Should I get a Mac?


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i believe the topic is

"Should I get a Mac?"

Unless he's talking about a Big Mac, I think most of the stuff we talked about were relevant. I don't think he was asking for a yes/no answer...

The most off-topic topic is probably whether what we talked about was off-topic or not. :bsmilie:
 

The argument between PC and Mac has been going on for ages. It's like asking which is better... rice or bread? Each has its own pros and cons. Just choose the one that tastes better to you.

I have gone to the Mac shop to try their Macs before... a few times, actually. The same thing always happens... First question I ask is... "Where is the right mouse button?" Then I will start a few applications... but I won't get very far because the right mouse button is missing. Then I will think that the whole interface is very fancy, but serves no practical purpose. Then the damn thing will hang. Then I will call the extremely friendly salesperson who will tell me that the damn thing hang because I don't know how to use it. At which point, I will think to myself... why my PC running on XP never ever hangs?

so you mean...everytime you try a Mac, you always ask where is the right mouse button, even though you know perfectly well Macs don't come with it?

your whole computing mindset is based on having a right mouse button? :bsmilie: snap out of it! =P i do most of my photoshop/retouching work with a one-button mouse. if you really can't live with it, Macs works perfectly fine with "conventional" mice. you can also "Control + mouseclick" to access the contextual menu.

whole interface is fancy? perhaps you need a reminder that Macs are the first computers to popularise GUIs, bringing them into the mainstream consciousness and making GUIs an essential part of computing now. the current OS is just building on that legacy. yes, it can be fancy, but it works damn well too. perhaps what you need is a short walkthrough, u'll be nothing short of impressed.

ya, the salesman is probably right. you don't (want to) know how to use a Mac :bsmilie:
 

My PC at work has hung before because those office people loaded it with all sorts of security stuff... and there's not enough resources for those.
isn't that...counterproductive? loading up with tons of security stuff but making your computer unstable in the process? that has not happen with the Mac before.


Sometimes, if the program has some problems, it will close with an error message. But that's not really hanging since I can start the program again. That's what I like about XP.
that's what Mac users have liked about Mac OS for years.


If I am forced to use the Mac, I'm sure I can... but what's the point in that? I get no kick out of it. I can't play many games on it. I have to pay for a whole new suite of software. I can see past the glossy interface... yes, even for Vista. OK... it looks good... but I won't pick vanity over sanity.
excuse me? i'm playing games on my Mac because i have Windows XP loaded on it as well.

please don't mix up a Mac (an Apple-labeled personal computer) with a PC (can be any generic or branded personal computer) with the different OS'es. Intel-based Macs can run both Mac OS and Windows now.
 

Have been thinking of getting a Mac? Any strong reasons to move to Mac? Mac users out there, any opinions other than form factor?

if you have more queries, try hardwarezone.com or macusersg.org/forums. they have mac-focused boards for you to post your questions :)
 

The argument between PC and Mac has been going on for ages. It's like asking which is better... rice or bread? Each has its own pros and cons. Just choose the one that tastes better to you.

I have gone to the Mac shop to try their Macs before... a few times, actually. The same thing always happens... First question I ask is... "Where is the right mouse button?" Then I will start a few applications... but I won't get very far because the right mouse button is missing. Then I will think that the whole interface is very fancy, but serves no practical purpose. Then the damn thing will hang. Then I will call the extremely friendly salesperson who will tell me that the damn thing hang because I don't know how to use it. At which point, I will think to myself... why my PC running on XP never ever hangs?

If your mouse is missing a right button, then it's an issue with the mouse not the Mac system right? You will probably want to use a mouse with 2 buttons then, eg. Apple Mighty Mouse.

I use a Mac 10-12 hours a day, never reboots it, and it hasn't hung once for years. You must be very lucky to have it hang every single time.
 

isn't that...counterproductive? loading up with tons of security stuff but making your computer unstable in the process? that has not happen with the Mac before.


that's what Mac users have liked about Mac OS for years.


excuse me? i'm playing games on my Mac because i have Windows XP loaded on it as well.

please don't mix up a Mac (an Apple-labeled personal computer) with a PC (can be any generic or branded personal computer) with the different OS'es. Intel-based Macs can run both Mac OS and Windows now.

My office runs Windows with tons of security software which is straining on the processing power. Is the Intel based Macs stable on PC platform?
 

the right mouse button

that is my personal dislike with the apple mouse

anyway, with the apple mouse control click will get you the same function as a right mouse button

or get a mouse with right mouse buttons (i did)

btw my mac has not hang for years already, sometimes the software can hang but the computer will not

You mean that Mac can have a right mouse button? Does it serve similar functions like the PC?
 

