Switching over from a PC should have been done YEARS ago

[sehnsucht77]

If you feel this way then why do you have the Macs that you do in your sig? I'm completely lost how anyone can say that Macs are overpriced for what they offer and yet they still BUY them??Whatever....

because, dear, I need to use em for progs that only run on OSX. that much IS inferred isn't it? previously, i did the same thing on a G3 and G4. n00b.

 

[bruinsrme]

I drooled over the MBP when I was in the market for a new machine but it lack the hardware I was looking for.

very nice looking machines

 

[AnotherFanBoy]

I think most of the windows guys who bitch about OSX have never used it. I used to be one of them. A couple of years ago I would have laughed at the idea of buying a Mac and given you a long list of why they are rubbish.

Now my laptop is dying and the first thought into my head was "I should get a Macbook Pro" and now for some reason, I have decided firmly on that and cannot wait.

Funny what education will do to you, eh?

 

[HLdan]

because, dear, I need to use em for progs that only run on OSX. that much IS inferred isn't it? previously, i did the same thing on a G3 and G4. n00b.

Ha ha, then you need to understand that to say something is "overpriced", and you have a need for it then it's NOT "overpriced". Same as someone buying a crazy high priced car, I may not find a need for it, mainly due to the price but the next guy may have a need for it. So is it overpriced to me? Perhaps, but to the other guy? NO, he has a need for it for whatever reason. There's no reason to call something overpriced if you have a need and are willing to pay for it, DEAR.

 

[jableskg]

I qualify for the Snow Leopard upgrade for $9.95 when it comes out. Should i get it or would it be better to wait since the current Leopard works great?

 

[sehnsucht77]

Ha ha, then you need to understand that to say something is "overpriced", and you have a need for it then it's NOT "overpriced". Same as someone buying a crazy high priced car, I may not find a need for it, mainly due to the price but the next guy may have a need for it. So is it overpriced to me? Perhaps, but to the other guy? NO, he has a need for it for whatever reason. There's no reason to call something overpriced if you are willing to pay for it if you have a need and are willing to pay for it, DEAR.

ah, talking technicalities now eh? i worry about overhead cost, something you might not have to deal with so if I, as an enterpreneur using Apple products (because I have to), can take advantage of a machine for less price and output the same product, i'd spend less. why not? it doesn't take an MBA to figure this one out. from the basis of specs and limitating factors, i say it is overpriced because a competitively specd machine costs hundreds less but cannot run OSX natively, a detail that bothers me if i am crunching numbers and then it gives me a bloody error after hours. in breaking open the innards of the machines, the same HW is essentially in an MBP as, say, a Dell..so what am I paying for? I am just calling Apple out on competitive pricing for what they are putting into the machines because the prices could be lower just by looking at the d@mn parts. otoh, if you are a fanboy who feels the need to "defend" apple by addressing the willingness to pay, i am the wrong person to wrangle with because I could care less - i just want to get stuff done.

I qualify for the Snow Leopard upgrade for $9.95 when it comes out. Should i get it or would it be better to wait since the current Leopard works great?

9 bucks is awesome. why not? love the pricing scheme on OSX. gates could take a cue from Jobs on this one.

I think most of the windows guys who bitch about OSX have never used it. I used to be one of them. A couple of years ago I would have laughed at the idea of buying a Mac and given you a long list of why they are rubbish.

meh. breaking one of them open shows that the parts are pretty mainstream. not that different from what you'd find in an HP or a thinkpad. though i do wonder why they decided to use Alu for the casing on the MBP and then you hear everyone complaining about the thing getting hot when there is hardly any insulation against the HD. Alu is a pretty good temp conductor...wonder what genius thought up that there wouldn't be any temp issues down the line?

 

[HLdan]

I qualify for the Snow Leopard upgrade for $9.95 when it comes out. Should i get it or would it be better to wait since the current Leopard works great?

Well, you certainly can't lose with paying only $9.95. The legendary PowerPC code will not be in SL which makes the whole OS much slimmer in size and run much faster since it's not as bloated. It won't be here until the end of September anyway, just order it and when it ships come here are read of other's experiences first and then install it when you're ready.

 

[jableskg]

Well, you certainly can't lose with paying only $9.95. The legendary PowerPC code will not be in SL which makes the whole OS much slimmer in size and run much faster since it's not as bloated. It won't be here until the end of September anyway, just order it and when it ships come here are read of other's experiences first and then install it when you're ready.

