Macintosh?

Question

I am replacing my ghetto built PC, and am wondering if I should try going the way of the iMAC. I know jack about **** when it comes to computing, but live in a family of know-it-alls and they all swear up and down that PC is the way to go. I am not a gamer, I don't do business type ****. I use the internet, word processing, digital photos, and that's about it. I have looked on craigslist, and can find an iMAC G3 for about $100. Ok Ok, so its outdated, but can it give me the idea of what operating a Mac is like? And would it be worth the investment? I don't have the money to go buy a $1200 computer only to find out I can't use the damn thing. But I can float a c-note. Ok, so to recap, because I am lost right now:

!. Are macs any good?
2. Are they harder to use than a PC, or just different?
3.Can I learn the language on a used iMAC G3?
4. Do I look fat in this avatar?

Answer 1

> 1. Are macs any good?

I've been using Macs since the early '80s. I think they're great machines.

2. Are they harder to use than a PC, or just different?

Just different. If you already know how to use a PC, the Mac may SEEM harder, but that's only because you're used to the PC way of doing things. It's not THAT different, BTW.

3.Can I learn the language on a used iMAC G3?

Macintosh OS 10 sits on a Unix foundation. I don't know a damned thing about Unix, but I can use my Mac just fine.

4. Do I look fat in this avatar?

No. You look old. (Just being honest.)

For $100, you can't go too wrong. Make the seller turn it on for you to prove it works. Pay attention to the noises it makes. Does the fan sound really loud? Does it make too much noise when it's "thinking"? How about the screen? Does it flicker? Is the image area shrunken? Is there anything else "off" about it? Is it relatively clean in appearance? If all seems OK, then go for it.

Oh, be sure to get all of the manuals, installation CDs, cords, etc. There's no point to having to buy all of that crap.

Answer 2

1. As a long-time PC user (started on a 286, then got a new computer almost every year - used a 386, a 486, a Pentium, a Pentium III, a Pentium IV, and now using a Pentium D), and also more recent Mac user (I've used really old ones as well as newer ones including the iMac G3 and G4), I have found Macs to be excellent. Not just good or better than a PC, but the best computer out there. They're the best system possible, especially for your kind of stuff like Internet and Photos.
2. Macs are much easier than PCs. If a non-computer user asked me which I'd recommend, it would be a Mac because they are easy to get used to and to learn. Since you already are using a computer, it won't be hard to switch. You can transfer any old files over, and the manuals and help included with a Mac are very good. And the user base on the 'net is very big, so if you have any questions you should get answers very fast. And while Macs *are* different than PCs, they are different in a good way.
3. I've used iMac G3s, and I wouldn't recommend them for a first time Apple user. It won't really help you get to know how to use a Mac, since the new Mac OS X is much easier and better than the old OS the G3 runs. It would be like trying out a Windows 3.1 computer to see if you want to buy one that runs XP or Vista - it is outdated and would probably hurt your experience more than help it (unless you're a geek like me who likes to use old systems just to see what they were like).
4. Eh... no.

Answer 3

1. Macs are the best of the best.
2. Just different. (Hence, Think Different)
3. It would be hard to imagine the joys of owning a Macintosh on an outdated system. In order to get the full effect, I HIGHLY recommend a new Intel-based Macintosh. After all, you can dual-boot with Windows XP, meaning you'll never have to sacrifice compatibility with a new Macintosh.
4. No.

An iMac G3 will not give you a much of a Mac experience, unless you're looking for a Mac experience from the past. New Intel Macs are incredibly fast and even more versatile. Macs are easier to use than PCs, but you may have a hard time understanding things as a newcomer. Once you understand how the Mac works, you'll wonder why you ever used a PC in the first place. Most PC users have never touched a Mac outside of their high school or college, which for most, was quite some time ago, before the existence of Mac OS X. Mac OS X has quickly become the world's most advanced operating system. I could spend all night telling you why you'd love a Mac, but you're just going to have to take a leap of faith. I'll post some links to give you some more info. If you have any specific question about Mac, just send me a message. I'm here to help, one switcher at a time. :-) Good luck!

