Would you ever own a mac?

[Bob Maxey]

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.

A Mac is a perfectly grand computer. Most PCs are also great. I almost went to an Air, but I choose another crappy laptop. My needs are simple and the iPad can do all of my heavy lifting.

Mac/PC . . . it does not really matter in the final wash, for most users. In my opinion, many go Mac because Apple does a good job selling and many choose MAC because of a specific need or they just think a Mac is better withouy knowing much. Some hate Microsoft and some hate Apple.

Strip away the Bull Farkle and BOTH machines are Excellent.

One of the coolest laptops I ever owned was an old Powerbook. Great sound, amazing display, sensible OS, great GUI and it was fast. Everything worked well. Perhaps as good and a little better than most Win laptops I ever owned.

Unless you want to develop iOS applications, then a PC is good. If you want to develop iOS apps, well, then, you need a Mac.

The Air is an amazing machine. the size is perfect for the saddle bags and I can/could still carry my iPad and it would take up less space than my current Craptop.

 

[mikedt]

Nope.

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

Things might be out of date and inaccurate, and please don't believe everything you read on the internet(or tabloid newspapers for that matter). I certainly don't.

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.

One button mouse? When was that discontinued...2001-2006? Think the current standard Apple mouse is some kind of multi-touch affair(NO buttons)....the Magic Mouse. I've tried one, didn't like it.

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.

You're referring to PowerPC architecture? That was discontinued in 2006. Although the PowerPC architecture still lives on in gaming consoles, e.g. Sony PS3 and Xbox 360.

Apple now uses the same Intel CPUs and chipsets as most other PC manufacturers, except they seem to charge a lot more for it. Yes Macs are overpriced IMO, but then so are Sony Vaio PCs.

In fact Apple computers are considered luxury products here in China, along with all the Gucci and LV handbags.

 

[Mayhem]

Normally I'd say I wouldn't, but I actually do own a Power Mac G4.

It's in pieces in my office. I ripped it apart for the case. I just haven't done anything with it yet.

 

[mikedt]

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.

You mean a screen-full of icons on a square grid? - an idea that started with Windows.

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.

iPhone 3GS? I guess South Africa, maybe like China...emerging markets...even older things like an iPhone 3GS are still desirable items.

 

[Member243850]

You mean a screen-full of icons on a square grid? - an idea that started with Windows.



iPhone 3GS? I guess South Africa, maybe like China...emerging markets...even older things like an iPhone 3GS are still desirable items.

Hell ja!

Money is tight in SA.

South Africans aren't like Yanks and the Brits and many other 1st worlders that just buy a car every 2 or so years...

My mom has still got her Peugeot from 2000.

And I actually totally with them that they see no need to get a new car for now.

I had my old computer with DDR 1 ram for many many many years before I had to get my Toshiba Core i5 and had to do A LOT of research to see if it was a good investment or not.

This Toshy machine cost me 1000's of my hard earned rands.

Many many many South Africans just do not have money to just throw at and burn on fat pie Mc Donalds Hamburgers because money is actually pretty tight here... so I really do like how the Chinese people have honor and respect about how precious things really are and understand that it is a luxury.

And they are correct.

500% correct.

America thinks it has a so caleld an unemployment "problem" but they do not understand jack or anything in reality. About HALF (51 %) of our population's youth are unemployed.

Half of SA

And I will keep this Toshiba for many many years to come and it is a brilliant machine all round.

I am very lucky to have it,

I am very lucky to have it and I adore my iPhone 3GS just wish I could some how code for it but I will find a work around soon.

But I will find a work around for that!

People even run around with Nokia N70's what ever works and has got lots of features we are happy to have it.

This is also why the cheap Chinese tablets are so popular here because people cannot afford to sell their house to buy a Samsung S3...

 

[mikedt]

Hell ja!

Money is tight in SA.

South Africans aren't like Yanks and the Brits and many other 1st worlders that just buy a car every 2 or so years...

My mom has still got her Peugeot from 2000.

That's the problem with Yanks and Brits, they so often assume that everyone else can afford the Galaxy S4s and whatever else. Problem is most of these high priced phones are NOT subsidised in emerging markets. Only the more affluent afford them.

This is also why the cheap Chinese tablets are so popular here because people cannot afford to sell their house to buy a Samsung S3...

Yeh.. the S3 is old hat in the United States, AFAICT they always seem to want the latest and greatest. But of course in the US premium phones are heavily subsidised by the carriers AFAICT. But they're locked to the carrier of course. You can try and unlock your phone but that's likely to get you put in prison and/or face a very stiff fine...$250,000?....DMCA.

