New computer, PC or Mac?

Hi Carl,

I have about a ten year old Dell XPS laptop that has NEVER given me one issue. I also have about a 3 year old Dell XPS desktop with i7 processors, 3gb RAM, and dual RAID 1 HDD. The new dell has crashed TWICE. The first time I lost everything and had to replace the HDD's. Hardware failure. This time after running a standard diagnostic test, I found it is not Hardware but Software failure. I can't even get it to go into safe mode...do you want to know the sad part? I got this desktop for one purpose. Storing and editing my photos. It has NEVER been connected to the network from the day it was new. Sometimes its not as simple as a virus..

Luckily, I have a friend who has established a profession in computer and networking for the last 15 years. Hope he can get the last three years of data off my HDD's because I never did back it up.

Point of my story, get an external HDD and back up your book often. Even with RAID mirroring HDD's you can lose it all.

As for Mac Vs PC, well I don't have a good opinion because I am not experienced enough. My friend though, the computer expert, just bought a Mac laptop. He said he was bored with PC and wanted to learn the Mac OS. Whole different world... but he says he loves his Mac.

To me what is important now is good hardware, keeping everything backed up on an external HDD, and liking the OS. For me I don't think I would be able to do everything I know how to do on a MAC.

Starting from scratch though, I would just toss a coin. Or get a MAC :)
 
Also Carl, they do have classes like that around us. My 90 Year Old grandmother took them at the Community College for fun :)
 
richstag said:
Point of my story, get an external HDD and back up your book often. Even with RAID mirroring HDD's you can lose it all.
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As an addendum to your good advice, I'd even suggest NOT getting a harddrive backup at all....

Backing up to the internet servers (the 'Cloud') is free for a smaller amount of data (like text for a LARGE book), and is more failsafe.

I've backed up to the cloud for five years now. (100GB) If there was a catastrophe, all my photo and document files are still out there, ready to retrieve. No one knows what may happen.

This has no relevance whether it's Mac or PC base. Both require a nightly backup program, and all of them can be had for free. (With either the HD or the cloud service.)

Coop
 
SharpByCoop said:
As an addendum to your good advice, I'd even suggest NOT getting a harddrive backup at all....

Backing up to the internet servers (the 'Cloud') is free for a smaller amount of data (like text for a LARGE book), and is more failsafe.

I've backed up to the cloud for five years now. (100GB) If there was a catastrophe, all my photo and document files are still out there, ready to retrieve. No one knows what may happen.

This has no relevance whether it's Mac or PC base. Both require a nightly backup program, and all of them can be had for free. (With either the HD or the cloud service.)

Coop
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You know Coop, even though I am going to keep an external HDD for my work, I am going to look into those services you suggest. I never worried so much, because unlike you, my work is purely my hobby and making free prints for friends and family and stuff like that. BUT, three years of travel and memories, I am realizing that is worth backup too :)

Thanks for that suggestion. Like you said, No one knows what may happen.
 
First off i think its very admirable that you want to expand your computer skills. My grandmother (in her 80s) still will not touch a computer or even cell phone. My grandfather on the other hand took to them like fish to water and is even in contact with his old navy buddies from korea. Sends me junk emails all the time with links he finds humorous, as he gets older and is less able to travel out into the world the internet provides him a way to explore the world around him and keep in touch with old freinds that are often times much more infirm than he is. he uses a PC.

That being said im by no means a hacker or real technophile (ive known some one in particular that was quite good they all used PC's). I run an alienware (old style before they were taken over by dell) and an HP. I would never dream of getting a mac. The way i see it they are kind of a cult. maybe the other user was spot on with the glock reference. Glocks run well and any mongoloid can use them, but a real pro can do amazing things with a 1911, theres art and history in it instead of just a crude polymer shell.

I believe you would be served well with a PC. I have never found makes to be in the least bit intuitive (my fiancee is an artist and macs are par normal for artists) and quite frankly i ahte the damned thing. people will also tell you that macs have less problems, this is patently false (if you dont believe me then go over to macfixit.com http://reviews.cnet.com/macfixit/ and look at all the rediculous problems.

for a more humorous look at why i hate macs and the kool-aid drinkers that surround them look at the works of humorist and author maddox : http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=macs_cant
 
I have had several desktop and laptop pc's and an own an intel imac desktop. My wife's family have all converted to iphone/ipad use. I find the imac to be a good machine, but have not had the apple epiphany that others seem to have had. I don't find it any easier to use or more intuitive. I do love the large screen and the integrated design.

My best two laptops were a fujitsu B2130 touchscreen (that ran windows98 of all things!) and a samsung nc10 with windows xp. I've not had any issues with viruses, blue screen of death, hard drives, etc.

I have had network compatibility issues with mac's and hp and brother printers, though. As long as you do exactly what apple says (i.e., choose one of their 2 options), there are no problems. I think I must be a trouble maker.


PS I think it's only a matter of time until iphones, imacs, and ipads have enough marketshare that viruses start going through itunes and other apple required software updates. IMO, it will be a bigger problem for them, b/c nobody will know how to fix it and those who do will likely be unable to b/c of the apple defaults.

