New computer. Should I switch from PC to Mac?

[tjkurita]

I think I'm going to have to upgrade my computer soon. Should I get an Intel Mac or a PC computer. If I were to stick with pc, I'd probably get it here: http://www.pugetsystems.com/ Anybody know or work with this company before? If I were to get a Mac, I might even run my old Windows program on it. But I'd probably make a complete switch.

Has anyone switched from PC to Mac recently? How did you find it? I'm not as concerned about moving music, pics and Word files. But I am concerned about moving my e-mail archive. I use earthlink total access for my e-mail program. Is there an easy way to transfer such files? How is the internet security on a Mac? I don't use games or graphics heavy programs. Nor do I care too much about speed. I'd just like something to use in a utilitarian, stripped down, Music, Movie, Word Processing, Picture storage, E-mail way.

I'd like to get it done before my current computer blows up. It's coming soon, too. Occassionally my computer says to me: "Dave, what are you doing Dave? My mind is going, I can feel it..." It crashes too often and does some strange things.

Any advice or suggestions would help a lot.

Thanks,

John.

 

[vpivinylspinner]

I switched to Mac two years ago and I will never go back. For what you are looking for a Mac will really shine. The free software alone that comes with iLife will handle most of the tasks you discussed. The Microsoft office package for Macs is actually better than the one selling for PCs. There are useful features on the Mac version that I have never found on the PC version and often miss when I am at work.

Mac's operating system is so much better than Windows. Much more intuitive and the utilities that come on the Mac allow you to really customize the operation to the way you like it instead of fighting everything like on the PC.

Are you using outlook for your Earthlink e-mail files? Moving them across to Entourage (the Microsoft version of Outlook for Mac) or to Mail is not very difficult using the Migration utility on the Mac.

I have had my PowerMac for over two years now and I have never had to restart the computer for failed operations or crashes like I have to do at least once a week on my last three PC laptops at work. That in itself is enough for me then add the faster operation because no bohemoth operating system like Windows and the Mac comes out well ahead in my book.

As far as security, you will find that the majority of viruses out there are designed for PCs. As the .EXE extension means nothing on a Mac most of them do nothing to a Mac. There is at this time one virus that targets Macs making it much easier to prepare for on a Mac than the million viruses targeting a PC.

Go to the new Apple store right by FAO Schwartz by the Park and play around with the Macs and the Apple operating system. I think you will like them.

 

[PYROphonez]

I don't personally own a mac, but I think they are the best if you don't have intentions to play games. Even if you do want to play games, you can use bootcamp and dualboot windows.

Definitely look into the macs.

I use macs every day in school for programs like photoshop and illustrator. When I go home to a windows pc, I can't stand using photoshop or illustrator. I don't like that windows button on pc keyboards either.

 

[tjkurita]

Wow, two very positive responses and one of them is from someone who doesn't even own Mac. Maybe I should make it the front-runner. I am VERY used to PC, though. Wouldn't even know where to begin with Mac. I know a thing or two about streamlining Windows, but I suppose I am only making a very bad system a little worse.

From what I have heard Mac OS is simply good on its own without need for manual de-complicating (yeah, I make up words that don't exist, what's it to you?).

I will have to figure out an earthlink total access e-mail transfer solution. Jeff, are you saying I can archive all of my earthlink e-mails to outlook and then transfer them to mac using Entourage? I can always call earthlink and find out from them. They probably have Mac and PC versions of Total access and maybe they have utilities to switch.

Thanks guys. Please keep the opinions and experiences coming.

 

[hembergler]

I mainly use PCs, and I haven't had XP crash on me in well over a year. My PowerBook on the otherhand, loses internet connection all the time and freezes up. Also, it's one of the older models where there were two hinges to hold up the monitor... one of them broke. Sent it back to Apple, got in back in about 3 days (really fast turn-around!), except, that now it froze whenever you tried to open a program or file. I had to reinstall OS X...

My brother's iBook had Coke spilt onto it (college

) and we sent that back to Apple. Once again, fast turn-around time... except that one of the system files is corrupted, and I still have to reinstall OS X on it.

Having said all of that, I'd still try out a Mac. Maybe you'll have more luck than I have. Everytime someone says, "Mac's don't crash," I have a hard time holding in my laughter; I haven't had a PC crash on me in one very long time, and my PowerBook has decided that crashing is its new favorite pastime.

