Should I buy an Apple Mac

I have an ageing (2003) Medion desktop running XP which is still going strong but struggles to run PSE 7 and Paint Shop Pro. It is not worth upgrading the computer and will keep as a spare. I also have a two year old basic Vista laptop . I am looking round to replace the desktop but there does not seem much choice, the market seems to have gone laptop mad !.

The Apple IMac with the 21.5" screen appeals to me, most computer buffs at work without hesitation say go for the Apple Mac, I like the compact design of the Mac and also the software I need is available. I would also have the vista laptop to fall back on for any windows only programs.

Should I go for the Mac ?

Errrr.......yes.

Regards

Hi Chris, as far as I know the people I know personaly love the Mac. I don't have any experiance on them personaly though

I love my macs... have four of 'em.

Probably depends what you're likely to use the machine for. You'll get more performance for your pound with a PC - but, have you tried Windows 7, are you fed up with Windows in general, etc..
Main difference between PC's and MAC's is the quality of components, MACs user higher quality bits, but you're paying for it.
If I were you, I'd have a look at monitors in general, and associated reviews, to see what you really want, and whether it's cheaper to buy it seperately.

Personally, I'm a software developer during the day, and a MAC wouldn't appeal to me because I'm not really after a "shrink wrapped" solution. I'm happy with expanding and improving my system, so a PC suits me better.

This is a personal choice and not one we can make, all OS have there good and bad things.

You named PSE 7 and Paint Shop Pro, I don't know how the license is but there is a good chance that you need to buy the MAC version of those so look that up and find out what software you can and can not use.

That's not true, a PC can consist of the same components as a MAC.
The processor is from intel, graphics card is from Nvidia, don't know about the rest though.
The difference is with MAC, apple decide what is in your PC and they might pick the better ones but mostly at a premium price.

To solve this problem with PC, you can build your own one and then you can decide how much quality you want.

I was mainly thinking about the monitors. The larger one's which come with MACs are of a very good quality, and would potentially cost a lot to source yourself.
Something else to bear in mind, the PSU on my sisters iMAC blew, and it was more than the machine was worth to repair.
It's a blessing and a hinderance with PC's - very modular, but quality of parts is unknown, and there's not one phone number to call if it starts going wrong.

I had read that some of the new HP machines are very well designed, they might be an alternative if you wnat to spend less than a MAC, but still want a Microsoft based box..

As someone else said, it's not something other people can tell you, need to have a look yourself - like buying a car or something like that. It's a very subjective choice that is at least 50% head, 50% heart...

I use a MacBook and I love it. I much prefer it to my previous windows PCs, but that is just my opinion. My girlfriend uses a Windows PC and there are sometimes issues with compatibility. I also use the Mac 'as is' and don't upgrade or amend it all (apart from standard software updates). That said, it is still going strong (and not noticably any less capably) after 4 years and doesn't crash!! You would not be able to run windows versions of software on Apple OSX, but if you have a dual core Mac you can run Windows AND OSX on it... although then you'll need to get anti-virus software for the Windows half I think...

Best suggestion would be to go and try one out somewhere (Mac store or a John Lewis or similar) and see what you reckon.

Regards

Mat

This myth about macs being more expensive was debunked a few years back.
A comparably equipped Dell was equal and in some cases more expensive than the macs same with HPs higher end models.
But add in the extras you pay for PC and esp windoze and it proves even more favorable to go mac.

disk tools, antivirus, and the pc equivelants to the iLife multimedia suite, and your low end pcs start costing as much or more than the mac.

Hi chris, i have always been anti mac, having used Windows based computers from the very early days.
On boxing day whilst looking around curry,s for a new laptop i was shown the Mac pro laptop.
I was looking at high end machines , and wanted the best. Tried the new HP with the new quad core.
Nothing came near the Mac for the quality of the design,feel or more importantly the screen. Took the plunge and bought the Mac, its a steep learning curve, but its so user friendly, love the screen and don't regret the purchase.
you won't regret it, but be prepared to spend a fair bit of time getting used to the operating system, very different from windows.
Good luck
Dave

My monitor is a Targa 19" (not wide-screen) from lidl's so I would need to upgrade that as well, I have looked at the Dell's but they seem to be expensive compared with a new Medion or Acer.

I could load Windows 7 on the Imac to run the windows programs but that pushes the price up. PSE 8 is available for the Mac and also my Pentax software would run without crashing.

I had thought of building a PC but would not know where to start in choosing the components, but would be confident in putting it together.

As a user of both, I can give you a few insights.

If you have been invested with software up to this point with a PC, you may want to get another PC with Windows 7. I like the new Windows 7 and it was not a problem with obtaining any new software, etc. For a change it definitely now has plug and play, you just plug in the printer or whatever, and the OS finds the driver and installs it.

Now, as you can see by my signature, I also have two Macs, and I like them but have to say they are a bit on the costly side. Any peripherals you get have to be compatible with the Mac OS. If they are not they are going to have to be replaced. Then there is software. Macs come with a fine software suite called iLife. That would include Itunes, iPhoto, iMovie, etc. If you need a word processor, advanced photo program, or other types of software then you are going to have to buy it. While it is true you can run Windows on a Mac, the question would be why unless you were originally Mac wanting to run Windows apps. You can use the already installed Boot Camp to run Windows, you still need a licensable copy of Windows to install. If you go beyond Boot Camp and want to run Parallels or VMware, that would be an additional cost plus you better have a anti-virus program to protect your machine like any PC.

I am invested in both platforms to do my work, so I do not have a dog in this fight. Each I would say has plusses and minuses. You have to figure out what you want to invest in and what your comfort on going to a new platform would be. If you are willing to make the jump, enjoy your new Mac. If not find a good PC and enjoy Windows 7.

I hope this helps.

The Photomonk

OK - can't answer this re the use of PS etc - not yet into that .

I run 2 MacBook Pros [ please , being picky, not MACS - that's summat to do with Broadband ]

I had one of the original MacBooks - the white plastic ones [ not the iBooks ]

There was something wrong with these MacBooks from the beginning and I had horrendous problems - the first one was replaced after 6 months when it had been in for repairs on the technical side and had actually only been used for about 1-2 months in total .

I cheered when I got the nice new C2D MacBook - still the polycarbonate one , but it also had problems of a different type - and many others also suffered.

This generation developed cracks in the casing - very small but irritating ones which did spread . Mine ended up with 3 new bottom cases , 2 top cases [ includes the keyboard ] and then I also had a few screen problems too . Everything was replaced under warranty - and repairs were very fast .

When it was 2 years and 11 months old I had to take it in again and was once more offered a replacement [ they agreed that my MacBook had had far more than it's share of problems [ and believe you me that MacBook was well cared for ] I spluttered at this - because they were only going to replace it with another polycarbonate MacBook , albeit the latest bigger improved model , so I asked if I could pay the difference and get the 'unibody' metal MacBook Pro .

We reached an agreement and I now have this machine that's streets ahead of the MacBook - in fact I bought another one so I have 2 So far no problems at all and it seems to be much sturdier . I love it .

Mind you the only Windows thing I have on the machine is M$ Office for Macs

I have to back this up also. My MacBook so far has had three bottom cases replaced due to cracks, a fan, and a DVD optical drive. All this covered under AppleCare.

The Photomonk