Does anyone who's not a computer whizz use an Apple Mac?

[Dottoressa]

Our PC is on its last legs, and DH has spent the day doing research (as they do) into the best replacement. He has read lots of good things about apple macs - but a) we have no experience of them ourselves; and b) we know stuff all about computers. Someone said that you can't use Windows on Apples - but does this mean that you can't email Word documents to other people?

I fear this is a stupid question (as I said, we know nothing about PCs). I need it to do fast word processing, and DH uses MS Publisher and does various things with photos. I do regularly have to email Word documents to people.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

You can buy Office for Mac, it is not cheap, but it gives you all the same office packages - Work, Excel, and whatever else you would get with a Microsoft package.

I would do it, Apple is much more user friendly for non-techs imo.

I have confused myself - we had to buy iworks.

I do - in fact I bought mine because my IT mate said he'd only help me out with my laptop if I bought a mac Got used to it very quickly.

I HAVE had compatibility issues - occassionally in word, but more ito embedded visuals in powerpoint - but have always been able to find ways round. Which suggests it is very easy to do so

They are expensive. I justify mine ito the lower liklihood to get viruses...

We have a Mac, DH has always had one, but I have my normal Sony laptop as well.

The Mac is good, but it takes getting used to if you've always used a PC. I have a short fuse when it comes to computers, so I have found it hugely frustrating the number of things that have been less easy because we are using a Mac. Usually in terms of using other software. For work purposes, when I was project managing the installation of a new HR system, it could be used and worked on remotely - except on Macs. My website hosts BT provide 24 hour support, but don't support Macs.

Lots of other fairly minor things that require a bit more creative thinking or a bit more of a technical knack, which I don't have. DH has the patience and know-how to find his way round any problems but it just irritates me.

DH says they are better, and I do see that and believe him, but in my technically-limited brain I am after an easy life and not having to make sure I save things in the right format and all that palaver.

I'm the proud owner of a mini mac, which I love, despite being no computer whizz whatsoever

Don't buy Office (you will fall off your chair when you find out how much it costs, and unlike Window$ there is no 'Home and Student' version). Get OpenOffice for free instead. Note that the latest version (only a month old) of OpenOffice works much better on the Mac than previous versions, and even opens Office 2007 files.

Sorry, my mistake .

littlelapin what mac book do you have? I like the 15" ... also, any ideas where to get one?

I've got one & love it.

The only thing is not everything online seems to work with it & software/games can be more expensive but on the whole it is fine!

When I was at Uni my mac was quite happy on a network with PCS & it was no problem sharing word documents. I had bought Word for Mac though.

They also do educational offers, so if you have a school age child that will be using it you may be able to get a discount.

LL, gutted at your link! I bought office for about £90 6 months ago... if I had waited till dd started school I could have saved £60!

anyway, OP - do not hesitate! Macs are luverly (have used both, started on Macs way back in the 90s but used PCs at work) and not at all complicated. The prettiness aspect is, imo, also a reasonable factor to take into account.

Me - love it.
You will be joining the cool ones behind the bike shed.

Ooh! I have never been cool in my entire life, so that may just swing it...

littelapin thanks! Have you been to Cabot Circus (Bristol)? There's a fab Apple store (and Carluccio Italian deli )

Will get Mac Pro - makes more sense than getting new hard drive on crapped out i book as I've spent loads already....

Thank you, all macfans. We have bought two!!

I haven't yet taken mine out of its box, but I am already in lurve...

I love my MAC. DH bought it for me last Xmas and it's fab! Takes a bit of getting used to when you have used a pc but soon you will realise how much more simple it is to use.