Ok will do.. Thanks

 

[HLdan]

ah, talking technicalities now eh? i worry about overhead cost, something you might not have to deal with so if I, as an enterpreneur using Apple products (because I have to), can take advantage of a machine for less price and output the same product, i'd spend less. from the basis of specs and limitating factors, i say it is overpriced because a competitively specd machine costs hundreds less but cannot run OSX natively, a detail that bothers me if i am crunching numbers and then it gives me a bloody error after hours. in breaking open the innards of the machines, the same HW is essentially in an MBP as, say, a Dell..so what am I paying for? I am just calling Apple out on competitive pricing for what they are putting into the machines because the prices could be lower just by looking at the d@mn parts. otoh, if you are a fanboy who feels the need to "defend" apple by addressing the willingness to pay, i am the wrong person to wrangle with because I could care less.



9 bucks is awesome. why not? love the pricing scheme on OSX. gates could take a cue from Jobs on this one.

Ha, you're not the only entrepreneur on MR. I run my entire insurance business on Macintosh, in fact many of our agents use Macs. We, especially me, are very price conscious as it comes out of our own pocket until tax time so we want the best bang for the buck but I choose Macs because of the reliability and simplicity of the Mac OS. I've been using them for the last 14 years. Are they expensive to me? Yes. Are they overpriced to me? No. Why? Because they fulfill what I need out of a computer. Will Windows do it for me? Not a chance. Is it worth it for me to pay more for my needs and requirements? Yes.
Apple's prices on their notebooks this time around are pretty damn good. $1200 for a 13" Macbook Pro? Awesome. How much was the 12" Powerbook when it first came out? $1799, with way less capabilities. Enjoy mate.

 

[lavinci]

I hate the "I'm a PC" ad where they walk into a Best Buy and the moron says he thinks macs are more about aesthetics and not function.

I sat at my PC trying to diagnose an internet problem and nearly snapped because of the slowness of the windoze OS.

 

[harcosparky]

I hate the "I'm a PC" ad where they walk into a Best Buy and the moron says he thinks macs are more about aesthetics and not function.

I sat at my PC trying to diagnose an internet problem and nearly snapped because of the slowness of the windoze OS.

I wrote Apple a letter a week or so ago, offering my services to make a commercial for them where I would relive the experience that made me buy Mac.

I retired from the IT field about 6, years ago. I have current Novell, Microsoft certifications.

I wrote a script and all where I go into Best Buy and tell the clerk who I am and my quick background .... Microsoft MSCE / Novell CNE. The have the guy show me Windows Notebooks and I complain about the crappy build quality. Then the guy puts a Macbook Pro in my hands and immediately I am hooked!!!!

The above 'event' actually took place in Circuit City about 5 1/2 years ago .... the notebook was a Powerbook.

The Circuit City employee that sold me on the Powerbook now works for APPLE !!!!!

There is no way on this earth I will go back to a Windows crap-puter !!!!!

Oh and I am NOT a FANBOY - there are a couple of Apple products I do not like ......

White Plastic Macbook - shows wear and tear faster than an Apple should !!!
Macbook Air - What were they thinking ?????

Some of the little iPods are kinda funky but honestly I am not a " Pod Person " !!!!!

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

i learned more about computers from being a PC user than a mac user that's for sure. i think if i were to start off as a mac user and never tried a windows machine, i'd know a lot less about how to troubleshoot/build computers

 

[slu]

can never get the Mac "image" complex that seems to be all too common as well...its a bloody computer that does stuff. whoopty doo.

This statement contradicts itself. How can the "image" bother you if it is just a computer? If it is just a machine that does stuff, the "image" complex should be of no concern to you either way.

Edit: And what the heck is a "G5 Intel"

BTW, I agree with you that is is just a computer that does stuff. I don't concern myself with fan boys one way or the other. For what I do, the Mac is the choice for me. But I also dual boot Windows for some tasks.

And to the OP, welcome and I hope you enjoy your new computer.

 

[jableskg]

Apple's prices on their notebooks this time around are pretty damn good. $1200 for a 13" Macbook Pro? Awesome. How much was the 12" Powerbook when it first came out? $1799, with way less capabilities. Enjoy mate.

