Would you ever own a mac?

[supremekizzle]

Now, don't castrate me here, but would anyone here own a Mac? I would never own any of Apple's mobile devices and have been an avid android user since the OG Droid, but am seriously thinking of switching from a PC to a macbook air. I currently own a Asus Zen book Prime and the experience has left me unhappy. Windows kinda, sorta; well, it flat out blows for me. I am not a power user and only need windows for a couple of programs that aren't on android. What bothers me is keeping track of all the different drivers from Asus staying up to date and the sketchy customer support from a guy in the far East named Bob and the complex file system windows uses. There are flat out too many hardware configurations that windows deals with and it leaves a non-techie like me confused when I need my computer to do simple things. I'm finding myself scouring the net and watching YouTube videos just to learn how to use basic windows functions. From what I have seen from macs thus far though, is that they seem to just work. The software and hardware are blended together into a nice ecosystem. What about you guys? Can an anti-apple android die-hard coexist with a Mac? Or am I just a hoser because windows confuses me?

 

[saptech]

I do have a Mini Mac since 2005, but use it mostly with my HDTV as my entertainment system. I do believe Macs are easier to use and maintain, plus run better since the HW & OS are from the same company. I'm not an Apple fanatic but I am a Linux crackpot user. I also run Windows on my computers but mostly use Linux as my main OS.

 

[breadnatty08]

Let's just say, if I could afford a MBA I would buy one, no problem.
My uses are very basic, essentially just browsing the web. I've used an older gen. MBA, and while I don't know much about Mac OS, they seem like great devices.

 

[EarlyMon]

I usually use a Mac and use virtual machines to run Windows and Linux at the same time on it.

They're very flexible and as you note, don't use usb drivers because once you're past the eye candy, it's just another flavor of unix.

The latest Androids want to connect for data transfer using a Microsoft protocol called MTP. You need to install Android File Transfer, by Google available at android.com to deal with that. Unfortunately, some combinations of newer hardware and the OS don't work with it. I've tracked that issue across the forums and can't find a common denominator to tell you if you're going to face that or not.

You can get around that using wifi transfer anyway with good free apps like AirDroid. Ditto if you use iTunes on your Mac, several music transfer apps exist for Android.

At the end of the day, it's just a pc and pretty ok.

If I were going with a Samsung, I'd stick with Windows though, and then deal with the driver headaches.

 

[mikedt]

I've got one of the older Core2Duo white Macbooks. My father in the UK had it, he wasn't using it so I brought it back home with me last month. To me it's a nice compact laptop, it runs OS X obviously, which is fine with me. Has a good keyboard, and is a pleasure to use. Normally on my PC laptop I'm running Linux anyway, because I don't really want to be dealing with Windows in China.

Can't see the Apple logo though, I put a GB international car sticker over it.

A friend in the UK suggested that.

 

[Hadron]

I use a MacBook Pro as my main work machine. I need a Unix shell, and underneath the skin OSX is basically another *nix, but one which can run actual MS Office apps (there are a couple of weeks a year when I need to do stuff that LibreOffice can't handle, and booting into Windows for that would stop me doing anything else). And occasionally someone uploads a talk in Keynote format, in which case it's handy to be able to read it.

Like Early, I have a few linux VMs on it too .

Trying to decide whether I can cope with loss of screen estate and move down to a 13" retina when they are updated, or whether I need to stay 15"? That's going to be a pain today, when I try to write a talk on a plane....

 

[MLSS]

Mac books are great!!

 

[7Priest7]

I would never use a MAC.

The hardware is all proprietary.

Meaning if anything went bad I would be forced to pay whatever apple is asking to replace it.

With my windows system there are many manufacturers that can supply me replacement components if any part of my system goes bad.

Even the components Apple sub contracts are not easily serviceable on account of Apple not using established standards of computer design.

You can replace ram and hdd(on some models) which is sorta mute as those components are statistically the least likely to go bad.

