talkmagic.co.uk

I am starting to look at replacing my PC. I am of the pre computer era from my school days (we only just had the abacus), and all of my PC experience has been work based and so Windows based.

I hear very good reports about Apple and Apple users do seem to be more than satisfied with their choice and in no mood to change.

If I convert what sort of differences am I going to notice, what will I find easier / more difficult, how much adjustment is there??

I use my PC for web access, buying, booking etc and for poto work both still and video as well as basic admin home office type stuff

Whilst i am fishing for info does anyone know a really good and not blindingly complicated video package?

I can just hear those floodgates opening......

I am tempted to lock this before the Apple-bashers come in

Just do it, switch.

Also, the Mac comes with built-in video editing stuff.

It's all you'll ever need.

Keep the PC, install Linux as a dual boot, and also get an Apple

It's the right choice. Macs are easier to use, come with great editing tools, come with everything you need to work on them. Once you go Mac, you'll never go back.

I've been pure-Mac for 19 years now. Never going to PC land, although we NEED PCs here, because MicroSh*t cannot sort their browser out to be compliant with the rest of the world... so we use PCs for testing websites etc.

Mac, mac, mac...

I'd rather an apple anyday, I can't imagine that a window would taste very, baked, with custard.

*Hands Lomster her coat*

tut tut

I'm sorry, but I'm bored.

*Points to the door*

wow this thread is going to become so exciting...

It would be lovely to ditch windows - it just isn't practical as they have such a huge market share that you can't afford to (yet). Many new applications such as TV on demand require Microsoft software to run, and I like to be able to use something rather than wait and see if a mac/*nux one is far behind. Another example is things like games which rarely run on macs - so if you have kids maybe it's an idea to get a mac for that reason alone.

Ok - so my advice is this. Write down a list of programs that you couldn't live without and go to an apple store. Play with a few and if you find anything from your list "missing" ask one of the reps to help you find it or it's equivalent. You should also try and find where to look and the approach to take when you can't find/do something - e.g. "it's not printing/finding my network" which can be a pain on any computer. Soon enough you'll be able to make up your own mind to whether you want one.

On tip, if you decide to get a mac, make sure it'll work with "BootCamp" as that'll give you the option of running windows just in case you have a bout of nostalgia.

I love the way programs are integrated in macs so you don't need a hundred things to complete a simple task. And the fact that there are precious few viruses (which is a paradoxical situation obviously - if Macs became more popular, people would start writing viruses for them).

That said, I'm perfectly happy with my PC at the moment. I've had it since I started uni and have steadily upgraded it myself, so it's actually pretty good value. I went PC shopping with my girlfriend yesterday, got a decent machine for £270 plus the knowledge that repairs and upgrades will be cheap and easily available. Macs are very pretty and have some great functionality but everyone I know with a Mac seems to be cacking themselves in anticipation because they're getting the next generation iBook that month (funny how they always "need it"). Fine if you're earning plenty, not really viable if you're not.

I'd be interested to hear about mac users in my relative position who have had a Mac for 3 years + and it is still doing everything they want it to do.

Apple designers seem to have their fingers on the button when it comes to design and ease of use. PCs can be a bit clunky but we've come a long way since the "blue screen of death".

Also, my girlfriend got Microsoft Office 2007 for her new PC. I used it and really liked it... the friendly, intuitive interface made me think of a mac!

I'll get a Mac when the uni computers switch to macs, or, on a more realistic time-scale, the computers at wherever I work become macs. Otherwise, any way in which it makes my life easier will be offset by compatibility problems.

You mentioned you do video work, which the Mac is better at doing

My advice is to go and visit a nearby Apple store (if there are any, I realise it's not easy for everybody, sorry my geography sucks) and play around with the display macs

Macs are better then the PC - fact
PC’s are the cheaper and more supported – fact

Make your choice based on this simple info