Need advice from techies - PC vs Apple (dont know if thats correct terminology)

[andy and lindsey]

Hi we are looking to buy a new desktop or laptop and are unsure which way to go. Currently we have a laptop but my husband is thinking that we should buy and apple desktop. Im sure there is a technical term for this so please excuse my ignorance. We all have iphones and ipods but as far a computer things have never used an apple computer. We have 2 boys who like to play games on the computer (nothing too technical though) and would also use it for internet browsing and word processor. What would you suggest??? All ideas/information welcome
Lindsey

[jimmyskinner]

We always had windows on pc,always had a mate round fixing it getting viruses going slow, losing internet connection,all he would say every time he came was get a Mac book, so we did ,never have any issues what so ever its brilliant, i don't know a lot about computers but it works all the time so thats good enough for us

[xzibit]

If you don't use any specialised software that's not available on osx (apple's operating system) then go for it. I have used apple for years, because it just works. And you don't have to worry about viruses as nothing can install itself on an apple machine without your consent.
They do cost more than the pc equivalents but it's worth it.

[snifter]

We are an all Apple household. I have an iMac (the desktop computer), hubby a MacBookPro laptop, iphone and so on. We both used Windows many years ago before moving over to open source Linux as our operating system, before then moving over to Mac's about 5 years ago. Never looked back and would never use Windows again.

In the early days things can be a bit different but Mac's are very intuitive and easy to negotiate. My one thing would be to ditch the Apple mouse as they are hideous to use. I still use a standard wheel mouse with left and right click but also on the Mac using keyboard commands means I don't need it so much. The keyboard takes a bit of time to get used to but again, give it a week or two and you won't notice the difference. I now find any non Apple keyboard to be alien and make terrible typos but on my Mac keyboard I'm fine.

WP wise its great. You can save/export files in the Apple set up or to PDF/word etc so you can send to people on Windows without issue (ie people send me word documents and I can open/read them on my Mac and I can write a doc on the Mac that I can convert to be read by those on Windows) in a few simple clicks. Use it loads and never had any problems.

Security wise Apple fare much better. And setting up the computer with multiple accounts for you and hubby and one of the kids means you can keep an eye on their use etc and never have to sift through each others emails/pics/music etc. Hubby and I both have our own accounts on my iMac and our son has one also and we have a guest account for when friends stay so they can use it without seeing anything of ours. Its so so easy to set it all up and flit between them as we need to.

Honestly, since I've moved to a Mac I've had far less technical and security issues. In fact, hardly any at all. Makes using my computer so much more enjoyable.

One other things I will always advise no matter what computer you use, get an external hard drive to back up to on a daily or weekly basis in case of any problems.

Also price wise, an iMac isn't so expensive these days. I'd rather fork out that bit extra and not have the hassle of Windows or a desktop brand like HP or Dell. We also got the extended warranty for our iMac. Needed to use it once and had it fixed in no time after dropping it off at the store. Was a hardware problem iirc. Apple aftercare I've always found excellent and never had any issues with (unlike some other computer manufacturers I could mention but wont :p )

[Misplaced]

I have recently moved to the MacBook Pro and have to say that it is just brilliant!!!

We also have an iPhone and iPad 2 all fantastic.

Go for the Apple is my advice.

[Hutchy]

Always used Mac.....

[zamunda]

Hi

I always stuck with PCs. That was because I put together my own machines and did not know much about Apples. But over time I got very tired of PCs and the Windows OS. Then moved to Mac. Will never look at a PC again! The Mac OS is a lot more stable and user friendly.

Go for Mac. You won't regret!

[Rob and Mel]

Dont forget to keep the receipt for the tax man at the end of the year to get some money back as its for your children's education.

Mac every time..

Rob and Mel

[soo_the_panda]

Yep another vote for mac! bought an average price Dell laptop when I arrived in Adelaide - threw it away a year later as was sick of crashing, viruses and sllloooowww start up times. Splashed out a tiny bit more on a MacBook and I love it... would never go back to PC and hate using a PC at work. The basic photo and movie editing programs that come as standard are great - I use imovie to edit simple film clips for work and for a free, user-friendly, basic program, I really rate it. And Rob & Mel are correct- definitely keep receipts as you can claim some of the $$ back at end of financial year.

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

I have had desktops and laptops, all windows based never had any issues to be fair but i regularly check mine and have updated anti virus at all times....

and various other nasty finding software....

HG