Whose going to rule the world, cheap Chinese tablets? Google is not going to get much of a look-in either.

 

[EarlyMon]

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.

Your internet info is wrong.

Macs haven't used one button mice in over a decade.

They don't use proprietary cpu architectures.

Saying that you know that an OS you've never used has non-existent features based on questionable internet information does not serve the op in making his choice.

You're entitled to your opinions, but that doesn't make them facts.

The fact is that the platform has strengths and weaknesses.

Exactly like Windows or Linux.

And for many, it's a valid choice.

 

[Member243850]

That's the problem with Yanks and Brits, they so often assume that everyone else can afford the Galaxy S4s and whatever else. Problem is most of these high priced phones are NOT subsidised in emerging markets. Only the more affluent afford them.



Yeh.. the S3 is old hat in the United States, AFAICT they always seem to want the latest and greatest. But of course in the US premium phones are heavily subsidised by the carriers AFAICT.

Whose going to rule the world, cheap Chinese tablets? Google is not going to get much of a look-in either.

I so so so totally agree with you!

So many South Africans just simply put it, many of us just cannot afford bleeding edge technology.

A Galaxy S3 is extremely expensive here and I would never pay such a high price for something like that.

These cheap Chinese tablets may be cheap in price but they are brilliant bang for your buck here in SA.

They are actually and usually very high quality and a hell of a lot of bang for your buck compared to something that just has a silly brand name like LG or whatever stuck on it but cost like 20 times the price.

Ridiculous.

Apple is actually not that big at all here in SA. They are not that big at all compared to Android.

But when compared to Android... Blackberry is HUGE... like FREAKING HUGE here... but this is because our telecommunications is owned by our "glorious gubbermint" and no one else is allowed a license.

There is only ONE land line or broadband provider... but there are 4 main big cellphone players, Cell C, Vodacom, MTN and 8ta...There used to be 5 with Virgin Mobile, but Richard Brandson got a huuuuuuuuuge freaking wake up call and realised how corrupt South African business really is and just sold off the business here to Cell C and pulled out of the country disgusted at how connected you have to be.

At least he got a wonderful hands on experience with these people.

I could see he could not handle the dirty corruption and insane monopolies going on here with being "in" or "not' kind of rubbish.

Cell C struggled for many years against the other monopolies (Vodacom and MTN) that wanted to try and crush them but failed.

BlackBerry offers extremely cheap internet and that is extremely desirable here from the insane internet prices.

We apparently have one of the highest mobile internet prices in the world... great stuff.

Go SA!

South Africa's mobile prices are among the highest in the world

 

[rabidhunter]

That's the problem with Yanks and Brits, they so often assume that everyone else can afford the Galaxy S4s and whatever else. Problem is most of these high priced phones are NOT subsidised in emerging markets. Only the more affluent afford them.

This Yank for sure can't afford the latest and greatest. Sure, there's subsidies, but that helps a fat lot when dealing with the newest phones. It makes the S4 somewhere around $199 with a new activation.

My first Android phone was the Pantech Breakout, I paid a penny for it. It was cheap and broke on me. I had to buy a $25 OG Droid off of ebay to get me by until I can upgrade.

That's why I appreciate what Moto/Goog is trying to do with the Moto X phone in making it more affordable rather than a spec monster.

Thanks Stinky Stinky for the perspective, we all can use that. It always helps to walk a mile in somebody else's shoes (though I'm not sure I want to walk a mile in the stinky shoes of Stinky Stinky). Hopefully Project Loon will come soon to the SA.

 

[7Priest7]

You're entitled to your opinions, but that doesn't make them facts.

My facts were old...
In fairness the only mac I used for more than a few minutes was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_128K
I was not a big fan of that Macintosh(it was all I had atm)

My main reason for not wanting a Mac remains a legitimate thing to consider.

Not all games are compiled for Mac, and if you are a gamer like me you should consider this.

EDIT: I am not sure I used the 128K or something that just looked like it.

 

[EarlyMon]

Yeah, those old Macs used the old OS - I was forced to use one a few times, that's all I'm saying. But again - many people liked them, so everyone's mileage varies.

Look and feel of the new stuff is different.

PS - think you want to credit me on that quote.

PPS - ironic how the wheel turns. Back in the day, PCs were for business, Macs for games. Now business use can be anything and Macs suck at games compared to PCs.

