Mac/PC

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:05pm

I know, I know - one of the most popular O/T threads.

Anyway, I am seriously considering switching to a Mac.

I currently have a Dell and am not happy with it. Many of my friends use Mac, and love it.

I am not so much concerned I won't be able to use one - I am fairly good with computers and the google feature to find what I need. I also don't use many computer game programs - not that that should be a problem.

My biggest question is about certain Windows programs.

I know Windows can be used on the Mac, but, for example, on my PC I have an English and Russian keyboard - something that is necessary. I believe I created this program through Windows. Does anyone know if this can also be done on a Mac.

Furthermore, I'd love to hear (horror) stories from anyone who may have switched from PC to Mac.

I am trying to think of all the things I use on my PC that concerns me (such as the keyboard - also, ACCENTS é à ♪ etc.)

One more question, sort of stupid, but at least give it purpose to a BWW forum - how has your change affected your use of BWW?

Thanks,
bso

P.S. Does MSPaint work on Macs?
P.P.S. Will I have to get a new printer? I'm not sure if mine works with Macs (it's HP 1350).

Found info re: the keyboard stuff

Anyway - stories? Updated On: 12/17/05 at 09:05 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:12pm

This will probably answer the majority of your questions:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=off&thread=877579

[pab]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:25pm

"P.P.S. Will I have to get a new printer? I'm not sure if mine works with Macs (it's HP 1350)."

Yes

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:25pm

Thanks EM.

You asked all the questions I forgot.

I don't know what to do!

I love my computer - and it was VERY expensive and was a gift.

But the screen is completely trashed. I have to reformat it like twice a year.

We used to love each other. Now it likes to anger me.

(Shhh)

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:30pm

I think it's time to let go and move on to a Mac.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:31pm

"P.P.S. Will I have to get a new printer? I'm not sure if mine works with Macs (it's HP 1350)."

Yes

Well, then...screw it.

I love my printer more than my computer!

It scans! It copies! It prints! It's a miracle!

Ah - well, I have another version at home (this one lets you plug in a memory card, which I never do anyway)....and that's mac compatible! Updated On: 12/17/05 at 09:31 PM

[pab]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 9:41pm

Just to let you see for yourself here is a link to your printer from Amazon.com and if you look at the specs it will show the compatibility:
HP PSC 1350

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:21pm

Drivers for the HP PSC 1350 in Mac OS X:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?dlc=en&lc=en&product=306888&lang=en&cc=us&os=219

(I have the same printer, and I just ordered a Mac).

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:22pm

Well, that settles it!

::pets Dell::

But I love - on some days!

[Patronus]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:36pm

I went through this same quest one week ago and elected to stay with a PC.

Macs are just too far behind PCs in processor speed right now and it proved to be a challenge for my home network with 2 other PCs.

I went to Dell actually and ordered a souped up desktop for about $300 less than I was going to pay for a middle of the line notebook from Apple.

My current laptop totally sucks, so within the next six months or so I may look to get the low end iBook as a toy to try the mac world, but until processor speeds catch up, I'll likely stick with my PCs.

Here are the specs of the computer I built at Dell that will be here Monday btw:
Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8GHz) w/Dual Core Technology
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
20" 2005FPW Wide Aspect Digital Flat Panel Display
128MB ATI Hyper Memory PCI-Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV Out) Radeon X300 SE
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Dell 13 in 1 Media Card Reader
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center
16X DVD-ROM and 16X DVD+/-RW
IEEE 1394a Adapter
Updated On: 12/17/05 at 10:36 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:43pm

I don't know how this will affect things specifically, but in about six months Apple is going to swtich to Intel chips.

[Patronus]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:47pm

Ah, well that's when I'll be getting my iBook then.

I've already been burned by Apple once - I FINALLY bought an iPod and then less than 3 weeks later they released the video iPods. urg. 10GB more space as well as the video capability for the same price I paid. BASTARDS.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:56pm

Yeah, I happened by freak chance to have finally saved up for an iPod the very week that the video iPods came out. It was, for once, fantastic timing.

[pab]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 10:58pm

Actually the Intel switch could be as early as February.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 3:46am

Well one important thing to know about BWW on the macs since you mentioned it..

I think it's that after a certain number of visits to the site a bad cookie is sent out and when you try to go to it you will get a message that says bad server request. When this happens, you just need to click "reset safari." Then BWW works perfectly, just ya know when you're resetting the browser, like when you first go to BWW you'll be asked to sign in and pages you're usually signed into you'll hafta resign into, etc. It's really no big deal, unless you don't know that you have to reset it when that happens.

[pab]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 5:03am

Actually if you don't want to reset Safari you can just go into your Preferences/Security and select Show Cookies. Choose all of the BWW cookies (except the email one) and remove them. This way all of your passwords to other sites will not have to be reset as well.

Of course an even easier way is just to use Friefox or any other mac compatible browser and you would not have to worry about this issue at all.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/18/05 at 2:21pm

Ooh, thanks for the info Pab!