My office runs Windows with tons of security software which is straining on the processing power. Is the Intel based Macs stable on PC platform?
the beauty and stability of Macs is in the hardware, Mac operating system and Mac applications working together hand-in-hand.

when you run Windows on an Intel-based Mac, it then becomes just like any other ordinary PC, vulnerable to the dangers that all Windows-run computers are exposed to.
 

You mean that Mac can have a right mouse button? Does it serve similar functions like the PC?

most Mac apps are intended to work perfectly fine with a one-button operation. but they will work just fine with multi-buttons mouse as well, to scroll or bring out extra menus etc just like in Windows.

my advise is, get over the 2-button mouse mentality =)
 

I have gone to the Mac shop to try their Macs before... a few times, actually. The same thing always happens... First question I ask is... "Where is the right mouse button?" Then I will start a few applications... but I won't get very far because the right mouse button is missing. Then I will think that the whole interface is very fancy, but serves no practical purpose. Then the damn thing will hang. Then I will call the extremely friendly salesperson who will tell me that the damn thing hang because I don't know how to use it. At which point, I will think to myself... why my PC running on XP never ever hangs?

maybe u like to drop by my work place to try and see if the com hangs..maybe i can see if u dun know how to use the machine or the machine is unable to cater to ur needs :)

To the TS, the choice of platform doesn't lie with which system is better, but which system you are more comfy with. Most ppl are reluctant to switch because of a natural character that exist in most of us, thats comfort. People find it uncomfortable to switch over to something new and unfamiliar. Imagine having 5 yrs of experience using a windows and having to relearn the OS. However, it isn't realli difficult. Macs (IMHO) are easier to graspe and understand for non-technology fanatics. Of course, one reason why majority use windows is jus because we were brought up that way. Also because Macs have onli been more affordable say since 5 years ago. Also, during the G3-G5 era, technology fanatics are also skeptical on the performance of the machine when its impossible to put them side by side to compare specs.

Yes, macs do break down too..like any other product. I have seen my share during work. But there are also those who having been using them for years. No manufacturer can promise products that are completely free from problems. The mac vs windows issues is also not so much abt speed.. its the stability.. that is of utmost importance (least to me)

Lastly, ask any mac user.. and (I wun quote any random figures) quite a number of mac users tend to buy another mac after their first. Ask them the reason why that is so. Perhaps it would be of help to you.

As for me, I jus enjoy the use of the machine without the hassles. It served me well and that prompted me to get another one after my first retired.

PS: I don't know if this would be helpful, but I had survived doing PS on a 933mhz ibook w 640mb ram and am surviving doing the same of the 2.0ghz MB w jus 1 gb ram
 

It is a personal choice. One man's meat is another man's poison.

I have converted to Mac 2 years ago and never look back. It is just such a straight forward OS, simpilfied my usage, to give me the time to do other things. Life is short. If there is a short cut, I would take it.

:)
 

You mean that Mac can have a right mouse button? Does it serve similar functions like the PC?

If you're using the onboard trackpad, a Ctrl-Click will also act as a right mouse click. Yes, it supports mice with 2,3,4,5,6... buttons...clickwheel, programmable keys... the whole lot...

One of my favorite accessories.... http://www.kenrockwell.com/logitech/s530.htm
 

so you mean...everytime you try a Mac, you always ask where is the right mouse button, even though you know perfectly well Macs don't come with it?

your whole computing mindset is based on having a right mouse button? :bsmilie: snap out of it! =P i do most of my photoshop/retouching work with a one-button mouse. if you really can't live with it, Macs works perfectly fine with "conventional" mice. you can also "Control + mouseclick" to access the contextual menu.

whole interface is fancy? perhaps you need a reminder that Macs are the first computers to popularise GUIs, bringing them into the mainstream consciousness and making GUIs an essential part of computing now. the current OS is just building on that legacy. yes, it can be fancy, but it works damn well too. perhaps what you need is a short walkthrough, u'll be nothing short of impressed.

ya, the salesman is probably right. you don't (want to) know how to use a Mac :bsmilie:


I did not say that my whole computing mindset is based on having the right mouse button. You said it. I'm just saying that it's not a good design. That's the thing about Mac users. They are so defensive about their Macs. It's almost unbelievable.

I'm not complaining about the fancy interface. What I'm saying is... beyond the fancy interface, everything else is pretty much the same. Personally, I prefer the down-to-earth interface of XP compared to the Mac (or Vista for that matter).

I went through the short walkthrough... 2 times, actually. After the machine hangs, the friendly salesman will go through the whole works with me. It's nice... but it's not great. I didn't go like 'Wow'! It's more like... 'That's nice'.

