Help -- Going from PC to Mac

[Amaris]

I switched just last week!

I bought an iMac 17" Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz Refurb for $600. It came with 1 GB RAM, a 160 GB hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD burner/CD Burner), came with OS X Leopard (the newest OS). The transition has been extremely easy, due in part to OS X's ease of use and very intuitive interface. Everything's a snap to get done. It just works, and it works very well.

For $10 I added another GB of RAM. I also bought a 500GB HD for $59 to use as a backup drive.

I do not regret switching from Windows to Mac. However, should I get homesick, I can always install Windows XP SP2 on my Mac by using Boot Camp (comes with Leopard) that lets you dual boot either Mac OS X or Windows XP. This makes my Mac a formidable machine that is also very flexible. I highly recommend the switch. Here's a pic of my Mac in case you're interested:

J.

 

[Lindley]

But the good news is all iTunes music is going DRM free! AWESOME!

Figures that would happen the day after I bought my first iTunes music in months. Are the older sales going to be unlocked as well?

 

[Thurisaz]

I switched just last week!

I bought an iMac 17" Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz Refurb for $600. It came with 1 GB RAM, a 160 GB hard drive, SuperDrive (DVD burner/CD Burner), came with OS X Leopard (the newest OS). The transition has been extremely easy, due in part to OS X's ease of use and very intuitive interface. Everything's a snap to get done. It just works, and it works very well.

For $10 I added another GB of RAM. I also bought a 500GB HD for $59 to use as a backup drive.

I do not regret switching from Windows to Mac. However, should I get homesick, I can always install Windows XP SP2 on my Mac by using Boot Camp (comes with Leopard) that lets you dual boot either Mac OS X or Windows XP. This makes my Mac a formidable machine that is also very flexible. I highly recommend the switch. Here's a pic of my Mac in case you're interested:

J.

I bought an ibook back in 2003. My whole family couldn't understand why.
Now in 2009...
Wife-Mac mini
Mom-iMac
Dad-my old ibook
Sister- 08' iMac
brother-in -law-07'Macbook-pro

 

[Amaris]

^ Yep. I have been seriously impressed by not only OS X, but the efficiency of my hardware, the stability and the power it has for something considered off the cutting edge. It technically has far less power than the PC I sold to get it, but it's already proved much faster, much more capable.

J.

 

[arch101]

I switched to a MacBook Pro a year ago and will NEVER buy a PC again. Mac's are a vastly superior product and the quality of my computer both inside and out never ceases to impress me. I now have an iPod and an iPhone, too. If Apple made a coffee maker, I'd buy one. I also need to run the Windows-only program AutoCAD. Fortunately, my Mac runs it better than a Windows machine does. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Thurisaz]

This is the rig I'm selling. Not only was this a great pc, but with it and my hifi. FUCK! I guess when it comes to my wife.. All Good Things eh?

 

[msbae]

considering you only need it for basic functions. I would say get the Mac mini. it is at a great price point and is adequate for what you need it for. But wait for a few day to purchase, Apple is expected to announce an upgraded model of the Mini today at the MacWorld Expo.

The Mac Pro is WAY more computer than you need.

I would also recommend the iMac. it has a good balance of speed to cost and the built in displays are gorgeous

This is fairly good advice. However, you won't be opening the case and making additions/changes with the Mini and iMac. They aren't designed to be that kind of user-friendly...

Personally, I think Mac is over-priced but, that's just me being a cheapskate and a nearly-broke recent college graduate/Technical Professional who's still looking for a job.

 

[msbae]

Enjoy your new system...even if you don't get more RAM you will love it, macs are rock solid and enjoy forgetting about virus protection now!

O'Rly?

Macs are becoming a bigger target so, some kind of Anti-Virus software will be necessary. I would also advise using either Firefox or the Mac version of Google Chrome for a web browser. Safari has more security holes than all the other major browsers except IE. You just don't hear about them because not many hackers/crackers are targeting the Mac platform yet.

Also, stuff that machine to the gills with as much RAM as you can afford, John. Buying extra RAM now is cheaper than buying a new computer 2 or 3 years later.