 

[mrex]

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.

True and false. Some works, some not. For example this is the answer I got from Jabra when asked about the compatibility of bt headset with android, win and apple: "Apple version does not work with other brands than Apple." They have two halo2 bt headset. The version which works with android and win and others, but do not work with apple correctly. Apple has an odd view about compatibility and "universal standards". What I have learnt, nowadays it's much better than it was but there are still some. For example this BT-thing. That's why it is always better to check the compatibility with apple devices.

 

[jhawkkw]

Yeah, those old Macs used the old OS - I was forced to use one a few times, that's all I'm saying. But again - many people liked them, so everyone's mileage varies.

Look and feel of the new stuff is different.

PS - think you want to credit me on that quote.

PPS - ironic how the wheel turns. Back in the day, PCs were for business, Macs for games. Now business use can be anything and Macs suck at games compared to PCs.

I can remember at like age 5 or 6 trying to figure out how to use MSDOS to get the game I wanted to open . Kids these days have it so easy with computers.

 

[EarlyMon]

True and false. Some works, some not. For example this is the answer I got from Jabra when asked about the compatibility of bt headset with android, win and apple: "Apple version does not work with other brands than Apple." They have two halo2 bt headset. The version which works with android and win and others, but do not work with apple correctly. Apple has an odd view about compatibility and "universal standards". What I have learnt, nowadays it's much better than it was but there are still some. For example this BT-thing. That's why it is always better to check the compatibility with apple devices.

Back in the feature phone days before they started tinkering with the BT specs, I used Motorola BT headsets - they worked on my feature phone, my Mac and my WinPC.

I even used to do built-in BT file transfers from my old StarTac to those PCs, no problem.

I'm not saying Apple is ok - I'm just saying that I gave up on BT because I couldn't get simple things to work that used to work, all because everyone in the BT game changed their stuff.

jhawk - lol.

 

[Hadron]

South Africans aren't like Yanks and the Brits and many other 1st worlders that just buy a car every 2 or so years...

This Brit has a 12 year old car, and will continue to use it until it is no longer economical/safe to do so. Bought it second-hand too (never bought a new car in my life). It's a machine for getting me from A to B, doesn't have to be fancy, just has to work reliably.

I can remember at like age 5 or 6 trying to figure out how to use MSDOS to get the game I wanted to open . Kids these days have it so easy with computers.

Ah, the days of my Windows 3.1 machine, with a boot script offering half a dozen memory configurations depending on which app or game I wanted to run. Yeah, they don't know they're born

 

[mrex]

offtopic

Ah, the days of my Windows 3.1 machine, with a boot script offering half a dozen memory configurations depending on which app or game I wanted to run. Yeah, they don't know they're born

QEMM we used to have competition with my friend, who get more an available conventional memory Every bytes counted! LOL! Dos memory manager and using QEMM including configuring autoexec.bat/config.sys was necessary

<3 olivetti 386sx 25hz <3

was my first PC and used a lot of time to make menus in dos

/offtopic

 

[IOWA]

This Brit has a 12 year old car, and will continue to use it until it is no longer economical/safe to do so. Bought it second-hand too (never bought a new car in my life). It's a machine for getting me from A to B, doesn't have to be fancy, just has to work reliably.


Ah, the days of my Windows 3.1 machine, with a boot script offering half a dozen memory configurations depending on which app or game I wanted to run. Yeah, they don't know they're born

I generally get my vehicles these days from Auctions. Great deals, and generally good cars if you keep your eyes open.

Got my 06 civic last year for $8k. Bought it with 40k miles. I love it.

 

[nickdalzell]

Would I ever buy a Mac?

Ask me a similar question. "Would you consider buying a Buick?"

Answer to both, NO! Like Buick, the Mac has a lot of gimmicks but like Buick, is mostly for older, richer folks who resist change much like Apple's iOS and Mac OS X.

Apple is the Buick of the computing world. Landyachts, overpriced, boring, unexciting. I'll stick with [Pontiac] Android any day. Specifically my new [Solstice] Galaxy S3

 

[mikedt]

Would I ever buy a Mac?

Ask me a similar question. "Would you consider buying a Buick?"

Answer to both, NO! Like Buick, the Mac has a lot of gimmicks but like Buick, is mostly for older, richer folks who resist change much like Apple's iOS and Mac OS X.

