Switch?

A

Aeronyth

Registered
I suppose this isn't the greatest place to post a question like this because it might be a bit biased...but...i'm thinking of buying a new mac. (dun dun dun..) Yeah, i'm still using this old windows thing. If i was brave, i would just go out and buy one tomorrow....Unfortunately, i'm still worried about compatibility and application issues. The mac is still limited...

Basically...i need more convincing than apple.com/switch. :p

Anyone?
 
Aha? What are your concerns? What applications do you need Mac compatibility with? :)
 
I'm not quite sure. I could PROBABLY do just fine on a mac, it's just the fact that with windows you've got a much more open selection of applications. I know, i know, virtual pc can run some apps too..blah..i should just get over it and buy one. I'm just afraid that i'll end up with something that i won't be able to use as i can use my windows machine. I'm torn.

I guess, technically, the things that i run on a day to day basis are available for macintosh...it's just that if i come upon a new interest or hobby or something, and i wont be able to do it with a mac...and that would probably never happen. It's just that little "what if?" thought in the back of my mind. Blahhh..

I guess i'm pretty convinced on the fact that MacOSX is definately better than windows XP...or any windows version that existed.
 
Not biased, more like experienced. :p What kind of hardware do you have that you need compatibility with? (Printers, cameras, and the like?)
 
I don't think i'd ever have a problem with hardware, it's more the software, and i -probably- would never have a problem with that either.

It would be nice if i could use a mac for a few months before buying one to know what it's like. I remember using macs back in elementary school...but that was a way old OS version anyways...

I dunno, it's hard to buy something you've never really used before.
 
Oh, forgot..

I'm not THAT much of a PC gamer, but i do game occasionaly..and the mac certainly lacks on the gaming side of things...
 
Well, as far as software goes, you have the whole MS Office suite going for Mac OS X, then you got all your free apps for OS X from Apple, like iTunes, iCal, and iChat (Three very nice apps. :D). Also, you got tons of alternatives to Microsoft out there as far as web browsers go (my favorite being Mozilla's Chimera, much leaner than IE). What kind of programs are you most concerned with as far as compatibility goes?
 
Thank god that MacOSX has IE..i like IE. Office too.

I think what concerns me more are the more specific applications..

Photoshop is available for mac...some Macromedia programs are available..

See, i'm talking myself in circles. I need to make a visit to the apple store i think.
 
And besides, i have to learn a new OS... =/

I guess Mac is the better choice for web design, or anything related to audio and video.
 
well, according to at least one person, the mac doesn't have very good agriculture apps. :D

there is no doubt that the mac platform has less apps available. and there are lots of little apps that only run on windows that we sometimes wish we had. i think your hobby example is a good one. when looking for apps to aid in landscaping, i found plenty for windows, a few for mac os 9 and only a couple of pitiful ones for os x.

on the other hand, almost every possible type of application the average person would normally use has an os x version or equivilent. and more are constantly being developed. the exception to this is games. while we have some good games, if that would be 50% or more of the time you spend computing, the mac is a poor choice.

just don't expect the lightening speed of the latest pc's. the memory management of os x that provides for greater stability, often takes a second or 2 off of some tasks. get there quick and crash on a pc or take a bit longer and know you won't have to reboot if anything were to go wrong, are your choices here.

it will also take you awhile to realize that most things aren't so complicated to do on a mac, once you've switched. but don't be under the illusion that everything always works perfectly on a mac. we have shoddy developers and hardware companies that don't know what they are doing just like wintels do.
 
The OS isn't that difficult to learn, and we're all here if you need help. :p

IE for Mac is nice for some things, but it's rather slow. Microsoft didn't want to do a nice port. :D Chimera is fast, Netscape-compatible (You can use nescape plugins with it, such as Flash and Quicktime), and you get pop-up ad blocking built in.

Photoshop is also very nice, however the Macromedia apps are kind of buggy. Their browser plugins aren't buggy, but the apps are...
 
Learning a whole new OS isn't really such a big deal. The differences are details these days. I'd even go so far as to saying any Windows user with an open mind to changes can learn Mac OS X in an hour and the oher way around.

Heck, I was at a LAN party and a guy wanted to ping a telnet server to see if we were connected...he used a Mac for half a minute before even noticing it wasn't Windows...had he stuck around for another 15 seconds i'd show him what he was looking for...
 
Originally posted by Ed Spruiell
well, according to at least one person, the mac doesn't have very good agriculture apps. :D

there is no doubt that the mac platform has less apps available. and there are lots of little apps that only run on windows that we sometimes wish we had. i think your hobby example is a good one. when looking for apps to aid in landscaping, i found plenty for windows, a few for mac os 9 and only a couple of pitiful ones for os x.

Click to expand...

That's kinda what i'm referring to when i say applications. You just don't have the selection. ANd no, i'm not just talking about landscaping programs. Go to a computer store..most of the software you find there is for windows.

Although, you probably don't need most of the software there. :)
 
hey, it's like cars :D - want to customize your car, best to have bought a cheap popular model that doesn't have that much special going for it as it comes. (the old vw bug had lots of custom options). want a car that is great for what it is and worth every penny of the luxuries that come with it, buy a lexus or mercedes. no, you'll never find that set of flashing light running boards for your lexus (thank God :p )
 
I have a programming related question...

(I'm not a programmer ---- ....yet)

Is there a language you can write that would work with windows and MacOS?
 
Java :)
But if you know C++, learning Cocoa (native OS X programming) shouldn't be a problem. When you buy a Mac (or just Mac OS X), you'll get free developer tools with it, and loads of documentation. There are also a couple of books on the subject, at least one named "Learning Cocoa" :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top