That was always the problem before. I have always been more into laptops as opposed to desktops simply because of their mobility. When it came to buying a Macbook though they were always way out of my price range. I got my last Dell E1505 for $500 that i purchased through a friend.

Pretty much when i bought the iPhone 3G i was convinced there that Apple makes better products. Little by little i started getting more interested in their computers and once the new Macbook 13" got the "Pro" moniker and price drop, it became apparent that now was the time to buy once and for all. It was indeed still more than i'd prefer to pay for a computer, but i was willing to pay for something that was more reliable and better.

 

[HLdan]

i learned more about computers from being a PC user than a mac user that's for sure. i think if i were to start off as a mac user and never tried a windows machine, i'd know a lot less about how to troubleshoot/build computers

Why? Because Windows constantly forces you to have to fix something wrong with the OS? That must be it. You can learn quite a bit on the Macintosh system because it's based on UNIX and the UNIX Terminal is right at your disposal if you really want to learn how to use computers. IMO, the Macintosh system is the proper way for people to learn computers. The GUI is the front line which should not require the user to do much more than the tasks they are performing for the program they are running. The UNIX Terminal is in the background for anyone who needs more access to the system for programming and big system changes.

In Windows it's always been retarded for the end user. For geeks, Windows is fun but can still be maddening. For most end users it's absolutely ridiculous to have to deal with the Device Manager to work with drivers. Many times it tells you that you have the most updated drivers and the computer still isn't functioning properly which requires the end user to go out on the web and search for their own.
The Registry is another headache for most end users as well as those annoying .dll files and disk defragmentation. None of this teaches anyone how to use a computer, it just keeps you working on Windows to keep it running properly.

 

[EmperorDarius]

i learned more about computers from being a PC user than a mac user that's for sure. i think if i were to start off as a mac user and never tried a windows machine, i'd know a lot less about how to troubleshoot/build computers

Exactly. You learned more because you experienced more problems. You went for the easy way. On a Mac, you'd actually have to take a course/study about the OS. I don't know whether it's a positive thing.

 

[Hrududu]

i learned more about computers from being a PC user than a mac user that's for sure. i think if i were to start off as a mac user and never tried a windows machine, i'd know a lot less about how to troubleshoot/build computers

I can see that being true if you only ever used Macs in OSX. Using classic Mac OS was a much different experience and I think you had to learn more about computers in order to keep things running smooth. Sometimes I miss running the old OS just because OSX is almost too simple.

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

Why? Because Windows constantly forces you to have to fix something wrong with the OS? That must be it. You can learn quite a bit on the Macintosh system because it's based on UNIX and the UNIX Terminal is right at your disposal if you really want to learn how to use computers. IMO, the Macintosh system is the proper way for people to learn computers. The GUI is the front line which should not require the user to do much more than the tasks they are performing for the program they are running. The UNIX Terminal is in the background for anyone who needs more access to the system for programming and big system changes.

In Windows it's always been retarded for the end user. For geeks, Windows is fun but can still be maddening. For most end users it's absolutely ridiculous to have to deal with the Device Manager to work with drivers. Many times it tells you that you have the most updated drivers and the computer still isn't functioning properly which requires the end user to go out on the web and search for their own.
The Registry is another headache for most end users as well as those annoying .dll files and disk defragmentation. None of this teaches anyone how to use a computer, it just keeps you working on Windows to keep it running properly.

Exactly. You learned more because you experienced more problems. You went for the easy way. On a Mac, you'd actually have to take a course/study about the OS. I don't know whether it's a positive thing.

I can see that being true if you only ever used Macs in OSX. Using classic Mac OS was a much different experience and I think you had to learn more about computers in order to keep things running smooth. Sometimes I miss running the old OS just because OSX is almost too simple.

thanks for all the input. fyi i too was happy and relieved when i first got my mac as it was a machine that simply worked. you guys are right: i learned more because i experienced problems, but as a computer enthusiast, i don't consider that a bad thing at all. in fact, i enjoy and appreciate the simplicity of my mac a lot more because of them. however, i agree with what hrududu said: osx is almost too simple. what's there to learn if nothing ever goes wrong?

nowadays i use both pc and mac. when i want a solid machine that just gets the job done, i use my mac. when i want to tinker with things (hardware, software), i use my pc.