 

[huh]

I'm posting this from my macbook pro right now..as we speak! dah dah dah!!!
for real

 

[brownchm]

While Macs are great machines I would not purchase one unless i needed to do something involving multimedia, such as video editing. Mostly because I game and Windows has a much greater variety in games. Also with the price of a quality Mac being the way it is, I can buy a much better overall build and includes an optical drive.

 

[mikedt]

I would never use a MAC.

The hardware is all proprietary.

Meaning if anything went bad I would be forced to pay whatever apple is asking to replace it.

Mind you many PCs are completely proprietary as well, basically anything that isn't a standard tower, like the now popular all-in-ones and of course laptops and tablet PCs.

With my windows system there are many manufacturers that can supply me replacement components if any part of my system goes bad.

You built it yourself, your own custom rig? I've done that many times. Although I prefer not to be using Windows these days because of the country I'm in.

Even the components Apple sub contracts are not easily serviceable on account of Apple not using established standards of computer design.

You can replace ram and hdd(on some models) which is sorta mute as those components are statistically the least likely to go bad.

Same with proprietary PCs as well. You can change the RAM(provided it's not soldered) and the HDDs. But that's about it.

I wouldn't buy a new Mac, too expensive for my needs. Rather buy a Lenovo. But I certainly use one that was given to me.

 

[IOWA]

On a personal level? No. Never. Still stick with the Open Source variants of *nix, thank you.

On a business level? If I had to, sure. It hasn't come up yet, but with the rising popularity of Macs I may be forced into getting one for business purposes.

 

[EarlyMon]

I got into OS X for video editing and stayed for business purposes.

 

[ParishL31]

For your uses as just a light user, it really does just come down to preference and which operating system you feel you navigate easier and feel more comfortable with. Just go into an Apple store and play with one for a bit and see if it's more comfortable to you than Windows. It may feel more natural to you, or it may make navigating things even worst, it just depends on your preferences.

You can debate for hours on the pros and cons of Windows vs OS X. But for light personal use, it really does not matter other than your preference on which is easier to work. It's only when you get into specific and advanced functions when the pros and cons come into play.

The one common misconception is regarding viruses though. Macs can get viruses. PCs can also stay clean without even installing any anti-virus software.

 

[MoodyBlues]

but am seriously thinking of switching from a PC to a macbook air

I think you're laboring under the INCORRECT, yet all-too-common misconception, that "PC" means "personal computer running window$ crapware" when, in fact, "PC" means "personal computer PERIOD." All of my PCs run Linux. No need for me to switch from free distributions of Linux to proprietary Mac--which is also UNIX-based. If you want *nix instead of winblows, wipe your hard drives and install Linux.

 

[mrex]

my ex has macbook air. it's neat for sure, but zenbook is neat too =) by the way, whats wrong with your zenbook? i have a zenbook too (u500vz) and im more than happy with it.

i was forced to use mac at the uni, and hated it all the time would i buy mac? propably not.. i refuse to buy a device that put me to buy "special compatible" hardware and actually gives no choice to choose manufacturer for a computer, phone or tablet. those apple certified devices propably dont work in other system either. for example, i have jabra halo2 bt headset and it works fine with all devices i have, but it doesnt work correctly with ios. if i bought ios version of the same bt headset, it wouldnt work in any other system. so why on earth would i like to bind myself into one system? what if i liked to try something else, i would propably need to buy same stuff again. i just dont get it. for example bt should be universal and independent from os. it seems to be that apple is doing this on purpose for only one reason, not to loose any customer; the more you buy the harder is leaving, imo. better to be outsider then, lol!

im happy with android because i can use same devices with win and android (or linux) with no problem. and if i dont like some manufacturer, i do have choices to choose!

if you are going to buy a mac, check your other devices compatibility with os x .

 

[EarlyMon]

The Mac runs OS X, iDevices run iOS.

Various Linux distributions can have the same MTP issues - it's a Microsoft protocol.


My wife uses Dropbox.

When her phone hits a wifi network, her pictures upload.

A script on her Mac sees that and downloads them automatically to iPhoto.

And they're ready for editing, and good to go for web or email sharing.

Just does it, easy.

