Monday, March 3: I need to do a bit more research on this, but I’m leaning toward the Mac. I’ll wait until after the next software upgrade. I’ll keep you posted.
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This year I’m turning 40, celebrating 10 years of sobriety and two years of self-employment, and I may have an exciting personal announcement to make by year’s end. I’m ready to do something wild: switch from a PC to a Mac! 
I want to treat myself to a new laptop, one that’s lighter and more powerful than my Compaq Presario, which I intend to sell. I’m willing to spend no more than $1,000 (well, a little more). I’ve used PCs for years, but I think MacBooks ($1,099) are adorable (I’m such a girl). That’s not the best reason to buy one, of course. I’m thinking of getting the 13-inch screen, 5.2-pound, 1.83GHz MacBook, but I don’t know a thing about Macintosh. I appeal to Mac users and other geeks:
1) Should I stick with the PC or go with the Mac? Benefits? Drawbacks?
2) Is there a such thing as a powerful and lightweight PC that costs $1,000? If so, who sells it?
Update: To answer a few questions…What I mean by “powerful” is fast and able to run programs without running low on memory. I have an iPod, so I’ll run iTunes and store lots of music, video podcasts, and audio files. I don’t do much photo editing, and I do no movie editing. I watch DVDs on my Compaq because I don’t have a DVD player (and really don’t need one). I’ll watch them on the new laptop as well.
I want a powerful laptop that I’ll use mostly for writing, and I’m tired of lugging around a nine-pound machine when I travel. I use MS Word, but I’m not wedded to it, and I hardly ever use my Outlook account. Bottom line: I find the Mac aesthetically pleasing, but I want more reasons to buy one than appearance.
Thanks for the advice!
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Aww, don’t pick on my installation. Windows normally works (I use Boot Camp). It’s just that in over six months with this computer, the Windows side has locked up (while shutting down, while loading, whatever…it’s Windows) multiple times. The Mac side has done it a grand total of once, and that was caused by a website. On the Windows side, I had to manually restart the dang machine. On the Mac side, well, I don’t remember. It happened only once.
Re: Quicken: I found that when I saved our data in text format, it imported just fine into the Mac version.
Oh, if you buy the Office for Mac when purchasing your laptop, it’s much less expensive than buying it separately.
If you enjoy camaraderie and feeling a little like a rebel, you will enjoy the Mac community. There are a lot of Mac users, myself included, who will help you for free. I stopped helping my Windows friends because it’s just not worth it. I know they will have problems again in short order.
One of the major benefits of having a Mac is no viruses. Ever. None. I’m not sure what Julie the Jarhead above means by saying Macs are “mostly” virus free. I don’t know of any Mac user, and I work for companies with thousands of them, who has had a virus since Apple switched to OS X years ago. If Julie knows something I don’t, I’d be happy to hear from her. The press routinely gets this wrong.
You might want to wait until the new Leopard operating system comes out this summer, but only because you will want to upgrade and it will likely cost $100ish. If you can go with it now, don’t wait, the current operating system is great.
Let me know if you switch. I’ll link to your comments.
My first computer was an Apple II and I have had a succession of Apple products over the years. Currently, I have two G4’s and a laptop. (I lied: I have a G4 and the Mrs. won’t let me touch her G4 and “our” laptop.)
I love Macs.
Several suggestions: Buy “Pro Care” which you can only get at a Mac store. You get an hour of one on one Genius Bar instruction whenever you schedule it. (Seven days between appointments.) It costs $99 for the year and is one of the great Apple “secrets.” You can also use the special Genius website or special telephone contact.
See if you can’t get the Mac store to extend an education discount to you. (Any university student can be a stand in for you.)
If you buy in Delaware, you can skip the sales tax.
Take a good look at Mac.com. I love it and it has been my IP for several years.
Do not worry about virus protection, it wastes your time and money.
The graphics people in the Mac world love to share.
Go hang out at the Mac store at Tysons and watch the enthusiasm.
Go for it!
Disclaimer: I’ve had a Mac since the very first 128K unit. I am not unbiased.
However, I now administrate eight different Macs at church and home, and one Dell running Windows XP. I also use Windows XP occasionally on one of the Macs.
They all do the job they are supposed to do. But guess which operating system takes the most time to keep working efficiently and up-to-date? It isn’t the Apple side of this coin.
Because Apple controls both the operating system and the hardware, things just work better. Windows strength (ubiquity) is its weakness. Too many folks try to make too many things work in too many ways.
