Wonder if Mac and I should Part Ways

from JoeUser Forums
I am a mac user...Don't Know if there are Many of you out there....
and I am not even an upgraded mac user at that :/ There are many features I cannot use with this mac version, and it seems like I am years behind other ppl as far as advanced computing is concerned...

This is my dilemma...I would like to get a new laptop soon (and another car...mine's getting to be a clunker..but that's another story...), but I am not sure if I should just upgrade the one I have to MacOSX or if I should go for the gusto and get a pc with the works.....
Here is what I am looking for in a Computer....
A system that is not too difficult to use,
One with cd burning and dvd viewing capabilities,
One with enough memory to store lots of things such as music and photos and documents,
Something lightweight,
I can be a girlie sometimes, so something with a sleek look and style,
something that is of quality, but not too expensive...

The reason I hesitiate to upgrade to MacOSX is that I dont think I have enough memory....I am not a technical wizard, not too familiar with lots of things having to do with computers, but i do know this...this version is not working as great as I'd want it to, and I just hunger for something for advanced...
105,155 views 30 replies
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Really? Well, I'll admit that I'd be lost on Windows if I would get it...I use Mac at Work and at Home....But It seems like Everything is So Catered to Windows....
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What do you do for work?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Look at the Gateway laptops. The least expensive one that can play DVDs and burn CDs is $999 for a limited time. It also has a Pentium processor, which is the best for you if you are mobile computing. Its +$370 to burn DVDs. You should look at all of the options you can choose with it. Its the Gateway M405X at Link If you want something more powerful there is the M520X Plus which has faster processor, more RAM, bigger HD and more. It can basically do everything, burn CDs and DVDs, play games, listen to music, use Word processing and spreadsheets, go on the net, use email. Also has integrated wireless and 6in1 memory card reader for digital photos. For a limited time its $1299.99. Link Gateway is also my recommendation for reliability. Hope this helps.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry for taking long to respond

Cerebro: I'm a teacher
Meowy: Thanks for the Information: gateway was one of them that I was looking at.


Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
DON'T get Gateway...My desktop was only $1000...but...you get what you pay for right? Dell maybe? I have NO idea as far as brands...and I have to use Mac at work and I *HATE* it....lol...I wish we had windows...I think we completely hinder our kids when we don't give them a Windows format to work with....my first graders are NEVER going to use a Mac outside of the school setting unless they go into art, architecture, or drafting of some sort, I think...you know?

Blah. lol.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Meh. I like my Gateway computer. $400 and it works fine for me, and even plays DVDs and burns CDs. The tech support for Gateway is excellent as well.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Macs have their advantages...PC's have their advantages. Gateway has no advantages...except price! And Marcie Helen is right...you get what you pay for! The difference between a $1000 laptop and a $1300 laptop is night and day. Yes, I agree...the GW's look godd and their cheap but the last GW laptop I ordered went back to GW 3 times in less than 6 months. First it overheated, then the screen went black, then the modem wouldn't receive a dial-tone, (that one was real strange). (and at sometime the DVD drive failed.) Each time it was tear it down, image the HD, sent it away for 2 - 3 weeks. Reload it. I have never been more aggrevated with a PC. I could understand it if the person using it was beating it, but it just sat in a docking station most of the time. This is just one example of many. I understand everyone who makes a PC has problems...especially with laptops...lord know Dell has. But GW just hasn't pulled out of the slump yet.

There is a reason why GW's are so cheap. My belief is that they are using inferior parts and, quite frankly, have to in order to keep the price so low, because if they didn't they'd go belly up.

Good luck with your choice, but from experience, avoid GW.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You could go to http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/search.asp?mnf=821&cat=17 and check out the Systemax notebooks. They start at less than $700.00.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

switching from mac to pc is lots easier now (and still way easier than vice versa)  the 2nd biggest mac problem (not nearly the range of applications) has improved a bit.  the first biggest mac problem (price) shows no sign of abating and its compounded by apple constantly churning out new stuff.  almost like being strung out cuz sooner rather than later, you suddenly find yourself needing more hahahaah.  


if you dont need to finance, and you dont have a problem with slightly used, it's not difficult finding relatively recent macs at considerably better prices.  people who have to keep up with apple's cutting edge are a good source.  even better are universities that routinely buy newest and sell off the ones being replaced.  ui bloomington hadda buncha stuff at bargain prices last summer. .

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marcie, Tex ...ty for the comments...I guess i have to look at the pros and cons of Gateway.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Joe...that is a lot of valuable information you shared there..Thanks:)

Keith..I'll definitely check that Website out, Thanks!

Kingbee...thanks for the advice...you are right...mac is expensive.

Sigh....well, I will keep on with the search.

I was looking at Dells and Vaios also.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have NEVER had a single problemo with my five- year old GW. Relatives that I recommend them to just love them. ToJo's problems have never happened to anyone I know. Go into BestBuy and try them out. Or whatever you have near you, like CompUSA.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I really like Dells.

