Your Mac stories

[Shackler]

Alot ppl comme on hear and complain about problems they are having with there Mac's but im a soon to be convert and i wanna hear good stories about your Mac and experiences. Storiesa bout your switch from PC or comments ppl made about your Mac. Anything good is welcome!

Feel free to post pics of your Mac.

 

[aaron.lee2006]

This is the Apple Laptop section. This thread shouldn't be here.

 

[mick4394]

Honestly, when I first switched, I hated it. I purchased an iBook because I thought they looked so cool. I hadn't really ever used a Mac, at least not since I was a very young child, in school, learning to type on an Apple II and playing Oregon Trail. So, I basically knew nothing of Macs, and thought that it would basically be like Windows. I had Windows and Linux experience, so I thought OSX would be a piece of cake. It's made for dummies, you know.

I was wrong, and basically looked at the money I spent on the iBook as money down the drain. OSX did not make sense to me. So, I put it on the shelf, and basically didn't touch it for a good six months.

Then one day I just decided, "What the hell. I spent the money. I may as well figure this thing out." So, I forced myself to learn OSX, and realized rather quickly that it's a pretty nice OS. I must have been in the wrong state of mind when I first tried it, because I was using it for everything within an afternoon.

I've been on a Mac ever since. I still own, and enjoy using, PCs. But, I wouldn't trade my Mac for anything.

 

[ero87]

wow, those are two pretty negative responses (relative to what i expected!)

my story is simple and easy. i used Windows my whole life, but was sick of the viruses/spyware, sluggishness, and difficulty of use. I stepped back and realized that i knew how to do very little on my computer, because it's difficult to do anything interesting or fun on PCs.

I got my iMac G5 for college, and i will NEVER EVER EVER consider getting a windows box ever again. not even in consideration.

It's like upgrading from a horse & buggy to a rocketship. make the switch, i promise you won't regret it.

 

[mick4394]

wow, those are two pretty negative responses (relative to what i expected!)

my story is simple and easy. i used Windows my whole life, but was sick of the viruses/spyware, sluggishness, and difficulty of use. I stepped back and realized that i knew how to do very little on my computer, because it's difficult to do anything interesting or fun on PCs.

I got my iMac G5 for college, and i will NEVER EVER EVER consider getting a windows box ever again. not even in consideration.

It's like upgrading from a horse & buggy to a rocketship. make the switch, i promise you won't regret it.

I don't view my response as negative. It's just that switching isn't all roses. Not everyone can get themselves in that "it's not Windows" state of mind with the snap of a finger.

I view my switching experience as a positive one, because of where I am now. I wasn't willing to give up on the platform, because of one negative experience. I kind of liken it to getting a game, not liking it initially, putting it down for awhile, then picking it up again and loving it. It's all about the state of mind your in when you start. If you're not ready, it won't work

My switching experience was positive, it just wasn't as easy to jump in feet first as many people make it sound.

 

[mick4394]

This is the Apple Laptop section. This thread shouldn't be here.

Look at this from the laptop perspective. He's considering a Macbook.

 

[devilot]

Look at this from the laptop perspective. He's considering a Macbook.

That's actually pretty observant and clever.

Okay... I switched in '04. Was used to an old Windows desktop that took thirteen minutes or so to start up. I was your classic ignorant computer user. Completely. And totally oblivious to Macs.

My friend (who obviously knows me better than I know myself) suggested I give Apple a shot. I laughed in his face. "I need more than one button on my mouse." To which he calmly and patiently replied, "I do, too. Your standard mouse will work just fine with a Mac."

I was flabbergasted. I didn't believe him I went on Apple.com and looked it up. And was pleasantly shocked at this whole other world. He invited me over, I fiddled w/ his PowerMac, and that was that.

I saved up that summer and bought a 12" PowerBook G4. I thought it would just be a fun sort of thing. A novelty. By the end of the month, I realized I hadn't even turned on the Windows box once!

I had switched. And it was good.

 

[aaron.lee2006]

Look at this from the laptop perspective. He's considering a Macbook.

Could have made it a little more clear in the title if it was about a MacBook.

 

[mick4394]

Could have made it a little more clear in the title if it was about a MacBook.

When it comes down to it, does it really matter? These are all Mac forums. We're all Mac users with stories about our switching experiences. He could ask this question in anyone of these forums and it would be relevant, in my opinion, especially considering his Macbook interest.

 

[DaLurker]

I first started looking at using a Mac when I took my Unix programming course in University (2 years ago). I was frustrated at programming through cygwin and ssh and always worrying whether my code would work when it was run on my school Debian machines. When I went on my co-op I saved up enough to buy a used Powerbook 12" G4.

