27" Mac

[JERRY2KONE]

Well I have had a cusiosity for Mac for a long time, but because of the up front cost of their systems, and the rediculous cost of replacement parts I have stayed away from them. Mac is killing itself just by keeping the profit margines so high on their products. If they would just lower their pricing 20% I believe many more people would switch over just to try them out. We have 6 laptops, and three desktops in our home and none of them are Mac. Being very mechanically inclined I go with what I can work on and fix myself(novis), and for reasonable pricing for replacement parts.

Using that comparison to handbags was great. Just reading that confirms to me why the only people who stick with Mac are following a trend of people who want to be different or unique in some way. Just like owners of BMW's or other high priced vehicles that have very high maintenance costs. We all have to look at what advantages we can gain using one over the other, especially with our economy being what it is today. What real world advantages do Mac's offer over any other platforms for that exuberant pricing? NONE... So I guess I will stick with what I have until something changes to lure me over to the dark side.

[simplechamp]

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

Using that comparison to handbags was great. Just reading that confirms to me why the only people who stick with Mac are following a trend of people who want to be different or unique in some way.

I really dislike that generalization though. People always make comments like that to me when they find out I use Apple computers, when in reality I use them because I grew up using them, I'm comfortable with them, and I like them. I've been using them since 1990, long before they started pandering to the "I want to be trendy" crowd. Not all people who prefer Apple are trying to be trendy or unique. There are plenty of exceptions to that rule.

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by simplechamp

I really dislike that generalization though. People always make comments like that to me when they find out I use Apple computers, when in reality I use them because I grew up using them, I'm comfortable with them, and I like them. I've been using them since 1990, long before they started pandering to the "I want to be trendy" crowd. Not all people who prefer Apple are trying to be trendy or unique. There are plenty of exceptions to that rule.

I don't think it was really meant towards you though simple. It's just how people are. Apple spends a lot of money marketing through media and the like and many people do use them just to be trendy. It happens with everything though and not just computers. Just look at all the losers in their H2's for example.

I like what works for me, and while Apple has made strides they just limit me too much. The ipad in it's own right is a great device, but is still too limited in it's ability for it's price and what it does. The iphone is just not an option for me on many levels and I don't like being restricted to what software I use like Apple OS does.

[lincpimp]

I have been wanting to set up a pc with linux as I mainly browse. I do not play games or use any office type programs on my home pc. Just internet. I put win7 on it and seem to liker that alot more than vista, which I flat refuse to use. I was and still am a big xp fan, but I see the benefit on win7. Mainly stick with these OS as I know how to search around and pull the spyware and viruses out. I guess going to linux would cure that probelm...

Which browsers does linux support? I use IE8 at home, but have been using google chrome at work and like it slightly better.

[BrianG]

You can run firefox and chrome on Linux...

[reno911]

I'll admit that I am not too computer savy. I don't want to know how to keep a computer alive for longer than a year. I should have to. If running Microsoft means I must know how to defrag and permanently rid myself of something that can harm it I don't want it. Honestly though, I don't do a lot on my personal computers. I do photography, and word docs, plus browsing/emails and the usual. I play around with adobe photoshop, and a few other programs if I get the time, but nothing major. I tried doing these things on a Microsoft based for a few laptops and by just doing that I still lost them. If I could run Microsoft and do these things without worrying about failure I would I am not one or the other, I just want a computer I know will turn on and off, and operate everyday no matter what. So I buy Mac.

If someone of similar computer knowledge asked me for a recommendation I would tell them Mac. My mom is one of them and know owns a macbook pro. Her prior computers all failed for something unknown to any of us.

[TexasSP]

I have to wonder how many Mac converts actually had quality computers running windows and not the bargain junk sold at big box stores? It's funny how many I know wouldn't spend 12-1500 for a quality PC but will shell out that and more on a Mac. I mean, your operating system is only as good as the hardware. You can't expect sub 500 dollar machines to last a long time.

