Thinking about converting to Macs

Adamski

Adamski

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Adam
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Have been looking at upgrading my desktop for the last few months. I've had the the present pc for around 4 years now with XP, 80GB (Internal) 250GB (External), 1GB memory but the options in the shops are either bobbins or for gaming.

I think I'm going to leave the present pc for the missus to do all her teaching preparation on it and move to a Macbook Pro. I know quite a few on here use Macs and I remember Grendel 's post when he moved over earlier this year. Also other people's reponses to using Macs.

I've been to the Trafford Centre today and whilst the missus was shopping, I nipped into the Apple shop and spent a good 45 mins playing with all the goodies - Mac Pro, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro :love: Also had a play around with Aperature, Microsoft Office and Elements 6 as I presently use Elements 5 on Windoze - there I've already started to type like that :D

Any advice welcome
 
Adam, hi, Adam here :)

I am a Mac person and have also spent 6 yeras on great PC desktops and laptops as a graphic designer (my job).
I currently use a Powerbook G4, 1.67ghz 17" US Spec + Adobe CS3 full suite.
I also have a Macbook Pro 15" Intel laptop and my dad uses the latest 2core 17" pro.

I would change to the mac because you have all the benefits of using the latest Mac OSX 10.5 which can also switch to PC if desired. ( much like a emulator program would)

Macs are better and more stable, better build and almost all educational environments use Macs.

I would shop around. Europe has very expensive Apple products. Im from Australia and i got mine there at half the price than the shops are selling herein Belgium. Look online but be vigilant.

Adam
 
I presently have both a Macbook and a Dell laptop. I have the Dell as most of my clients use XP based systems and so it's easier to get my laptop connected to their networks. I am not going to bash MS or Apple, as this is counter productive - but what I will say is that since I have been using a Mac, it's the only computer I do use unless I have to use the PC.

All my personal, music and photography related work is carried out on my Macbook. I appreciate that in the end it all comes down to personal taste and for me, well... there's simply no comparison - the Mac wins hands down.
 
I was heavily into Windows PCs (having 7), i liked the Win2kpro interface and was generally very happy with the whole experiance, until I impulse bought a Macpro and have since sold all but 1 of my Windows based computers and now have 4 Intel Mac computers, 2x Macpro, iMac and Macbook pro, they are all extremely stable, the software is intuitive and everything ive tried to do works quickly and fluidly. Another thing to bare in mind is that if you have any specialised Windows software which you cannot find an OSX alternative for you can always install Bootcamp to allow a native Windows installation... or Parallels/Crossover to give a virtual Windows installation and run Windows in a Window within OSX... which is pretty damn impressive.
 
I moved over to mac in october. Partly because I wanted aperture, and partly because my PC was playing up. I am extremely happy I have made the move, even stupid things like starting up and shutting down are quicker. I still have MS works. The only thing I do miss from time to time, is 1 program, microsoft flight simulator, So I just get the old laptop out for that.
Moving to the mac made a lot of sense for me. I does all I need. I had been using PC's since 1990. I don't think you'd regret the move.
 
My PC is crap so I've been looking at moving over to Mac. Incidentally I gave Linux a run yesterday, much faster system.

I'm interested in a 24" iMac. However I have one query that the sales staff didn't give me a definitive answer on.

I've noticed that the colours on the screen look very vivid. However is this a disadvantage when printing? I can only think the images will come out very different. Do Apple do this to the screen to add more sparkle, i.e to get more sales? Can the screens be calibrated, and what colourspace (e.g adobe) is best for printing?
 
I run a MacBook Pro after using PC's for years. Took a bit of getting used to with differrent commands etc but I have to admit I wouldn't change back. I use an Acer F20 monitor on the mac which works fine. Would have loved a mac monitor but couldn't quite push myself on the price tag.
 
30psi said:
My PC is crap so I've been looking at moving over to Mac. Incidentally I gave Linux a run yesterday, much faster system.

I'm interested in a 24" iMac. However I have one query that the sales staff didn't give me a definitive answer on.
Click to expand...

I too am looking at the 24" iMac, but make sure your getting the latest version with 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB.
 
Are the imacs all in one? ie, can you upgrade them with memory hard drives etc, like you can a pc ?
 
Since getting my Air :love: a couple of months ago I am totally converted to everything Mac ... :eek: ... I had never even used a Mac based machine before either !

It reeks quality and was just so easily intuitive to use right from the off ... and I have not experienced a blue screen or crash since ... except for MSN Messenger for Mac which keeps dumping me out for no apparent reason ... :cautious:


Like MusicMan I have to use the MS Office suite and I have to say even this is easier, prettier and more functional than the PC version ... :shrug:


I am now seriously thinking of changing the Pc machine for an iMac ... :thinking: ... in fact what am I doing here just talking about it ... :eek:


Go for it as you only live once and we're all a long time in the next world ... ;)




:p
 
Janice said:
Are the imacs all in one? ie, can you upgrade them with memory hard drives etc, like you can a pc ?
Click to expand...

