PC or MAC?

[Glutton4...]

I've always used a PC, Windows 95 for ages then a brief liaison with 2000 (cr*p) then XP Pro, which I'm very reluctant to part with, and won't do lightly. Luckily my BIL can re-vamp my machine when it goes bang, he's done it twice now, and I've no complaints.

I know many people (including Lynda too, by the sound of it) that have had Vista, and gone back to XP. I appreciate that Microsoft gets Joe Public to do their testing now, and I can see their point, but it often seems that these newer versions are change for change's sake. When the product is released before it is ready, and goes wrong, I imagine many users lose a lot of confidence in the product. Is it the same with Mac?

My Dad has a couple of friends, that have got so fed-up with Microsoft products, that they've recently switched to Mac. Do they have this urge to keep updating their system, and do they have the bugs/problems that Microsoft have? Also, what is the percentage of Mac users to PC?

Dunno why I'm interested, but when I do finally upgrade, I want to know I'm making the right choice, not just following the flock.

I know there are Mac users on the 'Vine because it's been mentioned on a couple of threads. Any information, good or bad, would be gratefully appreciated.

Answers on a postcard...

[bubblewrap]

I'm using an IBM think pad with Windows XP wireless broad band.

[kernowyon]

I use a Dell Vostro laptop with Vista and a firefox browser, love it and have not had a problem with Vista.

so I guess -

I'm a PC

[BrideXIII]

Do as you please, i have been hearing for years how much better Macs are than Microsoft, i will give them there due, there are much less security problems with a mac, but, there are ways to improve that on windows............... and it is a big but........... software, the big stuff is produced for the mac, but it costs more, the small stuff rarely is cos its designed for the audience, and if windows is so rubbish? why is there a Mac version?

i work in graphics, down at pixel level, apparently a mac is better, i have never found it to be so, anything else is semantics.

if it is down to security, then i can say hand on heart through the last 4 versions of windows , with AVG, i have had no security issues i couldn't deal with, am I a windows fan? not really, is the MAC better? prove it!

[digthatchick]

Please, please , please - when you think of updating think of a Mac. I have been a Mac user for 12 years (there are currently 5 in use at home - wife, 2 kids, me + laptop.
Originally I had to use Macs as I am a graphic artist and the programmes we use were only available on Macs then. The basis of a Mac is simplicity - Buy it, take it out of the box, plug it in, use it! All plug and play work without the need to install drivers etc. There are NO known viruses for macs (I have anti virus for cleaning Emails etc. so they are not passed on with viruses from Windows) I have NEVER had a virus or Trojan in 12 years. Safe, for kids to use as the pop up blocker is great. If you like Windows Word Excel etc they are all available on a mac, although Macs versions are very good. I do use Word quite a bit as many files sent to me are from windows computers. I also think the price is very good for what you get - 20" Imac 2.4 Ghz dual core, 2 Gig ram 320 gig hard drive, wireless internet ready, satin steel wireless keyboard' wireless mouse and style by the bucket load, £899! Do I love my Macs? YOU BET I DO

[BrideXIII]

PMSL i knew there would be a MAC user coming up fast behind.

really, look into it, i don't think there is that much to choose, other than if you own all your software its gonna cost you a fortune to replace with the mac version?
but if you are just a basic user, why not try a MAC?

[Glutton4...]

Ooops - me thinks I may have started something... didn't mean to

I had heard that Mac users were very 'pro' their chosen product. I guess I'm like a lot of people, in that I was forced to use a Computer at work, and did so very reluctantly, as it happens. Funny that - I'm addicted to the d*amn thing now!

It was only after a few years I heard about the Mac alternative, from a friend who's Boss had one. Perhaps I need to camp out in Comet and play with one.

[BrideXIII]

its an age old argument with 'geeks' personally i don't buy into it, i use windows cos its what i learned on, i understand it and am comfortable with it, even when they change it i know it well enough to re-learn it quickly.
MAC's are a stranger to me, i avoid them because better the devil you know, that does NOT make them any the less valid as a system.

Linux gets my steam up, simpler than windows but wont carry the software i need ( dont WINE at me linux users), to the capacity i need.

each system to its own, and what do you need it to do?

[Snadger]

You can't eat a big PC...........but you CAN eat a big mac!

[BrideXIII]

You can't eat a big PC...........but you CAN eat a big mac!

this is true, but the question is, for your health, should you?

[zazen999]

MAC.

I only use my Dell when I have to produce stuff for companies who insist on Windows stuff. And because I'm too tight to buy Photoshop for MAC...

It depends in my opinion on whether you want it for fun or not. 90% of photos are easier with MAC, itunes is so much easier than windows media, even bbc iplayer works with MAC now, and you can download open office for free which means you can do most stuff that windows does - I just prefer excel when doing my pivot tables.

The fun stuff though is excellent...and you literally can just take it out of the box and use it. It's great not having silly viruses - the comic book software is great for kids [and adults too] - and I now have downloaded [for free] stuff I regularly use - like label software where you just choose the label size and type the info in...none of the faffing about with merging etc like in windows.

I could go on but I won't.

Try one out - it's just so lovely. It's like sliding down a nice oily slide compared to bumping your backside on the corrugated iron roof of windows.

[zazen999]

And I also learnt on windows, I used to program piled foundation calculation design sheets in Lotus 123 before Excel came about. I used to teach others computing, and used windows. And I designed large databases for the company I used to work for using Access - from logging sample when they came in - to reporting and invoicing.

But a MAC really rules.

I also own a linux laptop and 2 windows XP laptops.

But the MAC really rules.

[digthatchick]

PMSL i knew there would be a MAC user coming up fast behind.

really, look into it, i don't think there is that much to choose, other than if you own all your software its gonna cost you a fortune to replace with the mac version?
but if you are just a basic user, why not try a MAC?

I was waiting for you Bridey
I used windows when I was employed because the had a MIS system that was windows based. Like you are with macs I can't find my way around them - when you save something where does it go? insert a DVD and you have to enter a programme to find it. With a mac it's on your desktop waiting to be used. I am surprised though that you are in Graphics and find Windows more powerful than macs. Maybe we use different software for our jobs- me- Quark 7, CS3, Dreamweaver.
Chick xx

[Glutton4...]

You can't eat a big PC...........but you CAN eat a big mac!

$%&* off Snadger.

... what do you need it to do?

I only really used it for emails and eBay in the beginning. But now I have a digital camera, I play about with pics. I design gardens on it. Keep my diary on it. I'm doing a veg planner. I shop, surf, pay bills, use it as a dictionary/encyclopedia/info base, and just generally play around with it.

Oh yeah, I 'talk' to you lot, nick recipes and gardening tips too.

Sadly, I don't know what I'd do without it it's probably the single most useful tool in the whole house.

[BrideXIII]

I was waiting for you Bridey
I used windows when I was employed because the had a MIS system that was windows based. Like you are with macs I can't find my way around them - when you save something where does it go? insert a DVD and you have to enter a programme to find it. With a mac it's on your desktop waiting to be used. I am surprised though that you are in Graphics and find Windows more powerful than macs. Maybe we use different software for our jobs- me- Quark 7, CS3, Dreamweaver.
Chick xx

i don't necessarily find it more powerful, i do find it more accessible, i don't use quark, but i do use cs3 and all dreamweaver/fireworks/flash/pinnacle software, i am sure you could prove a MAC is better at using these, but i am not, i know what i know, thats windows, i am good at what i do, someone has to .
I have no argument against Macs, its a game geeks play, each is as good a system as the other, each with their own downfalls, which is why you need to do the research, AND as suggested, try one out.
i don't care what people use as long as i can communicate with you all