I need your opinion, my PC/laptop died and I heard good and bad about both Mac's Apple Notebook some the traditional Dell and HP notebooks and then another then New Hybrid.
In the past I've been more comfortable using a pc and on occasion at the office used IMac Desktops for graphics.

But found the Mac confusing to manage MS programs and navigate open programs. Then once I had the pleasure of attempting a mail merge on the new Hybrid using a MS Word Program and it became a nightmare on Elm Street.

Would you share with me your experience with the transition if you've had one. And your honest opinion of a new purchase.

Kind regards,

Confused....Lisa

I think choosing a PC vs a Mac is like choosing a lady to see in the hobby.  I would choose the one that I am most comfortable with including the screening process.  If I have had the pleasure of seeing (or using) both in the past as you have then I would choose the computer that I can count on to get it done with the least amount of effort and the most amount of comfort.  Have you looked at the IBM thinkpads with XP NOT Vista -- might be a good choice.  Choosing a Mac after years of PC use will lead you to relearn many ways to do things and depending on your patience level it might be tested - You nightmare on elm street scenario.  If I was you I would stick to the PC which you know unless you have a high need to do graphics (which of course the Mac excels at!)  Just my 2 pennies!

This is somewhat like Ford vs. Chevy. Each has its passionate advocates, but bottom line is you can accomplish whatever you want to do with a computer on either one.

I work with PC, MAC (and Linux, but that is a different story). The big difference to users is the details of the user interface and the compatibility & availability of software.  As you discovered, moving from one to the other means learning a new operating interface and that is a pain. And something that worked on one platform doesn't work well on the other.

I'd stick to the one you know best and ignore the other. If you are used to PC and you have a PC at work there is no reason at all to switch to MAC, despite the clever Apple ads. Plus PC hardware is generally cheaper and available in more variety than Mac.  

I like working with Macs but I have yet to buy one and I've bought over a dozzen PCs over time

I have friends who love their macs including one or two who transitioned away from PC's.  I have been a PC guy for 20 years and I'm not going to change. I would say stick with what you are happy with. A general consensus will always turn up pros and cons of either format.

which do you prefer?

If you transition to a mac, there will be a learning curve. It's not an impossible curve, though. Macs have a different way of doing things, is all.

Also, there is a long history of differences betwen the Mac and PC versions of MS Office. They don't come from the same development team, believe it or not. The Mac team at MS takes Office and tries to make it "Mac-like." So you'd have to learn how to do a few new tasks anyways.

I'd say it's up to you, but if you're comfortable with PCs, stay with them.

Hi Lisa,

Lots of good advice here in this topic.

One other thing to bear in mind is whether or not you are someone who has a tendency to make use of tech support. If you expect to make use of tech support then I think a Mac would be a better choice. Apple's control of the both the hardware and operating system mean that there is considerably less variety in platform configuration which makes a support person's task easier. On top of that Apple seems to exert a lot of effort in providing quality support.

FYI: For some reason clients who use Macs tell me that my pictures slide show does not work on their computers ... trying to figure out why but so far no success.

Lina

XoXO

I converted to a Mac Book about 10 months ago after 20 years of using MS based PC's and notebooks....there is no comparison! I love my Mac and would never use a Microsoft based computer again.

I'm a contract Project Manager and NEVER use a client supplied PC, I prefer my Mac

Lina, I have no trouble viewing your lovely pics (spectacular legs) on my Mac......

FB

Is there anyone out there that has already made the transition? How long did it take to adjust to a Mac? Did you regret it? Is it true that Apple fixes problems "Free" for the life of the unit?

I look forward to your opinion.

xo Lisa

If you are more comfortable with PC then I would advise you stick with PC

I just recently got a new laptop with Vista and all that good stuff, it is working real well, only thing is i just cannot find "The Farmer In The Dell"


Thank you
XLIII = 4

I have owned Macs for 20 years and have never had a problem. When I occasionally have to use a PC I hate it. That said, a huge advantage with Macs is no viruses and no need for virus protection. Also, if you have any problem at all, or want a tutorial on anything, you can buy for $99 a year a pass that lets you go to any Apple store for help - as often as you want. Its a great deal.

I switched from having used  PC for 20 years to a Mac with no problem.  More impressively,  I did a "Force Quit" on my wife's PC and bought her an iMac and she, a militant Luddite,  made the transition with absolutely no problems.

Every browser is a little different, even from version to version, so web admins go nuts making their sites work on Internet Explorer 6, 7, Firefox 1, 2, and the many others. There are always issues of different browser behavior. Websites often have to have "if it's IE do this but if it's FF do that," instructions. Many Mac users use the Safari browser (although they can also use IE and FF), so it may be a Safari incompatability. Suggest they try Fire Fox (which is free) and see if that helps.

If your site works on the latest versions of Internet Explorer and FireFox, then you are reaching the vast majority.



-- Modified on 1/5/2009 5:05:38 PM