Bought a Mac 14 months ago, had a problem (after a year of steady use) with the logicboard which AppleCare covered. No problems since – faster than a PC, and no bugs, spyware, viruses, etc. Love love LOVE my Mac – can’t stand using the Dell laptops on the unit I work on, since they lock up all.the.time.
there’s a pic of me grilling outdoors while holding my Mac Powerbook here: http://ninthstreetrecords.blogspot.com
get the macbook. pay extra for:
– extra ram (go to 2gb)
– apple care (great support)
what’s there to say that the posters on this thread haven’t said? there will come a point where it’s not you learning your computer, it’s your computer learning you
La Shawn,
You’ll love the Mac because it has the best RSS reader, NetNewsWire. And it integrates with NewsGator, in case you were using that already.
Okay, I’m a techie, I daily use Linux and Mac and hardly, hardly ever use Windows. But I found this column about switching that reflects the experiences of others I’ve helped with Macs, and to some extent, my own:
http://utilware.com/switching.html
I think it’s fairly well balanced, and not at all hyperbolic. It points out some things I’d forgotten about that a new user should be aware of.
I wish you all the best in your next forty years (and maybe the next forty after that, too).
WAIT!
I support your move to the Mac 100% – I’m an avid Mac user myself – but if you wait a month or so, Apple will release its new Operating System (10.5) with all the updated iLife goodies for 2007 – this would cost you around $200 to buy after the fact.
So, if you can, wait!
And take a good, long look at the refurbished computers. I’m typing this on a two-year old refurb iBook, and boy am I glad I saved the $200 going refurbished!
Once you go Mac, you don’t willingly go back. Sadly, I will be forced back into the PC world for law school this fall (my own personal Babylonian captivity), but I’ll pick up an iMac for use at home, just to keep the Mac tradition alive.
Good luck!
Update to my previous post…not only is my friend’s site back up, he has an extensive post up about how he puts together his weekly Bible study, complete with all the audio-streaming and conferencing, using, mainly, Mac software. A good look at what’s possible with Macs these days!
Arghh, LaShawn, I’m disappointed in you… switching to a macintrash? Just kidding!!, actually, I’ve heard some good things about macintosh particularly the macbook or I think it used to be called the ibook. Most everyone I’ve talked to that has one has been pretty happy with it.
Now, I just bought a new PC with Windows Vista home premium, intel duo core 2ghz processor, 80gb hard drive, and 2gb ram. I’ve had no problems with it. In fact, I like it a whole lot. The new graphics or windows aero is outstanding, and with the processor and 2gb of ram the performance is just smokin’.
I haven’t had any “bug” problems in the month I’ve had it. However, there are some frustrating software combatability issues though. I’m convinced that those will be worked out soon enough. Windows has decided to go this direction with their OS and Microsoft will have to work out the compatability issues or risk another lawsuit. Furthermore, these other software companies will have to do their part to work out the compatability issues or risk alienating a large portion of their customer base.
On a more personal note, congratulations on all of your anniversaries. They’re definitely something to praise God about!!
Jim C
Go Mac. I’ve been a Mac user for about 20 years. I’ve lived through years of up and down quality and support and I can tell you the last few years the product has just gotten better and better. I’m hooked on the magic of Apple products. I’ve also worked lots on PCs and find them clunky. Often what takes three or four steps on a PC a Mac will do in one step.
They’ve done side by side studies of efficiency, giving office staff a series of tasks to do on both platforms. The Mac team did the work in far less time consistently.
It comes down to what your time is worth. Every time you save an hour on a Mac, an hour you don’t spend fixing a bug or dealing with a virus or whatever, is an hour you can credit to the cost of the machine. Sure it costs a little more, but you get what you pay for.
And the learning curve isn’t that steep.
But wait for 10.5 to come out soon.
Get Apple Care
You’ll be happy.
I am 53, so right at the breaking age for computer literacy/illeteracy. In college days we were doing all computer work by punch cards and getting results on a teletype machine by way of communicating with a mainframe buried in an air conditioned basement. In other words, I am semi-literate at best with the PC’s.
We started out with a Mac at home in mid-90’s. I am in a rural area, so computer service of any kind was tough to find. I have always been able to fix Mac problems myself, at home, with minimal repairs. The hardware seems to last forever, even in a dusty, rural environment with a heavy smoker (myself), which is a horrible environment for personal computers.
My oldest son lost his PC hard drive this past year, on a Windows machine (high end) that was three years younger than my current Mac G4. I lost a motherboard last month on my PC machine that was two years younger than the G4.
