Okay, im buying a new computer. Atm i have a Amd Athlon 64 3400+, 2 gig ram and a 7800 GS Agp 8x card. This works for gaming, but since im buying a new computer i might aswell buy a new gaming pc as a MacBook PRO. I need a good reason to not get a new pc, what is it that makes mac so incredible?
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I need a reason
- Thread starter Makube
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If you're seriously considering a PC... then how about you give me they money you were going to spend on it, let me kick you in the family jewels, and we'll call it even 
. In all seriousness, rdowns is right. Ask yourself why you want to move away from Windows. For some people, it seems to be a fine platform, especially for gaming. But things like even just email and surfing are more fun on a Mac, at least for me.
. In all seriousness, rdowns is right. Ask yourself why you want to move away from Windows. For some people, it seems to be a fine platform, especially for gaming. But things like even just email and surfing are more fun on a Mac, at least for me. 
1. Your gaming PC already works fine, as you said.
2. The Mac runs OS X
2. Your PC isn't portable.
3. The PC runs Windows
4. The gaming PC will be more expensive in the long run, because it won't run the latest version of Windows at a useful speed 5 years down the road.
5. The Mac runs OS X
6. The Mac can also run Windows if you ever feel the need to
7. The Mac runs OS X
8. A huge amount of OS X software isn't available for Windows, but a huge amount of Windows software is available for OS X, and if not, there is a (usually superior) equivalent.
2. The Mac runs OS X
2. Your PC isn't portable.
3. The PC runs Windows
4. The gaming PC will be more expensive in the long run, because it won't run the latest version of Windows at a useful speed 5 years down the road.
5. The Mac runs OS X
6. The Mac can also run Windows if you ever feel the need to
7. The Mac runs OS X
8. A huge amount of OS X software isn't available for Windows, but a huge amount of Windows software is available for OS X, and if not, there is a (usually superior) equivalent.
For me, being a Windows user for years and years and years...I felt like I knew it inside and out. Going to a new platform allowed me to basically start over fresh and begin learning again....which in turn, renewed my interest in computers.
Just the joys of learning new things is fun and the primary reason I switched over.
Just the joys of learning new things is fun and the primary reason I switched over.
OS X - Their operating system is great. It works really well and it is easy to use and get used to.
iLife - It is software that comes with your computer. It has a program that you would like called iPhoto, you can organize your photos and do some minor editing with light levels and stuff. Really cool. It would work really well with your camera. Just plug it in and it will work right away! Learn more about iLife at: http://www.apple.com/ilife/
Photo Editing – Adobe Photoshop is made for Mac. It is designed for Mac before Windows. It works best on a Mac. Photo and video editing as whole are all Mac based.
iChat* - we can talk and even video conference and (video and audio) over the internet. With the new O/S coming out in October we can even share screens we can talk about what we are doing. Show and tell if you will.
Time Machine**- Automatically back up everything on your HD quickly and easily, with out you lifting a finger. If anything happens to your computer all your papers, photos, movies and any other files are safe. If you delete something by mistake or find out you need it a month later after deleting it, you can get it back in a couple of clicks. Easy.
Parental Controls* - We can set some parental controls to limit some of your access to the internet and programs. In their new O/S I can manage the software from my house (I think, I'll get back to you on that one).
BootCamp - You can install Windows! Even if you get sick of OSX you can just switch to windows anything you want! Also, you can use other software like VMware and you can use windows and OSX AT THE SAME TIME!! HOW COOL IS THAT!! If you need to use a windows program on your Mac, it isn't a problem with bootcamp.
Virus/Spy ware - On a Mac there is no such thing as "spy ware" or "adware", so there is nothing to hold your computer back! And there around about 100 virus out there for Macs (an independent study found only 63), the chances of you running by one are slim to none. (windows as over 114,000 known viruses, and more are being made and created everyday)
Apple Store - You can go there it is you gateway to call things Mac. Speaking of The Apple Store, check out the next two points.
Genius Bar - When you go to a Apple Store have all have what they call a "Genius Bar". A Genius Bar is a table of Apple Techs who can help you with any problem you have with your Mac one on one. Don't know how to do something on your Mac? Talk to a Genius. Something is broken or not working, talk to a Genius. They can do everything from helping you with iPhoto, burning a cd or replacing a hard drive if it should fail. Any problem you have you can speak to a Mac Genius.
