MAC or PC? HELP!!!!!!!!

[Bajanne]

Just want to get your views.  My daughter is doing extremely well at her two-year college here and this semester, they have given her an overload.  She has been telling me that she will be able to get the all A's that we want, if she gets a laptop.  I will finally be able to get one, and was going to buy a HP something or the other.  However, one of the IT guys at the college is telling her she should get a Mac.  I don't mind either, but I have been PC all my computer life after the Commodore days.

What do you guys think?

[Ken Shelmerdine]

I've used both formats and for me Macs win hands down. They are much simpler to operate than PCs and its window type system is part of it's main operating system hardware so it's not forerever crashing like Bill Gates's rubbishy windows software. Apple Macintosh were the first company to produce machines with a graphical user interface (windows type system to you and me) and if they had got their act together in the first place instead of allowing Microsoft to nip in on the blindside and launch their own software version, then it would have been Macintosh machines in every home and office instead of crap PCs.

Only drawback nowadays is that software is a bit more expensive and is not as widely available as microsoft.

[angieskidney]

Well I would say get whatever her class professors are using. Want to make sure the programs she needs are compatible. It all depends on her classes.

Of course the techy guys will all say Macs as they hate Microsoft Windows and called it "MicroSHAFT WindBLOWS" because Windows loves to crash (even though it seems XP crashes hardly ever for me)

Mac is good for graphic arts programs .. that is why I say it all depends on her classes.


But of course I am not a techy geek (*waves at Ken*) 

[Sluff]

Just want to get your views.  My daughter is doing extremely well at her two-year college here and this semester, they have given her an overload.  She has been telling me that she will be able to get the all A's that we want, if she gets a laptop.  I will finally be able to get one, and was going to buy a HP something or the other.  However, one of the IT guys at the college is telling her she should get a Mac.  I don't mind either, but I have been PC all my computer life after the Commodore days.

What do you guys think?

Mac hands down but more expensive i would think a Dell laptop would be fine. Ask Epoman before you make your final decision, he has helped me many times when it comes to computers.

[angieskidney]

Ask Epoman before you make your final decision, he has helped me many times when it comes to computers.

Yeah Epoman knows a LOT about computers! So does Sandman 

You could always ask the IT guys for all the pros and cons

[Ken Shelmerdine]

But of course I am not a techy geek (*waves at Ken*) 

Ohhhhh no! Angie! please don't call me a geek, the shame of it. People will think I wear anoraks and catologue paper clips by size. I..I...made it all up!.... honestly.....I..I..I wrote it whilst being held at gunpoint......Computors....what are them....prefer morse code mi'self, .....ohhhhh...I need a lie down!!!

[sandman]

Bajanne, angie gave you some good advice.  Your best bet is to find out what programs she will need to run and then pick the computer that will run them.  It's the only way you will know for sure.

[Hawkeye]

I have used both and I kinda like the PC better myself.  When it comes to graphics a MAC will always win out, but I like the PC better for everything else.  Even if you don't like windows or microsoft there are always other programs you can run instead.  As already stated MAC software is more expensive and good luck finding what you want at your local Best Buy store, where as PC software is everywhere and cheaper to boot.  Besides my personal opinion, PC's are generally what most collage schools are using.  It's all well and good if you get a MAC but if her school is using a PC she wont be able to do work on a paper at both school and home only one or the other. Find out what the schools uses and go from there is what I would suggest.

[Wattle]

  We have a MAC. My kids go from school to home easily using the same programs. Mainly office. MACs come with office and documents will open using both PC and MAC. It hasn't been a problem. (yet  )

[angieskidney]

We have a MAC. My kids go from school to home easily using the same programs. Mainly office. MACs come with office and documents will open using both PC and MAC. It hasn't been a problem. (yet  )

Ya, I would love to see someone list what programs can be used on both as I am curious about that. My friend Wayne speaks highly of macs but doesn't have one himself. Instead he runs a dual boot I think you call it on his PC. He can boot in Windows OR Linux I think it is.

There are a LOT of options out there.

[jedimaster]

I always used PCs but now I switched to MAC...and I AM SO HAPPY!!!!....

[Wattle]

Hey! I am surprised by all the MAC users out there..... I have always been given a lot of greif about having one! But it really is sooooo easy to use. I am not really great on all the features maybe jedimaster can give me lessons 

[AlasdairUK]

I'm a PC fan as I dislike Apple. You do not have to run Windows as your OS and the software is easier to get for a PC compared to a Mac.

[jedimaster]

It depends what you need the computer for. I use my MAC to read and write emails, internet, word and excell and power point for my lectures (and I use Open Office, a free program that is better than Microsof Office), use for accounting and to watch movies....oh, yes, and to chat with my dialysis friends here....so for all that my MAC rules. And as I said, I was a PC user all my life...this is my first MAC. 
My son uses his mac for producing movies, editing, etc. as he s into movie making. So, special effects, editing, and graphic interface...MAC rules there also.
Oh, yes and I use it to listen to music with ITUNES whic is the natural program for MACs.