 

[jhawkkw]

To me, the price for one doesn't make it worth it. If they were more in line for what they truly are hardware wise with typical Windows Computers, maybe. Software has leveled out considerably recently, but for now I'll just stick with Windows with running virtual Linux disto to complement my needs.

 

[9to5cynic]

I'd love a Mac. Just a bit too pricey for me. I'm looking into the refurbs, but still pricey.

Various Linux distributions can have the same MTP issues - it's a Microsoft protocol.

Even Windows can have issues with MTP

 

[jhawkkw]

I'd love a Mac. Just a bit too pricey for me. I'm looking into the refurbs, but still pricey.


Even Windows can have issues with MTP

MTP is just terrible, plain and simple.

 

[7Priest7]

Mind you many PCs are completely proprietary as well, basically anything that isn't a standard tower, like the now popular all-in-ones and of course laptops and tablet PCs.

True.

You built it yourself, your own custom rig? I've done that many times. Although I prefer not to be using Windows these days because of the country I'm in.

No, I didnt build it but my system uses a standards compliant motherboard/tower.
At one point my system was a HP but the motherboard got fried so I replaced the tower/motherboard.
All the other components in the HP system were standard.

Same with proprietary PCs as well. You can change the RAM(provided it's not soldered) and the HDDs. But that's about it.

I disagree, with desktop systems they are pretty open for upgrades as they use standard slots on proprietary motherboards.

I wouldn't buy a new Mac, too expensive for my needs. Rather buy a Lenovo. But I certainly use one that was given to me.

That too, Expensive to start with Mac, EXPENSIVE to repair a mac.
All around not worth the extra cost for the non existent benefits of the Mac OS.

 

[EarlyMon]

All around not worth the extra cost for the non existent benefits of the Mac OS.

Have you used OS X?

 

[Member243850]

Short answer for me is no.

The last time I had a go on that Mac OS I just could not get used to the way it was (is still perhaps? ) laid out.

I much prefer the iOS layout am way more happier with it's layout.

I love the iPhone 3GS and forgot how nice the interface and speed is.

It is still very fast even for something slightly "old" but in SA money is tight but I really really like this device.

Just HATE how I cannot program with the otiginal sdk??...

Ja it is insane I agree with you.

Anyway I do not like that lay out of it but I am surprised at how fast it was / is and snappy responses when I had a go on my cousins mac.

I have no idea what machine kind it was but it was still very very quick!

Just wish they had no insane proprietary insanity on it though...

But hey!

I am just a freedom loving lunatic!

 

[mplevy]

I would. Wait, I already DO.

As for the hardware compatibility brought up by mrex, I haven't seen an issue. I have a BT headset, usable on my Android phone and my MBP. There is absolutely ZERO need to buy external HDD's labeled "for Mac", the only differences are that they come pre-formatted with a Mac file system (2 minutes with Disk Utility fixes that) and they come with Mac tools rather than Windows ones (not that I ever use the bundled tools).

I use all kinds of flash drives and external HDD's with my MBPs (one work, one personal), even Windows-formatted external HDD's work, with some limitations.

 

[7Priest7]

Have you used OS X?

Nope.

However all the intel on Mac is available via the internet.

If I was going to move to an OS that is not compatible with my current applications and games I would move for a linux distro(probably Debian)

Game developers compile code for Mac the same way they do for linux,
aka Maybe they will mostly they wont.

People argue that Mac has advantages for Graphical designers etc.
What applications make the above statement true?

I see as little advantage to Mac as their is to *nix except Mac comes with costly proprietary hardware.

EDIT: Also Mac uses a one button mouse which would be a needlessly hard adjustment for a long time Windows user like myself, Not to mention the incompatibly with most my favorite games that rely on the right mouse button.

Plus Mac uses custom CPU architecture that they do not provide better chips for.
Soo, when a mac becomes too outdated you have to get a new mac.
With a windows system you have either AMD or Intel(I think) which will provide you many upgrade options.

For example I have a AM3 socket, I could get a hexa core with 3.0GHz or another more powerful quad core, Right now I have a Quad Core @ 2.8GHz.

By the time I am ready to upgrade their is the possibility more AM3 chips will be available.