My biggest problem with Mac has been with small market, technical program availability. I am self-employed as a forester, and I have the PC machine to use forestry, surveying and mapping programs that are available only on PC. My PC has no modem, and is never used for internet connection, due to the virus/worm/trojan horse problems of PC’s.
I think you will like the Mac, since you do a fair bit of graphics with your blog. All of my graphics work (aerial photos, satellite coverage) is processed on the Mac and transferred to the PC mapping program.
The Operating Systems for MAC and PC are becoming much more compatible than even a few years back, and Mac has any number of programs that allow translation of PC files. Mac software tends to be more expensive, and I order most of my hardware/software online because I am in a low service, rural area with no Mac brick-and-mortar outlets.
The virus problems will get worse on Macs, as they gain market share, but the Mac OS is a great deal less vulnerable to security problems than PC’s, particularly Windows XP.
Dave Mc
La Shawn, your head is probably spinning after all this great “advice” we’re giving you, so here’s an idea. I have a dandy Commodore 64 for sale, complete with an audio tape data drive AND a real, honest-to-goodness external floppy drive. Make you a great deal on it. You do need to supply your own TV to use as a monitor, though.
Lease one for a month.
Then, if you like it, buy it.
No need to shell out money at the top.
Macs are much better protected against spyware, viruses, malware, etc.
They are also much better for handling photos, videos (think video blogging), and so on.
Good luck!
La Shawn, How about a “Donate for a New Mac” button?
I will contribute.
Mac, baby. MAC! :0)
Someone said to get a 7200 rpm drive. I would not get one because it is a laptop. You don’t have to be a tech nerd to figure out that it takes more energy to spin a drive at 7200 rpm instead of 5400 rpm. Since it is a portable computer, you don’t want to burn up your battery too quickly. Apple doesn’t offer it as an option, anyway. (I have a 7200 rpm drive in my PowerBook that I installed myself, because I do video work with it.)
LaShawn, if I go with a new Mac notebook when my Toshiba dies…honestly, it will be solely because they’re so darn pretty. Talk about being such a girl…
Honey get whatever makes YOU happy. Go to the store, play with them, try to crash/break one. Then get the one that suits you. Unless you’re using it for video editing or autocad renderings, they pretty much all work the same. Mac or PC.
And congrats on the 10 years and turning 40! You never cease to amaze me. In a good way.
Oooohh… it looks like you have gotten plenty of advice already. I say go with a Mac. I personally have never owned one but … If I ever buy my own again it would be a Mac for all the reasons you mention.
Also, Google has a new service where you can write documents and spreadsheets online. I love it for my personal writing.
Hi La Shawn-Rather than join the Mac/PC buzz, please, for your own protection, before you sell your old computer, buy a very good program to shed your hard drive of all of your personal information.
Wipe out all of your own data, after backing up, of course-as nearly all data is retrievable. The surest way to protect your data is to replace the hard drive with one loaded with a clean install of XP and keep the old drive yourself.
Okay, I’ll add to the Mac/PC query-Vista will make more people turn to Macs. I’m PC now, but Mac is in my future.
I’m a former system administrator turned computer security guy and I switched from a PC to a Mac a few years back and I haven’t regretted it at all. Now, I hardly ever turn my old PC on since I can do everything I need to do with my Mac.
Congrats on the 10-I’m going on 27 come 3/17!!
odat
My guess is that after six months with a Mac, your uncanny ability to write objectively will shed valuable light on the PC vs Mac debate. I would place a bet that you will report back that the only drawbacks to using a Mac is that you’re scoffed at by the rest of the world and you encounter a lot of sites that don’t want Mac’s to succeed. Kind of like what happens when you tell people you take the Bible seriously.
I switched to a Mac about two years ago, and I could not be happier. In theory the PC has more software available, but I have found few applications that are not duplicated somewhere. Since new Macs will run Windows, that eliminates the software problem. What I like best is freedom from resource robbing adware, spyware,and anti-virus programs. They say there are a few Mac viruses out there, but I have not encoutered one. Remember, though, that a Mac running Windows is subject to the same vandal sofware as a PC.
I really appreciate the links that posters here put up.
But, I gotta tell you when I get to a site which uses a black background and white type, I am out of there.
Way too hard to read.
If the site is for communication then it needs to be easy to read. Just pretty doesn’t do it.
Definitely go for the Mac!
Go ahead and get a PC laptop. But you know after you get it you’ll always be wondering, “I wonder what the Mac is like? Wow it looks so much nicer..”