To sum up: buy a windows netbook with a fullish size keyboard and save your money for coffee, printer cartridges, red ink, and postage. Best of luck to you!
 
I am a computer engineer, so take that for what it is worth. For most people I would recommend a PC and learning how to use it since the majority of companies use PC based computers. For people heavy into graphic and creative programs I recommend a MAC because a lot of their software is geared towards that use. Personally, I am not a fan of Apple products due to the cult of personality associated with it and that a lot of their products are not very upgradable, but again, that issue comes down to personal taste.

Since you are not doing a lot of technical or work related projects on it, I would just run out to a local store and check out both PCs and Macs and see which one you prefer.
 
Get a mac. The operating system on a mac is just more intuitive and they come with good quality parts not just some box with various parts and a brand stamped on it.
Check out consumer reports, they have consistently showed that Apple is in the top of all the categories.
They have the fewest repair problems, they last the longest, they have the best customer service (in case something does go wrong), and they perform well in terms of speed and graphics.

The only downside is that they cost more, but that is expected when you are talking about a quality product.
 
Phydeaux said:
My daughter got a Mac Book Pro as a graduation gift. Within 5 minutes of opening the box, she was already on the internet. Most mac stuff is plug it in and it works.

Ric
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My mom wanted a wireless printer for her Apple laptop, so I got her a nice little Epson all-in-one for Christmas. I began the set up and within about 10 to 15 minutes she was up and running. When I was done, just out of curiosity, I grabbed my iPhone, opened a random email and hit the print button. A window opened with the name of the printer, I clicked on it and, much to my delight (but not really surprise ;) ), the email immediately started printing. Gotta love it.
 
Drunk Leprechaun said:
A good analogy is MACs are like assisted openers and PCs are like manual openers. People have less problems with macs because they are so restricted with programs and settings (opens automatically). Mac tries to control the entire user experience so users can't break things. Windows allows more control but requires a little more effort to properly maintain (manually open). With windows 7 they have tried to make it more user friendly, to smooth out the action if you will.
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I like this. :thumbup:

Mac would gain a lot more fans if they actually allowed you to play with their software more instead of keeping everything under lock and key.

Another thing about Windows is that a lot of people don't know 2% of what you can actually do with Windows. Modern Windows OS is a HUGE piece of software. There is SO much you can do with it, and I doubt if any one person knows it all. It's an incredible piece of engineering for what it's worth.
 
Well, I ended up with a MacBook pro.

I looked at the big box stores, as well as the Apple store near by. The box store was typical blah blah blah, a lot of talk saying nothing much to answer my many questions. At the Apple store, totally different program. One on one long talk with a patient person, explaining and showing me things on the display model. One on one instruction and classes at the store to learn to use the Mac. I bought the Mac.

Benn using it a couple days now, and it is a lot more intuitive than the better halts Dell PC. I've never been a techno person, in fact the opposite. A technophobe. I knew just enough to get online and browse gun and knife forums. Now, the Mac is easy to follow prompts and do more than I ever did before, like set up a file folder. One little victory at a time. This is more than enough computer for my use. As I write, I can down load to a flash drive and save. The mac makes me feel like a little kid that has graduated from training wheels.

Now I may check out an I pad. :D

Carl.
 
She's sexy isn't she Carl????? Congratulations. A fun little thing to do once you're settled in-- set up your hotcorners and find out the quick commands like opening a browser tab and my personal favorite, the screen capture.... these things make the whole experience very friendly and fast. She likes it fast.
 
I think ya done good, Carl. :thumbup: I'm a techno-illiterate old-timer and it wasn't until about 5 years ago that we bought our first home computer - an Apple MacBook. It's served me well with virtually zero problems. My wife now has an iPad and loves it, too.

I didn't discover this thread until today, but the best news on here is that you're going to be writing short stories and a book!!!
 
Great choice - it will last you for many years in your application. Suggestions - Printer: Canon makes some value priced printers that will work with your Mac pixma 350 for $80 new is a good option - http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Wireless-Office-Printer-4205B002/dp/B0032AN4OO/ref=pd_sbs_e_6- . Word processing program:

Buy Microsoft Office software.

Reading materials: Go to Amazon.com and get 1. http://www.amazon.com/Office-2011-D...69X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1326052515&sr=8-5; 2. http://www.amazon.com/MacBook-Dummi...181/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326052631&sr=8-2; and 3. http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Lion-Dumm...205X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326052772&sr=8-3. These books will get you thru all u need to know to get started.
 
Nice choice* Carl - enjoy it and use it well!




ETA: If you have any usage questions, please don't hesitate to ask.




*Typed on my 13" MacBook Pro.;):D
 
Good choice on the MBP, love mine at home.
6 PC at work with all the headaches.
Just set up a 27" imac with VM Fusion, now I have the best of both on one stable machine.
 
Stay away from Microsoft Office. Go download NeoOffice, I think they want a $10 donation. It's far better than office and is under constant development.
 
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