 

[sehnsucht77]

Ha, you're not the only entrepreneur on MR. I run my entire insurance business on Macintosh, in fact many of our agents use Macs.

whoopty doo. don't know what this has to do with me and how i'd rather pay less nor was i inferring that my case was unique. 1200 ain't bad...mate...but if i can pay less, i'd be hella happier for the extra cash saved so i can allocate it for other things. what beef do you have with my desire to spend less if i can do so? what is it to you if I think apple is overpriced yet give them my business because it gets my work done? i am entitled to my gripe because it is MY payroll.

I can see that being true if you only ever used Macs in OSX. Using classic Mac OS was a much different experience and I think you had to learn more about computers in order to keep things running smooth. Sometimes I miss running the old OS just because OSX is almost too simple.

i don't have qualms with simplicity and stability. i do have problems with folks expecting to have everything handed to them by an OS. come on. its technology..you have to put "some" elbow grease into making your computer work and knowing how to fix it if it runs into problems and this skill is NEVER a bad thing. productivity goes hand in hand with adaptability, especially when it concerns technology. even if OS is simplistic and intuitive- and it is coming from my experience as a code mangling tech head - but that shouldn't deter people from taking the liberty to look under the hood to check out how to maintain its basic operation.

 

[harcosparky]

i learned more about computers from being a PC user than a mac user that's for sure. i think if i were to start off as a mac user and never tried a windows machine, i'd know a lot less about how to troubleshoot/build computers

Yes, if there is one thing I can say good about windows if you will gain experience TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEMS ...... lots and lots and lots of problem with Windows!!!!

 

[bossxii]

The difference for me, and the reason to switch 2 years ago was the fact I was tired of spending more time working on getting my PC to run smoothly for basic use vs turn it on, use it, turn it off. I grew up with PC's and I've built plenty of em for family and friends. The part that is frustrating is how many calls you get from these people, who are the majority of computer users that have no clue how to maintain a Window's based computer to run worth a damn after a years worth of usage. (Year, 6 months whatever the time frame) Anyhow point being hardware aside OSX vs Windows is hands down to OSX, if it wasn't Microsoft would be putting out ads about how superior their OS is vs trying to bash how expensive the Apple hardware is compared to the HP's they are trying to promote.

Anyone savvy enough to have found and keep up with sites like MR or other tech forums fall into a minority of users that can probably use either OS and not have problems they can deal with, it's a matter of choice to deal with the issues or not. Bottom line for me is in 2 years I've had zero downtime, I maybe lucky as I've owned three different models and no issues.

UNIX based OS is superior to Windows cluster of registry/drivers etc.. that's just fact. Does Apple get a premium for their computers, hardware vs hardware? Yes. Can I sell my $2500 15" UMBP 8 moths after I bought it for $2250? Yes. Can I sell 18 month old $1700 gaming rig for more then $200 bucks? probably not. The biggest hit to the value of any of the models from the past 2 years is simply from Apple reducing the price of new ones. The demand for used Mac's is still huge, people pay for a nice laptop, they usually take care of it and they are rewarded down the road with a high resale value. There is no other manufacturer out there that touches Apple's resale value.

Check in with those lucky people buying the $700.00 Laptops from the MS ads, in 6 months they won't get $200 out of em because they will have no clue how to clean up the HDD for the next user and not only get to pay some "Geek Squad" guy to come help them figure it all out, spending another $150 bucks on a house call. In the end they give up and go buy another pc of crap and start over. They simply don't know and don't care to know, so they will buy all the service agreements and virus software and support offers likely doubling the purchase price of the laptop just so they feel "safe" using their new computer. Gotta love Windows.

 

[doox00]

The difference for me, and the reason to switch 2 years ago was the fact I was tired of spending more time working on getting my PC to run smoothly for basic use vs turn it on, use it, turn it off. I grew up with PC's and I've built plenty of em for family and friends. The part that is frustrating is how many calls you get from these people, who are the majority of computer users that have no clue how to maintain a Window's based computer to run worth a damn after a years worth of usage. (Year, 6 months whatever the time frame) Anyhow point being hardware aside OSX vs Windows is hands down to OSX, if it wasn't Microsoft would be putting out ads about how superior their OS is vs trying to bash how expensive the Apple hardware is compared to the HP's they are trying to promote.

Anyone savvy enough to have found and keep up with sites like MR or other tech forums fall into a minority of users that can probably use either OS and not have problems they can deal with, it's a matter of choice to deal with the issues or not. Bottom line for me is in 2 years I've had zero downtime, I maybe lucky as I've owned three different models and no issues.

