Advantages of a Mac?

Question

I am starting to think that my old pc is about done for. I am considering a Mac this time, but I wanted to ask... is the Mac worth the extra money? I am not into computers in a big way... just email, wikipedia, word processing, that sort of thing. Maybe some online chess one in a great while.

Oh yeah. I hate computer problems.
Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Mac users are won't say anything good about PCs and Pc users won't say anything good about Macs. I sell both, and can tell you that if gaming is your thing get a PC. If video and audio editing is your gig, get a Mac. You will hear that Vista has all kinds of Media programs inherent within it, and it does, but the verdict is still out with Vista because of all of it's compatability issues. Mac has compatability issues also, but most of them are known. If this is going to be used for Business, I would buy a Vista PC and have them load XP on it. Once Vista is properly patched (Service Pack 2+) I would then use the COA and upgrade to Vista. It is a personal decision. Both have there problems, and both have their benefits. It boils down to what are you going to use this machine for. Mac has a new Operating system coming out this year that will enhance many of the things that it already does. There is also a software called Paralells out there that has been getting good reviews that will allow you to run Windows operating systems on Apple machines. It retails for about $80. It allows you to have and Apple machine, but install your favorite Windows OS along side of the Mac X OS. This allows for a lot of third party software and products that were never compatable with Mac to now be used. Bottom line is it's up to you. Both can be good products. Apple tends to be a little more intuitive also. (Oh, Oh, T3 The Rise of the Machines!!)

Answer 2

Mac is really the Mercedes of computers. To be honest, I hate them, but that's not to say they don't have advantages. One thing is that Apple generally leads the pack in technology. They've had dual-core processors for over 5 years now, something that fairly recently emerged in the PC community. Generally they're extremely powerful, which is why they're used for creating media. You may have noticed the Mac windows in many movies when they show a person using a computer. Watch for it next time.

Three big disadvantages are:
Software: There is MUCH less available for a Mac and the same programs are usually more expensive. The reason is simple, there are fewer people using them so the company selling the software has to charge more money per-purchase to make their investment back. Freeware is even tougher to find.

Ease of use: You may think of it as an advantage, but problems are generally more difficult to fix or diagnose because of it. For example, in an effort to make them look simple and "pretty" most don't even have an eject button for the CD-ROM. Pop in a scratched CD and you'll either have to wait for the computer to hopefully eventually spit it back out, or reset and hold down an odd key combination to get it to eject. Another example would be the famous one button mouse. You have to press a button on the keyboard to get a 'right mouse click.' You can purchase a traditional two button mouse, but it's not the design.

Upgrades: Newer macs have become slightly easier to upgrade, but earlier versions are a real pain. You can't truly custom build a computer because you can't replace the motherboard. For example, for the G4 computers there's only one company I know of that sells CPU upgrades and even then it's not nearly as fast as a "real" computer of a similar speed. You're usually stuck with the CPU you purchased and if you want faster, it's ~$3,000 for a whole new computer.

In my opinion, it's not worth it. If you know absolutely nothing about computers, never want to upgrade, don't mind spending 2x the money on software only to have less than 1/4 the selection, and care more about looks than actual functionality...go mac.

Answer 3

I think it's worth the money. I'm not into computers in a big way either, just surf, email, word processing, chat and lately playing with the iLife apps. I haven't had too many problems with my Mac and whenever I do they are easily fixed. If you can go to an Apple store, try one out, ask the salespersons about them and Mac OS X. If you find a Mac isn't for you then you can stick with a PC.
I don't know about he new Macs but mine came with a Chess.app among twenty or more (I don't feel like counting them right now) programs and utilities built in.

Answer 4

There are some reward of a Mac between the significant being there are hardly any viruses at each and each of the outcome them reason very virtually noone writes them for Mac... also you may run digital pc which helps you to run homestead windows/homestead windows required products which regrettably the Mac has a tendency to run extra reliable than a pc does. the significant reward of a pc is you may extra really receive one (it truly is fee sensible) and also you regularly dont might want to rigidity about compatablity like on a Mac. contained in the top although... except you're doing issues that take a real call for on your comp, then pc is advantageous (artwork rendering... Video/music modifying... only for afew examples)

Answer 5

MACs are a lot less valunerable to viruses, but they are also not compatible with a lot of programs, and can be a little frustrating switching to MAC if you are used to PC. Its really 50/50 I say go to a store that has both on display play around on a couple that you like, and see what strikes your fancy. Don't buy a Dell they are cheap for a reason - I have never met anyone that was satisfied with the Dell they had for more than a year.

Answer 6

if you dont use computers too much or for too many things, i would recommend going with a pc, maybe a dell, hp, or compaq. they are cheaper, also there are plenty of good free programs like avg antivirus, spybot and adaware along with trendmicros free firewall to secure your computer, with these installed there is really no security advantage to a mac. if you dont do a lot of movie or photo editing i pc is fine.
a mac is good for mac software, they have very good software that works really well, plus you can easily network to windows machines. if you wanted you could install xp on the mac.
i would go with the pc, if you get vista, it has an antispyware and two way firewall built in, so you would just need avg or another free antivirus, go to download.com for some. also another anti spyware like spybot or adaware would be good.

Answer 7

If you hate computer problems, then you should stay away from Mac. I have a Toshiba Satellite M65-S9092 notebook, and I don't have one problem with it. I really like Toshiba notebooks. The new ones have Windows Vista, but I have Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002. I'm not going to upgrade anytime soon. So if you want a good computer with high quality and a lot of memory, wireless internet, and great service, get a Toshiba notebook.

Answer 8

Mac's are known for being virus free true. But due to the recent commericals about Mac being better more and more people that come up with virus programs are writing for Mac's. They won't be virus free for long. Not to mention PC's are cheaper and alot easer to fix if anything does go wrong.

Answer 9

Mac's do not crash, no viruses, has great programs. The new Os that is due to be released soon will have even better programs. They are also great for multi tasking, music and photo editing. It is great for web browsing and e-mail. Apple also has a great customer service center. The person on top is right. Dell suck.

Answer 10

If you have the money, it is probably worth it. The big advantage Mac has over PC is software, because Apple is virtually virus free while Windows attracts 114,000 virii like a magnet. A good alternative tho, is to get a PC without Windows, with a good open source software such as kubuntu instead. You can download the software for free at www.kubuntu.org