While I liked the portability it was put on the side and never really used as a main machine. At the time during my co-op I didn't need to program so essentially it sat there for 15 months without any real use. I did install programs and watch movies on it and used it once in a while when I needed a laptop but apart from that, nothing.

At first I did find it frustrating not knowing how to print, copy, paste, switch between windows of the same application. I sort of missed my taskbar and because I didn't really need my Mac and I had my windows machine all decked out, I didn't bother trying to switch.

Fast forward to Fall of 2006 and when the C2D Macbooks were released, I jumped on the bandwagon and picked up a CD Macbook for cheap ($1249 cdn for Black Macbook). One of the issues I had my G4 was that it was too slow for doing day to day things. The Macbook was a completely different story. I started using it more and more and realized it was a pain always needing to synchronize between my Macbook and the desktop.

The clincher was after my exams in December when I realized I had nearly a 2 foot high stack of paper from notes. That's when I decided in January that was going completely paperless for my next semester. This required me to write all my notes on my Macbook (btw a great features in Mac Office Word is the Notebook view). Because I didn't want to be synchronizing my Macbook and my desktop all the time, I started considering the logistics of "switching". By this time I was proficient enough on OS X and was happy with the performance of my Macbook.

After figuring out the logistics in January I solely use my Macbook. I sold all of my computer gaming hardware, my Powerbook and hooked everything up to my Macbook (monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse). Recently because of problems I've been having with my Macbook I upgraded to a Macbook Pro.

I'm very happy with having a Laptop running both as a mobile computer and my main machine. It gives me the flexibility of taking my work with me anytime and not worrying about synchronizing. While I enjoy OS X, I find it isn't as perfect as many make it out to be. Perhaps it is because I'm a Computer Science student and really run it through the wringer.

It has crashed on me multiple times, it does have flaws contrary to what many people think and while it is more usable than Windows, it does not epitomize a perfect user OS.

What I do however really like is the Macbook Pro, not for the OS but the machine itself. I love the backlit keyboard, the aluminum skin, the screen and the speed. I wouldn't consider going back to Windows just because I've been playing with it for years and would like to use something new. Change is good, although I haven't had problems with spyware, viruses, crashing (in fact my XP machine crashes less than OS X) and any other slew of issues that other people have on Windows.

I don't regret switching and I love my MBP but it has been a long and hard journey! Windows isn't evil, and Apple isn't god

 

[Dawei]

must...get....MBP

Been lurking on the forums for a long long time, actually on it everyday.
I made the switch to the Mac, back in 2001 with the late 2001 version iBook.
I stop really wanted a pc for gaming, cause I didn't game for a few years while on my iBook. I eventually built my own pc when the AMD 64 socket 754 or whatever model it's called (the computer I'm still typing on right now). Anyways, I gave away my iBook to one of my younger brother and so the pc gaming continues. As a switcher a long time ago, I really didn't want to go back to Windows, but because I'm one of those crazy Asian gamer I needed to game. All the while though, I really don't like Windows, even though I'm on it like now. Anyways, I really have been thinking about getting a Mac, it has been on my mind for a few years while I was on a hiatus. I have been checking out the MBP, but I'm in the waiting stage right now. I am still saving up, but also once my income returns make it here, I might just drive down to Milwaukee and get myself a MBP. I have this ongoing urge, if I have the money I would just drop down the money for one in sec. But the whole thing with Leopard coming and I keep hearing the problems with the screens and other problems is scaring me.

I don't know if I can wait for the change, but I'm hoping for some new changes soon. I think the current models are great, but hopefully the next version has an LED screen and don't have all that uneven lighting and also the grain problem. Maybe if I didn't read the forums about that stuff and just go out and buy one, I probably won't notice the uneven lighting or the grain. Also, when I was in college, I join the newly formed Mac user group at the time. I got way too many iPod posters and other promotional flyers lying around my room.
That just reminded me, you guys know that one commercial with the Mean Joe or whatever his face was called, I'm not a football person. After one of the meeting with the mac groups as I was just walking out the guy who over watch the Mac Group, looked at me and said "Hey" and threw me one of those black Apple shirt that says "Study On Rock On." with a room full of mac user I guess I was the lucky one. I still have that shirt

Sorry, the post was long and pointless, but it's my first post and I'm not a good forum poster

 

[Stadsport]

My boyfriend got a refurbed white Core Duo MacBook (2ghz) with 1gb RAM in it. The iSight didn't work, but it was in good shape and felt new. The local Apple Store fixed in in about 3 days. About a week later, I got a brand new Core 2 Duo 2ghz/1gb model. It's absolutely flawless, and the only thing that's bothered me is that the touchpad's rough feeling has worn off, but this happens with all laptops. Overall, we're both extremely happy with them.