[angieskidney]

It depends what you need the computer for. I use my MAC to read and write emails, internet, word and excell and power point for my lectures (and I use Open Office, a free program that is better than Microsof Office),

Open Office  is  a good program! Sandman's friend Kevin introduced it to me. No need to go buy a special program like MS Word or WordPerfect ... unless of course the course she is taking demands it.

[goofynina]

I would personally choose a Mac,  just something about that 2 all beef patty special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun that calls my name..... ohhhh, wrong Mac sorry,  that is the only Mac i am familar with, gonna leave this question up to you all (slowly steps back)

[Epoman]

Just want to get your views.  My daughter is doing extremely well at her two-year college here and this semester, they have given her an overload.  She has been telling me that she will be able to get the all A's that we want, if she gets a laptop.  I will finally be able to get one, and was going to buy a HP something or the other.  However, one of the IT guys at the college is telling her she should get a Mac.  I don't mind either, but I have been PC all my computer life after the Commodore days.

What do you guys think?

Hello Aurora I recommend her getting a PC, they may use a MAC is school however unless she is taking "computer" lessons on learning software programs, she does not need the same type of computer as the professors. Once she enters the work force unless she is entering education or graphic design/video editing, she most likely will be using a PC in the work force. Do not get me wrong I like macs and I recommend them however I am a PC user from the 8088 and 286 days. One good thing about macs are the users do not have to worry about VIRUSES and SPYWARE (at least not to the extent of PC users) most of that garbage, like 99% of it is created for PC's. Also a PC will be cheaper you can get a nice DELL laptop for about $600 or LESS if you watch the super deals from Dell. Or you can get a kick-ass desktop PC, fully loaded from Dell for under $800 or even MUCH MUCH less (it just depends), WITH a 19" Digital LCD monitor. Try getting a deal like that from APPLE.

Also about software for EVERY name brand software out there that costs a lot, there is an alternative FREE version that does pretty much the same thing. I have tried OPEN OFFICE and it is good and I too recommend it to people who can afford MS Word or MS Office, however I prefer MS OFFICE hands down. If you like you can get her "MS OFFICE Student Edition" for about $120 (USD) and that saves hundreds from the regular price of "Office". As to graphic programs, there are some great FREE programs out there however I will never give up my ADOBE Photoshop. I love it, it truly is the BEST!

So bottom line is:

If you want a cheap, powerful computer that is used in the majority of the work force and don't mind dealing with viruses and spam then get a PC.

If you want an expensive powerful computer with limited software choices, more expensive software, and no virus/spam worries then get a MAC.

MACS are very stylish and pretty and they are very easy to use however I am a die hard PC user and I always will be. But I do own a MAC to. I hope this helps and if you would like I can post some deals on DELL computers that are not widely known.

- Epoman
Owner/Admin

[Jill D.]

I have a Mac laptop. I literally took it out of the box when I got it and plugged it in and was ready to go, which was AWESOME! I use a PC at work...I find both are easy to use. I did pay quite a bit more for the Mac, but all of the Mac owners that I talked to before I bought it raved about how they rarely had any problems, and if they did the customer service was excellent...they would get someone in California, not India  That's what sold me...

[Epoman]

I have a Mac laptop. I literally took it out of the box when I got it and plugged it in and was ready to go, which was AWESOME! I use a PC at work...I find both are easy to use. I did pay quite a bit more for the Mac, but all of the Mac owners that I talked to before I bought it raved about how they rarely had any problems, and if they did the customer service was excellent...they would get someone in California, not India  That's what sold me...

Every PC Laptop I have owned which has been about 5 all have worked right out of the box. They have been Toshiba's, HP, and Compaq.

[SpeedFleX]

If I were you I would get a Mac for more the 1 Reason.

1. Macs have a nice OS, very clean and easy to use, Windows Vista on the other hand is also very clean, and alotta my mac friends love it that is whay I coming to nr.2
2. You can install Windows on a mac with a Software called Boot Camp, A mac with Vista is a dream come true 4 me
3. Macs are Sexy^^
4. Steve Jobs is a Geeksta, Bill Gates  is a Nerd

So if u have any other ?'s just ask I'm neutral about MS and Apple.

[kitkatz]

Get what you can use the best whether it is a Mac or a PC.  Either way you have to be able to use it.

[livecam]

This is an age old discussion usually fought by people who would kill to get their point across.  So...in my opinion I think it is wise to not tell you what mine is.  Six of the seven machines in this house are PC compatible. Enjoy whatever you get.

[AlasdairUK]

4. Steve Jobs is a Geeksta, Bill Gates is a Nerd

Nothing wrong with being a geek, just don't be a nerd!

[SpeedFleX]

nothing wrong with being both is like as your happy^^ geeksta are the best through^^

[Sluff]

What did you decide Bajanne??