Yes J they are ... :D ... and you can upgrade the memory but I am not too sure about the hard drive but then why would you :shrug:




:p

 
I use both on a daily basis, but don't subscribe to the 'Macs r bettar than Windd0ze!1' brigade.

They are different. Macs, in my opinion, are great for the usual entertainment and social side of computing, but if I want a job doing and doing quickly, I ALWAYS switch my PC on.

That said, buying a Mac these days is easier - you ARE buying a PC, just with OSX. If you want both, you can run Virtualisation software or use Bootcamp and dual boot. That said, that leaves you with a pretty pricey PC.

I'm very happy on the PC platform, but I use my Mac when i'm not in a hurry and want to enjoy the ride. Make of that what you will!

Cheers,
James
 
OK quick question.

We have 3 PC's in our house with a PC formatted usb external hard drive for back ups and things.

Would the external HDD be plug and play or would it, being PC formatted, throw up its binary hands in horror?
 
Janice said:
Are the imacs all in one? ie, can you upgrade them with memory hard drives etc, like you can a pc ?
Click to expand...

Yes Janice the imacs are an "all in one" unit. A memory upgrade is a piece of cake. Undo a cover underneath the screen, pull 2 tabs, out pops the old memory. Insert your new sticks, replace the cover and Robert is your fathers brother :D

Adam - Just do it! I can almost guarantee that you will never look back. My girlfriend has been so impressed with my Imac that she has now bought herself a Macbook :). Her comment after using it for a week was that for the first time she actually found using a computer enjoyable rather than frustrating.

There are countless Windows users out there who convert to Mac and never look back. But have you ever heard of a Mac user converting to Windows? Says it all really ;)

Even if you have some PC apps that have no Mac equivalents, you can still run them by using Boot Camp to install windows on your Mac. Personally I prefer (and chose to use) VMWare Fusion, as this allows you to run Windows in a window on the Mac rather than having to reboot into windows via Boot Camp.
 
andrewc said:
OK quick question.

We have 3 PC's in our house with a PC formatted usb external hard drive for back ups and things.

Would the external HDD be plug and play or would it, being PC formatted, throw up its binary hands in horror?
Click to expand...

A Mac can read and write to a FAT32 formated HDD. It can only read from an NTFS formatted disk. HTH :)
 
Estheroid said:
My advice? See if the Mrs is eligible for the Apple Education discount - could save a few pennies :)
Click to expand...

Cheers for that mate !!!!

Just checked the educational link and she IS eligible for savings. It's about £100 cheaper for both the MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz and the iMac 3.06Ghz.

Many thanks.

Ads.
 
Venomator said:
except for MSN Messenger for Mac which keeps dumping me out for no apparent reason ... :cautious:
Click to expand...

Try adium instead...

Venomator said:


Yes J they are ... :D ... and you can upgrade the memory but I am not too sure about the hard drive but then why would you :shrug:
Click to expand...

check out this link to see what you can/can't easily do yourself ifixit

Estheroid said:
My advice? See if the Mrs is eligible for the Apple Education discount - could save a few pennies :)
Click to expand...

I would also look into actually ringing Apples sales team and haggling with them...they might be persuaded to lower the price a bit more if you mention that you are undecided as to whether to switch or not :shrug:
 
Grendel said:
A Mac can read and write to a FAT32 formated HDD. It can only read from an NTFS formatted disk. HTH :)
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I think there are utilities that let you read/write to an NTFS partition as well - unsupported by Apple obviously and you might do bad things do your data! Here is a link to one of them macfuse
 
That's interesting, I didn't know that :)
 
Grendel said:
That's interesting, I didn't know that :)
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there's this one as well paragon but is isn't free :(

I've yet to try any of them so tend to keep my shared PC/Mac data on a FAT32 partition...which is OK until you hit the 4GB file size limit!
 
kfridge said:
Try adium instead...
Click to expand...

Thanx Kfridge ... hadn't even considered there would be a 'proper' one for Mac ... :bonk:

kfridge said:
out this link to see what you can/can't easily do yourself ifixit
Click to expand...

Thanx for the linky m8 ... (y) ... very useful ... :D

kfridge said:
would also look into actually ringing Apples sales team and haggling with them...they might be persuaded to lower the price a bit more if you mention that you are undecided as to whether to switch or not :shrug:
Click to expand...

I did and it worked for me ... in fact they rang me within 48hrs of placing my order in the basket and leaving it there ... :D





:p
 
Grendel said:
Personally I prefer (and chose to use) VMWare Fusion, as this allows you to run Windows in a window on the Mac rather than having to reboot into windows via Boot Camp.
Click to expand...