Yes the Macs are beautiful and yes they are a little bit more pricey. I’ve owned both and still own both and find the Apple hardware to be more quality built and the software more reliable. Forget all the ads for a second and just think of feel and use. For what you’re looking for you can get either one since you requirements are so minimal – PCs would definitely give you much more bang for your buck.
However – you’ll find that the Mac may come at a higher premium but the software and hardware work really well together. The frustration will be, you wished you never used a PC because all your muscle memory have adapted to PC shortcuts. Also when you sell your mac, you’ll get more money for it because there is an army of Mac zealots always looking to buy used hardware.
Its like reselling a Lexus vs. reselling a Civic. You’ll notice that when you sell your existing laptop.
Lastly, the Mac offers a “feature” that no PC can offer and that is it provides legal software to run both the Apple OS and Microsoft OS. So if you really miss your MS Windows, you can always boot your mac to Windows (blasphemous in some circles)..
We (ex-pc users now mac converts) faced that same dilemma and you’ll be hard-pressed to find one who has regretted the decision.
I have used both, but only owned Macs. What you need to know is that
1. Unless you have the need for some very specialized software, both will meet your needs.
2. Cost comparisons are usually suspect because it is impossible to really compare the total cost of ownership between “comparable machines.” That said, the difference in cost will be minimal compared to whether using your machine makes you smile or scream.
I can use windows, but I choose not to. I can write with my right hand, but I’m left handed, so it is more comfortable, and I am more productive using my left hand.
I agree with everything said above. But it will come down to how happy you are when you boot up your machine. I will point out one small thing that I love about my macbook. It has this really cool power cable called “mag safe” which will pop off if you accidentally trip over the cable. This means that your laptop will not fly off your desk. (yes, I have done this once or twice.)
Best of luck.
I am a printer and describe ourselves as non-denominational, cross-platform compatible. By count our shop is seven Macs to three PCs. All Macs except one runs OS X.
In the past Macs have been the choice of graphics people and one advantage is the handling of fonts. As for fonts, we have shunned true type fonts for Postscript Type 1, but now Open Type fonts have emerged, working on both platforms. The “Pro” versions offer advantages over the Postscript.
Of the PCs, one is IBM, serves as print-server for an imagesetter; hardware design is bad, hard to get to memory. HP is graphic workstation, better hardware design, easy access; had to change our bad CD/DVD drive. Other is Dell notebook, too much crapware; Had problems setting it up, Dell Help was not too swift; Mona in Manila lead me down the wrong path and had to get an English speaking support in Nashville to correct things.
Software side of things, we have MS Office on both, Adobe Creative Suite CS2 has Mac and PC versions (PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator and Acrobat Pro). All runs well on both. Quickbooks 2005 is on the Mac. Act is the only program that needs the PC. Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird run on both.
Performance wise, we don’t get “Your computer is not protected” messages on the Mac, thus my overall choice is for the ease of operation, less intrusive messages, spyware, virus problems, go for the MAC!
I paid for a top of the line Sony laptop about 2 years ago and it’s been absolutely horrendous. Neither the computer nor the operating system have been reliable. If the motherboard isn’t hiccuping and losing my data, then it’s XP dumping registry files and losing my data. Itsa total lemon. On the plus side, I’ve become veryveryvery vigilant about backing up my data!
I’d give a pound of hot penguin patootie to have my money back so I could buy a Mac.
Thanks for yer great work on this blog.
Take care,
n
This is NOT the time to be thinking of switching from PC to Mac. Mac developers have just begun devising programs that will wipe all of your data away if the program suspects that you obtained it illegally. Already hackers are using this as a way to get to Macs: a secret “command” sent via email. You open the email on your Mac and suddenly, all of your data is gone! the program you purchased legally has been turned into a zombie that deleted all of your files! And don’t believe it when Apple says “you can also run PC softwareâ€.
Stay with the PC, but DO NOT USE VISTA! A buddy of mine just bought a new laptop. we immediately scrubbed the harddrive clean, partitioned it, and loaded Windows 98 Special Edition (probably the best edition of Windows ever released) AND Ubuntu. That laptop rocks!
I’ll add my two cents… I’ve been a long time PC user (though I had an Atari ST in the late 80’s…great machine). I bought a mac mini several months ago and my reaction is mixed. I would not say the mac is much of a leap at all over the PC–just different ways of doing similar things. Some things are nicer on the mac but in the end I’m still more comfortable on a PC. A couple of things to consider: you’ll have to buy additional software for the mac or go (as I did) with freeware such as NeoOffice (a good, stable mac package based on OpenOffice.org). Also I found the mac mini with 512mg ram to be quite sluggish. I would agree that mac does a much nicer job with aesthetics. I love how quiet, compact and stylish my mac mini is. Good luck with your choice.