OneToOne - It is a service they provide at the Apple Store that does everything listed above, but on a personal basis. You can book a appointment to go to the apple store and they will teach you ANYTHING you want to know about your Mac. Everything from using your web browser to Making your own website! Want to make a home movie - book an appointment. How the heck do you put music on your iPod? Book an appointment. Everything Mac related, they can help you. Cost? $99 a year. Learn more at: http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone/
AppleCare - You can pay for extra warranty on your Mac. For a Macbook it costs $249. What does it get you? Free software and hardware tech support and a extra 3 year warranty on your mac. 24/7 you need help call 1-800-My-Apple and they will help you. After using your Mac for over year your screen breaks. What do you do? Call them and you can bring your Mac to the Apple Store and they will send it away to get it fixed and send it back to you. FREE! Hard Drive blows up? They’ll replace it. You Mac catches fire and melts!!!! They’ll replace it and give you a new one! Even if something breaks after 2 years and 11 months they’ll replace it free! 3am in the morning and you need help with your Mac? 1-800-MY-APPLE. FIXED. With OneToOne and AppleCare you are covered 100%. Try to get that buy buying a computer at Future Shop! I’m sorry, I mean, Best Buy
Spell Check – If you suck at spelling like me, a automatic spell checker pretty much checks anywhere you type. Pretty sweet.
Microsoft Office – Damn… as a student I use Microsoft Word a lot for writing papers, too bad that is a Windows program and won’t run on my Mac… Wait? What is that, Microsoft makes Office for Mac? It works the same as the one of windows? But can I open files somebody gives me that they made on a windows computer? I CAN! Awesome.
Transferring File – Q: My Windows friends tells me that files that are made on a Windows computer don’t work on a Mac. I have a lot of picture and files on my windows computer. I would hate to lose them if I switch to Mac. Is this true? A: This is not true and a common mistake people make. All your photo and word documents will work on your Mac. Files that for windows only programs might not work. But any word document, photo or video will work fine.
Community – When you are a Mac user, you are move than just a single user. You are part of a whole community of user. There are other Mac users out there to answer all your stupid questions. Mac users are like truckers. We take care of our own.
Macs are Cool – And Girl’s like them! And girl’s like Mac users. You walk around with a Mac and the ladies will notice you. I’m not joking. There are so many cool things with Mac that girls just love to play with. It is pretty cool when a guy can sit down with a Girl and talk about his computer and how cool it is and she is interested and agrees! I’m not joking. You show a girl Photo Booth (it takes pictures and you can make them funny looking) and they will sit there and talk to you and play with it. I can’t express enough about how much I’m not joking. I know it sounds like a joke because people really love seeing all the cool features a Mac can do. If a girl is interested in something to do with computers you know it must be good! Plus, Macs are cool because they look cool!
Payment plan – As I said at the first you can buy it on a payment plan to make it cheaper. I recommend the $75 HD upgrade and AppleCare. That will cost $1,423.00 plus tax, OR as low as $34.00 a month for two years.
Resale Value – GREAT! Mac don’t lose much in resale value. If you go to ebay a look for old Mac. From 5 years ago, they are still over well $500. Depending on the model over $1000. You computer might be worth $100 maybe $150. If you bought a Mac at that time and you paid $1000 for it. It would still worth $700. You computer dropped $500 or more in value. A Mac would only drop $200 or $300 at the most. So when it comes time to upgrade or you just want a new Mac. You get over 50% of your money back. So it is kinda like only paying for what you use, because you’ll get back most of your money!
Student Discount – As a Student you get $100 off a Mac. So anything I said about how much things would cost, take at least $100 off. Also if you buy a Mac you get $100 a printer if you buy one at the same time. If you buy one before September 16. You still have to buy the iPod, but you get a rebate for it (up to $199). So if you buy a iPod less then $199 you get it for free, minus tax.
Religion – WWJD? Jesus would buy a Mac.
* - Some features are not available until October with the new OS.
** - None of the features are available until October with the new OS.
Want more reason to get a Mac? Check out: http://www.apple.com/getamac/
How are those reasons? I can think of more, I just left out some that you wouldn’t understand or care about. Sold yet?
