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Switching to Macbook. Your thoughts please.

andyedward

By andyedward
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andyedward

andyedward

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I'm growing tired of windows and am considering switching to a macbook pro. Can anyone please share their thoughts and experiences on this move in regards to pros and cons? My main priority is speed as I often have multiple websites open whilst doing university assignments.

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stunsworth

stunsworth

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An Airport Express would have been enough for this task

 

Airport Express doesn't support high resolution recordings, and can't feed the asynchronous USB input of my DAC. Also I use the Channel D Pure Audio software in conjunction with iTunes.

 

The Mac Mini replaced an ageing MacBook that was grinding to a hard

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stunsworth

stunsworth

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Would you rather drive a Mercedes or a Chevy?

 

Mercedes quality control seems to have gone downhill over the last decade or so, so I'd probably chose neither.

 

Here in the UK - which is where the OP comes from - Chevrolet have a market penetration slightly over 0%.

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k-hawinkler

k-hawinkler

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I'm growing tired of windows and am considering switching to a macbook pro. Can anyone please share their thoughts and experiences on this move in regards to pros and cons? My main priority is speed as I often have multiple websites open whilst doing university assignments.

 

 

I have been using Macs, Windows, Linux, Unix, and other OSs for a long time.

As a con I would list a somewhat initial steep learning curve.

 

However, I believe one can schedule a session with an Apple genius or guy at an Apple store and get shown the ropes.

He probably can also advise which books to read and videos to watch.

It also helps to learn Unix so that one can use the command-line interface of Mac OS.

 

Good luck.

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rob_w

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I changed in 2007 when Vista was intolerable. I can honestly say, never a day's problem (hope I am not tempting fate here). And many days of delight; the Macs just work, you forget about having to attend to them.

 

I still have regular acquaintance with Windows versions at work, where the repeated message from the old guard is 'the next version' will be 'just as good as a Mac'. Thus far, still waiting.

 

Regarding the learning curve, Macs are pretty intuitive but it would help to get yourself one of those tips and tricks books to learn some of the keyboard shortcuts and other nifty features.

 

Regarding speed, probably more dependent on the browser once line speed and equipment configuration taken care of. Chrome was the speed king for a while; currently Safari is probably the fastest. Any of these will run on either OSX or Windows.

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earleygallery

earleygallery

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I asked the same question here about a year ago and was given some useful advice/tips (search for the threads).

 

Basically, I made the change, and whilst I'm still 'learning' mac, I'm happy I switched.

 

My main issue with windows is that every pc/laptop I've had has slowed down progressively to the point where they become frustrating to use, and suffered from virus problems, and anti virus software, disc clean-ups etc dont stop it happening.

 

You can get Windows programs for mac such as office, or parallels that let's you load the windows OS.

 

I've tried to use the mac software mostly though, but still use windows at work. Some things still seem easier on windows but you can find your way around the mac and it's very user friendly.

 

IMHO buy a windows machine and it's an throwaway purchase after about 3 years. Buy a mac and you should get many more years use from it. I just bought a 2006 model MacBook to use alongside my mini and it's great. There's no way I'd buy a s/h windows laptop!

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andyedward

andyedward

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I changed in 2007 when Vista was intolerable. I can honestly say, never a day's problem (hope I am not tempting fate here). And many days of delight; the Macs just work, you forget about having to attend to them.

 

I still have regular acquaintance with Windows versions at work, where the repeated message from the old guard is 'the next version' will be 'just as good as a Mac'. Thus far, still waiting.

 

Regarding the learning curve, Macs are pretty intuitive but it would help to get yourself one of those tips and tricks books to learn some of the keyboard shortcuts and other nifty features.

 

Regarding speed, probably more dependent on the browser once line speed and equipment configuration taken care of. Chrome was the speed king for a while; currently Safari is probably the fastest. Any of these will run on either OSX or Windows.

 

Vista angered me deeply. I presumed it would be an improvement over XP, but was a backward step from XP and a waste of money, so I returned to XP. The learning curve for a mac doesnt concern me as I'll get there eventually and I'm sure it will be an improvement. I'll get my 9 year old niece to bail me out if I get stuck with it!

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dpitt

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I have been using Macs for 20 years now, and PC's professionally for 30 years. In my eyes buying a PC for home is a waste of money. The PC demands constant attention for stupid issues, the Mac gets out of the way and lets you do what you like to do.

