Going to look for a new puter.

[artburr]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

The December Consumer Reports has an excellent article on buying a computer. Be sure to look at repair history and tech support. In both categories, Mac is on top. You will probably never get any agreement on Mac vs. PC so don't even try. Both are OK. Get what you like and are used to.

 

[ZodFutMk2]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

Git the purty one! <br /><br />PC / Mac, both excellent machines.<br /><br />Dell is very good. Although their customer support often has an odd accent to their voice, even though the name is "Steve".<br /><br />Personally I build my own, except notebooks.<br /><br />Emachines do suck.<br /><br />Get ALL the MEMORY you can afford.<br /><br />Refurbs are great, especially when you can get the box and select your own monitor.

 

[sailor3X7]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

I am a Mac user and really do like them. (I am a graphic designer) but I also have a PC at home. I don't see the two platforms as a controversial topic as some do, but rather two tools that are both capable of completing many tasks. I do like my Mac because I have worked on them for so long - if yoiu are inclined to consider a Mac don't be scared away by compatibility. I run graphics programs of course, but I also run Microsoft Office with no problem at all. The company I'm with runs all PC's with the exception of me, and I interface with the entire company very smoothly. Our company operates several thousand PC's, yet our CIO is considering getting a Mac laptop for himself and others in our IT department want one too. The compatability issue is not what it used to be. In fact it is very common for people in our company (IT included) to send files to me that no one else can open. I often open it, save it in a format they will be able to use and send it back to them. <br />Well, I am mostly just rambling on, but I want to put in a good word for Macintosh. I will say that if all you want to do is email, use Word etc. I would personally not spend the extra money for a Mac. I would buy the tool for the job I want to do.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

I need a bit of advice.<br />2 of my brothers use Mac. One has a couple of international Magazines he publishes. The other has some sort of thing that cuts/mass produces decals for the brass fishing lures he manufactures. <br />They both swear by Mac and I recall them telling me they don't have to worry about anti-virus, spyware etc programs, and that they have never had a problem in this area.<br />Is this correct?<br />If it is, then I can see the value in paying a bit more for a Mac.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[artburr]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

I think the main reason there are less virus problems with Macs is because most of them are written for Microsoft, partly because there are more PCs and also because some people enjoy trying to stick it to Bill Gates. Whichever platform you use, I advise a firewall and use of anti-virus and spyware programs. Why be half safe?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

The bottom line is Apple cost more for the same or LESS functionality. That is a fact. There is ZERO reason for the average home user to spend more for that. They're not easier to use/more reliable/faster as so many mac users like to claim...<br /><br />(and yes, I have used many a Mac, I am not just pulling this out of my ***)

 

[artburr]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

So you know more than Consumer Reports?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

Originally posted by Art B:<br /> So you know more than Consumer Reports?

Yes.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

For the average user, I wouldn't recommend Mac either. There is a lot of software not made for Macs (I miss Madden football!!) and a lot of web sites that have bells and whistles that can't be utilized with Macs. <br /><br />I use a firewall on my Mac and that's it. I love the fact that I have absolutely no problems with pop-ups, spyware, viruses etc... My wife has a PC laptop and the difference is amazing as far as the crap that gets on her computer.<br /><br />As far as being easier to use, it all depends on what you're used to. I can't stand the functionality of Windows if I compare it to a Mac. Moving around in Mac OS makes more sense to me and seems better. That's just a personal opinion. I don't think there's anything wrong with Windows, but I like Mac OS X way better. Mac has a ton of keboard shortcuts, which I love, instead of having to use the mouse to open different files and drop-down menus and program commands. I'm not sure if Windows can do as much in that regard??<br /><br />Bottom line for me is the main reason I use a Mac is to make sure I'm compatible with other users in the industry, multimedia files and so on. If I were not a designer, then I would have a PC because of monetary savings.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

I think now a days the Mac for an average user who is going to just surf the web you would be fine and have less spy-ware, virus or blue screen problems and the price has come down because of the success of the POD.<br /><br />That being said I have vast array of software and need the ability to use it and have new software work for me for at an affordable price which of course would eliminate the MAC completely.<br /><br />And being a gamer that also RULES out the MAC for me or any gamer.<br /><br />Not to mention the MAC processors are and have been TOTAL CRAP...may change though with Intel.<br /><br />Firewire Rocks and is on all my machines including my laptops contrary to reported speeds of USB 2.0, firewire moves large chunks of Video faster for me then USB 2.0 does period. <br /><br />And at my work not one so called high end video editor guru uses a MAC......it's myth....the PC can do anything in the Video editing world that a MAC can and usually much faster.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Going to look for a new puter.

Oh...custom built PC is the way to go much better components for the about the same price of a commercial vendors who now a days all use the same parts.<br /><br />Dell use to be the best, now they are no better then anyone else.