UNIX based OS is superior to Windows cluster of registry/drivers etc.. that's just fact. Does Apple get a premium for their computers, hardware vs hardware? Yes. Can I sell my $2500 15" UMBP 8 moths after I bought it for $2250? Yes. Can I sell 18 month old $1700 gaming rig for more then $200 bucks? probably not. The biggest hit to the value of any of the models from the past 2 years is simply from Apple reducing the price of new ones. The demand for used Mac's is still huge, people pay for a nice laptop, they usually take care of it and they are rewarded down the road with a high resale value. There is no other manufacturer out there that touches Apple's resale value.

Check in with those lucky people buying the $700.00 Laptops from the MS ads, in 6 months they won't get $200 out of em because they will have no clue how to clean up the HDD for the next user and not only get to pay some "Geek Squad" guy to come help them figure it all out, spending another $150 bucks on a house call. In the end they give up and go buy another pc of crap and start over. They simply don't know and don't care to know, so they will buy all the service agreements and virus software and support offers likely doubling the purchase price of the laptop just so they feel "safe" using their new computer. Gotta love Windows.

One thing though, its not windows.. its end users fault. Windows is the most used os obviously.. so all effort goes into making viruses and spyware and all the other bs windows falls victom to.. and windows os gets blamed for it. Windows works just fine, and I like being able to update my drivers, especially video.. being able to do that monthly gives me increased performance in games, which is why new drivers are released so frequently.. optimizations and fixes.

 

[bossxii]

i don't have qualms with simplicity and stability. i do have problems with folks expecting to have everything handed to them by an OS. come on. its technology..you have to put "some" elbow grease into making your computer work and knowing how to fix it if it runs into problems and this skill is NEVER a bad thing. productivity goes hand in hand with adaptability, especially when it concerns technology. even if OS is simplistic and intuitive- and it is coming from my experience as a code mangling tech head - but that shouldn't deter people from taking the liberty to look under the hood to check out how to maintain its basic operation.

You then have a problem with 90% of the buying public who don't have a clue and don't care to waste their time learning, they want a computer to turn on, work, turn off. End of story. This is exactly why Apple sells so many computers, they don't advertise hardware spec's they advertise the "user experience" as the buying public doesn't care or even understand the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 memory let alone Firewire vs USB. They just want it to work, period.


This statement is like telling someone that buys a high end sports car they should know how to work on it to enjoy it? Pointless, they spent 100k or more they hire someone to work on it, they expect it to work when they get in it they don't want to know or care to know what a timing belt or spark plug is and how it works.

 

[HLdan]

whoopty doo. don't know what this has to do with me....

Did you not say in your first line that you were an entrepreneur or did I mistaken you for someone else? You said it first, I just mentioned that I was as well. Were getting OT but I think you just like me for whatever reason. Some people here like me and some don't. I always try and help people but I won't patronize them or agree with them when they are wrong. When you make a post here I, as well as others have a right to respond to it so if I have a qualm with your line about Macs being "overpriced" and you still buy them anyway I have a right to call you on it. Hope this ends our...I guess argument.

 

[bossxii]

One thing though, its not windows.. its end users fault. Windows is the most used os obviously.. so all effort goes into making viruses and spyware and all the other bs windows falls victom to.. and windows os gets blamed for it. Windows works just fine, and I like being able to update my drivers, especially video.. being able to do that monthly gives me increased performance in games, which is why new drivers are released so frequently.. optimizations and fixes.

It's the end users fault they don't have an education that teaches them how to update drivers? make sure that copy of Norton Antivirus that just hosed their internet connection and email up? Interesting how if a PC crashes it's always blamed on the end user but if a Mac crashes it's the pc of s#@t hardware or OSX? funny how that works. What does Microsoft do to educate their users? Do they offer any training to the general public that buys a computer from Dell, HP, IBM etc..?

Again the fact you are a gamer tells me you have dealt with drivers and you know if you don't update them monthly and maintain your PC it will suffer. People don't want to do that, they want to use their computer for stuff they enjoy. That is the whole point that sells people on a Mac faster than anything else. When people get that millions of people simply want to turn on a computer, use it, turn it off. Rinse and repeat, they don't want to download the latest antivirus, spyware, defrag software, they want to check email, surf the web and chat with friends, family etc..