Should I get a Mac?

[Matthew_S]

I am looking to replace my desktop PC, acquired in 1998.  It suited our needs until about 2-3 years ago when the laptop took over.

I've never had an Apple computer but my wife is interested in getting one as she thinks it will be easier for her and the kids to use.  We aren't doing anything too demanding on the computer so highest specs are not essential but I am willing to pay more now if it will last another year or two down the road.

Thoughts on Macs v  PCs?  Should I just get another laptop?

Related tangent --

Do Macs run all PC software now? 

[chrisfoll577]

Do Macs run all PC software now? 

since all current macs run on intel processors, you can boot a mac onto a windows partition drive using boot camp a system feature, or run windows software inside mac os x using a program called parallels.

i've been a lifetime mac user and love them.  they are great for kids, creative professionals or anyone else who doesn't feel like battling with their computer all the time.  if your monitor is not too old, you can use all your old hardware with the relatively inexpensive mac mini. if you just want to start new, you can buy a new imac for around a thousand dollars.

[cutout]

Interesting timing, I just took my first Mac out of the box last night. This is after doing web design for ten years and being subjected to endless Mac fanboy proclamations. I think I may have held onto PCs all this time just to spite them.

I spent the evening installing general tools to make workflow easier (Quicksilver, VMWare Fusion) and the sheer simplicity of it was impressive. I've used other peoples' Macs on and off for years, but setting one up and configuring it myself was a new step, yet really intuitive and clean, like everything else they design. Anyway, the machine in question is a Mac Book Pro 15", bought from the Apple refurb store. I think it was money well spent.

[yesno]

Yes, you should get a Mac.

The ultimate reason is that the system is better organized and more capable than the spaghetti code disorganized nonsense that is Windows.  Also, the quality of software on the Mac is noticeably higher, with a level of fit and finish that even most third party apps have.

I'm a grade A computer nerd.  I know whereof I speak.  I have been 100% Mac since 2002 after years of being a huge Windows dork.  I have used Macs in law firms, school, etc, battling dumbass IT guys all the way who like to invent reasons why they don't support Macs.  I need to boot into Windows for the odd piece of software, but that's very rare.  Maybe once every few months.  I'm currently running XP at work, unfortunately, and it is noticeably inferior for most of the basic, everyday things I expect.  Just little stuff like no system-wide, consistent spellchecker.

If you want to compare costs between Macs and PCs, please please compare like with like.  There are no really low end Macs.  So you have to compare similar specs-- the cheapest Dell will always be cheaper than the cheapest Mac, because Apple usually stopped making machines like the cheapest Dell 4 years ago.  Sometimes Macs are cheaper that the exact same hardware in a different case from IBM or Sony.  Even the Macbook Air costs about the same as similar machines from other vendors.  Sometimes there's no way to know because Apple makes a form factor that others don't, i.e., the iMac.  But the price comparison stuff drives me bonkers, because it often ignores qualitative differences.

As far as running Windows software:

First of all, I almost never need to.  There's usually a superior Mac alternative to any given piece of Windows software, or an outright Mac version.

Since a Mac is the same as a PC from a fundamental hardware architecture perspective, you can run Windows on a Mac.  This is not something that Apple "lets" you do; this is not something that requires that you use software called "Boot Camp."  A Mac simply is a PC that you can run Windows on.  People complicate this too much.  You only need Boot Camp in order to make it so that you can dual boot between the OSs, which is naturally a bit trickier.  Apple also provides Windows drivers for its hardware, in the same way that all computer makers do.

Also, you can run your very same Windows installation inside a window, or full screen, from within the Mac OS, if you buy separate software.  Drag and drop, cooy and paste, etc, are supported as between the OSs.  I enjoy pushing a button an having my Macbook switch from one OS to another on occasion.

[Martin]

Jerk response: It depends, are you rich? If so, go for the Mac.

(I use a PC, but I'm not a "PC guy" - Macs are great, but I just can't justify buying one considering what they cost.)

[bruce]

What's funny was Jason asked me about Macs earlier today I figured this was his post. Now with boot camp and the large HD that come wit the Imacs yes you can run pretty much all of the pc software you want.

[God Stewart]

If you are in any way affiliated (or someone you know is affiliated) with a university or college you should abuse their educators' discount. They take 10% off the machine, you can get a free iPod touch right now (after rebate) plus Adobe is running a special where you can purchase their premium design suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, the whole works) for $400 which usually runs something like $1700.

I just did this very thing and I couldn't believe that let me walk out the door with all that stuff. I felt like I was robbing the place.

[yesno]

Also, if cost really is a concern, don't buy a PC because you have decided in the abstract that "PCs are cheaper" but then the *actual* PC you buy is not cheaper than a similar Mac.  I know someone who did that.  It makes no sense.

(If you want cheap, you should be running Ubuntu anyway.)

[Laurie]

Yes, you should. No spyware, no viruses, intuitive software. I love it.

Also, setting up your Mac is literally as easy as taking it out of the box and plugging it in. Seriously.

[Gilly]

I like PC's because they are easy to upgrade and keep current. I know you can do that with a Mac but it's not as easy. I don't like the way Apple takes control away from the computer owners.

[Spoony]

My two cents say yes, get a mac, and avoid using Boot Camp.

Opening Boot Camp exposes you to all the internet junk and viruses that infect PC's so often, and Mac's warranties don't include and virus-related fatalities that spring from Boot Camp.

They know that you're pretty much opening up a kissing booth at a Free Clinic and don't want any part of it. (Yet they'll supply you with the program... that den of THEIVES.)

[moonshake]

Go with a Jockputer with Squat-Thrust 2006 Operating System.

[Laurie]

I like PC's because they are easy to upgrade and keep current. I know you can do that with a Mac but it's not as easy. I don't like the way Apple takes control away from the computer owners.

Are you joking?

[chrisfoll577]

I like PC's because they are easy to upgrade and keep current. I know you can do that with a Mac but it's not as easy. I don't like the way Apple takes control away from the computer owners.

Are you joking?

there's something to what Gilly writes.  Mac hardware is a lot less modifiable than a PC's. 

Beyond installing RAM though, there's not a lot of reason for me to fool around with Apple's superior engineering.

[Gilly]

Nope. I've been able to keep a computer I bought in 1999 running... not only running but I've kept it current at a very low price and it's been very easy to do. It's no secret that Jobs is a control freak that wants Apple to be in charge of everything after the purchase is made. I don't like that one bit. PC's might look a little less desirable but that tower is able to be easily opened to add or remove anything you want to. Apple expects that owners will buy a new computer every 2-3 years to get upgrades.