 

[roastpuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hembergler I mainly use PCs, and I haven't had XP crash on me in well over a year. My PowerBook on the otherhand, loses internet connection all the time and freezes up. Also, it's one of the older models where there were two hinges to hold up the monitor... one of them broke. Sent it back to Apple, got in back in about 3 days (really fast turn-around!), except, that now it froze whenever you tried to open a program or file. I had to reinstall OS X... My brother's iBook had Coke spilt onto it (college ) and we sent that back to Apple. Once again, fast turn-around time... except that one of the system files is corrupted, and I still have to reinstall OS X on it. Having said all of that, I'd still try out a Mac. Maybe you'll have more luck than I have. Everytime someone says, "Mac's don't crash," I have a hard time holding in my laughter; I haven't had a PC crash on me in one very long time, and my PowerBook has decided that crashing is its new favorite pastime.

Seems that you've been very unfortunate with this. Both seems to have been bad apples of some sort, sadly. Apple's service can be iffy sometimes, though they are good most of the time up north here in Canada.

My family has had 2 PowerBooks and an iMac Core Duo, and we love them all. They work really nice, and we don't have to worry about crashes and viruses in the slightest. The only program that I've ever had crash on me was Microsoft Office for Mac, in fact.

If you do go for a Mac, dual-booting Windows is always an option for the newer Macs. My thread on my adventures doing that was up just a few days ago, heh.

If you know how to slipstream XP, you'll be fine on a Mac. Most tasks are actually simpler and easier to do.

 

[meat01]

If you go the PC route, Puget computers seems kind of expensive.

 

[tjkurita]

Damn! Head-fi is great! I can get experienced answers to stupid questions. What could be bad about it?

Puget DOES seem expensive... But they also seem to have some cool stuff. It's a tough decision about that. Do you know of any other custom builders for PCs?

I'll check out that thread, roastpuff thanks for the heads up.

J.

 

[DRSpeed85]

Get bootcamp. After considering that, the only question is about hardware performance.

 

[jnev]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjkurita Damn! Head-fi is great! I can get experienced answers to stupid questions. What could be bad about it? Puget DOES seem expensive... But they also seem to have some cool stuff. It's a tough decision about that. Do you know of any other custom builders for PCs? I'll check out that thread, roastpuff thanks for the heads up. J.

ibuypower.com is a good custom pc builder for cheap...

 

[meat01]

If you are not concerned about games, graphics or other CPU intensive apps, I would not worry about getting a custom built computer. I would get a Dell (that is if you don't get a Mac). I am not familiar with Macs, but it sounds like a good option in your case.

 

[tjkurita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meat01 If you are not concerned about games, graphics or other CPU intensive apps, I would not worry about getting a custom built computer. I would get a Dell (that is if you don't get a Mac). I am not familiar with Macs, but it sounds like a good option in your case.

I think you're right about the custom thing, meat. I do know a lot of people who have bought Dells recently who have had some serious problems. But these might be general problems that apply to most PCs. I have a dell that has had a wonky DVD drive for its entire life.

Talked to someone at earthlink today who told me that I can't transfer my e-mail archive to mac if I use Total Access. The person at the mac store told me to burn a few of the e-mails to disk and have their "geniuses" try to get them to work.

If I can easily transfer my e-mail archive to mac, I think I'm going to switch.

 

[smeggy]

If there are no platform specific apps you need to run or don't do anything intensive that needs specific hardware PC-wise then there's nothing much to stop you switching. I still need plenty of PC specific stuff so I stick with PC's. The newer Macs can do windows native but you may still come across problems with some hardware as macs are still not too well supported in the hi-end graphics card department and general upgrade possibilities are relatively limited.

From what you describe I don't think that'll be much of an issue for you. Go with whatever will make you happy.

 

[iSleipnir]

If you do make the transition, I would definatley get a new mouse. I just could not get used to cmd+clicking and not having a right mouse button.

Also if you get a new computer I would try to have a friend build it for you if you can, or build it yourself. You will getter a better computer for less money and you'll be able to upgrade rather than replace a lot of the time, which is what I have done and I have saved a lot of money doing it this way.

Whatever you choose good luck.

 

[roastpuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSleipnir If you do make the transition, I would definatley get a new mouse. I just could not get used to cmd+clicking and not having a right mouse button. Also if you get a new computer I would try to have a friend build it for you if you can, or build it yourself. You will getter a better computer for less money and you'll be able to upgrade rather than replace a lot of the time, which is what I have done and I have saved a lot of money doing it this way. Whatever you choose good luck.

The new Mighty Mouse that comes with all desktop Apples has two buttons, so no worries on that. Still, I upgraded mine.

Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0 w/ Tilt Wheel and a funcPad sUrface1030. Slick.