Apple is the Buick of the computing world. Landyachts, overpriced, boring, unexciting. I'll stick with [Pontiac] Android any day. Specifically my new [Solstice] Galaxy S3

I don't think we have Pontiacs here. There's a lot of Buicks though, and Chevrolets. Although would a Shanghai Buick be the same type of car as a Detroit Buick?

 

[airguitar]

If you have the money, why not? It seems like you're a casual user, so there shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, if you don't like a certain operating system, keep in mind that you can always downgrade to Windows 7 or something. I agree with you -- Windows 8 is a bust. I don't see myself upgrading to it in a long, long time (maybe not ever). However, I think Windows 7 is great.

Do you play games? If you do, I would not recommend a Mac. Well, at least for the latest games anyways (I'm not talking about simple flash games).

 

[Joelgp83]

Ah, the days of my Windows 3.1 machine, with a boot script offering half a dozen memory configurations depending on which app or game I wanted to run. Yeah, they don't know they're born

Hey, you don't happen to still have that boot script, eh? Would be interesting to give it a whirl on dosbox or virtualbox or even my win98SE legacy rig in dos mode.

Apple is the Buick of the computing world. Landyachts, overpriced, boring, unexciting. I'll stick with [Pontiac] Android any day. Specifically my new [Solstice] Galaxy S3

My first (and only) car I bought and still drive is a Pontiac. Perhaps that's why I like android?

 

[nickdalzell]

Mike, Pontiac got axed by GM which I feel is the worst mistake ever. They're now as redneck motor group who's only stock is oversized consumption vehicles with horrid gas mileage, and redundant makes (GMC and Chevy) and boring land yachts for an aging (and dying) older market demographic (Cadillac and Buick). They have zero excitement and yea, Buick is selling well in China but not the US. They should have axed Buick here and lost Pontiac there. Around here if there is any car driving 10 under the speed limit with the left signal flashing for no reason, it is often a Buick of some type (Century, Park Avenue or LeSabre) driven by some old man or woman.

I cannot help but see Apple falling into the same trap. Around here both rednecks, older folks have iPhones like GM owners lifted Chevy/GMC trucks and Buicks. Apple has nothing new to bring to the table either. Android phones are a teen and younger generation favorite, usually an S3 or S4

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I purchased my first Mac this year, a 15" MacBook Pro w/ Retina display and it's an absolute gorgeous piece of machinery. The built quality is out of this world, the track pad is ultra responsive (really helps out since I use a lot of quick gestures), and the screen is beautiful.

I spent close to a year looking for a replace of my Lenovo T61. The MacBook was always in the back of my mind, so when I went looking I couldn't find anything with the build quality of the mac (I am a sucker for build quality), everything was cheap plastic. I am luck enough to have both a Windows store and an Apple store in the same mall near me. I finally went into the windows store and played with every laptop they had, then I walked into the Apple store and did the same. I picked the laptops up, I pounded away on the keys etc... The rMBP won by a land slide.

A few months has pasted and I don't regret it at all. It plays nicely with my S3 and getting used to the OS was simple enough. I use the machine for photography editing, video editing and obviously causal browsing (editing photos on the retina display is really nice). Honestly, it's the first time in a long while that I really enjoy my computer.

 

[Radiance]

I have three Macs: a 2011 13" MacBook Pro, one of the last iMac G4s they put out, and an earlier Power Mac G5. The laptops are built much better than back when they first switched to Intel, my first 2006 MacBook Pro model was a disaster because of the horrible coating they did that first round.

Funnily enough, I probably have more issues with the MacBook Pro than any Windows machine I've owned, and I've owned more than 50. Like the other day, I had to go back and forth between the recovery partition and the OS X partitions just to make the partition bigger.

But then, Mac users use their machines differently than Windows users. At least these days. Because I remember back in the Windows 3.1/95 days, my dad was using Lotus Notes and Quicken, but now we have online banking and our cellphones make good planners. So now he only has Google Chrome/Firefox and Microsoft Office on his work machine. It has become less of a productive machine and more of just something to browse on.

And it's the same thing with me. When I had a Windows setup, I had Photoshop, Firefox, MSN Messenger, AIM, iTunes, and that was pretty much it. Now that I use Macs full time, I have a Calendar app, I have the Notes app, Evernote, a journaling app, an ePub reader, among other stuff. Linux/Windows people don't think too much about those things. They save more money because of that probably, (LOL) but still...

 

[EarlyMon]

The problem with stereotypes is that they're as true as anything else on the internet. - Abraham Lincoln, 1859