I want to stick up for Apple, but if you'd rather spend less than more, then a Mac isn't sensible. Also, as kingbee explained, they don't have as much longevity as they once had (and they release a new freaking OS upgrade EACH YEAR!).
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
if you're after a pc notebook with the works - ie a great color screen, going around 17", with dvd burning and especially if you want something thin - you're going to pay the same for a PC than you will with an apple. look at the difference between the mac modles and pc's with wireless internet, harddrive size, and memory.

if you're going for a desktop, different story. pc's are easily cheaper.

how about your software? will you have to buy all new platform software?

then think about the OS. if you're still on os9, it's the equivelant of win98. OSX is a hudge new world for macs just as XP is for PC's. if an os upgrade is the only question, maybe you drop more memory into your mac and go to panther and that solves your problem.

really, it's what you're going to use it for. if you just need something for internet email and word processing, an ibook is a nice solution. if you want a medium-price-ranged desktop replacement, i find pc's cheaper (hp pavilion, here). if you want a power machine, i think prices are matched. then it all omces down to software.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ty caddy, meowy, buu for the input...it definitely helps me think about the different options i have...

I agree...OSX is a whole different world! I use Ibooks at work (i teach)...has wireless interent, has fast connections, and well, just great overall...
My sister has a Dell....lol...it's a whole other planet to me since I am so used to Mac.

I wish I was more technically advanced to tell you more about my software....I just know that I am on os9.2 and I need something newer!

btw...my school will be sending me to a Technology convention in February ...maybe I might learn a few things! also, despite me saying I dont know much, I guess they thought I knew enough to send me to a state convention, which I am looking forward to! I'd love to learn more about the different sorts of software and sites and internet lessons and resources I can use in the classroom (and at home).
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Have you considered a Sony machine. Again you get what you pay for and they are only slightly cheaper than PowerBooks/iBooks equivelant's.

With Windows, if you really can't get used to it, can be made to look and function in similar respects to a Mac. It's customisation ability is Windows strength, especially for most of the users of this site. I use Mac's in work alongside PC's daily (and own/mod' both) and I know I couldn't just use a Mac. I'd miss the amount of tinkering you can do.

Otherwise, I'd say stick to what you know and get a new iBook. If your machine came with 9.2 then I think it's hardware will struggle greatly with OSX. If you have ever tried using Panther on a G3 500Mhz, you'd never want to use OSX again.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Septimus, thanks for the information. I am still pondering that Windows or OSX thing...I know that windows has many advantages...but I also know that OSX does, too, and it is a program I am familiar with....
Well, I will be using my mac for at least a few more months...then we will see what happens.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you're looking for a low to medium price laptop, you'll pay a lot less for a PC. If you're looking at higher price laptops, prices are similar. Note that you can get a very decent DELL laptop nowadays. Around $1200-$1500.
The learning curve from Mac OS 9 and Mac OSX is just as steep as going from Mac OS 9 to Windows XP. If you've never used OSX, then switching to Windows won't be any more or any less of a problem. If you've already tried OSX (at work?) and didn't have a problem, then the switch to Windows won't be a problem for you. Don't forget, the gap is in you head, it's psychological. I remember when I made the switch myself eons ago (more than 10 years ago), I was terrified. But once you get passed that "fear of Windows", it goes pretty smoothly actually.
In your area of work, there is no reason to stick to Mac. PC's will get the job done just as well for you. I know, I'm a teacher too.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I thought you were in the multimedia biz, paxxy?

Anyhow, if you feel comfortable with Macs and aren't too tech savvy, then I'd say it's best to stick with the Mac. The differences between "Carbon" and OSX are under the hood mainly. Usage is about the same, I'd say.

Switching to XP means you have to get used to all kind of little things that are different between Mac and Windows. It's hard to unlearn usage patterns that have worn in year after year.

Then again, it's cheaper and there's (presumably) more diversity in apps.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
crae: indeed I was for the past 10 years. But due to downsizing where I worked, I lost my job, so I decided to go back to teaching (teaching was my original profession pre-1994). But I had been thinking of going back for a while, this just gave me the push I needed to make the move.
I still do multimedia on my own as a side line.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Aha. Depending on whether or not you prefer teaching over doing multimedia, my response would be either "that's great" or "that stinks". Then again, getting sacked is never fun.

craeonics wonders if this message will be threaded (edit: apparently not)
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been a PC user for 6 years and recently I decided to pick up an old G3 B&W PowerMac from ebay. I spent some cash upgrading it to run SATA, and will be putting the 1Ghz CPU upgrade in next month, plus more RAM.
It currently runs 400mhz, 348MB RAM, and I have a just installed PC Radeon 7000 flashed to run on a Mac. I installed OSX Panther on it, and I find myself barely using the PC since I did so. Despite it's current low specs, it's a VERY stable and fast machine. OSX is so better designed than XP with regards to playing nicely with hardware, so it has less overhead.
The only thing that really stops me switching for good is partly because of gaming reasons, and that my current form of income depends on creating graphics for Windows software.Were it not for those 2 reasons, my PC would be retired.
I really would recommend the upgrade to OSX. For one thing it'll be cheaper, plus as a previous MacOS user, you'll still be in a familiar environment.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
Pax, Crae, and Hippy

Ty for the info...I do use MacOSX at work....we use the ibook G4s..and although i am still not familiar with some of the applications, I am getting pretty used to it, and don't find it too difficult to work with. If osx has some similarities with windows, that would be great. I wouldn't feel as intimidated by switching over if I decide to.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi InBloom!

I would recommend you to check out the new
G5 iMac, it comes in 17" and 20" models.

I helped an aquaintance install his
new 20" model and it is SUPER nice!

He is an old cinematographer but has never
worked with digital movie editing before,
so he got one with 1 gig of ram and it
works flawlessly

One problem that you'll encounter if you try
to upgrade to OS X is that you can only do that
if you run somewhat recent hardware.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/requirements.html

Check out them cool iMac wonders here:
http://www.apple.com/imac/

You'll definitely not be disapointed