A word on the common propaganda that Macs have a "lack" of software. It's not true. There's millions of applications for the PC, out of those millions, how many are QUALITY applications? Maybe a couple hundred. Most Mac software does a much better job than it's PC counterpart. I have YET to find ANYTHING that my Mac won't do. :-)

Answer 4

1- Macs are OK. Newer ones are better
2- If you know a PC, then you learn DIFFERENT. I prefer PCs, but that's me. You just might like the MAC better
3. Language, hey, just click
4. Fat in this avatar? YIKES, I am not a fashion critic

Let's go over this again. You want to buy an old fashioned IMAC G3. If it works, it is probably worth the $100. But don't expect to plug in an iPOD or do any of the new COOL stuff. You might even have trouble getting it to work well on the internet. ASK the seller about the things that you want to do.

Answer 5

Let's cut to the chase:

1. Macs ARE great!
2. Macs are easier than PCs.
3. Yes - you can learn the iMac G3, but do not be tempted. Not a good deal, since it is old technology, slower, and the new Intel based systems are made simplified on purpose. Check out a nearby Apple store in your area and have a Mac savvy person show you. It's so simple, that you'll want a PC nearby to remember what frustration with a computer should feel like.
A new MacMini can probably even use your current monitor and runs $599. -- so it's not a $1200. price tag, as you mentioned. Check out its site at:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=A23FFE00&nclm=Macmini
4. You don't look fat; just hot ;)

It's time to have a computer working for you -- not you working for it.

Answer 6

MACs are awesome, easy to use and you don't have to worry about viruses.

Easy to use once you get to know them. They don't use all the same functions as PCs, and that messes people up.

You can learn languages on a MAC, but the iMAC G3 is very old, and you will have problems buying software for it. It won't be able to run newer operating systems even if you upgrade it. An iMAC G4 would be a better option if buying used. OR a G4 tower. Even the laptops are great- easy to take everywhere.

And your avatar looks fine. How's mine?

Good Luck on your search!

Answer 7

1. Buy a new Mac and you can install Windows XP. (You get two for one!!!)
2. They are easier to use. (Documented in XP vs OSX article)
3. As long as a Mac has a firewire port and a decent sized hard drive you can use it to learn the basics. However, I highly recommend "taking the plunge" and getting a newer (read G4 - approx. $500. it will serve you better.
4. You look fat (so do I) but sometimes people give Macs away for free on Craigslist!!. Just ask!

Answer 8

You will like using the Macintosh. You may not know much about computers (according to your question), but you know what you want. If you get the Mac, you will find out how extraordinarily easy it is to use. The desktop is clean, the mouse has one button, and just about everything is simple to install, or remove. You might want to go to the bookstore and buy a Macintosh for Dummies type book as for an investment along with the $100 you plan to spend for it. Don't listen to others, get the Mac, and enjoy it. Good Luck.

Answer 9

macs are good if you wanna get those i have a pc why cause i play alot of games on my rig lol...its true u dont need to worry about viruses on macs also on pcs if u have it set up correctly lol u dont even need to worry about spyware if u have it setup correctly.

1. are macs any good? yes they are so is pc's wich is easier to up grade pc or mac winner goes to pc...get a mac with a intel chip youll be fine

2. are they harder to use than a pc, or just different? there just different lol there both user friendly just that different lol does that make sense lol

3can i learn the language on a used imac g3? not really you need to mess around with one at your local computer dealer

4 do i look fat in this avatar? yes lol

Answer 10

Reading your needs, I would hold off on buying a new computer till you can drop a decent amount of cash, but I would recommend upgrading what you do have. Perhaps adding some RAM would help significantly.

Otherwise, I would stay PC if you're familiar with it already.