Pc or MAC?

[lottie63]

So ... I m still searching for a family computer. Can anyone tell me if they re are any advantages/disadvantages of MACS v PCs? I have an iphone, my daughters have apple shuffles and ipodtouches.

Me and dh use laptops for work with windows on

Which is better?

If you have any concerns about your kids spilling their drinks on it: be aware that you can buy a brand new PC for what Apple will charge to repair liquid damage.

To be fair if you bought a Dell/HP/Whatever and spilt liquid onto it, they'd probably not even be interested in repairing it for you and you'd be looking at replacing it.

I'd say if you have any concerns about your kids damaging your kit then, whether it's a PC or a mac, make sure it's insured. Home insurance is usually the cheapest but Apple do also sell a care pack.

Also: their geniuses usually aren't.

LOL, maybe they are comparing themselves with the staff at PC World?

Well Windows 8 is very confusing, even to me and I'm a total and utter geek.

Same here - and I'm a software developer!

In fact, my more Windows focussed co-workers were all sent off to some introductory seminar last week. Company didn't think they'd grasp it without the help.

I just don't understand the problem with Windows 8. Yes it's different, but no harder than when I picked up my first Android phone. Of course you have to learn some new stuff, stop fearing the change.... You want to be sick with xp forever?

It's not fear Pedro. It's just that I've got to the point where the OS for me is merely a tool to launch my browser and photo editing software/office application.

I really don't need it for anything else. So in that context I really don't have the time/inclination to learn a new OS merely for the sake of it. It wasn't like Windows 7 or XP was hard to launch a browser!

I work with a PC in the office & a Mac Powerbook linked to a cinema screen at home. The PC is fine but I love the Mac.
The compatibility issues are still there however they are very minor (they used to be much more of an issue) and some programs are actually far superior in Mac (sketchup has more functionality on the mac than the PC)
I run some pretty sophisticated & memory hungry programs on mine & the Mac copes better than than the PC (even though the mac is significantly older)
The mac mouse can be an issue for some but I run mine with a USB specialist mouse anyway as I have a disability and it's the same mouse I have on my work PC.

Windows 8 is so very different from previous versions. I'm not averse to change, but can't the the point in change for change's sake. Besides, it uses up oodles more memory than previous versions.

It won't be unfamiliar if you already have a Windows phone (DD has), but it isn't intuitive at all (OH is a geek and hates it) and shutting down takes too many steps when it should be a simple one button operation - this is th main criticism I have read in computer magazines.

As for mice - some are for PC use only and some can be used for PC and Mac. You just have to look carefully when buying one.

I am a long time user of Windows but was persuaded to get a Mac by my DD. I wanted to keep a number of old SW programs so purchased Parallels which runs a purchased Windows 7. I am able to flick between the Mac and Windows systems easily. Had a few 'finger' problems to start with but find it works well.

I'm a long term user of MS-DOS, Windows (since 3.0), and in the last year have bought a few s/h iMacs. Thing I've found most painful is how some items of software won't work on some versions of OSX. I think the 'no viruses' comments lead some to be complacent and it will all end in tears if they are hit one day, having been led up the garden path by the historic situation that virus writers have mostly targetted Windows. As you have both used Windows for a while, you are probably at far less risk using Windows on your family machine, and probably have lots of knowledge about software you've found useful without needing to start on a new learning curve about searching and testing software for Apple to do what you've been used to doing on Windows.

I have a couple of Intel-based iMacs (on which I can use Chrome browser) but it's not available for older PowerPC iMacs. I have some printer driver for MacOS v9 (one before OSX) and there was no new version once OSX came out...

Yes, screen looks fine on a Mac, though one has developed nasty lines down it, so I have used an adaptor cable and plug it into a VGA display, and another (hence low cost) only gives a blue screen (so has to be plugged into something else for colours!). I think I have 8 Apple Macs altogether, though the eMac (an all in one with a big CRT display) is still in the shed. 5 are of the all-in-one slim(ish) screen, one is the classic curved shape with CRT screen and another (G4?) is the model with screen on a rod from a hemisperical base.

I would never have paid full price for a new one unless I had won on Premium Bonds or it was on business expenses to provide for something work-related (and as I'm self employed, that's not going to be for a while).

I'd say that for the money you would spend on an Apple you could consider two good Windows systems and have fewer squabbles within the home when both DD need to do homework, or similarly when one is doing some homework and someone else (eg you or your DH, want to do something else). OpenOffice or LibreOffice (each one is Free) could be on one or both for MS Office compatibility.

OTOH, I have bought two iMacs in recent months on Ebay and both came with MS Excel and MS Word etc. Most I paid was around 200 including delivery, but obviously they're not the 'latest' models.

Running OSX v10.6.8 on two iMacs and 10.5.x, 10.4.x, 10.3.x on different other ones (someone here on MN was asking about upgradng from 10.6.8 just the other day, and then found a few others also using this version with no problems and few reasons to 'upgrade').

(sorry, might be confusing - have had some Apple gear for years, but this year added 5 x iMacs. 1x 17", rest 20", but this one is plugged into a 42" TV.)

As for mice, I plugged in a wireless Logitech 185 and the right hand mouse button does work fine, Pedro. So worth experimenting, but overall lack of second mouse button (plus use of side buttons on some systems) has been underwhelming. Also unable to switch wndow to window where Mac does application to application if you use 'apple' + TAB. Still would like a keyboard method to cycle through lots of browser windows.

