Switching from PC to Mac?- Page 3

[Plum]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 8:05pm

Er...I've heard IBM tech support has a "reputation". *cough* If you know what I mean. That's one of the reasons I didn't get a ThinkPad.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 9:47pm

I have a mouse that plugs into my laptop's USB. Can I use it on a Mac, or is there a reason why it wouldn't be compatible? Obviously my external keyboard and things like that would be expected not to work, I guess.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:21pm

Luv,
You might need software for that mouse. What you should do is go to the website of whoever made your mouse and see if they have a driver ( for mac) for your mouse and download it. They usually do.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:23pm

Thanks. I'll look further into it once I actually decide to buy the computer; I'd just like not to buy extra accessories if I don't need them.

[DAME]

Posted: 12/2/05 at 10:24pm

I understand. Good luck and let me know what you ended up doing.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 1:40am

I have been using both PCs and Macs for decades. Macs are so much better that it's difficult to put into words. I bought a 15-inch iBook G4 a year ago and I love it. My friend who is the IT director at a large institution says, "Macs are elegant."

I have to use a PC at work, but sometimes I just bring in my laptop and ignore the PC all together. Also, I work from home a lot and find that I have no need for a PC even though that's what we have at "the office" and what most people in the workplace (are forced to) use.

I have only purchased Macs myself. They are much more reliable than PCs and, as someone else said, it's now very easy to interface with your PC and access files if need be.

Make the switch. You'll be amazed.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 10:26am

I'm thinking of making the switch also. I've been using Dell PC's from the start, but I too, have been urged by friends to switch to Mac (because of the art and photography factors). My problem is that it took me years (I'm embarrassed to say) to finally get the hang of the PC. I can usually remedy a problem on my own. Also, Norton has been great with viruses. I'm just afraid it'll take me another year to get used to a MAC. However, my warranty is up on this PC and if I need tech support I have to pay my entire savings account. I have to make the decision soon!

[DAME]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 1:50pm

Jane,

You will get used to the mac in one day. Really. It is that easy.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 2:07pm

How does Apple's hardware hold up? My HP has had a few problems with it that drove me up the wall.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 2:14pm

Once you switch to Mac, you'll never go back! I love my PowerBook. It's really easy to get used to; you'll have no problems switching. I haven't had any problems and I've had mine for three years.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 2:15pm

What size do you guys all have/recommend? It's just aesthetic, right? Same computer, different physical size? I kind of like the little ones.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 4:25pm

I have a TEENY mac(and my 2-year old cousin just deleted what I was writing...) Most of my friends call it adorable, it certainly serves its purpose, I watch stuff on it and manage everything easily, and it's obviously useful b/c it's easy to carry around/travel w/ and it doesn't take up that much space and usually if it's charged I just keep it on my lap as I do whatever. But sometimes staring at the tiny screen after a while makes me dizzy or if I'm on BWW or the computer awhile, I find myself preferring the bigger screen. So it's pros and cons really according to your personal taste.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 4:51pm

And what size is "teeny?" 12-inch, I guess?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 5:12pm

Umm...I should know shouldn't I? Hee hee.

I'm in Long Island visiting cousins now, I'll check when I get back later tonight.

Posted: 12/3/05 at 6:44pm

Macs are OK if you don't care about learning any skills that will get you a job once you give up on your theater dream. Unless, of course, you're going into digital photo editing, then you should go Mac.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 6:46pm

KingR, I don't know if it's safe to assume that EVERYONE on this board will be going into theatre. And most of these people are SWITCHING from PCs to MACs, so they all obviously already know how to use a PC somewhat efficiently.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/3/05 at 11:38pm

DAME, I really want to believe you! Here comes a dumb question- if I get a laptop instead of desktop, I'm assuming I can hook up my printer and digital camera (USB connection). Can I?

[DAME]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 4:00am

Jane,
Yes.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 12:19pm

Whoops realized I never checked on the size. well I'm a little different, being unable to find a ruler...I used a video tape...the screen was equal to the length of one full video tape(long size) plus up till the end of the first square where you see the film wind. Feels like it could be equal to a foot but that's the approximation I can give..

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 11:09am

Two more questions:

How is the virus protection software for Macs?

And I've heard there are different internet browsers. can you use Mozilla, or is there something exclusive to Macs?

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 11:16am

YAY Emcee for the thread bump.

I would like to update you all and let you know that I placed an order for a 15" PowerBook yesterday. The Mac cult has convinced me.

Anyway, I would imagine that the virus protection is very good for Macs, but moreover there just aren't as many viruses that are made to infect Macs. More might be created as they get more popular, but right now I think that's a pretty strong advantage of buying a Mac.

Also, Macs can use Mozilla or MS Internet Explorer.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 10:29pm

Stupid question for Mac users who also use AIM: this is shallow, but can you still use/see colors and fonts on AIM on a Mac, or is it all plain and boring?

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 10:56pm

yes you can, Em!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 12/26/05 at 11:14pm

Em - I had to switch to Mac cause the school I work at is all Macs. At first it was a little annoying, but when my iBook became my only computer I easily switched over. I have minimal virus protection on here, but that's because most viruses don't affect macs the same way or at all due to programming. I used to have the 12" iBook and this year school gave us the bigger ones ... I enjoy having the bigger screen but it was really nice to have a laptop small enough to fit into any bag I owned! The keyboards and touch pads are the same size, there's just more plastic to rest my wrists on with the bigger computer. As for a mouse, my dell mouse works fine on here except the wheel doesn't scroll like it did on the Dell. There is probably software out there, I just got lazy and switched to using the touch pad most of the time. My printers have all installed on the iBook with no problem, and it hooks up to wireless internet no matter where I am - that was something that was not always easy on my Dell.

One major annoyance (which isn't THAT major) is that I can't watch anything on MSN websites because they want a new version of IE. I use the Firefox browser mostly with Safari as a backup. I have an old version of IE on here but it's not being supported or updated so it isn't much use. But I can see Quicktime, Real Media and Windows Media Player movies. (How would I live without video?!?) :)

I use iChat for my AIM software because they're not really updating the official AIM client ... it can switch colors and fonts and has a choice between two settings - the "regular" aim style or using the icons and little "voice bubbles" which is cute but doesn't really change the functionality of the program.

6 months ago I was always saying that I loved both my dell and my iBook but that I couldn't live with just one or the other. Sadly, my dell died after lots of years of good quality service and the iBook became my one link to the world ... I can easily switch back and forth at my parents house or friends houses though because Microsoft Office and the Internet work the same on both.

Good luck ... either way you get a brand spankin new computer and they are always fun. :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/30/05 at 10:53pm

This is a really silly question, I think, but I'm laying in bed with the computer in my lap, and the bottom of it is gettting REALLY hot. I mean, this thing is burning up -- is it ok? My PC got hot, but never like this. It hurts my hand to touch the bottom of it.