The Stig
iLife - It is software that comes with your computer. It has a program that you would like called iPhoto, you can organize your photos and do some minor editing with light levels and stuff. Really cool. It would work really well with your camera. Just plug it in and it will work right away! Learn more about iLife at: http://www.apple.com/ilife/
Photo Editing – Adobe Photoshop is made for Mac. It is designed for Mac before Windows. It works best on a Mac. Photo and video editing as whole are all Mac based.
iChat* - we can talk and even video conference and (video and audio) over the internet. With the new O/S coming out in October we can even share screens we can talk about what we are doing. Show and tell if you will.
Time Machine**- Automatically back up everything on your HD quickly and easily, with out you lifting a finger. If anything happens to your computer all your papers, photos, movies and any other files are safe. If you delete something by mistake or find out you need it a month later after deleting it, you can get it back in a couple of clicks. Easy.
Parental Controls* - We can set some parental controls to limit some of your access to the internet and programs. In their new O/S I can manage the software from my house (I think, I'll get back to you on that one).
BootCamp - You can install Windows! Even if you get sick of OSX you can just switch to windows anything you want! Also, you can use other software like VMware and you can use windows and OSX AT THE SAME TIME!! HOW COOL IS THAT!! If you need to use a windows program on your Mac, it isn't a problem with bootcamp.
Virus/Spy ware - On a Mac there is no such thing as "spy ware" or "adware", so there is nothing to hold your computer back! And there around about 100 virus out there for Macs (an independent study found only 63), the chances of you running by one are slim to none. (windows as over 114,000 known viruses, and more are being made and created everyday)
Apple Store - You can go there it is you gateway to call things Mac. Speaking of The Apple Store, check out the next two points.
Genius Bar - When you go to a Apple Store have all have what they call a "Genius Bar". A Genius Bar is a table of Apple Techs who can help you with any problem you have with your Mac one on one. Don't know how to do something on your Mac? Talk to a Genius. Something is broken or not working, talk to a Genius. They can do everything from helping you with iPhoto, burning a cd or replacing a hard drive if it should fail. Any problem you have you can speak to a Mac Genius.
OneToOne - It is a service they provide at the Apple Store that does everything listed above, but on a personal basis. You can book a appointment to go to the apple store and they will teach you ANYTHING you want to know about your Mac. Everything from using your web browser to Making your own website! Want to make a home movie - book an appointment. How the heck do you put music on your iPod? Book an appointment. Everything Mac related, they can help you. Cost? $99 a year. Learn more at: http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone/
AppleCare - You can pay for extra warranty on your Mac. For a Macbook it costs $249. What does it get you? Free software and hardware tech support and a extra 3 year warranty on your mac. 24/7 you need help call 1-800-My-Apple and they will help you. After using your Mac for over year your screen breaks. What do you do? Call them and you can bring your Mac to the Apple Store and they will send it away to get it fixed and send it back to you. FREE! Hard Drive blows up? They’ll replace it. You Mac catches fire and melts!!!! They’ll replace it and give you a new one! Even if something breaks after 2 years and 11 months they’ll replace it free! 3am in the morning and you need help with your Mac? 1-800-MY-APPLE. FIXED. With OneToOne and AppleCare you are covered 100%. Try to get that buy buying a computer at Future Shop! I’m sorry, I mean, Best Buy
Spell Check – If you suck at spelling like me, a automatic spell checker pretty much checks anywhere you type. Pretty sweet.
Microsoft Office – Damn… as a student I use Microsoft Word a lot for writing papers, too bad that is a Windows program and won’t run on my Mac… Wait? What is that, Microsoft makes Office for Mac? It works the same as the one of windows? But can I open files somebody gives me that they made on a windows computer? I CAN! Awesome.
Transferring File – Q: My Windows friends tells me that files that are made on a Windows computer don’t work on a Mac. I have a lot of picture and files on my windows computer. I would hate to lose them if I switch to Mac. Is this true? A: This is not true and a common mistake people make. All your photo and word documents will work on your Mac. Files that for windows only programs might not work. But any word document, photo or video will work fine.
Community – When you are a Mac user, you are move than just a single user. You are part of a whole community of user. There are other Mac users out there to answer all your stupid questions. Mac users are like truckers. We take care of our own.