 

[shu82]

I think it is really all about the feel of the OS. Everything really is in the right place. Mac was the first GUI i used. I really wouldn't even call myself a switcher. I have been using macs and PC's all my life. Everything has its place. Now I really dont have any reasons anymore to have a PC's so I will probably be getting rid of my last one. I just went windows for 3 or 4 years for college. Even then, I used the Macs in the library because they were always empty. (the turks used all the PC's to play halo). It really isn't as revolutionary as you think, just a smother way of doing things. Less paranoia envolved too.

 

[thegrandmaster]

I got my first Mac two summers ago, its a G5 iMac of the second revision, and I love it!!

It is the best computer that I have ever used, before it I had an acer which is now gathering dust upstairs, and it was just disaster in a box.
It couldn't run MS word without BSODing and no matter how often it got reinstalled/cleaned/scanned it still got infected and was as slow as hell.

I decided I wanted something easy, safe (relatively) and good for music/video/pictures/etc. so the guy in John Lewis recommended a Mac, and after much consideration I got it, best purchase I've ever made.

Hope that was a positive enough reply!

 

[anjinha]

I'm not really a switcher since I've used macs since I was little, because my parents always used macs. 3 years ago I needed a laptop and my parents bought me a pc since it was cheaper and if I wanted a mac I could always use theirs so it was fine by me. This year I started college and I moved away from my parents home so I started to stress a lot because I didn't have a mac to work on sometimes, only my pc. So I did some-part time jobs, saved up money from my birthday and christmas and got a a card from Fnac that had a 500 euros plaffond that I could pay in 10 months with no interest and I bought my very own white Macbook and I'm really, really happy. It's just perfect. I'm still discovering everything I can do wth it and every new thing I discover makes me pleasently surprised. (I'm sorry if my english isn't great)

 

[MacNIX]

I got a MacBook three weeks ago. I had been using Windows, Linux and NetBSD for some time ago. None of them would convince me. Windows has problems, and the other UNIXes don't have the UI integrantion I want.

I wanted to buy a laptop but I needed the maker to guarantee me that it would run Linux without problems. As none did, I got a MacBook.

I am an engineering student. I take my computer with me all the time. The desktop experience is very good. I can develop software using UNIX system-calls and libraries. I can run Windows and windows-software we use at school without rebooting, and the machine is very small. I put it in my bag and _nobdy_ knows I am carrying a computer.

To sum up, I should say I can't be happier with my purchase.
Getting used to OSX takes time, you have to configure it your way, install software you want... but it is worth it

 

[BlackMax]

Been lurking on the forums for a long long time, actually on it everyday.
I made the switch to the Mac, back in 2001 with the late 2001 version iBook.
I stop really wanted a pc for gaming, cause I didn't game for a few years while on my iBook. I eventually built my own pc when the AMD 64 socket 754 or whatever model it's called (the computer I'm still typing on right now). Anyways, I gave away my iBook to one of my younger brother and so the pc gaming continues. As a switcher a long time ago, I really didn't want to go back to Windows, but because I'm one of those crazy Asian gamer I needed to game. All the while though, I really don't like Windows, even though I'm on it like now. Anyways, I really have been thinking about getting a Mac, it has been on my mind for a few years while I was on a hiatus. I have been checking out the MBP, but I'm in the waiting stage right now. I am still saving up, but also once my income returns make it here, I might just drive down to Milwaukee and get myself a MBP. I have this ongoing urge, if I have the money I would just drop down the money for one in sec. But the whole thing with Leopard coming and I keep hearing the problems with the screens and other problems is scaring me.

I don't know if I can wait for the change, but I'm hoping for some new changes soon. I think the current models are great, but hopefully the next version has an LED screen and don't have all that uneven lighting and also the grain problem. Maybe if I didn't read the forums about that stuff and just go out and buy one, I probably won't notice the uneven lighting or the grain. Also, when I was in college, I join the newly formed Mac user group at the time. I got way too many iPod posters and other promotional flyers lying around my room.
That just reminded me, you guys know that one commercial with the Mean Joe or whatever his face was called, I'm not a football person. After one of the meeting with the mac groups as I was just walking out the guy who over watch the Mac Group, looked at me and said "Hey" and threw me one of those black Apple shirt that says "Study On Rock On." with a room full of mac user I guess I was the lucky one. I still have that shirt

Sorry, the post was long and pointless, but it's my first post and I'm not a good forum poster

It was a great post. I read it and enjoyed it.

 

[kakkoiimac]

When i switched, I had just spent 2 years living in japan using a computer less than an hour a week. I came home then wanted to start school with a new computer. I grew up with a windows machine my entire life. I started researching and looked at alot of machines, but then i saw a Consumer reports with the 3 apple laptops all rated the highest. I started researching them and found out about alot of the features both good and bad. All my family had never used macs before and tried to persuade me not to get one, but i went to an apple store, saw it and had to get it.

switching was for actually alot of fun for me. It was fun to try something out and it worked just like you thought it should. And everytime i found something cool i would show it off to my family. Now everyone in my family wants one. I will never go back to the dark dreary PC world.

