem I've had is the infamous TIFF decompressor problem in powerpoint-- when taking a powerpoint created on a mac to a PC, instead of photos a little white box with an error message appears. AppleCare (the Apple Support team) claimed they didn't even know of it, and had no suggestions on how to fix it. This is a big pain, as now I have to do all of my presentations for school on windows computers. I think I'll bite the bullet, pay the $300 for a retail of windows xp and power point, and dual boot.ClayPS the Mac I bought was the first without the "mac tax"... it was 1000 (yes... a thousand) bucks cheaper than a comparable delland I agree with most of y'all about the excessively large packaged software... I'd rather save some bucks than have garageband--Mac Pro 2.66 Quad Core Workstation with a 20 in. Cinema Display--

[davebarnes]

[quote name='cnickens']The only problem...powerpoint... think I'll bite the bullet, pay the $300 for a retail of windows xp and power point, and dual boot.Don't do that.1. Buy Parallels for $80. You will love it.2. Buy Windows 2000 Pro at a used computer store for $50.3. Run PowerPoint under Windows 2K.If you feel you MUST run Windows XP, then surf to www.mwave.com and buy the OEM version for $140.,dave

[KellieCM]

Clay, by TIFF problem, are you saying that TIFF files don't show up in Powerpoint? Can you re-save them as JPG or some other platform-neutral format instead? I use GIFs and JPGs in my presentations (built in Mac PPT) all the time.

[md880]

The change from PC to Mac is not a hard fall, it's the easiest transition I have done, and I have had many PCs, running the gambut Packard Bell, Sony, Dell 5, so I have used them now I only have one PC running Windows. The great thing is if you are into photos it comes with a built in photo organizer/editor (i photo) you don't have to run out and buy one or use the one that comes with Windows. I do a lot of photography and it's so easy to share the pics, and build a slide show and send them to iWeb another built in program. With the advent of the new Intel Macs, if you so date and want to or have to you can use or download Boot Camp and run Windows on your Mac now if you are just dying to still have the misery on Windows. If ya get a change go to an Apple store, not only will you like the way they are laid out, clean crisp not junky. Their tecnical support is so good not some farmed out foreign freak talking from a windy room in Bangalor. The built in help menu is too neat and very explainatory. Their built in search tool is a few months ahead of Mircrosoft and will alread search your machine, and starts the search with the first letter.I have never regretted the change, or looked back and said well I probably paid too much. You can start with a Mac mini, as long as you have a keyboard mouse and a monitor. I will warn ya the graphics on the larger machines, the 24" iMac, and Mac Pro are awesome and addicting, especially with a 30" monitor, a bargain at $1,999

[davebarnes]

md880 is correct in saying that the 24-inch iMac is awesome. we replaced a 1-year old 20-inch iMac (G5) with a new 24-inch iMac (Core 2 Duo). We did the replacement for two reasons:1. To be able to run Parallels and Windows 2000 Pro at a decent speed.2. To get the bigger monitor.It is a great machine. The true cost was $2700 including:basic machineupgrade to larger diskupgrade on video cardupgrade to 2GB memorysales taxIt is worth it.

[smax013]

[quote name='kellie']Hi seymorrats -- glad to hear you like your mac.> > > > What type of Mac did you get? The iMacs and Mac Pros come with a Mighty Mouse, which doesn't look like it has a left and a right mouse button, but the function is there. Just tap the mouse on the right side to get the contextual menu you are used to. If you got a laptop though, then yes -- no right click there. But you are right, you can use the keyboard to simulate it.Actually, you can set the trackpad on an Intel Mac Laptop (Macbook Pro at least) to do a "right click" by using two fingers tapping on the trackpad. Thus, you CAN "right click" just using the trackpad (but you can always do it with the keyboard modifier too).And it is not just an issue of "tap the mouse on the right side to get the contextual menu" if you are using the Mighty Mouse. You have to switch that function on within the System Prefs. Apple allows users to use the Mighty Mouse as a traditional one-button mouse or as a two-button mouse. But, in order to get the two-button mouse functionality you have to have that function turned on (I believe that Apple has it set to "off" by default).And as you pointed out, any (or just about any) two-button USB "Windoze" mouse will work fine with a Mac and have the two-button functionality. You may not get all the functions of the OTHER buttons that some modern mice have unless they supple a Mac driver, but typically the two primary buttons will work as will the scroll wheel. I have used several different "Windoze" mice with my Macs (and my Windoze PCs <grin>).

[themagain]

Now I've realized that now the question that was first asked in this thread is irrelavent. I would never buy a Mac.....ever. Well certainly not unless they make some drastic changes in their pricing. I think that what they are charging for these machines is absolutely rediculous. I mean 512 MB RAM and 60 GB hard drive for $1200? Come on. Who in the right mind would ever want to buy one, unless they were serious graphic designers? :evil: Or unless you were rich and had some extra cash to waste.All Due Respect,

[smax013]

[quote name='themagain']Now I've realized that now the question that was first asked in this thread is irrelavent. I would never buy a Mac.....ever. Well certainly not unless they make some drastic changes in their pricing. I think that what they are charging for these machines is absolutely rediculous. I mean 512 MB RAM and 60 GB hard drive for $1200? Come on. Who in the right mind would ever want to buy one, unless they were serious graphic designers? :evil: Or unless you were rich and had some extra cash to waste.> > > > All Due Respect,It is certainly your right to not want to buy a Mac, but you might at least want to get your facts correct. The Macbook with 512 mb RAM and a 60 gb hard drive is $1100 ($1099 actually)...assuming that you don't buy it from some place with a rebate (for example, Amazon currently has a $75 rebate).And I will also mention that there ARE Windoze laptops that are similar in price range with very similar features to that. Yes, you can find laptops that have more features for similar or actually lower prices, but you also find some that are similar in price and features.And personally, I am willing to spend a little more to get what I consider to be a better product and service...the saying is sometimes true..."you get what you pay for". On the Windoze side of things, this used to Dell for me...but recent poor service from them has caused them to lose me as a customer. And now that I can run Windoze on a Mac when I need to, I can not even bother worrying about Windoze PCs and just get a Mac for any future purchase. I personally find the Mac to be a superior machine, from a design point of view but mainly from a system software point of view (for every problem that I have on my ANY of my three Macs, I tend to have about 100 problems or more on my Windoze Dell desktop...the problems that eventually creep up on my Windoze system are EXTREMELY annoying to me and the lack of problems on my Macs are worth any extra money that I may or may not have had to pay for them).But, to each their own. Personally, I can't imagine why anyone would want to deal with the headaches (i.e. Blue Screens of Death, crashes, freezes, etc) that come with a Windoze machine when there is a less painful option (at least in my experience). But that is just me.