I have a refurbished Macbook bought from the Apple store that cost about $800: one yr warrantee from Apple; can burn CDs and watch DVDs; Intel dual core processor so it is plenty fast. It is a 60 GB hard drive and 1 GB RAM. Wi-Fi and bluetooth included, firewire and two USB ports. Best of all, no viruses (and it is cute!)
Good luck.
Get a Mac. Have been a Mac user 8+ years. Never have the problems you’re always hearing about with PCs. Don’t have to worry about viruses, bugs, etc. My son has the one that uses Windows & Mac OS, but there is only the rare occasion when he uses Windows. Certainly doesn’t prefer it.
Listening to a PC user is like trying to take the advise of a liberal. Windows is trying to become Mac OS like and they are better than it used to be, but far from being as intuitive or user friendly as the Mac. Forget the price, just do it. Just pay what it takes. I have and would in the future. Don’t care for Steve Jobs, but the product is wonderful.
MAC all the way. we started out with Windows 3.1 on a 433/40 back in 1991.
Last fall, when my wife’s 4 year old Dell desk top started to die AND my daughter’s 3 year old DELL Inspiron (already had a hard drive replaced) also started to act up I wanted something that would easy to use, trouble free and safe.
iMAC for my wife. iBOOK for my daughter.
iBOOK fast easy – my wife spends so much more time on the INTERNET saving us money. No viruses, no virus scan no ad ware.
iBOOK wonderful machine fast easy. Light.
Go MAC, let everyone catch up
LaShawn, I was at a potential new client’s office just last week with my new Mac Book Pro. The ladies at the office loved it, and one made the comment (with which the other agreed) that everytime they see someone who “knows about computers” they always have a Mac. I showed them a few things with iPhoto, iMovie, and a few of the other simple to use apps that come with it, and they were impressed.
I’m a hard-core computer guy. Programmer, administrator, etc. I use Linux, also, but my notebook is a Mac.
It costs a little more- if your time is worth nothing. Note, too, that when people compare price they always “forget” to throw in the anti-virus software and other junk that you have to buy for Windows to get it working.
Seriously, it just works. Go Mac, and you’ll never go back.
I am a Mac person. I’ve owned a Mac since my SE in 1987. I would unhesitatingly suggest a Mac to someone who was buying their first computer. The virtues of the Mac have been pretty clearly cover above and I agree.
All that being said, switching will be harder than starting with a Mac. If you regularly use keyboard shortcuts, prepare to learn new ones. Window controls are different and in different places. The better you are at using a PC, the more jarring the transition will be.
I really hope you decide to get a Mac, we can use the market share. But be prepared, there will be bumps. The added cost will be offset by the longer life. My SE finally gave up the ghost, but I only replaced my G4/400 after almost 7 years because I wanted some newer software, mostly games, that the G4 couldn’t handle.
By the way, I turn 60 this month, so I bought myself a 24 inch iMac to celebrate. Good luck, whatever you decide.
aieee! the mac / pc debate. That is the only topic I’ve ever found more volatile than politics, religion or sports.
I am also a Mac developer, for 20+ years. You know what I will recommend. Every time I help someone on a windows machine, though, I am amazed how much Windows “gets in the way”.
Two things to add. My last virus protection software was in last modified 1997.
What do you do for backup? It can be so much easier on the Mac, with many easy-to-use options. I would be happy to help you on that.
Congrats, La Shawn, I’ll be 40 this year also.
Self-employed for 5 years……
And I’m mostly sober…… 8^)
I just bought the MacBook Pro. I use Mac at work and have a PC desk top at home.
I have had two PC laptops in the past. The first went kaput a few days after the one year warranty lapsed. The keyboard went out on the second unit (an HP) about four months after I bought it.
I kept buying the PC laptops because they were inexpensive and could run my timeslips program. I stepped up to the MacBook Pro because of the reviews and my experience with Mac products.
There is simply no comparison. The Mac boots and shuts down about five times faster than the PC. The battery life is longer. Once you get the Mac scheme down, you can fly around the applications.
Two features that I especially like are the magnetic power plug and the lighted keyboard. The magnetic plug works well. I keep my MacBook plugged in on my den desk. My yellow lab will often come in to the den for a visit with the predictable tail wag (the one that will clear a coffee table of all breakable items). The tail hit the power cord and, because of the breakaway magnetic connection, the cord simply popped lose. The laptop did not move.
Congratulations on your double-digits…dc
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