To the OP- be careful when reading posts here...mac users GENERALLY seem a little anal about their machines. Little things go wrong and they flip out. i personally have had absolutely NO problems with the hardware and the only problem with the software was my own lack of knowledge. I think that most people are more satisified with their computers, and they expect more from a mac because apple usually gives more than any other maker out there.

 

[2fives]

My main pro and con wit the mac.

PRO: no friggen antivirus. I'm the kinda guy who doesn't leave his com on when he's not using it. So every time I start the stupid thing up I either have to run in bogged down mode while for the next 30 minutes the virus scanner does it's thing or cancel out and it seems like I never get a full scan done.

CON: Since Windows users out number us ten fold and the squeaky wheel gets the oil it's my finding that a handful of programs that have direct MAC counterparts, that is both made by the same company and throw in the MAC finder are just not as robust and option ridden as the Windows side.

An example is the canon digital camera software for mac just can't do some of the critical things I want it to do.

 

[bartelby]

As a kid the first computer I owned was an Acorn Electron, then an Atari STFM and then an Archimedes. Two doors away from my house lived my friend, his dad sold Apple computers. The first Apple I had contact with was an Apple II but I got to see the evolution of Apples and Macs.
Then in 1991 I did a Foundation Art and Design course and got to use the Mac IIcx and Photoshop 2.
In 1994 I enrolled on a BA(Hons) Interactive Arts course at uni. There we used Apple Classics for word processing and some interweb stuff and Centris 660AVs for the practical art side of the course. If you were lucky you got access to Quadra 840AVs and the Quadra 900. Half way through the course I went to buy my own 840AV (a well specced one; 32MB RAM, 2MB VRAM, a 500MB HD and a 2x CD-ROM ) and a 17" AV monitor. But the woman in the store (Mac Western in Cardiff) treated me like crap so I waved the £5000 cash in her face and walked out.
During the summer hols I accquired a PowerMac 7500/100 (32MB RAM, 4MB VRAM, 1GB HD and a 4x CD-ROM), a Formac 17" monitor, Scantek 3 pass scanner, Photoshop 3 and Kia Powertools. I travelled from Coventry to London to pick it up. Later I picked up a PowerBook 5300 for wordprocessing.
In 2000 I bought a iMac G3 350 (128MB RAM 6GB HD).
That 7500 was with me until 2001 (I upgraded the processor to a 375MHz G3 Sonnet, added a second 1GB HD and boosted the RAM to 128MB).
I then bought a 733MHz G4 (1.12GB RAM, 40GB HD & CD-RW) and handed my 7500 to my parents.
I then bought my wife a PowerBook G3 233MHz for her to do her Masters on.
Around this time I gave my parents the iMac and took my 7500 back.
Then in 2005 I bought my PowerBook G4 15". Last year I got my parents a Mac Mini CoreDuo.

In all the time I've used Apple computers the only problems I had is a dodgy PowerBook G4 (logic board failure, white spots on the screen and the ambient light sensors dieing). The Mac Mini had a loose logic board connector. I'm not too bothered about these because of all the hassle free years I've had.

 

[edders2000]

I switched to Mac just last week, buying a White MacBook, 2Ghz, 1GB Ram 120GB HDD.

I grew up using Acorn machines. My A3020 was what I spent my childhood using and I then upgraded to a Risc PC, which ran Windows as well as Risc OS, similar to what the Macs do now.
With the demise of Acorn I was bought a Packard Bell PC before going to uni in 2002 and had been using that until last week.

I loved it at first, it was so much faster and better than what I had used in the past.
It worked like a dream for the first year I had it, mainly down to the fact that I didn't have an internet connection at my uni halls.
Taking the PC online a year later was not only a nightmare to set up, I was doing it wirlessly and had to install and re-install various software and drivers, it also led to all kinds of security issues and I found myself re-installing Windows regularly to get rid of the various Spyware, viruses, trojan horses etc.
I also found myself using my computer for MSN and Football Manager and not a lot else, which just seamed pointless.

So the MacBook arrived last Thursday and so far it's been a dream.
Going through the steps to set it up was so easy and getting it connected to my wireless network involved pressing one button on the router, typing in the password and that was it, superb.
I signed up for the 60 day .Mac trial and have already played around with iWeb and published, all be it a slightly crap website but it's something I wouldn't have done on my PC!

So although it's still early days I'm delighted with the Macs performance and in many ways it reminds me of the simple OS that the Acorns used to use too.