New Machine, New OS.....

[KE5QES]

Before I buy another Family computer, I am wondering if anybody here uses a Mac. I am tired of Microsoft and am thinking of purchasing a Mac. Any opinions/ reviews are appreciated.

[ab8ro]

For a family computer they work very well. I use macs for much of my work. For a HAM radio/workshop computer you will probably find it irritating although products like parallels which allow you to run windows alongside the MAC os can help somewhat.

[AE6IP]

If you have kids in school, then the 'family computer' should reflect whatever systems their educators typically use. Unfortunately, this usually means windows PCs.

Macs are fine, so long as you don't mind paying the prettiness tax. I'm happy to use them whenever I can find an employer willing to pay for them.

[WD8OQX]

(Other than graphics) Businesses don't use them, Schools don't use them, so why not get something & learn what the real world IS using. - Even Linux has this beat. (at least "normal" businesses are using it)

BTW:I still would like to see the O/S released to run on PC's. I like there O/S but HATE the machines.

[KE5QES]

Quote[/b] (AE6IP @ Dec. 08 2007,18:16)]If you have kids in school, then the 'family computer' should reflect whatever systems their educators typically use. Unfortunately, this usually means windows PCs.

Macs are fine, so long as you don't mind paying the prettiness tax. I'm happy to use them whenever I can find an employer willing to pay for them.
Great point. We will be setting up the old Sony Vaio for our son, he's 5 and will be starting K next year. I don't use the PC for Ham stuff much, just wondering if some of the Windows Games like flight sim will be able to run on it. I'm also considering getting a Dell and making it a dual boot system w/Linux. I really dis-like MS. I started using FireFox and Love it.

[W3MIV]

I don't believe being "tired of Microsoft" qualifies as a rationale for buying any flavor of computer. I would recommend first trying to analyze what you want to do with the new computer, and then buying to fit that projection.

Here we use a mix of Macs and Windows computers, including both Vista and XP on the latter. Both systems are perfectly suitable to a very wide range of day-to-day applications. My experience with desktop Linux is somewhat limited -- it is not always easy to get hardware drivers that cooperate well with Linux, especially in some of the laptops where all the systems are chips on the mobo -- but that system, too, offers a full range of software capabilities. It is not, however, quite so "plug-and-play" as either the Macs or the Windows systems, and if you are a computer tyro a Linux distro may prove a bit daunting at the start.

If radio stuff is an important potential use, Windows XP would clearly be the path to take, regardless of your feelings for Mr Gates or his company. Otherwise, there is not much of a significant difference. If the choice is Linux, I would recommend buying a computer with the system pre-installed.

[k3wrv]

If you have kids, either the Mac or a Linux Box will be *more* secure (tho not foolproof) than a Window Box. This is IMHO an important consideration, since kids tend to collect lots of viruses / warez from MySpace and lots of other places. And kids tend to click on stuff they shouldn't (Download this cool screensaver, etc). My kid screwed up every windows machine he touched.
Most new computers from the Big Box stores will come with Visduh Home Basic, so you've already paid the Microshaft tax, and will need to pay again if you switch to XP or upgrade to Home Preminium. And your new box may not be capable of handling Home Premium (I've heard, but not seen horror stories).
Both Linux and Mac OS will boot faster and run just fine on cheaper hardware than Visduh.
I agree with Albert that you should decide what you want the machine to do before plunking down money, and then buy what you need. But recognize that you'll probably need Office on a Win$ box ($150 or so) and Photoshop (???) and a few more. All this stuff comes bundled with Linux. Not sure what you get with the Mac. Albert runs (IIRC) a printing company and needs some software that only runs on windows, maybe for color separations and stuff (I'm guessing).
Just my two cents, and only trying to point out a few things to consider. But my Brother (IT Admin in a large Window Shop) just switched to a Mac and loves it. Me? I'm strictly Linux, except in the shack where I've got a well hardened ExPee box that only goes to a couple of websites (Like this one).
de Bob

[AB8XA]

I've done Windows (and Unix) at the enterprise level for a living for over 20 years, as well as use Macs and Linux. #Here's my take:

The cost of hardware/OS isn't an issue any more. #Macs really aren't any more expensive than quality PCs comparably equipped.

Compatibility isn't really an issue any more. Macs and PCs network together and share files and printers.

The software isn't really an issue any more. #There's some good software available natively for the Mac, but you might have to support the programmer by buying it, rather than get it free. #If you prefer a Windows application, it may run under Crossover Mac (a port of Wine) without Windows. #If you absolutely have to run Windows to use it, it will _almost_ certainly run under Parallels or VMWare. #Only in rare cases will you need to run Windows natively on the Mac, dual-booting into it.

There IS a SERIOUS issue with upgrading to IE 7, Office 2007, or Vista, or switching to a Mac. #Most computer users don't necessarily KNOW what they're doing. #They've memorized the steps in one, MAYBE two (of usually several) ways of doing something, and anything that changes that paralyzes and/or highly frustrates them. #We're still suffering a significant loss of productivity in the transition to Office 2007 at work and a great deal of griping about IE 7. #We're just beginning to transition to Vista and #finding even more hand-holding and retraining is required. #The worst problem users aren't the secretaries, who just want to get work done, but those who think they're computer-literate. #Interestingly, the latter are most vocal against switching to a Mac.

If memorized procedure user describes you, your spouse, or your kids expect some pain in the transition to a Mac. #Kids usually learn changes much faster however. #The fact is you/they are going to HAVE to go through these changes whether you stay on a PC or go to a Mac. #Whichever path you chose, there will be times you/they will think you should've chosen the other path. #

My own primary computers are Macs, both at home and at work, but I support an XP box with Office 2003 for my spouse, who gets very frustrated with change and has no desire to "switch." #That will probably be the case for as long as possible. #I almost had to threaten to pull that support to get her off IE and OE, onto Firefox and Thunderbird, and off all those spyware-loaded proprietary IM clients onto Gaim (now Pidgin). #She even had to use the Mac for awhile when her hard drive died. #All I can say is be sure everyone in your household supports the change or everything that goes wrong or doesn't work exactly as it did before will be your fault forever.

[KE5QES]

Too many times I've "Updated" windows only to have to fix another bug caused by it. The experience I have with older versions of Linux where better than windows. I like XP, but I've heard enough about Vista to know that I will avoid it for a while. I like the sound of the Mac, and the ability to use windows software if I have to. The compatibility issue with Linux and drivers was an issue I ran into before tho. My wife too does not like change.

[AE6IP]

Quote[/b] (AB8XA @ Dec. 09 2007,10:19)]The cost of hardware/OS isn't an issue any more. Macs really aren't any more expensive than quality PCs comparably equipped.
I just put together a system with a Gigabyte mobo, 1.3ghz fsb, P35 northbridge, 3ghz Core 2 duo, and 4gb of 1ghz DDR2 memory for $500.

Please show me how I can do that with Apple gear?

If you buy systems from brand-name vendors like HP or Dell, I agree: fully equipped systems are nearly as pricey from them as from Apple.

If you are a fan of incremental upgrading and have the ability to follow what's going on in the industry, Macs are roughly 3-4 times as expensive as rolling your own.

[kf6rdn]

I find Dells to be fairly inexpensive, 'specially if you watch for the sales.
If you want to compare prices I think macs are on par with the Sony Vaio line, pricewise.