Macs are Cool – And Girl’s like them! And girl’s like Mac users. You walk around with a Mac and the ladies will notice you. I’m not joking. There are so many cool things with Mac that girls just love to play with. It is pretty cool when a guy can sit down with a Girl and talk about his computer and how cool it is and she is interested and agrees! I’m not joking. You show a girl Photo Booth (it takes pictures and you can make them funny looking) and they will sit there and talk to you and play with it. I can’t express enough about how much I’m not joking. I know it sounds like a joke because people really love seeing all the cool features a Mac can do. If a girl is interested in something to do with computers you know it must be good! Plus, Macs are cool because they look cool!
Payment plan – As I said at the first you can buy it on a payment plan to make it cheaper. I recommend the $75 HD upgrade and AppleCare. That will cost $1,423.00 plus tax, OR as low as $34.00 a month for two years.
Resale Value – GREAT! Mac don’t lose much in resale value. If you go to ebay a look for old Mac. From 5 years ago, they are still over well $500. Depending on the model over $1000. You computer might be worth $100 maybe $150. If you bought a Mac at that time and you paid $1000 for it. It would still worth $700. You computer dropped $500 or more in value. A Mac would only drop $200 or $300 at the most. So when it comes time to upgrade or you just want a new Mac. You get over 50% of your money back. So it is kinda like only paying for what you use, because you’ll get back most of your money!
Student Discount – As a Student you get $100 off a Mac. So anything I said about how much things would cost, take at least $100 off. Also if you buy a Mac you get $100 a printer if you buy one at the same time. If you buy one before September 16. You still have to buy the iPod, but you get a rebate for it (up to $199). So if you buy a iPod less then $199 you get it for free, minus tax.
Religion – WWJD? Jesus would buy a Mac.
* - Some features are not available until October with the new OS.
** - None of the features are available until October with the new OS.
Want more reason to get a Mac? Check out: http://www.apple.com/getamac/
How are those reasons? I can think of more, I just left out some that you wouldn’t understand or care about. Sold yet?
The Stig
The stig: Is this something youve got copied up on your computer or did you write all this at the spot?
I did write it. I wrote it all out to my friend telling him why to buy a mac the other day. I still had this e-mail typed out for him on my computer so I copied it up here, but I did write it all out myself.
I'm sorry for all the grammar mistakes
The Stig
There isn't really a good reason. The main problem with getting a PC is Vista, which from what I've heard takes up way too many system resources. Then again installing XP solves that problem.
Nothing is "incredible" about a Mac.. it's a computer, you get what you pay for. It has an alternative operating system which some users prefer. Compared to Windows (or Windoze as a few people who think they can do better like to call it) Macs aren't as good for gaming, but for general use they definitely make life easier.
Reasons for getting a mac:
You want to try an alternative to Windows
You think they're sexy (oh dear..)
The laptops are good value for money (if you get a student discount)
You have a single direct access to support regarding your hardware and software issues
Reasons for staying with Windows
You're already comfortable using it
You get a wider choice of hardware to use
Gaming
Like The Stig wrote in his dissertation(just kidding, your response was very thorough), there really isn't anything standing in your way when it comes to buying a Mac. While some games might prove challenging, everything else will just be a lot easier. And, should you find OS X to be unusable (you won't though, it grows on you right away), you can always use Bootcamp and use Windows. I think in terms of a total package, Macs offer a much greater deal, esspecially the mbps. Those machines are thin, fairly light, powerful, and oh so good looking
Behind his obsessive compulsive post, there lies a great deal of truth
Behind his obsessive compulsive post, there lies a great deal of truth
4. Dear God, you must be joking. A good desktop PC costs about half as much as a MacBook Pro, and you end up spending MORE if you buy every OS X upgrade every two years, rather than one big upgrade from Windows every five.
8. Windows software available for OS X? Ever hear of CAD? If all you're doing is normal computing, then there's plenty of software available for either, and opinions run rampant on which has the upper hand (hint: not everyone considers iLife to be much better than pre-installed Dell crapware).
These are the questions the OP needs to ask him/herself:
1. Do I need a mobile computer? -if not, desktop PCs are a much cheaper option.
2. Do I want to game a lot? -Forget Macs, you'll need upgradeability and besides, laptops suck for gaming in general.
3. Do I need to switch from Windows? -Answers may vary depending on your situation and needs, but I'm guessing the answer is "probably not."
Repeat after me:
A MBP is not a gaming machine.
A MBP is not a gaming machine.
A MBP is not a gaming machine.
...that being said, Counter-Strike runs pretty damn well on Bootcamp.
But then again he doesn't have to give up Windows gaming if he gets a mac anyway.