 

 

Some people enjoy play with settings/tweek their PC constantly. They will perhaps feel lost on a Mac, because it simply works out of the box.

 

 

I would not call learning Mac OSX a steep learning curve. Everything seems more logical than with Windows 7. Lots of things are similar, but simply more consistent.

 

 

This site will help you to switch:Apple - Support - Mac Basics - Switching PC Habits

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!Nomad64

!Nomad64

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Before spending a ton of monies on a Mac and however subject to what your actual needs are, try reusing what you already have with Linux. You might be positively surprised.

I've been either a Windows and Mac user but since switching to Linux and doing my share of attempts to find "the" distribution I never repented.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

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andyedward

andyedward

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I have just checked out a windows 8 clip on youtube, and it doesnt seem like much of an improvement over previous iterations. It looks disjointed and counterintuitive. I'm looking at spending enough money to buy a fast machine, but theres no way whatever I'll buy will run on windows.

 

I'm no expert, but can get windows running as quick as the machine is capable, yet after 2-3 days it still manages to slow considerably. I get the impression that Macs run consistently well with no maintenance and dont suffer the same problems that microsoft is unwilling to fix. From many sources I have read that Macs continue to function long after PC's have died, which makes them a far more prudent choice. Having said that, the 6 year old basic fujitsu siemens I'm writing this post with has lasted 6 years, but not without constant attention.

 

I intend to buy a 15" macbook pro with retina display. I'll get the 14% student discount and hopefully apples 0% finance deal, so it'll be more affordable. I figure that I wont be buying another computer for another 6 years at least, so I'll spend as much as I can now.

 

Goodbye windows!

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tobey bilek

tobey bilek

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Had two windows machines and both were a pain. Has Windows 2000 at work which was fine because someone else maintained it.

 

Now I have three Macs and all work flawlessly with no maintenance.

 

Last week I was trying to get some work done on a church printer through a Windows 7. The screen is so full of garbage, I could not navigate.

 

I use a 27" iMac,i7 processor, 16 GB ram and it breezes through 35 MP images. All my photo work is done on this and nothing else is.

 

Portables are nice if you have to move them around, but then get a pro screen plug in to do color managed photo work.

 

I have had dozens of sites open at one time on a 24" imac now 4 years old or more with no fancy specs.

 

My doctors all use Macs now.to comply with the HIPPA regulations.

 

I have a few relatives involved with commercial art/graphic arts. They all use Mac.

 

Microsoft can newer get their OS to work because they have too many legacy issues. They wold have to do a wipe out and start from scratch. They survive because they have a strangle hold on computer manufactures.

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k-hawinkler

k-hawinkler

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I intend to buy a 15" macbook pro with retina display. I'll get the 14% student discount and hopefully apples 0% finance deal, so it'll be more affordable. I figure that I wont be buying another computer for another 6 years at least, so I'll spend as much as I can now.

 

Please max out the 16 GB of memory and if you can afford it the flash memory.

Obviously it's overpriced but worth it if you keep the machine for 6 years minimum.

Apple keeps diagnostic software for their geniuses for items that are at most 5 years old.

Good luck!

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stunsworth

stunsworth

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Just be aware that the new MacBooks don't have a CD/DVD drive built in anymore...

 

You can pick up a USB CD/DVD writer from around £20. The Apple is £60 or so.

 

For memory buy from someone like Crucial. Apple want £240 for the 16 gig update for a Mac Mini, Crucial are just over £60!

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andyedward

andyedward

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Please max out the 16 GB of memory and if you can afford it the flash memory.

Obviously it's overpriced but worth it if you keep the machine for 6 years minimum.

Apple keeps diagnostic software for their geniuses for items that are at most 5 years old.

Good luck!

 

Good advice, thank you. I was planning on the memory upgrade from 8 to 16gb, which is reasonable £100, but the 256 to 512gb storage upgrade is a mighty £400. I'll see how my financial situation is at the time I order it.

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doolittle

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The great thing about intel Macs is that you can install Windows on them too and dual boot. Very handy when you need to use software which is windows only.

 

I use windows and osx and appreciate them both. I find Windows 7 pretty stable and secure, it seems less prone to building up crud and slowing down over time than its predecessors.

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