Just to clarify... even though I think it's not that important... the reason why those Macs hung was because I opened too many software. When you're in the shop, you would of course just click on the programs, right? What does this do? What does that do? And then hang... The salesman say I cannot open them all. I must close off some before opening the others.

What I'm thinking is... a Mac is usually configured for graphic work. Personally, I build my own PCs and customise them for my needs. So they work great. I get to do what I want with no frustration at a fraction of the cost of a Mac. However, if you were to buy an off-the-shelf Dell/HP/Acer/etc... they would probably not be so ideal for graphic work. That's probably why people doing graphic work use Macs.

What I'm most appalled with is... whenever these debates crop up, Mac users will inevitably tell the PC users that they have the wrong mindset, they are stubborn, Mac is the best, use Mac or you're not cool, etc... But the truth is... Macs and PCs are machines that help us work. Both have pros and cons. You have to evaluate them individually against their cost.
 

Once you get over the urge to splash money, there is no need to get one. Wait 1 month. Probably the urge will be over.
 

I did not say that my whole computing mindset is based on having the right mouse button. You said it. I'm just saying that it's not a good design. That's the thing about Mac users. They are so defensive about their Macs. It's almost unbelievable.

I'm not complaining about the fancy interface. What I'm saying is... beyond the fancy interface, everything else is pretty much the same. Personally, I prefer the down-to-earth interface of XP compared to the Mac (or Vista for that matter).

I went through the short walkthrough... 2 times, actually. After the machine hangs, the friendly salesman will go through the whole works with me. It's nice... but it's not great. I didn't go like 'Wow'! It's more like... 'That's nice'.

Just to clarify... even though I think it's not that important... the reason why those Macs hung was because I opened too many software. When you're in the shop, you would of course just click on the programs, right? What does this do? What does that do? And then hang... The salesman say I cannot open them all. I must close off some before opening the others.

What I'm thinking is... a Mac is usually configured for graphic work. Personally, I build my own PCs and customise them for my needs. So they work great. I get to do what I want with no frustration at a fraction of the cost of a Mac. However, if you were to buy an off-the-shelf Dell/HP/Acer/etc... they would probably not be so ideal for graphic work. That's probably why people doing graphic work use Macs.

What I'm most appalled with is... whenever these debates crop up, Mac users will inevitably tell the PC users that they have the wrong mindset, they are stubborn, Mac is the best, use Mac or you're not cool, etc... But the truth is... Macs and PCs are machines that help us work. Both have pros and cons. You have to evaluate them individually against their cost.

If you are a MAC user for a couple of years you will learn that a MAC OSX is not much different from a XP OS. You have said that you use XP and customised to your needs. A Mac user does the same too. When you visit a MAC or a PC shop, most computers are based on their factory settings. Very often, it's not calibrated (with minimum RAM). Again, both OS are down to earth after playing it for the first 3 months! (Well meddle with like almost every hour )

It's when you bring it to your comfort home is where you start to customise for your needs. A Mac computer is not about serious graphics and photography based only. There is other applications on a Mac which is suitable for PC users as well. Whatever a PC or a MAC can do, both computers can almost perform almost the same operation with one another. There are PC users who uses Adobe Creative Suite on their PC (one of them is me).

There are definately certain programs like Final Cut Pro (Mac Video Editing Software) and Las Vegas (PC Video Editing software) which are not compatible with one another.

Adpating a multi platform would be the best answer. I learn how a Mac user thinks and how a PC user thinks as well. Pros and cons there maybe but it's a best of both worlds.

The only setback until now as a PC and a Mac user would be viruses. I need to purchase a Symantec Anti Virus for my PC every other year but both of my Mac is anti virus free.:bsmilie:

As for the TS, absorb all our words and summarize it. Go to both PC and MAC shop. Let them know your needs and I am pretty sure, they will know how to cater your needs. At the end of the day, you may end up with a surprise.
 

Once you get over the urge to splash money, there is no need to get one. Wait 1 month. Probably the urge will be over.

Yeah, I did have that thought a couple of times. One of them was buying a Honda TYPE R Intrega.......:bsmilie:

It took about a month for the urge to be over!:thumbsup:
 

isn't that...counterproductive? loading up with tons of security stuff but making your computer unstable in the process? that has not happen with the Mac before.

That's because you can't load these security stuff in a Mac... They are not available... Which makes it unsuitable for a secure office environment. We have a lot of price sensitive information at work.

It's not counterproductive. It's a necessary evil. However, my office should have upgraded my PC about a year ago. But that has nothing to do with the Mac vs PC debate.
 

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