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Original poster

Are PC world really that bad? Where to buy a Mac

15 replies

Matildathebrave · 11/09/2012 11:57

Ok have been looking at laptops and now have been told by a fair amount of people to invest in a Mac.

Also have been told to steer clear of PC world as they are overpriced and their PC's are forever having problems.

So,

Is this true?

Which Mac do I buy and how much should I pay?

Are they easy to use?

I am a simple stay at home mum. I need one for photo's, internet, kids homework.

Please help I am totally confused by it all.

My budget was £500 but now realise that will go up. Just need a good machine that is simple and easy to use and doesn't cost too much.

Is that possible?

Help!

OP posts:

niceguy2 · 11/09/2012 15:15

£500 won't get you far for a Mac and you'd need to pretty much double it to get a decent Mac.

I made the switch from PC to iMac about 20 months ago and overall I love it. It really is simple to use and little things like it just wakes up and sleeps reliably make it awesome.

I'd say that if you can double your budget without too much sweat then an iMac or Macbook Air would make you a happy woman.

If you cannot then I'd say a simple laptop is more than adequate. As long as it's setup properly to start with and you don't overload it with crap that is.

If you know a friendly IT geek then it's worth giving him the laptop to start with and asking him to strip out all the crapware and install just the basics such as Microsoft System Essentials (Antivirus/Spyware) and Google Chrome/Firefox.

ThisisaSignofthetimes · 11/09/2012 15:22

Apple sometimes sell refurbed laptops online, cheapest I have seen is around £800. If the budget won't stretch, I'd go for a basic laptop, you'll get a decent one for around £500, I'd recommend John Lewis, most of the laptops they sell come with a 2 yr guarantee and at the moment they are offering 3 yrs on some. You can buy online or in store.

Chopstheduck · 11/09/2012 15:27

I would go to an Apple store, and decide there what you need, and then you can shop around they would be best places to advise and you could try them all out properly. We got our imac from Apple direct but the macbook was a bargain at Currys. If you found a cheap deal for a mac at PC World, it would still be the same quality.

There isn't a HUGE range, so it's quite straightforward really. If you want laptop, you need a macbook pro - they start at £999. The macbook air is a bit cheaper but designed to be lightweight, and thin and the specs aren't as good.

For desktops, a mac mini starts at £550. That is the same as a desktop, you would also need to purchase a screen. An iMac starts at £999 - that is a screen with the computer built in behind the screen.

Chopstheduck · 11/09/2012 15:30

Apple's OS (operating system) makes windows computers look like the old ataris

we have a couple of Windows PCs for the kids, as Apple are so expensive and they are not getting their grubby mitts on mine, but I wouldn't ever buy one for my personal use again.

Original poster

Matildathebrave · 11/09/2012 17:49

Thanks all. Yes I have had a look at all your replies and very grateful. I would love a Mac-book pro but just can't stretch that far so looks like a trip to PC World for a laptop.

It's only for my own personal use at home, bit of this and that so I'm sure it will fine.

Would love a mac though, maybe one day.

OP posts:

KateSpade · 11/09/2012 17:52

Do not go to P.C world. If buying a mac, go straight to the apple store. Good service after you've bought the product.
You won't get a mac for £500 though.

A friend told me about how pc world wouldn't fix her computer, even with the warranty & told to go to manufacturer who said go back to store, ect.

niceguy2 · 11/09/2012 22:17

To be fair to PCWorld a lot of people don't understand that only the hardware is guaranteed. If you screw up the operating system, it gets infected with a virus or just plain crashes then it's not down to PCWorld to fix.

At the same time a lot of people can't tell the difference between a hardware or a software fault. All they know is that the computer isnt working.

NetworkGuy · 12/09/2012 10:36

Have been buying on Ebay so you might take a look. I have 23", 20" and 17" iMac (all-in-one unit, not laptop) and prices ranged 150 to 200.

Admittedly some are 6+ years old so running OS X 10.5 or 10.6 but worthwile for my needs - checking web designs etc

Though I also have several Windows laptops and desktops that I use more.

SunWukong · 12/09/2012 10:59

Lol 500 for mac, goto ebuyer or amazon and order an asus laptop, if you don't want windows download a decent operating system for it, you can get some laptops clean with no os on them, ebuyer is the best bet for those.

Chopstheduck · 12/09/2012 11:38

we had an asus. Spent quite a bit on it too, decent spec. After a year it was referred to as the Anus - basically crap!

I'd go for Dell or Sony personally. The kids' laptop is sony which isnt too bad.

aftereight · 12/09/2012 11:47

Got ours from John Lewis.

SunWukong · 12/09/2012 12:14

My asus is 4 years old and perfectly fine, bf has an inferior Samsung that's 3 years old but that's pretty good too, it's just lower spec then mine but hardly any cheaper.

SunWukong · 12/09/2012 12:17

Oh and john Lewis are as bad as pc world both repackage returns and display models as new.

Pc world where on watchdog about it and i used to know someone who worked in the kitchenware department of JL and it was normal for them to sell display models cleaned up to look like new by a department specializing in it.

threeOrangesocksmorgan · 12/09/2012 12:20

have a MAC mini and can I just say it is the best pc I have ever had.

Wheresmypopcorn · 19/09/2012 01:35

it doesn't sound like you really need a Mac for your needs. Sounds like a PC will be just fine.

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