Mac Opinions, Please

[Greg_Nuspel]

My reason for the PC is software availability and budget. I know people say you can run PC software on the MAC now so that maybe a mute point. I also build my machines up from components and have found it relatively easy to slowly upgrade over the years. I am due for another upgrade soon

[AcadieLibre]

I run a Mac and unless there are some serious changes to PC I cannot see going back to them. I have used a PC and MAC for a while now all the PC's have pretty much left my house. My sons used a PC but even with them I have them running a MAC now and just dual boot so they can game. OSX is a extremely stable OS. I am running Leopard but sometime in the next week or two I will be upgrading everyone to Snow Leopard. I still have a laptop that I dual boot Linux and Windows on but I rarely ever use it. I have most people I know converted to MAC and none of them regret it. I suggest people move to MAC if they can.

Not going to argue which one is better but I prefer MAC just based on my experiences. Going into a Apple store to try out a Mac won't tell you nothing, not long enough to see the real difference. Since going to Mac I have yet to crash, no such thing as a BSOD on any Mac in my house or of anyone I know who has switched. I have been using a Mac for several years now and was very happy to make the switch. I ended up going to Mac when PC's no longer were reliable enough to use in my recording studio. I no longer worried about my computer crapping out or crashing during a recording session. For graphics or music recording a PC in no way is comparable to a MAC in my opinion. If you can go to Mac you will not regret it.

[tomorrowstreasures]

Thanks everyone for weighing in!!! SOOOOOO appreciated!

[hodaka]

I actually hate that this is my first post to the forum, but I just found it tonight, and was reading through and found this thread . . .

I make my living selling and repairing computers, and have been doing so for a number of years now. I have been using Windows since '93 or so at an advanced level, as well as DOS, Linux (since 2000), and have recently switched to Mac. I mean, really switched. I started up a Mac dealer/repair business in 2005.

That being said, I still deal with Windows frequently. I try to avoid Windows for all of my personal needs, though. Windows carries way too many headaches and frustrations for me to want to use it anymore - and I'm a guy who can (obviously) fix all of the problems myself.
I never have to deal with viruses or other malware on Macs. Yes, I know it exists, but I never see it, because most of it is almost impossible to get.
I don't have to deal with the old format/reinstall routine. If I am moving myself or a customer from an older Mac to a new one, it takes very little time, and requires very little re-installation of software (if any). Same goes for installing a new/bigger hard drive.
Drivers are a HUGE issue with Windows (especially from the perspective of a technician like myself), but not so with Macs.
Please ignore "tirediron"s comment about lack of a right-click context menu: Apple operating systems have had that for a LONG time. Also, note that comparing computers feature for feature will show you that a Mac is not usually much more expensive than a Windows machine, and in some cases will cost $1000's less. I have on several occasions priced machines for customers comparing a Mac to an equivalent Windows machine. For example, a Dell Workstation vs. a Mac Pro tower for two different local videographers. In both cases, the Mac was actually more powerful, and less expensive by a minimum of $1500.
I guess I sound like a bit of a Mac fanboy, but that's because I understand the advantages at many levels. I could build/buy any computer I want right now, but there's no way I will go with a Windows machine for myself.

As mentioned, you can buy lots of different cheap parts for Windows machines, but that is really not an advantage - it can lead to a lot of frustration due to compatibility issues. I deal with people every day who rely heavily on their computer for day-to-day use and business. Most of these people have switched to Mac because they could no longer rely on a Windows-based computer to do their job. That being said, your best friend is a good backup routine (Time Machine works seamlessly for me). Any computer can have a problem with it's hard drive, and it's nice to know you haven't lost anything when it does happen - invest in a good quality backup drive no matter what you get for a computer! No cutting corners with a WalMart special!!

[tirediron]

...Please ignore "tirediron"s comment about lack of a right-click context menu: Apple operating systems have had that for a LONG time....

Perhpas I wasn't specific enough. I did not mean to imply that no Mac applications had right-click context menus. The applications I was using at that time did not have them which was one of the things that I found VERY frustrating. What I meant was that TT should use the 'try before you buy' approach since, as with anything new, you may find something you don't like about the product.

[Michaelaw]

I love my Asus quad running win XP...No grief, no hassles, no issues. I've always read how people have problems with windows and drivers and compatibility but I just don't ever have any grief. I got slapped around by a bit of malware from "greeting 123" a while back but restored the system to the day before the event and no grief since. I think macs are great and have often toyed with the idea of going there (especially after trying Vista!) but I get so much more bang for the buck in PC world and my machines always run smooth and balanced for years I really think macs are for people who have little interest in how things work just as long as they work and the Mac seems to excel at that. I like to get in and tweak!

[AcadieLibre]

If you know what you are doing even a mac is tweakable. And you make lots of very valid points hodaka.

[tomorrowstreasures]

Guys - thanks so much for the opinions and facts! I am a complete idiot with the runnings of a computer. Most of what I will be doing will be basic web stuff for my website. and of course Photoshop/Lightroom stuff. I get frustrated easily when things do not go right. So, with that said, it is sounding like Mac is the way to go. Hmmm. lots to think about.

[Marko]

Given what you've written, I think you are making the right choice TT. Go Mac and don't look back.

[mayera]

Honestly looking at the specifications and pricing of a decent G5 vs a similar Dell you are buying effectively the same thing. Ever since Mac went the Intel route you can really compare what you are getting between the two machines and really all a Mac is nowadays is a well assembled PC with a different keyboard, mouse and operating environment. I own both a Mac and a PC and use both for various activities. I like my mac for the ease of use when dealing with photography tools mostly because the industry likes them and most of the add-ons and tutorials are designed for them. I like my PC for the fun of games, watching movies and 3D stuff because that is what I have the software for. What many others have said about Ram and Memory (I will assume they mean hard drive) is true. Spend the extra to get the extra because you will use it. I cannot run photoshop on my mac because one of my dimms died and my ram is now at 512 meg instead of 1 gig. I am looking into replacing it soon. My hard drive is already full and I need to replace it as well. If you do not get what you need right away it will be a bigger hassle upgrading in the future.