Hey Paul ... :wave: ... I have actually downloaded VMW but you need an authenticated XP version to load don't you ... :shrug: ... so as yet mine remains nothing more than a virtual download ... :(





:p
 
Adamski said:
Cheers for that mate !!!!

Just checked the educational link and she IS eligible for savings. It's about £100 cheaper for both the MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz and the iMac 3.06Ghz.

Many thanks.

Ads.
Click to expand...

Glad it helped!

The Education and Higher Ed discounts can be used on software too and other add-ons too (she said, looking into getting Aperture :D)
 
Venomator said:

I did and it worked for me ... in fact they rang me within 48hrs of placing my order in the basket and leaving it there ... :D
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Really? Mind if I ask how much they knocked off? Didnt even think about trying that!

I'm also looking at moving to Macs, after many years (and an MCSE) working with PC's. Visited the Apple shop on Saturday and was hugely impressed with the iMac and OS. Clean, quick, easy to use....
 
Weggy said:
Really? Mind if I ask how much they knocked off? Didnt even think about trying that!

I'm also looking at moving to Macs, after many years (and an MCSE) working with PC's. Visited the Apple shop on Saturday and was hugely impressed with the iMac and OS. Clean, quick, easy to use....
Click to expand...


:thinking: ... Good question as it was way back near the beginning of the year and just after the Air was released for forward purchasing ... :shrug: ... a figure of 250 to 300 squids springs to mind and I also got significant reductions off the software purchased at the same time as the package ... :D

I told them I was ready to press the button on the alternative ... :cautious: ... a Dell XPS system for lots less money overall ... ;) ... and actually I was too ... :D


My iMac order is currently sitting in my saved basket and I wonder if the same trick will work twice ... :naughty:





:p
 
Venomator said:

My iMac order is currently sitting in my saved basket and I wonder if the same trick will work twice ... :naughty:
Click to expand...

Please let me know if they do it, as an iMac is what I'm after!

Surprised to hear they did it on a pre-release Air though... was loads of interest in those wasnt there...
 
Venomator said:


Hey Paul ... :wave: ... I have actually downloaded VMW but you need an authenticated XP version to load don't you ... :shrug: ... so as yet mine remains nothing more than a virtual download ... :(

:p
Click to expand...

Yes you do need a version of XP or Vista to install with Fusion (or any other virtual machine). I've sent you a PM Rog (y)
 
Dont forget that the colour gamut on a mac is wider than both adobe and Srgb so the colours are quite literally mind blowing!
 
Just a fyi: I have recently upgraded the HDD in my Macbook from the paltry 80GB to a 350GB monster. I am sure this can be done on the iMac too.
 
i have both a pc and mac, (pc first, and macbook recently) and i have to say i still go for pc 100%. after using a pc mac's just give you nothing in the way of options and feedback. sure theyre simple to use, which is great for people just starting out, but if you know how to use a pc you may find the mac lacking somewhat.

also one of my main reasons for being a pc man, is i priced up (on apples website) a really well speced g5 tower and it came to a whopping £7,000. i then went elsewhere and specced up a pc and managed to get a similar set up for about £2,000. apple is a totally overpriced.
 
catchpole_11 said:
also one of my main reasons for being a pc man, is i priced up (on apples website) a really well speced g5 tower and it came to a whopping £7,000. i then went elsewhere and specced up a pc and managed to get a similar set up for about £2,000. apple is a totally overpriced.
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Obsolete Arguement IMO, the recent Macpro 8Core i bought was £1500, specced up a similar self built system with OS and a nice Alloy case, it was a damn sight more than £1500, the Quad Xeons alone were then £600+ and are still ~£500 each.
 
Diego Garcia said:
Dont forget that the colour gamut on a mac is wider than both adobe and Srgb so the colours are quite literally mind blowing!
Click to expand...

Is this the same amongst all Macs or is it just to do with the screen on the imacs? And what happens when the images are printed?
 
as a quick example:

a 20" apple monitor is £350. you can get a decent one from any other brand for £150

to upgrade from 2gb mem to 4gb is £320 pounds through apple. You can get nice ram for about £50 for pc.

the same happens when you look at their prices for HDD's too.

and btw the 8 core is only 2 quads strapped together.
 
Diego Garcia said:
Dont forget that the colour gamut on a mac is wider than both adobe and Srgb so the colours are quite literally mind blowing!
Click to expand...

If you're using a program like Photoshop you will have your colour settings all set to one setting, such as RGB (or similar) so the colours whihc are of benefit on the mac wont really be noticeable for any photo editing. Only perhaps in movies or when using the internet. I use mac pro's at uni and i use pc's and my macbook at home, and the colours all seem the same. Though its fair to say the macbook has a crystal clear screen it's colours are still the same. :)
 
So are you saying that if I view an image in Safari and then open it in Photoshop they will look different?
 
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