Also, in case others wondering, major reason is to use 'Terminal' for network testing etc, etc, since Apple just adds a graphical user interface over a version of linux which is easily accessed without me sacrificing the use of Win XP on a load of my systems.

some programs are actually far superior in Mac

Just curious, having seen that and was reminded that viewing some floorplans from a planning application on a council's web site, the Apple gave far less detail than a Windows XP machine I was using that day... so will ask separately, about what Mac-only users use for displaying PDFs

I think I tried a plug-in for a browser and 'Preview' but there may be something better I don't know about. Will see if I can get some screen shots to show exactly what I was seeing and will link to the documents so others can see whether the Mac shows them what my Windows PC was showing...

I'll create a different thread though, rather than hijack this one. It was quite a shock as I remembered some of the first Mac users in the late 80s (when I first got my hands on the Classic) were Architects (!!!!)

Baffled in the extreme when the image on the PC showed more info, not less...
Also made me aware that the software used can alter how much info a PDF might give, which I had never previously considered. Bit like having some 'invisible ink' on some paper and viewing with a special set of 'glasses' when I was on the PC :)

if you only have one mouse button, then you have right click disabled. There IS a right click option with macs. I use an apple mouse, left click, right click, scroll, two fingered swipe and prob more I don't know about!

I use adobe by default to view pdfs. I can remember having the disappearing content issue once, but I think it was due to opening it with preview. If you still had problems opening it with adobe reader, I would suggest opening it in a browser.

As for 2 x windows compared to one mac, my sons personal laptop is that bloody slow, that I would prefer one mac - they'd still get more done on it!

I would personally go on with a PC.

Pc is more easier to handle than a MAC

We swopped to Mac about 2 years ago , before that was starting to feel like an IT manager ,there was always some problem or other. Now rarely any problems , it just works .

Basically I couldn't care less about how it works , a bit like what's under my car's bonnet . The mac is rather like a big gadget , we use the family computer mostly for browsing, email, photos and music and its great for all these .

By the way what's the issue with the mouse, just go to settings and enable the right click

Chopstheduck

As for 2 x windows compared to one mac, my sons personal laptop is that bloody slow, that I would prefer one mac - they'd still get more done on it!

Well lord knows what kind of Windows PC you're buying. I can buy a Core i5 with 4GB RAM running Win7Pro for about £450. That is the same hardware as goes in to the bottom-of-the-range Macs.

4GB ram in a mac actually goes a lot further though. They don't need as much ram to run faster.

And you base that on what empirical evidence?

I've had macs for over 20 years and we use them in business too. We have never needed to use any windows programs, or had any compatibility issues.

Outlook express is on Microsoft Office f you really need it,but I don't use it.

I am about to trade in my 17" Macbook pro for a new iMac, as I love the new
screen and it will take up less room on my desk. I have an Air, anIpad, an iPad mini, DH DD and Ds all have macbook pros too.

I misguidedly bought DD an HP laptop, 12 months on total failure expensive mistake. Her Macbook pro is 4 years old!

Mindingalongtime

Outlook express is on Microsoft Office f you really need it,but I don't use it.

I can tell you don't use it because Outlook Express is not, and never has been, on any iteration of Microsoft Office.

flatpack sorry if I have got it wrong, but what is the "Outlook" on my Microsoft Office pack then?

I prefer a Mac over a PC anyway. I've used both and find the Mac prettier (the hardware and the software) and easier to use. Windows seems to take more clicks to do the same thing.

I have a Windows 8 lap top at work and a macbook Pro at home. I like them both!

However, I have had my macbook for 3 years with no problems - my last PC was really slow and clunky by about the third year.

Microsoft outlook is bundled with office, express is stand alone. I use Mail, don't need outlook.

iOS requirements of ram are lower than comparative windows, for starters, windows installstions typically require 50% more ram, and an absurd amount of hd space. I've never had photoshop crash on a mac, every single time on windows.

Mindingalongtime

flatpack sorry if I have got it wrong, but what is the "Outlook" on my Microsoft Office pack then?

"Outlook" is the mail client included as part of Office. It is extremely good.

"Outlook Express" is not. It is ghastly.

Chopstheduck

iOS requirements of ram are lower than comparative windows, for starters, windows installstions typically require 50% more ram, and an absurd amount of hd space. I've never had photoshop crash on a mac, every single time on windows.

If you have Photoshop crash on a PC, then your PC was badly configured. Probably by someone who doesn't know anything about them because they're too busy using macs.

Your other claims are the usual specious fantasy hogwash that Mac users make up when they are trying to 'prove' how much better Macs are. If you like your Mac, then fine, but don't pretend it's something it isn't. Just be honest and tell everyone "I consider myself superior to you because I own a Mac, and drive a convertible Saab and consider myself a 'creative' and live in a loft apartment and read the Guardian."

Quick question ladies. I didnt realise that by setting up a profile on my husbands pc i would be giving him access to my email account. Apparently this is what apple does. I thought he could grant me access to his pc the same was as a windows system. Anyway, I was surprised one day to log in and see my email account there just a click away. How do i now get rid of this remotely. I think i changed my password and strangely access was still there. Am i being really thick about this please advise. Btw my account is not an administer account. Also dont even go there about the husband please, long boring story. Thanks in advance