 

[msbae]

Add another vote to the 'Apple Mice suck' category.

 

[Thurisaz]

Enjoy your new system...even if you don't get more RAM you will love it, macs are rock solid and enjoy forgetting about virus protection now!

O'Rly?

Macs are becoming a bigger target so, some kind of Anti-Virus software will be necessary. I would also advise using either Firefox or the Mac version of Google Chrome for a web browser. Safari has more security holes than all the other major browsers except IE. You just don't hear about them because not many hackers/crackers are targeting the Mac platform yet.

Also, stuff that machine to the gills with as much RAM as you can afford, John. Buying extra RAM now is cheaper than buying a new computer 2 or 3 years later.

That is the same cry we've been hearing all along. The "backdoors" just are not there. I have been waiting five years for a mac virus. Unix and Windoze are.... hold on I guess I should, shhhhh

 

[Amaris]

I switched to a MacBook Pro a year ago and will NEVER buy a PC again. Mac's are a vastly superior product and the quality of my computer both inside and out never ceases to impress me. I now have an iPod and an iPhone, too. If Apple made a coffee maker, I'd buy one. I also need to run the Windows-only program AutoCAD. Fortunately, my Mac runs it better than a Windows machine does. You won't be disappointed.

"Mmm... coffee from an Apple CoffeeCreator. What's it taste like?"
"Expensive, but I think I just had sex twice."
"Amazing!"
"No kidding, and all I did was pour it, I haven't even taken a sip yet!"

considering you only need it for basic functions. I would say get the Mac mini. it is at a great price point and is adequate for what you need it for. But wait for a few day to purchase, Apple is expected to announce an upgraded model of the Mini today at the MacWorld Expo.

The Mac Pro is WAY more computer than you need.

I would also recommend the iMac. it has a good balance of speed to cost and the built in displays are gorgeous

This is fairly good advice. However, you won't be opening the case and making additions/changes with the Mini and iMac. They aren't designed to be that kind of user-friendly...

Personally, I think Mac is over-priced but, that's just me being a cheapskate and a nearly-broke recent college graduate/Technical Professional who's still looking for a job.

Just to correct one little thing; it's not difficult for me to open my iMac and replace the hard drive, Superdrive or video card. RAM is a snap, literally, underneath the front of the computer. They're not difficult to open, as I experimented already.

J.

 

[Chess Piece Face]

I've also opened a mini. Take your mac advice from people who have them/use them.

 

[Chess Piece Face]

But the good news is all iTunes music is going DRM free! AWESOME!

Figures that would happen the day after I bought my first iTunes music in months. Are the older sales going to be unlocked as well?

See this thread for answers

http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=78868

 

[John Picard]

Many thanks to Thurisaz for making me a helluva deal on his old system. As I told him in our PM interaction, I'm having an absolute BALL tormenting my Microsoft Drone co-worker apeshit talking about the Mac. The eye-twitch thing gets going and he almost goes into convulsions. He goes on about how I'm "boxing myself in" and can't do anything, and follows up that I'm "limiting" my career (I'm a programmer). He has yet to understand that when I leave my cube, that world ceases to exist

 

[Deckerd]

Surely you can write code on just about any platform?

 

[Hermiod]

Surely you can write code on just about any platform?

Depends on what platform you're writing it for.

 

[Lindley]

Just install XP on the Mac via Boot Camp......any potential problems solved.

 

[trekkerguy]

Going PC to Mac? Yes... "Help" would be the appropriate word.

 

[Chess Piece Face]

Just install XP on the Mac via Boot Camp......any potential problems solved.

Right. Macs are the only computers that can boot Linux, Mac OS and Windows at the same time. That doesn't seem limiting to me...that seems like the most flexible.

 

[RevDMV]

Just install XP on the Mac via Boot Camp......any potential problems solved.

I like Parallels for the running windows on the Mac. It's very slick and saves time over booting up in another environment.


I'm a full time windows developer, but were getting a Mac Book for the kids machine. I've also started looking at getting one for myself to use as my "Windows" development tool.

Your cell, err cube mate needs to get out more...