[reno911]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

I have to wonder how many Mac converts actually had quality computers running windows and not the bargain junk sold at big box stores? It's funny how many I know wouldn't spend 12-1500 for a quality PC but will shell out that and more on a Mac. I mean, your operating system is only as good as the hardware. You can't expect sub 500 dollar machines to last a long time.

Why not. I don't see how better higher end internals protects a Microsoft from all those who spend their days trying to destroy them.

[E-Revonut]

I spent almost $1000 on my HP laptop, it was still a POS! I gave PCs a chance for about 8 years. The last one I bought was just such a pile of crap I wanted to try a Mac, I know people that have had them and loved them. I also know from owning the same ipod for over 5 years, that apple products hold up. I have also had an iphone since they came out, when you do encounter a problem their customer service is on par with Castle, they take care of you the first time and resolve the problem, rather than giving you a run around and leaving you without functional equipment for 6 weeks!

[TexasSP]

Better hardware creates a more stable environment for an OS. I do own an IT support company and can tell you, the issues we have typically revolve around hardware and not software. The Mac OS also has just as many problems arise as Windows. None of our clients using our support setup has ever had a virus either, so to me the virus argument is kind of null and void.

I also would never recommend an HP laptop to anyone, regardless. They have an enormous failure rate. However that has nothing at all to do with Microsoft, which is what Apple constantly tries to pit itself against.

Case in point my business partners HP laptop ran win 7 like crap, his macbook runs it very well, however my Dell XPS handles win 7 better than his macbook.

There is also more to a computer, especially a laptop, than it's core components which needs to be built correctly. Layout, assembly, cooling, wiring, and efficiency have a lot to do with it too.

Again, getting away from the big box laptop companies like HP/Compaq helps a lot. I have customers on 4-5 year old toshibas running win 7 perfectly. I also have another customer with a 5 year old Pro Star laptop (which is a top notch company, http://pro-star.com/ ) running win 7 and it has never had a single issue.

One has to understand that most computers sold in big box retail stores are mass produced by the lowest bidder and not made for much more than casual use. Even when you think you are getting a lot of features for a good price, just run the other way. Something has to be sacrificed.

[pinkpanda3310]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

One has to understand that most computers sold in big box retail stores are mass produced by the lowest bidder and not made for much more than casual use. Even when you think you are getting a lot of features for a good price, just run the other way. Something has to be sacrificed.

Sounds vaguely like another industry I know

I fit in the catagory of 'illiterate'. Last couple of years I've been using a dell laptop given to me by Mum. Only issue I had was when I let the anti-virus run out

The other day I got a mac for the wife. It's different to use of course, been scratching my head, but I don't have the knowledge to say one is better than the other. I am ok with that

[BrianG]

I can agree with that. I got a gateway a long time ago, and as soon as I upgraded the CPU to one a little faster (and more power hungry), the PSU went south. So, it is obvious they do use the minimum hardware that will work, but is stressed and therefore doesn't last as long.

Which is why I really really don't want to get an HP, Dell, etc when I get a new PC. I can get a decent discount (work for the state), but it doesn't much matter if it's a piece of crap.

Building your own box with aftermarket parts is preferable, but 1) you have to make sure everything is compatible (not as much of an issue these days) and 2) you have to buy the OS seperately (this is included in the price of pre-built units). ibuypower.com seems to have quite a good selection of aftermarket level hardware, and they assemble it for you and load the OS (the OS costs extra).

[reno911]

I'll be one to admit Apples are not perfect in any way. They still have no means of using Castle Software!

[TexasSP]

Apple does two things extremely well. Marketing and quality control. However, I do think Jobs arrogance is starting to get the best of him and some other players success in the market has definitely rattled his cage. One will see how good of a leader he really is in the next few years. Companies with high quality standards do tend to become complacent and arrogant in their products and the iPhone 4 issues are a prime example. Rushing it through to market while ignoring RF engineers who told the the antenna was a problem was a key indicator of this and I expect more things to come out in the future. Another market problem I see with Apple is over saturation with their iPods and iPhones. Many people save up for a while to buy the latest one only to find a few months later a newer and better version for the same price.